Not so very long ago, we would often see Deacon Julie Wilson at the church, assisting with worship, leading a time with the children on the chancel steps or organizing the volunteers for the Emergency Family Shelter. Since leaving Calvary Church in September 2019, she has be commissioned as a missionary with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, serving as Church and Community Worker with Open Arms Community Center of the United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Serving as a church and community worker allows Julie to “help those who are hurting, those who are looked down upon by society, those who have been treated unjustly and those who simply need to know that someone loves and cares for them,” she said. She believes that every opportunity that she has had over the years is being woven into a tapestry of preparation for wherever God is calling her to serve. “I am so excited to see what God has planned!” she added.
At the Church Council meeting in November, Paul Nelson gave an update on the work that Julie is doing. He invited the council to enter into a Covenant Partner Relationship with her through the General Board of Global Ministries. A Covenant Partner Relationship offers opportunities for the church and Julie to support each other through prayer. We will be hearing about the work that she is doing to offer love and care to others in the name of Jesus Christ. The Church Council unanimously agreed to become a Covenant Partner and make a gift of $2,500 from the Mission Fund to help support her in her work for the coming year.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Steve Larsen