Birmingham and Berkley First is in a dedicated time of asking for your generosity through our Annual Partners in Missions Appeal.  March is the only time in 2026 that Missions will ask for your financial support, however, you can donate anytime throughout the year.  We unite our giving to support our 22 Missions Ministries with which we are privileged to partner —locally, nationally, and globally.

These partnerships reflect who we are.  Through them families are strengthened, schools and housing are built and/or improved, food and medical supplies are provided, crises are met with compassion, and Christ’s love reaches far beyond our campuses. 

Hosted by Berkley First UMC at Oxford Park (2100 Bacon, Berkley)
Saturday, April 4 | Hunt Begins at 10:00 a.m. SHARP

Get ready for an egg-citing day! The hunt kicks off at 10:00 a.m. with three designated areas for different age groups, so everyone can join in on the fun. Don’t forget your Easter Basket! Arrive at 9:30 a.m. to get a good spot, or stay after to enjoy donuts and drinks from the food truck and make memories with the Easter Bunny. Be sure to bring your camera for those timeless moments!

For questions or if you'd like to contribute candy or trinkets, please reach out to our Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Julie White, at jwhite@berkleyfirst.org. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Donate Trinkets and Candy for the Community Easter Egg Hunt
We need your help! If you’d like to donate candy or small trinkets, contact Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Julie White, at jwhite@berkleyfirst.org, or click here for the Amazon wish list. Your help ensures a fun and exciting experience for kids in our community on Saturday, April 4, at Oxford Park (2100 Bacon, Berkley).

Merry Mates: March 20
As nature awakens from its winter rest, we look ahead to spring—and to the return of Detroit Zoo docent Mary Goyeau, who will present “What Is New at the Zoo.” Join us on Friday, March 20, in Fellowship Hall for an evening of friendship, learning, and a delicious dinner catered by Plum Market.

We will gather at 5:30 p.m., enjoy dinner at 6:00 p.m., and begin the program at 6:45 p.m. Whether you are a longtime participant or attending for the first time, all are warmly welcome—singles, couples, guests, and newcomers alike. Please RSVP by Sunday, March 15, to Carol and Jim Rillema at crillema@gmail.com or 248.851.6438. The cost is $25 per person, payable at the door.

Selection Sunday is March 15
It’s March!  That means it’s time for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and of course March Madness for Missions! Selection Sunday is March 15th, so make sure to sign up to get a bracket or two for our annual March Madness for Missions contest. The Big Ten is strong this year, with five teams ranked in the top 13, and another five looking to join the party.  So if you're loyal to the Spartans, the Wolverines, or perhaps your beloved Boilermakers or Illini, you have a real shot at going all the way in the tournament.  No matter who you pull for, it’s fun for the whole family to see who can pick the most teams correctly. Who knows – we might be putting your name on the trophy for 2026! In the end, everybody wins, as 100% of your $10 entry donations go to support our missions programs hard at work helping so many in need in our communities and around the world.

Stop by and see Mark Adams in Fellowship Hall after the service on March 8 & 15, or email Mark at adams400@aol.com and he’ll get you signed up.

Henderson Settlement Informational Luncheon
Join us on Sunday, April 12 at 12:15 p.m. in the Children’s Center at Birmingham First as we gather with our Henderson Settlement Mission Team to welcome Rev. John Newman, Executive Director of Henderson Settlement, and his wife, Lisa.

Enjoy a light lunch and refreshments as we learn more about the important work of Henderson Settlement in southeast Kentucky and celebrate our 17-year partnership in ministry.
There is no cost to attend, but reservations are required. Sign up by clicking here.

New Evangelism Study with Dr. Boayue
Beginning Sunday, April 12, 2026, at 12:30 p.m., a new Bible study will begin. The course, Evangelism, is a 12-week study designed to understand how the message of Jesus Christ is shared effectively throughout the world in accordance with the Holy Bible. This joyful class will meet in the Martin Room and is led by Senior Pastor, Rev.  Dr. Charles Boayue, Jr. If you are interested in participating, please sign up in the Senior Pastor’s office with Dorothy Duensing or email office@fumcbirmingham.org to indicate your name, email address, and phone contact. Copies of the study book will be available with Dorothy Duensing by March 22 at $14 each. Checks should be written to Birmingham: First UMC with notation in the memo section for Evangelism Study Class. Come and let’s study how and why evangelism is at the heart of the Church’s mission in our world. Our hope is to prepare disciples for participation in the evangelistic thrust of our church into our community.

Rainforest Falls VBS: Register by May 18 
Hold on to your hats — it’s the most exciting week of summer! Registration is now open for our Rainforest Falls Vacation Bible School, where kids will swing into a faith-filled adventure where truth rains down, joy grows wild, and God’s love never runs dry. VBS runs Monday through Friday, June 15–19, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. It is open to children Preschool through 5th grade, and we also offer our Tropical Treetops Toddlers program for older 2-year-olds. All registration is online, so please invite and sign up your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors. Don’t let this adventure slip through the leaves! Registration closes May 18.  You can register your child by going to the VBS webpage: www.gatheredhereforgood.org/vbs. 

VBS Jungle Guide Volunteers Needed 
We need lots of helping hands to make Rainforest Falls VBS flourish during the week of June 15-19. It takes 100+ volunteers during camp week, decorating days, and crafting and prep nights to help us create a wildly wonderful, faith-growing Vacation Bible School experience.  VBS adult and youth volunteers are welcome to serve all five days or any of the days that work for them. For more information and to sign up, go to www.gatheredhereforgood.org/vbs.

Donate Items for VBS Crafts & Decorations
Help us prepare for Vacation Bible School by donating recycled materials for crafts and decorations. We are collecting items through Sunday, April 26. Look for bins labeled “VBS Recycled Donations” at the Main Entrance and the CLC welcome desks.
Items needed:

• Clean plastic tops and lids (milk, soda, peanut butter, water bottles — all colors welcome)
• Paper towel rolls
• Toilet paper rolls

Micah 6 Webster Community Center Grand Opening
You’re invited to the Grand Opening of the Micah 6 Webster Community Center on March 20 from 1:00–5:00 p.m. at 640 Huron Street in Pontiac, with a ribbon cutting at 2:00 p.m. This newly renovated space, located in the historic Elmer R. Webster School building, will serve as a vibrant hub for neighborhood programs, partnerships, and community resources. A project of Micah 6 Community, the center reflects a continued commitment to strengthening and supporting the Pontiac community. 

New Books in Stock at the Circuit Rider Bookstore
Stop by the Circuit Rider Bookstore this Sunday—or any Sunday—in Fellowship Hall and browse the latest titles available for study and reflection. One featured book is The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey, a thoughtful exploration of who Jesus truly was beyond the familiar images many of us grew up with. Like a tattoo, the fundamental truths of faith are meant to be etched into our lives, yet a lifetime of learning and living the scriptures invites us to continually deepen our understanding of where these truths come from and what they mean for us today.

2nd Annual Legacy Society Reception - Save the Date
Legacy Society members are invited to the 2nd Annual Legacy Society Reception on Thursday, May 7 at 6:00 p.m., to be held at the parsonage of Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Charles Boayue, Jr.

Legacy Society members are those who have included the church in their planned giving donations and/or have included the church in their wills. If you have already made this commitment—or would like more information about becoming a member and the process involved—please contact Karen Murphy at kmurphy@fumcbirmingham.org or call 248-646-1200 ext. 3155. We look forward to gathering together and hope you will join us.

A mission team led by Rev. Dr. Charles Boayue Jr. recently traveled to Liberia to visit the School of Excellence currently under construction. The elementary school, expected to open this summer, will provide students with access to technology, core academics, and STEM education. During the trip, the team also delivered food, clothing, medical supplies, and other support to local ministries including the Judith Craig Orphanage and Ganta United Methodist Hospital. Click to read the full story. 

For nearly three decades, Birmingham First has been sending a little piece of encouragement to college students across the country through the College Care Package ministry. What began as a simple service project for young children in the late 1990s has grown into a beloved tradition that reminds students they are remembered, supported, and prayed for by their church family, no matter where their studies take them. Through handwritten notes, thoughtful items, and the faithful work of volunteers, these packages continue to bring comfort and connection to dozens of students each year.