A Word From the Pastor
Rev. L. David Mortenson, Senior Pastor
There has been a lot of talk about the finances of the church. As a church we seem to ask for money a lot. That is not something new. But that is also how we as a congregation do the work of Christ. Without weekly tithes and offerings, we would not be able to do the work of Christ. And that is what it is all about, the work of Christ. Not the work of any one person or group. It is to be all about Christ. He told us to go into the world and preach the gospel, spread the Word, and make disciples.
Here are a couple of examples of what your offerings do in our community. The HAMA Food Pantry. We have helped over 130 families so far this month. With an average of 150 families per month, that translates into over 400 people, children, adults, and seniors. Baby Grace helped 63 babies in April with a week's worth of diapers, as well as wet wipes and even clothing. Our church hosted a fundraising event on Palm Sunday and raised over $2500 for the Holden Senior Center, which is housed in our church. That outreach aids over 50 seniors in our community with a hot meal, plus hundreds of delivered meals each week, as well as offering services for seniors.
I know there are some who question some of the decisions made in our church. They see things and wonder how much it costs. Most of those things are done through donations and volunteers. The rock wall was built through donations and the hard work of a few members of this church. The
counter tops in the kitchen were donated by a member of this church. The bus was donated by a member of this church. The Table has been made possible by donations and volunteer work. All of this was done with little to no money from the church. Mostly through volunteers and donations.
My goal when I interviewed for this position was to make the church visible in the community. That was also the goal of those who interviewed me as well. To have the building open more than an hour or two a week. And it has worked. People in the community are talking about the things happening at the Methodist Church.
All I ask from the members of this church who have not been involved in the decision making, to go to those on the committees who made the decisions and ask questions. Find out what discussions took place. Nothing is done in secret.
Also, ask to be placed on a committee. Become involved in those decisions. Join the volunteers who are working to do the mission of Christ and making the church an outreach mission minded church. Everyone is invited to do God's work here in our community. And doing the work of God takes everyone. I would like everyone involved. It makes the task easier and more fun.
God bless the Holden United Methodist Church.
Pastor David