Garfield Methodist Church will meet twice monthly

The Garfield United Methodist Church has voted to change to a limited, twice-a-month service schedule due to reduced attendance.

To address a shrinking congregation, the church members voted tentatively in April to make the change and formally approved it last Sunday, June 17.

“We are getting into the era of great-grandparents, and we have quite a few people who really need to visit family (on weekends),” said Pastor Peggy Ray.

Services in Garfield will now be offered on the first and third and fifth Sunday though the summer and second and fourth in fall and winter.

The 1906 church holds a regular capacity of 100 people.

“We had 11 last Sunday,” said Ray. “That's why we need everybody there.”

The change is permitted by the larger United Methodist Church organization.

“I know that it's allowed and it meets the needs of my congregation,” Ray said.

Seedlings, the daycare service the church operates, will still run Monday through Friday.

Garfield Methodist Church was first formed in 1884 before the building was built.

“This is a very long tradition and would be hard to let go of,” said Ray.