This year’s Vacation Bible School is just around the corner! The theme this year is STELLAR: SHINE JESUS’ LIGHT.

At Stellar, kids discover how to shine Jesus’ love and hope in everyday life! Kids participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, make and devour yummy treats, experience one-of-a-kind Bible Adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them of Jesus’ light, and test out Sciency-Fun Gizmos they’ll take home and play with all summer long.

STELLAR Vacation Bible School will occur June 20 – 23 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on “Wesley Planet” (behind the church). All children, four years old – 5th grade, are welcome.

Sign your child up for STELLER: SHINE JESUS’ LIGHT at pumc.org/vacationbibleschool.

If you are a group leader, join us for an orientation to the new Groups page at pumc.org/groups. Sign up for a training session at pumc.org/registration. Sessions are one hour in length. See “Change” in the May 2023 Circuit Rider for more information.

This week, we highlight the Basic Ministry Budget.

The operating budget for Plainfield United Methodist Church is more than line items on a spreadsheet. It’s a story of love in action. PUMC uses gifts to the budget to show God’s BIG Love and help others grow in faith.

Out of every dollar you generously give to support the Basic Ministry Budget, 23 cents of it supports God’s house.

Children & Youth: $113,668

At PUMC, we want every child to know they are loved by Jesus. It’s essential that “serving the children of Plainfield” is our one big thing — where we want to serve the community with such impact that the love of God in Jesus Christ is revealed and noticed. We aim to show God’s love through programs for children of all ages, from birth to kindergarten through high school. Examples include preschool programming, before-and-after-school child care, an interactive Sunday School curriculum, seasonal events like Easter Eggstravaganza and Trunk or Treat, and a vibrant youth ministry engaged in mission throughout the United States and beyond.

Thank you for supporting Children and Youth here at PUMC!

Total 2023 Basic Ministry: Budget: $1,033,349

For more information about the PUMC Basic Ministry Budget and the Narrative Budget, see the January or February Circuit Rider or check out pumc.link/2023NB.

Plainfield UMC’s men, young men, and guests gather at the church on the third Saturday of the month at 8:30 a.m. for food and fellowship.

We meet in Clayton Hall/Worship Annex. Bring an empty stomach, a friend, and your Bible! Be ready to be nourished through delicious food and the word of God! Hope to see you there!
Check our pumc.org for more information.

The United Women of Faith (UWF) invite you and your family to have a Mother’s Day family picture taken in their photo corner in the Main Lobby. Pictures are free of charge; we’ll even gladly take your family pictures with your phones. We look forward to seeing you!

It’s that time of year! Vacation Bible School is just around the corner (June 20 – 23).

We need nearly 50 volunteers to make vacation bible school awesome for the children attending! This year’s vacation bible school theme is “Stellar: Shine Jesus’ Light.” Volunteers are needed to help with games, story time, music time, a STEAM Station (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics), and more!

Volunteers are encouraged to contact Charity Aton at caton@pumc.org to volunteer and attend an organizational meeting on May 25 at 5:00 pm in the Koinonia Room. Let’s make this vacation bible school an experience the children will think about all summer!

We invite you to come in and pick up a carry-out meal between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month. Please enter through door 14 and go to the kitchen, and someone will be there to get your meal. If you know of someone who might need a meal, visit pumc.org/groups.

Both Africa University and Bishop Trimble marked milestone anniversaries last year. Bishop Trimble and First Lady Racelder celebrated forty years of ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. Africa University commemorated thirty years since its founding.

In honor of these occasions, Bishop Trimble has issued a Missional Challenge to create a permanent endowment to provide two student scholarships to Africa University in perpetuity. The plan is to receive $300,000 in gifts and pledges by the end of 2023, fully providing for the “Trimble AU Scholarship Fund.” The PUMC Missions Committee supports this challenge. Visit inumc.org/au-missional-challenge/ to learn more and make your gift. Or mark your gift to PUMC “Trimble AU Scholarship.” Thank you for supporting Africa University and honoring Bishop Trimble!

Lead Pastor Charlie Wilfong is hosting a thirty-minute meeting on Sunday, May 21, at 11:15 a.m. in the Worship Annex following worship. We will introduce PUMC, its mission, vision, and values. There will also be a brief Question and Answer time. You’re welcome to join Pastor Charlie on May 21, 11:15 a.m., to “Meet PUMC.”

Even though Plainfield UMC has been collecting and delivering food each week in recent months, the Mission Committee planned a special food drive for May, to help emphasize the needs of the local area food pantries.

On May 7 and 14, grocery bags with a list of needed items will be available after the 8:45 and 10:00 a.m. worship services. Deliveries of the collected donations will happen in the weeks of May 14 and 21.

If you cannot make it to the grocery store, monetary donations will be gratefully accepted.
Your help to provide food for hungry people is greatly appreciated.