Both our world and our community have been struck by multiple disasters of late. The devastation that stems from the wake of famines, storms, fires, and more causes massive need, and leaves a void that only genuine love and care can help fill.

In response, Trinity's community of faith has been hard at work discerning how we--as a community of faith--can respond as fully and intentionally as we can to both local and global disasters. Specifically, last Spring Trinity created a new group that is open to one and all, Trinity's Disaster Relief Team. The team aims to publicize and coordinate the ways in which we can all respond in times of disaster.

As such, the team coordinates our global disaster relief efforts through our PC(USA)'s Presbyterian Disaster Assistance program--a wonderful denominational organization that provides hands-on relief all across the world, wherever and whenever it is needed most. Our response, in addition to sending money and holding special offerings as appropriate, includes the work of creating special "relief kits" pertinent to the varying disaster needs communicated to us via PDA.

However, in an effort to better uncover how we can serve our local community, members (and friends) of Trinity's Disaster Relief Team recently met with East Brunswick's Director of Emergency Management. Both the township and our church are eager to form a formal relationship whereby our church facility will be identified as an official Disaster Relief Site for the township. What's more, efforts will soon be underway to become certified as a Red Cross Shelter, which will entail special training for volunteers and coordination with the township's Office of Emergency Management. We hope you will prayerfully consider taking part in this training as we seek to serve our neighbors near and far! Dates and times of the trainings will be publicized as soon as they are identified. To learn more, please call the office or speak with Debbie O'Halloran.