A word from Pastor, Rev. Carl Freeto

Pastor’s September Newsletter

Church Wide Meetings to begin making plans for July of 2024

Dear Church members at Lake Shore UMC,

Covid 19, changes in demographics and society have challenged most every church. In
September of ’22 we recognized that our congregation has dwindled, and we began an effort to
put on outward focused events with an effort to grow our numbers to the point where we can
continue to maintain a United Methodist Church at Lake Shore. At the end of that year, we
agreed to evaluate the results of our efforts. So many have given time, money, prayers and effort
to create a modest growth, yet the results have been disappointing. So, it is time for the church
to talk about “What is next” in July of 2024 when pastor Freeto retires (again) and Jim Pitts plans
on finishing up as well. Our “What’s Next” group has asked that the church come together in
September to begin looking at options so we might direct the Annual Conference on our needs
during appointments in 2024. With this in mind, the group has set three meetings. You may
attend one or all. But please make an effort to be a part of the conversation. All three meetings
will last about one hour. The schedule is below:
Meeting number 1 Sunday, September 10 Directly after worship (11AM-noon)
Meeting number 2 Monday, September 11 From: 5:00PM-6:00PM
Meeting number 3 Wednesday, September 13 From: Noon until 1PM

(You are invited to bring a brown bag lunch!)
All the meetings will be held in the Fellowship Hall.

Waco Mayor Dillian Meek will be speaking on Tuesday, September 12 at our
“Neighbors Learning Together” (NLT) Luncheon in our Fellowship Hall. It will begin at
11:30 with the mayor speaking at “noonish.” Let folks know about this great
opportunity and...bring a friend!

Pastor Carl