MAY 2014 WESTLAKE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 27650 Center Ridge Road * Westlake, Ohio 44145 * (440) 871-3088 * westlakeumc.org Sunday Worship at 8:15, 10:00 and 11:21 a.m. WESTLAKE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH This winter did you ever get stuck? There were lots of options. Almost everybody got stuck in traffic. It was also possible to get stuck in mud, snow, and even ice. It is no fun to be stuck. It is also possible for a church to get stuck being who it has been. Sometimes in this winter, with snow on almost every Sunday, it could feel like stuck. Spring and Easter have been a tremendous lift. But I, and perhaps you as well, felt the almost stuck this winter. Key leaders of the church are proposing that this spring we Focus on the Future -- re-awaken and examine what we sense God is calling us to do together. One of my mentors in ministry would instruct, “It is the pastor’s responsibility to initiate and drive the vision.” In most cases I have tried to do this. But I am discover- ing a shortcoming in this strategy, it places too much responsibility (and in some cases power) on the pastor. A better understanding would say that the pastor should be the “champion of the vision.” The church develops and adopts the vision and the goals (with pastoral par- ticipation) and then the pastor is the chief promoter (Champion) and Leadership Council monitors the re- sults. Please see the article that follows this for the complete details for Focus on the Future here at Westlake UMC. In Christ, Pastor John Pastoral Reflections Leadership Council and the Staff-Parish Relations Commit- tee are teaming up to engage the congregation in discus- sions and visioning about the future mission and ministry of WUMC. We have engaged Dr. David Martin, consultant and retired pastor of Rocky River UMC to help lead this process. To that end, Dr. Martin will conduct a series of Focus Groups in May that will involve a sizable segment of the congregation in discussion around the church’s strengths, needs and hopes for the future. Leadership Council and SPRC hope that out of these focus groups there will be a considerable consensus as to the direction upon which the church would want to plan its future. Each focus group will run one hour and will have 10-12 persons. Focus groups are being planned for Wednes- day, May 14 and Monday, May 19 with sessions at 11:00 a.m., and 1:30, 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. Please look for a sign-up table before or after Sunday services on May 4th. You may also sign-up online HERE . Or please feel free to call the church office during the week to re- serve your space. Everyone is encouraged to take part in this effort to pro- vide for our future in mission and ministry. If you have any questions about the discussions, please e-mail Karla Lux ([email protected]), John Rife ([email protected]), or Rev. John Butchko ([email protected]). BE PART OF THE DISCUSSION! Focus on the Future Please sign up for one of the discussion times: Wednesday, May 14th 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m, 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 19th 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m.
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MAY 2014
WESTLAKE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 27650 Center Ridge Road * Westlake, Ohio 44145 * (440) 871-3088 * westlakeumc.org
Sunday Worship at 8:15, 10:00 and 11:21 a.m.
WESTLAKE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
This winter did you ever get stuck? There
were lots of options. Almost everybody got
stuck in traffic. It was also possible to get stuck in mud,
snow, and even ice. It is no fun to be stuck.
It is also possible for a church to get stuck being who it
has been. Sometimes in this winter, with snow on almost
every Sunday, it could feel like stuck.
Spring and Easter have been a tremendous lift. But I,
and perhaps you as well, felt the almost stuck this winter.
Key leaders of the church are proposing that this spring
we Focus on the Future -- re-awaken and examine
what we sense God is calling us to do together.
One of my mentors in ministry would instruct, “It is the
pastor’s responsibility to initiate and drive the vision.”
In most cases I have tried to do this. But I am discover-
ing a shortcoming in this strategy, it places too much
responsibility (and in some cases power) on the pastor.
A better understanding would say that the pastor should
be the “champion of the vision.” The church develops
and adopts the vision and the goals (with pastoral par-
ticipation) and then the pastor is the chief promoter
(Champion) and Leadership Council monitors the re-
sults.
Please see the article that follows this for the complete
details for Focus on the Future here at Westlake UMC.
In Christ,
Pastor John
Pastoral Reflections
Leadership Council and the Staff-Parish Relations Commit-tee are teaming up to engage the congregation in discus-sions and visioning about the future mission and ministry of WUMC. We have engaged Dr. David Martin, consultant and retired pastor of Rocky River UMC to help lead this process. To that end, Dr. Martin will conduct a series of Focus Groups in May that will involve a sizable segment of the congregation in discussion around the church’s strengths, needs and hopes for the future. Leadership Council and SPRC hope that out of these focus groups there will be a considerable consensus as to the direction upon which the church would want to plan its future. Each focus group will run one hour and will have 10-12 persons. Focus groups are being planned for Wednes-day, May 14 and Monday, May 19 with sessions at 11:00 a.m., and 1:30, 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. Please look for a sign-up table before or after Sunday services on May 4th. You may also sign-up online HERE. Or please
feel free to call the church office during the week to re-serve your space.
Everyone is encouraged to take part in this effort to pro-vide for our future in mission and ministry. If you have any questions about the discussions, please e-mail Karla Lux ([email protected]), John Rife ([email protected]), or Rev. John Butchko ([email protected]).
BE PART OF THE DISCUSSION!
Focus on the Future Please sign up for one of the discussion times:
United Methodist Women General Meeting Thursday, May 8th at 10:30 a.m. All the women of the church are welcome to attend the monthly meetings which are on the second Thursday at 10:30 a.m. We
enjoy lunch at 12:00 noon. Remember to bring your sandwich — beverage and dessert will be provided.
At 1:00 Reverend Don Lefelar will install the officers from the coming year and conduct our annual bible study. Please join us! You will surely enjoy Reverend Lefelar’s charm and wit!
2
HOSPITALITY
May Coffee Time Sponsors :
May 4 Carole & Russ Miller
May 11 Mariam Keirstead, Diana Stacho,
Jill & Zoe Johnson (Four Generations!)
May 18 Liz & Dick Parks
May 25 Duane & Nickie Miller
Hospitality Thanks! Our Church is blessed in many ways
by people who see needs and step up
to help enhance the ministry of the
church. Often these folks have the
spiritual gifts of helps along with other
gifts!
This month we are highlighting some folks who have
made gifts to the church in the area of Kitchen Ministry/
Hospitality:
Mike & Sue Clark donated a new whistling teapot
to the kitchen. Our old one had a broken spout and
was spilling water everywhere!
John Penney designed and donated the new
kitchen cupboard labels so you can find what you are
looking for!
Chris & Kaye Tilton donated three new air-pots
for coffee along with four coffee caddies keeping all
the coffee & tea accoutrements together.
Barbara Lachowicz & Kay Swartz are washing
the kitchen towels and replenishing them weekly!
The church is grateful for your support of the ministry of
hospitality!
Blessings!
Prayer Shawl Ministry
AN INVITATION
Ten years ago an important ministry was started in our church. Over 270 prayer shawls have been given out to church members and friends. Two scrapbooks are filled with notes that tell how much comfort has been given by these shawls. A small group of dedi-cated women meet every Wednesday at noon at the church to knit. Our group is called the Purl Girls, and we welcome new knitters. We also knit scarves, hats, and mittens for children in need. We welcome new knitters! You might be interested in working on prayer shawls at home, and if so, we have directions available. We invite church members to be a part of
this ministry by donating money for the yarn. Each shawl requires 2 skeins of yarn at a cost of about $10. Donations may be put in an envelope at the church service
marked “Purl Girls.”
CLASSES CONTINUE! Classes to become a member of West-
lake UMC are underway and anyone can
participate! Please RSVP to the office and
let us know if you need childcare.
The Spiritual Gifts Discovery Process will be held
on Saturday, May 17th from 9 - 11:30 a.m.
Your Money Autobiography with Don Lefelar will
take place on Sunday, June 8th at 9am.
New Member Classes
Plant Sale
Pick-Up Reminder:
Pick-up your plants
on Saturday, May 24th
from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
in the church parking lot.
Want to read more? Go to westlakeumc.org
May 2014
Our Easter Outreach event brought 32 families
from the community into the church (plus
many of our members!) for an afternoon of
egg dying, egg-speriments and the egg drop
challenge! Thank you to the many, many peo-
ple that helped pull the event off including all
of you who donated hard cooked eggs! We
were able to give every child from the commu-
nity a dozen eggs to color. Special shout out of
thanks goes to the Wednesday evening Christ-
Care Group for prepping and maintaining the
egg dye stations, Sharla Johnston, Gail & Russ
Wearsch for working the kitchen, Jackie Gram-
lich & Peggy Frank for registration booth, Mich-
ele Thomas for the Candy in the Jar contest,
Jacquie Mayer & Nona Linonis, Anna Magill
and our AMAZING Youth for running the egg-
speriments/egg drop, Susan Geringer for do-
nating cookies, and Emory & Kathryn Crowder
for donating 50 chocolate bar prizes!
Molly McNamara & Polly VanDyke show off their craftiness
creating foil eggs
Reagan Massey is ready to fill her basket!
Color time! Elliette Ratcyz
dyes some eggs
Landon McQuality
compares eggs before an
Eggsperiment
Anna Mayer shows off
her gravity- busting egg
cradle
Geronimo! Elizabeth
Peiffer gets ready
to drop her egg
Want to read more? Go to westlakeumc.org
The Messenger
4
Weekday Mom’s Group Tuesday, May 13th
from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Sacred Parenting, How Raising Children
Shapes Our Soul
This is our last session before summer break.
Join us as we talk about "The Sweet Side of Sacrifice". Free,
professional childcare is available. Please RSVP for your
PERFORMING ARTS SERIES presents Three Rivers Ringers Handbell Ensemble
Saturday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m.
Three Rivers Ringers, Pittsburgh's premier community handbell ensemble will perform at WUMC on Saturday, May 3rd at 7:00 p.m. The ensemble will present Shall We Dance, a con-cert exploring the varied world of dance music. Transport yourself to Vienna and waltz along The Beautiful Blue Danube. Strike up the mariachi band and whirl to the Mexican Hat
Dance. Swing in the 1940s jazz clubs with Duke Ellington and then hit today’s dance floor with Lady Gaga!
Three Rivers Ringers is dedicated to advancing the art of handbell ringing through educational program-ming and performance at the highest artistic level. The ensemble was founded by five handbell musicians from Pittsburgh in March 2010 and is directed by Nancy Lutz. The ensemble was developed through their passion for the art form of hand bells and their desire to achieve musical excellence with challenging reper-toire, while pushing the boundaries of the handbell medium.
The event is free and open to the public. A freewill offering will be received.
Free professional childcare is provided.
EOC RUSSIA UMVIM You can help fund the team projects of the
East Ohio Conference Russia United Meth-
odists Volunteering in Mission by offering
financial support of the orphanages with
checks made out to WUMC, with “Russia Children's
Fund #9093” written on the memo line.
The 2014 Russia Mission Team is collecting items for
our trip to two special needs orphanages, one in Sudzha
and one in Obayan, for children ages 7-18. We are ask-
ing MC for donations of small musical instruments, such
as harmonicas, plastic recorders, etc., and small gifts for
boys. Neckchains for boys are especially desired, or any-
thing else a boy would like, small games, etc. There are
suitcases in the lobby and Fellowship Hall for your dona-
tions. Thank you for supporting this ministry since 1998!
~ Harry Askin, Kay Martin, Dave Ordner & 2014 Russia Team
There will be a Team Leader Training on May 10th at the
East Ohio Conference Center. If you are interested in partici-
pating, please fill out form available in the church lobby
BOOK DONATIONS
FOR FAITH UMC CHILDREN Rev. Karen Hollingsworth has requested help
from the members of the Westlake UMC to
collect books for students at Faith United
Methodist in Lorain, specifically 4th—6th
graders. They will have a book fair on May 17th where
the children will be able to come and pick out a book.
Books will be collected in the WUMC lobby until
May 12th.
Book recommendations for 4th, 5th, & 6th grade students
(as compiled by Elaine Betting at the Children’s Depart-
ment of the Lorain Public Library): The Diary of a Wimpy
Kid series; Dork Diaries series; Anything by Tom Angle-
berger, particularly the Origami Yoda series; Ms. Perri-
gren’s Home for Peculiar Children series; anything by Neil
Gaiman, particularly Fortunately, the Milk and Odd & the
Frost Giants.
Interest books which include: How to draw books (very
popular with this age range!), animals, joke books,
tongue twister books, Lego books.
Opportunities in Generosity!
Get rid of that landline? Move? Please let the office know of any updates to mailing address, email, and/or phone via
blood pressure screenings after all three services,
however she will be available most Sundays after coffee
hour. Please feel free to stop by and see her!
CHILDREN’S CHOIR Children’s choir has two events remaining for their choir season! Please make a note of these on your calendars:
May 4 will be our end of the year celebration from approximately 11:20-12:00. Please plan to bring an appetizer or dessert to share.
May 11 (Mother’s Day) we will join the preschool and kinder class in song during the 10:00 worship ser-vice. We will rehearse at 9:45 AM in the sanctu-ary on the 11th. Have your child wear their chil-dren’s choir polo and khakis.
Thanks for a wonderful year! Annie (216) 862-1232 or
[email protected] PRE-SCHOOL AND KINDER CLASS + CHILDREN’S CHOIR On Mother’s Day May 11, the preschool and kinder class will join the Children’s Choir to sing during the 10:00 worship service. Preschool and kindergarten chil-dren are learning this song during Sunday School with Anna Marshall. Parents, plan to have your child in the sanctuary at 9:45 on May 11 to practice!
Kids’ Music Notes
DIABETES:
THE GOOD, THE BAD,
AND THE MANAGEABLE Sunday, May 18th
after Coffee Hour in Room 205
Almost 26 million Americans have diabetes – 8.5 percent
of the US population. Of these, 7 million do not know
they have the disease. Diabetes affects all racial and eth-
nic groups. Diabetes training is the key to successful self
-management of this disease and its related conditions.
Please join Kathy Tafuri, RN, Parish Nurse who will be
hosting Penny DiSiena, RN, BSN Clinical Liaison with
Wesleyan Senior Living. To learn more, please join us!
Sundays through June 8th (no class May 11th or 25th)
at 10:00 a.m. in Room 107
Who? People experiencing physical limita-
tions (limitations might be the result
of heart, eye sight, spinal injury, MS,
ALS, polio, autoimmune diseases, etc.)
Why? To encourage, support, and hopefully
learn from each other What? Don Lefelar and Alex Massey will lead
a time to share our stories, frustrations,
and what resources we use to adjust
EAST OHIO RECONCILING
MINISTRIES
OPEN TABLE SERVICE SUNDAY, MAY 4TH AT 6:00 P.M. Westlake UMC will be hosting an East Ohio Recon-ciling Ministry Open Table Worship Service. All are welcome to attend. If you are interested in help-ing to host this event, please let Rev. John know. There will also be a Reconciling Ministries planning meeting at 5 p.m., prior to the start of the service, for anyone interested. Thank you!
Want to read more? Go to westlakeumc.org
The Messenger
Christian Ed News
PARENTS OF WUMC KIDS:
IMPORTANT INFO If you have any questions about the following info or events,
Vacation Bible School: JUNE 23-27 @ DOVER CONGREGATIONAL Cost saving early registration ends on May 11, and registration closes on May 25. Please get your registra-
tions in via REGISTER VBS or hardcopy via our VBS mail slot outside the church office. Checks must be re-
ceived by WUMC by May 11, or May 25 for your registration to be considered complete. If you would like to volun-
teer only (not registering any children), please contact Carol Ryan or Joyce Stenger.
Contact Anna Magill to get connected! [email protected] or (216) 650-8290
YOUTH ON SUNDAYS
CONFIRMATION 7 - 8: 10:10—11:10 a.m.
Stage Classroom after Children’s Message Old Testament Characters & Questions of Faith Last day of class is May 25th
SENIOR HIGH FAITH FORUM: 10—11 a.m. in Rm 205
“Time with a Methodist Minister, Dr. Dick Parks” Grades 9—12 — Last day of class is May 25th
COMING ON MAY 4TH... 9 a.m. Confirmation Breakfast with Pastor All 7th & 8th graders, their parents and mentors are requested for this time. Details of Confirmation Sunday will be discussed and valuable time with Pastor John will be offered. A light breakfast will be served in Fellowship Hall. 10 a.m. Confirmation Preparation All 7th & 8th graders and mentors are requested for this time of mentoring and preparation. Mentors will pair up with either 7th or 8th graders for part-ner discussions and church membership will be dis-cussed. 4 p.m. Youth Group at Metroparks All youth, grades 7-12 are invited to for a hiking, picnic challenge at Rocky River Metroparks! Per-mission forms and drivers are needed. Pack a pic-nic food or snack to share and a drink for you! Sandwich options will be provided. Wear comfort-able clothes and shoes good for crazy adventures. Friends are welcome too! Check-in in Room 107
YOUTH CAR WASH Sunday, May 18th 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. All youth, grades 7-12 are invited, all mission team members expected…
Friends are welcome too! Let’s wash some dirty cars! Pizza lunch provided.
UMW PLANT SALE PICK-UP & COMMUNITY SERVICE Saturday, May 24th 8:30 a.m. WUMC; 10 a.m. off-site Join us for morning of service! The United Methodist Women’s Plant Sale needs help unloading and sorting plants for their sale. Plus members of the community need help with yard work- a promised gift from Spud Night! Come… bring gloves, tarps, trimmers, lawn bags and YOU! Drivers and permission forms needed.
UPCOMING ON THE YOUTH CALENDAR:
Confirmation Sunday Sunday, June 1st
8th graders are invited to be confirmed. 7th graders are invited to be leaders. Join us!
Graduation Sunday Sunday, June 8th
If you are graduating high school or college, please send a photograph and information to Westlake
UMC. Information includes: name of school gradu-ating from, future plans and a hope for your fu-ture. Help us celebrate you on this special day!
Join us for a final gathering of food and fellow-ship! Spend time with the seniors… All are invited to bring a side dish or dessert to share. Handprints and footprints will mark the walls of both the con-
firmation stage and youth room. Please RSVP, ONLINE. Youth and parents are welcome!
3088. You have the choice of requesting deductions
to be made either monthly or semi-monthly.
SPICE: SPECIAL PEOPLE IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Children with special needs, and their families, may need a pinch to a pound of extra support to engage in worship and/or Sunday school programs
offered at WUMC. Some of our children benefit from the support of a “shadow” that supports them in a Sunday school classroom. Others may benefit from opportunities to engage and be cared for outside of a classroom while parents feed their spirit in the sanctuary. Let’s talk if this speaks to you. Together, with the calm and caring support of SPICE Coordinator, Matthew Wolf, we can explore options to help your Sundays rise to feed you
throughout the week. Contact Carol Ryan via the church office or [email protected].
Want to read more? Go to westlakeumc.org
May 2014
For more details about events listed in this
month’s Messenger, and to view the church calendar,
please visit us at www.westlakeumc.org
BIRTHS Audrey MaKenzie Kessen was born on
April 1st in Columbus. She is a loving addition
to the Kessen household—parents Steve and
Jen, and big brother Tyler! Audrey was 7 lbs 11 oz, and
21 inches long with a sweet face.
WITH SYMPATHY Gene Johnson, husband of Arlene John-
son, passed away March 29th. A memo-
rial service was held at WUMC on April
1st, officiated by Rev. John Butchko.
Estella Cook, mother of Marilou Lancashire and grand-
mother of Jenny Zapfe, passed away April 4th. She was
104 years old! A private memorial service was held at
WUMC on April 25th, officiated by Rev. John Butchko.
Art Zammikiel, father of Therese Hensley, passed
away April 9th.
Richard Franks, brother of Carolyn Remington, passed
away April 22nd.
Marjorie Losh, grandmother of Ryan Kollar (husband
of Michelle Kollar), passed away April 22nd. A memorial
service was held at WUMC on April 25th, officiated by
Rev. John Butchko.
THANK YOU Dear WUMC Congregation,
Thank you for the donations of
Easter goodies to the kids at the
Laura’s House (coordinated by the Westlake Early
Childhood PTA). We were able to over-stuff 40 baskets
for Laura’s House.
~ Patti Barnes and Westlake ECPTA
Dear WUMC Friends,
Arlene and the family of H. Gene Johnson wants to
thank all of the ladies at the Bay and Westlake Churches
who took care of and made many phone calls to get the
food, as well as those who set up and cleaned up after
the memorial service. What a wonderful job they did.
Tables looked great and such a large variety of food!
The fact that both churches work together was great.
Again thanks. We would like to name each one but
afraid we would miss someone… so thanks to everyone!
~Arlene Johnson
Church Family Focus
9
Relay for Life of Westshore When: Saturday, May 31st @ 2 p.m.—
Sunday, June 1st @ 8 a.m.
Where: Westlake High School at 27200 Hilliard Blvd
What: This is an organized, family-friendly, overnight community fundraising walk. Teams of people camp out around the track. Members of each team take turns walking around the track throughout the night. Food, games, and activities provide entertainment and build camaraderie. Because it’s a team event, individual par-ticipants are not required to be there the entire time—but it is so much fun, you’ll find it hard to leave!
Sign up today! Visit relayforlife.org/westlake
For more information, contact WUMC member Rick Grane at (440) 829-0974 or Suzi Piskur at
When the sun goes down at every American Cancer Society Relay for Life event, hope shines the brightest. During the Luminaria Ceremony, hundreds of Luminaria light the track to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember those who have lost their bat-tle, and fight back against a disease that has taken too much. You can give to the American Cancer Society and keep the flame of hope list by ordering a Luminaria Sug-gested Luminaria donation is $10 each. Order forms for the Luminaria are available in the church lobby or at the Relay website.
UMM — Thanks! Thanks to good support again this Palm
Sunday, the United Methodist Men netted
just under $800. This will enable us to
continue supporting West Side Community House, Flat
Rock, Society of St. Andrew, and Stop Hunger Now.
Want to read more? Go to westlakeumc.org
The Messenger
4 Years old (by June 1) thru children entering 5
th Grade
Where: Dover Congregational UCC 2239 Dover Center Road, Westlake
When: June 23-27, 2014 9:30 am-12:30 pm OR 2:00 pm-5:00 pm
Thursday, June 26th
Open House 7-8 pm family & friends are invited to enjoy the VBS Celebration
Who: Four year olds (by June 1) through children entering the 5
th grade
Cost: $25 per child registered by May 11th
$35 per child registered May 12-25th
(Discount of $12.50 off 3rd
registration)
NO Registrations Accepted AFTER MAY 25th
Jr. High Youth Students entering Grades 6-8
Where: Dover Congregational UCC 2239 Dover Center Road, Westlake
Enjoy FUN & EXCITING Offsite excursions! Lunch is included daily, as well as transportation,
activities & service opportunities!!
When: June 23-27, 2014 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday, June 26th
Open House 7-8 pm family & friends are invited to enjoy the VBS Celebration
Who: Youth entering 6th through 8
th grade
Cost: $125 per child registered by May 11th
$135 per child registered May 12-25th
NO Registrations Accepted AFTER MAY 25
th
June 23-27, 2014
at Dover Congregational
United Church of Christ 2239 Dover Center Road in Westlake
Programming for students age 4 (by June 1)
through those entering the 8th grade
Forms are available in the church lobby and Fellowship Hall. Registrations may be dropped off in the mailbox
outside the church office marked “VBS”.
You may also register online via our website: westlakeumc.org/forms or click on this link: VBS
Alexandra Kellatis Childcare Assistant Coordinator
Ardith McCloy Director of Handbells
Anna Magill Youth Associate
Gretty Myers Stephen Ministry Coordinator
Ellie Peiffer Small Group & Welcoming Ministries
Carol Ryan Christian Education Associate
Stephanie Fries Office Manager
Sharon Parks-Stickler Finance Manager
Kathy Tafuri Volunteer Parish Nurse
Janie Zell Nursery Assistant
WUMC Librarians: Nanci Danburg & Judy McDonald
OTHER PASTORS CONNECTED TO THIS CONGREGATION:
Help us keep the altar
beautiful throughout
the year! Remember and/or honor a loved one by helping to decorate the altar! Sign up on the sheet next to the bulletin board in the lobby—or contact the church office. Please bring a check for $35 made out to WUMC and write “altar flowers” on the memo line, or cash in an envelope with specified date. The office will take care of order-ing the arrangement for you!