Our Committees and Ministries

Trinity is a healthy and vibrant community with great prospects for the future. Our parish family is involved in a wide range of activities, from knitting prayer shawls to providing suppers for those in need; from supporting those who have lost their jobs, or to collecting food for the hungry in exchange for parking in our lot for community events. We offer many opportunities for people to use their talents, increase their skills, and contribute to our general parish community; those who are new to Trinity with fresh ideas and enthusiasm are always welcome.

In the wide variety of Committees and Ministries anyone can find a group or cause that is appealing: some with actual hands–on effort, some with planning and operational effort. We offer some of those here, and volunteer commitments for worship and liturgy lay assistance can be found on the Worship and Liturgy pages. The names of those to contact are at the bottom of each description, and those parishioners are always ready to talk with people about their projects.

Here is list of our committees and ministries:

Stewardship

Learn about our Stewardship Committee and Supporting Trinity.

Property Committee

The Property Committee oversees the well-being of the buildings and grounds. They make the decisions about the major and minor projects that keep Trinity and the Rectory sound, scheduling face-lifts and renovations as they become necessary, hiring the people who do the necessary work, and making certain that all is well with our church property.

Contacts: Jim Funk, 203-259-8112, and Jennifer Smith, 203-254-7321.

Communications Committee

The Communications Committee is responsible for overseeing most of the communications at the church, from press releases about upcoming events to our recent efforts to upgrade our website. Communications is also responsible for recording the sermons each Sunday. The Communications staff member handles our newsletters and email communications, and those who are familiar with computers and technology are especially welcome to join this group.

Contact: John Weber, 203-259-6386

Foyer Groups

Being part of a Foyer Group at Trinity is an excellent way for new and old members to deepen relationships and get to know other parishioners in all age groups. Groups of 8-10 adults meet together for dinner and fellowship regularly with each person or couple taking turns hosting the group. New groups are formed randomly in the fall and continue to meet throughout the year at each other’s homes. New parishioners who want to become involved will be incorporated into an existing group.

Contacts: Deborah Valentin 203-292-3785 and Eileen Weber, 203-259-6386.

Ministry of Twelve

The Ministry of Twelve provides dinners, drivers, and assorted helpful services to parishioners in need due to a medical or other short-term necessity. Each month there is a captain and twelve team members who can be called upon to take a meal to a family, do some grocery shopping or drive a parishioner to a doctor’s appointment. Team captains volunteer in the Fall at the Ministry Fair and then each captain assembles a team for the month. New volunteers are always welcome, even as the year progresses.

Contact: Judy Nessel, 203-255-1608

Mission and Outreach

Mission and Outreach oversees the awarding of time and treasure to the greater Trinity community. The committee makes financial grants locally, nationally, and internationally. Among other services, parish volunteers cook and deliver meals to St. Luke’s in Bridgeport and to Operation Hope in Fairfield.  Parishioners donate food on Sundays and additional supplies are purchased for the food banks and homeless shelters as well as toiletries that are collected for shelters. The Mission and Outreach committee tries to draw more parishioners into tangible, hands-on experiences, such as volunteering at local organizations. Volunteers also man a parking lot concession during the Pequot Library Book Sale in July, offering our parking spaces in exchange for food for the food banks. Trinity helped almost thirty organizations and causes in 2009.

The application for requesting grants from Mission and Outreach can be found on Forms and Info here.

The Committee welcomes new members with fresh ideas for making the world a better place for the under-served and for those enduring hardship due to natural disaster.

Contact:

New Samaritan Ministry

In the spirit of Christian fellowship the New Samaritan Ministry prays, calls, writes and visits those parishioners who the clergy have suggested may have special needs. They also assist in the monthly Eucharists at Connecticut Health Care (formerly Southport Manor) and Carolton. They visit parishioners and their friends and families who are in the hospital, in long term or rehabilitation facilities and at home. Frequently they take a prayer shawl as a gift. The Ministry meets with the clergy regularly to pray and determine how best to provide for those at home and in need of their care and friendship.

Contact: Ellen Wasson, 203-255-6623

Office Volunteers

Parishioners volunteer in the Reception Office in morning and afternoon shifts every weekday. They answer the telephone, take messages, and greet visitors. We are always looking for people to do this valuable task and it is a good way to get to know the other parishioners and all about Trinity. Volunteers also help with mailings. Anyone interested should let the Administrator know, and a time that is convenient will be arranged, or she will put your name on the list as being willing to help when necessary.

Prayer Chain Ministry

A group that prays by telephone chain for parishioners or others needing prayers and comfort.  One person calls another, who calls another, until the end of the chain is reached. To join this Ministry or to add a name to the Prayer Chain, or if you or someone else you know could benefit from the Prayer Chain Ministry, call Mary Field Barrett at 203-259-6333.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets every Monday from 1:30-3:00pm throughout the year in the church Library. There are currently 17 members of the Ministry in a wide age range from mid-forties to ninety. Several of our group arrived not knowing how to knit or who had not knit for years, and are now some of our most enthusiastic members.

The shawls are given to those who are going through difficult times, illness, grief, or any other adversity, as well as in thanksgiving and we have sent them all over the world. We also knit and crochet baby blankets that are given to Trinity’s babies when they are baptized. We have several expert knitters and crocheters to help the less skilled among us, and we have all asked for help at one time or another. Over 175 blankets and shawls have been given to parishioners, family members, friends, and strangers since the Ministry began in 2007. We welcome anyone to our group who knits or would like to learn to knit, or just enjoys the fellowship of other women while they do handwork. For directions on how to make a prayer shawl, click here.

Contact: Jean Whitney, 203-259-6389

Click the thumbnail to see a slide show of the ladies in this Ministry in action.

Trinity Handymen

Trinity Handymen were organized to aid the older members of the Parish who are physically or financially unable to do home maintenance tasks and also to do small Church building and grounds projects. The Ministry provides a meaningful way for parishioners to contribute time and energy through the use of their “handyman” skills. Volunteers sign up with a list of their skills and abilities and people of all ages are welcome to be a part of this very helpful ministry. Some of the tasks they have provided for parishioners and the church are minor plumbing, replacing lightbulbs, yard cleanup, heavy lifting, transplanting plants, repairing windows, and a host of other household and church projects. Recipients may make a donation to the Handyman Fund, but none is required: this ministry is a gift from the people who are part of it and parishioners only pay for materials if they are needed.  New volunteers, both men and women, are always welcome to join this valuable ministry.

If you can help or need help, call 203-418-7559 and leave a message and your phone number and a Handyman will return your call. 

Trinity Men

Trinity Men is open to all the men who want to participate and who want to engage in a variety of activities that benefit our community.

Their Mission Statement is:

Trinity Men is an inclusive group of men from the parish who are committed to volunteer service inside and outside of the Trinity Community, while enjoying a spiritual union and fellowship of their Christian brothers.

The men focus on identifying one or two events per quarter that either utilizes their collective resources or reach inward to act as a valuable resource for those facing professional or financial challenges. They recommend events and causes that reflect their mission and present opportunities where each man can share in leading. The Trinity Men sponsor the annual Church Picnic and volunteer for the Sunday breakfasts, Ministry of Twelve, help host the Welcome Back barbecue in September, and do outreach for various organizations in the community.

Contact: Glenn Horine, 203-254-8408

Women’s Fellowship Group

The Women's Fellowship is a group of women who seek to incorporate Christian values and principles into their daily roles as mothers, wives, daughters and members of the community. Guided by Mother Dawn and using the Bible as a reference, discussions focus primarily on personal relationships and experiences. The fellowship meets weekly during the school year and is inclusive to anyone interested.

Contact: Dabney Bowen 203-256-2702

Youth Ministry

The Trinity Youth Ministry has recently been restructured to be better integrated into parish life. The ministry incorporates clergy and music and enables the youth to partner more effectively with the deanery and interfaith programs throughout the year.

Contacts: