Do Not Ignore

“I Wish I Were Dead”

“I Wish I Was Never Born”

Have you heard these words?

Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the US. For 5-14 year olds, it’s the 3rd leading cause of death. Yes! The 3^rd leading cause of death of our children ages 5-14!!!  For adolescents (15-24 years old), it’s even worse (2nd leading cause of death). 

Why do our children feel hopeless?

Children and adolescents can experience strong feeling of stress and confusion in today’s world.  Self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty and other fears can threaten their well-being.  Divorce, the formation of a new family with step-parents and step-siblings, or moving to a new community can be very unsettling and can intensify self-doubts.  Suicide may appear to be the only solution to their problems.

The warning signs of suicide are especially noteworthy when there has been a recent death or suicide of a friend or family member, a recent break-up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, conflict with parents, or news reports of other suicides by young people in the same school or community.

Warning signs:

• Change in eating and sleeping habits.
• Withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities.
• Violent actions, rebellious behavior, or running away.
• Drug and alcohol use.
• Unusual neglect of personal appearance.
• Marked personality change.
• Persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork.
• Frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc.
• Loss of interest in pleasurable activities.
• Not tolerating praise or rewards or complaining of being a bad person or feeling rotten inside.
• Gives verbal hints: “I won’t be a problem for you much longer”; “Nothing matters”; “It’s no use”; and “I won’t see you again.”
• Puts his or her affairs in order (gives away favorite possessions, throws away important belongings).
• Becomes suddenly cheerful after a period of depression.

With Help Comes Hope!

You can help!  Show them you care.  Ask questions:  “I’m worried about you, about how you feel”; “You mean a lot to me. I want to help”; “I am here to talk whenever you need to”; “Are you thinking about suicide?”; “Do you really want to die?”; “Do you want your problems to go away?”

Don’t hesitate to raise the subject! Talking about suicide won’t put the idea in their head.  Chances are, if you’ve observed any of the warning signs, they’re already thinking about it.  Be direct in a caring, non-confrontational way.  Get the conversation started.  Seek assistance from a qualified mental health professional.

IF A PERSON SAYS THEY ARE CONSIDERING SUICIDE:

• Take the person seriously
• Stay with them
• Help them remove lethal means (e.g., secure all firearms, drugs, medications).
• Contact a mental health professional (see attachment for additional support services in the area).
• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
• Text HOME to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, available 24/7
• Chat online:www.988lifeline.org/chat/
• Escort them to mental health services or an emergency room. 

If they refuse to go, contact the police and ask for a health and welfare check.  Tell them your concerns.  If they determine them to be at risk, they will admit them to a facility (e.g. hospital) for stabilization regardless of income or insurance.

IF A SUICIDE ATTEMPT HAS OCCURRED,

 CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY OR

GO TO A NEARBY HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM.

The information in this article came from a variety of sources, including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mayo Clinic, American Foundation For Suicide Prevention, American Association of Suicidology, and the Family and Youth Services Bureau-Valparaiso, IN.  The information was compiled by Suzann Klett, a member of the Westville United Methodist Church Outreach Committee which is committed to loving and serving the community.  The Westville United Methodist Church located at 154 W Main St, Westville, Indiana 46391.

WORD – FEBRUARY 2026

From the Pastor’s Desk — February 2026

Beloved friends in Christ,

As we step into February—a month often associated with love—it feels especially important to reflect on what Christian love looks like in a world that is hurting. Our nation continues to reel from the recent shootings in Minneapolis. Families are grieving. Communities are shaken. And many of our immigrant neighbors—already vulnerable—are feeling even more exposed and uncertain.

Moments like these tests the soul of a nation, but they also test the soul of the church. How will we respond? What voice will we listen to? What lens will we use to understand what is happening around us?

The Voices We Allow to Shape Us

We live in a time when news outlets, social media platforms, and online personalities compete for our attention. Their goal is not always truth. Often, it is outrage, fear, or clicks. In the aftermath of tragedy, misinformation spreads quickly. Conspiracy theories take root. People begin to see enemies where there are none, and suspicion replaces compassion.

As followers of Jesus, we must be vigilant about the voices we allow to shape our hearts. Scripture warns us that not every spirit is trustworthy, and not every message is aligned with the way of Christ. When we let fear-driven narratives guide us, we risk losing sight of the gospel’s call to love, mercy, and justice.

Our task is not to interpret the world through the lens of cable news or social media feeds, but through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

What Scripture Calls Us To

The Bible speaks clearly about how God’s people are to treat those who live among us, especially the foreigner, the outsider, and the vulnerable. In Leviticus 19:33–34, God commands that the foreigner “be treated as your native-born” and loved as ourselves. Deuteronomy 10:18–19 reminds us that God “loves the foreigner residing among you,” and calls us to do the same. Jesus deepens this teaching in Matthew 25:35, saying, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

These passages are not suggestions. They are the shape of Christian discipleship.

A Story of Neighbor-Love

A few years ago, a small-town church—much like ours—learned that a newly arrived immigrant family had lost everything in a house fire. They spoke little English and had no extended family nearby. The congregation didn’t know them personally, but they knew enough: here were neighbors in need.

Within hours, people showed up with blankets, clothing, meals, and gift cards. One member offered temporary housing. Another helped navigate paperwork. A retired teacher volunteered to tutor the children. No one asked whether the family “belonged” or whether helping them would be convenient. They simply acted out of love.

Months later, the father stood before the congregation and said, “We came to this country hoping to find safety. We found something even better—people who treated us like family.”

This is what it means to love our neighbor. Not in theory, but in practice. Not only when it is easy, but especially when it is costly.

Our Call in This Moment

In the wake of the violence in Minneapolis, many of our immigrant brothers and sisters are living with renewed fear. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be a counter-testimony to that fear. We are called to be people of refuge, compassion, and courageous love.

And we are called to guard our hearts against the noise of the world—against narratives that divide, distort, or dehumanize. When we let Christ shape our vision, we see people not as threats, but as neighbors. Not as strangers, but as children of God.

A Prayer for Peace

God of mercy and justice,
Hold close all who grieve in Minneapolis and across our nation.
Protect those who feel vulnerable or unseen.
Quiet the voices of fear and falsehood,
and tune our hearts to your truth.
Make us instruments of your peace,
that our lives may reflect the love you have shown to us.
Amen.

A Call to Action

This month, I invite each of us to take one concrete step toward loving our neighbors—especially those who may be immigrants, refugees, or newcomers in our community.

And I invite us to take one big step away from the noise: limit the voices that stir fear, resist the pull of conspiracy theories, and choose instead the steady, compassionate way of Christ.

May we be a church where strangers become neighbors, and neighbors become family.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Toby

January 2026

From the Pastor’s Desk: A New Year, A New Opportunity in Christ

Dear Church Family,

As we step into 2026, we are reminded that every new year is a fresh gift from God—a chance to grow deeper in His grace and experience His fullness in our lives. The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV):
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

This year, I invite you to join me in exploring four areas of life where we can make changes that open the door to God’s blessing:

1. Better Priorities

Life is full of demands, but Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:33 to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” When God is first, everything else falls into its proper place. Let’s commit to prioritizing prayer, worship, and time in His Word above all else.

2. Better Relationships

Healthy relationships reflect God’s love. Forgiveness, kindness, and encouragement should mark our interactions. Ask yourself: Who needs grace from me today? Let’s build bridges, not walls, and strengthen the bonds within our families and church community.

3. Better Choices

Every decision shapes our spiritual journey. Whether it’s how we spend our time, handle our finances, or respond to challenges, let’s choose what honors God. Remember, small daily choices lead to big spiritual victories.

4. Better Christian Witness

Our world needs hope, and we carry the greatest message of all—Jesus Christ. Let’s live in such a way that others see His light in us. Share your faith through words and actions, and let your life be a testimony of God’s goodness.

A Prayer for the New Year

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of a new year. Help us to set better priorities, nurture better relationships, make better choices, and be better witnesses for Christ. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we may walk in Your fullness and blessing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

As we journey through 2026, let’s press forward together, trusting that God has great things in store for His people.

In Christ’s love, Pastor Toby

Pastor Toby

• 219-850-3768 (cell)

Toby.guill@inumc.org

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