Community Outreach

The community building at Trinity United Methodist Church is a busy place every day of the week.  Numerous groups use the building for meetings.  Trinity has a partnership with Jewish Family Service to provide ESL and Citizenship classes regularly.  Another partnership is with Square One for an after school arts program for Forest Park Middle School students three days per week.  The Children's Chorus of Springfield practices there weekly and holds seasonal performances in the Sanctuary.  These are but a few of the ways Trinity reaches out to the community by sharing the building.

The Children's Chorus of Springfield provides an opportunity for Springfield children from all schools plus the home-schooled community to foster their creative talent under the leadership of music educators.  There are more than 70 members of the chorus from 25 different schools.  Chorus members are selected by audition each fall.

Trinity donates space for rehearsals and concerts.  In doing so, the church supports the arts in the community and gives this diverse group of talented young people the opportunity to study music and develop the ability to sing in a group. You can learn more about the Children's Chorus of Springfield and the role they play in promoting the arts among Springfield's youngest citizens by checking out the Children's Chorus website.

Another unique partnership that Trinity has fostered is one with Sumner Ave. Elementary School.  Trinity members mentor students there weekly.  Church members have donated to provide needed school supplies and uniforms for students whose families can't afford them.  Last year Trinity members worked with students to produce a photo exhibit of pictures taken in the neighborhood. The pictures were mounted and displayed in the Chapel at Trinity for all to see. When the school had to be evacuated for part of a day last year, the students took shelter in the church building so they wouldn't be outside in the cold.  In the spring, Trinity provided space for the performance of the end of the year musical. The Community Hall was filled with proud parents and family members.

Another example of Trinity's support of arts program in the Springfield Schools was the hosting of an exhibit entitled "Springfield Gothic: Student Reflections."  Student work was on display in the chapel.

Trinity is seeking donations through the Valley Gives Day campaign on December 12 to build a new handicapped accessible Community Room to further increase the opportunities for community outreach.  Space is currently limited so the middle school after school program can't meet on the day the Children's Chorus practices.  The additional room will eliminate this conflict and enable Trinity to expand the number of ways the church can enrich the lives of those living in the neighborhood.

Please give generously on Dec. 12 by making an on-line donation at the Valley Gives website.  If you aren't available to make a contribution that day, you can schedule your gift in advance.