Pastor’s Reflections
A Word from Pastor Wagner:
Dear Friends,
I asked Dani Ortega, who along with her husband Henry is leading our Hispanic outreach, to write this month’s column. Dani has been working and teaching in Middletown City Schools since 2002. Everywhere I go in this community I run into people who know her, or have had their children in her “gifted and talented” program. We are so blessed to have someone of her abilities working with us here at First UMC. Our bishop and district superintendent have taken notice of both her and Henry’s accomplishments. Please take a moment to read her report below. — John
Hispanic Ministry Up and Running!
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” — Matthew 28: 19
The Hispanic Ministry of First UMC is moving forward! We have 20 students registered to graduate this coming November 2015 in our High School Education Program. We want to say “thank you” for hosting this ministry and for your support to the work done with our Hispanic-Latino brothers and sisters. Besides the High School education program, we also have a “Women’s Ministry” every other week. We meet in their homes (we rotate so they can have the blessing of hosting a meeting) for about two hours. The group has grown as they invite their friends to join us and because of the informality of the environment they have continued attending these meetings. You have not seen some of these ladies at church as it takes time for them to eliminate the thinking of going to a church that is not Catholic.
On Thursday, July 16, we had our first Parenting Workshop, “Equipped to Succeed” led by the psychologist Yenny Arias. There were 18 adults and 12 kids in attendance. It was great! Everybody asked to have a second one as the first was very inspiring and touched their hearts. Once again, you don’t see these brothers and sisters at church on Sunday for the same reason stated above and because of job schedules. The majority of them work on Sunday; they have asked to have this day off, but it has not happened yet.
First UMC Hispanic Ministry is sharing the love of Jesus to everyone. It is happening “behind the scenes,” during the week, in their environment. Isn’t this what Jesus did when being on the streets to share his word and love with the ones he encountered? Thank you Jesus for giving us the strategy to share your kingdom with others and for calling us to be and to make disciples in your name. Aleluya! (Hallelujah!) — Dani & Henry
A Letter from Our Lay Leader
This year, I again attended the West Ohio Conference as a voting representative of the Ohio River Valley District.
All these sessions have two parts — an inspirational sermon or study by a special guest speaker, and then a time for the conducting of regular business.
Our inspirational speaker this year was Dr. Thomas G. Long, professor of preaching at Candler seminary in Atlanta. He placed the gospel writers Matthew, Mark, Luke and John each on one of the four corners of an intersection, and imagined different types of buildings to illustrate different approaches to vital issues of our day.
The business sessions were mostly about electing clergy and laity to represent us at the upcoming General and the Jurisdictional Conferences in 2016. We also dealt with eleven resolutions on various issues to be sent to General Conference, which decides policies for the church. The Jurisdictional Conference elects new bishops. There were also many reports from various committees.
Other special events included the ceremonies to recognize the ordination of new ministers, and a roll call of deceased clergy and their spouses. They also honored the memory of all deceased laity from each district.
Throughout the entire conference Bishop Palmer gave us his thoughts and personal words of inspiration.
I really enjoyed myself, and enjoyed the sermons and reports, and especially meeting other United Methodists from around the state.
Mary C. Maurer
Lay Leader
It’s Church Directory Time!
Believe it or not, it’s been about five years since we published a church directory, and we have many new members whom we want to get to know and include in a new up-to-date edition. Portraits will be taken Tuesday, Sept. 1, through Saturday, Sept. 5, and you will soon be able to schedule an appointment. DON’T PANIC if you are not able to be photographed during that week. There are several options available: 1) Lifetouch, our pictorial directory company, can schedule you at a nearby church that is planning a church directory portrait session at another time, 2) You can use your photo from the last directory, or 3) The church will take your photo at your convenience.
It is very important that you have a picture in the directory! The more photos we have, the more effective our directory will be in helping you get to know members of our congregation!
There is no cost to you! If Lifetouch takes your picture, you will receive a free 8×10 and a directory. There will, of course, be opportunities to purchase other photos/poses from Lifetouch for your own personal use. Look for more information in the weeks to come.
If you have any questions, please call Mary Ellen at the church.
$5 on the 5th Offering- August 30
On the next fifth Sunday, Aug. 30, the Mission Committee is collecting for Dove House for Women and Children. Dove House is a protective shelter for survivors of domestic abuse and their children, providing advocacy and counseling services for survivors. Dove House also provides a 24-hour crisis hotline, as well as educational and outreach programs within the community. All money put into the collection jars or designated on your offering envelope on Aug. 30 will go to Dove House to help replenish supplies and resources. Thank you for your support!
Do you want to have a real impact on the life of a child? Become a Whiz Kids tutor! We are now recruiting for the 2015–2016 school year.
Whiz Kids is a faith-based literacy program. Here at FUMC we work for just an hour from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Mondays from October to April. We meet every Monday that Middletown schools are in session during those months. Each tutor is matched to a specific child and most of the tutors build a strong relationship with their assigned child.
If you cannot commit to being here every week, you can be a substitute tutor and fill in when a regular tutor has to miss a week. If you do not want to work directly with a child, we also need help preparing snacks and assembling tutoring materials.
If you are interested in the program or have any questions, contact Debbie Ellis at 513-423-7012 or via email at dlellissv@gmail.com.
Junior Church News
On Aug. 9, the church will conduct the “Giving of Bibles” for students in 3rd through 8th grade during the 10:30 a.m. worship service. A recognition ceremony for our acolytes will take place the same Sunday during service. Following worship, there will be a lunch for children and their families.
Save the date for the Magical Mission Carnival on Saturday, Sept. 19, at First Church. The carnival will take place in Fellowship Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Several activities and booths will be set up with prizes, including a Cake Walk, Duck Pond, Ring Toss, and Face Painting. The culminating event will be a magic show that will begin at 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be served with a carnival favorite, hotdogs, along with chips, drinks, and dessert.
In order to make this carnival a success, we need your help! We need volunteers to help setup/clean-up and work the different booths. Donations are needed including cake/cupcakes for the cake walk, supplies for the booths, and prizes.
If you would like to volunteer or make a donation, please see Belinda Hausman, Lynda Goecke, Kira Wills, Debbie Ellis, or Carol Byrd.
National Night Out—August 4
Our bishop, Greg Palmer, and district superintendent, Brian Brown, have encouraged all United Methodist churches to get involved with “National Night Out.” This is part of a national effort promoted by a network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations and concerned citizens in communities nationwide.
The Middletown event will be Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 5 to 9 p.m. The event will take place at Lefferson Park. Kids and families will have the opportunity to meet and talk with local police officers in order to promote positive community-police relationships. Light refreshments will be provided.
Death in Nepal
Update from Dr. Les & Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital.
We wanted to share some sad news from Nepal. On July 4, Tansen Hospital’s most senior orthopedic surgeon died unexpectedly. He was a former professor at the most prestigious hospital in India (Vellore) and had been volunteering in Tansen for the past 4 years. He had trained our 3 current orthopedic surgeons (one of which is his son-in-law!) and he was highly respected and also dearly loved!
The hospital staff and the community gathered quickly to give condolences to Dr. GD’s daughter and son-in-law. In Nepal, people always gather to be near the family in mourning – both in the Christian and Hindu traditions. On July 5 the work in the hospital was put on hold for an hour when hundreds of staff and community people gathered at the lower gate to say farewell. There were scripture readings and prayers, words of comfort and sharing of memories.
There were hundreds of people who came to share their grief and pay their respects to this man who had touched so many lives. We were impressed by the fact that no matter how busy people are in Nepal – they are willing to drop everything to help in a situation like this.
In Him,
लेस (Les) and देबी (Debbie)
P.S. To see more photos and stories, please visit our blog: dornonnepalmission.wordpress.com.
On July 3, there was another death related to Tansen Hospital. Dr. Carl Friedericks, the founder and first missionary to serve in Tansen, died at the age of 94. Dr. Carl was an amazing man and we were personally so thankful that we were able to meet him and talk with him a couple of years ago when he and his wife came to visit in Tansen. His legacy is where we are working today. One of our prayers is “May those who come after us find us faithful.” We are thankful today for the work of these great men of God.
Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard
Looking ahead at Fall, here are a few upcoming music opportunities:
TEMPLE CHOIR
A Temple Choir “Retreat” is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 20, starting with an after-church meal in the Fellowship Hall. We will be looking at new vocal warm-ups, some vocal training by Bob Mucha, new music for Fall and (gasp!) Christmas! This is a great time to join the choir and get to know all the members. You don’t need to know how to read music and we understand that in our busy lives, it’s not possible to have 100% attendance at church or rehearsals. All that is necessary is a love of God and a desire to worship and praise him through music. Anyone of high school age or older is welcome!
TEMPLE BELLS
We will begin our Handbell Rehearsals for the Fall on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 4 p.m. in the Music Office. The 27th will be an orientation session for anyone interested in bells who may not be familiar with how to play them. If you enjoy the session, then give it a try for the Fall and Christmas season! If you are in high school or older, then come and discover a new talent!
MUSIC FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN
We would love to create music opportunities for younger children ages 4 thru Junior High but are not sure of the interest of parents and children. If you would be interested in having your child involved in a series of short-term music programming geared towards singing or playing instruments in church (basic xylophones or similar), please call Mary Ellen.
First Friday Concert Series 2015
AUGUST 7 @ Noon | THE SINGING AUCTIONEER
A little bit Elvis, a little bit country, a little bit gospel and a WHOLE LOT of comedy. Dane Bailey continues to charm with his homespun wit and humor. Who else can sing about dentures, hair loss, and auctioneering and still make it funny? The Singing Auctioneer, that’s who!
SEPTEMBER 4 @ Noon | JAMESON’S FOLLY
One of the best Celtic bands in the area compiled of seasoned musicians from the Ohio Renaissance Festival. This bunch kicks off the season with a concert of lively traditional tunes just for us. We won’t be serving giant turkey legs but you’ll still have fun! (family friendly, of course!)
This concert series wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Middletown Community Foundation, The Barnitz Fund and the congregation of First United Methodist Church, Middletown. Thank you for helping us make downtown Middletown a destination for the arts!
Community Ministries Corner
Community Block Party
The Gathering, along with Middletown EMS, is hosting a Community Block Party on Aug. 22 from 1 to 5 p.m. Enjoy grilled hot dogs, funnel cakes, and face painting for the kids! The block party will be located at 300 Moore Street in Middletown.
If interested in volunteering for this event, please contact the church office.
New Co-Chairs for CMC
The Community Ministries Council is excited to welcome Dave and Peggy Kramer as its new co-chairs. The CMC oversees several outreach and service ministries, which include Shalom, Monday Morning Breakfast Club, Danielle’s Dream, and Food Pantry/Emergency Food.
Former CMC chair Patty McGraw will transition to serving as chair of the newly formed sub-committee for the Food Pantry/Emergency Food ministry. This ministry has grown significantly in recent years, and the creation of this sub-committee will help it continue to serve our neighborhood effectively.
Thanks to all those who are part of the Council and who serve as the face of First Church to many in our community!
August Birthdays
1 Pat Beasley, Debbie Boonstra, John Tack
2 Ann Beck, Imogene Orts, Ken Tucker
3 Dudley Inwood
4 Debbie Hazelbaker
5 Karen Cooper
9 Steve Urso
12 Linda Snyder
13 Karen Orts, Bev Urso
14 Edna Palmer
15 Ted Wilson
17 Tammy Rosenbaum
18 McKenzie Harris
19 Charles Orth
20 Karol King
21 Jeff Clinard, Robert Mucha
23 Martha Swank
25 Rachel Hurley
26 Evelyn Breytspraak, Kathleen Darling
28 Mary K. Cook, Bill Schaefer
29 Linda Fillnow