Gary Putnam was a dedicated Methodist minister and social justice advocate with a passion for bringing faith into action. His ministry spanned several universities, including the Wesley Foundation at Iowa State University from 1972-1983, where he had a profound impact on both the church and campus community. Through his leadership, Gary fostered a sense of belonging and engagement, organizing shared meals, trips to Appalachia for service work, and outdoor adventures in the Colorado Rockies.

He participated in the march on Washington with Martin Luther King Jr., worked to reduce violence at the Wounded Knee massacre remembrance, and helped communities heal after tragedies like the Cleveland Elementary School shooting. Throughout his life, Gary remained active in numerous organizations, including the Peace & Justice Network, Planned Parenthood, and the Rotary Club of Stockton, where he served as President in 2008.

Gary’s legacy is one of compassion, service, and faith, continuing to inspire those who knew him.

The funds raised in memory of Gary Putnam will go towards student programs and outreach at the Wesley Foundation, empowering special projects for the future of the Wesley foundation. These funds will help create opportunities for students to participate in activities that align with Gary’s values of compassion, leadership, and making a positive impact in the world.

Additionally through the generous support of Gary's estate your generous support will be matched. 

There are two ways you can contribute to the fundraiser in honor of Gary Putnam:

    Mail a Check

    You can send a check to:

    ISU Wesley Foundation

    2622 Lincoln Way

    Ames, IA 50014

    Please note "Gary Putnam" in the memo line.

    Give Online

    You can also give online by visiting this link. On the giving page, enter the amount you'd like to donate, select the "one time" option, and be sure to include "Gary Putnam" in the notes section. After clicking "Add to Basket," proceed to checkout as you would on any online platform.

If you encounter any issues or have questions, please email Jason Janssen at jason@cwames.org for assistance.

Thank you for supporting this meaningful cause in honor of Gary's legacy.

Who: All Saints Sunday worship is for everyone in the community—church members, students, alumni, and anyone wishing to honor loved ones who have passed. Special attention will be given to remembering those connected to our congregation and campus community.

What: All Saints Sunday is a time to remember and celebrate the lives of those who have passed away in the past year. During worship, we will honor their memory through prayers, music, and reflection, lifting up their contributions and legacies. We will share in communion, hear a message from Jim Shirbroun, and have a moment to  remember the many that has gone on to glory.

When: The service will take place on Sunday, November 3rd, 2024, during our regular worship time at 10:00 a.m.

Where: The worship service will be held at Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation, located at 2622 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014.

Why: All Saints Sunday is a meaningful tradition in the Christian faith, providing a moment to reflect on the “great cloud of witnesses” who have gone before us. It is a time to grieve, celebrate, and give thanks for the lives of those we’ve lost while being reminded of the hope and promise of eternal life.

Jim Shirbroun, who served as the campus minister at Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation from 1997 to 2017, will be preaching during our All Saints Sunday worship service. Jim’s years of dedicated ministry at Collegiate Wesley deeply impacted the church and campus community, and we are honored to have him return to lead us in this special service.

You can join our worship service at Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation in the following ways:

    In Person: Worship takes place every Sunday at 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary. Just come as you are—there's no need to sign up beforehand. We welcome people of all ages and backgrounds!

    Online: If you can’t attend in person, you can join our live-streamed worship on Facebook or YouTube. Simply visit our pages at 10:00 AM on Nov. 3rd, or anytime after  to participate in real-time.

Whether you're joining in person or online, you'll experience a blend of music, prayers, scripture readings, and a sermon designed to inspire and reflect our community's values.

Lunch will be served in Wesley Hall immediately following worship. Just follow the flow of people heading there after the service. If you're only joining us for lunch, the best exterior door to enter is on the East side of the building near the U.S. Bank building. We look forward to sharing a meal together!

We'll be having a baked potato bar with a variety of toppings to accommodate many dietary restrictions. If you have any specific needs or questions, feel free to reach out to Lewis at lewis@cwames.org.

You can RSVP by filling out the form at this RSVP for Homecoming. If you don't get a chance to register in time, please still come! We will have extra food, but the RSVP helps us get a good estimate of how many people will be joining. We hope to see you there!