Sonora United Methodist Church

                              August 2026  Newsletter

 

From Pastor Kevin Campbell

It seems like we are struggling everywhere you look. Life is meeting us with challenges around every corner. So, it was refreshing to read a bit of good news. Stephanie Martin in an article in the new Homiletics magazine wrote about why people are returning to church. It is only in the early stages, but it looks like there is a growing openness to church.

In April, a Hartford Institute for Religion Research study revealed that median in-person worship attendance in America had risen for the first time in 25 years. Of the more than 7,400 U.S. congregations that participated in the study, 58% reported having “stronger vitality” than before the pandemic. But more promising news came out in May. A Pew Research Center survey found that 37% of U.S. adults said religion is gaining influence in American life. Two years ago, that number was just 18%. Whether people perceive religion’s influence as positive or negative is often a partisan issue. Yet it’s part of the buzz about why people are returning to church.

The main points of what is driving people back to church are:

Loneliness. Digital natives are realizing that online connections don’t satisfy the need for genuine relationships. Young men especially describe feeling adrift, anxious, and short on friends and mentors.

Instability and lack of moral guidance. In a divisive secular culture, many people are tired of strife, relativism and uncertainty. They are turning to faith communities and the Bible for steady direction and unchanging truth.

Curiousity. More people are exploring faith in private, watching sermons online before walking into a church building. Podcast-style preaching and accessible content provide important inroads to faith.

Generational shifts. According to new data from Gallup, men under 30 who described religion as “very important” jumped 14 percentage points in the past two years. Other research shows that a long-standing gender gap is narrowing or reversing. Bible engagement and church participation are climbing among young men while softening among young women.

Payoffs of church resilience. Congregations that are growing now viewed COVID as an opportunity, the Hartford research found. Those churches invested time and money in digital infrastructure, innovative volunteer experiences and different ways of being in community. All that creativity and determination are bearing real fruit.

These kinds of surveys often don’t speak to small congregations. There is good news for us. A general uptick in religious openness is also good news for small churches and church-planting communities. Because people who are new to faith often prefer low-pressure worship services, intimacy is an advantage. Smaller churches can move faster; for example, you don’t need board approval to test a midweek meet-up for college students or a weekly video series about Jesus. In the Hartford study, congregations grew when they were willing to ditch traditions and learn from the results.

That’s the real headline from recent reports about renewed interest in religion. The Holy Spirit is cracking open a door that’s been shut for a long time. What happens next depends on what churches do while the door is open. It is a sign of hope and encouragement to be strategic. My preaching for August is being shaped to speak to those open to coming back to church. Do you have a neighbor or family member who might be open to the Spirit’s call?

Shalom,

Pastor Kevin

Scriptures and Sermon Titles for August

 

Aug 2: "Meeting God Face to Face"

            Genesis 32: 22-31

 

Aug 9: "How to Earn Grace"

            Romans 10: 5-15

 

Aug 16: "Does God Give Up?"

             Romans 11: 1-2a, 29-32

 

Aug 23: "Who Has the Power?"

              Exodus 1:8--2:10

 

Aug 30: "How to Overcome Evil"

              Romans 12: 9-21

 

 

Activities

 

          Every Friday at 1:30 we have a class in Chair Yoga, using Yoga DVDs

          Bible Study, Friday, 2 pm.

                    Once we have stretched our bodies,  we stretch our minds and hearts with a Bible Study using the Upper Room devotional booklets.  These booklets are available at the church for free. Janice Samuels Johnson leads the Bible study and discussion.  Open to everyone. Come to one or both.  Great conversation and good for your body, mind, soul and spirit.

          Looking ahead: Our annual Charge Conference meeting with our District Superintendent,  Rev. Mary Maaga, will be Sunday September 27, following worship and fellowship time.  I know DS Mary will inspire us and encourage us.  All are welcome, but people on committees are especially invited to attend.

 

 Changes

 

          Alice Townsend who has served on our custodial staff for 27 years has decided to retire.  She has cleaned rugs, cleaned out the fireplace, decorated tables for various celebrations, provided flowers for the altar, cleaned the sanctuary, set up for fellowship time snacks, etc, etc, etc.

We honor her dedicated service, her organizational skills and her welcoming us to church every Sunday morning and cleaning up after us.

Thank you, Alice.

 

          Dave Rogers who served on our custodial staff before Dan and Alice Townsend, passed away in Jacksonville, Florida. last month. In the early 2000’s  Dave not only cleaned our church, he worked with our Sunday School class to paint a beautiful mural of the Garden of Eden in the teen room.  It is now the  Archive Room. One of his pictures also hangs in our Fireside Room.  We give thanks for Dave’s friendship and service to our church.

 

          Roger Francis passed away on 7/20/26.  He and his family were long time members of our church.  Roger graduated from Sonora High in 1961 and later joined the staff as a teacher, coach, and ultimately a highly respected and warmly embraced administrator. Roger and Kathy were married on August 21,1966.  He will be greatly missed by former students of Sonora High School and his church family.

 

If you remember the beautiful fresh Christmas tree that appeared in our sanctuary during Advent for many, many years you are remembering one of the many gifts from Roger and Kathy Francis to our church.

 

 A service will be held at the Sonora High Auditorium at a future date.  We will keep you informed.  We thank God for Roger and his many services to our church and our community.

 

Women's Fellowship

 

Greetings All and Happy August.  Summer is flying by and soon it will be back to school time! Fall is usually our busiest time of year. At our recent meeting, we penciled in a number of dates for upcoming events. We will have a fall rummage sale on Saturday, October 17th followed 2 weeks later by the annual Trunk or Treat and hot dog dinner October 31st. Sonora's Trick or Treat Street actually falls on Halloween this year. Be watching for more information in the coming weeks. 

Supplies have been ordered for this year's Operation Christmas Child gift boxes. The collection day will be on Sunday,  November 22nd. If you participate and like to plan ahead, now is the time to get any school supplies for your boxes as stores are stocked up and these items are on sale.

Our final total for the spring rummage sale was $1,406.32!! Thanks again for everyone's hard work. 

We have $1,600 designated for new flooring in the kitchen. Lynn has been in contact with Beans and Rice  volunteer, Lonnie who is a contractor that offered his assistance with this project. 

August cooking will be Saturday,  the 22nd. We will most likely sign up to do batches of the chosen recipe of pork chili verde to make at home to allow for slow cooking. 

As I am writing this, the fire planes and helicopters are still battling the Dove fire that started earlier today near town. Please keep our firefighters in your prayers as well as all who have been effected by this and other fires.

Stay safe and many blessings, 

 

Karla Wasson 

 

Birthdays

August 2   Shawn Barnes

August 3   Angie Hursky

August 5   Tammy Campbell

August 8   Darrien Lopez

August 12 Gavin Williams

August 21  Ann Whitlach

August 31  Jim Nuzum

 

Anniversaries

August 16  Willie and Peggy Florence