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 Vestavia Hills Farmers Market
The VHUMC Farmer's Market starts next Wednesday, May 17. The market will be open from 7:00 to 11:00 am every Wednesday through August 30 in the large parking lot. Mark your calendars and come see the seasonal vegetables, fruits, breads, baked goods, cheeses, and meats from local producers. See you next week! |
 All in God's Timing
The mission office recently met with Lee Padgett, the Executive Director at Camp Sumatanga, who came by to talk about the Car Ministry. The Camp was in need of a pickup truck and a multi-purpose van. Their 1978 truck was dying and the high demands of summer camps were right around the corner. As Judy Meyer, a Car Ministry volunteer, and Rachael Hayes, our Missions Coordinator, began to think about trucks, Vinnie Pappalardo, a church member at VHUMC, quickly came to mind. Two months earlier, Vinnie wanted to donate a truck, but it needed a new engine, would have to be towed to a garage, and the repair costs seemed too expensive, so they had to decline the donation. Judy began thinking of other options for the Camp. As she called Mike, the first of the Car Ministry's three mechanics, he immediately said, "Judy, I have a truck for sale that I personally repaired and it runs great." What incredible timing! Judy immediately connected Mike with Lee at the Camp and the Camp purchased the truck. In sharing the story, Judy also told Lee about Vinnie's truck that needed an engine.
Dennis Flowers, the Camp's Facility Director, picked up the purchased truck and called his own mechanic on the way back to Camp to tell him the story. Dennis mentioned Vinnie's truck that needed towing and an engine. The mechanic immediately said that he had a trailer to tow the car and an old engine that will work in Vinnie's truck. Only God could have orchestrated all the conversations to provide both a trailer to tow it and an engine to fix it!
In less than a week, Camp Sumatanga had not one but two pickup trucks and the hope of a van soon. Only God could have provided the exact needs for Camp Sumatanga through their partnership with VHUMC and our Car Ministry. Thanks be to God for His timing! |
Discovery Weekend Registration is Open
 Do you ever wonder, "Who am I?" Do you ever ask, "What defines me?" or "Who Defines Me?" These are important questions in our lives, questions that already have answers. Join us August 4-6, at Discovery Weekend 2017 where we will answer these questions and more about who you are and what defines you.
Discovery is a fun and energetic weekend where students come together to grow in their faith and personal relationship with Jesus Christ through worship, small groups, food, talks from a few of our senior students, mission projects, games, more food, and much more! Through the weekend, our middle school students are led by our high school students alongside some incredible adults! This is Thrive Student Ministries' biggest and best event of the year and we hope all students in 6th through 12th grades can participate! The deadline for middle school registration is July 1, and the deadline for high school registration is June 1.
In order for this event to be a success, we need the help of many hands! There are endless amounts of ways to volunteer. To learn more about how you can help, please contact Juli Hansen ([email protected] / 769.0137), Student Ministries Administrator. To learn more about Discovery or Thrive Student Ministries, please contact Emily Boles ([email protected] / 769.0130), Jeremy Robuck ([email protected] / 769.0131), or Jeremiah Stone ([email protected] / 769.0135).
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 Bundles of Hope Diaper Drive
Did you know that...
- There are more than 14,500 children under the age of five in Birmingham?
- A baby can go through 8-10 diapers a day?
- 29% of our community lives below the poverty line - $24,250 for a family of four?
- Diapers are not covered by any government program such as SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) or WIC?
During the month of May, VHUMC will be sponsoring a diaper drive for Bundles of Hope diaper bank. Bundles of Hope distributes on average of 25,000 diapers every month to families who are struggling to make ends meet. They give each needy family 50 diapers (or 1 weeks' worth), for each child.
Please help us by donating either diapers or making a monetary donation during the month of May. Bins are located around the church. While all sizes of diapers are needed, we have the largest demand for the large sizes (4, 5 and 6). Any monetary donations will be used to purchase diapers through the National Diaper Bank Association where we can make a dollar go a bit farther! For questions, contact Rachael Hayes ([email protected]). |
 Sunday Night Worship
Come as you are and join us this Sunday as Tyler Hopkins preaches for us. Tyler will be ordained at Annual Conference next month as an UMC Elder, and he and Ashley are preparing for his assignment to serve as a military chaplain. His sermon is "God, Is That You?" from John 10:1-10.
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 Adult Softball
It's time to form a team for softball this spring! We will have a co-ed league and a league for men. The cost is $275/team. That's just $27.50 each for a 10-person team or less if you get more people. Jerseys can be ordered at an additional cost. The season will start May 22 with eight games and a tournament over a 10-week period. Form your team and sign up at the Lighthouse by May 11. For more info, contact Megan Drumm ([email protected] / 769-0139) |
 Senior Sunday is Coming Up
Attention Graduation Seniors! Graduation is right around the corner and we have several ways we want to honor you. Mark your calendars for the following events, and be on the lookout for a more detailed email in the coming weeks.
- May 7: Pictures/Information Due to Juli Hansen ([email protected])
- May 7: Senior Night at Sunday Night Thrive - 5:00-6:30 pm
- May 21: Senior Sunday - 9:45 am reception in Fellowship Hall, 11:00 service in Sanctuary
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Join Us in Celebrating Our Graduating Seniors
 As graduation approaches for our high school seniors it is time to prepare for our Senior Sunday service on May 21, in the 11:00 am traditional service. Many parents have said that this long-standing service was more meaningful than the actual graduation. It is equally important to our congregation that we celebrate these fine young men and women who have learned about and grown in Christ alongside each other during their formative years at VHUMC. |
Community Outreach
VHUMC has many opportunities to reach out to our community by collaborating on events and programs and inviting people into our church family. If you want to join a fun team to participate in these outreach events, contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell ([email protected] / 769-0136). I Love America Day, VHUMC Fall Festival, Christmas Tree Lighting, and our Christmas Parade are a few. It's fun! |
 Turn Your Radio On
In our Sacred Connections Special Worship Service, on April 27, we were missing Jim Frazier who was transporting his new grandson and family home from the hospital. One of our selected songs, "Turn Your Radio On," really needs a male and female lead vocalist. What were we to do without Jim?! Enter Gary Youngblood, who grew up singing in his family's gospel touring group. Gary joined Louisa Elmore, and we were all overjoyed to sing along with them!
Gary, and many others, have discovered the blessing of being in hands-on ministry. On the 4th Thursday of each month, VHUMC hosts our Sacred Connections Special Worship Service. But it would not happen without the help of over 60 VHUMC volunteers. Gary's wife, Diane, suffers from Alzheimer's. In response, he was one of the driving forces in getting this service established in January 2016 to provide a meaningful worship time for those with dementia, Alzheimer's, and other memory issues. It is a way where those impacted can come worship with their loved ones in a safe, loving environment where the focus is on connecting with long-term memory.
Our volunteers say it best. Bill Wingate: "It's amazing to see people come alive as they remember and recite the 23rd Psalm. They don't need their bulletins or the words on the screens - they know them by heart from their childhood!" Joan Rasberry: "The smiling faces are what tug most on my heart. When we sing the old hymns and songs, they remember the words and sing along, with big smiles!" Faith Benner and Don Donaldson: "This service is our favorite thing to do each month. There's not a time where we don't come away feeling so blessed by serving. The loved received from those that attend is overwhelming."
So, do you have two hours each month that you could give just to help serve others? Would you like to participate with others in a regular hands-on ministry? The job requirements here simply are to arrive around 10:00 am to be ready to greet our visitors with a loving, caring attitude. We welcome and assist our guests throughout the service, and then help them depart. We are almost always through by 11:30 am. We could use YOU! And, if you know how to sing "Turn Your Radio On," we could really use you. Just ask Gary! |
 May Memory Verse
We have a new memory verse for our 1st-5th graders! It is: "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation." - Mark 16:15
Kids can recite their verse before or after Sunday School in either the sensory room or the elementary office for a sweet treat and a chance to win a bike at our Awards Assembly on June 4th! Once they learn their verse for the month they can work on the Books of the Bible or the Apostle's Creed for more chances to win! |
 A Good First Quarter
The Church started 2017 in very good financial condition and the first quarter of the year saw continued positive income and expense trends. First quarter donations were the highest of the past five years by over $40,000 and preliminary April income has also been better than budgeted expectations.
From a balance sheet perspective, we have the operating cash that we need right now, our only outstanding liability is a small loan on the pickup truck, and there is no balance on our revolving line of credit. In addition, we have $431,156 in cash or CD's to fully support the balance of our 32 Designated Funds.
VHUMC's financial position is stable and improving; your efforts to support the positive momentum generated by Bill and team are greatly appreciated and we look forward to seeing what lies in store for the balance of the year. Please help us to stay strong through the summer when giving sometimes falls behind. As always, feel free to reach out to Gary, Natalie or me if you have any questions or concerns about the Church's finances.
Jim Harper, Finance Committee Chairman |
5th Grade Parent Meeting
We are so excited to welcome your rising 6th grader into Thrive Student Ministries! This year we want to make the transition from children's ministries to Thrive as easy and fun as it can be! We are going to host a rising 6th grade parent meeting this Sunday, May 7, at 9:45 (during the Sunday School hour), in the Fellowship Hall to go over information about the transition as well as answer any questions you may have. Please mark your calendars for this very important meeting! For questions contact Jeremiah Stone ([email protected] / 769-0135). |
 Outcry Tour
The Outcry Tour is coming to Birmingham this year on May 11 and our student ministry is going! Birmingham's worship night will be led by preacher and speaker, Levi Lusko, who recently spoke at Passion 2017! You'll also get to hear from worship bands Lauren Daigle, Elevation Worship, and Jesus Culture!
We will meet at the church at 4:00 pm for dinner. The concert begins at 7:00 pm at the BJCC. You don't want to miss out! $30 covers dinner, transportation, and your ticket into the event! If you would like to volunteer to drive a bus, please contact Juli Hansen ([email protected]).
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 VHUMC and Methodism Class
Do you have questions about VHUMC and Methodism? Come join us at 9:45, on Sunday, May 14, in the chapel to discuss our Methodist heritage, our Christian faith, and our strategic plan as a church to help everyone live out their Christ-centered lives of purpose. For more information, please contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell ([email protected]). |
 Vacation Bible Camp
Vacation Bible Camp is coming June 12-16, and this year our theme is Hero Central. We will be learning how we can become truly heroic in God. You can register your 4k (by last September 1, 2016) through 5th grader online by clicking the link below or visiting www.vhumc.org.
We are also looking for 1st and 2nd grade group leaders as well as helpers in crafts. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Jamie Meeks ([email protected]). If your 6th - 12th grader would like to volunteer as a student helper please contact Anna Watts ([email protected]) before May 26. We hope you can join us for the fun!
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 Summer Music Lessons
The Conservatory of the Arts is currently registering adults or students for summer music lessons. Summer is a great time to begin lessons on a new instrument or continue your current studies without a lot of demands on your time. Summer lessons are available for piano, saxophone, flute, bassoon, violin, clarinet, trumpet, ukulele, guitar, percussion, trumpet, trombone, and voice! Email [email protected] for more information or sign up by clicking the link below.
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2018 Holy Land Information Meeting
 Due to the wonderful response to our first informational meeting, we have scheduled another one for Sunday, May 7, at 3:00 pm, in room 316. We can only take 40 people on this trip and we will not be going back to the Holy Land until 2022. We have over 20 people already registered so it won't be long before this trip is full. Jim will also be doing a presentation on the Nile Riverboat Cruise optional trip extension. For more information contact Jim Frazier (769-0126 / [email protected]). |
 Summer Grand Camps
If you have a grandchild between the ages of 4 to 9-years-old, then you need to consider taking them to Camp Sumatanga this summer. Jim Frazier will be leading two Grand Camps July 9 - 11 and July 12 - 14. You will have the chance to spend quality time with your grandchild while you swim, ride horses, hike, canoe, fish, make crafts, and sing songs around the campfire. Click on the link to register or call 256-538-9860.
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Gospel Jubilee Singers
This Sunday our Gospel Jubilee Singers will gather in the Chapel at 4:00 pm, before Sunday Evening Worship, to sing some of the great songs of our faith. We hope to see you there! |
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Investment Discussion Group
How do new tax laws affect my pension, IRA
's, 401K, Mutual Funds, etc.? Where should I have my money invested? Join our weekly Investment Discussion Group of men and women of all ages. The group meets each Thursday at 9:30 am in room 318. There is no selling or buying, just discussion and an opportunity to share ideas and ask questions.
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Memorials and Honorariums
Click on the link below or visit www.vhumc.org to see the memorials and honorariums given last month. Thanks to everyone who has given to help the church in recognition of a loved one.
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Ongoing Outreach
Food Pantry
Food Pantry still needs doubled brown plastic bags. We can also use peanut butter and spaghetti sauce. Thank you to the VHHS students who donated 1,250 cans of food that were used to weigh down their luminary bags for Relay for Life!
Oak Mountain Mission
The Oak Mountain Mission needs furniture. Please call Brenda (685-5757) for a pick-up. Remember, furniture you can sit on, eat on, or put your clothes into. No clothing is needed at this time. Thank you for your continued support.
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