The two recipients of the 2018 One Matters award at the Iowa Annual Conference Session were Manchester United Methodist Church and Bloomfield United Methodist Church. Recipients receive a $1K ministry grant.
Manchester United Methodist Church successes:
- The attendance at the Manchester United Methodist Church continues to grow.
- Our pastoral messages strive to make the scriptures relevant and have reignited a spirit of joy in our midst.
- We are practicing radical hospitality and have seen new families and faces join us in worship.
- Fellowship time has grown and our missions impact has been felt in our community including our recently completed "House of David" project.
- We credit our strong pastoral leadership along with the full support of our One Board and a willing congregation with many of our successes.
- As people see what is happening they want to become involved. We are seeing a positive change in our attitudes.
- Small groups have increased considerably helping to support each other in Christian love.
- We are sharing "Ministry Minutes" during worship.
- We are writing devotions for advent and lent sharing our faith with others.
- We have had generational testimonials.
- We have many people involved in our worship experience who are willing to help as needed and where needed including a presence at the nursing home and assisted living facilities.
- We have been faithful in our apportionment giving paying in full the past three years.
- We have been able to purchase a vacant adjoining property and are renovating it for additional parking and square-foot gardens.
- We have updated our landscaping, remodeled the Wesley Hall bathroom and upgraded to new TV monitors for worship among other things.
- Our chainsaw team has been called on to help with various storm damage in the area.
- Our budget is functioning well after many years of shortfall.
- We as a congregation celebrate all that is the Manchester United Methodist Church and look forward to the future knowing that God blesses those who are steadfast in Him and His word.
Bloomfield United Methodist Church successes:
- Wednesday night programing experiencing explosive growth
- Healthy afterschool for program for unchurched children
- Weekly multi-demographic community meal with increased in attendance
- Small group ministry having significant growth in attendance and number of groups .
- Weekly church attendance has increased 25%.
- Small group leaders increased from three people to twelve people
- Weekly offering has increased significantly
- Current planning for a future building expansion
