Dear Members and Friends of Wabash First United Methodist Church,

We are coming to the latter parts of 2022 and trusting God for the ministry that we will be led to in 2023. We have so much to be thankful for this year in regard to the blessings God has given us as a church family.

I want to just list a few of the celebrations we have seen during the year 2022. Late in 2021 we hired a new Children and Family Ministries Director. We have seen in this past year so much growth in our children. There have been so many new and exciting opportunities for children and families to grow in faith together. In fact, we have a whole new space dedicated to our children. Our children have learned scripture and are learning how Compass Kids follow Jesus.

Our youth group has also been a place of growth during 2022. Our High School youth returned to Epworth Forest for camp this summer. Many of them had life changing experiences and one individual has felt called to full time ministry. Out of our youth program has emerged a young adult ministry with recent graduates that is beginning to take shape with the goal of keeping college aged people engaged in spiritual growth.

We have seen growth in the Hot Dog Ministry. This ministry not only feeds people but has allowed us to live missionally in our neighborhood and connect people to God and others through prayer and relationship building. This ministry has also been used to showcase to other churches in our district how outreach ministry can happen.

We have also begun a Compass Discipleship Night which is a multi-generational night for us all to come and learn and grow together. We are looking forward to new opportunities to grow in faith in the coming year.

Please continue your faithful stewardship as we continue. Today’s successful ministry flows from yesterday’s faithful giving and our future work is made possible by your fidelity today. In a mailing this week you will find an invitation to indicate your intent to support the ministries of Wabash 1st UMC in 2023. Gifts to the general budget make Compass Kids, Compass Youth, Brianna’s Hope, First Friends, and Wesley Academy possible.

Please fill out and return the card by Sunday, November 20, 2022. Be in prayer in the coming days so you can be prepared to respond. We appreciate your faithful gifts.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Nathan