Waterville UMC Ambassador

May 2021

Dear Church Family,

God is good. His Holy Word tells us of all the promises of God to provide and bless us. To provide peace beyond explanation and wisdom beyond measure.

For us at WUMC, God has provided us with a vision to Share, Celebrate and Teach God’s Love. It is exciting to know that part of the way this vision will be fulfilled is our New Beginnings Building.

Our new building will provide a place for the congregation to meet the needs of our community with a space that is fully accessible and available. A place where the love of God is expressed in the way that we live and interact with Waterville and the surrounding area.

Do we believe that God has provided for us at this point in time for the new building to be built? I say yes, this is God’s time as seen in the many ways God has answered our needs. Many of these needs have been answered by you, the faithful children of God that make up our church family.

As you are aware the new building team presented to our congregation several items to remove from the building. This was to faithfully stay within the budget numbers we approved at a previous church conference.

A key element of our vision for the new building is flexibility. An early question about the building design was how to expand seating for large events. The answer was a moveable glass wall at the back of the sanctuary that would allow seating in the gathering space. The glass wall was removed and replaced with a traditional wall to save $65,000.

This change has a direct impact on our vision to serve our community with a building that can meet many needs and provide many opportunities. The Church Council voted this week to start a special fund to put the moveable glass wall back into the project.

This special fund is to raise the $65,000 in the next 3 months. Is God calling you to make a special gift beyond all other giving to the church?

God provides for His mission through us, His children and disciples of Jesus. Let us bring glory to God through fulfilling the vision He has given WUMC.

May the Lord bless you richly as you live fully in His grace and provision.

Pastor Mike

Our Vision – Share, Celebrate, and Teach God’s Love

Our Mission – Serve. Connect. Love. Give.

11 AM Sunday Worship with Waterville UMC

Opportunities to worship and praise the Lord with WUMC:

In Person - Social distancing and wearing masks.

Live Stream at 11 AM Sunday via You Tube at www.watervilleumc.org.

Park in car near the church at 11 AM Sunday and listen to the service on FM 90.5.

Watch the recording of the worship service on-line when available at www.watervilleumc.org.

Join us in worship in the manner you feel safe.

CLICK HERE FOR THE MAY BIBLE READING

There are also apps through Bible Gateway and You Version to help guide you through this experience. Choose the one that works for you!

The MAY HomeTouch is another source of reading the Bible. Start today! There are also fun word games that we share in the weekly blast.

Click on HomeTouch picture to open. OR...check the bulletin board, we post copies each month...OR if you know someone who may enjoy receiving the monthly HomeTouch in the mail, we do have a mailing list we can add them to.

An Update from the 102 North Fifth

Sale Team

We were in contact with three local brokers to investigate the sale of our property at 102 N Fifth. We have received three responses and reviewed them. We presented the options to the Church Council on Wednesday night and we have voted to utilize Miller Diversified.

Our team consists of three trustees: Christie Wielgopolski, Trustee Chair; Steve Crandall; Penn Pritchett and Jim Page, Treasurer.

July 12-15 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

at Zion Lutheran Church!

Waterville Community VBS is back at Zion Lutheran Church this summer. There will be a few changes from prior years in order to make it as safe as possible in regards to Covid, but we are super excited to be able to meet in-person!!

The dates are July 12-15 from 6:30-8:00pm. On-line registration will be open on June 1 and will close on June 30 or when the capacity of 150 children is reached. We will provide the registration link and information as soon as it is available.

Children ages 4 - completed 4th grade are invited. This is a change from past years in order to limit the amount of kids attending.

Another change is that the kids will be divided into 3 larger groups and meet in 3 different, large gathering spaces at Zion. The children will stay in that designated area for the duration of VBS as the different leaders for crafts, music, Bible Point, etc. will be the ones rotating to each group.

We are in need of volunteer crew leaders to help VBS be a success! This year will be separating the students into 3 main groups (PreK-K, Grades 1-2, and Grades 3-4). We need 10-12 adult volunteers to work together to help the children in these crews. You would not be responsible for the content or the activities for the evening. This will be provided by other adult VBS leaders. Your role would be to help monitor the kids and keep them engaged in the activities.

If you have any questions or you are interested in volunteering, please contact Stephanie Shelton (sshelton171@gmail.com) or Bobbie Westfall (bobbiewestfall14@gmail.com).

In April and May we will be proving support for the following Missions from the UMC Endowment Funds:

$ 500 - Impact With Hope

$ 1,000 - Sower Project

$ 1,000 - Gleaning Project (Truck repairs)

$ 1,200 - UMCOR Administrative Fees

$ 1,500 - Lifeline Church at Friendly Center

$ 3,000 - Waterville Primary School

$ 3,000 - Freedom School

$11,200 Total

Thanks to the Missions Team for their thoughtful giving designations.

May's Mission Focus Food Pantry

Click here to read more about the local food pantries

Please place your items in the basket under the Mission Bulletin Board.

May Operation Christmas Child Focus:

Boy items- tools of all kinds, duct tape, flashlights (batteries) work gloves, wallets, watches, harmonicas, ball caps, balls (soccer ball), string or zip ties, utility apron or belt, eating utensils (spoons and forks only).

A great opportunity to remember boys ages 10-14.

The prayer team is asking for the support of the rest of the congregation to join them in praying specifically for the the Prayer focus of the month.

May's Theme: Racism

May 2 – Definitions of Race and Racism

May 9 – Racism from Various Resources

May 16 – FACT 1: Racism is a Sin

May 23 – FACT 2: We Are Made in God’s Image and We Are All the Same Human Race

May 30 – FACT 3: We Are to Love and Treat All Others as Equals

In these Epic Times of racial diversity and due to the seemingly escalating hatred toward one another, it is time to re-address the theme of racism. Please Lord, allow us to righteously intercede for those that are racist and need to learn more about your infinite love. Please give them your wisdom so they will understand that we are all the same. That we must show kindness and love to all others, even if they appear to be different from us. That racism is a sin. That racism plays directly into Satan’s deceit – it divides the world, causes doubt about you [God] and it separates us from you [God]. Please hear our small group prayers and with strong faith let us have a positive effect on the world.

CLICK HERE FOR THE PRAYER FOCUS

APRIL ATTENDANCE

April 1...51

April 4...187

April 11...128

April 18...96

April 25...125

WUMC is seeking a part-time church office co-manager. The job qualifications include strong computer skills, must be proficient in MS Office Suite, proficient in working with social media (websites, Facebook, Twitter), administrative secretarial duties (answering phones, scheduling appointments, greeting guests, etc.). A detailed job description is available by contacting Josh Hankins. Interested applicants should email their résumés including reference list by May 10, 2021 to jhank05@att.net or mail to: Waterville United Methodist Church, c/o Josh Hankins, 102 N. Fifth St., Waterville, OH 43566. WUMC is an EEO/M/F/D/V Employer.

WUMC would like to recognize and honor our graduates who will be graduating from high school, college, or vocational school. We will recognize the graduates during the church service on Sunday, June 6.

If you have a graduate in your family, please contact Stephanie Shelton (sshelton171@gmail.com) with the following information: Name of graduate, school he/she is graduating from, future plans (college/major or career path), any awards or involvement you would like to include.

If you would like to have your graduate featured in our annual slide show, please send about 8 photos (at different ages) electronically to Stephanie by May 22.

Thanks to all of my church family for your prayers, cards, and well wishes during the time in the hospital and the weeks following. I am feeling much better and am so thankful for all your concern.

Karen Longnecker

The May Card Ministry liason is Char Monroe.

Please reach out to her at charlenehansen88@gmail.com if you know of someone who needs an encouraging words through a card. Words of love can change a moment and often a life's direction.

George Welker May 1

Jase Studer May 2

Eliza Sue Atherine May 3

Terri Gingery May 4

Justin Hires May 6

Bill Gregory May 7

Ayden Rozelle May 7

Tom Przybylski May 9

Ed Golding May 10

Josh Hankins May 11

Ed Thompson May 13

Brandon J. Vernon May 13