Pastor’s Reflections
My Pledge for Pledge Sunday
November is the month we hold our annual Pledge Drive, and this year it will culminate on November 24th, the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving – which seems appropriate. We give because we are thankful. You will be asked to make an estimate of your giving for the following year.
We are still in 2013 so it’s a bit hard to calculate, but as of now it looks as though we will be asking the congregation for a small increase in giving, probably around 5 per cent. I’m hoping this will cover anticipated increases in our utility payments, a small cost of living increase for our staff, and $5000 for “The Gathering.” (Most of you remember when this creative ministry to the neighborhood was located in our church. We are still connected through friendship and denominational ties, and now have a church member on their advisory committee.) I very much hope we can manage this increased giving while continuing to honor the commitments we made in 2012 – paying our fair share for the larger mission of the United Methodist Church around the world and maintaining our formal Covenant Relationship with Les and Debbie Dornon, our missionaries in Nepal.
As most of you know we have recently taken on Henry and Dani Folgoso as student pastors. They will be helping with children and youth, also worship, and then of course leading our outreach to the Hispanic community of Middletown. As far as supporting this ministry, we anticipate taking 12 thousand dollars a year for the next three years out of a restricted account called the Children’s Ministry Fund. The rest should be covered by a grant for new ministries from the United Methodist Church nationally. In other words, we will not be asking for help from your regular tithes and pledges with this particular new expense.
Which brings me to the heart of what I want to say. Our church has a fairly large amount of money in designated funds – that is, funds that are designated for a particular use, such as ministry to children, organ repair, the pastor’s housing allowance, the food pantry and so forth. These funds are all invested, and do earn some interest, but the interest is also not available for general use in our church budget. In other words, we can only spend it on those activities or ministries designated by the persons who set up the fund. Part of my obligation as a pastor is to honor those intentions. This is also the responsibility of our finance, trustees and investment committees.
My pledge to you is to be transparent about what we truly need from you in terms of annual financial support. It is very important to me personally that you trust me not only as your pastor but as one of those maintaining our fiscal integrity. I want you to believe we are using your gifts wisely and prudently, not extravagantly. I also would hope that if you have any questions at all you would come to me or to one of the other financial officers of the church. We would be glad to get into the details.
To make the point further, we want you to believe we sincerely need this money when we ask for it, and would not cry wolf when we don’t.
I am truly delighted to be in this church at this time in your history. I am inspired by what you’ve done in the past, and I’ve come to admire your church leaders. And good things are happening right now. Community ministries continue to be vital and compassionate. We have seen some growth in children and youth in worship, and an increase in attendance overall. Let’s continue forward in the confidence that God has brought us all together for a reason.
In Christ,
John Wagner
Getting To Know You…
Louise Goforth, 2004
Louise Goforth started walking to our church from her nearby Middletown home when she was just 4 years old, most likely with an older brother. From then on she was a regular and officially became a member in 1943.
Louise’s mother died when she was very young so her father raised her and her siblings. “Church was my family,” she said. “Nobody had to push me to go to church.” “I loved the church.” After her marriage to classmate, Charles, shortly after high school, they both came to church. Louise was active in Women’s Society (now known as the UMW), helped out with many events and dinners and called on new members and others at pledge time. She recalls friends from those times very fondly.
For a while, Louise worked at Bowman’s Garden store, doing the flower arranging—a talent she shared freely at church for many events and as a member of a local garden club. Although her bridge-playing days are now past, Louise was quite the bridge player for many years.
A faithful member still, today at 91, Louise enjoys her residence at Mt. Pleasant Retirement Village, reads her Bible daily and enjoys visiting with old church friends like Kay Fraley and others. Her beloved husband, Charles, died in 1989, but her two boys, Kent and Tim, who live in Middletown and Urbana respectively, visit her regularly. When I visited and asked about favorite scriptures, she didn’t limit it to one in particular, but reiterated to me that she “loves to read her Bible and loves the Lord.”
by Anita Shew
Assisted by Kay Fraley
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.
A Miracle of Mission
By Mary Jane Frazer for the
FUMC Missions Committee
John Daniel Gore, mission intern with the General Board of Global Ministries, served initially in Wi’am Palestinian Conflict Revolution Center in Bethlehem shared these words with us through the 2013 UMW Prayer Calendar:
“So much energy is spent analyzing our differences and finding reasons to be apart when we could be so dedicated to loving people who are different than ourselves. Wanting justice and abundant life for them becomes the next step. I think often on the nature of walls. These boundaries can block the harsh, dry wind or they can loom high between communities, causing blindness, paralysis and resentment. Walls must keep the warmth in, not the people out.”
Your apportionment dollars are used to support missionaries such as John Daniel, who work in these difficult regions.
The 25¢ Club
The Missions Committee met and agreed that in December, during Advent, we will be asking the congregation for quarters—regular silver alloy quarters—on all of those four Sundays. The money raised will go for a mission project at home or abroad to be determined at our January meeting. This only includes quarters—not dimes, pennies, nickels or other undesignated funds in the offering plate—just quarters.
This is a way to raise both money and consciousness about missions in our congregation.
—The Missions Committee
UMW Christmas Luncheon
December 7
United Methodist Women will gather for their annual Christmas Luncheon on Saturday, Dec 7, 2013, at Brown’s Run Country Club.
Any woman in the church is welcome to join members at this holiday gathering. Middletown High School’s Purple Pizzazz will be the featured entertainment. Ladies should arrive by 11:30am.
Cost for the luncheon is $12. A valet service will be available. The deadline for reservations is November 29. Payment should be made at the time of reservations. If paying by check, it should be made out to Brown’s Run Country Club.
For more information call the church office, 513-423-4629.
All Saints Sunday
All Saints Sunday is observed in our worship service on Sunday, November 3rd. For me, this is one of the highlights of the liturgical year. The names of those who have united with the Church Triumphant during the past year are read, a candle is lit and a bell is tolled in their memory. These are solemn and sacred moments that fill me with profound gratitude.
Who are the saints? The early church honored the martyrs as saints. We name our Christian brothers and sisters as among the saints and honor them on this special day.
A young child was asked, “Who is a saint?” Looking around the sanctuary at the figures portrayed in stained glass, the child replied, “They are the ones the light shines through.” The light of Christ shines through the lives of those who love God with all their heart … soul … strength … mind and love their neighbors as themselves. (Luke 10:27)
The Letter to the Hebrews names the heroes and heroines of faith and then follows with this instruction for us: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight … and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith …” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
We are called to let the light of Christ shine through us. We, too, have a legacy to leave for those who follow us. Look for more about this in the December issue of the Ambassador.
—David Hilton
UMW Cookie Walk
December 14
United Methodist Women will host the annual Cookie Walk on Saturday, December 14, 2013. This UMW holiday tradition will offer a variety of cookies, candies, and other scrumptious treats for patrons to purchase for their loved ones. All church members are asked to bake 6 to 12 dozen cookies for the event, which will be from 10 a.m. to noon. Cookies will be sold for $6/pound.
Something new this year will be a gift-wrapping service. For a donation, UMW members will wrap gifts that are brought to the wrapping table. There will be a variety of Christmas wrapping paper and ribbons available, but no gift boxes.
All proceeds will benefit UMW Service Projects. For more info call the church office, 513-423-4629.
Dasai… In Nepal
Update from Dr. Les & Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital
These children are wearing the “tika” (red paste on the forehead) given during the Hindu celebrations as a type of blessing.
Yesterday was the new moon – and the first day of the Hindu holiday called Dasai. Traditionally, all govt offices and many other businesses are closed for up to 15 days during this celebration. The main day of Dasai is Oct 14 (the 10th day of the festival. Dasai actually means 10th day.) During this major Hindu festival everyone wants to be home with family and do their pujas (hindu rites). Many goats are slaughtered and eaten and even more alcohol is consumed. This also means that elsewhere in Nepal, physicians and nurses go home and hospitals are closed or semi closed.
According to our Nepali doctors, we are responsible for approximately 1 million persons during these days – especially around the 8th to 12th day of the festival. We close our outpatient dept for 3 days, but the inpatient wards and ER remain open 24/7. Sometimes the cases that come in are more difficult than usual as people have had to travel further or wait as transport is difficult during this time.
It is traditionally a happy time for most families, but for others it can be a time of real struggle. Please pray for Nepal and especially for the Christians during this time. Many Christians are isolated from families during this festival.
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
Hanging of the Greens November 24th!
Come join our other First Church members as we decorate our church for the upcoming Advent and Christmas Season! It’s a time of fun and fellowship as we bring out the decorations, get up on ladders, hang ornaments, and get a preview of our beautiful sanctuary during this sacred season.
Decorating starts at 4pm followed by a Sloppy Joe Dinner and a brief Hanging of the Greens service. For all ages and decorating skill levels!! Many hands make light work!
Thank You!
A special “thank you” to all those who have shared their musical talents with us this Fall! We are so blessed as a congregation to have so many wonderful musicians! What a joy and we appreciate you!
Love One Another…
Some of our members need closer access to the church building on Sunday mornings. If you are able to walk reasonable distances, please consider parking in the library lot or in the City lot at the corner of Broad and 1st Avenue. This will make the spaces in the parking lot behind the church available for those that have difficulty walking, whether or not they have a handicapped decal. Thank you so much for caring about our church family!
First Friday Concert Series 2013
NOVEMBER 1 BUFFALO RIDGE JAZZ BAND
Buffalo Ridge Jazz Band, who wowed audiences with their great Big Band, Dixieland, and improvisational skills in our First Friday line-up in 2012, will be performing in place of The Faux Frenchmen. Their show was one of the best last year so you won’t want to miss it!
DECEMBER 6 CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG
Charlie had so much fun he wanted to come back and do it again! More singing! More trivia! More jingle bells and silly hats! Bring your friends as our community ushers in the Holiday Season together.
This concert series wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Middletown Community Foundation, Barnitz Fund, 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
A True Harvest of the Hearts
There is something very moving about seeing all of the “Harvest of the Heart” bags lined up in the front of the sanctuary every year. It’s a visual reminder of what goes on in the church food pantry week after week because of the continuing generosity of our church family. Thank you one and all for your giving hearts! You are a blessing!
Highview Highlights
The first quarter at Highview ended Oct. 18. Wow! That went fast! Since our activities the first week of school, the Highview Team has served popcorn, delivered the Middle School Confidential books, and served up ice cream for the Honor Roll students.
Thank you to those who are donating supplies on a regular basis. We will begin our annual Mid-Year Supply Drive in January. Please continue to include the staff and students at Highview in your prayers.
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). Call or email Vickie Frazer if you are coming (513.424.8582/ MEFVCF@aol.com).
November Birthdays
2 Pat Duffey, Rose Morgan
4 Sandy Moore
10 Patt Gibson, Elaine Slama, Kathi Wilson
11 Herman Emmert,
Marilyn Grandey
12 Sally Jo Inwood
14 Patricia Inwood, Joni Regensburg
17 Cheryl Davis
18 Carol Byrd
21 Phyllis Cox
23 Janet Crawford, Nancy Haney
25 Leo Davis
28 Michael Hieber
29 John Houser, Bill Thorn
30 Les Dornon, Skylar Halsey