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.
WEEKLY MEETING NOTES
SUNDAY: Global Issues 11 am, Aldersgate room. Examining issues of faith & society.
TUESDAY: WOWMOMs 9:30 am, Asbury room. Childcare available.
WEDNESDAY: Mothers Circle 9:30 am, Asbury room. Childcare available.
THURSDAY: Men’s Thursday Luncheon Club 11:30 am, Green Wood. Lunch at noon; program at 12:30 pm. First time visitors free.
THURSDAY: Body & Soul 7 pm, Burkhead’s (2255 S. 7th) for people who would like to shed a few pounds in the fellowship of other caring folks. Call ahead, 662-9853.
FRIDAY: L.O.V.E. Thy Neighbor Bag Lunch preparation 6:30-8:30 pm Social Hall & Kitchen. Help prepare bag lunches for distribution to our community homeless.
SATURDAY: L.O.V.E. Thy Neighbor Bag Lunch distribution 6:45-9 am at the St. Andrews Church Kitchen.
SATURDAY: Alcoholics Anonymous 10 am, Calkins. A faith-based support group for alcoholics and their families. Children’s support group meets in Room 211/212.
Updated Friday, May 9, 2008
Mission Focus for May - FUMC CAN! In Washtenaw County, 1 in every 10 children lives in poverty. We’ve all heard about the impact poverty has on children. They’re more likely to experience poor health, struggle in school, have social problems, or experience violent crime. Perhaps most important – persistently poor children frequently end up as poor adults, repeating the cycle of poverty. FUMC CAN make a difference and help break the cycle of poverty for 135 children living in Ann Arbor’s Green Baxter Court and Hikone low income family housing complexes. Partnering with the Community Action Network (CAN), FUMC CAN offers a variety of small, doable projects or donation opportunities to help children succeed by building self esteem and developing necessary education and life skills. To make it easy to participate, a running list of “needs” and “opportunities to help” will be updated monthly and communicated to all who are interested. You decide what fits best for you. To learn more, sign up on the bulletin board outside the rear of the downtown sanctuary, or contact Mary Danforth (m19danforth44@sbcglobal.net or 426-7910) or Chris Nelson (Christine_Nelson@mac.com or 429-0875).
A new parament for the downtown altar — The Paraments Committee is pleased to present a new two-sided cloth for the altar this Sunday morning. One side is made of 1½ inch squares of fabric from the stashes of members of the committee. It is designed to show the United Methodist symbol of the cross and flame in the center of colors ranging from blues and greens to soft pastels in a watercolor technique of shading colors. The other side is made of 4 inch squares of fabric in blues and greens with an overlay of plants across the bottom and a three-dimensional dove, representing peace. All of the piecing and quilting was done by machine. The cloth was designed so that either side can face the congregation while the other faces the choir. Both will have a view of a lovely work of art. Committee members providing the inspiration and the handwork include Carol Spaly, Linda Simmering, Fran Wicks, Carol Hulbert, Lynn Palacios, Wilma Johnson, Amy Crumm, Elaine Greene and Ann Hanton, Chair.
Friends of Music helps you celebrate Mother's Day and Choir Recognition Day — This Sunday morning we are offering a variety of garden plants obtained from Matthaei Botanical Gardens for a minimum donation per plant of $6. Delicious Great Harvest fresh cookies will be offered (a four-cookie bag) for a minimum donation of $5. Look for our table during Connections. All monies will further the programs of the Music and Liturgical Arts programs enjoyed during the year.
Youth Grocery Certificates — Today we are happy to add Plum Market scrip to our grocery scrip program. This scrip comes as a rechargeable card and allows our youth program a 5% return of each purchase made at the store. Please stop by our table in Connections to pick up a card today!
Help Raise the Roof — Each Sunday during May the mini “Habitat House” will be displayed during Connections time between services in the Social Hall. Habitat work volunteers are encouraged to visit the house to sign up for our church work days and add their “shingle” to Help Raise the Roof.
Plan for your own interment or that of a loved one. Talk with a Memorial Garden committee member during Connections in May. Call Elaine Fisher with questions, 663-1706.
Curious about NOOMA? Join us on Wednesdays, 7-8:30 pm in the Asbury Room to view and discuss NOOMAs, short films that really communicate. Visit www.nooma.com for film info. Hosted by Helen Ryan, Jean Wong, and Wendy Everett. Contact wendy@fumc-a2.org for more info.
Helpers needed for Sunday’s Cool (our church school program for children). Could you...help sing with some budding voices on Sunday mornings for 10 minutes... Help children create watercolor pictures for 2 Sundays in July... Help kids make Baked Alaska(!)... Or help write lessons for this summer (comes complete with a format, ideas and lots of guidance!)... If you can help with any of these needs, please contact Ellen Lewis at ellen@fumc-a2.org.
Please bring your used and unwanted candles to help the L.O.V.E. project prepare for an upcoming fundraiser. There is a container near the office for you to deposit the candles. Reuse of old candles is a good way for you to clean up those crowded holiday or china cabinet drawers making room for this year’s new candles. Also, this is a good way for you to help conserve resources while helping to generate funds for making sack lunches for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
The downtown display cases in May feature the “challenge” quilts of Carol Spaly. Each quilt was made using a specific set of rules based on fabric choice, embellishment, or topic.
Help plant flowers and make our grounds more attractive. Come help Sun., May 11 (2-4 pm). Refreshments. Elaine Fisher, 663-1706.
Mothers Circle 2 will meet on Sun., May 11 at 11 am in the Asbury room. If you’d like more information, please call Kathy Fojtik-Stroud, 995-2532.
Attention Singles! Our next event will be a concert presented by folk singer/song writer, Kat Eggleston, at Green Wood on Fri., May 16. The doors open at 7:30 pm and seating is first come-first served. The tickets are $12 and you can pay at the door. Please contact Phyllis Rector at 482-8999 or prector@provide.net if you are interested in attending. Our next brunch will be Sun., May 25, following the late service. We’ll go to Cady’s Grill in Ypsilanti. Call or email Phyllis no later than Fri., May 23 to make your reservation.
Please sign up to host Lemonade on the Lawn — A sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board near the Welcome Center in the West entry downtown. Lemonade on the Lawn begins June 1!
The Jukebox Generation, a group for couples in their 50s and older, will go to the Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills on Sun., May 18 at 1 pm. We will have a docent-led 2 hour tour of the center and will meet with a Holocaust survivor. Please RSVP to Lynn White—662-9873 or lynwhite@umich.edu.
Green Wood workday — come help with the spring cleaning at Green Wood on Sat., Jun. 7, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Snacks available for all the hard workers.
OUR COMMUNITY
Renew your dreams! On a Marriage Encounter Weekend you will discover: the simple activity that can transform your marriage, how to grow closer even when you disagree, and how to enjoy special time together each day. The next Marriage Encounter is May 30-June 1 near Jackson. Call Chuck & Dalice Yost (313) 937-1051.
Benefit Music Concert featuring organist Mr. Steven Ball — Join us Fri., May 16 at 7:30 pm for a concert on the 1924 Austin Pipe Organ at Sharon UMC (corner of M-52 and Pleasant Lake Rd.). Reception to follow. Tickets $15 in advance. Proceeds will be used to care for the organ. For more information call 734-428-8430.
Notes from the Holy Land — Recently returned from a visit to Palestine and Israel, Bishop Thomas Gumbleton has witnessed the occupation and its brutality first hand. He will share his impressions, experiences, and observations at this dinner/fundraiser for Detroit/Ann Arbor Sabeel. Event will be held Thu., May 22, at 6:30 pm at Ramallah Club of Metro Detroit (27484 Ann Arbor Trail, Westland.) Tickets are $30. For tickets see Bart Beavin (332-0030) or call 734-741-1273.
Foreclosure workshop — Attend a free seminar with a light dinner and find out how to protect your most valuable asset, your home, in troubled times. There are two locations/dates: Thu., May 22 from 6-8:30 pm at the New Progressive Missionary Baptist Church (5055 Platt Rd., Ann Arbor), or Thu., Jun. 5 from 6-8:30 pm at the New Testament Baptist Church (1230 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti.) Register now, space is limited: 734-998-9341 or tavny@umich.edu. This event sponsored by Washtenaw County CRA Association.
