IMPORTANT & TIMELY 

Trinity Hope Brigade Letter Writing  – Sunday, November 1 from 9:15am-10:00am and 11:15am-11:30am
Join the Trinity Hope Brigade on November 1 from 9:15 to 10:00 a.m. and 11:15 to 11:30 in the parlor to write letters of encouragement to our neighbors detained at the North Lake ICE facility in Baldwin, who are being held far from their homes and loved ones while facing the fear and uncertainty of possible deportation.  The foster mother of a detainee writes:  “Please keep writing your letters!  They mean everything to our neighbors – they give them hope day by day. My foster son told me that he reads your letters every single day.  They fill him with positive thoughts that carry him through each day.”  All materials for writing letters will be provided and you are invited to stop at our table and write one letter, several, or to pick up letter-writing materials to take home.  Join us as we share the warmth and love of our Trinity community with our North Lake neighbors.

Membership Class – Next Sunday, November 1 from 11:30am-12:30pm
Trinity is offering a Membership Class during Faith Formation Hour. This class is an opportunity to explore what being a member at Trinity United Methodist Church looks like! Childcare will be available. Please RSVP to the office at office@grtumc.org if you plan to attend.

Polling Hospitality Needed — November 3, 2026  ***Greeters and treats still needed.***
Trinity is looking for volunteers to help make Election Day a little more welcoming! Please see the sign-up sheet in the Parlor to sign up to bring cookies, brownies, or muffins, or to serve as a greeter on Election Day. Whether you can bring a treat, greet voters, or both, we’d love your help! For more information, contact Dani in the church office.

Widows Luncheon @ Cascade Roadhouse – Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 11:30am
You’re invited to the Widows Lunch on Thursday, November 5th at Cascade Roadhouse (6817 Cascade Rd SE) at 11:30am. RSVP to Ellie Bergman 616-309-4289.  Please reach out if you are in need of a ride.

“A Night to Remember” Community Ministries Program Dinner – November 6 from 6:00pm-8:00pm – RSVPS Appreciated! 
Join us for an evening of food, music and stories from our community partners about the work from Trinity UMC and the Community Ministries Program. This is an extraordinary evening of song and story that you won’t forget! This is free-event but event registrations are encouraged to help provide numbers for space and food. Invite a friend to come and have a night out! Come hear inspirational stories and be a part of the ministry that happens at each of these evenings by encouraging youth to speak in front of a cheering crowd and overcome their fears (and even some adults too!). This is an evening you won’t want to miss!

Missed Worship Yesterday?
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Worship Flow
Want to know the exact flow of worship or hymns sung last Sunday? Click here.

Looking for the Latest Newsletter?
Click here for the October Trinity in Touch Newsletter
The next newsletter will be for November.  November newsletter articles are due by October 20.
(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

Adult Faith Formation Guest Speaker Series – October 25 to November 15 

We’re excited to welcome a series of guest speakers to Adult Faith Formation hour in October and November. These folks will help us learn more about our community partners, understand how to show up for all our neighbors, and give us opportunities to discuss important issues. Join us:

• November 1 – Allyship Best Practices 
  Our very own Dani Patrick will share a presentation on best practices for allyship with a focus on how we can show up for our queer neighbors & community. There will be time for discussion and Q&A.
• November 8 – LGBTQ+ 101 with Equality Michigan
  Ames Palson of Equality Michigan will offer a training that covers basic LGBTQ+ terminology, FAQs about pronouns, gender, and sexuality, barriers to safety that LGBTQ+ folks face, and more. 
• November 15 – Together West Michigan (TWM)
  What is community organizing and more importantly, what is effective community organizing? This thought-provoking discussion will describe how we can influence local public policy decision-makers. Brock Grosso and Andy Ryskamp will share the TWM approach to broad-based organizing. Provided in partnership with the Outreach & Advocacy Team.

Youth Pottery Party Fall Adventure – November 7 from 4:00pm-6:00pm
In November, our 6th-12th grade youth are heading to The Clayground (750 Fulton St W) for a private party where the youth are able to make their own pottery pieces. We’ll also have snacks and fun times all around! We need to know how many youth (and friends) are attending as soon as possible! If your youth is interested in attending this super fun event, please let Annie Slabaugh (a.slabaugh@grtumc.org) know no later than Monday, October 26th at 5:00PM.  This is incredibly important for the Clayground to coordinate staffing on their end. Families will be asked to help offset some of the cost of this unique experience but Trinity will cover the rest. 

Mugs and Munchkins -Every Third Tuesday from 9:30am-10:30am
Mugs & Munchkins will be every third Tuesday of the month from 9:30AM – 10:30AM with select evening times throughout the year.  This is a relaxed, welcoming space where caregivers can connect, kids can play, and we can all build friendships that will last a lifetime! More questions? Contact Annie Slabaugh (a.slabaugh@grtumc.org) or Laura Johns (l.johns@grtumc.org).

God’s Naturehood: Adult Edition – November 13 at 1:00pm (Pickerel Lake Park)
Designed for Trinity families & friends ages 18 & up, God’s Naturehood: Adult Edition is a great opportunity to visit a new park, get to know members of your Trinity family better, and get your daily steps in. For this walk, meet at Pickerel Lake Park at 6001 Ramsdell Rd NE, Cannonsburg, MI 49317. Park in the main lot off Ramsdell. Gather near the trailhead on the western side of the parking lot (near the long boardwalk). This park is a little further out of town, so plan extra travel time (25 minutes). RSVPs are requested but not required. Contact Laura Johns at l.johns@grtumc.org to RSVP or to get added to the email list for additional details.

RVSP: Thanksgiving Dinner – Sunday, November 22 at 11:15am
Join your Trinity family for our annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday, November 22nd at 11:15am. Lunch will include a full spread – turkey, dressing, potatoes, gravy, vegetables, salad, cranberries, relishes and pie! Your donation of $15 per adult, $10 per child 12 & under supports the Mission Work Camp Fund. Come for the delicious food. Stay to hear more about potential opportunities to put your faith into action over the coming year – something the funds we raise helps make possible!  Contact Laura or use our online form at: https://tinyurl.com/MWCF-Turkey-2026! Advanced registration is appreciated.

LEND A HAND: Thanksgiving Dinner – Saturday, November 21 & Sunday, November 22
Our annual Thanksgiving Dinner is back and we’re looking for volunteers to help prepare the feast on Saturday & Sunday, as well as folks to donate salads, relishes, and pies! To volunteer, use our SignUpGenius at https://tinyurl.com/MWCF-Turkey-Volunteer26 or contact Laura Johns at L.Johns@grtumc.org.

ONGOING

Sacred Justice Book Club – Next Meeting: November 3
The Sacred Justice Book Club is thrilled to be back again this year for great conversation, deep discussion about activism, and fun fellowship. The remainder of our 2026-2027 book list is as follows:

• 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

Did You Know? Communion Can Come to You!
Unable to attend worship in person but would still like to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion? Our Congregational Care Team would be happy to bring communion to you! If you or someone you know would appreciate this ministry, please reach out to Linda Burpee or Dani Patrick to get signed up. We’d love to help you stay connected and share in this meaningful part of our faith community.

Library Update
The Library Team is excited to announce that we’ve completed a rehaul of our Library! The collection has been cataloged and organized, a new kids area added to the 2nd floor space, and a Library Kiosk with rotating displays added to the Parlor. The Trinity Library exists to provide resources that nurture your faith, encourage personal growth, and support theological development. The collection has been curated by the Library Team to focus on topics of interest to our community: social justice, progressive theology for adults & children, biblical reference, group studies, etc. The goal is not to create an exhaustive collection, but rather to give you a place to start your reading journey. Signage in the Library and on the Library Kiosk provide information on our lending & donation policies, our catalog, and more! 

FoRT Fall Update – Small Groups
Our weekly Friends of Rohr at Trinity (FoRT) small groups have returned! On Sundays, some of us meet as the “DBC” Small Group on Sundays from 5:00pm-6:30pm in the Fireside Room. We’re continuing The Tears of Things. On Thursdays, as part of TNT, others of us gather as the “Everything Belongs” (EvB) Small Group in the upstairs Library from 6:15pm-7:30pm. We have started a new book: Jesus’ Alternative Plan: The Sermon on the Mount. Questions about any of these acronyms or the amazing groups of people they represent? Contact Laura Johns at l.johns@grtumc.org or other members of the FoRT Leadership Team: Merrita Tumonong, Penny Murray & Steve Murray. 

TNT- Thursday Nights @ Trinity – Thursdays starting at 5:15pm
TNT, Thursday Nights at Trinity, continues every Thursday. Dinner will begin at 5:15pm, followed by various music group practices as well as a small group study. Sign up for Fall 2026 TNT meals at www.tinyurl.com/TNTDinnersFall2026.

Spiritalk Book Club – Next Meeting: November 10
The book list for 2026-2027 has been finalized and we’re excited for another amazing year of reading & fellowship. Check the slides & screens for all the latest dates and book titles or contact Joy Murphy for more info at joymurphy@grtumc.org.

Pints with the Pastor – Select Sundays at 6:30pm
You’re invited to join us this fall for Pints with the Pastor. This gathering is an opportunity for all of us to get a drink, get a taco, and get to know each other better. Meet up at Taco Borracho at 755 Michigan St NE anytime between 6:30pm-8:00pm. No RSVP required. Contact Pastor Mike at m.desotell@grtumc.org with questions. Upcoming Gatherings: October 25 & November 29. 

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.

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