Our world is changing, and so is our community. Families juggle multiple priorities. Communities evolve. Work and travel often stretch beyond traditional hours. Anxiety and uncertainty have grown across generations. In the middle of all this change, we ask: Where is God calling our congregation to share love and care? Are we ready to meet the moment and offer God’s steadfast love to the next generation of our community?

For several years, our Leadership Board has thoughtfully discerned how to meet the needs of our building, congregation, and community. Columbia Falls UMC has stood on the same corner since the 1890s—a remarkable legacy! Because of our local economy, building or buying elsewhere isn’t realistic. And truthfully, we wouldn’t want to move. We’re in the heart of Columbia Falls, exactly where we belong. We’ve invested in small and medium size maintenance renovation projects over the last ten years. We must continue caring for our buildings, just as generations before us did.

We believe we are called to “update and preserve a sacred, flexible, and
accessible space that enables us to tell God’s story among us and to the next
generation.” A safe, welcoming building helps us care for one another and worship together through every milestone of life. An attractive space opens doors to community partnerships and outside groups. Investing in our church shows that we are committed to welcoming new people, helping them experience God’s love through Christ, and serving our community for God’s kingdom.