Each week, Each week, general church announcements and the calendar for the coming week appear in the worship folder for both the downtown and Green Wood services. The deadline for submissions is noon on Wednesday the week prior. Around major church holidays, the normal deadline may change. Bulletin announcements should be submitted to Adele Roy at the church office (adele@fumc-a2.org ). Announcements from organizations outside First Church will be included as space permits.
There are forms available through the church office so church groups may request to hang banners, use the display cases, and have tables set in the Social Hall during Connections. Please plan to make requests at least one week in advance. Please also bring to the office during business hours any smaller signs you wish to post, or tack them to the appropriate bulletin board. A room setup sheet (sometimes referred to as a "Green Sheet") is now available online. Please print it out, fill it in, and return it to the church office at least five days prior to your event to ensure your room is properly prepared for your event.
DROP-IN WEEKLY GATHERINGS
The groups below welcome visitors at any time. Join one or more groups to enjoy fellowship while seeking to know God, love others, and serve the world. For more information on a group listed, contact the office or consult the website or brochure.
SUNDAYS: Global Issues The Global issues class is suspended through 2/12 so members can attend the short-term classes offered (see below). We will resume with lively discussions on topics from the Foreign Policy Association text, or on topics presented by members from their readings or experiences.
SUNDAYS: Uppity Women of the Bible: Esther (11am Rm 215) This exploration led by Julie Roesch offers complex characters, twisty plots and slapstick farce. Through 2/12.
SUNDAYS: Blessed are the Peacemakers (11am Calkins) David Crumm leads this class based on Daniel Buttry’s book of the same name. Through 2/12.
SUNDAYS: Civil Discourse (11:15am Asbury) How do we engage in civil discourse around public triggers such as abortion, racism and global ethics? Dr. Wayne Baker leads a five-week class created by NPR Host Krista Tippett. Through 2/12.
SUNDAYS: So You Want to Be a United Methodist (6pm Asbury) Pastor Nancy guides participants through the history, theology, and polity of the United Methodist Church. Through 2/12.
TUESDAYS: WOWMOMs (9:30am Asbury) WOW = Women Of Wonder — Gathering each week to give fellowship and support to each other.
WEDNESDAYS: Mothers Circle (9:30am Asbury) This women’s group meets weekly to share ideas, discuss parenting joys and challenges, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, and fellowship.
WEDNESDAYS: Blessed are the Peacemakers (8:10pm Wesley Lounge) Rev. Bob Roth leads this class based on Daniel Buttry’s book of the same name. 1/25–2/15.
FRIDAYS: L.O.V.E. Thy Neighbor Bag Lunch preparation (6:30-8:30pm Kitchen) Prepare bag lunches for distribution to our community homeless.
SATURDAYS: L.O.V.E. Thy Neighbor Bag Lunch distribution (6:45-9am St. Andrews Church)
SATURDAYS: Men Of Faith (8am Asbury) Gathering of men interested in exploring faith expression.
Updated Friday, February 3, 2012
If you have turned in a commitment card for 2012, we thank you. We are still awaiting responses from many families. If you have not already done so, please take the time now to complete your FUMC commitment card and bring it with you this weekend. Or, since you are on your computer right now, complete your commitment on line. (http://fumca2.wufoo.com/forms/fumc-ann-arbor-serving-through-generosity/)
Uncommon Threads, a group of quilters and knitters who make prayer quilts and prayer shawls for those in need of comfort, will meet again on Mon., Feb. 6, from 1-3pm at Green Wood. Visitors welcome! With questions, please contact Sandy Hultquist (slhultquist@comcast.net).
FUMCN Open House — First United Methodist Cooperative Nursery School (FUMCN) is having an Open House for Fall 2012 enrollment on Thu., Feb. 9, from 10-11:30 a.m. in the FUMCN classrooms. (snowdate: Thur., Feb. 16, during the same time.) Now enrolling for 3 & 4 year old classes for morning and afternoon sessions, and the young 5s class that meets five mornings a week. Meet Ms. Juli and Ms. Susan, tour the classrooms, and find out more about FUMCN. Children are welcome to attend. Church members have priority enrollment until the end of the open house. Applications are available in the B room and on the school website at www.fumcn.org. For more information, please contact: Meghan (972-7329 or meghanwernimont@gmail.com) or Kristi (kristilsimmons@hotmail.com, or 369-4437).
Gasoline is an everyday need – Use scrip to fill up your tank and help Youth Missions at the same time. See us at Connections for ideas. Please note: February scrip orders must be made by Feb. 12 for pick up on Feb. 19. The next ordering Sunday will be Mar. 4, with pick up on Mar. 13. Buy It Now scrip will still be available each Sunday.
The editorial deadline for the March Messenger is Fri., Feb. 10 by noon. Pictures are always welcome. Please limit submissions to 300 words or less if possible. Submit via email: jschlee@umich.edu.
Men’s Prayer Breakfast meets Sat., Feb 11 at 7:30 am at Bob Evan’s restaurant, at the corner of Carpenter and Washtenaw Ave. Visitors Welcome!
Your loose change can help purchase text books for Kenyan students. The collection box is at the southwest entrance to the downtown sanctuary! Clothing and school supplies also needed. See: http://tinyurl.com/kenyaclothingdonation and http://tinyurl.com/kenya2012, to sign up!
Mothers Too (Circle II) will meet at 11am in the Chapel (Note the room change!) Sun., Feb. 12. Anyone is welcome for non-judgmental informal personal discussion and sharing.
If you would like to help provide a Sunday Lunch for the Wesley Foundation, there are still open spots for February 12th and February 19th. The lunch takes place in the Wesley Lounge following the 11:15 service and there are usually between 20 and 25 students. Serving dishes and utensils are provided by the Wesley Foundation and you can use the Pine Room Sunday morning for preparations. If you would like to help, contact Emily Jursek at ejursek@umich.edu.
In the display cases — The Uncommon Threads group has some of their handmade prayer quilts and prayer shawls in the display cases in February and March.
FUMC will host homeless families through the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) at Alpha House Feb. 27-Mar. 4. This requires about 80 volunteers to prepare dinners, provide food for meals, serve as hosts for dinner, participate in evening activity time with the children, and to stay overnight. We also need hosts for times throughout the day on both Saturday and Sunday. In addition, we provide supplies for the pantry at Alpha House. Stop by the downtown social hall during Connections on Sunday to sign up, or contact Beth Lipton at 665-9033 or turboteach@aol.com. Our next host week will be June 18-24. Thank you!
The Wesley Foundation will make bread and sell it to help raise money for this year’s Spring Break Work Project. Wesley students will have your order available for pick-up on Sunday, February 12. Banana bread: $6; Cinnamon bread: $7; Whole Grain bread: $6; and Apple bread: $7. Stop by Connections to place your order, or look for the link to a printable form on the homepage of the church website. All orders are due to Tina in the main church office by the end of the day Thursday, February 9.
COMMUNITY NOTES
Save the Date! Sun., Feb. 19 at 7pm. CONCERTS4aCAUSE winter concert to benefit IHN @ Alpha House, a shelter for local children and families experiencing homelessness. Performers include: MOT principal violist John Madison, A2SO violinist Beth Kirton, area University faculty and students, and others. Event to be held at Northside Community Church (929 Barton Dr., Ann Arbor). Admission is free; tax deductible donations to IHN @ Alpha House will be gratefully accepted.
House by the Side of the Road helps struggling individuals and families who are in need of clothing and household items. We rely on congregations to help meet these needs through donations. If you know of families who are in need please refer them to the House as we can serve more individuals. (824 Phoenix, Ann Arbor)
UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) responds to global emergencies by providing clean drinking water, food, temporary shelter, and medical aid. Give to UMCOR.org with confidence that 100% of your donation goes directly to assistance.
WESLEY FOUNDATION CAMPUS MINISTRY
Join us for a free Student Lunch today (Sunday)! Gather in the Wesley Lounge after the second service (at 12:15 pm). Great (free!) food and fellowship...
Wesley is making homemade Bread to support our work trip All students: if you can help bake next Saturday for a couple of hours, email peer minister Emily Jursek (ejursek@umich.edu).
“Peacemakers” class continues this week: Join us!
Based on a wonderful book called Blessed Are The Peacemakers, Chaplain Bob is leading a class these Wednesday nights at 8:10 pm through Feb. 15. (David Crumm is teaching a section of this class Sunday mornings through Feb. 12.) This class replaces our usual undergrad Bible study these four weeks and is open to ALL at FUMC and Wesley. It is fine to attend one or more weeks. This week: “The Church & Peace.” Special guest, Bishop Jesse DeWitt.
Every Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. Grads Bible Study.
Every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Holy Communion — All are welcome!
Check out the Wesley website for details: www.umich.edu/~wesley
