To Uwharrie Clergy, From Will's Place
posted on July 19
This article is an edited version of an email sent to Uwharrie District clergy on July 14th by Rev. Caitlyn McAlhany.
Dear Fellow UMC Pastors,
I hope this email finds you all well! I know so many of you, but I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself to those of you I haven’t met since my position with the UMC has changed. For the past 5 years I served two local churches in Albemarle/Norwood. In July 2022 I transitioned out of the local church into an extension ministry placement. Now I serve as the Director of Faith Based Programming at Will’s Place Recovery Resource Center in Albemarle.
For those of you who do not know what we do at Will’s Place, I wanted to give you a little overview. Will’s Place is a 501c3 Nonprofit whose mission is to reduce barriers for those seeking treatment for Substance Use Disorder, create programming around sustaining sobriety, and provide opportunities to combat stigma around Substance Use Disorder. ...All of our services are always provided at no cost and we help people from all across our area (Stanly, Montgomery, Union, Mecklenburg, Cabbarus counties) as well as across NC.
I, as the Faith Based Director, lead a bimonthly evening worship service (28338 Hatley Farm Rd. Albemarle at 5:30pm) that is open to everyone with a focus on those in recovery or impacted by addiction. This recovery faith community is called The Silo, you can find out more about it on our website www.silonc.org This faith community is by no means intended to be in competition with your services or congregations, it is designed to supplement your ministries. If you have any church members who may benefit from this community I’d love to talk with you about it any time and would love to have them join us in worship one Sunday evening!
This email is intended to provide you all with introductions/an overview of our work but also to offer you, the pastor, a resource that may be helpful!
I would LOVE the opportunity to come preach for you any time and share my personal story of recovery from addiction as well as provide information on how your churches can be in ministry with us! Since leaving the local church I no longer preach on Sunday morning and would love the opportunity to fill in for you! My schedule will open up beginning in August 2022 so I’d love to get on your calendar if that is something you and your church would be interested in!
There are so many opportunities for your church to be in ministry with us and I wanted to list just a few for you to consider:
- We host a summer camp for kids impacted by addiction (Forever Young Summer Camp) every year in June and always need applicants, volunteers, and donations for supplies/lunch
- Recovery Road Bluegrass Festival - this is an annual fundraiser in September where we have a great musical lineup in addition to several recovery testimonies that would be amazing for anyone to hear! ...you can look at our website for all the information www.recoveryroadbluegrassfest.
org - We LOVE to speak at churches about Will’s Place! We would love to come lead small group discussions, speak to UMW/UMM groups and/or your youth groups, Sunday school classes, basically any group you have! Please let me know if you are interested in that and we can talk more!
- We also have several programs that may interest your congregations. An elementary school program for kids impacted by addiction, family support groups, on site AA groups, and a weekly Spiritual Recovery book study.
I know this is A LOT of information for an email, but I hope I, and we at Will’s Place, can be in ministry with you and your congregation(s)! Please don’t ever hesitate to reach out to me with any questions, ideas, or situations that may arise in your context! I am here to help YOU!
You can reach me via email or phone/text 980-581-8001 ext. 2. If you’re local, drop by our office any time Monday - Thursday 9am-4pm at 737a NC 24 Byp. E. Albemarle, NC 28001 to visit!
Thank you so much for your time and I look forward to talking with any of you any time!
May God grant you peace,
Reverend Caitlin McAlhany
Director of Faith Based Programming
Will's Place Recovery Resource Center