Pastoral Care
Pastoral counseling is available for a variety of needs including personal crises, faith questions, ethical issues, health-related decisions, and spiritual growth. Where therapy may be advisable the pastor may refer to other appropriate professionals for help.
Premarital counseling using the Prepare couples inventory is used for marriage preparation and is available for members of other Lutheran congregations who are residents of New York City but planning to be married outside of the city.
Pastoral care is also available for a variety of couples using the Prepare, Enrich , and Mate couples inventories. All of the inventories are designed to identify the strengths in your relationship as well as identifying issues that attention.
Children
Children are very welcome at Holy Trinity. Our growing and diverse community includes a number of families with children. The inclusion of children in our worship life is important to us. Parents classes on Holy Communion and the Liturgy are available periodically to help parents interpret Christian worship for their children. With the agreement and support of the pastor children who can be prepared by pastor and parents to receive the sacrament when the parents think they are ready to do so.
Parents are encouraged to bring rather than send their children to church. Children learn to participate in the liturgy when they are encouraged by parents and friends.
To help them participate, Children are prepared for first communion by the pastor and with the help of teachers and parents when pastor and parents have determined that the child is ready to receive the sacrament. Children who have received in other congregations, may also do so at Holy Trinity.
Children's activity bulletins are available at the back of the sanctuary. Parents may find our trifold brochure "Children Are Welcome Here!" to be a helpful guide for children at worship. These also are available from an usher.
Marriage
The Rite of Marriage at Holy Trinity is performed for church members, or those preparing for membership, and their fiances. Premarital counseling is available on a limited basis for members of other Lutheran congregations who are being married outside of the city in their home congregations. Please speak with the pastor if you are interested in marriage at Holy Trinity.
Membership
Membership is by affirmation of faith for Baptized or confirmed Christians, and by adult Baptism for those new to the Christian faith.
Membership classes for Baptized Christians and/or members of Lutheran or other Christian congregations occur twice a year beginning the first Sunday in November and the first Sunday in Lent. They are held at 9:45 AM Sunday mornings on the third floor of the Church House.
Associate membership is available for those who wish to remain affiliated with their home congregation.
A more extensive Catechuminate program is available for those who have not been a member of a Christian church before.
Many members, despite busy work schedules and social lives, are actively involved in the congregation and its life together.
You can be involved at Holy Trinity in worship as an acolyte, lector, assisting minister, communion assistant, choir member, or usher. Committee membership is possible for those interested in specific ministries of the church. You can also be an outreach ministry volunteer in our Hug Program, Homeless Shelter Program, or Cornerstone volunteer.
Baptism
The sacrament of Baptism is available for adults, children and infants. Active faith in parents is essential for the unformed faith of children. It is usual that at least one parent will be a member of the congregation. Sponsors must be baptized Christians. The Sacrament of Baptism is administered during the Service of Holy Communion. Adults seeking baptism will be enrolled in a more extensive catechuminate program in preparation for baptism and adult membership.
