Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
Social & Interest Groups
Mens Fellowship Breakfast
Come join a small group of men each Friday morning at 7:00 at Sammi's restaurant at the corner of Dover Center Road and Brookpark Ext. in North Olmsted. We share breakfast, stories, concerns, and prayer. A great chance to interact with other men of faith! If you.re interested, come along and meet us. For more information, contact Andy Call.
Mom's Group
WUMC Mom's is a group for mothers with infants thru school age children who want to get to know each other better and enjoy a mix of Christian fellowship, learning, service and support activities. Child Care is always available at $2 per child. We meet monthly, September through May. Check out the current copy of the monthly Messenger for the groups current activities. Or contact Ellie Peiffer.
One of the ministries the Mom's group supports is New Family Meals. If you've had a new addition to your family, please let This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. know. If you are interested in being on the list of cooks, we.d love to know that too.
Quilters
This group of women assists the mission work of the United Methodist Women (UMW) group through making quilts and is designed to be a source of fellowship for all those who enjoy quilting. We meet on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Come as you are able!
Purl Girls
This group is dedicated to the fine art of knitting (or crochet!). You are invited to bring your project on Wednesdays from 12:00 until 1:30 PM. We also have mission project ideas such as knitting scarves for Head Start children and hats for the Moll Center chemotherapy patients. Interested in knitting and need help getting started? We.d love to help you learn, just bring needles and some yarn and join our group. Contact is Mariam Keirstead.
Softball Team
Our Softball team plays every Sunday from June 1st to the end of August for fellowship and Christian fun! We play other churches in the community. The team is open to people of all ages in somewhat good health who enjoy baseball/softball. For more info contact: Andy Call at (440) 871-3088 ext. 15 or E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
TNT - Totally New Thing
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. Contact is Lisa Foster.
Support Groups
Cancer Support
A new cancer support group will be starting if there is a need in the congregation. The group would meet on the 1st and 3rd Monday evenings here at WUMC. If you or anyone you know would benefit from this group please contact the office.
PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise)
According to the American Arthritis Foundation, .Exercise is considered to be the most effective non-drug treatment for reducing pain, increasing range of motion, and improving movement for those with arthritis.. Our free classes are led by Val Durica, LPT, as a gift from the Oakridge Home. Classes are held each Wednesday from 1:30 P.M. until 2:30 P.M. Registration forms, which need to be signed by your physician, are in the Welcome Center. Please contact the office with questions.
Service Groups
Choirs
There are many opportunities to use your musical gifts in service & Worship to God. Click below to go to the Worship page for more detail on getting involved in WUMC's musical groups:
Hospitality Team
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares - Hebrews 13:2
A high priority of Westlake United Methodist Church is to extend hospitality to all who pass through our doors. We look forward to meeting you and hearing your story. Please stop by the coffee hour time which immediately follows the Sunday worship services.
A special "Thank you" to those who volunteer with greeting, coffee hour, and to the graciousness of those who sponsor the refreshments at coffee hour.
Anyone interested in becoming a part of the Hospitality team may contact Ellie Peiffer, Donna Lovins, or Patti Stineman.
United Methodist Men
Our UMM group seeks to create a supportive fellowship of men who want to know and follow the example of Christ by learning and working together. The UMM raise money for mission projects such as West Side Community House and Meals for Millions. UMM meet on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 8:00 a.m. for breakfast at the church. All men are welcome. Group contact is Rod Erskine.
United Methodist Women
UMW is a mission oriented group that provides support for the mission programs of WUMC and the United Methodist Church. UMW help in the spiritual growth of our members and to provide opportunities for Christian fellowship. All women are welcome to join us. We meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month (except July and August) at 11:00 a.m. Lunch and program follow. Please bring a sandwich with you; dessert and beverages will be provided. Group contact is Betty Levis.
Mission Outreach Circle
This circle focuses on doing hands on projects such as school bags for Head Start kids and pillows for breast cancer patients. If you enjoy working with your hands to create items to encourage and support those in need , please join us for fellowship and lunch on the 4th Thursday of each month (except July and August) at 10:30 a.m. Contact is Mariam Keirstead.
Learning & Growth Groups
Disciple
Disciple Bible Study is a 34 week intensive study designed to provide an overview of the entire Bible, looking at scripture as one continuous narrative of humankind's relationship with God. The 12 members of the class form a close bond with one another as they study, learn, and share together. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inquiry about joining a Disciple Bible Study.
Faithlinks
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 on Sunday Morning at 9:15 am in the room 104.
Moms Book Group
Moms Book Group meets to discuss the book we're reading and to support each other on our parenting journey to inspire the faith of our families. We meet Fall thru Spring on Sundays at 9:15am in room 107. All moms are welcome!
Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Short term study opportunities are available on Wednesday Mornings. Check out the calendar of activities for the current study and times.
Wesley Bible Study
Wesley Book Study is using Beyond Belief:the Secret Gospel of Thomas by Elaine Pagels which examines the earliest Christian texts. This book promises to stir and provoke thought and encourage participants to a deeper faith. This group meets on Sunday Mornings at 9:15am in room 107.
Find more connections for children on the Age Level Ministries page of our website.
Connecting Through Membership
Are you interested in what's involved with becoming a member of Westlake United Methodist Church? Look for bimonthly sessions with Rev. John Butchko and Ellie Peiffer where the membership process is explained. All new members will be asked to participate in the Spiritual Gifts Discovery Process and will be given a sponsor family to help introduce them to the life of the church.Caring Ministries
Prayer Ministry
Join the prayer chain.become a link with the healing power of prayer! When we have a relationship with God, He is there for us to go to at anytime of the day or night. In Philippians 4:6-7 Paul wrote, .Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests by made know to God.. When we go to God in prayer we can release those heavy burdens to His care, so that we can begin to heal. Just the act of handing concerns over to God promotes healing as our bodies function better when they are not bombarded with stress! Now, imagine the comfort of knowing that others are in prayer for you also!
Please consider joining the WUMC prayer chain. Not only will you be helping to ease the burden of those in need, but you will also strengthen your relationship with God through your prayerful conversation with Him.
For prayer requests, please contact the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be listed on the prayer chain.
Please pick up your Prayer Insert on Sunday morning, or from the church office during the week and keep these folks in your daily thoughts and prayers.
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry is a system of caring ministry we have at Westlake United Methodist Church. In it, Stephen Ministers, specially trained congregation members, provide one-to-one Christian care to people who are experiencing a life challenge or crisis.
WUMC has had Stephen Ministry since 1995. In that time we have trained over 40 of our members as Stephen Ministers. 15 of these Stephen Ministers are currently active. Since we began Stephen Ministry 10 years ago, we estimate that our Stephen Ministers have provided approximately 7,500 hours of one-to-one caring ministry.
As a Stephen Ministry congregation, we're part of something big. There are over 7,000 Stephen Ministry congregations from over 90 denominations worldwide. Over a quarter-million lay people have been trained as Stephen Ministers.
Stephen Ministers receive 50 hours of training in Christian care giving skills. This training involves general topics like listening skills, feelings, assertiveness, and boundaries, and specialized topics like using prayer and other Christian resources or how to minister to someone experiencing grief, divorce, a terminal illness, and more.
We have Stephen Ministry at WUMC to expand pastoral care through this lay ministry, put to use the spiritual gifts of our congregation and reach out with Christ's love to those in need and to fulfill the mission of our church "To serve God and the community in all that we do".
For more information, check out www.stephenministries.org or contact Gretty Myers.
Samaritan Shuttle & Suppers
The Compassion Connection Council sponsors a ministry that coordinates meals and rides for folks as needed. Please let any of the staff know if you will be laid up after a hospitalization, new baby, or illness and would like to receive a delicious home made meal. You know that there are some pretty wonderful & generous cooks out there just waiting to be your neighbor. Please let them use their spiritual gift of Helps. If you'd like to volunteer to cook or to drive someone to church, please contact the church office.