The State of the Church – Hamilton Park United Methodist Church
Here at The Park, we consider ourselves Holy Ghost headquarters because we strive to be infused with the Spirit of God.
This year, we intentionally wanted the Holy Spirit in our lives and we started a Fifth Sunday Prayer and Anointing Service with our Prayer Ministry that ushers the Holy Spirit into our prayers and our lives.
We hosted the second annual Holy Ghost Academy to equip the laity with sound Biblical teaching.
Our worship services are exuberant and praise-filled and are momentum for other sections of the church.
The laity of The Park are strong leaders. They underwent training in January and received an opportunity for more learning opportunities throughout the year. Each leader received a copy of the Leadership Guidelines printed by the UMC.
Our Church Council leadership is in the capable hands of a veteran church member. Leaders received clear instructions on what was expected of them.
Our Finance Committee is very wisely urging more and more members to give electronically — over 50% do now.
Together, the Finance Committee and the Trustees lead us through mounting facility maintenance costs. As we strive to monetize our building, we are mounting a Capitol Campaign.
Our Older Adults benefit from intentional efforts to keep them connected. There are in-person weekly Bible classes and a hybrid monthly gathering.
Our youth and children’s ministry remains robust due to constant creative events such as a class on preparing fresh fruit trays to racial dialogue. This ministry has grown to now include a group for recent high school grads. These are the young, young adults.
The Park continues to face out with our weekly hot meal feedings of the needy, our monthly grocery giveaway, and holiday community meals in the parking lot. We partnered with a Masonic Lodge next door to offer the community health fair.
We are excited about our connection with Arapaho UMC through the Journey to Justice program of the NTC. This partnership was featured at the Annual Conference in June. We have come together for a bus ride through historic Black Dallas, a presentation of HBCUs, and a Pumpkin Patch.
The year 2023 has seen vital involvement and energy for all.
Dr. Sheron C Patterson
Dr. Sheron C. Patterson