As the first religious institution in the township, the Windsor Community United Methodist Church (www.windsorumc.com) has maintained a vital presence in Windsor for 165 years.
Beginning in 1849, Methodist ministers were active in the Russian River District. This was just a year after gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill.
“There is something more valuable than gold to be found in our church in the form of friendship, acceptance, love and fellowship among 80 members who care about each other and their neighbors,” said Pastor Laurie McHugh. “We have a long, rich legacy in this community as a people-centered institution that is a positive influence for good.”
The church has moved forward in faith during five relocations in Windsor. The first structure was known as the Shiloah South Methodist Church, a log cabin with a school constructed in West Windsor in 1853, followed by a Methodist-Episcopal Church built in East Windsor in 1865.
The Second M.E. Church was constructed in West Windsor in 1898, in what is now the Presbyterian Church at 251 Windsor River Road. In 1960, Methodists leased the building occupied today by the Calvary Chapel River Fellowship at 195 Windsor River Road. They built the current sanctuary in 1998 at 9451 Brooks Road across from the Windsor Middle School.
“As believers in Jesus, our focus is on spreading his progressive, love-centered teachings with open hearts, open minds and open doors. We are also a Christian community that welcomes those who are different, or broken,” McHugh said. “Some have called us the church of the second chance, where people starting over will find a place of safety and support. Our objective is simply to bless our neighbors.”
McHugh’s ministry is helping people navigate a path leading to a richer, abundant life together with Jesus and each other, by “rethinking” the concept of church and offering flexible, informal Sunday worship styles. One is held at 9:30 a.m. with contemporary music for the young at heart, and another at 11 a.m. features more traditional hymns and a senior friendly format.
This summer’s Vacation Bible School day camp theme is “Camp Restoration,” focused on building resiliency and disaster preparedness skills among children from grades 1-5 here and in Santa Rosa who lost their homes to the October fires. The ancient story of Noah’s ark is the inspiration for the camp to be held July 16-20 from 9 am to noon.
Worship celebrations employ projected visual imagery, including videos and slides of nature, classic art and diverse people engaged in humanitarian activities. A weekly “mission moment” gives everyone opportunities to share personal gifts and talents. Holy Communion — open to everyone — is offered the first Sunday of the month.
At the heart of this fellowship are a number of events, including an annual free community Thanksgiving dinner, a fall bazaar, blessing of the animals and a community garden. There are several small group meetings at church or in member homes for Bible study, prayer, faith development and making friends, where talents are shared and faith stories are told.
The Methodist Church hosts the Windsor-Healdsburg Children’s Chorus, Girl Scout and Daisy troops, and Christ the Healer services. The independent La Petite Academy preschool is also located on campus grounds. There are ongoing collections for the Windsor Service Alliance, a women’s shelter and other causes.
The church supports missionaries in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and conducts special fundraising projects for Heifer International and UMCOR (refuge and disaster relief). Another group prepares relief kit items and handmade quilts for an annual mission fundraiser.
Lighting for Literacy, a youth-centered STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program, is a key local outreach project, with adult mentors on hand to teach the fundamentals of building low-cost solar lighting systems for 1.5 billion people worldwide without access to electricity. Designed to promote a sustainable and productive learning environment, these kits are sent to mission partners for installation in homes and schools on Native American reservations, and within Mexico, India, Nicaragua, Malawi, Ghana and Zambia.
“Our ultimate objective is to multiply compassion through acts of kindness as a spiritual discipline, to be helpful in connecting with others and to the love at the center of the universe, while building a community of encouragement and support. We also take time for study, reflection, celebration and prayer that keeps us grounded — fueling efforts to build a more just and compassionate world,” Pastor McHugh said.
Gary Quackenbush is a Windsor resident and writer with his own public relations consultancy. He is the founder of the Windsor Care Network and a former CEO of the Windsor Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at [email protected].
