SEPT 25

VISIT: southlyonfirstumc.org

for more information

Good afternoon dear friends, 

We are in our last full week of September, sigh. This weekend South Lyon will be a busy town as we celebrate Pumpkinfest, our annual fall event. What is your favorite part of the weekend's event? The parade, the game booths, the food trucks, the live performances during the day, the dogs catching balls while jumping in the water, the live music at night, or maybe you avoid downtown at all costs? This year we are engaging with our community in Pumpkinfest, it has been a couple years. Pumpkinfest gives our church a wonderful opportunity to connect with our community and I hope that you find a way to help us out.

• Some will be participating in the parade and will pass out invites to our fun Cool Yule Family event. Please capture photos of our float and cheer loudly for our participants if you see us. 
• If you are watching the parade, consider parking at the church and sitting out front. This would give you a great opportunity to be welcoming hosts to any guests that might be sitting at the church too.
• If you will be wandering around town, you could also wear one of our South Lyon First UMC shirts.
• Of course any and all prayers are welcome, for our city to have a safe event, for families to make wonderful memories, and for our church to be a beacon of Jesus’ light, love, and hope in our community.

May we continue to remain Christ-focused, Spirit-filled, and Mission-driven as we continue to be embracing, connecting, growing, and loving.    

See you Sunday as we continue to hear another story from Exodus, this time from chapter 20! Love and Peace in Christ, Mary

How is your reading going? Maybe an App for your phone or an audio reading of the Bible would be a helpful tool for this year.

 This App is my favorite Bible App. It has everything in one place for me. There are many free options, and also audio and research tools for purchase

that I have used for study and sermon prep for years.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bible-app-read-study-daily/id332615624

 Here is a free Audio Bible App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bible-audio-video-bibles/id378075859

WELCOMING WANDERERS

Join the Welcoming Wanderers as we study Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm: The American Methodist Church and the Struggle with White Supremacy. This book will summon the reader on a most unusual journey through Methodist history. Along the way, we discover how the White American Methodist Church became deeply entangled with White supremacy. And yet, if we want to transform the world toward a different and better future for all, one free of the stranglehold of racism, we must come to terms with the story of our past—the whole story! Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm is a trustworthy guide into the church’s troubled history. It’s also a present-day call to action that finds inspiration in those Methodists who stood against the tide and those guiding the church today toward the horizon of racial justice. Classes will meet 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 11/3, 11/17, 12/1, 12/8, and 12/15 at 9:45 in room 112. Respond to this Google Link or contact David Ascher.

EXPLORING NEW MEMBERSHIP

Interested in learning more about next steps toward membership? Join Rev. Mary for discussion on Oct 6th at 9:45AM in the church library. Please contact Rev. Mary or the church office if you are interested.

WE ARE HIRING

Director of Faith Formation, South Lyon First United Methodist Church seeks a Director of Faith Formation, part-time (20-30 hours per week, with possibility of growth to a full-time position) for a 570-member mission driven church in family-oriented community. This staff member would cultivate faith formation for all ages: Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and adult ministries. We are looking for a dynamic person of faith and creativity who can inspire children, youth, and engage/manage adult volunteers while serving as a mentor and role model. Must be able to teach and model beliefs consistent with the United Methodist Church. Willingness to engage in community relations, enact excellent communication skills, and effectively use social media are requirements. Salary commensurate with experience. Theological training is preferred. See our church website at SouthLyonFirstUMC.org. Please send your resume and salary requirement to staffparishslfumc@att.net.

FAITH IN ACTION: AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVOCACY EVENT

We are excited to announce a special evening event dedicated to exploring the critical issues of affordable housing and economic justice. This gathering is part of our broader commitment to living the United Methodist Social Principles, as guided by the United Methodist Church's General Board of Church and Society.

We’ll be joined by Paul Terranova from MHAction, an organization at the forefront of advocating for the rights and dignity of manufactured housing residents. Paul will lead us in a discussion on how our community and congregation can take meaningful steps to address the challenges of affordable housing, ensuring that everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable places to live.

This event is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about how you can get involved in advocacy efforts, inspired by resources and initiatives from UMCJustice.org. Whether you are new to these issues or have been engaged for years, your voice is important.

Come and be part of the conversation on Tuesday, October 1, from 7-8 PM as we work together towards a more just and equitable community.

Light refreshments will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there!

NURSERY HELP NEEDED

We need your help to make our little ones and their families feel welcome and comfortable during worship! Please sign up to help our nursery coordinator, Heather Shipley, on Sunday mornings in the church nursery.

HERITAGE DISTRICT CONFERENCE

Your Heritage District Leadership Team has put together a District Conference event that you won’t want to miss! Join us for an inspiring day of networking and idea sharing featuring Keynote Speaker, Luke Edwards, author of Becoming Church – A Trail Guide for Starting Fresh Expressions. It is our hope that clergy and laity alike will come away energized with creative new ways to extend the love of Christ in the communities they serve! 

FAMILY FUN EVENT DEC 7 (3-5PM)

We need your help to make this event a success. If you are available and willing to help, please sign up here or on the kiosk today! Please contact Jen Denny with any questions or for more information.

ANGEL TREE SUPPORT

The Angel Tree program is a popular way to spread the giving spirit of the Christmas season. It takes many hands to help many families. Please consider volunteering your time to cover one of the tasks in this ministry. Please use the sign up link and contact Tina Sain with any questions or for more information.

Giving Options

·       Use WebGive at our website by clicking here or by using the our QR code :            

·       Use our giving app on your phone, VancoMobile

·       Dropoff a check in our drop -box at door #4 at the church

·       Mail a check to SLFUMC, 640 S. Lafayette, South Lyon, MI 48178

·       Explore other options on the Giving page of our website by clicking here here

Please be aware that we will never ask for your financial, account, or payment information by email. If there is a question, you will be contacted by phone or in person by a staff member.

Staff members will never ask for gift cards or financial help by email.

BUILDING USE REQUEST

Yes! The church has space available for your group or event! Spaces fill up quickly and there is an approval process, so please allow as much time as possible between your request and the date of your meeting or event to ensure that we can

accommodate your needs.

Office Hours

• Mon, Tues, Thurs 10am - 1pm
• Wed 10am - 3pm
• Fri closed

Check out our website or our live calendar

for more information about our church or any of these programs!

Do you prefer a printed copy of our Midweek Messenger? Hard copies are available in the tote outside the main doors to the church and on the kiosk.