OUR STORY

On June 10, 1990 people came together after being excluded from their various faith communities across the city. People were getting sick and dying horrible deaths and at the time no one seemed to know why. The most visible spread of the disease was in the gay community. A national panic set in. All around the Memphis-area, houses of worship excluded queer people because they were afraid of catching “the gay cancer.”

Many were afraid that others were contagious and would contaminate the host. Many were uninvited & barred from attending their churches. Today we recognize that this was one of the public reactions to the onset of HIV and AIDS in our community.

Coming Together

Our founders came together from many different faith traditions. They had the shared desire to create a place where all people could come together to worship God knowing that “nothing can separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:39b).”

People of faith came together to start this church so that everyone, without restriction, could experience God’s love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness, in community without the fear of rejection and ridicule. Holy Trinity is a place where people come together to commune with God and each other without having to hide a part of who they are and whom they love.

Our Unique Experience

Our unique experience with the gospel at this church is for all people: gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, & every location on the gender spectrum. It doesn’t matter who you are or how you identify yourself – you are loved by God. That is the bedrock of our belief.

Together united in our faith we are called to reach out and proclaim God’s unending love for all people. To embrace the beatitudes and work tirelessly for the new heaven and the new Earth our holy scripture proclaims, the dream of God, peace and justice flowing like a river, as revealed through Jesus for the love of all the world.

OUR CHURCH SYMBOL & SHIELD

Holy Trinity is represented by a symbol that speaks volumes about our identity as a church community. As we begin our 30th year in ministry, it is worth revisiting the meaning of our symbol. The overall inverted triangle has triple meaning. It is this geometrical shape that represents the Holy Trinity, (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit), with the Godhead descending. It is also the insignia used during the 1930’s and 40’s designating one who is an “invert.” Nazi’s used this symbol to identify queers much as the Star of David was used for Jews. This shield shape itself reminds us of Psalm 28:7 and encourages us to take it to the heart: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in God, and God helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise God.” Our inverted triangle in red is reminding us of the sacrifice of those brave souls who now surround us like a cloud of witnesses. The central purple cross etched in gold signifies that we are centered in Jesus Christ. Purple designates a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ. The three gold rings signify the Trinity once again, but for Holy Trinity Community Church it is the “Trinity of Love”: Love God, Love Neighbor, and Love of Self, echoing the teaching of the head of our church, Jesus the Christ. The insignia on the right side of the triangular shield is the sign of the United Church of Christ. This symbol, a comma, speaks to both A Just World for All, and the Great Loves campaign – Love of Children, Love of Neighbor, Love of Creation, all inspired by the belief that God is still speaking. We are engaged in a global ministry of inclusion, ecumenism, justice, and mission as partners with other congregations of the “Still Speaking God.”

OUR FAITH

Our faith is 2,000 years old – our thinking is not. We believe in God’s continuing testament. This is why we are committed to hearing God’s ancient story anew and afresh in our lives and in the world today. We try to remain attentive to God’s creative movement in the world. Religion and science are not mutually exclusive, and your head and heart are both welcomes into our places of worship. We prepare our members to be engaged in ministry in the present and future church, and we embrace all kinds of communities and new modes of thinking. Why? Because God is still speaking.

OUR JOURNEY

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here. We believe in extraagant welcome. This is why we insist that God’s communion table is open, not closed, and God’s gift and claim in baptism are irrevocable. We advocate justice for all. Our congregation extends hospitality as a sign of God’s inclusive love. We teach that evangelism – offering bread to those in search of it – is God’s mission. Our perspective is global, not provincial. We work with – not against – people of other faiths. Why? Because God is still speaking.

Never place a period where God has placed a comma. We believe the church’s mission is to change lives – individually, systemically, and globally. We work to make transformation possible, but trust in God’s grace. This is why we insist that churches must be places of vitality in worship, learning, and advocacy. We are committed to working for justice, and we believe that lives are changed through global experiences and friendships. Why? Because God is still speaking.