Members of the First United Methodist Church in Buchanan are in the middle of a challenge put to them by the church's Pastor Rob McPherson: to perform 90 minutes of community services within 90 days. McPherson said many of the members have been hard at work doing everything from baking to helping with Habitat for Humanity to recycling, as shown here.

By JESSICA SIEFF
Niles Daily Star

The First United Methodist Church in Buchanan recently presented its members with a bit of a challenge: 90 minutes of community service in 90 days.

The campaign was kicked off in September. Members are halfway through and Pastor Rob McPherson said he has seen a good response from church members.

“The number of people who’ve been involved has been pretty impressive actually,” he said Wednesday.
According to an announcement by the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan, more than 70 individuals have performed more than 120 hours (7,200 minutes) of service within their community.
McPherson said he’d heard about a church that tried the same in Cleveland, Ohio.
“So we put it out as a challenge,” he said.

“We wanted members to get out into the community,” said Maureen Horrell chairperson for the campaign. “Church isn’t (just) inside these four walls. Volunteering is not only a chance to make a difference; when you volunteer you are the one receiving the gift. Once you start that process it’s contagious.”

To get their time in, members have been signing up for services needed like baking cookies for Hospice at Home or making prayer shawls.

And the challenge is not for members only. Members of the community interested in getting involved are welcomed and can contact McPherson at 695-3282.