The Metropolitan Messenger | | |
Metropolitan United Methodist Church
8000 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202-2528
313-875-7407
Rev. Taek Kim, Senior Pastor
| | |
Sunday, July 26, 2026
LOTS meeting, 8:45- 10 a.m., Woodward Room
Sunday School for All Ages, 10 a.m., nursery available
Worship at 11 a.m.
Rev. Taek Kim preaching "Our Full Assurance", Liturgist, Children's & Youth Message & Offertory: Juli Stephens, Juli Stephens, Greg Hamilton
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Good Sam Pantry preparation, volunteers come at 11 a.m.
NA Meeting - Noon, Kresge
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Good Sam Food Pantry this week, volunteers come at 11 a.m. Food given noon - 2 p.m.
Men's Prayer Group and Women's Prayer Circle, 6 p.m., see Pastor Sherman for info.
Sunday, August 2, 2026
Holy Communion Sunday
Sunday School for All Ages, 10 a.m., nursery available
Worship at 11 a.m.
Rev. Taek Kim preaching "When You Give", Liturgist, Children's & Youth Message & Offertory:CLM Sherman Louis, Sammye VanDiver, Jamie Kim
| |  | |
Save the Date
This week Metro welcomes Motown Mission guests from Broadmoor UMC, Louisiana, Frame Memorial Presbyterian, Wisconsin and Lambertville UMC, Michigan. If you see them around the church building, give them a big Metro Welcome and Hello! This is the last Sunday that Motown guests are with us for the summer.
5 O'Clock Rush, Tuesday, August 18, doors open at 5 p.m.
Homecoming Sunday - September 13th
| |
Reminder to turn your mobile phones to silent during the services. Thank you!
We Have a Nursery for the Little Ones (through age 5), located on the 2nd floor, ask our ushers for directions. Your children are also welcome to stay with you, we love them and the sound of their voices in worship.
| |
The Methodist Connection Space
Click the buttons for info and news on
Detroit and Michigan Methodist Events
| |
Thank You for Your Advocay Day Work
Advocacy Day 2026 focused on advocating for food funding to remain in the state budget for 2027. On July 3, Governor Whitmer shared that a bipartisan budget for 2027 has been passed.
Here are a few celebrations for food funding:
The two biggest programs were retained:
1. Money for the Food Bank Council (Michigan Agricultural Surplus System) was retained at the current level of $12,045,000.
2. School lunches for all will continue to be funded: around $200 million. for public schools in the K-12 budget and $1.6 million for kids in non-public schools.
Additionally in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Budget:
1. Double up Food Bucks was funded at $4 million.
2. A new program called the Kids' Food Basket was funded at $525,000. This program delivers meals to children in low income households.
3. A program designed for schools called "Local Food,Farm, Fresh Foods" was funded at $500,000.
Thank you to the Foodbank Council of Michigan in providing information and assistance, as well as their role in providing policy makers the encouragement and accountability to fund food security.
Thank you to all our Advocacy Day attendees for helping us and our state live into one of our United Methodist Resolutions: “From the earliest times, God’s faithful community has been concerned about hunger and poverty. Helping those in need was not simply a matter of charity, but of responsibility, righteousness, and justice.” (2020/2024 Book of Resolutions, #2100, The United Methodist Church, Food, Justice, and World Hunger).
| | | | Outreach Opportunity - Back to School Supply Drive - Judson Center | | |
For 100 years, the Judson Center has been providing care which makes a positive impact on lives.
The Mission Statement is:
To provide expert, comprehensive services that strengthen children, adults and families impacted by abuse and neglect, autism, developmental, behavioral and physical health challenges so they can achieve whole health, well-being and maximum potential.
Remember, our Chair of the Finance Committee, Sharon Morton-Sims, works at the Judson Center.
The collection barrel will be placed inside the church office. Please see the flyer below for additional information. Tuesday, August 4 will be the collection deadline.
| | Motown Mission's Last Week | |
Motown Mission is hosting several groups for three weeks in July. They are here the weeks of July 12, 19 and 26. Churches represented include First United Methodist Church of Madison Wisconsin, Grace UM Youth, Tennessee, Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ in Wisconsin, Port Byron UMC, Illinois, Broadmoor UMC, Louisiana, Frame Memorial Presbyterian, Wisconsin and Lambertville UMC, Michigan. Thank you to Mefi Barrera, Rydell Smith, Thomas Gilchrist, Karen Thompson, Pat Felder, Belinda Aberle, Juli Stephens, Stephanie and Pam Udeaugwu for volunteering to being here to welcome our guests to Metropolitan.
| Notes from the Metropolitan Library | |
An anonymous donor dropped off some bible commentaries. Inside one of them was a newspaper interview with Stanley Kresge speaking about his faith. Yes, the clipping is pretty fragile, so Librarian Eloise Halliburton will be preserving it in a protective frame.
Can you smell the dust?
No. All the shelves have been deep dusted. They practically sparkle.
25th Anniversary of the Joe-Joe books
Former Metropolitan member and renowned author, Jean Alicia Elster’s Joe Joe books turn 25 this year. Three of these books are on the children’s table. While designed for children, those who are young at heart will learn from them.
Checking out material
Eloise is setting up a system to borrow from the Metropolitan Collection Stay tuned.
| | | |
Pastor Taek's sermon on July 19 focused on Jesus' parable of the weeds among the wheat and that good and evil will coexist in the world until God's final judgment. Rather than becoming consumed with identifying or uprooting "weeds" in others, we are called to trust God's patience and justice, focus on bearing the fruit of faith through love and service, and remember that God's grace can transform even those who have strayed afar. The message emphasized that while judgment is real, Christ is both Judge and Savior, offering redemption before the final harvest. Pastor Taek encouraged us and all followers of Christ to live with hope, knowing that God has not abandoned the world, God's kingdom continues to grow, and God's love and salvation are what last for eternity.
Pastor Taek's sermon on July 12th titled "Tending to Our Soil" began with emphasizing that God knows and loves each person completely, and that Jesus' teachings are meant for everyone in every generation. Using the Parable of the Sower, he explained that the different soils represent the changing condition of our hearts, which can be receptive, hardened, shallow, or distracted at different times in our lives, even within the same day. The central message is that we must continually "tend the soil" of our hearts through prayer, learning, asking questions, seeking help, removing obstacles, and staying rooted in Christ. Rather than viewing the parable as a judgment of who we are, the sermon presents it as an invitation to grow, reminding us that our hearts can change by God's grace. As God's Word takes deeper root, it produces love, hope, generosity, and faith that bless not only our own lives but also the lives of others and the wider community.
| |
July Unity Prayer - America's 250th Birthday
God, Creator of All Nations, Universal Source of Light and Healing,
We pray in this 250th year of our nation to reflect on our collective journey with gratitude, humility, and hope. We honor the foundational promise of liberty and justice for all, while recognizing the immense struggles of those who have marched, sacrificed, and raised their voices for equality over the centuries.
We acknowledge with honesty the painful chapters of our history, where prejudice and division have caused deep suffering. We ask for healing for these generational wounds and strength for the ongoing work of justice.
Awaken the conscience of our leaders and communities. Inspire us to break down barriers of inequality, defend the dignity of every person, and protect the vulnerable among us.
Fill us with a shared hope that we can evolve and be better. Grant us the empathy to listen to unfamiliar stories, the courage to stand against prejudice, and the dedication to build a society rooted in fairness and mutual respect.
May this landmark anniversary mark a turning point toward a future defined by compassion, truth, and our common bond as one human family.
Amen.
| | Happy Birthday, July Born! | | |
3 Sammye Van Diver
4 Anna Kubit
6 Lynne Kubit
9 James Owens
15 Ronke Soyombo
15 Sharon Uhring
21 Richard Uhring
26 Victoria Koski
28 Patricia Felder
31 Janice Robinson
Sneak peak ahead to early August Birthdays:
01 William Fidler
03 Alicia Elster
| | Do you have a July or August birthday? Let us know so we can add you to the list! We love to celebrate birthdays, and we are glad you were born. Call the church at 313-875-7407 | |
Be Faithful to Your Giving Commitment
The Church relies on the tithes and offering of our members and friends to meet our financial obligations. Please remain faithful to the church in your giving. It is needed and deeply appreciated. You can mail payments to Metropolitan UMC, 8000 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202. We also accept Venmo and other cash apps. Click the link below to give now.
Members wishing to make donations alternatively of "in-kind" financial securities are encouraged and welcome to do so. Please contact the church office for information. Mr. Les Ryckman, CFA, will be happy to discuss this further with you.
Les
Les H. Ryckman, CFA
Ph. # 248-840-0007
| | | |
Ms. Annie Louise Handy went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 19th. Keep her family and friends close in prayer. An email will be sent regarding arrangements once they are confirmed.
Condolences can be sent to:
The Handy Family
14950 Flanders
Detroit, MI 48205
We grieve with Belinda Aberle in the loss of her father last week. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
Anthony Holiday's family has experienced another family loss from cancer, Anthony's brother-in-law. Please pray for the entire family as they go through a season of grief and loss.
Prayers for healing for Amya Howse, daughter of our new custodian, who was involved in a car accident a few days ago and is now recovering at home.
| | |
Chuck Arnold
Benton
The Burns Family
John Burns
Tamara Burt (Pat Felder's daughter)
Kuba, Eric Dawson's sister
Judy, Meri Slaven's Mom
Mavis Dorsey
Janet Douglass
Michelle Ferguson
Mary Fillippis
Courtney Fink
Fahran Flowers
The Flowers Family
Geoffrey Garrett
Georgia Harris
Anthony Holliday
David Holt
| | |
Amya Howse
Janice & Ron Hurst
Christie Jackson
Rev. Mary Laverne Jackson
Solomon Jackson
Henrietta Jend
Pamela Lee Johnson
Judy, Meri Slaven's Mom
Issac Jones
Mark Anthony Jones (Marvin's brother)
Rebecca Kell
Mary Kinnie
Bernice Leatherwood
Saul Leonard
Samuel Lucas
Sherry Martin
Paul McCarty
Christine Mathes
Kristine Miranne
| | |
Elijah Morton
The Pauza Family
Dr. Anna Pettway
Cindy Richards Wallace
Tom Richards
Pauline Smith (Rydell Smith's mother)
Trisha Solomon
Lamont Stinson
Alicia Strong
Kathy Synder
Ina Jane Tassen
Darlene Teasley
Philip (Karen Thompson's brother)
Cherrmaine Williams
Cornelia Williams
Marie Williams
Tracee, Kelvin & Trindon
| | Chuck Arnold, Ryan Burns, Caleb Charlet, Ken Davis, Audrey Hooke, Delores Jackson, Seijla Kulaglic and family, Alvia Lewis, Cheryl Love, John Lucas, Paul McCarty, Lawrence Mitchell-Matthews, Christian Robinson, Christopher Robinson II, Frank Robinson, Stella | | Adonis Allen (University of Toledo), Mikayla Boyd (Wayne State University), Nataiya Boyd (Wayne State University), Tamar J. Burt (Grand Valley State University), Soli Evans (Spelman College), Jehnya Footitt (Wayne State University), Jerrold Lee (Wayne County Community College), Asia Seabourough (Grand Valley State) | | Zachary King (Army), Major Hernando Flowers, also a doctor, (Army Reserves) and Sean Oakes (Reserves),Tristan Stallworth (United States Marine Corp) | | Metropolitan Church Staff | | |
Pastoral
Rev. Taek Kim, Senior Pastor, ext. 314
Sherman Louis, Cert. Lay Minister of Congregational Care, ext. 315
Clergy in Connection - Volunteer Clergy
Rev. Chp. Mary LaVerne Jackson, Minister
Rev. Don Veltman, Minister
Music Department
Sarmad Ashkuri, Music Director, sarmadashkuri@gmail.com
Susan Berry, Handbell Choir Director, 313-580-4486, Susan.berry.bells@gmail.com
Chancel Choir Section Leads: Caoilfhionn Davis, Denzel Donald, Ashli Hunter, Lawrence Mitchell-Matthews
Dorothy Duensing, Emeritus Section Lead, volunteer
Belle Veltman, Gathering Music, volunteer
Church Staff
Ken Davis, Special Occasions
Sharon Erving, Church Administrator, ext. 304,
serving@metroumc.org
Pamela Udeagwu, Children & Youth Ministry Coordinator,
313-875-7407, Ext. 336, wcfupu@gmail.com
Sandra Miller, Church Nursery Care
Janice Robinson, Church Nursery Care
Church Hours (Building Open)
Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday, Noon - 5 p.m.
(Article Deadline for the Messenger - Thursdays at 10 a.m., send to Juli Stephens, Editor, julis1111@aol.com)
Look us up on Facebook today. Share events and join the conversation. Church news & discussions are featured here.
| | |
8000 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202
313-875-7407, metroumcdetroit.org
| | | | |
