Fellowship and Fundraising at Grand Forks Zion

On December 13^th, Zion United Methodist Church in Grand Forks opened its doors—and its heart—to the wider community through a new fellowship and fundraising event: Christmas Market. What began as a simple idea quickly became a joyful, bustling event that raised more than $6,000, with an additional $3,000 Breakthrough Ministry Grant from the Dakotas Minnesota Methodist Foundation, to support the children of Viking Elementary School.

More than 250 people filled the church for a day that included a silent auction, pop-up market, spaghetti lunch, and live music. Artists from the congregation shared their talents, local businesses donated generously, choirs filled the space with song, and volunteers offered hospitality in every corner of the building. The result felt less like a fundraiser and more like an open house—alive with connection, creativity, and compassion.

The idea for Christmas Market came about as a result of listening – to the longings of members of the church and the nudging of the Holy Spirit – as well as the creative imagination of how to respond. Gail Sherwood, Zion’s office secretary, noticed how often people talked about activities the church “used to do” or how things were “before Covid.” Rather than stay stuck in that nostalgia for the past or focus what was lacking, she wondered what might be possible now.

“We needed to have some fun,” Sherwood shared. “We needed to be social again.” As the Spirit began to stir that calling in her heart, God also brought to mind the resources that were already available in front of her – in particular, a congregation that included several gifted artists and creative people. And with that, the idea of a Christmas Market was born.

An combined choir with a neighboring Lutheran church provided live music. (photo from GF Zion)

As those artists signed on to be a part of the event, other members began to offer their own gifts – organizational skills, cooking abilities, musical gifts, and behind-the-scenes support. Others quietly stepped in as encouragers and problem-solvers. Member Kelly Burgess knew food was an essential element to a good United Methodist gathering and offered to put their church’s renovated kitchen to good use by providing a free will donation spaghetti meal. Another member, Nancy Evans, asked if she could invite local businesses to be a part of the event, adding their gifts and contributions to the important cause.

“When the businesses heard it was for Viking, the doors were open,” Sherwood said.

Zion UMC has a long-standing relationship with Viking Elementary, one of the schools in Grand Forks serving families experiencing the highest levels of poverty. Funds raised through Christmas Market will help cover the “Christmas break gap”—a two-week period when children who rely on school backpack food programs otherwise have little support. This year, 125 students will receive food and supplies over winter break, with remaining funds available to meet other urgent needs identified by the school’s social worker.

With cuts to funding and growing social needs, Zion member Connie Sherwood realized the importance of the church in stepping in to fill the gaps where other systems have failed.
"The school is actually a community center. It isn't just about teaching kids. It's about caring for families," she explained. "Once we were able to to share what a social worker and a school actually do and that the money was going to feed people not to buy playground equipment or fund field trips, people got behind it big time."

For Pastor Lundberg, the event reflected something deeper about the congregation’s identity.

“One of the first things I learned about Zion is that it has a heart for feeding people,” he said. The church addresses hunger needs through Waffle Wednesdays for preschoolers, a Blessing Box free little food pantry, a weekly Love Feast meal, and freezer meals shared through Mary and Martha DoorDash. Pastor Clay wanted to shared the story of the Christmas Market as a reminder of what a church of any size and any location can do when they seek to incarnate the love of Christ.  

Viking Elementary teachers and staff donated a basket to the Silent Auction. (photo from GF Zion)

“This is just an extension of the heart of Zion,” said Pastor Clay.

For Connie, it was also a part of the larger mission of the church. "I've been in this church since the 1960s," shared Connie. "We used to give money to missionaries in other countries. It's really startling that now our mission is righ here down the block." 

"We can't share Jesus until we can meet needs because that's what Jesus did. He met the needs," she added. "And we're Methodists after all. It's about social justice and taking care of people and we can all get behind that."

Christmas Market is a vivid example of what it looks like to Love Boldly in the name of Jesus—not by doing more alone, but by inviting the whole community to share what they have for the sake of neighbors in need. What started as a spark of imagination became a living testimony of generosity, joy, and faithful connection—one that Zion UMC hopes other churches will be inspired to do in their own communities.