IMPORTANT & TIMELY 

Fellowship Hall Kitchen Update – August 25 from 9:30am-11:30am
Many of you have noticed the work done recently in the Parlor Kitchen to organize & clean it. Some of you requested a similar work day in the Fellowship Hall Kitchen. Here’s your chance to lend a hand with a quick clean, organize & label. Join us on Tuesday, August 25 from 9:30am-11:30am. Many hands make light work and there will be jobs for all abilities. Priorities include organizing shelves, labeling drawers/doors, and wiping down surfaces. 

Interested in a Balance Class at Trinity?
Trinity has been asked to host an eight week workshop called “A Matter of Balance.” Facilitated by Senior Neighbors, it’s an evidence-based program that helps older adults reduce their fear of falling and stay active. Participants set safe activity goals, learn ways to reduce fall risks, practice balance and strength exercises, and discover what to do if a fall happens. Interested in participating? Let us know your availability for this fall: Monday afternoons, Tuesday afternoons, Wednesday mornings, or Wednesday afternoons. Email interest & availability to office@grtumc.org by August 25. There is no cost to participants. Each week will be 2 hours with a facilitator, snacks, and more! We need at least 8 folks to offer the class.

Friends of Rohr at Trinity (FoRT) Small Groups –  Next Event August 27 at 7:00pm
Perhaps you’ve heard or seen a reference to FoRT (Friends of Rohr at Trinity). We are folks of Trinity who enjoy studying Father Richard Rohr’s writings on Sunday & Thursday evenings during the program year. This summer FoRT is finding fun ways to stay connected while our weekly classes are on haitus. You’re invited to join us! See our Summer Program Flyer for all the details. A PDF copy is available ​HERE​ and paper copies are in the Narthex. FoRT Friends: Please RSVP as soon as possible for our summer events. This helps us with planning for seats & treats and ensures our hosts know what to expect. SignUpGenius Link: Annual Ice Cream Social (August 27).

Widows Lunch @ Beacon Hill – Thursday, August 27 at 11:30am
You’re invited to the Widows Lunch on Thursday, August 27th at Beacon Hill (1919 Boston St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506) at 11:30am. RSVP to Ellie Bergman 616-309-4289.

Protection Policy & Safety Training – August 30 at 11:30am
Trinity continues to update the policies and procedures that protect our children, youth & vulnerable adults! Before our next program year begins in September, we’ll be offering a training on all the latest info. We’ll discuss everything from Protection Policy (formerly Safe Sanctuary policy) to first aid basics to emergency procedures. Training will take place from 11:30am-1:30pm with lunch & childcare provided. Please RSVP to Laura at l.johns@grtumc.org.

Missed Worship Yesterday?
Click here to watch.

Looking for the Latest Newsletter?
Click here for the August Trinity in Touch Newsletter
The next newsletter will be for September.  September newsletter articles are due by August 18.
(NOTE: Going forward, newsletter articles will be due on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. If a month has five Tuesdays, the due date will be the 4th Tuesday instead.)

UPCOMING

UMCOR is there!
Within the past month, we have seen:
▪ Earthquakes in Indonesia, Columbia, Venezuela

▪ Flooding, tornadoes, wildfires in Mississippi, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Texas

▪ Drought in Puerto Rico

▪ Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The United Methodist Committee on Relief is already supporting those affected to alleviate suffering and provide a hopeful way forward.  Please support UMCOR as generously as you are able so that it can reach out fully to those in need. You may give online or through the worship offering or church office.  Checks can be made out to Trinity and designated for UMCOR.  Thank you for your caring!

Trinity Hope Brigade
The Trinity Hope Brigade is scheduling its next visits later this month to neighbors detained at the ICE North Lake Detention Center. If you would like to join us, contact Jim Quinlan or Ruth Stevens. If you would like to visit / support a local family whose husband/father was deported, contact Natalie Wiersma or Jim & Kathy Zeichman.

Annual Church Conference – SATURDAY, September 26 at 3:00pm
Trinity’s Charge Conference will take place on Saturday, September 26, at First UMC located at 227 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, with our specific church meeting scheduled for 3:00 p.m. 

ONGOING

• November 3, 2026 | The Land Is Not Empty by Sarah Augustine

• February 2, 2027 | The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee

• May 4, 2027 | My Body Is Not a Prayer Request by Amy Kenny

Join us in the Library at 7:00pm on select Tuesdays.  Questions about Sacred Justice Book Club? Contact the Library Team: Laura Johns, Hannah Marshall & Dani Patrick

Social Justice Resource Document – Available Online
Find our latest justice resources online HERE!  Our Google Doc is updated weekly and includes resources, organizations & direct action steps.  Thank you for being part of this journey!

Coffee & Conversation- Tuesdays at 10am, Parlor
Need a bit of social time with your Trinity friends and staff? Join us every Tuesday for Coffee & Conversation in the Parlor at 10am.

Did you know?  
The Kent Dems now collects compost material through Organicycle and also accepts clean Styrofoam for recycling (like packaging Styrofoam). Folks can drop off material to the Kent Dems (301 Fuller NE) M-F from 10am-4pm.

Looking for Links?
Not sure where to find something online? Check out these links below…

• Greeters (Adults & Families): Welcome people at the doors and in the Parlor before worship. https://tinyurl.com/TUMC-GreetersSept-Dec2026

• Acolytes (Kids & Youth): Help light the candles in the Sanctuary. https://tinyurl.com/TUMC-AcolyteFall2026

• Order a “Belong, Be Love, Be You” Trinity Shirt HERE

• Order a “God Loves You” shirt HERE.

• Trinity’s New Social Justice Resource HERE

• Pastor Mike’s Sermon Blog HERE