|
Thank God that humanity continues to evolve in how we interpret and apply the Bible to our lives!But I honestly grieve that it has taken centuries to get this point! Please note that there is still work to do on the most recent United Methodist polity change - each pastor and church at this time has a choice to comply with being inclusive and affirming. Because of this, while yet many of our LGTBQIA+ friends and family members are thankful, the reality is they still have to check with each UMC they may visit to see where the congregation stands on this issue. Here at West Side, we have been informally inclusive, but our Leadership Team will be meeting to discuss and vote on formalizing our stance and how to make that known to the public.
As we continue to digest all that happened at General Conference 2024, here are some more recaps:
Historic Firsts
- Bishop Tracy S. Malone, resident bishop of the East Ohio Conference, became the first Black female president of the Council of Bishops on April 30, 2024.
- Bishop David Wilson, resident bishop of the Great Plains Conference, became the first Native American bishop to preside over the General Conference on April 25, 2024.
- Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez became the first bishop from the island of Puerto Rico to preside over a plenary at a general conference on April 26, 2024.
- Bishop Carlo Rapanut became the first Filipino-American bishop to preside over the General Conference on April 24, 2024.
- Bishop Karen Oliveto became the first openly gay bishop to preside over the General Conference on May 3, 2024.
- The Rev. Aleze M. Fulbright became the first person of color to be elected secretary-designate of the General Conference on May 1, 2024.
Budget Approved
Delegates approved a 2025-2028 budget of $373.4 million. That total is contingent on collection rates being at 90% or more for the next two years. If giving is below that percentage, the budget bottom line will be $353.6 million. The total approved is significantly smaller than the budget approved by the 2016 General Conference. Annual conferences will be asked to pay less in apportionments.
AccessAbility Update
We continue to be humbled in the success of our campaign, with over $458,000 raised so far, and more pledge cards continue to come in! Thank you for your commitments here at West Side! We are excited to move forward with our digital and physical upgrades! FYI, the elevator is almost done!! More info to come!
On the way there,
Pastor Adam
|
Our last day of Sunday school before summer vacation will be June 9th. While there is no scheduled Sunday school this summer, services will aim to be kid-friendly, with various activities for kids at the kid's table in the sanctuary along with a children's message.
Families and their kids are invited to our Sunday Fundays this summer!!! Mark your calendars! Details to follow.
June 30th: Movie Night on the lawn.
July 28th: Slip N Slide Outdoor Water Party August 25th: Picnic and Petting Farm Book Group: Pastor Sam will lead a 5-week group discussion starting on Wednesday, May 22nd, on Anne Lamott's latest book, "Somehow: Thoughts on Love." Feel free to join us on Wednesdays at 10 am in the lobby. Even if you can only attend one or none of our discussions, please let me know if you would like a copy of the book. Sign up at the event table in the lobby, the books are located there also. Young Adult Hangout: If you are a young adult, 18-30ish, or young at heart, join us after church on May 19th as we picnic and play board games. Reach out to Pastor samantha@westside-umc.org with questions.
Samantha Tidball
Associate Pastor
|
Each month we will share 2 - 3 highlights from our Leadership Board meetings here. The board meetings commonly include topics around church finance, trustees, staff parish relations and overall mission and vision.
- End Gun Violence Michigan: Silence the Violence event: West Side Church inquiring to possibly partner with event at St Aidan Episcopal Church, 6/29/24 6:30pm.
- Discussing the need for refreshening of cross and flame symbols on front and back of church building (or need to replace). Also may move the symbol on front of building to more visible spot (currently behind tree in back of garden). Also exploring pride flag update, as current flag is faded and not up-to-speed with current pride inclusive and affirming symbols.
- Elevator upgrade has begun and should be completed soon. This includes collaborating with fire alarm upgrade and some work by Turner Electric as well.
|
West Side Thursday Morning Bible Study
Our spring ZOOM Bible Study is on Thursdays at 11:00am. This Bible Study is on ZOOM because we have members that were once at Westside, but have moved out of state. It is an amazing group that enjoy prayer and group support as we discuss Bible study curriculum in a safe, nonjudgmental space. We take turns facilitating the group, though this is definitely not a requirement to be part of the group.
We will be studying Christianity and World Religions by Adam Hamilton. Lisa, our office manager, has ordered the book. It is available in the West Side Office for $11 and/or can be ordered on Amazon.
If you have any questions, please text, call or email Ann Andraska @ 734-751-7456 or yellowstonefun4@gmail.com
Recurring ZOOM link for the sessions:
Topic: Bible Study - Christianity and World Religions
Time: May 2, 2024 11:00 AM Eastern Time
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87505688146
Meeting ID: 875 0568 8146
|
We recently set the dates for our participation in Habitat for Humanity this Summer.
Our congregation is pledging:
- one group of 8-10 people for Saturday June 15.
- one group of 8-10 people for Saturday August 10
- one smaller group of 4-5 people for Friday August 23
We will also need 2 volunteers to provide lunches each day.
Please sign up on the event table in the welcome center or online.
Volunteer Information from Habitat
All volunteers must complete the online registration/waiver by the Tuesday before the scheduled build day. Tasks, additional details and any potential location change will be emailed to all volunteers on the Tuesday before your build day. All volunteers must arrive by 9 AM for a safety briefing and task instruction. If plans change, or they can no longer join us, volunteers can "cancel" their registration or notify their congregation's liaison.
2024 Good News Group Volunteer Flyer.pdf
Link to sign up for any Westside Build Days (access code is "Westside"): https://givepul.se/dnc615
|
No Elevator Service for Another Week Due to Maintenance
|
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, June 6 at 10am. Please join us around the fireplace to discuss Throwaway Children by Diney Costeloe. Need a copy? Call Betsy Doepken at 317-374-0971
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 How the Word is Passed and are looking forward to our next book - How Ableism Fuels Racism by Lamar Hardwick. Our next and last read for the 2023-24 academic year will be on June 2 at 7:00pm on zoom. We would love for you to join our discussion!
Summary of How Ableism Files Racism: As a Black autistic pastor and disability scholar, Lamar Hardwick lives at the intersection of disability, race, and religion. Tied to this reality, he heeded the call to write How Ableism Fuels Racism to help Christian communities engage in critical conversations about race by addressing issues of ableism.
Hardwick believes that ableism--the idea that certain bodies are better than others--and the disability discrimination fueled by this perspective are the root causes of racial bias and injustice in American
culture and in the church. Here, he uses historical records, biblical interpretation, and disability studies to examine how ableism in America led to the creation of images, idols, and institutions that perpetuate both disability and racial discrimination.
He then goes a step further, calling the church into action to address the deep-seated issues of ableism that started it all and offering practical steps to help readers dismantle ableism and racism both in attitude and practice.
This book is available on Audible, Kindle, new in hardback through Amazon and can be ordered through local bookstores in Ann Arbor.
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 June 2 as we continue reading and learning about Social Justice in our world.
Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/82801441457
Meeting ID: 828 0144 1457
If you have any questions at all, please contact Ann Andraska at yellowstonefun4@gmail.com or
Cindy Heflin Pelo at heflincl@gmail.com
|
|
|
Library Book of the Week
In this modern-day parable, Elisa Morgan uses the illustration of a gentle gardener to show readers that being faithful means being true to God and being true to others. Though it may be hard to fully understand, God's faithfulness never fails. All he asks is that believers meet him in the orchard. This touching story illustrates the beauty of God's never-ending devotion to his children and compels readers to greater assurance in him. Its hardcover format with black and white photography throughout makes it an ideal gift of encouragement for a friend. Through Morgan's compassionate words, readers will learn the peace and joy that can be theirs when they commit to a faithful walk with God.
|
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.
|
|
|
May Community Offering: Alpha House/IHN
Westside’s Community Offering for the month of May will go to Alpha House. In addition, we have our volunteer week May 6-12. Thank you SO much to everyone that is donating their time, food and/or money for our May week! You’ll have another chance to provide for Alpha House in September. Please know that you are making a difference!
Mission and History of Alpha House
More than providing just a bed and a roof for families, the goal of Alpha House is to support families in securing and maintaining their own home. The average age of a child experiencing homelessness is seven. Within a single year, 87% of children experiencing homelessness move, often up to three times, meaning changes in school, teacher and school work. Children often fall behind academically and struggle emotionally, mentally and behaviorally. At Alpha House, they strive to provide children the support they need in shelter and during the transition back into permanent housing.
Alpha House was established in 1992 to provide shelter and support to families experiencing homelessness and at-risk families. They serve over forty families a year in the shelter and up to ninety families through their rapid rehousing program. Alpha House provides intensive support services to address each family's individual needs and barriers to securing permanent housing. Their Case Managers begin with assisting each family to identify goals and objectives to move toward housing stability. The goals for families are focused on increasing income and savings, increasing employment and securing housing. Alpha House services aim to provide stability for parents and children living in the shelter and guide them through a plan to secure and maintain stable housing.
Alpha House is truly a community response to homelessness. Each year over 2,500 volunteers from local congregations, community groups, and businesses support the shelter by cooking and serving meals, engaging with the children, providing support and mentorship to the adults, and performing all the shelter maintenance (inside and outside). Every volunteer reminds the families that they are not alone in their struggles.
If you ever have questions or would love to find ways to volunteer, donate or just take a tour, please contact Ann Andraska: yellowstonefun4@gmail.com OR Kenndra Brewer: dkbrewer@ameritech.net OR you can call Alpha House directly at 734-822-0220 OR visit their website: https://www.alphahouse-ihn.org/
|
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
Elizabeth Audette May 31, 1960 - April 21, 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-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
|
|
|