April eAmbassador

April 1, 2016 By Pam Fugett

Pastor’s Reflections

Hard Decisions for United Methodists

Every four years United Methodists gather from around the world to discuss their business at what is called a “General Conference.” The next one is in mid May, in Portland, Oregon. The decisions reached by this representative body of around 1000 clergy and laity will have an impact on a lot of people, our own church included.

There are currently 7 million United Methodists in the United States and close to 5 million outside of this country, mostly in Africa. This is a significant fact because one of our major topics of conversation is whether or not to change our rules to allow gay and lesbian persons in our membership to have “full inclusion,” namely, the right to marry within the church and the right to become ordained clergy. African societies tend to be more conservative on this issue, while the US, and US Christians, are gradually becoming more liberal. It’s therefore hard to predict what will happen at General Conference. There are strong feelings on all sides.

There are many proposals for addressing our differences. We will hear a motion to allow full inclusion of all persons of any sexual orientation, but then also hear a motion for tightening the rules and more severely disciplining clergy who perform so-called “gay marriages.” There are also a number of compromise proposals being floated that would allow for individual churches, like First United Methodist, and regional bodies, like our West Ohio Annual Conference, to decide for themselves how they stand on the issue. These solutions provide for flexibility, but at the cost of a unified set of rules. For some, the so-called “far right” and “far left,” such compromises would mean an implicit acceptance of something they consider immoral, and they would want to leave the church. And yet this may be the only way to avoid the United Methodist Church officially dividing, and/or losing many more present or future members.

You may have very strong feelings about homosexuality and its place in our religion, but like me you probably also have people in your lives who hold nearly the opposite point of view. I’m guessing you likewise want the church to remain as unified as possible. Speaking personally, as someone who would be considered very liberal, I can honestly say that some of my most valued colleagues and friends are on the other side, and that it is painful for us to contemplate any kind of separation from each other. But the issue isn’t going away. For my part, I have publicly declared my support for full inclusion of all persons of any sexual orientation. I consider it a matter of basic fairness. Even so, at the present time I would be open to a compromise where we could respect regional and theological differences in different locations. And just so you know, while I appreciate the motivations and bravery of those who perform same sex marriages, I would not do it myself because of the way I personally interpret the oath I took to obey the rules. I am not motivated one way or the other by fear of punishment.

As your pastor, I speak for the congregation in many respects. Even so, I will not presume to speak for you on this issue. We are a diverse body, with varied and complicated personal opinions. On the other hand, there was one Sunday morning a few months ago when I did speak for you. Our neighbor church, St. Paul’s, was unexpectedly besieged by very rude anti-homosexual protesters with crude signs and a bullhorn. The United Church of Christ is more liberal on sexuality than the United Methodists, hence the protest. If you need an image, imagine a smaller version of the Westboro Baptists who currently plague military funerals. I had no trouble telling these misguided Christians that our church would stand with our neighbors, that we also officially accept gay and lesbian persons into our congregation, that United Methodists will not exclude them from our pews or from regular church membership. The protesters then came over to our side of the street and harassed individuals and families coming into our own church.

I have to say, as upsetting as this was, I also felt assured I was speaking for the whole congregation, that all of us were appalled by anyone who would choose to picket a church on a Sunday morning and so clearly trying to divide us.

I would ask that we build on that unity, keep working at understanding each other. No matter what happens at the General Conference, we need to maintain our commitment to be Christ’s body on earth and treat each other accordingly.

Peace,
John

In Response

Rev. Wagner asked me to read this article before it was printed. We know this is a difficult issue, and want you to know both he and I are open to dialogue with you anytime. I also hope we can discuss this when the decision is made and come to some kind of mutual agreement on how we will respond. God bless our church.

From Mary Maurer, Lay Leader

Mission Moment

More on Border Closing in Nepal

Update from Dr. Les and Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital.

Last month we wrote about one of the people here in Tansen being affected by the border closing with India. We are very pleased to say that the border was finally opened a few weeks ago, but still supplies are very slow in reaching those who need them most. As always, it seems that the poorest continue to suffer most.

Pratiksha is a regular patient at our hospital with congestive heart failure. She ran out of her medications, but she was delayed in coming to clinic due to difficult and expensive transportation. She needed to be admitted due to how much she had deteriorated, resulting in even higher costs to her family, who needed to pay for her hospital stay as well as their hotel stay. The hotels have increased their prices because the costs of all goods have increased, many by as much as 100%.

Deepak owns a hotel/restaurant/small shop across the street from our hospital’s entrance. He lives with his wife, 3-year-old son and mother who suffers from the results of a stroke. He had to close his restaurant for several months due to limited gas and water. Food goods are very expensive, so he was not able to provide as much to his hotel guests, which means he has fewer guests – and less money to support his family.

Even with the border opening, prices haven’t gone down much, and the amount of charity care we are giving to needy patients is up more than 10% compared to last year.

Another great need continues to be for water. We did have about 2 cm of rain the other day – but the hospital is still depending on tanker trucks to deliver water here for our use. Don’t stop praying for rain! 🙂 Thanks for your continued support for us and for Tansen hospital!

In Him,

लेस (Les) and देबी (Debbie)

P.S. To see more photos and stories, please check our blog: dornonnepalmission.wordpress.com

Les examining a patient (taken by Pernilla Ardeby).

Shops outside the hospital gate (taken by Susan Dick).

Trust the Future Update

Dear Congregation,

As the first year of the Trust the Future (TTF) capital campaign nears its end, we want to update you about its activity. First, funds collected, including pre-designated organ repair funds, now total $162,855.08 (as of March 7). We are well on our way toward our goal of $300,000.00.

Some funds have already been used. The major expense was $38,995.00 to replace the roof on the education building, a project our trustees considered of immediate importance because of the roof’s deteriorating condition. As for program expenses, the Administrative Council approved TTF spending of $2,000.00 for the Hispanic Ministry (to pay for increased hours for Henry and Dani Folgoso) and $360.00 for the Visitation ministry.

We will continue to report on TTF activity as it occurs. We want to thank all of you for your generosity and concern you have shown for the continued well-being of First United Methodist Church.

Trust the Future Committee – John Hoffman, Chair

A Note from Our Trustees

The responsibilities of the Trustees of this church is to keep the 125 year old church in good repair and purchase major items that are needed to operate the church. The Trustees receive their money from the Manchester Fund, a fund that was established when the church sold the land on Breiel Blvd. The members decided to stay downtown and set up this fund to keep the church building in good repair. In the last 16 months, we replaced the roof on the south foyer, repaired the plaster and painted the entire room. Tuck-pointed the north wall of the sanctuary and then had it interiorly plastered and painted. The parking lot was repaired. After sewage backed up in the pantry, the carpet and tile were removed and the floor painted. The walls of both kitchens were washed down and then the ladies of the church cleaned the cupboards and the dishes. The ceiling in the choir room was replaced with a suspended ceiling. We just purchased a larger server for the office computer and had it installed. We have plans this year to add a few parking spaces on the land in the back of the church after it is approved by the city and the Historical Society. If you have any questions or suggestions, please call me at (513) 988-0147.

Don Burley – Chairman of Trustees

*We have spent over $26,000.00 on all of these projects mentioned in the above article.

Nursery Volunteers Needed

The Nursery is in need of some volunteers to help out on Sundays. The nursery is for children 4 years of age and younger. It operates at 9:00 a.m. during Sunday School and again at 10:30 a.m. during worship service. If you are interested in volunteering, please see Susan Beagle or call the church office at 513-423-4629. Thank you in advance for your support.

Thank You

Those who enjoy the Monday Breakfast Club meal and conviviality on Monday mornings and those who prepare the meal want to say Thank You to the United Methodist Women for the generous gift to the Breakfast Club. It is truly appreciated!

United Methodist Women Present their annual

“Salad Luncheon”

Flower, Herb, and Bake Sale

Wednesday, May 4th, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm | In Fellowship Hall

Tickets are $7.00 for adults and $3.50 for children 12 years of age and under. Tickets go on sale April 3rd.

Don’t miss out on this wonderful event, so many wonderful SALAD favorites to choose from. Finish off the fantastic meal with a BAKE GOOD from the “Bake Goods” tables in the hallway. Better yet take home a pie, a cake, a cupcake, or a bag of cookies. Don’t forget to notice the HERBS on the “Herb” decorated tables. These wonderful herbs from Bern’s Greenhouse are for sale. Such a special treat!

Remember all proceeds benefit in house and local missions. THANK YOU in advance, the women of the UMW appreciate your faithful attendance and support.

To order flowers, click on Flower Order Form 2016

Berns Greenhouse Gift Cards

Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard

Our Music Scholarship Fund

What do Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth, pianist John Tesh, composer Johann Sebastian Bach, singer Willie Nelson, and Doo-Wop/Rock group, The Isley Brothers, all have in common? They all had their musical beginnings playing and singing in church! For centuries, church has been a place for young musicians to grow and share their music, to get used to playing in front of a group, and experience leading a congregation in song.

You may have noticed that frequently we have young people play the piano or sing as part of the worship service. We love hearing them and we want to support them in their musical training. It takes a lot of courage to walk up to that piano as the congregation waits quietly in anticipation and our young musicians are becoming more and more confident in their presentations. Most recently we enjoyed Isaiah Nichols and Allison Palmer, both students of Leah Kay Hogg, on the piano. Lessons for those in 4th grade and older, are supported by a special designated fund in our church that was begun from memorial gifts to celebrate and honor the life of Carolyn Boonstra, who was a lifelong singer and dedicated choir member before her death. Over the years, other contributions have been made to this fund that allow us to encourage musicianship in our young people.

Others ways to encourage young musicians in our congregation is to write a simple “Way to Go!” note and send it in the mail. (Kids LOVE to get mail!), or let them know how well they did next time you see them in church. If we think about it, the skills we are best at as adults, are a result of someone encouraging us to succeed. They may not all become famous musicians, but the gift of music will last them a lifetime, and music in service to God and His congregation is a double blessing.

Thanks to all of you who support this part of the music ministry in our congregation! If you would like more information about this scholarship program, just give me a call at the church.

Mary Ellen

First Friday Concert Series @ Noon

April 1 | The Jazz People (Jazz vocals and guitar)

This groovy duo jumped at the chance to play on April Fool’s Day, promising a swinging “fool-themed” set of jazz standard favorites….come up with your own list…. “The Fool on the Hill”… “Why Do Fools Fall in Love?”… “Ship of Fools”….we can’t wait to see what they have in store for us!

MAY 6 | Douglas Blue Feather

This National award-winning Native American flute player will captivate your senses as he expresses the unusual and rarely heard music of our Native people through his improvisational and creative style.

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!!

Forty Phrases in Forty Days

Wouldn’t you like to be able to say “Good morning, how are you?” in Spanish? How about knowing how to ask a mother, “How old is your child?” and then understand the answer. And it would be great to be able to say “God bless you” or “I will pray for you.” Right?

A professor at Miami University of Middletown is willing to help us do just that. Her name is Tammy Allen, and she has been teaching Spanish for many years. What we’d be learning would not be conversational Spanish so much as “gracious” Spanish – the words and expressions needed to ask simple questions, hear the answers, have some idea of the polite words and phrases necessary for any kind of decent human interaction, that sort of thing.

Dr. Allen is also a member of our neighbor church, St. Paul’s UCC, and would consider this class a ministry to her congregation, our congregation, and the community at large. We can take up to 30 students, first come first serve, but our two churches would have the first opportunity to sign up.

For us here at First United Methodist the primary motivation is pretty simple – we’d like to be able to relate better to our new Spanish speaking members. They are trying so hard to learn our language, and several of you have expressed the desire to at least respond politely and respectfully.

The classes will start on Wednesday, April 13th over at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, and go from 4 to 5 pm each Wednesday until May 25th. Please call the church office to sign up, or use the sign-up sheet in the north foyer. All that will be required may be a text book, available for purchase for $17.50.

If this is successful we will try it again in the fall, perhaps at a different time of day.

April Birthdays

1 Kathy Larison
2 Sharyn Edelen
3 Lorena Trinkle
6 Dave Balsmeyer, Mary Ittel
11 Ryan McLaughlin
12 J.C. Shew
13 Betty Risner
14 Eleanor Imhoff
15 Anita Shew
16 Alex Wieneke
18 Michael McDaniel
20 Elois Duff
21 Pat Bowman
25 Debbie Taylor
26 Don Beasley
27 Gene Keister
29 Bob Duffey
30 Evelyn Hudson

Filed Under:

March E-Ambassador

February 25, 2016 By Pam Fugett

Pastor’s Reflections

Out of My Hands

I like a white Christmas. I enjoy a cool and crisp Halloween night, and likewise prefer a reasonably warm Fourth of July afternoon. A little bit of snow is fine on Thanksgiving, but I certainly don’t want it around on Mother’s Day. As for Easter – well, spring should be just coming into its own, with new green grass, buds turning into blossoms, a warm breeze now and then. That’s how Easter is supposed to be.

But Easter defies reliable forecasting. It actually moves around on the calendar. This year it’s in March – I worry it might be too cold and could affect our attendance. Next year it’s the middle of April, which is better in my opinion.

But it turns out my opinion doesn’t matter at all on this subject.

A long time ago Easter was set for the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox. This complex formula originally had something to do with the calculation for the Jewish Passover feast, but then the Council of Nicaea, a meeting of early church leaders A.D. 325, decided to use a different calendar than the Jews – the Gregorian calendar – which actually has fewer months. And if that wasn’t confusing enough, add the historic division between the Catholic church and the Eastern Orthodox church, with the latter choosing the Julian calendar. Now Christians around the world celebrate Easter at different times – sometimes as much as a month apart.

Bottom line, our foremothers and forefathers in the faith somehow managed to make Easter unpredictable for most of us, always changing from year to year, and celebrated at different times by different Christians. It’s annoying.

And yet, it might also be instructive.

We tend to want to make religion march to our tune, to fit our schedule, to accommodate our needs. We want it in our lives, but we want it to be a more controlled and predictable part of our lives. Some years ago it was common to see a bumper sticker that read, “God is my Co-Pilot.” Seemed an appropriate statement of faith at the time, but then someone must have thought it through and decided to produce another bumper sticker: “If God is Your Co-Pilot, Who’s Flying the Plane?” We put the Lord in a secondary position without even noticing. I do it, and you do it. Instead of following Christ wherever he leads, we make him our buddy who encourages us in the path we have chosen for ourselves.

I don’t have the answer to this human tendency; it’s been going on since Adam and Eve took that first bite. But the relative unpredictability of Easter can be a reminder to us that Christ is not answerable to our time table. He is our comforter and friend, but also a major inconvenience. His call to take up our cross is a disruption of both our schedules and our overall life plans – there’s no two ways about it.

Folks, we are celebrating Palm Sunday on March 20th, Holy Thursday on March 24th, Good Friday on March 25th, and Easter on March 27th. If those are bad times for you, you’re just going to have to deal with it. It’s out of my hands.

Peace,
John

The REST of the Story

Many of you might remember Paul Harvey and his famous radio stories. At the end, where he revealed all the facts about the topic, he would end by saying… “And now you know the REST of the story!!”

We all enjoy Christmas with its decorations and carols and wishes of goodwill. Then there are the Sundays we spend learning about the life of Jesus and his teachings, then Palm Sunday and the entry into Jerusalem with children waving palm branches and favorite hymns. But it’s only during Holy Week that we really learn the REST of the story. We can’t experience the joy of Easter without understanding the depths of Christ’s suffering that occurred during the events of Maunday Thursday and Good Friday. In understanding the REST of the story, we crave that sense of anticipation as we gather in the darkness of the early morning, much like the women who went to the tomb before the sun arose. We rejoice in fellowship as we share breakfast together. We rejoice and praise the Risen Christ at our 10:30 service with joyful worship as we hear the Easter story once again, confirming our belief that Jesus truly was the Son of God.

Be a part of the REST of the story as we urge you to attend all of our special services. A schedule of our Holy Week and Easter services can be found on page 8 of the newsletter.

Please consider spending your Easter morning with us by attending all three FUMC events. What a wonderful way to honor our Savior and his gift of Eternal Life……. now that you know the REST of the story! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Mary Ellen Clinard, Director of Worship

Continuing Border Problems in Nepal

Update from Dr. Les and Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital

As of Feb. 1, the border with India remains closed. There are signs of relief – at one of the main border posts, items are allowed to cross now – as long as they are in carts pulled by animals or tractors – no trucks area allowed over. Why? The question rings in our minds daily. We continue to see many very sick patients here in Tansen – here are a couple more stories about people and their troubles which were increased due to the border problems.

Sita came to our hospital with bleeding for 1.5 months after taking abortive medication. Her first child is still quite young, and her husband is working in India and did not want this child. An extremely intelligent woman, her delayed presentation was not due to ignorance but due to difficulty in getting to our hospital and the strain her hospital admission costs would put on her family. When she arrived, her hemoglobin was 4 (normal over 12) and she was quite symptomatic. She received the necessary procedure to stop her bleeding, along with blood transfusions, but this will put her at risk in the future for other problems.

And – thanks for your continued prayers for Nepal. Only God can make a difference here.

In Him,

लेस (Les) and देबी (Debbie)

P.S. To see more photos and stories, please check our blog: dornonnepalmission.wordpress.com

03.2016 ambassador

Jr. Church News

Easter Egg Hunt – Donations Needed

FUMC is again hosting a Children’s Easter Egg Hunt the Saturday before Easter! We will need donations of plastic Easter Eggs plus bagged and wrapped candies brought to the church by Monday, March 21. The hunt itself is Saturday, March 26th, and will be for children ages 12 years and under. We will start at noon. Lunch will be at 12:45 pm in Fellowship Hall. The church will provide chicken strips/nuggets and juice/water, and families in attendance are invited to provide side dishes or desserts. Please call the church office with any questions.

We Applaud the UMW

The volunteers who work with The Pantry and the shoppers who benefit from its existence say, “Thank you, United Methodist Women, for the hard work you put into raising money for missions each year, and a special thank you for your generous donation to the Pantry for 2016!”

Flower Sale Changes

Spring is coming and the UMW will again have the Berns Greenhouse Flower Sale as part of its annual May Luncheon; the order forms will be available soon. You’ll see that the forms are different this year because Berns has streamlined their selections. The flower flats have changed from 32 plants to 24 and we can no longer offer the little 4-pack plants. However, geraniums and petunias will still be available in pots, and we’ll have a great selection of hanging baskets. As always pre-ordering is the best way to get what you want, but if we don’t offer your favorite plant we’ll also have $25 Berns gift cards. We also plan to sell herbs on the day of the sale (not on the form) which will be new. Until then stay warm while you’re planning your flower/ herb garden.

SHALOM at FUMC—March 13-19

The last week will be hosted by FUMC starting Sunday, March 13 and we will again need your help in keeping these folks warm, fed and safe for the night. Providing dinner or breakfast, just sitting and talking with them in the evenings, staying overnight with them, driving them to the laundry mat, and doing the linen and towel laundry after our week is over are all opportunities to serve in this ministry. The signup board is in the north foyer and you can contact John Tack at (513) 571-6487 or johntack@fairpoint.net.

Wanted: Drivers

Wesley Community Services is in need of drivers to deliver Home Delivered Meals to clients in Middletown and surrounding areas. Applicant must be 21 years of age, possess a valid driver’s license and proof of vehicle insurance. Applicant must be able to pass a physical, drug screen and a background check. If interested please call Colin Bolden at 513-628-4781 or Barbara Macke at 513-661-2777.

Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard

Several years ago, I taught piano to students whose teacher was recovering from surgery. The teacher didn’t want them to slide down the slippery path of not practicing for the competitions and recitals coming up that Spring. I agreed, with some hesitation, because it had been 20 years since I had taught piano. The idea of students depending on me for musical wisdom was intimidating. I had spent too many years “flying by the seat of my pants,” my technique was rusty, and I worried that I would not be able to offer anything to help move them forward in their studies.

After the initial week of teaching was over, I had learned a valuable lesson…the importance of getting back to the basics. As I answered their questions about slurs, sharps, and the meaning of “allegretto,” I began to realize that the rudiments of music I learned all those years ago were still with me. With a bit of practice, I could remember fingerings for scales and cadences. It was good for me to go back and think about the basics of music. I realized that a good solid foundation in music theory sets you free to play anything from Bach to Broadway.

As Lent continues and Easter is before us, we should all remember the basics of our faith–those rudiments that form the structure of our beliefs. There are hundreds of books and programs about faith and Christianity and it’s easy to get lost in all that yapping about how one new concept or another will be the answer to all our problems. But where the REAL answer lies is in the basics that we already know but maybe haven’t thought of in a while… “Christ has Died, Christ has Risen, Christ will Come Again,” the Mystery of Faith that we proclaim each time we share in Holy Communion. And another important basic found in the two greatest commandments from the New Testament…“Love God and love your neighbor.”

Take some time this month to remember the basics of your faith. Look into getting involved in 9am Adult Sunday School, join a Bible Study, or start one yourself and invite others to join you! Put the foundation of your faith to work for the glory of God.

First Friday Concert Series 2016

MARCH 4 | The Dedication Band

If dulcimers, banjos, and fiddles are your instruments of choice, you will want to hear this band! Learn about the origins of Early American music from musicians in period costumes as English and Celtic music moved across the ocean to the New World and melded into what we know as truly American music and the grandfather of bluegrass.

April 1 | The Jazz People (Jazz vocals and guitar)

Holy Week/Easter Schedule

Palm Sunday, March 20
Celebrating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Service at 10:30 am in the Sanctuary

Holy Thursday, March 24
Remembering the Last Supper, Tenebrae Service at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary

Good Friday, March 25
Focusing on the Crucifixion, Services at 8:00 am, Noon, & 5:30 pm in the Sanctuary
Ecumenical Good Friday Service at 6:30 pm at Second Baptist Church

Easter Sunday, March 27
Ecumenical Sunrise Service at Mt. Zion AME at 6:30 am
Morning Service & Communion around the fountain at 8:30 am
Breakfast in Weatherwax Commons at 9:00 am
Traditional Worship service in the Sanctuary at 10:30 am

March Birthdays

2 Beth Miller, Becki Roof
3 Scott Wills
4 Barbara Dillon, Keeghan Wills
6 Michael Alderton, Laura Griffin
7 Max Grandey
8 David McGraw, Neal Walke
9 Brandi Daniels
10 Ellen Pratt
12 David Morgan
13 Mary Maurer
14 James Irwin, Patty McGraw, Rhonda Scholl
16 Scott Tucker
17 Breanne Dickson
19 Ron McGuire, Alma Taulbee
20 Dick Roof
23 Tom Atkinson, Jean Stamper
24 Shiela Bailey
27 Barb Orth
28 Shelley McDaniel
29 Linda Schmitt
30 Pat Ickes
31 Lon Fairchild

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February E-Ambassador

January 28, 2016 By Pam Fugett

Pastor’s Reflections

Among the many important questions the Bible addresses is this one:
“Who is included and who is excluded?”

In other words, who should get to be part of us, one of our people, the community of true believers? It’s a big issue for the Old Testament. Jezebel, the cruel Phoenician born wife of King Ahab, was a foreigner who clearly should not have been accepted by the Hebrews. She not only promoted the worship of Baal, a false god and rival to Yahweh, but sought the death of Israel’s’ greatest prophet. Her name is still synonymous with wickedness, and after her death there were repeated proclamations –“no more foreign wives from foreign countries!” But then there’s Ruth, a saintly and courageous Moabite woman who became the wife of a Hebrew man and was eventually given a place of high honor in the community of the faithful. She was the great grandmother of King David, and even has her own book of the Bible!

So, should outsiders be accepted? Well, sometimes but not always, the Old Testament seems to say. There have to be standards, chief among them the acceptance of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In the Old Testament that means you have to be one of the Chosen People, a Jew, either by birth or conversion.

The New Testament’s questions about inclusion are similar. Who should be allowed in this new “church” we hold so dear? Would we dare to accept foreigners, people who were not first Jews, or had not gone through an arduous conversion to Judaism? This controversy was terribly difficult for the early church to resolve, but eventually it was resolved. They were not altogether comfortable with it, but they decided they simply could not exclude people who were not born into the Jewish community, and that they could not demand conversion to Judaism before becoming a Christian. Yet even after the doors of the church were officially opened to all there were still problems. Different ways of worshipping, language problems, different understanding of morality, different theologies – it was quickly understood that inclusion meant changes. The community would change, and change was difficult.

And of course, as we surely know, that sort of change has been required of all subsequent generations of the church. Who should we let in? And if we do let them in, how will their presence change us?

On February 7th, we hope to bring a number of Hispanic families into membership here at First United Methodist Church. They have been working toward this moment over the past year through weekly and sometimes twice weekly classes led by pastors Dani and Henry Folgoso. They are learning our language, but also our beliefs. They have been studying the Christian faith and the United Methodist version of that faith, and are deemed ready for this next step.

The presence of these families has already changed our church, and in most ways we can see, quite positively. The children are fully bilingual and fully participate in our children’s ministry – and that ministry is growing. But it is sometimes awkward for those of us who are not bilingual. For their part, the Spanish speaking adults who attend our church are working hard to improve their English. I can perceive progress.

But to relate to them as a pastor I see a need to improve my Spanish.

I spoke with Mike Hieber, recently retired from Miami University of Middletown, and he is trying to arrange for someone to come teach a class in Spanish to whoever in our church would like to better converse politely. Just being able to say “Good morning” or “My name is so and so, what is your name?” would be a mark of progress for me. How about you?

If you are interested, please let us know at the church office. We are not sure yet when the class would start, but we are looking at only five or six sessions, and not “Spanish 101” so much as instruction on good manners and friendliness.

We Christians are always being challenged – it’s always been part of who we are. There are days I wish it would stop, but it never does. But who knows – maybe this time a little change can be fun! We can always hope, right?

Peace,

John Wagner

Thank You from Rosa Parks

Dear Rev. Wagner and Congregation,

Thank you for providing child care while our parents attended Parenting Partners classes. We hope to see long term effects from these classes. The student loved the extra attention from your members.

Sincerely,

Joy Carothers

Rosa Parks Elementary

Jr. Church News

Saint Valentine’s Day Party

This is how we know that LOVE is:
“…that Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.”-1 John 3:16

On Saturday, February 13, 2016 Junior Church will be celebrating Saint Valentine’s Day at church in Fellowship Hall from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. All are invited to come and invite other kids or friends to this lovely gathering. You may share a dessert and/or any snack you think the children will love. The church will provide hot dogs, pizza and drinks. Let’s make it all about the children and be ready to be engaged in activities and crafts to show your love and support for this ministry!

In Christ’s Love,

The Junior Church Team

Jr. Church Volunteer Training– Feb. 7

To all Jr. Church Volunteers:

A guest speaker will be here to share some of what has worked for them at their church, and to also hear from us about our unique ministry with Hispanic children. The volunteer training will be on Sunday, February 7, right after our church service. We will do this in place of our monthly meeting, lunch will be provided, and we hope to finish by 3:00 p.m. We hope you can make it!

Thank you,

The Junior Church Team

Adult Sunday School: Who is Jesus?

Please join us in our Adult Sunday School before worship service from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. We will be learning together from the Gospel of Mark, “Who is Jesus?” The schedule and themes for each class are listed below:

Jan. 31	“A Leper, a Paralytic, and a Tax Collector”	Mark 1:40-2:17
Feb. 7	“Conflict in Galilee”	Mark 2:18-3:35
Feb. 14	“Kingdom Parables	Mark 4:1-34
Feb. 21	“Desperate Straits”	Mark 4:35-6:6
Feb. 28	“Understanding the Loaves”	Mark 6:6-52
Mar. 6	“Violating Tradition”	Mark 6:53-7:37
Mar. 13	“Who Do You Say I Am?”	Mark 8:1-9:1
Mar. 20	“Review”	Mark 1-8

College/Military Care Packages

The college/military snack boxes will be assembled for mailing on Sunday, February 28. If there are any changes to the mailing list addresses or persons receiving the boxes, please contact the church office at (513) 423-4629. We also are happy to receive donations towards mailing costs and cookies for the boxes. If you are donating cookies on the 28th, please bring 8 bags of 6 medium-sized cookies to the conference room. Thank you for your help! –Imogene Orts

Our Sacred Space: 125 Years

The year 2016 marks 125 years of worship and Christian Education in our sanctuary building. Our Anniversary celebration will be on May 1 , 2016. Be sure to mark the date on your calendar!

First United Methodist Church
Emergency Weather Closing Procedure

In the event of a Weather Emergency, the Senior Pastor and leadership at First United Methodist Church may cancel any and all events held the day of the severe weather event. This includes the Food Pantry. Your health and well being is paramount to us. That being said if you don’t feel conditions are safe for travel, please stay home.

If the county calls a Level 3 Emergency (no unauthorized persons allowed on the roads) the church and all events scheduled will be cancelled.

There are two ways to check if the church will be open:

Check the FUMC website (www.myfumc.net) or call the church at 513-423-4629. The message will be updated to reflect any change or closing.
Check the school closings on WKRC-TV Local 12; Cincinnati. They will scroll along the bottom of the screen. Also, check the web at www.local12.com under Weather> SchoolWatch.

UMW End of Year 2015

It seems like the UMW is always selling something….for good reason. Again this year we were able to donate over $5,000 to local missions, and $1400 to district missions. With the support of this congregation the following local groups received a donation: Art Central Foundation, Dove House women’s shelter, Hope House, MANY, and the Pregnancy Center. Our church received donations for Breakfast Club, Shalom, the Neighborhood, and Whiz Kids. Ladies, please consider joining us in 2016.

Altar Flowers

Reminder: It’s not too late to sign up for altar flowers in 2015! There are still Sundays available. To place an order, please contact the church office or see Mary Maurer.

Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard

The Season of Lent/Special Ash Wednesday Services

The beginning of Lent arrives a little early this year, but in the midst of the darkness of winter weather, we begin to prepare our hearts and minds for the glory of Easter.

ASH WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 10 This year there will be several opportunities to experience the beginning of Lent with the placing of the ashes on our foreheads. All services are in the sanctuary and about 20 minutes in length.

Ash Wednesday services will be held 8:00 am, 12:00 pm, 5:30 pm, 7:30 pm.

It’s Choralfest Time!

The big day of Choralfest is Saturday, March 5th when we go to Loveland and practice with 100 other children from 10 different churches. This is a great opportunity for our children to participate in a children’s choir singing of God’s glory! A bit of history: This idea was started by Clem Burton as a way for Middletown churches children’s choirs to get together. Since then it has become more regional, and Choralfest in its present form is now in its 30th year. FUMC has participated every year! Thank you for your support!

First Friday Concert Series 2016

FERUARY 5 | JIMMY ROGERS

A perennial favorite, Jimmy warms up February with honky-tonk piano and old time rock n’ roll! A little bit rock, a little bit roll, a little bit blues and a whole lot of funk!

MARCH 4 | The Dedication Band

If dulcimers, banjos, and fiddles are your instruments of choice you won’t want to miss this Band. Learn about the origins of Early American music as it moved across the ocean to the New World and melded into what we know as truly American music and the grandfather of bluegrass.

This concert series wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Middletown Community Foundation, The Barnitz Fund and the congregation of First United Methodist Church, Middletown. Thank you for helping us make downtown Middletown a destination for the arts!

Community Ministries Corner

Farewell to Sarah

The Pantry/Emergency Food Committee wishes Sarah Danzeisen well as she leaves our community to relocate to Indianapolis for her new job. Sarah has been putting together and sending out the weekly shopping list to our Pantry Buyers for a few months now and we so appreciate the time she has given to do this. We will miss you, Sarah! May God bless and keep you!

Women’s Shelter Tree Project

The Women’s Shelter Tree project of filled Christmas gift bags for the residents of the Hope House Center for Women and Children was a tremendous example of the spirit of our church to reach out to our community members. Thirty gift bags were delivered for the Christmas celebration. The women have expressed appreciation for feeling the love from others who do not personally know them but who want to share. Thank you for all of the support that was given to this project! The next CMC meeting is Feb. 11 at 6:30 pm.

Laxmi in Nepal

Update from Dr. Les and Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital

Happy New Year! We would like to take the next several months and share with you how the blockade between India and Nepal has been affecting the people here in Tansen.

Laxmi is our gardener, and she works for several other missionary families, as well. Her home was ruined during the earthquake. Thanks to the donations of many people, she has the funds to build a new, sturdy home. Unfortunately construction has halted as the cold season has begun because the cement from India is not available. She is able to live in a nearby relative’s home, but now even as supplies are starting to become more available, she is concerned that the money won’t be enough because everything has become much more expensive due to the blockade. (Cement used to be 600 rupees a bag – now minimum is 800 rupees.) Laxmi is a widow and lives with one of her sons (who works at the hospital) with his wife and 2 daughters. She is one of the most generous people I know – always inviting us over for meals and sharing delicious feasts – which probably is more than her family eats in a week! We are humbled by people like Laxmi. Thanks for your prayers for her and her family – and for many others like her.

One last request – please do pray for rain. Our hospital water tanks are running empty – we have to buy tankers of water to keep running.

In Him,

लेस (Les) and देबी (Debbie)

P.S. To see more photos and stories, please check our blog: dornonnepalmission.wordpress.com

02.2016 ambassador-Laxmi

First Friday Concert Series—2016 Schedule

February 5 | Jimmy Rogers (Honky Tonk and Boogie Woogie piano)

March 4 | The Dedication Band (Early American Music)

April 1 | The Jazz People (Jazz vocals and guitar)

May 6 | Douglas Blue Feather (Native American flute)

June 3 | Mike “Elvis” Davis (Elvis tribute artist)

July 1 | My Brother’s Keeper (bluegrass and contemporary folk)

August 5 | Acclarion (Clarinet and Accordian)

September 2 | The Reen Family (a family barbershop group)

October 7 | University of Dayton New Horizons German Oompah Band

November 4 | Miami University Men’s Glee Club

December 2 | Harps of Grace (harp ensemble)

February Birthdays

1 Matthew Dixon, Hannah Dornon, Christian McLaughlin
3 Kathy Lambert, Sandy Mills
5 Dr. Mark Frazer
6 Kenna Marie Jenkins
7 David Wittman
8 Anita McLaughlin
9 Mary Davis, Lynda Goecke
10 John McDaniel
11 Roy Ickes, Gene Saylor, David Wieneke
12 Kira Wills
13 Jack Diefenbach, Martha Gill
14 Mary Roehll
16 Mary Ellen Clinard, Daphne Murphy
17 Phyllis Richmond
19 Bill Alderton, Dean Prushing, Helen Tucker
21 Johnny Schmitt
22 Mark Mills
24 Joni Bachelor
28 Donna Burley

Filed Under:

December/January e-Ambassador

November 30, 2015 By Pam Fugett

Pastor’s Reflections

“And a Little Child …”

I was walking through a local department store the other day minding my own business. So was everyone else. We do that in department stores, or on the street, or in public places. We mind our own business, we don’t make eye contact, we stick to our agenda. Perhaps a quick glance to see if it’s someone we know, and that’s about it. Nothing terribly sinful in such behavior, by the way. We just don’t have the time or capacity to acknowledge everyone we see, especially when we are in crowded places.

But this is not the case with little children, apparently.

I’m walking through the store, and I see a toddler sitting in his mom’s shopping cart. Mom is busy looking over some kitchen utensils, not paying attention for a moment, and he glances at me and sees me. He looks me right in the eye, and then this expression of utter delight comes slowly over his face, just utter joy at simply finding my face in the crowd. It was a kind of transcendent moment, like we were the only two people in the world, and had found each other. I can only imagine what was actually going through his mind, but I’m guessing it was something like “Oh my goodness!! Another person!! And he’s looking right at me!! A new friend!! Hooray!! I love this place!!”

And what did I look like to him? What expression was on my face? Why utter delight of course. My mask of indifference was dropped in an instant, and I connected to him with everything in me. I smiled and waved, acknowledged him as best I could without getting weird about it, and moved on more refreshed and optimistic about the human condition than I had been just 15 seconds before.

Friends, this has happened to me more than once. How about you? And isn’t it great?

I am writing this on a Sunday after we had over thirty children in worship, which is unusual for us. To be sure, they were real children – which means some were happy, some sad, some complaining, some a bit too exuberant. Also, several of them were special guests of their grandparents, and we may not see them again soon … but it was so nice to have them all with us. It seems like the congregation is transformed by them; we become both more joyful and, I think, more intentional in pursuing a loving and joyful Christian way of life. Perhaps subconsciously we try harder to be the kind of people Christ wants us to be.

We often associate Christmastime with children, and when it rolls around we tend to recall this prophecy from Isaiah and re-claim its message for this season:

The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
Isaiah 11:6 NRSV

We don’t receive this prophecy correctly if we over sentimentalize our feelings about children and ignore their need to grow and mature, to learn right from wrong. We owe them that instruction; they need us to be adults. “Child-ish” is not the way to go for persons of any age.

And yet we do need to connect with the child within each of us. It may sound clichéd, but we need to recall what it means to be “child-like,” and see the world with more appreciation, and the people around us as marvelous gifts. We need to remember that Jesus actually called all of us to be “like children” (Matthew 18:3). We can do this more easily when children are around us.

Advent season, the season before Christmas Day, goes from November 29 to December 24. On those four Sundays of Advent children will light the Advent candles, read a verse of scripture and take part in the service. Also, during church and on Saturday, December 12, we are trying to get as many children as possible to rehearse for our Christmas Pageant, which will take place on Sunday evening, December 13. If you know of some children you can bring who may want to participate, please contact the church office. Everything starts at 5 pm, and it’s a potluck, so bring a dish to share. Even if you are longtime empty nesters, like JoAnn and I, please come anyway… please come and receive that special blessing only a child at Christmas seems to be able to bestow.

Peace,
John

Christmas Traditions at First Church

Friday, Dec. 4, noon First Friday Concert with Leslie Stratton, Harpist
Saturday, Dec. 5, 11:30 am UMW Christmas Luncheon @ Browns Run Country Club
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 5:30 pm Free Community Holiday Dinner @ Fellowship Hall
Saturday, Dec. 12, 10-12 pm UMW Cookie Walk @ FUMC
Sunday, Dec. 13, 5 pm Children’s Christmas Program & Potluck Dinner
Sunday, Dec. 20, 2 pm Christmas Caroling to Shut-Ins (all are welcome to participate) meet at church
Monday, Dec. 21, 2 pm Christmas Caroling to Shut-Ins
Thursday, Dec. 24, 7:30 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (Communion at 7:00 pm in chapel and pre-service music begins at 7:10 pm)

Trustee Year-End Review

Our beautiful church has had many improvements this year–both inside and out. In the basement, both kitchens were professionally degreased, and with the help of the UMW thoroughly cleaned. On the second floor, the computer lab is completely rewired, and the choir room has a new ceiling. The office’s outdated phone system has been replaced, and Weatherwax Commons has had improvements made to the men’s restroom. Also the carpets in the Commons and North Foyer were professionally cleaned.

As we move outside we see two major projects that have just been completed: the outside wall by the flagpole has had the mortar in the stones redone to prevent leaks, and the small roof above the South Foyer has been replaced. In the back, the parking lot cracks were repaved, and after working with the city we now own the two lots behind us. Other maintenance tasks are in the planning stages. Thanks to you we will also be starting some of the “Trust the Future” projects in 2016. Special thanks to Greg and Dr. Burley for their service!

Christmas Bazaar

Our neighbor church Bethlehem Lutheran has organized a Christmas Bazaar for Saturday, December 5 from 10:00 to 4:00 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the renovation of a Sunday school room. They will have 31 direct sales consultants, like Mary Kay, plus crafts, chair massages, and a caricature artist! Hot dogs and chips as well. It will be a fun event!

Bethlehem Lutheran and their pastor Michelle Terry have been so kind to let us use their parking lot at times. They would welcome our support.

UMC #GivingTuesday

Think one day of giving thanks isn’t enough? On Dec. 1, United Methodists will once again come together to support the work of Advance projects and missionaries on UMC #GivingTuesday. This is an opportunity for you to give either to support us (Les and Debbie) or to give to the work of the Tansen Mission Hospital.

If you are interested, please go online to umcmission.org/give and either enter one of our names with our number (Lester Dornon – 10919Z or Deborah Dornon – 10920Z) or the Tansen Mission Hospital (13421A). Global Ministries will allocate matching funds dollar for dollar up to the first $1 million in gifts to Advance projects received online on Dec. 1, 2015, between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. CT. A maximum of $2,500 per individual gift to a project will be dispersed as matching funds. A project may receive a maximum of $25,000 in matching funds.

If you want, you can also give by phone (888-252-6174) or by snail mail: Make your check payable to ADVANCE GCFA. Write the name of the ministry and the Advance code number on the memo line of the check. Send your check to:

Advance GCFA
P.O. Box 9068
New York, NY 10087-9068.

Thanks so much for your love and support and for considering this extra giving opportunity.

Love and blessings, Debbie & Les.

Prostate Cancer Support Group

The Prostate Cancer Support Group will meet with The Breast Cancer Support Group on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 7:00 pm. The guest speaker for the combined meeting will be Sheila Agee, RN who will speak on, “Natural Path Holistic Health.” All men and women are welcome to this meeting in the First United Methodist Church Commons area. For more information please call Mike at (513) 594-1722. The first meeting of 2016 will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at FUMC in the Asbury Room.

Jr. Church News

The Jr. Church unit for December is “Away in a Manger” and the message “Jesus is God’s gift to all people.” For January, the unit is “Jesus’ Ministry Begins” and the message “God chose Jesus; Jesus chose God.”

Women’s Shelter Tree

FUMC has a history of being a church family committed to following our mission statement “Christ our life. Service our lifestyle.” This year we will be expressing this with the Women’s Shelter Tree. The women living at the shelter, Hope House, are frequently overlooked during the holidays. We will be providing gifts for the women that will give them a sense of dignity and specialness. Gift bags will be hung on the tree; each bag represents one woman living at the shelter. The tree is up now in the Commons. We hope that you will participate in this holiday act giving to someone whom you do not know but who is a sister with us in Christ.

Thank You from Holy Family Parish

Dear Friends in Christ,

Thank you for your generous gift of $675 to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Holy Family Parish in Middletown for Thanksgiving baskets. Your thoughtful and kind contribution is deeply appreciated. It will help us continue our mission of serving those who are in desperate need in our community.

As you know, the St. Vincent de Paul Society is a volunteer organization that depends solely upon the generosity of caring people like you to allow us to fulfill our mission of assisting those who request our help.

Thank you again for your donation which will help us provide baskets to 52 needy families in our area.

God Bless You,

Ray Kelly, President
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Holy Family Parish

Blockade in Nepal

Update from Dr. Les and Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital

Can you live without gasoline, cooking gas, or electricity? This is what people in Nepal are being forced to do since the closing of the border with India 2 months ago. When the new constitution was promulgated (after 7 years of negotiations) it was greeted with cheers in some quarters, but not in all of Nepal, or its neighbors. India had attempted to influence the new constitution prior to its promulgation, but when the Nepali assembly did not include any of their “suggestions”, India joined in support of strikes led by people living along the southern border of Nepal. The result has been that for the past 2 months, the border crossings between India and Nepal have been closed to all vehicular transport. Since most products come into Nepal from India, this has caused major shortages. People are cooking with wood again. Only a few buses and cars are running. The hospital has run out of several important medications, and stocks of others are dangerously low. People who were already devastated by the earthquake are now facing the winter cold with no home and no heat. The economic impact of the blockade has now greatly exceeded that of the earthquake. Pray for the people here, as well as for us and for the churches in Nepal trying to help them. Also pray for wisdom for the political leaders, that they may humble themselves, and work to find a solution to save people, rather than making sure they “save face.”

In Him,
लेस (Les) and देबी (Debbie)

P.S. To see more photos and stories, please visit our blog: dornonnepalmission.wordpress.com

Khims mom cooking on firewood.

Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard

Response to Hymn Sing Marathon

Thanks to everyone who sang, played, brought snacks and donuts, and moral support for our Hymn Sing Marathon in October. Franklin UMC brought a good crowd to help get us through the night singing and playing and we had a few members of our community at large there for support. The results are in and we raised a little over $1,200 to send to Community UMC in Middletown, CA to help rebuild that community after the devastating fires there this summer. We learned a lot about the hymnal and celebrated the variety of songs and meaningful readings found there. It took us about 21 hours non-stop to complete the challenge. Below is a copy of the thank you that Community’s minister sent to share with us:

Hi Mary Ellen and Greetings to our Sister City and to our fellow Methodists in Middletown, Ohio.

What a delightful way to raise money for a good cause! We cannot thank you enough for such a wonderful donation!

My heart is warmed by such a generous response to our need! We have been heart sick here at the devastating losses, but your loving donation will assist us in moving forward toward healing.

Sincerely,
Pastor Claudia Listman
Community UMC
Middletown, CA

Opportunities to Catch the Christmas Spirit at FUMC!

Both old and new traditions will be arriving as the season of Advent and Christmas unfold in the next week or so. What’s new? During the worship service, our children will be leading us in the Advent Candle lighting through scripture and the “creation” of the manger scene in the chancel area. Each Sunday, a child will light the Advent Candle, read a scripture, and add a figurine to the manger scene as the Christmas story unfolds. Special thanks to Ken and Carolyn Tucker and Kira Wills, for taking the time with our children to make this possible. Children’s drawings will also be featured on the bulletin covers as part of our Advent theme, “A Little Child Shall Lead Them” which is part of a biblical passage about the kingdom of Peace that God will create. You can find the passage in Isaiah 11: 1-6.

Our ongoing traditions include:

Children’s Christmas Pageant and Potluck Sunday, December 13 at 5:00 pm Bring a dish to share in Fellowship Hall and then enjoy the Children’s Program in the Sanctuary.

All-Church Christmas Caroling Sunday and Monday, December 20 & 21 meet in commons at 2:00 pm each day to carol to some of our most beloved members who are unable to worship with us any longer, yet support us with prayer and love throughout the year. All ages welcome (they love to see young children!!)

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service Thursday, December 24 Pre-service music begins at 7:10 pm and worship begins at 7:30 pm. Communion begins at 7:00 pm in the chapel.

First Friday Concert Series 2015

DECEMBER 4 | Leslie Stratton
Let the craziness of the holidays be swept away by the relaxing sounds of the harp. Leslie has planned a wonderful mix of classical, Broadway standards, and Christmas favorites sure to recharge our soul for this busy season!

*JANUARY 8 | JIMMY ROGERS
It’s become a tradition that Jimmy Rogers start off our season with his infectious “feel-good” music. What a way to begin the year! A little bit rock, a little bit roll, a little bit blues and a whole lot of funk!

* Note date change due to New Year’s Day.

December Birthdays

1 Pat Lyke
2 Elizabeth Evers
3 David Irwin
4 Justin Daniels, Tommy Dixon-Gordon
6 Jean Jordan
7 Allison Palmer, Fred Sander
8 Helen Hackney, Jared McDaniel
10 Henry Folgoso
11 Esther Johnson
13 Don Stamper
14 Terry Hines
16 Marcia Greenham, Cecil Jackson
17 Rev. John Wagner
18 Dorothy Youtsler
20 C.M. Jenkins, Kelli Wilson
22 Kathy Wright
23 Joyce Thompson
24 Tom Buchert
25 Rick Lyke, Miriam Melloh
26 Ashley Palmer, David Young
27 Johnny Nichols
28 Hayden Jenkins, Dee Markle
29 Nita Driscoll
30 Duane Gordon, Belinda Hausman, Matthew Youtsler

January Birthdays

2 Mindi Dickson, John Keeny
6 Sylvia Maynard
9 Glenna Combs
10 Dave Kramer, Chris Urso
12 Bob Beagle
13 Kathy Hieber
18 Jim Hogg
19 James Irwin, Eric Taylor
22 Pat Schaefer
25 Brett Dickson, James Thomas II Irwin, Phyllis Lolli
26 Alex Mills
27 Christopher Keaton, Dr. Walter Roehll
28 Wilma Mucha, Andrew Youtsler
30 Shelby Grace Rutledge, Carolyn Tucker
31 Dixie Davis

Filed Under:

November e-Ambassador

October 29, 2015 By Pam Fugett

Pastor’s Reflections

Not Guilty. Just Grateful.

Occasionally someone will suggest that a minister’s life must be a difficult one because “you have to listen to everybody’s problems.” I appreciate the sympathy, but in reality it’s not such a great burden. It’s truly a great privilege to be trusted, and likewise to be with people being honest about their difficulties in life.

And if I do get a little tired of hearing sad stories it’s more than offset by the fact that so many people do just the opposite – they tell me how fundamentally grateful they are. This is also one of the great privileges of my job.

I visited an older gentleman the other day, someone who has enjoyed pretty good health up till now. These days he sits in a chair, in a small room in a nursing home, alone with his thoughts and his TV. When I showed my face he was glad to see me, but not because he was particularly miserable before I came. After a bit of conversation about his medical condition he stated that despite all appearance he regarded himself as unusually “blessed.”

“I am so blessed!” he said. “I am so blessed to have this chair!” It was indeed a nice wingback chair, very comfortable I suppose. But that was not his only blessing. “I have wonderful kids!” He went on to describe them, praise them, brag a bit. “And the staff here, they are great!” he exclaimed. And he teared up, grateful for all God had blessed him with.

As I said, the room was small. And I’m sure his children were decent folks, but not perfect. And the staff of every nursing home I’ve ever visited can get grouchy and impatient.

And yet my friend wants me and everyone to know he is blessed.

I know it might seem like self-serving flattery, but I sense this kind of gratitude in a lot of people around this church. It’s almost as if they have chosen to feel blessed – a truly courageous choice when you think about it. They’ve seen suffering, but they are going to say it’s fundamentally OK.

All this makes my job so much more fun. I get to work alongside people who are serving not out of guilt for the most part, but out of gratitude. If asked by an outsider to describe you I might say, “They seem glad to be offering their services, glad they have gifts and talents to share, glad they can be part of building the kingdom, glad to give something back. They are not doing it out of fear of punishment or criticism.”

I see this attitude displayed by my friend in the nursing home. As he was sitting in his nice chair he seemed to want to talk about his ministry, about how he might continue to serve others given his physical limitations. We agreed he could be especially kind and encouraging to the staff – let them know he understands how hard they have to work. We agreed he could pray for people – and I said I would help him get an updated church prayer list as often as possible. He may be praying as you read this.

On November 22, just prior to Thanksgiving, we will celebrate “Thankfulness Sunday” through prayers, songs, and a recommitment to serve Christ. In the past this has been called “Loyalty Sunday” or “Pledge Sunday.” Frankly, I just don’t want to do that this year. We just went through a big capital campaign and I feel I’ve been asking for your loyalty and pledges throughout most of 2015. This will be a Thankfulness Sunday, where we act not out of loyalty or guilt but gratitude.

Can we do that? From what I’ve seen, I am pretty sure we can. This is a blessed congregation.

Peace,
John

$5 on the 5th Offering

Every 5th Sunday of the year, the Mission Committee likes to do a special offering to a worthy cause. On November 29th, a special offering will be collected for the Salvation Army. All money put into the collection jars and designated on your offering envelope will go to help this cause.

The Salvation Army is well known for the Red Kettle fundraising event during the Christmas season, and their thrift stores all throughout the country. They also help the community by providing food/meals, toys to the children during Christmas, counseling services, day camps for children, and worship services.

The Salvation Army is celebrating their 150th anniversary, as well!

Junior Church News

Thank you to all those who came and helped out with the Magical Missions Carnival back in September. The event raised $177.00 for the United Methodist Children’s Fund for Christian Mission.

During the month of November, Jr. Church will focus on “Blessings & Birthrights.” The message that the children will learn is “God blesses us.” The Bible verse of focus is from Numbers 6:24: “The Lord bless you and keep you.”

Jr. Church is still in need of teachers and teaching assistants during the worship service on Sundays. If you love to teach and spend time with kids, this would be a great opportunity for you. Please call the church office if interested. Thanks!

Say Cheeeeeese!

On November 8th try to make it to church if you can. There will be a photographer here to take a congregation photo in front of the church outside. With our new pictorial directory and church website in development, we want a captivating picture of our church. What better way to display our church than a picture of the people who worship there. It has been a while since we had a group photo, as you can tell by the picture below. So come down to the church with your Sunday’s best and a big smile! Who knows this might become a yearly tradition!

Sunday School Picnic, June 1914, Middletown, OH

The Giving Tree

Time to start our Christmas thinking when we prepare for joy of the miracle of His birth.

We at FUMC have a wonderful history of reaching out to those we do not know at this time.

The Giving Tree is a ministry that provides a gift of clothing and a toy to children of various ages. We know that many of these children get no other gifts. Please make room in your hearts once again for bounteously sharing with one of His children. These are children in need not of just the material things we provide but the generosity of hearts and prayers we extend to them.

The Giving Tree with the gift tags stating the ages of children will be available close to Thanksgiving time. Your participation is greatly appreciated!

Thank You Note

We would like to thank Rev. John for his time and visits, and for all the cards and prayers we received over the last few weeks. You are an awesome church. We love each and everyone of you!

Linda & Johnny Schmitt

United Methodist Women present their annual

“Cookie Walk”

December 12th, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., in 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.

UMW Annual Christmas Luncheon

Held at BROWNS RUN COUNTRY CLUB in Middletown, Ohio on December 5, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. Entertainment will be provided by: “The Performing Arts Academy.”

Menu:
Festive Green Salad
Roll with Butter
Chicken Tetrazzini with Broccoli
Dessert
Coffee or Tea

Cost of the ticket: $13.50 includes gratuity. (Please make checks payable to the UMW). Tickets may be purchased from any United Methodist Women member by December 1st.

Valet service available (not included in the ticket price).

Questions? Please call the church office at 513-423-4629.

Hatiya Village Fellowship in Nepal

Update from Dr. Les and Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital

About 10 km outside of Tansen is the village of Hatiya. There is a small group of believers there, and 3 Saturdays a month someone from the “mother” church in Tansen comes out to lead their worship. This week it was Amrita, who is a good friend of Debbie’s. Debbie and Amrita were able to get a taxi to drive them out through some beautiful countryside to the little back room where the believers meet together. (One Sat. per month, the believers come into Tansen for church and for communion.) There were 9 of us who sang hymns, worshipped and prayed together for a couple of hours. Amrita gave the message, and then we went around the room, each sharing needs before we prayed together. Requests were varied – one lady asked for prayers for her water buffalo who isn’t giving good milk. Another lady’s husband is working in Malaysia, and she is living with her parents with her small son. Her parents are not believers, and are constantly giving her hassles about her Christian faith. One man asked for prayers for his granddaughter, who at 8 years of age has been in school 3 or 4 years and still can’t read or write. All of these believers face daily troubles which we never have experienced – but their joy and willingness to come to meet together (some walking up to 2 hours one way) was a real inspiration. These are our brothers and sisters in Christ – thanks for your prayers for them!

In Him,
लेस (Les) and देबी (Debbie)

P.S. To see more photos and stories, please visit our blog:
dornonnepalmission.wordpress.com

Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard

SAVE THE DATES!

Before you read this article, go ahead and get your calendar off the fridge, grab a pen, and get ready to fill in those dates with Advent/Christmas activities at FUMC. Participating in these events will greatly offset any feeling that the meaning of Christmas has succumbed to commercialism.

Sunday, November 22nd Hanging of the Greens 4:00 p.m.
Join family and friends as we decorate the church and then join in a meal and a brief Hanging of the Greens Service. All ages welcome! It’s informal and fun!

Each Sunday in Advent our theme is “And a Little Child Shall Lead Them.” If you have children or grandchildren, the month of November is important for Sunday School and Children’s Church attendance to get them ready to participate in Advent and Children’s Christmas Programs. Bring them to church and be a part of helping create memories and Christian teachings they will never forget!

Tuesday, Dec. 8—Community Christmas Dinner
Sunday, Dec. 13—Children’s Christmas Program and Potluck
Sunday, Dec. 20 and Monday, Dec. 21—All Church Christmas Caroling to Shut-Ins
Thursday, Dec. 24—Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

First Friday Concert Series 2015

NOVEMBER 6 | YUN KIM HUGHES

One of the country’s preeminent pipe organ recitalists, Yun brings our 32-rank Reuter pipe organ to life with exciting and unusual selections! Listeners have come to expect anything from classical, jazz, spirituals, or contemporary selections from one of Yun’s concerts. For anyone who thinks organ music is stuffy, you’ve never heard it played from Yun’s exceptional and creative repertoire!

DECEMBER 4 | CINNAMON PEPPO

Let the craziness of the holidays be swept away by the relaxing sounds of the harp. Cinnamon has planned a wonderful mix of classical, Broadway standards, and Christmas favorites sure to recharge our soul for this busy season!

SHALOM Season is Here!

SHALOM (interfaith housing of the homeless) will begin this season at FUMC starting Sunday, Nov. 29. The signup board is in the north foyer and any questions can be answered by John Tack (513-571-6487). Even if you can’t be present, donations of breakfast foods, fruits and snacks are appreciated and recently homeless folks seem to appreciate gifts of men’s and women’s socks, cold weather gear and backpacks. Blessings to you all that are inspired to assist as evening or overnight hosts, food preparers for breakfast or dinner, or any other way!

Thank You!

The Pantry/Emergency Food Committee wishes to recognize and thank:

The generous people of the congregation who contribute the funds and food to keep the Pantry and Emergency Food Programs operating.
The many volunteers who give of their time, talent and love to this ministry.
And Bethlehem Lutheran for joining us in our Harvest of the Heart food drive this year.

The Gospel comes alive because of you. “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat….” Matt. 25:35

November Birthdays

1 Matthew Palmer
2 Pat Duffey, Rose Morgan
7 Danica Murphy
9 Gracen Pass
10 Patt Gibson, Elaine Slama, Kathi Wilson
11 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 Nancy Haney, Janet Crawford
25 Leo Davis
28 Mike Hieber
29 Bill Thorn
30 Les Dornon

Filed Under:

October e-Ambassador

September 25, 2015 By Pam Fugett

Pastor’s Reflections

An Original Christian

The first Sunday of October is World Communion Sunday. It’s also going to be the Sunday when I can realize a long-held dream of having the Rev. Alex Awad as a guest preacher in a congregation I am serving. I have spoken of him from the pulpit many times, and have written about him in this newsletter. Now I finally get a chance to introduce him to you. Until this year, he was pastor of East Jerusalem Baptist Church, as well as Dean of Bethlehem Bible College in Palestine. He is also, until January, a missionary serving under the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church.

But more than all that, he is one of the most wonderful and warm-hearted Christians you will ever meet. He is somewhat more conservative than I am theologically, and also quite conservative in terms of moral theology, but he is one of those unique individuals who refuses to be your enemy — he radiates kindliness. I have worked with him on issues relating to peace in the Middle East for some years now, and I’ve never seen or heard him act in less than a Christ-like way.

Alex is also a native born Palestinian Christian — his ancestors, so far as anyone can determine such things, were the original Christian converts described in the 2nd chapter of the Book of Acts. If nothing else, you should get a chance to know him and ask questions about that part of the world. Alex will be with us for both Sunday School and worship, as will his wife Brenda, another wonderful person. Brenda is from Fleming-Neon, Kentucky, and a former first grade teacher who met Alex while he was a student in Georgia.

Alex and Brenda will help with the service of Holy Communion, as will Dani Ortega and Henry Folgoso, Bob Wieneke and Kay Fraley — all of whom are originally from someplace other than the United States. You should ask them where!

And on that Sunday, Oct. 4, we will also take up an offering for the United Methodist Committee on Relief, which is currently involved in assisting Syrian refugees in Europe. Several of you have now asked what the church is doing — I looked it up, and it turns out the United Methodists in Germany and elsewhere has been concerned about this refugee problem for several years now, and have established a strong reputation as both aid-givers and advocates for reform in how the world treats displaced persons. Makes me proud of the United Methodists, to be honest.

I hope to see you at church Oct. 4.

John

Special Thanks to First Church

This letter is to express our heartfelt thanks to you and the members of your congregation and staff for your generous gift to The Gathering. We are immeasurably blessed to have your support for the Community Block Party on Aug. 22 as well as all of the support that you have given us the past few years.

We look forward to more opportunities to serve together in the future.

Blessings to you and all the saints at FUMC!

Yours In Christ,
Rev. Carrie Jena (Pastor at The Gathering)

Prostate Cancer Support Group

The Prostate Cancer Support Group will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m. at the Mid-Pointe Library conference room ‘A’. A special guest, Mr. Herschel Chalk, will speak. Registration is at 6:30 p.m. and light refreshments will be served. The meeting is sponsored by American Medical Systems. All men are invited to be there and spouses and partners are welcome to attend. Please call (513) 594-1722 to reserve a seat.

UMW Nut Sale

Just in time for fall our United Methodist Women are still taking orders for 1 lb. bags of nuts and nutty treats. Prices range from $6-10; good for baking or a healthy snack. See Tammy White, Susan Beagle, or any other UMW member to get yours. Hurry, sale ends Oct. 8!

Baking Reminder
Cookies needed Oct. 25

Those who plan to make cookies for the Care Packages for College Students and Military should mark your calendar to bake and bring cookies in on Oct. 25 (boxes will be packed that day, then shipped).

We are asking for you to bake cookies that are small to medium in size (2” or less) and the quantity should be 8 baggies of 6 cookies each; the size and quantity is important as boxes only allow so much space, and we wish the cookies to make it in one piece. Please contact the church office to let us know that you will be baking so we can make sure there is enough for all the packages.

Please contact the office or Imogene Orts for questions or to help with this outreach.

Adult Bible Study Series: “Movies, Morality and the Christian Message”

Gary Cooper as Marshall Will Kane in “High Noon” (1952), on why he has to fight a gang of outlaws on his own:

“I’ve got to, that’s the whole thing.”

Starting Sunday, Oct. 11, and going through Nov. 22, Johnny Schmitt and John Wagner will be team teaching at the 9 a.m. class on what it means to be moral, just and fair — both in our personal lives and as a society. We will use clips from older and more recent movies as our starting point in discussing what the movies seem to tell us, and then searching out what God might be asking us to do through the words of the Bible. Please check it out!

Community Ministries Corner

Harvest of the Heart

October is Harvest of the Heart month here at First Church. We support the Pantry and Emergency Food programs all year long through our tithes, offerings, and food donations. Every October we are given the opportunity to restock the shelves for the winter months ahead. You will get a taste of pantry shopping. (We have volunteer shoppers every week.)

We are not providing paper bags for you to fill and return to the church. Since the Pantry uses plastic grocery bags each week for the Neighborhood shoppers, plastic bags are welcome.

Please refer to the “Shopping List” items and buy whatever you feel led to buy. You may bring these items to church anytime during October and place them BESIDE the blue barrels in the hallway behind the sanctuary. We will line the chancel with your gifts on Sunday, Oct. 25. Then, our Pastor will bless them.

“You fed Me when I was hungry…” No gift is too small.

Shopping List:
Beef Stew, Instant Potatoes, Canned Vegetables, Soups, Spaghetti, Sugar, Instant Oatmeal packets, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Cooking oil, Dish Soap, Shampoo, 100% Fruit Juice, Rice, Canned Fruit, Canned Pasta, Spaghetti Sauce, Tuna in Water, Tuna/Chicken/Hamburger Helper, Pancake Mix, Syrup, Instant Grits, Laundry Soap, Toothpaste, Mac n’ Cheese, Stuffing Mix, Flour, Canned Chicken, Saltine Crackers, Beans (dried or canned), Canned Meats, Vienna Sausage, Ramen Noodles, Bar Soap, and Toilet Paper

Shopping Tip: You may purchase items wherever you like, but the following stores are where our regular Pantry Shoppers go because of their good prices: Aldi, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Save-A-Lot.

Junior Church News

The September Magical Missions Carnival was fun for all, and a big thanks goes out to all who set up, popped popcorn, baked cakes, manned a game, bought/served food, cleaned up, or in anyway helped with or attended it. The children had fun raising money for the United Methodist Children’s Missions Fund.

We asked, received, and are so happy to have three new teacher assistants — Jen Harris, Sarah Danzeisen, and Rick Ballman —helping with the primary and older elementary classes of Junior Church. We are excited because the nursery class has reached the age where they are ready to have a time for a Sunday school lesson each week. Susan Beagle has set up bean bag chairs and everyone gathers to hear a story and lesson. We appreciate all the volunteers who take a Sunday each month to lead a class, help with crafts, read a story, or just play with all the children! If you ever want to visit any of the classes just let Susan Beagle or Belinda Hausman know, and they will let the teachers know you are coming.

Making Travel Plans in Nepal

Update from Dr. Les and Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital

Making travel plans can be difficult here in Nepal… We were looking forward to a visit from our nieces Joanna and Shelly. Debbie decided to go into KTM to meet them, and also have a chance to meet Hannah. We always plan around the mission bus (buck), which travels to KTM on Wednesdays and from KTM on Thursdays. The girls were flying in on Tuesday evening. Debbie arranged a car to drive her to KTM on Monday, and booked the buck for 3 people on Thursday. Easy, right? No — because there was a nationwide strike on Monday! New plans — take the car from Tansen to Pokhara on Mon at 5 p.m. (end of the strike) and go into KTM Tuesday on a tourist bus. Pokhara hotel booked…tourist bus booked…Okay — but then on Monday morning, it was announced that the buck needed repairs in KTM and wouldn’t be returning to Tansen on Thursday! Next plan — book another vehicle from KTM on Thursday — for 9 people because there were that many booked on the buck. BUT….at 1 p.m. on Monday, the buck driver said he was planning to drive the buck in to KTM on Monday at 5 p.m. — did I want a ride? It might break down on the road…“no guarantee” were his words. Hmmmm. Cancel Pokhara hotel, bus and car… Ride buck — arriving at 1 a.m. in KTM. Joanna and Shelly arrived on Tuesday and we all enjoyed a meal with Hannah on Wed! We traveled by van to Tansen on Thursday safely — but Shelly didn’t do well on our roads, and didn’t want to ever get in a vehicle again! 🙂 But — all was done safely, Praise God! It reminded me of Proverbs 16:1 (Message). Check it out!

In Him,
लेस (Les) and देबी (Debbie)

P.S. To see more photos and stories, please visit our blog:
dornonnepalmission.wordpress.com

Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard

Hymn Marathon

IT’S A MARATHON…but you won’t need running shoes!!

Be a part of this historic event as we SING THROUGH THE HYMNAL without stopping!!

Beginning at 5pm on Friday, Oct. 9 until whenever we get done on Saturday, singing will be going on continuously. We will lock the doors between 9pm and 9am (you can still get OUT!) so if you want to come to do some late-night singing just call the church before you come, and we will let you in the door. You can stay for as little or as long as you like! We will have coffee and snacks but you might want to bring a bagged meal if you are staying for a while!

We are looking for volunteers to play the piano/organ for singing. Any and all singers are welcome at any time. Bring your friends! We will be singing ALL verses of ALL the hymns!!
You will be able to “sponsor” a time slot for the Marathon. As a sponsor, you will be able to create a message that will be posted on the church’s Facebook page during the time of your sponsorship. Proceeds from this sponsorship will go to the United Methodist Church in Middletown, CA to help with recovery efforts from the wildfires that destroyed that “Middletown” community. Each time slot sponsorship is $20.

For instance, Susie Smith chooses to be a sponsor for the 7:30pm time slot. Susie would like her message to be “Congratulations to my daughter on her new job in Cincinnati.” At 7:30pm a Facebook post will appear on our church’s page saying…“It’s 7:30 p.m. at the FUMC Hymn Sing Marathon! We’re just beginning Hymn #298, ‘When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.’ This post is sponsored by Susie Smith who sends congratulations to her daughter on her new job in Cincinnati.”

Someone else’s sponsored post might be…“It’s 9:30am at the FUMC Hymn Sing Marathon! We’re just beginning Hymn #698, ‘God of the Ages.’ This post is sponsored by Jim Roberts who says ‘I love singing hymns in church!’ ” By checking our Facebook page you can keep up with our progress in the hymn sing marathon and connect with family and friends at the same time. You don’t have to attend the Hymn Sing Marathon to sponsor a time slot. You can sign up for sponsorship in the North Foyer beginning Sept. 27.

Questions? If so, email Mary Ellen at meclinard@hotmail.com. Join us!!

First Friday Concert Series 2015

OCTOBER 2 | SPITTIN’ IMAGE

Before you make an eye appointment for seeing double, stop by and see why these entertainers are twice the fun! The First Friday crowd keeps asking for them to come back — even after making some audience members wear silly hats and sing off-key… go figure! It must be their great musical talent that has audiences asking for more!

NOVEMBER 6 | YUN KIM HUGHES

October Birthdays

1 Glenn Slama
2 Mary Emmert, Nevin Markle
4 Virginia Jenkins, Jen Tucker
5 Charles Beck, Kelly Kidd
7 Bette Fletcher
11 Bob Wieneke
12 Jenny Kerr
15 Hilda Trent
17 Michael McNeil
18 Jeff Dickson
23 Karen Walke
26 Becky Rutledge,
27 Sue Diefenbach, Sue Irwin, Charlene Mackall
30 Kay Fraley, Vera West
31 Jonah Rogers

Filed Under:

September e-Ambassador

August 28, 2015 By Pam Fugett

Pastor’s Reflections

On the Inside

A long time ago — for me — I was a new pastor with a false concept. I thought I was supposed to know it all. I’d been trained by experts, and felt I had to show it and be sure about everything. This is a bad way to be a pastor.

A teenager had run away from home, and the family was very worried. I went over to express my concern, and it was genuine. I knew the boy and I was also worried. But I tried to commiserate by suggesting I knew how they felt since my dog had recently run away. Sally was the mother, and one of the nicest and most affirming people I’ve ever come across in any church. With tears in her eyes, and just a tinge of anger, she told me it wasn’t the same thing.

The son came home, all was forgiven, but I never forgot my shame over Sally’s comment. It’s still a painful memory. I truly didn’t know what she was going through — how could I? What made it so bad is that I truly thought I knew.

As time has passed and my experiences accumulated, I’ve made fewer of these mistakes.

When my father passed away a few weeks ago, and I started to talk to people about it, I had the strange sensation of suddenly being on the inside of something. Before, I was more like the sportscaster who knows a lot about a sport he’s never played, who has far more words at his disposal than the athletes he describes, but in some ways knows very little. Today I am a bit less like that sportscaster. I haven’t accumulated any more words, but I know something I didn’t know.

I was talking with someone before church last Sunday, and did something I probably don’t do as often as I should. I listened … or to be more precise, I offered some space for her to share her story. She was remembering the death of her own loved one, and it was a far more tragic death than losing a parent who has been sick a long time. I somehow knew she didn’t need my advice or even my commiseration as much as she needed her moment. And this time, with this person, I didn’t try to fix her feelings, or put her experience into my own context. I just listened attentively, and now we have a connection we didn’t have before.

My sister once wrote an article entitled, “Don’t Just Do Something, Stand There.” She had been a missionary in the Philippines and at that time it was a place of terrible violence and suffering. Instead of “don’t just stand there, do something!” she learned the value of reversing that piece of advice. Ultimately it’s not so much about sharing our wisdom, as valuable as that might be, but rather opening ourselves to something inexpressible that is nevertheless essential to being human. She found out that suffering people needed this more than anything else.

When people ask what makes our religion special, I think it’s just that. We have faith in a God who is truly with us, giving us his time, offering us space to share our deepest and least comprehensible hurts. I think this is the value of a “personal relationship” with Christ, and why so many pictures show him in a state of quiet and loving attention.

In our religion we have a God who is not only the creator of stars and planets and galaxies, but with us on the inside. And that makes all the difference.

Peace,
John Wagner

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

On September 13, a Sunday, there will be a brief meeting after church to discuss the idea of a “Legacy Fund.” Our Trust the Future committee has been talking for some time about facilitating a way for people to put the church in a will or bequest, and we’d like to talk to you about it, and share some of our ideas. Then on Sunday, September 20, we will vote as a congregation on setting up a special committee to oversee the fund.

You should have received a letter by now explaining all of this. Please let us know if there is anything you have questions about, and we will do our best to provide answers.

Thanks so much,

Dr. Mark Frazer and John Hoffman, co-chairs, Trust the Future
Rev. John Wagner, pastor

The United Methodist Women are back in action for the month of September. The monthly UMW meeting will be September 11 at 10:00 a.m.

Within UMW, there are three “Circles” that meet once a month. All ladies of First Church are invited to attend whether you are new to the church or you’ve been here awhile. The women in these groups would be delighted to have you!

Mary Deborah Circle
3rd Thursdays @ 10:00 a.m.
Meets in the FUMC Commons
Contact Phyllis Richmond for more
info (513-423-1664)

Elizabeth Circle
3rd Mondays @ 7:00 p.m.
Meet in various homes
Contact Belinda Hausman for more
info (513-423-0586)

Hope Circle
3rd Saturdays @ 9:00 a.m.
Meets at Bob Evans (Towne Mall)
Contact Susan Beagle for more info
(513-539-8001)

Prostate Cancer Support Group

The next meeting of The Prostate Cancer Support Group will be Tuesday, September 1 at 7:00 p.m. in the Asbury Room at First United Methodist Church.

Calling All Millennials!

This fall, we are beginning a small group for young adults ages 21 to 35. All are welcome! This will be a relaxed environment to spend time together and explore issues of faith. Please let us know if you would like to join us and what topics are of interest to you. Our first gathering will be in October, date TBD.

Sarah Dean and Rachel Hurley 513-423-4629

Safe Sanctuary Training–September 27

FUMC is committed to providing a safe environment for our children and youth to ensure physical and emotional support, as well as spiritual growth. For this reason, there will be a training session for all volunteers who work directly with children and/or youth including: FUMC staff and volunteers who are involved in the Nursery, Junior Church, Sunday School, Acolyte program and Hispanic Ministry childcare.

The Safe Sanctuary training session is after worship service on Sunday, September 27. If you can’t make it that day, you may attend the Whiz Kids Safe Sanctuary training on Monday, September 14 at 4:30 p.m. at the church. It should only take about 15 to 30 minutes of your time. The Safe Sanctuary policy will be reviewed, and forms need to be filled out by all volunteers and staff who work with children and/or youth. Even if you have attended a training session in the past, you still need to be present. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the church office. Thank you for all your help and discipleship here at FUMC!

Junior Church News

We were so happy to give out ten Bibles to the children of the congregation grades 3rd–8th on August 9. After church, we had about 50 people stay for a pizza lunch to celebrate.

For the Fall, the children’s Sunday School class will introduce a new curriculum, called “Deep Blue.” It is based on the award-winning “Deep Blue Kids Bible.” For the month of September, the message that the children will learn is “Everything that God makes is supremely good.” The Bible verse of focus is from Genesis 1:31: “God saw everything he had made: it was supremely good.”

The children will be journeying through the Bible with thrilling stories, arts and crafts, and lively games.

Carnival Event

One of Jr. Church’s biggest events this month is the Magical Missions Carnival on Saturday, September 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Funds raised through the carnival will support the Jr. Church mission project, The UM Children’s Fund for Christian Mission. Money donations are needed for prizes and supplies for games and events. Cakes/baked goods are also needed for the cake walk. Anyone willing to man a game, help with set up/clean up, or help serve lunch please get in touch with Kira Wills or Belinda Hausman (423-0586).

We need a volunteer for the following stations:
Duck Pond
Lollipop pull
Ring Toss
Cake walk
Whiffle Ball throw
Entrance/Ticket Sales

We will also need two volunteers to serve lunch as well. This is sure to be a exciting and fun event. Don’t forget to mark it on your calendar!

Gulmi Prison in Nepal

Update from Dr. Les & Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital

Last Wednesday, Les, along with another doctor, a dentist, and a church worker, all got into a very small car and drove on the windy, mountainous road to Gulmi district — the district just west of Palpa (where our hospital is located.) They endured the 3-hour ride in order to help the patients and staff at the jail in Gulmi. There were about 7 women prisoners and 66 men. Les, Rachel, and Roshan were able to see all the prisoners and staff and provide needed health and dental treatment — and to just listen to and encourage the people there. The jail itself is quite small, so prisoners are crowded into small areas.

At the end of the time there, the warden had everyone (prisoners and staff) gather in the courtyard of the prison. He then spent time thanking the group from the Mission Hospital (as it is known around here) for taking the time to come and help their people. He specifically was grateful that they had come because he said that not many people took the time to care about the prisoners, and it meant a lot to them that “important” people like doctors and dentists would use their day off for the week to travel to Gulmi prison to care for “the least of these.” Hmmm — sounds pretty biblical to me!

Thanks for your prayers for the people of Nepal — and please pray that our lives here would continue to be lights for Jesus and that many would be drawn to Him.

In Him,
लेस (Les) and देबी (Debbie)

P.S. To see more photos and stories, please visit our blog: dornonnepalmission.wordpress.com

Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard

Back in Action

The FUMC music program is back for the Fall season. Choir Retreat will be on September 20 (beginning with lunch right after church) and the Handbells will begin on September 27. We look forward to some good fellowship and some exciting new music!

Please consider joining us. Regular choir practice is held every Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., beginning September 9. Handbells meet on Sundays at 4 p.m. Both groups meet in the choir room/music office, which you can get to by entering the church from the door that opens directly into the back parking lot. Please call if you have questions about joining the choirs we have here at First Church!

LOOKING AHEAD — Plans are being made for one of the most unique events in the history of our church…and according to Google, maybe even the United Methodist Church as a whole!!! We are planning a marathon Hymn Sing in October. We’ll start with “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” and sing every verse of every hymn until the very last hymn! It will take us about 20 hours of non-stop singing. Start warming up your voices and getting extra sleep for this record-setting experience!

First Friday Concert Series 2015

SEPTEMBER 4 @ Noon| JAMESON’S FOLLY

One of the best Celtic bands in the area compiled of seasoned musicians from the Ohio Renaissance Festival. This bunch kicks off the season with a concert of lively traditional tunes just for us. We won’t be serving giant turkey legs but you’ll still have fun! (Family friendly, of course!)

OCTOBER 2 @ Noon| SPITTIN’ IMAGE

Community Ministries Corner

Whiz Kids is recruiting tutors for the 2015–2016 school year. Whiz Kids is a one-on-one tutoring program that meets at FUMC from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Mondays from October to April. We meet every Monday that the Middletown Schools are in session during those months.

Right now we have more interested students than we have tutors. Each additional tutor means we can help another child. A background in teaching can be helpful, but some of our best tutors have never worked in education. They have learned from their own experiences!

If you cannot commit to being here every week, you can be a substitute tutor and fill in when a regular tutor has to miss a week. If you do not want to work directly with a child, we also have a great need for an administrator to check the children in and out each week.

If you are interested in tutoring or have any questions, contact Debbie Ellis at 513-423-7012 or via email at dlellissv@gmail.com.

Emergency Food Request

Help! We are running low on cans of soup, evaporated milk, corn and green beans. We also need packages of spaghetti. If you could help out by donating some of these items we would be most grateful. You may place them in the blue barrels outside the sanctuary. Thank you!

September Birthdays

4 Sonya Kramer, Braeden Wills, Brooke Dickson, Destiny Hurrigan

7 Nina Markle

8 Bob Boonstra

9 Mary Jane Frazer

10 Rachel Dornon, Gary Rutledge

11 Lyla Liljestrand

12 Everett Sherron

13 JoAnn Wagner

14 Paul Brewer

15 Gordon Hughes, Robert Livzey

17 John Hoffman, MacKenzie Rutledge

19 Medreth Bingham, Megan McLaughlin

20 Diane Wilson

21 Matthew McDaniel

23 Jerry Slama

24 Juanita Harsh

25 Mary Jane Fairchild

26 Melanie Alderton, Jim White

27 Jonathan Goecke

28 Barb Hoffman

Filed Under:

August e-Ambassador

July 30, 2015 By Pam Fugett

Pastor’s Reflections

A Word from Pastor Wagner:

Dear Friends,
I asked Dani Ortega, who along with her husband Henry is leading our Hispanic outreach, to write this month’s column. Dani has been working and teaching in Middletown City Schools since 2002. Everywhere I go in this community I run into people who know her, or have had their children in her “gifted and talented” program. We are so blessed to have someone of her abilities working with us here at First UMC. Our bishop and district superintendent have taken notice of both her and Henry’s accomplishments. Please take a moment to read her report below. — John

Hispanic Ministry Up and Running!

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” — Matthew 28: 19

The Hispanic Ministry of First UMC is moving forward! We have 20 students registered to graduate this coming November 2015 in our High School Education Program. We want to say “thank you” for hosting this ministry and for your support to the work done with our Hispanic-Latino brothers and sisters. Besides the High School education program, we also have a “Women’s Ministry” every other week. We meet in their homes (we rotate so they can have the blessing of hosting a meeting) for about two hours. The group has grown as they invite their friends to join us and because of the informality of the environment they have continued attending these meetings. You have not seen some of these ladies at church as it takes time for them to eliminate the thinking of going to a church that is not Catholic.

On Thursday, July 16, we had our first Parenting Workshop, “Equipped to Succeed” led by the psychologist Yenny Arias. There were 18 adults and 12 kids in attendance. It was great! Everybody asked to have a second one as the first was very inspiring and touched their hearts. Once again, you don’t see these brothers and sisters at church on Sunday for the same reason stated above and because of job schedules. The majority of them work on Sunday; they have asked to have this day off, but it has not happened yet.

First UMC Hispanic Ministry is sharing the love of Jesus to everyone. It is happening “behind the scenes,” during the week, in their environment. Isn’t this what Jesus did when being on the streets to share his word and love with the ones he encountered? Thank you Jesus for giving us the strategy to share your kingdom with others and for calling us to be and to make disciples in your name. Aleluya! (Hallelujah!) — Dani & Henry

A Letter from Our Lay Leader

This year, I again attended the West Ohio Conference as a voting representative of the Ohio River Valley District.

All these sessions have two parts — an inspirational sermon or study by a special guest speaker, and then a time for the conducting of regular business.

Our inspirational speaker this year was Dr. Thomas G. Long, professor of preaching at Candler seminary in Atlanta. He placed the gospel writers Matthew, Mark, Luke and John each on one of the four corners of an intersection, and imagined different types of buildings to illustrate different approaches to vital issues of our day.

The business sessions were mostly about electing clergy and laity to represent us at the upcoming General and the Jurisdictional Conferences in 2016. We also dealt with eleven resolutions on various issues to be sent to General Conference, which decides policies for the church. The Jurisdictional Conference elects new bishops. There were also many reports from various committees.

Other special events included the ceremonies to recognize the ordination of new ministers, and a roll call of deceased clergy and their spouses. They also honored the memory of all deceased laity from each district.

Throughout the entire conference Bishop Palmer gave us his thoughts and personal words of inspiration.

I really enjoyed myself, and enjoyed the sermons and reports, and especially meeting other United Methodists from around the state.

Mary C. Maurer
Lay Leader

It’s Church Directory Time!

Believe it or not, it’s been about five years since we published a church directory, and we have many new members whom we want to get to know and include in a new up-to-date edition. Portraits will be taken Tuesday, Sept. 1, through Saturday, Sept. 5, and you will soon be able to schedule an appointment. DON’T PANIC if you are not able to be photographed during that week. There are several options available: 1) Lifetouch, our pictorial directory company, can schedule you at a nearby church that is planning a church directory portrait session at another time, 2) You can use your photo from the last directory, or 3) The church will take your photo at your convenience.

It is very important that you have a picture in the directory! The more photos we have, the more effective our directory will be in helping you get to know members of our congregation!

There is no cost to you! If Lifetouch takes your picture, you will receive a free 8×10 and a directory. There will, of course, be opportunities to purchase other photos/poses from Lifetouch for your own personal use. Look for more information in the weeks to come.

If you have any questions, please call Mary Ellen at the church.

$5 on the 5th Offering- August 30

On the next fifth Sunday, Aug. 30, the Mission Committee is collecting for Dove House for Women and Children. Dove House is a protective shelter for survivors of domestic abuse and their children, providing advocacy and counseling services for survivors. Dove House also provides a 24-hour crisis hotline, as well as educational and outreach programs within the community. All money put into the collection jars or designated on your offering envelope on Aug. 30 will go to Dove House to help replenish supplies and resources. Thank you for your support!

Do you want to have a real impact on the life of a child? Become a Whiz Kids tutor! We are now recruiting for the 2015–2016 school year.

Whiz Kids is a faith-based literacy program. Here at FUMC we work for just an hour from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Mondays from October to April. We meet every Monday that Middletown schools are in session during those months. Each tutor is matched to a specific child and most of the tutors build a strong relationship with their assigned child.

If you cannot commit to being here every week, you can be a substitute tutor and fill in when a regular tutor has to miss a week. If you do not want to work directly with a child, we also need help preparing snacks and assembling tutoring materials.

If you are interested in the program or have any questions, contact Debbie Ellis at 513-423-7012 or via email at dlellissv@gmail.com.

Junior Church News

On Aug. 9, the church will conduct the “Giving of Bibles” for students in 3rd through 8th grade during the 10:30 a.m. worship service. A recognition ceremony for our acolytes will take place the same Sunday during service. Following worship, there will be a lunch for children and their families.

Save the date for the Magical Mission Carnival on Saturday, Sept. 19, at First Church. The carnival will take place in Fellowship Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Several activities and booths will be set up with prizes, including a Cake Walk, Duck Pond, Ring Toss, and Face Painting. The culminating event will be a magic show that will begin at 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be served with a carnival favorite, hotdogs, along with chips, drinks, and dessert.

In order to make this carnival a success, we need your help! We need volunteers to help setup/clean-up and work the different booths. Donations are needed including cake/cupcakes for the cake walk, supplies for the booths, and prizes.

If you would like to volunteer or make a donation, please see Belinda Hausman, Lynda Goecke, Kira Wills, Debbie Ellis, or Carol Byrd.

National Night Out—August 4

Our bishop, Greg Palmer, and district superintendent, Brian Brown, have encouraged all United Methodist churches to get involved with “National Night Out.” This is part of a national effort promoted by a network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations and concerned citizens in communities nationwide.

The Middletown event will be Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 5 to 9 p.m. The event will take place at Lefferson Park. Kids and families will have the opportunity to meet and talk with local police officers in order to promote positive community-police relationships. Light refreshments will be provided.

Death in Nepal

Update from Dr. Les & Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital.

We wanted to share some sad news from Nepal. On July 4, Tansen Hospital’s most senior orthopedic surgeon died unexpectedly. He was a former professor at the most prestigious hospital in India (Vellore) and had been volunteering in Tansen for the past 4 years. He had trained our 3 current orthopedic surgeons (one of which is his son-in-law!) and he was highly respected and also dearly loved!

The hospital staff and the community gathered quickly to give condolences to Dr. GD’s daughter and son-in-law. In Nepal, people always gather to be near the family in mourning – both in the Christian and Hindu traditions. On July 5 the work in the hospital was put on hold for an hour when hundreds of staff and community people gathered at the lower gate to say farewell. There were scripture readings and prayers, words of comfort and sharing of memories.

There were hundreds of people who came to share their grief and pay their respects to this man who had touched so many lives. We were impressed by the fact that no matter how busy people are in Nepal – they are willing to drop everything to help in a situation like this.

In Him,

लेस (Les) and देबी (Debbie)

P.S. To see more photos and stories, please visit our blog: dornonnepalmission.wordpress.com.

On July 3, there was another death related to Tansen Hospital. Dr. Carl Friedericks, the founder and first missionary to serve in Tansen, died at the age of 94. Dr. Carl was an amazing man and we were personally so thankful that we were able to meet him and talk with him a couple of years ago when he and his wife came to visit in Tansen. His legacy is where we are working today. One of our prayers is “May those who come after us find us faithful.” We are thankful today for the work of these great men of God.

Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard

Looking ahead at Fall, here are a few upcoming music opportunities:

TEMPLE CHOIR

A Temple Choir “Retreat” is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 20, starting with an after-church meal in the Fellowship Hall. We will be looking at new vocal warm-ups, some vocal training by Bob Mucha, new music for Fall and (gasp!) Christmas! This is a great time to join the choir and get to know all the members. You don’t need to know how to read music and we understand that in our busy lives, it’s not possible to have 100% attendance at church or rehearsals. All that is necessary is a love of God and a desire to worship and praise him through music. Anyone of high school age or older is welcome!

TEMPLE BELLS

We will begin our Handbell Rehearsals for the Fall on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 4 p.m. in the Music Office. The 27th will be an orientation session for anyone interested in bells who may not be familiar with how to play them. If you enjoy the session, then give it a try for the Fall and Christmas season! If you are in high school or older, then come and discover a new talent!

MUSIC FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN

We would love to create music opportunities for younger children ages 4 thru Junior High but are not sure of the interest of parents and children. If you would be interested in having your child involved in a series of short-term music programming geared towards singing or playing instruments in church (basic xylophones or similar), please call Mary Ellen.

First Friday Concert Series 2015

AUGUST 7 @ Noon | THE SINGING AUCTIONEER

A little bit Elvis, a little bit country, a little bit gospel and a WHOLE LOT of comedy. Dane Bailey continues to charm with his homespun wit and humor. Who else can sing about dentures, hair loss, and auctioneering and still make it funny? The Singing Auctioneer, that’s who!

SEPTEMBER 4 @ Noon | JAMESON’S FOLLY

Community Ministries Corner

Community Block Party

The Gathering, along with Middletown EMS, is hosting a Community Block Party on Aug. 22 from 1 to 5 p.m. Enjoy grilled hot dogs, funnel cakes, and face painting for the kids! The block party will be located at 300 Moore Street in Middletown.
If interested in volunteering for this event, please contact the church office.

New Co-Chairs for CMC

The Community Ministries Council is excited to welcome Dave and Peggy Kramer as its new co-chairs. The CMC oversees several outreach and service ministries, which include Shalom, Monday Morning Breakfast Club, Danielle’s Dream, and Food Pantry/Emergency Food.

Former CMC chair Patty McGraw will transition to serving as chair of the newly formed sub-committee for the Food Pantry/Emergency Food ministry. This ministry has grown significantly in recent years, and the creation of this sub-committee will help it continue to serve our neighborhood effectively.

Thanks to all those who are part of the Council and who serve as the face of First Church to many in our community!

August Birthdays

1 Pat Beasley, Debbie Boonstra, John Tack

2 Ann Beck, Imogene Orts, Ken Tucker

3 Dudley Inwood

4 Debbie Hazelbaker

5 Karen Cooper

9 Steve Urso

12 Linda Snyder

13 Karen Orts, Bev Urso

14 Edna Palmer

15 Ted Wilson

17 Tammy Rosenbaum

18 McKenzie Harris

19 Charles Orth

20 Karol King

21 Jeff Clinard, Robert Mucha

23 Martha Swank

25 Rachel Hurley

26 Evelyn Breytspraak, Kathleen Darling

28 Mary K. Cook, Bill Schaefer

29 Linda Fillnow

Filed Under:

July e-Ambassador

July 7, 2015 By Pam Fugett

Pastor’s Reflections

Who It’s All About

A few Sundays ago I was officially welcomed back to our church for a fourth year as a pastor. Time flies when you are having fun, and I am indeed having some fun here! One thing I truly take pleasure in is the fact that so many of you have a sense of humor. You can make a joke and, significantly, take a joke … and help me to be able to do the same.

When our Staff-Parish Relations chair Sally Jo Inwood made her gracious speech that morning, she first talked up my wife JoAnn and how she had made a great but sometimes unnoticed contribution to the church. This was so nice to hear. Then she turned to me and said, “And now to Pastor John, because, as we all know, it’s all about you.” Much laughter.

“All about you.” Sally Jo has been teasing me this way for some time now. I can’t quite recall how she caught on to the fact that I have an ego, but once she did she never let me forget it. I’ll mention something I’m doing or complain about some small thing, and we’ll deal with it, and then she’ll conclude by saying, “Well, I’m glad we took care of it, Rev. John, because of course it’s all about you, isn’t it?” We both laugh when she says this, just as I, too, laughed that Sunday when she brought our private joke out for everybody to hear. And that kind of surprised me — having my vanity punctured in public, and actually enjoying it.

I must be growing up.

I’ve been using a small devotional book lately, some of you may know it: “A Diary of Private Prayer,” by John Baillie, an early 20th century Scottish theologian. Here is what I read this morning:

I confess to God —

that often I let my mind wander down unclean and forbidden ways:

that often I deceive myself as to where my plain duty lies:

that often, by concealing my real motives, I pretend to be better than I am:

that often my honesty is only a matter of policy, not sincerity:

that often my affection for my friends is only a refined form of caring for myself:

that often my sparing of my enemy is due to nothing more than cowardice:

that often I do good deeds only that they may be seen of men, and shun evil ones only because I fear they may be found out.

I caught myself chuckling as I read this. Even though the style is a bit antiquated, he nails me like an expert standup comedian. This is who so many of us really are! We deceive ourselves! We move through this world trying to impress everyone with our motives, our courage, our authenticity. We like to think we are really just a little bit better than people give us credit for. But then we get exposed; it’s as inevitable as death and taxes.

Friends, it doesn’t have to be so grim. In fact, I think we can take a kind of delight in it. The pressure is off! We are not perfect! Never have been! We don’t have to pretend any longer, because God sees through us! Always has!

A great preacher I’d heard many years ago, William Sloane Coffin, a man possessed of a mammoth ego himself, dealt with this phenomenon very cleverly and memorably. He referred to a best-seller at the time, a pop-psychology book with the catchy title “I’m OK, You’re OK.” It was all about how we need to feel OK about ourselves, not despise ourselves, and feel just as good about others, that kind of thing. He didn’t really have a quarrel with those ideas, but said they needed to be refined for Christians. “It’s not ‘I’m Ok, you’re OK.’ What we really should be saying is ‘I’m not OK, and you’re not OK, and that’s OK!’”

Let me be clear. Self-hatred is a profound sin — we are to love one another as we love ourselves, and we dare not forget that. But pride is also something we can stumble over, like a wrinkle in a rug. When we do, let’s consider laughing at ourselves, and allowing others to laugh with us. It’s freeing and holy.

After all, it truly isn’t all about me, or even us; it’s about Someone else. And in remembering that Someone we are always liberated.

Peace,

John Wagner

Local Response to Charleston Shooting

On June 17, 2015, as most of you know, a gunman killed nine people at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The Journal-News wrote a thoughtful article about the local response, and included the fact that Rev. Wagner had been urged by a First Church parishioner to reach out to Bethel AME by sending flowers and a card. The card said “In solidarity in the tragic loss of brothers and sisters in Charleston, South Carolina.” Rev. Christopher Ferguson, Bethel’s pastor, referred to the card and flowers in his Sunday sermon, and was quoted as saying, “To me that was an excellent response by a white church here in town … (they) said ‘we want you to know that we are praying not only for the church down in South Carolina, but we’re praying for you here in Bethel.’ During Dr. King’s time, many of those churches would not stand up and say what was wrong happening down in the South and happening in the United States. The church wouldn’t respond properly, but this church responded.”

Click here to read the full article.

Thank You

Dear Church Friends,

We want to thank all of you for the very nice sentiments and lovely gift in honor of our three years here. It’s been wonderful to get to know and work with you.

Your Friends,

JoAnn and John Wagner

Community Movie Night at Governor’s Square

Bring the whole family out to Governor’s Square for a free movie on July 24 at 8:30 p.m. Enjoy a family-friendly movie and free popcorn. Please bring your own lawn chairs or other outdoor seating. First Church is partnering with other local churches to put on this fun event. Hope to see you there!

Church Work Day Cancelled

The summer work day that was scheduled for July 11 has been cancelled. Due to the hard work of volunteers and staff, we have already accomplished many of the tasks we hoped to tackle that day!

Many thanks to those who signed up. We may host a work day sometime in the fall, when the weather is cooler. In the meantime, keep an eye out for other opportunities to volunteer at the church! Your gifts of time and service are always appreciated.

Note from the Finance Secretary

To all my Friends at First Church—

I am overwhelmed at the love and greetings I received during my recent illness. I’ve known for years that First Church is a generous and loving congregation, and I have seen your actions as you have cared for one another. These past weeks my family and I have been the recipients of food, flowers and gifts, visitors and, best of all, get-well wishes and love through a mountain of cards! For several weeks I was getting three to four cards a day!

Being away from all of you has been difficult. A special thank you to Rev. Wagner, Greg, Mary Ellen, Rachel and Sarah for filling in where needed. They spent time at the hospital with me and kept up my duties at church while I was away. I know others filled in as well, and I am humbled by your thoughtfulness. I look forward to returning to work by the time you read this. Thank you again for your love and support. — Debbie Taylor

Giving Statements

You can expect to receive your next giving statement, which will reflect contributions for the first six months of 2015, by the end of July. Thank you for your patience while Debbie has been out of the office.

Junior Church News

Junior Church meets upstairs during our regular Sunday morning service. During this time, children ages 5 to 13 take part in age-appropriate lessons and activities. The children are continuing the “Grow, Proclaim, Serve” curriculum this summer. The theme for July is “Never Too Young.” We ask that parents would please sign-in their child(ren) every Sunday for Junior Church on the sign-in sheet located in the foyer.

Junior Church is currently in need of teaching assistants. If you enjoy working with children, please consider joining our group of volunteers. No experience required. If interested, please see Belinda Hausman, Lynda Goecke, Debbie Ellis, or Carol Byrd for more details.

West Ohio Conference Raises $3.5 million for Imagine No Malaria

Two years ago the West Ohio Conference set a fundraising goal of $3.5 million for Imagine No Malaria, a ministry of The UMC that provides preventative and treatment measures to eradicate malaria in Africa. A special offering taken during Annual Conference raised $403,735. When a final accounting of the commitments and offering is recorded, leaders are expecting that the West Ohio Conference will have exceeded its goal for the battle against malaria.

In the last year, First Church raised $408.25 for Imagine No Malaria.

Transitions to Nepal

Update from Dr. Les & Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working inthe Tansen Hospital

During West Ohio Annual Conference at Lakeside, Ohio, Les and Debbie (Harsh) Dornon visit Harsh Road — named for some long-forgotten relative of Debbie’s, perhaps?

It will soon be time to return to Nepal. We have so enjoyed our months here in the U.S. — but they have gone very quickly, as we knew they would. And the world has changed during these past weeks and months! We are looking forward to returning to give encouragement to our Nepali colleagues and friends, and to help give a rest to our missionary friends who have been working so hard during our absence. But — we are not looking forward to saying goodbye again to our family and to our friends. Even with all the practice we have had, making the transition is the hardest part of this life. Our hearts are pulled between different places and people — and even when we are with one, we are missing the other.

We really enjoyed our time at the West Ohio Annual Conference last week — it was interesting to see the “inner” workings of the church. We were pleased at the generosity of the church — more than 3.5 million dollars to go to “Imagine No Malaria”! Of course, we have been recipients of your generosity so many times over the years, we weren’t surprised about this.

We were also thankful to learn that all of the hospital staff who were able (in Tansen) each donated at least a day’s salary to help with earthquake relief. It is so good to see Nepali people involved in helping and serving their own people.

Thank you again for your warm welcome and love for us during these past months. Please keep in touch — and thanks for your continued prayers for Nepal!

In Him,

लेस (Les) and देबी (Debbie)

P.S. To see more photos and stories, please check our blog: Hope for the Hills.

Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard

This summer, I am using my “time off” from school to sort through stacks of music samples that have been collected over the years. It is interesting to me how so many pieces of music and composers are marketed as “the next big thing,” yet, after several years few of those composers and musical pieces have met the expectations of either the publishing house or the church.

As the church continues to evolve, we struggle to retain a sense of foundation and history in our music, yet speak with relevance to the current congregation. It’s a constant balancing of old and new. It’s comforting to know, however, that this evolution has been going on for hundreds of years.

In the beginnings of corporate worship, congregations didn’t participate in singing at all. Then they sang only the Psalms. With the advent of the Protestant Reformation begun by Martin Luther, congregational singing broke forth. Congregations learned the text by rote, and the accompanying tune varied from parish to parish. Eventually, small “hymnals” became popular, but had words only. Tunes were rarely written at the same time as the text, and familiar local tunes were adapted to fit the words. Only in the last 200 years have hymnals with both text and musical notation been printed, yet differences remained. Even now, if you travel outside the United States, you will find unfamiliar tunes to familiar words and vice versa.

On your travels, if you attend another church, think about bringing back a bulletin from the service and putting it in my mailbox. I enjoy seeing the journeys other churches are taking in planning worship that is both relevant and meaningful to their congregations.

First Friday Concert Series 2015

JULY 3 | TOM WHITE

Tom returns with his lush piano stylings of Broadway tunes, love songs, and sacred melodies. And if that’s not enough, he’s planning a special tribute to our country with patriotic favorites and a salute to our military. Wear some red, white, and blue and celebrate the USA’s birthday party in style!

AUGUST 7 | THE SINGING AUCTIONEER

This concert series wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Middletown Community Foundation, The Barnitz Fund and the congregation of First United Methodist Church, Middletown. Thank you for helping us make downtown Middletown a destination for the arts!

Community Ministries Corner

Pantry Volunteers Needed

If you like to learn new things and can spare a day or two a month (more if you want), then please consider joining the Pantry Team. We have several faithful volunteers already, but we also need new recruits who are willing to help keep this valuable ministry going strong.

If you know nothing about the Pantry, feel free to come down one Tuesday afternoon between 2 and 3:30 to observe. Please pray about it and see if this is what God has in mind for you at this time in your life. Thanks!

Contact person: Patty McGraw

(937-746-9487)

Emergency Food Ministry

Catherine Brown and Jean Stamper continue to keep our Emergency Food bags filled and ready to be distributed to those in need. Don’t forget to leave your Emergency Food donations in the blue barrels on Sunday mornings. Share your blessings!

July Birthdays

1 Mike Snyder

2 Debbie Dornon

3 Don Burley, Scott Hines

4 Gene Goecke,
Dani Ortega-Folgoso

6 Dan Hausman

8 Debbie Ellis

13 Virginia Barber

15 Jeff Caldwell

16 Barb Balsmeyer

19 Esther Williams

20 Kyle Wilson

22 Frank Richmond

23 Gene Schaefer

26 Chris Buchert

27 Sheila Crowe

29 Betty Moles

30 Fred Parrella

Filed Under:

June e-Ambassador

June 5, 2015 By Pam Fugett

Pastor’s Reflections

“Everything is Fine”

It was a Sunday. I got to church before most had arrived, but certainly not all. Those who have special responsibilities, and those who just like to get places early, greeted me. They asked me how I am doing. “Fine,” I said, “I’m doing just fine.” They ask about my father, who has been ill, and ask about my own health since I’ve had some kind of bronchitis, and I say there has been improvement on both counts. Then I ask them how they are doing, and they tend to say the same thing — “I’m fine. Doing just fine. Thanks for asking.”

But I know they and others in our church are not doing so well in some cases. I know about their illnesses and loved ones who are ill, loved ones who have died, loved ones who have departed in other ways. I know something about family discord, money problems, mental health issues, crushing career disappointments. I am aware that “fine, I’m doing just fine” does not always mean what we’d think it might mean. And yet, I hear it all the time.

Why is that? Where does that response come from?

Many people, including critics of religion, would have a name for it. They call it denial — which in the language of psychology means we are pretending things aren’t as bad as they seem. They might say religion in particular is part of a “system of denial”; that all our talk of heaven and miracles, and our use of expressions such as “God has a plan” is an unconscious attempt to remove ourselves from reality. They have a point. Sometimes religion does function that way — it can be used as an escape from our problems, and the problems of the world. But nearly every other ideology or philosophy can also serve that function. The fact is we humans are adept at finding projects, distractions and techniques to mentally remove ourselves from pain. I just finished a novel about a beekeeper who shuts out every problem in his life by focusing on the hive and keeping the bees happy, and therefore allows those who care about him to suffer. In the end, his denial is his undoing.

I do think it’s important to remember that our religion can lead us into denial, but that’s not what I perceive when people at church tell me they are just fine. What I get from them is courage. They know, and I know, that their difficulties have not suddenly vanished. But in God’s house, on a Sunday morning, they are taking the route of faith, and this faith gives them courage. It also gives me courage.

When I prepare a sermon, and when I preach, I am trying to connect with something real in life, something that matters, that worries people. But then I also want to ask for faith. I want us all to leave with a sense that God cares and is working in our lives and in the lives of those around us. I have to say, these last few Sundays, I feel I am getting at least as much from you folks as you are getting from me on that score. It’s almost as if the church is this great repository of faith and courage. We come and deposit what we can of our own faith and courage, and then, when we especially need it, we take some of it back home with us.

I can’t think of anything more important.

This seems like an endlessly repeated pitch of mine, but I always mean it: Invite those you know to come to church. This can be a place where people learn to live lives that face reality with hope, where “everything is fine” does not sound false, but brave and faithful. A wonderful place we all need.

John Wagner

The “Trust the Future” Campaign

I am so pleased to say that the “Trust the Future” campaign seems to have been very successful. Our goal was to raise $300,000 pledged over a three-year period, and at this writing it appears we are well within sight of that goal. The money will be used as we said it would be — for some capital improvements; repairs to the organ; programming and pastoral needs for children, youth and the homebound; and for our new Hispanic ministry. Those who contributed not only appear to trust that our church has a future, but have shown trust in our present lay leadership.

I want to thank Dr. Mark Frazer and John Hoffman, our co-chairs, for their steadfast guidance of this project, and also the members of the Administrative Council, Board of Trustees, Investment Committee and others who have given their time and hope to this effort. I’m sure they would in turn want to thank all of you for your faithful response. Good job, First United Methodist! Well done!

John Wagner

West Ohio Annual Conference

The annual conference of West Ohio United Methodists will be held June 7 through 10 at Lakeside, Ohio. I will be in attendance, along with Dee and David Young, our lay delegate and alternate delegate. Mary Maurer, our lay leader, will also be in attendance representing the Ohio River Valley district.

There will be around three thousand United Methodists gathering to review our missions, vote on a conference budget, receive an offering for the Imagine No Malaria campaign (for which FUMC has raised over $400 since last year’s Annual Conference), ordain new people into ministry, remember those who have died and, this year, elect representatives to the General Conference being held in Portland, Oregon in 2016. This gathering of United Methodists from around the world is held every four years and makes major decisions for our denomination. The key issues at General Conference 2016 will include a decision on whether or not to change our rules on full inclusion of gay and lesbian persons in our denomination, as well as an issue I am very involved with — taking actions for peace and justice in the Holy Land.

Both Dee and I are running for General Conference — we will let you know what happens. Please pray for all the people in attendance.

John Wagner

Summer Work Day

Let’s make work fun! It’s time for some belated “spring” cleaning at FUMC. Please join us in July (date TBD) to help us tackle our “to-do” list of indoor and outdoor tasks. We will be organizing and cleaning various rooms throughout the building, as well as doing some yardwork. Lunch will be provided.

A sign-up sheet will soon be posted in the foyer. Please sign-up, or contact the church office, Greg Cooper or Mary Ellen Clinard to volunteer.

God’s Protecting Hands

Vehicle from Tansen off the road

Update from Dr. Les & Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital

What can we write about this month except the earthquakes in Nepal? Even though we have been here in the U.S., it feels as if our lives have been shaken along with our friends, family and colleagues who are actually “on the ground” in Nepal. Our hearts are torn — as we love being here and seeing friends and family, but we are also concerned for and wanting to help in Tansen.

First — thanks so much for your outpouring of love and concern for us! We are so thankful that Hannah is safe and doing well, and that she is able to continue to teach at her school. We are also thankful for the news that the hospital is undamaged and continuing to run as before — the needs were great when we left, and we know that they will only continue to increase.

Here is a short story from Tansen that probably won’t make the news: “Last week members of the Tansen Church community were on the way to one village to give food supplies to the earthquake victims. It turned out that Jeep was loaded to more than its capacity with people and supplies (rice, oil, lentils etc). As it was climbing up a hill, the jeep slid back and fell down the hill. By God’s grace, the jeep was stopped and supported by a strong tree and then the church leaders could escape. Pushpa and her husbands were in too. Except for three people (including Pushpa’s husband as he has stitches on both hands) all are fine. We all can see God’s protecting hands over our church leaders. Praise God!” (Roshan Kharel, dentist and church elder in Tansen)

Thanks for your continued prayers!

In Him,

लेस (Les) and देबी (Debbie)

P.S. To see more photos and stories, please check our blog: 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

Psinging the Psalms this Psummer

Rev. Wagner is encouraging us to delve deeper into the writings of the Psalms during worship this summer. As part of our summer worship experience, the congregation will be singing responsively as a leader speaks or sings a phrase of the chosen psalm for the day. We read a portion and, as indicated by the red “R” in our hymnals, we will sing a response. We have done this frequently in our worship but not regularly. In some denominations, it has been done this way each Sunday for hundreds and hundreds of years!

So why do we sing the Psalms? The word “psalm” means “sacred song or poem.” John Calvin noted that the Psalms contain every possible human emotion. They do, indeed, express the greatest contrasts of joy and pain, fear and confidence, tragedy and triumph. Attributed mostly to King David, the Psalms are still as relevant today as in ancient Bible times. It is while we sing the Psalms, that we recognize that God is with us in our darkness as well as our light. In our good times as well as challenging times. We hope you will be moved closer to a relationship with God as you experience the Psalms, the first “hymnal” of our faith.

First Friday Concert Series 2015

JUNE 5 | VIVA LA STRINGS

This ensemble is new to our series. So many people had heard them perform in other venues, our office was flooded with glowing recommendations as a perfect match for our First Friday concerts. A polished string quartet + perfect acoustics equals another glowing recommendation! Classical and popular favorites will delight and satisfy.

JULY 3 | TOM WHITE

Community Ministries Corner

Shalom Summer Assistance Program

After a brief recess, the Shalom office reopened on May 5 to assist people with IDs, birth certificates and delinquent expenses. There are five volunteers who meet each Tuesday to keep this ministry in operation.

Farewell & Thank You

The Pantry had a farewell / thank you party for Pat Beasley and her husband, Don, on May 26. Cake and punch were served to CMC members, staff, volunteers and Pantry shoppers. Pat has put in many hours of hard work as Pantry Coordinator. All who work with the Pantry are very grateful for her service to our church and community.

First Church Graduates

On May 17, 2015, we recognized high school and college graduates from our congregation. We also want to honor the graduates in your families who are out-of-state. Congratulations to all!

High School Graduates

Jeff Clinard, son of Stan and Mary Ellen Clinard, Middletown High School. Attending University of Oklahoma in the fall.

Brett Dickson, son of Jeff and Mindi Dickson, Middletown High School. Attending Ohio University in the fall.

Dominique Dunfee, daughter of Theresa Dunfee, Middletown High School. Attending Bowling Green University in the fall.

McKenzie Harris, daughter of Jeff and Jennifer Harris and granddaughter of Don and Pat Beasley, Eaton High School and Miami Valley Career Technology Center. Attending Wittenberg University in the fall.

Alexandra Mills, daughter of Mark and Sandy Mills, Middletown High School. Pursuing a career working with animals.

Cody Shell, friend of McKenzie Harris, Miamisburg High School and Miami Valley Career Technology Center. Working in construction/heavy equipment.

Bailey Staderman, great-granddaughter of Bob and Becky Rogers, Scott High School (Taylor Mills, KY).

College Graduates

Andrew Clinard, son of Stan and Mary Ellen Clinard, B.A., Wright State University. Continuing at Wright State to begin graduate studies in Public History.

Jessica Hatton, granddaughter of Kathy Wright, University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy.

Jacob McIntosh, grandson of Bob and Becky Rogers, Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA).

June Birthdays

2 Braden Dickson

3 Mavene Atkinson, Andrea Jutte

4 Jaime Albaugh

6 Carolyn Callis

8 David Chivington, Larry Fillnow

11 Harold Byrd, David Hilton

13 Johnny Bealge, Charles Morgan

14 Catherine Brown

17 Shirley Fultz, Katey Shepperd

19 Leah Hogg

21 Glendon Markle

23 Dot Wieneke

24 Mary Alice Foy, Carole Jackson, Anne Sander

26 Dede Day, Aleta Truesdell

27 Justin Frazer, Norm Harsh

28 Katie McNeil

29 Tom Hazelbaker, Wilberta Schaefer

30 Susan Duff

Filed Under:

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Secondary Sidebar Widget Area

April eAmbassador

Pastor’s Reflections

Hard Decisions for United Methodists

In Response

Mission Moment

More on Border Closing in Nepal

Trust the Future Update

A Note from Our Trustees

Nursery Volunteers Needed

Thank You

United Methodist Women Present their annual

“Salad Luncheon”

Flower, Herb, and Bake Sale

Berns Greenhouse Gift Cards

Sponsored by the United Methodist Women

Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard

Our Music Scholarship Fund

First Friday Concert Series @ Noon

April 1 | The Jazz People (Jazz vocals and guitar)

MAY 6 | Douglas Blue Feather

Forty Phrases in Forty Days

April Birthdays

March E-Ambassador

Pastor’s Reflections

Out of My Hands

The REST of the Story

Continuing Border Problems in Nepal

Jr. Church News

Easter Egg Hunt – Donations Needed

We Applaud the UMW

Flower Sale Changes

SHALOM at FUMC—March 13-19

Wanted: Drivers

Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard

First Friday Concert Series 2016

MARCH 4 | The Dedication Band

April 1 | The Jazz People (Jazz vocals and guitar)

Holy Week/Easter Schedule

March Birthdays

February E-Ambassador

Pastor’s Reflections

Thank You from Rosa Parks

Jr. Church News

Saint Valentine’s Day Party

Jr. Church Volunteer Training– Feb. 7

Adult Sunday School: Who is Jesus?

College/Military Care Packages

Our Sacred Space: 125 Years

First United Methodist Church Emergency Weather Closing Procedure

UMW End of Year 2015

Altar Flowers

Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard

The Season of Lent/Special Ash Wednesday Services

It’s Choralfest Time!

First Friday Concert Series 2016

FERUARY 5 | JIMMY ROGERS

MARCH 4 | The Dedication Band

Community Ministries Corner

Farewell to Sarah

Women’s Shelter Tree Project

Laxmi in Nepal

First Friday Concert Series—2016 Schedule

February Birthdays

December/January e-Ambassador

Pastor’s Reflections

“And a Little Child …”

Christmas Traditions at First Church

Trustee Year-End Review

Christmas Bazaar

UMC #GivingTuesday

Prostate Cancer Support Group

Jr. Church News

Women’s Shelter Tree

Thank You from Holy Family Parish

Blockade in Nepal

Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard

Response to Hymn Sing Marathon

Opportunities to Catch the Christmas Spirit at FUMC!

First Friday Concert Series 2015

December Birthdays

First United Methodist Church
Emergency Weather Closing Procedure

Baking Reminder
Cookies needed Oct. 25