While the trend these days seems to be building new church structures along the highways and byways, NUMC has made a deliberate choice to stay downtown.
Pastor Mike Snyder explains that as the congregation began praying about their move they felt their purpose and mission was to be involved in the downtown area.
Their slogan is, "A church in the heart of the community, with the community at heart."
Ground breaking for the new building, located on the corner of Second and Walnut streets will begin in October.
Snyder says that the building will benefit the entire community. It will have a large fellowship hall and meeting space which will be available for the community to use. In addition, the church plans to use the space to reach out to their neighbors. Among other things, they hope to house a food pantry for the needy in Jessamine County.
The church is hard at work raising funds for their new building. Just like the new building, the fund raising events will be enjoyable for the whole community. During the Jessamine Jamboree, NUMC will host a Harvest Festival in the church parking lot.
Coordinator Loretta Barnes said it will be a "Fun, community outreach event."
There will be a yard sale, crafts, a silent auction, a health fair and plenty of activities for the kids. There will also be live entertainment. At the missions booth, they will be collecting canned goods for the hungry and signing people up to receive Meals on Wheels. Proceeds from this event will go to the building fund and to community missions.
Another upcoming event is the dinner auction, which will take place on Oct. 28 at the Wilmore Senior Center. This will include a formal, four-course dinner, live entertainment, a coat check, valet parking and an auction. Individual tickets are $35 or a table of eight can be purchased for $250.
While NUMC is actively involved in Jessamine County, they play a part in other communities as well. Every summer the youth of the church go on a mission trip.
This past summer they assisted in cleaning up areas hit by Hurricane Katrina. Youth directors, Matt and Beth Johnson says that plans for an overseas trip next summer are in the works.
Pastor Snyder said, "As a pastor, my passion is to see people come into the church and find a way that they can be used of God."
He says that this means more than coming to church and sitting in a pew. Through prayer and discipleship, members find out what God wants them do and they are prepared to do it.
NUMC meets for traditional worship on Sunday mornings at 8:30. Sunday School begins at 9:45 a.m., followed by a blended service at 11. There is a fellowship meal every Wednesday evening from 5:30 until 6:30. Youth group and elective teachings begin at 6:30. Snyder describes NUMC as a warm and nurturing, family type church. For more information about the church, call 885-4481.
