Rooted & Reaching:
Love Boldly. Serve Joyfully. Lead Courageously.
Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
—1 John 3:18
Rooted & Reaching is our invitation to consider how we put our faith into action through the way we love, serve, and lead. Generosity has been part of Christ UMC’s story from the beginning, helping us worship, grow, serve our neighbors, and reach beyond our walls to share the love of Christ. Like a healthy tree, our church is rooted deeply in Christ and in the faith and heritage that have sustained us—and those roots give us the strength to keep reaching outward.
In 2027, we’re dreaming about what comes next: ministries that grow, needs that are met, lives that are changed, and more people who experience hope, belonging, and the love of God. Every gift matters, and every commitment helps our church plan responsibly and carry out the ministries we share. We give boldly, joyfully, and courageously—not simply to sustain what we have, but to help Christ UMC reach further. Love boldly. Serve joyfully. Lead courageously. Together, let’s see how far we can reach.
PASTOR LETTER
Friends in Christ,
I’ve always been struck by how much a tree gives away. It doesn’t hoard the water its roots find, or the light its leaves gather—it turns both into shade for the tired, fruit for the hungry, and shelter for whatever nests in its branches. I think that’s part of why Scripture keeps returning to trees when it wants to describe a life well lived. And it’s a fitting picture for us as a church, too: the deeper we’re rooted in Christ, the more freely we’re able to reach outward with love, joy, and courage.
We began our “Rooted & Reaching” journey together last year. In 2026, we have watched our roots grow deeper and our branches reach further this year—in worship, in service, and in the many ways this congregation cares for one another and for our neighbors. Now, we’re reaching further still. Last year, 150 households made a pledge to support the ministries of Christ UMC in 2026. As we look toward 2027, our goal is to have 200 families and individuals make a formal pledge to this church’s ministries. Every pledge, no matter the amount, helps us in our planning for the year ahead.
I ask you to prayerfully consider your part in this story. If you gave last year, would you consider increasing your commitment by $10 a week? If you have not yet made a pledge, I invite you to begin with whatever amount is right for you. Whatever you are able to give (or not), we appreciate your ongoing commitment to our mission at Christ UMC.
There are three ways to make your 2027 commitment—in person, by mail, or online. I also hope you’ll join us on Sunday, October 25 for a town hall conversation about our 2027 budget.
“Let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18, NRSVue). Thank you for the many ways you already live that verse out—through your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness. It is a joy to be rooted with you, and to reach toward what God has next for us together.
Blessings and love,
Chris Haynes
Lead Pastor, Christ United Methodist Church
PLEDGE SUNDAY
Sunday, November 1
TOWN HALL
Sunday, October 25
9:15am
Join us in the sanctuary for our annual Town Hall. We will discuss the financial health of the church and where we are headed together. All are welcome!
Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
—1 John 3:18
Rooted & Reaching is our invitation to consider how we put our faith into action through the way we love, serve, and lead. Generosity has been part of Christ UMC’s story from the beginning, helping us worship, grow, serve our neighbors, and reach beyond our walls to share the love of Christ. Like a healthy tree, our church is rooted deeply in Christ and in the faith and heritage that have sustained us—and those roots give us the strength to keep reaching outward.
In 2027, we’re dreaming about what comes next: ministries that grow, needs that are met, lives that are changed, and more people who experience hope, belonging, and the love of God. Every gift matters, and every commitment helps our church plan responsibly and carry out the ministries we share. We give boldly, joyfully, and courageously—not simply to sustain what we have, but to help Christ UMC reach further. Love boldly. Serve joyfully. Lead courageously. Together, let’s see how far we can reach.
PASTOR LETTER
Friends in Christ,
I’ve always been struck by how much a tree gives away. It doesn’t hoard the water its roots find, or the light its leaves gather—it turns both into shade for the tired, fruit for the hungry, and shelter for whatever nests in its branches. I think that’s part of why Scripture keeps returning to trees when it wants to describe a life well lived. And it’s a fitting picture for us as a church, too: the deeper we’re rooted in Christ, the more freely we’re able to reach outward with love, joy, and courage.
We began our “Rooted & Reaching” journey together last year. In 2026, we have watched our roots grow deeper and our branches reach further this year—in worship, in service, and in the many ways this congregation cares for one another and for our neighbors. Now, we’re reaching further still. Last year, 150 households made a pledge to support the ministries of Christ UMC in 2026. As we look toward 2027, our goal is to have 200 families and individuals make a formal pledge to this church’s ministries. Every pledge, no matter the amount, helps us in our planning for the year ahead.
I ask you to prayerfully consider your part in this story. If you gave last year, would you consider increasing your commitment by $10 a week? If you have not yet made a pledge, I invite you to begin with whatever amount is right for you. Whatever you are able to give (or not), we appreciate your ongoing commitment to our mission at Christ UMC.
There are three ways to make your 2027 commitment—in person, by mail, or online. I also hope you’ll join us on Sunday, October 25 for a town hall conversation about our 2027 budget.
“Let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18, NRSVue). Thank you for the many ways you already live that verse out—through your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness. It is a joy to be rooted with you, and to reach toward what God has next for us together.
Blessings and love,
Chris Haynes
Lead Pastor, Christ United Methodist Church
PLEDGE SUNDAY
Sunday,
November 1
TOWN HALL
Sunday, October 25
9:15am
Join us in the sanctuary for our annual Town Hall. We will discuss the financial health of the church and where we are headed together. All are welcome!
Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
—1 John 3:18
Rooted & Reaching is our invitation to consider how we put our faith into action through the way we love, serve, and lead. Generosity has been part of Christ UMC’s story from the beginning, helping us worship, grow, serve our neighbors, and reach beyond our walls to share the love of Christ. Like a healthy tree, our church is rooted deeply in Christ and in the faith and heritage that have sustained us—and those roots give us the strength to keep reaching outward.
In 2027, we’re dreaming about what comes next: ministries that grow, needs that are met, lives that are changed, and more people who experience hope, belonging, and the love of God. Every gift matters, and every commitment helps our church plan responsibly and carry out the ministries we share. We give boldly, joyfully, and courageously—not simply to sustain what we have, but to help Christ UMC reach further. Love boldly. Serve joyfully. Lead courageously. Together, let’s see how far we can reach.
LETTER FROM PASTOR CHRIS
Friends in Christ,
I’ve always been struck by how much a tree gives away. It doesn’t hoard the water its roots find, or the light its leaves gather—it turns both into shade for the tired, fruit for the hungry, and shelter for whatever nests in its branches. I think that’s part of why Scripture keeps returning to trees when it wants to describe a life well lived. And it’s a fitting picture for us as a church, too: the deeper we’re rooted in Christ, the more freely we’re able to reach outward with love, joy, and courage.
We began our “Rooted & Reaching” journey together last year. In 2026, we have watched our roots grow deeper and our branches reach further this year—in worship, in service, and in the many ways this congregation cares for one another and for our neighbors. Now, we’re reaching further still. Last year, 150 households made a pledge to support the ministries of Christ UMC in 2026. As we look toward 2027, our goal is to have 200 families and individuals make a formal pledge to this church’s ministries. Every pledge, no matter the amount, helps us in our planning for the year ahead.
I ask you to prayerfully consider your part in this story. If you gave last year, would you consider increasing your commitment by $10 a week? If you have not yet made a pledge, I invite you to begin with whatever amount is right for you. Whatever you are able to give (or not), we appreciate your ongoing commitment to our mission at Christ UMC.
There are three ways to make your 2027 commitment—in person, by mail, or online. I also hope you’ll join us on Sunday, October 25 for a town hall conversation about our 2027 budget.
“Let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18, NRSVue). Thank you for the many ways you already live that verse out—through your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness. It is a joy to be rooted with you, and to reach toward what God has next for us together.
Blessings and love,
Chris Haynes
Lead Pastor, Christ United Methodist Church
PLEDGE
SUNDAY
Sunday,
November 1
TOWN HALL
Sunday, October 25
9:15am
Join us in the sanctuary for our annual Town Hall. We will discuss the financial health of the church and where we are headed together. All are welcome!