November 2022: Crunch Time

The Social Ministry Team has entered the busiest “crunch time” of the year. During October we heard from speakers representing four of the local ministries that HTELC financially supports. The month ended with an off-site group activity, preparing the Operation Blessing Warming Station for cold weather use. In just one hour ten volunteers vacuumed, cleaned, set up beds and repaired Covid-required plexiglass barriers, in preparation for when the nighttime temperatures drop below 20F.

HTELC donated generously to Operation Blessing’s Thanksgiving Basket. The final tally amounted to 197 pounds of food items in addition to the gift cards to Hannaford’s and Market Basket. The Mitten Tree was heavily decorated in the Narthex. 157 items were collected and will be distributed this week.

Toys for Tots is in full swing. Toys will be collected Sunday for delivery to the USMC.

With the resumption of in-person dining, Dover Friendly Kitchen continues to serve our neighbors with a hot meal and fellowship. The SM Team would also like to thank those HTELC members who have chosen to continue their generous monetary donations. We will soon be announcing which ministries will be receiving additional disbursements from our church.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Social Ministry Team,

Jessica Feeley

Christmas Bags for Pop-Up Pantry

As you know our Wednesday Pop-Up Pantry has been used by our Seacoast neighbors since June. Each week 25 bags of food are put together and left out on tables in front of the church. Just like we did together for Thanksgiving, we are providing a special Christmas food bag on December 23nd. Your support has been wonderful. If you have the interest in helping with the Christmas food bags, you can contribute in two ways.

  • Give a monetary contribution through Elexio. On the Elexio “Give now” page, there is a drop-down option for the Pop-Up Pantry.
  • Purchase a food item on the Sign-up genius link and then drop off the item at Church by Monday, Dec. 21 at noon. There are containers outside the office door where items can be put. We will empty these containers often. Questions: email Cristina foggdrive@yahoo.com or call the Church office. Thank you for your support and prayers. The Pop-Up Pantry Team

Here are the items you can purchase and drop off at church. Sign up using this Sign-Up Genius link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080c4fa8ab23a4fa7-popup1

  • Spiral sliced ham (with bone or without is fine) - approx. weight 4.5 pounds. Carando is one brand that is sold at Market Basket, 2.49 per pound (about $12.00) – 25 hams needed
  • Cranberry sauce can (jelled or whole berry) (14oz) - 18 cans needed
  • Ground Coffee - 2 bags needed
  • Box of a Quick bread (banana nut, cinnamon, date, poppy seed, blueberry, etc.) any are fine - 25 boxes needed
  • Bag of chocolate (Hersey Kisses, Miniatures, Dove, etc. -wrapped is preferred) - 25 bags needed

Thanksgiving Bags for Pop-Up Pantry

We have decided to put together a special Thanksgiving bag to be given out on Wednesday, November 25. We are planning to do an “all the fixings” bag but not include turkeys at this late date. We are receiving a donation of 50 lbs of potatoes, 25 local squashes and 25 packs of local carrots!

Here are the items we need. Please use this Sign up Genius link if you would like to donate. This will allow you to donate some of an item if you prefer and will help us track what is being donated. Please bring your donations to the Pantry Room on the following days: Wednesday 11/18, Thursday 11/19, Sunday, 11/22 by noon, or Monday, 11/23 by noon at the very latest.

  • 25 Bakery Pies ( unfortunately we are not allowed to distribute homemade items)
  • 25 pkgs Dinner Rolls
  • 25 cans of Cranberry Sauce
  • 25 1 lb pkgs of Butter
  • 25 pkgs of Ground Coffee

Thank you and we are so appreciative of your participation. If you have any questions, please contact pbsirois@gmail.com

College Care Packages

This year we are sending packages of goodies to our college students at Thanksgiving instead of Christmas, to focus on all we are thankful for, even during this pandemic. Here’s how you can help:

  1. Send in your students’ names and mailing address, whether they are away at school or living at home. Also include the date that their Thanksgiving break begins so we can get the packages out on time. Due by 11/19.
  2. If you enjoy writing letters, contact us and we will give you a few students’ names to write a letter to be included in the package. Due 11/17.
  3. Donate individually wrapped goodies. We cannot accept homemade items this year. Put them in the donation box in the gathering area by 11/19.
  4. Send info via email to pawoollett@comcast.net or call Pat Woollett at 603-942-7556. We are on a tight deadline this year!
  5. Suggested Items for College Care Packages (individually packaged): Candy, Gum, Mints, Cheez-Its, Crackers, Nuts, Peanut butter and crackers, Cheese and crackers, Breakfast bars, Cookies, Pretzels, Chex Mix, Trail Mix, Granola or granola bars, Rice Krispies Treats, Kettle Corn, Microwave popcorn ,Summer sausage ( small links), Cheddar Cheese ( non-refrigerated ,e.g. Pepperidge Farm) Jams/jellies in small jars, Tea, Hot Cocoa Envelopes

Dover Friendly Kitchen: Sept. 2020 Update

Dear Holy Trinity Family,

Several of you have asked us how we are doing with Dover Friendly Kitchen duty, and if we are even doing it at all. We decided to let the whole congregation know that we have been continuing our monthly meals as take out ever since March's duty date. Over the summer, because of the heat in the kitchen, we have done a picnic supper of ham and cheese sandwiches (2 of them), bag of chips, veggies and Ranch dip, watermelon slice, and packaged cookies. Bottles of plain and flavored water serve as beverage. We have averaged 75 guests and have made as many as 85 meals to be able to meet extra demand, if necessary.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church, on the corner of Locust and Hale in Dover, where Dover Friendly Kitchen meals are served every Tuesday and Thursday by alternating Dover area churches, has applied certain rules during this time of Covid. We may only have 8 volunteers, we must remain in the kitchen, and we must wear masks and gloves, of course. Marguerite, the DFK Coordinator, distributes the meals to one customer at a time at the main door to the Parish Hall so that contact with others is limited for us. We do miss seeing the guests, some of whom we have known for many years. However, they know we still care about them because our monthly meals have not stopped.

Our next serving day is Tuesday, September 22, which is coming up shortly. It will still be the picnic supper menu. We will again be in need of 8 volunteers, and we know of three people so far who will definitely be there to work. We also know of two people who cannot be there for the next two months. We have had some very regular volunteers during these months, but we would like to know for sure whom to expect for helpers. We are therefore asking that if you are able to be there on Tuesday, September 22, at St. Thomas Church in Dover, by 4:00 PM, please confirm with either me or Jill Schock by this coming weekend, by email, text or phone call. This would make us very happy to know we are covered as to meal prep help. It has been amazing how busy we have all been, even during the limits of the pandemic, but if five of you could spare 2 hours in the late afternoon on September 22nd, we would be most appreciative.

We hope this finds you all well and safe, and glad to know that your church, through your financial support and our volunteers, is still doing its part to help the local homeless and struggling population.

God bless you all,

Bonnie Sanders Jill Schock

Social Ministry Fund Drive

The Church Council made a very difficult decision to cut the budget in all areas possible by 25% in order to present a balanced budget to the congregation to approve for 2020. The proposed budget was approved.

The goal of the Fund Drive was to replace the 25% cut from last year’s budget and also raise another 15% for a total increase of 40%. This was done to meet the unprecedented increase in needs of charities due to Covid-19.

It gives me great joy to inform the congregation that as of 7/13/20, the Fund Drive has met and exceeded its goal! The drive has raised $16,940 which increases the Social Ministry budget by 51%! This year Social Ministry will send out $50,290! The Social Ministry funds normally go out periodically during the year since the funds are received from you in that fashion. The bulk of the funds raised in this drive have already gone out and the remainder will go out shortly.

None of us knows how Covid-19 will play out going forward. We do not know when the increased needs of charities will go back to “normal” levels. We do know charities will always have a need. The Social Ministry team is, at any time, happy to receive your contributions and continue the work of the church. No amount is too small. You may designate a specific mission or give to our Social Ministry Fund in general. Either way your money will be distributed in a timely manner.

I am truly humbled by your generosity and honored to serve on the Council of Holy Trinity.

Sincerely thank you,

Paul Karl, Council Liaison to Social Ministry

Operation Blessing: March 2020 Update

Thank you all who donated to Operation Blessing for their warming shelter. On the cold nights the shelter was used by a number of people. Operation Blessing is always in need of food to give to clients. If you are shopping won’t you consider picking up some canned food to bring to Church for OB????? Pasta and Mac and cheese are always a good bet. The green receptacles are under the mailboxes in The Gathering Room. Thank you.

End 68 Hours of Hunger: Feb. 2020 Update

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church has a team that packs food for the program 'End 68 Hours of Hunger' for the city of Portsmouth!! This program is designed to provide food for children in need that would sustain them for the weekend when school is not in session. Kathy McKenna and Lauren Gianino are the Team Coordinators for our church.

Our team is responsible for packing food bags for children on 3 more Thursdays this school year. We pack at the First United Methodist Church, 129 Miller Ave. Portsmouth and we meet at 6pm. Depending on the number of volunteers, the packing process takes between 40 minutes to an hour - but rarely a full hour.

Our next packing date is this Thursday, March 19th. The dates our team is responsible for are:

  • Thursday, March 19th
  • Thursday, April 23rd
  • Thursday, June 11th

Last year our group packed 663 bags of food! If you are interested in joining our team please email myself (mckenna.kathy.62@gmail.com) or Lauren Gianino(pglg813@comcast.net). If you know of someone who would like to join our team....please have them contact us!! This is such an unique volunteer opportunity as you can make a huge impact on our local community in under an hour!! We always welcome new participants!!

Let us know if you have any questions!! Kathy McKenna & Lauren Gianino

Operation Blessing: January 2020

Operation Blessing

Operation Blessing began a new mission this week by opening as a Warming Center when the temperature gets below 20 degrees. It will officially open Thursday the 13th and for the two next nights. They are in need of volunteers and donations. Operation Blessings operates solely on donations so with the onset of this new project, there are no available funds.

As you know, we have been donating food, clothing, household items, etc. for many years. Now needed items for the shelter are as follows: grocery store gifts cards to purchase items for the warming center, gas cards, laundry detergent and cleaning supplies toilet paper, paper towels, travel size toiletries, hats and mittens, socks, dish soap, individually packaged snacks, cereal and bread, juice boxes, milk boxes, coffee, microwaveable meals, and crackers.

If you would like to assist, please call Sharon Gaudet at 603 430-8561. If you would like to donate items, please put them in the green bins under the mailboxes and we will deliver them to OB as we always have in the past. Thunderous applause to Barry and Phyllis Philbrick.

If you have any questions please contact Lois Laurence or the Church Office. THANK YOU.

Lois

Operation Blessing: December 2019

A Big Thank You to all who donated food to Operation Blessing for their Thanksgiving Baskets. According to Tammy Joslyn, the Executive Director, our donations weighed in at about 1500 pounds. OB prepared about 350 Baskets for those in need. It was amazing to see the different organizations who were dropping off food to go into the baskets. Many people from workplaces were assisting during the drop off process. It was heartwarming to see so many people come together so that all were able to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. Our congregation has either been preparing baskets or has been donating to other organizations for them to distribute for many years and I think that this year you really all donated to make it the best year ever. Thank you again for your generosity.

Toys for Tots. Although we only had a short window of time between collecting food and toys, you all did a great job in making a Merry Christmas for many children. Last Sunday we dropped off about 115 gifts and 3 gift cards to the Fox Run Mall collection site. Thank you so much for your help.

End 68 Hours of Hunger - January 2020

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church has a team that packs food for the program 'End 68 Hours of Hunger' for the city of Portsmouth!! This program is designed to provide food for children in need that would sustain them for the weekend when school is not in session. Kathy McKenna and Lauren Gianino are the Team Coordinators for our church.

Our team is responsible for packing food bags for children on 6 more Thursdays this school year. We pack at the First United Methodist Church, 129 Miller Ave. Portsmouth and we meet at 6pm. Depending on the number of volunteers, the packing process takes between 40 minutes to an hour - but rarely a full hour.

Our next packing date is this Thursday, January 2nd. The dates our team is responsible for are:

  • Thursday, January 2nd
  • Thursday, February 6th
  • Thursday, March 19th
  • Thursday, April 23rd
  • Thursday, June 11th

Last year our group packed 663 bags of food! If you are interested in joining our team please email myself (mckenna.kathy.62@gmail.com) or Lauren Gianino(pglg813@comcast.net). If you know of someone who would like to join our team....please have them contact us!! This is such an unique volunteer opportunity as you can make a huge impact on our local community in under an hour!! We always welcome new participants!!

September 2019: God's Work Our Hands is on Oct 6

Sunday, October 6. Is "God's Work/Our Hands Sunday, a day to do some of His work in our communities to assist our neighbors in need.

The "main event" is to help the Dover Area Cooperative Ministries, of which Holy Trinity is a member represented by Bonnie Sanders, assist the homeless community of the greater Dover area. Specifically, we will be helping with The Towel Pack Project. This project makes it possible for homeless folks to be able to shower occasionally. The City of Dover has made the bathrooms and showers available to the homeless at designated times at the city-owned Butterfield gym in downtown Dover in order to take showers. The Dover Cooperative Ministries, through its member churches, provides shower packs for folks who wish to use that valuable service.

We would like to put together as many packs as possible between services on October 6. The items needed for each pack are as follows:

  • Standard- size bath towel
  • Wash cloth
  • Travel size shampoo and conditioner
  • Travel size soap
  • Travel size body lotion
  • Comb

If possible, please obtain each item in order to make a complete set. Please bring in all items purchased /collected to church on any or all of the next four Sundays, to be put in the large wicker basket in the Narthex. We will put the packs together between services on October 6. We hope to be able to provide 50 to 100 complete shower packs to assist in this ministry!

We also have three activities planned for that Sunday afternoon.

  1. At about 12 noon, we will have a beach cleanup - location to be announced. We'll work for about two hours - but come and leave when you want.

  2. At 2 p.m. will be a gathering at My Friend's Place in Dover, a short-term residential facility for people and families in need of housing. The group will make subs for the residents and have a discussion with staff members about the workings of MFP and its important role in the community.

  3. Also at 2 p.m. a group will travel to a nursing home in Newmarket to mingle with the residents. There will be singing, games and possibly snacks.

There will be signup sheets in the narthex for the above afternoon events for the next three Sundays. No need to sign up for The Towel Pack Project; just bring in to church as many sets of the items listed above as you are able during the next three weeks so that we have plenty of packs to assemble on Sunday, October 6.

We will have brief temple talks about these events at both services this Sunday, September 15. Thanks to all for your participation!

Ron Indorf, for the Social Ministry Team

July 2019: Social Ministry Budget

At the annual meeting, the Congregation approved the recommendation of the Church Council to adopt the budget it recommended for 2019. Included in that budget was a lump sum budget amount of $43,000.00 for social ministry, which the charge that the Team allocate those funds in its discretion. In June, the Team voted unanimously to adopt its line budget for this year as follows:

COMMUNITY MINISTRY

Social Ministry – Discretionary $750

Dover Friendly Kitchen $1,500

End 68 Hours of Hunger $250

God’s Work/Out Hands $100

Operation Blessing $2,500

Salvation Army $750

Seacoast Family Promise $500

Thanksgiving Baskets $300

Good News Garage $1,000

Imanuel Indonesian Lutheran Church $1,500

Total Community Ministry $9,150

GLOBAL MINISTRY

New England Synod $25,000

ELCA Disaster Relief $1,700

ELCA World Hunger $1,500

Lutheran World Relief $2,050 Missionary Support $2,500

Isimani (Tanzania) $1,100

Total Global Ministry $33,850

TOTAL SOCIAL MINISTRY $43,000

As a reminder, please mark your calendars. GOD’S WORK/OUR HANDS day will be SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6. We will have a project between services as well as several projects for later in the day for all who are able and willing to participate. (Please note that this is NOT Columbus Day Weekend.) More details to follow; please stay tuned! Ron Indorf For the Social Ministry Team

End 68 Hours of Hunger: May 2019

Just a reminder...Holy Trinity Lutheran Church has a team that packs food for the program 'End 68 Hours of Hunger' for the city of Portsmouth!! This program is designed to provide food for children in need that would sustain them for the weekend when school is not in session. Kathy McKenna and Lauren Gianino are the Team Coordinators for our church.

Our team is responsible for packing food bags for children on 2 more days in the school year. We pack at the First United Methodist Church, 129 Miller Ave. Portsmouth and we meet at 6 p.m. Depending on the number of volunteers, the packing process takes around 45 minutes.

Our next packing date is Thursday, May 9th. The remaining dates our team is responsible for are:

  • Thursday, May 9th
  • Thursday, June 13th

If you are interested in joining our team please email myself (mckenna.kathy.62@gmail.com) or Lauren Gianino(pglg813@comcast.net). We always welcome new participants!!

Let us know if you have any questions!! Kathy McKenna & Lauren Gianino