Dear Church Family,
   I want you to know that I hold all of you in my heart. I am not an emotional kind of guy,
as I’m sure you have seen. I know I don’t get to talk to each of you on Sunday morning as you
might like. I may not be able to say much more than “Good morning” to you as we pass one
another in the aisle. However, don’t take that for caring any less for you.
   My heart has been heavy for a long time for the simple reason that I cannot get around
to see all of you. I spend time at nursing homes, largely because many of them have no family
in the area to visit them. My visit once or twice a month may be the only visitor they have,
other than Mae taking them communion once a month. It is for this reason that I invite anyone
who is willing, to go visit those in nursing homes or homebound. I want to start a group of
people who will visit our members who cannot make it to church. I believe it is important for us
to take care of one another. Unfortunately, one person cannot do all the caring.
   I know many of you are worried about Union and its future. I am not. Some of you have
heard this story before, but I am going to relay it for those who have not. In April 2021, I told
our District Superintendent I needed a full-time appointment, or I was going to school to
become a special needs teacher. I was approved for a program to pursue my master’s degree
while working full-time as a teacher and would need to start school in June or turn it down.
   Additionally, I knew the pastor at Camp Point was being appointed elsewhere and I prayed I
would get that appointment.
   In late May 2021, our District Superintendent said he had an appointment for me—the
appointment Kyle was about to vacate to head to Chaddock. He gave me a few days to think
about it. My choices were to go to school to become a special needs teacher and only serve
part-time as a pastor or become a full-time pastor.
   While on a run one morning, I was complaining to God because I had not gotten what I
wanted. I can remember the exact place I was that morning when a clear voice came into my
head and said just a few words, “Don’t worry. Union will grow.” Needless to say, I took that as a
sign that I should take the position I currently hold. I know it has not always been easy for the
past five years, but we have gained as many members as we have lost, which is no small feat in
today’s world. I still believe Union will grow and I’m doing all I can to prepare us for it. I also
believe we have work to do, and it will take a commitment from all of us. I ask that each of you
pray for God’s wisdom as we seek to understand his mission for Union and for each of us.

God Bless,

Pastor Marty

Proverbs 2:6
   For the Lord gives wisdom;
        from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;