belong
one body
in christ
The church is not a building or a program. It is a people, called together by God’s grace and bound to one another in Christ. At Trinity we take seriously the belief that we are one body, which means we carry each other’s burdens, learn together, and make space for one another in all of life’s seasons. These are some of the ways we live that out.
care ministry
Sharon Head, RN, has served as Trinity’s Parish Nurse since 2004. Sharon listens, counsels, and walks alongside members facing health challenges, whether that means explaining a new diagnosis, navigating care options for an aging parent, completing an advance directive, or simply having someone to talk to when life feels overwhelming. She considers Parish Nursing a calling, and her presence is one of the things that makes Trinity the community it is.
Sharon can help with health education, blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, medication questions, resource referrals, advance directive workshops, and home and hospital visitation. Reach her at careministry@telcsb.org.
Get Involved
The Care Ministry team extends beyond Sharon. Members of the congregation volunteer to visit homebound members, deliver meals, and bring a little joy through things like Christmas caroling. If you would like to be part of caring for our community in these ways, contact Sharon or the church office to find out how to get involved.
adult education
Every Sunday after worship, from September through May, Trinity gathers for adult education. Topics range widely, from Scripture series like a deep dive into Revelation, to discussions of Lutheran theology, world religions, ethics, sustainability, and current issues facing the church and the world. The format is intentionally discussion based, which means there is room for questions, disagreements, and honest conversation. You don’t need to come with answers or expertise. Everyone is welcome regardless of how much or how little they know, and there are no wrong questions or contributions. Younger members and youth are equally welcome to join.
wednesday bible study
Every Wednesday at 10:00am, Pastor Mark leads an hour-long Bible study in the church library, also available by Zoom. Each week we explore the lectionary texts for the coming Sunday, reading, discussing, and sitting with Scripture together before it is proclaimed in worship. All are welcome, no prior Bible knowledge required. Please sign up for our weekly newsletter or contact the church office for the zoom link.
mid-week walkers
Every Tuesday morning, a group gathers for a walk around Santa Barbara and Goleta, followed by coffee and brunch at a local restaurant where the best conversations tend to happen. Routes are 1.5 to 2 miles and take about 45 minutes, rotating through familiar spots including the Mesa neighborhood, Lake Los Carneros, East Beach, and Arroyo Road. There is no right way to participate, walk fast, walk slow, or skip the walk entirely and just join for breakfast. The route and restaurant for each week are listed in Glad Tidings at the start of the month.
men’s ministry
Once a month, the men of Trinity gather at a member’s home for an evening of food, fellowship, and faith. It begins with conversation over snacks and beverages, followed by dinner and a Bible study led by one of the group. The evening closes with prayer. It is deliberately low-key and relationship focused, a chance to build genuine friendships and talk about what it means to live as a Christian man in the world today. Members, family, and friends of Trinity are all welcome. Contact the church office or read our newsletter to find out when the next gathering is.
book club
The Bookbinders Book Club meets about every six weeks on Sundays from 1:00 to 2:00pm in the Fireside Room to discuss a wide range of books, fiction, non-fiction, memoir, and everything in between. Selections are chosen by group consensus from members’ suggestions, and the reading list is always wonderfully eclectic. New members are welcome to join at any time and have input on the next book selection. For more information, contact the church office.
indigenous studies group
Following an Adult Education class on Indigenous history and theology, a small group at Trinity has been meeting regularly to research and write a Sacred Land Story, the story of the land Trinity calls home, how it came under our stewardship, and its history stretching back centuries before us. The work has brought the group into deeper relationship with the Chumash roots of our land, including visits to the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and a Chumash Intertribal Powwow, along with guest visits from Chumash elders and scholars of the region’s history. The group is currently refining a first draft of the Sacred Land Story to share with the congregation. If you are interested in joining this ongoing work, contact the church office.