Dear Watershed,
As this year ends and Christmas approaches, I keep thinking about how much the world—and this community—has changed since our first Christmas in 2005. Back then, our hope was simple: that Watershed would be a place where the curious and the hurting could discover God anew and find transformation through connection and the way of Jesus. What we couldn’t have imagined is how Watershed itself would become a story of continual transformation. This community has evolved again and again. Who we are today is not who we were then—and that’s a gift. Our love is wider, our faith more expansive, our vision far beyond anything we dreamed twenty years ago. How did this happen?
One word keeps coming to mind: you. There has always been a YOU here—those who came before and those who are here now. You who love boldly, reimagine faith, and believe church can be something liberating and healing. Through your generosity, participation, and courage, you have carried Watershed forward, helped us rise to meet new moments, and held this community together when things felt heavy.
And yet, the world has grown harder. The need for courage, kindness, and sacrificial love—the things that have long defined this place—has only intensified. In a fractured world, the work of Watershed matters more than ever.Being a community like this, in this moment, matters. It matters to love without hesitation. To stand with those dismissed or dehumanized. To follow Jesus with a compassion that challenges the norms of mainstream Christianity. The world needs communities like Watershed—and that’s why showing up for each other and the work ahead remains so vital.
-
2025 has been a year of new life—co-creating community, growth, and connection. Here are some highlights:
Spiritual Formation & Belonging:
Four Preface experiences welcomed over 100 new people to explore their stories and connect with Watershed’s evolving journey.
Liberation at Work:
With your generosity, we helped Thanglal Hoakip rebuild his home in Manipur, India, raising $15,000 after it was destroyed by Hindu nationalists. Today, he trains hundreds of trauma specialists serving victims of ongoing violence. The Allgood Collective continues guiding communities toward healing through trauma-informed leadership, remaining central to Watershed’s culture. Watershed’s recovery communities flourished—seven groups strong—serving 150–250 people weekly in SA, CA, and AA programs. A new women’s-only group expanded our reach further. This year also marked our 4th Charlotte Pride Parade. Led by our Kindred community, over 100 folks walked together—a milestone worth celebrating.
Students and Children:
Kelsey Smith joined in April as the Greenhouse children’s pastor, creating safe spaces for kids to explore faith rooted in Jesus’ love for outsiders. Madeline Comer continued to champion students at Watershed and led our youth on a transformative summer trip to Washington, D.C.
Blocs & Spiritual Connection:
Seven regional four-week blocs and two men’s “Illuman” blocs fostered deep listening and authentic connection. By year’s end, total blocs and affinity groups grew from a handful to twelve.
Evolving Leadership & Music:
We shifted to a collaborative music leadership team, reflecting Watershed’s relational, inclusive, and creative spirit.
Celebrating 20 Years:
September marked 20 years of Watershed with “The Stories and Soundtracks of Belonging,” celebrating our history, milestones, and community impact with stories, music, and a joyful lawn party.
-
Watershed’s story has always been one of adaptability, resilience, and wholehearted love. We’ve sought to take seriously Jesus’ invitation: to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength—and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
After four years of financial strain, we experienced a much-needed season of stability between late 2024 and mid-2025. However, over the past few months, we’ve seen a noticeable dip in recurring giving—down about $5,700 per month, largely due to household moves and life transitions.
Recurring giving is the lifeblood of our community—it’s what allows us to plan responsibly, dream boldly, and embody the kind of love our world desperately needs.
Goal 1
One-time end-of-year gifts totaling $50K
Goal 2
Recurring gifts of $5K/mo by end of 1st quarter 2026
