Family Ministries  

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The Family Ministries team at Williamsville United Methodist strives to meet the spiritial and social needs of every age group by encouraging opportunities for fellowship and learning. We nurture active fellowship that encourages people of all ages to grow in a lifelong spiritual journey with Christ.

We believe in providing fellowship opportunities that build loving, supportive friendships as we discover ways to serve the Lord together. The purpose of Family Ministries is to:

• Empower and provide resources for families so they can build faith traditions and rituals.

• Help families set priorities - with Christ at the center of the home - to include prayer and devotional time.

• Encourage families in practices that allow them to walk with Christ in daily life and grow in faith.

• Recognize all family types including single persons, married couples, single parents, married with children, blended families, widows and widowers, divorced, and separated by military service.

At WUMC we are devoted to helping you get more out of life by deepening your relationships and strengthening your spirit. To this end, the Family Ministries team strives to provide opportunities for fellowship among every age group through activities such as our active Elderteen group, the annual Women's Retreat, and the lively discussions at the monthly Book Group.

 

Look over the Family Life Ministries that are briefly described below, and then visit the WUMC Community page of this site to learn more about other groups and events for adults of every age. You can also see photos of some of our recent events and activities on the Photos of Our WUMC Community page of this Web site.  And then join us as we grow together in faith and friendship.

  

 

Simple Lenten Activities for All Ages
Kim Weingartner

Take time this Lenten season to reflect in a spirit of repentance with a willingness to change more into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Lent is a time of new growth and new life. It is also a time to remember God's love that surrounds us and binds us together. Make it a priority to connect with God and others.

•  Pray the Lord's Prayer every day during Lent.
•  Make a place mat out of purple paper. Draw or add Lent and Easter symbols to it for use during meals.

Ash Wednesday - Read John 3:16

• Show God's love by doing something nice for someone

1st Sunday - Read John 8:12

• Find a window where the sun is shining in. Put an article of clothing in the sunshine for 30 minutes or more then put it on. How does the warmth of the clothing remind you of God's love?

2nd Sunday - Read 1 John 4:7-8

• Visit a friend who is sick or someone in a nursing home.

3rd Sunday - Read Matthew 21:22

• Make a list of all that you are thankful for and pray a prayer of thanks.

4th Sunday - Read Ezekiel 36:26

• Enjoy a special meal like Jesus enjoyed a meal with his friends.

5th Sunday in Lent - Read 2 Timothy and Establish a Family Night In
Family Night In is the practice of a family staying home together one night a week for a time for devotions, conversation, fun, and games.

• Determine a day of the week that works most weeks for the family.

• Establish a schedule for what you want to happen during your family night in. A common format is dinner together, followed by games, movies, or activities together, ending with devotions and prayer.

• Family Meal Ideas
  o Rotate responsibilities of different family members for preparing the meal.
  o Have once-a-month meals where a family member gets to choose his
     or her favorite food for the meal.
  o Once a month have a "theme" meal.

• Family Fun Ideas
  o View movies together
  o Look through old photo albums and remember family stories
  o Take time to write family members who are not living at home
  o Play board games
  o Talk to family members about current events

• Family Devotions Ideas
  o Include a prayer circle with everyone taking turns to pray
  o Read Bible stories and share the meaning of the story and how it relates to your family

• Family Covenant:
  o Make a prayer-love-share covenant
  o Include ways family members want to pray together, love one another, and share with others in need.

Sixth Sunday in Lent - Read John 12:12-13

• Attend worship services and make a cross with your palm frond.
• Plan to attend Holy week worship and prayer services during the week.

Easter - Read Matthew 28:19-20

• Think of one thing you have done during Lent that you will continue to do after Easter.
• Smell a flower and look for new life.

Let God into your thoughts, hopes, trials, and disappointments this Lenten season. Let God bring new life, abundantly.

Source: Gleaned from Family Ministries Guidelines '09-'12, General Board of Discipleship, United Methodist Church
 

Safe Sanctuaries Policy

Williamsville United Methodist Church has been a leader in the Western New York Conference in developing a Safe Sanctuaries Policy. We are extremely concerned about providing a safe place in our church for children and other vulnerable adults where they can learn, grow, and be nourished in the Christian faith. Our Safe Sanctuaries Policies, which have been in place since 2004, include a two-adult rule, windows in every classroom, and training and screening for volunteers and staff. For example, volunteers must be involved in the church for a minimum of six months before they can work with children or youth, and minimum age requirements are in effect for youth workers. A complete copy of our Safe Sanctuaries Policy is available in the church office.