STAFF
Deacon Sandra Bibilomo
Deacon Sandra is leading Sunnyside UMC during this post Covid period. Deacon Sandra brings tremendous energy, enthusiasm and hopefulness in the message of faith in Jesus Christ.
Rev. Dr. David Newhouse,
Pastor of Hospitality, Evangelism and Discipleship
David relocated to Michigan for retirement from full time United Methodist pastoral ministry in Northern Illinois at the beginning of 2015. David continues his drive for vital faith community. David is one of the volunteer Co-Managers of the Growing Community Garden outreach for the east side of Kalamazoo, serves as a co-leader for the 4-H Friends Community Club sponsored by Sunnyside UMC, and has participated in professional and volunteer roles throughout the United Methodist Church. David has long shared a deep concern for Christian witness around ecology and the preservation of a healthy earth as well as peace-making. Among his many other interests are gardening, grandparenting, travel and do-it-yourself home projects. His retirement calendar keeps him active and blessed.
Rashawnda Dick
Free Store Director
Rashawnda Scott Dick (goes by Shawnda) is the Free Store Director. She is a member of Sunnyside UMC and has been coming to the Free Store since 2013. Before she was was a paid Director, she was a volunteer for many years and has grown so much over that time. She is also a mother of two and married. She loves Sunnyside and wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
Tresa Squires
Program Assistant
Tresa moved to the Kalamazoo area in 2017 to be closer to her son, Josh, and grandkids, Wyatt and Harper. Her son and daughter-in-law, Nate & Murph, still live in Fenton. She is a retired teacher having taught 35 years in the Fenton Area Public Schools. While looking for a new church home, community outreach was an important factor and Sunnyside UMC had so many options! Before becoming Shanwnda’s assistant, Tresa volunteered in The Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, with the Reading for Tomorrow program and in the SUMC office.
OUR CORE VALUES
Love: God is love, therefore we are all born in love, by love, and for love.
Relationship: God is more interested in relationships than in rigid rules and religion.
Grace: By grace all people can be transformed in and through Jesus Christ.
Forgiveness: We are a community of imperfect people held together by forgiveness and God's grace.
Justice: In response to God's love for us we work for justice by committing ourselves to the causes that seek to bring hope, healing, and the fulness of life to all people and to all of God's creation.
Growth: We are building the Kingdom of God here and now. As we receive and practice love, relationship, grace, forgiveness, and justice, we will grow deeper in love with God, we will grow in relationship with our neighbors, and we will grow as a congregation to more fully represent the diversity of God's creation.