Pastor’s Reflections
The Election Year
Like most of you, I am very concerned about our nation these days. The current presidential election has been exposing our differences and challenging our relationships like no other in recent American history. I don’t think our nation will heal quickly regardless of who wins.
Last week JoAnn and I had dinner with another couple who happen to hold very different political beliefs. You need to know this friendship means more to us with each passing year. We’ve been there for each other in times of heartache and joy, traveled long distances to be at each other’s family weddings and funerals, ask frequently about each other’s children, vacation together. As JoAnn and I talk about retirement, where we will live someday, we often talk about how far away we can stand to be from these particular friends. We love them.
As we were driving to meet them this past week, JoAnn and I agreed to avoid politics, but of course that didn’t happen. We all tried to keep it light, talk about other things, and we succeeded to some extent. And yet the topic kept coming up, and in the end it was uncomfortable. We’ve been surprising each other by the vehemence of our views. I think we also thought that we knew each other better. We’ve probably wanted to say, “Surely you can’t still be supporting this person? Have you lost your mind?” Thank goodness no one has said that, but we’ve felt it.
I’ve been reflecting on this friendship and our dinner conversation for the past few days, and I would like to share some principles and their biblical references that might help:
- “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Matthew 7:12) In this case, it means doing your best to understand where the other person is coming from. We all want to be understood, in all our complexity, but so does everyone else. Those who vote differently from us may not be simply ignorant, or racist, or a snob or a socialist. We need to hear them out – ask sincere questions, refuse to apply simplistic labels.
- “No one is without sin … no, not one.” (Romans 3:10) We need to be aware that our candidate, the champion for our cause, is just one more flawed human being. Then we need to remember that we are also flawed, and that we don’t necessarily have a correct understanding of what our nation needs at this time. In other words, we each have to consider the possibility that we might be mistaken.
- “We are all saved by grace.” (Ephesians 2:8) I think it’s hard enough to accept this grace for ourselves, but now we have to see others in that light, including those running for president. These unusually confident and ego driven persons are not to be hated because God does not hate them. It would be as great a sin to hate these persons as it would to hate ourselves. We are all infinitely precious, so much so that Christ died for us. This is the fundamental truth we have for the world.
- “He spoke plainly.” (Mark 8:32) Jesus used so many figures of speech we are tempted to forget that just as often he spoke quite directly to his friends. A friendship that cannot bear plain talk is built on sand. We must be willing to be somewhat “un-cool” every once in a while, while we also …
- “… forgive those who trespass against us.” (Luke 11:4) We say it every Sunday – we need to apply it. I plan to ask this couple we know for their forgiveness and understanding for when I’ve been too bullish for my candidate, and will likewise try to forgive and understand them.
- “Have the mind of Christ.” (Philippians 2:5) Jesus cared about everybody. He was unlike most politicians in that he didn’t appeal to the selfish needs of his constituency, but rather demanded they also care about people far away, people of different races, nations, religions, social classes and moral persuasions. Ironically, the politicians of his day found this talk to be too political for a religious figure, and many people eventually agreed. In the end they couldn’t conceive of “good” Samaritans, “faithful” Romans or “saved” tax collectors. The challenge for us is to be like Jesus – able to see the good in Republican and Democrat, Liberal and Conservative. If it gets us into trouble, it’s a good kind of trouble to get into.
My last point is that leadership is not limited to persons in high office, but is required from all of us, especially those called Christian. We are to be leaders in following Christ and adhering to principle, and as an intentional Christian community we have unique opportunities to do just that. Please check the calendar in this newsletter – we have an “All Saints” celebration coming up the first Sunday of November, where we will come together to honor those who’ve died this past year, persons we’ve all loved and admired. Then we have “Loyalty Sunday” just before Thanksgiving, where we pledge to support our mutual ministries for another year. Then, of course, the Christmas season, a time when we honor the Prince of Peace coming into the world.
If we do it right, if we can find a way to unite following the election despite our differences, our church in Middletown can be a testimony to our nation. That is my hope.
Peace,
John Wagner
Mission Moment
#GivingTuesday in Nepal
Update from Dr. Les and Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital
We’ve been back in Tansen 2 ½ weeks now – and most days it seems as if we were never away. We are reminded of our wonderful time in the U.S. every day as we look at the photos we’ve put around our house – but it sometimes seems like a dream! Ohio and Nepal are not only worlds apart geographically – but also in so many other ways, as well. We really do live in 2 different worlds – with our hearts torn between the two!
I know that so many of you have given so much to us already – but I am going to ask again! UMC #GivingTuesday is November 29. Last year, thanks to the extravagant generosity of friends like you, we raised just short of $2.8 million on UMC #GivingTuesday (this was for hundreds of projects around the world). Your gifts allowed us to continue to offer free care for poor patients at Tansen hospital. Over this past week, when all other hospitals in the area were closed due to the Dasai (Hindu) holiday, our hospital alone remained open to offer all services. The children’s ward these days is especially filled to overflowing – thanks for your prayers as we try to offer compassion along with healing to these little ones and their families.
UMC #GivingTuesday is part of an international movement to extend the spirit of giving thanks into the Advent season. It offers an opportunity to start off the holiday season with giving instead of getting by supporting organizations like United Mission Hospital, Tansen that “GIVE LIGHT. GIVE LOVE. GIVE LIFE.”
As you know, 100 percent of all gifts made through our Advance number directly support the project or missionary to whom you donate. Tansen United Mission Hospital Advance #13421A, Lester Dornon #10919Z, Deborah Dornon #10920Z. The website for donations is: umcmission.org/give
Having said all this – we know that you as a church already support us in a covenant relationship – and we are so thankful for that. Your prayers and faithful giving are the reason we can be in this “other world” of Nepal. We love you!
In Him,
लेस (Les) and देबी (Debbie)
A mom holding her sick baby.
Les teaching some residents while doing ward rounds.
Want more stories & photos? Check out our blog at dornonnepalmission.wordpress.com
News from the Pews
United Methodist Women are inviting YOU to the
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
Held at Browns Run Country Club, Middletown, Ohio
December 3rd at 11:30 a.m.
Entertainment by: Middletown Symphony Scholarship Recipient (our very own) Celestine Bakich. Menu: Festive Green Salad, Roll with Butter, Chicken Fettuccine, Dessert, & Coffee or Tea
Price: $15.00 includes Gratuity (make Checks Payable to the UMW). Money can be given to any United Methodist Women member by November 28th. Valet service available (not included in the price above). For any dietary restrictions, please contact Pat Schaefer. Questions? Please call the church office 513-423-4629.
Prostate Cancer Support Group
The final meeting of the Prostate Cancer Support Group will be on Tuesday November 1, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Come out if you haven’t been there for a while and get away from the election year hype. Any questions or concerns please call Mike at (513) 423-7092.
SHALOM Season is Almost Here!
SHALOM, our ecumenical homeless outreach ministry, will commence this season at First United Methodist on Sunday, Nov. 27 and we will continue hosting until the next Sunday, Dec. 4. Those who need a helping hand with lodging need the generosity of our church to comfort and feed them for this starting week and again later in March for the final week of hosting for the season. The volunteer signup board is in the north foyer and we again need people to just come and give them hope, to prepare a meal or breakfast, or to simply overnight with them. Please call me if you are interested but are concerned or have other questions…John Tack (513) 571-6487.
United Methodist Women Annual “Cookie Walk”
December 10, 2016 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
First United Methodist Church
Weatherwax Commons
Pick up a bag or box of cookies, candy, cupcakes, or snacks and put them on a Peppermint Candy Tray. You will want to have these treats on hand during the Christmas Season. Also pick them up to have on hand for that late night snack. Yummmmm! And let’s not forget that “Cookies” make a wonderful Christmas gift for someone very special. As a side note, if you or your friends have a nut allergy, it is good to know that all nut related cookies and treats are sold in a separate room. Cookies, candy, cupcakes, or snacks sell for $6.00 a pound. For an additional charge of $3.00 we will wrap your cookies on our Peppermint Candy trays. Our special Peppermint Candy Trays come in all sizes and prices. But they are truly a special addition to our cookies. You see after you eat the cookies the Peppermint tray can be broken up and eaten as a treat all through the winter months. See you at the “COOKIE WALK!”
*All proceeds benefit in house and local missions.
A Note from the Legacy Committee
Dear Friends, As members and friends of First United Methodist Church (FUMC), we’re sure you share with us concern about the future financial health of the church. So it is with our gratitude for your past generosity that we ask you to prayerfully consider the long-term needs of the church and think about what your legacy giving can do. We have been blessed by those past members and friends who provided for our continued existence. Now we have the same opportunity to provide for the future.
You may wonder how your Legacy gift could be used, how best to make a living contribution, or how you may approach your estate planning to leave a gift to the church. In brief, there are many ways to do this.
We invite you to attend an informational session on November 14 at either 3:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. at the church, to learn more about gifting to the church and how the various available methods may be to your advantage, as well as to FUMC.
We promise there will be no request for a pledge or commitment on your part—legacy giving is not a capital campaign—it is a long-term process we trust will ensure continued success for FUMC.
The Legacy Committee
A Letter from Daniel, Student Intern
To First United Methodist Church,
“God can be trusted, and he chose you to be partners with his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ…” 1 Corinthians 1:9
First of all, I want to say thank you for your prayers. I am so thankful to God because He let me meet you. I remember all of you and I say my prayers every day for your families, ministries and jobs. I also keep an important part of you with me – your beautiful words, wishes and greetings. I keep your friendship and your kindness.
I am doing well. I feel very good about my classes, and things are going well in the church where I serve. I am working in two churches, with teenagers and new followers of Jesus, and we spread the gospel in a very poor and dangerous neighborhood where there are drug dealers, prostitutes and thieves. The kids there work for the “carteles” – the drug lords – but we are trusting God and we go there with God´s protection.
Thanks for saying prayers for me, and for keeping me in your memories. I really miss you all. I am sending you a giant hug. I will keep you in my prayers and I will keep you in my heart. Thanks for everything that you´ve done for me.
“I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you.” Philemon 25
With love and affection,
Daniel Cardenas
Cranes for Christmas
You will find something remarkably different about the 2nd Sunday in Advent as we celebrate the theme of “Peace” during worship! Over the last year, Barb Hoffman introduced our church groups, volunteers, and children to the Japanese origami craft of paper cranes that resulted in the making of 1000 beautiful cranes for our sanctuary. Barb brought this idea to fruition after being moved by the story of Sadako Sasaki in the story “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes” by Eleanor Coerr. This work of historical fiction, written in 1977, has been long used for Peace Education in schools around the world. Set in Japan after the dropping of the bomb on Hiroshima, the story has become a symbol of peace and reconciliation.
The 1,000 cranes, made by our church members will be hung from the chandeliers and be added to our Christmas tree. As Barb began this initiative, we began to remember our own church connection to Japan and the early cross-cultural connections created by Dr. Ivan Dornon, Clem Burton and the P.R.O.M.I.S.E.S program. On that “Peace” Sunday (Dec. 4) we will be greeted by Japanese friends (via video) who participated in those P.R.O.M.I.S.E.S events and learn how those relationships impact our congregation even today –marriages, career choices, and an understanding of cultures different than our own.
Our congregation’s dedication to peace and reconciliation on all levels, is based on the experiences of these early programs of mission and goodwill. Our willingness to embrace S.H.A.L.O.M., the Hispanic Ministry, and to “draw the circle wide,” has its roots in our congregation’s early understanding of cultures that may at one time been outside of our normal everyday experiences. On this special Sunday, be with us to reflect on our heritage of Christ and the Christmas story itself, where people of all nations came together to celebrate the story of the Prince of Peace.
NEW! Son Reflectors Bible Study
On Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, the Son Reflectors bible study will begin. Join us from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. every Wednesday. The study will begin with a seven volume series called “Design for Discipleship.” It lays out a simple, yet practical “design” for believers to transform into mature disciples of Christ. You are still welcome to join us on our Thursday night bible study from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Night in the Church—November 11-12
On November 11-12, the Jr. Church crew will host a “Night in the Church.” On Friday night from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., the children will be introduced to the Christmas Story, followed by games, a movie, snacks, and then lights out for bedtime. Saturday morning, they will enjoy a bible lesson from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Pick up time will be at 10:00 a.m. All children are welcome to participate in the evening and morning activities. Only 2nd graders and up for the overnight. Hope you can come! Other upcoming events include:
December 10, 2016: Christmas Program Rehearsal
From 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Church
December 11, 2016: Annual Christmas Program
Potluck in Fellowship Hall at 5:30 p.m.
Program in Sanctuary at 7:00 p.m.
December 18, 2016: Jr. Church Caroling to Shut-Ins
Start time around 2:00 p.m. This may include a lunch and card-making activity after church.
All Saints Sunday—November 6
On November 6th, we will be celebrating All Saints Sunday in morning worship. Those who have lost family members in the year 2016 will be in worship with us and their loved ones will be named and remembered. During this service, anyone who wishes is also invited to light a candle as a remembrance of a loved one regardless of the year of passing. This ritual has its beginnings in the Early Church, and in Methodism, it is combined with All Soul’s Day. This actual date is November 1st and Halloween actually began as a vigil (All Hallows Eve) the day before in preparation for All Saints/Souls Day. In our church, we incorporate this celebration of saints into our Sunday morning worship. It is a beautiful meaningful way to remember those we loved and to celebrate Christ’s promise of eternal life with him.
Pledge Sunday is November 20
As part of the Service on Sunday, November 20, we will have the opportunity to pledge our financial support of First Church. This year, we successfully accomplished our mission statement “Christ our life, service our lifestyle.” We need to continue on with all we do. In 2017, we must also be prepared to meet any new opportunities to serve our personal Christian growth as well as our church’s neighborhood and community outreach programs. Please prayerfully consider your financial and service support for the coming year.
Yours in Christ,
Ron McGuire, Finance Chair
Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard
This time of year, it is my inclination to fill this space with dates and times and great opportunities for seasonal worship and service. No doubt those will appear somewhere in this November edition of the Ambassador and maybe in my allotted space as well. But writing this in October, and having recently finished the schedule for the upcoming season, I think about the usual comments when we see Christmas items being put on the shelves in mid-October. We resist the early advances of Christmas in the stores alongside the Halloween and Thanksgiving items, but yet “Hanging of the Greens” comes, as it always does, the Sunday BEFORE Thanksgiving. And while we participate in preparing our church for the Advent/Christmas Season, we, as a community of faith, are also preparing our hearts as well. Advent gives us opportunity to try and see the world without the benefit of hindsight, a world that was looking for Christ’s arrival and unsure when He may come. To hear the prophesies of Isaiah and look for that coming Savior. We know, now, of course, that he did indeed arrive as the scriptures intended, but for these weeks of Advent we can ponder what the world would be like if he had not yet appeared. When we prepare our hearts during Advent, the joys of Christmas morning are just that much sweeter when Christ enters in.
Opportunities for Preparation:
November 20: 4:00 pm Hanging of the Greens and Sloppy Joe Dinner—Everyone is welcome! (A GREAT WAY TO MEET NEW PEOPLE!)
November 27: 1st Sunday in Advent
December 4: Historic South Main Street Home Tour (Our church is on the tour!)
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2016 First Friday Concert Series @ First UMCNOVEMBER 4 | MIAMI UNIVERSITY MEN’S GLEE CLUBCome early to get a seat for this phenomenal opportunity to enjoy Miami’s best known choral group since 1907! Stay late to purchase Miami Glee Club Coffee, CD’s and more! DECEMBER 2 | HARPS OF GRACEIf one harp at a concert is wonderful, then MORE harps at a concert must be…..Harps of Grace! Experience the lavish sounds of multiple harps as they herald in the season with a concert like none other! We can’t wait to see those majestic instruments and hear the music….it will be like…shall we say…..heaven?!? 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!! |
November Birthdays
1 Matthew Palmer
2 Pat Duffey, Rose Morgan
7 Danica Murphy
9 Gracen Pass
10 Patt Gibson, Elaine Slama, Kathi Wilson
11 Rev. Herman Emmert, Marilyn Grandey
12 Sally Jo Inwood
13 Makenzie Taylor
14 Joni Regensburg
16 Eddie Rosenbaum
17 Cheryl Davis
18 Carol Byrd
19 Dominique Dunfee
21 Phyllis Cox
23 Janet Crawford, Nancy Haney, Donna Sargent
24 Helena Regensburg
28 Mike Hieber
29 Bill Thorn
30 Les Dornon