News regarding the life and ministry of our wonderfully diverse and energized faith community

Welcome to First Notes!

If you have items for our notes, we ask that they be submitted to the office by email no later than Wednesdays at 9:00 AM.

State of the United Methodist Church – Gathering

On May 15^th from 10:00 to 10:30 in the Fellowship Hall, we will be gathering to discuss what is happening in the United Methodist Church and how First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh will be affected. In broad strokes, the United Methodist Church may be making headlines soon as the Global Methodist Church begins to solidify institutionally. Pastor Tracy will be leading conversation on various aspects of events that have led to this moment in the denomination. Please feel free to research these matters ahead of time and bring any questions you may have, but be assured that FUMC remains committed to the work of full inclusion, as reflected in the hospitality statement. Live stream will be available—please contact the church office for details.

Planting Flowers

FUMC will be planting flowers in the Western PA Conservancy beds on Saturday, May 21st, at 9 AM, rain or shine!

Workshop on Equity Audits

This workshop will explore the key concepts, procedures, and value add associated with conducting Equity Audits in your organization. The event will also include discussion about how factors such as personal identity, intersectionality, and socialization can impact or impede the actionable steps that can be taken once an Equity Audit has been completed. Suggestions on how to identify the best approach to implementing audits will be provided, along with tangible examples of audit recommendations and how to utilize such recommendations to create inclusive environments.

It is said that, “diversity focuses on counting people, while inclusion concerns itself with making sure that people count!” Please join the Pittsburgh District Antiracism team for this hands-on session that aims to ensure participants are equipped to begin focusing on dismantling institutional racism through concrete actions.

Facilitator: Dr. Angelica Perez-Johnston

Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer

Community College of Allegheny County

Date and time

Sat, May 21, 2022

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT

Location

Mt Lebanon United Methodist

3319 West Liberty Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15216

Link to registration

Membership Exploration

On May 22, 2022, after worship at 12:15 PM in the Fellowship Hall, we will be holding a membership exploration meeting for anyone who is seeking confirmation, profession of faith, transfer of membership from another United Methodist church, or transfer from another denomination. Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP by contact the church office at office@fumcpittsburgh.org or 412.681.8222.

Confirmation

We will have a confirmation class this fall. Anyone in 6^th-12^th grade (2022-2023 school year) is welcome to participate in confirmation class and be confirmed. Confirmands and parents are invited join us for an informational meeting after worship on Sunday May 22, as part of the Membership Exploration (see above). Please RSVP by contacting the church office at office@fumcpittsburgh.org or 412.681.8222. If you have any questions about the meeting or about confirmation, please contact Joe at joe@fumcpittsburgh.org.

Congratulations, Graduates!

Those graduating from high school, college, vocational school, and graduate school, we are so proud of you! We will celebrate all graduates in worship on Sunday, June 12. If you would like to be recognized that day, please email joe@fumcpittsburgh.org. Send a picture. Tell us your name (as you would like for it to appear in the bulletin), the school you’re graduating from, degree (if applicable), and what you plan to do next.   

FUMC Sunday Cast for Congregation and the World

Most of you by now have seen or heard of our weekly worship experiences we are posting on YouTube. We hope they have been meaningful to all of you. We invite you to share the experience with friends and family far and wide. If you search for “fumcpitt” on YouTube it will take you to our church page where you can find all past videos and also the live SundayCast. An email will still be sent out to the FUMC email list each week by early Sunday morning with a link for each “live” experience. We are grateful to be able to connect in this way.

Queering Wesley, Queering the Church

Wednesdays June 1^st, 15^th, 22^nd, and 29^th, 6:30-8:30 pm, in the Fellowship Hall

Join us for a study of Queering Wesley, Queering the Church by Keegan Osinski and for a discussion of how the Wesleyan tradition can foster and expansive openness to the love and grace of God. Please RSVP to joe@fumcpittsburgh.org to get a copy of the book. Facilitated by Anais Hussian, RoBear Wilson, and Joe Smith.

Christian Education and Spiritual Formation

Sunday School classes meet each Sunday from 9:45 to 10:45 AM. A combination of online and in-person classes reflects our commitment to being one community in multiple locations and modalities.

Sunday School Classes for Children and Youth

Miss Helen and Miss Becky are holding Godly Play in person and ONLINE. (Watch on YouTube on Sunday mornings at 9:30.)

Older children and youth will gather in the Fellowship Hall with Joe and Rudeene for group games and discussions about the Bible, spirituality, and social justice.

The nursery (just outside the sanctuary) is staffed by Emily Burke, our loving and nurturing childcare professional, from 9:30 to 12:30 each Sunday.

There are no online Sunday School offerings for children or youth at this time.

Adult Discussion Groups

Seekers

Sundays 9:45-10:45 AM

The Seekers class is facilitated by one of our former pastors, Rev. David Keller. They discuss various topics related to the Bible, spirituality, justice, and personal growth.

Interested persons can join us by obtaining the Zoom ID and code from the church office at office@fumcpittsburgh.org.

Coffee and Chat

Sundays 9:45-10:45 AM

A casual conversation group. A Zoom link is available. Please contact the church office (office@fumcpittsburgh.org) for more information or to receive the Zoom link.

•           May 15 – No meeting.

•           May 22 – Last meeting before “summer vacation”.

•           September – Group will resume at “back-to-school” time.  Details TBD.

A Prayerful Quote

My dissenting opinions, like my briefs, are meant to persuade. And sometimes one must be forceful about saying how wrong the Court is.

–Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Church Staff