Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
Children
SUNDAY MORNING 10:00 a.m.
NEW BEGINNINGS is for children age 2 and 3 years old (those not potty trained). New Beginnings provides a hands on learning through story, song, art and interaction. They meet in Room 200.
JAM (Jesus and Me) is for children ages 3, 4, and 5/Kindergarten. JAM provides hands on learning through story, song, art, and interaction. The 3 and 4 year olds meet in room 207. The 5/Kindergarten class meets in room 102.
BLAST (Bible Learning Adventure STations) is for children in grades 1 - 6. Using the Workshop Rotation Model, children experience the Bible stories through art, cooking, puppets/drama, science, videos, and games. This group begins in Worship and departs to Fellowship Hall following the Children's Message.
SUNDAY MORNING 11:21 a.m.
KIDZ WORSHIP 2 is for children ages 4 years through Grade 2. They will meet in Room 106.
During the summer, children grade 1 and older attend worship with their families . special time for kids is included in summer worship.
Meet Rev. Linda Coatoam our Christian Education Associate
Youth
Faith Challenge includes grades 7 and 8. Grade 7 (meets on the stage) and grade 8 (room 105) are in Confirmation Preparation. Utilizing classroom time, retreats, service, and mission, they explore how to live as Christians, develop friendships, and identify their own gifts and talents.
Senior High Sunday School includes grades 9 - 12, and meets in room 205. This year we are focusing on spiritual formation, discipleship, Christian community and faith knowledge that will challenge, engage and grow them in their faith journey.
Club 516
Club 516 is a new ministry beginning Monday, January 20, 2012 for students in grades 5 and 6. Club 516 meets monthly. We'll start with a meal at 5:16pm and end at 7:15pm. Following dinner we'll engage in fun activities to explore topics that matter to 5th and 6th graders. Friends are always welcome and need to complete the Event Permission Form (below) each time they attend Club 516.
Students are asked to register their attendance at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phoning 440-871-3088 Ext. 13. A $2 donation to cover dinner is requested as you are able.
Parents rotate serving as the second adult and helper at these gatherings.
Child Care
Sunday Morning 8:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Child Care for children ages 6 weeks through 2 years. Four paid staff persons along with members of our congregation provide loving, nurturing, and cheerful care to your child. Pagers are available for parents. This group meets in rooms 201 and 202.
Meet our ChildCare staffYouth Group
Our Purpose:
The purpose of our youth group is to provide a safe harbor for all; to help us grow in our faith through fun and fellowship; and to encourage us to have a closer walk with God through our mission and compassion to others.
We have a variety of youth activities every month. Check our monthly newsletter, Youth News, for current information and dates. Information can also be found in WUMC Fellowship Hall at our .Youth Booth.. Friends are always welcome at our activities! We have an annual fall retreat, winter lock-in, Youth Sunday service, and many other activities.
Our Youth Group is led by a team of youth, grades 7-12, who serve in leadership roles, the Youth Associate, and adult advisors. We meet monthly to plan activities and discuss program development. This Youth Team helps determine the vision and direction of the Youth Program. Anyone interested is welcome to attend our meetings. The Team also goes on an annual off-site training retreat. Officers must have served on Youth Team for one year prior to their election / nomination.
Youth Mission Projects
Our Youth Group's outreach projects include an annual summer mission trip, serving monthly at St. Patrick's Hunger Center, support of a child in Honduras through World Vision, and sending care packages to recent high school graduates.
2009 Mission Trip
From June 21-29, 17 youth and six adults went to Welch, West Virginia. We worked on three worksites in the rural homes in the West Virginia mountains, where we repaired a roof, raised a floor, cleaned up from flooding, painted and made other needed repairs where the decline in the coal industry has left many people needing help to meet their basic needs.
The youth, and adults, experienced that it is not only the physical work that we did, but meeting the people, listening to their stories and forming the relationships are what can make a difference and also, make memories of a lifetime.
Read more: Youth Mission ProjectsYoung Adults
Young Adults Sunday Morning Class
Look for the Young Adult Class beginning September 11th
TNT - Twenties 'N Thirties
TNT is a fellowship group for people in their 20's, 30's and 40's encompassing singles, couples, those with kids or not! The group strives to build friendship and support among the young adults in the church community. The large group gathers bimonthly with small group cluster meetings on the alternating months. Besides potluck parties at someone's home, dinner out, theater events, book studies and mission opportunities are also offered throughout the year. Childcare is often provided.
Adults & Families
Adult Sunday Morning Opportunities 9:15am
Most adult classes do not meet during the summer months.
20's and 30's Adult Class topics change every several weeks. This group meets in room 100
Wesley Bible Study is focused on the book of Romas. This group meets in room 107.
Faithlinks examines contemporary issues from a spiritual perspective. The discussion material is right out of today's news engaging us with the world and challenging us with to live by faith. This group meets in the Pastor's office.
Families of Faith is a group for families of all ages, sizes and configurations. The focus is on how faith develops through the family unit.
Women's Group uses a variety of A-V and books to discuss women's fath experiences, relationships challenges and the ways in which God is active in the livesof women today. This group meets in room 100.
Family Potlucks
Sharing food and games is a way for the church family to get to know one another. These potlucks are offered throughout the year, sponsored by the Hospitality team.
Labyrinth
The Labyrinth is an archetype, a divine imprint, found in all religious traditions in various forms around the world. By walking a replica of the Chartres labyrinth, laid in the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France around 1220, we are rediscovering a long-forgotten mystical tradition that is insisting to be reborn. Our labyrinth is placed in Fellowship Hall and is set up monthly. Rev. Linda Coatoam is on site for questions and assistance. We also provide hand held labyrinth for those who are visually or physically impaired.
Spiritual Gifts Discovery Process
Spiritual Gifts are the special, God-given skills and abilities inspired by the Holy Spirit in all Christians. These abilities become Spiritual Gifts when activated thru service to God's people or in use to glorify God. Westlake UMC actively supports the discovery of Spiritual Gifts within the congregation so that the church can better meet your spiritual needs and support you on your faith journey.
The WUMC Spiritual Gifts Discovery Process Purpose Statement:
To develop each member's knowledge of their spiritual gifts; thereby deepening their understanding of self and their relationship with God, and maturing in the use of their gifts to serve God and the community.
The Spiritual Gift Discovery Process is divided into 4 sections. The first 3 are Spiritual Gifts, Work Style Preferences, and Spiritual Passion. The last section is a Consultation in which opportunities for fellowship, study and service that match the individual's spiritual profile are discussed. The Spiritual Gift Discovery Process is part of our membership Inquiry process and is open to members and visitors alike. Please contact Ellie Peiffer to enroll in the next class offering.
Seniors
Westlake United Methodist Church is proud of our active, young at heart seniors. You will find older adults involved in all aspects of the life of the church. We strive to offer intergenerational experiences so you will find Seniors rocking babies in the nursery, shepherding elementary kids in their BLAST Sunday school class as well as on the WUMC softball team. While not senior exclusive, here are a few of the groups which are lead by our older adults:
Devotions
Worship does not only take place on Sundays. Use a daily devotional to support your personal worship and prayer. The links listed below may provide resources you find helpful for doing this.
www.upperroom.org
A United Methodist sponsored online devotional guide including daily devotions, articles on a variety of Christian topics, a resource for other faith-based programs, and an on-line prayer chain
www.upperroom.org/alivenow
This daily devotional tends to be more contemporary and simplistic, and is an excellent resource for both teens and adults
www.d365.org/todaysdevotion
d365.org is a ministry of Passport, Inc, and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Devotional messages are in a few short statements and scripture verses, with a gentle musical background.
devotionals.crosswalk.com
Daily devotions provided for different people in different lifestyles, as well as resources for online Bible search, Biblical research tools, cards, newsletters, and online shopping for faith resources
(The above links are provided as a courtesy to site visitors. This listing does not constitute an endorsement by Westlake United Methodist Church, nor does it receive any remuneration for listing them here.)