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What an amazing capital campaign we have just completed here at West Side Church!
Last Sunday we had a special moment in worship when folks could bring their pledge cards forward to place in the offering box. Following worship, we had a celebration luncheon, where we announced that over $458,000 has been pledged to our AccessAbility Campaign!! This incredible news means that we can move forward with our projects, and soon we will figure out at what rate the pledges will come in - so we can appropriately time and plan the beginning and completion of our upgrades over the coming months ahead!
If you haven't turned in a pledge card yet, there's still time to jump in with your commitment. Every gift matters, and will help West Side increase it's digital and physical AccessAbility!!
We are of course overjoyed and grateful for the commitments and gifts that have been pledged to our church! These donations will be a present and future blessing to the many souls who will come into contact with West Side Church in a variety of capacities and connections!
I'd like to give a shout out to our AccessAbility campaign team - who helped plan, communicate, pray, host events and faithfully dream where this campaign could take us:
Doug & Sue Weber
Jim & Ellen Grosh
John & Patty Pieper
Gail Upson & Tom Hams
Karen Foshee
Marilyn & Duane Kirking
Betsy Doepkin
Jim & Kristy Meretta
Betsy Blackmon
Jeremy & Heather Schroeder
More information to come, and we ask that you continue to keep the projects and updates in prayer.
On the way there,
Pastor Adam
PS. Over the coming months we will continue to unpack the results of General Conference as there are several topics and legislations to review. So here is one installment - click on the video to hear some perspective from multiple UMC Bishops in attendance at the conference - both active and retired:
A BIG Happy Mother's Day to all who currently or who have played the role of "mother," nurturing children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, Sunday School kids, school kids, etc....as well as to those who offer unconditional loving companionship to friends, neighbors and strangers along the way!
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This Sunday, I will be preaching a sermon on the book of Ruth. It's a short book in the Old Testament with only four chapters. I encourage people to read it before Sunday, or if you prefer, here's a video that offers an overview of what it's about.
I will lead a 5-week group discussion starting on Wednesday, May 22nd, on Anne Lamott's latest book, "Somehow: Thoughts on Love." In her twentieth book, Lamott explores the transformative power of love in our lives: how it surprises us, forces us to confront uncomfortable truths, reminds us of our humanity, and guides us forward. 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.
Samantha Tidball
Associate Pastor
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Greetings West Siders,
I have been trained to be an educator for the laws recently passed in our state by the Michigan End Gun Violence Initiative. All are invited to attend our UWF (United Women in Faith) meeting on Monday, May 13 At 2 PM in the lounge, where I will review the laws passed this year by our state legislature.
I also attended a conference sponsored by the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office about Gun Violence in our County. If you are interested in learning about these laws but can’t attend an afternoon meeting, please let me know.
Bishop Bard’s insightful summary of the UMC General Conference can be found at this link https://michiganumc.org/may-we-not-love-alike/
I have also included this link https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/general-conference-legislative-recap to other business matters that were addressed at the UM General Conference beyond the inclusivity ones that got more press.
If you want to look at the detail for the UM Social Principles you will find them at this link https://www.umcjustice.org/documents/124. I think a summary may come out later that is not as lengthy as this document. When that occurs, I will post it in the West Side Weekly. As always, please contact Pastor Adam or me if you have questions.
Blessings,
Marilyn Kirking
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If you are interested in becoming an educator for the Michigan Gun Violence Prevention campaign, the next training session on Zoom is May 16 at 8pm. For more information & to register go here or contact Marilyn Kirking at 734 358 7985 or Mkirking@umich.edu.
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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.
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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
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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
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No Elevator Service for Another 1-2 Weeks Due to Maintenance
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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.
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NEW Facebook Page
Our new Facebook page is live! Like us to be updated on what's going on around at West Side.
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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
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West Side Bookworms
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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
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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
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Library Book of the Week
Parents know that kids ask amazing and often difficult questions about God, faith, heaven, and the Bible. Using the thoughtful answers in 801 Questions Kids Ask about God, parents will not be left at a loss for words. This resource from the Heritage Builders, a ministry of Focus on the Family, is a compilation of the best-selling 101 Questions Kids Ask series and includes key verses, notes, and an index of questions to guide parents in developing their answers. Includes playful illustrations children will enjoy.
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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.
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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/
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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
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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!
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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 |
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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
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