Hospitality • Accessibility • Worship • Aesthetics • Safety • Stewardship • Maintenance • Comfort • Inclusivity

For generations, people encounter God’s love at First United Methodist Church-Brighton and Whitmore Lake. It’s here that children take their first steps in faith. Voices unite in worship. Hands and hearts come together in service. These sacred spaces shape the community. As faithful stewards we must care for them so they can continue to be places of welcome, growth and grace for years to come.

Download Campaign Booklet

The church buildings are more than bricks and mortar—vibrant ministry begins here! In the sanctuaries, we lift our voices in worship and find comfort in prayer. In the classrooms, children and adults grow in faith and understanding. Fellowship spaces foster community, relationships grow, and new friendships begin. These spaces provide shelter for mission work, a home base for outreach, and a welcoming worship space for everyone. As a steward of these facilities, you invest in the work God calls all of us to do—loving, learning and serving for generations to come.

That’s why you are invited to be part of the Building Together Capital Campaign. This effort addresses key facility needs—beyond the normal budget. The plans include maintenance and upgrades making facilities safer, more accessible and welcoming. There are also improvements for the parsonage and the youth space called The Well. The campaign blends vital, practical updates with forward-thinking initiatives designed to enrich ministry and outreach. Examples include: replace aging HVAC systems, improve restroom accessibility, repave surfaces, enhance worship spaces, and create inviting areas for fellowship and discipleship).

Each item reflects commitment to hospitality, stewardship and accessibility. The enclosed booklet highlights the projects you can help make happen over the next three years. Would you review it and consider how you might help fund these projects?

The bottomline for these vital improvements is just over $1,000,000. Through gifts and setting aside funds over the last 10 years, church leaders allocated $400,000 to these projects so far— we’re well on our way! That leaves $600,000 to reach our goal. Let’s build this future together!

Campaign FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

FUMC Brighton & Whitmore Lake Friends,

We are excited to share six areas of focus that emerged from our strategic planning process since the beginning of this year. Over the past months, our leadership team, staff, and committed members have worked diligently on a strategic plan that will guide us into a season of growth, connection, and mission. This plan reflects our dedication to our mission to Know God, Love God, and Serve God together in ways that meet the needs of all ages and stages of life. With prayerful discernment, we have identified six key priorities that will shape our ministry in the coming years.

1. Grow in Biblical Literacy and Theological Formation Across All Ages
   We believe that deepening our knowledge of Scripture and our understanding of our faith is foundational for a strong church. We will be expanding resources and opportunities for Bible study, theological education, and spiritual growth for individuals and groups. We will equip all members, from young children to seniors, in their faith journeys.
2. Build Sustainable Children, Student, and Family Ministries
   Our young families are a vital part of our church community. We will be increasing support and resources for children, youth, and family ministries, ensuring that we create a nurturing and welcoming environment where young people can explore their faith, find community, and feel valued.
3. Modernize Facilities and Address Building Needs Across Campuses
   To serve effectively, our facilities must reflect both our mission and our vision for the future. We are committed to updating and maintaining our spaces so they can support our worship, fellowship, and service activities while providing a safe, welcoming environment for all.
4. Develop a Vision for Being a Church in More Than One Location
   As we grow, so does our opportunity to expand our reach. We will be exploring what it means to be a church in more than one location. We will foster connections and hold events to build relationships between our two campuses and our online community.
5. Enhance Ministry, Community, and Support for Seniors
   Our church is blessed with a vibrant community of seniors, and we are committed to ensuring they feel supported and valued. By expanding programs that address their unique needs and foster fellowship, we aim to deepen our ministry with and for our seniors.
6. Become a “Church without Walls” by Focusing on Inclusivity and Accessibility
   In line with our call to be a welcoming and inclusive community, we aspire to remove any barriers that might keep people from experiencing the love of God here. This means enhancing accessibility, fostering inclusivity, and reducing barriers to participation in our church and community.

As we embark on this exciting journey, we invite you to join us in prayer, participation, and support. We are a congregation filled with gifted, dedicated individuals, and together, there is so much we can accomplish. May God guide us as we take these steps toward a future that brings us closer to God’s vision for our church.

With faith and gratitude,
Rev. Jon Reynolds & Rev. Lindsey Hall

See Strategic Plan

Blanket Sunday, Nov. 24 & Dec. 1

February 2025

The leadership board voted to affirm Rev. Lindsey Hall as the lead clergy person for children and student ministries. This has been a passion area for her throughout her calling, and she has been enthusiastically doing the work in an “interim” capacity since April. In addition to her leadership in this area, Pastor Lindsey will continue as Co-Pastor, including preaching, adult discipleship, pastoral care and other clergy responsibilities. Administrative Assistant Karen Wagg will support the work of Children & Student Ministry with increased administrative assistant hours, making permanent the interim position she began April 1. These decisions come after an eight-month hiring search for children and student ministries.

As a result of this reorganization of responsibilities, Rev. Jon Reynolds will coordinate worship planning, previously done by Pastor Lindsey, and the church will seek to fill a new Director of Mission and Justice Engagement position. “We believe these decisions will provide continuity and energy to our children and student ministry areas along with opportunities for our church to continue to grow its mission and outreach initiatives,” said Board President Mike Kelly.

Additionally, Linda Barach, the afternoon Brighton campus custodian, will retire at the end of the year. Please join us in expressing our gratitude to Linda. Michelle Lucas will expand her custodial position to include afternoons. If you have any questions about these staffing changes, please reach out to Mike Kelly or any members of the Leadership Board, board@brightonfumc.org.

December 2024

Making Sense of the Bible

Sunday Worship

• Brighton Campus
  • 9:30 am Worship* and Sunday School/Nursery
  • Fellowship Time after each service
  • 11:00 am Band-Led Worship* and Children’s Message/Nursery
  • *Livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube

• Whitmore Lake Campus
  • 9:15 am Worship
  • Fellowship Time after service

Children and their families are invited to a FREE outdoor Easter Egg Hunt, April 12. We are so excited to share the joy of Easter with you and your children and grandchildren!

Please register in advance (see below). We’ll have different areas for the egg hunt to help spread things out. Siblings are welcome to hunt for eggs in the same area.

If you’d like to donate candy or plastic eggs, donations are being requested to prepare 2,000 eggs. Please drop off individually wrapped nut-free candy/chocolate at the Brighton or Whitmore Lake campuses by March 30. No homemade treats. Thank you!

Brighton Registration (Children and Volunteers)

Whitmore Lake Registration (Children and Volunteers)

All-Church Study Begins Mid March

You are invited to join a church-wide Lenten study on Making Sense of the Bible, Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Today by Adam Hamilton. In the book, Adam Hamilton invites us into an honest conversation about the Bible. The book begins with foundational questions such as, How and when was the Bible written? Who decided which books made it into the scriptures and why? How literally must we read it? And, is the Bible ever wrong?

From there, Hamilton considers the real questions people frequently ask that continue to divide Christians and denominations. In approachable and inviting language, Hamilton addresses these often misunderstood biblical themes leading readers to a deeper appreciation of the Bible so that we might hear God speak through it and find its words to be life-changing and life-giving.

 Join a small group study, or read the book independently. Copies of the book are available at the Brighton and Whitmore Lake campuses. Audio books are available through Hoopla (check with your public library) and Audible. Digital copies are available for purchase through Cokesbury.com and other retailers. A video component complements the study, which may be viewed on Amplify Media.  To register for your free Amplify Media account visit https://www.brightonfumc.org/amplify/

• • Women of the Word, Thursdays at 1 pm, beginning March 6 (Brighton Campus)
  • Men of Faith, Saturdays at 9 am, beginning Feb. 22 (Brighton Campus)
  • Men with Tools, Tuesdays at 9 am, beginning March 11 (Brighton Campus)
  • Small Group Bible Study, Wednesdays at 6:30 pm, beginning March 12 (Brighton Campus, room 127)
  • Small Group, Wednesdays at 6:45 pm, beginning March 12 (Brighton Campus, room 125)
  • Whitmore Lake Campus, Sundays following worship, beginning Sunday March 9

Adam Hamilton, senior pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS. A prolific author, Adam Hamilton books include best-sellers such as The Journey, The Way, 24 Hours That Changed the World, Enough, and When Christians Get It Wrong.

Register online to participate in a small group Lenten study or contact the church office for more information: 810-229-8561

• Director of Mission & Justice Engagement

Director of Mission & Justice Engagement

Part-time

Please apply via Indeed.

posted November 2024

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.

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.