May 2026 - Participating In God's Story
A Word from Pastor Rich
As we have been working our way through the sermon series “Stories That Matter,” I’ve been reminded of several stories from my own life—some of which I’ve shared with you. Obviously, the stories of Jesus matter deeply. They teach us about the Kingdom of God, reveal God’s power to heal, show us the need to forgive, and remind us of the imperative to love. These truly are stories that matter.
However, it is also important to remember the stories that have shaped us into who we are. These matter as well. We all have stories. Some are filled with pain and heartbreak, others with joy and celebration, and still others reflect the day-to-day rhythms of life. In many ways, we are formed by these experiences.
The beauty of the Gospel story is that when it intersects with our own stories, grace and mercy are found. Our stories, too, can become stories of grace and mercy. We become part of God’s work of redemption. God uses us not only as storytellers, but also as instruments of grace and reconciliation. He can and will use the gifts and graces we’ve been given to continue telling His story of redemption.
I want to encourage you to look for the places where your story intersects with God’s redemptive work through Jesus. This brings to mind the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1–26). Jesus knew her story, yet He asked her for a drink of water. She was surprised that He would even speak to her, let alone ask something of her. Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” This is where her story and God’s story of redemption meet. Jesus tells her that the water He gives will become in her a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
Friends, allow this gift of living water to spring up within you to eternal life. Tell the stories of your life, the stories of Main Street Church, and—most importantly—the stories of God’s redemption. In doing so, the living water will continue to well up in you to eternal life.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Rich
May Worship Schedule
Sunday, May 3rd - You Know the Way - John 14:1-14 - 5th Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 10th - The Story Abides - John 14:15-21 - 6th Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 17th - Not Quite the Story We Expect - Luke 24:44-53 - Ascension Sunday
Sunday, May 24th - Spirit Unbound - Acts 2:1-21 - Pentecost
Sunday, May 31st - Spirit in Partnership - Matthew 28:16-20 - Trinity Sunday (combined)
Financial Update
We know that this spring has been a season of financial instability for many in our congregation and our community, and many of the increases that we experience as individuals have been impacting our church as well. In the name of transparency, we want the congregation to know that April has been a particularly rough month with our church expenses ($55,888) outpacing our tithes and giving ($31,976). We were thankfully able to honor our financial commitments to the denomination with a $5000 payment towards our annual apportionments, but our overall year-to-date deficit is still around $44,000.
We don’t want these numbers to cause undue anxiety among the congregation, but we believe that it is important information for our community to have when considering how best to support the work of Main St. Our staff and church leadership are committed to being faithful stewards of the resources that we have been entrusted with, and we ask you all to prayerfully consider doing the same!
The Atrium Refresh is Complete!
Holly Richards, Director of Church Vitality & Adult Discipleship
The Atrium Refresh project has been completed! What started out as a final project idea for Holly’s Certified Lay Ministry process with Pastor Rich and her church team, turned into a bona fide project management endeavor, with a million little lessons in between. Once the idea started to grow, it became clear that more than some paint and furniture rearranging was called for. From the initial presentation request to the Church Council in January 2025 to hanging artwork and placing plants, this process has been a team effort. We were blessed to have Senior Interior Designer, Britney Webb graciously say “yes” to being on the team, as well as Tish Borden, Kelly Holland, Katherine Jonak, Andrew McCauley, Brian McCormally, Kristy McCormally, Sharon Slate, Rich Meiser, Holly Richardson.
This team has (and continues) to discuss, rethink, and refine our Sunday morning needs, while acknowledging that this space is used for many other events and purposes as well. We reflected on where we started and where/how we wanted to move forward. We worked out a budget and fund-raising campaign, and secured a $5000 grant from the Living Waters District Missions and Outreach Committee (thank you Tish) to put toward the goal. We met road blocks along the way but persevered - not only completing the project, but doing so under budget!
For many, I know this process has been difficult and that change can be uncomfortable and hard to accept, but as the saying goes, “The only thing that is constant is change”. Every Sunday morning, I witness more and more people using the space. Sitting down to chat with a friend, sharing time for coffee and a snack, pushing the tables together for a meal or a meeting during the week, more people stopping to read our history in the “framed mural”. It is a heartwarming experience to witness, and it is especially heartwarming and humbling to be a part of this history. Thank you again to all who helped, donated, encouraged, and shared your feedback - and a special THANK YOU to our team of volunteers. None of this could have been done without each and every one of them and each and every one of you!
Seminary Check-In from Jimmy Cooper
Hello Main Street family! This is your brother in Christ Jimmy Cooper, writing as I’m approaching the end of my second semester at Candler School of Theology. I’ve had an amazing year so far, full of great classes, spiritual growth, community building, fun Atlanta experiences, and discovering ministry internship opportunities. It’s hard to sum up the last 4 months, but I’ll try my best to paint an accurate picture of seminary life.
This semester I continued my work in the Methodist Studies Office, helping with various office tasks, events, and conference visits. My role as community facilitator for the Wesley Formation Community also continued, and I have really grown to see my fellow community members as family. The classes I took delved into a wide range of subjects, from exploring Latin American theology, Methodist History and Polity, the intersection between Christianity, nationalism, and democracy, and the Christian response to food insecurity. I’ve been able to integrate what I’m studying into my work at the local food bank, my interest in media ministry, and my desire to learn how to build a vital alternative to Christian nationalism.
I’ve also been able to find some time outside of school to appreciate Atlanta’s vibrant cultural attractions, as I’ve enjoyed going to concerts, comedy shows, film screenings, hiking trips, and museums. A lot of these outings have been with fellow Candler students and formation community members, and I truly feel blessed to have made so many friends that uplift me and keep me accountable. I have also really appreciated the deep spiritual formation that our Director of Formation Communities and our group’s chaplain have fostered at the Wesley house. I attended many different Atlanta churches this semester, and I have found a deeply rooted neighborhood church that I will be working at this summer and next semester, St. Paul UMC. I will be serving as their summer camp director and a student ministry intern next year, and I am so excited to officially join their staff in just a few weeks!
Before I begin my summer job, however, I plan on returning to Suffolk to visit with family and worship with you in person once again! I unfortunately wasn’t able to make it back to VA for Spring Break, so I am looking forward to being in fellowship with y'all very soon. Your prayers and support have sustained me throughout my seminary journey, and I am so fortunate to call you my church family.
God bless, Jimmy Cooper
Learning the Stories through Discipleship
Tuesday Night Bible Study Now - June 2 at 6:30pm
We are currently working through the book, “Called: Hearing and Responding to God’s Voice”, by Susan Robb. Discover how to hear and respond to the unique call God is placing on your life through the stories of ordinary people found in the Bible. Throughout the study, e will focus on the lives of Abraham, Samuel, Esther, Mary Magdalene, Jonah, and the “beloved disciple”.
Our Tuesday evening bible study is a wonderful opportunity to share, learn, grow, and lean into God. Join us Tuesdays through June 2 at 6:30 p.m. Books are available at the Welcome Desk on Sundays, or can be picked up directly from Holly throughout the week.
Hatching Faith at Main Street May 2026 - April 2027
Members of the Main Street UMC Hatch Team joined a group of around 100 church leaders, families, and young folks from all over Virginia in Massanetta Springs on April 18-19 to learn, worship, and dream together new ways to engage children in the Christian faith. We had the opportunity to learn from nationally-recognized authors, practitioners, seminary professors, and theologians, and were even sent off with a blessing from Bishop Sue as we made our way back to our individual communities across the state.
Over the next 12 months, we will be experimenting with ways to pray, share scripture, teach, and praise as a congregation - with a specific focus and children and families, and we will be providing opportunities for the congregation to share feedback all along the way. Thank you for joining us as we start this journey together!
Graduate Recognition Sunday
We are planning to honor all of our students who will be graduating early in June, and want to make sure that all of our Main Street folks get to be recognized for their hard work! If you have a student in your family who will be graduating this spring, please have them get in contact with Andy Millman (amillman@mainstumc.org) as soon as possible!
Sharing the Stories through Mission and Outreach
Faith and Fellowship at the 2026 Earth & Arts Festival
Main St UMC was excited to open up our doors and participate for the first time in the Suffolk Earth and Arts Festival on April 25th. Through the efforts of a dedicated team of volunteers, we were able to share information about the relationship between faith and God’s creation, paint applique patterns for quilts that will be donated to the Genieve Domestic Violence Shelter, and get our hands dirty making seed balls to plant native Virginia wildflowers all throughout our community. This was a great outreach opportunity for our church to meet our neighbors and share in the work of creation care, and we look forward to having an even larger presence in the future. If you’d like to know more or volunteer for future outreach opportunities, reach out to Andy!
UMCOR Kits for Conference May 2026
As part of this year’s “Kits for Conference” drive at Annual Conference, we will be collecting supplies in the Atrium throughout the month of May to support global women’s health! Each kit costs around $24 and will include:
(1) One Gallon Resealable Bag
(2) 2oz Bottle Hand Sanitizer
(3) 4-Gallon Bathroom Trash Bags
(1) Travel Pack of Wet Ones
(10) Unscented Tampons (5 regular/ 5 super)
(10) Unscented Sanitary Napkins
(1) Pack of 42 Unscented Flushable Wipes
(6) Laundry Detergent Sheets
(1) Bath-Size Soap Bar (3oz or larger, No Ivory or Jergen’s)
If you’d like to learn more, reach out to Andy Millman or Phil McPhail.
Community Movie Night: The Biggest Little Farm May 17th, 5:30-7:30
We will be hosting another community movie night on the evening of May 17th, and will be screening the award winning film, “The Biggest Little Farm”. We will be sharing a meal before the film begins and will have time afterwards to discuss ways that we s a congregation can be good stewards of God’s creation. This is an all-ages event open to the whole community, and you can register through realm or at the Welcome Table on Sunday mornings.
Cookin’ Up Community May 28th, 4:30-7:00
We will be having our next meal the last Thursday of May with the cooking class beginning at 4:30 and the meal being served from 5:30-7:00, and this time we’ll be making Italian-style stuffed peppers. We will once again be having a meal-kit giveaway, and we’ll be collecting the following items on Saturday, May 23rd from 10:00-Noon and Sunday, May 24th from 8:00-Noon. Many of these items are perishable and will be split up into kits, so please note drop-off times and sizes:
bell peppers (fresh), onions (fresh), garlic (fresh), ground Italian sausage (1 lb package), rice (1 lb bag), crushed tomatoes (16 oz cans), shredded mozzarella (8 oz package)
Upcoming Events at Main Street UMC
Mid-Week Women’s Group Thursdays at 11:00am
Tuesday Night Adult Study Tuesdays at 6:30pm
National Day of Prayer: Open Sanctuary Thursday, May 4 11:00-1:00
Church Council Meeting Monday, May 11th 7:00pm
Community Movie Night Sunday, May 17th 5:30-7:30
Cookin’ Up Community: Drive-Up Food Drive Saturday, May 23rd 10-Noon & Sunday, May 24th 8-Noon
Cookin’ Up Community: Class & Meal Thursday, May 19th 4:30-7
Pentecost Sunday Sunday, May 24th
Combined Worship Service and Picnic Sunday, May 31st at 10:00am
For a full calendar of events at Main St UMC, click here!
May Birthdays and Anniversaries
5/1 - Graham Garner, Sawyer Holland, Beth Johnson
5/2 - Allie Pietrowski-Powers, Michelle Selezneva
5/3 - Maxwell Russell
5/4 - Peggy Bradshaw, Glenda Johnston, Ryan Patterson
5/6 - Lew & Ann Carr (anniversary)
5/8 - Jack Webb
5/9 - Connor Zydron
5/10 - Reed Browne, Charnell Blair
5/11 - Jodi Browne
5/12 - Thomas Bartlett, Penn Birdsong, Phillip LaRose, Suzanne VanOrden, Carrington Wentz, David & Christel Hoy (anniversary)
5/13 - Mallory Walker
5/14 - Ralph Branchaud, Cole Browne, William Hill, Colleen Meiser, Jim & Barbara Haverty (anniversary)
5/15 - Trevor Boyd, John Yauger
5/16 - Stanley Picott
5/17 - Mac Birdsong, Pam Fuller, Anthony & Sarah Giacometti (anniversary)
5/18 - Tom & Linda Argust (anniversary), John & Kim Wagner (anniversary)
5/19 - Aubrey Callis, Dan Myers
5/20 - Angie Mills, Everett & Miriam Birdsong (anniversary), Mike & Betty Michael (anniversary), Joseph & Nancy Verdirame (anniversary)
5/21 - Patrick Suttle
5/23 - E Duke
5/24 - Connor Hill, Paul Hogg, Sarah Wampler, Amy Yauger, Wes & Nancy King (anniversary)
5/25 - Chase Brooks, Barbara O’Berry, Kim Wagner
5/26 - Paul Callis, Barbara McPhail, Steve & Courtney Jackson (anniversary)
5/27 - Steven Clark, Taylor Conner, Anne Ruffin House, Finley House
5/28 - Brian Kinsey, Lalona Saunders, Steven & Laura Clark (anniversary)
5/29 - Zachary Crytzer, Don & Harriette Albritton (anniversary)
5/30 - Emily Hill
5/31 - Alyssa Bossick, David Eure, Robert Flintoff
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s your first time hearing the story or it’s one you’ve heard your whole life, you have a part to play in God’s story! As you go about the month of May, May you engage with Main St UMC as we hear and share that story within our congregation and throughout the world!