Special Events
There is always something happening at Willowbrook.
Join the Summer Friendship 8/6 Gatherings
For the summer, Friendship 8/6 is introducing something new so that the greatest number of people can enjoy fellowship and good food during the heat of the season. Not everyone can be here all summer long; therefore, rather than meeting in homes during May, June, July and August, Friendship 8/6 invites you to sign up for any or all of four potlucks to be held at the church. This is a wonderful way for you to get to know your fellow Willowbrookers on a more personal level and share some yummy Willowbrook cooking in a cool place – our church home!
The dates for our church-based gatherings are Sunday evenings; May 23, June 27, July 25, and August 22. Two couples will be in charge each month to set the tables and provide the game or activity for that evening. We need volunteers for June and August. A signup sheet will be available in Wilson Hall throughout the summer for each of the four dates.
Willowbrook Alzheimer’s Group Support
The guest speaker at the August 9 meeting of WAGS will be Emily Knock from Desert Southwest Alzheimer’s Association. WAGS is open to all Willowbrookers, their families and the community who wish to know more about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The group meets at 10:00 a.m. in Wilson Fellowship Hall. There is not cost for attending the meetings.
August Men’s Breakfast
The August Combined Men’s Breakfast will be held at Lakeview UMC, 10298 N Thunderbird Blvd, Sun City on Tuesday, August 10 at 8:00 a.m. Cost for breakfast is $4.00 and women are always welcome.
The guest speaker will be Steve Yarmamori, Executive Director, Fighter Country, Luke Air Force Base, speaking on the F-35 fighter plane. Sign up on Sundays or call the church office.
United Methodist Women August Luncheon
The final luncheon of the summer will be held Thursday, August 12 at 11:30 a.m. at Dillon’s Restaurant, 8706 W. Thunderbird Road. The parking is limited so we encourage carpooling where possible. We will be ordering off the menu. Plan now to come and enjoy good food and good fellowship.
Our September Mission Team Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 1 at 9:00 a.m. in the Music Room (this is due to the Labor Day Holiday). Circle meetings will resume their regular meetings (check with your Circle Leader for details) followed by the Unit meeting on September 20 at 12 noon in Wilson Fellowship Hall.
Who Is Benji?
Benji was born about 7 years ago when the Outreach/Missions Committee asked the congregation to support, with loose change, a project to send an “Ark Around the World”. The funds collected over a 5 year period would be sent to Heifer International to purchase animals for farmers around the world. A giraffe, the favorite animal of Barbara Robbins, Chair of Outreach, was selected to be the project mascot, with Roger Landon providing the “traveling” outfit. Thus, “Benji” was born and continues to flourish. We have sent many animals to the Heifer Project and have been able to send many Sidewalk Sunday School children to summer camp. Because we are just asking you to donate your loose change the project is one that all can participate in by donating as much or as little as you want. Think of it in the same way as the “Parable of the Widow’s Mite” (Mark 12:41-44).
The next “Benji” project is “Nothing But Nets” a United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) campaign in conjunction with the UN, Sports Illustrated, the National Basketball Association and several other charities. Every 30 seconds a child in Africa dies of malaria, but for just $10.00 a medicated sleeping net, education for its use and distribution to a child in Africa, can be obtained through “Nothing But Nets”. By donating to UMCOR 100% of the money collected goes directly to the campaign, no funds are used for administrative costs! For further information on this campaign go to “Nothing But Nets” on the internet.
“SEND A NET, SAVE A LIFE” put your coins in the Benji jar!