Responding to God’s Call

During the month of January, the Sunday Adult Forum is considering God’s call to care for immigrants and refugees in the ever-more complicated times in which we live.  This Sunday, January 20, Holy Trinity welcomes special guest Ruben Castilla Herrera, a second generation Mexican-American born in Seguin, TX.  He spent his childhood as a migrant farmworker in California, Oregon, and Washington.  He graduated from Willamette University in Salem, OR and attended the Methodist Theological School in Delaware, OH.  Herrera is a long-time organizer and activist fighting for justice, freedom, dignity and liberation for all people.  He was founding member of several Latinx-related organizations including, most recently, the Columbus Sanctuary Collective (Colectivo Santuario de Columbus).  The CSC is organized around Sanctuary as Resistance and the #AbolishICE movement.  The faith-based strategy is to stop deportations and provide a unified resistance to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  Please join us Sunday, January 20 at 9:35 am in the Conference Room to hear this interesting perspective.

Holy Trinity will prepare and serve breakfast at First English Lutheran Church on Sunday, January 27.  We would also like to provide baked goods for the coffee hour as people come in out of the cold.  If you would like to help with this effort, donations of muffins, breads, coffee cakes, etc., as well as fresh fruit, would be greatly appreciated.  Any food contributions should be dropped off in Holy Trinity’s kitchen by 7:45 am on Sunday, January 27, or meet us at First English at 8:00 am for serving at 9:30.  Please contact Becky Warnement for more information.

Holy Trinity will provide a lasagna dinner for the families at the YWCA Family Center on Saturday, February 2 at 5:00 pm.  The event is a wonderful service project for families and friends!  Volunteers help with meal prep, setting tables, and serving food.  If you would like to help, please arrive at the Y-Center by 5:00 pm (900 Harvey Ct., Columbus, 43219).  You may also help by making a donation for purchasing the food.  If you make a monetary donation, please make checks payable to Holy Trinity and mark the check or envelope for the Y-Center. Please contact Chris Pryor or Danielle Gonsiska if you have questions or for more information.  Thanks for your support!

Save the date for Saturday, February 23for the American Red Cross Blood Drive that will happen at Holy Trinity from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.  You may donate blood if you last gave on or before December 29, 2018.  You can make an appointment by clicking http://redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).  As always, walk-ins are also welcome.

Many thanks to everyone that contributed to the Beacons’ and Knitting for the Needy’s Hat & Mitten trees this year. A total of 374 items were donated including 82 hats, 124 pairs of gloves, 34 pairs of mittens (19 of which were hand-knitted), 3 hat & mitten sets, 131 pairs of socks, and 2 headbands. The items will be delivered to the Lutheran Social Services’ south-side food pantry in the coming days.  Thank you for your generosity!

Holy Trinity will decorate a Hat & Mitten Tree again this year.  Everyone is invited to hang hand-made or newly purchased hats, mittens, gloves, scarves and socks on the tree from December 2 through January 2.  All items will be taken to the LSS Southside food pantry in January for distribution to their clients.  Thanks for your consideration!

First English is conducting a Women’s Day Out Christmas Party on Saturday, December 8 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Donations of stocking stuffer items/toiletries for the church to wrap are welcome.  As it gets colder, there is always a need for socks (mostly men’s), blankets, mittens/gloves and hats.  Donations of clean, gently used or new items are always appreciated. Donations can be placed in the collection bin at the Collection & Signup Corner.

Thank you to everyone who donated food or money to the Lutheran Social Services’ south-side food pantry.  Through the coordinated efforts of Holy Trinity’s WELCA groups, church members and preschool families contributed 31 cases of family-friendly and holiday food such as macaroni & cheese, peanut butter, jelly, canned fruits and vegetables, as well as personal care items. More than $100 was given toward the purchase of turkeys.  The food pantry will distribute the items in the coming days.  Thank you for your generosity!

The Beacons want to thank everyone for participating in their annual Holiday Bazaar.  Proceeds from the sale of hand-made items and baked goods will be used to purchase needed supplies for the Beacons’ ongoing projects for Lutheran World Relief and other organizations.  The support of the congregation is greatly appreciated!

The Northwest Partners Habitat house is now completely closed in, with windows, doors, and electricity.  Anticipated work for this week includes floor sanding, attic insulation, interior painting, and porch trim and railings.  15-20 volunteers are needed this week as interior painting gets underway at 1603 Myrtle Avenue, Columbus, 43211. Any and all are welcome to come help any Thursday or Saturday, or you can donate or assist with lunches; all is appreciated.  For more information, please contact Benson Ross.