Announcements
The flowers on the altar are given by Greg & Cathy Marco in celebration of the baptism of their granddaughter, Emma Carys White!
Holy Week Schedule
The following is the schedule for Holy Week:
Palm Sunday, March 29 – Regular worship services (8:00, 9:00 & 10:30)
Maundy Thursday, April 2 – 7:00 PM (foot washing & communion)
Good Friday, April 3 – 7:00 PM
Easter Sunday, April 5 – 6:00 AM Sunrise Service (sanctuary & then proceed to the Simsbury Cemetery - communion), 9:00 AM (communion) & 11:00 AM (communion)
CT District Palm Sunday Gathering – March 29, 3:00 PM
Join us tomorrow, Sunday, March 29, at 3:00 PM at Asbury UMC (90 Church Ave., Forestville, CT) for a special worship gathering in support of our immigrant neighbors. Bring palms from Sunday morning worship and/or non-partisan, family-friendly protest signs, such as “We love immigrants,” “Jesus is King,” “Love Boldly,” etc. All are welcome.
Easter Flower Cross
SUM will have the large Easter flower cross out on the front lawn on Saturday, April 4. You are invited to bring cut flowers to decorate the cross for Easter Sunday.
Adult Spiritual Growth Classes
We will be offering new Adult Spiritual Growth classes after Easter. For more information and to sign up, go to our website. Here are the classes being offered:
Monday Discipleship class 4:30 – 6 pm April 13th – May 18th in the Annex - The Heart of the Psalms: God's Word to the World by James Howell
Tuesday morning class 10:30 – noon April 7th – May 12th in the Annex
The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries by Rodney Stark.
Tuesday evening, 7:00 – 8 pm Zoom Chat Room Sermon discussion
Join us for a conversation about Pastor DH’s Sunday sermon.
Wednesday, DDD 5:30 – 6:30 pm, April 15th – May 6th in the Annex
Transformed by Grace – We will delve into stories of transformation and connect them to our everyday experiences.
Women’s Bible Study Thursday 10:30 – noon Ongoing in the Annex
We will be reading and discussing 1st Corinthians.
Scripts & Insights on Faith & Aging – Play Reading Event, May 2nd at 2:00 PM in Wesley Hall
Join us for a special playreading exploring themes on aging written by Dennis Winkleblack, retired United Methodist pastor.
2026 CT District Conference
We will gather for the 2026 CT District Conference on Saturday, April 11, at Cheshire UMC (205 Academy Rd., Cheshire, CT). Gathering and refreshments will begin at 9:30 AM. Worship and Business will start at 10:00 AM. All members of CT District churches are invited. The meeting will include a message from the District Superintendent, music from across the district, Cooperative Parish ministry reports, and a brief discussion of district business. You can register here.
Spring Clean-Up
The snow has vanished, early flowers are blooming - it's time for our annual Spring Clean-Up. Grab your work gloves and join us on Saturday, April 18th, to clean up the church campus. The fun starts at 8:00, and we hope to be done by early afternoon. The alternate rain date is Saturday, April 25th, if required. Please mark your calendar, come join for an hour or two, many hands make light work. Questions, please contact John O'Neal or any of the Trustees.
Vacation Bible School
SUM will be holding Vacation Bible School from Monday, June 22, to Friday, June 26. The hours will be from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Mon-Thurs and 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM on Friday, with a final-day party. VBS is for children from Pre-K to 6th Grade. We are also looking for volunteers (adults, Middle School & High School students). Registration fee is $20.00. You can register online via our website or scan the QR Code from the VBS flyer on the bulletin board or kiosk.
CAYA Gather & Sing Event
Join us on Saturday, April 19, at 12:00 PM for a CAYA Gather & Sing Event right here at SUM in the sanctuary. Several alumni from the CAYA group will be joining us, including Russell Stroud and Dorothy Cowles. Come sit and relax as you sing along with us to many worship songs, featuring a variety of musicians and singers! Questions can be directed to Len Bobinski.
Phishing Attempts - Please Remain Vigilant
It has come to our attention that someone recently sent an email to a parishioner, claiming to be Pastor DH. This was definitely a phishing attempt. Please remain vigilant and always check where the email is coming from. Pastor DH’s email is pastordh@sumct.org. If you receive any text or email that appears suspicious, please do not respond. If you have any questions, contact the office at 860-651-3356.
SUM Meeting Rooms
Reminder: If you will be using any one of our meeting rooms on the SUM campus, please make sure that the room is left clean, the trash is emptied, the lights are off, the windows are closed/locked, and the doors are locked before you leave. Thank you for your cooperation.
Lenten Spiritual Journey: ABIDE
Weeks ago, we sent out an email with an attachment to a Lenten spiritual journey called ABIDE. It began on Ash Wednesday and continues until Easter Sunday. Each day offers a simple rhythm. You open the page, pause for a moment, and take a breath. You read a short Scripture and a few gentle lines of reflection. Rather than rushing toward answers, you are invited to stay with what is true in you today—and to place that truth quietly in God’s care. You are invited to walk this journey, at your own pace, and in your own way. Here is the link.
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: Miriam Sidwell, the Sims family (David, Juli Hall, and Sam), the Sleavin family (Bill, Kathy Kudish, Will, and Ginny), Ernest Smith, and Andrew & Jennifer Snyder.
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.