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. It is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Even though I’ve heard the parable of the mustard seed many times, this week, I was struck not by the smallest seed becoming the largest plant in the garden, but that it grows so that birds can perch in its branches.  It makes me think of how our church on the square grew from a tiny seed of faith to a much larger safe space, so that we can grow with God and one another. 

If we continue to be bold in our faith, what will our church on the square continue to grow into, and where might we be called by God to offer refuge and transformation to the extraordinary?

In other celebratory news, last year through savings in our church expenses, additional funds raised through alternative giving opportunities, faithfulness in pledges, as well as additional giving, BUMC closed $46,000 of the $53,000 deficit gap in the budget.  The ending deficit in 2024 totaled $6,595.  A special thank you and shout out to Financial Manager, Shannon Kantorowski, for the insight and experience that she brings to working with finances.  Shannon highlighted exactly why the “ordinary” of budgeting and finances is important to the church’s mission: “Being in a position of financial sanity and integrity is vital to being a safe place for growth, as well as a firm foundation from which to engage with the community.”

Our current goals are: 

• To help 50 people engage with BUMC in a new way
• To establish new and deeper relationships with 100 people from our communities; listening to gain understanding, discovering new ideas and letting people know we care.

Missions & Community Engagement

Missions and Community Engagement reported extraordinary work this month.  A major win in January was an idea from Austin to deliver Valentines to children who are hospitalized, which was accomplished through the busy hands of so many—from purchasing gifts to fill the bags, made by the Sew4Good group, to the young people making cards, to the multi-generational group who gathered to assemble the bags, which were then delivered to Ronald McDonald House.  In addition, the Frozen Food Ministry continues to grow! Upwards of 15 people throughout the month serve on this weekly mission to collect frozen food from Strongsville UMC, which ends up serving those in need in a variety of ways—from hot meals for unsheltered individuals through Trials for Hope, to food distributions to other communities and agencies.  Missions and Community Engagement reports that they “are very pleased with the many ways this ministry is opening doors to serve others.” 

Joyful Gathering

Thank you to the Joyful Gathering team for making and serving a delicious and wholesome soup lunch for the Town Hall meeting.  What a joy!  Jenny Gee also highlighted the work of the dedicated volunteers who teach Sunday School, Sprouts and Seedlings, and who make BUMC a healthy, vibrant and safe space to learn.  And, we already have a group of volunteers forming for this summer’s VBS.

The Church Building

Scott and Jeff Hastings reported the wonderful news that the elevator is now fixed—the part that was replaced was 60 years old!  They highlighted that “keeping our elevator functioning is part of maintaining safe spaces. It is clear that our elevator is critical for many people to move about the building.”  

Youth News

Dana Schwendeman’s Youth Ministry report was so wonderful that we are sharing an excerpt on page 7 of this newsletter!

Spiritual Trail Guide

Lastly, did you have an opportunity to read our Winter Spiritual Trail Guide?  What a great resource to encourage us to take the next steps in our lives of faith.  If you’re looking for inspiration to grow in discipleship, it’s a perfect place to start!  We’d love to hear more about the next steps in faith in that you’re taking.  Thank you, Melanie and Anthy, for your work on this Guide!  

– Submitted by Deb Watkins