Trinity members, along with United Methodist congregations around the world, have been providing hurricane relief in conjunction with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR*). Additional information about UMCOR is noted at the bottom of this page.  

Trinity has also performed a great deal of "hands-on" relief efforts, as summarized below. Sherill Clontz, Trinity's Pastor of Congregational Care and Missions, reported these efforts to Bishop Willimon, to which he said in part "...This is so inspiring! I love the way that you guys are in this for the long haul!..."

Sherill's message to the Bishop included these facts:

"We have been very busy since the day after the hurricane hit. Members of Trinity donated and then delivered 150 pillows and pillowcases to Tuscaloosa First for their shelter before it opened. We have prepared and collected hundreds of health kits (we didn’t even try to count) which were sent to UMCOR.

We entered into a partnership with a local company, Radiance Technology, to send a shipment of supplies to the coast. We sent baby food, diapers, wipes and formula as well as water, food, and other items to Spanish Fort UMC and the gulf coast communities where Radiance has offices.

Our youth group is preparing to go with a group from Grace UMC to Diamondhead UMC in Mississippi to spend their fall break helping with clean up.

We have participated on a task force to coordinate the efforts of churches throughout the Huntsville/Madison County area as we respond to this as well as future disasters. Asbury UMC in Madison has taken the lead in this effort. As a result, we now have a community-wide website where churches can ask and give help and coordinate efforts. (The website can be found at http://www.tnvalleyhurricanerelief.com)

And finally, we have joined in an ecumenical effort to restore and refurbish an empty hotel to house evacuees here in Huntsville. We are currently working under the umbrella of Manna Ministries with The Rock Family Worship Center (non-denominational), First Baptist Church, the Brook (also SBC) and many other churches to clean, paint, put in new carpet and get the rooms ready for evacuees. We have 100 people waiting to move in and expect the first group of families to move in later this week. Churches will take turn providing a warm evening meal for the evacuees. We also hope to provide activities and childcare for the families as well as employment counseling to help them find jobs. And the Office of Pastoral Care and Counseling is working with us to provide counseling for the families and our church will provide Stephen Ministers where needed to support and encourage these families as they begin again. One of the exciting aspects of this project is that many local businesses as well as the city of Huntsville have joined with the churches to make this ministry possible. You can see pictures of our efforts on at http://www.trinityhsv.org/katrina_ramada.html.

We have been so blessed by seeing so many people eager and willing to help in the name of Christ."

If you have any questions about these efforts and how you can help, please call Sherill Clontz at 883-3200 extension 213.

You are also encouraged to read information on relief efforts by the North Alabama Conference on the conference website at http://www.northalabamaumc.org/.

A shortage of money is always a critical need during the initial stages of disaster recovery. Tax-deductible donations to the relief effort may be submitted in several ways:

NOTE: Some employers will match your contributions.  If your company matches gifts to charitable organizations, you will need to write your check directly to UMCOR and ask your company about their matching gift policy.

Trinity United Methodist Church's vision from its beginning has been an evolving unending vision. From time to time it has been captured in words. Where God leads and where there are needs Trinity United Methodist Church challenges its members to be there as they respond to the current mission statement:

Trinity United Methodist Church guides people of all ages to hear and respond to the living God’s call by using their skills, abilities, and money to make a difference in the world as disciples of Jesus Christ.