Sudbury United Methodist Church

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Concerns and Celebrations

ANNOUNCEMENTS

May 18: SUMC’s Summer Mission Dinner & Auction FAQs

• What will dinner cost? We suggest a $15/person or $30/family donation for the dinner. This is not mandatory.
• When does dinner start? 5:30pm.
• What’s for dinner? Burgers and fries (vegetarian option will be available), but the real treat is dessert! Milkshakes and snickerdoodles…and if we get really creative, snickerdoodle milkshakes.
• What is available for auction? We will get a list out a few days before the event.
• Can I offer something for the auction? Absolutely! Do you have an awesome skill, a special place you would like to share with others, or season tickets that you don’t use all of? All of those are great things for the auction
• When is the auction? The auction will be open for bids all day on May 18 until 5:30pm. Auction winners will be announced at 6:30.
• What about entertainment? If you want dinner and a show (in reverse order), come to the Connexions Concert at 4:00pm in the sanctuary, and then stay for dinner.
• What is U.M. ARMY? A mission organization that responds to the needs of low-income, elderly and disabled homeowners who are physically or financially unable to make much needed repairs themselves, while also providing an opportunity for youth and adults to experience Christian growth through service to others.

New Monday Evening Zoom Study

A fresh look at the earliest Christian movement reveals what made the new faith so compelling...and what we need to change today to make it so again.
Once upon a time there was a version of the Christian faith that was practically irresistible. After all, what could be more so than the gospel that Jesus ushered in? Why, then, isn't it the same with Christianity today?
Author and pastor Andy Stanley is deeply concerned with the present-day church and its future. He believes that many of the solutions to our issues can be found by investigating our roots. In Irresistible, Andy chronicles what made the early Jesus Movement so compelling, resilient, and irresistible by answering these questions:
What makes Christianity so resistible in today's culture? What needs to change to repeat the growth our faith had at its beginning?
Please Join Us on Monday Evenings (via Zoom) at 7:30 -8:30 pm to discuss this book and to explore how we can make our church Irresistible! The book is available on multiple online sites or contact Jen Rockwell for a copy! Nan Okarma and Jen will be leading this six-week discussion in this thought-provoking and easy to read book.
May 12 – Chapters 1-5
May 19 – Chapters 6-7
May 26 – HOLIDAY no Class
June 2 – Chapters 8-13
June 9 – Chapter 14
June 16 – Chapters 15-20
June 23 – Chapters 21-24
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89915686864?pwd=N0prOUp2Q0tFMWoycTRCUGRhdWI3QT09
Note: Video segments will be made available to watch on your own before each session to leave our time together for discussion. Details on how to watch will be forwarded to all who will be joining our group!

Magic Years on Thursday , May 15, at Noon

Magic Years welcomes Kelly Brotzman, Executive Director of Prison Book Program in Quincy https://prisonbookprogram.org/ on May 15. Her presentation is titled: "Access to Books in the Context of Mass Incarceration." Sign up after worship starting April 27. Or email/ text/ call Kay: kjdorlando@comcast.net; 508-561-5382

Collecting Socks for Gifts of Hope

We are collecting new or nearly new adult and children's socks for Gifts of Hope, a local organization that assists individuals affected by relationship violence to gain access to resources for a safe and empowered future. Please deposit donations in the clear collection box in the narthex. The Outreach Commission thanks you for supporting this collection drive.

Outreach Commission’s Reentry Kits

The Outreach Committee is collecting supplies for reentry kits to assist in the successful transitioning of individuals from incarceration into society. Please click on the link below to view an online sign-up sheet to bring in specific items for care kits, or to make a financial contribution towards the project. The Outreach group will be putting together the kits this Sunday, May 4th after the service with THRIVE participants. We greatly appreciate your help in making this a success. There are still a few items which need to be purchased or you can make a financial donation. All items must be dropped off by this Sunday, May 4th in the SUMC Office.
Reentry Welcome Kit Drive | May 4th

Blood Drive on May 31st

The Outreach team at SUMC is hosting a blood drive sponsored by the American Red Cross.
Help serve our community by donating blood to hospital patients in need. Join SUMC to give blood on May 31, 2025 from 8 am to 4 pm in Hawes Hall. Your donation can help save more than one life! To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help our visiting donors, please email David Jacob at (David.jacob32801@gmail.com) or call him at 617-962-0430. Volunteers are needed to greet donors and have a discussion with them after donating while they recover for 20 minutes by eating snacks and drinking juice (all provided by the Red Cross).

Spirituality Group to Meets Online on Thursday Evenings###/h2https://cac.org/email-sign-up/. Please email Karen Lubic (kglubic@gmail.com) so that she can send you the Zoom link.

Exploring Topics in Christianity Meets in Davison Chapel from 9:15-9:45 AM

On April 6th, the Christian Education Commission began a series of group discussions focused on ideas presented in Amy-Jill Levine's book, The Difficult Words of Jesus - A Beginner's Guide to His Most Perplexing Teachings. The remaining sessions are May 18th and 25th, and June 1st and 8th. On May 4th and 11th, the Social Justice Commission will lead discussions regarding the recently adopted United Methodist Social Principles which became effective in January. We will talk about the role of the Social Principles in the United Methodist Church as well as discussing specific topics as a guide for putting our faith into action. Please join us before worship for discussion and fellowship.

Adult Mission Trip to Vermont this Summer

SUMC hopes to put together a mission trip to Vermont this summer to assist flood victims, and we need your help! The trip will be flexible, lasting a few days to a week, depending on volunteer availability. Volunteers will stay at Covenant Hills Camp and Retreat Center in Cabot, VT, and help with cleanup, rebuilding, and providing supplies to those affected by the flooding. If you’re interested in joining us, or if you would like more information, please reach out to Karen Monteiro (karmon23@yahoo.com) as soon as possible. We hope you’ll consider being part of this meaningful effort to help our neighbors in Vermont!

Musical Notes

• Connexions Concerts sign up

Make a note in your calendars about the fourth and final Connexions Concert of our program year 2024-2025 on May 18th. We will start an hour later than usual, 4 pm, so as to back up to the Youth Group fundraiser silent auction and dinner in support of this year's mission trip. The program is filling up rapidly with diverse and interesting musical selections - don't miss it!

• Singing School

Did you know Singing School meets every Thursday from 7:15 pm till 7:45 pm? Sight singing has been in steady decline in contemporary culture for some time. The reasons are numerous and complex, but the outcome for the choral work at SUMC is a steady drop in the number of voices that read choral music and that are familiar with the basics of singing. To address that decline, we have created a class in sight reading music. ANYONE at SUMC or in nearby communities who wishes to learn or to improve their sight-singing may come weekly on Thursday at 7:15pm. Interested residents from Sudbury and neighboring towns who want to improve their singing are welcome to take advantage of this free continuing education opportunity. We record "Singing School" so as to provide materials for those who are not able to attend sessions in person. The MP4s of our classes are available at (https://sites.google.com/view/sumc-music/singing-school). There are no prerequisites for "Singing School". Just show up. We will meet you where you are vis à vis your singing voice and how you wish to use it. Our choir director, Rob Hammerton, and I have a lot of experience in working with choral music. Between us, there is pretty much no choral situation we have not seen. So take a break from whatever it is that is claiming your time Thursday evenings and join us. We would love to have you in class! We meet in the SUMC choir room from 7:15 p.m. till 7:45 p.m. every Thursday. If you wish to sign up beforehand so we know you are coming, kindly do so at (https://forms.gle/rNy2QXBVVogYEivL6). Questions or concerns? Our emails: (rhammerton@charter.net) or (kevin@sudbury-umc.org)

Help Beautify Our Sanctuary – Join the Flower Committee!

Do you have a love for flowers and a heart for service? The Flower Committee is looking for volunteers to help provide floral arrangements for our church altar on Sundays. Whether you enjoy arranging flowers yourself or prefer to purchase a ready-made bouquet, your contribution will add beauty and joy to our worship services. This is a simple but meaningful way to serve our church family! Interested? Contact Kristen Straub at (csstraub@verizon.net) to learn more.

Ladies Outing to Rockport

Diane Hammond is organizing the annual trip to Rockport on Friday, June 13. Please let her know if you are interested in an all-day outing. All women, both new to the group, and those who have gone with the group before are welcome. Let her know and more information will come later. Email Diane at (hopefixa1@gmail.com). Food Pantry Donations Donations to our church’s shopping cart may be left at the O’Reilly Room entrance Monday through Friday. The best canned items to donate include solid white tuna, fruits, and vegetables. Raisins in boxes, dried beans, condensed milk, rice pilaf, pancake mix, syrup, pasta and pasta sauce in jars, macaroni and cheese, instant coffee, laundry detergent, shampoo, soap, feminine care products, and wipes are also appreciated. Whenever you shop – or have groceries delivered to your home – please remember the food cart! Please also be mindful of expiration dates. Donating Sunday Morning Altar Flowers The Flower Team welcomes altar flower donations. To choose a date, visit a user-friendly website : 2025 Sign-Up. Please use the comment section to note if your gift is intended to be in honor or in memory of someone special. And if you have specific flowers in mind, please share that information in the comment section. Checks in the amount of $50.00 to cover the cost of the flowers can be made out to Sudbury United Methodist Church with a notation in the memo field indicating “Flower donation.” Thanks.

Coming to Church? Please Follow Safety Guidelines!

The windows in the sanctuary will remain open for the foreseeable future to improve air flow and enhance public safety. With many viruses circulating, we are trying to ensure everyone’s continued good health. Please do not close the windows during worship. Please be mindful of the outdoor temperature and dress accordingly. SUMC Is Live-Streaming on Facebook and YouTube Every Sunday! The Church Growth Commission invites you to follow SUMC on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter! We are now streaming live on our own YouTube channel. We will also continue to live-stream on our Facebook page. Please take note and bookmark the links! By reaching out through social media, the commission hopes to reach a larger audience. Please help us to grow. Follow us on (YouTube), (Facebook), (InstagramSUMC) and (TwitterSUMC). Facebook YouTube Instagram Twitter SUMC’s Youth Mission Silent Auction Sunday May 18th Do you have an awesome skill, a special place you would like to share with others, or season tickets that you don’t use all of? If so, the SUMC youth could use your help!!! We are raising funds to help fund Salkehatchie, our youth’s summer mission trip with U.M. ARMY (United in Mission: Action Reach-Out Ministry by Youth). We will host a silent auction (open all day) and dinner (starts at 5:30) on May 18 and we need the support of our congregation to make this a success! Not sure what you could donate as a gift? Scroll down for some great ideas! More than likely, you have lots of things you could donate; you just may not know it yet! If you are willing to donate, please email/see Zack Moser (zack.sumc@gmail.com) *You do not need to attend the event to donate a gift to the silent auction. Possible Items To Donate for the Silent Auction Restaurant gift cards Gift card for a Spa, pedicure, manicure, facial A weekend at a mountain, lake, or beach condo, cabin, or house One week time share Tutoring, 1 or 2 hours of free academic tutoring (be specific on subject and level of student) Financial Services – tax preparation, investment consulting Museum tickets Comedy night tickets Theater/ Opera tickets Outdoor experiences: Sailing, boating, kayaking Gas gift cards Pet sitting. Boarding, and/or grooming Babysitting services Skiing and snowboarding adventure/ gift cards Homemade meals delivered to your home Flower delivery once a week for a month Dinner and Cocktail parties, hosted by donor Red Sox tickets Patriots/Bruins/Celtics tickets Best Pizza in Town delivered to your home Gift Baskets of any sort- so many creative options! Custom Artwork, Jewelry, or photography Hours with a personal trainer Passes for a yoga class Golf Lessons Pet Grooming Car Detailing Interior Design/Architectural Services House Cleaning Yard clean up Photography Session Teatime - a special tea party for kids — stuffed animals and friends included Summer Camp Adventure for children Voice or Dance Lessons Ride in a police car or firetruck (to school, to church?) Signed Memorabilia Sudbury United Methodist Church, 251 Old Sudbury Road, Sudbury, MA 01776 Phones: (978) 443-4351 or (978) 443-6785 Church Office: sumc@sudbury-umc.org Website: http://www. sudbury-umc.org Church Staff Pastor: The Rev. Leigh E. Goodrichpastorleigh@sudbury-umc.org (Pastor Leigh observes Sabbath on Friday) Youth & Children’s Ministries Director: Zachary Moser zack@sudbury-umc.org (Pastor Zack observes Sabbath on Wednesday) Organist/Music Director: Kevin Murphy, AAGOkevin@sudbury-umc.org Sanctuary Choir Director: Rob Hammertonrob@sudbury-umc.org Business Manager: Michael Grebmichael@sudbury-umc.org Sunny Hill Director: Kathy Palmerdirector@sunnyhillpreschool.org Office Manager: Shetal Kaye sumc@sudbury-umc.org Sexton: Joe Picorellijoe@sudbury-umc.org We are a Reconciling and Welcoming Congregation Please use the QR code below if you would like to make a contribution to Sudbury United Methodist Church.