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Photo Directory

When was the last time you got a professional picture taken? The church has grown and changed a lot since our last directory, too! We’ve invited Universal Church Directories to take photos and create a new directory for First United Methodist Church. Our church directory will not be complete without you!

When people enter the doors of the church they are looking for a place to belong. Our directory brings us together to develop new relationships, get to know each other across different services and campuses, as well as an opportunity for you to connect with your own family members.

This is a low-pressure, no-risk situation.

Make an appointment for your portrait sitting (online is easy) and we’ll send a you a reminder.
You can have multiple poses and immediately choose what you’d like included in the directory.
Receive a free 8×10 and directory.
You may choose to purchase additional portraits on the day of photography (no obligation).
Yes, you can invite additional family members, friends, etc. Anyone can make an appointment (they are not required to be in the directory if they just want to have photos taken). Each household gets its own appointment slot.

Dates

Aug. 15 – 17 (M-W), 2 – 8:30 pm • Brighton Campus
Sept. 15 (Th), 2 – 8:30 pm • Whitmore Lake Campus
Sept. 16 (F), 2 – 8:30 pm • Brighton Campus
Sept. 17 (Sat), 10:30 am – 4 pm • Brighton Campus

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, pets are allowed (of course you’ll need to keep them confined with you in the building)
Yes, anyone can schedule a photography appointment. You don’t need to be a member of the church
No, you don’t have to buy anything. The church earns “points” for the number of appointments and sales. The points will be used for things like printing extra directories or pages.
Yes, we’d love you to volunteer to help (we need people to help make appointments on Sundays in June, call people in July, check-in people when the come in August and September). Contact Joann Schmidt to volunteer.

Schedule Your Professional Photography Session

Click the button and when prompted enter the code and password listed below.

Code: MI1481

Password: photos

Make Photo Appointment

Tips for Preparing for Your Photo Session

Facebook Fundraisers

If you are a Facebook user, you can create your own Facebook Fundraiser for First United Methodist Church!

Ready to start your Facebook Fundraiser? Just follow these steps:

Get Started

Click here to start creating your fundraiser through First UMC – Brighton Campus

Hiring

Worship Leader – Whitmore Lake Campus, part time

Stand with Ukraine

First United Methodist Church – Brighton & Whitmore Lake is raising money for a United Methodist Church in Protivín, Czech Repubic, that is taking in refugees from Ukraine. So far they are supporting 14 children and their mothers.

A retired teacher in the congregation is teaching the children at a United Methodist Church Camp in the Czech Republic. We have been in relationship with the Protivín UMC for over 10 years. The church of about 40 members is supporting at least 25 refugees.

The mothers and children are at the Methodist Church Camp (Poust). Members of the Protivín UMC take care of their needs there. It is about 25 minutes away by car. The church also provides support for children in Protivín, which have now been placed in public schools per the government. They are prepared to support these families as long as it takes.

100% of your gifts are donated directly to the Protivín United Methodist Church Ukrainian Relief Efforts. Any support you can share is much appreciated.

These words are directly from the Protivín United Methodist Church:

We have moved from preparation to actual assistance. More and more families in Protivín accommodate mothers with children from Ukraine, who are transported to Protivín from the border by volunteers in their cars. We have opened a parsonage and adapted a classroom for meetings of mothers with children during the week. There are now 14 children, the mothers accompany them, and a helpful retired teacher has taken over the teaching. The pastor provides technical facilities, food etc. We are now deciding how to proceed as the number of children and mothers is increasing and the church has limited capacity.

If you are able to donate, we thank you. We also invite you to consider sharing this fundraising effort with others who might be able to help.

Support the Refugees in Protivín

Lent & Easter

The Lord’s Prayer: it’s prayed in multiple languages, by millions of Christians, around the world each week. We start by praying the famous words that Jesus taught us to pray, saying: “Our Father, who art in heaven…” Yet these well-rehearsed words, that were perhaps memorized in our childhood, are not just sentences to gloss over. They have deep meaning, and profound impact upon our lives, neighbors, and communities. Join us this season of Lent, as we dig deeper into the meaning and purpose of The Lord’s Prayer.

Sunday Worship

You’re invited to worship, study and serve throughout Lent and Holy Week. In-Person Worship every Sunday at 9:30 am (Brighton and Whitmore Lake) and 11 am (Brighton). Worship online Sundays at 9:30 am through Facebook or YouTube.

Easter Egg Hunt

Children ages 2-11 and their families are invited to a FREE outdoor Easter Egg Hunt, April 9. The Brighton Campus event begins at 10 am. The Whitmore Lake Campus event begins at 12:30 pm with a free hot dog lunch, followed by the egg hunt at 1:00. Contact Allison Vitale, allison@brightonfumc.org at 10 am at the Brighton Campus. We are so excited to share the joy of Easter with you and your children and grandchildren! This is a free event.

There is space for 75 children, please register in advance (click the event image below). Please check in when you arrive — we’ll have different areas for the egg hunt to help spread things out.

We Gather Together

Dear Friends of First United Methodist Church,

The COVID Task Force uses current data and guidelines from the CDC to decide how best to protect our church communities. Please join us, in keeping each other healthy and safe, by following these updated guidelines while you are at the Brighton and Whitmore Lake campuses, as of Tuesday March 1:

Wearing a mask that fully covers your nose and mouth is encouraged but not required.

Please practice social distancing, creating space between individuals of 6 feet.

Please refrain from coming to worship or being inside the church building if you are feeling ill, or exhibit symptoms of Covid such as new or worsening fever, cough, runny nose, headache, loss of taste or smell, etc.

Like most good Methodists, we love food! However at this time, we are asking that only light refreshments be enjoyed in small group gatherings while inside the church buildings. Rule of thumb: if the refreshments can quickly be eaten in less than 15 minutes, and then your mask is put back on, that is permitted, for fully-vaccinated persons.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep each other safe this holiday season. We look forward to all of the ministry and mission before us, as we wait in anticipation for the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day.

Peace,

Rev. Lindsey Hall, Rev. Jon Reynolds, and the Covid-19 Task Force.

as of March 1, 2022

Free at-home COVID test kits are available. Order yours at https://www.covid.gov/tests

Small Groups

If you would like to join a small group for bible study or prayer, please contact the church office and we will help you find a group that’s right for you. Or you can sign up here: Small Groups. We know small groups are an important way for people to feel connected right now.

We will also continue supporting our mission partners. The needs are great at this time and we will continue to support mission programs that need our support now more than ever. Learn more about the missions you can support here: Missions

Worship

Online

Online worship will continue Sundays at 9:30 am and may be accessed on Facebook, YouTube.

Before Visiting the Church Campuses

In accordance with guidelines from the County Health Department, we ask that you answer the following questions before coming to any event at the church. Please screen yourself using these questions before arrival:

Do you have any of the following symptoms? Note that just one symptom excludes you from entering the building.
- Fever of 100.4 degrees or higher (as measured by a touchless thermometer if available, but a verbal confirmation lack of fever is sufficient if a touchless thermometer is not available); OR
- Cough (excluding chronic cough due to a known medical reason other than COVID-19); OR
- Shortness of breath; OR
- At least 2 of the following symptoms: chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell and/or diarrhea (excluding diarrhea due to known medical reason), and extreme fatigue.

An affirmative response requires that you be excluded from church events.

Have you had any close contact in the last 14 days with someone with a diagnosis of COVID-19?

An affirmative response requires that you be excluded from church events until 14 days after the last exposure to the person with COVID-19.

We will take every available precaution to make sure that frequently touched surfaces are cleaned and sanitized regularly.

COVID-19 Response Plan

Additionally, the COVID-19 Task Force created a document called the COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan, which articulates the guidelines for staff, contractors, and volunteers to follow when operating in the building throughout the week. This document was approved by the Administrative Council. The church staff and clergy has been trained on COVID-19 preparedness. A hard copy of this plan is available by contacting the office.

Updates may be found:

www.brightonfumc.org
Church Facebook Page
Call the church office: 810-229-8561
Check your email

Membership Classes

Is Joining the Church Your Next Step?

The next New Member Class begins May 9 (meets online for three weeks). Learn more about the United Methodist Church and how you can be part of its mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Contact Pastor Lindsey to learn more. lindsey@brightonfumc.org.

Welcome New Staff

Dec. 8, 2021

Custodian

We are pleased to Welcome Linda Barach to our custodial staff. Linda is warm, energetic and excited to be joining the church custodial staff. Previously, Linda worked on the custodial staff of St. Mary Magdalene Church. Linda will work Monday-Friday from 2-5 pm. Stacy Hnatowich, our current custodian, asked to have her hours reduced. Stacy’s new hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Please extend a warm welcome to Linda.

Online Worship

Worship is livestreamed at 9:30 am and 11 am Sundays on Facebook Live or our YouTube Channel. Follow our channels to get notifications when we go live.

Watch on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BrightonFUMC/Live/

Watch on YouTube. …read more

Miss Lisa

Join us in thanking Lisa Guise for her 30 years of work with First Steps Preschool. This Spring, Lisa — or “Miss Lisa” as hundreds of children and parents in our community know her — shared that she will retire at the end of this school year.

During her tenure as Director of the First Steps Preschool, the program has flourished. She has served as both Director and teacher offering her administrative and personable gifts to parents and children alike. Lisa has also been an important part of the church staff and volunteer Sunday School teacher. She attended weekly staff meetings and did everything she could to support and plan events for children and their families.

State of the Church October 2020

Oct. 7, 2020 Update

Rev. Jon Reynolds

We were back in the Sanctuary this last Sunday. Our ushers and greeters worked extremely hard to make sure everyone was safe in the sanctuary.

I want to thank the Trustees, the Men with Tools and COVID Task Force for helping us get our sanctuaries ready for worship.

Our church’s confirmation service will be taking place this Sunday during the 9:30 am service. We are grateful to share that Rev. Dr. Sherry Parker-Lewis will be joining us this Sunday for that service. This year we will be confirming 9 students!

I also want to thank our tech team for working on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to provide you with an online worship experience. We hope to have resolved all technical issues we have experienced.

Thirst Sermon Series

All around Michigan we can see bodies of water, from the great lakes, to rivers, streams and even swimming pools. During the summer, we might enjoy water for recreational use like swimming, fishing or kayaking. Water isn’t just for recreation, it’s also needed for life. What might the scriptures tell us about water? How does Jesus engage with water? Learn more and worship together on Sunday mornings! Sermon series runs through Sept. 6.

Feed the Need

Food Drive

When we gather together for our first “in-person” worship on Sunday July 26, we invite you to bring nonperishable food items to donate to local food pantries. We would love for this time together to also be a blessing to our brothers and sisters struggling with food insecurity. The mission team has identified “high protein” foods as especially needed: canned meats, peanut butter and chunky soups.

Please bring these nonperishable food items with you to worship (Brighton – 8:00 and 9:30 am; Whitmore Lake – 11:00 am) or drop them off at the Brighton Campus on Monday July 27 by 5 pm. Thank you for your generous support!

Contact Don Urban, 810-923-5870.

Meet the New Pastors

The Rev. Lindsey Hall and the Rev. Jon Reynolds have been appointed by Bishop David Bard to serve as co-pastors for First United Methodist Church – Brighton and Whitmore Lake Campuses, effective July 1, 2020. Their first Sunday in worship will be Sunday, July 5 — online only.

They are excited to begin a new ministry in Brighton and Whitmore Lake with First UMC. Several “meet and greet” opportunities are scheduled — both online and in person. To help keep everyone safe, please sign up for an event. If you sign up for an online event, you will be emailed a link to the Zoom conference. If you have any trouble signing up online, call the office at 810-229-8561.

Welcome the Whole Family

Drive-by the Parsonage

Sunday, July 5, 12:00 – 1:00 pm

“Welcome Joshua (age 4) and Lydia (age 2) — and their parents, Pastors Jon and Lindsey, too — to First Church.”

Please extend a warm welcome to the Reynolds-Hall family by driving by the parsonage located at 7608 Brookview Court (Mt. Brighton subdivision), on July 5, between Noon-1pm.

If you would like to bring a welcome gift for Joshua or Lydia (and Jon and Lindsey), that would be wonderful. Ideas: Joshua and Lydia both love outside summer things such as shovels and buckets for the sandbox, water balloons, bubbles, chalk, flowers, etc. They also love Curious George books. Joshua loves Legos and science experiments. Lydia loves anything purple. She also has fun with bracelets and purses.

Being new to the area, gift cards to your favorite restaurant or store are perfect for Jon and Lindsey. Monetary contributions to welcome the Reynolds-Hall family may be made via the Church (drop off or mail to400 E Grand River Ave, Brighton MI 48116).

Let’s show them a warm and loving First Church welcome! No registration needed for the drive-by.

Introducing Pastors Lindsey and Jon

Dear Members of First UMC Brighton and Whitmore Lake,

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ! We have been praying for you and our church from the moment we learned that the Bishop appointed us to be Co-Senior Pastors of Brighton and Whitmore Lake. We are so excited to move to Brighton in a little less than a week. We have been inspired by your faithfulness, generosity, commitment to mission and your hospitality. Our children, Joshua (4) and Lydia (2), were so excited to see inside the beautiful parsonage and they are excited to make new friends in our community.

As you read this letter, perhaps you are curious to know a little more about us. Lindsey grew up in Nebraska and Jon grew up in Michigan. We met nearly halfway in between in the northern suburbs of Chicago in Evanston, IL. We met the first day of orientation at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and the rest is history. We got married shortly after our third year of school there and quickly moved to Michigan to start new ministry positions at Birmingham First United Methodist Church and Rochester St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Lindsey loves to walk, tap dance, camp, and enjoys coffee and chocolate. Jon is an avid Tigers fan, and in his spare time he loves to ride his bicycle.

We could not be more honored to be your pastors and look forward to worshipping with you, growing disciples in small groups, serving together in mission, challenging each other in our faith and helping each other to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. God is up to wonderful things in our church!

Responding to Mid-Michigan Flooding

Flooding outside Midland First United Methodist Church — Outside Midland First United Methodist Church. Statement on their Facebook: "It's a great day to lean into the power of the Holy Spirit!" ~ Facebook/Midland First United Methodist Church

The Disaster Response Team of the Michigan Conference suggests several important things United Methodists can do to assist thousands of their neighbors who are now suffering from flooding in mid-Michigan.

Reprinted from the Michigan Conference website

May 21, 2020 | LANSING, Michigan – Over the past two days historic flooding continues to impact the Great Lakes Bay Region of Michigan. It is estimated that 10,000-12,000 people have or will be affected by flooding. Michigan United Methodists join Bishop David Bard in praying for people living in the region, first responders, and community leaders.

Nancy Money, the Coordinator for Disaster Recovery Ministries for the Conference, reports that a $10,000 grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), requested by Bishop Bard, has been approved. These funds will assist in the Conference’s immediate response to relief needs in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Needs will be assessed by the Michigan Conference Disaster Response Team in coordination with local leaders. Keep reading

You Can Help

The Disaster Response Team, chaired by the Rev. Robert Miller, is asking Michigan United Methodists to respond in these ways at the present time:

Assemble Cleaning Buckets & Hygiene Kits. Please follow these instructions, that include new COVID-19 sanitation protocols.
Donate to the Michigan Conference Disaster fund. For those wishing to donate to Great Lakes Bay Region flood victims, checks may be sent to the Michigan Conference at 1161 East Clark Road, Suite 212, DeWitt MI 48820. It is important to include this exact language in the memo: #4407 Michigan Area Disaster Response. Give online here.

Please note. Volunteers are not needed at this time. The Disaster Response Team has mobilized and readied Michigan’s trained Emergency Response Teams (ERTs). ERTs will be deployed when impacted communities are ready and able to receive them. General Volunteers In Mission will be needed in the future.

UMCOR Responds to COVID-19

UMCOR is receiving urgent requests from ministry partners throughout the U.S. and around the world. Sadly, an overwhelming number of these requests are to meet the need for food.

Partners who operate or directly support food pantries are asking for help as the global fight against COVID-19 is inflating the price of food, especially in places where food insecurity was already a major public health issue – even here in the U.S.

1 in 5 children are “food insecure” in the U.S. according to

Helpers Are Ready to Offer a Hand

If you are having difficulty getting things you need while trying to stay home and stay safe, church volunteers are ready to help. Call the office with your request (such as picking up groceries or prescriptions, taking items to the post office) and you’ll be matched with a church member. Contact Wendy Carmack during office during weekday hours, M-Th 9 am – 4 pm and Fridays 9 am – 12 pm, 810-229-8561. wendy@brightonfumc.org. Outside of business hours, you are welcome to email, call or text your pastors. Pastor Sherry, sherry@brightonfumc.org and 810-360-9995. Pastor Bob, bob@brightonfumc.org and 810-571-0185.

Love to Tell the Story Sermon Series

Journey with us through the Love Story of Jesus and His church. Ours pastors love to the tell the story and invite you to share it, too.

April 26 – Prayer listen online
May 3 – Sacraments listen online
May 10 – The Bible
May 17 – Blessing
May 24 – Service
May 31 – Fellowship
June 7 – The Church

Watch our worship videos from our Online Worship page.

Or listen to the sermon audio files: Audio Archives page

Small Groups and Classes

Many groups are meeting online. If you would like to be connected with a “virtual” group, please contact Pastor Bob Fuchs, bob@brightonfumc.org.

Sundays: 11 am & 12 pm, 6:30 pm
Mondays: Knitters-6 pm
Tuesdays: Men with Tools-8:30 am
Tuesdays: Book Group-7 pm
Wednesdays: 10:30 am & 7 pm
Thursdays: 10 am & 7 pm
Saturdays: Men of Faith-8:30 am

From the Pastor’s Pen-April 28

Dear Friends,
It has been many weeks since I’ve seen you. I’ve missed greeting you and hearing your stories. I’ve missed worshiping with you. I pray for you and for the church every day. My hope is that this greeting finds you well.

Even though our church buildings are closed, we continue to be the Body of Christ. Many groups and classes are meeting online. The United Methodist Women have sewn and donated over 1,000 masks to hospitals and nursing home. Our church members are donating food to local food banks and volunteering. Last week we sent many boxes of food to Cass Community Social Services in Detroit.

Through the remarkable gifts of technology, we are worshiping every Sunday. We have had to learn very quickly how to lead worship in a new way. We’re making it happen by God’s grace!

While this has been a financially challenging time for the church, we are committed to paying our church staff and other financial obligations. I am thankful for our generous congregation. We have received offerings by mail and online. In addition, we have applied for and received a payroll loan through the CARES Act. It is a forgivable loan that will help with church employee costs in April and May.

We are also actively planning for the reopening of our church buildings and a “new normal” for ministry. I can assure you that before we open our church campuses and resume in-person worship that we will have plans in place to keep our congregation members safe to the best of our ability. We will also continue to host worship online and record it so that people who need to stay home can worship with us.

In the coming days and weeks, find the latest news through our emailed news, website and Facebook pages. Also, please feel free to call the church office at 810-229-8561. You can call me at 810-360-9995 or Pastor Bob at 810-571-0185.

I’ll admit that I don’t like living with uncertainty. I am finding comfort knowing that our Savior has risen and offers us peace, even in the most difficult times. I am reminded of the words to the hymn “Because He Lives” by Bill and Gloria Gaither.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

My prayer is that in these uncertain days we have courage to face the future. Our fear is gone because Jesus lives.
Blessings,
Pastor Sherry

Adapting as the Church Amid the Coronavirus

March 18, 2020

Dear Friends,

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. My hope is that this letter finds you and your family safe and observing the precautions outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our government officials.

On Friday, March 13, Bishop David Bard, the bishop of the Michigan United Methodist Church, requested that all church worship services, classes, and events be suspended until the end of April 5 in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). We are abiding by that request. The CDC has recommended that groups over 50 not meet for eight weeks (as of March 15). We will keep you advised of when on-site church events will begin again through our website, Facebook, E-news and on the phone message at our office.

At this time our church buildings are closed for all but essential activities.

WORSHIP, STUDY, PRAYER

We will worship together online on Sundays at 9:30 am. The worship service is available through our website or Facebook pages. Recordings of worship, including audio recordings of the sermon will be available at our website or Facebook pages.
For those in classes or small groups, leaders may be in touch with you about continuing study through video conferencing.
If you are not currently in a class or group, please consider preparing through this Lenten season by reading the Passion Narratives in the Gospels: Matthew, Chap. 21-27; Mark, Chap. 11-15; Luke, Chap. 19-23; John, Chap. 12-19
If you have not done so, ask to receive daily email devotions from Pastor Sherry, sherry@brightonfumc.org
Stay connected with other congregation members on a private Facebook group that we’ve established. Look for an invitation to join in our E-news and our Facebook pages.
Explore a new way of praying. Write in a journal or take a “prayer walk” in your yard. Look to the Psalms as a source for prayer.

SERVICE IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST

We are called to creative service in these extraordinary times. Please consider serving the community in the following ways.

Pray intentionally for family, friends, neighbors, and our community and world. Make a list of people you know who could become very sick if they contact the virus and pray for them by name. Pray for healthcare workers and first responders. Pray for those who are experiencing economic hardship and feelings of isolation.
If you need assistance with errands of any kind, contact the church.
If you are willing to join a growing number of volunteers who are willing to run errands, please email helpinghands@brightonfumc.org.
Become part of a phone call/letter/card-writing ministry. Contact stephanie@brightonfumc.org and she will connect you with a member of the congregation who would be blessed to receive words of encouragement from you. You may also know of other people beyond the church who could benefit from this gift.
Provide food for those who will experience shortages in the coming weeks. Look for information on our website and Facebook page for ways you can respond to our community’s needs.

GENEROSITY

I give thanks to God for the generosity of this congregation and encourage you to continue with your regular giving practices as you are able. Many of you participate in Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), which allows your regular gift to the church to be transferred directly from your financial account. Others are reaching out by mail. You may also choose to use our online giving options.

Our church leaders are committed to paying all church employees through this challenging time, as well as fully meeting other financial obligations.

Faithful friends, today I am mindful of the last words that John Wesley spoke, “Best of all, God is with me.” In the days ahead, we will continue to be the Body of Christ. God uses the church in extraordinary ways in extraordinary times. Best of all, God is with us.

My prayers are with you all.

Blessings,

Pastor Sherry

Sign Up to Help Run Errands

If you are willing to join a growing number of volunteers who are willing to run errands, please email helpinghands@brightonfumc.org.

Use this service when you need it. Call the office during weekday hours, M-Th 9 am – 4 pm and Fridays 9 am – 12 pm, 810-229-8561. Outside of business hours, you are welcome to email, call or text your pastors. Pastor Sherry, sherry@brightonfumc.org and 810-360-9995. Pastor Bob, bob@brightonfumc.org and 810-571-0185.

Caring Connection – New Ministry

If you would like to extend blessings to others with the gift of a phone call, card or letter, join the Caring Connection ministry. Contact stephanie@brightonfumc.org and she will connect you with a member of the congregation who would be blessed to receive words of encouragement from you. You may also know of other people beyond the church who could benefit from this gift.

New Pastor Appointments

Pastors Jon and Lindsey are married and have two children, Joshua (age 4) and Lydia (age 2). Jon grew up in Clarkston, Michigan and attended Albion College where he studied Philosophy and Political Science. After college, Pastor Jon was called into ministry while working as an intern at Cass Community UMC in Detroit. Pastor Jon attended Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Chicago where he met Lindsey. After seminary, Jon served as an Associate Pastor at St. Paul’s UMC in Rochester, Michigan where he helped launch two worship services and focused on reaching young adults. Pastor Jon currently serves as an Associate Pastor at Cass Community UMC. Outside of church, Jon loves biking, walking the dogs, and the Detroit Tigers!

Rev. Lindsey was raised in Lincoln, Nebraska and graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University where she studied Communications and Theatre Arts. After college, Lindsey served as a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries in Hawaii, working with children and youth. Called to ministry, Pastor Lindsey attended Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Divinity in 2013. Pastor Lindsey has served at Birmingham First UMC since 2012 as an Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Contemporary Worship. Rev. Lindsey loves mission work, small group discipleship, preaching, and working with people of all ages. Lindsey loves singing, dancing, drinking coffee, eating chocolate, and visiting her family in Nebraska and Texas.

Pastors Jon and Lindsey will serve our congregation as co-pastors, a model new to our church. Neither will be a senior or associate pastor; instead they will share responsibilities equally and cross-over in most areas. We pleased and excited about Pastors Jon and Lindsey’s appointment, and know that you will welcome them with open minds and open hearts. Please hold them in prayer during these months of transition.

Read the full letter from the Staff-Parish Relations Committee.

Pastor Bob Fuchs has been appointed to serve at DownRiver UMC. The Rev. Dr. Sherry Parker-Lewis announced last fall that she would be leaving Brighton First UMC in June. Her husband the Rev. George Lewis is retiring and the couple are moving to Mattawan, Michigan. Sherry will be working for the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan.

Pastor Appointments – Bob Fuchs

Pastor Bob Fuchs has been appointed by Bishop David Bard to DownRiver United Methodist Church in Taylor, Michigan, effective July 1, 2020. We are appreciative of Bob’s gifts and his service while appointed here and long before that. As United Methodists, we affirm with faithful understanding that we, the Church, are the Body of Christ. It is Christ’s sustaining Spirit that will guide us in the days ahead. We will trust and rely on Christ’s presence and grace during this time of transition.

In the coming weeks and months, we will have the opportunity to express our appreciation for Pastor Bob’s ministry in our midst. There will be time to say our good-byes, and time to begin planning a welcome for the new person whom God will send to become our next pastors.

Read full letter from the Staff-Parish Relations Committee

Giving Supports Ministries

Our faith community is clear about our mission. We exist to help others to know God, love God and serve God. Our purpose influences all that we do in worship, faith formation and service. I give thanks to God for so many who serve to make our mission possible. We are truly a blessed church.

Another way that many have said “yes!” to the mission and effectiveness of First United Methodist is through generous gifts. In mid-2019, church leaders became concerned about a growing gap between church expenditures and giving. We made adjustments in spending and let the congregation know about the church’s needs.

I give thanks to God for the faithful response of so many.

First United Methodist Church begins 2020 financially sound with all bills paid.
In 2019, we donated materials and time for outreach and gave $72,611 for mission, outreach and mission teams.
We continue to grow a “maintenance reserve” fund, anticipating building repair costs.
We paid 100% of our clergy pension obligation ($18,833)
We gave 71% of our “Ministry Shares”, support for the United Methodist denomination (gave $50,661).

As we move into 2020, we will work from a budget that incorporates our vision and reflects good stewardship. I am privileged to be in ministry with you in this fruitful time in the life of our church.

Blessings,

Pastor Sherry

Rev. Dr. Sherry Parker-Lewis email

Songs in the Silence-Worship Series

Worship Series January 12 – February 2, 2020

Songs in the Silence

Sometimes we suffer in silence with great burdens. When silence has been our practice, what will be our songs of lament and hope? We will look to the Book of Lamentation and Psalms to find a new song.

Jan. 5 – Culture of Silence listen online

Jan. 12 – Mental Illness listen online

Jan. 19 – Addiction listen online

Jan. 26 – Domestic Abuse listen online

Feb. 2 – Depression and Suicide listen online

Resources are available in the Community Room (Brighton) and the Upper Hall (Whitmore Lake) for anyone facing these issues. Break the silence and talk with someone. To talk to a pastor, call the church office, 810-229-8561.

Resources

National Alliance on Mental Illness

National: nami.org
State: namimi.org
Local: namilivingston.org

Addiction Resources: There are many resources available locally, including support for family members of those who struggle with addiction. Use these websites or talk with a pastor.

Alcoholics Anonymous – aa.org
Narcotics Anonymous – na.org
Gamblers Anonymous – gamblersanonymous.org
Codependent Anonymous – CoDa.org
Al-Anon and Alateen Support – al-anon.org
Celebrate Recovery – celebraterecovery.com

Domestic Violence Resources

Livingston County – LACASA, 24/7 hot line 866-522-2725, lacasacenter.org
Washtenaw Country – Safe House Center, 24/7 hotline: 734-995-5444, safehousecenter.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline, 24/7 hotline: 800-787-3224

Mental Health Crisis Lines

Livingston County, Community Mental Health Crisis Line, 517-546-4126
Washtenaw County, Community Mental Health Crisis Line, 734-544-3050
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-TALK
Suicide Hotline,800-SUICIDE, 800-615-1245

Brighton Campus Worship

400 E. Grand River Ave., Brighton

Sundays

8 am, Worship and Holy Communion weekly

9:30 am, Worship and Sunday School for 3 years through 6th grade

11 am, Band-Led Worship, Sunday School (multi-age class) for children K-6th grade

A nursery is available during 9:30 am services for children under 36 months old.

Children’s Ministry Info

Whitmore Lake Campus Worship

9318 Main St., Whitmore Lake

Sundays

9:30 am, Acoustic Band-Led Worship

Pastor Sherry’s Next Appointment

The United Methodist Foundation of Michigan announced that the Rev. Dr. Sherry Parker-Lewis will serve as the Senior Director of Church Relations, beginning July 1, 2020. This newly created position is designed to support pastors and local church leaders with their ministry, vision, and leadership. Rev. Dr. Parker-Lewis will guide congregations to live as generous communities of faith, coach pastors to be inspiring steward leaders, and offer workshops to increase giving and transform lives.

Pastor Sherry has served as senior pastor at First United Methodist Church since 2008. She announced in September that she would be leaving this congregation in July 2020 as her husband, the Rev. George Lewis, would be retiring. The couple has bought a home in Mattawan, Michigan.

Learn more about Pastor Sherry’s new appointment.

Pastor Sherry’s Plans

Lead Pastor Rev. Dr. Sherry Parker-Lewis announced recently that her tenure at First United Methodist Church will conclude June 30, 2020. Read her letter to the church.

She will continue to serve with great joy and appreciates the love and support of this church. Her husband Rev. George Lewis, pastor at Howell First United Methodist Church, has applied for retirement beginning next June 30. And the couple will move to Mattawan, Michigan, where they have purchased a home. Pastor Sherry is seeking an appointment from Bishop David Bard to that area.

The staff and Staff-Parish Relations Committee invites you to congratulate Pastor Sherry on her new direction. We pray that her future is as blessed as we have been by her presence here.

Those who would like to share their thoughts on the gifts and skills of a new senior pastor can send an email to sprc@brightonfumc.org.

Gleaner’s Community Food Bank

Gleaners Community Food Bank of Livingston County

The first Sunday of every month is Gleaners Donation Collection Sunday at First United Methodist Church – Brighton Campus. You may place your non-perishable food items for Gleaners Community Food Bank of Livingston County in the shopping cart in the Community Room.

One Church-Two Locations

On Sunday, July 1, 2018, the congregations of Brighton First and Wesley United Methodist Church of Whitmore Lake became one congregation worshiping and serving in two locations. Congregation members from both churches voted to merge our ministries on Sunday, April 15, 2018.

Rev. Bob Fuchs is the Whitmore Lake Campus Pastor. The worship service at the Whitmore Lake Campus is at 9:30 am. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Bob at bob@ brightonfumc.org.

This is a blessed time for our congregations. Together, we will strengthen compassionate outreach and make disciples for Jesus Christ in our communities. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Bob at bob@ brightonfumc.org.