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.

The 2023 PUMC Annual Fish Fry is July 28 and 29!
There will be sign-ups for fish fry volunteers in the main lobby at PUMC on Sunday mornings, July 2, 9, 16, and 23. Please stop at the tables to learn more and find a place to serve!

PUMC’s Annual Community Fish Fry is one of the most significant outreach events of the year. We welcome thousands of neighbors and friends and serve tons of food. The profits from the fish fry support missions near and far. Scout troops, youth groups, the Missions Committee, and others benefit from volunteering for this event. We are proud of the volunteers each year who participate by baking desserts, frying fish, serving the main line, and so much more.

From humble beginnings of welcoming home troops from WWII, the entire Plainfield community has embraced this annual event. Please plan on enjoying the excellent food and hospitality with us at this year’s fish fry.

Fish Fry Merch Available

You can get your official PUMC Fish Fry Merch at http://www.pumc.org/fish-fry-merch. There are many different styles and colors of shirts and other fun stuff. All profits go to help support missions near and far.

Henderson Settlement, located in the Appalachian mountains in Kentucky, is a Methodist-sponsored organization that provides services in the Kentucky-Tennessee area to one of the poorest regions in the United States. Some services include home repair/construction, emergency family aid, mother-infant care, sewing classes, senior citizen’s programs, student tutoring, a food pantry, a thrift shop for clothing and home, and youth programs.

Mission teams from Plainfield United Methodist Church have been going to Henderson Settlement for many years, providing assistance where needed. A team is being formed to work the week of May 14 – 19, and you are invited to join the group for the entire week or for a portion of the week as your schedule allows. Work areas include, but are not limited to. Greenhouse activities, Thrift Store assistance, office assistance, home repair, painting, and quilting/sewing. In the evenings, you are free to play Euchre and Pickleball, visit with other volunteers, watch your favorite TV programs, listen to local bluegrass/country entertainers, or visit the ice cream shop located next to the Settlement. Meals and camaraderie, laughs, new friendships, and sharing God’s love are provided!

If you are interested in joining or want more information, contact Don Sanders at 317.340.5188 or dsandjs@att.net.

You can also find additional information at http://www.hendersonsettlement.com.

T4T is ready to finish up! The kitchen refresh, additional seating for the main lobby, and wayfinding (signage) are waiting for funding! As of April 28, ​$110,000 ​of cash and pledges have been received! Thank you to all who have generously contributed. We are about halfway to our goal of $225,000 and can’t start until we are fully funded. Cash and checks are accepted at any time, electronically or in the offering plate. If a one or two-year pledge works best for your family, please get in touch with Rebecca Blackwelder in the church office. Let’s reach our goal before Race Day!

Join us on the last Saturday of the month for a free lunch. Pass the word and bring a friend. Everyone is welcome! Door 14 will be open, and we will serve from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Join us in serving our neighbors, the families staying with Family Promise, while they work to get on their feet! PUMC will provide evening meals for Family Promise from April 30 to May 6.

The families are now in the new shelter – Almost Home – at 7233 E. County Road 300 S., Plainfield. They aim for a 6:00 p.m. supper time; meals can be dropped off at or before 6:00 p.m. They have a kitchen fully stocked with plates, cookware, utensils, etc. You are welcome and encouraged to stay and have supper with the families. There will also be a Family Promise overnight staff person, thereby 6:00 p.m. (usually earlier).

We will receive the family information the week before we host to know how many meals are needed. (At the moment, there are a total of 9 adults and 11 children.) Meals are served family style.

Contact Mary Raver at mraver@pumc.org with any questions or to sign up for a meal!

Given in loving memory of:

• My husband Bruce Alm, by Denise Alm
• Loved ones, by Barbara Baker
• Keith Barding and loved ones, by Betty Barding
• Fred Clem, by Carol Clem
• Our parents, Melvin & Gaynell Brown and Eugene & Jeannette Tague, by Phil & Judy Heffelman
• Our parents, Tom & Thelma Castleman, and Byron & Ellen Hylton, by John, Sue, and Mollie Hylton
• Ken & Carolyn Jolly, by Tamara and Sarah Miller and Terry Jones
• Our mothers, Carol Edmondson and Valerie Clark, by Daniel & Debi Kinnamon
• Husband John Martin, by Jane Martin
• Our fathers, Jack Miller and Robert Coffer, by Brent & Jenny Miller
• Our parents, by Jim & Martha Roath
• Our grandson Brayden Smith, by Larry & Anne Rudy
• Our parents, by Don & Janice Schauwecker
• Son Philip Sullenger and loved ones, by Vern & Lou Sullenger
• Gene & Phyllis Headley, and Ralph, Wilma, and Patti Thrasher, by Brent, Sara, and Kari Thrasher
• My mother, Irene Mayes, and my father, John Greene, by Barbara Tyree
• Ed Vermillion, by Eleanor Vermillion
• Robert R., Charlotte M., and Robert C. Watts, by Judy Watts
• Dick, Terri, Tyler, and Ed, by Dotty Wilson

Given in celebration of:

• My children and grandchildren, by Barbara Baker
• Lynn Blosser and all she does for God and PUMC, by Jane Iles and Rebecca Blackwelder
• Our grandchildren, Gwendolyn, Zayne, and Lily, by Lance & Nancy Burris
• Helen Wallen, by Nancy & John Doty
• Our family, by Bud & Anita Green
• Our family, by Teri Groeschen
• My 4 children, their spouses, and my 10 grandchildren, by Treva Marcum-Rubsam
• Our children and grandchildren, by Larry & Anne Rudy
• Our parents, by Don & Janice Schauwecker

Storm response efforts began early this past weekend after tornados and strong thunderstorms swept across Indiana, leaving behind loss and devastation. Our prayers surround our fellow Hoosiers, including those who reside and serve in six of our districts: West, Southeast, Central, Northwest, North Central, and Northeast. Thankfully, we have not received reports of any churches being damaged. Our care and response remain focused on individuals, families, and surrounding communities.

Authorities and first responders are still assessing the damage. We are forming a plan along with federal and state agencies and other non-profits to evaluate and prepare for the long-term recovery process that will be required. We are grateful that United Methodists have begun responding as individuals through their local churches, districts, and the Conference. We know other organizations have also been providing response efforts, sometimes making us want to respond more urgently. UMCOR and United Methodists are known as being the last to leave when people are in need. We will have many opportunities to respond and serve in the days, months, and years to come.

• Here is a list of the immediate needs as of today:
• Continue to pray for all those affected, directly and indirectly, as well as the first responders and those working to restore power.
• Financial contributions can be mailed to the Conference lockbox (INUMC Dept 6089, Carol Stream, IL 60122) or given electronically. Please mark them with “Indiana Disaster Response.”
• Please do not send physical donations or show up spontaneously and uninvited. These actions can overwhelm and create chaos in affected areas. We will let you know when physical donations are needed.
• Indiana disaster early response teams (ERT) have begun to clean up debris and tarp roofs in certain areas. As teams form, please follow the ratio of one ERT paired with one non-ERT. If you want to join an ERT team in one of our many affected areas, please get in touch with Rev. John Young at john.young@inumc.org.
• If you have damage and need us to respond in your area, please contact Ron Heustis at rlheustis@gmail.com.
• If you have questions about the various affected areas or any information shared, don’t hesitate to contact Rev. Jen Huff at jennifer.huff@inumc.org.
• Our Conference must have trained ERTs. The next ERT training will be on April 29, 2023, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Hamline Chapel UMC, 102 W. High Street, Lawrenceburg, IN. Lunch and all materials will be provided. For more information and to register, contact Rev. John Young at John.Young@inumc.org. 

Due to the evolving nature of this situation, please be sure to follow Conference guidance for ways to give and serve. We will share opportunities as we learn more.

Financial gifts can be given either by check or through SecureGive. Please mark your gift for relief assistance “Indiana Disaster Response.” Thank you!

For more information on how you can help, vist pumc.org/2023springstorms.