IMPORTANT & TIMELY 

East Hills Summer Concert Series at Cherry Park – Thursday, July 16 at 6:00pm
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and join us for great live music, conversation, and a chance to connect with friends old and new. Whether you stay for the whole evening or just stop by for a bit, we’d love to see you there!  Have questions or want to connect with the group? Contact Matt Witkowski at m.witkowski@grtumc.org or 616-550-2418. We hope you’ll join us for a fun evening of music and community!  Hear more details HERE.

Lost & Found
Missing something?  Our Trinity Lost & Found is filling up!  Please take a moment to check the bin outside the main office for any items that may belong to you.  Unclaimed items will be donated after July 19.

UMCOR Sunday is Sunday July 19
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the humanitarian relief and development arm of the United Methodist Church — a non-profit organization operated under the General Board of Global Ministries. In 2025, UMCOR responded worldwide to 30 floods, 11 tropical storms, 6 tornadoes, 29 migration events, 7 events of mass violence/civil unrest, and 5 fires. $10.1 million in grants were distributed directly impacting nearly 278,000 persons.   UMCOR Sunday is a pro-active day of action to equip UMCOR. On UMCOR Sunday, United Methodists give to fulfill the financial needs of UMCOR administration so that 100% of all other disaster response giving goes toward the response. Please give generously as you are able so that we can alleviate the suffering of our neighbors no matter where they are and let them know they are not alone. You may give online or via the worship offering or the church office. Checks may be made out to Trinity UMC and designated for UMCOR Sunday.  Thank YOU!

God’s Naturehood: Sunday Kids Edition – July 12 & 19, August 9 & 16
Calling all Pre-K to 5th Grade kiddos! Come upstairs to the TrinityKids Room after Children’s Moment on select Sundays this summer for a class with Ms. Laura, Ms. Annie, and other Protection Policy certified leaders. We’ll learn about what God has made by examining different parts of creation, digging into amazing science facts, and (when weather permits) spending time outside exploring the Naturehood right around our building! There will be crafts, games, science, stories, and more. Sunday Kids Edition will be offered July 12 & 19, August 9 & 16. Weekly programming for kiddos & youth will return in September. 

God’s Naturehood: Adult Edition – Friday, July 17 at 1:00pm (Dwight Lydell 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. Our next walk is Friday, July 17 from 1:00pm-2:00pm at Dwight Lydell Park at 4040 Leland Ave NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321. Park in large park lot on northwest side of the park and meet near the large open shelter with bathrooms. We’ll walk several loops of the short paved trail and include an ice cream stop at one of the local ice cream spots!

Missed Worship Yesterday?
Click here to watch.

Looking for the Latest Newsletter?
Click here for the July Trinity in Touch Newsletter
The next newsletter will be for July.  August newsletter articles are due by July 21.
(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

Friends of Rohr at Trinity (FoRT) Small Groups
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 both our summer events. This helps us with planning for seats & treats and ensures our hosts know what to expect. SignUpGenius Links: Annual Ice Cream Social (August 27).

Party in the Park – August 20 from 5:30pm-8:30pm (Hager Park)
Come on out for a Party in the Park on Thursday, August 20 from 5:30pm-8:30pm at Hager Park in Georgetown Township. Yes… you read that right! We’re heading to a new park this year but the PARTY will be much the same. Come celebrate all things summer with a delicious BBQ dinner, jamming out with the praise band, and then doing all those fun park things. At Hager Park you can find a smaller playground and a huge all-ages zipline near our site, a lovely walk in the woods, and (across the park) one of the largest wooden playgrounds around. The BBQ dinner will feature hot dogs, brats, and sides. Beverages and tableware will also be provided. Suggested donation of $8 per person. Pay online ahead of time or bring cash/check to the park. 

Sign Up to Bake, Volunteer, Setup & Cleanup at: https://tinyurl.com/TUMC-PITP2026-Volunteers

God’s Naturehood: Adult Edition – Friday, August 14 at 1:00pm (Palmer 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. Our next walk is Friday, August 14 from 1:00pm-2:00pm at Palmer Park at 1275 52nd St SW, Wyoming, MI 49509. Enter off of 52nd Street SW. You’ll drive through part of the golf course before turning left on the first available park drive and parking in the spots near Picnic Area B1. Laura will share more detailed directions with maps and photos via email.

ONGOING

Travelin’ with Trinity – Summer All Ages Workbook
Stay connected with your church family this summer as we take you on a journey of reading, practicing, and connecting with the goal of building deeper relationships with each other and with God. Pick a few Summer Camp activities or do them all – the choice is up to you! Travelin’ with Trinity is designed for all ages and for multiple learning styles with the goal of keeping you engaged and inspired all summer long. Get a paper copy in the Narthex or Parlor, print THIS COPY at home, or save THIS DIGITAL COPY for checking off badges virtually. Workbooks are available starting June 7th and are due August 20th. Finish activities to win prizes! All prizes will be distributed at Party in the Park at Hager Park on Thursday, August 20th. If you cannot attend, select prizes may be available the following Sunday (August 23rd) after worship. See the workbook for more details or contact Laura Johns, Director of Discipleship at L.Johns@grtumc.org. 

Sacred Justice Book Club – Next Meeting: August 4
The Sacred Justice Book Club is thrilled to be back again this year for great conversation, deep discussion about activism, and fun fellowship. Our 2026-2027 book list is as follows:

• August 4, 2026 | Radical Inclusion by David Moinina Sengeh

• 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

Acolyte Training – August 16 at 11:30am
Is your child interested in helping to light the candles on Sunday mornings? Attend a 30 minute training together on Sunday, August 16 from 11:30am-12:00pm! Kiddos must be at least Pre-K to acolyte. Grown-ups need to attend the training with their children as there are important jobs for them too. Meet Ms. Laura in the Praygrounds after worship to find out more! Already have a trained acolyte? Sign them up for summer & fall using our SignUpGenius: https://tinyurl.com/TUMC-AcolyteFall2026

Milestone Sunday: Blessing of Backpacks & Teachers – August 23 at 10:00am
Our third Milestone Sunday of 2026 is August 23 and we will be celebrating any milestones from June to August 2026. Our Milestone Moment will be Blessing Backpacks & Teachers as our children, youth & educators start another school year so bring your backpack or school bag for blessing. We will also post select honorees on the screen and do a group blessing for all honorees. Let us know if there’s a milestone in your life we can celebrate together! Fill out our online form at https://tinyurl.com/TUMCMilestone08-2026, email Laura, or put a note on your Connection Card.

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.

Spiritalk Book Club – Next Meeting: September 8
The book list for 2026-2027 is being finalized and we’re excited for another amazing year of reading & fellowship. Get started on our September book now: The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip William. Contact Joy Murphy for more info at joymurphy@grtumc.org.

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-GreetersApr-Aug2026 

• 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