Update on Communications Practices at Brighton First

The Communications Task Force, formed as part of Brighton First’s strategic plan, has completed its work and submitted a report to the Administrative Board for approval in August. The Communications Team was tasked with reviewing  communication practices at Brighton First and creating  policy and guidelines.

Key recommendations from the Communications Task Force include:

• Continue to use the current Brighton First logo in publications. After consulting with Mark Doyle, the director of communications for the Michigan Area United Methodist Church, the team determined that our current logo is most effective for our context. 

• Completely update the website by November 2017. The communication goal is that the website be the primary source for information for both visitors and regular attenders at Brighton First. Over the last year, we have made improvements, providing more information. The website will be redesigned to reflect current trends and enhanced usability.

• Change the format and frequency of Brighton First's newsletter. The newsletter in its current format will end in September, and we will send five mailings per year with an emphasis on our vision and mission as a church. The revised newsletter will accompany Christmas and Easter letters, as well as three giving statement mailings. Church members will continue to receive news of upcoming events through the worship bulletin, weekly e-news, Facebook and the website. For those who do not attend church and/or rely on the newsletter for information, we will mail bulletins (which contain letters from Pastor Sherry and news of upcoming events) monthly.

• Provide a concise description of communications channels that church groups may use to get their news and announcements out. This information is included in the Policy and Guideline document that will be available on line by mid-August.

We are grateful for the work of Joanne Schmidt, Terry Keefe, Alyssa Tumolo and Rev. Sherry Parker-Lewis, who worked over several months to create the communications guidelines. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Pastor Sherry.

Update on Communications Practices at Brighton First

The Communications Task Force, formed as part of Brighton First’s strategic plan, has completed its work and submitted a report to the Administrative Board for approval in August. The Communications Team was tasked with reviewing  communication practices at Brighton First and creating  policy and guidelines.

Key recommendations from the Communications Task Force include:

• Continue to use the current Brighton First logo in publications. After consulting with Mark Doyle, the director of communications for the Michigan Area United Methodist Church, the team determined that our current logo is most effective for our context. 

• Completely update the website by November 2017. The communication goal is that the website be the primary source for information for both visitors and regular attenders at Brighton First. Over the last year, we have made improvements, providing more information. The website will be redesigned to reflect current trends and enhanced usability.

• Change the format and frequency of Brighton First's newsletter. The newsletter in its current format will end in September, and we will send five mailings per year with an emphasis on our vision and mission as a church. The revised newsletter will accompany Christmas and Easter letters, as well as three giving statement mailings. Church members will continue to receive news of upcoming events through the worship bulletin, weekly e-news, Facebook and the website. For those who do not attend church and/or rely on the newsletter for information, we will mail bulletins (which contain letters from Pastor Sherry and news of upcoming events) monthly.

• Provide a concise description of communications channels that church groups may use to get their news and announcements out. This information is included in the Policy and Guideline document that will be available on line by mid-August.

We are grateful for the work of Joanne Schmidt, Terry Keefe, Alyssa Tumolo and Rev. Sherry Parker-Lewis, who worked over several months to create the communications guidelines. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Pastor Sherry.

Summer Youth Internship at Brighton First

Brighton First is, for the first time, offering a summer youth internship position. The intern will serve in July and August for a total of 30 hours. The purpose of the summer youth internship is to deepen the young person’s knowledge and experience of Christian Ministry through general ministry activities including worship leadership, pastoral care, missions, children and youth ministries, music and administration tasks. 

Our intern will experience practical ministry training, work in an atmosphere of personal and professional guidance and support, test their gifts, and develop spiritually and theologically.

The summer youth intern will participate in missions and weekly worship. He/she will help plan for children’s ministry and lead in Vacation Bible School. The intern will assist clergy with pastoral care and worship leadership. He/she will help develop church publications and, most importantly, engage in spiritual practices.

When the summer youth internship is completed, the intern will receive a stipend of $400. Applications for the internship position are due by May 30. If you would like more information contact Brighton First Youth Director Alyssa Tumolo at alyssa@brightonfumc.org or go to the youth link at brightonfumc.org.

This internship program is part of a strategic plan created by Brighton First Leadership to encourage a “climate of call to ministry” at Brighton First. Please be in prayer for the intern who will be in ministry this summer.

Summer Youth Internship at Brighton First

Brighton First is, for the first time, offering a summer youth internship position. The intern will serve in July and August for a total of 30 hours. The purpose of the summer youth internship is to deepen the young person’s knowledge and experience of Christian Ministry through general ministry activities including worship leadership, pastoral care, missions, children and youth ministries, music and administration tasks. 

Our intern will experience practical ministry training, work in an atmosphere of personal and professional guidance and support, test their gifts, and develop spiritually and theologically.

The summer youth intern will participate in missions and weekly worship. He/she will help plan for children’s ministry and lead in Vacation Bible School. The intern will assist clergy with pastoral care and worship leadership. He/she will help develop church publications and, most importantly, engage in spiritual practices.

When the summer youth internship is completed, the intern will receive a stipend of $400. Applications for the internship position are due by May 30. If you would like more information contact Brighton First Youth Director Alyssa Tumolo at alyssa@brightonfumc.org or go to the youth link at brightonfumc.org.

This internship program is part of a strategic plan created by Brighton First Leadership to encourage a “climate of call to ministry” at Brighton First. Please be in prayer for the intern who will be in ministry this summer.

Brighton First Staff Participates in United Way "Day of Caring"

Brighton Staff Members: Lisa Guise, Alyssa Tumolo, Kali Hnatowich (staff
member for a day!), Mike Tooman, Missy Setty, Stacy Hnatowich, Loretta Job,
Wendy Carmack, Susan Snow, Bob Fuchs, Sherry Parker-Lewis

 The staff of Brighton First volunteered Wednesday, August 16, as a "Day of Caring" Team for Livingston County United Way. Staff members agreed earlier in the summer that they wanted to spend their summer retreat day working together to assist residents in Livingston County. They chose to join Day of Caring.


Livingston County United Way recruits and coordinates over 1,000 volunteers in a one-day effort to assist county residents with home repairs, cleaning, painting, lawn care and bringing good will. The Brighton First Staff  and our church's Men With Tools group were among the teams sent out to help.

The staff worked as a team to complete a painting/cleaning project. They spent the day working side-by-side, solving problems together, laughing together and meeting community members.

One of our church's core values is service, working in mission in the name of Jesus Christ. The staff enjoyed being in mission together.

Brighton First Staff Participates in United Way "Day of Caring"

Brighton Staff Members: Lisa Guise, Alyssa Tumolo, Kali Hnatowich (staff
member for a day!), Mike Tooman, Missy Setty, Stacy Hnatowich, Loretta Job,
Wendy Carmack, Susan Snow, Bob Fuchs, Sherry Parker-Lewis

 The staff of Brighton First volunteered Wednesday, August 16, as a "Day of Caring" Team for Livingston County United Way. Staff members agreed earlier in the summer that they wanted to spend their summer retreat day working together to assist residents in Livingston County. They chose to join Day of Caring.


Livingston County United Way recruits and coordinates over 1,000 volunteers in a one-day effort to assist county residents with home repairs, cleaning, painting, lawn care and bringing good will. The Brighton First Staff  and our church's Men With Tools group were among the teams sent out to help.

The staff worked as a team to complete a painting/cleaning project. They spent the day working side-by-side, solving problems together, laughing together and meeting community members.

One of our church's core values is service, working in mission in the name of Jesus Christ. The staff enjoyed being in mission together.

Mission Committee Sets Purpose and Goals

The Brighton First Mission Committee is the first church committee to embrace a new model for committee leadership that includes determining purpose, setting annual goals and committing to an on-going evaluation process.

The Vital Church Initiative Consultation Team, that visited our church in March 2015, concluded that while we have a great many program and events at Brighton First, our specific goals are cloudy and we are not evaluating our programing for accountability.

The Mission Committee began the process of setting purpose and goals in December 2016. They are currently clear about their purpose. "The Mission Committee is serving God and putting our faith into action by promotiong, supporting and evaluating missions." The committe has also set several goals that they plan to achieve by the end of 2016.

Among those goals is a well-organized monthly mission focus. In January, the committee promoted participation in the Livingston County Community Connect. Our church gave away over 1,000 pairs of socks to people in need.

In March, the mission committee took on a large project, larger than they have in several years, to fund an Ark for the Heifer Project. This will supply a village with animals that will bring a sustained income. To date the congregation has raised over half of the $5,000 goal.

In addition to monthly mission focuses, the committee is supporting mission teams that serve in our state and in Kentucky and Mexico.

I am grateful to this mission team, under the leadership of Greg Kushner and assisted by staff liaison Alyssa Tumolo, for their work to strengthen their ministry to God and to the church.

Mission Committee Sets Purpose and Goals

The Brighton First Mission Committee is the first church committee to embrace a new model for committee leadership that includes determining purpose, setting annual goals and committing to an on-going evaluation process.

The Vital Church Initiative Consultation Team, that visited our church in March 2015, concluded that while we have a great many program and events at Brighton First, our specific goals are cloudy and we are not evaluating our programing for accountability.

The Mission Committee began the process of setting purpose and goals in December 2016. They are currently clear about their purpose. "The Mission Committee is serving God and putting our faith into action by promotiong, supporting and evaluating missions." The committe has also set several goals that they plan to achieve by the end of 2016.

Among those goals is a well-organized monthly mission focus. In January, the committee promoted participation in the Livingston County Community Connect. Our church gave away over 1,000 pairs of socks to people in need.

In March, the mission committee took on a large project, larger than they have in several years, to fund an Ark for the Heifer Project. This will supply a village with animals that will bring a sustained income. To date the congregation has raised over half of the $5,000 goal.

In addition to monthly mission focuses, the committee is supporting mission teams that serve in our state and in Kentucky and Mexico.

I am grateful to this mission team, under the leadership of Greg Kushner and assisted by staff liaison Alyssa Tumolo, for their work to strengthen their ministry to God and to the church.

An Inside Look at the Process for Creating a Worship Service

Bob Fuchs, Brighton First's Director of Discipleship, attended his first staff meeting a week ago. When the bulletin for the upcoming Sunday worship services was passed around for review, he asked, "How did this get here?" That's a good question. What type of planning goes into conceiving, creating and offering a worship service at Brighton First? And, how, by Wednesday afternoon of the previous week is a member of the church staff able to hold in his/her hand the Sunday worship bulletin.

Please keep in mind that as I describe these steps that all phases of worship design and preparation are held in prayer by myself and the many who contribute to bring relevant and inspiring worship.
Here's the process that brought the worship services of Sunday, March 6. The theme was "Not So Fast to Judgement". 

In late 2015, the worship staff and Brighton First's worship committee began to discuss themes for the Lenten season. They decided that for Lent, it would be good to slow down, to seek to meet God at a slower pace. I took that general goal and began to read through the Gospel of Luke. I intentionally looked for places where Jesus either slowed his pace or asked his disciples to slow down. In Luke 6 Jesus asked the crowd to love their enemies and to not judge. I chose to use this text for one of the weeks in Lent.

By January, the weekly worship themes for Lent were set. Alyssa Tumolo, our staff member who works on promotional graphics, designed our theme logo for Lent. In February, Susan Snow, the music director determined hymns and special music for the worship service. Because the theme was judgement, she introduced the song "Man in the Mirror" to the Young People's Worship Arts Group. The song would open the sermon. Susan also captured videos of the children talking about experiences of judgement. Those would be used during the sermon. Susan chose an invitation to contemplation sung by the choir to follow the sermon.

Also, in February, I wrote the printed prayer used in worship and sent out a draft of the worship order. By mid-February the worship team was actively planning the March 6 worship service in our weekly meetings. Because it was a communion Sunday, we determined the prayers used with communion.

The week before the worship service, our worship host for the week, Carol Kapustka, received information about the theme and scripture. She began preparing the congregational prayer and also a story about judgement that she would share from her life. Missy Setty, our Children's ministry director, received the same information and began to prepare to give the children's message at the 9:30 worship. She gathered books at home and from the school library and took a picture of them. That picture would be on the screens in worship and be the backdrop for her message on not "judging a book by its cover."

On Monday, February 29, the worship staff ran through the worship service once more and discussed timing, transitions and movement of those who would be participating and leading. Susan Snow prepared a technical script for each service and sent it to all worship leaders and the audio/sound technicians.

On March 3, I gathered all the notes and quotes that I had been collecting for this sermon over a two month period and prepared to write. I chose two video interviews that Susan had shot with children telling stories of judgement. I studied the scripture again, in greater detail and wrote out the entire sermon manuscript. I determined what visuals I wanted for the sermon and sent those to Chris Attarian, our media coordinator.

On Friday, Chris worked to finish putting together all the screen slides and videos for worship.

The process of creating this single worship service also included the rehearsal of a the choir, the volunteers who put cards and envelopes in the pew racks, the scheduling of acolytes and ushers and greeters, the liturgists receiving their readings by email, the sanctuary being cleaned, and Nancy Smail purchasing and preparing the communion bread and juice. Two audio/visual technicians ran the sound, lights and screen images at every worship service. Linda Victory designed the worship area for that Sunday. And, of course, the worship bulletin was prepared by our office assistant, Wendy Carmack.

Finally, on the morning of worship at 6:00 I ran through the sermon one more time and prepared a brief outline to preach from. At 7:15 am, worship leaders gathered to talk through the worship service and then to walk through it.

I know that I've missed something and my apologies to those who were not named for their efforts. Consider that worship is not a one time event. Preparation and planning are an on going task. I invite you to pray for the many stages of worship planning and preparation at Brighton First and those who serve God in worship leadership. 

An Inside Look at the Process for Creating a Worship Service

Bob Fuchs, Brighton First's Director of Discipleship, attended his first staff meeting a week ago. When the bulletin for the upcoming Sunday worship services was passed around for review, he asked, "How did this get here?" That's a good question. What type of planning goes into conceiving, creating and offering a worship service at Brighton First? And, how, by Wednesday afternoon of the previous week is a member of the church staff able to hold in his/her hand the Sunday worship bulletin.

Please keep in mind that as I describe these steps that all phases of worship design and preparation are held in prayer by myself and the many who contribute to bring relevant and inspiring worship.
Here's the process that brought the worship services of Sunday, March 6. The theme was "Not So Fast to Judgement". 

In late 2015, the worship staff and Brighton First's worship committee began to discuss themes for the Lenten season. They decided that for Lent, it would be good to slow down, to seek to meet God at a slower pace. I took that general goal and began to read through the Gospel of Luke. I intentionally looked for places where Jesus either slowed his pace or asked his disciples to slow down. In Luke 6 Jesus asked the crowd to love their enemies and to not judge. I chose to use this text for one of the weeks in Lent.

By January, the weekly worship themes for Lent were set. Alyssa Tumolo, our staff member who works on promotional graphics, designed our theme logo for Lent. In February, Susan Snow, the music director determined hymns and special music for the worship service. Because the theme was judgement, she introduced the song "Man in the Mirror" to the Young People's Worship Arts Group. The song would open the sermon. Susan also captured videos of the children talking about experiences of judgement. Those would be used during the sermon. Susan chose an invitation to contemplation sung by the choir to follow the sermon.

Also, in February, I wrote the printed prayer used in worship and sent out a draft of the worship order. By mid-February the worship team was actively planning the March 6 worship service in our weekly meetings. Because it was a communion Sunday, we determined the prayers used with communion.

The week before the worship service, our worship host for the week, Carol Kapustka, received information about the theme and scripture. She began preparing the congregational prayer and also a story about judgement that she would share from her life. Missy Setty, our Children's ministry director, received the same information and began to prepare to give the children's message at the 9:30 worship. She gathered books at home and from the school library and took a picture of them. That picture would be on the screens in worship and be the backdrop for her message on not "judging a book by its cover."

On Monday, February 29, the worship staff ran through the worship service once more and discussed timing, transitions and movement of those who would be participating and leading. Susan Snow prepared a technical script for each service and sent it to all worship leaders and the audio/sound technicians.

On March 3, I gathered all the notes and quotes that I had been collecting for this sermon over a two month period and prepared to write. I chose two video interviews that Susan had shot with children telling stories of judgement. I studied the scripture again, in greater detail and wrote out the entire sermon manuscript. I determined what visuals I wanted for the sermon and sent those to Chris Attarian, our media coordinator.

On Friday, Chris worked to finish putting together all the screen slides and videos for worship.

The process of creating this single worship service also included the rehearsal of a the choir, the volunteers who put cards and envelopes in the pew racks, the scheduling of acolytes and ushers and greeters, the liturgists receiving their readings by email, the sanctuary being cleaned, and Nancy Smail purchasing and preparing the communion bread and juice. Two audio/visual technicians ran the sound, lights and screen images at every worship service. Linda Victory designed the worship area for that Sunday. And, of course, the worship bulletin was prepared by our office assistant, Wendy Carmack.

Finally, on the morning of worship at 6:00 I ran through the sermon one more time and prepared a brief outline to preach from. At 7:15 am, worship leaders gathered to talk through the worship service and then to walk through it.

I know that I've missed something and my apologies to those who were not named for their efforts. Consider that worship is not a one time event. Preparation and planning are an on going task. I invite you to pray for the many stages of worship planning and preparation at Brighton First and those who serve God in worship leadership. 

Staffing Changes at Brighton First Indicate Openness to Future Needs

A member of the congregation stopped in this week to ask about the staff changes at Brighton First. In particular, the church member wanted to know why Brighton First has hired a retired pastor rather than hiring an associate pastor. This a good question, and I appreciate being asked. I assume that if one person is wondering, there may be others with the same question.

This year, when the Staff-Parish Relations Committee realized that Rev. Paul Hahm was being reappointed as of July 1, the committee waited to hear what associate pastor would be assigned to Brighton First. Rev. Mark Spaw, our district superintendent, looked for a clergy person that would be a good fit, someone with the pastoral skills we need and whose compensation package fits within our church budget. It was evident by late March that we would not be receiving an associate pastor.

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) faced with these circumstances would normally seek to directly hire someone with pastoral experience to fill the position. However, since we are presently going through a revitalization process and clarifying our mission and purpose (Vital Chruch Initiative), it was unclear what specific skills we should look for.

So, the SPRC decided to cover the needs of the church through increasing the hours for Alyssa Tumolo, Director of Youth Ministries and hiring a part-time assistant pastor, Rev. John G. Park. In addition, the SPRC anticipates that Brighton First will hire a part-time worship leader for our 11:00 am worship service. As the church works to clarify its vision, the SPRC will be re-writing staff job descriptions to equip the church to achieve its goals.

At this time, we cannot predict how staffing will look in 2016. We may, once again, hire an associate pastor. We may also determine that a staff member with specific gifts are needed and seek out a clergy or lay person to fill that position.

In the meantime, the SPRC has staffed the church to continue at full strength. Please be in prayer for this on-going process.

Staffing Changes at Brighton First Indicate Openness to Future Needs

A member of the congregation stopped in this week to ask about the staff changes at Brighton First. In particular, the church member wanted to know why Brighton First has hired a retired pastor rather than hiring an associate pastor. This a good question, and I appreciate being asked. I assume that if one person is wondering, there may be others with the same question.

This year, when the Staff-Parish Relations Committee realized that Rev. Paul Hahm was being reappointed as of July 1, the committee waited to hear what associate pastor would be assigned to Brighton First. Rev. Mark Spaw, our district superintendent, looked for a clergy person that would be a good fit, someone with the pastoral skills we need and whose compensation package fits within our church budget. It was evident by late March that we would not be receiving an associate pastor.

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) faced with these circumstances would normally seek to directly hire someone with pastoral experience to fill the position. However, since we are presently going through a revitalization process and clarifying our mission and purpose (Vital Chruch Initiative), it was unclear what specific skills we should look for.

So, the SPRC decided to cover the needs of the church through increasing the hours for Alyssa Tumolo, Director of Youth Ministries and hiring a part-time assistant pastor, Rev. John G. Park. In addition, the SPRC anticipates that Brighton First will hire a part-time worship leader for our 11:00 am worship service. As the church works to clarify its vision, the SPRC will be re-writing staff job descriptions to equip the church to achieve its goals.

At this time, we cannot predict how staffing will look in 2016. We may, once again, hire an associate pastor. We may also determine that a staff member with specific gifts are needed and seek out a clergy or lay person to fill that position.

In the meantime, the SPRC has staffed the church to continue at full strength. Please be in prayer for this on-going process.

Brighton First Youth Director, Alyssa Tumolo, Takes on Additional Responsibilities

Alyssa Tumolo, the Director of Youth Ministries at Brighton First, has had a successful first year at our church. She is connecting with youth and building a strong program, especially with junior high age youth. She anticipates both junior high and high school youth programs to be strong and active in the 2015-2016 school year.

Because of Alyssa's organizational skills, her creativity and her passion for mission, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee have asked Alyssa to add extra hours to her weekly schedule and become the Director of Missions for Brighton First. She will assist the Mission Committee and Mission Teams with administration and communication. In addition, Alyssa will assist Brighton First with marketing and creating publications for our guests and community members. She will work with other staff members to enhance our social media presence.

Alyssa has a heart for communication and will work to unify all our avenues of communication, both internally and externally.

As we move forward with the Vital Church Initiative, we can expect that Alyssa will play an active role in designing and publishing our "brand".

Brighton First Youth Director, Alyssa Tumolo, Takes on Additional Responsibilities

Alyssa Tumolo, the Director of Youth Ministries at Brighton First, has had a successful first year at our church. She is connecting with youth and building a strong program, especially with junior high age youth. She anticipates both junior high and high school youth programs to be strong and active in the 2015-2016 school year.

Because of Alyssa's organizational skills, her creativity and her passion for mission, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee have asked Alyssa to add extra hours to her weekly schedule and become the Director of Missions for Brighton First. She will assist the Mission Committee and Mission Teams with administration and communication. In addition, Alyssa will assist Brighton First with marketing and creating publications for our guests and community members. She will work with other staff members to enhance our social media presence.

Alyssa has a heart for communication and will work to unify all our avenues of communication, both internally and externally.

As we move forward with the Vital Church Initiative, we can expect that Alyssa will play an active role in designing and publishing our "brand".