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
We’re on YouTube! Check out our channel for live services or to revisit any you may have missed.
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Wednesday Small Group
The Wednesday Book & Bible Study is reading Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs. More information in the Dispatch.
Wednesdays 10:30 - Noon at the fireplace in the Welcome Center.
June Community Offering
Habitat for Humanity
Originally founded in 1976 in rural Georgia, Habitat for Humanity has since spread to all fifty U.S. states and now works in over seventy countries around the world. For fifty years, Habitat's work has been a catalyst for stabilizing homes, families, and communities and has served over sixty-five million people worldwide.
West Side UMC is part of the Good News Group, a group of fifteen local churches that partner together to support our local chapter, Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley, which works to support affordable homeownership for low- to mid-income families in Washtenaw County. In the
Good News Group, we pool our money to sponsor the construction or remodeling of a house every year and we coordinate our congregations to bring volunteers to work on those houses every summer. Habitat estimates that each house requires roughly $80,000 in external funding and takes roughly 2,000 volunteer hours to complete. Since the Good News Group began, we have raised over a million dollars and have supported forty house projects in Washtenaw County! Through this generous support and hard work, we have helped forty local families find affordable housing and we are especially proud to say that over seventy children have grown up in Good News homes.
For over thirty-five years, Habitat has built homes, secured futures and strengthened communities. To learn more, visit https://www.h4h.org/goodnewsgroup. Join us now and help Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley provide affordable homeownership for a low- to mid- income family in Washtenaw County!
In summer 2026, the Good News Group will finish our sponsored house at 1015 Gault Dr, Ypsilanti (the future home of the Stovall Family) and begin work on a new house being built at 1353 Rolling Court, Ypsilanti. We have volunteer opportunities on Saturday, July 18, Friday, August 14, and Saturday, September 12, as well as other dates throughout the summer. If you would like to volunteer or have any questions, please contact us.
Thank you for supporting Habitat for Humanity through your generous gifts and service!
