Trinity Lutheran Church: Compassionate Friends in the Mat-Su

Along the Palmer-Wasilla Highway stands a big barn, the home of a small church with a welcoming heart and a vigorous congregation. Over the years, as our community has been troubled with food insecurity, challenges to family unity, and social isolation, the Trinity Lutheran Church has been a force for good. Janet Jacob, the church secretary, smilingly told me, “Our former pastor, Diane Krauzer, taught us leadership skills, and then gave us the chance to use them.”

Trinity Lutheran has led the way on several focused projects. Janet told me that years ago, when she and other church members volunteered at the Palmer Food Bank, the need for food was becoming more pronounced. In 2011 the church decided to help, developing a garden plot nearby. Garden beds were made available free of charge for use by local individuals and families, and a larger area was cultivated with an eye to help the food bank.

Every summer, now for over a decade, church members have partnered with Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School students and Trinity preschool children to care for the plants. Weekly “Weed and Feed” activities bring people together to care for and harvest the garden, and then share a meal. The harvest goes to the food bank, families have a chance to help themselves, gardening skills are shared, and comradery is developed.

Another church project is the “Freezer Ministry” –members come together and assemble freezer meals to give away to those experiencing food insecurity. Members also assemble snack bags: convenient packages of foods and items that have proven helpful to those in need.

I saw this preparation put to use when I witnessed Richard Clinch, the church’s elected council president, kindly greet a person who had come in for assistance. Richard gave them a packet full of contact information for getting help in the Valley, provided a freezer meal and additional supplies, and made a call to a local service provider on the person’s behalf.

But man cannot live by bread alone, so members have created an outreach to meet emotional needs in the community as well. Janet shared the heartbreaking story of the death of a teenaged son of one of the couples in their congregation many years ago. Finding no organized group to help them manage their grief, the parents began a weekly, free, non-denominational grief support group. Run by professional educators, and confidential in nature, this group has met weekly for more than 20 years in the Trinity building. A retired Army nurse, Richard commented, “Our soldiers come from combat and need Mental Health help without potentially damaging their career. This kind of group can help healing in confidentiality.” The group deals with any major loss and welcomes everyone.

Noting the many emotional needs of children and families, Trinity Lutheran joined with school district counselors last year to provide evening counseling for children in a family setting. The church provided classroom space, members brought a simple meal, and parents had the chance to listen to their children with the help of school district professionals. Trinity Lutheran plans to host several of these free events through the coming school year. Again, all are welcome.

Another family support provided by Trinity is a small, Christ-centered preschool, which is also located in the Trinity Barn. Reasonably priced, and hosting three- and four-year-old children, the preschool’s mission is to “show and share the love of Christ” with the youngest members of our community.

Church services “are a time of spirit-led praise” and beautiful traditional music, with the help of a talented local violinist. There are additional outreach events as well: Sunday School, a Yoga Faith Group, Bible Study, and a weekly Men’s Prayer Breakfast, among others.

Richard expressed concern about the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community. “We welcome them and offer a safe place to worship. We need them.” Christianity is for everyone and for today, Richard emphasized, “We need to reach out to the young and help them understand the real Christian message.”

Through the years and several pastors, this humble but warm congregation has taken the lead to meet the needs of those around them in a variety of ways. “Wherever you are in your faith journey, you are loved by God, and are always invited to come see all that Trinity has to offer,” affirms their webpage. Indeed, Trinity Lutheran Church offers a generous place for all to gather to “Know and Grow in Christ.”

Worship with Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday mornings from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

10355 Palmer Wasilla Highway, Palmer 99645

www.trinitylutheranchurchak.org

(907) 745-0726

trinitylpalmerak@gmail.com

Sunday School: 9:00 a.m. Sunday

Grief Support Group: Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Trinity Room www.matsugriefsupport.com

Yoga Faith: First Sunday of the month 6:00 p.m. in the Upper Room

Silence Meditation Group 11:00 a.m. Wednesdays, call the church for location.

Men’s Prayer Breakfast: 9:00 a.m. Wednesdays in the Trinity Room

Bible Study: 10:30 a.m. Thursdays in the Trinity Room

For Community Garden information, or information about school district -coordinated student counseling meetings, call 907 745-0726

Trinity Preschool: www.trinitypreschoolalaska.org

Kristin Fry loves the Valley in the fall! And she loves living with the Valley residents year-round. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.