Rochester UMC

07/19/2026

July 19, 2026

Dear Linda,

On behalf of Rochester United Methodist Church, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to you and First Student for allowing us to use one of the First Student buses to provide transportation to the Celebration of Life for Golden Neal.

Golden was a well-known and deeply valued member of the Rochester community. He attended Rochester School District from kindergarten through twelfth grade, and his mother also served the community as a teacher within the district. His life and family have long been connected to Rochester, its schools, and the many people who call this community home.

Because of First Student’s generosity, we were able to provide safe and dependable transportation for passengers from both Rochester United Methodist Church and Centralia First United Methodist Church. Several retired Rochester School District employees were also able to ride with us and attend the service.

Providing the bus helped make the day more accessible for those who may otherwise have had difficulty attending. It also reduced the number of vehicles traveling to the service and helped ease the parking challenges at a location with limited available parking.

This transportation was more than simply a ride. It was a meaningful service to Golden’s family, his friends, the churches involved, the school district community, and the greater Rochester community. It allowed people to travel together safely, share memories, support one another, and honor a man whose life touched so many.

Thank you, Linda, for your willingness to help make this possible. We are deeply appreciative of your support and of First Student’s commitment to serving the communities in which we live and work.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Liana White

Rochester United Methodist Church

Rochester, Washington

06/25/2026

Golden Neal's Celebration of Life Service July 18th 2 pm (Viewing at Noon) at the First United Methodist Church (Olympia, WA). If possible, carpool or use public transportation to this event. Lake Fair and Rochester High School Alumni are both happening on this date.

06/20/2026

The Celebration of Life for Reverend Golden Neal will be held on Saturday, July 18th, at the First United Methodist Church on Legion Way in Olympia, WA. The viewing will begin at noon, and the service will start at 2 PM.

Following the service, please join together as family and friends for light refreshments in the social hall.

Attendees are encouraged to carpool or take public transportation to the venue due to limited parking availability.

06/17/2026

As soon as we have a date, time, and place for the celebration of life for Rev. Golden Neal, we will share them.

04/01/2026

12/04/2025

11/26/2025

Worship and Opportunities for this week and Sunday November 30th

Wednesday:
11:00 - 11:30 Senior Lunch
4:00 Youth Group
Thursday:
3:00 - 5:00 Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Friday:
10:00 - 2:00 Thrift Store
11:00 - 11:30 Senior Lunch (canceled)
Saturday:
10:00 - 2:00 Thrift Store
Sunday:
10:00 - 10:50 Breakfast
10:00 - 10:50 & 12:30 - 1:00 Food Pantry Table
11:00 - 12:00 Worship
(There will be an online option through Facebook. The link is below)
The link to the Rochester UMC page in general is https://www.facebook.com/Rochester-UMC-278696894665
Come and enjoy worship in whatever manner is possible.
We are still doing our best to maintain safe practices; mask wearing is welcomed.
We hope you will be able to join us for any of these events that work for you.

Visit the church web site at: https://rochesterumc.org
PO Box 78
Rochester United Methodist Church