Church members share goodwill in community

Adam Rollins, Staff Writer
Posted 10/7/22

On a Sunday morning in mid-September, the Congregation of College United Methodist Church in Warrenton embarked on what they hope will become an annual tradition of community service.

Spearheaded …

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Church members share goodwill in community

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On a Sunday morning in mid-September, the Congregation of College United Methodist Church in Warrenton embarked on what they hope will become an annual tradition of community service.

Spearheaded by Pastor Bill LaMora, the church’s first Serve Sunday event on Sept. 11 saw groups of church goers spreading out into the community to offer labor, companionship, and comfort items to different places in need. Rather than staying inside the church that Sunday, the congregation brought their worship to the community through acts of service, said LaMora.

“I think it’s so important for churches to recognize that they’re there to serve the community that they exist in,” LaMora explained. “Our mission is to go into the area where our church is located and be the hands and feet of Christ to people.”

LaMora joined as College UMC’s pastor in July of this year. He said the Serve Sunday has been an annual event at churches where he has previously served, and was an important part of what they do. Taking the time to bring acts of kindness and assistance to the community also brings fulfillment to the church, he noted.

“The people of the church see this as an opportunity to go help others, but in doing so, they realize ... that it actually helps them. That they see a real value in doing more than just coming to church, or just praying for people, or just hoping that things are better,” LaMora continued. “When we actually invest in mission, it changes us as people. It makes us more whole.”

Community service is a year-round effort by the church, LaMora added. But by setting aside one Sunday where they, as an entire congregation, put that mission to the forefront, they recognize that this mission is an integral part of who they are.

“We say to God, we’re going to praise You today through our hands and feet, instead of our voices and our songs.”

Other community programs regularly offered by College UMC also include a weekly Thursday kids club that provides children with a place to go after school where they can have a snack, play some games, and get a light religious education. The program is open to any young person in the community, not only church members.

“We think this is a part of who we are — how we connect to the community,” explained LaMora. “Instead of being inwardly focused, the idea is to be completely outwardly focused on serving the community, because that’s what we believe Jesus did.”

College United Methodist Church

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