Social Ministry

Trinity Lutheran Church

433 S. Winstead Avenue

Rocky Mount, NC 27804

(252) 443-7462

www.trinityrm.org

Identity Statement:

With God We Can!




The Joyful Noise

June 2026

This Month’s Highlights

Wednesday, May 27 - Saturday May 30                            Synod Gathering L-R Hickory

Sundays, June 7-28                                                                                                     Worship 10:00 am

Sunday, June 7 Fellowship After Worship

Saturdays, June 6-27                                                                                              With God We Can!                                                                                                                                               Farmer’s Market

Mondays, June 8-29                                                                    With God We Can!                                                                                                                                      TLC Kitchen 9:ooam

Tuesday, June 9 Book Group 11:00 am

Sunday, June 14                                                                                                             Council Meeting

Monday - Friday, June 15-19                                                  Services for the Blind 9:30-2:30 pm

Tuesday, June 16 Conference Clergy Meeting Goldsboro

Please read articles in the newsletter for more information about ministry opportunities offered here at Trinity Lutheran Church during April and May.

Please accept the invitation to participate.

Be safe, be kind.

From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

. . . And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:20b

This verse is the ending of the Gospel passage assigned for Holy Trinity Sunday. It’s also (full disclosure) one of my favourite Bible verses.

The first weeks at seminary were very difficult – I felt lonely and lost and sad and isolated. There was a deep ache, an emptiness in my heart as I longed to be home and with my family. God and I had many “conversations” when I (literally) shouted at God that this better be according to God’s will because I really wanted to pack up and go back to life as it was before.

A few weeks into the semester, we had an assignment to share our favourite Bible verse and what it meant to us. The words of Jesus’ last promise stayed with me. They brought both challenge and comfort. The challenge was did I really trust and believe His promise; the comfort was I could trust and believe His promise.

Life is sometimes (maybe often) hard. There are times when feelings of loneliness and being lost and sadness and having an aching heart seem relentless, that there is no relief in sight.

But, there is truly no place that is ever empty. Jesus is faithful to His promise to be with us – you and me included.

Let’s help each other remember Jesus’ promise. Let’s try to be the presence of Christ for one another, for all this broken, scared world.

You continue in my prayers.

Breathe peace,

Pastor Alice

Pastor Alice will be gone Wednesday, May 27 - Saturday, May 30, to attend the Synod Gathering in Hickory

Please include in your prayers our members, relatives, and friends who have requested our prayers:

. . . for people and land threatened by or recovering from recent weather events especially the wildfires; for our brothers and sisters who have no shelter and whose bowls are empty and who struggle to have hope for assistance especially those in Gaza and in our country; for all communities wounded by hatred, division, violence, and vitriol, especially in our country, Ukraine, Sudan, and the Middle East; and for those who feel there is no one to pray for them. 

Words of Appreciation

Thank you to everybody who has given time and effort in assembling bulletins in May!  We are truly blessed by your partnership in ministry.

 Thank you to the folks who help prepare for worship and share worship leadership!

A BIG Thank You to everybody who provided fresh flowers and greenery to keep the Easter cross vibrant during the Easter season!

Thanks to everybody who participated in our community gathering to share dinner at The Longest Table on Thursday, April 30, 2026! There were around 100 folks who attended. Looking forward to next year!

Love Meals  During this time of summer break many of the children in our community go without the availability of healthy food options. There are also many households where there are uneasiness and stress as they worry about financial security. It is in these times that faith communities and non-profit groups are more likely to receive requests for food – including Trinity. A reminder that the 1st Sunday of every month is designated as Love Meals Sunday (although your generous gifts are appreciated anytime!).  Please bring non-perishable food items (basic staples) to share with folks in our community who struggle to provide food for their families.  Please be sure to check the expiration dates.  The bucket is under the side table in the Gathering Space.  Thanks!

On Sunday, June 7, 2026, we will celebrate June birthdays and anniversaries (and two missed May dates!) during our after-worship fellowship gathering in Resurrection Hall. Everyone is Welcome! It’s an opportunity to enjoy some conversation and light refreshments. Thanks!

Book Group, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 11:00 am.  The group will discuss O Pioneers! By Willa Cather. The August book is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Everybody is welcome to share this time of conversation and fellowship.

Services for the Blind Trinity will host a second week of classes for the Services for the Blind. They will meet in Resurrection Hall, Monday, June 15 to Friday, June 19, 9:30-2:30. Thank you for sharing Trinity hospitality.

We are Called to be Daily Life-Long Learners! The winter/spring session of Sunday School may have ended, but other opportunities for us to grow spiritually are being planned. These include our annual summer movie series and Vacation Bible School. Watch for more information. Thanks!

Happy Father’s Day! To all the men in our lives who provide a father’s care, love, guidance, and support, thank you! May God bless you! Take time to remember those special men in your life on June 21 and every day.

With God We Can! and Freeze Our ministry partners at the Farmers Market are looking forward to us beginning the 14 th season of this amazing ministry! The 2026 start date is Sunday, June 7. Quart-sized Ziploc bags are in the kitchen. It is indeed a sacred privilege to be the hands of Jesus providing vegetables for our brothers and sisters whose bowls might otherwise go empty. Thank you for your partnership in ministry. Please keep With God We Can! and Freeze in your prayers.

Exciting News About the Expansion of the Partnership of With God We Can! & Freeze

The Nash County Farmers Market at Rocky Mount Mills is providing Saturday morning shoppers with a DONATION STATION booth.  It is a collaborative between NC State Cooperative Extension Master Food Program, Local Food Programs and the SNAP/ED program.

On Saturdays while shopping, customers can donate food from the vendors they visit or provide actual cash donations at the special booth.  The money collected is then used to purchase mostly fresh vegetables and fruits from the vendors as the market is closing each Saturday.   

At the end of the market on Saturdays, the collected foods will be weighed, reported and recorded by the Farmers Market collaborative and then provided to Trinity Lutheran Church for its With God We Can! & Freeze ministry.

United Community Ministries

And they asked, “Lord, when did we see You hungry or naked or sick or homeless and help You?” And Jesus said, “When you care for those who are seen by the world as unimportant and easy to ignore, you care for Me.”     

                                                                      My loose translation of Matthew 25

 Trinity Lutheran Church has been asked to sponsor the ministry of our local shelters in the month of June through a contribution of general supplies.  This effort is in addition to our monthly collection of food.  The list of requested items follows:

                                         55 gal. trash bags

                                        13 gal. trash bags

                                        laundry detergent

                                        bleach

                                        toilet tissue

                                        napkins

                                        paper towels

                                        dish detergent

                                        8 oz. foam cups

                                        12 oz. foam bowls

                                        plates (dinner size)

Please place contributions in the Gathering Space.  Now more than ever, your assistance is desperately needed to help folks living in the two shelters that provide housing for many brothers and sisters who have no place else to call home – men, women, children. 

Our congregation has always been very generous – and I thank you!  I am blessed to serve with such faithful folks who live what they confess they believe, who take seriously who God has claimed each of you to be – partners in the mission of Christ. Your contributions of general supplies will allow some of the money UCM has to be applied to other needs to maintain services (food, utilities, rent, insurance, salaries, support services, etc.).

With the loss of half the financial support that was expected from the City of Rocky Mount, UCM has enough remaining funds to keep the McDonald Street shelter and soup kitchen open until August. The Bassett Center, which houses families with children, will close within months after the shelter. The executive director and board of directors are looking diligently to find funding for this crucial ministry in our community. In response to this need, the congregation council approved receiving a love offering on the Sundays in June designated for UCM.

If you have any questions, please contact any member of council or me. And, I ask that you please keep those served by UCM and the staff in your prayers.

Together in Christ,

Pastor Alice

PS  A reminder that UCM is one of our partners in With God We Can! & Freeze.



Diaper Bag Drive Trinity has been invited to participate in a ministry through

the Nash County Health Department to help support new and expectant

moms in our community. The staff is asking for donations of diaper bags filled

with baby essentials. There is a flyer posted on the bulletin board in the

Gathering Space. Thanks!

Congregation Council

Cluster Reports

May 17, 2026 meeting

Worship Cluster

Easter – thru May 17 (white)

Pentecost – May 24 (red)

Holy Trinity – May 31 (white)

Ordinary Time begins June 1 (green)

  • We will maintain the Easter Cross through May 24. Thanks to all who have contributed time and flowers.

Faith Growing Cluster

Christian Education

  • Adults: Pastor Alice continues her “I Wonder...” Sunday School classes. Participants are learning a lot. Please continue to fill out “I Wonder” slips about the church, Jesus, being Lutheran, and anything else you wonder about. Pastor will continue to answer these “I Wonder ..” questions.

  • Children: The rotation of teachers are continuing to teach from Whirl. Our participants are learning through Bible and faith-based lessons.

  • Last Sunday School class for both children and adults will be May 17 th . We will

    start back up in the Fall.

  • Also, remember that we are still sharing Jesus stories.

Stewardship

  • We will be starting our Capital Campaign soon. Keep an eye out for our kick off.

  • We will also be having a Summer activity in June or July. Keep your eyes open

    for more info. This will be a combination Invitation and Stewardship activity.

  • We will also be having a Summer activity in June or July. Keep your eyes open

    for more info. This will be a combination Invitation and Stewardship activity.

Caretaking Cluster Report

  • Family Life

    • A sign-up sheet is available for hosting in March and April.

  • Finance

    • Congregational leaders have been scheduled to count offerings and make deposits through the next council meeting.

  • Property:

    • A carbon monoxide detector has been installed in the boiler room.

Invitation Cluster Report

Evangelism

  • Thanks to those members who help maintain our website, Facebook, and YouTube presence. Conversation will be scheduled soon to discuss how to keep our social media dynamic and provide important information and invitation for everybody who is looking at it.

  • Please update your photo consent permission form. Copies are available on the information table in the Gathering Space.

  • Several Jesus Stories have been posted on our Facebook site! There is a sign- up sheet for folks who are willing to participate in sharing their Jesus Stories. Each of us has a story to tell, and all our Jesus stories matter! Please talk with Pastor Alice for more information. Thanks!

    Social Ministry

  • Almost time to begin our 14 th season of With God We Can! and Freeze ministry. An exciting new aspect of this partnership is being offered. The Nash County Farmers Market at Rocky Mount Mills is providing Saturday morning shoppers with a DONATION STATION booth.  It is a collaborative between NC State Cooperative Extension Master Food Program, Local Food Programs and the SNAP/ED program. On Saturdays while shopping, customers can donate food from the vendors they visit or provide actual cash donations at the special booth.  The money collected is then used to purchase mostly fresh vegetables and fruits from the vendors as the market is closing each Saturday.  At the end of the market on Saturdays, the collected foods will be weighed, reported and recorded by the Farmers Market collaborative and then provided to Trinity Lutheran Church for its With God We Can! & Freeze ministry. Watch for more information.

    - Thanks for the hospitality extended to Services for the Blind who met May 4 – May 8, 2026 in Resurrection Hall. Another series of classes is scheduled for June 15-19, 2026. Trinity is excited to resume this important partnership!

    - June is the month Trinity Lutheran Church has been asked to support the ministry of United Community Ministries who provide our local shelters through a contribution of general supplies.  This effort is in addition to our monthly collection of food.  The list of requested items is posted on the bulletin board in the Gathering Space.

  • Love Meals: The 1st Sunday of every month has been designated as Love Meal/Soup Kitchen Sunday. Please bring non-perishable food items to share with folks in our community who struggle to provide food for themselves and their families.

TLC

  • Book Group: The book group is held on the second Tuesday of each month at 11:00 am (unless otherwise announced). May is Revolutionary Mothers by Carol Berkin and the June selection will be O Pioneers! By Willa Cather. Everyone is welcome to share this time of conversation and fellowship.

  • Early discussion is beginning about possible congregation events this summer.

 

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