When David King joined Fern Prairie United Methodist Church in Camas as head pastor in July 2018, the church was in the midst of a transition period.
“We were kind of regrouping and trying to decide what our mission is going to be in this area,” said Camas resident Sharon Carmichael, the church’s treasurer. “(King) really wants to reach out to our neighbors, particularly the new development down the road, and try to boost our membership.”
Carmichael thought of something she had seen at other churches known as a blessing box — an outdoor closet of sorts where people can donate items such as non-perishable food, clothing, and toiletries and others can take what they need, no questions asked.
Carmichael suggested Fern Prairie United Methodist implement a similar box, and King took to the idea immediately.
“It’s part of our ministry to reach out,” King said. “As a small church, it seemed like something we could do. (Our congregation) is getting older, and we don’t have all the time and resources that (other churches) have. There’s not a whole lot we could do to help folks since we’re on the outside of town.”