I have been serving Vernon UMC and Wesley UMC for fifteen months. This is the first time I have served a two point charge since beginning ministry in 1982. My regret is not having extra time and energy to do all that could be done in each congregation to enhance growth. Vernon needs more publicity and advertising as well as programs to attract children and their families.
Vernon UMC is blessed with a high proportion of people with terrific leadership skills and passion for ministry (as well as great singers). This is evident by their willingness to undertake pledging to the local church, Together for Tomorrow (conference fund) and the roof fund. God has provided the means for almost all these commitments to be fulfilled.
Vernon UMC is as passionate about their spirituality as they are about missions and ministry. Bible studies are provided on Sunday mornings as well as during Advent and Lent. These are well attended and also a source of fellowship. We host a community Women's Breakfast in the spring which is also a time for spirituality building and fellowship.
I participate in community worship services. Last Thanksgiving I preached at the Ecumenical Thanksgiving service at the UCC. I attend the Vernon Clergy group as well as the United Methodist (district) clergy group. I serve on the District Committee on Buildings and Locations.
Vernon has the most extensive mission outreach I have ever seen. They support missions in this country and around the world in addition to their Mission Shares. They do this as part of a theological commitment to tithe 10% of their income. I had a great time serving food at the Cornerstone Food Pantry on Halloween! The director did a Halloween fun (not horror) theme dinner. Next year, I will wear my good old stand-by costume "The Holy Ghost" sheet with holes. We are all thrilled to have three members taking a week off work/retirement and paying their own expenses to go to Slidell, LA to help home owners after Hurricane Katrina. They are: Bob Mattern, Jim Haag, and David Howe.
We began the Natural Church Development program in the spring. It is a very helpful process to look at our weaknesses and strengths. Our overworked Lay Leader, Chair of Ad Council, Lay Member to Annual Conference, and Chair of the Natural Church Development, Robert Mattern, began us elegantly on this process. We seek a second person to take us on the next leg of that journey. We thank Bob for his good leadership skills and willingness to serve beyond the call of duty. We are blessed to have Peter Shilling work as our Mentor.
In July, we had a call from a real estate developer inquiring about purchasing our building and land. This started us envisioning what God might be calling us to do and be. We engaged Evelyn Johnston Moore to help us lay out "options" before us. Some of these options are "does nothing" to "sell and merge" or "sell and rebuild". Surprisingly, the majority of persons are open to exploring our options. I have been asked to have conversations with nearby UMC's about our mutual ministry possibilities.
I have seen that all over the country churches that are growing are using more contemporary music and audio visuals. It is my hope that our congregation can acquire needed equipment to make us all aware of all technologies to teach, preach, communicate, and praise the Lord.
Rev. Roberta L. Williams
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