(Amanda Leeser) - Restoration UMC in Cottondale, Florida, officially launched on January 1, 2023, after a soft opening on Christmas Eve. “There were a lot of fellow United Methodists who had helped to restore the old First UMC of Cottondale building and were present to share in the celebration of re-opening the once closed-down church,” says
Pastor Rebecca Rutherford. Some were visiting for the launch, but there are those who stayed and continue to worship at Restoration UMC at
11 a.m. on Sundays. The church has also drawn in new people who have never been there before. Rev. Rutherford attributes this to the spirit of the church, “There is a good spirit there, and it is an incredibly welcoming place.”
Restoration UMC is focusing on community outreach. They partner with Cottondale Elementary school to donate school supplies, food, and uniforms. They also provided breakfast for the teachers at the beginning of the school year.
The church is getting ready to do much more; they are finishing up a Celebrate Recovery Step Study for leaders so they can open a larger scale Celebrate Recovery Program on Monday evenings in the fall. They are also working to furnish a children’s Sunday school room for Children’s Church and childcare for their recovery ministry.
Other plans include opening a thrift store and food pantry in the newly renovated
parsonage next to the church. “We hope that our Recovery Ministry and our thrift store will overlap and provide service hours along with affordable clothing and food,” Pastor Rutherford says of the much-needed ministry. “There are no other churches in town doing this sort of ministry.” Restoration UMC has the people, the spirit, and the drive to fill in the gap. If you would like to support this ministry, the church has an Amazon Wish List on Facebook at facebook.com/restorationumc231.