A note from Pastor Travis 5/1/25

Happy May Day! To be honest with you, May Day is a holiday that I have never celebrated. However, there are many great things to celebrate in the life of our congregation. We are a Spirit filled people who have responded to God’s call in our lives and who live out that call in our church and our communities.

Below you will find opportunities to be a part of the great work of our congregation.

Yard Sale Workday – Saturday, May 10, 9-12

We invite everyone to join us as we move items from the basement, sort them into categories, and begin to price them. Even if you can’t move items, there is a place for you on this workday. We will have a great time together and get a lot done. Many hands make light loads, so I hope that everyone will join us! 

Bonus – You get to look at the items first! If you can help, please contact the church office, fumc@fumcmelrose.com. 

Yard Sale — Saturday, May 17, 8:00-2:00

You can begin to bring items in. We recommend calling the office in advance to make certain someone is available to open up. 

We will need volunteers to help us on that date, and, of course to shop! Proceeds from the sales go to missions. If you can help, please contact the church office, fumc@fumcmelrose.com.   

Haiti Flag Day Potluck – Sunday, May 18

We are holding a church potluck immediately following worship, with proceeds going to support our ministry in Haiti with Haiti Global Youth Partnership. Given the circumstance both in Haiti and in the Haitian community in the United States, our gifts are more important than ever.

The Zama family will be bringing some Haitian dishes, and we invite you to bring your favorite dish too (or dessert!). The potluck is free and open to everyone, but donations will be accepted.

Last year we raised over $1,400! This money blessed our siblings in L’Asile. I know our generosity this year will continue to be a blessing.

You do not need to RSVP to come, but if you do, it will be very helpful in our planning. To RSVP please call or email the church office, 781-662-7060; fumc@fumcmelrose.com. 

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Travis

Next Thursday, May 8th, at 7 PM, Jim Bennett will be giving a historical presentation at the Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church under the title of “Why is Melrose so White?” He will be looking particularly at Melrose’s mid-twentieth century racial history, asking why Melrose’s Black population declined to historic lows at that time. Part of the UUA’s “Thoughtful Thursday” series, we hope it will lead us to a thoughtful discussion about how we can right historic wrongs and create a more just and equitable city.

The event is free and open to the public. 

After the presentation there will be a collecting of donations for Haiti Global Youth Partnership, a Melrose-based charity working to uplift the children of L’Asile Haiti, a rural community that is currently hosting scores of children who have fled war-torn Port-au-Prince.