Introduction letter from Zach

Dear neighbors, friends, supporters and partners,

Hello! My name is Zach Lykins. I am so excited to join Trinity as its new Executive Director. After 10 years of building community in this neighborhood, Nate Paulk recently transitioned to a founder role (check out his letter if you missed it). I can't express how deeply grateful I am for all the ways Nate loved, listened, and grew with this community.

I first encountered the community at Trinity back in 2019. A neighbor invited me to a Tuesday night dinner. I was immediately struck by two things:

First, the room was filled, wall to wall, with the most beautiful and diverse group of people I’d ever seen breaking bread together. Everyone was laughing, passing dishes, sharing stories, serving each other as equals. They couldn’t be more different, and yet they treated each other like family. The message was clear: everyone is welcome here, and there is no division between host and guest.

The second thing I saw was Nate Paulk giving a neighbor his complete attention. He was listening intently as if this was the most important person he'd ever met. Nate treated everyone this way. He greeted, embraced, listened to, and thanked each neighbor as if they were worthy of the highest honor. And to Nate, they were.

I couldn’t believe it! A community this full of life, right in my neighborhood! Right away I knew I wanted to belong to this kind of family.

Here’s why I’m excited about joining Trinity as executive director:

Our neighbors are incredible

Every neighbor I’ve met in this community is full of creativity, compassion, and generosity. Each of us is uniquely capable of contributing all kinds of amazing things for the good of others. Who wouldn’t want to be part of this family?

We’ve never needed each other more

Our city is beautiful, and I love it. But many of our systems are designed to exploit, extract, and oppress. Growth is happening, and some are benefitting, but many of us are struggling more than ever. We can’t ignore our neighbors in need. We can create a community and an economy that values each person for what they’re truly worth. We can live into the reality that we’re all connected, that we all have gifts to share, that we all need each other. 

Restoring Trinity together

Our space will continue to be a place of welcome & belonging for all people. But the building is meaningless without you. This sacred space becomes meaningful when we welcome others in, show radical hospitality, and include all people in the social and economic life of the community. In the weeks ahead, we'll be identifying partners who are meeting the needs of our community to fill this space with us, and recruiting supporters to help raise funds to restore Trinity. 

I’m excited for the renewal of Trinity Community Commons. I’d love for you to help restore this sacred space with us. And I’ll share some specific ways to get involved soon. 

Until then, I’d like to invite you to dinner. Come break bread with your neighbors on Tuesday nights. Bring a dish to share, meet a new friend, and be filled.

Grateful for each of you,

Zach Lykins
Executive Director
Trinity Community Commons
901-356-0297