Announcements
The flowers on the altar are in celebration of the confirmation
class of 2024. May this special day be filled with joy, blessings, and the strength to embrace your faith journey ahead.
Pastor Gene & Deacon Deb
Graduating Students
Do you have a graduate? We want to know! If you/your child/your grandchild will be graduating from high school, college, technical school, or graduate school this spring, please email the details to the office (name of the graduate, what school they are graduating from, area of study (if known), degree received, future plans – work or where they will be attending college/graduate school, and parent’s names). The deadline is Thursday, May 23rd. We will acknowledge SUM’s high school graduates at the 10:30 service on June 2. All graduates will be recognized in an upcoming Messenger.
Radicle Methodism: Back to Our Roots Class
We will be offering a new ASG class “Radicle Methodism: Back to our Roots” on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 PM in the Annex (Discussion with Deacon Deb). This is a 4-week Session (May 22, 29, June 5 & 12) where we will discuss the beginnings of Methodism, the people, and the movements that crossed oceans and centuries. For more information and to register, go to our website.
Car Show and SUM Stained Glass Windows & Carillon Tours
On Thursday, May 23rd from 12 - 3 PM there will be a car show at the Simsbury Historical Society grounds, where Austin Healey cars will be displayed. Vote on your favorite car! SUM will also be offering Stained Glass Windows and Carillon Tours in the sanctuary to coincide with the car show. Hear the love story behind this beautiful building, see the Tiffany-stained glass windows, and climb the bell tower to see the magnificent carillon.
Memorial Day at SUM
Please join us on Memorial Day for a Carillon Concert by Dan Kehoe before the parade from 12:30-1:30 PM. We will also have hot dogs and drinks for sale beginning at 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM or until we run out! Proceeds will benefit SUM Youth Programs. Bring your lawn chairs!
No Sunday School Memorial Day Weekend
We will not have Sunday School on Memorial Day weekend, May 26th. We will still have the nursery available during the 10:30 service.
HOLD THE DATE! Food, Fellowship, and SUM Friends
Join us for an outdoor End of Year Celebration on Saturday, June 1st from 3:00 - 6:00ish (Cancelled if Rain) - Hosts: Cassandra and Vicente Garcia - Location: 10 Crescent Way, Simsbury, CT. Watch for Sign-ups for Covered dishes, grill goodies, desserts, and beverages. For further information, call Cassandra at 860-680-6807 or email Cassandra.
Little Lambs & Ivy Hosts its 13th Annual Art Show!
All SUM members are invited to attend and join in the fun on Tuesday, June 4th from 5:30 – 7 PM for the LLI Art Show. The halls of LLI along with Wesley Hall will be filled with excited LLI children and their beautiful artwork. Since the majority of children who attend are very young, it is just delightful to see what a foot, hand, or palm print can be turned into. This is truly an event not to be missed!
SUM Grounds Help Needed
Please sign up in Wesley Hall to volunteer to help us keep the grounds looking good this summer. You can help with one of the two Pollinator gardens or you can adopt a smaller garden where you can work on your own time. We are not asking for perfection – just keep the weeds down. Call 860-539-7970 or email Debbie Dunn if you prefer. If everyone does a little bit, we can make our grounds look beautiful.
Caregivers Retreat
Saturday, June 1st, from 9 AM - 4 PM - Are you in an active season of caring for a family member or other individual? Lee McGivney is facilitating a full-day retreat based on Henri Nouwen’s curriculum, Courage for Caregivers. It is a valuable opportunity to share your stories within a small group setting, fostering a sense of understanding and community. The retreat also includes a workbook for your notes and thoughts during the day. This is an important opportunity for caregivers. Click here for more information and to register.
“Musings” Discussion
Rev. Dennis Winkleblack will host a discussion of his “Musings” on Tuesday mornings June 11 - July 2 from 10:30 to Noon in the Annex. In retirement, Dennis has written nearly one hundred personal reflections on God, faith, and life, most less than a page in length. In this four-week session, Dennis will lead a discussion of several musings, as interest dictates. For June 11, the subject will be faith. Readings will be sent by email for downloading. For more info. and to register, go to our website.
Yevshan Ukrainian Vocal Ensemble of CT Concert
On Sunday, June 9th, at 3:00 p.m., St. Mary's will host a benefit concert featuring the renowned Yevshan Ukrainian Vocal Ensemble of Connecticut. This performance promises to celebrate culture, community, and the universal language of music. Proceeds from this concert will be designated for the Medical Clinic at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, Ukraine, where veterans and civilians wounded as a result of Russian missile and drone attacks will be undergoing treatment. Admission to the concert is free, but free-will donations will be gratefully accepted.
Register NOW for Vacation Bible School!
Don't miss this opportunity for our first all-day Vacation Bible School. VBS will be held Monday - Friday, June 17-21 from 9 am - 4 pm. Location: First Church of Christ. Children must be at least four years old - 5th grade. $250 per child if received by June 1st. You can register here.
Praying for the Entire SUM Family
Each week, we will publish five SUM directory entries to the Messenger so that you can add these people to your prayers. By the end of the year, we will have prayed for the entire SUM family. This week, please pray for the following: the Marco/White family (Sarah, Drew, Avery, and Joseph), the Marks/Giuggio family (Nicole, Maxx, and Joey), the Marsele family (Rebecca, Peter, Madison, Graeme, and Gabriel), the Martins/Lund family (Joyce, Geoff, Sierra, Cameron, and Liam) and the Masters family (David, Julie, Jackson, and Ellie).
The Prayer Chain is Ready for Your Requests
The SUM reinvigorated Prayer Chain is ready for your requests. We have a dedicated team of Prayer Warriors who will receive them. To submit a prayer request, email our Prayer Warriors. Please let our Prayer Chain team know if the prayers are no longer needed by sending an update to the same email address.