Reflections from the Pastor
The Veneration Due
“I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round – apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that – as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!” ― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
This quote comes by way of Ebenezer Scrooge’s nephew Fred, who is as naturally jolly as his uncle is humbugged – and is even more so at Christmas. He’s also right about this holiday, both in his day and ours. Somehow, despite the crass commercialism, despite the rush and the pressure to overspend and overeat, it works. People really are nicer, they really do give their hearts more freely, they really do see their neighbors in a different way. This is apparent in all sorts of folks, including those for whom Christmas is an entirely secular season.
Now as a religious person, I also have to agree with Fred that the origin has to be reckoned with; veneration is indeed due to its sacred name. The name itself comes from the old English word Crīstesmæsse, which literally means Christ’s Mass, as in a celebration of Christ. And as Christians, among our other obligations, we are asked to lift him up at this time and celebrate his entry into this world.
Starting Sunday, December 1st, I will be leading a series of four Advent classes in the Chapel. I’m calling it “Preparing our Hearts for Jesus.” We will look at concrete ways to make the season a spiritual time for ourselves and those around us. I love movies, and will be using film clips from Christmas movies as part of my teaching.
Please come. Please make this commitment. Even if you will be traveling during parts of December, please come when you can. As Christians I believe we have a great deal more influence than we often realize, and that it is within our capacity to make this hectic holiday more meaningful for everyone. Many of us will be around children in the coming weeks – they need to hear us share the sacred story. As much as they may already love Christmas, their experience can be deepened.
Which brings me to one more request: We are putting together a short Christmas musical for Sunday morning December 15th. All children are welcome to come to the practices, which we are holding during Jr. Church (when children are dismissed from worship.) If you have children or grandchildren who might enjoy this, please consider bringing them.
Christmas is coming. A truly sacred time of year. Let us prepare our hearts, our minds and our spirits so that we may honestly say along with Scrooge’s nephew, “God bless it!”
Peace,
John Wagner
Getting To Know You…
Mary Jane Frazer, November 2013
“I had so much joy as the wife of a minister,” said Mary Jane Frazer recently about her life as a pastor’s spouse. “The Lord has been so good.”
Mary Jane Kiefhaber was born on September 9, 1929, to Ray and Florence Kiefhaber in Columbus, OH. She was one of four children born within 5 ½ years and enjoyed wonderful, close relationships with her siblings while they were growing up. Mary Jane’s father was a manager of a wholesale grocery business and her mother stayed at home with the children.
“It was a Christian home,” she said. “Everyone went to church – it didn’t matter how late you had stayed out the night before. After church we had dinner and visited our grandparents. Always, there was love.”
In the early 1940’s Rev. Herbert Frazer was appointed as pastor of Hansberger Memorial Methodist Church, where the Kiefhabers attended. Mary Jane met the pastor’s son, Gene, and although they went to the same youth group, camps, and conferences, they weren’t really all that interested in each other until college.
Mary Jane went off to Asbury College to study teaching, and at a camp meeting, she accepted Christ and made the decision to serve Him in whatever she did.
In 1948, Gene Frazer came to Asbury from Ohio State, struggling with his call to ministry. It was there that Mary Jane and Gene began a relationship that blossomed into love and in 1951, they married.
As a student, Gene had served Good Hope Charge, four rural churches, near Washington Court House and after their marriage, they were appointed there. Gene graduated from Oberlin School of Theology and Mary Jane taught school in Columbus.
“We spent six years at Good Hope,” said Mary Jane, “and they were wonderful years.”
In 1955, they moved to Eastview Methodist in Columbus, which had recently split from another church and had no building. They had a small house for meetings and worshiped at a nearby school. During the four years the Frazers were there, the first unit of a church building went up and 500 members were received into membership.
“Eastview was special to us because Mark and Emily were born while we were there,” said Mary Jane. “I left teaching then to stay home to care for them.”
In 1959, they were called to Grove City, another church that had recently split and required a building project. They spent nine years there, and when they left, the education wing and a new parsonage were completed, and there was much growth in the membership of the church.
Middletown was the next stop, in 1968. They were both excited to come here because the church had a great reputation in the conference.
“We had a wonderful experience here in Middletown,” said Mary Jane. “I was very active in the church, the kids did well in school and the church was strong and active.”
While in Middletown, Mary Jane began teaching again, first as a substitute and then full time. When Gene was appointed District Superintendent of the Cincinnati District in 1974, she drove from Cincinnati daily to teach at Creekview School.
In 1980, the Frazers headed to Trinity UMC in Columbus and were there until Gene’s retirement in 1999. During that time, Mark graduated from medical school and married Vickie, an RN, and Emily became a pediatric nurse practitioner, and married Rev. Steve Cramer. Mary Jane was very involved with children’s ministries and the UMW at Trinity and became involved with older adult ministries and had the opportunity to lead 54 day trips and take 3 groups to the Holy Land and 2 to Alaska. She also returned to teaching again.
In 1990, she was named Outstanding Educator for the state of Ohio. In an extensive newspaper article, she said:
“What a wonderful life it has been to be a part of the teaching profession all these years. All that I have put into teaching has come back a hundred fold.”
When Gene retired in 1999, the Frazers returned to Middletown, a place they considered to be home.
“We enjoyed all six of our appointments over the 50 years we were in ministry,” said Mary Jane. “Each church had its unique qualities and challenges and we found wonderful people at each one, but Middletown was very special to us—Mark was here.”
The family suffered a great loss when Gene died in 2006.
“We still miss him so much,” said Mary Jane. “We had a good life and had such fun together in ministry.”
Mary Jane developed Rheumatoid Arthritis several years ago, but the disease hasn’t interfered with her activities until recently.
As she looks over her scrapbook that is filled with pictures and wonderful memories of an active, multi-faceted life, she talks about what she is most proud of:
“I am proudest of my family. They have brought me continued joy throughout the years and strength and caring as the years have gone by. God blessed us with a son, Mark, who married Vickie, and a daughter, Emily, who married Rev. Steve Cramer. All four have grown to be responsible adults and made great choices in their lives. They have blessed us with four wonderful grandchildren and our first great grandchild is due in February! How proud I am of each one and appreciate how they continue to give loving concern and support to me at this point in my life.”
by JoAnn Wagner
This article is one in a series of interviews with various long-time church members we are featuring. We hope you enjoy getting to know them a little bit better.
What is the 25Cent Club?
First, it is NOT a real club. It doesn’t hold meetings or have a membership list. The real members are you, the congregation.
A number of years ago a small group of Sunday school members wanted to help a student from India. He needed transportation to get around to the churches he was to serve. The cost of a car was out of the question; a motor bike would do fine. The class started saving quarters. Any quarter placed in the offering plate went to buy the motorbike.
What the Mission Committee is trying to do is help every member to realize that there is a constant need out there beyond our local community and country. The 25cent piece is a reminder, or symbol, of that need.
The funds from the 25Cent Club will be for projects the Mission Committee sees a need. The 25Cent Club is not meant to replace special giving asked for by the District or the Conference.
Please join with the members of the Mission Committee and drop your quarter in the offering plate each Sunday during Advent (December 1-22). Remember, no dollars, only quarters.
For the Mission Committee,
Frank Richmond
2013 UMW Cookbook on Sale at the Cookie Walk
Looking for a recipe for the holidays? Pick up the new cookbook at the Cookie Walk on December 14.
The cookbook is a special project of the UMW and is being coordinated by members of Hope Circle.
The spiral-bound cookbook includes more than 200 recipes, all contributed by church members from their own family favorites. A special section is devoted to May Salad Luncheon recipes. Other sections include Appetizers, Meats and Main Dishes; Side Dishes; Breads, Rolls & Pastries; Cakes, Cookies & Desserts; Beverages, & Miscellaneous.
The cost of the cookbook is $10 per copy. Church members may pre-order copies by contacting the church office, 513-423-4629.
All proceeds benefit local area missions.
Lessons from TV—In Nepal
Update from Dr. Les & Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital
Well – we don’t actually have an antenna or cable, so we don’t get Nepali TV! But – a friend of ours in Kathmandu sent out this little message, and so we asked if we could “borrow” from him to share with you! It seemed very appropriate with the Nepal elections which happened on Nov. 19.
“We are very much aware (via CNN and BBC) of the economic pounding the USA is currently going through, with headlines including:
Debt Ceiling Looming
A Manic Monday As Debt Ceiling Deadline Approaches
Debt-ceiling breach would push economy into free fall, without a government safety net. I am neither a global economist nor a recent Nobel laureate. Having lived most of my adult life in a country (Nepal) where dysfunctional government is a fact-of-life, however, it is interesting to observe how locals here take to “bad news.”
During the 1996-2006 Maoist insurgency, turn on Nepal TV and what do you primarily see? A “song and dance” movie. When the world economy took a nose dive in 2008, turn on Nepal TV and what do you primarily see? “Boy meets girl” singing. Currently, when the USA Debt Ceiling Deadline looms on the immediate horizon, turn on Nepal TV and what do you primarily see? People returning to their villages to celebrate the holidays.
I am not here to tout either world view. It’s my retirement savings that are, symbolically, on the line also. Somewhere between the two extremes I’ve noted above, however, might possibly be some healthy ground?”
Les & Debbie
in Nepal, 2013
Here’s to walking by faith! Thanks for your prayers. And Merry Christmas!
In Him,
लेस (Les) and देबी (Debbie)
P.S. To see more photos and stories, please check our blog: http://dornonnepalmission.wordpress.com/
Remember, every third Sunday of the month we collect donations to support Les and Debbie’s work in Nepal. You may drop your donation in the collection jars or add it to your regular offering using your envelope; just write “Dornons” along with the designated amount.
Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard
OPPORTUNITIES THIS SEASON
Fri, Dec. 6 at 12 noon First Friday Community Christmas Sing-A-Long and Crazy Christmas Sweater Contest
Win a gift certificate to Kohl’s if your Christmas sweater is the ugliest of all! Plus lots of fun singing carols accompanied by Rod Nimtz on piano!
Sun, Dec 15 & Mon. Dec. 16 Christmas Caroling is one of the most rewarding events of the season!! Everyone is invited to come and sing to members of our congregation who may have difficulty getting to church. It’s fun and fellowship and music and mission! Meet in the Commons at 2pm either or both days.
Fri. Dec. 20 Singing at The Woodlands, then Spring Hills. Everyone is invited to join and sing. Meet in the lobby of The Woodlands (across from First Presbyterian on McGee) at 10:30am.
Tue. Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Pre-service music begins at 7 and worship begins at 7:30 on this special night of nights!
If you would like to read scripture for Sunday morning worship, please contact Mary Ellen. A new schedule will be in the making for the 1st quarter of 2014 this month.
GIVE A GIFT THAT WILL CHANGE A LIFE!
Make a contribution to our Music Scholarship fund in honor or in memory of a loved one. We will send a card notifying the recipient of your gift if you provide us with the address. These gifts will provide private music lessons to students in our congregation who are studying voice or an instrument. What a great way to support our youth and encourage them to offer their music as a gift to God. Giving forms are available in the pews. For more information, contact Mary Ellen.
First Friday Concert Series 2013
DECEMBER 6 CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG – WAS CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER
2014 IS ON! We will begin the year with an all new First Friday @ First Methodist Concert Series thanks to a generous grant from the Miriam Knoll Foundation and the Middletown Community Foundation. There will be favorites from years past as well as some new talent you will not want to miss. We start in January with our traditional honky-tonk piano man Jimmy Rogers. Always a favorite!! New schedules will be out soon.
Community Ministries Corner
Harvest of the Heart:
The count is in! The caring people of FUMC gave over $1500 worth of goods on Harvest of the Heart Sunday, and that estimate of value is based upon Aldi type prices. Way to go First Church! Thank you and may God continue to prosper you so that you may continue to be a blessing to others.
Highview Highlights
We will be conducting our Annual Supply Drive for Highview 6th Grade Center starting right after the holidays. There will be detailed information available then, but you can be on the lookout for sales on the usual supply needs; pencils, pens, tissues, Clorox wipes, folders, erasers, hand sanitizer, post-its, etc. Donations are also welcome for purchases. The continued support from our congregation helps lift this important ministry for our community. Many thanks to all, Lynda Goecke
Free Community Holiday Dinner December 10th at 5:30pm
Everyone in the community is invited for ham, tater tots and all the fixin’s. We are distributing invitations to families of Rosa Parks Elementary, Highview Sixth Grade Center, and the local high-rises.
Donations of homemade cookies and ready to serve rolls are needed. If you are interested in assisting you may come and help for part or all of the day on Dec 10, 9:30am—
7:30pm (soup lunch provided for all volunteers). Contact Vickie Frazer by leaving a message with the church office.
December Birthdays
1 Pat Lyke
3 David Irwin
7 Sue Day, Fred Sander
8 Mary Lou Bennett,
Helen Hackney, Jared McDaniel
9 Bob Fultz
10 Henry Folgoso
11 Esther Johnson
13 Don Stamper
14 Terry Hines
16 Marcia Greenham
17 Rev. John Wagner
18 Carrie Ingram, Dorothy Youtsler
20 C.M. Jenkins, Kelli Wilson
22 Kathy Wright
23 Joyce Thompson
24 Tom Buchert
25 Jesus, Rick Lyke,
Miriam Melloh
26 David Young
27 John Nichols
28 Dee Markle
29 Nita Driscoll
30 Brianne Archer, Duane Gordon, Belinda Hausman, Matthew Youtsler
31 Robert Boyd