Come Have "Coffee with Pastor Kim" Sunday, April 30 at 9:50 a.m.

Gather in Chapel room next to the church office. This is an informal time to get to know each other better and ask questions about the Christian faith, baptism, church membership, United Methodist beliefs, history. An RSVP is requested but not essential. If you have questions or plan to come email Pastor Kim (pastorkim@maplewoodumc.org.)

Beyond the Blue

Planning Meeting

Sunday, April 30th - 12:30p.m. (after worship and Citizen of the Year celebration) in Fellowship Hall

If you are interested in helping with the planning of this program or in volunteering as a College Support Guide, please join us.

For more information, please contact Courtney Stotler at c.stotler@sbcglobal.net or (314) 468-7157

Ad Council Meeting, Sunday April 30th at 6:30p.m.

This Meeting will be in-person in the room next to the church office

Summer Sunday School is almost here! We can use your help

Summer Sunday School went over so well last year we are hoping to do it again! The Children's Ministry Team needs your help! We are reaching out to all of you to see if you can commit to helping at least one Sunday this summer. We would love it if you can think of something that you love or have a desire to share with the children during Sunday school time (9:45 - 10:45 a.m.). 

Do you have a special skill or knowledge you would like to share?

We are open to all ideas. Some examples are: baking, cooking, painting, tie dyeing, water games, any sport related activities, outdoor activities, mission projects and children's choir. This does not have to resemble a typical Sunday School lesson. The goal is for you and the children to have fun together and to get to know each other a little better.

Here are a couple of other details that might be helpful: 

Maplewood UMC can provide materials or will reimburse the cost of materials for the activity. There is a place on the sign-up form to let us know what you might need and I will check in with you a week or two before your Sunday. 

You are welcome to bring a family member or friend to assist you. In order to offer you support and maintain Safe Gatherings standards, there will be two Safe Gatherings certified adults with you who are familiar with the children. You will be asked to read and sign our one-page basic local church Safe Gatherings policy as part of preparing for your Sunday.

Please let us know if you have any questions. We hope you will consider this an opportunity to share something that is special to you AND have fun with the Maplewood UMC children. Please click the link below to sign up!

2023 Summer Sunday School

Thank you for all of your help,



Brittany Link

The Community Unity Center:  Providing After School Care for Freedom School in the Summer 2023

How did we get where we are today? Several years ago, the then superintendent of MRH schools, Dr. Karen Hall asked Pastor Kim if our church would host a Freedom School. Dr. Hall had learned about Freedom School and had seen the benefits it had given children over the summer.  The rest is history. On April 30^th we will celebrate that Pastor Kim has been recognized as MRH School District Citizen of the Year, not just for Freedom School or for her desire to always be of service, but by equipping her very active congregation for community service. Now in our third year of Freedom School we are continuing the good work by collaborating with the MRH school district, and other community members, to offer an innovative pilot program for an after school ministry.

Covid has challenged young lives. Can you imagine if you were growing up between the ages of two and ten when Covid hit and altered your world for over three years? Can you imagine the shock that suddenly having no school, no church, no grandma hugs, no friends would have brought to your nervous system, and the impact that would have had on your emotional and social development, your mental development, and your sense of safety? We know that in homes that are under resourced, Covid had an even greater impact. 

After two years of hosting Freedom School during Covid, some of us in our Thursday afternoon caring group suggested that we should support these children year round, not just during the summer. When we opened this vision up to the community, Dr. Bonita Jamison, the current MRH superintendent, suggested that we expand our support beyond Freedom School Scholars to include Freedom School families as well. So, the Community Unity Center ministry was born.

As part of the pilot program for after school care we will host a weekly family and community meal, with programming to benefit families and students. We are working with our Maplewood Community Resource Officers and the Urban League to schedule events. At the same time we are applying for several grants, including one of particular interest, to be a Vista Volunteer site.  Please keep Pastor Kim and this ministry in your prayers and please support it with your presence in worship April 30^th and at the next Community Unity Potluck, May 7^th.

In service, 

Mary Kunce

Coordinator

The Community Unity Center

A ministry of Maplewood United Methodist Church 

News from Children's Ministry Team

The past two weeks, MUMC Kids have been listening and discussing readings of two Shel Silverstein books, “The Missing Piece” and “The Missing Piece Meets the Big O”. The theme for the first book was “Be thankful for how God Made You,” the second, “The Holy Spirit helps us be brave and try new things.” One student shared that she received the Spirit as a shooting star bringing light into her heart. Practicing breathing and yoga stretches provided ways to receive God’s holy breath. 

Thank you, Sue Green, for supplying the books, clay, donuts, teaching expertise and support to our classroom this semester. Below is one clay creation, Blue Stripe, sitting in her happy spot. 

We welcome new teachers, assistants, and organizers as we get ready for summer and fall. Please see Brittany Link or Kathy Schmid to find out how you can help, and please join us at our planning meeting on May 17th, 6:30-8:00pm. to learn more.