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Watkinsville First UMC Launches "Links of Faith" Capital Campaign

On September 20, 2009, members of Watkinsville First UMC pledged to support a $1.6 million “Links of Faith” capital campaign. Pledges collected over a three-year period will be used to build and furnish a new Fellowship Center.

“Although the primary parts of our building have served us well, they have been worn out from years of ministry,” said Dr. Beth LaRocca-Pitts, senior pastor of Watkinsville First. Some of the church’s challenges include a kitchen that is no longer functional; a fellowship hall that can hold only about one-third of the congregation; and a leaky modular unit that is too small for the youth group.

The case for a new building was clear, but could this 700+ member church raise the money to fund it? Watkinsville First consulted with John Riley, director of fundraising services at the Georgia United Methodist Foundation. “I recommended that we conduct a feasibility study to gauge the congregation’s interest, identify priorities, and project the probability of financial success,” he said. “The results helped us to refine project details and to design a timeline and a fundraising plan.”

Riley helped Watkinsville First raise approximately 50 percent of the funds needed before the campaign was publicly announced. When church members were first asked to pray about their commitments, they received a metal link. “Campaign chair David Francis wanted an image that conveyed that our strength lies in what we do together, just like links in a chain,” La Rocca-Pitts said. “Everyone’s gift was important, even if the gift that they wanted to give was prayer.”

During the commitment ceremony, folks of all ages came forward to turn in their pledge cards and to join their links with the other links draped across the altar rail. La Rocca-Pitts believes the congregation has grown spiritually from this experience. “Whenever you take time to consider making a sacrifice and place your brothers’ and sisters’ needs above your own, it’s always a spiritual good,” she said.

Watkinsville First plans to break ground by year-end. The new building will contain a spacious fellowship hall, state-of-the-art commercial kitchen, educational and multi-use family spaces, and a youth social room.