Thanks so much to everyone who joined us on July 29th for to learn more about our property redevelopment project! We loved sharing plans to revitalize our historic sanctuary into a vibrant community gathering space and build new affordable homes for families who need it most.

A recent Imagine Nashville survey found that “a sense of belonging” emerged as Nashville’s core value.

Yet 22% say they don’t belong,

57% of low income families feel left behind,

and 72% see a growing divide between rich and poor.

A few years ago, we started asking neighbors what they needed the most in their community. The answers were clear: People told us they needed a place to live, meaningful work, and a way to be in community with their neighbors — a community-run third space.

On July 29th, from 5:30 - 7, we’re hosting a public meeting during the community dinner to share plans for TCC’s next chapter, and we’d love for you to come join us.

Trinity served as a polling place on election day. From 7am to 7pm, I got to witness a steady stream of our neighbors showing up to vote, and I loved seeing such a diverse crowd come through! First time voters brought energy & excitement, and seeing future voters accompany parents filled me with hope. We live in a beautiful neighborhood.

Since the election, I’ve fielded a common question: “I’m feeling discouraged. Results aren’t what I hoped for, or my vote didn’t seem to matter. How can I channel my grief into something that will matter? How can I help my neighbors? How can I make an impact hyper-locally?”

Right now, TCC is raising $10,000 to turn the big front lawn into a place that literally nourishes the community — adding garden beds, farmers market stands, shaded areas for respite in the heat, and big tables for outdoor community meals.

When you join me in donating, you are helping to preserve a rare space in a rapidly developing city that truly serves everyone. And right now there’s $1,000 of matching money on the table, so your donation goes twice as far — only when you give before the end of the day.

Last week, a neighbor joined us for dinner & wrote about his experience for the Tennessean. Brad captured the heart of what we’re all about in his newsletter, The Good News with Brad Schmitt. I’m sharing the article with his permission & including some of my own thoughts at the end.

Ultimately, Brad’s reflection is about you & the kind of radically welcoming community that you are to all our neighbors. Super grateful for each of you.

After the fire in 2021, we salvaged wood from the sanctuary: mostly old pews & smoke damaged beams from the ceiling. The plan was to creatively re-use this wood in the sanctuary & community spaces after reopening.

This is a long post. Thanks in advance for reading. I want to share a story of radical hospitality from our community & a vision for Trinity’s way forward.

We believe there’s a better way of social and economic life that includes and benefits everyone, rather than ignoring the poor and isolating us from our neighbor.

Here’s what that looked like at Trinity in 2023.

Will you consider supporting the flourishing of your neighbors at Trinity Community Commons with a one time or monthly donation?

Hopes and challenges, partners we love, & building trust.

Weekly activities, dates to save, ways to connect with your neighbors

I first encountered the community at Trinity back in 2019. A neighbor invited me to a Tuesday night dinner. When I walked in, the message was clear: everyone is welcome here, and there is no division between host and guest.

Since 2013, we have worked together to transform an underutilized church building into a space which reflects our shared belief in the worth and potential of ALL people. I am forever grateful for these last ten years with you! And I am filled with deep gratitude and joy to announce the hiring of our new Executive Director, Zach Lykins.