Our Mission
Offer Christ, Grow In Faith, Touch Lives, And Make A Difference
Our Vision
We are a disciple-making community that encourages and equips all people to live in Christ by the power of the Spirit and in fellowship with one another through worship, prayer, study and service.
Our Values
· Worship
We celebrate our faith in many ways so that God is encountered and lives are changed.
· Justice
We confront injustice and work for change within ourselves, our community, nation and world.
· Lay Ministry
We help people discover, develop and use their spiritual gifts and talents to serve God and others.
· Fellowship
We are a caring, compassionate Christian community open to all.
· Spiritual Growth
We nurture children, youth and adults in their journey toward mature discipleship.
· Mission
We go and serve others in our community, nation, and our world through our time, talents and resources as we proclaim the Gospel and meet human needs.
· Witness
We prepare and encourage people to share the experience of God’s love in Christ.
About Westwood United Methodist Church
Westwood UMC was founded in 1955 and in 1980 merged the Westwood congregation and Simpson UMC. Although both Simpson and the original Westwood churches were neighborhood congregations, our present membership represents our neighborhood and also includes much of the Kalamazoo area.
About The United Methodist Church
Westwood UMC is part of the West Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church. The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ by proclaiming the good news of God’s grace and thus seeking the fulfillment of God’s reign and realm in the world. God’s grace is active everywhere, at all times, carrying out this purpose as revealed in the Bible. God has used our Church to save persons, heal relationships, transform social structures, and spread scriptural holiness, thereby changing the world. In order to be truly alive, we embrace Jesus’ mandate to make disciples of all peoples.
There are over 8.5 million members of The United Methodist Church in the United States. United Methodists outside the United States total over 1.03 million. There are nearly 78,000 members in the West Michigan Conference (the western half of the Lower Peninsula.)
About The Building
Handicap Accessibility
At the southeast side of the building (the main entrance) there is a handicap-accessible entrance. An elevator that goes to the lower level (fellowship area) and the upper level (sanctuary, church office, and education wing) is located just inside that entrance. Large print bulletins and hymnals are available. There are also wireless earphones for the hearing impaired. Please ask an usher for assistance.
Weather Emergencies
Westwood UMC – Weather Related Closures – PASSED 5/23/11
If Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS) has cancelled school due to weather, then the church office will be closed. If KPS is not in session, office hours are up to the pastor’s discretion, and he is to notify staff. When evening activities are scheduled, the pastor will decide by 2:00 p.m. if events are cancelled. When events are cancelled, they will be announced via voicemail header message, posted on the website, sent out via email, and announced on local television station (WWMT, Ch 3). The pastor will work with the Communications Team to ensure all communication avenues are taken. Regarding Sunday weather closures, that will be up to the pastor to decide, taking into consideration the safety issue of driving to church.