"For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
I was naked and you gave me clothing,
I was sick and you took care of me,
I was in prison and you visited me."
Matthew 25:35-36
Service to others in need is at the heart of our mission. Whether it's a small thing like helping a visitor feel at home, or a big thing like eliminating world hunger, the people of Holy Trinity are actively working to serve the needs of others. Everyone is welcome to help in this mission, and we welcome new ideas and opportunities to serve. All you need is a willingness to join in. You don't have to be a member, attend worship, or anything else unless you want to, of course).
Helping In Our Community
Much of our service work is focused locally at easing the burden of those in need in our community. This includes raising money and materials in support of local initiatives, as well as spending our time to help others. Current local service efforts include to following:
Meals for the HomelessFor many years, Holy Trinity has joined with other Delaware County churches to provide meals for persons served at the Life Center of Eastern Delaware County. On the 4th Monday of each month, Holy Trinity takes its turn preparing, transporting, and serving over 200 meals in Upper Darby. Some of the food and all of the time is generously donated by volunteers, and new helpers are always welcome. For more information, contact the church office.
Chester Eastside MinistriesChester Eastside serves wide-ranging needs for food, clothing, spiritual guidance, education, and recreation in Chester. Our No Experience Necessary Sunday morning bible study group sponsors a monthly collection to support this ministry. Each month worshippers bring specific items to share based on Chester Eastside's most urgent needs (for example diapers one month, coffee the next month, etc.). The collected items are presented before the altar as a part of the congregation’s offering.
CityTeam MinistriesCityTeam is an important regional provider of support and services to our neediest neighbors. Our congregation supports various CityTeam initiatives including the summer drive for school bags and the Christmas toy drive.
Operation WarmLast winter, the congregation sponsored over 65 winter coats and other cold weather items for disadvantaged children through Operation Warm.
Lutheran CharitiesLutheran Charities is a social services initiative of SEPA, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Lutheran Charities supports a variety of schools, service agencies, and retirement homes in our region. Holy Trinity joins in the work of SEPA and Lutheran Charities with direct mission support and generous contributions from our members.
Helping Around The World
Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaThe ELCA is a national organization of over 10,000 Lutheran Churches in the United States including Holy Trinity. The ELCA sponsors a wide range of services and activities, including an extensive global mission to bring many forms of relief to our world's neediest people. Holy Trinity participates in this important global effort through direct support and through generous contributions from our members. More information on ELCA service initiatives such as the World Hunger Appeal may be found on the ELCA Good Gifts website.
Sebastian Kolowa University College (SEKUCo)The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania is a dynamic and growing church with many important efforts to improve the lives of people in their region in Africa. SEKUCo is a major initiative to establish a new university to train desperately-needed special education teachers and other specialists. The congregation of Holy Trinity has joined with many other churches and organizations to supply funds and help the university to open in October 2007. More information may be found on the SEPA web site.