First Sunday Program, January 5

On Sunday, January 5, instead of a worship service we will have a discussion surrounding the upcoming trial in Detroit involving the constitutional ban on same gender marriage in Michigan. Our guest will be the Rev. Kim Riegel, a Universalist Unitarian pastor who has been at the forefront of the fight for marriage equality in Michigan. She will discuss what has been done to prepare for the trial, some background of what brought the case to the federal court, the reasons Judge Friedman did not rule in October, what the various outcomes might be in February and how we should respond to his ruling, i.e. what is the next step if he rules against us and what our options are if he rules in our favor regarding a window of time we would have for couples to obtain licenses before Att. General Shuette issues a stay against the judge's decision. George Jonte-Crane will moderate the discussion.

Fellowship at 7:00 and discussion at 7:30. Please note the time! The program will be at our usual place, in the chapel of Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 W. Eleven Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. That's just west of Middlebelt.

Free Tax Help

Newburg United Methodist Church is offering free tax help to anyone whose tax filings may be impacted by the repeal of DOMA. The Income Tax and Retirement Planning Workshop will be Saturday, January 11, 2014, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in Guthrie Hall at the church. In June the Supreme Court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. This ruling has tax implications for all same-sex couples regardless of which state they reside and their current marital status. The seminar is free and open to the public. Newburgh UMC is at 36500 Ann Arbor Trail, Livonia. Please call the church office to RSVP: 734-422-0149.

This event is being offered as a free informational session for the community. It should not be construed as legal and/or tax advice.

Newburg UMC is a welcoming community.