FUMC Update
Updated 9/19/23
Due to email scams, we will no longer be listing contact information. To recieve contact information for any of the blurbs listed, please contact the office at (262)542-4256 or office@fumcwaukesha.org.
This Month
- Lutheran Social Services Refugee Resettlement – – We have struggled to secure housing for over a year but are happy to report that LSS has obtained housing for more refugees. Our FUMC co-sponsorship team will begin our efforts by furnishing 1 or 2 apartments for the refuges families and kick-off our “Giving Tree” Missions Drive starting September 10th which will run to September 30th. There will be sign-ups available for specific household, personal care items and larger furniture items (new or gently used) and quantities (specific measurements) needed. Check the tree throughout the month because we will be adding leaves. If you have questions, please contact Anjana Jones or Dirk Wilken.
Living Faith Today - This class is a chance to look at current events through the lens of our faith and explore how what we believe relates to the world around us. Each week a new subject is explored. Members of the class come and go as their life allows.
The topic this week is "What's an 'Ordinary' Christian Life?" - This is called the "Ordinary" season in the church. In a time that calls so much for the extraordinary in order to get attention, what does it mean to be ordinary?
- A Celebration of Life for Barb Nickels will take place on Saturday, September 9, at FUMC. Visitation: 9:30 – 11am, Asbury Room. The service will begin at 11am in the sanctuary. Lunch will follow the service in the downstairs dining room.
- Creative Pals - Fall is fast approaching so it is time to dig out those projects you haven't gotten to all summer and dedicate some time to them. Creative Pals is an opportunity to have some dedicated time to work on whatever project is on your to do list; knitting, crocheting, card making, scrapbooking, or just getting organized on a project. We will begin meeting again on September 23 in Room 209. This group gets together once a month. If you have questions or if you plan on coming, please contact JoAnn Wright or Lori Tompkins.
- Circle of Sisters will return to our monthly book discussions on Monday, September 25 at 7pm. We will begin the year by reading Wholehearted Faith by Rachel Held Evans with Jeff Chu. The description reads: "This book is for the doubter and the dreamer, the seeker and the sojourner, those who long for a sense of spiritual wholeness as well as those who have been hurt by the Church but can’t seem to let go of the story of Jesus. Through theological reflection and personal recollection, Rachel wrestles with God’s grace and love, looks unsparingly at what the Church is and does, and explores universal human questions about becoming and belonging. An unforgettable, moving, and intimate book." We anticipate that this book will take us through the first half of the year and plan to select a second title for the remaining meetings. The dates for our meetings this year are Sept 25, Oct 23, Nov 27, Jan 22, Feb 26, Mar 25, Apr 22, May 20 (the 3rd Monday due to the Holiday) You may pick up your book in the Asbury Room ($18 /book. If hardship to pay for book, please see Pastor Amy.)
- Creative Pals - Our crafting/project group is taking the summer off. We know people have lots to do with the good weather. We will resume in September. See you in the fall.
Coming Soon
FUMC is signed up to host Loaves & Fishes at the Hope Center on Sunday, October 8 from 12:30-3:30pm. We are in need of salads, desserts, volunteers, and monetary donations to cover the cost of the meal. Sign ups for volunteers & food donations can be made within SignUpGenus, or by calling the church office. Monetary donations can be marked “L&F” and given to the church office. If you have any questions, please reach out to Erin Blum.
Meet Me in the Middle - FUMC is looking for volunteers to help coordinate this once-a-month community connection with El Sistema, one of FUMC’s Building Partners. Specifically, El Sistema is asking for a meal and a service project once a month for 6 months (October – April), 6-8pm, at the church. FUMC would provide the food and the peoplepower. El Sistema leadership is willing to “start small” with desserts, if providing a full meal is too difficult. El Sistema’s mission is to introduce the joy of music by providing affordable string music education for children. If interested in learning more about Meet Me in the Middle, contact Cheryl Printz (cheryl.printz@fumcwaukesha.org).
Ongoing Opportunities
FUMC-Waukesha is seeking an energetic and enthusiastic candidate to fill the position of part-time Intergenerational Ministry Coordinator. This position is responsible for coordinating ministry opportunities with an emphasis on Christian education for all ages. For a description of job responsibilities and required qualifications, visit https://fumcwaukesha.org/ or call the church office. For interested candidates, send a completed application (download available on website) to the church office, Attn: SPRC, 121 Wisconsin Ave, Waukesha WI 53186.
- Gift Cards Needed! We are in need of gift cards for grocery stores, fast food restaurants, and gas stations as well as bus passes (or financial contributions so we can purchase them) for people in our community needing some assistance. If you are making a financial contribution, mark your gift “Emergency Fund.” We are fully stocked with peanut butter and jelly so there is not currently a need for that.
· Agrace Hospice Volunteers Needed in Waukesha County. Volunteers are needed to make companionship visits to local hospice care patients. No health care experience is needed. Schedules are flexible, and free training is provided. Contact Agrace at (608) 327-7163 or visit agrace.org/volunteer.
- Wednesday Bible Study - Pastor Susan is holding a Wednesday morning Lectionary Bible Study, 9:30 – 11am, in Room 216. Everyone is welcome. No need to sign up. Bring: your favorite Bible (the experience is much more interesting when we read from different translations), an open mind, and a willingness to listen to a variety of theological perspectives. If possible, please use the West entrance. Coffee will be provided. Others will be invited to bring treats.
Church & Society will sell Fair Trade and Organic coffee and chocolate bars on the second Sunday of the month immediately after the 9:30 worship service in the Asbury Room. Please stop by to check out our inventory. We accept cash and checks payable to First United Methodist Church ("Fair Trade" in memo line).
Digital Ministry Volunteers Wanted! Be a part of this exciting and vital part of our church's ministry. Volunteers help with cameras, slides, and sound. Training will be provided. No technical expertise needed. You can help extend our reach beyond the walls of the church. For more information, contact Tony Linz or the church office.
- Serving on Sundays- Sign up to read scripture, greet, donate altar flowers, serve communion and host fellowship time! Click HERE for more information and to sign up!
- The counting team is still working on processing any donation that comes into the church. Please include your green offering envelope, with your envelope number n it, with your donation to help facilitate the process. If you need envelopes, please contact Tia Legler at tia.legler@fumcwaukesha.org or contact the church office.
- Attention Upper Room Readers! Copies of the current Upper Room are available. Previous editions are available as well. Contact the Office Manager for a time to pick one up or to get one mailed to you.
Download FUMC’s APP Today – FUMC’s APP is available to download in the iTunes App Store, Google Play and Amazon App Store. Go to our webpage to download the app or simply search “FUMC Waukesha” in the store to get started. Note: You currently do not need to create an account to use the app unless you plan on using the Giving or Notes portion. Designed to be used on smartphones and tablets, the purpose of our app is to have everything our members and friends need to know about FUMC in one easily accessible place.
Wanted: Quilters and Sewers to join us to make charity quilts. We meet at church the 1st Tuesday and the 3rd Thursday from 9:00am-12:00pm each month. Any questions call Mary Crown at (262)446-9343 or Kathy Greenwald at (262)542-8094.
Yarntwisters meet each Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:30, at members homes. It been a wonderful experience. It kept us active, social distance at first, but helped us able to experience friendship and socialization, much needed during this time. If you have free time and want to join us, we love to add new members. We would be glad to teach anyone to knit or crochet. Yarntwisters love yarn donations, they can be left in room 209 or at church office at any time. That yarn will be put to good use. If you have questions, please contact Joyce Collins at 262-544-1781
Healing Hearts of Southeast Wisconsin, Inc. offers virtual support groups for those with a grieving heart. The Adult Grief Support Group meets the second Tuesday of the month from 6:00pm-7:00pm. The Family Support Group for children, teens and adults meet on Monday from 6:00pm-7:00pm rotating between children and parent groups (every other week for each). The Young Adult Peer Grief Support Group meets every other Thursday from 6:00pm-7:30pm. To register for any of these groups call (262)751-0874.
- We appreciate your ongoing financial support of FUMC's mission and ministry. Our online giving account can be found using this link: HERE Your checks can be mailed to the church and designated to support our church budget or other specific missions of our church. Note to church members: When you mail your check-in, please include your green pledge envelope with your envelope number on it, inside the mailing envelope. Our address: First United Methodist Church, 121 Wisconsin Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186.