West Side Church
All are welcome - no asterisk*
West Side is a church that provides a variety of spiritual growth opportunities and experiences. We recognize that there is no “one size fits all,” when it comes to how people live out their spiritual journeys.
While many enjoy meeting God through songs, prayers and messages during Sunday morning worship; others find just as much meaning and joy in serving together at the Alpha House or with Habitat for Humanity. While still yet others find the peace of God in tending to our lovely memorial garden in our front yard.
This open-minded approach to the many diverse pathways of spiritual growth is not a new idea. In fact for centuries, United Methodists have forged their spiritual journey via a balanced diet of Scripture, Experience, Reason & Tradition. These four avenues make up what we call the “quadrilateral,” which teaches us to ask the following questions:
• What is Revealed in Scripture?
• How does Tradition illuminate the path ahead?
• How does our Experience inform us?
• What can be confirmed by Reason?
So at West Side you will discover a multi-generational church of both thinkers and doers, of musicians and accountants, of students and those enjoying retirement, of scientists and handymen-philosophers (and throw in some football fans for good measure!). We take a progressive approach to living out our faith and thrive in serving our community and world. We practice collaborative and empowering leadership, with the hope of equipping humble and genuine followers of Christ with the holy love and courage needed to be lights in this day and age.
This is a safe place to ask questions. This is a sanctuary to find acceptance and community. This is a group of people on a quest to be real and totally imperfect in our attempts at being Jesus’ followers. And with the help of the children in our midst, we can learn again to laugh at ourselves, and to grieve as needed as well. For if we can be known for anything, let us be known for compassion and mercy - for ourselves and for each other. And then - maybe just in little bits at a time - we will become the change we are looking for.
Come along with us and engage in your spiritual journey at West Side. It’s completely fine to be anonymous and find your own space. Or to dive in the deep-end and get as involved as you please. All are welcome.
Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask about the ancient paths. Ask where the good road is. Walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16
VISIT US
WATCH OUR SERMONS HERE
Current & Upcoming Events
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YouTube Sermons
Missed a service or want to revisit a sermon? Our sermons are now available on YouTube!
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Wednesday Small Group
You’re invited to join around the fireplace the first 3 Wednesdays in December (3rd, 10th, & 17th at 10:30am) to learn the background of a few favorite Christmas carols.
Wednesdays 10:30 - Noon at the fireplace in the Welcome Center.
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West Side Reads
We will be reading Parts 3 and 4 of Everyone Who is Gone is Here by Jonathan Blitzer for our January 18th West Side Reads. We had a great discussion regarding Parts 1 & 2 in November! We welcome everyone who is interested in learning and discussing current issues about social justice in our world. Please consider joining us for this timely book.
December Community Offering
UMCOR International Disaster Relief and Hope Clinic, Food Gatherers, & Peace Neighborhood
Our December and Christmas offerings this year will be divided equally between UMCOR International Disaster Relief (50%) and local nonprofit groups (50%) working to support hunger in Washtenaw County: Hope Clinic, Food Gatherers and Peace Neighborhood.
UMCOR International Disaster Relief
The mission of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is to respond quickly to meet emergency needs around the world.
When a natural or human-caused disaster strikes outside of the United States, the United Methodist Committee of Relief International Disaster Response program (UMCOR IDR) serves as the primary channel for United Methodist assistance. Response includes support for displaced people as well as refugees fleeing disasters in the form of food, water, hygiene and other essential nonfood supplies and temporary shelter. Long-term, UMCOR cooperates with church leaders and local organizations to develop response mechanisms and to support local relief and recovery efforts. UMCOR focuses on disasters that overwhelm a local community’s ability to respond, such as storms and flooding, fires, volcanoes, war and civil unrest.
Website: https://umcmission.org/international-disaster-response/
Local Non-Profit Groups:
Hope Clinic
Hope Clinic partners with the people in the community to make lives better, caring for the whole person with integrated and free medical, dental, food and behavioral health care, all in Jesus’ name. Hope Clinic is one of the few places that provide baby formula for young mothers. Hope Clinic runs on partnership: partnership between their four pillars of service to provide a cohesive, whole person health care experience and partnership with the community for the resources to make it happen. For over 40 years, Hope Clinic has been a place where everyday people come together to serve. Together, they can do what no one could do alone: provide whole person care - physical, mental and spiritual - under a single umbrella. Powered by over 1,800 volunteers, last year, Hope Clinic answered over 117,000 requests for help. Hope’s focus on integrated care helps ensure that each request for help is more than just a band aid. With your support, Hope Clinic can offer their patients opportunities to make sustainable changes for the better.
For more information, check out their website: https://thehopeclinic.org/.
Peace Neighborhood Center
For over 50 years, Peace Neighborhood Center has piloted and maintained programs for children, families and individuals to promote self-sufficiency and positive community involvement. They are proud to report that since 1971, they have provided critical services and opportunities to more than 18,000 people in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County. Through a wide range of comprehensive programs, Peace helps people discover options, enhance skills and make choices that promote education, health, well-being and fiscal independence. Their services include: advocacy, emergency assistance, after-school programs, summer day camps, college and career preparation, individual and family counseling and family enrichment.
Peace Neighborhood Center’s mission is to provide programs for children, families and individuals who are affected by social and economic problems. Peace helps people discover options, enhance skills and make choices that lead to self-sufficiency and positive community involvement.
Peace Neighborhood Center is a community where personal growth, opportunity and diversity are constant - the cycle of poverty and social and economic inequality has been broken.
To find out more about Peace Neighborhood, visit their website: https:// peaceneighborhoodcenter.org/.
Food Gatherers
Food Gatherers is the food bank and food rescue program serving Washtenaw County. The lead agency for hunger relief in the County, Food Gatherers supports a network of 170 community partners with free and low-cost food, deliveries and trainings. They operate several large direct service programs - the Food Gatherers Community Kitchen, the Summer Food Service Program and the Healthy School Pantry Program - and work closely with community schools, universities and healthcare providers to address gaps in services. Food Gatherers focuses on health - 60% of food distributed is protein and fresh produce. Because hunger will not be solved with food alone, Food Gatherers advocates for policies and system changes to create an equitable food system. In their last fiscal year, Food Gatherers distributed 7.3 million pounds of food - the equivalent of 6 million meals - through their network of partner programs.
Check out the Food Gatherers website: https://www.foodgatherers.org/ for more information about this wonderful community resource, to donate or to find volunteer opportunities.
