First United Methodist Church (Solidarity Stole)

First United Methodist Church

Appleton, WI

We are the people called United Methodists in the downtown of Appleton, Wisconsin, a community of approximately 78,000 in the Fox Valley in the north-eastern part of the state. As of this writing I am serving as the Senior Pastor, and it was our honor to host the Shower of Stoles Project at our church the last week of Lent and culminating on Palm Sunday. I am sure I do not speak for all, but do speak for many in saying that these dates are quite appropriate as we do our own repentance of categorical exclusion of persons who are called to ministry.

We join the many who pray for a new day moving forward. May there be a day when all are welcomed to the Table, all whom are called of God.

– Pastor Doyle Blanton and the FUMC Concern and Action Committee