First Church Family,
It’s finally spring! I pray you are experiencing new life in Christ as we are reminded of God’s restoration of the earth after a long, dark, cold winter?
One of the most important things we do as Methodists is participate in the ministry of the church worldwide. Paying our Apportionments is a way we participate. Recently, our District Superintendent wrote us about our faithfulness.
United Methodist Church family,
Congratulations and thank you for your faithfulness in making a full contribution of your Apportionments for 2021. In a time when church finances were tough because of COVID, you paid your part regardless. Because of your great generosity and support, we are able to accomplish great things in our partnered ministry within The United Methodist Church and the Appalachian District in particular.
Through your willingness to share the financial resources with which God has blessed your congregation, we have been able to touch lives with the love of Jesus Christ by providing support in the following ways:
· Appalachian State University Wesley Foundation and Common Ground Campus ministries
· New church starts in our District and Conference
· District Missional Engagement Grants
· We funded a church to redevelop their church/community gathering space to convert their outdoor space and make it a better connection to reach their community.
· We funded grief share ministry
· Congregational Vitality Grants
· We funded multiple churches in our district with help towards getting media equipment for online worship.
· We funded Breaking Bread Community Fellowship Ministry who created new connections and relationships with their community by offering hospitality, food, fellowship, and music.
· Appalachian District Weaver UMAR Home for our brothers and sisters with intellectual and developmental disabilities
· Clergy leadership training
· Gifted, talented, and committed District and Conference support and ministry staff
· Ministry with youth within our District and across our Conference
· Reaching out in new and creative ways to reach people with the gospel and love of Jesus Christ
Congratulations again on your great achievement of financial faithfulness.
Your giving is proof that we can do so much more together for the cause of Christ than we can working apart from one another.
May God continue to open up to you even more exciting and life-giving ways to reach others with the life-transforming love of Jesus Christ.
~ Rev. Lory Beth Huffman, Appalachian District Superintendent
Thank you for your financial support of FUMC. God is working through us in many, many ways!
Blessings and love,
Pastor Dave