WEBVTT 00:00:03.339 --> 00:00:05.540 Hello, everyone, and welcome to this week's episode 00:00:05.540 --> 00:00:08.800 of Trinity Talks. My name is Kyla, and I'm sitting 00:00:08.800 --> 00:00:11.259 down here with two folks from Trinity's congregation 00:00:11.259 --> 00:00:14.660 to talk about something that at Trinity we call 00:00:14.660 --> 00:00:18.600 the Care Fund. And this is a sort of ministry 00:00:18.600 --> 00:00:22.050 that extends from Trinity's Care Ministries, 00:00:22.050 --> 00:00:24.670 where we provide support for people experiencing 00:00:24.670 --> 00:00:27.170 all kinds of different challenges. So we're going 00:00:27.170 --> 00:00:29.190 to talk about what the CARE Fund specifically 00:00:29.190 --> 00:00:32.490 is and how we use that to help serve our community. 00:00:32.710 --> 00:00:35.450 So thank you so much for joining me, folks. Pleasure. 00:00:35.710 --> 00:00:37.509 Yeah, so maybe I'll just get you to start by 00:00:37.509 --> 00:00:40.130 doing a little bit of an introduction for yourself. 00:00:40.729 --> 00:00:42.609 Yeah, do you want to start us off here? Sure. 00:00:42.670 --> 00:00:46.789 My name is Anne, and I'm a parishioner here, 00:00:46.890 --> 00:00:48.770 and I've been coming to Trinity for about four 00:00:48.770 --> 00:00:51.659 years. Okay, great. Thank you. Great. My name 00:00:51.659 --> 00:00:53.920 is Andrew. I've got two daughters and a wife, 00:00:53.960 --> 00:00:56.219 Adrienne, and we've been attending for about 00:00:56.219 --> 00:01:00.460 three years. Okay. Very cool. And so maybe just 00:01:00.460 --> 00:01:03.840 starting off, really basic, what is the CARE 00:01:03.840 --> 00:01:07.549 Fund? Sure. So the CARE Fund, I'll kick it off, 00:01:07.670 --> 00:01:09.829 is a fund that's been established by Trinity 00:01:09.829 --> 00:01:13.609 to really provide financial assistance to individuals 00:01:13.609 --> 00:01:17.909 or families that have a specific financial need. 00:01:18.049 --> 00:01:22.890 And it's not directed at just members of Trinity, 00:01:23.109 --> 00:01:26.989 but the broader surrounding community. And it's 00:01:26.989 --> 00:01:30.189 really meant to address a very specific need, 00:01:30.469 --> 00:01:33.950 not a longer -term need, but to meet people. 00:01:34.689 --> 00:01:37.129 where they're at with maybe a financial obligation 00:01:37.129 --> 00:01:40.090 they have that they can't meet. And as you mentioned, 00:01:40.150 --> 00:01:43.120 Kyle, it's... part of a much broader care ministry. 00:01:43.379 --> 00:01:46.739 So, uh, we do like to think of, of, um, you know, 00:01:46.739 --> 00:01:49.079 whether other areas within the church they can 00:01:49.079 --> 00:01:52.079 get connected to, to, to provide broader support 00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:53.879 and care to what they might be going through. 00:01:54.040 --> 00:01:56.459 Right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So it is, it's part 00:01:56.459 --> 00:01:58.200 of the care ministry. So it's, it's a financial 00:01:58.200 --> 00:02:01.040 piece that sort of partners with, you know, like 00:02:01.040 --> 00:02:03.519 Stephen ministry or like meal train or things 00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:06.239 like that. Exactly. Sort of give a holistic sort 00:02:06.239 --> 00:02:09.639 of level of care. That's right. Yeah. Okay. Um, 00:02:09.800 --> 00:02:13.990 and. And how did the CARE Fund come about? Sure. 00:02:14.389 --> 00:02:17.909 Trinity has a long history of benevolence where 00:02:17.909 --> 00:02:23.250 we... as a congregation, give to people in need, 00:02:23.349 --> 00:02:26.169 help them in times of crisis. And I think over 00:02:26.169 --> 00:02:28.870 the years, it's been in a variety of ways, some 00:02:28.870 --> 00:02:31.710 formal, some informal. Perhaps the longest standing 00:02:31.710 --> 00:02:34.150 sort of benevolence ministry that I know of at 00:02:34.150 --> 00:02:36.629 Trinity is the Christmas Wish Fund, which I think 00:02:36.629 --> 00:02:39.490 has been going for decades, which is really a 00:02:39.490 --> 00:02:43.270 delightful opportunity to bless people at Christmas 00:02:43.270 --> 00:02:47.750 time when they might have some extra... Maybe 00:02:47.750 --> 00:02:50.569 it's difficult to meet sort of the needs of the 00:02:50.569 --> 00:02:52.830 season where you may want to buy a small gift 00:02:52.830 --> 00:02:54.870 for your children and whatnot. So the Christmas 00:02:54.870 --> 00:02:59.430 Wish Fund has been supporting, not supporting, 00:02:59.569 --> 00:03:02.370 just been generously giving without strings attached, 00:03:02.669 --> 00:03:05.289 small sums of money to people around Christmas 00:03:05.289 --> 00:03:10.009 time. But a couple of years back. Jan and Brent 00:03:10.009 --> 00:03:13.110 Serson, who were involved in a variety of ministries 00:03:13.110 --> 00:03:16.270 and very aware of the particular needs of a lot 00:03:16.270 --> 00:03:19.449 of people, suggested that we formalize additional 00:03:19.449 --> 00:03:22.289 benevolence opportunities where we would give 00:03:22.289 --> 00:03:25.870 to people in particular times of crisis. And 00:03:25.870 --> 00:03:27.800 I just have to say that... giving at Trinity 00:03:27.800 --> 00:03:30.219 in these sorts of ways has been going on for, 00:03:30.280 --> 00:03:32.020 you know, probably as long as Trinity existed. 00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:35.080 But to have a formal structure allowed us to 00:03:35.080 --> 00:03:39.039 sort of pool together the church's, you know, 00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:42.599 the collective financial resources that people 00:03:42.599 --> 00:03:46.240 might want to use and then give that to people 00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:51.280 in need as times of crisis have arisen. So we 00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:54.639 make an appeal to the congregation once a year 00:03:54.639 --> 00:03:58.550 around Christmas time. and ask that people would 00:03:58.550 --> 00:04:01.449 give to the CARE Fund, which now includes both 00:04:01.449 --> 00:04:04.409 the Christmas Wish as well as any of the other 00:04:04.409 --> 00:04:06.909 opportunities that we take to give to people 00:04:06.909 --> 00:04:09.129 throughout the year. And so with that appeal, 00:04:09.430 --> 00:04:13.770 in the last... Three seasons, three years, we 00:04:13.770 --> 00:04:18.670 have actually received almost $15 ,000 in generous 00:04:18.670 --> 00:04:20.850 giving from people within the congregation. And 00:04:20.850 --> 00:04:23.610 then we use that money throughout the year to 00:04:23.610 --> 00:04:26.230 support both Christmas Wish as well as any of 00:04:26.230 --> 00:04:28.550 the particular needs that arise. Right. Okay. 00:04:28.629 --> 00:04:32.259 So it sort of started as this like... seasonal 00:04:32.259 --> 00:04:35.000 thing right because we know obviously christmas 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:37.420 is a time where there's lots of financial need 00:04:37.420 --> 00:04:39.519 and a time where people are sort of thinking 00:04:39.519 --> 00:04:42.399 about giving generously right um but then saying 00:04:42.399 --> 00:04:44.560 okay well people don't just have needs at christmas 00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:47.100 right right so how do we continue to support 00:04:47.100 --> 00:04:50.670 those needs year round exactly okay yeah Um, 00:04:50.870 --> 00:04:54.610 so how exactly does that work? How does, yeah, 00:04:54.689 --> 00:04:56.670 how does the care fund work? If someone has a 00:04:56.670 --> 00:04:59.110 need, um, or like what kind of needs does it 00:04:59.110 --> 00:05:01.230 support? How do all the pieces come together? 00:05:01.410 --> 00:05:03.709 Yeah. So the, the, the requests come in through 00:05:03.709 --> 00:05:06.850 a really a variety of ways. Okay. Sometimes individuals 00:05:06.850 --> 00:05:09.509 themselves might, might come to the church or 00:05:09.509 --> 00:05:12.209 another ministry leader might bring forth a specific 00:05:12.209 --> 00:05:14.990 request. Um, and, and they, they come directly 00:05:14.990 --> 00:05:17.829 into it really into the church office and the 00:05:17.829 --> 00:05:21.610 church staff. Um, Reflect on it and find out 00:05:21.610 --> 00:05:24.230 if there's other ways that might be better served 00:05:24.230 --> 00:05:26.850 to meet their need. As we mentioned, there's 00:05:26.850 --> 00:05:31.730 a lot of care offered through Trinity. If it 00:05:31.730 --> 00:05:34.250 is a financial need, they might be addressed 00:05:34.250 --> 00:05:38.829 right at the office. Things like meal cards, 00:05:39.050 --> 00:05:42.850 if it's food insecurity or transportation services. 00:05:43.990 --> 00:05:47.970 If it happens to be a larger financial need, 00:05:48.110 --> 00:05:52.310 then that's... That's where the CARE Fund committee 00:05:52.310 --> 00:05:57.370 comes into play, and there's four or five members 00:05:57.370 --> 00:06:00.209 of this committee that would reflect on it, pray 00:06:00.209 --> 00:06:04.310 over the request, and really look for ways that 00:06:04.310 --> 00:06:09.610 we can help meet them where they're at. Unfortunately, 00:06:09.610 --> 00:06:13.189 there's obviously a lot of need out there, so 00:06:13.189 --> 00:06:17.990 we can't say yes to everything, but thankfully. 00:06:18.279 --> 00:06:20.879 The church has been blessed with many generous 00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:24.220 donors, and we've got financial resources available 00:06:24.220 --> 00:06:28.180 where we can extend support and care and provide 00:06:28.180 --> 00:06:29.819 that assistance that people are looking for. 00:06:31.240 --> 00:06:32.959 Yeah. So it sounds like there's like also then 00:06:32.959 --> 00:06:35.959 a variety of different kinds of needs and like 00:06:35.959 --> 00:06:38.019 things that are being met through this care fund. 00:06:38.079 --> 00:06:39.839 Right. So you mentioned like, you know, sometimes 00:06:39.839 --> 00:06:42.300 it's like meal cards or like grocery gift cards. 00:06:42.379 --> 00:06:45.100 Sometimes it's help with transportation. Sometimes 00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:47.519 it's larger things. So things like, you know, 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:50.180 helping with rent or helping. I think we have 00:06:50.180 --> 00:06:52.300 done like replacing like an appliance, like a 00:06:52.300 --> 00:06:55.040 washer dryer situation. Yeah. Yeah. Like so whatever 00:06:55.040 --> 00:06:57.420 expenses that might not be covered by someone's 00:06:57.420 --> 00:07:01.040 plan. Right. Yeah. So a lot of extending. circumstances 00:07:01.040 --> 00:07:03.680 that we just want to be open minded on and really 00:07:03.680 --> 00:07:07.939 provide that holistic care. Yeah. And then you 00:07:07.939 --> 00:07:10.680 mentioned also like the process of the committee 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:13.560 is sort of, you know, coming together to like. 00:07:13.949 --> 00:07:16.009 look at you know what are the situations around 00:07:16.009 --> 00:07:18.449 this fine this financial need and like praying 00:07:18.449 --> 00:07:21.930 over it um but then i think sometimes people 00:07:21.930 --> 00:07:23.670 are like oh we'll pray about that and then not 00:07:23.670 --> 00:07:26.310 do a thing but but i think often we are we're 00:07:26.310 --> 00:07:28.209 we're we are prayerfully thinking about how we 00:07:28.209 --> 00:07:31.990 support people in in action right yeah it becomes 00:07:31.990 --> 00:07:33.889 a reflective process too where you start maybe 00:07:33.889 --> 00:07:36.629 even brainstorming thinking what other services 00:07:36.629 --> 00:07:39.740 are available right there's a lot of support 00:07:39.740 --> 00:07:42.660 in the community. And, uh, you know, I don't 00:07:42.660 --> 00:07:45.399 know what they all are, but you know, the, the, 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:48.000 there's a lot of connectedness that, uh, we can 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:50.319 be thinking of either government support programs, 00:07:50.579 --> 00:07:54.220 uh, food banks. So, um, yeah, it starts with 00:07:54.220 --> 00:07:56.459 a request and, and hopefully through that process, 00:07:56.560 --> 00:07:58.800 we're able to help more and more people. Right. 00:07:58.899 --> 00:08:00.680 Yeah. Yeah. And getting them connected to some 00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:02.139 of these other services. That's right. Yeah. 00:08:02.339 --> 00:08:06.519 Yeah. Yeah. So in the care fund so far, like 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:08.620 what, what has that sort of looked like? Are 00:08:08.720 --> 00:08:10.519 some stories or examples that you can share. 00:08:10.660 --> 00:08:14.699 Sure, I'd be happy to. So I could even mention 00:08:14.699 --> 00:08:17.839 that over the course of the past couple years, 00:08:17.980 --> 00:08:21.899 we have been able to give Christmas wish to about 00:08:21.899 --> 00:08:25.759 30 different individuals or families each season. 00:08:26.040 --> 00:08:28.959 And with respect to the specific needs that arise 00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:31.199 throughout the year, on average, maybe about 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:33.519 15 individuals or families. So it's quite significant. 00:08:33.679 --> 00:08:36.019 Yeah, per year of what we've been able to do. 00:08:36.669 --> 00:08:40.830 And a couple interesting stories there. One family 00:08:40.830 --> 00:08:44.190 who are newer to the country, but permanent residents, 00:08:44.230 --> 00:08:46.649 been here several years. And one of the family 00:08:46.649 --> 00:08:51.649 members was undergoing heart surgery. And that 00:08:51.649 --> 00:08:55.519 member was also kind of the... key supporter 00:08:55.519 --> 00:08:58.740 and, you know, transportation, driver, et cetera, 00:08:58.799 --> 00:09:01.279 et cetera. And, you know, there's a lot of needs 00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:04.279 in the family. And so for this person to be having 00:09:04.279 --> 00:09:06.980 surgery and away, there were going to be some 00:09:06.980 --> 00:09:09.480 significant needs that we were able to help them 00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:12.700 with, giving some like Uber gift cards to be 00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:16.500 able to support transportation. And food was 00:09:16.500 --> 00:09:18.899 going to be an issue too, though they do access 00:09:18.899 --> 00:09:22.639 community and government supports. You know, 00:09:22.659 --> 00:09:25.139 typically we might have, well, we did suggest 00:09:25.139 --> 00:09:27.600 that this family could make use of the meal train, 00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:31.299 another one of our ministries here at Trinity. 00:09:31.460 --> 00:09:34.240 But there were some significant reasons why that 00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:36.419 wasn't going to work out very well. So in the 00:09:36.419 --> 00:09:38.639 end, we were able to support with grocery gift 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:42.039 cards, right? So it's just an example of sort 00:09:42.039 --> 00:09:45.519 of, adjusting the services that we offer according 00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:48.779 to the need. Another interesting story, another 00:09:48.779 --> 00:09:53.149 family that was new to the country An individual 00:09:53.149 --> 00:09:57.350 was taking school to be the training to be a 00:09:57.350 --> 00:10:00.549 personal support worker and doing all of her 00:10:00.549 --> 00:10:03.950 schoolwork on her phone. And it was causing a 00:10:03.950 --> 00:10:08.129 big commitment, right? So it was causing eye 00:10:08.129 --> 00:10:10.210 strain and some difficulties and it was really 00:10:10.210 --> 00:10:13.470 hard to get through. So we, you know, first we 00:10:13.470 --> 00:10:15.350 look at other opportunities to see if there was 00:10:15.350 --> 00:10:18.090 maybe a computer that could be gifted to her. 00:10:18.190 --> 00:10:21.210 But in this case, we ended up giving a gift card. 00:10:21.450 --> 00:10:23.789 that was specifically for Best Buy, and the individual 00:10:23.789 --> 00:10:27.370 was able to buy a basic laptop and was so grateful 00:10:27.370 --> 00:10:30.629 to be able to do her schoolwork and her studies 00:10:30.629 --> 00:10:33.509 on the computer. And so as a result, we're really 00:10:33.509 --> 00:10:36.649 helping people to establish themselves in life 00:10:36.649 --> 00:10:40.399 in moments of crisis where... Like Andrew said, 00:10:40.559 --> 00:10:42.820 we're sort of looking to help people with sort 00:10:42.820 --> 00:10:46.220 of one -time needs or unexpected needs. And the 00:10:46.220 --> 00:10:48.679 two stories I mentioned were people sort of new 00:10:48.679 --> 00:10:50.620 to the country, but there's been lots of occasions, 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:53.820 too, where people within our community. have 00:10:53.820 --> 00:10:57.000 come up against a crisis. And so could we support 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:59.840 in that moment in order to kind of get them through? 00:10:59.960 --> 00:11:04.960 And what we found by doing this is not only does 00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:08.580 it meet that practical need, but it gives people 00:11:08.580 --> 00:11:12.120 hope, right? Like, you know, someone's listening 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:16.299 to my story and they're going to actually help 00:11:16.299 --> 00:11:19.080 me to get through it. And that even if it doesn't. 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:23.419 address all of the needs that we have in life. 00:11:23.480 --> 00:11:26.179 Just knowing that in this moment, someone was 00:11:26.179 --> 00:11:29.080 there for me, I think it's been a powerful way. 00:11:29.139 --> 00:11:33.179 We've heard really tangible appreciation for 00:11:33.179 --> 00:11:35.039 what we've been able to offer here and there. 00:11:35.320 --> 00:11:38.299 Yeah. Yeah. Because it is like, obviously the 00:11:38.299 --> 00:11:40.659 financial support to get the practical, tangible 00:11:40.659 --> 00:11:43.080 thing is super important to like help people 00:11:43.080 --> 00:11:44.799 get that through, get through that moment. But 00:11:44.799 --> 00:11:47.620 it is that like wraparound support that I think 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:50.639 is, is equally important. Right. Right. That 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:54.620 it is not just, okay, here's a laptop or here's 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:56.220 some food. It's like, okay, no, here's people 00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:58.620 who care. There's people who like want to walk 00:11:58.620 --> 00:12:03.409 with you. That's right. And I think we, Like 00:12:03.409 --> 00:12:07.370 we talk in our sort of committee group about 00:12:07.370 --> 00:12:11.190 how relationship is most important. And so we're 00:12:11.190 --> 00:12:15.549 not trying to just give some money to attend 00:12:15.549 --> 00:12:20.110 to a need. At the same time, we want to connect 00:12:20.110 --> 00:12:23.070 people to the other ministries and opportunities 00:12:23.070 --> 00:12:26.929 and services and supports, both within Trinity 00:12:26.929 --> 00:12:32.019 as well as beyond. the relationship is even more 00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:34.600 important right for sure for sure yeah and i 00:12:34.600 --> 00:12:37.000 think that connecting people to the other systems 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:39.080 and support networks and that sort of thing also 00:12:39.080 --> 00:12:40.679 sort of ties in with what you said about like 00:12:40.679 --> 00:12:43.600 a one -time need in a crisis situation right 00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:48.399 that it's not the care fund is not there to be 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:52.279 a like monthly top up right right which is totally 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:54.899 needed in some situations but that's just not 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:57.840 a thing that this fund is able to provide right 00:12:57.840 --> 00:13:01.740 but we can connect people with food banks or 00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:04.740 with like osap or like whatever it is that they 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:06.799 need to be able to get that support right yeah 00:13:06.799 --> 00:13:08.899 it's not purely meant to be just transactional 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:10.919 we don't think of it just as okay here transaction 00:13:10.919 --> 00:13:14.480 done it is about you know establishing connectiveness 00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:18.679 and making sure that That we expand the areas 00:13:18.679 --> 00:13:23.919 of care that people, ourselves included, look 00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:26.340 out for different types of support throughout 00:13:26.340 --> 00:13:30.679 our life journey. And that's the key, developing 00:13:30.679 --> 00:13:33.580 relationships and building community in the way 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:37.080 we minister to one another. Yeah, for sure, for 00:13:37.080 --> 00:13:39.820 sure. Yeah, so we've mentioned a couple of different 00:13:39.820 --> 00:13:41.659 sort of support systems. So one, we've talked 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:44.539 about the meal train a couple of times. So maybe, 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:46.340 Andrew, can you just explain what it is? is the 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:54.299 meal train. Uh, sure. Yes, I can. Um, yeah, the 00:13:54.299 --> 00:13:57.879 meal train is, is, is similar in nature of kind 00:13:57.879 --> 00:14:01.460 of a, a, a temporary lift to a situation and 00:14:01.460 --> 00:14:03.379 maybe someone has a new baby or they're, they're 00:14:03.379 --> 00:14:06.519 in the hospital and, and, uh, it's a community 00:14:06.519 --> 00:14:09.159 of, uh, people that attend Trinity that sign 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:12.820 up to be a part of the meal train. Um, and so 00:14:12.820 --> 00:14:16.909 if you have, uh, a need, you'd flag it to the 00:14:16.909 --> 00:14:20.230 office staff. And it would be directed to the 00:14:20.230 --> 00:14:22.950 coordinator of the meal train who has a number 00:14:22.950 --> 00:14:26.110 of volunteers that will make meals or source 00:14:26.110 --> 00:14:30.330 meals or come up with maybe gift cards for a 00:14:30.330 --> 00:14:35.269 meal. But another very tangible way to... to, 00:14:35.330 --> 00:14:38.549 to, to show care and support people in a, in 00:14:38.549 --> 00:14:41.370 a meaningful way. Yeah. Okay. So we got this 00:14:41.370 --> 00:14:44.070 meal train. Um, I don't, I don't know that we've 00:14:44.070 --> 00:14:45.450 mentioned it, but one of the other things that 00:14:45.450 --> 00:14:46.990 I think comes up in the committee meetings often 00:14:46.990 --> 00:14:50.230 is like Stephen ministry. Um, and yeah, they're 00:14:50.230 --> 00:14:53.090 providing like counseling and peer support and 00:14:53.090 --> 00:14:55.450 that sort of a thing. Um, but then also we do 00:14:55.450 --> 00:14:58.129 have done some connections to like outside services 00:14:58.129 --> 00:15:00.029 and stuff as well. Do you want to like talk about 00:15:00.029 --> 00:15:03.149 sort of how that piece has worked? Well, it's 00:15:03.149 --> 00:15:05.850 not uncommon that people come, with financial 00:15:05.850 --> 00:15:09.909 need around rent, paying for their housing. And 00:15:09.909 --> 00:15:14.529 so we have worked to become more aware of the 00:15:14.529 --> 00:15:17.570 community and government services that are available 00:15:17.570 --> 00:15:21.679 to help people through that. And so... You know, 00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:24.840 we we will do what we can to connect people into 00:15:24.840 --> 00:15:28.440 the public system so that we're not filling in 00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:30.320 a need when in fact there's a government support 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:35.059 for that. And then if there's maybe a gap or 00:15:35.059 --> 00:15:37.600 a moment of crisis that can bridge someone, then 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:41.720 we can try to fill in between. So that's another 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:44.519 area that we've tried to connect community wise. 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:47.419 Yeah. And I think like one of the pieces that's 00:15:47.419 --> 00:15:49.299 really important for me and all of that is that 00:15:49.299 --> 00:15:51.259 like it's really partly about. but like expertise 00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:55.299 as well. Right. That like we. obviously care 00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:57.720 that that's, that's kind of our job as Christians 00:15:57.720 --> 00:16:00.340 just to care, but like, we can't, I don't know 00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:02.740 how all of the social systems work. I don't know 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:05.679 how to get somebody housing support, like the, 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:08.559 or like what, even what is the best time to sort 00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:10.759 of help people in that process. Right. But like 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:13.379 other people, this is their whole job. Right. 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:15.240 Right. And so getting them connected to those 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:18.500 experts. Yeah. So we've tried to actually find 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:21.019 some people who are experts in some of those 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:23.519 other areas to support us in making our decisions 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:26.570 well. But, you know, there may be congregational 00:16:26.570 --> 00:16:30.129 members watching this podcast today. And if they 00:16:30.129 --> 00:16:32.649 have expertise in some of the social issues that 00:16:32.649 --> 00:16:36.730 are challenging for our community, then, you 00:16:36.730 --> 00:16:39.409 know, to identify your skills to the office, 00:16:39.549 --> 00:16:42.750 you know, that our office staff might be able 00:16:42.750 --> 00:16:45.450 to help. Our ministry staff can help in using 00:16:45.450 --> 00:16:48.570 your skills to identify how we can best support 00:16:48.570 --> 00:16:50.389 people. That would be a really big help to us 00:16:50.389 --> 00:16:54.029 as well. Yeah, for sure. So we've sort of talked 00:16:54.029 --> 00:16:57.370 about the what, how all of this works, but why? 00:16:57.470 --> 00:17:00.429 Why should Trinity have a care fund? What is 00:17:00.429 --> 00:17:05.809 so important about this? Yeah, we really see 00:17:05.809 --> 00:17:09.700 that this is an opportunity to follow. in line 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:13.079 with what Jesus desires of us as believers, right? 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:15.720 You know, scripture says that we should bear 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:18.779 with one another our burdens and that this fulfills 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:24.640 the mission that God has for us. And also, you 00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:26.900 know, in another place it says, you know, if 00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:30.279 someone has need and we say, be blessed, go, 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:33.460 you know, we'll pray for you and do nothing about 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:36.640 it. Well, what is that? And so, you know, that's 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:38.279 a really challenging statement, right? And so 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:41.160 again, gives us sort of an awareness that there 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:44.359 are needs that we can actually physically help 00:17:44.359 --> 00:17:52.640 with. And sometimes there are many ways that 00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:55.700 this congregation individually connects with 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:58.289 people in need and just... Just, you know, they 00:17:58.289 --> 00:18:00.430 give a coat off their back. They pay for something 00:18:00.430 --> 00:18:03.390 for the kids. They do. They help out. But there 00:18:03.390 --> 00:18:05.750 are other times when an individual isn't connected 00:18:05.750 --> 00:18:08.109 to someone who is in the position to help them 00:18:08.109 --> 00:18:10.230 and they may come to the church. And so then 00:18:10.230 --> 00:18:13.250 for the church to sort of pool our resources 00:18:13.250 --> 00:18:16.130 together in a way that we can then collectively 00:18:16.130 --> 00:18:18.890 support people who may not have other connections 00:18:18.890 --> 00:18:23.089 or means, then it's actually an amazing gift. 00:18:23.190 --> 00:18:25.250 Like it's an exciting opportunity that we have 00:18:25.250 --> 00:18:28.200 that every year we have. resources of this congregation 00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:31.079 to support people in our community who are in 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:33.720 need. It's really, it's quite exciting. It is. 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:37.240 And it, you know, and Jesus also says, um, if, 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:39.660 uh, if you do something for one of the least 00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:42.519 of these for anyone and you do it in my name, 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:45.140 then you're doing it for me as well. And so that's 00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:47.519 a real joy that we have, you know, sometimes 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:51.920 to see how a small gift has generously helped 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:54.839 someone. It's a real delight. Yeah. Yeah, for 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:58.609 sure. And it certainly ties into values and the 00:18:58.609 --> 00:19:02.410 mission of Trinity, right? Values being community 00:19:02.410 --> 00:19:05.450 and generosity. This really helps bring those 00:19:05.450 --> 00:19:09.589 together and, you know, living like Jesus and 00:19:09.589 --> 00:19:12.569 leading others to Jesus. I think this really 00:19:12.569 --> 00:19:17.750 fits in well to the mission of not just Trinity, 00:19:17.849 --> 00:19:20.230 but the broader church at large. Sure. Yeah. 00:19:20.589 --> 00:19:23.349 Yeah. And I think, yeah, sort of like you said, 00:19:23.369 --> 00:19:26.650 it fits so well with, Yeah, what it means to 00:19:26.650 --> 00:19:29.470 be a follower of Jesus. That Jesus was someone 00:19:29.470 --> 00:19:31.950 who cared for the least of these. That Jesus 00:19:31.950 --> 00:19:35.829 was someone who saw people and was like, okay, 00:19:35.869 --> 00:19:39.490 let me bring you along. Let me help you in whatever 00:19:39.490 --> 00:19:43.450 situation you're in, right? And doing it with 00:19:43.450 --> 00:19:46.130 no strings attached. Right. Jesus wasn't like, 00:19:46.250 --> 00:19:48.990 I'll only heal you if you then become my disciple. 00:19:49.210 --> 00:19:51.450 He was like, no, no. You need help. I will help 00:19:51.450 --> 00:19:53.289 you. That's right. Right. And then, you know, 00:19:53.289 --> 00:19:54.970 sure. Sometimes people came along and became 00:19:54.970 --> 00:19:58.430 disciples. Right. But like it was. Yeah. There's 00:19:58.430 --> 00:20:01.509 a moment of crisis. Let's like do something about 00:20:01.509 --> 00:20:04.609 that. Yeah. Yeah. That's really what it means, 00:20:04.730 --> 00:20:07.450 I think, to be followers of Jesus. Yeah. Which 00:20:07.450 --> 00:20:09.890 is to say there are people that we have helped 00:20:09.890 --> 00:20:12.230 that are not members of this congregation. Sure. 00:20:12.309 --> 00:20:14.690 And nor is that an interest of theirs. But that's 00:20:14.690 --> 00:20:17.109 not something that's a criteria for us. Right. 00:20:17.150 --> 00:20:20.700 Yeah. Because, you know. they are beloved of 00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:23.079 Jesus the same way we are and we want to help 00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:25.420 people. Yeah. So it's a really great opportunity. 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:28.779 For sure. For sure. Yeah. Anything else that 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:30.259 sort of comes to mind for you as you think about 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:32.920 the like why of the care fund, like how this 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:35.220 connects with our mission or with our calling? 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:41.480 also maybe say not more about the care fund as 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:44.039 much as recognizing that what we're doing with 00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:47.440 the care fund is actually an opportunity that 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:50.599 we all have as believers as people who want to 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:56.380 follow Christ so we don't have to wait for the 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:59.200 fund to help someone we can do it in our own 00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:03.910 life and in our own way however if of an individual 00:21:03.910 --> 00:21:06.670 from the congregation potentially wants to participate 00:21:06.670 --> 00:21:11.730 with us then um they can identify potentially 00:21:11.730 --> 00:21:14.809 someone that they know is in sort of a crisis 00:21:14.809 --> 00:21:18.150 moment that we might be able to help with. But 00:21:18.150 --> 00:21:21.009 also if someone is wanting to make a donation 00:21:21.009 --> 00:21:24.289 to the fund in order to help us help more people, 00:21:24.349 --> 00:21:26.849 you know, we, we welcome that too. You know, 00:21:26.869 --> 00:21:29.490 that's an opportunity for people to participate, 00:21:29.730 --> 00:21:32.809 you know, collectively in this ministry that 00:21:32.809 --> 00:21:35.549 we have together, but also individually in their 00:21:35.549 --> 00:21:37.650 own way and recognizing that Jesus sees it all. 00:21:37.730 --> 00:21:41.380 Right. Yeah. Yeah, I think that just makes me 00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:44.839 think that like the Care Fund is a particular 00:21:44.839 --> 00:21:48.599 ministry that is like operated and managed by 00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:51.339 particular people. But it's not the ministry 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:54.960 of Anne and Andrew. It is the ministry of Trinity. 00:21:55.140 --> 00:21:58.160 Absolutely. That like as a whole church family, 00:21:58.220 --> 00:22:00.779 we are all part of what is happening there, even 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:04.539 if people never know that. Right. Like most of 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:07.000 our congregation will never know that. we don't 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:09.359 even know the names and the particular stories 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:11.700 of all of the people who have been helped through 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:14.220 this. Right. But like, it's the work that we 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:17.339 are all doing together. And I would want the 00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:20.400 congregation to know for those who have given 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:22.599 at Christmas and other times to this ministry, 00:22:22.700 --> 00:22:25.299 that it's a really powerful impact that their, 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:27.680 you know, contribution is making, you know, that 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:30.099 the gift is really significant in the lives of 00:22:30.099 --> 00:22:33.440 many people. So that's really appreciated. For 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:36.980 sure. yeah so if folks are sort of listening 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:40.720 and thinking you know maybe they would like support 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:43.480 of some kind like how how can folks learn more 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:45.019 about the care fund how can they get in touch 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:49.160 Yeah, I think the easiest way would be if you 00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:52.640 do see a need or you yourself have a need to 00:22:52.640 --> 00:22:56.799 bring it to a staff member or a ministry member 00:22:56.799 --> 00:23:01.359 and someone you feel comfortable raising the 00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:02.859 issue with, right? Because a lot of these are 00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:06.529 deeply personal. And connecting with a staff 00:23:06.529 --> 00:23:10.950 member is a good way to go about it because they're 00:23:10.950 --> 00:23:13.950 going to be in touch with not only just the financial 00:23:13.950 --> 00:23:16.309 support that might be available, but the broader 00:23:16.309 --> 00:23:20.009 care fund ministries we have. You mentioned Stevens 00:23:20.009 --> 00:23:24.130 Ministry, Mealtrain, because there's a wide variety 00:23:24.130 --> 00:23:26.349 of needs. It could be emotional, spiritual, mental, 00:23:26.630 --> 00:23:30.690 financial. So they'll be able to direct and think 00:23:30.690 --> 00:23:35.930 through the best way forward. here um and um 00:23:35.930 --> 00:23:38.210 yeah no i think it's phenomenal that we have 00:23:38.210 --> 00:23:41.710 this this this this care fund and um it's it's 00:23:41.710 --> 00:23:45.049 great to you know build awareness on it because 00:23:45.049 --> 00:23:48.170 we we all should be sensitive to the needs around 00:23:48.170 --> 00:23:52.130 us and ways we can minister care um is incredibly 00:23:52.130 --> 00:23:54.599 important Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. So you 00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:56.319 mentioned sort of approaching staff members. 00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:58.099 So I'll just say like some of the different ways 00:23:58.099 --> 00:24:00.299 that this has sort of come to us so far is, you 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:02.519 know, through Sally is connected to a lot of 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:05.380 newcomers or to life group leaders and that sort 00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:07.619 of thing. So, you know, if folks are in a life 00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:09.359 group, they can go to their life group leader. 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:11.500 And if you are a life group leader, you can go 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:13.440 to Sally and she'll help sort of figure that 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:16.099 out or through Natalie or Rob or even through 00:24:16.099 --> 00:24:18.680 myself sometimes, right? Like, so if you're looking 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:20.680 for a person, if you're looking for a name, maybe 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:24.400 start there. Absolutely. Yeah. Good. Well, thank 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:26.519 you so much, folks. I think this has been a really 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:29.599 helpful conversation to sort of put this out 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:31.240 there, to let people know this is what's happening 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:34.440 in our church. But also then a hopeful conversation 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:37.799 to think about all of the ways that as a church 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:40.440 family, we have been able to serve and love people 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:43.380 well. Yeah. So thank you for this conversation 00:24:43.380 --> 00:24:45.019 and thank you for the work that you folks have 00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:47.119 put into this. Pleasure. Thanks, Kelly. Delighted. 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:50.000 And thank you for tuning into this week's episode 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:53.279 of Trinity Talks. If you are part of the Trinity 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:56.240 family, yeah, I pray that you would consider 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:58.740 what are some ways that you can support other 00:24:58.740 --> 00:25:01.539 people. Or if you are in need of support, please 00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:03.119 reach out. We would love to be in touch with 00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:05.359 you. And if you are outside of the Trinity family, 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:07.880 you can still find ways to help. And I pray that 00:25:07.880 --> 00:25:10.819 God leads you in that as well, in whatever neighborhood 00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:12.940 you find yourself in. And we'll see you again 00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:13.339 next week.