In the past weeks, dozens of ministers and members at Trinity-on-the-Hill United Methodist Church posed for photos with their hands reaching high or stretching out toward the camera.

These hands, said the Rev. Scott Parrish, the minister of outreach and missions, can be "the hands of Christ" if members of the church -- and community -- are up to the challenge.

The photos are being used to promote the church's Outreach Celebration, a five-day event that starts tonight. It includes worship services, training sessions and seminars with missionaries both local and international, but the real heart of the celebration lies in a day of service, Parrish said.

The church is forming teams to tackle projects, including roof repairs on a home in Hephzibah, yard work at the Interfaith Hospitality Network, cleanup at Heritage Academy, painting for Augusta Urban Ministries, sewing projects for kids with cancer, flower boxes for the Kroc Center on Eve Street and visits to hospitals and nursing homes.

This year, the annual celebration aims to challenge not just members of Trinity but all Augustans, Parrish said. The goal, he said, is to "step out, partner up and meet needs."

Already the celebration has become a mix of Trinity members and those from other local United Methodist churches, though Parrish hopes more will take an interest, too.

The week is designed to allow involvement in one or two components, such as a worship service or training seminar, without required participation in all. Parrish said a Thursday-night session might be of special interest to the larger community because the emphasis is on the transformation of declining neighborhoods.

Reach Kelly Jasper at (706) 823-3552 or kelly.jasper@augustachronicle.com.