Posts by Jim Droste

A Special Baptism

Nov 11, 2019

On Sunday, October 27th at 6:00PM we celebrated a baptism at Grace United Methodist Church in Ridgeway, WI. At Grace UMC we worship on Saturday evenings. If you know anything about our Methodist heritage, you know that baptisms are typically done in the context of a worship service because we believe that baptism is a community celebration. So how is it that we had this celebration at another time? Life! Due to work schedules, and one sponsor going off to begin military service, this particular evening on Sunday was our...

No Fellowship Time Offering Basket?

May 15, 2018

I grew up in a ELCA Lutheran Church that always had coffee and a diverse supply of donuts available for folks in between our two Sunday morning churches services. There was a basket available on the table and people could contribute money if they liked. Most people threw in a dollar or two. One of the churches that I served at previously in The United Methodist Church also had a basket out that people could throw a few bucks into when they grabbed their coffee and treats. I am not one to...

Charcoal Expressions Fundraiser – May 22nd

Apr 30, 2018

I do not have an ounce of artistic talent, so I have to be particularly motivated by the reason for an art fundraiser if I am going to do it. 🙂 Such is the case with the “Charcoal Expressions” fundraiser to support Bethany Harman and her trip to Europe for the Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music. She has been a faithful participant in our church vocal choir and bell choir and has often shared her musical talent for our church. She serves as a member of our church council. She recently...

Love Dodgeville

Apr 16, 2018

On May 6th, Dodgeville United Methodist Church will participate in a community event along with other churches and civic organizations called “Love Dodgeville.” This is the Third Annual Love Dodgeville event, and folks have the opportunity to participate in several different community service and improvement projects. “Love Dodgeville” is patterned after the “Love Madison” day of service that is sponsored by Blackhawk Church in Madison. From their website: “Every spring Blackhawk Church chooses a Sunday to cancel services at all of our venues and go outside the walls of our...

DUMC Free Thrift Store

Apr 12, 2018

As the Feeding Friends Community Meal grew and as we became more aware of the needs that some of our community members had, Jeff and Juanita Starr were making clothing and household items available to folks at no cost during Feeding Friends through their New Beginnings ministry. Each Wednesday morning, they would set-up tables in the narthex of the church putting everything out. At 7:00PM, they would pack everything up and store it until the next week. Realizing that there was a consistent community need and potential ministry to continue...

Home Communion

Mar 12, 2018

Dodgeville United Methodist Church celebrates the sacrament of Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month. In an attempt to reach out to those members that we have who: (1) may find it difficult or impossible to leave home or (2) have residence at a nursing home or assisted living facility, we have created a Home Communion ministry that brings the sacrament to those who are “unwillingly” absent from a Communion service. This ministry began in January of 2016 because of many wonderful church members who stepped up to be a...

Sunday School: Deep Blue

Feb 26, 2018

On the advice of my District Superintendent, I held small group meetings with members of Dodgeville United Methodist Church, seeking to find out what our members saw as the strengths of our church, along with a vision for what they would like to see the church doing five years down the line. I did this before completing my first year of my appointment. When it came to what the church was hoping to see in give years, the number one response was have a Sunday School! Before I had arrived here,...

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