|
I know I have been tooting the great United Methodist horn frequently in my articles recently...but I can't help but share the inspiring things our denomination is up to on a regular basis!!
And right here in Michigan, we have another opportunity coming up soon -- March 13 is Advocacy Day 2024! This will be the second annual Advocacy Day sponsored by our Michigan Conference, with last year's inaugural theme supporting the ending of gun violence.
The goal and agenda of these events is about education, collaboration, meeting with State Legislature and closing with worship. Please click on the first link below for more information. The second link has specific information about mental health here in Michigan, which is the theme of Advocacy Day 2024.
https://michiganumc.org/2024-advocacy-day/#gsc.tab=0
https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/StateFactSheets/MichiganStateFactSheet.pdf
One of the major focuses of Lent is about following the mission of Jesus to free the captives, release the oppressed and give sight to the blind....this event is one way to do all of that!
On the way there,
Pastor Adam
PS. AccessAbility Campaign Update: Over the next couple of weeks, you will be receiving a phone call from our AccessAbility Campaign Prayer Team. This call will not be asking for a pledge or financial commitment! It is a call seeking the prayer support of the entire congregation for God's provision and direction in making West Side accessible for all! We will also be asking if you have any personal prayer concerns that you would like prayed for by our team and pastoral staff. Thank you in advance for ungirding our AccessAbility vision with prayer and God's power!
|
West Side families had a great time ice skating last Sunday! Enjoy the pics.
It's time to prepare for the Easter Egg Hunt Extravaganza on Saturday, March 30th, from 10am-Noon! Click here to sign up for a volunteer slot. Please help us spread the word by personally inviting neighbors with little ones, friends, family members, etc. A personal invite is the most effective outreach. Join me in praying over this event as an opportunity for people to experience God's love and to feel connected to our community here at West Side.
Young Adult Lunch: Join us on March 3rd at Union Rec Restaurant at 12:15 for a free lunch and discussion about life and faith. No matter how you identify, what you believe or don't believe, all are welcome to join.
Samantha Tidball
Associate Pastor
|
You may find this article interesting about how Easter is celebrated in other parts of the world.
https://www.umc.org/en/content/a-look-at-easter-traditions-around-the-world
Several have asked me when the UM General Conference is being held. Several decisions will be made at this conference including the revision of parts of the UM Book of Discipline.
United Methodist General Conference will be held April 23 – May 3, 2024, at Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Delegates from Africa, Europe, Asia and the U.S. will attend the 11-day gathering, which is expected to attract about 5,500-7,500 people.
General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church. The assembly meets at the beginning of each quadrennium to consider revisions to church law, as well as adopt resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues. It also approves plans and budgets for church-wide programs for the next four years.
If someone would be willing to order Easter Lilies for Easter and place them in the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday or the day before, please contact Marilyn Kirking @734 358 7985. The order form has already been designed, with a deadline for ordering. See below.
Blessings,
Marilyn Kirking
|
Easter Lily Donations
Help celebrate loved ones by contributing toward the cost of Easter lilies that
decorate our sanctuary. Any funds raised beyond the cost of the plants will be
used for our Pastor’s Emergency Fund to help families and individuals with
food, transportation, shelter, and other issues.
Please order here or on the forms in the welcome center and office.
If paying by check, please make your check payable to West Side UMC with
“Lilies” in the memo line. If you pay by check, each lily is $15.
Deadline for payment and order is NOON on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.
|
Lay Servant Training
There are 3 types of lay roles: lay servant which I have certification, lay speaker which you train to give a sermon when requested. Or lay minister, which requires even more training. if you are interested in any of these, you must take the intro course first. Please see schedule & registration times to obtain certification.
The lay leader is responsible for communications with the laity of the church and to serve as a liaison between the clergy and the members of the congregation. The lay leader is a major figure in the identification of potential leaders within the congregation and in the development and training of those future leaders. I am privileged to serve this role but it doesn’t require course work as the other lay positions do.
Click below for more classes and schedules:
Lay Servant Classes Spring 2024.pdf
|
Get ready for another wild ride with some very interesting women of the Bible. We will begin this adventure on Wednesday, March 27th at 10:30 AM and finish the book on Wednesday, May 15th. 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.
|
Save these dates!
Did you know that 1 in 5 adults in Michigan experience mental illness each year? It's time to take action and advocate for better mental health care access! Join fellow United Methodists in Michigan in making a difference for those in need. Let's work together to improve access to care and support for all.
The 2024 Advocacy Day at the Michigan State Capitol will be held on Wednesday, March 13. Last year, 350 United Methodists and friends from across Michigan spent the day advocating with their state legislators, and this year, we hope to grow that participation. Our focus in 2024 is assuring that all persons have access to affordable mental health care and to reduce the stigma of mental health that impacts every family in Michigan.
HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
- Register now and get all communications related to this event.
- Attend the Advocacy 101: Let's Talk about Power webinar on January 25 at 7 PM EST/6 PM CST.
- Watch the February 15 Lunch and Learn on Mental Health Advocacy at 12:15 PM EST/11:15 PM CST.
- Attend the first online training on Tuesday, February 20 at 7:00 PM EST. 'A Roadmap' with Tori Booker, Advocacy and Outreach Manager for Immigration Law and Justice Michigan.
- Attend the second online training on Monday, February 26 at 7:00 PM EST. 'Insights' with State Representative Julie Rogers, Chair of House Health Policy Committee; and State Representative Felicia Brabec
- Attend Advocacy Day on March 13 at 9:00 AM EST in Lansing.
|
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.
Braima Turay (brother of Susan Pieh)
Sympathy
Terry Horning (brother-in-law of Vanessa Horning)
Marshall Dunlap
|
West Side Bookworms
|
|
The West Side Bookworms will be meeting on Thursday, March 7th at 10am. Please join us around the fireplace to discuss Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. Need a copy? Call Betsy Doepken at 317-374-0971
Mar. 7 Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (also available on Netflix)
Apr. 4 The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni
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
We had a great discussion at our Westside Reads about the book Stamped From The Beginning.
This book was dense with information and it was so nice to have a safe, nonjudgmental space to discuss. We are looking forward to our next read on March 3 at 7:00pm on zoom. We would love for you to join us to discuss our March, 2024 book:
Poverty, by America by Nathan Desmond.
Goodreads summary: “The United States, the richest country on earth, has more poverty than any other advanced democracy. Why? Why does this land of plenty allow one in every eight of its children to go without basic necessities, permit scores of its citizens to live and die on the streets, and authorize its corporations to pay poverty wages? In this landmark book, acclaimed sociologist Matthew Desmond draws on history, research, and original reporting to show how affluent Americans knowingly and unknowingly keep poor people poor. Those of us who are financially secure exploit the poor, driving down their wages while forcing them to overpay for housing and access to cash and credit. We prioritize the subsidization of our wealth over the alleviation of poverty, designing a welfare state that gives the most to those who need the least. And we stockpile opportunity in exclusive communities, creating zones of concentrated riches alongside those of concentrated despair. Some lives are made small so that others may grow.”
This book is available on Audible, Kindle, used or new in paperback 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 March and April as we continue reading and learning about Social Justice in our world.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88900552827
Meeting ID: 889 0055 2827
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
Both immediate and timeless, Abraham is a powerful, universal story, the first-ever interfaith portrait of the man God chose to be his partner. Thoughtful and inspiring, it offers a rare vision of hope that will redefine what we think about our neighbors, our future, and ourselves.
In this timely, provocative, and uplifting journey, the bestselling author of Walking the Bible searches for the man at the heart of the world's three monotheistic religions -- and today's deadliest conflicts.
At a moment when the world is asking, "Can the religions get along?" one figure stands out as the shared ancestor of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. One man holds the key to our deepest fears -- and our possible reconciliation. Abraham.
Bruce Feiler set out on a personal quest to better understand our common patriarch. Traveling in war zones, climbing through caves and ancient shrines, and sitting down with the world's leading religious minds, Feiler uncovers fascinating, little-known details of the man who defines faith for half the world.
|
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.
|
|
|
March
Community Offering:
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) works to alleviate suffering and serve as a source of help and hope for those impacted by natural or human-caused disasters around the world. UMCOR uses 100% of dedicated gifts in direct support of relief efforts. In order to help enable this feat, our March community outreach offering will join with similar offerings being collected around the world in support of UMCOR's operating expenses. This offering helps to "keep the lights on" at UMCOR so that other donations sent throughout the year can go straight to where they are needed most.
|
|
|
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
|
|
|