This Week at FWUMC: Pride, Prayer, Worship & Abundant Grace

Dear Beloved Church Family,

I hope this note finds you well and grounded in grace as we move into summer together.

Here are a few important updates and invitations for the week ahead:

🙏 Annual Conference | June 26–28

Pastors and lay members from across the Pacific Northwest are gathering this week for our Annual Conference. Please keep our clergy and lay delegates in your prayers as we worship, discern, and make decisions that shape the life of our church together.

⛪ This Sunday in Worship

We continue our series, Questions That Shape Us, with the message:

“What Good is Worry?”

Scripture: Luke 12:25–31

Jesus reminds us that worry can’t add a single hour to our lives—and yet we often find ourselves stuck in anxious patterns. Come and explore what it means to seek God’s kingdom and trust in divine provision, even in uncertain times.

I’m grateful for Magrey deVega’s faithful scholarship and insight, which help shape this series. If you want to read along or go deeper, I encourage you to check out his book Questions Jesus Asked.

🛍️ Abundant Grace Free Market – Friday, July 5

Our next Abundant Grace event will be held Friday, July 5 at the church. We’re always in need of volunteers and donations. It’s a beautiful way to serve and meet neighbors with dignity and care.

🗂️ Staff Update: Welcome Marissa Thompson

We’re excited to share that Marissa Thompson will officially begin as our new Office Administrator on June 23rd! She’ll be working 20 hours per week, primarily on-site during her first 90 days to support the transition and deepen her familiarity with our community’s rhythms.

Marissa will also continue serving as our Youth Director, dedicating 10 hours per week to nurturing and leading our youth ministries.

Please join me in welcoming Marissa into this expanded role and praying for her as she takes on this new season of ministry and leadership.

In addition to this new worship series, we are preparing for a Back-to-School kickoff in the fall for our children’s ministry! As we plan for the upcoming year, we’re looking to build a rotation of Sunday School teachers and assistants. If you have a heart for children and a willingness to serve once every 4–6 weeks, please reach out to our lay leader Ann Mayer.