Celebrating 150 Years1866-2016

First United Methodist Church516 Kellogg Avenue

Ames, IA 50010515-232-2750

www.fumcames.org

Order of Worship for April 10, 2016Celebrating the Ames First United Methodist Church’s

150th Anniversary 9:30 a.m.THE GATHERING

This week in our prayers for the world let us remember especiallythe people of East Timor, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

OPENING VOLUNTARIES Piano and Organ MeditationsStacy Smith, pianist, and Myrna Cakerice, organist

As this music is offered as prayer, let us be sensitive to the Holy Spirit whoprepares and opens us to connect with God in Christ today.

Welcome, members, friends, and visitors—please fill in the ritual of friendship pad, pass it to your neighbor, and then return it to its starting place. If you are new and would like more information, please indicate on the friendship pad and also stop at the Welcome Center to visit with a member of the Wel-come Committee.

CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Fred Lewis, Senior MinisterWe have told stories of faith in our Living God:

150 years of love and service as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ150 years of glorious communion with all the saints.We give thanks and rejoice in our co-workers and companions:

150 years of sharing ministry;150 years of sharing challenges and struggles;150 years of sharing joys and blessings.

We pray that the eyes of our hearts be openedto a future of wisdom and grace.

May we come to know more fully the God of Christ Jesusand recognize the hope to which we have been called:

Resurrection power at work in the world,making all things new.

HYMN No.529 “How Firm a Foundation”

OPENING PRAYERGod be with you.And also with you!Let us pray:

O Living God of past and future, we praise you for this present moment. Fill us with joy and empower us with your Holy Spirit, that our strength may be renewed to sing a new song of your glory in a world which longs for your justice and peace. All this we ask in the name of Jesus, in whom we become your new cre-ation. Amen.

CALLING US TO REMEMBER THE PAST AND TO GIVE GLORY TO GOD IN CHRIST

“You Raise Me Up” Grant Luther, Soloist

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Rev. Joseph Cephas Davis, Associate MinisterWhen we do not listen to your voice in the depths of our own hearts, calling us to love and forgive:

Lord, have mercy.When we do not listen to your voice in our common life,calling us to welcome the stranger and create community:

Christ, have mercy.When we do not listen to your voice in the world,calling us to work for justice and to make peace:

Lord, have mercy.-----All pray in silence -----

ASSURANCE OF PARDONThe Word is very near to us, in our hearts and on our lips.In Christ, we are forgiven, our lives are made new,And our future of hope is restored.Thanks be to God! Amen. Glory be to God! Hallelujah!

PASSING OF THE PEACE OF CHRIST

HONORING OUR LONG TIME MEMBERS AS WELL AS OUR NEW CONFIRMATION CLASS TO BE CONFIRMED ON APRIL 24, 2016

IN CELEBRATION OF 150 YEARS Kathy Van Pelt and Barb Van Slyke, singers

Duet on verse 1 of “What Gift Can We Bring?” No. 87A community of faith conveys God’s good news of loveAnd leads its members along pathways of faith.It sows seeds of life in the soil of our hearts,Causing faith and hope to sprout in our souls.This congregation has been a vehicle of God’s grace,Shining God’s marvelous light across the years,A place for growing in relationship with the Lord,For living, loving, and forgiving in the spirit of Christ.

Soloist on verse 2 of “What Gift Can We Bring?” We celebrate the many members of this family of faithWho have walked with the Lord through the years.We remember how they blessed us so richly,

Conveying God’s gifts of love from their hearts to our hearts.We celebrate the gift we are to one anotherAs we learn and grow along this spiritual journey.We give thanks for the togetherness we feel with one another,Sharing in all of life’s joys and sorrows, its victories and defeats.

Soloist on verse 3 of “What Gift Can We Bring?”It is a day of great joy in the life of this congregationAs we celebrate the many lives it has already touched.We give thanks for the body of Christ that we are todayAnd for what God will inspire us to become tomorrow.Amen and Amen!

Entire congregation sings verse 4 of “What Gift Can We Bring?”This gift we now bring - this present, this token - These words can convey it, the joy of this day!When grateful we come - remembering, rejoicing -This song we now offer in honor and praise.

A TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR OFFERING Led by Nicole Smith, Director of Christian Education

ANTHEM BY OUR CHILDREN “I Have the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy!”

WORDS OF CELEBRATION AND ENCOURAGEMENTRev. Harlan Gillespie, North-Central District Superintendent of the Iowa Annual ConferenceTerry Goodman, Chairperson of the Church CouncilCarol Miller, Lay Leader for Ames First UMC

RECOGNITION OF OTHER SPECIAL GUESTS The Honorable Ann Campbell, Mayor of Ames

Words from Ames’ Area Mission Agencies and Civic Organizations

ANTHEM “Wonderful Songs of Grace” Joseph M. MartinChancel Choir

THE GOSPEL John 21: 15-19

SERMON “Please Come Again” Bishop Julius Trimble

RESPONSE TO THE WORD “Be Thou My Vision” and “Swing Down Chariot” Shy of a Dozen, vocal ensemble from Iowa State University

Rev. Becky Jorgensen EberhartA WITNESS

A PRAYER LITANY OF THANKSGIVING Rev. Dave Shogren, Visitation Minister

Speak to us, O God, of mothers and fatherswho responded to your call,joining hearts and hands to form this congregationof the United Methodist Church.

O God, we are listening, and we give thanks.

Speak to us, O God, of forbearswho taught us the vocation ofextravagant welcome and evangelical courage.

O God, we are listening and we give thanks.

Speak to us, O God, of a united congregation here which willcontinue to seek the wider unity of the church universal andproclaim God’s unending grace and love.

O God, we are listening, and we give thanks.

Speak to us, O God, of a churchwhere all are welcome to share the cost and joy of discipleship,where all receive the promise of courage in the struggles for justice and peace.

O God, we are listening, and we give thanks.

Speak to us, O God, of hope and promise,and then speak to us still,that as we move into the future we may “Let God’s light shine.”

Amen. Let it shine!

SHARING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND CALL TO OFFERINGThe ministries of this church and of the United Methodist Church would not be possible without the financial support of all of us giving and sharing together. May we give not out of obligation, but in hope for what our gifts can do.

OFFERTORY Variations on “Sine Nomine” Richard Prouix

DOXOLOGY No. 94 “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

PRAYER OF DEDICATIONGracious God, enable us to use these offerings to strengthen the body of Christ, both in this local church and in the greater United Methodist Church in all of its settings. As the 150th anniversary year of this con-gregation continues, may we not rest on what we have accomplished. Rather, give us continued courage to speak prophetically, act boldly, and respond compassionately, both in this place and beyond the safety of our doors. Amen.

HYMN No. 57 “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”

DISMISSAL WITH BLESSINGMay the God of challenges call us to minister with renewed purpose and drive.May the God of surprises bring smiles and joys to the everyday and ordinary.May the God of love be seen in all we do and say. Go forth rejoicing, for the good work has just begun! Amen.

BENEDICTION ANTHEM “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” Peter C. Lukin

CLOSING VOLUNTARY “Our Great Savior” Kenneth D. VarnerLet us be aware this musical offering is a statement of faith to send us from worship into service.Please be respectful of those who choose to remain to listen.

LEAVING FOR SERVICEFollowing this grand celebration you are invited to go downstairs to our Fellowship Hall where a catered luncheon has been prepared by The Bistro of Story City. Let this be a time of joy!

Be sure to sign your name and perhaps leave a memory on our history time line in the south entry. Also, stop to review the various table and wall displays featuring our congregation’s past. As we reflect upon the last 150 years, let us con-sider how some of the very good values of the past can still be needed and planted today for tomorrow’s growth and productivity as a church.

THANK YOU TO ALL IN ATTENDANCE TODAY!

From the 150th Anniversary Task Force: Donna Banker, Sharon Boen, Susan Fraser, Gayle Huey, Becky Jordan, Donna Banker, Margaret Vance, and staff liaisons Nicole Smith and Rev. Fred Lewis.

City of Ames, Iowa

Proclamation

“150th Anniversary of First United Methodist Church”

WHEREAS, on April 3, 1866, a group of 52 members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having sprung from an early “preaching point” in the Bloomington school house north of the town of Ames, organized themselves and caused to be constructed a wooden structure on the corner of what is now Main Street and Kellogg Avenue, thus becoming the second church in the new town of Ames, Iowa; and,

WHEREAS, over the next 20 some years, the church’s membership grew to more than 200 prompting the construction of a brick building, dedicated in February 1888, at the location of the present day First United Methodist Church, which was considered to be the finest church building in Story County; and,

WHEREAS, once again outgrowing their place of worship, the members courageously razed their building and financed the construction of the original part of today’s church with the goal of seating 1,200 persons, dedicating it in December 1907; and,

WHEREAS, through the 150 years of its existence, the First United Methodist Church has endeavored to fulfill its mission of being “a vital church connecting people with God and each other....driven to serve,” by such projects as feeding

thousands of soldiers during WWI, initiating Food at First, providing space for the Ames Free Medical Clinic, and Good Neighbor, as well as meeting space for many community organizations; and,

WHEREAS, building expansions in 1956 and 2011 have allowed First United Methodist Church to further enhance its service, not only to its congregation but to the Ames community at large.

THEREFORE, I, Ann H. Campbell, Mayor of the City of Ames, Iowa, do hereby proclaim that April 10, 2016, be set aside as a day for the city of Ames to recognize and celebrate the Ames First United Methodist Church for its 150 years of witness, service, and ministry.

Signed this 10th day of April, 2016.

_________________________________________

Ann H. Campbell, Mayor

City of Ames, IowaProclamation

A brief history of

The First United Methodist Churchon the occasion of its 150th Anniversary

The first quarterly conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church ever held in the vicinity of Ames took place in 1859 at Bloomington, a little village west of the present day National Animal Disease Center. In December of 1865 that church was established as a preaching point in College Farm (as Ames was known then) at a schoolhouse that was located east of the Squaw Creek Bridge on Boone Street (known today as Lincoln Way).

On April 3, 1866, the church was further established with a board of directors and a board of trustees along with a building committee. In October of that year this Methodist Episcopal Church constructed a wooden building ( 32 x 40 feet) on the northeast corner of Onondaga Street ( now Main Street) and Kellogg Avenue, at a cost of $1,700 with fifty-two persons listed on its membership rolls.

The church’s membership grew over time to more than two hundred persons so the congregation had to move to a larger facility and began worshipping in the Opera House for the next two years as it continued to grow in numbers.

On June 12, 1884, the church’s trustees purchased three lots for $650 at 516 Kellogg, the site of the present day Ames First United Methodist Church. Ground was broken there in May 1887 for the construction of a brick building at the cost of $11,000, which included carpeting, a furnace and stained glass windows. It was opened and dedicated in Febru-ary 1888 and was considered the finest church building in Story County at the time.

Rev. Andrew Shea came to the church in 1903, and under his leadership, the congregation once again outgrew their building. In December 1905 a unanimous vote was cast to construct a larger building. A plan was developed using many of the original bricks and with a seating capacity of “not less than 1200.”

In March 1907 farewell services were held and the building was razed. During this construction time the congregation worshipped at the Ames National Guard Armory (now a parking lot across from the Tribune building on Fifth Street), which the Methodists rented for $10 per Sunday.

The cornerstone for the new building was laid in December 1907, and the newly constructed building, which cost $59,894.65, was dedicated on October 25, 1908, by Bishop Joseph E. Berry.

The women of the church, known as The Ladies Aid Society and consisting of 12 members, led a fundraising effort to help pay for this new structure. They contracted with the US Government to feed WWI soldiers traveling through Ames to Camp Dodge near Des Moines for training. Over that year 7,500 meals were provided and by September of 1918 the ladies had raised almost a third of the cost of the building and the church was debt free.

Being the largest meeting place in the town for many years, this congregation served the greater Ames community by hosting numerous lectures, concerts, and special events such as Iowa State and Ames High graduation ceremonies.

For several years a pastor was employed by the church for the sole purpose of ministering to the Iowa State College students, and in 1916 a charter was issued and a group of members from this congregation began the Collegiate United Methodist Church.

The first pipe organ was purchased in 1910 at a cost of $10,000. It served until 1980 when it was replaced by a new 28 rank Casavant organ at a cost of $100,000.

The congregation built a two story education wing in 1956 as its educational and outreach ministries were expanding.

Because of the international merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren denominations in 1968, the name of this congregation was changed to The Ames First United Methodist Church.

Then in 1989 a major renovation took place. This renovation included the sanctuary and eventually fellowship hall and enclosure of the west entrance.

In the early 1990s, Kathy and Skip Ritts started the Up With Puppets puppet ministry. This ministry has brought the word of God to all ages in a fun, enthusiastic, and inspirational way. Up With Puppets is still very active today with over 20 members and 6 adult leaders.

Christian Education has always been a strong presence at Ames First UMC. Many Sunday school and mid-week classes and home, park, or restaurant meetings have taken place over the years. Today there is a wide variety of Christian educa-tion opportunities throughout the week with Sunday school classes, L2IFE Groups, Wednesday classes for all ages, bible study groups, and pop-up/seasonal bible studies.

Since 1922, Ames First UMC has had a history with the Boy Scouts of America. Farwell T. Brown wrote about becom-ing a member of the Ames Boy Scouts in 1922, the same year the scouts moved from City Hall to a space at this church. The Methodist Men sponsored the troop for a time until it dissolved. Then in the early 1960s, Rev. Beals challenged the men to bring it back. They did and named it The Harvey Taylor Boy Scout Troop #161 after church member Harvey Taylor’s many years of service to the scouts. The troop flourished under the leadership of Burr McFarland. In 2012, after some years away, the scouts returned to Ames First UMC as Troop #160 under the leadership of church members Lance Schmitt and Jim Miller. It continues to grow and is very active today.

The United Methodist Men are an active group here at the church and have a long history of supporting congregational and community activities and organizations. Their annual Sweetheart Banquet and Men’s Auction are great ways for the group to raise funds that go towards assisting these activities and organizations.

The United Methodist Women are a very active group leading this community in mission, especially for women and children. They continue their well-known Holiday Fair as their annual fundraiser for missions, host conferences for the district and state, and members from Ames First UMC hold offices at district and state levels for the Iowa United Meth-odist Conference.

We are very fortunate to have some wonderful talent in quilting and knitting and celebrate our long time quilters group and prayer shawl ministry. The Quilters were started by Izola Brockmann in 1973. Virginia Bunce and Virginia McFar-land were the first chairpersons. Sally Peterson is the current chair, and they meet every Tuesday. The quilters make beau-tiful quilts for holiday fair, quilts for hire, and create quilts for each family the ASP mission group works with every year. Mary Drier began the prayer shawl ministry over twenty year ago. Judy Roe now leads the group of about 6-8 people that meets the second Saturday of every month. The prayer shawls are a wonderful gift for anyone in need. Whether the need is in sad times or happy times, the prayer shawls are a blessing for many.

Worship at Ames First UMC has grown and changed over the 150 years. Worship services now include a Saturday at

First service that started over 20 years ago and two Sunday morning worship services at 8:30 and 11:00. There is one Sunday morning worship service from Memorial Day through Labor Day at 9:30a.m.

This congregation has always been focused on community, state, national, and global missions. The church’s members have continued to increase in such efforts over the years such as allowing the Ames Free Medical Clinic to have space in its building to meet the medical needs of Ames area people and providing space for Good Neighbor to have an office. In 1987, the first Appalachia Service Project trip took place. This church continues to send approximately 20-30 high school youth and adults to Appalachia regions every year. Ames First UMC began the Food at First ministry in March of 2003 that has sought to meet the needs of people who are hungry and continues to host meeting space for a variety of Ames groups such as AA, Al-Anon, YSS teams, Raising Readers, Golden K Kiwanis, the annual city-wide Kiwanis Pan-cake days, P.E.O. chapter meetings, and the monthly gatherings and concerts by the Ames Chapter of the Des Moines Metro Opera Guild. The most recent outreach mission, which started just two months ago, is called Service Saturday. It takes place the first Saturday of each month reaching out to those in need in our congregation and community in a variety of ways.

In 2009, Pastor Deanna Pullen began the Stephen Ministers group. Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who confidentially listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support to people who are facing a crisis or going through tough times. The group meets the first and third Wednesday each month and is currently led by Cami McColley.

In 2013 a spiritual and physical wellness ministry began here. Led by Nanette Heginger, the Isaiah 40 Wellness ministry continues to grow as a community and ecumenical fitness opportunity open to all, meeting three days a week with two different class styles offered.

In August 2011 ground was broken for another addition that included a covered ground level entry, a large elevator, office space, a chapel, a meeting room, several classroom spaces designed for youth ministries, and a large multi-purpose room for various church and community functions.

On Sunday, April 10, 2016, with the observance of its 150th anniversary serving the community of Ames, the congrega-tion continues to build on the past and reach for the future.

*We continue to write our history so if you have anything to add, please submit it to the office.

Celebrating the Longtime Members of Ames First UMC ---Continuous 50 years plus as church members!

1933 9/9 Dorothy Reese**********1941 4/6 Edwin Finch1946 5/5 Ernestine Safly1949 9/4 Maxine Thomason**********1950 4/9 Barb Adams1950 9/10 LaVonne Schumann1951 12/9 Ray Prior1952 2/3 Dean Obrecht1952 4/13 Linda Woodworth1953 4/2 Mike Reese1953 5/24 Betty Phillips1953 10/1 Bill Ferguson1954 1/2 Margaret Routh1954 4/18 Verle and Jo Burgason1954 4/18 Mary Smith1954 4/18 Bob and Lois Vohs1954 10/31 Fred Bunce1954 10/31 Jo Craig1954 10/31 Tom Cummings1955 10/30 Dave Kepley1956 4/1 Kent “Woody” Woodworth1956 11/28 Everett Tett1957 4/21 Glendora Clark1958 3/2 Jim and Jane Simon1958 3/2 Jim and Mary Phil Barr1958 5/4 Gene Cox1958 5/4 Pat and Harriet Patterson1958 10/20 Dorothy Russell1958 11/23 Daryl Thomason1959 3/29 Ron Foderberg1959 3/29 Barbara Derby1959 5/10 Randy Eilts1959 10/25 Karyl Ferguson1959 12/6 Richard and Alene Seim**********1960 1/31 Vonnie Israel1960 2/28 Roseva Albertson1960 2/28 Millie Ely1960 2/28 Bob and Carol Deppe

Celebrating the Longtime Members of Ames First UMC ---Continuous 50 years plus as church members!

1960 5/8 David Dresser1960 5/8 Howard Randles1960 10/23 Bob Underhill1961 1/29 Pat Borts1961 9/17 Dianne Obrecht1961 10/29 Neil and Darlene Harl1962 2/25 Cora Van Doren1962 4/29 Marlene Bell1962 5/13 Susan Fraser1962 5/13 Paul and Candy Nelson1962 9/30 Virginia Helland1962 9/30 Loren and Marge Muench1962 11/25 Marilyn Nervig1963 1/27 Chuck and Neala Benson1963 1/27 Sandi Nelson1963 8/25 Don and Marjorie Setterburg1963 9/28 Betty Brunkow1964 1/26 Roger and Sharon Hogle1964 1/26 Mindy Boney1964 5/17 Larry and Mary Kay Spear1964 5/17 Leland and Judy Rose1964 5/17 Jan Glaser1964 5/17 Craig Boylan1964 5/17 Connie Killam1964 5/17 Don and LaVone Newell1964 9/27 Elmer Aurand1964 9/27 Del and Georgia Bluhm1964 10/25 Mike and Jo Durlam1964 12/13 Dale and Carolyn Geise1965 4/11 JoAnne Darnell1965 4/11 Jennifer Groat1965 4/11 Lillian Johnston1965 4/11 Bob and Zella Studer1965 10/24 Anna Mae Theil1966 3/20 Judi Reese 1966 5/22 Dean and Erma Flummerfelt1966 11/20 Larry and Ila Mae Boston

MINISTERS WHO HAVE SERVEDTHE AMES FIRST UNITED METHODOST CONGREGATION SINCE

Bloomington Circuit including the Ames area1859 S.F. Gossard in charge of Bloomington District1861 W.O. Glassner1863 James Hawkins1864 J.M. Dudley

Methodist Episcopal Chapel (1866-1887)1865 9/1-8/31 W.S. Dorwin (Bloomington Circuit still attached to name) 1867 9/1-8/31 Theodore Powell Newland (Ames Circuit attached to name) 1868 9/1-8/31 Elijah Kendall1870 9/1-8/31 James W. Eckles1871 9/1-8/31 Amos Wilson1873 9/1-8/31 Artemas Brown1875 9/1-8/31 Ichabod Taylor Miller1877 9/1-8/31 Ebenezer Walker Brady1878 9/1-8/81 Benjamin Franklin Durfee1879 9/1-8/31 J.A. Smith1880 9/1-8/31 William Abrahams1881 9/1-8/31 Elijah Kendall1883 9/1-8/31 Dugald Thompson1884 9/1-8/31 H.J. Everly

Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church (1997-1907)1887 9/1-8/31 Alpheus Lucian Hunt1888 9/1-8/31 William E. Stevenson1890 9/1-8/31 Robert W. Smith1892 9/1-1/31 H. J. Everly (expelled) 1897 2/1-8/31 W. J. Stratton (interim) 1897 9/1-8/31 D. L. Thomas1899 9/1-8/31 John Franklin St. Clair1900 9/1-8/31 Charles Lewis Baxter1901 9/1-8/31 Charles L. Nye1903 9/1-8/31 Andrew M. Shea, DD

First Methodist Episcopal Church (1908-1939)1909 9/1-8/31 George D. Crissman, Ph.D. (Retired after serving this church) 1911 9/1-8/31 Jay B. Kirkendall1912 9/1-8/31 T.E. Thuresson1916 9/1-8/31 Milton Emery Nethercut, DD1918 9/1-8/31 Frederick Carmine Edwards1924 9/1-8/31 Edgar Martin Evans1925 9/1-8/31 Raymond Manners Shipman, DD

1929 9/1-8/31 Herbert Swann Wilkinson1932 9/1-8/31 Walter Anderson Morgan (Retired after serving this church) 1938 9/1-831 Alfred H. Barker

The Methodist Church (1939-1968)1945 9/1-5/31 Raymond C. Walker1948 9/1-12/31 Robert W. Pinnell, DD1959 1/1-5/31 Lawrence B. Beals

Ames First United Methodist Church (1968- )1967 6/1-6/30 William F. Overhulser, DD (Retired after serving this church) 1973 7/1-6/30 Henry Hackman1978 7/1-6/30 John Moore 1986 7/1-6/30 Galen Peckham1991 7/1-6/30 James Louk1995 7/1-6/30 Larry Lavelle, DM (Retired after serving this church) 2002 7/1 - Frederick (Fred) Lewis

Associate Pastors who have served this congregation1960 6/1-5/30 George Gibson1961 6/1-5/30 Harry E. Harryman1967 6/1-5/30 Basil Tadlock1970 7/1-6/30 Lawrence Garrett1973 7/1-6/30 Robert Simmons1978 7/1-6/30 James Dotson1986 7/1-6/30 David Shogren1991 7-1-6/30 Kenneth Bell1993 7/1-6/30 Brian McNamara1994 7/1-6/30 Leland (Lee) Webb2000 7/1-6/30 Barb Mittman2002 7/1-6/30 Chuck Kelsey2007 7/1-6/30 Sean McRoberts2011 7/1-7/31, 2015 Bethany Johnson2016 1/1 - Joseph Cephas Davis

Part Time Pastors of Visitations1976-1983 Cecil Wells1983-1989 Gerald Lamotte1990-1996 Loren Ritz1997-1999 Wallace (Wally) Kinzler1999-2008 Larry Vallery2008-2013 Deanna Pullen (full time associate)2013 - David Shogren

Persons from this congregation who went on to be either ordainedor to serve in some kind of specialized ministry

(Exact years unknown/missing)

W. Bailey WaltmireFranklin Heubner, Jr.Verda AegeterTony HersheyCharles LikelySheryl Stump WeedenRobert GriffinTim DavidsonSteve BurgasonKenneth FergasonCarolyn BittnerLinda Poore

Directors/Ministers of Christian Education(Exact years are perhaps unknown/missing for some)

1960’s Verda Aegeter 1978-82 Sarah Stark1982-87 Sharon Cates1987-1993 Cathi Deli1993-2002 Mary Drier2002-2012 Ellen Johnsen2012- Nicole Smith

One of several letters we have received from Ames Area Mission Outreach agencies that have received support and been in partnership with this congregation through the years.

April 2, 2016

Dear members of Ames First United Methodist Church,

Congratulations on 150 years of ministry to our community! Your presence, sustaining the Christian faith of so many individuals and promoting social justice for those less fortunate, has been an important element in the fabric of our city.

I regret that I will be out of town and unable to attend your special worship on April 10, but I will be there in spirit. The Ames Free Medical Clinic is deeply grateful and indeed indebted to this church for providing a home for our work for 15 years. The free clinic was organized and staffed totally by volunteers and relied on charitable donations of supplies, money, and space to run our weekly clinic. We existed to provide free medical care for uninsured individuals in our community. When we first opened, we had no idea of the magnitude of need.

We opened in 1998 at Youth and Shelter Services, but the demands for our services quickly overwhelmed that space, and you accepted us into your facilities. Despite busy church activities and extended construction, you accommodated our needs. You allowed us space to store our equipment, and every Thursday evening, you welcomed our patients into your building. All your staff—clerical, custodial, pastoral-- was so wonderful to work with and so kind to our patients. We were blessed by the support of members of the congregation through their acceptance of our mission, their prayers and monetary offerings. We truly could not have existed without your backing. Your support allowed us to provide free medical care for over 1500 people per year who would not otherwise have access.

Due to changes in the health care landscape, including the passage of the Affordable Care Act which expanded Med-icaid in Iowa and the establishment of the new Federally Qualified Health Center in Ames, we were able to transition many of our clients into a more reliable medical home at Primary Health Care, Inc. We ceased operations in 2014. While the volunteers accept that this chapter of our effort is closed, we look back on our work and feel that we did make a difference in the community while we were here. “Thank you” doesn’t seem like adequate recompense for your assis-tance.

On behalf of all the volunteers at the Ames Free Medical Clinic, please accept our best wishes for your anniversary cele-bration. May you thrive in the years to come.

Sincerely,

Mary Kitchell, former Manager