Just 10 short months ago, SUMC’s Leadership Board convened under a new organizational framework and established “God-Sized Goals” for 2024. Those goals were intended to be big, bold, and aggressive by increasing attendance at our church, maximizing revenue opportunities, expanding our reach, enhancing awareness of our programs, and helping marginalized people assimilate into the community.
Now that SUMC has concluded the Haunted House and the Pumpkin Patch, we return our collective attentions to achieving, maybe even exceeding, those goals, which were laid on our hearts and minds by the Holy Spirit back in January.
SUMC is growing. Look around and notice new people attending 9:00 am and 11:00 am services. It seems our church has new people, families, and kids every Sunday. New people, some of whom aren’t so new anymore, are attending Bible Study and Church Groups and volunteering. Stop by the Simpson Room on Sundays at 10:00 am to grab a cup of coffee or tea, and feel the energy created by our congregation.
SUMC is leading. We continue efforts to reach other cultures, particularly the Hispanic community. In fact, SUMC is launching a new initiative—the Home Closet Project—which will be established in the Chapel area after Pumpkin Patch concludes. The Home Closet will stock and supply basic household items for those who need them. SUMC hopes that a New Places New People grant award from the UMC will accelerate this initiative.
SUMC is transforming. A very cool and thoughtful approach to raising funds to expand SUMC’s music ministry was presented to the Leadership Board last month by Erik Kolodziej and Chad Wolfe. Born from their intellect, experience, and innovation is The Charles Wesley Music Foundation, whose mission is “to nurture and expand music programs at Sewickley United Methodist Church through worship, education, and community outreach.” This Foundation, which is affiliated with the UMC’s 501c3 status but technically a separate legal entity, enables the music program to be eligible for, and obtain, other sources of funding, like grants and philanthropic funds, that otherwise would not be available to a church. One of the main goals of the Foundation is to raise funds to complete restoration of SUMC’s historic organ.
SUMC is not finished. The Leadership Board will be heading to Olmsted Manor for a retreat at the end of November to establish a plan for 2025 and build off the momentum generated in 2024. Please keep the Leadership Board in your prayers by offering us connections to each other and the Holy Spirit and guidance for an even bigger and better 2025!
Lynn Colosi