UMs plan events to draw unchurched

By Rachel L. Toalson
Staff Writer
They are hoping to give outsiders a glimpse inside their doors.
As September’s Open House Month draws to a close, many Southwest Texas congregations continue planning events they hope will appeal to the unchurched.
“We’re not just trying to rearrange churches,” said Michelle Lott, director of family ministries for First UMC, La Grange. “This is definitely building interest within the community.
“We hope through some of our outreach that people will come in and see that this church is a welcoming place—a fun place that’s not dreary or full of rules. We want them to see that it’s full of color and life and energy. That’s our prayer.”
Bishop Joel N. Martinez proclaimed September a time for United Methodists to plan special events that would take Christ’s message to people outside their congregations.
The 439 members of the La Grange congregation celebrated Labor Day Weekend by wearing work clothes to church. Lott said people were clad in everything from county uniforms and suits with ties to jeans and T-shirts and nurse’s scrubs.
The church remembered the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks Sept. 10. The church invited all local emergency medical specialists, firefight-ers and police officers to worship. Members honored the commitment of these safety workers during the services.
The church celebrated its 13th year in its Von Minden facility Sept. 17, offering a cake reception in the fellowship hall following each service.
Open House Month in LaGrange is to end Sunday with a family movie night starting at 5:30 p.m.
Lott said the month’s packed schedule re-energized members into returning to church after summer vacation.
“During the summer, everyone tends to get out of habits,” she said. “(Open House Month) gets everybody refocused on the church and is reminding (members) to reach out to the community. We can get so insulated sometimes.”
Browning UMC, San Antonio, planned a sermon series during Open House Month focusing on open hearts, open minds and open doors, said the Rev. Tom Jackson, pastor.
He said he preached about open hearts Sept. 3, challenging his 167-member congregation to invite at least one person to church and to do one act of compassionate ministry for someone.
Browning had six visitors the following Sunday, Jackson said.
Open doors was the theme Sept. 10. Church members set up refreshment tables outside the building.
The congregation has participated in Open House Month since the denominationwide Igniting Ministry campaign introduced the effort in 2000, Jackson said, because it is beneficial to the congregation.
“It’s just a matter of focusing on the outreach, focusing on what we are as Methodists,” he said. “We need to remind people that we are an open door community.
“I think it indicates to the community that we are interested in them. That’s the advantage of having a month like this.”
First UMC, Boerne, is distributing booklets, Equipping the Congregation to Offer Christ to All, to its 1,810 members during September.
Although not originally planned as an Open House Month project, the booklet provides tips to members on witnessing and answering questions such as “What is salvation?” and “What is God’s grace?”
The booklet offers guidelines for:
> Developing a personal testimony.
> Witnessing to someone who may or may not be a Christian, someone you know, someone who is near the end of his or her life or someone who has experienced a recent crisis.
> Helping a person who wants to accept Jesus.
“The witness committee saw that there was a need to get more active and bold in witnessing,” said Intern Pastor Paul Evans. “They started looking at some of the reasons people might feel intimidated by witnessing and developed this how-to handbook.
“We hope it will empower (members) to witness and provide them with the necessary tools to do that.”
The church printed more than 1,000 copies, he added.
First UMC, Rockport, had its annual birthday bash this month. Attendees sat at their own birthday month’s table to enjoy special cakes, said Ann Ammons, administrative assistant to the pastor.
The 497-member congregation is playing host to a dinner and movie Sunday at 6:30 p.m. A game night is planned for Sept. 29.
The Rockport congregation is trying to offer more children’s activities to draw parents, Ammons said. The church’s Wacky Wednesdays, an after-school program beginning at 4 p.m., has resumed after a summer break.
“Events like this make the community more aware of things that are happening,” Ammons said. “It makes people more aware of the church and the things that we’re doing within the church. They see that they’re welcome to come here.
“We’re known for our friendliness. This is something we do all the time. But we’re trying to emphasize it more this month.”
Fredericksburg UMC is to have a “join together day” this month. All who have wanted to become members of the congregation can join on the same day. That’s to ease any hesitations individuals might feel standing alone in front of the congregation.