Melanie Smith
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Small Groups
Seeing our friends at church on Sunday morning is great. But we may rush into worship with just a hug or a handshake before rushing out to attend to the plans of the day. Many of us are looking for a space for deeper connection. We’re looking for opportunities for learning, encouragement, support, and acceptance…
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Fall Kick Off
It’s a Back To Church Sunday, Fall Kick Off, September 7, 2025 Fall Kick Off Sunday is a joyful gathering for everyone. Join us as we celebrate the begining of a new program year. Come for one worship service at 10:30 and stay for the festivities, including a bounce house for the kids, yard games,…
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Donation Drive for Victims of Human Trafficking
September 2025 Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. It is a crime that affects millions of men, women, and children worldwide – including people right here in Ohio. It can happen in any community. Victims can be any age, race, gender,…
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More Than a Name Tag
You might think a church name tag is just a small Sunday detail, but it’s actually a quiet, powerful form of welcome and inclusion. Wearing your name tag says, “I see you. I’m open to connection. You belong here, too.” For a newcomer, a name can be the first doorway to feeling at home. It…
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Church Beyond Walls
August 2025 Leadership Board Report When school is out and families are taking summer vacations it may seem a bit quieter at church. But, there are still plenty of opportunities for community connection through Brecksville UMC. In June, Eric and I participated in Cleveland Pride. It was an absolutely wonderful day. Our group was small:…
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Enjoy The Journey
July 2025 Leadership Board Report Let’s face it, this is the time of year that we Clevelanders live for! We look forward all year to a respite from the chilly winds, gray skies and snow shovels propped in the corner. When we finally turn our calendars to these warm summer months, it is with great…
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Love, Care, Comfort and Support
Pastor Heidi and our terrific Church Staff Members have been through huge challenges this year. Their time, attention and hearts have been pulled in so many directions with the Holy Season of Lent, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Baptisms, Confirmation Class, Bible Studies, and the deaths of 14 people who call our church home…
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Wellness and Wellbeing
May 2025 Leadership Board Report Each month in our leadership board meeting we start by spending the first 20 minutes going over a devotional. We do this to help prepare our hearts and minds to be in the right zone to discuss the business of the church. This past meeting we discussed the word wellness,…
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If Not Us, Then Who
April 2025 Leadership Board Report About a year ago I had a conversation with Pastor Heidi. It went something like “Hey, I’m a little concerned about backlash if we get too involved in advocacy for social justice issues.” My concerns were not because I personally had issues supporting equity and fairness. But rather, could we…
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Our Church on the Square – Much to Celebrate!
March 2025 Leadership Board Report There is much to celebrate at BUMC! This month, Leadership Board opened with a reflection on God’s use of the ordinary for extraordinary transformation through Jesus. In Matthew 13:31-32, we read “[t]he kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.…