SUN JULY 19 / 11AM-2PM

Support FUMC Youth at our ASP Youth Mission Car Wash Fundraiser. Your donation helps support our youth's trip to East Tennessee with Appalachia Service Project, where they will repair and rebuild homes impacted by flooding and share the hope of love of Christ with the community they serve.

Stop by the parking lot at the Ferris Place entrance, get a clean car, and help support a mission that is restoring homes and changing lives. We hope to see you there!

10AM SUN MAY 31 / GUEST SPEAKER & LUNCH / PLEASE RSVP

On Sunday May 31, Peace with Justice Sunday, the social justice committee welcomes Peter Jacobs, the Executive Director of Union County Family Promise to speak during the service on the theme of Welcoming All.  After church there will be a Welcome All lunch in the social hall where Peter will share more and answer your questions.  The theme of the service and lunch is how FUMC can become an even more welcoming church community.  Contact Connie Palmer at cqpalmer@yahoo.com to let her know if you can come or click the button below to sign up for the lunch.

Easter Sunday at FUMC
WORSHIP, BRUNCH, & EGG HUNT

Join friends at FUMC Westfield for worship on Easter Sunday as we rejoice in the Risen Christ!  There will be a light brunch for everyone following the 10am worship service and an egg hunt for kids. We hope you'll join us and may the good news of the resurrection strengthen our faith and courage as we follow Jesus!

Easter Sunday Schedule
6:30am Sunrise service on the lawn with communion
10am Easter Sunday worship with brunch and egg hunt at 11am

SUN MARCH 1 FOLLOWING WORSHIP / SOCIAL HALL

Join us for pancakes after worship on Sunday as we mark the beginning of Lent! Along with homemade pancakes, ham, and bacon, the brunch will feature music from NJ Workshop for the Arts Jazz Combo. This event will be a great way to connect with friends from FUMC, and musicians from the community. All are welcome!

FOR OUR JOURNEY THROUGH LENT

Our Lent series centers on the abundant grace of God poured out through water, wine, and oil throughout the Bible. These tangible elements invite us to connect our faith with everyday life. They offer renewal through simple reminders of God's presence and goodness, and they encourage us to share abundance with others. 

Feb 22 Oil: Borrowed Vessels - 2 Kings 4:1-7, Psalm 133
Mar 1 Wine: New Wineskins - Matthew 9:17
Mar 8 Water: Living Water - John 7, Isaiah 55:1
Mar 15 Oil: Oil of Joy - Psalm 45, Isaiah 61:1-3
Mar 22 Water to Wine: Pouring In, Pouring Out - John 2
Mar 29 Palm Sunday: Oil: Full Jars - Matthew 21:1-11
Apr 2 Maundy Thursday: Water: Washing Feet - John 13 
Apr 3 Good Friday: Wine: Bitter Wine - Mark 15 
Apr 5 Easter Sunday: Oil: Anointed and Blessed - Mark 16 

Lent Devotional
This series is loosely based on a devotional called Grace Poured Out: A Lenten Reflection on Water, Wine, and Oil. Copies will be available at FUMC Westfield, or you can order online through Chalice Press. (Pastor Alison wrote the devotion for the Tuesday of Holy Week!)

THURS MAR 5 6PM DINNER / 6:30PM PANEL DISCUSSION

We invite you to join Imagine for a meaningful and heartfelt evening of conversation, reflection, and connection at our upcoming Faith, Loss, and Spirituality Panel—back by popular demand after being a standout breakout session at last year’s Grief Education Conference.

Grief often invites big questions—about faith, meaning, and how we carry loss forward. This panel brings together faith leaders from our community to explore how spirituality and belief intersect with grief, creating space for honest dialogue, insight, and hope.

Moderated by Imagine’s own Minister Najiyyah Bailey—a faith leader and grief awareness advocate—the panel features trusted spiritual voices in our community:

+ Rabbi Victor Apell of Temple Emanu-El in Westfield.

+ Marie Thompson of Masjid As-Habul Yameen in East Orange

+ Reverend Eyesha Marable of Mt. Zion AME Church in Millburn and NJPAC Community Engagement

+ Reverend Alison V. Philip of First United Methodist Church of Westfield

+ Pastor Christopher Flynn of Renaissance Church in Springfield

This event is part of the Rabbi Earl Grollman Grief Education Series, presented and hosted by Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss.

Whether you are navigating loss yourself, supporting someone who is grieving, or seeking a deeper understanding of grief and faith, you are welcome here.

EVENT LOCATION: 244 Sheffield St, Mountainside, NJ

COLLECTION ENDS ON FEB 10

All are invited to join the Junior Youth Fellowship “Souper” Bowl Food Drive! Whether you are a Seahawks fan, a Patriots fan, or simply a fan of helping others, be part of the fun!  Bring in canned foods (see list below of needed items) and put them in the container for the team you want to win.  While the big game is on February 8, the collection ends on February 10.  All items collected will be tallied on the 10th then donated to the Westfield Food Pantry. The Westfield Food Pantry is in need of the following items:

+ Jars of tomato sauce
+ Bars of soap
+ Rice
+ Canned fruit
+ Pancake syrup
+ Pancake mix
+ Cans of beans 
+ Tissues

SUN APR 12

Breakfast Before Worship Youth group activities are on a break until we return on April 12 for Breakfast Before Worship (moved to 2nd Sunday this month, so folks can celebrate Easter breakfast with their families).

SAT FEB 14 4-6PM / SOCIAL HALL

Families are invited to join the Milak family for pizza making to celebrate Valentine's Day. Kids can make their own pizza with homemade sourdough crust. Cost is $10 to cover supplies. Please RSVP to Megan at mdaily77@gmail.com.

SAT FEB 7 AT 4PM / BENEFITTING COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS

Save the date for our 2nd Annual Chili Cook-Off and Music Concert on Saturday, February 7. This event is hosted by the Men’s group to benefit our college scholarship funds

Lineup for Saturday, February 7
Concert at 4pm, $5 / In the Sanctuary
Dinner at 5:30pm, $30 / In the Social Hall

Music provided by NJ Workshop for the Arts with games and trivia provided by the FUMC Men’s group.

Please contact the office if you have questions or wish to enter your best chili. Email: office@fumcwestfield.org or Telephone: (908) 233-4211.

THIS EVENT IS CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER FORECAST

This event is being cancelled. Soup is available for you and your neighbors as needed! Take some from the Social Hall freezer, or if you'd like soup delivered on Saturday before the snow, please contact Pete Pantalena (ppantal@aol.com).

RETURN FILLED BOXES TO FUMC BY NOV 15

Plainfield Action Services helps over 500 families in the Plainfield area who are facing hardships and hunger every day.   They are asking our support to help provide a Thanksgiving meal to some of these families. FUMC has set a goal to provide 20 of these Thanksgiving meals. YOU can participate in our Thanksgiving collection in several ways: 

1 Assemble and donate a complete Thanksgiving Meal Basket (instructions provided below) as a family or group

2 Donate items (from a specific Shopping List) to help FUMC assemble multiple Thanksgiving Meal Baskets.  Sign Up through the button below.

3 Help to assemble the Thanksgiving Meal Baskets on November 15th (at FUMC)

4 Make a monetary donation to support the collection

5 Pray for those who donate, assemble, deliver or receive the Thanksgiving Meal Baskets 

SIGN UP FOR ITEMS

STARTS SUNDAY IN THE CHOIR ROOM

This fall, Revs. Dan and Alison are gathering a small group focused on the journey of parenting adult children. Whether you’re just entering this phase or have been living it for years, this group will offer space to share experiences, reflect on changing family dynamics, and support one another through the joys and challenges.  

We’ll explore questions like:
+ How has our relationship with our adult children evolved?
+ What impact has this shift had on our marriage and identity?
+ How do we balance connection and autonomy?
+ What kind of grandparents do we want to be—and what kind do our sons and daughters hope we’ll be?  

The group will meet on the following dates:

+ Sunday, October 5 from 11:30am-1pm
+ Sunday, October 19 from 11:30am-1pm
+ Sunday, November 2 from 12-1:30pm

It's not too late to sign up! Just email Pastor Alison with your interest. 

SAT NOV 15 / 9AM-1PM / FELLOWSHIP ROOM

Join friends from FUMC Westfield for this year's vision gathering! Last year, we named core values: Welcome All, Cultivate Community, Grow in Faith, Reflect God’s Love. This year, we'll focus on cultivating community. Building and sustaining relationships is the heart of ministry. It is deeply needed in our divided world, where many people experience feeling both hyperconnected and disconnected at once. The gathering will include time for connecting with others at FUMC, reflecting on how our ministries cultivate community, and inviting us to consider how we can build strong relationships within and beyond FUMC. The day will conclude with lunch and an opportunity to serve together by assembling Thanksgiving baskets for families nearby. 

TUES OCT 14 11:30AM-1:30PM / FELLOWSHIP ROOM

Join the Nurture Team for a special time to gather in fellowship and lunch. On the agenda: good food, talking to friends, and meeting new friends! 

NOON SEPT 12 TEMPLE EMANU-EL + ONLINE / RSVP

Join Rev. Alison V. Philip from First United Methodist Church of Westfield and Rabbi Ethan Prosnit from Temple Emanu-El of Westfield for a thought-provoking, faith-based conversation as we explore the timeless questions raised by the Book of Job. Together, we’ll delve into themes of suffering, justice, and divine mystery through both Christian and Jewish lenses. A light lunch will be provided. An RSVP link will be shared when it's available.

SUNDAYS 10AM IN PERSON + ONLINE

A Faith that Works: The Letter of James
The Books of James has incited controversy within the church over how Christians should prioritize faith and works. If we receive God's grace by faith alone, in what ways do our works matter? How do faith and works fit together? Explore the Book of James with FUMC Westfield this August.

Aug 10 James 2 / Faith that Acts
Aug 17 James 3 / Faith that Speaks Wisely
Aug 24 James 4 and 5 / Faith that Surrenders, Waits, and Prays
Aug 31 A Celebration of the UM Hymnal: Service of Scripture and Songs

JOIN THE PLANNING TEAM

Each November, FUMC Westfield meets for a vision gathering focused on energizing us for ministry, clarifying our mission and values, and discerning goals/themes for the next year. This year our focus is cultivating relationships. If you are interested in being part of a planning team, please let Pastor Alison know. The commitment would involve considering ideas from a book called The Art of Neighboring and attending a meeting or two to share thoughts and listen for the Spirit’s leading as we shape a plan for the gathering. Thank you for considering this possibility!

Join us in worship this summer as we focus on short letters in the Bible that might not get as much focus or attention as the longer books.

Summer Series: Appreciating What Gets Overlooked

June 29 Obadiah / Connie Palmer
July 6 The Wisdom of Haymitch, Isaiah 55:1-6 / Rev. Shawn Callender Hogan
July 13 1 John / Rev. Dan Bottorff
July 20 2 John / Rev. Alison
July 27 3 John / Rev. Alison

TRAINING PROVIDED

Do you enjoy creating special moments and ensuring everything runs smoothly? Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? If your answer is YES, this might be a great fit!

Many weddings are scheduled during the week these days, so if you have time on week days, you are in high demand! As an extra bonus, there is a small amount of compensation given for your time.

Training will be provided on a Sunday after church, date to be determined. 

If you are interested, contact Yarlin at Yarlin@att.net. I look forward to hearing from you!

SUN JUNE 1 AFTER WORSHIP / LOVE IN ACTION

Join us for good fellowship and food on Sunday, June 1, at 11:15am. The Rev. T.C. Morrow will join us as our special guest speaker. Rev. Morrow serves on the staff of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture where she helps people put their faith into action in support of human rights. She also serves on the extended clergy team at Foundry UMC in Washington, DC as Pastor of Public Witness and Ecumenical Connection. A lifelong United Methodist, in 2022 she was ordained a Deacon in the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the UMC. 

TUES APR 29 11:30AM-1:30PM

Come hang out with your FUMC friends!  All are welcome - babies, great-grandparents and everyone in between Lunch will be provided. Please text Stina Nanavati at 585.943.4459 to reserve your spot. More details to follow. This event is sponsored by the Nurture Team. Rides are available. Just text to request!

4TH SUNDAYS AT 9AM

Gather monthly on the 4th Sunday for Breakfast and Bible Stories, a family-based fellowship and learning program. More details to come - mark your calendars and plan to join us!

SAT MAY 30 1-6PM / FOOD & LIVE BANDS

Join us on Saturday, May 30, from 1-6pm for FUMC’s 3rd annual BBQ Picnic & Live Music to benefit our mission work with Appalachia Service Project (ASP).  Stop by for an hour or spend the whole afternoon.  Great food, live music, lawn games - you won’t want to miss it!

Admission: Free for music and games. Donations to the ASP Mission trip are greatly appreciated!
Food: Plenty of traditional bbq meats, sides, desserts and drinks available for purchase.
Special Music Performances: Nick Conte and Yellow Rose, NJ Workshop for the Arts Jazz Combo, and additional youth bands from NJ Workshop for the Arts

DOWNLOAD OR SUBSCRIBE TO LENT DEVOTIONAL

This year Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi asked clergy and laity from across Greater NJ and Eastern PA to write devotions on the theme of healing. There are 40 devotions for the 40 days of Lent. Use the links below to sign up to get the devotions via email or download a PDF. Pastor Alison's devotion is Day 9.

SAT APR 5 9:30AM-1:30PM / SIGN-UP TODAY

Everyone is invited to join the Restorative Lenten Retreat focused on healing through a combination of reflections, prayer practices, and hands on activities. The retreat will be led by a team of leaders from FUMC Westfield.

SUPPORT FUMC YOUTH THIS SUMMER

Support the FUMC ASP Team this summer as they work to help folks have safe, warm and dry homes.  The team will depart on Saturday, August 2nd to serve the August 3-9 in Lee County, Virginia.  You can support their work in the following ways:

+ Attend an ASP Car Wash Fundraiser (June 29th and July 13th)
+ Adopt a Team Member as a Prayer Partner
+ Donate via our Sponsorship Calendar (talk with any team member for details)