Generosity Reflection: Vinod Richard-Webber

As part of Trinity's 2025 generosity initiative, "Living Generously, Loving Boldly," members were asked to reflect on what it means to live generously.

Galatians 5:6: “The only thing that counts is faith working through love.”

My name is Vinod Richard-Webber. To many I am Richard, however my name is Vinod, born and brought up in India. When I think about my journey as an immigrant, a son, a husband, and a father, I realize how much my faith has carried me through. Coming to a new country meant stepping into the unknown—leaving behind everything familiar and trying to rebuild life from the ground up. In those early years of uncertainty, faith became my anchor. It gave me quiet confidence that God was leading me, even when I didn’t know what the future would hold.

In today’s political climate, many immigrants feel the need to stay invisible, to not draw attention to themselves. I remember, about ten years ago, walking into different churches while carrying my few month old daughter in my arms. Even then, I often felt invisible to many. Yet in that journey, God surprised me by using unexpected people to draw me closer to Him. It was actually a Tibetan Buddhist friend who first told me about Trinity Church. I never imagined that a simple conversation would change my life so much—but God works in ways we don’t always expect.

The first time I came to Trinity, I felt genuine warmth, love, and welcome. For the first time after a longtime, I no longer felt invisible. I wasn’t treated as an outsider, but embraced as family. What stood out most was the generosity of this community—not only generosity with resources, but with time, attention, and open hearts. That generosity reflected God’s love in such a powerful way. It reminded me of the words in Galatians 5:6: “The only thing that counts is faith working through love.”

My faith grew stronger, not only through sermons or rituals, but through the generosity and love my family and I experienced here. Through those open hands and open hearts, I could see God’s love shining so clearly.

Looking back now, I know my journey here was never accidental. God was guiding each step, teaching me that faith is more than words—it’s love and generosity put into action.

– Vinod Richard-Webber