of Kalamazoo 19 2017.pdfMusical Video Rescheduled The Friendship Village viewing of First Beat's "The Rock Slinger & His Greatest Hit" has been rescheduled to Wed., August 23 at 2

July 19, 2017 Vol. 32, No. 11

We areFirst

United MethodistChurch

of Kalamazoo

The First Word July 19, 2017

FIRST CHURCH STAFF

The staff is here to empower and equip the congregation for ministry and mission. Email *staff by entering the first letter of their first name and the entire last name, and then: @umc-kzo.org. (i.e., [email protected]).

*Rev. Steve Charnley Senior Pastor*Rev. Julie Kline Associate Pastor*Rev. Dan Duncan Pastor of Children & Families Ministries*Rev. Keith Treman Pastor of Congregational Care*Jacqueline Stilger Minister of Music *Ruth LaMachia Church Business Administrator*Christi Landreville Administrative Partner in Ministry *Jennifer Stupica Communications Coordinator*Bernie Foulk OrganistRich Peavler First Singers Director*Curt Flowers Bookkeeper*Thom Victor Office Assistant*Denise Wilcox Contributions Assistant*Robin Entenman Office Assistant/Security*Kelsey Burns Summer Seminary InternAita Diop JFON Legal AssistantPamala Roman Custodian Todd Bloomfield Evening Custodian Ernesto Escobedo Custodian/Security Julie Meyers First Care Director ([email protected])Bishop David A. Bard Bishop of the Michigan Area Rev. Dwayne Bagley Kalamazoo District Superintendent

GLOBAL STAFFWill & Ella Faircloth Children's Home, Costa RicaDonna Chaat Pewo Clinton/El Reno Church & Community Ministry of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary ConferenceDesiree Sergua-April Children at Risk Ministries, Nicaragua

WELCOME to The First Word. Beginning in June 2017, The First Word will be published monthly. Articles for the next issue are due no later than Wednesday, August 16, 2017. The next newsletter will be mailed August 23, 2017. Articles submitted to the newsletter

should be sent electronically by email to Jennifer Stupica at [email protected].

PRAYER CHAIN. Did you know that it is as easy as picking up the phone or e-mailing the office to have your prayers multiplied by many caring members of your church family? Please contact the church office, 381-6340, if you would like to be included in our weekly email prayer chain. If you would like to be added to our phone prayer chain, please contact Mary Beth Garman at (269) 321-9332.

STEPHEN MINISTRY is a confidential care giving ministry of our church. If you would like a Stephen Minister to walk with you during a difficult time in your life, you are welcome to contact Wendy Arnold at 323-3244.

The First Word (USPS953900) is published bi-weekly by First United Methodist Church, 212 S. Park Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Periodicals postage paid at Kalamazoo, MI. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to First United Methodist Church, 212 S. Park Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.

Please keep these friends in your prayers

John Boekhout, Hannah Boley, Marilyn Boyd, Debra Clegg, Skip Decker, Russ Gabier, Derek Geerlings, Bob Goodwin, Brenda Haan, Paula

Hall, Marge Hastings, Carl Hausermann, Dolores Heidanus, Ed Hessler, Nell Holland, Barbara

Hughey, Earl Hyde, Eleanor Lane, Rueith Lewis, Art Mann, Jim Martin, Dave Martin, Mandy Morrill,

Joan & Hank Rohs, Randy Sherfield, Mary Helen Thomas, Arlene Triestram, Cheryl Warnicke,

Rebecca Hatley Watkins, Suzanne White, Anne Wolfe, Grace Wunderlich

Our sympathy and prayers to the family and friends of

Carl Sherfield, father of Randy (Anne) Sherfield, who died July 8.

Helen Hessler, mother of Ed (Ginnie) Hessler, who died July 12.

Recent Baptisms

On Sunday, July 16, we had the privilege of baptizing:

Michael Scott Alan DeYoung Olivia Autumn Goodwin

Alan Isaac Byington, son of Robert andCallie Byington

Ian Robert Hamet, son of Peter Hamet and Olatz Ceberio; grandson of Robert and Carol Hamet

Musical Video Rescheduled

The Friendship Village viewing of First Beat's "The Rock Slinger & His Greatest Hit" has been

rescheduled to Wed., August 23 at 2 p.m. Join your church community in a special video showing of the

children's musical in the Kiva.

Page 3


Emerging Worship"The Depths of

Disappointment...and the Hints of Redemption""

August 13 @ 10:00 a.m. in Wesley Hall

Led by Rev. Julie Kline

"When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting him out of the pit, and

sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt."

Genesis 37: 28

We began this summer in Emerging Worship with the drama of “As the Book of Genesis

Turns;” the story of Tamar being betrayed by her father-in-law Judah. On Sunday, August

13, we return to the saga of Genesis and the sting of betrayal. We may not all have had

the experience of being left for dead and sold into slavery by our brothers like Joseph, but many of have faced betrayal of trust or the depths of disappointment in various ways. Like the ancient people of faith, we live, we

love… and we hurt each other. When we find ourselves in the pits of life, what choices do

we make? Do we cling to hope? Do we believe in redemption even when the darkness is

encroaching? This is what ultimately Joseph did and it is what we are called to do in the face of disappointment—in the dark days, even when

evil creeps in and greatly alters our lives.

Join us for Emerging Worship as we choose to “live in charity, and steadfast love,” knowing

that God will dwell with us.

July 23 at 10 a.m.Led by Rev. Julie KlineBlessing the ASP TeamTheme: : The sinners, the saints; the broken, the whole we all live togetherMatthew 13: 24-30, 36-43

July 30 at 10 a.m.Led by Rev. Steve ChrnleyTheme: Nothing can separate us from God's loveRomans 8: 26-39

August 6 at 10 a.m.Led by Rev. Steve CharnleyHoly CommunionTheme: Changing your nameGenesis 32: 22-31

August 13 Emerging Worship at 10 a.m.Led by Rev. Julie KlineTheme: Disappointment and redemptionGenesis 37: 1-4, 12-28

August 20 at 10 a.m.Led by Rev. Steve CharnleyTheme: Turning bad into goodGenesis 45: 1-15

August 27 at 10 a.m.Led by Rev. Steve CharnleyTheme: Resist evil, injustice, and oppressionExodus 1: 8 - 2:10

September 3 at 10 a.m.Led by Rev. Julie KlineHoly CommunionTheme: The ground of beingExodus 3: 1-15

Relevant sermons!

Heartfelt music!

Fun kid's stories!

Enthusiastic Welcome!

Warm fellowship!

Social justice opportunities!

Purpose-filled gateways!

God is here for you in worship this summer... ... in the Word ... in the Sacraments ... in the music ... in the hearts of all who believe in God's mercies

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House Pub TheologyA summer twist on our first Thursday of the month fellowship event!

We are loving our House Pub Theology

this summer! On August 3rd we will gather for a simple dinner of soup and bread at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Deb and Jim Willoughby, 1410 Turwill Lane, Kalamazoo. Come and join us for good fellowship, food, drinks, and theological discussion!

Diaper and Formula Drive We continue this drive to help young families in needby Rev. Julie Kline

Diapers and formula are expensive and can become a burden for families. Our hope is to help some of our own new church families and our neighbors with this need. We’ll take all sizes, but sizes most needed are sizes 3-4. Also in need is baby formula. All varieties of formula will be helpful, but there is a special need for Similac “For Spit Up.” Please place donations in the basket in the church office. If you would like to make a monetary donation, we will provide a designated shopper. Mark your monetary donation with a memo, "diapers and formula" and give to office volunteer. Thank you for your generosity!

Once again our August mission project is to provide school supplies for Spring Valley, a school that serves a very low-income population. The most needed items are: crayons, glue sticks, scissors, wide-lined paper, folders with pockets, single-subject spiral notebooks, colored pencils, and Kleenex. Please take advantage of the excellent sales on school supplies happening now. You can place your donations in the basket in the office.

August Mission of the Month: school supplies

2017 High School GraduatesJonah BoltonKalamazoo Central High SchoolPlans to attend Grand Valley State

Noah GrossKalamazoo Central High SchoolPlans to attend Northern Michigan University, majoring in crimnal Justice

Brigitte LandrevilleKalamazoo Central High SchoolPlans to attend Northern Michigan University, majoring in microbiology

Dorian A. MurphyPortage Northern High SchoolPlans to attend Compass College of Cinematic, majoring in arts, cinematography/movie directing

Max NeelyLoy Norrix High SchoolPlans to attend Grand Valley State University, majoring in film

Nicholas StamperLoy Norrix High SchoolPlans to attend Michigan State University, majoring in supply chain management

Blake A. RankinVicksburg High SchoolPlans to attend Grand Valley State University, majoring in exercise science

Margaret SwaffordLoy Norrix High SchoolPlans to attend Hope College, majoring in elementary education

Lachlan WoodsLoy Norrix High SchoolMichigan State University,Plans to attend James Madison College, majoring in political theory

2017 College GraduatesClaire AnovickCalifornia Polytechnic State Univ. BS in Civil Engineering

Amber BurbonWestern Michigan UniversityBS in Business Marketing

Kimberly PeavlerWestern Michigan UniversityBA in Public Relations/Marketing

Sandra StupicaMichigan State UniversityMA in Education Curriculum

Andrew TexelMichigan State UniversityBA in Humanities

Steven VorbrichNorthwestern UniversityBS in Computer Science

Congratulations!

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Children & Families Ministriesby Rev. Dan [email protected]

Christian Day Camp. A twist on our usual Bronson Park VBS program this year from June 26-30, was a week of wonderful experiences traveling through the Bible, using many different senses and learning approaches, and building relationships with our friends at First Congregational Church, First Presbyterian, and St. Luke’s Episcopal churches. We thank all our adult and youth leaders who made this a quality event for our children, as well as leaders from a variety of institutions and organizations that make our city strong and vibrant! If you missed it, see photos below! Next year’s summer experience for children will be hosted by the First Presbyterian Church.

Godly Play. During the summer months, we are meeting as one group in Room 200 following the “Time for the Child in All of Us” at the 10 a.m. worship service. Stories coming up: July 23: The Leaven Storyteller: Tim Guide: Shondo July 30: The Sower Storyteller: Pastor Dan Guide: Margie Aug. 6: The Great Banquet Storyteller: Julia Guide: Ashley Aug. 13: The Good Samaritan Storyteller: Pastor Dan Guide: Donna Aug. 20: The Miraculous Catch Storyteller: Pastor Dan Guide: Ashley Fall Ministry with Our Children Opportunities

▶ Sunday School: We will have a few openings for Sunday School teachers this fall. If you feel called to serve our church and children in this way, Pastor Dan would love to talk with you! Teachers serve in a one month on, one month off rotation.

▶ Godly Play: We also will need a few Guides this coming year. Guides welcome children to the Godly Play space, and help them get the most out of the time by gently redirecting their focus as needed.

Summer Acolytes. With all the coming and goings of summer, we ask our acolytes to sign up for the Sundays they can serve as acolyte on the board next to the Welcome Center.

Baptisms. Our next date for baptisms is October 15. If you are interested in baptism for yourself or a child, please contact Pastor Dan as soon as possible to make arrangements.

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Endowment Mid-Year Reportby Fred Jackson, Chair

At the mid-year point of 2017 the Endowment Committee, following the request of Pastor Steve Charnley, has reconstituted itself and has nearly completed all committee member assignments. When full staffed, the committee has a total of nine members that includes both new members as well as members who bring valuable previous experience to the committee. The Endowment Committee received two generous gifts totaling $40,000 in the first quarter of the year. In accordance with its

responsibilities as spelled out in the resolution to establish the committee, Endowments made a distribution back to the church of $26,697.81. This represents 5% of the average balance of the previous 12 quarters. In looking over the history of fund, it was determined that this is the largest distribution made from this fund and is a testament to the generosity of the members of the congregation and to the performance of the investment fund itself. The balance of the fund at the end of the second quarter is

$637,404.71, indicating that similar distributions can be made in future years. For the third quarter, the committee is in the process of developing a 1-year and a 5-year plan for carrying out its obligations under paragraphs 2532.5 and 2533 of the Book of Discipline. These plans will outline ways in which the committee can increase awareness among church members of pre-retirement planning, the need for wills and an estate plan, and stress the opportunities for members to make provisions back to the church.

"The Rock Slinger and His Greatest Hit" (photos courtesty Jessica Grant)

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Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth.” 1 John 3:18

The Appalachia Service Project Team of 2017 had their tool training and were putting their “Love in Action” on July 16th as they built a picnic table for all to enjoy on the lawn of the church. We hope you will sit a while and enjoy their handiwork. With hopeful anticipation, the table will provide a seat of hospitality to all of the many groups and people who come to our church. To further hone our skills with power tools, the team also created multiple bird houses for the home owners that we will serve for the week. It has been our tradition to make bird houses and decorate them with the children of the families or have a special project for crew members when a project comes to a slow time. If any of you would like to send notes of encouragement to us during our week of service, this is the address of our center:

First UMC of Kalamazoo ASP Teamc/o St. Luke’s UMC 18001 Webster Rd.

Craigsville, WV 26205

As always, dear friends, we are thankful for your generous support and we will serve confidently knowing that we are in your thoughts and prayers. Blessings, Pastor Julie Kline

Western Michigan Univeristy's OLLI Open Invitation to Fall Kickoff

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at WMU (OLLI) has chosen First United

Methodist Church as the site for its annual fall kickoff on Wednesday, August 2, 2017, from 2 - 4 p.m. Founded in 2011, OLLI offers high quality non-credit programs, events, and trips for mature adults. The event is a perfect opportunity to learn about this great organization for "seasoned

adults." You will have the opportunity to meet instructors and some other OLLI members and have fun with some breakout sessions. Check OLLI's web

site http://wmich.edu/olli/events-0 for more complete information. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register

for the event please call the OLLI office: (269) 387-4200.

Save these upcoming dates!

Sunday, August 13District Mission "U" Cassopolis UMC

Wednesday, August 239:30-2:30, church parlorExecutive Committee Meeting and General Meeting Program Planning (bring a sack lunch)

Thursday, August 249:30, church parlorUMW Circle Program Planning

The next UMW General Meeting is scheduled for Wed., Sept. 6 at 9:30 a.m. followed by the program, "Returning Citizens" by Luke Kriyazznski. All ladies are invited!

Page 8


SUMMER SCHEDULE | ONE WORSHIP SERVICE AT 10AM

July 2310 a.m.

July 3010 a.m.

August 610 a.m.

August 1310 a.m.

August 2010 a.m.

August 2710 a.m.

10:00 Lay Reader Julia Librizzi Janice Brown Laura Van Vlack-Ailes

Deb Search Wil-loughby Dawn Wheaton Vickie Winfield

10:00 Welcome Center need someone need someone need someone need someone need someone need someone

10:00 Greeters Leonard Marcilous Bill and Mary Lee Dimond Nancy Hilliard need someone Joyce & Jim

Treece need someone

10:00 Acolytes volunteer acolytes

volunteer acolytes

volunteer acolytes

volunteer acolytes

volunteer acolytes

volunteer acolytes

10:00 Sound/Lights Jim Willoughby Jim Willoughby Greg Anderson Bob Lane Jonah Bolton Jim Willoughby

Sunday Morning Partners in Ministry

JFON Immigration Ministry NewsAugust 8 intake clinic needs volunteersby Ann Sweany, Justice Team co-chair

Summertime, and JFON is busy! Our attorney, Katrina Pradelski, and legal assistant, Aita Diop, have been working very hard this summer meeting with refugees who are ready to apply for green cards. This important document signifies an important milestone for them in their journey to live and prosper in their new country. Through this work in the JFON office and in large clinics, we expect to have helped nearly 200 people complete their green card applications by the end of the summer. If you are able to volunteer for the August 8 clinic in our lower level Wesley Hall, please contact us at [email protected]. This is a highly satisfying experience, with built-in training and guidance. In a new direction for us, we have begun to explore offering our services in Hartford, beginning with a walk-in clinic on Tuesday, July 18. We are pleased to have the assistance of Willis Law Firm with this first clinic, which expands our services for that clinic to help with more general legal issues. The demand for our services is high and still increasing, as community awareness of JFON-Kalamazoo expands. We are seeking support to increase our attorney position to full time in order to better meet the need. Please include JFON and our clients in your prayers!

Looking

for greetersand

Welcome Ctr

hosts!

Page 9


June 2017 General Fund financial pictureNote: Building Fund and special offerings are not included.

Month of June Year to Date 2017 Annual Budget % of Annual BudgetTotal Income $ 56,613 *$539,141 $956,638 56.4%Total Expense 71,955 462,237 $956,638 48.3%Net Income/Loss ($ 15,342) $ 76,904 *YTD income includes $120,310 in 2017 prepaid pledges

The year is half over already. Second quarter giving statements are available for pick-up on Sunday. These summaries of giving records are sent to people who have made a pledge to any of our ongoing campaigns—the operating budget, building fund, or Wesley Founda-tion’s Widening the Welcome capi-tal campaign. At the end of the cal-endar year, statements will be sent to all givers, whether or not they have pledged. If you would like a record of your giving prior to that time, Contributions Assistant De-nise Wilcox can provide one. She can be reached via email ([email protected]) or by phoning the church office. Denise is regularly in her office on Tuesdays. The three-year Forward in Faith III building campaign concluded June 30. If you made a pledge toward that campaign, your giv-ing statement will show your to-tal pledged amount and what you have given toward that pledge both during 2017 and in prior years. For those who have been able to give beyond their pledge, there is a sepa-rate account, “Unpledged Bldg Fund Gifts,” among the accounts listed in the top section of the giving state-ment. Any unpledged gifts given to

the building fund since November 2016 are eligible to be matched at 50% until a total of $200,000 in new contributions is reached. We continue to make prog-ress toward paying off our building debt. As of mid-July, the balance of the building loan is approximately $90,000. The offer to match new (unpledged) gifts at 50% continues, with about $11,000 in matching funds remaining to match the next $22,000 in new gifts. After we raise that amount and take full advantage of the matching opportunity, there will remain only about $18,000 still needed to pay off the building loan in full. We are truly blessed by the generosity of our members and friends who made the building ren-ovation possible, creating facilities well suited for worship, service, and education. The end of the journey to retire our loan is very near. Our operating income and ex-pense are within budget, although contributions typically fall dur-ing the summer months as people spend more weekends away. In the accompanying table, it can be seen that halfway through 2017, we have received 56.4% of our expected in-come and expended 48.3% of our budgeted expenses, resulting in a

year-to-date surplus of $76,904. However, note that we started the year with a surplus of $120,310 due to pre-paid pledges. Most months then show an operating deficit, re-ducing our surplus to its current value. June’s deficit was $15,342, an amount that if continued will ful-ly consume the surplus before the year runs out. Thus it is critical to re-member that our church’s expenses continue throughout the year and that we rely on a steady income stream. Donations can be made electronically via credit or debit card through the link on FUMC’s “generosity” webpage http://www.umc-kzo.org/generosity. We also offer automatic debit capability for regular payments. Note that if you make a gift via an investment company (e.g., from a brokerage account or retirement plan), the check received by the church does not carry the donor’s name or the purpose of the gift. If you use this method, please be sure to let Denise Wilcox know, so that your giving account can be credited and the gift can be designated ac-cording to your wishes. Thank you again for the continued generosity of our members and friends.

Financial Updates, June 2017by Molly Williams, Finance Chair

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30 31 1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31 1 2

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

10:00 AM Worship5:30 PM You Are Not Alone

5:30 PM GolfLeague6:30 PM Basketball

9:00 AM JFON10:00 AM WorshipPlanning12:15 PM StaffMeeting7:00 PM NA7:00 PM SPRC

9:30 AM OLLICurriculumCommittee12:00 PM StaffYoga1:00 PM OLLIEvent

10:00 AM HelpingOur Neighbors6:30 PM HousePub Theology6:30 PM NA7:45 PM Softball

2:00 PM WeddingRehearsal

3:30 PM Wedding

Blood Pressure ClinicHoly Communion10:00 AM Worship5:30 PM You Are Not Alone


10:00 AM WorshipPlanning11:00 AM JFONClinic12:00 PMClergy/DirectorMeeting7:00 PM NA

9:30 AM Mom'sDemand Action12:00 PM StaffYoga3:30 PM StephenMinistry5:30 PM First CareBoard Meeting6:00 PM EmergingWorship Band6:00 PM FirstStitchers SquareCutting6:30 PM PerinatalMood DisorderSupport Goup

10:00 AM HelpingOur Neighbors10:30 AM Building& Grounds6:15 PM Softball6:30 PM NA

10:00 AM Emerging Worship5:30 PM You Are Not Alone


10:00 AM WorshipPlanning12:15 PM StaffMeeting5:00 PM Center forTransformation5:15 PM FinanceTeam7:00 PM NA

10:00 AMPermanentEndowmentCommittee12:00 PM StaffYoga6:00 PM Wild OnesBoard Meeting7:00 PM CFMTeam Meeting

9:30 AM Trustees10:00 AM HelpingOur Neighbors5:30 PM OutreachTeam6:15 PM Softball6:30 PM NA

4:00 PM WeddingRehearsal

4:00 PM Wedding

Blood Pressure Clinic10:00 AM Worship4:00 PM Interfaith Coalition forPeace & Justice5:30 PM You Are Not Alone


10:00 AM TuesdayBook Club10:00 AM WorshipPlanning12:00 PMClergy/DirectorMeeting7:00 PM ChurchCouncil7:00 PM NA

9:30 AM UMWExec CommitteePlanning12:00 PM FirstWord Collating12:00 PM StaffYoga6:30 PM PerinatalMood DisorderSupport Group7:00 PM Mom'sDemand Action

9:30 AM UMWCircle ProgramPlanning10:00 AM HelpingOur Neighbors5:30 PM ALSSupport Group6:30 PM NA

10:00 AM Worship5:30 PM You Are Not Alone

5:30 PM GolfLeague6:30 PM Basketball7:00 PM JusticeTeam

10:00 AM WorshipPlanning12:15 PM StaffMeeting7:00 PM NA

ALL STAFFRETREAT

10:00 AM HelpingOur Neighbors6:30 PM NA

AUGUST 2017

Page 11


Rev. Steve CharnleySenior Pastor

Last month, the Downtown Rotary Club, of which I’m a member, gave the Red Rose Award for distinguished service to the community to Timothy and Joy Light. You may know them with their years of philanthropy and leadership in areas of education and the arts. In receiving the award Tim shared a most challenging assessment of our community, which has been given wider distribution through the Kalamazoo Gazette and M-Live. I share some of it with you here:

“There is one lesson that I have had to learn through having spent most of my volunteer time with first the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and then with Communities in Schools. That lesson is worth sharing here today." “Namely, there are in fact two Kalamazoos. The one to which we here belong. That is the Kalamazoo which provides more opportunities to enjoy high quality music, theater, dance, and all kinds of visual art per capita than probably anywhere else in the country. That is also the Kalamazoo which provides more personal philanthropy and volunteer hours per capita than probably anywhere else in the country. And nowhere is there a regular assembly of Kalamazooans that symbolizes our communal commitment to serve more than this Rotary Club.” “The other Kalamazoo is marked by poverty, homelessness, unemployment, incarceration, school failure, and a host of health problems. It is this Kalamazoo which sadly mirrors the trends of

a significant proportion of America's cities, except that our statistics are worse than average.” “For 2015, the last year for which the U.S. Census provides numbers (which were kindly sent to me by past President Randy Eberts):

- The national poverty rate was: 15.5%- The state of Michigan's poverty rate was: 16.7%- Kalamazoo County's poverty rate was: 18.3%- Kalamazoo City's poverty rate was: 33.9%- Kalamazoo's inner city poverty rate was: 48.3%”

When Tim finished his remarks, you could have heard a pin drop among the 150 persons present. His words hit home. We cannot celebrate our wonderful community without giving attention to the two Kalamazoos. It is my hope and prayer that the work we do through our church’s ministries—namely Helping Our Neighbors, the Bronson Park Food Pantry, Justice for Our Neighbors, and You Are Not Alone—will move us to the day when there will be one Kalamazoo, a city of shared prosperity, a city of equity and justice for all.

KLUMP SoftballKalamazoo League of United Methodist Players

Below is the remainder of the season's schedule. Games are played at Pathfinder Church on Westnedge Ave.

Thursday, July 27 at 6:15 p.m. vs. Westwood UMCThursday, August 3 at 7:45 p.m. vs. Cherry Creek

Thursday, August 10 at 6:15 p.m. vs. Portage PathfinderThursday, August 17 at 6:15 p.m. vs. Westwood UMC

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID212 S. Park Street IN KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN Kalamazoo, MI 49007(269) 381-6340

Like us on Facebook Visit our web site at www.umc-kzo.org


WE ARE A RECONCILING CONGREGATION. First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo invites all persons to join us on our journey of faith. Jesus Christ calls us to be an inclusive church that exemplifies the kingdom of God. We strive to move toward reconciling relationships with all, affirming those who are marginalized for any

reason, including sexual orientation or gender identity. We welcome all with open hearts, open minds, open doors.

2017 First Word Schedule

Beginning in September 2017, The First Word will become a ONCE A MONTH publication. Below is the new schedule for deadlines and mailing dates for the balance of the year.

Article Deadline Mailing DateAugust 16 August 23September 13 September 20October 11 October 18November 8 November 15December 6 December 13

Articles are due on the deadline! Late submissions will only be

published if space permits. Please submit articles typed exactly as you want them to appear in the

newsletter. Articles may be edited for space and content.

In our daily life we can smile,if we can be peaceful and happy,

not only we, but everyone, will profit from it. This is the most

basic kind of peace work. THICH NHAT HAHN

A BIG thank you to those committees and teams who will be hosting Summer Perks! Please contact Pastor Dan Duncan at 381-6340 x231 if you have questions about Perks. Sunday, Sept. 3 is still open!

July 23 JusticeTeamJuly 30 OutreachTeamAugust 6Building&Grounds

August 13Dawn&SunrisePatrolsAugust 20 Children&Families(CFM)August 27 Trustees

A NOTE FROM LIZA WOLFE

News alert! It has just been brought to my attention thatI am not going to live forever! I know! I know! It's true!! That being said, I need to find two people: one to lead our wedding hostesses, and one to lead First Bells (so I can train them "in the ways" this next year, and then pass the baton on). If willing to help, please call Liza Wolfe at 344-1492 or text 269-491-5026. Thank you!

Documents

of Kalamazoo 19 2017.pdfMusical Video Rescheduled The Friendship Village viewing of First Beat's "The Rock Slinger & His Greatest Hit" has been rescheduled to Wed., August 23 at 2