West Morris Church's mission is to Awaken Hope with the Transforming Light of Jesus.
Our vision is to partner with God to cultivate flourishing and unleash revival in West Indy.
Join us in this life-transforming, hope-filled Kingdom work!
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You are all God’s children through faith in Christ Jesus. All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Now if you belong to Christ, then indeed you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3.26-29 (CEB)
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Same, but Different
If you have children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews or even neighbor children you've spent time with, you have experienced the truth of "Same, but Different." We love our children (grandchildren, siblings, etc) the same, but in different ways. Our relationships are different with each one - and each one brings different things to our lives. And we wouldn't really want them to all be the same - it's their diversity and uniqueness that brings such richness.
 This is true for God's Kingdom as well. In Revelation 7.9, we read about a great diversity of people - all from different, tribes, tongues, languages and cultures - gathering around the throne of God in worshipful praise. Have you ever imagined what that would look like? Have you ever imagined what it would sound like? Whenever I'm at a busy international airport or shopping at Saraga (an international grocery store) in Indy, I often think that this is but a small glimpse of what the Kingdom in all its richness will be like.
If you joined us for our joint worship service with First Baptist of Bridgeport on June 26, you also enjoyed a small taste of the beauty of God's Kingdom. Or if you've traveled on a mission trip, and experienced worship with our sisters and brothers overseas, you also know something of this richness. On Sunday, we will continue our focus on the Free Methodist Way, considering value #4, Cross-Cultural Collaboration. While we are loved the same by God - Africans, Asians, Americans, Europeans, Australians, Antarticans (is that a thing?!) - we are also very different - by God's design and intention!! And our understanding, appreciation and worship of God is made more complete when we partner, collaborate and learn from others.
Wanda Dunham's Celebration of Life
 Don't forget to come to the Celebration of Life for Wanda Dunham, longtime West Morris member and faithful servant of Jesus. Wanda passed away this spring, just shy of her 100th birthday. On Saturday, July 9 at 2 PM, her family invites you - her church family - to celebrate with them at West Morris Church. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Family Camp
Each year, the church families of Free Methodist churches in Indiana and eastern Illinois gather at the Wabash Park & Retreat Center in Clay City, Indiana for a week of Family Camp. Filled with activities for all ages, and worship services each night, Family Camp is a great time to grow in faith, connect with new friends, and get away. Some people attend the entire week of Family Camp. Others come up just for the weekend. Even others drive to the campground for Worship Services at night.
This year, West Morris Church will worship on Sunday, July 24 AT Family Camp - not at our church building. We invite you to come to the campground in Clay City to worship with your sisters and brothers from around the region at 10:30 AM. We will enjoy a pitch-in lunch together after the worship service in the picnic shelter. The church will provide meat and drinks, so bring side dishes, salads or desserts to share.
Need a ride? Have an available seat to give a ride? We are putting together carpooling opportunities so everyone doesn't need to drive to Clay City. Please let us know if you need a ride or want to offer a ride ASAP. Want to come to more than just Sunday's worship service at Family Camp? Click here to learn more about Family Camp or register. (NOTE: You do NOT have to register for Family Camp if you are only attending the Sunday worship service!)
Prayer Needs
Many of you have heard about the serious car accident that Iris Riggs was in a few days ago. Her injuries are quite serious with many broken bones, however, they are not life threatening. Iris has already undergone one surgery and will have one or more in her future, and will require extensive rehabilitation. Her family shares that her medical team has been outstanding. Iris, as you might well imagine, is buoyed and encouraged by her great faith and your many prayers. Her faith is a blessing. and it is a beautiful encouragement to her medical team as well as her family. Please continue to pray for Iris, her family, and her medical team!
Pastor Kristen
317-464-7360
westmorrispastor@gmail.com
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Semi-Annual Society Meeting
Sunday, August 14
 Don't miss our Semi-Annual Society Meeting on Sunday, August 14 right after service. This is our normal "Second Sunday Supper" week, but in addition to great food and fellowship, we will be celebrating, brainstorming and voting on some important new ventures. Come hear updates on grants, projects, ministries, ask questions, and give your input and ideas. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
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Join with other churches in the West Morris building this Wednesday, July 13, for a Prayer Walk around West Indy. We will begin at 7 PM in Comunidad's sanctuary (come in door #1), and finish at 8 PM at West Park.
Prayer walking can be a powerful way to impact a community - so don't miss this opportunity!
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 Project Lydia 2.0 Coming Soon!
We are excited to announce the second cohort of Project Lydia will be starting up this fall! Project Lydia will take place Monday nights for 8 weeks, September 12-October 31, from 6:30-8 PM. This innovative and exciting program helps innovators start their own businesses. We need your involvement to make this happen! Do you know someone looking to start their own business? Can you be a facilitator/supporter for one or more weeks, encouraging our innovators? Would you provide snacks for one or more weeks? Would you like to share your story as a business owner or present on a topic that would be helpful to our innovators? Use this Contact Form to get involved.
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 New Photo Directory
Have you ever known someone's face, but not their name? Do you struggle putting names and faces together? Would you like to have contact information for people in our congregation? Would you like to have a free professional photograph taken, receive a free 8x10, and have the opportunity to purchase additional photos?
West Morris Church is looking to have a new photo directory put together this fall - and it won't be complete without YOU in it! There is NO cost, NO obligation to be part of it. Simply get your photo taken - and get a free 8x10 and a free photo directory and a free app with an online directory! Mark your calendars for September 27 for our photo day. And, we are looking for 1-2 energetic people who can be "Directory Directors" - friendly people who can help get everyone signed up for getting their photos done. Interested? Email or text Pastor Kristen (westmorrispastor@gmail.com or 317-464-7360).
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Thank you for your prayers for our grant application for the Cultivating Communities Program that we submitted in May. This past week we were excited to receive the following message, welcoming us to the program!
We’re excited to share that after several months of planning and application development, 7 congregations have been selected to be part of the Cultivating Communities in Indianapolis collective impact initiative. Our vision for a thriving and equitable city is obviously shared by the applicants who submitted responses to the RFP and indicated their desire to collaborate on collective impact work with other congregations from across the city.
The congregations that have been invited to join the cohort include:
West Morris Free Methodist Church (2302 West Morris St)
Chapel Rock Christian Church (2020 N. Girls School Rd)
Light of the World Christian Church (4646 N. Michigan Rd)
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church (1301 N Goodlet Ave)
New Liberty Missionary Baptist Church (10125 30th St)
Living Word Baptist Church (4934 E 21st St)
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church (3801 Forest Manor Ave)
Cultivating Communities in Indianapolis views faith communities as catalysts for social change whose impact can be multiplied when combined with the efforts of our city’s best nonprofit partners. We look forward to welcoming representatives from each of the congregations to begin planning work to develop and guide their collective impact strategy this coming fall.
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MAKE PLANS NOW FOR FAMILY CAMP 2022
JULY 18TH - JULY 24TH
Family Camp is an experience designed for the entire family. Individuals and families converge on the grounds in late July for a day, a weekend, or the entire week.
 Family Camp is filled with opportunities for children, youth, and adults to attend classes and activities or visit with old and new friends. Organized sporting events are held and family activities are offered throughout the week. Evening worship services draw the entire camp together for great music and challenging preaching. Family Camp concludes with our weekend bonfire, parade, and more.
Our Camp Pastor this year is Jen Starr-Reivitt. Jen is the lead pastor at Turlock Free Methodist Church in the Sierra Pacific Conference. She has been in pastoral ministry for more than 20 years and has served in a variety of roles, including associate pastor, church planting pastor, and hospital chaplain. She is a graduate of Greenville University and Asbury Theological Seminary.
We will be worshiping at Family Camp on Sunday, July 24. Click here to get more information and register.
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We've heard from several of you that you miss Sunday School on Sunday mornings. Well, there's good and bad news about that.
The good news is that we have Sunday School - you're invited to join in, and those who attend LOVE it! The bad news? You're missing out if you don't join us!
Several other things also happen on Sunday morning at West Morris - check out the morning schedule:
9:30-10:15 AM - throughout the Church
- Free breakfast & coffee in New Day Cafe (starting about 9:15 so grab it on your way to these other gatherings:)
- Discovery Bible Study in lower level - study the scripture passage that will be preached on during our main service. Everyone welcome (and the elevator is available for use).
- New Day Students on 2nd floor - youth in grades 7-12 are invited to an in-depth discipleship gathering in the new youth room on the 2nd floor.
- Prayer & Anointing in sanctuary - join Geri and Sharon to receive prayer at the back of the sanctuary before the service.
- Prayer Wall in sanctuary - have you spent time at our prayer walls? Pray for the prayer requests that have been shared on them and post your own.
10:30 AM - Worship in the sanctuary
- Communion - join us as we celebrate communion together on the first Sunday of each month. We welcome everyone who desires to follow Jesus at the table.
- Testimonies - where have you seen God at work in the last few weeks? Come ready to share your God-sightings every second Sunday of the month during our service.
12 PM - after Worship
- Second Sunday Supper - pitch-in lunch in the lower level immediately following Sunday worship on the second Sunday of every month. This is a great way to connect with others around a table - just like Jesus did!
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Opportunities to Give
Prayer - we invite you to submit prayer requests or to visit our online prayer wall where you can prayer for requests, and list your own.
Online - you can give online with Givelify (click here)
Time - we have a "Honey Do" list of small work projects that need to be done at the West Morris Church building. If you have a few hours during the week, stop by and get 1-2 of those items crossed off the list!
Gifts - there are many ways to serve at West Morris such as on the worship team (singing or playing), nursery, New Day Kids Church, breakfast (bringing or serving), greeting, or sound/tech team. Interested? Connect with Pastor Kristen to learn more.
Mail - send your gift to 2302 West Morris Street, Indianapolis IN 46221
In-Person - bring your gift to worship on Sunday and place it in the offering boxes around the sanctuary, or put it in the baskets during offering time.
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