First United Methodist Church of Ypsilanti

Updated for April 1, 2012 Don't forget to check the calendar, too

Today’s palms were ordered from Eco-palms – a project of the University of Minnesota Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Agriculture Management. Eco-palms are sustainably harvested and fairly traded. That means the money you spend on the palms is directly benefiting the communities where the palms are harvested. The extra nickel you spend per palm can send young girls to school, employ women, and build community centers. The palms are also being harvested in an environmentally friendly way. These new harvesting practices ensure that the same quality palms you see today will be there for years to come. Purchasing these palms protects the forests they are grown in. For more information, visit www.ecopalms.org.

Rehearsal Reminder: We will be rehearsing for the Maundy Thursday Tenebrae service today at noon in the sanctuary. All disciples need to attend.

EASTER BREAKFAST AT FUMCY Come join us for a delicious feast at 8:15am before Easter Sunday worship services. Tickets are only $6 and will be available during Social Hour after church. We are also in need of some volunteers to cut up fresh fruit and set up tables on Saturday, as well as a few people to help with clearing tables and cleaning up on Sunday. You can sign up when you pick up your tickets! Get ready and come hungry!

SEEDS! SEEDS! SEEDS! Mr. Scarecrow is in the back of the church and will be there through today to collect vegetable seeds for the “Growing Hope” project in Ypsilanti. Help us to make this project a success. If you prefer to write a check for the project, please make it payable to Ypsilanti FUMC and designate “seeds” in the memo. For more information call (313) 278-4849.

April Challenge Classes Celebrate Earth Day Earth Day, a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the earth’s natural environment, is coming up on April 22nd. During the month of April, we’ll celebrate our earth and discuss ways to protect and renew the world around us. Please note: there will be no Challenge Classes today (Palm Sunday) or next week (Easter). Beginning again on April 15, join us Sundays at 11am in the Parlor for the following Challenge Classes:

4/15 – Solar Ypsi consists of persons interested in renewable energy. Dave Strenski will discuss the use of solar energy in Ypsilanti.
4/22 - Eating for a Healthy World -- What you eat affects the climate as much as (or sometimes more than) how you heat and cool your home or what transportation you use! Bill Alt, Jan Wright, and Lindsay Marciniec from ICPJ will explain why what we eat is so important and offer concrete and enjoyable steps you can explore to eat for a healthy world.

2012 – 2013 Kroger Community Rewards If you have been participating in the Kroger Community Rewards program, you will need to re-enroll to continue earning funds for Ypsi First. All participants must sign up for the program in order to earn funds during 2012-2013. Even if you signed up for Kroger Community Rewards in February or March of 2012—which will earn Ypsi First funds as part of the 05/2011 to 05/2012 program—you must re-enroll after April 1, 2012 to continue earning rewards during the coming year, 05/2012 to 05/2013. It’s easy to enroll or re-enroll in Kroger Community Rewards. You can visit www.krogercommunityrewards.com, click on “Michigan” and click on “Enroll” to register for the first time and “Re-enroll” to re-register. All participants must have a valid online account at Kroger.com and must sign up online to participate. Organization members can no longer scan their group’s barcode at the registers or service desk.

The New UMW Circle has changed their meeting date to the first Tuesday of each month. Their next meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 3. For more information, please contact Barb Brooks. All are welcome!

Kiwanis Club of Ypsilanti Annual Pancake Breakfast Saturday, April 14, Fellowship Hall from 7:30am – 1pm. Tickets available from Jerry Jennings or at the door (donation) - $7/adult, $4/children under 10. All proceeds go to Ypsilanti social service agencies and youth groups.

Please join us for the next gathering of the FUMC-Ypsilanti Families with Young Children Potluck from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 6. This is a monthly opportunity for families with young children to get to know each other better, support each other and have fun. Beginning in May, the group will be meeting on the first Sunday of each month. Please sign up for what dish you will bring (we will not have access to the kitchen) at http://tinyurl.com/FUMCFamilyPotluck. We could use help with planning, too. Please email Peri Stone-Palmquist at stonequist@gmail.com.







						Updated for April 1, 2012 Don't forget to check the calendar, too Today’s palms were ordered from Eco-palms – a project of the University of Minnesota Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Agriculture Management. Eco-palms are sustainably harvested and fairly traded. That means the money you spend on the palms is directly benefiting the communities where the palms are harvested. The extra nickel you spend per palm can send young girls to school, employ women, and build community centers. The palms are also being harvested in an environmentally friendly way. These new harvesting practices ensure that the same quality palms you see today will be there for years to come. Purchasing these palms protects the forests they are grown in. For more information, visit www.ecopalms.org. Rehearsal Reminder: We will be rehearsing for the Maundy Thursday Tenebrae service today at noon in the sanctuary. All disciples need to attend. EASTER BREAKFAST AT FUMCY Come join us for a delicious feast at 8:15am before Easter Sunday worship services. Tickets are only $6 and will be available during Social Hour after church. We are also in need of some volunteers to cut up fresh fruit and set up tables on Saturday, as well as a few people to help with clearing tables and cleaning up on Sunday. You can sign up when you pick up your tickets! Get ready and come hungry! SEEDS! SEEDS! SEEDS! Mr. Scarecrow is in the back of the church and will be there through today to collect vegetable seeds for the “Growing Hope” project in Ypsilanti. Help us to make this project a success. If you prefer to write a check for the project, please make it payable to Ypsilanti FUMC and designate “seeds” in the memo. For more information call (313) 278-4849. April Challenge Classes Celebrate Earth Day Earth Day, a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the earth’s natural environment, is coming up on April 22nd. During the month of April, we’ll celebrate our earth and discuss ways to protect and renew the world around us. Please note: there will be no Challenge Classes today (Palm Sunday) or next week (Easter). Beginning again on April 15, join us Sundays at 11am in the Parlor for the following Challenge Classes: 4/15 – Solar Ypsi consists of persons interested in renewable energy. Dave Strenski will discuss the use of solar energy in Ypsilanti. 4/22 - Eating for a Healthy World -- What you eat affects the climate as much as (or sometimes more than) how you heat and cool your home or what transportation you use! Bill Alt, Jan Wright, and Lindsay Marciniec from ICPJ will explain why what we eat is so important and offer concrete and enjoyable steps you can explore to eat for a healthy world. 2012 – 2013 Kroger Community Rewards If you have been participating in the Kroger Community Rewards program, you will need to re-enroll to continue earning funds for Ypsi First. All participants must sign up for the program in order to earn funds during 2012-2013. Even if you signed up for Kroger Community Rewards in February or March of 2012—which will earn Ypsi First funds as part of the 05/2011 to 05/2012 program—you must re-enroll after April 1, 2012 to continue earning rewards during the coming year, 05/2012 to 05/2013. It’s easy to enroll or re-enroll in Kroger Community Rewards. You can visit www.krogercommunityrewards.com, click on “Michigan” and click on “Enroll” to register for the first time and “Re-enroll” to re-register. All participants must have a valid online account at Kroger.com and must sign up online to participate. Organization members can no longer scan their group’s barcode at the registers or service desk. The New UMW Circle has changed their meeting date to the first Tuesday of each month. Their next meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 3. For more information, please contact Barb Brooks. All are welcome! Kiwanis Club of Ypsilanti Annual Pancake Breakfast Saturday, April 14, Fellowship Hall from 7:30am – 1pm. Tickets available from Jerry Jennings or at the door (donation) - $7/adult, $4/children under 10. All proceeds go to Ypsilanti social service agencies and youth groups. Please join us for the next gathering of the FUMC-Ypsilanti Families with Young Children Potluck from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 6. This is a monthly opportunity for families with young children to get to know each other better, support each other and have fun. Beginning in May, the group will be meeting on the first Sunday of each month. Please sign up for what dish you will bring (we will not have access to the kitchen) at http://tinyurl.com/FUMCFamilyPotluck. We could use help with planning, too. Please email Peri Stone-Palmquist at stonequist@gmail.com.

















	Do you have photos of church events? If you've taken pictures at a recent church event, send them to Barry Marshall at mugzy1377@gmail.com Please include information about the event and the names of people in the pictures.