Hello Members & Friends of Mentor United Methodist Church,
On behalf of the pastors and staff at MUMC, I wish you a happy and blessed New Year!
I continue to be grateful beyond words for the opportunity to serve as one of the Sr. Pastors at Mentor UMC. You are an incredible church! As I reflect on the past year, there are too many blessings and God-signs to count. However, you can read some of the highlights included in the Pastors’ Report and the Lay Leaders’ Report for Charge Conference linked below.
I am excited to see all that God has in store for MUMC in 2025. As I have been praying about the coming year, I feel God has placed a prayer and a vision on my heart. I shared this with Pastor Ivy and Pastor Tammy. Their positive response gave further affirmation that this prayer and vision is truly of God. It is simple. I invite you to consider making it your own. Just three things:
1. Immerse ourselves in scripture
2. Devote ourselves to prayer
3. Commit ourselves to spiritual practices
Imagine everyone at MUMC embracing to some degree this vision in the new year! Imagine the impact on our lives individually and collectively as a church. I know that many of you are already doing these things in your own ways which I celebrate. Keep on doing what you are doing and invite others to join you! Some of you may be feeling God nudging you to take a new step in your faith journey in this new year. I hope you will follow that nudge!
Pastor Ivy, Pastor Tammy, and I invite you to join us in one or more of the ways we are personally embracing this vision. Details are shared below as well as a video:
Immerse ourselves in scripture:
-Pastor Steve will be leading Disciple Bible Study 1 on Thursdays from 4:00-6:00 PM starting January 16th at the church
-Pastor Tammy will be leading Disciple Bible Study 1 Fast Track on Tuesdays at 6:00-7:15 PM starting January 7th
-Pastor Ivy will be reading the Bible Genesis through Revelation using The Bible Year by Magrey DeVega (https://a.co/d/8qJE9fC). Participants are invited to be part of a digital group on the app “Slack”
-Other Disciple Bible Study opportunities include Syndie Toth leading Disciple 1 on Mondays from 10 AM - 12 PM and Lucas & Wendy Rhoads leading Disciple 2 on Thursdays from 7-9 PM.
Devote ourselves to prayer:
-Pastor Steve will be praying daily and while fasting once a week for 24 hours. You can be part of a chat on Slack to keep in touch if you choose to do the same or similar. He may also utilize different prayer resources throughout the year which he will share before using – such as during Lent.
-Pastor Tammy will be using Praying in the Wesleyan Spirit: 52 Prayers for Today by Paul Chilcote (https://a.co/d/g5wjgX1). Participants are invited to be part of a digital group on the app “Slack”
-Pastor Ivy will be including prayers daily as she engages The Bible Year. Participants are invited to be part of a digital group on the app “Slack”
Commit ourselves to spiritual practices:
Spiritual practices are practices that for centuries have shown to help people experience God’s presence and grow in faith. They include:
-Worship
-Prayer
-Devotion
-Holy Conferencing (engaging in conversations with others with an open
mind and heart humbling seeking to understand and connect)
-Singing
-Communion
-Mission Work
-Fasting
-Prayer Walks (praying for others and yourself as you walk a neighborhood
or in the woods or park)
-Creative Process – (painting, writing, sculpting, composing, knitting,
sewing, etc.)
-Journaling
-Affirming (intentionally looking for God at work in others and affirming it by
letting them and others know)
These are just some spiritual practices. I would love to hear some of the practices that you find most helpful.
I pray that each of you will hear God’s call on your heart to know the next step in your faith journey and that you will be encouraged, equipped, and empowered to take that next step. However you decide to nurture your faith in 2025, I hope you will make a priority to begin the year by attending the following two events:
Shepherding Summit: Wednesday, January 15th, from 6:30-8:30 PM at Mentor UMC
Healthy Congregations Workshop: Saturday, February 8th, from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM at Mayfield UMC (Register & learn more by clicking here)
Blessings to you in this new year!
Pastor Steve
Click here to read the Charge Conference Report.
Click here to read the Lay leaders report.
Click here to join Slack.
Read a scripture a day in 2025.
You can follow along by purchasing DeVega’s book, “The Bible Year” (found on Aamzon, Barnes & Noble, anywhere books are sold) or you can follow Pastor Ivy’s guide found here or on the slack channel linked below. Pastor Ivy bases her guide on DeVega’s book. Join ANY TIME throughout the year!
Stay in touch with others who will be doing this by joining the slack channel: https://join.slack.com/t/mentorunitedm-y5z9662/shared_invite/zt-2xcdhymo0-JevTTdgdRah7xabuXdw6RQ
If link does not work, email the office or Pastor Ivy and we will add you to the channel via email address!
Slack is a communication & sharing platform where you can chat and discuss in a group setting! Download the app on your phone or computer by searching “Slack” in your app store. We are using the FREE version so do NOT purchase anything.
Ring in 2025 by being our guest at a special Luncheon after the 11:00 worship service on Sunday, January 19th at Mentor United Methodist Church.
You will learn about our church and meet our pastors, members, and friends. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to get to know new people or bond with long time pals over a light lunch. To reserve your spot, please RSVP here.
If you have special dietary restrictions or have a need for childcare, send info@mentorumc.org an email. We pray you are able to attend and are very much looking forward to spending time with
you!
Beginning in the new year, we will start Discipleship Bible studies. Pastor Steve will lead a Disciple 1 class on Thursdays, 4-6 PM starting January 16th. Syndie Toth will lead Disciple 1 on Mondays from 10-12 PM and Lucas & Wendy Rhoads will lead Disciple 2 on Thursdays from 7-9 PM. This will go all 2025, with a break in the summer. Pastor Tammy will facilitate the fast track version, which is 24 weeks. The prayer is to have 100 plus people involved to learn more about the Bible. Register here.
Offerings & More
We invite you to join us this season for events, services, performances, and more! Sunday worship is 9 AM Modern & 11 AM Traditional, in-person and online.
⭐Click this link to view ALL registrations, signups, and ticket sales for upcoming events.
Poinsettia Order Forms
Plants are $7. Pick up an order form in the Info Hub or fill out the online form HERE. Forms due by December 9, 2024.
Advent Candle Lighting
Sign up online to light candles this Advent season in service. Invite friends or family! Contact Pastor Tammy with questions.
Advent Devotionals
This year our devotionals were made by members & friends of Mentor UMC who contributed beautiful art, photography, and devotions for each day leading up to Christmas. Check out their amazing work by picking up a devotional in the Info Hub or flipping through the digital copy available here on browser or here as a PDF.
Giving Trees
The trees are up and the names are ready. As in the past we have the signup genius available as well as GREEN TREE tags on the tree, We encourage you to look at the signup genius if you plan on taking more than one name. This way you can bless a family for Christmas. Families range from 2-8 children this year. The tags on the trees are mostly single child families and work well for people that are not able to access the signup genius.
YELLOW ANGELS tags are for members of the church that could use some extra prayers.
RED HEARTS represent charities that we are supporting this year. They include: Ohio Guidestone, Project Hope, Royal Family Kids Camp and Ronald McDonald House.
BLUE BELLS represent acts of kindness.
Please return your wrapped and well labeled gifts for the children to church ON or BEFORE Sunday December 15th at noon. We have a secure place to store all gifts.
Please contact Betsy Iskra at 440-283-6524 or Iskra5@aol.com with any questions.
Click here for the online sign up.
Children’s Ministry is offering the Gift of Time on Saturday, December 7 from 1:00-4:00 PM. This is an afternoon where parents can drop their children off at the church to free up time for Christmas shopping, errands, or a really good nap. Sign up online here.
This year’s Young at Heart Luncheon will be on Wednesday, December 11th at 12 PM at Mentor United Methodist Church. The MUMC Women of Faith are excited to host this wonderful Christmas Luncheon of chicken marsala, mashed potatoes, caprese salad, zucchini medley, and Andes mint chocolate brownies for dessert. A fun game of Christmas Jeopardy will follow lunch! Those 65 and older are encouraged need RSVP at 440.255.3496 or sign up online by Monday, December 9th.
MUMC’s Truth & Light Players presents ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ in Fellowship Hall on Saturday, December 14th at 4 PM. Tickets are on sale now!
Each year we prepare for Christmas with an incredible performance by members & friends of Mentor UMC. Join us in Traditional Worship at 11 AM on Sunday, December 15th in-person or online.
Blue Christmas is a service for those dealing with grief and loss this Advent season. Join us for a meaningful service in the Chapel at 7 PM on Wednesday, December 18th.
Join us on Friday, December 20th at 7:30 PM in the Sanctuary for this special service presented by the Charter Members Men’s Choir & guests from Painesville & Chardon UMC Choirs.
All of our Christmas Eve Services are candlelight.
- Communion Service, 3 PM
- Family Service, 5 PM
- Modern Service, 7 PM
- Traditional Service, 9 PM
To sign up to be an usher for these services, view the online signup here or contact the church office.
We will have a Holiday Lock-in on December 29th-30th. We will meet in the Youth Room from 7pm to 8am. This will be a time for us to gather together, celebrate the holidays, and have some Holy Shenanigans. RSVP here.
Equipping leaders to prevent destructive conflict and continue the path set before them by Christ.
When: February 8, 9:00-4:00
Where: Mayfield UMC 7747 Mayfield Rd, Chesterland, OH 44026
Who: Clergy, Church Leaders, Church Members
Download flyer here.
Join us on Saturday, February 8th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Mayfield UMC (7747 Mayfield Rd, Chesterland, OH 44026) for a special workshop with lunch & 15 minute breaks included. The Healthy Congregations workshop is designed to equip leaders to respond to the presence or potential threat of anxiety in a congregational system in ways that prevent destructive conflict and help the church stay focused on its unique mission and purpose. This event is open to anyone but church leaders are especially encouraged to attend.
The cost is $15 and can be paid by cash or through MUMC’s online giving: https://www.mentorumc.org/onlinegiving (click “Healthy Congregations” on the Fund dropdown). This fee covers the cost of materials you will receive. Lunch is provided through support from Northern Waters District & District Churches.
Executive Director of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, Jay Wittmeyer, will present the workshop. Rev. Jay Wittmeyer is an educator, organizational development consultant, and mediator with broad experience, serving conflicted churches and organizations in the U.S. and international settings. Grounded in an Anabaptist peace-building tradition and working from a Bowen family systems perspective, LMPC works to transform conflict in a healthy manner. Learn more about The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC) here:https://www.lmpeacecenter.org/
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Support Acknowledgements
This workshop typically cost participants up to $99 per person. Because of the support of the Northern Waters District and the following churches, this event is available to participants for just the cost of the printed materials each will receive.
For questions, contact Mentor United Methodist Church: info@mentorumc.org
MUMC Office Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Mentor United Methodist Church is hiring a part-time Director of Modern Worship. This integral role supports the mission of MUMC: to lead all onto a path of Christ-centered discipleship—KNOW the love of God in Jesus Christ; GROW in their love for God; SHOW God’s love by serving others. This PATH of Discipleship will result in a church that lives out Christ-like qualities and helps transform communities. Check out the details below!
Elevate Worship, Inspire Faith: Become Our Director of Modern Worship
Are you a visionary leader with a passion for music, technology, and creating worship that resonates with today’s congregation? Mentor United Methodist Church is looking for a dynamic and creative Director of Modern Worship to evolve of our contemporary worship services and programs. This pivotal role is your opportunity to create engaging and meaningful worship experiences that support our mission to lead all onto a path of Christ-centered discipleship.
If you’re eager to lead our community by planning transformative worship, utilizing your talents in music, technology, and leadership to draw hearts closer to God, then we invite you to join us. Let’s create a space where faith is deepened, spirits are lifted, and the worship experience is unforgettable. Your vision and creativity could be the key to unlocking a more profound sense of connection and devotion within our church family. Click here to apply & learn more.
The next Red Cross Blood Drive is:
Tuesday, November 12, 2024, from 9 AM to 3 PM
Click here to make an appointment.
Next:
January 14
March18
May 13
Mentor United Methodist Church celebrated its 200th year in 2018!
Celebrating the past, living in the present, building for the future.
January
February
March
April
May
July
August
September
October
November
Do you have any MUMC history you would like to share with the congregation?
Please send it to:
Don Humphrey
7330 Holly Park Dr.
Concord, Ohio 44060-6704 or e-mail to: dhumphrey@ameritech.net
Copyright © 2013-2025, Mentor United Methodist Church
8600 Mentor Avenue, Mentor OH 44060 - (440) 255-3496
