“When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” Matthew 25:39 (NIV)

On Tuesday, February 17, I was in attendance at the Prison Ministries meeting, held at Calvary UMC, which was open to our community. I was very impressed and quite relieved to find that Warden Lewis Barlow, recently assigned to the Eastern Regional Jail, in Martinsburg, is a strong supporter of Prison Ministries and believes in the difference that God can make in ones life. He stressed that he has found that change in the cycle of a prisoner's behavior can only be achieved through a combination of spirituality and education; and that one by itself is often not effective. He pointed out that our nation's prison system, including Martinsburg's, is severely lacking programs that incorporate both elements and would welcome more spiritual involvement from the community at his facility.

Many other knowledgeable and dedicated individuals were in attendance to share their support and ideas for the program. I was pleased to see that there is a push to bring the word of God to those who may not feel His presence at a time in their life when they are secluded from the general community and may well feel alone and in need. Often times, once a judgment has been handed down to an offender, the community forgets that the offender still has human needs and frequently he or she is not a bad person, just a person who has done a bad thing; someone who needs to connect or reconnect with God to find a straight path.

I hope that there are others here at Trinity UMC and in our community of faith that will feel the call to reach out to those who are incarcerated for the mistakes that they have made. There are many things that can be done to make this a successful program. From ministering to the incarcerated, to becoming support staff for those who do the ministering; we all can find a way to participate in changing the lives of those among us who have been lost. This program is a benefit to them as well as to our community when they return to us. A man or woman who feels the self worth that can be achieved through education and feels the presence of God is much less likely to be a repeat offender and much more likely to contribute to our community. Martinsburg and Berkeley County need this program just as much as the residents of the Eastern Regional Jail do.


Chrissa Cunningham

God Please Change Me

I have been struggling with churches saying they want to do so much yet nothing gets done. It is either because those who do tend to do more are the ones who already are so busy doing and those who don't mostly complain that nothing is being done. When was the last time you said you would die for your God, the God who created you and only wants us to love Him and wants us to tell everyone about Him so He can love them too. Sometimes what worked before won't work now. God did not create us to be robots He created human beings with feelings and intelligence. We need to get out of our comfort zone, let God out of the box that we have put Him in, and do something, anything, we need to get the job done what ever it takes, even if it means going out into the street and getting dirty. It could mean that we have to work together, WOW what a concept. Is it possible? I have been struggling with my passion in how I am to do God’s work. I want to be available in any capacity to do the Work God has chosen for me. I don't want to lose my passion because I am afraid to change.

God PLEASE change me

Carmen Winiarski

Let Us Plant the Seeds Together

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way in order that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
2 Corinthians 9:10-12

Social Ministries is truly excited about the new garden project that will be starting out at the Orchard House. We call you to join us in this new venture!

Social Ministries was seeing a great need to allow low to no income families and individuals a place where they can grow a few vegetables for their home, as well as allow volunteers to grow food for the community in need. In interacting with the earth one grows in self-worth. Not only will the garden provide substance for the body, it will bring substance to the mind and spirit.

The garden being a place that calls us to serenity and prayer stirred the idea of adding a meditation element by adding a labyrinth and areas of beauty where one can sit. Also down the road having an art garden where art pieces can be displayed by the students from Eye in the Sky class.

It is a great opportunity for the congregation and other churches to break the soil, plant seeds, nurture plants, and lift up our whole community together. We do not come together around the earth as much as we should. It is time that we turn the swords into plowshares, it is time for us to plant seeds and bring nourishment to the soul and body. Pray and participate with us in this new ministry!

Blessings & Peace,

Mary Gunderson

Thank You Orrs Farm Market, Panera Bread, and our Volunteers & Donors for Trinity 6:34!

In August of 2008 I went to Orrs Farm Market and asked if they would donate to Trinity 6:34. My intention was to have fresh fruits and vegetables for our dinners. What I got still amazes me. The quality and the quantity of the food, mostly the quantity. Every Monday I would drive to Orrs and pick up fruits and vegetable by the cases. Yes I said CASES. most times filling the back of our truck. As a result of Orrs donations we were able to save a generous amount of money allowing us to provide a well rounded nutritional meal. What is also amazing is the number of people coming to Trinity 6:34 has increased, but because of the donations of food, it did not matter we were able to have enough food for everyone. I calculated an average cost of the meals per a person since August and I was pleased with the numbers. I calculated the amount of money spent since August and then divided the amount by the approximate number of people ( I averaged about 100 people even though we have had 130 on most recent Mondays) coming to Trinity 6:34 for a meal. The approximate cost per person came to about .40 cents. I did not calculate the exact value because I had not calculated the donations from Panera Bread or any other generous donations from individuals. Should I calculate just the bread into the equation the cost would be around .35 cents per person per a meal. I am so pleased with the results of the donations. I thought that we were finished at Orrs for the season but NO they said we could continue picking up fruits and vegetables. There will not be as much as there had been all summer, but I am still grateful for their generosity. Thank You Orrs for you generosity and commitment to our community

From Carmen Winiarski

We would like to say Thank YOU to all of our Trinity 6:34 volunteers. We have enjoyed getting to know each of you and look forward working with you in 2009.

Carmen And Raymond Winiarski

A New Year to Live! A New Opportunity to Serve!

2008 was an exciting year! January 2008 Social Ministries started the In Sight Social Awareness Art Project, which we hope to continue into this year with new issues and artists. The In Sight project birthed the Eye in the Sky art class, led by Kirby Lewis. A very joyous and explorative crew of learning artists met each Wednesday to discover their gifts in art. The Shalom Ministry was also able to start their new Laundry Program, Suds & Bubbles, which has truly been a blessing to folks who are unable to afford getting their clothes washed. And through the help of Ray and Judy Foss started a Nutrition and Cooking Class. In July Karen Erskine Valentine, a Lutheran Minister, joined the Social Ministries team to help with Trinity 6:34 and Social Ministries Education. Karen introduced the Just Neighbors class and has also been leading the Sleeping Bag Project. Nancy Jackson and Michael King, who are Title V participants, joined the Social Ministries Team. This year we also had two Social Work Interns from Shepherdstown University who participated in Shalom Ministry and Trinity 6:34. Trinity 6:34 continued to expand and serve the community around us. The Free Clinic program on the 3rd Monday of the month has been blessed by Dr. Jacques, Laura Clayton, Kathy Dilley, and the nursing students of Shepherdstown University and through their commitment have been a blessing to the community. We were truly blessed by volunteers, donations, and guest speakers, singers, and Puppeteers! November the Martinsburg Berkeley County Coalition for the Homeless/Shalom Ministry became an affiliate site for Angel Food and we have been doing this ministry through Trinity UMC. It has been a blessing to so many people. In November more than ten people gathered in a prayer vigil for the Homeless and Hungry of the nation and world. December 13, we held our annual A Perfect Gift Christmas Fair and had 13 organizations share the wonderful work they do for the community. The Relief Fund continued to be a great support for people financially struggling. We have been able to help folks get their ID’s, help with electric, housing, food, get back home, and the list goes on.

But what does this New Year have in store for us? An opportunity to enhance the ministries of Trinity United Methodist Church. To pray, serve, and grow closer to God. A couple of things on the burner which need your prayers and your involvement. Social Ministries approached Trinity Center with a proposal to start a Community Vegetable, Fruit, and Art Garden. Trinity Center was excited about the idea and asked us to get things started. So during the winter we will be gathering a garden team and designing a layout that will help this vision come to life. What a great opportunity to connect with the earth and bless the community with food! A Call to Action will also be sent out to everyone to help specific families that are in need beyond financial. This will be done best by email and phone. So if you don’t have email get hooked up! Another form of Call to Action will be in the light of advocacy. The Shepherdstown Amnesty International Chapter, led by Lynn Yellott, is looking for more participants. I have had an opportunity to work with them and I deeply encourage you to get involved. I look forward to praying, serving, and growing closer to God with you in this New Year. May God bless you in all that you do!

Blessings & Peace,

Mary Gunderson