St. Luke's United Methodist Church Has Many Robust Ministry Programs Taking care of each other and the community is one way in which we share God's love.  St. Luke's United Methodist Church engages in multiple ministry programs with an effect which is far larger than this little Church would seem capable.  These ministry programs represent a lot of hard work, time, and planning by church members who are extraordinarily dedicated to sharing the message of Christ.  One payoff is the enormous satisfaction in seeing persons with disabilities overcome their obstacles and reach new spiritual highs. These people have the same range of worries, likes, and dislikes that we all share--they are completely human. Many people carry biases against the disabled created through society's ignorance and misunderstanding.  Participation in our long running Out of the Ordinary program can give you the first hand experience that will open your eyes to the love and spirit that all people share, regardless of disabilities or society's labels. While our adults with mental retardation / developmental disabilities (MRDD) program remains one of our core ministries, St Luke's continues to greet new opportunities for engaging society.  Our beautiful stone church is the site of many weddings conducted by our energetic and caring pastor.  The comfortable sanctuary provides the atmosphere of a country church--it is a place that will instantly make you feel that you belong.  The warmth and friendliness of the members of our Church have won over many newly married couples who grow into vital members our church body.  Couples wedded here have come to discover that the spiritual power of a religious wedding ceremony comes from deep within themselves, giving their union an existence which will last beyond a lifetime. Marriage is a rare event, but the ability to appreciate the beauty of music is a gift given to each of us by God that we can experience every day.  The music program at St. Luke's gives every member the opportunity for involvement and performance, including children, MRDD members, and adults. Those members who wish to participate, but are too busy to regularly attend choir practice, may join the larger Festival Choir, which performs at special occasions. Certainly, sharing the joy of music with others embodies Christ's call for us to love our neighbors. The reality of sustaining such a diverse range of active ministries is the need for fundraising support.  The purpose of our church is not to raise money, but to employ our resources for the work of God. Nonetheless, God's kingdom exists in the here-and-now which means that expenses must be paid. We stretch our funds to the maximum--there is no waste. We count on several fundraising mechanisms to help us keep our ministries alive--ministry programs which are very important to many members and non-members alike.  Among these is our ongoing cookbook sale.  A compilation of recipes from true dyed-in-the-wool grandmothers, mothers, and other members, these recipes are usually easy and inexpensive to prepare, but are always good:  no secret ingredients are held back.