Vital Ministry Rev. Dr. Sherry L. Parker, Lead Pastor

In March, a consultation team of United Methodist clergy and lay consultants visited Brighton First and

offered 5 prescriptions for a vital ministry. After five Town Hall meetings in March and April, the church

membership voted to adopt the consultation team’s report. Over the next 24 months we will work together

along five paths of growth: Vision Development, Worship, Intentional Faith Development, Leadership

Development and Intentional and Focused Community Outreach.

Several people have expressed the concern that this might be too much work for their senior pastor. After

assessing the deadlines and the preparation that will be needed to follow this plan toward vitality, I do not

think that my work load will change. However, what I do on a daily basis will change. This plan calls for me

to be in touch with and support the church leaders who will carry out the work. My teaching efforts will be

concentrated on spiritual guidance and skill enhancement for those who lead the church. My personal reading

will include a targeted effort to enhance my leadership skills. While I may not attend every meeting of the

teams working on implementing VCI, I will be in close contact with leaders.

I look forward, with enthusiasm and hope, to the possibilities that lie ahead for Brighton First and I am

privileged to be a part of this vitalizing effort. I do ask for your help:

• Please pray for your clergy, your church

staff and the leaders of the church.

• Please seek ways to support the efforts of

VCI through volunteering your skills, par-

ticipating in workshops, small groups and

studies, offering encouraging words to

those in leadership roles.

• Watch for visitors in worship services and other church ministries. Take a step beyond welcoming and

seek to be in relationship. Ask questions. Listen. Introduce visitors to others. On Sunday morning, allow

your clergy to be in conversation with visitors, even if it means waiting until another time to talk with

clergy.

In the months ahead we will work together to bring the good news of abundant life in Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Rev. Dr. Sherry Parker

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Brighton First News—May 2015

New directory—The church office is in the process of printing a new phone directory. If you would like to be added to the directory or have changes or additions to your home address, email address, or phone, contact Terry at terry@brightonfumc.org or 810-229-8561.

Keeping Connected

In keeping with the United Methodist tradition of community involvement and connection to the greater church family, some of Pastor Sherry’s pastoral activity extends beyond First United Methodist Church.

May 7—Vital Church Initiative Peer Mentoring Group – Deacon Loretta and Pastor Sherry meet with other clergy committed to VCI – Brighton May 14-17—Detroit Annual Conference, Adrian College May 21-25—Vacation

Confirmation Celebration, Sunday, May 3

We will celebrate with our class of confirmands on Sunday, May 4 at the 9:30 a.m. worship service. Twelve youth will reaffirm their baptismal vows and join Brighton First. They have been preparing to make this commitment for the last four months, under the leadership of Carolyn Combs, Duke Kelly and Alyssa Tumolo and accompa-nied by their mentors. We celebrate that they have been nurtured in this community of faith and are prepared to take an active role as members of the church. Please plan to worship on May 4 and welcome our confirmands as members of the church.

Ordination Service of Rev. Bob Miller Sunday, May 17, 2015

You are invited to attend the Detroit Annual Conference Ordination and Commissioning Service on Sunday, May 17, 2:00 at Herrick Chapel on the campus of Adrian College, Adrian, Michigan. Rev. Bob Miller, who was called into ministry from Brighton First, will be ordained an elder in the United Methodist Church.

Rev. Bob Miller is the lead pastor at Marble Memorial United Methodist Church in Milan, Michigan. Bob and his wife Rochelle were active members of Brighton First for many years. Bob retired from General Motors and attended Methodist Theologi-cal School in Ohio. While a student there, he was appointed pastor of Trinity and Plainfield United Methodist Churches in western Livingston County. Bob and Ro-chelle moved to Milan in 2013.

Brighton First has been very fortunate to be a part of Bob’s journey into ministry. If you are interested in at-tending his ordination service and would like to carpool, contact Deacon Loretta.

“Hometown” Sermon Series Coming In June/July

Beginning June 21, Pastor Sherry will be preaching a sermon series about being “prophets” in our hometowns. Each week she will be using local history from the towns of Livingston County to speak to God’s call on our lives. If you are a local history buff or know someone that Pastor Sherry should talk to, please contact her.

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Brighton First News—May 2015

Monday Lunch Club—June 22nd Join us for the Monday Lunch Club—Monday, June 22nd, 12:00 p.m. Noon, Fellowship Hall Anyone over the age of 55 is welcome (bring a friend). No need to RSVP.

Vital Church Initiative Update Brighton First UMC has taken a courageous step in voting to move ahead with the Vital Church Initiative Plan (VCI). The church voted on April 19 to begin a 24-month process to enhance our vital ministry for the Brighton area. Where to Find Information In an effort to keep congregation members up-to-date on the progress of implementing the Vital Church Initiative, articles will appear in this monthly newsletter. In addition, there will be information in the weekly worship bulletin, on the church website and in all-church emails. Pastor Sherry has a blog that offers regular posts about VCI. Find the blog at brightonfumc.blogspot.com or go to our website at www.brightonfumc.org then click on “Media,” then “Pastor Sherry’s Blog.” What’s Next? In May, Pastor Sherry, elected church leaders and other members of the congregation will begin the process of fulfilling five separate prescriptions to increase the vitality of Brighton First.

• Vision and Mission Alignment – Watch for an invitation to a visioning workshop. In addition, Pastor Sherry will be appointing a vision writing team.

• Worship – A worship design team will be created and we will hire a worship consultant to advise us on enhancing our wor-ship services for the glory of God and spiritual vitality.

• Intentional Faith Development – Pastor Sherry will appoint a Faith Development Task Force and a Hospitality Team. The Hospitality team will participate in a book study and the Faith Development Task Force will plan for an all-church study.

• Leadership Development – Pastor Sherry will develop a plan, including reading, continuing education and coaching, to enhance her leadership skills.

• Intentional and Focused Community Outreach – Staff members and church leaders will begin a book study about community outreach.

What Can I Do? There are always many ways to get involved in the ministry of Brighton First. As we move ahead with the Vital Church Initiative, please keep the process and our church in prayer. In addition, if you have a passion to assist in one of the areas listed above, please let a church staff member know. Brighton First offers a welcoming church home and many opportunities to grow in faith. Through VCI we will hone our vision, enhance our hospitality and grow together in loving each other and God.

Prayer Requests For Our Church Family

Please check the Sunday bulletin for ongoing prayer concerns.

Mark Wood, Maria & Eduardo Cartes, Tom Marx, Lynn Marx, Don Horner, Bob Peterson, Marcia Outlaw, Warren Moore, Kim Tath, Rev. Earl Downing, Gloria Downing, Rev. Eric & Florence Hammar,

Steve Walters, Dan Victory, Gary Pressey, Lottie Smail, Marvin Tobel, Arlene Hight, Don Urban, Jr.

June 2008June 2008June 2008June 2008

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Brighton First News—May 2015

“Hometown: Nazareth—Where Jesus was a Kid” Vacation Bible School (VBS)

Hold the dates! July 20th-24th

9:00 a.m. — 12:00 noon VBS Game Leaders Wanted Looking for youth or adults to lead the outdoor games for the elementary age children and for 4th and 5th grade guides. VBS Supply Wish List One of the ways our church is able to continue offering VBS at no charge is because our congregation do-nates needed supplies so generously year after year. We post a needed list on the VBS board in the hall just outside the copy room. Want to Help? Join us for an informational VBS meeting on Monday, May 5, 7:00pm. in the library or contact children’s min-istry director, Anne Walters. Have You Already Signed Up to Help During VBS? For all of those who have signed up to volunteer at VBS you will want to attend one of the meetings on Mon-day, June 15th, at either 10:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m.

Are You Graduating This Year? Attention all High School, College, Certificate, Trade Program Graduates: Your church family would like to celebrate your accomplishment and bless you for the journey ahead on Sunday, May 31st, at the 9:30 a.m. worship service. You are invited to wear your commencement gowns. You will be invited to the front of the sanctuary during worship so that we might honor you and offer prayer for you. Chris Attarian, our multimedia coordinator, is currently col-lecting photographs and information about your future plans for a slide presentation. Please send your information and a photo to chris@brightonfumc.org by May 17th. Any questions, please contact Anne Walters at anne@brightonfumc.org

Please note—there will be no Sunday school on Memorial Day weekend, Sunday, May 24th.

Summer Sunday School Summer Sunday School for ages 3yrs of age - 4th grade will begin Sunday, May 31st. If you are interested in helping with this program contact Anne Walters at anne@brightonfumc.org

The Village is Having a Picnic! The Village (family group) is having a picnic! May 3rd at 12:30 at a local park (to be deter-mined), the group will enjoy a potluck lunch and outside fun! Contact Kate Fick @ kmfick@gmail.com or text/call 502 294-1653 for details.

New Mission Opportunity Kid Friendly, close to home. Our church is helping at Bountiful Harvest Pantry located at St. George's Lutheran Church on Main Street in Brighton. Help is needed in their food and clothing pantry, as well as help serving breakfast. We have committed our church to sending 4-5 volunteers the 3rd Saturday of each month. In need of volunteers for May 16th and July 18th. May sign up in the Community Room or contact anne@brightonfumc.org.

First Steps Preschool Lisa Guise, Preschool Director

By the time we get to May, another successful school year will almost be over. We will be saying good-byes to families who have been with us for more than six years. Good-byes are never easy but the children have

grown up in many ways and are ready to move on, especially the four-year-olds who an-ticipate Kindergarten and bus rides. The month of May will be filled with Spring Teas, field days, family picnics and end-of-the-year-ceremonies. Paul McCormick brings “Classroom Critters” to First Steps Preschool on May 12th and 13th. The kids will meet an array of critters such as tree frogs, doves, liz-ards, chinchillas, snakes and much, much more.

We have been blessed with a loving and dedicated staff this year and are pleased to announce that all of our six staff members will return for the 2015-2016 school. All three sessions of summer camp all full with 24 children in each camp. God is truly amazing! Thanks for your support. 83 students are registered for the 2015-2016 school year which will begin on September 14. Happy Summer everyone!

June 2008June 2008June 2008June 2008

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Brighton First News—May 2015

If you are a gardening enthusiast or love to work outside, this is your opportunity to sign up to weed, trim and plant (anything you wish) a specific area on the church grounds from now through the end of summer. Sign-up in the Community Room. Call Eric Dahlberg with any questions at 248-437-0284

Sign Up for Adopt-A-Spot

United Methodist Summer Camps Transform Lives Explore the great outdoors, swim, try new things! Summer camp is learning about God, night hikes, making friends and singing camp songs! The United Methodist camps offer all this and more. Your children or grand-children can have all the fun of summer camp at the many outstanding facilities owned and operated by the Michigan Conferences of the United Methodist Church. Learn more and register online: Detroit Conference: umccamps.org; or West Michigan Conference: umcamping.org. If you have questions or want to hear from lo-cal kids who have been to one of these camps, contact Suzanne Everett, bseverett@sbcglobal.net.

Memorial Day—Church Office Schedule The Church Office will be closed from May 22nd-25th (Friday through Monday) in observance of Memorial Day.

Lugnuts Game Join Brighton First (everyone invited!) on Friday, June 19th for a Lugnuts game in Lansing. Bus transporta-tion will leave the church parking lot at 5:30 p.m. Postgame fireworks, etc. Cost (including bus transporta-tion) is $27.00; deadline to sign-up is May 17th. Sign up in the Community Room. Please make checks payable to “FUMC”. Contact Dave Moore with any questions at 810-610-8357 or mooredw1@bv.com

Brighton First News—May 2015

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MissionsMissionsMissionsMissions & Outreach& Outreach& Outreach& Outreach

Cass Community Social Services Saturday Missions Do you want to help fight poverty and create opportunity in Michigan? We can support our Detroit

neighbors by working with Cass Community Social Services (www.casscommunity.org). Our next mission opportunity is on May 16th. We will depart from the church at approximately 8:00 a.m. and return by approximately 4:00 p.m. Please sign up in the Community Room or contact Greg Guise at 810-772-9970/ggguise@gmail.com.

Mission Project Sewing Day—Saturday May 9th, 9 a.m.—12 p.m. Join us on Saturday, May 9th, from 9 a.m.—12 p.m. in the quilting room in the lower level of the church to help us sew for “Days for Girls.” “Days for Girls” is an organization that provides washable feminine hygiene supplies to young women in developing countries. A kit includes a drawstring bag to hold the supplies, 2 waterproof shields, 8 washable liners, a washcloth, and a bar of soap. We will be sewing drawstring bags, shields, and liners . Even if you cannot sew, we need people to iron, cut out pattern pieces, and thread ribbon into the drawstring bags. Sup-plies needed: floral cotton fabric (please no animal, bird, or cartoon-themed fabric), 5/8” grosgrain ribbon or 5/8” twill tape. Please sign up in the Community Room or let Pat Moore (810-231-8102) know if you plan on helping or would like more information.

Fish and Loaves Community DinnerFish and Loaves Community DinnerFish and Loaves Community DinnerFish and Loaves Community Dinner First United Methodist Church of Brighton will be hosting a Fish & Loaves dinner on May 24th. Fish and Loaves is a free community dinner available to everyone, and it is an outreach ministry of Love, INC. You may volunteer to prepare a dish or serve our guests a meal. Any questions, contact Steve & Becky Stanford at 810-632-9508 (home), 248-860-8922 (cell) or at hartlandstanfords@hotmail.com.

Presentation on Malawi Africa

Do you want to know what life is like in Malawi, Africa? Join us for a presentation and discussion led by Chimwemwe Kaponda, a native Malawian, on Friday morning, May 22nd at 9:30 a.m. at the church (W.O.W. group), or Friday and/or Saturday evening, May 22nnd and 23rd at the home of church members Roy Schwarz and Joann Schmidt. Malawi is a beautiful country in SE Africa with forests, lakes, herds of wild animals and hundreds of villages where people live a simple subsistence life-style. Everyone welcome to attend, if you plan on attending the evening presenta-tions, please contact Joann Schmidt at 734-417-0913.

NOAH Lunch Program We will be packing 400 lunches between services on May 10th for the NOAH lunch program out of Central United Methodist Church in Detroit. We are in need of many supplies. List are outside of Anne’s office. Our greatest need is individual fruit cups— non refrigerated. If you can donate 24 or more of these please email Anne Walters at anne@brightonfumc.org.

Brighton First News—May 2015

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United Methodist Women (U.M.W.) The purpose of the United Methodist Women’s group is to develop a creative, supportive fellowship among our church women, and to participate in the global missions of our church. We look forward to seeing you at any of the following events. For information about U.M.W. or any of these meetings please call Bonnie Corrigan at 229-6511.

May 2015 Calendar of Events The UMW encourages all guests to join us at our General Meetings!

U.M.W. RUMMAGE & BAKE SALE —Time for “spring cleaning!” Our annual fundraiser will be held on Friday, June 12 from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Saturday, June 13 from 9 a.m.- noon in the church basement. Proceeds from this event will support women's and children’s missions locally and internationally. Beginning Sunday, May 24th, in room #109 classroom (lower level) we will ac-cept donations of good quality books, kitchen, household, craft and holiday items, lamps, tools, and all types of baby and children’s equipment (except car seats), clothing, games, toys, too. NO adult clothing, computer equipment, or large, heavy items such as most furniture, please.

Tax receipts are available. Donations of homemade baked goods such as cookies, breads, and pies, may be dropped off in the basement kitchen (marked “UMW sale”) on Thursday, June 9 or early Friday, June 10. If you’d like to help with the sale, have questions, or need your items picked up, call Jo at 810-231-2229, Gigi 810-220-8672, or Jane at 810-229-1601. Tell your friends and neighbors - we'll take their donations, too!

May 2 (Sat) 6:30 p.m.—8:30 p.m. “Girls’ Night Out”

Community Room—Bring a Friend!

May 4 (Mon) 1:00 a.m. Mission Team meeting—Room 127

May 6 (Wed) 9:30 a.m. Sarah Lewis Circle Church Fellowship Hall

Program: “Growing up in Brighton” —Jane Tomlinson

Hostesses – S. Anderson, M. Holman, U. Couch; Devotions—R. Kozak

May 6 (Wed) 1:00 p.m. Sojourner Truth Circle Room 127

Program: “Sojourner Truth” S. Cline

May 7 (Thurs) 10:00 a.m. Rebekah Circle Fellowship Hall

Plan May 21 Luncheon—J. Browne

May 7 (Thurs) 7:00 p.m. Phoebe Circle

Program--Celebrate Seniors Dinner—O. Karaska

May 5 (Tues) 6:00 p.m. Dorcas Cicrle—Dine Out

Lakelands Golf Club—R. Green

May 21 (Thurs) 12 Noon U.M.W. Luncheon Program: “Disabilities and the Church”—Mary McCully Hosts—Rebekah Circle May 15 (Fri) 2:00 p.m. Hickory Haven Visit—S. Snow, G. Harkiewicz, B. Corrigan, C. Davis, J. Tomlinson

A Wedding Shower Please join us on Sunday, May 31st from 12:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon for a shower for Pastor Sherry. The celebration will include light refreshments in the Community Room, and time to visit with Sherry and George. Cards are welcome and gifts are optional. If you wish to contribute to this party, please contact Sue Urban ssnurban@gmail.com

Non-Profit Org. US Postage

PAID Brighton, MI Permit 40

Return Service Requested

May 2015

400 E . G r a nd R i ve r A v e . , B r i g h t o n , M I 4 8116

Girl’s Night Out Saturday, May 2nd, is Girls’ Night Out, sponsored by the United Methodist Women (UMW) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Please join us for a fun evening filled with chatting, eating, and activities which will include: mesh wreaths, fruit displays, and flower mak-ing. There is no charge and everyone is wel-come. Bring a friend!

The next newsletter deadline is Sunday, May 17th This is for the June/July 2015 newsletter.

Youth Appalachia Service Project (ASP) Fund Raiser

“GET IT WHILE IT’S HOT!”…unless you like it medium or mild. Of course, we’re talking about Seve’s Salsa and it’s the best there is! On Mother’s Day May 10, the ASP youth will be having a fund raiser selling this incredible salsa and we’re taking your pre-orders now

by email at dcguard@comcast.net (hot, medium, mild, and quantities of each). We’ll see you between ser-vices on Mother’s Day for the sale and pick-up for pre-orders. All pro-ceeds benefit our youth mission trip.