First United Methodist Church Rockford Iowa

06/09/2026

Run for the Garden – Day 14 🌱🏃‍♂️

Today’s run: 6.70 miles at an 8:49 pace.

My goal this morning was to run a little faster. Cutting 15 seconds per mile sounded like a great idea yesterday. This morning, my legs had some questions about that plan.

The biggest encouragement came after the run. A donation arrived in the mail from a longtime friend whom Joy and I first met years ago while serving on a mission trip to Nigeria through the Iowa-Nigeria Partnership. It reminded me how friendships formed in ministry can continue to bear fruit many years later—and sometimes even help grow a community garden in Iowa.

I’m also grateful for the encouragement and support coming from church members and friends. Knowing that others are cheering for the garden makes it easier to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Today’s lesson: running gets easier when you have people behind you. Well, maybe not easier—but at least you complain less about the hills.

One mile, one seed, and one smile at a time. 🌱😄🏃‍♂️

06/06/2026

Run for the Garden – Day 13 🌱🏃‍♂️

Friday morning brought cooler air, cloudy skies, and miles of open Iowa road.

Today: 10.11 miles at a 9:14 pace (1:33:24).

I also met a farmer along the way and enjoyed a short conversation. One of the blessings of running country roads is that sometimes the traffic consists of one farmer, two tractors, and a lot of corn.

The rain threatened, but never committed. The miles, however, did.

Thank you for supporting the Jewel Kids Community Garden.

One mile, one seed, and one smile at a time. 🌱😄🏃‍♂️

06/04/2026

Run for the Garden – Today 🌱🏃‍♂️

Today’s goal was simple: reach 8 miles.

I ended with 8.01 miles.

Average pace: 9:25 per mile.
Start time: 8:28 a.m.
Total time: 1:15:29.

It wasn’t a dramatic run, just a steady one. The kind where you settle into your breathing, your steps, and the rhythm of the road.

And this morning, I also had a small but meaningful moment—I met a farmer on the way. It was brief, but good. A reminder that even on quiet roads, you’re never really alone out here.

Another mile added to the garden. Another simple day of showing up and keeping going.

06/03/2026

If you’ve been wondering why I’ve been putting in all those miles lately, here’s the story. 😊 Thanks for all the encouragement along the way!

Dirt, Breath, and a Slow Marathon by Chan Gok Kim, Rockford First & Marble Rock United Methodist Church I am in my early sixties. I have no ...

06/02/2026

Run for the Garden – Day 12 🌱🏃‍♂️

June has officially begun, and apparently my running shoes got the memo.

This morning: 7.13 miles at an 8:48 pace.

No cows. No turtles. No major adventures. Just a good run on a beautiful Iowa morning.

A special thank-you to everyone who supported the garden in May and to those who pledged their support. Your encouragement means a lot.

A new month means new miles, new stories, and new chances to help our Jewel Kids Community Garden grow.

Let’s keep going—one mile, one seed, and one smile at a time. 🌱😄

Chan

05/30/2026

May is almost over, so it is time for a quick Run for the Garden update! 🌱🏃‍♂️

So far, I have run 70.8 miles in May.

At 20 cents per mile, that comes to $14.16 per sponsor.

Of course, if you would like to round up, add a little extra, or reward me for surviving Iowa wind, hills, turtles, cows, and warm afternoons, the garden will gladly accept it. 😄

Ways to support:

✅ Check:
Make checks payable to Rockford First United Methodist Church.
In the memo line, write:
“Run for the Garden Support”

Then place it in the offering plate.

✅ Cash:
Place cash in an envelope and write:
“Run for the Garden Support”
and your name on the envelope.

✅ Venmo:
-Kim-35

Please add “Run for the Garden” in the payment note.

If it is more convenient, you are also welcome to combine May and June support and send both at the end of June.

Thank you for helping our Jewel Kids Community Garden grow—one mile, one seed, and one gift at a time.

05/30/2026

Run for the Garden – Day 11 🌱🏃‍♂️

Today was my longest run of the month so far — 10.16 miles.

Not my fastest pace, but some days the goal is simply to keep moving forward. The Iowa countryside was beautiful, and the miles went by one step at a time.

May total so far: 70.8 miles.

Onward we go! 🌱

05/28/2026

Run for the Garden – Day 10 🌱🏃‍♂️

This morning I ran 5.57 miles at an 8:53 pace.

But today’s real story was not the run. Jean Buseman saw me running around town and decided I needed help staying alive. 😄 So she bought me this bright safety vest.

Apparently, I can no longer hide from traffic… or from anyone in Rockford.

Thank you, Jean, for helping this pastor glow like a walking highlighter. 🚦

One step at a time!

05/26/2026

Run for the Garden – Day 9 🌱🏃‍♂️🐢

Today’s run: 8.32 miles at an 8:53 pace.

The real highlight was meeting this giant turtle in the middle of the road. He looked at me like, “Pastor, slow down. This is MY marathon.” 😄

After two months off, my legs are finally coming back… although apparently still faster than the turtle.

Beautiful Iowa morning. One step at a time.

05/23/2026

"With Deepest Sympathy to Diane and the Jones Family,"
Though words cannot heal the sorrow of your loss, we hope this tribute reminds you of the profound impact Bob had on everyone fortune enough to know him. Holding you close in our thoughts.

In Loving Memory of Robert 'Bob' David Jones (1946 10.3 - 2026 5.15)Our hearts and deepest prayers are with Diane and the Jones family. May he rest in eterna...