Jerry and Shirley Spade
When Jerry and Shirley Spade moved to Madison from New Hampshire in 2004, they searched for a liberal church with active ministries that served the needs of the local community and beyond.
“FUMC was a good fit for us. It was a place where we could draw the inspiration and renewal we were seeking from the worship services, the wonderful music, and their outreach ministries.”
It’s important to the Spades that FUMC continues to be the unconditional refuge for downtown neighbors seeking help. As donors to First Foundation, they are helping to sustain and expand outreach ministries that can respond to the ever changing needs of the community.
“During our working careers, we took advantage of retirement savings plans to not only provide for our retirement expenses, but also as a reserve for potential assisted living facilities, if needed. By God’s grace and Madison’s exceptional health care resources, we continue to be healthy and haven’t needed to withdraw for these purposes. This gave us the opportunity to designate Qualified Charitable Distributions to First Church as contributions to the Foundation to meet a life-long objective: to create a legacy reserve to help fund FUMC ministries long after we’re gone.”
Judy Lyons
“I have been a member since 1988 when my husband was appointed to First Church as senior pastor. The historical emphasis placed on justice was a major factor for our coming here and for my joining this church.”
Judy is an active member–involved in many aspects of the church including the music program, youth group, the church efforts for inclusion and racial justice, as well as serving as a liturgist, a member of the Welcome Team and the usher corps.
“FUMC’s continued effort to identify our ‘neighbor,’ as defined by Jesus, has long been important to me. It was refreshing for us to find a church that worked unceasingly at this goal, despite a changing world and shifting opinions.
I have even designated in my will money to be given to the church to continue this re-formation of our community of believers and the larger church as well to recover the focus of Jesus and Jesus’ vision of connecting with something bigger than ourselves.”
Bill White
Bill White has been a member since 1983. He likes the fact that that FUMC is a church of action. “The ministries reach people in need–both physically and spiritually. We feed the hungry and shelter the homeless, comfort those who need spiritual healing.” We help overseas and do good at home.
Bill also supports the environmental efforts of the church and the willingness to change with the times to be relevant and take bold steps to accommodate those in need–locally and abroad. “We are big enough to do it all.”
Supporting the foundation is an easy decision for Bill. “The Foundation does nothing but give and I trust the Foundation will prioritize the giving so that it goes to the right place, to the right people, at the right time. That includes making sure that FUMC is solvent and a player in Downtown Madison.