At Middleton Outreach Ministry we are still glowing over the wonderful outpouring of attention, affection, and community support showered on this agency during our June celebration of MOM’s 25th Anniversary.  Thank you, all! 

Citations affirming Middleton Outreach Ministry’s historic role in the community provided one measure of appreciation. Commendations from Sondy Pope-Roberts and Jon Erpenbach from the Wisconsin State Legislature, Kathleen Falk from Dane County, and Mayor Doug Zwank from the City of Middleton were shared at several of the week’s celebrations. An 8-page Middleton Times Tribune insert before the event was also a wonderful community affirmation.

MOM planned for this anniversary with 4 goals in mind: (1)we wanted to celebrate a wonderful ministry that has grown from a small seed to a well-run, compassionate ministry serving the people of Middleton, west Madison, and Cross Plains; (2)we wanted to educate the community about what MOM does and about the needs many of our neighbors deal with on a daily basis; (3)we hoped to integrate our client population with our volunteers and donors in the celebration; and (4)we wanted to raise funds to strengthen and grow Middleton Outreach Ministry’s capacity to serve all who come needing help and hope. The results were amazing!

Two hundred guests attended the 25th Anniversary Celebration Banquet on June 6th, raising almost $20,000 in current gifts, and pledging another $135,000 to be given over the next 5 years.  Highlighting the program, clients Christy Jensen and Derocthia Jamison testified to the difference Middleton Outreach Ministry has made in their lives, and Hannah Pickett (a Project for Older People rides client and MOM supporter) challenged guests to new levels of support.  “We cannot be casual about reaching out and serving,” she said. MOM is especially grateful to the Holiday Inn and Suites of West Madison for their generous donation of a most wonderful meal.

Banquet guests were also the first to see MOM’s new 7-minute video, telling the story of MOM’s programs and people in 2005.  This presentation is available in VHS or DVD format for community groups or individuals to borrow.  Call the MOM office (836-3778) for this “picture” that’s truly “worth a thousand words.”

The Hunger Dinner on June 9th gave about fifty participants a chance to learn about societal issues compounding the problems of hunger in our community and state.  Scott Anderson, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches, and State Representative Sondy Pope-Roberts challenged people of conscience to work for systemic change, even as we provide ongoing food aid.  The soup supper raised about $350 for the Food Pantry as well.

A 3.75-mile Walk-a-thon on Saturday, June 11th brought out 82 walkers from Middleton’s churches and the community, including a large number of children. Several groups carried banners, and balloons and MOM wristbands added to the festive air. Some cars honked as they passed. People enjoyed the well-mapped walk, which began and ended at Fireman’s Park and wound its way past 4 of MOM’s founding churches.  Walkers raised more than $4,000 through pledges. 

Saturday’s festivities spilled over from the walk-a-thon directly into a community-wide picnic, with a wonderful variety of food – from shrimp to pizza, minihamburgers to fruit salad – donated by 15 Middleton area restaurants.  The 250-strong crowd included MOM volunteers, clients, supporters, staff, and many community friends.  Music by “The Pull” (of Bethel Lutheran Church) entertained the crowd, and Sarah Mackesey provided a pinata and fast-paced games for the children.   The picnic couldn’t have happened without the extensive behind-the-scenes work of Marilyn Burke and Hank & Judy Simon.  The picnic also honored the “25 Who Made a Difference” –  individuals and couples whose vision and generosity with their time and resources over the last 25 years contributed greatly to the success of Middleton Outreach Ministry.

Closing the week of Anniversary celebrations, an ecumenical worship service at the “mother church,” St. Luke’s Lutheran, drew more than 150 worshipers, including a spectacular choir made up of members from the MOM churches’ choirs.  Pastor Gary Simpson, MOM’s executive director for the first fifteen years, returned for this special service and skillfully wove together stories of past and present, challenging MOM to an even greater future.  Celebrating the visionary founders, Simpson reminded us that MOM was created to serve others, with no expectation of payback or reward. Simpson invited the community to continue reaching out to each other in that spirit, always enlarging the circle of those who serve and are served.

Now as MOM begins a new quarter century, the people of Middleton Outreach Ministry give Thanks for all that has been, and say Yes to all that will be.*  To a community of good neighbors and wonderful friends, we also say Thanks – and Yes.

*Quotation from Dag Hammerskjold’s Markings.

© 2005 Middleton Outreach Ministry

Site design and maintenance donated by Liberty Professional Services, LLC
Hosting donated by TDS Metrocom