July 16, 2021
Dear Trinity Family,
Mother Emily, the Vestry and the Capital Campaign Committee are excited to announce that the Campaign for Trinity has re-started, with early commitments of support indicating that the time is right to move forward.
You may recall that in early 2020 we began exploring a capital campaign to raise the funds necessary to reinvest in our church buildings and property to make Trinity stronger and more welcoming for all. We identified major capital projects to address these concerns, and conducted a series of discernment meetings with parishioners to assess potential support for a capital campaign. Encouraged by the feedback, we prepared to move forward until COVID-19 caused us to pause in April 2020. Since then, we’ve undertaken an evaluative process, and several months ago, began soliciting and securing leadership gifts and pledges in support of the campaign.
Excited and grateful for the early commitments that have been secured so far, we will update you over the next several weeks on our progress, and on our plans for the fall, when the Campaign for Trinity kicks into high gear, so watch this space!
Bruce Velzy and Lorraine Ryan, Campaign Co-Chairs
The Rev. Emily Mellott, Rector
See an outline of the proposed campaign
Contact Our Capital Campaign Co-Chairs:
(click name to send email)
Bruce Velzy and Lorraine Ryan
Summer Updates
Update August 26, 2021
“I decided to support the Trinity Campaign because I am passionate about improving our outreach programs, so we can help others in our community and across our Diocese. It’s important to me that we are a loving, liberating and life-giving faith community and I believe my pledge will help make this possible.” Sarah Fawcett-Lee
“We decided to support the Campaign for Trinity because it not only aims to improve accessibility to, and the facilities of, our beautiful church but also because it aims to serve the wider community of our neighbors in need ….” Joan & John Dighton
Trinity has a long and strong tradition of reaching out in service and support to address the needs of our neighbors, near and far. It is that generosity of spirit that has inspired many early donors to support the Campaign for Trinity, which will enable us to make Trinity stronger and more welcoming for all, but will build our capacity to live out even more full our vision statement of “Growing in Love of God and our neighbors”.
You can read more about the projects planned for Trinity here.
Make plans now to join us at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 12 for a celebration to launch the Campaign for Trinity. Watch this space for details, coming soon. If you have any questions, please reach out to campaign co-chairs Lorraine Ryan and Bruce Velzy.
Update August 19, 2021
“The reason we want to invest in Trinity’s future is to pass on the word of God to future generations to help the world be a better place in which to live.” Joe and Barb McDonnell
“I enjoy worship in our beautiful building, supported through generous gifts of those who preceded us, and feel it is now my responsibility to do the same in praise of God.” Jeanette Peterson
Paying it forward to benefit future generations, and gratitude for the spiritual gifts of Trinity. That was the sentiment expressed by a number of early donors as their motivation for making a gift commitment to the Campaign for Trinity. For many, supporting the campaign today is an investment in our ability to strengthen, improve and grow our capacity to make Trinity stronger and more welcoming for all, both in the near-term, and for the future. You can read more about the projects planned for Trinity here.
Make plans now to join us at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 12 for a celebration to launch the Campaign for Trinity. Watch this space for details, coming soon. If you have any questions, please reach out to campaign co-chairs Lorraine Ryan and Bruce Velzy.
Update August 12, 2021
“After the last year, we have a good understanding of not being able to go to church in a time of trouble or grief. When we listened to the plans and goals of the capital campaign, we were thrilled to see the emphasis on making the church more accessible to people with disabilities. No one should experience a church door as an insurmountable physical barrier.” David and Karen Douglass
“I look forward to Trinity having better physical access for all and for us reaching out to support more local needs.” Mary Barker
For many of the early donors to the Campaign for Trinity, the prospect of making Trinity more accessible to all who come to worship, for fellowship, and to partake in all that Trinity has to offer, was a primary motivation for their support. Having barrier-free access to buildings and restrooms, and improved lighting and sound in the sanctuary, are just some of the projects the Campaign for Trinity will fund. You can read more about the projects planned to make Trinity stronger and more welcoming for all here.
Update August 5, 2021
“For me, Trinity has become a place of friendship, joy and most significantly, spiritual awakening. I have decided to support the Campaign because I want Trinity to thrive and endure so that many others may have a similar rich experience. I believe that the Campaign will restore our beautiful buildings and grounds and make them more accessible and inviting to many others who will bring their gifts to our community and help us to continue to grow in God’s love. “—Anne Dalesandro
“We are excited to be a part of investing in Trinity’s future. An improved physical plant will allow our church to extend youth programs and reach out to the entire community.”—Holly & Ed Pearson
These are just two examples of the reasons given by early donors to the Campaign for Trinity, whose pledges and contributions have allowed us to begin moving forward to make Trinity stronger and more welcoming for all. Last week we reported on progress already being made, which you can read about here. We will continue to share what has inspired those who have already pledged their support for the campaign.
Update July 30, 2021
While one part of the Campaign for Trinity is focused on fundraising, there is also a Capital Projects team working on project planning and implementation. The Capital Projects team has developed a five-year construction plan to implement with the approval of the Vestry. The five-year plan prioritizes key structural and safety improvements, along with the accessibility plans for our worship space and parish hall. In the later years of the plan we will focus on comfort and usability improvements, as well as painting and finishing touches to spruce up the buildings.
Pending contractor availability, this plan allows us to move forward this year with some of the most critical repairs and fire safety improvements – some well behind the scenes (or behind the walls and ceilings) and others readily visible underfoot. The first two fire-safety projects were recently completed, adding push-bars to exit doors in the Parish Hall and creating a fire-safe stairwell enclosure in the Parish Hall entrance. Next time you are in the parish hall, take a look at the efforts made to adapt our historical property to modern fire-safety requirements.
This year we also will move forward with the remaining planning work for our key accessibility projects – ramp access to the sanctuary and lift access to the parish hall, with all the supporting work to ensure our doors are open to welcome all. When we have architectural drawings for these improvements we will be excited to share them with the congregation!
Update July 23, 2021
As reported last week, the Campaign for Trinity has restarted, with an exciting number of early gifts and pledges of financial support already made toward our goal to make Trinity stronger and more welcoming for all. These leadership gifts and pledges have come from over 60 Trinity families and individuals so far, who have joyfully shared their enthusiasm and vision for Trinity.
“We are excited to be a part of investing in Trinity’s future. An improved physical plant will allow our church to extend youth programs and reach out to the entire community”—Holly and Ed Pearson
In addition to parishioners, we’ve received support from Trinity Preschool parents and staff, a wonderful testament to the impact that Trinity has on those we serve. We are grateful to all who have stepped up early with their support.
We are also grateful to the volunteers who have helped with calls, emails, briefings and donor conversations during this first phase of the campaign: Joan Dighton, Nancy and Jim Johnson,
Bob Litsinger and Carolyn Weeks. Together with Mother Emily and Nancy Matthews, we offer our most heartfelt thanks to all.
Continue to watch this space for more updates on the Campaign for Trinity!
For questions or more information, contact the Campaign for Trinity Co-Chairs Lorraine Ryan or Bruce Velzy.