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Our WUMC Community
Williamsville United Methodist strives to meet the spiritial and social needs of every age group by providing opportunities for fellowship and learning. We nurture active fellowship that encourages growth in a lifelong spiritual journey with Christ. Our community life at WUMC provides opportunities for service, ministry, and fellowship as we discover ways to serve God, our church, and the greater Buffalo community. As part of the larger United Methodist community, we are committed to social justice, ending hunger, eradicating diseases of poverty, and being the healing faith community God calls us to be.
On this page, you will learn about some of the ways individuals and groups at WUMC experience what it means to be part of a church community. Be sure to visit the WUMC Community Thoughts page to read uplifting articles and tidbits shared by those in our church community. Also, take a look at the photos of recent events and/or services at WUMC on the Photos of Our WUMC Community page.
As a church of open hearts, open doors, and open minds, we welcome you to join us in our journey.
 Coming Soon – WUMC on Facebook!
Pete Powers, Communications Lay Leader
“Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying” – Andy Dufresne, The Shawshank Redemption
Interpretation – The world is moving fast and waits for no one. The United Methodist Church is on Facebook, as are United Methodist congregations throughout the country. Why? Because Facebook and other forms of social media are important tools for building ministry and reaching those who might be interested in the programs and activities a congregation has to offer.
By adding Facebook to our other forms of communication (The Methodist Messenger, WUMC website), we will be able to reach targeted and wider audiences, as well as facilitate communication within our membership. To fail to take advantage of social media would leave our congregation behind the times.
Stay tuned for more!
 Winter Book Club Schedule
Ann Killian
Book Club members are looking forward to a new year of reading and discussing interesting book selections. New readers are always welcome – as a regular participant or just “stopping by” when a particular book piques your interest. Watch the Sunday Messenger for time and meeting place.
February - Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom (nonfiction) The author forms a bond with two faith communities: one Jewish and the other an inner-city refuge for the homeless. The two communities share a struggle with survival and questions about faith, forgiveness and heaven.
March - Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley (fiction) The year is 1970 and our introduction to an 11-year-old sleuth is a decaying English mansion, a dead bird on the doorstop, and a corpse in the cucumbers. On the surface, this is a mystery story; underneath, a depiction of class and society.
The library system has many copies of each selected book. For further information about the Book Club, please contact Ann Killian.
 WOW Meeting - February 6
We hope you can join us for the next WOW (Women of Williamsville) meeting on Monday, February 6, in WUMC's parlor. Please note that this meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. since we will share a "Soup and Salad Bar" dinner that evening.
After a light supper, we will discuss Ann Patchett's newest book, State of Wonder. Copies of this book are available at libraries or it can be purchased in paperback or for e-readers. This fiction book is loosely based on research completed in the Amazon jungle by large pharmaceutical companies. The mystery and intrigue woven into this story should provide an interesting discussion!
Even if you don't have time to read this book, we hope you come anyway for an evening of food and fellowship. If you need more information or to find out what Salad Bar item you can bring to the meeting, please contact either Carol Forden or Sondra Scott. (Contact information availabe from WUMC's office at 634-4800).
Other WUMC Community Activities
Our vibrant community at WUMC includes many other activities that meet the spiritual and fellowship needs of members and friends including:
- Annual Summer Church Picnic
- Hanging of the Greens in December
 WUMC Prayer Chain Ministry
The Prayer Chain at WUMC accepts prayer requests for friends, relatives, neighbors, and co-workers. You do not need to be a member of our church to ask for prayers.
As soon as we receive a prayer request from an individual or one of the pastors, we start the prayer request on the two lists of Prayer Chain members. Each member of the Prayer Chain calls the person below them to ensure the Prayer Chain is not broken. We convey the prayer request as succinctly as possible to protect one’s privacy. In fact, all prayer requests are considered confidential and are shared only with the pastors and other members of the Prayer Chain. Once we are notified that the last person on each list has received the prayer request, then we close the Prayer Chain.
While it takes only a few minutes of telephone conversation to pass along a prayer request, this is an important ministry to those in need of spiritual assistance with all of life’s many problems. I do not know of many other church activities that are more rewarding. Feel free to call Bob or Irene Hayman if you have a prayer request or need any additional information.
Beechwood Service Guild
In October 2011, the Beechwood Service Guild begins its 49th year of activities for the residents of the Beechwood Continuing Care. Our goal is to continue the purpose set forth many years ago: Serve the Beechwood residents in all possible ways.
All thanks to God that we are able to serve in various ways. Our gratitude goes to you, our Guild members and friends, who have supported us each year. Annual dues to the Guild are only $3.00. Special envelopes are placed in the church bulletin today. You make a meaningful difference when you renew your support. Each year the Guild hosts a Christmas Tea in December that includes a mini bazaar. Proceeds go to the Activities Department to provide funds to purchase needed items for the residents. Proceeds from the June Tea go to the Living Care Fund that helps support the residents who have used up their personal resources.
Meetings for special programs are held the first Wednesday of October, November, January, and May at 10:30 AM. Coffee and snacks are served. We welcome you to our meetings and encourage you to BE A FRIEND. May God bless you abundantly. Questions may be directed to Edna Cabaltica.
Forty Fellowship
On May 23, 1982, part of the worship service at Williamsville United Methodist was to recognize and pay tribute to those who had been members of our church for 40 years or more. On that day, 16 Charter Members of the “Forty Fellowship” were honored. During the worship service they were presented with a United Methodist pin and a Charter Member Certificate to the Forty Fellowship. A reception was held after the service and pictures were taken. Forming a Forty Fellowship was a small way to say, “We love you and appreciate your faithfulness."
The hope of the membership committee in 1982 (Mary Jane Haight-Eckert, Clifford Eckert, Gretchen Hall, Mary El Minich, Robert Oehmler, Frank Swansfefer, Irene Williams, and Lyn Wixom) was to make the Forty Fellowship a regular part of Heritage Sunday each year.
Almost 30 years later, WUMC continues this wonderful tradition of honoring these special members of our congregation. Congratulations to our new Forty Fellowship members and all who have been honored for this milestone over the years!!
 United Methodist Women
United Methodist Women (UMW) is an organization of approximately one million members worldwide whose purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders and advocate for justice. Members raise nearly $25 million each year for programs and projects related to women, children and youth in the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world. Visit the UMW website at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umw/ to learn more about the programs and projects they support.
UMW Rachel Circle at WUMC
At WUMC, the Rachel Circle is an active UMW circle that meets on a monthly basis. In addition to providing fellowship and support, this circle works on several projects each year. For example, through their fundraising projects, these circles are able to donate approximately $1,000 each year to the Niagara Frontier District UMW.
In addition, the Rachel Circle is responsible for one of the cottages at Gateway-Longview. When a resident of their cottage has a birthday, the Rachel Circle makes a birthday cake and then delivers it. They usually provide about 10 cakes each year.
The women who participate in this circle enjoy special times of fellowship as they support worthy projects and plan fundraisers that contribute to the worldwide efforts of the UMW organization.
 Women of Williamsville's WOW Group
The WOW (Women of Williamsville) group meets in the parlor at WUMC on the first Monday evening of the month, September through May, at 7:00 p.m. Our purpose is to strengthen our sense of community through friendship as we learn and grow together. The monthly programs vary, but always focus on deepening our faith through learning, renewal, and reaching out to others. Recently we assembled Flood Buckets for UMCOR, had a Christmas Cookie Exchange that included donating nearly 20 dozen cookies to the Seneca Street UMC Neighborhood Christmas Party, and providing holiday meal bags for needy families. Any change in our meeting time or location will be announced in advance of the meeting. For more information, contact Carol Forden.
 That Thursday Thing! - Daytime Women's Study and Fellowship
What Thursday thing? "THAT" Thursday thing! This is a gathering of women during the day on the second Thursday of the month at 10:00 a.m. at the home of Denise Reichard. We explore a variety of topics including some elementary Bible study and basic book studies - depending on what the group decides to study. Women of all ages are welcome to join us for study, fellowship, and of course - snacks! Just contact the church office at 634-4800 to get Denise's phone number so you can let her know you are coming. Then bring your Bible and join us - and bring a friend if you want!
WUMC's Church Library
Our church library is filled with study guides, Bible commentaries, Christian reading materials, and recordings of sermons. In addition to providing resources for faith formation, WUMC's library has a "Family Section" that provides materials that address the needs of families. In this section you will find books such as Sacred Stories of Ordinary Families: Living the Faith in Daily Life by Diana R. Garland. This book includes interviews with 110 families who were each asked, “What exactly is it that characterizes faith and spirituality in family life?” Take time to read one or two stories “from ordinary families whose lives together both reveal and rely on extraordinary faith!” New books are always being added to the library. So, feel free to peruse the books and check out one or two for your personal use.
A Quiet Place with God
When you need a respite from the fast pace of your busy life, the Prayer Corner in our church library is a place to spend some quiet time with God. Read and meditate on a passage of Scripture. Turn your worries and concerns over to God in prayer. Or simply be in silence and allow God's life-giving love to wash over you and renew your strength for the continuing journey. The Prayer Corner is available whenever the church is open during the day or evenings. Rest in God's promise, "Lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the age."
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Community News
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| That Thursday Thing - February 9The next meeting of That Thursday Thing is slated for Thursday, February 9. Our Biblical women of interest will be Leah and Rachel - two sisters whose intertwining lives make the book of Genesis interesting and challenging! Our studies are often interactive, easy to understand, and the company of women is always enjoyable and fun! Please RSVP by phone or email to Denise Reichard if you are planning to attend (contact information available from the church office at 634-4800). New participants are always welcome, so come and check it out. |
| Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper - February 21 Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday was the last chance to eat foods such as butter and that weren't allowed during Lent - which is why pancakes were eaten on this day! The word “shrove” means to obtain absolution for one’s sins by way of confession and penance.
Everyone is invited to join in our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and festivities at WUMC on Tuesday, February 21, at 5:30 p.m. If you are interested in helping out with the preparations, please call the church office at 634-4800. |
| WANTED: Help with Publicity The Communications Ministry Team is looking for an energetic, motivated individual to head-up Public Relations for our church. In this role, you would be the liaison between the church and local media for both paid and free advertising. So, if you would enjoy creating and submitting ads for events a few times a year, please consider joining our team. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Pete Powers. |
| WUMC Office Volunteers Needed We are in need of a few volunteers to help out in the church office. If you have 2 or 3 hours in the morning or afternoon when you could help answer the phones, make copies, address envelopes, etc., please call Denise in the church office (634-4800). |
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