Pastor's Note
A word from Reverend, Mark Buenafe, Senior Pastor

This will be my final pastor's column contribution to the Mariposa UM Church Spire newsletter. Thank you for the blessing of contributing to this publication throughout the five years as your pastor. Looking back, I reflected on what were the unique ministries of the Mariposa United Methodist Church that truly "Marked Our Distance:"

• Weathering through the social restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic that restricted our in-person gathering ministries for 18 months. Thankfully, the sustainability and resilience of the church was through the YouTube worship services and your prayers and giving.
• *Special mention to the ministries that consistently met during the pandemic which kept the
  operational aspects of the church functional. These were the Worship Committee, the Fix-It
  Team/UM Men and the Chimes Choir.
• *Then when we returned, we were still tentative with precautionary measures like masks. This led
  to the extra blessing of upgrading all our Audio-Visual equipment like our computer, internet,
  televisions and all the associated wires and connections. I appreciated learning the use of the Apple computer while being with you. (Incidentally, the bulk of the technology installed in the sanctuary and the whole church facility was financed through grants from the District).
• *Community involvement. Besides being part of the Mariposa-Yosemite Rotary Club, and a first of being president, it was and is a blessing for the Mariposa United Methodist Church to be included at the table as a faith-based organization to be part of task force groups in the school district and Mariposa County in working through various needs in our community. Some of these groups are the Manna House, the Heritage House, the Homeless Task Force, the MCUSD Executive Advisory Committee, and the Unmet Needs Committee when we provided emergency assistance for those affected by the fires. Of course, there was also the fun stuff of joining the town parades.
• *And, I will never forget the ministry from my 'second' church, the Sunday noontime Idle Wheels group, a living parable of being Church.
• *Living in the community of Mariposa, delighting in living in such a beautiful and big parsonage, enjoying walking trails locally and in Yosemite.
• *Your support of Norms with the Lake Don Pedro school which she will continue even after moving to Oakdale.
• *Your ministry of grace, comfort and lay ministry following the passing of Marick.

We go the distance with God always with us. Many, many thanks.

~ By God's grace, 
Pastor Mark