September 7, 2021

In this COVID pandemic, we continue to pray for all ill and who have lost loved ones.

The safety of our congregation, children, and guests is our highest priority. We seek to “do no harm.”

We know that children under twelve cannot yet be vaccinated and that even vaccinated people can transmit the virus to children and others.

To help protect the children in our Weekday Children’s Ministries, we ask those who enter the building Monday-Friday, 6:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m., to wear a facemask in the hallways, bathrooms, and the rooms occupied by those ministries.

If you don’t have a mask when you come in, there will be masks in the office for you to use.

The children age three and up, their parents, and our Weekday Children’s Ministries staff are wearing facemasks during their days of operation.

Starting immediately, we ask that when you come into the building Monday-Friday, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., you wear a facemask in the hallways, bathrooms, and rooms occupied by those children’s ministries.

We know this is a small step backward, and yet we want to take clear steps to “do no harm” and keep the children in our care as safe as we can.

Thank you for your help and your prayers.

That’s the question Gospel Discipleship seeks to answer. Through the process, you will learn if you are a Markan (Holy Spirit centered), Matthean (Action driven), Lukan (Relationship focused), or Johannine (Mentor-Apprentice nurtured) disciple. Understanding who you are and how you conceptualize discipleship, you can map a path to grow intentionally in your love and life with Jesus.

With Gospel Discipleship, you can identify a pathway for discipleship applied from one of the four Gospel storytellers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; each had a distinct approach to discipleship. As disciples are encouraged by Jesus to step beyond the door and engage the needs of people in their community, they can be sent forth confidently with an awareness of personal, unique gifts and insights into the actual mission field where they participate with God in changing the world.
Starting on September 26, the church will start a new church-wide study entitled “Gospel Discipleship: 4 Pathways for Christian Discipleship” by Michelle J. Morris. The study will last for five weeks through October 24.

Plainfield UMC will provide the books for free*.

For questions or to sign up for the church-wide study, check out “Next Steps” at pumc.org, the pumc.org kiosk by the blue wall, or the signup table in the Main Lobby on Sundays during September.

*Freewill offerings will be accepted to help offset the cost of the church-wide study materials.

Dates: Friday, August 27 – Monday, September 13

Check out the auction page at http://www.biddingforgood.com/pumcyouth

Over 200 items have been donated by church members, friends, and business supporters. Of course, we have an assortment of popular gift cards and gift certificates to restaurants and stores. Homemade pies, bread, cheesecake, cookies, and cream puffs will definitely satisfy those with a sweet tooth! The list goes on and on with many items donated by our talented members and friends. Handmade items, hand-carved wood items, and jewelry are just some of the things up for bid and a variety of toys, games, and childrenswear.

Check out the auction. It’s a win/win fundraiser. Top bidders receive their items, knowing that the youth receive monetary support from the auction for mission and outreach opportunities.

To make a difference in the lives of young people, please point, click and bid. Spread the word and tell your friends and family about the PUMC Youth online auction.

Your support makes a difference!

Questions? Check out pumc.org or visit the pumc.org kiosks in the Main Lobby by the big blue wall.

We invite you to come in and pick up a carry-out meal between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on September 11, 2021. Please come in 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 “Ministries” on pumc.org or on the pumc.org kiosk located in the Main Lobby by the big blue wall.

The 2021 Fish Fry had another fantastic year that was made possible by all of the volunteers. Over 150 people volunteered to make this year’s event a rousing success! We served over 3,300 people.

Our guests purchased 4,272 pieces of fish (a new record), 913 chicken strips, 377 BBQ sandwiches, 147 hot dogs, 1,570 drinks, 912 pieces of pie, 602 cakes/cookies, and 3,616 sides.

Over the next few weeks, the three chairs will finish finalizing the books and distribute out checks to Sunday school classes, the Cub Scouts, the Scouts, and other missions at the church.
Focusing only on the financial part of the fish fry neglects the importance of the community outreach portion. Many people outside of our church family came to enjoy the Fish Fry for the excellent food and fellowship; for many, it was a welcome relief to the stress many endured over the last year.
Friday, July 29th, and Saturday, July 30th of 2022 are the scheduled dates for the 78th Annual Fish Fry.

Volunteers are a huge part of our event, and we always need more. To continue to have this fantastic event, we need more new volunteers next year. The fish fry committee asks that you get the word out there about next year’s event and invite your friends and family to join you in volunteering at next year’s Fish Fry.

Thank you for all your hard work to make this year’s fish fry a huge success. We will see you next year!

This year’s church-wide study will be Gospel Discipleship: 4 Pathways for Christian Disciples. The church-wide study will start on September 26, 2021, and go for five weeks on October 24, 2021.
Each individual brings a unique set of skills and gifts to the mission field and needs to understand their disciple type.

What are your unique skills and gifts? Are you like Luke? Matthew? Mark? John?
Get a jump on this year’s study and go to pumc.org or visit the pumc.org kiosk in the main lobby by the blue wall to discover which of the four archetypes you most resemble.

More detailed information about the church-wide study will be available soon online at pumc.org and in the September Circuit Rider.

Signups for classes will begin Sunday, September 5 online at pumc.org, on the pumc.org kiosk in the main lobby by the big blue wall, or in-person at the tables in the main lobby.

Volunteers Still Needed!

Plainfield UMC’s next Host Week for Family Promise is August 29-September 4, 2021.
Currently, the families are still in the Woodsprings Suites Extended Stay Hotel in Plainfield. Meals for the families will be dropped off at the front desk. The staff of Family Promise is diligently working to find a different living situation for the resident families as they work through the program.
There are currently four families in the program needing meals; 8 adults and 12 children ranging in age from 15 to 6 weeks.

Volunteers are still needed to make meals for the Family Promise families.
Visit pumc.org or the pumc.org kiosk in the main lobby on Sunday mornings if you would be able to supply and drop off a meal during the week of August 29-September 4.

This year’s church-wide study will be Gospel Discipleship: 4 Pathways for Christian Disciples. The church-wide study will start September 26, 2021, and go for a five-week ending on October 24, 2021.
Each individual brings a unique set of skills and gifts to the mission field and needs to understand their disciple type.

What are your unique skills and gifts? Are you like Luke? Matthew? Mark? John?
Get a jump on this year’s study and go to pumc.org or visit the pumc.org kiosk in the main lobby by the blue wall to discover which of the four archetypes you most resemble.

Plainfield UMC’s Last Saturday Lunch committee is excited to resume offering in-house lunches at the church on August 28, 2021. We will be following new safety guidelines for serving. The LSL committee will evaluate each month moving forward to see if it is safe to continue serving in-house. Join us on Saturday, August 28, between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in Clayton Hall (Door 14) for an excellent lunch and fellowship. If you know of someone who might need a meal, please advise the church office.

To volunteer with the Last Saturday Lunch ministry, visit pumc.org or visit the pumc.org kiosk in the main lobby by the blue wall.

Plainfield UMC’s next Host Week for Family Promise is August 29-September 4, 2021.

Currently, the families are still in the Woodsprings Suites Extended Stay Hotel in Plainfield. Meals for the families will be dropped off at the front desk. The staff of Family Promise is diligently working to find a different living situation for the resident families as they work through the program.

There are currently four families in the program needing meals; 8 adults and 12 children ranging in age from 15 to 6 weeks. We know from past experiences that the number of residents can change quickly as families move out. Family Promise will provide the most up-to-date information possible the week before we begin.

Visit pumc.org or the pumc.org kiosk in the main lobby on Sunday mornings if you would be able to supply and drop off a meal during the week of August 29-September 4.