Join us Friday, July 25 & Saturday, July 26 at Plainfield United Methodist Church (600 Simmons Street) for one of Plainfield’s favorite traditions—good food, great company, and meaningful mission support.
What’s on the Menu
Fried fish (our signature favorite)
Grilled half chicken & BBQ pulled pork
Homestyle sides: mac & cheese, fries, watermelon
Homemade desserts
Lemonade, iced tea, and soda
Dine under the tent or use our drive-thru (enter from Raymond Street).
Saturday, July 26 11:00 AM–8:00 PM (Tent & Drive-Thru)
Why It Matters
Every meal helps fund mission work—feeding the hungry, supporting youth, and reaching communities near and far.
We Need You
Volunteer sign-ups open July 6 at pumc.org/fish-fry or at the tables in the main lobby. Help with food prep, serving, drive-thru, or cleanup—even one hour makes a difference.
Be Part of It
Invite others and help make this the best Fish Fry yet. Visit pumc.org/fish-fry for full details and sign-up info.
Vacation Bible School (VBS) is right around the corner, and we need you to help bring the excitement to life!
Set Your Course for Adventure: True North VBS at PUMC!
From June 23–27, 5:30–8:00 PM, children preschool through 5th grade will experience an incredible week of music, games, Bible stories, crafts, and more—all while discovering how to let Jesus be their guide.
This free, faith-filled event at Plainfield UMC (600 Simmons Street, Plainfield, IN) is one of our biggest outreach opportunities of the year. And we can’t do it without your help! Whether you can serve one night or all five, we need helpers to assist with:
Crafts
Snacks
Games
Decorating
Group guides and more!
You can make a difference in the lives of children and families in our community.
Ready to lend a hand?
Contact Carey Michels at cmichels@pumc.org today to get started. Don’t forget to register your kids!
If you have children, grandchildren, or neighbors who would love a week of fun, faith, and friendship, be sure to sign them up. VBS is open to kids preschool through 5th grade, and it’s completely free. Register now at pumc.link/2025vbs to reserve their spot.
For the past 14 years, the Plainfield UMC Youth Online Auction has brought together the church family, friends, and local businesses in a shared effort to support youth ministry. Through generous donations and enthusiastic participation, the auction has funded camp scholarships, mission trip assistance, youth activities, and outreach opportunities—making a lasting impact on the lives of PUMC youth.
With Pastor Bob’s recent retirement, the auction will not take place this year. This intentional pause allows time to re-evaluate the best season for the event, explore updated online auction tools, and form a new team of volunteers under the leadership of the incoming Youth Pastor. The original late August date was set many years ago to avoid overlapping with other church events, but this is now an opportunity to reflect and plan for the future. Special thanks go to Brenda Barnett and Diane Preusch, who faithfully coordinated the auction for many years. Their leadership, creativity, and dedication have been an incredible blessing to the youth of PUMC.
Although the auction is on hold for 2025, those who wish to support a future auction are welcome to donate non-expiring items in advance. These may include things like handcrafted goods, themed baskets, gift certificates without expiration dates, or services such as homemade meals and baked goods that can be fulfilled later. These early donations will be stored and appreciated when planning resumes.
Items may be dropped off at the church office. Please clearly label your donation and include your name and contact information for follow-up when the new auction date is announced. The church is deeply grateful for the continued prayers, encouragement, and generosity that sustain our youth ministry.
Growing old is our default – it happens naturally, and inevitably! We see the results of growing older when we look in the mirror, get out of bed each morning and look around our congregations! With age, however, comes beauty, wisdom and responsibility. Decades of living in the love and grace of Jesus have given our faith community deep roots; season after season, your ongoing commitment to building the Kingdom of Heaven here and now yields a rich harvest! Growing older isn’t bad – we love old! We just know it’s not the whole story!
We at PUMC are stepping forward together, not chasing the fountain of youth – but rather venturing into new territory as we discern where God is calling and leading us next. We may all be growing old, but our church can continually engage in practices that ensure we are always Growing Young, too!
Growing Young is a movement catching fire in mainline churches across the United States aimed at helping churches better engage and minister to young people, ages 15 through 29. Backed by the research, data and careful attention of the Fuller Youth Institute, we know this age group is one that has left bare spots in our church communities. We know there are young people in this age group out there, but more often than not we don’t know who they are or how to share life with them – even when they do find their way to our church.
PUMC belongs to an Indiana UMC Growing Young Cohort of 25 other congregations all spending 18 months learning how to better engage and minister to young people. We are studying the Six Core Commitments of Growing Young and how we can apply them to our life together. Those Commitments are Unlock Keychain Leadership, Empathize With Today’s Young People, Take Jesus’ Message Seriously, Fuel a Warm Community, Prioritize Young People and Families Everywhere and Be the Best Neighbors. In order to reach our goal of better engaging and ministering to and with young people – our Growing Young Team needs your help! You are invited – whether you are a member or not – to take our Growing Young Survey. It is available via the QR code or link here. This academically-validated survey tool will help our church understand how well we are engaging young people, providing vital insights into our strengths and areas of growth – so we need as many of us as possible to complete this survey in order to get the best snapshot of where we are at present. The survey is anonymous and will take between 5 and 10 minutes to complete. If you are reading this but do not have online access to the survey, members of the Growing Young Team will be in the Main Lobby at church Sundays after worship June 29th, July 6th and July 13th to help you.
The Growing Young Team, alongside clergy staff and other key church leaders, will reflect on the survey results to discern where God is leading us, especially as we get a clearer picture of how young people are perceived and experienced in our church. The survey results will also provide recommended next steps to enhance our life together. The ultimate goal is for PUMC to grow in our vitality and how we make disciples of Jesus of all ages!
The survey will close July 18th, but don’t wait! Please provide your honest feedback as soon as possible, and pray for the team and our church as we all work to make good use of this opportunity to learn and grow. The survey is just the beginning – we need all of us to Grow Young! Thank you! If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Abby at alietz@pumc.org
Big or small, every gift matters—and it’s time to bring yours in! The PUMC Endowment Committee will be collecting Endowment Banks and donations next Sunday, June 1, 2025, in the Main Lobby. Didn’t get an Endowment Bank yet? No problem! Pick one up in the Main Lobby today and join us in creating something lasting for our church.
No donation is too small—or too big. Overflowing with spare change? Bring it in any container that works for you—mason jar, sandwich bag, coffee can. We’ll accept it all and hand your container right back to you.
We’ll be collecting on the first Sunday of each month this summer:
June 1
July 6
August 3
Here’s Why It Matters:
Your donation goes into the PUMC Endowment Fund, where it’s invested for the long haul. The principal stays intact forever, and only the earnings are used to support ministries, missions, and programs—year after year.
Here’s What to Do:
Pick up an Endowment Bank (if you don’t have one yet).
Fill it with change, bills, or checks—whatever fits your generosity.
Bring it to the Main Lobby next Sunday, June 1.
Together, we’re planting seeds that will grow for generations. Join us, give what you can, and help shape the future of PUMC.
Sunday, June 29, 2025 | Noon – 5:00 PM | Lower Washington Township Park, Avon
The PUMC Outreach Committee is excited to share that this year, Plainfield UMC will be participating in the Hendricks County Pride Picnic—an inspiring community event that celebrates love, inclusion, and belonging.
On Sunday, June 29, we’ll have the opportunity to serve and connect with our neighbors at Lower Washington Township Park in Avon, living out our mission to share God’s Big Love for all. This is a meaningful way to show up, support our LGBTQ+ neighbors, and let our presence reflect Christ’s welcome to everyone.
We’re building a team of caring and committed folks to serve in various ways:
Help guide parking and traffic to keep things flowing smoothly
Lead or assist with children’s crafts and activities
Support the event through cleanup and general help
This is a great chance to serve side-by-side, get to know others, and be a visible reminder that God’s love is wide enough for everyone.
Ready to join in? Sign up here:
forms.gle/8Pb52EmbiB5EojhE9
We’ll also be hosting a PUMC Bake Sale and Game Booth at the picnic—more information will be shared soon about how you can contribute treats, time, or talents.
Join us for a free community lunch at Plainfield United Methodist Church, held on the last Saturday of every month. Bring your friends, family, and neighbors for a delicious meal and the joy of warm fellowship.
Date: Saturday, May 31, 202
Time: 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Door #14
This monthly event is a great opportunity to connect with others and share in the spirit of community.
At Plainfield United Methodist Church, we believe every child is a precious gift from God—and we’re committed to helping them grow in faith, love, and understanding. Our Sunday School ministry is one of the most joyful places in the church, and right now, we need a few more helping hands and caring hearts.
We’re inviting YOU to serve as a Sunday School teacher—just one Sunday a month.
That’s right. One Sunday a month is all it takes to make a big difference. We’ll provide the lesson plan, the supplies, and plenty of support. You just bring your love for God and a willingness to share that love with our kids.
You don’t have to be a Bible scholar or a professional educator—if you can share a story, listen with kindness, and help a child feel welcome at church, you’re exactly who we’re looking for.
Will you say “yes” to this important ministry?
Let’s continue to build a strong, faith-filled future for the children of Plainfield UMC—together. To sign up or ask questions, talk to Carey Michels, Director of Children’s Ministry, or email her at cmichels@pumc.org.
One Sunday a month. One joyful classroom. One lasting impact.
Join us in shaping the future of faith at Plainfield UMC.
We are thrilled to invite our entire Plainfield UMC community to a very special occasion—the Pre-K Graduation Ceremony here at the church! Join us on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Sanctuary as we celebrate an important milestone in the lives of our preschoolers.
Graduation is more than just a ceremony—it’s a moment of pride, joy, and hope. It marks the first big step in a child’s educational journey, and we’re excited to share that moment with the whole church family. Throughout the year, our Pre-K children have grown in incredible ways—gaining new skills, forming friendships, and discovering more about the world around them. Now, it’s time to celebrate all they’ve accomplished and send them off to kindergarten with love and blessings. The evening will feature a delightful program with songs from the children, the presentation of certificates, and a celebration of each child’s unique personality and progress. Expect plenty of smiles, laughter, and maybe even a few joyful tears as we gather in support of these young graduates.
This is a moment to pause, reflect, and look forward with excitement—and your presence makes it even more meaningful. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, longtime member, or new to our congregation, you are warmly welcome. Bring your cameras and your love—there will be plenty of moments to treasure.
We are so proud of our Pre-K Class of 2025 and can’t wait to celebrate with you. Let’s come together as a church family to cheer them on as they step into a future filled with promise and possibility.
Friday, May 23 | 6:30 PM | Sanctuary at Plainfield UMC
I was a miracle baby – I have an elder brother, 12 years apart. My late parents, Emily & Solomon, always introduced me to people saying “he is our miracle son.” My mother was told she could never conceive. She visited different doctors but all said the same. One day, my dad was informed a pastor from Houston, Texas was visiting Pakistan and their church as well. He was known to be a great healer. They were very fortunate to meet him. He prayed over my mum and told her with great faith she would conceive soon. After a few months mum conceived. People around them who knew their situation, including the doctors, were astonished with this great miracle.
The faith of my parents helped them achieve what they were longing for, as prayer without faith lacks power and purpose. It is so important to acknowledge and thank God at all times.
As years passed by, the anticipation of when I would finally find my wife approached. We met in 2005 and married in 2007 by Our Almighty Father who guided us in every setback we had, related to issues with our families in denial due to our different nationalities. My wife is a beautiful and strong woman who has always stood by me and our family in challenging times. came along my daughter in 2009, followed by my son in 2014. God has been so merciful and has blessed us with amazing children; we always ask for His guidance so we may teach them right from wrong & so they choose the path of life by keeping Jesus the center of it.
Our family has faced challenging situations. The worst was when my daughter’s life was threatened. Whilst I was already going through a desert experience, losing my job due to COVID and my wife was on thin ice with her job as well this led to our children not being able to continue schooling; I also lost my mother around this time. Under the circumstances, we completely became hopeless, problems came crashing upon us as all this happened too fast. This was my time to go on my knees and pray, which I did with tears pouring down, and all I had to say is, “Father I have no idea what comes up next for us, you guide and lead us to what you want for us as I have no clue of what I am going to do.”
Within a few months Almighty God navigated a new path for us and it led us to the United States of America.
Our lives took a U-turn as soon as we arrived. The greatest joy for us was to see our children attending school again. But what really stood out most was the church we came upon. Attending PUMC has been a transformative experience. The sense of community and belonging we’ve found here is inspiring. The sermons often provide us with valuable lessons we can apply to our daily lives, fostering a deeper connection with our faith. Overall, our time at this church has not only enriched our spiritual lives but has also welcomed us to many beautiful people and the love they bestowed on us.
I thought to myself when hardships and unmanageable situations occur, why is that the only time I approach God and implore Jesus for help? What I have understood is I should not only go to Him in tough times but also remember Him in the good. By doing this, I comprehended that God never judges no matter what I did or said. God has and will always be by my side under any circumstance. And I want to thank God for all God has done for my family and I. In the end I can say that from the very beginning until now my life along with my family has been nothing but a testimony to Jesus’ unending love for us. He is our living God, our strength and our shield.
Plainfield UMC Today 