Overcoming Obstacles with Anthony Muñoz
Sunday, October 13, 10:30am
Anthony Muñoz
Anthony Muñoz, NFL Hall of Fame member and former player for the Cincinnati Bengals, is known for his faith-based charitable works in the Cincinnati area and beyond. With his Anthony Muñoz Charitable Foundation, youth have been inspired by programs that emphasize a strong faith and Christian values in daily life since 2002. A California native, Muñoz has made his home in Deerfield Township since being a part of the Bengals and retiring in 1992.
We are pleased that Mr. Muñoz has agreed to share his story with us in a message about overcoming obstacles. Please make plans to hear this well-known and well-respected servant of God as he presents the message to us that Sunday.
We invite you to stay for lunch together. Lunch will be provided by FUMC; donation baskets will be out for those that would like to contribute. We will invite all guests at this service to stay, so please show our FUMC hospitality with warm smiles and friendly conversation, especially greeting new comers!
Invite Someone to Join You!
Getting To Know You…
100 Years old in May and sharp as a tack, Daisy Byrum could probably still out-dance all of us. Daisy grew up in Middletown and was close enough to walk to First Methodist Church, entering into the activities for the young people. She came even though her mother went to a different church for a while. She and Jack married in 1935 and got even more involved in church activities. Especially important to Daisy was her teaching Sunday School, leading the children to God and watching them grow in their faith. She served as Circle leader numerous times and head of the Women’s Society (as it was called), helping with the many dinners and events held then. She talked about starting a young people’s group (probably similar to PrimeTimers) and holding a rededication of marriage ceremony for those members. Daisy remembers participating in the P.R.O.M.I.S.E.S. group. She and Jack went to Japan with the second group in 1972. And she even took time to work with the church Cub Scout troop.
In addition to all these activities, Daisy raised 4 children and volunteered in their schools. (Richard in Florida, Patty Ann in Arizona and Don and William close by in Poasttown and West Middletown.) She and husband Jack (a long-time usher and active church member) were married for 73 years, before his passing in 2009.
For Daisy, “Religion is the 10 Commandments, doing what is right and loving God.” Her favorite hymn is “In the Garden.” And she loves to tell the joke about the kid in Sunday school who knows God’s first name from that old hymn—His name’s Andy… you know “And he walks with me, And He talks…”.
Now, back to dancing. Just ask Daisy if you can see those Journal newspaper clippings of her and Jack appearing in the Senior Citizens’ musical revues held in the 70’s and 80’s. That is, if you can catch her when she is not walking around the Otterbein Retirement Community grounds!
By Anita Shew
This article is the second 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 Virginia Jenkins for the FUMC Missions Committee
The Rev. Paul L. Webster and Tishala Mwengo are missionaries with the General Board of Global Ministries, serving at Mujila Falls Agricultural Centre in Zambia. They remind us that all things are possible through the Lord…
Soon after birth, Raphael’s mother contracted an infection in her breasts and could not nurse him. In the past, children like Raphael often died as there was no substitute for mother’s milk. But when Mujila Falls Agricultural Centre heard about Raphael’s plight they were able to help. The Centre had been working with a women’s cooperative group in the village to start a goat-milking project so they offered to provide daily milk for the baby. Raphael is now six months old and growing normally.
Miracles like these are made possible because your apportionment dollars are used to support these missionaries and their work.
This story was found in the 2013 UMW Prayer Calendar.
What Is Contemplative Living?
By David Hilton
This is a question and practice I have been exploring in recent years. Contemplative living is a way of responding to our everyday living experiences by consciously attending to our relationships. It deepens our awareness of our connectedness and communion with all of life.
Living contemplatively begins with ourselves but leads us in the end to embrace deeply not only our truest self, but God, neighbor, and all of creation. Contemplative living directs our minds and hearts to the important issues of human existence, making us less likely to be captivated by the superficial distractions that so easily occupy our time.
When relationships are “true,” free from illusions, especially the illusion of separateness, we experience how deeply connected we are to God, others and to nature. As Thomas Merton wrote, “We are already one. But we imagine we are not. And what we discover is our original unity. What we have to be is what we already are.” (The Asian Journal of Thomas Merton)
Fred Rogers, in Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, describes this for children of all ages. “The purpose of life is to listen to yourself, to your neighbor, to your world and to God and, when the time comes, to respond in as helpful a way as you can find … from within and without.”
Bienvenidos! (Welcome!)
We are excited to announce that Henry & Dani Folgoso are joining our staff this month. They will be sharing a part-time position that will involve responsibilities in the areas of children, youth, worship and our local Hispanic ministry.
For those of you who have already served with them you know that we have reason to rejoice in this addition to our already talented staff. They will bring energy, creativity and a new perspective to our ministry team. More details to come.
Pastor’s Reflections
The Silly, the Scary and the Sacred
I confess I’ve been a fan of Halloween for as long as I can remember.
I thought it was amazing that you could dress up, go door to door, and total strangers would admire your costume and give you treats. I’ve always been a show-off, and I’d work on my outfit for weeks ahead of time; it was never about the candy. And as an adult I still enjoy receiving children at my door. Back in Huber Heights I got to meet families from the housing project on the other side of the highway, and it seemed like the one time of year where we could have a relaxed and friendly encounter on equal terms. I also enjoy the decorations, the Halloween specials like “The Great Pumpkin,” haunted houses and hayrides … the whole bit.
What I don’t care for are modern horror movies with their emphasis on graphic violence and demonic possession. I actually haven’t seen any of them – just the previews — but they seem horrible. I also know the attraction to the occult can be very dangerous for some young people. I can sympathize with the many Christians who want to find a way to avoid Halloween altogether.
Having said that, I hope we can find a way to keep it going.
After the attacks on September 11, 2001 there were suggestions that the baseball and football seasons be cancelled – they suddenly seemed kind of pointless, and there were safety concerns around gathering in large crowds. We had similar thoughts about canceling Halloween, what with dressing up as ghosts and skeletons after all those deaths, and perhaps sending children out into a night more dangerous than it was before.
I’m glad we didn’t do either of those things. We decided not to let our fears take over, decided not to be so hasty in deciding what was frivolous or inappropriate.
We are planning a concert here at the church on Sunday, October 27 at 4:00pm and we are calling it: “The Silly, the Scary and the Sacred.” It will be kind of like our patriotic sing-a-longs in July. We will hear some secular and fun music traditionally associated with Halloween, perhaps sing a spooky pumpkin carol or two, but also try to re-connect some of the Christian associations with the holiday, of which there are, surprisingly, quite a few. Halloween is literally “All Hallows’ Eve,” the night before “All Hallows’ Day” on November 1, or as we now call it, “All Saints Day.” We honor the great Christians of the past, and call on their memory to help us conquer our fears. The way I like to interpret it, Halloween has become a time we set aside to mock and even tease the things that frighten us. Children dress up like ghosts and goblins so they can laugh at them, and take back the night.
Our final hymn that afternoon will be Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress,” where he writes: “And though this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed, His truth to triumph through us.”
It’s not a command performance, but you are all welcome.
Peace,
Rev. John Wagner
The Work of the Ministry In Nepal
Update from Dr. Les & Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital
“T” & “N” with their grandchildren
We first met “T” in 1990 when we came to Tansen to have our “orientation week.” She did our laundry and made bread, etc., for us. She now works in the Guest House as a cook. Her husband, “N”, used to work in the hospital dental department. Unfortunately, he has had problems with alcoholism over the years. He was finally fired from the hospital because he had beaten “T” one too many times during a drunken spree. Debbie meets with “T” about once a month to pray. “N” went through rehab in KTM and has been working in the bazaar and staying sober for the past several months.
These two are both Believers, but they have had many tragedies in their lives – including the loss of a daughter to suicide. They are currently raising 2 of their grandchildren. One is the son of the daughter who died (the father is overseas), and the other is their son’s daughter – the son is working in KTM, and the daughter in law is finishing her Nursing degree. “T” works so hard, but is getting older.
The other day, her main prayer request was for a water line to their house. Right now she is dependent on others to leave her a few buckets of water – she doesn’t have the strength to carry it from the public tap. In order to apply for their own line, they need $200. For a family who maybe earns $200 a month, this is not doable. They would then also need to purchase the pipe, the drums, etc., as well. Please pray for “T” and “N” and their family – and for us as we deal with difficult issues like this every day.
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
The Silly, the Scary and the Sacred Concert on October 27
Where else would you be able to hear our pipe organ at it’s biggest and loudest and scariest…(even bigger than on Sunday mornings…..) AND sing “The Monster Mash” with your friends, AND join in a rousing and uplifting offering of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”?? At the “Silly, The Scary, and the Sacred” Concert on Sunday October 27th at 4pm in our sanctuary!
This wide variety of styles will help us understand our culture’s interest in all things “Halloween-y” and why as Christians, we mock death during this season just before All Saint’s Sunday.
Many of our musicians in our congregation will be participating. Appropriate for all ages!
New Choir Members!
Have you noticed some new faces in the choir? We welcome Belinda Hausman and Beth Miller in our soprano section, Dominique Dumfee in the Alto section and J.J. Peil joins the Basses.
Be sure to stop and greet them on Sunday morning after church. We are always happy to have new members join us. We are gearing up for Christmas, so now is a perfect time to get started if you have interested in being a new addition, too!
First Friday Concert Series 2013
OCTOBER 4 CINCINNATI KLEZMER PROJECT
The Klezmers are back! Hold on to your seats because it will be hard not to move to this infectious, hypnotic music of Eastern Europe and the Jewish culture. A First Friday favorite since 2007!
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!
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
HELP NEEDED!
Special thanks to John and Mary Nichols, who are retiring after more than 18 months of shopping each week for the pantry ministry. We appreciate your faithful consistency that has helped sustain this ministry the last year and a half.
The Food Pantry is now in need of committed volunteers who would be willing to do the weekly shopping necessary to keep the Pantry shelves stocked. The Nichols are willing to explain their job to any person(s) willing to take over. Pat Beasley, our Pantry Coordinator, provides a weekly shopping list for the buyers, so there’s no guess work. It would be ideal if several people would volunteer so that no one person/couple had to do it every week. We are in need of immediate assistance; if you are interested or have questions, please contact Jaime in the office ASAP at 513-423-4629.
Harvest of the Heart
It’s that time of year when we invite you to participate in Harvest of the Heart. This extra supply of food stocks the Food Pantry through the winter months when there is an increase in shoppers, as well as helping to stock the Emergency Food Pantry.
Grocery bags with a list of needed foods will be available for pick up the first two Sundays of October. Food should be returned by Sunday, October 27th and will be dedicated at the Sunday worship service. Blessings to you for your generous spirit of sharing.
—Community Ministries Council
Special thanks to the congregation and supporters of these food ministries. Without your donations and volunteer hours these ministries wouldn’t exist.
October Birthdays
1 Bob Hollenbaugh, Glenn Slama
2 Mary Emmert, Nevin Markle
4 Virginia Jenkins, Jen Tucker
5 Charles Beck
7 Bette Fletcher
11 Wanda Forster, Bob Wieneke
12 Jenny Kerr
15 Hilda Trent
17 Michael McNeil
18 Jeff Dickson
20 Kate Lee
23 Karen Walke
26 Daphne Eldridge, Becky Rutledge
27 Sue Diefenbach, Sue Irwin
Charlene Mackall
30 Kay Fraley, Vera West
31 Janet Green, Jonah Rogers