JUN 19

VISIT: southlyonfirstumc.org

for more information

Freedom Day June 19, 2024

I confess that I had a complete misunderstanding about Juneteenth until my trip to Texas last month. I went for a church growth training event through the Texas and Michigan United Methodist Foundation’s C3 Cohort. My imagination for ministry was sparked by so many things I witnessed and experienced on that trip, but the trip looked very different than the organizers had planned and through their pivots, God opened my heart and understanding in an unexpected way. 

Most of our trip was planned for the city of Houston, but due to a deadly tornado that touched down 6 hours before we arrived, the planning team shifted our focus to churches and ministries in Galveston. One of our stops was at the NIA Cultural Center where Professor Samuel Collins lll introduced us to the rich history and culture of the Black people of Galveston. We learned that the NIA Cultural Center empowers and improves the community through art, culture, education, and engagement in the birthplace of Juneteenth.

We stood outside the center looking at this wall while the professor unfolded Juneteenth for us. I felt a bit ashamed that there were so many things I did not know or understand about this federal holiday. Professor Collins reminded us that while July 4th is an important day about freedom for our whole country, “Junteenth is about freedom for enslaved African people, which is also an important date for our country to recognize and celebrate.” He helped me understand that this is an important day for all Americans of all colors.  

Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church shared these words: “Discipleship Ministries joins the whole nation in remembering Juneteenth – the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. We recognize the horrors of the past and the continued impact that racism and slavery have today. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we include the lessons of Juneteenth in fulfilling the church's mission of making disciples, transforming the world, and building a beloved community, so that all God’s children will experience the flourishing of life – a life abundant (John 10:10).”

I have a lot more work to learn more about history; about the church’s participation in slavery and ending it; and about the continued work on racism issues of today. I need to work on my own biases, so that I can learn and grow to be a better Christian and do my part to build a beloved community that God wants for our world. Hearing Professor Collins talk about each image in this mural impacted me in ways that I am still wrestling with as I grow. Watching the movie Origin; reading books like How to Be AntiRacist, Caste, and The Church Strangely Lukewarm; praying and talking with others; and doing the required clergy training for Anti Bias and Anti Racism are also helping me to grow as a Christian.  

I believe that June 19th,1865 was a great answer to prayer and Juneteenth 2024 is a powerful reminder of both how far we have come and how much work remains to be done in our nation and in our churches. It is both a day of jubilant celebration and a sacred time to lament. May we as God’s people continue to do the hard work of wanting freedom for all of God’s children. Let us be bold in declaring our oneness in the house of God: “You are all God’s children through faith in Christ Jesus. All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28 

Love and Peace in Christ, Rev. Mary

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2024

Register for a Summer Camp Adventure with God!

Use the QR Code to register or to volunteer!

SUMMER YOUTH MISSIONS

It’s time to sign up for our 2024 Summer Youth Missions:

Follow this link for more information and to sign up for the Senior High Mission Trip,

July 21-27. Open to completed 9^th graders through completed 12^th graders.



To volunteer to help chaperone either trip, or for more information, please contact Rev. Mary

WE ARE HIRING

Friends - it is an exciting time at SLFUMC, and we will be hiring two new staff people. Networking will lead to our best successes in obtaining candidates.

Please share these job descriptions with those you know and encourage friends to apply. Thank you! - SLFUMC SPRT.

Band Leader, part-time (15-18 hours per week, currently, with possibility of additional hours in future) to lead the band during worship services and events with a modern style of Christian music. Position responsibilities include selecting appropriate music, coordinating volunteer musicians and conducting rehearsals, and collaborating and assisting with worship planning. Resumes should be sent to staffparishslfumc@att.net. For further information contact Cathy Altenberger (bcaltenberger@sbcglobal.net).

Director of Faith Formation, part-time (30 hours per week, with possibility of growth to a full-time position) Seeking a Director of Faith Formation for 570-member mission driven church in family-oriented community. This staff member would cultivate faith formation for all ages: Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, youth group, youth mission trips, and adult ministries. We are looking for a dynamic person of faith and creativity who can inspire children, youth and engage/manage adult volunteers while serving as a mentor and role model. Must be able to teach and model beliefs consistent with the United Methodist Church. Willingness to engage in community relations, enact excellent communication skills, and effectively use social media are requirements.  Salary commensurate with experience. Theological training is preferred. See our church website at SouthLyonFirstUMC.org. Please send your resume and salary requirements by June 3, 2024 to staffparishslfumc@att.net.

JUNE MISSION OF THE MONTH

This June, the Mission of the Month will benefit Cass Community Social Services, a Detroit-based agency that works across the city in areas of concentrated poverty providing programs for food, health, housing and jobs. The Mission Team is working on a variety of ways to support Cass Community Social Services this summer,

including the Tiny Homes project, so stay tuned!

RUMMAGE SALE

Donation drop-offs will begin on Aug 12 through Aug 15  9AM-NOON & 3:30PM-7PM. Please talk to Jeanette Russell or sign up using the link below if you are willing to volunteer. The Rummage Sale starts on Aug 16 (9AM - 3PM) and continues Aug 17 (9 AM -1 PM). All proceeds will be split between Trustee and Christian Outreach projects.

  POPSICLES AND PRAYERS

Over the next few months, we will be actively spreading the message of who we are and what are we about at South Lyon First United Methodist Church by sharing popsicles and prayers at different locations in the community.

Welcoming

We embrace everyone wherever they are in their life journey by offering a safe place that celebrates diversity and fosters connections.

Relationships 

We unite hearts through shared experiences and connections across generations.

Growth

We actively learn and grow in our faith together in joyful ways.

Community 

We channel love in action through service and advocacy with heartfelt compassion.

Please stop by for worship:

• If you are looking for a safe faith community to be welcomed and love as you
• If you want to grow more in love with God and walk as a disciple of Jesus Christ
• If you want to be part of local and global mission work that is impacting communities in powerful ways

COOLING STATION VOLUNTEERS

On summer days with extreme and dangerous heat, it would be nice to share the church AC, water, and wi-fi with those in the community who are in need. Would you be willing to volunteer during a shift as a cooling station host between 10am and 5pm in Rm 119 during times of extreme heat? If interested, please email Jen Denny

BREAKING THE CHAINS TRIVIA NIGHT

JULY 27 SAVE THE DATE!

The beneficiary of this fundraising event will be Kingdom Home, the organization that helps prevent child sex-trafficking in Uganda. Together with Kingdom Home and Walled Lake UMC, we will be holding a FREE trivia night & silent auction fundraiser called “Breaking the Chains". Stay tuned for more details, but save July 27 (3:00-5:30 pm) on your calendar. It will be loads of fun!

Giving Options

·       Use WebGive at our website by clicking here or by using the our QR code :            

·       Use our giving app on your phone, VancoMobile

·       Dropoff a check in our drop -box at door #4 at the church

·       Mail a check to SLFUMC, 640 S. Lafayette, South Lyon, MI 48178

·       Explore other options on the Giving page of our website by clicking here here

Please be aware that we will never ask for your financial, account, or payment information by email. If there is a question, you will be contacted by phone or in person by a staff member.

Staff members will never ask for gift cards or financial help by email.

BUILDING USE REQUEST

Yes! The church has space available for your group or event! Spaces fill up quickly and there is an approval process, so please allow as much time as possible between your request and the date of your meeting or event to ensure that we can

accommodate your needs.

Office Hours

• Mon, Tues, Thurs 10am - 1pm
• Wed 10am - 3pm
• Fri closed

Check out our website or our live calendar

for more information about our church or any of these programs!

Do you prefer a printed copy of our Midweek Messenger? Hard copies are available in the tote outside the main doors to the church and on the kiosk.