Pastor’s Reflections
Less Cool
Like most pastors I have tried to navigate a course that does not unnecessarily offend the people with whom I live and work. My technique is to share my views as matter-of-factly as I can, in the most reasonable sounding way I can, making sure people know I am not judging them for their beliefs, and that we will still be friends in the end. I think this is a pretty good way to handle differences, and it seems to come naturally to me. I think I really do avoid judging people, and do a good job maintaining friendships. People might even say, “Well, he has his opinions, but he’s cool about it.” Maybe they don’t quite say that, but I like to imagine they do.
Lately, however, I am finding it challenging to be quite so cool.
As many of you know by now, in 2008 I got to go on a trip to the Holy Land. I had some important spiritual experiences, as have many others, but as fate would have it I was also taken deep into the West Bank, and got to see and hear things directly from Palestinians and sympathetic Israelis that most Americans don’t get to see or hear. Simply put, what I discovered was that there are terrible injustices being perpetrated against the native Arab population by the Israeli government. I had heard about this beforehand, but I was shocked nonetheless. I could now see why all our United Methodist missionaries, both the conservatives and the liberals, retired and still active, have been so anxious to tell us something was seriously wrong over there. I now regret how little credence I gave to their past statements.
Friends, this experience I had in the Holy Land has become something I can’t un-see or un-hear. And like our missionaries, I find I am becoming progressively less cool about it, less willing to sound reasonable.
On the 10th of May I will be traveling to our United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Oregon, to do my part in getting our denomination to divest from companies and institutions that profit from the occupation of Palestine, or the so-called West Bank. I’ve been working toward this moment for the past eight years, and have been doing my best to persuade friends and colleagues we need to take a radical step as a denomination. It’s been a tough sell. The last time I was with delegates to our General Conference I could almost hear the sighs as I started to speak … “Oh please, there he goes again.” I’m sure there were a few eye rolls as well.
I confess I’m starting to feel like the crazy uncle who keeps bringing up the same old crazy conspiracy theories at family gatherings. When will Uncle John let this go?
But Uncle John can’t.
Over the past four years I’ve put together a number of educational events around this issue, and have invited Palestinian Christians speakers like Daoud Nassar and Rev. Alex Awad, and also Rabbi Bernard Barsky and some Muslim speakers to our church. So many of you have come to these events, and have been so kind and open minded, and I need to say I am deeply grateful for that attitude. I hope I can faithfully reciprocate whenever you share your passions, even if I find myself initially leaning in the other direction.
I’ll be gone to Portland for 10 days, from May 10th to May 20th. Worship will be led by Dani and Henry Folgoso on the Sunday I’m gone, which happens to be Pentecost Sunday. There’s a bit of irony in that fact – Pentecost was that special day in Jerusalem, when, as the Book of Acts records, all sorts of pilgrims from all over the known world received the Holy Spirit and became one united body we now call the Church. Even though they spoke different languages, they could somehow hear and understand each other. That would mean Romans could understand Egyptians who could understand Persians, and so on. And, if you read Acts 2:11, they all could understand and embrace the Arab speakers in their midst. The Palestinian church, with justification, traces its beginnings 2000 years ago to that first Christian Pentecost. I would ask that you pray for a similar moment of unity in Portland so that our Palestinian sisters and brothers are once again truly heard. But also pray that people like me can actually hear the sincere voices of our opponents, and they can hear us, and that by the grace of God we work out some agreements.
May Christ be with the United Methodists as we try to come to a point of unity around all the very difficult issues before us.
God bless you all,
John
Mission Moment
Living in Tansen without being able to walk…
Update from Dr. Les and Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital
We had a wonderful couple of days with Rachel, Hannah, and friend, Catherine…we traveled with a group of friends by bus down to Lumbini – the birthplace of Buddha! We walked around and saw some of the sights – the sacred pool, the big tree, and lots of old and new monasteries…some of which have been built by people from other countries. It was SO HOT – over 100 degrees in the shade. So – in the early afternoon we sweated our way to the hotel – the “Dreamland Resort” – just outside of Butwal. We had rooms with A/C – and a beautiful big swimming pool in which to relax and cool off!
We enjoyed a lovely dinner together, and on Saturday morning, Hannah left to catch her flight from Bhairahawa to KTM as her spring break was ending. She had to start teaching again on Monday. The rest of us enjoyed more dips in the pool, and then left again around 11:30 – again in sweltering heat. We stopped for lunch in Butwal, and after eating, as we were reloading the bus, I missed seeing a gutter and stepped into the ditch – twisting my foot badly. It hurt most of the way back to Tansen, and when I showed it to the orthopedic doctor here, she recommended getting an x-ray just to be sure all was okay!
So – this time I was the one in the hospital ER – it wasn’t Les! I got pushed around in a wheel chair, and had the x-rays taken. I was so thankful that nothing was broken – just strained or torn ligaments. I got a bandage to wrap up my foot, and managed to hobble back up to the guest house and then home.
My foot is feeling better after resting it today, but it got me to thinking about how much feet are needed for life in Tansen. There has been so much I had planned to do that I have had to cancel. In order to get anywhere from our house, we have to walk. There is no way a wheelchair could get to our house on the cobble stone paths. Even if we could call a taxi, we have to walk a ways to meet it.
There is a lady who attends a weekly bible study we have who has to walk with crutches. Her leg was broken, and wasn’t able to be repaired – multiple operations weren’t able to help. She makes her way slowly from her home to the hospital where we meet – and I don’t hear her complaining about it…There is another young woman I have met on our road – she has only one leg, and she also makes her way along the roads here on a pair of crutches.
These are only a couple of the people who live here and work in spite of not being able to walk freely. I am even more thankful for my two feet and legs and the fact that they usually work well for me!
In Him,
लेस (Les) and देबी (Debbie)
P.S. To see more photos and stories, please check our blog: dornonnepalmission.wordpress.com
Appreciation Luncheon for Christian Education Staff
May is Teacher Education month. Our church wants to let you know how valuable you are and how much we appreciate you and your willingness to share your time and talents. Our Christian Education staff includes Nursery volunteers, Jr. Church volunteers, Adult & Children Sunday School teachers, and Acolyte leaders.
On Sunday, May 22, following the worship service, you are all invited to a luncheon held in your honor in Fellowship Hall. Your spouse is invited to attend as well. Please RSVP to the church office at (513) 423-4629 by May 15. We hope to see you there!
REMINDER
United Methodist Women Present their annual
“SALAD LUNCHEON”
FLOWER, HERB, AND BAKE SALE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4TH
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, In Fellowship Hall
Tickets on sale at $7.00 for adults and $3.50 for children 12 years of age and under. Remember all proceeds benefit in house and local missions. THANK YOU in advance, the women of the UMW appreciate your faithful attendance and support.
Neighborhood Picnic: School’s Out for the Summer!
Come and celebrate summer on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. The Community Ministry Committee is hosting a start of summer picnic for the neighborhood and church members. We hope you can attend! We could use your help with the following items: cupcakes, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and hotdog buns.
Bob Caldwell will be our Grill Master and we will need additional support to help with set-up, serving, and cleanup. Please call Vickie Frazer at 513-267-9946 if you can assist in any manner.
Come celebrate Summer and bring your appetite!
2016 West Ohio Conference Gift
To All Church Members:
As you may recall last year we gave money to the West Ohio Conference for the “Imagine No Malaria” Campaign. Each year the Bishop promotes a different cause and I was most pleased to learn that this year he is asking for support “in starting new worshipping communities and revitalizing existing congregations.”
Any help from members of the First United Methodist Church will be appreciated. We will put out the jars on the first Sunday in May. Contributions will be accepted through May and our gift will be presented on June 7, 2016 at the West Ohio Conference.
Yours in service,
Mary Maurer, Lay Leader
Altar Flowers
It’s not too late to purchase Altar Flowers in memory or in honor of someone special to you. There are still some open slots available for 2016. The following Sundays are available: May 22, June 12, July 3, July 24, July 31, and October 9. If you are interested in purchasing altar flowers for one of these dates, please call the church office or fill out a purple Altar Flower order form and return to the church office. Order forms will be available in the North Foyer during Sunday service.
Trust the Future—Legacy Giving
In the last Ambassador, we revealed that we are moving toward a successful conclusion of the Trust the Future capital campaign and, thus, achieving financial stability for the near term, as far as building and program needs are concerned.
When we look beyond these years, the future of First United Methodist Church is less clear. We can’t anticipate all capital needs many years hence, and funding sources may or may not diminish. So, while we have no crystal ball, we can take steps now to ensure the long-term viability of FUMC.
We ask that you consider making FUMC part of your estate planning. Your legacy gift to this church will be properly invested for long-term growth and be available, years from now, to provide for unforeseen capital needs.
You may recall that last year, by adoption of a Charge Conference resolution, a permanent committee was established to oversee the administration of our legacy fund. This committee is composed of some church committee chairs and at-large members and is bound by provisions of the by-laws which you approved at the Charge Conference. The overall goal of the fund is to achieve long-term growth and income, through proper investment of the funds. Guidelines as to use of the fund are in place so that they are not used for normal operating expenditures. They will, instead, provide the reserve for the extraordinary expenses which are bound to arise, even generations from now.
You may have questions about legacy giving to FUMC. Please contact Tom Hazelbaker for information and be assured that all will be held in strictest confidence.
Once again, we thank you for your great response to our Trust the Future capital campaign. We hope you consider in your future making a legacy gift.
John Hoffman, Legacy Fund Committee Chair
Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard
The month of May is jam-packed with special Sundays! Rev. Wagner preaches using the Liturgical Calendar and the Lectionary which reminds us of important occurrences in the life of Christ and his disciples. The month of May, appropriately so, will focus on the events experienced by the disciples after Christ’s resurrection and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
The second Sunday in May we will celebrate “Ascension Sunday” when Jesus, who had been with the disciples for a few weeks, was preparing to return to heaven and was also preparing the disciples to receive the Holy Spirit. In year’s past, we have celebrated this Sunday by releasing white balloons in the sanctuary and watching them float gracefully up to the ceiling. (Kids LOVE this Sunday!!)
The second Sunday in May is also Mother’s Day and each woman in the congregation will receive a carnation. So many women in our congregation share in the role of “mother” to younger generations. I know from personal experience how the lives of my two sons were enhanced and supported by women of this church! Let us show our gratitude to all those who “mother” us in a spirit of love.
Pentecost, probably one of the most recognizable Sundays of the year, is May 15 with the prominent red altar drapery and everyone wearing red!! This is the Sunday that we remember the disciples receiving the Holy Spirit and the ability to speak in different languages so the word and work of God could be spread all over the world. Always a unique and joyous Sunday. Sometimes considered to be the “Birthday of the Church.”
The theme of the Holy Spirit continues on May 22 with Trinity Sunday. With the introduction of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, the concept of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is complete. We celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, Companion, and Comforter that lives within us and gives us peace.
Be sure to attend each one of these services to grow stronger in your faith and to celebrate these chapters in the story of our relationship to our Heavenly Father. See you Sunday!
2016 First Friday Concert Series @ Noon
MAY 6 | JANICE T. “SUNFLOWER’
Imagine the beauty of the American Plains and hear the sounds of Native American flutes as played by Janice T. “Sunflower.” She brings a large collection of handmade flutes and tells their stories both through words and songs. Check out her website at www.sunflowertones.net.
JUNE 3 | MIKE “ELVIS” DAVIS, TRIBUTE ARTIST
This is the concert you’ve been waiting for! Mike “Elvis” Davis, tribute artist extraordinaire, will shake us up with his popular tribute show to Elvis! You don’t want to miss this one complete with photo ops, audience participation, and fun fit for a King. Elvis is IN the building!
This concert series would not be possible without the support of the Middletown Community Foundation, the Barnitz Fund, Miriam Knoll Foundation and the congregation of First United Methodist Church, Middletown. Thank you for your support!!
May Birthdays
1 Lynn Benoy, John Regensburg
4 Sarah Dean, Chester Jenkins, Becky Rogers
6 Marcy Andrews, Ron Davis, Shirley Fields
7 Pat Bolin, Judy Thorn
8 Adam Wilson
11 Luke Dornon, Leroy Hudson
12 Lily Crowe
13 Bill Pratt
14 Peggy Kramer, Rebecah Symon
17 Isabella Folgoso-Ortega
18 Daisy Byrum
19 Brenda Byrd, Jim Gayhart, Mark Mills
20 Mary Nichols
21 Andrew Clinard
22 Vickie Frazer
25 Dee Young
26 Tammy White
28 Mabel Borders, Becky Douthett, J.J. Peil
29 Marian McGuire
