“We read about the groups of people that the Pentecost Offering is intended to help—children at risk, youth, and young adults—and an idea began to incubate,” writes Terry McGinley, commissioned lay pastor at the Mauston church. “We prayed about what program to start with our share of the Offering. The prayers led us to make two decisions. First, our share of the Offering was not likely able to start any program. So we were led to think about contributing to an existing program. The answer as to which program came soon afterwards.

Bethany Lutheran Church in Mauston had started a summer lunch program for school children in June 2005. More than 50 percent of elementary-school children in the Mauston School District qualified for the free or reduced-cost lunch program. Bethany designed its program to help meet the nutritional needs of many children. During the school year, these children could eat lunch at school at a reduced cost or for no charge, and it might be their best meal of the day. Without the summer lunch program, those nutritious meals stopped altogether during June, July, and August. Supporting this program with Pentecost Offering dollars was a perfect match for us. It allowed the Mauston congregation to support a program that provided a much needed service to children at risk in our own community.

The Mauston church has long been a supporter of children. We have had members serve on the school board, several building committees, and referendum committees. We are a small congregation of fifty-five members, but we continue to have a high percentage of teachers and retired teachers who just love to help children. Thanks to the Pentecost Offering, even our small congregation has been able to have a great impact on the health of Mauston’s children.

Terry McGinley
First Presbyterian Church
Mauston, WI 53948
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