IN A CORNER OF WASHINGTON STATE, ON THE NOOKSACK INDIAN RESERVATION, IS A SMALL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH THAT COULD BE EASY TO DRIVE RIGHT PAST.

AND FOR MANY YEARS, IT WAS.

WHEN CHARLOTTE OSBORN TOOK OVER AS LAY MINISTER SEVEN YEARS AGO, THE CONGREGATION HAD THREE MEMBERS; THE PARSONAGE WAS IN DISREPAIR; THE CHURCH WAS IN DANGER OF DYING.

BUT NEW LIFE HAS BEEN BREATHED INTO THIS CHURCH BECAUSE OF A NEW PARSONAGE, BUILT BY FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP.

John Miranda, Nooksack UMC Member: “If it wasn’t for the volunteers, it probably would have never happened.”

WHEN THE CALL WENT OUT FOR HELP, VOLUNTEER TEAMS CAME FROM CHURCHES AS FAR AWAY AS FLORIDA.

IT’S HOPED THE NEW PARSONAGE WILL DRAW A NEW PASTOR. AT 74, CHARLOTTE OSBORN IS TRYING TO RETIRE. BUT THE LOW PAY AND RURAL LOCATION MAKE A REPLACEMENT HARD TO FIND.

Charlotte Osborn, Nooksack UMC Minister: “But at least we have a house to offer and that we hope will attract somebody to come here.”

A NEW PASTOR WOULD INHERIT A COMMUNITY IN NEED OF SPIRITUAL ENCOURAGEMENT - THOSE WHO LIVE HERE SAY POVERTY, ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE STILL HAVE A POWERFUL GRASP. BUT HE OR SHE WOULD ALSO INHERIT A GROWING CONGREGATION WITH A FAITH FUELED BY THE SHOW OF SUPPORT IN THIS PROJECT.

Lois Gladstone, Nooksack UMC Member: “In me, my faith was built a little more.”

Elenanor Gabriel, Nooksack UMC Member: “For me myself, I’m a recovering alcoholic, so it helped me out a lot to be connected to something that has a good, strong foundation.”

A GOOD, STRONG FOUNDATION - COURTESY OF CARING STRANGERS - HAS GIVEN THIS ALMOST-FORGOTTEN CHURCH SOMETHING TO BUILD ON.