Greetings Topeka First UMC,

I hope that you are having a great week! I'm looking forward to cooler weather next week.

Remodel construction continued this week! The crews were busy working in the celebration room & surrounding areas. When you come in Sunday, you’ll see that most of the wallpaper in the Celebration Room, the front bathrooms, the front office, and the basement stairwell has been removed and some of the walls might have the first coat of skim coat. The chapel remodel and new sanctuary carpet are just a few weeks away!

This Sunday, we’ll begin our new sermon series called "Faith Under Construction: Noah's Ark." With construction happening around the church, we will be looking the next six weeks at building up our own faith. This week, we begin with the opening verses of the Noah story where God sees the depravity of humanity and decides to act. God is going to send a flood. Many will die. How can we worship the God of love, who also sends a flood that kills many? On Sunday, we will consider God's wrath and God's love. We are also receiving new members and have a baptism at the 10:45 am service. We will also celebrate the return of the Chancel Choir!

After worship on Sunday, please remember that you can join me for Pizza with the Pastor or you can attend the Lunch Buddies training to work with the children at Scott Dual Language Magnet School.

Again this week, we're including a short calendar of events for you. Please always reference the website calendar for the complete 

• Saturday, Aug. 23, 9 am: Sensory event–Catatasticly Fun Time! Geared towards children with cognitive age 0 - 6th grade.
• Sunday, Aug. 24, Noon: Join us for a Lunch Buddies informational meeting in room #101.
• Sunday, Aug. 24 at Noon: Pizza with the Pastor in room #105.
• Monday, Aug. 25, 6 pm: The new Caregiver Support Group meets. This group is geared towards those who understand supporting neurodivergent individuals. Sharing triumphs, disappointments, & brainstorming with others is so helpful. See Laura for more information.
• Tuesday, Aug. 26, 9 am: The Sew it's Tuesday Quilt Group meets. All are welcome...even if you don't know how to quilt!
• Wednesday, Aug. 27: The Community Meal is from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm. We'd love for you to join us for lunch this day!

Please use this link to sign up for a spot on Sunday’s to greet and hand out bulletins before the service you attend. 

The table for the August Mission Collection of hot & cold cereal, benefiting Let’s Help, is now in the library since we’re begun the remodel!  There are only 8 volunteer spots left on the September Doorstep sign up! This is great!! Thanks to all who've committed to helping our Mision Partner in September. 1 Monday spot is open, 5 Thursday morning spots, and 2 Thursday afternoon spots, please show your support for our Mission Partner by signing up for a spot using this link.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Brad

We are excited to publish the Young Adults Fall schedule! Contact Pastor Grace for more information!

I'm writing to you as a retired Great Plains UMC colleague and as a member of the Board of Directors of ODIM (Organization for the Development of Indigenous Maya.)  In the early years of ODIM's work in the two rural communities of San Juan and San Pablo la Laguna, Guatemala, the members of Topeka First UMC were a big part of the impact ODIM had in improving the quality of life for families in these communities.  ODIM has grown and expanded over the last 15 years, and we want to celebrate that with all those who have helped them in the past.  

We are excited to launch an online event to share the ODIM story on August 28, 7:00 p.m. CDT. 

We're writing with hearts full of gratitude for the support you and the United Methodist Church have provided to ODIM's mission in the past. Your church’s partnership was transformational—not just financial assistance, but a living demonstration of compassion reaching across borders to embrace our indigenous communities in Guatemala.

From ODIM's early days, the United Methodist Church has been foundational to our work. Your denomination's commitment to serving the marginalized has shaped every clinic we've built, every health promoter we've trained, and every family we've served. You didn't just support our work; you led by example committing to healthcare as a human right, stating that dignity matters, and that community wellness creates lasting change. Since United Methodists have opened the door to hope and healing for the villages of San Pablo and San Juan La Laguna, the beloved villages want to return the gesture and open their doors to welcome you!

You're invited to our "Open Doors, Open Hearts" Annual Report Celebration:

When: August 28th at 7:00pm CDT Where: Virtually from beautiful Lake Atitlán

You'll get a look at the impact ODIM built during 2024, hearing firsthand stories from mothers, patients, grandparents, and our amazing health promoters who bring care right to people's doorsteps.

[RSVP Here: LINK]

Expanding Our Circle of Impact

Your church’s support in the past has shown us what's possible when communities truly care beyond their own boundaries. Now, we're hoping to expand this circle of compassion.

With deep gratitude and excitement for what's ahead,

The ODIM Staff and Communities of San Pablo and San Juan La Laguna, Guatemala