Pastor’s Reflections
We Let Go
Summer is practically on our doorstep, so here is a summer story.
It was my first cross country trip with my daughter. OK, it wasn’t cross country – it was cross state, essentially a five hour trip, but it was just us. Just my daughter and I sharing sandwiches and conversation on the open road. I think she was three and a half.
I was brand new to the dad business, and had often felt awkward. My wife brought two daughters with her when we married, and of course knew everything about diapers and bottles and bathing. I would make suggestions every now and then, but often I was quite incorrect. I like to think I took my corrections with good humor, but, you know.
The day finally came. We were on our own. We were going to Grandma’s, we had sandwiches, we had our juice boxes, we were relaxed, and we were doing our thing. We shared insights on the rural scene and talked about the merits of peanut butter vs. apples. It was great.
Then, of course, those inevitable words in that unmistakable inflection: “Uh, Daddy …”
I was certainly no stranger to this aspect of parenting. I had changed my share of diapers, and I was not nervous about that. But Anna didn’t wear diapers anymore. She was a big girl. She needed to use the restroom.
The fact this might pose a problem began to stir in my mind.
As I’ve said, it was summer – lots of travelers on the road, nearly all of them feeling the urge about the same time as my daughter. I remember it as if it were yesterday. Men were hustling in and out, the women’s line stretched out into the lobby, lots of noise, lots of perspiration, the place packed, everybody eager to move on, especially those women.
And the two of us, taking it all in.
Now some of you more freed-up types might not sympathize, but I simply couldn’t stand the thought of taking my precious little daughter into that den of hot sweaty men. Anna looked exactly like a girl, my little girl, and I couldn’t bear it. Not in there. Not with those guys.
I began to search the faces of each woman who entered the roadside rest. I really didn’t have any criteria. I just looked into each face in the line, hoping I would know. Some of them looked back, and I can only imagine how I appeared to them. Anna waited patiently, holding my hand, trusting me.
I finally chose one. She was attractive, but not in the sense of calling attention to herself. She seemed calm, seemed nice. Maybe in her early to mid thirties.
“Excuse me, I was wondering if you could help me …”
I almost didn’t have to say another word. She understood immediately. Of course she would help take my daughter into the ladies room.
“Her name is Anna,” I said.
“Well hello, Anna,” she said, and she reached out a hand. “Will you come with me?”
I’ll never forget Anna at that moment. She nodded her head gravely, squared her shoulders, bit her lip just the tiniest little bit, let go of my hand and put it into the hand of the stranger. My daughter was wearing a red and white dress. Her hair was short and very dark. She was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, or ever would see, and someone I had just met was taking her away.
And as it turned out, there was no back door to the restroom, no abduction. It did take immensely longer than I thought it should, but suddenly there she was, still holding the hand of the gracious stranger. I’m sure it all looked very normal and natural to any observer. I‘ll bet that nice young woman has forgotten all about it.
But I’ll never forget.
When the Spirit is close, and the need for God is clear, and the offer is unambiguous, this is how it feels. The best part of us, our heart, our life, will have to go into this mystery. We sense warmth and tenderness, but we also possess a fear, perhaps irrational, but we truly feel it. “What can I really know about this stranger?” we ask. “Can I actually afford to let go of that which is most precious to me, the deepest thing, the only truly beautiful thing I know?”
“Do I have a choice?”
We don’t have a choice — not really. It’s this or nothing. The stranger has a trustworthy face. Unless we can’t trust our instincts at all, there’s kindness and caring there. The hand is outstretched.
And we let go.
John Wagner
UMW’s Salad Luncheon, Baked Goods & Flower Sale – May 7
Tickets are available now for the United Methodist Women’s annual May Salad Luncheon, Flower & Bake Sale. The UMW Salad Luncheon will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2014, in Fellowship Hall. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased from the church office.
In preparation for the event, UMW is asking all church members to prepare one (or more) salads (12-16 servings) and their favorite baked goods. Proceeds benefit local organizations and UMW district special missions. For more information or to learn more about joining UMW call the church office, 513-423-4629.
Annual Conference (June 8-11) Miracle Offering
The missional emphasis for the Annual Conference Session will again be Imagine No Malaria, a key component of The United Methodist Church’s Global Health Initiative. Last year the West Ohio Conference made a commitment to join together over the next few years in raising awareness and money for Imagine No Malaria, supporting its plan that is delivering hope to many devastated by malaria. The Imagine No Malaria offering will be received Tuesday morning of Annual Conference during worship.
If you’d like to designate a gift toward the Miracle Offering, just make your check payable to FUMC and write “Miracle Offering” on the other line of your envelope.
All gifts will be presented together at Annual Conference that are received by June 8.
50 Days of Easter
Did you know the Easter Season isn’t over? While it’s okay to put away the bunnies and plastic Easter eggs, in the life of the Church, the Easter Season lasts for 50 days! This season, which is one of most joyous and celebrative seasons of the Christian year, begins on Easter Evening at sunset (known as the Easter Vigil) and ends on the Day of Pentecost. This 50 day season focuses on Jesus’ resurrection, ascension and on the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles.
One of the great things about using the traditional Liturgical Calendar in worship planning, is that we account the life, events, and teachings of Christ each year, growing deeper and deeper into the understanding of what our response should be as followers of the Word.
Within this season is Ascension Sunday, celebrated the closest Sunday to 40 days after the resurrection (this year—June 1). On this day Jesus was taken up to heaven in His resurrected body in the presence of 11 of his disciples. This event is described fully in Acts 1:9-11 but can also be found in Mark and Luke. We profess the belief of this event in the Nicene and Apostles Creed (“He ascended into Heaven…”). The celebration of the Ascension has been a part of the church liturgical year since the 4th century.
The next big celebration is Pentecost Sunday (this year—June 8), which occurs 50 days after Easter (“Pente” means 50 or fiftieth). We are more familiar with the symbolism of this Sunday here in our local congregation. On this Sunday, the Holy Spirit came to the disciples “in a rush of a mighty wind” and tongues of flames were over the disciples heads. Everyone who heard the Word of God was able to understand it in their own language. This event is also found in the Book of Acts. On this Sunday we like to wear red to represent the “flames” and we use imagery of wind and the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we like to read scripture in other languages. This is considered the “Birthday of the Church” because the disciples became filled with the Holy Spirit and began their ministry to the World.
Vacation Bible School
July 20 – 24
6:00-8:00PM Nightly
Our first VBS meeting for those interested in volunteering in any way with VBS will be:
Thursday, May 8 at 6:30pm—
Please come find out the exciting plans for VBS this year! We need various volunteers to help with preparations before VBS, during the week, and after it’s over. There’s definitely something for YOU to do!
The Community Ministries Council plans to host a cookout for the community and families with children attending VBS. This will help kickoff the week on Sunday, July 20 at 4:00pm.
Please pray and consider how you might participate in these events. Contact Henry or Dani Folgoso or the church office with questions.
Dangerous Heights Jesus In Nepal
Update from Dr. Les & Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital
Lady in tree; over 20 feet high
Growing up in Ohio and Indiana, one expression I never heard was that “so and so fell out of his field!” Here in Nepal – it can happen and does often happen! When one field is 6 feet or so above the next one, accidents occur. Also, because in this dry season, there isn’t grass for animals to graze on, you will often see ladies or children climbing high into the tops of trees to cut out any remaining leaves or “fodder.” This is why Tansen Hospital has 3 full time fully trained orthopedic surgeons on our staff. Most of their work is related to trauma – people falling from trees or fields, or other accidents.
We are supposed to have three full time general surgeons also on staff here – but we will only have one for much of the next six months. Please pray for a general surgeon who would be willing to donate his or her time and efforts to the people in Nepal.
Thank you for your prayers for rain – we have had some nice rains which have helped the hospital to keep running! Please keep praying – we need about 40,000 liters of water per day for the hospital and compound area. The other day, the city water sent 169 liters. God sent us .5 inches – about 40,000 liters. It’s good we can place our trust in the one who owns all the resources we could ever need!
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
Combined Choir Takes Their Music On The Road
We have really been enjoying the high school students in our congregation this past year. They are always eager to participate in worship in a variety of ways and have been such a gift to all of us. In addition to singing in the Temple Choir, our young people all play at least one instrument—5 play the piano, 2 play the French horn, 2 also play percussion and one plays trumpet. We are truly blessed!!
This month, they will combine with the young people of First Presbyterian Church and sing a couple of anthems during the church service! On May 4th the combined group will be singing the Anthem and the Offertory during our worship service and on May 18th they will be singing at the Presbyterian Church.
Children’s Moment
Six-year old Angie and her four-year old brother, Joel, were sitting together in church. Joe giggled, sang and talked out loud.
Finally, his big sister had had enough. “You’re not supposed to talk out loud in church.” “Why? Who’s going to stop me?” Joel asked.
Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, “See those two men standing by the door? They’re hushers.”
—Source Unknown
First Friday Concert Series 2014
MAY 2 THE MUSICAL HISTORY OF IRVING BERLIN
Steven Stuhlbarg, of Cincinnati Klezmer Project, brings this brand-new program to First Fridays. Learn about American composer with Steven on guitar/vocals, and Irina Bernadsky on Ukrainian mandolin.
JUNE 6 THE OXFORD ARTS TRIO
A little Vivaldi is perfect for the beginning of summer! Join this trio as they share a program of woodwind classics within the swirling acoustics of the sanctuary space.
This concert series wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Middletown Community Foundation, the Miriam G. Knoll Charitable Foundation, The Barnitz Fund 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
Whiz Kids Summer Camp
Thank you, First Church Congregation, for your generosity. Because of you at least eight children will be going to Camp this summer for a whole week! This is often a once in a lifetime opportunity for these kids. City Gospel Mission provides a $300 camp experience for just $25 each student for us. What a treat for our kids!
Highvew Partnership Ministry Update:
Highview Teachers & Staff Say “Thanks!”
We have received several notes and comments to thank First Church volunteers and congregation for the many blessings you have provided at Highview Sixth Grade Center this year. There’s not room for them all, but here’s a few to let you know the impact of your time & resources:
- We so appreciate all you do to support us and our students — Amy C.
- Thank you so much for your generosity — Stephanie N.
- Always appreciate the way you serve the Lord — Angie R.
- Thank you for all you do for our school. First United is the best! — Barb F.
- We are blessed to have you in our lives! — Cathy H.
- You are wonderful! Thank you so much for thinking of us — Candy P.
- You make me remember why I teach! — Kimm C.
- As always, your support really brightens my heart.
May Birthdays
1 Lynn Benoy
4 Jacob Halsey, Pat Jenkins
6 Marcy Andrews, Shirley Fields
7 Pat Bolin, Judy Thorn
8 Adam Wilson
11 Luke Dornon
13 Bill Pratt
14 Peggy Kramer, Rebecah Symon
18 Daisy Byrum (turning 101!)
19 Brenda Byrd, Jim Gayhart, Mark Mills, Don Youtsler
20 Mary Nichols
21 Andrew Clinard
22 Vickie Frazer
25 Dee Young
26 Marlene Bradley, Tammy White
28 Mabel Borders, Becky Douthett
29 Marian McGuire