First United Methodist Church - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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.

Miney Williams sends a note of grateful thanks to all who responded by praying and sending cards during her illness and recovery.

The FUMC liturgical movement team, Praise in Motion, is preparing to schedule rehearsals for the evening worship service of Maundy Thursday, April 1. This is a no-barriers ministry that welcomes all who have a willing spirit, regardless of dance training or ability. If interested, please contact Lauren Steele at 997-7161 or RLSteele@mail.com by Sun., Mar. 14. Participants should plan on attending three rehearsals.

Mothers Too (Circle II) will meet at 11am in the Asbury Room (lower level) Sun., Mar. 14. Anyone is welcome for non-judgmental informal personal discussion and sharing. For info contact: cookie4860@aol.com or 734-995-2532.

Miriam Circle will meet at 9:15am Tue., Mar. 16, at the home of Marge Hansen, 3121 Silver Maples Dr. in Chelsea. Kathie Wilder will speak on the recent mission trip to Kenya. Call Marge Whitacre if interested in car pooling.

Ministry Opportunity — Do you have some time during the day and would you like to use it by serving God in a very special way? The Visitation Team is looking for volunteers who would be willing to take members to their doctors appointments, to church, and perhaps perform an other type of errand. We are also looking for members who would be interested in visiting our shut-ins. If this is something that interests you, please contact Phyllis Rector (prector@provide.net or 482-8999).

Display cases in March and April — Linda Brokaw, Mike Fedel, Mike Hannum, and Bev Walker are sharing artwork based on the theme “Spirituality” in the display cases downtown through April.

UMW Setting the Table — Join the UMW in a Spiritual Retreat at Green Wood on Sat., Mar. 20, from 9–11am. Rev. Amy Mayo-Moyle will lead the program relating to the miracles of Jesus and hospitality as a spiritual gift. Amy is the pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Britton and wife of pastor Michael Mayo-Moyle, who formerly served our congregation. Women and daughters of all ages are invited. Coffee and pastries will be served.

The Jukebox Generation is a group for couples in their 50s and older. On Sun., Mar. 21, we will host the Connections Coffee Hour. Please let Jan Radak know what you can bring (483-8124 or kradak@provide.net ). Following coffee hour that day, we will have lunch at Pot Belly and then go on a tour of the renovated U of M Museum of Art. On Sat., Apr. 17, the Jukebox Generation will attend the Musical Theater Production of Ragtime at the Power Center at 8pm preceded by dinner. Tickets for Ragtime are $15 each if we have 12 people. Deadline is April 1 with checks to be sent to Phyllis Hill 3091 Idlewild Ct. 48105.

Phoebe Circle will meet on Mon., Mar. 22, at 1pm at the home of Norma Wonnacott, 1930 Coronada, for a Lenten program. Visitors are welcome.

The Memorial Garden Committee will meet Mon., Mar 22 at 6:30pm in the Asbury room. We will discuss plans for the celebration of Memorial Day. Anyone who is interested may join us.

Please let the church office know of any church family members serving in the armed forces so we can be aware of them and keep them in our prayers. If you think they would enjoy receiving mail please include their address and birthday.

Want to see the good you’ve just created? Once a month come help us collate the Messenger. You’ll hear laughter, have cozy conversations, and get to know some people. Volunteer an hour or two, or whatever fits in with your schedule that day. We collate between 8:30 and 11 am at Green Wood. This month, join us to collate on Thu., Mar. 25.

Annual Ukranian Egg Decorating — Sun., Mar. 28, 11am -2pm in the Social Hall, appropriate for ages 8 and up (or for younger children with adult supervision). Teens and adults: If you've never tried this, please come check out a fun, artistic activity that dates back to ancient times!

Donate your eggs and tiny toys — Children's Ministries at FUMC is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Sun., Mar. 28 at 10:45am on the Wesley lawn (or inside if inclement weather). We are currently hoping to collect many, many, many plastic eggs for the hunt and little goodies for the children. If you are able to donate your extra plastic eggs AND/OR little goodies for the “goodie bags” that the children will receive after the hunt, please place your donations in the green tub outside of the church office by the end of the day on Sun., Mar. 21. Thank you so much! Questions? Please contact Lynne Pauer (677-4025 or Lynne.Pauer@comcast.net ).

Remember that scrip you bought at Christmas? You can use scrip anytime during the year! Think about the spring and summer plans ahead... Home improvement - Lowe's, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Sears; Travel - American Airlines, Clarion Hotels/Motels, Marriott Hotels/Motels, Disney, VISA; Easter/Graduation - Gordon Food Service, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Borders, VISA. The possibilities are endless, and every time you purchase scrip, you are helping our youth build their faith by assisting them with summer mission trip costs! Please see Kathie Wilder and Debbie Houghton at the scrip table in Connections, or email/call 997-0749/ cui84@aol.com (Debbie) for more information. Many, many thanks in advance for your participation!

BE INTENTIONAL THIS LENT

Study: The Social Conscience of a United Methodist

Each Sunday in Lent, from 5:00-6:10pm, our associate pastor, Bob Roth, will teach a class exploring what it is for people in the Methodist tradition to form an active and vital social conscience. At least one of the six classes will involve a different teacher, with resource people brought into the conversation several weeks. More than half of each class will be reserved for group discussion. This is a learning opportunity for those who have joined the church in recent years, as well as a refresher (and updating) course for long-time United Methodists. We’ll meet in the Wesley Lounge.

Mar. 14: Poverty in 2010

Mar. 21: Equality & Inclusiveness

Mar. 28: The Environment: On What Can United Methodist Agree?

Lenten Prayer and ‘Sermon Rap’

On Wednesday evenings at Green Wood, from 7-8pm, join Rev. Paterson for a loosely structured time of prayer and sermon discussion.

Book Study: “An Altar in the World”

The WOWMOMs group will study Barbara Brown Taylor's book "An Altar in the World" this Lent. Amy Kennedy has developed a book study guide, and the first few chapter studies are now available on our website. Please use the guide for exploration on your own or in a group.

Find a Lenten Devotional

Locate and use devotionals from www.garrett.edu , www.readthespirit.com , or other online resources for daily Lenten meditations.

Make Worship a Priority

Green Wood, 5pm on Saturdays; Downtown, 9:30 and 11:15am on Sundays. See you there!

COMMUNITY EVENTS

House By the Side of the Road is again in need of your help. As you get started on your spring cleaning, please note that we need household items, such as dishes, glasses, silverware, pot and pans, towels and washcloths. Items may be put in the container outside the downtown church office. Thanks for your help!

UMCOR Responds — Assistance for Haiti and Chili —An earthquake hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti on January 12, and another hit near Santiago, Chili on February 27. Monetary donations to support relief can be made online at www.UMCOR.org , or you may write a check to FUMC with “Haiti, UMCOR Advance #418325” or “Chili, UMCOR Advance #3021178” in the memo.

The need for Washtenaw Literacy and its corps of dedicated tutors has never been greater -- we serve twice as many learners today as we did five years ago and demand is growing steeply. However, we don’t have enough tutors to meet current demand. If you’ve been thinking about tutoring and joining us in our mission to eliminate illiteracy in Washtenaw County, now is the time to act. Washtenaw Literacy has a new tutor training program starting on April 8th. Spread over three sessions, this 15-hour training program will equip you with all the tools you need to get started. For more information or to register, please call Washtenaw Literacy at (734) 879-1320 or go to www.washtenawliteracy.org . There is an adult learner out there who needs your help.

We’ve given barrels of food, but we can do more! Food Gatherers needs tuna fish, canned or dried beans, pasta, rice, peanut butter (in plastic jars), pancake mix, cereal, oatmeal, and powdered milk. Please put donations in the bins at the downtown church. Thank you for feeding the hungry!

The Interfaith Round Table of Washtenaw County continues its five part winter/spring series on The Divine Language of Music, with its third theme, INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC, on Sun., Mar. 21, from 7-8:30 pm, at the First Congregational Church, 608 E. William St., Ann Arbor. Three local musicians/groups will perform and explore the meaning of their music: organist Daniel Forger AAGO, Dr. Stephen Eddins and his percussionists, and Matt Endahl and the jazz ensemble, Quartex. For more information, call (734) 424–1535 or email gbrides@umich.edu . Suggested donations, $10.