Circus is what real life should be like. It's sincerity, feeling, emotions. All real. There are no lies in circus. There are artists working together to give a smile. It's a world where people help one another. It's the only show where a family, everyone from children to their grandmothers, can sit together and all be entertained by the same thing. - Princess Stephanie of Monaco

In 2001, Princess Stephanie of Monaco ran off and joined the circus. She had fallen in love with an elephant trainer and took her three children to join him in a caravan that traveled around Switzerland. Even though the relationship didn’t ultimately work out, she was left with a lifelong love of the circus, eventually being inducted into the prestigious Circus Ring of Fame in 2023. 

I love her reflection on the circus as being a place that is honest and authentic and kind. Not having any personal experiences with the circus, I’ll have to take Princess Stephanie’s word for it. And whether or not it’s always true of circuses, I appreciate the vision of a community that cares deeply about one another and allows everyone to be their true self in a spirit of hospitality and inclusion.

And isn’t that what we hope and dream for the church? A community that offers radical welcome, that doesn’t require anyone to be what they’re not, and that ultimately cares for one another in a spirit of joy. 

That’s what we’ll be considering this fall at WPUMC. Through our sermon series, which we’ll kick of with our very own Carnival on Rally Day (Sept 8^th), we’ll be looking at the story of Ruth and how it offers for us a story of outsiders being welcomed in and the creation of a new kind of community. 

We hope you’ll join us for all of our fall happenings—from Rally Day to Pastor’s Book Club to our final Food Truck Night to Choir and Bell Choir practices. We’ll also be kicking off some new missions opportunities—so keep your eyes open for ways that you can be involved in the life of our (sometimes circus-y!) community.

Rev. Sandi

Sunday services can be viewed live at 9:30am on Facebook AND YouTube, or afterwards with the links found on the website and weekly newsletter.

Click here to view our worship on YouTube.

September 8^th  – RALLY DAY!

  Step Right Up: Life’s a Circus

      Ruth 1: 1-5

September 15^th

        Step Right Up: This Way for Act of Courage and Adventure

Ruth 1: 6-16

September 22^nd

    Step Right Up: Come One, Come All

Ruth 2: 2-10

     September 29^th  

Step Right Up: Walking the Tightrope         

Ruth 3: 1-5

Youth Group is gearing up for the fall! All 6th through 12th graders are welcome to join us. To help me have the most current information, please fill out this Youth Group Registration Form--thank you for filling out this form for ALL RETURNING AND NEW YOUTH!

Big Top, Big Hearts: Building Dreams Together

Join Us in Building Dreams!

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls―step right into the ring of generosity and be a part of something truly spectacular! Washington Park UMC invites you to take part in our “Big Top, Big Hearts: Building Dreams Together” fundraising campaign for Habitat for Humanity, where every donation brings us closer to building safe, affordable homes for families in need. Our campaign begins on Sun., Sept. 22 and ends Sun., Oct. 6.

How You Can Make a Difference:

Under our big top, we believe that everyone deserves a place to call home. Your contribution, big or small, will help us provide the materials, resources, and support needed to create life-changing opportunities for families in our community.

Here’s How Your Donation Helps:

• $50 provides essential tools and supplies.
• $100 purchases building materials like lumber and insulation.
• $500 contributes to essential plumbing or electrical work.
• $1,000 sponsors a room in a new home.

Every Dollar Counts!

Whether you’re able to give a little or a lot, your support will make a real impact. Watch this video to see Habitat’s impact on Azariah and her family. Together, we can create a foundation of stability, self-reliance, and hope for families who need it most.

Donate Today and Help Us Build!

By Sun., Oct. 6, 2024, please donate by:

·        Writing a check to Washington Park UMC with “Habitat” in the memo line

·        Sending a donation through Venmo to “michelle-hoskins-17” (who is our church accountant) and place “Habitat” in the “What’s this for?” box

·        Contacting Carol Nelson at 303.810.4635 to make other donation arrangements

Your donation is tax-deductible and will directly fund Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to provide affordable housing in our community.

Let’s come together with big hearts under the big top and build dreams — one brick at a time!

Altar Flowers 2024

If you’d like to sponsor Sunday morning altar flowers in honor of an occasion or in memory of someone, please sign up for a date below. The arrangements cost $45 ($35 for seniors) and you can take them home or give them away after service. We just ask that you return the vases to the Tea Kitchen so that we can reuse them. Make checks out to WPUMC and put altar flowers in the memo line or pay via Venmo @Michelle-Hoskins-17.

Please enter the occasion or person to be honored in the My Comment field after you click Sign Up.