Next Sunday has been designated as United Methodist Women Sunday, which means that women will lead all aspects of the service.

UMW organizes this special Sunday each year to ensure that our church family is familiar with the programs and mission of the UMW at GPUMC. Co-presidents Nancy Grose and Tamara Baubie want to welcome and encourage participation at any level, and inspire new ideas for ways that UMW can serve into the future.

UMW has invited Rev. Dr. April Gutierrez, associate pastor for discipleship at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Rochester, to deliver the message on Sunday. Rev. Gutierrez joined St. Paul’s staff in July 2021. She oversees the Open Door service, confirmation program, and supports the missions and education ministry areas of St. Paul’s. She is also the co-convener of the Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism Working Group for the Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. B. Kevin Smalls of Southfield Hope UMC. Rev. Gutierrez has a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Direction from Garrett Evangelical-Theological Seminary and two master degrees: a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry and a Master of Arts degree in Spiritual Formation and Evangelism from Garrett Evangelical-Theological Seminary. Before answering the call to ordained ministry, she worked for more than a decade in higher education with a focus on social justice education and ministry.

If you want to learn more details about Sunday’s service, you can find the complete bulletin on the This Sunday at GPUMC page on the web site by mid-week.

The General Conference for the United Methodist Church continues this week in Charlotte, NC. The General Conference is the top policymaking body for the church.

The General Conference meets once every four years and can revise church law, as well as adopt resolutions on current moral, social, public policy, and economic issues. It also approves plans and budgets for churchwide programs. Key areas of deliberation and discernment for this conference include proposed regionalization changes for the UMC, LGBTQ inclusion, and budget reductions.

Please keep the delegates, Bishops, and all United Methodists in your prayers as we seek to be a denomination inspired to love God completely and love our neighbors as ourselves (John Wesley’s definition of a Methodist). 

Learn more about the GC here.

Watch the livestream at this link. The web page will provide details about times for upcoming sessions, as they vary from day to day.

GPUMC is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive from noon to 6 pm on Wednesday, May 16.

You can sign up now for an appointment at this link.

Beth Blunden is seeking volunteers to help with registration and provide snacks to donors. Email her if you are able to provide support that day.

Surrounded by water, trees, and rolling hills, Camp Firelight is the perfect location for every camper’s favorite summer activities! Campers join Counselor Sam and Lou, the lightning bug puppet, who invite us to put our trust in God in every situation, including during times when we might be afraid. 

Children from preschool through 4th grade are invited to join us July 29-Aug. 2 from 9 am to 11:30 am for crafts, science experiments, music, games, and more! On Friday, Aug 2, after VBS, we will close with a party from 11:30 am to 1 pm.

The registration fee is $20 per child, with a maximum of $40 for a family. See details below about payment.

Volunteers are needed. Both youth and adults can register now. 5th graders and up make excellent Junior Helpers. If your child is interested, please register them as a volunteer!

GPUMC members also are invited to:

• Donate snacks to feed the children during VBS week. 
• Help set up for VBS on Sunday, July 28 after worship
• Tear down VBS after 1 pm on Friday, Aug. 2

Join us this August! Please reach out to Emily Bianchi with any questions. We hope to see you this summer!

There are two ways to pay the registration fee:

You can pay online through the church’s giving portal. On that page, select one-time payment, VBS Fund.

OR

You can send payments to 211 Moross, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236. Please mark envelope with names and “VBS registration”. 

*Registration is not complete until payment is collected.* A confirmation email will be sent when payment is received.

A memorial service for Jane Spaulding, a longtime former member of GPUMC, will be at 10 am Saturday, May 4, at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. Jane died unexpectedly on Nov. 16, 2023, while preparing a move back to Michigan from Arizona. You can read more about her life in this obituary.