Congregational Ministries

Worship Support - Education Ministries - Church Support Ministries - Opportunities to Serve - Fellowship Opportunities

Worship Support

Contemporary Musicians (8:30 a.m. service)
“... with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.” (Col. 3:16) The Contemporary Musicians are a group of vocalists and instrumentalists committed to offering their musical ministry at the 8:30 a.m. Sunday services. In addition to providing musical accompaniment to the liturgy and hymns, the group also selects and presents the weekly prelude, offertory, and other special music. Rehearsals normally take place on Tuesday evenings, between 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. New singers and players are always welcome!

Chancel Choir (11:00 a.m. service)
"Sing to the Lord a new song: for he has marvelous things." (Psalm 98:1) The Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Adult Choir rehearses one night per week (usually Wednesday or Thursday) from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday mornings at 10:20 a.m.. Anthems are offered during the 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning worship service. Anyone who likes to sing is welcome to join. The ability to read music is helpful but not required. "Come make a joyful noise to the Lord!" (Psalm 100:1)

Education Ministries

Children's Sunday School
Youth age three to eighteen are invited to participate in Sunday School. Classes run throughout the school year and each class is taught by two or more teachers. At every grade level students learn Bible stories and the principals of the Christian faith. Students are instructed to be not only hearers of the word, but doers as well. We use ELCA's Akaloo curriculum. This curriculum uses a faith formation approach to building disciples for life. "Akaloo" is inspired by a Greek word which means "to follow."

Summer Sunday School (10:00-10:30)
Children's ministry offers a summer school for children ages 3 through grade 4. Each week, a different set of people (usually parents) assumes the role of teacher(s). In addition, a high school student is recruited to be a teacher's aid. Normally, the children have a snack and then participate in a crafts/lesson program. Money is budgeted for both the snacks and the crafts/lesson materials. The subject of the craft project is based on the lessons for the week. This is an important ministry for the continued spiritual growth of the congregation's children. Youth (grades 5 and older) and adults will meet in Luther's cafe for "breakfast" and divide into various small group discussions.

Confirmation
Confirmation is a rotating three-year program for sixth, seventh and eighth graders and is taught during the Sunday School time period. The Apostles' Creed, the Ten Commandments, The Sacraments and The Lord's Prayer are taught through a relational program, Here We Stand. Students are given the opportunity to attend confirmation camp at least once during their three years of class. Students also participate in service projects and serve as acolytes and crucifers. Confirmands choose a member from the congregation who will be their sponsor and stand with them during the Rite of Confirmation.

Adult Sunday School
There is weekly Bible study. Other classes offered are of a one- to three-month duration. Because our congregation and community are blessed with many people possessing specialized knowledge, these folks are often tapped to provide programming. Currently, a Parenting class, which discusses parenting children and young adolescents, and a Social Issues class which discusses various social topics are meeting. Check the Rosemary Times for current issues topics.

Church Support Ministries

Healing and Wholeness Ministry
The Mission of the Healing and Wholeness Ministry is to provide the healing ministry of Jesus Christ by serving the health needs of the whole person---body, mind, and spirit---in our extended church family and in our community.

This ministry is administered by the Parish Nurse, under the direction of the Health Ministry Cabinet.

Library
Holy Trinity is blessed to have the largest church library collection in Chapel Hill. There are nearly three thousand volumes. In addition to the classic borrowing privileges, church members can also become involved in the library scene by donating to the collection, previewing and writing reviews for new books, shelving books, and maintaining the bulletin boards.

Nursery
Holy Trinity's Nursery is open on Sundays from 8:00a 12:00p. Childcare may be available for other events such as worship or other church activities. Please call the church office at least 48 hours in advance if you are in need of childcare for a specific event. On February 24th the nursery will be open from 9:30 to 12:30 for the Dedication Service. Holy Trinity strives to meet the high standards of nursery care that ensures a safe and happy place for children.

Lutheran Campus Ministry (congregational contributions)
There are two key ways in which congregational members can actively support Lutheran Campus Ministry. First, one can cook a meal for the students on Wednesday night. This act of service provides students who are away from home with an opportunity to eat a home-cooked meal. It involves preparing a simple meal for about twenty-five people. The students chip in a couple of dollars apiece for the meal, so the costs of preparing the food are reimbursed. It is a great way to meet some of the students and to minister to them. Second, one can provide exam snacks. During the exam period, the Campus Center is open for students to come to relax or study. By signing up for one of the exam days, you are offering to bring some kind of snack that day. Items offered in the past have been trail mix, coffee cake, sticky buns, brownies, bags of apples, and so forth.

Opportunities to Serve

Social Ministry
The Social Ministry Committee oversees many areas of outreach throughout the year. Some of the ministries include: Habitat for Humanity, Inter-Faith Council, El Centro Latino, Katrina Relief Trips to Mississippi, Safe Passage in Guatemala, Global Mission Events, CROP Walk, Annual Alternative Giving Holiday Fair, and support of Fair Trade Coffee.

Habitat for Humanity
Habitat is a worldwide ministry in which needy families obtain affordable housing. Holy Trinity has worked in partnership with other local churches in the past to build homes in our community. We support Habitat through a contribution in our budget. We are currently building a house in the Hillsborough area.

Lutheran Family Services Refugee Resettlement Project
Lutheran Family Services (LSF)/Church World Service works with churches to help sponsor refugee families during their first year or so in this country. Refugees can come from any country; in 1999 LFS requested that we help sponsor a family from Burma. So far, HTLC has sponsored five families -- three this year!

Sponsors help refugees work toward independence, good health, and economic self-sufficiency. Volunteer opportunities include being a member of the core sponsorship committee and organizing the efforts of the congregation's members. Other opportunities exist such as donating household goods, contributing to a fund, teaching English, driving the family to medical appointments, providing child care, and hosting a sightseeing event.

Click here to see more pictures of our Burmese families.

CROP Walk
Each year, members of Holy Trinity participate in the CROP Walk, which is jointly sponsored by the Interfaith Council for Social Services and Church World Services. The walk usually takes place on Palm Sunday afternoon and is a leisurely stroll through Carrboro and Chapel Hill. The walk is a fund-raiser. Walkers obtain sponsors, with 75% of the funds collected used worldwide and 25% remaining here to aid the Interfaith Council's local programs. Two thousand communities in the United States hold a CROP Walk each year. Volunteer opportunities include helping with publicity a month before the walk, signing up walkers between services on the Sundays leading up to the walk, being a walker, sponsoring one of Holy Trinity's walkers, or working at Holy Trinity's watering station on the day of the walk.

Interfaith Council Kitchen - Meals Program
Did you know that the Interfaith Council in Chapel Hill provides three hot meals a day to those in our community who are in need? Holy Trinity is actively involved in this ministry, as members provide two meals per month. Dinner is prepared on the second Sunday of the month. Cooks are to be in the kitchen at 4:00 p.m.; the meal is served at 6:15 p.m.; and volunteers leave by about 7:00 p.m. as they are not responsible for dishes. Lunch is prepared on the third Sunday of the month. Cooks are to be in the kitchen at 10:00 a.m.; the meal is served at 12:15 p.m.; and volunteers leave by about 1:00 p.m. First-time cooks are paired with seasoned veterans and instructional information packets are available.

Interfaith Council Pantry:
In addition to the kitchen, the Interfaith Council also provides a pantry. Members of Holy Trinity have committed much time to the stocking and organization of the food. Each week, a basket with food donations is presented at the altar along with the monetary offerings. After the second service, this basket of food is delivered to the pantry.

Fellowship Opportunities

Morning and Evening Quilters
Join the Morning Quilters every Tuesday morning from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., or the Evening Quilters every other Tuesday from 7:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Learn all the phases and facets of quilt construction from start to finish. Of course conversation and fellowship are also an integral part of each meeting. In the past, quilts from these groups have been sent to Lutheran World Relief, hurricane disaster relief programs, nurseries at local hospitals, and grade school children in need. The Morning Quilters enjoy sharing sack lunches (supplemented by goodies from one member) during the lunch hour. Come out and join these exciting and charitable groups.

Click here to see more quilts and photos from a recent quilters' luncheon.

Coffee Fellowship Hour
Come and enjoy "Luther's Cafe," serving food and beverages from 9:30 A.M.-11:00 A.M..

Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA)
Holy Trinity's Women of the ELCA has two circles, the Cooper Circle and the Montrose Circle. The meetings begin with prayer and refreshments, which gives our participants a chance to relax and visit with one another. This time is followed by reports, concerns and announcements. We use this time to bring attention to the migrant workers, Church Women United, Families in Appalachia, Crossnore School, and nursing homes. Just recently we have added a new project concern called "Operation Babies." Along with the congregation, we are collecting infant clothing and accessories to be donated to the clinics and to Memorial hospital patients, particularly children suffering with complications such as AIDS, crack addition, and many other serious conditions. A steady stream of announcements makes us aware of what is happening in WELCA as a whole as well as in our own circles. Our circles are units of the larger North Carolina Synodical Women's Organization of WELCA. There are spring and fall conferences, a yearly convention at Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, Triennial National Conventions, retreats, etc. Such events give us an opportunity to meet with women from other Lutheran churches and give us a broader picture of what is happening in our organization all over the country and world. The closing portion of our meeting is our program. Programs may vary such as having a guest speaker, Bible Study, a video tape, or whatever topic one of our women would like to share. Generally, at the close of our meetings, we collect a freewill offering.

The Hannah Circle
The Hannah circle is a circle (that is, a women's group) for moms. We meet once a month at a member's house for a relaxing evening without our kids, full of good food and talk. As a group we do several simple service projects, including bringing meals to new mothers in the congregation; sponsoring a supper for families in the congregation once or twice a year; maintaining the nursery and cry room; and maintaining the busy bags for children to use during services. As of this year, we'll also go on an annual weekend retreat. We're always open to new members!

Womenship
Womenship is a group for women of all ages that fosters building new friendships through a variety of activities.  We meet in the home as well as the church.  Activities in the past include participation in "Whimsical Women" - a fun arts & crafts outing; an annual beach trip, movie nights, dinner at restaurants, Bunko games, book reviews, Seagrove pottery outing, and most any activity that the group thinks would be fun and promote friendships.  We eagerly prepare lunches for the Habitat project and cook church meals, but our main focus is having fun.  Come join in the fun and make a few new friends.

The Young Adults
All 20/30 Somethings at Holy Trinity are invited to participate in this group. The group gathers once a month for social and service events. Activities include everything from bowling, to dinner on Franklin Street, to serving a meal at the Ronald McDonald House. Many new residents to the area have found friendship and support through this group.

Limber Lutherans
Come out to exercise! This energetic group meets every Monday and Wednesday at 10 a.m., in the Fellowship Hall. This group for seniors meets for about an hour and engages in a series of stretching exercises. Of course some socializing is also on the agenda at each session! Strengthen your body to do the Lord's work by joining this group.