End of the Year is Here!

Click here for the full PDF

Community Meals

When Barbara came to me a few months ago and said, "I went to the chamber and they are going to help us" I had no idea what she was talking about.  I don't think of a chamber of commerce as being a place that helps churches and, really, what can they help with?

It turns out that Barbara was talking about our community meals.  A few years ago with the help of Chris Jones we had semi-regular community meals that were a little better organized.  Then we just did it about once a month, now we are doing it twice a week.

Over the last few years we have gotten into the habit of feeding people every Tuesday and Friday during God's Closet.  This has not been a well organized ministry, but it has been a really well received one.  Basically, we get donations, or sometimes volunteers bring some food themselves.  A few volunteers make food with whatever we have around, and when God's Closet opens, we have a nice, hot meal for everyone who comes hungry.  The meals are usually soup, pasta or rice, and there is always hot coffee.

Many of our homeless neighbors and neighbors in need have come to rely on this meal.  Many of our neighbors have come to count on it for a bit of social time.  Whatever the reason, community meals have become something that many of our volunteers and God's Closet 'shoppers' have come to enjoy.

So what Barbara did was awesome!   Barbara went to the South Loop Chamber of Commerce and asked what they could do to help.  A few days later I spoke to Colleen at SLCC and this week at their networking event, First Trinity was the recipient of gifts of food and funds to help support the community meal.

Thank you to Barbara for reaching out to SLCC and to the South Loop Chamber and member businesses for their contributions.  

So, many of you who come on Sunday but are not around during the week are probably thinking, how do I get to volunteer to cook and serve community meals!?  Well, it's easy... show up.  If you want to cook tell Rene or Alicia and we will figure out what you want to do.  You can donate food or use what has been donated to create a meal.  Community meals take place while God's Closet is open, Tuesdays 5-7 and Friday 10-Noon.  

Blood Drive - October 21

Everything You Ever Needed to Know about God's Closet...

But Were  Not Sure Who to Ask!

2014 might be a year of change for God's Closet.  Exciting details are being worked out, and if all goes well you will hear all about it soon.

Meanwhile, people have asked for fliers and receipts, so here you go!  Click the links below for a downloadable PDF.

God's Closet Hours and Info
What Can God's Closet Accept?
God's Closet Donation Receipt 

God's Closet

Free Clothing!
Tuesdays 5-7 pm
Fridays 10-noon
Sunday after 10:30 Worship
First Trinity Community Center
643 W. 31st Street, Chicago
FirstTrinityChicago.com
312-842-7390
FirstTrinityOffice@gmail.com

Guidelines for Donating to God's Closet

• The best times to donate are while God's Closet is open: Tuesdays 5-7 and Fridays 10-noon
• Please call ahead to drop off donations at other times 312-842-7390
• God's Closet Accepts:
• Clothing for men, women and children.  Must be in good condition and clean.  
• Shoes, boots, coats, hats, scarfs, gloves and other outdoor clothing.
• Household linens – towels, blankets, sheets, pillow cases.  Must be in good condition and clean. 
• Small appliance in clean, working condition. 
• Toys and games in clean, working conditions. 
• Small decorative pieces.
• God's Closet Cannot* Accept:
• Televisions or any other large appliances.
• Computer hardware or printers.
• Furniture, including mattresses

* If you attempt to donate these things it is not a gift, but a burden.  God's Closet does not have the space to store large items, and they are often not taken, and eventually end up in the trash.  Please do not attempt to donate items on this list.

Tax Information

As you clean out your closet or reorganize your household, be sure to keep track of the items you give to charity. It's your job, not the charity's, to report the value of the donation to the Internal Revenue Service.  Tax law now requires that all household items given to a charity must be in good or better condition. Those questionable items you donated in previous years and claimed were worth a few dollars because they were in "fair" condition are no longer acceptable.

God's Closet will not put a dollar value on the receipt.  The receipt is intended to help you prove that you did indeed donate the property if the IRS later asks.  Tax benefits for charitable contributions are available only to taxpayers who itemize deductions.  To claim a deduction on taxes, the donor determines the fair market value of the contribution.  Please refer to IRS Publication 561.  First Trinity does not retain a copy of your receipt.  

Cure for the Winter Blues

I have one simple method for getting over the winter doldrums: find something to look forward to!

We are still working out the calendar for Lent and Holy Week, but there are two events that I am really looking forward to that I can share with you now.

Beer and Hymns

Our Beer and Carols event in December was so much fun that we started talking about when to do it again before we left the bar that night.  So, we've decided to get together on Tuesday, March 4 (Fat Tuesday) for Beer and Hymns, plus alleluias, chocolate, cheese and anything else people may be giving up during the season of lent.  All are welcome within the constraints of the law (21 and up!)  Click here to see the facebook event page.

Bring and Buy Sale

Do you watch Downton Abbey?  Derek? Doc Martin?  Then you've probably heard them talk about the Bring and Buy or Jumble Sale?  We're going to do that!  

This is a rummage sale.  Shoppers make a small donation to get in.  It could be Cash, Socks, Blankets, Hygiene Items, Canned Goods, or Something to Add to the Sale. Then they come in and peruse and buy items that will be sold by the church and members.  We are collecting some neat stuff, so you will  not want to miss this!

There will also be very nice tea service with all sorts of nibbles to purchase.  

There is limited space for tables, so contact FirstTrinityOffice (at) gmail (dot) com if you are interested. 

Click here for the facebook event page.

Good Gifts

What are ELCA Good Gifts?
ELCA Good Gifts are a creative, meaningful way to support the ministries of the ELCA that mean the most to you and your loved ones. The items in the catalog lift up examples of work being done in different projects and programs supported by funds from the ELCA: the ELCA Fund for Leaders, ELCA Global Church Sponsorship, the ELCA Malaria Campaign, ELCA New Congregations, ELCA Vision for Mission, ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response. Each of these programs is a long-term, partnership-based ministry that focus on the needs identified by local congregations and global companion churches and their communities.

How does this work?
When you give an ELCA Good Gift you are supporting work within a specific category of ministry. For example, when you give a gift to “stock a health clinic,” your donation goes on to support the health care ministries of ELCA World Hunger where needed most. This allows our global companions to determine how these funds can make the biggest impact in their local contexts, and ensure that our work is sustainable.

How does this work at First Trinity?
Easy!  Do you want to go in on a meaningful gift with members of our church community?  Sign up on the bulletin board in the kitchen, see Jim Peters or email firsttrinityoffice@gmail.com.  Be sure to indicate how much you intend to pledge.  Once we know how much we will have we can choose an appropriate gift.  Money will be collected before Christmas.

God's Closet In Need of Toys and Winter Clothing!

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

God's Closet, the free-store ministry of First Trinity is a completely volunteer run clothing-and-other-goods closet. All items are completely free to all visitors. And all donations are distributed to those in need.

God's Closet is currently asking for your help in easing the cold this season!

Donations of clean blankets, gloves, socks, and winter clothing are very much appreciated as our sisters and brothers, especially those currently without housing, seek to battle the cold.

We are also looking for toys as Christmas approaches, so that every kid can get something cool and fun under the Christmas tree!

Tax receipts are available upon request.

All are welcome to donate and to shop at God's Closet.

Tuesdays 5-7pm; Fridays 10-Noon.

First Trinity Community Center. 643 West 31st St.
Like us on facebook here!  312 842 7390