church, which had a building and a preschool but was about to close because of dwindling member- ship. Te two churches partnered and Sanctuary was founded with a dozen core members. “We now have 100 each week,” he
said. Approximately 160 turned out last Easter. “We never see the same
crowd every week,” which is oſten comprised of young families with children, he said. Huber recently baptized six
children. Sanctuary’s community out-
reach ministry, in addition to the preschool, includes making space for social service groups, such as 14
A Columbarium For Your Church
A columbarium in the life of the church delivers a message of comfort in the knowledge that those that have touched our lives will always remain in the company of family and friends.
Alcoholic Anonymous meetings and several scouting groups. It also runs a summer day camp and is planning a second mission trip to Guatemala. Former Roman Catholic Richard
Noyes said he was drawn to Sanctu- ary in 2013 because of its commu- nity involvement. “Te first thing I remember was the ‘meal packaging’ sign,” he said, referring to the large chalkboard signs inviting folks to help package meals for the hungry. Noyes was also drawn to grill
nights on the church’s front lawn, which invited people to “come eat, sing and meet great people.” Te events stuck in his head, and the following spring he attended with his family. In addition to young families,
Huber said the church attracts empty nesters looking for commu- nity and a new church experience. Huber said he sends those looking for a more formal church to two tra- ditional ELCA congregations about 20 minutes away. “We like to be honest about who
we are and who God has called us to be,” he said. Te congregation is a collabora-
tion of the two denominations and is shaping its identity as it grows, he added. “We’re a little bit of everything
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and are diverse, but at the very center is the Reformation and our Lutheran and Methodist heritage,” Huber said. “We preach grace. We strive to love God and love others.”
Author bio: Healy is a writer and member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Brewster, N.Y.
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