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!

THURS JULY 24 AT 5PM / FELLOWSHIP ROOM

Christmas (Eve) in July will take place on Thursday, July 24, 6pm - 7:30pm in the Fellowship Room.  The doors will open at 5pm for anyone who wants to bring dinner and eat together at church prior.  This year’s event will include an exploration of Chrismons and family Christmas tree traditions through stories, games, and crafts.  Attendees are asked to bring baby diapering supplies to help families in need.  Sign up directly on the sheet outside the church office or email office@fumcwestfield.org to have your name added.

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. 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Noontimers can use a volunteer to help come up with ideas for speakers and activities for Noontimers. There is a lot of freedom and flexibility in this role (and it's fun)! Contact the church office with interest.

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 10 3-7PM / ON THE LAWN / FOOD & LIVE BANDS

Join us for our 2nd annual community BBQ and ASP Mission Trip Fundraiser! Everyone from our community is welcomed to attend. We'll have multiple live bands performing:

+ The Jazz Combo Band from NJ Workshop for the Arts
+ Bluegrass from Nick Conte and Yellow Rose
+ Youth Band from NJ workshop
+ Jacks Ace from RMC Studios

BBQ Cook-Off competition contestants are welcomed (e.g., pulled pork, brisket, ribs, chicken etc.). Sides and desserts will also be available. Contact Peter.Pantalena@gmail.com if you want to enter the contest or need more information. This will be moved to the sanctuary/social hall in case of inclement weather.

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)

SUN MAR 2 FOLLOWING WORSHIP / SOCIAL HALL

On March 2 after church, the Social Justice Team is inviting you to attend an Ancestry Potluck. Please bring a dish that represents food that your ancestors ate. If it’s a family recipe, please bring a copy of the ingredients and directions. It can be a main course, side dish, drink, dessert… any food item you choose. Additionally, we encourage you to bring a family memento, heirloom, family picture, or an item that represents a family or faith tradition to display. Please email Connie Palmer (cqpalmer@yahoo.com) what food dish you plan to bring. Christine Munoz (wellatleast@hotmail.com) can also help with any questions you may have. 

SUNDAYS 10AM / IN PERSON + ONLINE

In the fall, FUMC Westfield identified four values that are vital to who we are and what we do as a church: Welcome All, Cultivate Community, Grow in Faith, and Reflect God's Love. Each Sunday in February will focus on one of these values, how it shows up in Jesus' ministry as told in the Gospel of John, and why it matters to us individually and collectively. We'll start off with Welcome All based on the story of Jesus meeting a Samaritan woman at a well in John 4.

VIA THE CALIFORNIA-PACIFIC ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE UMC

HOW TO HELP:
The congregation of Altadena UMC is requesting gift cards to Target for clothing and other immediate needs items. Please send gift cards of any denomination to the conference office for distribution:

Denyse Barnes c/o California-Pacific Annual Conference
PO Box 6006
Pasadena, CA 91102-6006
 
TAX-DEDUCTABLE DONATIONS:
We’ve set up a special fund – the Los Angeles Fires Recovery Fund – where you can contribute directly towards relief and recovery from the effects of the winds and firestorms this week. Check donations payable to the California-Pacific Conference can be mailed to:

California-Pacific Conference/Los Angeles Fires Recovery Fund
PO Box 6006
Pasadena CA 91102

SINGERS NEEDED / COMMEMORATION SERVICE MON JAN 20

On Monday, January 20, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Association of Westfield will hold its 38th Annual Interfaith Commemoration Service at 2pm at Saint Helen Church, 1600 Rahway Ave. in Westfield. This year is also the 30th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a National Day of Service. 

Singers for the Choir Needed We would appreciate your contribution of service by joining us as a singer in the Dr. King Interfaith Choir on January 20. Several of Dr. King’s favorite songs and hymns will be featured, such as “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “We Shall Overcome.” There is no requirement to be able to read music, just a willingness to share your voice with us.

There will only be two rehearsals:
+ Monday, January 6 at 7pm
+ Monday, January 13 at 7pm 

Rehearsal are held at Holy Trinity Church, 506 Westfield Avenue and are led by Sara Hedgepeth, Director of Contemporary Ensemble at Holy Trinity, and Mrs. Rosa Randall, vocal and spiritual leader (St. Luke's AME Zion Church, Westfield) with Rev. Simon Irving, music director and organist at Bethel Baptist Church, Westfield, as collaborative pianist.

Please join us for this uplifting and moving experience. RSVP by contacting Sara Hedgepeth at hedgepethsara@gmail.com or Laurie Clancy, rehearsal assistant, at lauriemclancy@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

DARING GREATLY BY BRENE BROWN

Rev. Jessica Campbell, pastor of Montgomery UMC in Belle Mead, NJ, is inviting young women aged 18-30 from area churches to join her for a small group that will read Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. This group will create a caring and empowering space for young women to explore their leadership potential and build Christian relationships.

Dates/Times: The class will run virtually on Thursdays from 7-8:30pm on 11/14, 11/21, 12/5, 12/12, and 12/19.

Please contact Pastor Alison with interest.

COLLECTING COFFEE GROUNDS

We can all proactively help protect our beautiful church gardens by saving and donating our coffee grounds to be sprinkled on the gardens as a natural deer, rabbit, squirrel and insect deterrent.  When you have enough saved, just bring the containers and place them by the mailboxes at the parking lot entrance door.  (I use an old quart size plastic take out container to collect mine but you can use a coffee can or anything similar which you would otherwise discard.)

Pests hate the bitter taste and smell of coffee grounds and will avoid digging up the bulbs being planted now, and eating the young shoots which will be sprouting in the spring.  If you like, you can even donate cinnamon, ground red pepper or flakes, or any kind of mint.  People won't detect the smell on the soil, but pests will be repelled.

SUNDAYS 10AM / IN PERSON OR ONLINE

Our worship theme for Advent comes from Jesus’ call in Luke 21:36 to stay awake, part of a passage that is often read during Advent. Each week we’ll pair that call with a specific quality we can be open to in our daily lives, taken from the United Methodist pastor Tyler Sit’s book Staying Awake: The Gospel for Changemakers. We hope you’ll join us for worship in Advent!

MON DEC 16 AT 7PM

FUMC Westfield will be hosting our new bishop for a time of worship with clergy and laity from around our district! Bishop Moore-Koikoi will be preaching.

PICK UP TAGS ANYTIME / DUE BACK ON DEC 15

For this year's Giving Tree, we are participating with St. Joseph Social Service Center in Elizabeth and Neighborhood Health in Plainfield. 

St Joseph’s is looking for you to purchase a warm top and bottom for the children and a $25 gift card (Visa, American Express or Walmart preferred) for the adults. Children’s gifts should be placed unwrapped, price tags attached, in large Christmas gift bags with the labels stapled to the upper right corner. Gift cards should be placed in envelopes with the labels affixed to the front. 

St Joseph’s also welcomes any other donations of extra Christmas gift bags, tissue passer and smaller items such as toiletries- socks, and winter accessories that will be added to the gift you provide. 

If you prefer not to shop, you can give cash or check and we will do the shopping for you. 

Neighborhood Health would appreciate gift cards. Any amount $25 and over is greatly appreciated. 

The donation tags are available for pick up anytime. Gifts should be returned to the church by Sunday, December 15. 

Thank you for helping families in Union County this holiday season. If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Heifetz.

AVAILABLE SUN DEC 15 AFTER WORSHIP

Heifer is coming Sunday morning December 15 (after worship).  Can't think of what to get someone for Christmas? How about a donation to Heifer for a flock of honeybees or other items in their name that will help someone in need. For any questions contact Bonny Chopey by email at nchopey@comcast.net.

THURS DEC 19 AT 7PM / FUMC WESTFIELD & VIA LIVESTREAM

This service is a supportive space for those experiencing loss or struggle during this holiday season. Gathering together for candle lighting, hymns, scripture provide glimmers of light in the midst of our dark nights. 

SUN DEC 15 / DURING 10AM WORSHIP

Come celebrate the story of Christmas! Our children will share the story of Jesus' birth through drama and song.