Dayton UMC uses reserve to feed people

 

Dayton United Methodist Church (UMC), a community of about 25 members, made a difference for hungry people in the community through their donation to the local food pantry.

Like other very small churches concerned about long-term viability, Dayton UMC recently made a unanimous decision to free up $5,000 of its reserves and raised an additional $3,400 to help the Dayton Food Bank fill empty shelves and keep the doors open.

"Members heard stories of greatly increased need from the food bank operators and volunteers at Project Timothy, a mini-thrift store that hands out vouchers for gas or hotel stays," said half-time pastor Tanya Sorenson. 

"We need to do something," the members said. So, they challenged other churches to consider opening their reserves.

"Churches are getting smaller and older, so naturally churches like ours are concerned about our financial future, but people are hurting now," said Tanya. "We felt that we were working as the hands of Jesus.

"Instead of making a one-time donation from the reserves, church members went above and beyond. For a church this small, it's a big deal. I was astonished and thrilled, when the church also came up with the extra funds to share along with the reserve funds. It was an amazing level of doing Christ's work," she said.

"In the Gospels, Jesus said, 'Feed my sheep, feed my lambs.' It was pretty much that simple, no deep theology: Blessed are the poor, feed my lambs," Tanya said.

Aware of the likelihood of small, rural hospitals like Dayton Hospital closing because of future Medicaid cuts, church members are considering how the church can help make a difference to people losing their insurance and their local hospital.

"What can we do that is of viable help, regarding Jesus' teachings about healing the sick?" she asked. "We look forward to working with other local churches to solve this.

"We don't have answers yet, but that's a new focus. We normally concentrate on children, holding an ecumenical vacation Bible school in the summer with the Dayton United Church of Christ and Episcopal churches.

In addition, with other local churches, Dayton UMC supports Young Life for middle schoolers and high schoolers in Dayton.

"We also support a United Methodist missionary, Katherine Parker, in Nepal," said Tanya.

Previously, Tanya served at Pioneer UMC in Walla Walla for several years after retiring from work in higher education. Pioneer UMC housed the Men's Christian Aid Center when their building was being remodeled. The church also held a biannual optical clinic offered by a retired optician for immigrants to come and be fitted for free glasses.

In her 20s, Tanya started teaching writing at Columbia Basin College in Tri-Cities. At 40, she went to seminary, working full-time as visitation pastor at Kent UMC while earning a master of divinity from Seattle University in 2004.

When she married Joe Becker in 2003, she became half-time stepmother of children who were 11 and 13. After the oldest had open heart surgery at 16, she focused on being a mother.

Tanya eventually taught in Tacoma at two technical colleges, where she became dean and earned a doctorate in education.

Choosing to live in Eastern Washington after she retired, she and her husband, a hydrogeologist, who arranged to work remotely, settled in Walla Walla. She served Pioneer UMC there half time two years, until she was assigned to Dayton UMC in July.

"I believe ministry is service to others," Tanya said. "Jesus fed the hungry, healed the sick, preached the good news of God's kingdom and restored people into community.  He told us to go and do likewise.  I serve God through serving a church to help others increase their faith, build community and act their faith as far as possible in a very hurting world." 

 

For information, call (253) 970-3110 or email sorenson.daytonumc@gmail.com.