Pastor’s Reflections
The Truly Spiritual Person
We’ve announced this in worship several times in the past month, but since many of his closest friends in the church are among our homebound folks I need to say that our “Pastor of Outreach & Visitation,” the Rev. David Hilton, has had to retire from our staff for health reasons. This is a setback for our congregation, no doubt about it, and I am among those feeling his absence. He’s a great guy, a great friend and a great pastor. I thought I had a pretty good grasp of what all his ministry meant to our Christian community, but I am hearing a lot of “David Hilton stories” these days, and finding out that I only saw the tip of the iceberg.
One thing I did know about David is that he is a big fan of Pope Francis. I guess he is not alone, as Francis has recently been named Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year.” David particularly likes him because of his advocacy for the poor and willingness to critique political systems that allow for excessive greed and indifference. Also, like David, the new pope is someone who actually spends time getting to know the poor and marginalized as real people. Much of David’s ministry involved simply spending time with patrons of Breakfast Club, the food pantry and SHALOM.
Left: Rev. David Hilton
Right: Pope Francis
We also suspect David might be fond of the pope because they look enough alike to be twins!
But I digress.
While David applauds Francis’s recent public statements some other do not, and are saying “religion and politics don’t mix” and that the pope should “stick to spiritual matters.” You should know that one of the things David has most appreciated about our church has been the very open discussions we’ve had in Sunday school about economic and political ramifications of our faith. We recently finished an excellent Biblical study of immigration, including national immigration policies. There were certainly disagreements within the class, but no objections to raising controversial issues. We seem to have grasped the fact that you can’t talk about religion without talking about morality, and you can’t talk about morality without talking about how it translates into public life. I would say that among the many wonderful gifts David Hilton has given to this congregation is encouragement to wrestle with the difficult issues of our time. Yes, David is a truly spiritual person, with a profound prayer life, and as most of you now know, a widely recognized retreat leader. Yet for him spirituality is not only about our relationship with God but our relationships with one another. He stressed to us that in order to be truly spiritual we must be particularly attentive to the deeper problems of the weakest among us.
I happened to meet a man the other day, a combat veteran who carries deep wounds both physical and emotional. He said he’d heard somewhere word of this guy who both talked and listened to people, an ex-Marine like himself, who might be able to help him, give him some guidance. Could I introduce him? I had to tell this fellow that he was talking bout Rev. David Hilton, and that he had retired. I offered what insight I could. I also quietly resolved to work harder for a world where such persons are given a better chance.
Speaking for the staff, for our homebound, and for a great many people, I know that we will miss this pastor very much. I can also tell you he feels the same about all of us, and I do mean all. I believe the best way to honor his ministry is to make this new year one in which we further embrace his expansive understanding of spiritual living.
God bless us all in 2014,
John Wagner
Is UMW for You, Ladies?
I would like to encourage any women in the church who are not currently in a United Methodist Women’s Circle to think of adding that special group to your life.
UMW Circles provide a way for women to meet regularly in smaller groups to worship, study, and be in fellowship with each other. Our circles meet once a month and have similar tasks and goals, but are each unique in the way they fellowship and in the way they fulfill the UMW purpose (fostering spiritual growth, developing leaders and advocating for justice). All of the circles come together a few times a year for special events, like the Cookie Walk we just had last month.
So, ladies, if you’re looking to enrich your church life and to enjoy the faith, fun, fellowship and purpose of the United Methodist Women, we encourage you to pick a time frame that suits your lifestyle and attend a Circle. Feel free to try them all and find the one that fits you. Perhaps you might ask a friend for advice. I know any of the circles would be pleased to add a few new members.
—Rose Morgan
Elizabeth Circle Member
Miracle In Missions
By Virginia Jenkins for the
FUMC Missions Committee
The Salvation Army receives $25 gift certificates each year for 20 children to shop from Target. Members of the Salvation Army accompany each child to pick out what they’d like. As a member of the Middletown Salvation Army Board, I had Danny, age 6.
Danny said, “Ma’am, I would like a camouflage outfit, if you please.” So we found him a shirt and long pants. We were able to find him a camo outfit and jacket, too. Next were shoes; he requested shoes that light up when you walk in them. I said now we have all the things you need except underwear. “I don’t think I need underwear, ma’am. I have two pairs I wash out every night.” I told him I thought he could use a package. He replied, “I need a back pack more than underwear.” We purchased camouflage underwear. “I don’t need socks wither… I have two pairs.” Same story as the underwear.
He now has six pair of socks, a six-pack of underwear, plus a back pack with new supplies for school!
Talking with the nurses and social workers I found out this attitude is very common in children and adults. And they explained for better hygiene it’s important for them to wear underwear.
The point? Please keep in mind this slightly humorous account of a 6-year-old boy’s shopping trip when buying for the less fortunate. Even though it may not be on their list, if you can, add under garments to their gift baskets, for their good health and hygiene.
2013’s Most Common New Year’s Resolutions
1) Eat healthy and exercise.
2) Drink less.
3) Learn something new.
4) Quit smoking.
5) Better work/life balance.
6) Volunteer.
7) Save Money.
8) Get organized.
9) Read more.
10) Finish those around the house “to-do” lists.
Was yours on the list in 2013…what about 2014?
We can help you with #6 – just contact the church office and we’ll get you plugged into a ministry that needs your help!
Serving the Homeless of Middletown
FUMC Youth cooking, serving and fellowship dinner on opening night of SHALOM homeless shelter
While this was new for a few of our youth, most of our teens are veterans in serving the guests of SHALOM each winter. The FUMC Youth Group cooked and served dinner to guests on December 1st, which was opening night of the shelter, and were reminded that it’s better to give than to receive.
If you’d like to follow suit and provide a meal or fellowship with the SHALOM guests when FUMC hosts again this winter (week of March 16), see John Tack for information and to sign up. It’s a worthy investment of your time—just ask these teens about their recent experience…
Your Trustees at Work in 2013
Can you remember back when it was hot outside; how refreshing it was to step into the sanctuary and worship in cool comfort? That’s all thanks to Greg Cooper and the building trustees. This past year they replaced the sanctuary air compressors and the office area AC.
They also had the parking lot resealed and the floors of Fellowship and Epworth Halls professionally stripped and waxed. But that’s not all! For our Heritage Sunday celebration Greg was able to fix two special things that hadn’t worked in years—the outdoor chimes and the garden fountain.
Special thanks to Bob Wieneke who is retiring his trustee position after 30 years of service!
God bless,
Barbara Orth
Can You Say “Building Code?” In Nepal
Update from Dr. Les & Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital
Taken from our porch – the black railing in the photo is next to our steps leading up to the “road.”
I was interested in the close proximity of the young boys to the construction site – no hard hats or
blockades around here!
Yesterday morning when I left for work at the hospital, our path was quiet and the field above our house was full of wildflowers blowing in the light breeze. A couple of hours later when I returned home, on the last hill up to the house, I had to step off the road for 3 tractors pulling loads of dirt. As I crested the hill, I wondered, “Where is all that dirt coming from?”
Well – imagine my surprise when I saw a huge bulldozer in the path behind our house cutting a hole into the side of the hill. Someone apparently purchased a little piece of land and has decided to build a house! This is happening all over town – but it all seems to be done in such a backwards way, that it is quite frustrating.
People here dig the hole, put up the house, and then think about hooking up electricity and water…. If they are educated, they might put in a septic tank while building…. And there doesn’t seem to be any rules about how close to other houses or to the path things are built…. or any care about blocking a public road or path all during the building process!
Well – pray for us to be gracious during this time. And also say a prayer for our house helper – whose house now has no real path to it due to others building too close to her place….
May God Bless you in this New Year!
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
Thank you to all the musicians who shared their talents with us this Christmas! From carolers to
instrumentalists and singers to those who enthusiastically jingled the “jingle bells!” We are truly blessed to have so many who are willing to bring us closer to God through music!
Dates for Musical Outreach:
We sing at The Woodlands every 3rd Friday at 10:30 for about 25 minutes, then drive over to Spring Hill and sing some more. ALL are invited to share in this special ministry—you don’t have to be in the choir to sing!
Scripture Readers
We schedule Scripture Readers each quarter. If you would like to participate in worship by reading scripture please let Mary Ellen know and you will be added to our rotation.
First Friday Concert Series 2014
JANUARY 3 JIMMY ROGERS We kick off the year with our traditional honky-tonk piano man, Jimmy Rogers. Always a favorite!!
FEBRUARY 7 Mike Hemmelgarn-Ventriloquist/Puppeteer/musical show
This concert series wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Middletown Community Foundation, the Miriam G. Knoll Charitable Foundation and the congregation of First United Methodist Church, Middletown. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for helping us make downtown Middletown a destination for the arts!
Community Ministries Corner
Thank You…
Another Christmas has come and gone and, hopefully, our hearts are still aglow with the special spirit of the holidays.
The Community Ministry Council wishes to thank you, each and everyone, for your contributions to the Community Christmas Dinner, the Giving and Winter Wear Trees, and your ongoing support of the Pantry, the Emergency Food Program, Whiz Kids, Shalom, Highview Ministry and our Hispanic Ministry. We are a congregation that truly “gets” what Christmas is all about. As Tiny Tim said, “God bless us, every one!”
New Pantry Shoppers!
The Pantry wishes to welcome aboard our new shoppers: Tom & Chris Buchert, Gene & Pat Saylor, and Barb & Dave Balsmeyer. They have graciously volunteered to help keep the Pantry stocked by doing the weekly shopping. If you feel that this is something you might like to try doing, please join us. Just call the church office at 513-423-4629 and leave your name and number.
Highview Highlights
It’s time for our annual mid-year school supply drive to begin to help re-stock the teachers’ classrooms. Please look for a list at the Highview Happenings bulletin board and drop items in the bin at your convenience. If you want someone to shop for you please just write a note on your offering envelope that says “Highview School Supplies.” Thanks for your continued generosity!
January Birthdays
2 Mindi Dickson
6 Sylvia Maynard
9 Glenna Combs
10 Chris Urso
12 Bob Beagle
13 Kathy Hieber
18 Jim Hogg
19 James Irwin
22 Pat Schaefer
23 Vikki Jones
25 Brett Dickson, Phyllis Lolli
26 Alex Mills
27 Walt Roehll
28 Andrew Youtsler
30 Carolyn Tucker
31 Dixie Davis