WEEKLY CONNECTION - June 30th, 2026

CONNECT

First Sundays

On the first Sunday of every month, we intentionally create space for children to worship alongside their families.

Research consistently shows that children who regularly worship alongside their families are more likely to remain connected to faith and the church throughout their lives. We love children, and we are excited to have them fully participating in worship with our church family.

To help families worship in the way that works best for them:

• All worship spaces are available for families, including the balcony for those who prefer extra room.

• Our nursery is open for any age child, if that is what best supports your family that day.

• Activity bags, worship notes, and sermon outlines are available to help children focus and reflect.

We offer communion the first Sunday of the month. We invite our children and youth to share in this sacrament alongside their families as part of our worship service, especially our older children and youth who recently completed their communion class.

Called By Name

Learning Names. Building Beloved Community

“I have called you by name, you are mine.” — Isaiah 43:1

Beginning May 31, we encourage every person at UMCWFB to wear their name tag each Sunday as a simple but meaningful act of hospitality. Wearing your name tag helps to foster an intentionally welcoming / inviting environment and identification of guests.

Names matter. When we learn one another’s names, we become more than a crowd—we become community. This is true from long-time members as well as new guests.

Our new Name Tag Towers are located in the Narthex, where you may easily pick up and return your name tag each week. The Tag Towers are sorted by your first name and tags may be worn with either a lanyard or clip.

For the next few weeks, a hospitality table near the Name Tag Towers will help answer questions and assist anyone needing a new or replacement tag. Everyone is encouraged to participate as we continue becoming a Beloved Community by Connecting, Growing, and Serving together.

Blessings, Gary

GROW

American Old Fashioned Band Concert

Klode Park

July 1st 7pm

Several of our talented church members will be playing in the Village Band concert July 1st at Klode Park. Celebrate the country's 250th birthday with an American Old Fashioned Band Concert in the Park! Questions, please contact Dick Steinmetz at rsteinmetz@wi.rr.com.

Family Pool Party

Schultz Aquatic Park

July 9th 11am-1pm

Splash into summer with our family pool party at Schultz Aquatic Park! All are welcome. The cost is $8 per person, payable at the pool. RSVP to Jenny Fisher at jfisher@umcwfb.org.

Worship in the Park

Estabook Park

July 15th & August 12th 6pm

This summer we travel to Estabrook Park for a special outdoor worship series! This inspiring evening service will be held on July 15th and August 12th at 6pm. Located in Estabrook Park near the beer garden. All are welcome to attend. Bring family and friends!

Outdoor Summer Yoga Classes

Klode Park

Every Tuesday 9:00am in July & August

Join us for summer outdoor yoga classes every Tuesday at 9:00am in July and August! Held at Klode Park and led by Kristal Melbye, these classes are open to the community and all ability levels. Bring your yoga mat. Please direct any questions to Kristal at kmelbye@umcwfb.org.

Youth Summer Events

As our school year programming comes to a close, it's time to plan for our summer events! Youth in grades 6th-college are invited to join!

July 9th - Schultz Aquatic Pool Meetup

August 6th - Chinooks Game

August 9th - Serving at Azura Assisted Living

August 20th - Klode Beach Party

August 25th - Serving with Hunger Task Force

Contact Kristal Melbye at

kmelbye@umcwfb.org for more details.

Carpenter's Shop Renovation Access Information

Access, room closures, and availability changes are now in effect.

SERVE

Appalachia Service Project Donations

We are Luke, Liam, and Nina, and we have been serving with Appalachia Service Project while growing as leaders in our church and community. In February, we attended the Youth Leadership Summit, where we learned valuable leadership skills, strengthened our faith, and connected with other young leaders from across the country. We have now been invited to attend YLS 2.0 in Washington, D.C. While the summit itself is free, we are responsible for the cost of airfare to get there. We are asking for donations to help cover our travel expenses. If you would like to support us, you can make a check or Venmo donation to the church with “YLS” in the memo line. Thank you for your prayers and support as we continue to grow as servant leaders!

Bread of Healing Collection

We are collecting old medicine bottles for Bread of Healing. Please remove and labels and bring to the church office. Barbara Abraham will transport the collected bottles. Thank you!

Letters From Home

On July 18th, 19 youth and adults will head to Buchanan County, VA to work on homes as part of Appalachia Service Project. It is a tradition that family members, friends, and members of our church community write letters to those who are on ASP. We give the letters to participants midweek as it’s a great time to receive some love from home. These letters are always so appreciated by everyone!

Please consider writing letters for those on ASP. Letters can be dropped off at church in Kristal Melbye’s mailbox by Thursday, July 16th. If you want a list of those going, please email Kristal at kmelbye@umcwfb.org.

June Missions Focus:

Senior Adult Ministries in Bolivia

Watch Video Here

Our Mission Focus for the Month of June is dedicated to fulfilling the In Mission

Together band of the Mosaic Covenant. This month, we are directing our donations

toward supporting a new Assisted Living Center for Seniors in Bolivia.

Challenges Facing Senior Adults in Bolivia

In Bolivia, many senior adults who live in poverty depend on their adult children for support, especially when they are no longer able to dig potatoes or care for sheep. However, the country faces a high mortality rate among young people, resulting in a considerable number of senior adults whose children have all passed away. Migration is another significant issue, as many younger Bolivians leave the country in search of employment opportunities. This migration has led to the emergence of a group known as “Orphaned Parents,” senior adults who have lost their children either to mortality or migration.

The Need for Support

With no family members to provide for them, these “Orphaned Parents” often lack the means to secure food and shelter. To address this problem, there is a pressing need for a system that subsidizes the operating expenses of homes dedicated to supporting senior adults. Our mission efforts in June will help provide essential support for these vulnerable individuals, ensuring they have the resources necessary for their well-being. Our donation will be designated to purchase at 15 passenger van.

THANK YOU

Thank you to everyone who donated items to the Immigrant Food and Hygiene drive over the last two months. A substantial amount was delivered to one of our mission partners.

We will resume our regular food pantry supplements in June. Non-perishable food items will be taken to either Rooted and Rising or the MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary.

Cash donations marked for food pantry support are always welcome.

The Mission Team

Become a Sunday Hospitality Volunteer!

Now including light the candle of Peace, Hope, & Reconciliation

Help create a welcoming experience by serving as a greeter or usher, offering coffee, reading prayers, lighting the Peace candle, or assisting at the welcome desk. These roles support a warm, inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels seen and valued. All ages are welcome to serve, and every helping hand makes a meaningful difference in our shared worship life.

Please contact Nelda Mngoja with any questions.

Want To Contribute?

For Weekly Connection and Monthly Magazine inclusion, please send requests to office@umcwfb.org. Feel free to include an image or flyer that we can add in as well.

Send us a summary and picture(s) once the event has concluded

so we can share its success in the monthly magazine Thank you!

Submission deadlines:

Weekly Connection

• Monday at 12:00pm the week of publication

Monthly Magazine

• The 26th of the month prior to publication

Church Building Hours

Weekdays: 8:00am - 6:00pm, or until Evening Events Conclude

Weekends: As Events are Scheduled

Church Office Hours

Monday - Thursday, 9:00am-2:00pm