|
As a part of our AccessAbility Campaign, we are asking folks to share about the impact of West Side Church. Susan Pieh shares here why’s she grateful for West Side Church, along with a glimpse into her spiritual journey:
Father, may I see your word as instruction, may I not see it as things to do.
Westside has been a blessing in my life. I found Westside by driving around Ann Arbor when I moved here in 2004. I visited the church, the people were friendly and welcoming. My family and I became members. My faith has grown tremendously, I have been involved in church activities. I joined UM Women's Group, Coffee hours, Volunteered at Alpha House, Habitat and now I am a doer of God’s work verses just a listener.
James :1:22-23. My prayer life has improved. I accept God’s word in my mind, spirit and soul.
The people at Westside have helped me with my faith journey. Lord, to strengthen my prayer life.
I close with Isaiah 40.31. But they that wait upon the Lord Shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk, and not faint. Amen
Philippians 4 reminds us, don't worry about anything instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
You will experience God’s peace which will exceed anything we understand.
Deuteronomy 6:5: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, will all your soul, and with all your strength.
Every tree that the father did not plant in my life, be uprooted in the mighty name of Jesus. Lord I am thankful for waking me up, I am grateful. Blessing me with the gift of a new day. Please give me the grace to face every challenge of the day. May I testify to your goodness in my life. I am grateful.
I listen to gospel music and worship melody songs like Victor Thompson, Nathaniel Bassey, and Moses Bliss. Sometimes I fast for 3 days. Mostly the first days of the month. I also join online Bible studies with friends on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We discuss Bible verses and relate it to our lives and what we understand.
If you would like to share a story or "testify" to the impact of West Side in your life, please send/email/voicemail me a message, and we'll print it in the Weekly!
On the way there,
Pastor Adam
PS. The month of April we will continue to be focused on our AccessAbility Capital Campaign. You will hear some testimonies from folks sharing about how West Side makes a difference in their lives, hear some sermons inspiring us about God's vision for West Side, and a pledge card will be mailed out this month as well. Our shared prayer is: "Lord what do you want to do through me?"
Save the dates:
April 28 - after worship we will offer the opportunity for a Q & A about our plans for the funds raised via the AccessAbility campaign
May 5 - pledge cards will be turned in and we invite you to join us for a Celebration Luncheon after worship!
|
This week, I am traveling to Wesley Woods Camp and Retreat Center to check out their facilities, policies, and camp curriculum. I hope this is a great connection for future retreats and camp opportunities for youth. If kids 3rd grade - high school are interested in attending a UMC camp this summer, please let me know because we have scholarship funding available. Beyond summer camp, I am passionate about planning group retreats to create deeper connections and faith growth opportunities. If this interests you or you have been on a retreat you loved, I would love to hear about it.
Children's Church Volunteers Needed
We need your help making Sunday School happen! Please sign up here or at the children's welcome table near the entrance to help teach or assist with the elementary class or hang out in the nursery on Sunday. All volunteers are required to have a background check.
Young Adult Small Group Lunch April 14th
No matter what you believe or don't believe or how you identify, join our young adult small group for conversation and fellowship at Union Rec from 12:15-1:30.
Youth Group with First UMC @West Side April 28th
If you are in 6th-12th grade, join us here at West Side from 6-8pm for a pizza party, 9 Square, pickleball, and campfire hangout. Invite friends
It's not too late to sign up for a Summer Service Trip with First UMC! Check out the link for more details. I will not be attending this trip. However, youth from the West Side are still encouraged to attend if they would like to go. We also offer youth scholarship money to make the trip more affordable. The deadline is marked for the end of March, but they are taking registrations through the end of this month
Samantha Tidball
Associate Pastor
|
Shelter Week for West Side will be Monday May 6 thru Sunday May 12, 2024. Again, we have the opportunity to serve at Alpha House, Reaching Out In Christian Love, to homeless families. The sign up board is in the entry before the narthex. We thank the many of you who have helped, in so many ways, in the past and all of you currently signed up.
Our responsibilities are dinners, brunches and children's activities. Some dinners are filled, but Thursday, Friday and Sunday dinners are still needed. Saturday and Sunday brunches are needed. Children's activities for Monday thru Thursday are needed.
Thank you for prayerfully considering helping in any way. Any questions call or text Kenndra Brewer 734-645-5376.
|
No Elevator Service for 2 Weeks Due to Maintenance
|
If you ordered a lily for Easter, please consider taking one or more home.
|
Volunteers Needed
As your lay leader, I want to make you aware of some areas where we need some volunteers.
Coffee Hour
We are blessed to have a small group that makes sure we have snacks & beverages for coffee hour after worship each Sunday when no one has signed up to host. If you enjoy these goodies & time of fellowship, please take a look at the sign up sheet in the hospitality/welcome area to see which Sundays are open. You don’t have to provide homemade items, store bought food is also an option. If you have interest or questions, please contact Kendra Brewer 734 645 5378
Worship Leader
The worship leader is another position we need volunteers to sign up on a sheet in the welcome area. The worship leader will usually read the scriptures & lead the responsive readings. Pastor Adam can tell you more about this position at 734 663-4164
Sunday School/Nursery
Our children need you to help in their Christian education program & to keep the younger ones so that their parents get an opportunity to part in the worship service. This is not an every Sunday commitment. Contact Pastor Sam at 734 663-4164 for more information.
Funeral Luncheons/Provide a meal to someone in need
We could also use some more names to help out with funeral luncheons or to provide a meal to someone in need. For funeral luncheons, we ask the family to provide food that is catered and we provide the personnel to set up, serve and clean up at the luncheon. Pastor Adam will use this list of funeral luncheon volunteers to see who is available to help the family plan and staff the luncheon during this significant event in their lives.
For those needing a meal, the volunteer would provide & deliver a meal to the person in need. If you want to volunteer to be on a call list to provide a meal or have questions, please contact Marilyn Kirking @ 734 358 7985 or mkirking@umich.edu
Thanks for your help,
Marilyn Kirking
Lay Leader
|
Get ready for another wild ride with some very interesting women of the Bible. We will finish the book on Wednesday, May 15th at 10:30 AM. We gather around the fire place in the hospitality area and study a different woman each week. If you have to miss a session, that’s ok.
This class is an 8 week class filled with laughter and discovery. It’s very informal and the discussions are lively. If you ever thought you might like to try a Bible study, but were afraid, thinking you didn’t know enough or you don’t have time for a lot of homework, this is the study for you!
The book is available on Amazon for around $13 and I have found 4 used books that I have put in the office. They are free to the first 4 people who want one. Please call Betsy Doepken (317-437-0971) to have any questions answered.
|
NEW Facebook Page
Our new Facebook page is live! Like us to be updated on what's going on around at West Side.
|
|
|
Prayer Concerns
If you would like to include a prayer concern to be listed in this section of our Weekly email, please email the church office with the name, and if you would like, you may add a brief description, eg. surgery, cancer diagnosis, death in the family, etc. This concern will be listed for 8 weeks. You can request the office to leave the name on the list for a longer period as well.
Andy Siddall (Tom Hams’ nephew)
Fay Cozadd
|
West Side Bookworms
|
|
The West Side Bookworms will be meeting on Thursday, May 2nd at 10am. Please join us around the fireplace to discuss The Alice Network by Kate Quinn. Need a copy? Call Betsy Doepken at 317-374-0971
May 2 The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
June 6 Throwaway Children by Diney Costeloe
NO MEETING JULY 4
Aug. 8 The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck
Sept. 5 The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
|
|
|
West Side Reads
Our April, 2024 book will be: How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith.
Goodreads summary: “Beginning in his own hometown of New Orleans, Clint Smith leads the reader through an unforgettable tour of monuments and landmarks-those that are honest about the past and those that are not-that offer an intergenerational story of how slavery has been central in shaping our nation's collective history, and ourselves.”
This book is available on Audible, Kindle, new in hardback through Thrift Books on-line or Amazon, local bookstores in Ann Arbor and through Ann Arbor District Library.
Because we have Westside friends that are no longer in Ann Arbor, we will continue to have our discussions via zoom. Please join us on ZOOM in April as we continue reading and learning about Social Justice in our world.
April 28 at 7pm
Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/82801441457
Meeting ID: 828 0144 1457
If you have any questions at all, please contact Cindy Heflin Pelo at heflincl@gmail.com or Ann Andraska at yellowstonefun4@gmail.com
|
|
|
Library Book of the Week
In 1935 three women are forever changed when one of the most powerful hurricanes in history barrels toward the Florida Keys.
For the tourists traveling on Henry Flagler’s legendary Overseas Railroad, Labor Day weekend is an opportunity to forget the economic depression gripping the nation. But one person’s paradise can be another’s prison, and Key West-native Helen Berner yearns to escape.
After the Cuban Revolution of 1933 leaves Mirta Perez’s family in a precarious position, she agrees to an arranged marriage with a notorious American. Following her wedding in Havana, Mirta arrives in the Keys on her honeymoon. While she can’t deny the growing attraction to her new husband, his illicit business interests may threaten not only her relationship, but her life.
Elizabeth Preston's trip to Key West is a chance to save her once-wealthy family from their troubles after the Wall Street crash. Her quest takes her to the camps occupied by veterans of the Great War and pairs her with an unlikely ally on a treacherous hunt of his own.
Over the course of the holiday weekend, the women’s paths cross unexpectedly, and the danger swirling around them is matched only by the terrifying force of the deadly storm threatening the Keys.
|
Crafty Christians
Bring yourself, a craft or a coloring page for a fun time! We meet Fridays from 11am-1pm. All are welcomed for fellowship and laughter. Please contact Judy Smith with any questions.
|
|
|
April
Community Offering:
Growing Hope
Growing Hope fosters an equitable and sustainable local food system where all people are empowered to grow, sell, buy, prepare, and eat nourishing food.
Ypsilanti is a community where all people–particularly those with barriers due to race, class, culture, language, ability, and mobility–have access to nourishing local food that is culturally appropriate and affordable, can grow and prepare their own harvests, and may earn a living as a food grower, producer, or entrepreneur.
Growing Hope distinguishes itself in the realm of food justice and food access, addressing our food system’s most pressing challenges by advocating at a local and regional level and implementing innovative solutions. In 2006, Growing Hope ensured that the Ypsilanti Farmers Market was a pioneer as we became one of the first farmers markets in Michigan to accept food assistance as a form of payment, and we continue to advocate for food assistance expansion throughout the state.
Supporting Growing Hope and the Ypsilanti Farmers Markets helps ensure finances are not a barrier to accessing life-sustaining, fresh food.
|
|
|
In Memoriam
Frank J. Siller
April 30, 1930 - September 2, 2022
Nancy Brewer
January 14, 1944 - September 2, 2022
Judith Oakes Fraleigh
November 21, 1935 - January 18, 2023
Edith Laura Semark
August 18, 1934 - February 3, 2023
Trenna Elizabeth Garner
January 8, 1935 - January 14, 2023
Carol Kreischer
December 28, 1930 - February 25, 2023
Joyce Weldon Clark
September 28, 1935 - February 27, 2023
Richard "Rip" Kinney
March 17, 1934 - April 21, 2023
Graham Robert Putnam
April 11, 1947 - October 31, 2023
Stephen Lacoe
February 10, 1936 - February 15, 2024
Marguerite Fisher
November 21, 1923 - February 16, 2024
|
|
Giving Generously & Virtually
If you are able to, please consider giving virtually in the upcoming weeks by visiting our giving tab from our website here, or using our text-to-give function (instructions on how to do this can be found here). Thanks for all that you do to support the West Side family!
|
|
Pastor
Adam Bissell
adam@westside-umc.org
Associate Pastor
Samantha Tidball
samantha@westside-umc.org
Director of Music Ministries
Jacob Carroll
jacob@westside-umc.org |
|
Office Manager
Lisa Mayne
westside@westside-umc.org
Church Office Hours - Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10am-2pm
900 S. Seventh St
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
734-663-4164 |
This is what the Lord says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
-Jeremiah 6:16a
|
|
|