Caring for Creation

Outreach programs

Soup Kitchen

Operation Overflow

Joyful Noise, Inc.

Trinity Arts Series

Trinity has an active group of parishioners concerned about the environment, dedicated to opening our eyes to all the ways we can become responsible stewards of God's creation. Trinity supports "green energy" alternatives and was represented in a group of local churches pooling knowledge and advice to make our buildings more environmentally sound. The group sponsors films and talks on environmental issues. Below are some steps YOU can take to make a difference, taken in part from the Ecology Action Alliance of the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network of West Hartford.

RECYCLE all paper, including junk mail and boxes, and all metal, and plastics to the extent your community takes them

DO NOT BUY OR USE aerosol cans and styrofoam products

STOP using toxic sprays on the lawn and garden

CHOOSE one day each week to refrain from driving (and when you drive, slow down. Do not drive over 55 mph. It doesn't add to your travel time significantly, and it saves a huge amount of gas.)

TURN OFF appliances and lights that are not in use

CONSERVE water. Get a rain barrel and use the water on your plants.

BRING your own bags to the supermarket

BUY AND USE recycled paper as much as possible

USE long-lasting, low energy using fluorescent light bulbs

BECOME PASSIONATE ABOUT THE EARTH! For your children, for polar bears, for the future!

Trinity Church’s Outreach Committee functions on three fronts: local, statewide, and worldwide. All donations are made by parishioners. Locally, we support several service agencies, eg. FISH, the Susan B. Anthony Project, the AIDS project, Prime’s Time House, and the Community Soup Kitchen. The Outreach Committee seeks to involve the parishioners of Trinity Church in acts of caring for our neighbors in need. Under Covenant to Care, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of Connecticut’s abused and neglected children, Trinity works with a social worker to care for families who need our help. In the recent past, this aid has taken the form of clothing, household items, furniture, fixtures, and bedding. The Outreach Committee makes seasonal appeals for school supplies and backpacks, Easter Baskets, and Christmas gifts for underprivileged youngsters. An annual Ton of Food drive is conducted during Lent to replenish FISH’s pantry.

Within the state, we make donations to the Bishop’s Fund for Children, Camp Washington, the Winchester Youth Services Bureau, and St. Lukes/St. Paul’s (Bridgeport.) At the national level, we seek contributions to the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund which distributes its funds worldwide.

The Outreach Committee provides an important link between Trinity parishioners and our neighbors. More information about two of the local programs is given below.

This facility is located in the lower parish hall of Trinity Church and is an independent, community effort that serves over 1,200 meals per month to those in need. A hot lunch is served seven days a week at 11:30 on Monday- Saturday and at 1:00 on Sundays. The weekend meals are prepared and served by rotating teams of volunteers. In the winter, the kitchen opens at 10:30 for coffee hour. On occasion, representatives from Torrington’s social service agencies drop by to offer assistance to the Soup Kitchen patrons.

Offering beds to the homeless when the FISH shelter is full, Operation Overflow is an interfaith effort in the greater Torrington area. Five area churches open their doors on a rotating basis and provide guests with a cot and a safe place to sleep on the coldest of winter nights. The Overflow operates, as needed, from November- early April. Trinity is a proud sponsor of the program and one of the host sites. Volunteers are always needed for this important program.

Both of these twelve-step groups hold meetings in our lower parish hall throughout the week. Those interested are invited to call the parish office (482-6027) for a schedule of meetings.

Trinity is home to several literacy tutors who work with clients to improve their communication skills in the English language. For more information about this program, call the church office, 482-6027.

2007 will mark the seventh year of this exciting program that joins with other Torrington Arts Initiatives in bringing affordable, quality arts programming to the Northwest Corner. Click here to go to their own page.

Trinity is proud to house the offices of Joyful Noise, Inc., the parent organization for the outstanding children's and adult choirs, Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamus. Nicholas White, Trinity's Organist and Director of Music, is the Director for Joyful Noise. Click here to go to their website for more information on the organization and their concert schedule.