After teaching children for 34 years, Carol Walborn decided it was her calling in 2003 to delve into the field of ministry.
She had already had experience as a lay person at the Cole United Methodist Church near Yale, MI, playing piano for the hymns and leading the choir.
And in April of 2006, Walborn, a resident of Croswell, which is located north of Port Huron, became the part-time local pastor of the Leonard and Dryden United Methodist Church.
Jumping into the ministry field wasn’t as hard of a leap for Walborn as some might think.
She says she’s a ‘ham? when it comes to speaking in front of people, and frequently preached at the church in Cole during the pastor’s absence.
In her first year at LUMC, Walborn has been getting acquainted with the congregation of 27 and is making it her goal to increase membership.
She loves to find ‘connections? in scripture from the Old and New Testaments for her sermons to make it more interesting. She sees the connections as God’s way of being ‘consistent.?
‘Those kinds of things excite me,? she said. ‘To be able to share that with the congregation and see them light up. It’s like when I was teaching and the kids ‘got it.??
She is never at a loss on what to preach about.
‘God always gives you something to say,? Walborn said.
In a time when smaller churches are no longer the shining beacon of the small-town atmosphere, the pastor said it is harder to stay afloat.
‘Christians have gotten very comfortable with their faith,? she said. ‘We’ve kind of just gotten into apathy.?
Walborn said it’s her mission to get people ‘fired up? again and making the church ‘the light in the community.?
One way to get them eager to get back in the swing of things is the need for more ‘witnessing? by other Christians, according to Walborn. ‘Church is not about religion,? she said. ‘It’s about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.?
Although some individuals who’ve fallen away from the church tend to feel ’embarrassed? to come back, Walborn said the congregation at LUMC will not judge them, but will welcome them with open arms.
If you’re interested in becoming part of the LUMC, the public is welcome to a special dedication ceremony they will be holding on Sunday, Oct. 21, at 9:30 a.m., for the new building doors.
Over the years, individuals had given donations to the church, and Walborn said they decided to get the new fiberglass doors in memory of four of it’s late members: Mike Schlusler, Beryl Patch, Julia Mills and Bob Ousnamer.
The Leonard United Methodist Church’s regular Sunday service hours begin at 9:30 a.m. The church is located at 254 E. Elmwood St. in downtown Leonard.