First published 2021
Grace United Methodist Church faces an uncertain future as longtime members age and younger families drift away. Pastor Sarah Mitchell arrives to find a congregation wrestling with questions that go beyond declining attendance and budget shortfalls. The church board debates whether to sell their historic building or modernize their worship style. Meanwhile, church secretary Dorothy Williams guards decades of institutional memory while newcomer families push for contemporary changes. As Grace Methodist approaches its centennial anniversary, Mitchell must navigate between preserving tradition and embracing transformation. The congregation discovers that their past holds both burdens and blessings, while their present choices will determine whether Grace Methodist survives another generation. Henderson weaves together multiple perspectives to show how a small community of faith confronts the challenge of staying relevant without losing its soul.
Genres: christian-fiction, contemporary, church-history, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, preserving-the-past
Setting: Grace United Methodist Church
Period: Past, Present, Future
315 pages · Paperback · Independently published