For members of College United Methodist Church, worship services don’t just include activities at the church, but for one special day each year, they also include a day to bring their good works to the community.

Known as Serve Sunday, College UMC Pastor Bill LaMora said the idea was presented to him over 20 years ago and he has brought the idea with him to every church where he has served as a pastor.

“Everywhere I have gone, everyone has embraced the idea,” LaMora said.

LaMora said he came to College UMC three years ago and introduced the idea at the Warrenton church as well.

“The first year we did it everyone loved it,” he said. “What we do is instead of our normal Sunday worship service, we take our inspiration out into the community and serve as part of our worship services.”

LaMora said the idea is so popular with his church members that there has been a push to have a Serve Sunday event several times a year, but he said for now once a year has been enough.

“It is a huge undertaking,” he said. “Especially working with our community partners to have them participate in the day.”

The church’s Director of Serve Elaine Auch, who was responsible for coordinating the activities for Serve Sunday, said she organized church members into groups who were tasked with going to a variety of organizations and community groups.

Auch said that she had groups going to the following spots:

• Warrenton Manor: Played bingo with the residents.
• No Time to Spare Animal Rescue and Sanctuary: Auch said the church members took the church bus as a large group participated and the church members engaged in playing with animals, cleaning pet cages and assisting with other needs.
• Turning Point: Shared brunch with the families there.
• Warren County Sheltered Workshop: Painted a sign on the outside of the facility as well as other related tasks.
• Anchor House: Activities there included making brunch for the residents as well as assisting the Community Clothing Closet on site to take down the summer clothing and help arrange winter clothing for the coming season.
• Mary Lou Center: Auch said Agape Ministries hosted a fundraiser at the facility Saturday night and church members assisted in helping take down decorations and general clean up following the event.

Auch said there would be a prayer walk to area schools, which would also include trash pickup along the path.

Another group of church members also delivered cookies to first responders in the area.

Auch said two groups remained at the church with one group doing what she called Stay and Pray, which includes offering prayers from a number of requests. The second group engaged in what she called “Work of Our Hands” and would include making a variety of items for the community including hygiene bags and fleece pillows for the warming center and assisting Warren County Handicapped Services with the preparation of Christmas ornaments.

Following their activities, church members came back to the church to enjoy a meal and to recap the activities of the day.

LaMora said one of the points of Serve Sunday is to have church members engage in activities to understand the importance of sharing God’s message with the community.