WEEKLY CONNECTION - April 7th, 2026

April Sermon Series

Then, Now, Next

Lessons Learned From Each Generation

April 12th - Gen Z

Faith In A Digital World

April 19th - Millenials

Faith That Seeks Meaning

April 26th - Gen X

Faith That Endures

May 3rd - Baby Boomers

Faith That Leaves A Legacy

CONNECT

Opportunities To Make Someone's Day

A simple hello can make someone’s entire day. Our church office is often the first place people turn—to ask questions, find support, or take a next step—and a warm, welcoming presence makes all the difference.

We are grateful for the response we received- with your support we were able to cover several days of office support! We’re still looking for volunteers to help greet visitors, answer the phone, and connect people with the right staff or information.

Current hours of need: Wednesdays 9am-2pm

You can serve once a week, a few times a month, or in a way that fits your schedule.

You’ll be part of a supportive, joyful team—

and play a meaningful role in how people experience our church.

Reach out to Pastor Gary to learn more.

Feed My Starving Children Meal Pack Event

April 30th-May 2nd

As we draw near to the Feed My Starving Children meal packing event to be held at Portal Industries in Grafton, we invite you to set aside time that weekend to join us in this meaningful service opportunity. This is a special year as our church will surpass a combined total of 1 million meals packed in the years of participation. A testament to our long-term vision of fighting world hunger!

Anyone can volunteer - it’s easy and fun, with roles for all ages to participate. We pack four ingredients (rice, soy, veggies with essential vitamins and minerals) into sealed plastic bags, and then into boxes ready to ship. Roles include scooper, bagger, weigher, sealer and boxer. Opportunities for both standing and seated tasks are available.

Registration is NOW OPEN!

Please use this link to register:

FMSC Meal Packing Registration

Council on Ministry Meeting

Sunday, April 12 • 11:45am–1:30pm

Lunch will be provided

We invite all ministry leaders to join us for our upcoming Council on Ministry meeting. This gathering is an opportunity to reflect on the direction of our church and strengthen our shared commitment to guiding our congregation along the Spiritual Journey Pathway. Together, we will support one another in our ministry and missional efforts as we continue building a Beloved Community for all.

Please come ready to collaborate with leaders from every ministry area as we look ahead and plan for the coming months. Your presence and insight are essential as we move forward—unified in purpose and grounded in God’s calling.

April Issue UMCWFB Monthly Magazine

The April issue of UMCWFB's Monthly Magazine is here!

Stay connected with stories, updates, and see how our beloved community continues to connect, grow, and serve!

Download PDF Version

View Flipbook Version

GROW

Wednesday Night

Faith, Food, & Friendship

5:00pm Wednesday Nights

This Week's Menu:

Shredded BBQ Chicken & Baked Sweet Potatoes

Wednesday Night Faith, Food, & Friendship has two more weeks left of the season - April 8th, and April 15th, until FFF returns in the fall. To celebrate our last night of FFF for the season, on April 15th, we will have dinner from 5:00-6:00pm and then will enjoy a special program of music and worship led by our youth choirs from 6:15pm-7:00pm in the sanctuary.

Crime Prevention

Informational Meeting

April 15th, 1:00pm-2:30pm in the Chapel

Rachel Circle will be hosting a program on public safety & crime prevention. Whitefish Bay Police Department Detective Hryniewicki will present topics including safety at home and how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud and scams. All are welcome! Please contact Patty Vandenplas for more information.

Immigration Event

April 16th 5:30pm-7:30pm

UMCWFB will host an Immigration event with speakers including representatives from Milwaukee Turners, Forward Latino and Voces de la Frontera, local elected representatives and the Milwaukee Police.

A local Latino deejay from 5:30pm-6:00pm and a reception will follow with opportunities to get involved.

Immigration Event Registration

Spring Small Group Study

Thursday Mornings

April 16th, 23rd & 30th

Jenny Fisher will lead a small group study on “Uncluttered Faith” by Joshua Becker, on Thursday mornings during April. Own less, love more, and make an impact in your world.

Healing & Growing Through Grief

April 19th 1:00pm-4:00pm

Losses and transitions are of many kinds and challenge our lives in a variety of ways. It is helpful to explore the normal process of grief and healing that losses and death precipitate for individuals and families. Led by Jacquelyn Oliveira, M.A., Nationally Certified Death Educator and Grief Counselor, we will examine the stages and the course of mourning, styles of grieving, grief work, searching behavior, and signs and suggestions for on-going healing. The importance and value of faith and spiritual development, the “new normal,” and reengaging in life again will be highlighted.

Email HERE to register.

Parents' Night Out

April 24th 5:30pm-8:00pm

Have a fun adult night out while your kids enjoy pizza, yoga, games, and fun with friends! Dinner and childcare are included.

$20 first child /

$15 for each additional child

Please contact Kristal Melbye with any questions (414) 331-7611

Parent's Night Out Registration

UWF Hanging Flower Basket Sale

During the month of April, UWF will be selling 10” hanging baskets with 10 varieties to choose from, priced at $30 each.

Order your hanging plants on Sunday mornings following worship or by emailing Lori Aeschbacher

Pick up Saturday May 16th 10:00am-12:00pm

Barre & Yoga Classes

9:00am Mondays, Tuesdays, & Thursdays

Join our growing class! Barre combines ballet-inspired movements, pilates, yoga, and strength training. It's a low-impact workout that tones and sculpts muscles.

No prior experience is needed.

We offer adaptations for most fitness levels.

Classes are held in Fellowship Hall.

Registration is not necessary, but please contact Kristal Melbye for more details.

Hope for Creation Classes

Join midwest congregations for spiritual reflection and ecological action.

Focused on cultivating spiritual leadership for a climate-changed world
Learn to become catalysts for social and ecological healing and justice.
Experience small group empowerment and develop broader networks of shared interests.

Contact Vee Jefferson for more information.

Electronics Recycling Drive

Do you have devices and small appliances with plugs and batteries that you need to get rid of? Plan ahead to responsibly recycle them in April. UMCWFB recently joined the North Shore Interfaith Green Team, which is sponsoring an environmental opportunity to safely recycle electronics.

Save the Date

United Women in Faith Spring Luncheon

May 12th, 11:30am

Don’t miss the food, fun and fellowship! Circle your calendar for Tuesday, May 12, when the United Women in Faith host the Spring Luncheon, themed "Symbols of God’s Love”

All are invited to attend the luncheon at 11:30am, followed by lunch and a program featuring Carol Kuxhause, member of UMCWFB’s Altar Guild.

Charge for the luncheon and program is $10.

SERVE

All Church Build Day

MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary

April 11th 10:00am-2:00pm

Set aside time on to participate in the All Church Build Day at MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary! Everyone is welcome to participate - we'll have tasks for all abilities. Pizza lunch is provided.

Please use the following link to register:

All Church Build Day Registration

Opportunities To End Hunger

Once again, our church will partner with Bread for the World in a campaign to end hunger. Bread is a Christian advocacy organization that urges US legislators to do all they can to pursue a world without hunger. They believe that hunger is not inevitable but that it is a reflection of our priorities and policy choices.

On April 19th, the Church & Society team will hand out information to help you easily communicate with your US legislators about the urgency to act. Specifically, this Offering of Letters campaign is asking them to:

*Restore, protect and strengthen US nutrition programs

*Fully fund and strengthen global food and health programs

*Pass a strong Farm Bill that supports farmers

Hygiene & Grocery Gift Card Drive

April & May

UMCWFB will be collecting food, hygiene items and grocery gift cards during April and May for immigrants in Milwaukee.

Items needed are:

Rice, dried beans, cereals, pasta, oatmeal, cooking oil, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, jelly and cereal bars

Toothpaste, toothbrushes, baby wipes, deodorant, body soaps, dish soap, large Ziploc bags, maxi pads

Sunday Hospitality Volunteers Are Urgently Needed

Help create a welcoming experience by serving as a greeter or usher, offering coffee, reading prayers, 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.

There is an urgent (and ongoing) need for ushers and greeters, especially the 9:00am worship service. Please contact Nelda Mngoja with any questions.

Want To Contribute?

For Weekly Connection and Monthly Newsletter 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 newsletter. Thank you!

Submission deadlines:

Weekly Connection

• Monday at 12:00pm the week of publication

Monthly Newsletter

• 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