The Trinity Justice and Outreach Council’s mission is to put our faith and consciousness into action. Through partnering, volunteerism and financial assistance, we seek to serve those who are marginalized, manifesting God’s love in our community and the world.
Find our monthly digest of news, stories and events here.
Contact Jeff Krutzsch, jskrutzsch@gmail.com for more information on Justice and Outreach at Trinity.
History of the Justice and Outreach Council
1988: The Justice Fund became a part of the church’s annual budget, funded by a percentage of Trinity’s annual pledge income.
1997: The Justice and Outreach Council was introduced. Its initial function was to award grants to worthy causes in the community, and today these grants are awarded each December.
In addition to the annual grants, Trinity also maintains established, historical relationships with ministries in the community, which are provided stipends by the JOC.
2019: A parish-wide survey was conducted to collect information about the local organizations with which parishioners volunteered. The JOC would decide from among these organizations which ones to fund each year based on parish involvement and community need.
2023: Trinity discerned that more action and volunteerism was needed and develops the five Action Circles listed below.
In October of 2023, the Justice and Outreach Council created five Action Circles, based on the current needs of the community. The Action Circles are led by JOC members, and new volunteers are always welcome!
Gun Violence Prevention
Community Resilience: Climate Change and the Environment
Education and Youth Development
Basic Needs: Food Insecurity, Homelessness, Mental Health
Immigration
Learn about the justice programs and projects supported at Trinity.
Alternative Christmas Market (ACM)
In early December, the ACM offers Trinity friends something unique for those who are tired of consumerism and seeking another way of giving. Shoppers learn another way of giving while supporting justice organizations worldwide through meaningful gift and donation card purchases. See the 2022 organizations supported here.
Trinity contacts: Melissa Moriarty, mmoriarty991@msn.com and Jennifer Bergquist, jenniferbergquist@gmail.com.
Campus Ministry at Saint Michael's University Church
“… inclusive and multigenerational congregation and campus ministry. People trying to follow Jesus’ loving example and commitment to justice & compassion.”
Trinity contacts: Frances & Randy Hahn, rhahn51@cox.net
Clergy and Laity for Economic Justice (CLUE)
An interfaith organization that brings clergy and laity together to organize, advocate for, and build bridges on behalf of the poor and marginalized in our area.
Trinity contacts: Katherine Dean, kcdean@sbceo.org, Art Fisher, afisher100@yahoo.com
Drivers Listos
This inter-faith initiative, born at Trinity in 2018, provides safe rides for immigrants at risk who are afraid to drive due to ICE enforcement. With 40,000 undocumented immigrants in our county, the need is great. Volunteer drivers are trained and provide direct, tangible assistance to our immigrant neighbors. Spanish not required. Want to help? Fill out the intake form.
Trinity contact: Molly Kellogg, molly@foodhuntermark.com, 805- 886-4655.
Freedom Warming Center
Trinity Church is part of the interfaith community which opens its doors to the unsheltered during the cold and rainy months from November to March. We will be scheduled for about six weeks during those months and open when it rains or becomes too cold. Trinity volunteers help prepare and serve the dinner which includes a hot main dish, salad, bread and dessert, and also make PB&J sandwiches for breakfast. The guests sleep in the Parish and Guild Halls which are staffed by employees of the Freedom Warming Center program.
Check the sign up list for current volunteer opportunities.
If you would like to be part of the Warming Center team, please contact the church office at 805-965-7419 or office@trinitysb.org.
Image courtesy: Teresa Pietsch
Harding School
Trinity volunteers help out at Harding events such as Cinco de Mayo and food drives. Our kitchen has been made available for Harding moms to make their tamales.
Trinity contact: Susan Krutzsch, krutzsch.s@gmail.com. Image courtesy: Santa Barbara News Press
Heifer International® - Ending Hunger And Poverty
Heifer empowers families to turn hunger and poverty into hope and prosperity by bringing sustainable agriculture and commerce practices to communities with long histories of poverty. Trinity supports Heifer through our Alternative Christmas Market.
Trinity contact: Jennifer Bergquist, jenniferbergquist@gmail.com
Meal Ministry in the Park
Trinity partners with Trinity Lutheran Church to provide, prepare and serve one meal a month to our unhoused neighbors in Alameda Park. We will be participating on the fourth Sunday of the month through the Neighborhood Navigation Center, which is an ongoing service at the park. Check the volunteer sign up for opportunities to participate.
Trinity contact: Sarah Thomas sthomas@trinitysb.org.
Middle East Peace
Provides an opportunity to educate the parish and community concerning conflict situations in Palestine and Israel and, support for the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
Raises awareness and funds through grants and gifts.
Trinity contacts: Art & Louise Fisher, afisher100@yahoo.com
PFLAG
Our local chapter of PFLAG provides support, education and advocacy to LGBTQ+ folks, family and friends, to help them deal with the difficulty of living in a homophobic culture and to help move equality forward.
Trinity contact: Georgia Noble, gnoble@cox.net
Santa Barbara City Council Living Wage Advisory Committee
To advise the City Council with respect to the granting of preferences to those organizations and entities which receive City grant funding when such organizations and entities pay their employees a wage consistent with the levels established in the City’s Living Wage Ordinance. Click here for the SB City website.
Trinity contact Anna Kokotovic, anna48k@gmail.com
Sarah House
Sarah House is an 8 bed social model residential care hospice home. Care is provided for low income persons, those with HIV/AIDS, homeless people, and veterans facing the end of life. Compassionate care and kindness are provided regardless of ability to pay.
Trinity contact: Debbie Molnar, debbiemolnar31@gmail.com
Sustainable Trinity
Promotes environmental sustainability in parishioners’ homes, the church, and Santa Barbara. Sponsors environment-related forums, films, lectures, book studies, and an annual spring Earth Day church service.
Trinity contact: M.K. Micallef, jbmk61@gmail.com
Transition House
Volunteer teams cook and serve dinners monthly to residents of this shelter for homeless families. This ministry is currently on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trinity contact: Teresa Pietsch, teresapietsch@cox.net
Trinity Justice Fund
Funds are distributed annually to organizations and projects that address the needs of the poor, the marginalized, and those seeking economic justice locally and elsewhere. Grants are made to causes that alleviate immediate suffering, provide charity and promote programs that address underlying structural causes of human suffering.
Trinity contact Jeff Krutzsch, jskrutzsch@gmail.com