Stay Up To Date

Check back here regularly for the latest news and events in your church.  You can also follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/DesertChapelUMC/

Chargers Pancake Breakfast

 We will start our Pancake Breakfast in November 2025.  Hope to see you there.

GENEROSITY IN OUR COMMUNITY

 

Community Feast - Desert Chapel will serving a FREE dinner every Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm. This is open to our church family as well as the community.

 

Clothes Closet - is open from 11 am to 2 pm Saturdays.   Adults and childrens clothes and shoes are availble for those in need.

MONTHLY CHURCH HAPPENINGS

 

The Leadership Board will meet on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 4:00 pm. 

 

November 7th at 4 pm we will show the movie "Unsung Hero" in the sancutary.  It's FREE and we'll be serving popcorn and water.

 

Bingo November 14th at noon in the lobby,  It's GREE and refreshment will be served.

 

Church Potluck:  Thanksgiving Dinner November 16th after service.  Wear your favorite football teams jersey.  We need volunteers to help cook and clean up.  

Operation Christmas Child. Build a Shoebox and introduce a child to Jesus.  Boxes are available in the Narthex or you can build a box online through this link:  https://build-a-shoebox.samaritanspurse.org/view/bd211fa5-3d65-4243-899e-1d58110f5ed9

or scanning the QR code.

Message from Our Lay Leader

 

By: David Tom

If it seems like a long time since our last newsletter - it has been! But that doesn’t mean Desert Chapel has been equally quiet.

In fact, these past months have been some of the most productive and dynamic that I can remember. A brief review seems in order.

The last six months of 2024 were filled with activity. As we anxiously awaited the return of our winter guests in late fall, we were not only preparing their (your) arrival but also navigating many of the same challenges faced by churches across the country - challenges related to the economy, health care, government changes, Methodist policy, mission needs, and the realities of an aging congregation and facility. Yet during this same time, we also witnessed a renewed enthusiasm for worship, missions, and social connection.

As we approached our annual Church (Charge) Conference in November, our leadership team saw an opportunity not only to highlight our current ministries and worship life, but also to plan intentional enhancements for the year ahead. Our District Superintendent, Rev. Melissa Ryders, has been both supportive and constructively challenging in this work.

A key element of our planning has been to identify a ministry approach that remains rooted in our values and history. After the COVID crisis, Desert Chapel emerged in a relatively strong financial position, even as we faced a decline in membership - especially among youth and adults under age 60. This trend is, unfortunately, common among many mainline Christian congregations.

Yet, our strong legacy of mission and outreach continues. For years, we’ve called ourselves “The Heart of Apache Junction”. When our current pastor, Philip, was being considered for the role, he emphasized that he would be a prayful leader. It’s no coincidence, then, that we are now often described as “a praying church.”

With both heart and prayer at our core, Desert Chapel UMC is rightly seen as a traditional church - traditional in people, values, ministry, and purpose.

 

So where do we go from here? How do we share our traditional strengths with our growing community? The answer has often felt elusive - partly because we rely on our winter members to bolster our ministries, and partly because it’s difficult to shift from planning for maintenance to planning for growth and future vision.

All meaningful planning needs a clear document and coordinated effort for implementation. We are still in the early stages of building this capacity - but a lot has already been accomplished in a short time:

  • Ten years ago, we installed projectors and screens in the Sanctuary, helping worshipers follow the service more easily.

  • We then launched livestreaming so that those unable to attend in-person could still participate.

  • We developed a church website and began producing content for Facebook and other social media platforms.

  • We began engaging more with local community groups.

  • We experimented with direct mail outreach.

    In recent years, several key initiatives have taken shape:

  • We created regular social opportunities, both on and off campus, for deeper connection outside of worship.

  • We started enhancing our curbside appeal and signage.

  • We audited our financials and administrative procedures and repurposed the

    Narthex/Lounge into a welcoming multi-use area for fellowship after services.

  • We completed major HVAC upgrades for comfort and efficiency.

  • And most recently - thanks to generous donations and significant research - we

    began upgrading our audio visual systems with high-definition monitors and computer-driven image generation. These digital improvements include remote camera operation and allow us to free up seating space in front of the pulpit.

    As of May 5, 2025, we welcomed Iris McKinney as our first full-time Church Operations Manager. This important position ensures our church office is now open Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. More importantly, Iris brings professional expertise to help coordinate the many non-worship functions of our church life.

    This means one dedicated person can now support day-to-day operations that previously required coordination among multiple leaders. Her role will continue to evolve, always in service of both our administrative and worship ministries.

    We are truly blessed with a dedicated team of leaders, staff and volunteers as we navigate uncertain times and respond to the rapid growth in Apache Junction and East Mesa.

    Blessings to all,

    Dave Tom Lay Leader