Communications

Contact Us

For more information, email us at fumcwaoffice@fumcwa.org or call 414-774-5500.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

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Grace Notes

Happy September, First!
Welcome back to the rhythm of the school year! I pray that you had some great adventures this summer and are rested or renewed enough to step into new things.
We are starting our own year here at First—Sunday School is back for children, youth, and adults. Music rehearsals are also starting. It’s good to gather back and worship and celebrate God as a whole faith community.
This first week, some of our members will be on retreat to discern how we are called to church and live out our call to share the good news of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. I reflect on the concept of transformation, and the butterfly comes to mind. The beautiful wings and the delicate patterns of a butterfly don’t show until after the caterpillar morphs into a cocoon that then struggles to get out of its restraints.
Following that transformation logic, is it really the transformation of the world as we see it that we are called to do? Or is it the transformation of the people’s hearts and minds to really discover the creation we are gifted by God?
God created a perfect universe for us to steward, so says our faith’s story. Living creatures are gifted to us to live and care for in harmony. I understand transformation, then that comes from metanoia, turning back to God and God’s perfect creation.
We, as God’s co-creators and partners, are tasked to act on our faithfulness to discover and realize what is already present—God’s love for all, God’s goodness in us, God’s generosity through us. My hope for that retreat is for us to use our gifts from God in our context today and the relevance of God. What comes from our time hopefully continues our discernment as a whole community as we respond to the denomination’s vision of “loving boldly, serving joyfully, and leading courageously.” Will you join me in living out this vision as we transform the world as disciples?
Pastor Grace

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A Message From Our Lay Leader, Tom Bolton

Hello Brothers and Sisters.
I want to talk a little about a couple of items this month. I’ll bookend with items about Christian Education.

1. Nancy Lanman will be teaching another class on Social Principles for 5 weeks in the Fall. These discussions about Social Issues (this year focusing on Climate Issues) help take us back to the roots of Wesleyan teaching. As Methodists, this is important for us. For me, it also takes me back to my more passionate years. We are reminded that Jesus was passionate about His teaching. I responded to Sue and Nancy’s summer questions that I am sometimes overwhelmed by the issues associated with climate change. It is the greatest issue facing our world today in many ways. I am overwhelmed these days because so many people are pooh-poohing the issue. There are many people who claim that we are not responsible for the severe environmental changes affecting our Earth. But we are very responsible. Science cannot be denied. I worked a lot on environmental issues and climate concerns as a teen and young man, working hard on Earth Day formation, authoring many articles about environmental diversity and reducing the use of chemicals. In my middle years, I pushed it to the back of my attention span but continued to support environmental causes in small ways. Now, approaching my senior years, I am reminded of how important advocacy for our earth becomes. I write regularly to elected officials on climate issues, and I support many environmental groups. That keeps me going. Classes like this also keep us going, and the discussion helps us all.
2. Many of us are attending a retreat in September to prayerfully discern our vision of First United Methodist Church. If you aren’t able to attend, but want to offer some thoughts, please send me a note with ideas that you want me to share. What do you see in our future? How does God call us forward?
3. We have been working on goals and objectives for the congregation as a whole and in our committees for the past couple of years. Some may change or get amended after the retreat, but many will stay the same or grow, no doubt. Please continue to review goals and plans in your committees. Let’s not get complacent. Let’s stay fired up in our work!
4. After Deacon Lanman’s class at 9:00 am for 5 weeks following our Fall kick-off, I will be facilitating a class that I have felt called to develop for several years. I call the class ReConfirm. Were you one of those kids that was preoccupied with other things–like boys or girls or sports–back during your Confirmation classes in 8th grade? Did you have a teacher who didn’t engage you? Was it so long ago that you forgot lots of what you learned? Are you looking to renew your vows? Ready to fire up your discipleship? Then ReConfirm is the class for you. I will lead this class for anyone interested in reviewing Confirmation material. We will start on October 19, after Social Principles Class ends, at 9:00 am Sunday mornings in the Fireside Room. If there is enough interest, there will be a second session on Tuesday nights, via Zoom, at 6:30 pm. We will pause during Advent studies and Lenten studies and meet all other weeks for about 16 weeks in all.
   A “ReConfirm” class in the United Methodist Church, as it’s sometimes called, is essentially a repeat of a Confirmation Class, with lots of discussion. It’s designed to help individuals deepen their understanding of Christian faith and United Methodist beliefs, and to take ownership of their faith journey. We will not have a textbook, but I plan to share handouts and use many videos. In essence, a United Methodist “ReConfirm” class is about strengthening one’s faith, understanding the foundations of the church’s beliefs, and making a conscious commitment to following Jesus Christ within the United Methodist tradition. I invite you to join us.
5. Regular ongoing Christian education is really important. Wesley placed great emphasis on this in the early Methodist movement. If you would like to see another class, and if you might be interested in leading a course or discussion group, please let me or any members of the Adult Education Committee know what you want.
   Bless us all,
   Tom Bolton, Lay Leader
   God loves you, and so do we. ~ Discipleship Never Ends.

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On the Road with Jesus!

As you head off on summer adventures—whether near or far—remember: Jesus is always with you! This summer, we invite you to bring “Flat Jesus” along for the ride. Snap a photo of Him with you wherever you go, and help us stay connected as a church family, even while we’re scattered on different paths.
Here’s what to do:

• Pick up your “Flat Jesus” from the narthex.
• Take Him with you on your travels—or to everyday moments like baseball games, walks with the dog, swim lessons, or quiet time with a book.
• Snap a photo and email it to the church office. Be sure to include your name(s) and where the photo was taken.
• Share your photo on your personal Facebook and tag First United Methodist Church of West Allis so your friends know the origin of The Flat Jesus fun!

Look for your photos displayed in the Gathering Room throughout the summer!
Whether road-tripping, visiting loved ones, heading to worship, or just soaking up the sunshine at home,
Jesus is your perfect companion. And who knows—carrying “Flat Jesus” might even spark a meaningful
conversation along the way.
Let’s celebrate the joy of knowing that wherever we go, Jesus goes with us. We can’t wait to see all the
places He visits this summer—through your stories and smiles!

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Church Office Needs Your Help Maintaining Servant Keeper 

• The Church Office needs your help with Servant Keeper Family Profile Updating:
  Our Church Management System is called “Servant Keeper.” Your membership and contribution information will be available online on their website.
• An invitation has been sent to your family email address. If you have not received this, please contact mfuller@fumcwa.org. The email will be coming from: no-reply@servantpc.com
• You will click on “Manage My Family” where you will be prompted to create a password to log in.
  (Please write this down somewhere because the church will NOT have your password.)
• Your family information will pop up. Click on Profiles and Giving History – you can access information as an individual or as a whole family.
• You will have the ability to update your name, address, phone number, email address, etc. You can
  even upload a picture of yourself and/or your whole family.
• You will also have the ability to look at and print your contribution statements. To do so, click on “Giving History”, “Detail”, “View & Print” (or you can save it to a PDF file)
• You will also have the ability to access the online church directory.
• The red circle at the right of the screen is for logging out.
• If you have issues after you get your invite – please contact mfuller@fumcwa.org
  For future access to your profile, please create a Bookmark, save it to Favorites OR go to www.servantkeeper.com/member-portal/westallisFUMC to sign in.

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Monday Morning Messenger

Every Monday morning, the church office will send out a communication via email that includes a verse for the week, a prayer for the week, the week’s calendar, church office hours, and need(s) for the week. This communication will be sent to all those who have an email address. Please contact the office if you have a new email address.

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