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WE ST B URY UNI T E D ME T HODI ST C H UR C H
All things new (p 10) See what new things God is cultivating among us
Healing in the Holy Land (p 6) An unexpected experience of pain and healing while on pilgrimage to Israel
Freshened up (p 3) Spaces in the church get some TLC through spring cleaning and remodeling
Imagine with me (p 17) How young children worship through Sermon Activity time
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So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
CONTRIBUTORS Micah and Patrick Bennett, Eric Brown, Freddy Eiakoze, Karen Ewing, Taylor Fuerst, Audrey and Jody Griggs, DeAndre Johnson, Josh Lemons, Romonica Malone-Wardley, Hillary Peete, Mike Rocha, Lanecia Rouse, Ellery Strength, Renée Stewart and Hannah Terry EDITOR & DESIGNER Kelsey Johnson ASSISTANT EDITOR Cindy Parker PHOTOS Tommy Behrman, Thera Freeman, Kelsey Johnson, Josh Lemons, Hillary Peete, Alisa Strength. Stock images from www.sxc.hu, www.churchart. com, www.lightstock.com and www.creationswap.com.
WE’RE LISTENING.
Send your suggestions, corrections and comments to Kelsey Johnson, Director of Communications, at kelsey1@westburyumc.org or write to Westbury UMC at 5200 Willowbend Blvd. Houston, TX 77096. WESTBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 5200 Willowbend Boulevard Houston, Texas 77096 (713) 723-0175 www.westburyumc.org
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aster People. People who know the pain of denial, rejection, and failure. People who remember wounds and hurts and the sting of sin. Yet people who are not overcome by fear of death. For these are people who hear and smell and taste and touch and see resurrection in everything. People who are in Christ so they’re perceiving a new creation. People whose senses are being tuned by the Holy Spirit to recognize glimpses of Easter everywhere. John Wesley wrote that anyone in Christ “has new life, new senses, new faculties, new affections, new appetites, new ideas and conceptions. His [or her] whole tenor of action and conversation is new, and [s]he lives, as it were, in a new world.” Easter People recognize newness brought by the Spirit of God around them while also being that new life to others. They witness and taste and proclaim and live out resurrection. Within these pages, stories told through word and image proclaim that we are Easter People. Westbury has prayerfully expected to be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and God has been at work revealing new creation. From new opportunities for our children through retreat and spring break camp, to a painting party for new Easter banners, to building renovations for our bathrooms and youth wing, God’s people of Westbury United Methodist Church are serving as signs of the new way of living in Christ. May these testimonies that follow invite others to come taste and see that this is the Lord and celebrate the miracle of Easter daily. Hannah Terry SW Fondren Community Pastor
Westbury has prayerfully expected to be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and God has been at work revealing new creation.
Thanks to the generosity of the Cole family, the neon yellow hallway and classroom spaces in the Youth Wing got a fresh coat of paint in a contemporary color scheme.
Freshened up
BEFORE
LATELY IT FEELS LIKE EVERYONE’S GOT SPRING CLEANING FEVER. THROUGHOUT OUR CHURCH CAMPUS, INDOORS AND OUT, IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ARE IN PROGRESS TO FRESHEN SPACES AND CREATE POSITIVE FIRST IMPRESSIONS FOR NEWCOMERS. HOSPITALITY IS AT THE HEART OF THESE WORTHWHILE INVESTMENTS AS WE LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE.
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Project #1
Project #2
Flowers and New Plantings
Directional Signage
Children’s Wing Nursery & Day School
Sanctuary
Exit glass doors & follow sidewalk
Office / X
Down hallway on right
BY K E L S EY J O H N S O N
BY H I L L A RY P E E T E
As you walk to the Sanctuary, either by way of the Memorial Garden or the East Foyer, you’ll enjoy the beauty of newly planted flowers and ornamental grasses. These beds got some attention by several novice gardeners, the energetic children who attended our Spring Break Camp (see more photos on p 11).
Navigating the Westbury UMC campus can be intimidating and overwhelming for guests who are initially unfamiliar with the building’s design. Understandably, considering the size and layout of our facilities, it’s easy to get turned around when you’re new here! To help remedy this problem, we’re installing some interior directional signage (like the mockup in the East Foyer above). Our hope is to make our hallways more guest-friendly!
Project #3
Bathroom Renovation & Property Assessment BY R E N É E S T E WA R T, C H A I R O F T R U S T E E S
We are blessed to have a great deal of knowledge and expertise on the Trustees committee. We are currently focused on two important areas. Church member and former engineer, Jeff Stear, is in the process of performing a church property assessment for the facilities budget. This will allow the Trustees to prioritize projects based on what needs immediate attention. In the meantime, Tommy Behrman, who is in his final year as a Trustee, has spent a great deal of time providing his architectural expertise by redesigning both hallway bathrooms around the corner from the main entrance. We are in the process of obtaining proposals and bids from contractors with church construction experience and hope to begin construction once a contractor is selected. We would like to get started before the summer, but it will depend on when proposals are received. One of the hallway bathrooms slated to be gutted and renovated this year.
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Project #4
Youth Wing Updates
Children and Family Events Sunday, May 4 | Children’s Sunday, 10:45 am
During our worship service, children will participate in special ways, and we will specifically recognize our 3-year-olds, 2nd graders and 5th graders as they celebrate steps on their faith journey. BY JOSH LEMONS
If you’ve poked your head into the Youth Wing over the past couple weeks you may have noticed something is a “little different.” One week in March, Patrick and Chris Cole organized some workers to come in and paint the Youth Wing. Over the years, the youth have cracked open cans of paint, wet their brushes and put their artistic spin on their own space. Since Humphrey Hall was built in the ’90s, the Youth Wing has seen its fair share of paint schemes, and we think the current one is the best yet! Not only have we taken the time to spruce up the wall color, we’ve begun a systematic cleaning and organizing of all the rooms, trying to figure out the best way to use our space. We have four rooms that are used weekly:
• the main youth room, • youth cafe, and • two classrooms. In the future we hope to better utilize these classrooms, creating an individual space for each age group (middle school and high school). Furthermore, we are kicking around the idea of a youth prayer room—a sacred space to practice ancient spiritual disciplines and encounter God. We have many plans for the future, but they are still being developed. In all we do, we hope to create and foster a greater sense of community through a place for youth to hang out and feel at ease.
Friday-Saturday, May 16-17 | Missions & Me
3rd-5th graders are invited to an overnight mission experience. We will spend Friday evening at Westbury having fun with dinner, games and a Bible study. Saturday we will put our faith in action by serving our school partner, Anderson Elementary! $15/child; RSVP by May 4.
Saturday, May 17 | Family Mission Day, 9 am-2 pm
Kids and families of all ages are welcome to join us at Anderson Elementary at 9 am for a Prayer Walk through the school. We will then help with some spring cleaning and organizing classrooms. Lunch is provided ($5 donation). This is a great service opportunity with something for everyone!
Sunday, May 18 | Change the World Day Beatles Lunch, noon-2 pm We will enjoy a family-style
lunch, silent auction and live performances featuring the songs of The Beatles! All proceeds go to missions. Tickets: $10/adult, $5/child (see p 18).
Sunday, June 8 | Sunday School Social, noon-1 pm
It’s Pentecost! Kids and families, gather on the Playground for a festive party celebrating the “birthday” of the church with balloons, games and cake!
Monday-Friday, June 9-13, Fine Arts Camp, 9 am12:30 pm Join us at Willow Meadows Baptist for a week of celebrating the diversity of American composers, musicians, artists, dancers, and photographers. Register at www.wmbc.org.
Saturday, June 14 | Summer Kick-Off Party, 6-8 pm Celebrate the start of summer with a live concert and hot dog dinner for the whole family!
Friday, June 27 | Outdoor Movie, 7-9 pm Bring a
blanket and meet on the lawn of Memorial Garden at dusk for a movie on the big screen. There will be popcorn and snowcones for everyone! APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2014 together
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Above left: Romonica and Julius take a windy boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Above, right: The view from the Church of Dominus Flevit, a tear-shaped church marking the place where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Right: The inscription on a door that became a prayer.
Healing in the Holy Land EARLIER THIS YEAR, PASTOR ROMONICA AND HER HUSBAND JULIUS JOINED A GROUP OF YOUNG CLERGY AND BISHOP JANICE HUIE ON A PILGRIMMAGE TO ISRAEL. FOR EACH PERSON, THIS TRIP MEANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND OFTEN SURPRISING. BY R O M O N I CA M A L O N E -WA R D L EY
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s we entered the ancient, sacred site, these words were posted on the door: “We are hoping that if you enter here as a tourist, you would exit as a pilgrim. If you enter here as a pilgrim, you would exit as a holier one.” And that became my prayer too.
Following in the footsteps of Jesus, we visited Capernaum and the Mount of Beatitudes. We took a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee and experienced a reaffirmation of baptism on the Jordan River. We journeyed to Bethlehem where Jesus was born and later stood in the Garden of Gethsemane and the tomb where it is believed Jesus was buried and rose from the dead. We stood on top of mountains and peered across this land filled with history—our history—and the very presence of Jesus. There I stood realizing that here, in this place, with the air that I am breathing, on the ground that I am standing, God took on flesh to address the pains of this world and the people he created. And that is when I became less of a tourist and more of a pilgrim. This was not just another vacation. This was one of the most powerful trips of my life—this is where it all happened. The words from the scrolls, from our Holy Bible… I stood in those places.
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On this pilgrimage, I experienced scripture in a new way as we connected familiar verses with the geographical locations in which they likely happened. Talk about the Bible coming to life and becoming three-dimensional!
Left: A sign leading to the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed the paralytic man. Below: Ruins at the Pool of Bethesda, which proved to be a place of healing once again.
But it was on the day we walked down the Palm Sunday road, descending from the Mount of Olives, when I could not have prepared for what would come next. This part of the journey was not on our schedule, yet sometimes God moves in unexpected ways, especially for those of us who like schedules and prefer to emotionally prepare for particularly difficult things. I didn’t have time to prepare, which was probably a good thing. On this steep road, remembering the prophesy of Zechariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly… Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey,” remembering Jesus weeping over this city for the pain and destruction he knew they would experience, remembering the pain Jesus himself was riding toward. In all this remembering, I was faced again with the pain of my own heart. You see, as we got about halfway down the Palm Sunday road, we stopped in a Jewish cemetery.
walk in the footsteps of Jesus but I thought this would be a good way to prepare for another year without my son. Little did I know that I would be standing in a Jewish cemetery learning about a yearly practice of visiting loved ones who have passed away. It proved to be too
mess, standing in the Holy Land in front of my peers and I cannot pull myself together. We continued on to the Church of Dominus Flevit, a tear-shaped church at the site where Jesus wept over the future destruction of Jerusalem. It represents the grief Jesus felt for these people he loved. Our next stop was off-schedule, but we ended up at the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed the paralyzed man who had waited for 38 years. There, Julius led a devotional on Jesus being near to us during our time of pain and offering healing in different ways, not always the way we want or expect. As he spoke those words, I felt God so near, binding the wounds of my heart, attending to my pain and consoling me.
We ended up at the Pool of
Bethesda... I felt God so near, binding the wounds of my
Our guide, Mishi, a Jewish man, told us of the Jewish burial custom of visiting loved ones each year in the cemetery so they are not forgotten. At this point Julius and I were only a few weeks away from the two-year anniversary of our son Caleb’s death. It was one of the reasons I wanted to take this trip—not only did I want to
heart, attending to my pain and consoling me.
much. All of a sudden, I was overcome with emotions as it felt like the bandage had been ripped away from my wound right in front of everyone. Great, I thought, now I’m a
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After the devotional, we walked to the St. Anne Church which marks the site of Mary, Jesus’ mother’s birthplace. There, we joined in a time of singing, prayer and anointing. Lo, your King comes to you… Now, did I have to be in the Holy Land to feel God’s presence? Was this the first time I had experienced God consoling those same wounds? Was that the last time I will experience God attending to that pain? The answer to all of these questions is no. We have the power of the Holy Spirit with us at all times. But, the truth is, I did experience God through the places we visited, the people we were with and the situations I found myself in. So maybe I wasn’t so much of a tourist after all… for a tourist may return with a few more pictures, souvenirs and knowledge (which I did), but I also connected with the faith of a broken people desperately searching for healing and peace from our God. So as we continue to journey through Lent and begin to turn toward Holy Week and Easter, may we all remember, “Lo, your King comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he…” n
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It takes two
As it turns out, mother/daughter duo Audrey and Jody Griggs also took a trip to Israel this year. Read their reflections on the experience.
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oing to Israel as my first trip with my brand new passport was a good choice. The first moment that touched me was the morning we went to take boat ride on the Sea of Galilee (actually a lake). When we made it to the pier, there were two fishermen in a boat next to the dock that I called Andrew and Peter for the rest of the trip. I felt like they were greeting us for this amazing adventure. The boat was stopped in the middle of the lake and we had our devotional for the day. During the devotional, I could see Jesus walking and felt his presence. We could see three years of Jesus’ life before us on the shore ahead. It was no longer just words that I had seen in the Bible—it was in living color just before my very eyes. The other moment would have been the walk down Palm Sunday road to the Garden of Gethsemane. I walked where Jesus walked. I could see the crowds of people lining the path laying down palm branches and felt the overwhelming sound of silence while sitting in the Garden while the life of the city surrounded me.
–Jody Griggs
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t was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. To just be able to see and walk the paths that Jesus walked was overwhelming. The visit to the River Jordan where we had the renewal of our baptism was a powerful spiritual moment. There were people of other nations there singing as they remembered their baptism and the promise they made. The Wailing Wall (now known as the West Wall) was an electrifying site. So many people were there to passionately and intensely pray. I left a small piece of paper in the wall with a prayer that I truly feel will be answered. There was just that much power there. Sitting in a boat on the Sea of Galilee and listening to a morning devotion you can imagine that Jesus is talking to the people and to you. The sea was calm and the panoramic view of the birth place, the place where he was raised and where he got his first teachings were an insight to how he lived the first years of his life. A pilgrimage to the Holy Land gives you a whole new perspective about the life and times of Jesus. You come back spiritually revived.
–Audrey Griggs
Seeking Teachers for
Summer Mother’s Day Out
If you love children and you are looking for a fun, part-time job, this is for you! Teachers must be 18 years old, preferably with experience working with young children. Two teachers partner together in each classroom and plan activities. Children enjoy music class and playground time each day. Our theme for the summer is “Down on the Farm” so there will be lots of barnyard fun in store. A total of 95 children—toddlers through age 7—are enrolled, and every class is full. What a blessing! Our Summer Mother’s Day Out will meet June 10 to July 31, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm. For more information about applying to be a teacher, contact Karen Ewing at karen1@westburyumc.org or (713) 723-0191.
Do you find parenting a challenge? You’re not alone! The Shepherds Sunday
school class will be discussing “Contemplative Parenting” each Sunday, April 27–June 8, 9:30– 10:30 am, in Room 102. We will explore the themes of two books, All Joy and No Fun by Jennifer Senior and Contemplative Youth Ministry by Mark Yaconelli. We will also examine how we can parent out of love, not anxiety, and recognize the presence of Christ, even in the everyday mundane tasks of parenting. All are welcome to join us! APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2014 together
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new
All things
IN EACH BUDDING MINISTRY AND FOR EACH LIFE RENEWED AT WESTBURY UMC, WE GIVE THANKS THAT THE STEADFAST LOVE OF THE LORD NEVER CEASES. INDEED, GOD’S MERCIES ARE NEW EVERY MORNING! WITNESS THE PHOTOS AND TESTIMONIES OF WHAT GOD IS CULTIVATING AMONG US.
I would have to say that the imposition of ashes was the most meaningful part of the worship service for me. It was a powerful moment, a call to remember Christ’s journey to the cross.
—Eric Brown
Lent 2014 ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP 10
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Children’s Ministry SPRING BREAK CAMP Westbury UMC hosted its first ever Spring Break Mini-Camp in March, all rooted in a gardening theme. Thirty-four kids came to learn about Jesus’ parables about sowing and seeds. They spent the week playing games, singing, dancing, making crafts and digging in the dirt. The older elementary students went on field trips to the Nature Discovery Center and Plant It Forward Farm. Meanwhile, early elementary kids tackled an outdoor project, planting over 60 flowers around the church.
Patrick tells me that his favorite time was lunch, because he was really hungry. After further detective work, I can report a few other things: He sings a song about mustard seeds and faith. He informs me that Jesus loves you if you work hard or if you don’t work hard. Patrick also takes note every time we pass the flowers he helped plant by the parking lot. —Micah Bennett, father of Patrick (age 5)
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The “Sacred Spaces” retreat offered our 3rd–5th graders a chance to bond and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors at Camp Allen. With the guidance of our challenge course leader, the kids had the opportunity to cooperate, plan, communicate and, most importantly, have fun. Through a series of activities, including navigating a blindfolded rope maze, a suspended log walk and a tightrope, the kids were both encouraging and thoughtful. It was a great trip and I hope to do it again! —Mike Rocha, chaperone
This retreat helped me learn about sacred spaces and that I had one and didn’t even know it. The retreat also gave me time with my friends so I could learn more about them. —Ellery Strength, 4th grader
Children’s Ministry 3RD–5TH GRADE RETREAT 12
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Worship & Fellowship PAINTING PARTY
The Art Project provides an outlet for those living on the streets of Houston to realize their sacred worth and tap into God-given creativity. In collaboration with artists from The Art Project, 15 Westbury UMC participants worked on a common project, creating Easter banners (i.e., paraments) for our worship space. Look for them on the altar, pulpit and lectern first to be displayed on Easter Sunday and throughout the Easter season!
Thank you, Westbury UMC, for allowing us to be a part of creating the Easter Sunday worship banners for your church community. —Lanecia A. Rouse
Project Manager of The Art Project, Houston
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Fondren Apartment Ministry VISIONING LUNCH
I like to pray and play and sing and do something cool. We pray and we sing and we eat!
—Freddy Eiakoze (age 7) on what’s his favorite part of FAM, holding microphone in photo above
Over 100 adults, teenagers, and children gathered in February to celebrate God’s work through FAM (Fondren Apartment Ministry) and hear the community’s mission and longterm vision. We give thanks for the Holy Spirit’s movement, as 21 people responded in taking next steps, exploring how God is calling them to participate during 2014 with FAM! 14
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! e t a D he Save t
| Westbury Without Walls is a weekend for our church family to gather in the piney woods to talk, eat, play, pray and be in nature. It is an intergenerational event—everyone is welcome! WHAT IS IT?
| October 3– 5 (Friday night through Sunday afternon). You can come up Friday night or Saturday morning, as is convenient for you. WHEN IS IT?
| The retreat will be held at Camp Allen in Navasota, about an hour northwest of Houston. WHERE IS IT?
| As much or as little as you like! Our purpose in gathering is to get to know one another—whether you’ve been a member at Westbury for 20 years or recently joined, if you’re an empty nester or have young children—this is a time to stop, relax, and get to know the people sitting in the pews. You can sign up for horseback riding, go fishing, hiking, canoeing, or just hang out on the porch with friends! WHAT WILL WE DO?
| We will prepare and eat community meals. The menu is planned, food purchased and brought to the kitchen. Everyone is encouraged to volunteer to help prepare, set up, serve or clean up after each meal. WHAT WILL WE EAT?
| We have reserved Campsite 2. There are dorm-style rooms with bunk beds in each room. The rooms have air conditioning and heat. The bathrooms are a short walk from the dorms. In the main building, there is a commerical kitchen, dining room, and an outdoor covered area with seating. Camp Allen is as barrier-free a facility as possible. There are paved walkways between buildings, but there are also large portions of land with grass, tree roots and pine needles (lots of pine needles!). There is adequate comfortable space no matter your ability. WHAT ARE THE ACCOMMODATIONS LIKE?
| The cost is $60 per person. This covers lodging and meals. There are additional costs for recreational activities such as canoeing, horseback riding, etc. You can pre-register for these activities. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
| There is a link to the Westbury Without Walls retreat online at WestburyUMC.org where you can reserve your spot! Contact Hillary Peete, Director of Children and Family Ministries, with any questions and for more details. I WANT TO GO! HOW DO I SIGN UP?
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Westbury
Cares
In Memory Of
Cleo Bonner from J. D. and Cheryl Phillips Sevie Sue Dean from J. D. and Cheryl Phillips and Jon and Mary Lou Reid Jane Doerr from Deloris Nester, Betty Jean Morris, J. D. and Cheryl Phillips, Rocco and Gloria Kesslar, Weldon Schneider, Jon and Mary Lou Reid, Roy House, Tim and Christine Doerr, Mary Lou Williams, and Ralph and Sue Cox Naomi Doss from Janet Donegan and The Crafters Mary Jo Farwell from Gladys Oakley, The Harmony Class, Marie Evnochides, Roy House and Roger Thompson Lynn Hanson from Carolyn Kelly and David and Lura Masters
In Honor Of
Yvonne Canida from Roy House
Deaths
Cleo Bonner (01/02/14) Sandy Taylor, daughter of Nadyne Thompson (01/06/14) Laura Martinez, sister of Pam Martinez (01/08/14) Ken Cruise, father of Cody Cruise (01/08/14)
The week of June 8–14, Westbury UMC will take a team on a U.M. ARMY mission trip to Baytown, Texas, to complete some local home repair projects. High school students, as well
as adult leaders, are invited to sign up now at www.westburyumc.org/ youth. The deadline to register and secure your spot for $250 is Sunday, April 27. For more details, contact Josh Lemons, Director of Youth Ministries, at josh1@westburyumc.org or (713) 723-0175.
Beth Smith (01/13/14) James Waldo Haller, brother of Walter Haller (01/17/14) Mary Jo Farwell (01/23/14) Dennis Rabalais (01/29/14) Beuna Jarvis, sister of Bill Calhoun Jane Doerr (02/17/14) Sevie Sue Dean (02/19/14) Janet Jones (02/20/14) Naomi Doss (02/22/14) Mary Zercher, mother of Randy Zercher (03/06/14) Shirley Moore, sister-in-law of Betty Lockhart (03/12/14) Phyllis Kiel, (03/24/14)
Birth
Farah Catherine Patterson (02/24/14)
New Member Hannah Smith (03/16/14)
Baptisms
Zaire Anthony Gibbs (03/30/14) Zion Makiya-Rose Samuel (03/30/14)
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High School Student Life Camp
The week of July 14–18, Daytona Beach, Florida More details coming soon!
Imagine with me IT’S HARD TO NOT SMILE WHEN YOU SEE YOUNG CHILDREN IN WORSHIP. WE WATCH AS MANY OF THEM FILE OUT FOR SERMON ACTIVITY TIME ABOUT MID-WAY THROUGH THE SERVICE. HERE’S WHAT THEY’RE UP TO AND WHY THEY GO. BY H I L L A RY P E E T E
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ermon Activity for Kindergarteners, 1st and 2nd graders, has been one of my greatest joys and biggest challenges since I have been at Westbury. How do I hold the attention of 20+ kids? Many of them have just been in Sunday school for an hour and honestly just want to go to the playground! How do I ensure this is a time of enrichment, not just 30 minutes of entertainment while their parents are in church? It’s been a time of experimenting and trial and error. But, I think we may have just hit our stride!
So what happens after all those kids leave the Sanctuary? Since I am usually at the front of the line, I never know how many kids there are until they all get into Room C-1 in the Children’s Wing! Some Sundays I just stand there as they keep coming and coming and coming in! We’ve had as many as 27 kids, but we average 18 per Sunday. I couldn’t do it without the help of people like Desiree Liggan and Rachel Hodge!
Why do we have a Sermon Activity? Sermon Activity holds two purposes for me. The first is helping children connect with our scripture of the day in an age-appropriate
in the desert. They could already imagine that he felt lost, that he was hungry, and that Jesus prayed to God! It’s easy to make the jump to their own experiences––how do we feel when we are lost? How do we trust God when we feel scared or alone? It’s beautiful how children intuitively “get it.”
What else goes on? Children are shown an illustration like this one of Jesus in the desert and asked to observe and imagine. way. But I am intentional about this not being another Sunday school lesson. So, for example, on the first Sunday in Lent, I showed them this picture (above). I walked around the circle so each child could see the image closely. Teacher: “What do you see?” hildren: “A man!” C
“The mountains!” Teacher: “Hmm. I wonder what
he’s doing?” Children: “He’s thinking.” “He’s praying.” “He’s lost.” Teacher: “How does he feel?” Children: “Lonely.” “Scared.” “Hungry.” What I love about this interaction is that just from looking at a picture, using their imaginations and empathizing with the figure, they have already made deep connections to the story of Jesus in the Desert (Matthew 4). From there, I had to “teach” them very little about Jesus’ 40 days
The second purpose of Sermon Activity is teaching our children what we do in church. “Liturgy” means the work of the people––so we have our own liturgy we follow each week. After gathering in a circle, we “light” two LED candles on our altar table, reminding us that Christ is fully human and Christ is fully divine. Then we continue by remembering our covenant with one another.
Tell me more about the covenant. After a few unruly weeks, I asked the group, “What can we do so that our time together is more enjoyable?” On their own, they created this covenant: 1) Be kind and nice. 2) T reat others the way you want to be treated. 3) L isten to each other. It’s been amazing to see how this is really improved their behavior and listening! Now that everyone’s focused, we dive into our scripture for the week. After hearing and engaging in the story, we mirror what is happening in church. We have an APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2014 together
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Hearing all our voices together during the Lord’s Prayer is one of my favorite moments! offering basket––several children faithfully bring a dollar every week! I also ask them what else we have to offer God during the week besides money. Prayer, songs, fun, joy and love are the most common answers. After the offering we sing (slightly out of tune!) the doxology. Finally, we close with prayer. We pray for things we are thankful for, like family, friends, church, Jesus, favorite stuffed animals. Then, we pray for things we need help with—a loved one or pet who is sick, school, or being nice to siblings. We close with the Lord’s Prayer. Hearing all our voices together and their confidence and joy during the Lord’s Prayer is one of my favorite moments! You’re probably thinking, That’s a lot! And it is a lot. Sometimes the time flies by, and other weeks it seems like an eternity until I hear parents come down the hall to pick up their kids! But I truly believe it is so important to teach children to love worship, to see themselves in God’s story, to know that their voices are heard by God, too. n 18
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Sunday, May 18 Noon–2 pm Fundraiser to support missions l Food served family style l Live band with musical selections made popular by The Beatles l Silent auction l Tickets: $10/adult, $5/child
Vacation Bible School 2014
Monday, August 4–Friday, August 8 9 am–noon | $35/child Register online: WestburyUMC.org/vbs-2014
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t’s never too early to start planning for VBS! We are excited about welcoming kids to “Weird Animals” VBS where they will learn about God’s diverse creation of Jesus’ one-of-a-kind, unconditional love. We need a multitude of volunteers to pull this off! Volunteers will need to attend a training workshop to prepare for their roles at VBS and to understand our church’s Safe Sanctuary policy. We care about the protection of every child and every leader in this ministry. We run an annual background check on each volunteer. Hillary Peete, Director of Children’s and Family Ministries, will contact you to talk through these requirements. Thank you for serving! Please fill out this Volunteer Form and return it to the church office ASAP.
Your Name ___________________________________________ Preferred Contact (Email or Phone) _________________________ Do you have a preference for working with preschoolers or elementary students? __________________________________ In which area(s) would you like to serve? r Planning and preparation r Decorating r Crew Leader (move with kids from station to station) r Station Leader r Bible stories r Games r Science r Snacks r Music r DVD & discussion r Photography r Drama
^ At a soccer match, cheering on the Dynamos
The Young Adults (18 yrs–30s)
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Westbury United Methodist Church
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 7821 Houston, Texas
5200 Willowbend Blvd. Houston, Texas 77096-5298
Westbury
United Methodist Church Main Office: 713-723-0175
WestburyUMC.org
Westbury
Address service requested
United Methodist Church
Westbury United Methodist Church
Holy Week and Easter 2014 Palm Sunday | Sunday, April 13 @ 10:45 am Maundy Thursday | Thursday, April 17 @ 7:00 pm (with footwashing and holy communion) Good Friday | Friday, April 18 @ noon Easter Sunday | Sunday, April 20, two services @ 8:00 am and 10:45 am (with youth confirmation at later service) On Easter Sunday, everyone is invited to a come-and-go Easter Fellowship Breakfast from 9:00–10:15 am in Humphrey Hall. Have your family portrait made in our Easter photo booth and do crafts with the kids. Children and their families can also enjoy an Easter Egg Hunt in the Memorial Garden from 10–10:30 am for K–2nd graders. A hunt for toddlers–age 4 will take place on the Playground at the same time.
pa l m s u n d ay april 13 | 10:45 am
m a u n d y t h u r s d ay april 17 | 7:00 pm
e a s t e r s u n d ay april 20 | 8:00 & 10:45 am
g o o d f r i d ay april 18 | noon