Steeple Notes Weekly Newsletter

Worship Information for Sunday, June 7 at 10:00 a.m. 
Faithful Obedience
Genesis 12:1-9; Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
Rev. Chad Oyer preaching

The left predella of this stained-glass window depicts the Call of Matthew found in Matthew 9:9-13, the biblical account of Jesus choosing a despised tax collector to be one of His apostles. It symbolizes radical grace, Christ’s mission to outcasts, and the transformative power of spiritual obedience. When Jesus said, “Follow me,” Matthew immediately rose, left his lucrative yet isolating profession, and followed Jesus. This highlights Matthew’s openness to God’s voice and the Holy Spirit prompting his next steps of faithful obedience. (Located in the east wall, south window of the Sanctuary.)

In the fall of 2025, the article “Just 7,000 Daily Steps Reduces Heart Disease Risk,” by Julie Corliss in the Harvard Heart Letter, caught Pastor Chad’s attention because he likes to walk, and any preventive steps for heart disease sound appealing to him. After surveying 57 studies which included over 160,000 adults, the takeaway was that 7,000 daily steps are instrumental in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease and dying of any cause.

In very simple terms, one of the best prescriptions for our physical health is to get up and “Go!” Possibly, the same could be said for our spiritual health? This lesson focuses on Abram and Jesus’s openness to God’s voice and the Holy Spirit’s prompting “Go!” in taking the next step of faithful obedience. The prayer for this message is that, “May all who come behind us find us faithful.”

Click here for more Sunday worship information, including dedications and Sunday School times.

First Nurses Blood Pressure Checks in Fellowship Hall
Your health matters! First Nurses will be available in Fellowship Hall this Sunday, June 7 to check your blood pressure. Track and compare your monthly results to be sure you’re staying on top of your health! This free and friendly service is open to all—no appointments needed!

Fair Trade Equal Exchange—Thank You 
Thank you and congratulations to everyone who has supported Equal Exchange over the years. For the second consecutive year, your support has placed Birmingham First among the top 100 congregations and community groups in the United States for Equal Exchange sales. This Sunday, June 7 is your last opportunity to purchase coffee, tea, and chocolate before our summer hiatus. Stop by Fellowship Hall and stock up for the summer.

Clergy & Staff Updates

Welcome Pastor Chad

This week, Rev. Chad Oyer began his new role as Senior Associate Pastor at Birmingham & Berkley First. We are delighted to welcome him back to our church community and look forward to the gifts, experience, and leadership he brings to this new chapter of ministry. If you would like to connect with Pastor Chad, you may reach him at coyer@fumcbirmingham.org or by calling 248-646-6407, ext. 3164. Read more about Pastor Chad by clicking here.

Celebrating Our Clergy and Their Ministries
As we prepare for upcoming pastoral transitions, we invite you to join us in celebrating and giving thanks for the faithful ministry of our clergy and their families. Rev. Sarah Alexander’s celebration will take place on Sunday, June 14 at Birmingham First in Fellowship Hall after worship. Rev. Rachael and Rev. Zack Dunlap's celebration will be on Sunday, June 21 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Berkley First.


Clergy Love Gifts
At each celebration, a card box will be available for you to share cards, memories, and well wishes. A love gift is also being collected as a way of thanking Rev. Rachael, Rev. Sarah, and Rev. Zack for their faithful dedication and ministry to our congregation. Contributions may be made online by clicking the button below, or in-person by cash or check. Checks submitted before June 14 should be made payable to Birmingham First with “Rev. Rachael,” “Rev. Sarah,” or “Rev. Zack” noted on the memo line. If you are bringing your love gift on June 14 or afterward, checks should be made payable directly to each pastor. Please note that love gifts are not tax deductible.
give an online clergy love gift

Welcome Our Summer Ministry Interns: Please join us in welcoming Angela and Gabriel 
Angela H. Montgomery joins us as Ministerial Intern. Angela is a Certified Lay Minister, Lay Leader at Newburg United Methodist Church, educator, attorney, and Master of Divinity student with a passion for missions, Christian education, and community empowerment. 
 
Gabriel Ervin joins us as Pastoral Care Intern. A lifelong United Methodist and Master of Divinity student at Yale Divinity School, Gabriel brings a deep love for the Wesleyan tradition and a commitment to sharing the transforming grace of Christ through pastoral ministry.

Staff Update

With gratitude for her service, we share that Karen Murphy has resigned as Development Officer at Birmingham & Berkley First, effective June 8. Karen has been a gift to our community this past year, and we are deeply grateful for her many contributions, including her work in developing our major gifts program and in forming the Development Leadership Team. We are glad Karen will continue to volunteer on the Development Leadership Team, and we wish her every good thing in what comes next.

Coming Up

Special Call for VOLUNTEERS! Get Crafty for VBS 
Rainforest Falls Decorating Days are where the magic begins! Help transform the CLC stage, and the Birmingham First hallways and classrooms into the lush, vibrant world of Rainforest Falls. We need volunteers of all ages. This is the final leg of our jungle journey, where we bring our spaces to life with colorful decorations, stage props, and rainforest details.

Bring a friend or family member and join us for a Craft Night or a Decorating Day. Sign up by clicking the button below.
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER
Donate to VBS 
Vacation Bible School is collecting a few everyday items that will be transformed into creative decorations and activities. We are looking for:
  • Empty, clean milk jugs
  • Cardboard egg cartons
  • Men's ties
Donations may be dropped off at the Welcome Desk, the CLC Desk, or the Children & Family Ministries Office. Thank you for helping us create a fun and memorable VBS experience for our children!
United Women in Faith Annual Unit Meeting
The United Women in Faith will hold their Annual Unit Meeting on Wednesday, June 10, at 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Parlor at the Birmingham First Campus. During the meeting, members will elect officers and consider the proposed budget for the 2026–2027 year. All are welcome to attend. If you have ever been curious about United Women in Faith, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about this vibrant community of women and the ministry they share at Birmingham and Berkley First. We hope you will join us.
Men’s Retreat – Save the Date
Mark your calendars for this year’s Men’s Retreat at the Colombiere Center, taking place Thursday, October 22 through Saturday, October 24. Registration will open later in June, with additional details coming soon. We invite all men to set aside this time for fellowship, reflection, and spiritual renewal. Stay tuned for more information.
Prison Creative Arts Project Exhibit Comes to Birmingham & Berkley First
Art as Liberation, Art as Reflection: Select Works from the Prison Creative Arts Project Donated Art Collection will be on display at Birmingham & Berkley First this June. This exhibit features artwork donated by incarcerated artists throughout Michigan through the University of Michigan Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP). Artists often choose to donate their work because they may not have the space or permission to store finished artwork, allowing these pieces to be shared through classes, fundraisers, and exhibitions like this one. The exhibit will be  at Berkley First from June 21–24 and at Birmingham First from June 25–28. All are invited to stop by and experience this thoughtful and impactful collection.
Harvest Produce Table Volunteers Needed 
Help support local hunger ministries this summer by volunteering at the Harvest Produce Table in Fellowship Hall on Sundays beginning June 14. Donate flowers or garden produce, shop for fresh items, or sign up to help staff the table. All proceeds benefit local food banks and soup kitchens. Sign up to volunteer by clicking here.
Blood Drive – July 7
Join us on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, from 12:30–6:30 p.m. and help save lives through the gift of blood donation. Our goal is to collect at least 41 units of blood, with 75 appointment slots available. Every appointment represents a patient who may be facing surgery, cancer treatment, trauma, or a medical emergency. Filling the schedule is critical to maintaining a reliable blood supply for local hospitals, helping prevent delays in care, and ensuring patients in our community receive lifesaving treatment when they need it most. Please consider making an appointment and helping us reach our goal. Sign up by clicking here.

Henderson Settlement Mission Trip
Adults are invited to be part of this summer’s mission trip to Henderson Settlement, taking place July 12–18. This is a meaningful opportunity to serve alongside a long-standing mission committed to meeting the needs of the surrounding Appalachian community. Volunteers may assist with a variety of hands-on and relational ministries, including working in the Henderson Settlement store, helping distribute food and essential items, supporting home repair or maintenance projects, and offering hospitality to those who come for assistance. Whether you are organizing supplies, lending a hand with physical work, or simply showing up with a spirit of care and compassion, every role contributes to strengthening the community. Sign up today by clicking here.

Join the Next Liberia Missions Journey in 2027
By overwhelming demand, a second Missions Trip to Liberia has been planned. The trip will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the School of Excellence, with the President of Liberia in attendance. Without the support of this church and others, this first school would not have become a reality. The trip will also include a blessing ceremony on the land designated for the future Middle School and High School, which are currently in their infancy stages. Visits to the Judith Craig Orphanage, a Methodist senior center, a local Methodist hospital, and a university are also planned. Guests will bring medical supplies, clothing, rice, and other much-needed items. If you are interested in signing up or learning more, please email Helen Hicks at helenk7306@outlook.com or contact Dr. Boayue, cboayue@fumcbirmingham.org, at your convenience.

Announcements

Love to sing, but short on time?

Join the Summer Choir for a relaxed and joyful way to share your voice! Meet in the Choir Room at 9:30 a.m. on any Sunday morning now through July 26. We’ll learn a simple anthem together and sing it during the service. No robes are needed; music and folders will be provided. Everyone is welcome!

Important Update Regarding Mailed Giving Envelopes: Mailed this week!
If you receive your giving envelopes through the mail, please note that there was a printing error and the wrong envelopes were sent for June. Our printer is aware of the mistake. Corrected envelopes should arrive in your mailbox this week. Please discard or recycle the incorrect envelopes once the new set arrives. Until the corrected envelopes are received, please use a general offering envelope available in the pews. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding.

Advertising in the Church Directory 
The new 2026 Birmingham & Berkley First Membership Directory will be published soon. Anyone interested in placing a business advertisement or personal message in support of the directory may contact Jake Allport at 248-545-1415 or jallport@cathedraldirectories.com. Business cards may also be used to create an ad. This is a great opportunity to support the directory while helping others in the congregation learn about local businesses and services within our community. Advertisers do not need to be church members, so feel free to share this opportunity with others. 

Summer Reading Suggestion at the Circuit Rider Bookstore
Get ready for summer reading. Great for teens or young adults. Unblemished by Sara Ella The first book in the The Unblemished Trilogy. Eliyana has a birthmark covering half of her face.  Her mother and Joshua are the only people who treat her normally.  Because of Joshua, she believes she can be loved.  One night her mother does not come home.  Joshua becomes her new legal Guardian.  She is also being stalked.  Eliyana soon finds herself in a world much larger than she’s ever known. A world forced to remain in a bad situation by a powerful and vile man. Eliyana holds the answer to defeating him. How can an ordinary girl, a blemished girl, become a savior when she can’t even save herself? Stop by the Circuit Rider Bookstore in Fellowship Hall on Sunday to pick up your copies.

Haiti Mission Update 
The Haiti Mission Team is excited to share that construction on a new school in the village of David will begin in June, with hopes of opening for the September school year. Six years after building a new church in the same village, the team is now helping provide a proper school for local children. The team is also collecting backpacks and school supplies through an Amazon Wish List that can be viewed by clicking here. Items will be shipped directly to the missionary flight hanger in Venice, Florida, with flights to Haiti departing every two weeks. Donations are needed by July 31 and are deeply appreciated as many families struggle to afford tuition, uniforms, and basic supplies. Questions? Contact Nancy Smith at 248-568-5190 or nancyasmithrn@gmail.com.
Make a Difference This Summer: Volunteer with Children & Family Ministries
Families, help make this summer special for our kids by volunteering with Children and Family Ministries. We are looking for enthusiastic adults to support Summer Sunday School and the Nursery, offering a fun and meaningful way to connect and give back. Sunday School will follow a relaxed one room format in the Children’s Center with a short lesson, activity, snack, and playground time. If you are 18 or older and have a background check on file, you are ready to serve. Join us in creating a welcoming and joyful experience for every child this summer. Sign up here.
Newsletter & Sermon Archive Content
Are you looking for information from a past Steeple Notes? Or a past sermon recording? Email Adrienne Trupiano at atrupiano@fumcbirmingham.org, or call 248-646-6407 ext: 3130.
Communication Submission Deadlines
To submit content for church communications, please complete the online form by clicking here. Submissions for the weekly Steeple Notes are due by Mondays at 5:00 p.m. Bulletin announcements must be submitted at least one week prior to the requested publication date.