Ways to Get Involved at Western Reserve Church
Sunday School Classes
Western Reserve offers Sunday School classes for all ages from 9:30-10:30AM on Sunday mornings, September through May. Each student learns about Jesus at their own level.
All children are invitede to attend the TOGGLE service in the Fellowship Hall at 9:15AM where they will join in a few praise and worship songs and then hear a children’s message at approximately 9:25AM. The children will then be shepherded to their age-appropriate classrooms.
For more information, call the church office at 330-792-5805.
Bible Study
We understand the Bible to be the basic tool in the disciple making process. It is for this reason that various Bible studies are offered throughout the year. These courses are led by clergy or lay people. If you are seeking a Bible study or are interested in starting a new Bible study, please speak to the pastor.
Current Studies:
Sundays at 9:30 AM, September through May – Adult Bible Study in the Youth Room
Tuesdays at 8:00 AM, August through June – Men’s Bible Study in the Fellowship Hall
Tuesdays at 6:30 PM – Adult Bible Study and Prayer Group – in the Youth Room
Confirmation Class
Confirmation at Western Reserve is offered every other year during the student’s seventh or eighth grade school year. It is a time of instruction. The class learns basic Biblical knowledge, Christian theology and church history. It is required that youth complete this course prior to church membership.
Contact the church office for more information at 330-792-5805 or by emailing wrchurch99@aol.com.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is generally offered the second weekend of August, on Friday evening and Saturday morning, ending with a picnic. Watch for an announcement of the next VBS date on our Calendar.
Ministries
Helping Hands Closet
New and gently used clothing at very low prices – open every Tuesday, 9 AM – 1 PM. Located at the back corner of the church, enter through the District office door. Donations of all sizes of clothing or shoes are welcome. Volunteers are needed to help sort clothing. Contact JoAnn Truax for more information.
Outreach Ministries
We serve the world.
Below are some of the Outreach Ministries in which our congregation participates.
| Second Harvest Food Bank | Kairos Prison Ministry | Church Women United |
| Canfield Operation Blessing | UMCOR | The Rescue Mission |
| Protestant Family Services | Kiwanis | Workcamps |
| Heifer International | Red Cross Blood Drives | Canfield Lions |
| American Cancer Society | Swiss Steak Dinners | Comfort and Hope Ministry |
| Brookfield Food Pantry | Alzheimer Network | Bella Women’s Center |
| PILOT Dog program | AMVETS | Salvation Army |
| The Walk to Emmaus | CASA of Mahoning Valley | Volunteers in Mission |
| Red Cross Blood Drives | United Women in Faith | Campership Fund |
Fellowship
The United Women in Faith of Western Reserve is a unit of a larger denominational organization whose purpose is to foster spiritual growth and to be involved in local and global missions. United Women in Faith generally meets every second Thursday of the month. New members and visitors are welcome. Check the calendar page for meeting times and special events. For more information, contact Diane Price.
The United Methodist Men’s Group generally meets on the third Saturday of the month at 9:00 AM. A full breakfast is provided and there is often a speaker. Their mission is to grow as disciples of Christ through fellowship, mentoring and stewardship.
For more information, contact Terry Hassey.
Women’s Quilting
& Sewing Group
The Women’s Quilting and Sewing Group meets every Tuesday morning at the church at 9:00 AM.
The proceeds from their handmade items support the missions of the church.
For more information, contact Grace McKenzie.
Opportunities for Spiritual Growth
Lay Servant Ministry
Laity refers to the Greek word laos which means all the people of God. Laity are empowered through Lay Servant Ministries to serve in each community and in our conference.
Lay Servant Ministries of The United Methodist Church has its origins in early Methodism. John Wesley used lay persons to preach, conduct worship, lead studies, and visit the sick and imprisoned. These early leaders were called exhorters, forerunners of today’s lay servants.
Today, those involved in Lay Ministry are charged to witness, lead, and have their service inspire others to a deeper commitment to Christ and more effective discipleship. The three tenets of Lay Servant Ministries are Leading, Caring, and Communicating.
Becoming a certified lay speaker in the United Methodist Church prepares a person for ministry in whatever area they choose. Lay Speaking Ministries involves Leading, Caring, and Communicating. A certified lay speaker may choose to lead a Bible study, start a prayer ministry, teach Sunday school, participate in a prison ministry or visit the elderly and shut-ins and the nursing home. The sky is the limit for ways and opportunities to minister.
Each district usually has two training events per year. They offer a Basic Course for those just beginning in the Lay Speaking Ministries. After the Basic Course, you must complete an Advanced Course to become a Certified Lay Speaker. Certified Lay Speakers must complete an Advanced Course every three years in order to remain certified.
For more information, contact Cyd Scarnecchia at: scarnic@sbcglobal.net
The Walk to Emmaus
The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. The program’s approach seriously considers the model of Christ’s servanthood and encourages Christ’s disciples to act in ways appropriate to being “a servant of all.”
The Walk to Emmaus experience begins with a 72-hour short course in Christianity, comprised of fifteen talks by lay and clergy on the themes of God’s grace, disciplines of Christian discipleship, and what it means to be the church. The course is wrapped in prayer and meditation, special times of worship and daily celebration of Holy Communion. The Emmaus Walk typically begins Thursday evening and concludes Sunday evening. Men and women attend separate weekends. Participation in the Emmaus program after the weekend continues through small accountability groups and attendance of Emmaus alumni gatherings.
Members of Western Reserve Church who have attended the Walk to Emmaus weekend have found it to be a spiritually renewing and life-changing event. For more information on how to attend an Emmaus weekend, read more below:
The Walk to Emmaus- read more
What is the Walk to Emmaus?
The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program sponsored by the Upper Room monistries intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. The program’s approach seriously considers the model of Christ’s servanthood, and encourages Christ’s disciples to act in ways appropriate to being “a servant of all.” The three-day Emmaus weekend offers today’s disciples an opportunity to rediscover Christ’s presence in their lives, to gain fresh understanding of God’s transforming grace, and to form friendships that foster faith and support spiritual maturity. To get involved in Emmaus, each person must have a sponsor who has already attended an Emmaus weekend. For more information or to find a sponsor, contact the church office.
You can also find more information at https://www.upperroom.org/walktoemmaus