Holy Trinity's Vision for Falls Church: 50 Years in the Making
Holy Trinity was recently recognized in the Falls Church News-Press September 3 - 9, 2020, print edition Page 7.
“Falls Church is recognized across the region and even nationally as a compassionate, empathetic, welcoming community. Recent examples abound: t-shirt sales raised thousands of dollars to support local small businesses, grocery store gift-card drives have helped teachers, children, and families — our neighbors in various school districts, donated school supplies have been provided en masse to children in need, and neighborhood food drives have restocked the shelves of several local food pantries. Caring about, helping, and supporting those in need is ingrained in our heritage. We owe much of this legacy to the ecumenical work of the Falls Church Community Service Council (“FCS”). Today, FCS needs our help too.
FCS began as a vision of Orville Splitt, a layman at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and his Pastor, Bill Nies, who were aware of the needs of the poor and disadvantaged in the Falls Church area. They believed that churches, working together, could provide services that otherwise would not be available. In June of 1969, eleven churches responded to create this Council, which first offered emergency transportation and housing assistance. A few years later, FCS added Meals on Wheels, the emergency food assistance food pantry at Knox Presbyterian Church, and clothing and furniture ministries to meet additional needs.
The FCS regularly receives some financial assistance from Fairfax County and Falls Church City, as well as ecumenical support and volunteers from a group of faith communities that has grown since 1969. Recent significant support has come from the Falls Church Anglican, Falls Church Presbyterian, Temple Rodef Shalom, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Falls Church Episcopal, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These churches and many other member churches give of means and time to affirm special love and concern for the eternal welfare of all, regardless of religious belief, race, gender, orientation, or nationality, knowing that we are all truly brothers and sisters because each person is a child of God.”
To read the full article, visit the Falls Church News Press Website.