Trinity United Methodist Church

Connect & Grow

Join us for a variety of on-going and short-term opportunities for study, reflection, and fellowship. Contact Dani Patrick, Office Manager, with questions at office@grtumc.org; 616.456.7168.

For full calendar view,  click here.

Trinity Happenings

Miss the Monday email?  See what’s happening at Trinity below!  

Want to sign up for Trinity emails? Sign up HERE!

 

IMPORTANT & TIMELY 

Trinity Hope Brigade: Loving Our Neighbors – Sunday August 9, 2026 at 11:30am Discovery Room
For the past few months, several Trinity members have been responding to Christ’s call to love our neighbors by visiting and supporting persons affected by ICE deportations.

  • ▪ Visiting neighbors detained at ICE North Lake Processing Center
  • ▪ Providing transportation on the “Overground Railroad
  • Assisting a local family whose husband/father was deported
  • ▪ Letter writing and prayer

We would like to share our experiences and tell the stories of hope and transformation of the people we have met. Please join us on Sunday August 9 at 11:30 am in the Discovery Room. 

Polling Hospitality Needed – Tomorrow, August 4, 2026
***(We especially need greeters between 12:00pm and 5:00pm!)***

We’re looking for volunteers to help with:

  • Greeting and welcoming voters
  • Directing guests to the appropriate entrances and locations
  • Providing hospitality throughout the day
  • Donating snacks and refreshments for election workers and volunteers

Whether you can volunteer for a short shift or donate a few treats, your support helps ensure both Election Day and music camp run smoothly while reflecting Trinity’s spirit of hospitality.  Sign up at:  https://tinyurl.com/AugustPollingHospitality

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

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.

Missed Worship Yesterday?
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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).

God’s Naturehood: Sunday Kids Edition – 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 August 9 & 16. Weekly programming for kiddos & youth will return in September. 

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. 

Get More Details & RSVP athttps://tinyurl.com/TUMC-PITP2026

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

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

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…

Want to know what is going in in various areas of the United Methodist Church at large?
Check out news, updates and insights HERE.  Recent updates include the ratification of constitutional amendments (Regionalization, Inclusiveness of the Church, Racial Justice, and Educational Requirements for Clergy).

TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

1100 Lake Dr. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506-1538

Phone: (616) 456-7168
Email:   office@grtumc.org

CHURCH OFFICE

Monday-Wednesday 9am-4pm
Closed Thursday & Friday

COMMUNITY MINISTRIES OFFICE

Note: In the event of inclement weather, Trinity will be closed if the Grand Rapids Public Schools are cancelled.