Brecksville United Methodist Church

Melanie Smith

  • Seasons of Change

    What is your favorite season? Iā€™ve often had a difficult time answering this question myself, and my response seems to change every time I contemplate it.  While winter is not usually the season that comes to my mind first, I have always found it magical with its longer nights, holiday spirit and scenes of freshly…

  • Gifts and Graces

    November Leadership Board Report by Maria Shurik ā€œWe have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us…ā€ ā€“ Romans 12:6 What is your superpower? What is your favorite nickname and why? Who or what brings you joy? What have you been recognized by others for? What are you most proud of? How…

  • Ways to Pray: Deepening Awareness of Godā€™s Presence

    Deepen your awareness of God’s Presence with these prayer practices. Four-Week Spiritual Practice Series October 26- November 16. Sundays at 9:30 in the Chapel Join Jenny Gee and friends for a gentle journey into prayer as a way of awareness. Explore how stillness, listening, and gratitude can open our hearts to Godā€™s quiet presence in…

  • Horizons Preschool Costume Parade – and other fun!

    Horizons Preschool, a Brecksville fixture for generations, operates from the ground floor of our church. They are celebrating the autumn season in some fun ways including a costume parade, pumpkin decorating contest and booksale fun.Ā  You’re invited!

  • 2026 Pledge Campaign

    Dear Siblings in Christ, Ever wonder why Jesus taught through questions and parables, rather than easy, straight-forward answers? Because curiosity and faith are deeply intertwined. Faith isnā€™t about having all the answers, but a willingness to ask honest, open questions: What new thing is God growing in our midst? Where do we notice Godā€™s Spirit…

  • Jean Vastartis

    (September 4, 1928 – October 3, 2025) –Ā Jean passed away peacefully at home at the age 97. She was the beloved wife of the late Gus Vastartis, Mother of Bonnie, Mark (Catherine), Diane & Dean (deceased). Sister to Bill, Isabell, Lee & Dewy. Grandmother of five, James (Amanda), Dave (Allyson), Steven, Kevin & Alex (Jessica).…

  • All Saints Sunday, November 2, 2025

    Bells Toll in Brecksville. The silence of a Sunday morning is interrupted by the tolling of a church bell.Ā  Slowly and repeatedly, the bell sounds with a moment of silence between each toll.Ā  The sound of the bell is a reminder to pause and remember. On All Saints Sunday, United Methodists around the world publicly remember…

  • Donation Drive for Victims of Domestic Violence

    Our October 2025 Donation Drive benefits Journey Center for Safety and Healing Domestic violence and child abuse affects us all. The statistics are grim. In the United States, 1 in 4 women will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience severe physical violence by…

  • Creating Engagement Online – Worship Hosts

    Imagine going to a worship service where no one greeted you, or said “hello.” What if the pastor never even looked in your general direction? If you had questions about where to find a bulletin or about the service and there was no one to ask? If you needed just a little help to be…

  • Death Over Dinner

    Let’s have dinner and talk about death. Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 5 pm at Brecksville United Methodist Church Letā€™s face it. Thereā€™s no cure for being human, and we are all going to die. But how we want to die represents the most important and costly conversation America isnā€™t having. Can we do better…