Through a donation from the Western Waters District Mission Team, the Faith on the Fly Program located at Grand Rapids Trinity UMC, created new opportunities for intergenerational participants to explore fly fishing while learning to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty around us. A piloted “Introduction to Fly Fishing” program to a few children connected through the community and church along with their families, took part in the first program. This intergenerational ministry experience — Faith on the Fly — was a huge success, everyone had a great time! The children were also gifted a beginner fly rod set to take home and continue to learn over the summer. Seeing the smiles on the children’s faces was priceless and the family involvement in the program was awesome.
Another wonderful experience happened with three pastors on a guided fishing trip for smallmouth bass on the Grand River. This group of pastors affectionately called the “Holy Roll’casters” met together once a month through the new year and worked on casting in our church gym and parking lots to practice until they had a few on-the-water experiences. They did this not only to learn the sacred art of fly fishing but for fellowship, community and to be rejuvenated through this new experience! All of the pastors caught fish and had a great experience on the water. “This was a great group to work with and I loved the excitement when one caught a fish and the support for each other was outstanding. We were all pumped when anyone of us found success and that was refreshing to experience,” said Faith on the Fly Director, Matt Witkowski.
Faith on the Fly is part of the Community Ministries Program at Trinity UMC and is a project listed as an EngageMI Ministry (CCMM #3006) which can receive support from churches around the conference. If you have questions or would like to support the Community Ministries Program and Faith on the Fly Ministry, please contact Matt Witkowski at [email protected] to learn more.
