Greetings Topeka First UMC,

I hope that you are having a great week!

This will be a fun weekend in the life of our church. On Saturday, we have the "Camp Moose on the Loose" family camp from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm. On Sunday afternoon we have Trunk-or-Treat from 2 pm - 4 pm! We could use some more people to how a trunk and hand out candy. You can either give candy out of the back of your car, or we can just set up a table for you to hand out candy. If you can haven't already signed up or texted that you'll be coming, please email Shawna or text the church: 785-333-4420.

This Sunday’s theme will be "Who Would Jesus Vote For." This would be a great week to invite friends and family whom you might be thinking about inviting to join you at church. The message is meant to help us think deeply about how we make our decisions and allow how God and the scriptures can guide us. 

We have special guest speakers who are coming to lead us during our Wednesday evening sessions the next two weeks.  After the dinner at 6 pm, the presentations begin at 6:30 pm.

On Wednesday, October 30, we will welcome Emmanuel Pius who is from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Emmanuel is in his fourth year of medical school and has a plan to build a new primary school. Emmanuel is a leader in United Methodist youth in Tanzania and is excited about Christ and the future. His dream is to return to the Tarim area and begin clinics in rural villages so that child mortality can be reduced.

On Wednesday, November 6, we will welcome Jane Langat who is the Director of Intercultural Development for the Great Plains Conference. Rev. Langat led a training with the Leadership Council earlier this year to bring awareness and support for our leadership team as Pastor Sandra was beginning her ministry with us. This training was received well with the Leadership team and we are excited for all of you to experience this important training. We'll have a sign up sheet at the Connection Desk in the Celebration Room on Sunday for both Wednesday programs & we'll send out an online sign-up link next week.

Thank you to everyone who has turned in their Estimate of Giving card for 2025. We are working through our budget for 2025 and those cards are very important as we make budgetary decisions for next year. If you haven't had the chance to turn your card in, please fill out this form.

We're looking for folks to sign up to be greeters at the beginning of the 9:30 am & 10:45 am services.  Every slot through the end of the year is open.  If you're available, please sign up to help with greeting before a worship service using this link. If it's easier, text Shawna on the church text #: 785-333-4420 to let her know when you can help greet.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Brad

New Mailing Address: PO Box 8005, Topeka, KS 66608-0005

The Topeka Rescue Mission reached out with a request for our church to lead a "Sunday School" type class on Thursday evenings two times per month. Laura Reiman was able to start this class for children from 6 - 7:30 pm.  She is teaching the kids about Jesus & the Bible.  Most of the children have never had an opportunity to learn about Jesus or the Bible!  We are looking for a few people to help Laura with this special opportunity!  Please let Shawna or Laura know of your interest!

October Mission: Composition notebooks, black dry erase markers, Kleenex

Oct. 26: Camp Moose on the Loose Family Event

Oct. 27: Trunk or Treat (Candy donations requested)

Oct. 30: Wednesday evening 6:30 pm presenter: Emmanuel Pius who is from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Nov. 1 - 3: Youth Fall Retreat

Nov. 6: Wednesday evening 6:30 pm presentater:  Director of Intercultural Development for the Great Plains Conference. Rev. Jane Langat

Nov. 7: Operation Backpack at Indian Creek Elementary School

Nov. 12: Phase 2 Breakfast at Sky Restaurat at Billard Airport

Dec. 5: Phase 2 Festival of Trees

Dec. 7: Carols & Cookies on Kansas

Dec. 9: Service of Comfort & Hope

Topeka First UMC partners with Topeka North Outreach, Scott Dual Language Magnet Elementary School, Topeka Rescue Mission, Doorstep, and Let's Help.  You can click on each name for to be redirected to their respective websites.

The October issue of the Evergy Plaza newsletter can be found here.