Last week, several of the clergy of the Pittsburgh District worked with DS Dawn to craft a statement responding to racial injustice and our own white privilege. Below is a link to that statement—a letter.
Our sunset prayers for June will be lifted with Pastor Russel in mind. His influence will be inescapable. At sunset on June 7, at about 8:48 p.m., from wherever you are, inviting anyone who is with you, let’s pause and pray together for inclusiveness.
On Sunday, June 14 at 10 am, we will resume in-person worship. This will be Pastor Russel’s last Sunday with us before he retires. Masks (for everyone over 3 years old) and social distancing will be required, and the nursery will not be offered.
Family Promise has been one of few programs able to keep families with children intact while the families work their way toward being homed. Please be in prayer for the families and Family Promise.
While the world struggles with the COVID-19 crisis, UMCOR continues to respond to natural disasters and other ongoing relief efforts. Join UMCOR in supporting those impacted by these severe storms/flooding—indicate UMCOR Domestic on your gift or on EasyTithe.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is expanding its efforts in the fight against the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19.
If you are in need of assistance, please reach out to the pastor or church office to see if the church can meet that need. Some other resources for assistance are available in this post.
While most local school districts have been providing Grab and Go meals to area children as the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools and shut off access to free and reduced cost breakfast and lunches, children’s nutritional needs will be addressed in many areas over the summer by the Kids Summer Meal Network.
This week’s extra song is dedicated to Bill Utterback. Nothing stays the same when we pray.
Thanks to a Peace with Justice Grant, Corners Outreach in north central Georgia was able to host Corners Academy, four eight-week summer camps to keep kindergarteners through fifth-graders on track with reading, writing, and math goals.
Prayer has a new address: prayers@sewickleyumc.org
The SUMC Witness Committee has created an Email address for anyone—our church family, our friends and neighbors, and beyond—to submit prayer requests. Committee members will monitor the inbox throughout the day and respond with prayer.
We’ve received requests for more music, since you’re getting a little less from us in the online services each week. You don’t have to ask twice to get us to play another song!
Our monthly Soup & Hummus Sale continues, with 100% of the proceeds paying down the principal on our sanctuary renovation loan. Choices this month are Corn Chowder, Pasta e Fagioli, and Black Bean soups, and Sandra's Hummus. Orders will be ready for pickup or delivery on June 4 & 5. You may order online by May 24.
During the coming weeks while we are in the "Yellow Zone," a very limited number of people (approximately 20) will be able to be present in the sanctuary as the sermon is recorded. For more information and to RSVP click here.
We need your help! We have roughly 4 weeks before our new pastor will be moving in with her family on June 15, which is 2 weeks early. A few trustees have begun work on the parsonage. Part of that work has been preparation for more people to come and do work, such as repairing cracks in walls before painting and removal of wallpaper. There is a lot to do, and we would appreciate your help. I would like to stress that you don’t have to commit to a huge block of time—you can come for an hour or two or do one task and leave. There are jobs that you do not need to be skilled in, we just need your elbow grease. Thank you in advance for all that you can do to help. It is greatly appreciated!
If you are able to help, contact Jenine Furry via text or call at 412-855-5348.
We, the Fellowship of the Cross and the Sunday school team, are re-imagining our flower-planting tradition at SUMC, and we need your help. Every year, we dedicate our final children and youth Sunday school classes in May to planting flowers around the church campus. Those flowers reflect His love and His light well into October and often continue sharing their message as pumpkins sit on our lawn. This year, as we cannot yet gather to worship, we have a new flower-planting plan: we are inviting families to come to church and plant flowers this weekend.
Pastor Russel, as well as other retiring pastors, was offered the opportunity to serve part-time in retirement. Pastor Russel accepted the offer and has been appointed by Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi to serve as Senior Pastor of Mifflin Avenue and South Avenue United Methodist Churches in Wilkinsburg effective July 1. After being blessed by Pastor Russel for 14 years, we know these two churches will be equally blessed to have such a gifted, eloquent, dedicated, and selfless pastor.
Christianbook.com is teaming up with bestselling author, Louie Giglio, with a FREE online Bible study starting May 12th! Based on Louie Giglio’s bestselling book, “Goliath Must Fall,” this Bible study aims to teach you that it’s not the height of the giant that matters – but the size of our God! For more information and to register, click here.
During this time of shelter-at-home, we have expanded our “Sheltered with Love” list to include more than those who are on our shut-in list. The list has grown to 43 individuals/couples. If you would like to send a card, note or letter to anyone on this expanded list, let Pam Honeychurch know how many, and she will send you that many names/addresses.
As the stay-at-home restrictions are lifted, it’s likely that many kids, in addition to adults, will be out in areas where they will need to wear a mask. There are cloth masks in fun fabrics in the pink bin on the library landing (door #7) at the church for both children and adults and are free to anyone who needs one. The masks are washable, but the ribbons should be removed before washing. Thanks to Susie & Felicity Moffett for making them!