One of the newest church blessing boxes in Oshkosh can be found outside Trinity Episcopal Church, 203 Algoma Blvd., but it’s so popular that parishioners are scrambling to keep it stocked with nonperishable food and other necessities to assist downtown neighbors in need.
The blessing box was installed in April. The Rev. Chris Corbin, rector, said the church appreciates all the donations that have been coming in to help fill the box.
“Many people in the community have benefited from their generosity,” he said via an email announcement.
“If you are willing and able to help, we’d love to see it filled with things, such as individually wrapped nonperishable food, canned food with pop-top lids, new unopened health and hygiene products, gift cards, books, and information about community resources,” Corbin added.
The blessing box is just one of the ways Trinity Episcopal serves the needs of the community.
Trinity joins First Presbyterian Church, 110 Church Ave., Oshkosh, in offering assistance through a blessing box in the downtown area. The blessing boxes use the motto, “Take what you need, leave what you can.”
Donations for the Trinity box should be placed directly in the box, which is easily accessible on the Algoma side of the church building.
Trinity also offers cold water, snacks and free parking on Saturday mornings to crowds visiting the Oshkosh Downtown Farmers’ Market. The church also hosts the ecumenical meal Loaves and Fishes feeding program at 11:30 p.m. on the first, third and fifth Saturdays of the month.
In addition, Trinity’s Rooted in Faith, Building to Serve capital campaign is under way to support the addition of an elevator and other accessible features in the parish hall, 311 Division St. The redevelopment projects aim to expand and develop the capacity for worship, fellowship and outreach. The church plans to offer more flexible space for the needs of community members and partners by preparing the property to be an affordable venue for local nonprofits.
For more about the work of Trinity Episcopal, call 920-231-2420 or visit office@oshkosh-episcopal.org.
More Judy Russell: Click here to read more faith columns by Judy Russell
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St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oshkosh will host, in conjunction with the Midtown Neighborhood Association, a National Night Out Neighborhood Block Party from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 6 on the parking lots between North Main Street and Lincoln Avenue. Free hot dogs will be offered, compliments of Beck’s Meat Market and Piggly Wiggly. Visitors are welcome to take a dish to pass. Neighbors can learn about the association and see K-9s from the Oshkosh Police Department, and meet medical and safety responders from the Oshkosh Fire Department. Yard games and a bounce house will be included. Books and games will be distributed (as available) to children from the police. The event is part of the Police-Community Relationship Program. For more information, call 920-231-5480.
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The Del Rays (provided by Omro Pharmacy) will be the music headliners at the St. Mary Church/Omro picnic Aug. 11 at 730 Madison Ave. The event begins after 10:30 a.m. Mass and runs until 4 p.m. Food will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until sold out). A chicken dinner, silent auction, Country Store, basket raffle, Corn Hole Tournament, face painting, bouncy house, 50/50 raffle, pie room, root beer floats, and children’s games are also included. After the 8:30 a.m. Mass Aug. 11 at St. Mary Church/Winneconne, the Mission Team that recently returned from service to Casa Hogar in Lima, Peru, will share stories of the experience. That presentation will be in Kaudy Hall, 210 Pleasant Drive.
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St. Jude Parish will have a bake sale booth at the Downtown Oshkosh Farmers’ Market Aug. 10. The booth, which will be in front of The Roxy, will offer a variety of baked goods, including pies, breads, cookies and bars wrapped in saleable portions.
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A Winnebago County Wheelchair Wash for adaptive devices will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 10 at J & R Auto Service, 629 N. Main St., Oshkosh. It will include inspection of the chairs, plus food, music by Neil Holub, and door prizes. All proceeds will benefit programs and services provided by the Oshkosh Seniors Center.
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The next summer Mass at the historic St. Thomas Church in Poygan is scheduled for Aug. 10, starting at 6 p.m. The church is at 5753 Church Road. The final Mass of the season will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 7.
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The Knights of Columbus Burrito Breakfast July 21 at St. Raphael Parish in Oshkosh resulted in a net income of $463.11. The Knights will write a check to Father Tom Long’s (pastor) Good Samaritan Fund, which helps to support requests from the community. The Knights will be doing a Brat Fry Aug. 9-11 at the Neenah Festival Foods. The council will donate half of the proceeds to Father Tom’s Good Samaritan Fund. The other half will go to the organization’s general fund.
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Peace Lutheran Church in Oshkosh reports its fundraising event during the 15th annual Park Dance at South Park generated $5,978 in net revenue. “Taking into account that we have 30 pounds of Beck’s burger patties and 10 pounds of Beck’s brats remaining, and the 50/50 raffle proceeds went to the Youth Gathering ($1,000 worth of raffle tickets were sold), this number is on par with what we expected to earn for the evening.” 20% of the funds will go into a special fund — Aesthetic Updates — toward funding flowers for the outside urns, welcome banners on the sidewalks and other updates that make Peace “a visually welcoming place to worship and create relationships.” Another $4,800 will be placed in the Sidewalk Assessment Fund to help pay the City of Oshkosh for sidewalk replacements in 2023.
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Oshkosh Area Community Pantry needs clean bags — plastic, paper or reusable bags. So, check your house, your car, your garage and see if there are bags you can donate to the pantry, 2851 Jackson St. Donation hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays-Fridays.
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The final dates for the Lunchtime Organ Recitals series have been announced. The series celebrates the pipe organ with live, free performances by a variety of guest organists and churches throughout the Fox Valley. Vashi Seitzer will be the guest organist for the Aug. 21 recital at Faith Lutheran Church, 601 E. Glendale Ave., Appleton. Dr. Naomi Rowley will be the guest organist for the final recital Aug. 28 at Memorial Presbyterian Church, 803 E. College Ave., Appleton. The recitals are from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.
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Congratulations to Marty and Caity Vajgrt, who on July 21 welcomed the arrival of their second son, Noah Martin, who weighed in at 6 pounds, 4 ounces, and was 20 inches long. Noah joins big brother Sam. Marty is coordinator of music at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Oshkosh.
Thought for the Day: “Be the help someone needs, not the hurt they don’t deserve.” — Cassandra Elliott
Judy Russell of Oshkosh writes about happenings at area centers of worship. To submit news for her consideration, email oshkoshsubmit@thenorthwestern.com with the subject “Church news.” Deadline is 5 p.m. Mondays.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh faith columnist Judy Russell on Trinity Episcopal blessing box, events
