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Jackie Campbell

Shocked to learn that her church had paid just a small percentage of its Mission Share to support regional and global United Methodist ministries, Mikayla, 11, decided to talk some turkey—and sell feathers to raise money. 

 

With permission from her pastor, the Rev. Keith Simmons, and help from her parents, Mikayla, 11, erected a large “bald” gobbler to the side of the altar rail at First United Methodist Church in Canonsburg.

 

Then in a letter e-mailed to parishioners, she outlined her plan to raise money for her church’s Mission Share by selling feathers she would make and place on the bird.

 

Telling them the percentage of Mission Share they paid would amount to “a really bad test grade,” Mikayla said: “I think we can do better, so I came up with this idea.”

 

She made order forms offering different colored feathers, some with glitter, for prices ranging from $2 to $100 each. Contributors could designate something they were thankful for to be written on each feather they purchased.

 

To raise awareness of the project, Mikayla adapted a Halloween costume her mother had made a few years ago and appeared at church dressed as a turkey.

 

Within a week, the bird in the sanctuary was sprouting colorful plumage and in another week or so, Mikayla’s effort had raised almost $950.

 

Her mother, Tracy Mirich, said she is “proud as a peacock!”