The Upper New York Conference has hundreds of small churches, with congregations that have less than 50 people in their pews, but that does not mean that these churches cannot do mighty things for God. That does not mean that these churches can’t accomplish amazing ministries for their communities. Here are stories of three churches in our Conference. Here is one of those churches:
Orchard Park UMC is a small church in the suburbs of Buffalo, NY, part of the Niagara Frontier District. Average Sunday service attendance over the past few years has been between 30-35 people.
Orchard Park may be small, but they are carrying out a ministry that was created almost 50 years ago to support local families in need. The program, called Acts of Kindness (AOK), has helped several families in the community at Thanksgiving and Christmas. This past Christmas season, they assisted three families, giving each a turkey, 5-6 bags of groceries, a grocery store gift card, a box with fresh dairy and produce, as well as three gifts for each person.
Each child and adult were also given a quilt made by the ladies in our church's Sewing Circle group. Despite a pandemic, the church building being closed, people afraid to venture outside, and the fact that we could not be together, our AOK mission this year was a huge success. Being guided by faith in God, and in each other, we found a way to do the impossible. As we have been blessed in this church, we have been able to bless them. The church will continue it assistance to those in need throughout the year, as we have decided to keep our food shelf open year-round to continue to serve the community.
Candy Carberry leads the AOK ministry; each year she is touched by the gratitude expressed by the families that Orchard Park can help. And the AOK is not the only amazing ministry taking place at Orchard Park.
Orchard Park pastor Jennifer Stamm said, “Not only do we have our AOK Ministry, but we collect items for Clara's Closet. We support Seneca Street UMC with meals and financial support. Our sewing circle is an ecumenical group that makes beautiful quilts and blankets for those in need and our AOK families. We have volunteers that travel to the Red Bird Mission every summer to work on home projects. Last but not least, is the Shoes for Nicaragua project. We collect shoes for children in Nicaragua so that they are able to attend school.
I believe working side by side, helping others is one of the best ways to show God's love. COVID may have slowed us a little, but it hasn't stopped our efforts. As the song goes – ‘I get knocked down, but I get up again, you’re never gonna keep me down.’ We may be limited in what we can do right now but we are ready to get back up again and show God's love!”
excerpt from story by Shannon Ligget, Orchard Park UMC Office Administrator
This story represents how United Methodist local churches through their Annual Conferences are living as Vital Congregations. A vital congregation is the body of Christ making and engaging disciples for the transformation of the world. Vital congregations are shaped by and witnessed through four focus areas: calling and shaping principled Christian leaders; creating and sustaining new places for new people; ministries with poor people and communities; and abundant health for all.
