FUMC Update

Updated 05/31/23

Due to email scams, we will no longer be listing contact information. To recieve contact information for any of the blurbs listed, please contact the office at (262)542-4256 or office@fumcwaukesha.org.

This Month

    • Living Faith Today - This class is a chance to look at current events through the lens of our faith and explore how what we believe relates to the world around us. Each week a new subject is explored. Members of the class come and go as their life allows. The topic this week is "Recent Revelations of Unreported Gifts to U.S. Supreme Court Justices Raise Questions About Ethical Standards" - Recently, investigative journalists have reported that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife Ginni accepted multiple expensive benefits from a billionaire and a right-wing judicial activist associated with a nonprofit with business before the court. Other news outlets reminded us that some Supreme Court justices appointed by presidents from both major parties have received similar kinds of benefits. Many of these gifts were not revealed on financial disclosure documents, causing some observers to raise questions of judicial ethics, transparency, accountability and possible conflicts of interest and influence peddling. So we will focus on how our faith shapes our understanding of ethical standards for public servants and for private citizens as well.

    • The General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church is dedicated to the work of living faith, seeking justice, and pursuing peace. Addressing more than 30 social issues on which the UMC has claimed a position, Church and Society communicates with policymakers and leaders around the world with the mission of transforming the world. FUMC’s Church & Society team, as well as United Women in Faith (formerly United Methodist Women), encourage all to take action in reaching out to our representatives, on such important issues as environmental justice (global climate crisis), health and wholeness (protection of reproductive health) and peace with justice (an end to gun violence). Visit the Church and Society webpage https://www.umcjustice.org/ and click on “join us in taking action.” Thank you for your support.

    • A retreat with Philip Chard is being planned by XYZ for September 17-19 at Pine Lake Methodist Camp. We will be launching a Retreat Committee for planning the retreat. If you would like to be a part of this committee, please contact either Veronica Radowicz or Evelyn Hewitt. Our contact information is in the church directory or you can tell us at church on Sundays.

    • The June 8th XYZ Potluck and Program will be here before you know it and this month’s program called Computer Safety – Tips for All Your Devices will be presented by Jenny Daughtry. Our luncheon will have a picnic theme with hamburgers and hot dogs provided by XYZ and grilled by our master griller, John Stowe. Please provide side dishes and desserts of the picnic variety. Again, we will start serving in the dining room at 11:45 with the program starting at 12:30 p.m. We do not meet during the summer months but will start up again in September. Hope you can join us for a fun time in June.

    Coming Soon

    • Join us in the fourth Monday of each month in the Asbury Room, 7:00-8:30 pm, September–May, to read and reflect on the book The Making of Biblical Womanhood by Beth Allison Barr, a historian and Baptist pastor’s wife. This year we are going to do something a little different and have a second smaller, optional book for spiritual grounding: The Time Is Now by Joan Chittister, a Catholic nun. Attend when you can, even if that is not every month! Please sign up HERE or in the Asbury Room with your preferred email typed into the comment box. You will need to obtain your own books, but let us know if you need assistance. We will email you the reading schedule as we get closer to our first meeting. Please contact Greta (greta.hietpas@fumcwaukesha.org) or Cheryl P (cheryl.printz@fumcwaukesha.org) if you have any questions or concerns.
    • Creative Pals meets from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM the 3rd Saturday of each month in Room 209. This is a good place for ANY project you need some time to work on. Whether you knit, crochet, craft, scrapbook, or just need to get organized with something you have been putting off. Here is an opportunity for some dedicated time to work on your project and do some visiting with others. The doors are open until 10:30 AM so if you plan on coming later just let JoAnn or Lori know and then call them when you arrive so they can let you in. For more information contact JoAnn Wright or Lori Tompkins.

    • Go to a United Methodist Camp This Summer! Pine Lake and Lake Lucerne offer camps for people of all ages and interests. First UMC helps send kids to camp by offering scholarships for up to half the cost of camp. If there is greater financial need, there may also be help from the conference. Check out www.wiumcamps.org or stop by the table in the hallway to look at a camping catalog and pick up a camp scholarship form for children and youth. Questions? See Pastor Greta.

    Ongoing Opportunities

    • FUMC-Waukesha is seeking an energetic and enthusiastic candidate to fill the position of part-time Intergenerational Ministry Coordinator. This position is responsible for coordinating ministry opportunities with an emphasis on Christian education for all ages. For a description of job responsibilities and required qualifications, visit https://fumcwaukesha.org/ or call the church office. For interested candidates, send a completed application (download available on website) to the church office, Attn: SPRC, 121 Wisconsin Ave, Waukesha WI 53186.

    • Gift Cards Needed! We are in need of gift cards for grocery stores, fast food restaurants, and gas stations as well as bus passes (or financial contributions so we can purchase them) for people in our community needing some assistance. If you are making a financial contribution, mark your gift “Emergency Fund.” We are fully stocked with peanut butter and jelly so there is not currently a need for that.
    • Wednesday Bible Study - Pastor Susan is holding a Wednesday morning Lectionary Bible Study, 9:30 – 11am, in Room 216. Everyone is welcome. No need to sign up. Bring: your favorite Bible (the experience is much more interesting when we read from different translations), an open mind, and a willingness to listen to a variety of theological perspectives. If possible, please use the West entrance. Coffee will be provided. Others will be invited to bring treats.

    • Church & Society will sell Fair Trade and Organic coffee and chocolate bars on the second Sunday of the month immediately after the 9:30 worship service in the Asbury Room. Please stop by to check out our inventory. We accept cash and checks payable to First United Methodist Church ("Fair Trade" in memo line).

    • Digital Ministry Volunteers Wanted! Be a part of this exciting and vital part of our church's ministry. Volunteers help with cameras, slides, and sound. Training will be provided. No technical expertise needed. You can help extend our reach beyond the walls of the church. For more information, contact Tony Linz or the church office.

    • Serving on Sundays- Sign up to read scripture, greet, donate altar flowers, serve communion and host fellowship time! Click HERE for more information and to sign up!
    • The counting team is still working on processing any donation that comes into the church. Please include your green offering envelope, with your envelope number n it, with your donation to help facilitate the process. If you need envelopes, please contact Tia Legler at tia.legler@fumcwaukesha.org or contact the church office.
    • Attention Upper Room Readers! Copies of the current Upper Room are available. Previous editions are available as well. Contact the Office Manager for a time to pick one up or to get one mailed to you.

    • Download FUMC’s APP Today – FUMC’s APP is available to download in the iTunes App Store, Google Play and Amazon App Store. Go to our webpage to download the app or simply search “FUMC Waukesha” in the store to get started. Note: You currently do not need to create an account to use the app unless you plan on using the Giving or Notes portion. Designed to be used on smartphones and tablets, the purpose of our app is to have everything our members and friends need to know about FUMC in one easily accessible place.

    • Wanted: Quilters and Sewers to join us to make charity quilts. We meet at church the 1st Tuesday and the 3rd Thursday from 9:00am-12:00pm each month. Any questions call Mary Crown at (262)446-9343 or Kathy Greenwald at (262)542-8094.

    • Yarntwisters meet each Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:30, at members homes. It been a wonderful experience. It kept us active, social distance at first, but helped us able to experience friendship and socialization, much needed during this time. If you have free time and want to join us, we love to add new members. We would be glad to teach anyone to knit or crochet. Yarntwisters love yarn donations, they can be left in room 209 or at church office at any time. That yarn will be put to good use. If you have questions, please contact Joyce Collins at 262-544-1781

    • Healing Hearts of Southeast Wisconsin, Inc. offers virtual support groups for those with a grieving heart. The Adult Grief Support Group meets the second Tuesday of the month from 6:00pm-7:00pm. The Family Support Group for children, teens and adults meet on Monday from 6:00pm-7:00pm rotating between children and parent groups (every other week for each). The Young Adult Peer Grief Support Group meets every other Thursday from 6:00pm-7:30pm. To register for any of these groups call (262)751-0874.

    • We appreciate your ongoing financial support of FUMC's mission and ministry. Our online giving account can be found using this link: HERE Your checks can be mailed to the church and designated to support our church budget or other specific missions of our church. Note to church members: When you mail your check-in, please include your green pledge envelope with your envelope number on it, inside the mailing envelope. Our address: First United Methodist Church, 121 Wisconsin Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186.