Domestic Hunger Menu Specials

Trinity Lutheran Congregation Cares for Kids

With the gift-bearing Magi, we travel into Epiphany. It is a time for us to grow through sharing our own gifts in service with all our global neighbors. Trinity Lutheran Congregation powerfully lives out the season’s multicultural service focus. Trinity, the “church without walls,” grows and serves through direct relationships in Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside neighborhood—long the new home of waves of immigrants from around the world.

Of its unique context and ministry, Trinity says,

In 1966 Trinity lost its building to the Interstate 94 construction. The mission-minded congregation voted to use its resources in active outreach to the Cedar-Riverside community rather than investing in a new church building. The lack of conventional church walls frees [Trinity] to tear down walls that can separate us from effective service to God and each other (from their Web site at: www.trinity-lc.org).

An impressive example of their relational outreach service into their community is Safe Place: Homework Help, a 2009 ELCA Domestic Hunger Grant recipient. Trinity realizes a good education is crucial to preventing a lifetime of hunger! Homework Help desperately needs tutors to assist Cedar-Riverside’s children and youth, primarily from Eastern Africa, with various academic subjects. Frequently, the students’ greatest challenges are with language and understanding their assignments’ questions. In addition, Homework Help needs computers (used, but in good working order) and a printer to provide the technology that students require. Homework Help operates from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. each day that the Minneapolis Public Schools are in session and is located in the second floor of 2001 Riverside Avenue. To receive more information or to share your gifts through this service, please email tutoring@trinity-lc.org or call 612-333-2561.

Trinity also reaches out to its neighbors with Wednesday Night Suppers. A simple meal and supervised recreation brings together neighborhood mothers and their children with volunteers from churches and organizations. Volunteers prepare a meal at their own site and bring it to St. Martins’ Table (first floor of 2001 Riverside Avenue) where they can finish heating the food. The suppers consist of a healthy, “kid-friendly” (non-pork) entrée to serve 40 with a vegetarian option, beverage, and a sweet or fruit dessert. Volunteers should arrive by 5:50 p.m. to serve the meal at 6:00; generally, they can leave by 6:30 p.m. Small groups of confirmands with two adults are welcome to provide the suppers. Currently, Trinity needs a group to prepare and serve a meal one Wednesday evening every other month. To grow through relationship with our new neighbors, please contact Pastor Jane Buckley-Farlee at pastorjane@trinity-lc.org or call 612-333-2561.  

We are not called to journey through Epiphany alone. We are called to follow our Savior’s example of walking closely with all of our neighbors from throughout the world. With humility, the Magi offered their gifts to Christ and grew in faith. Likewise, in service with our neighbors, we offer our gifts to Christ and, as we journey together, we profoundly grow.