Home Branch News

August Office Hours

During the month of August the Secretary’s office hours will be 9 am-12 pm, Monday thru Thursday. This will be on a trial basis and assessed at the end of the month by Pastor Thom and the SPRC to see if it is workable for all moving forward in the fall.

The All Church Picnic Potluck will be on Wednesday, August 5^th @ 6:00 pm at the WU Recreation Center. Families are asked to bring potluck dishes to share, their own beverage and table service. There will be a Sing- A- Long as well as other fun activities.

Bring a friend or two! All are welcome!!

Missions UMCOR School Kits

Summer is fading fast and here we are talking about school kits.

We continue to have many beautiful school bags on hand, thanks to our sewing gals, so the rest of us need to get busy filling them with school supplies!

The items needed for each school bag are:

3 Notebooks – 1 subject, spiral, 8”x10 1/2”

1 Ruler – 12” long w/ metric

6 Pencils, unsharpened

1 Pencil Sharpener

1 Pencil Eraser – 2” or larger

1 12ct Box Colored Pencils

1 24ct Crayons

1 Pair of Student Scissors

*If you would prefer to give cash or check instead of shopping, a canister will be available on the table along the north wall of the Fellowship Hall.

*Checks may be made payable to the United Methodist Church, with “UMCOR Kits” written in the memo.

*We will also be doing Personal Dignity Kits (Health Kits). A list of items needed will be published at a later date.

Thank you in advance for you caring and sharing! God loves a cheerful giver!

Lydia Circle

Our NFV Elementary School Supply Fundraiser is on! The Back-to-School sales are in full swing; just take a list of the suggested supplies from the back table in the Fellowship Hall, grab a friend & make a day of it!

If you prefer to make a monetary donation, make your check payable to UMC, memo Lydia Circle.

Here is a list of the supplies needed:

Headphones

Kleenex

Pencil bag/box

Elmer’s large glue sticks

Large pink erasers

Plastic rest mat

Dry erase markers

Crayola washable markers (no bold colors)

70 page wide rule notebook paper

Reusable water bottle w/ closable lid

Gallon & Quart size Ziplock bags

Clorox wipes

Paper Towels

2 Pocket folders

Plastic 2 pocket folders

Post it notes

Spark Create & Imagine Primary Journal 100 sheets (set of 24 preferred)

*Case- it Binders are no longer used in the k-4^th Elementary but will be passed along to the Middle School if anyone wishes to purchase them.

Please attach a note of cost of each item.

(Not a receipt & no name needed.)This helps with getting a dollar amount for items given.

*Money may also be donated for student’s afternoon milk. Thank You!!

Did You Know... Part 6

Our Church and Society team continues to highlight the United Methodist Social Principles (established in 1972, revised in 2024). These principles address current global and national issues, reflecting our identity as a connected global church.

Note: In the Social Principles, "we" denotes the General Conference and all global United Methodist Church members. For the next couple months the team is highlighting the Principles' section titled “Political Community”, including government responsibilities, democracy and voting.

The preface to the Political Community section emphasizes responsible political action and engagement for the common good, which is foundational to democracies. The document supports basic rights in both church and civil society. Quoting from the Social Principles document:

"Our involvement in political systems is rooted in the Gospel imperative to love our neighbors, to do justice, and to care for the vulnerable.

As United Methodists, we acknowledge that love requires responsible political action and engagement aimed at the betterment of society and the promotion of the common good."

The section on “Government Responsibilities” calls for accountability, transparency, and ethical leadership from those in government.

Quoting: “We urge those elected or appointed to public posts or holding other positions in government to act as responsible leaders and stewards of the authority and resources entrusted to them. We call on all government officials to aspire to the highest standards of professionalism, honesty and integrity. Furthermore, we urge all governments to adopt policies and practices that guarantee accountability and transparency in fostering and maintaining the trust of the public." These are key principles in any functioning democracy.

Proverbs 28:2: "When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order. "

Quoting more from the Social Principles document:

“We affirm that both church and state have vital and distinct roles to play in relation to the larger society. Though the formal relationships between religious communities and governments vary from country to country, we generally affirm the independence and integrity of both institutions, and we advocate for a relationship of mutual respect in which neither institution seeks to dominate or unduly influence the other.”

“We affirm that every form of government stands under God’s judgment and must therefore be held accountable for protecting the innocent, guaranteeing basic freedoms and liberties, protecting the natural world, and establishing just, equitable, and sustainable economies.”

Psalm 22:28: “Proclaims that dominion belongs to the Lord, and He rules over the nations.”

Prayerfully yours,
Church and Society team

Open Hands Food Pantry

Open Hands Food Pantry is held Tuesdays at the West Union United Methodist Church from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm. The door is around to the back of the church and down the sidewalk. You can email openhandswu@gmail.com or find Open Hands Food Pantry on Facebook for more information.

Mobile Food Pantry

The Mobile Food Pantry is now being held the second Monday of every month from 4:30 to 5:30 pm at Crossfire Church.