By: Liz Winders, Courtney Levin and Katie Dawson
While stories of disaffiliation seemed to dominate 2023, there was another story being written. For those congregations who experienced a disaffiliation vote and yet ultimately chose to stay among the 566 congregations remaining United Methodist, we are experiencing a renewed sense of excitement and hope for the future.
Grace United Methodist Church (UMC) in Spencer, IA, is healing and looking outside its walls to reach new people through fresh church expressions, including Dinner Church. Their Wednesday night program with a free meal is engaging new children and families, and they are growing in mission through projects such as weaving sleeping mats for Midwest Missions and working with their local Meals on Wheels and Head Start programs.
“All the groups that meet are saying, ‘What can we do? What can we do differently? How do we make it better?” said Alison Herman, Director of Communications for Grace UMC. “Everybody is just positive about doing things. I think there seems to be more happening now that you can be involved in, and you can come ‘be the church’ and not just on Sunday mornings.”
In August of 2022, the Community UMC in Ogden also voted to remain in The United Methodist Church.
“When the vote happened, we walked out of the church and felt more of a sense of loss, even though the vote didn’t pass. It was extremely subdued and mournful,” said Craig Christensen, a life-long resident of Ogden and 56-year member of the Community UMC. “A very common word I heard over and over before the disaffiliation vote was confusion.”
Although initially uncomfortable, Christensen said he retains friendships with many members who left before, during, and after the vote.
“There was a period of uncertainty and stumbling because no one had a plan B. We needed to get a group of people involved and active in the leadership board that wanted to stay UMC,” said Christensen.
After a couple of weeks, he said new people stepped up and asked, “What can I do? How can I contribute? Where do you need me?”
Another member of Community UMC, Brandon Moe, said although it took a couple of months, things are now going very well with the church.
“I had the honor of walking alongside the CUMC board in the year after the disaffiliation vote. Even as their hearts were breaking, and as life-long relationships were strained, CUMC decided to choose joy and love in every decision they made and action they took,” said Rev. Melissa Drake, Aldersgate District Superintendent. “A year and a half later, this congregation that was uncertain of their future, or even if they had a future, has become a leader in our district, mentoring other congregations who have also suffered the pain of a disaffiliation split. CUMC is a true witness of God’s resurrection hope made real.”
After the vote, the appointive cabinet of the Iowa Annual Conference stepped in to preach on Sunday mornings.
“It was phenomenal, and they reinvigorated our church. Now, we’re starting to see another person or family popping up every Sunday,” Moe said.
Community UMC now has a higher percentage of people active than they have had for years, with a new sense of renewal and excitement.
“If we start to ask the right questions, listen, and pray, many good things come out, including renewal, rejuvenation, and joy,” said Christensen. “Dozens and dozens of members of Community UMC in Ogden would echo this: God does have a plan.”