1

May/June 2014

A Newsletter of First United Methodist Church

THE SPIRE

Table of Contents

Welcome ............................. 1

A Word from Wendy ............ 2

Consultation Update ............ 3

Town Hall Mtg/Potluck ........ 3

Rick’s Ramblings .................. 4

VBS, Summer Sun. School .... 4

An Evening of Piano and

Voice Invitation.................... 5

Evening of Piano and Voice Performer Biographies ......... 6

Prayer Shawl Ministry .......... 7

Lenten Fair a Success ........... 8

Current Sermon Series ......... 9

UMW Rummage Sale ........... 9

Living Word ......................... 9

IN THIS ISSUE

For all they knew, Jesus was dead. He had suffered on the cross. Cried out. Breathed His final breath. Been taken down, wrapped in linen cloths, and placed in a tomb carved from a hillside of stone. The disciples believed they had seen the last of their beloved friend and rabbi.

PASTOR’S WELCOME

‘ COMMENTARY God Stories, God Sightings

2 S. College St., Athens, OH 45701

(740) 593-3977 www.firstumcathens.org

A United Methodist Congregation

But the Gospels recount six stories of encounters with the risen Christ. In unexpected moments, at unexpected times, God proved that the final victory was won. Christ lives!

An early 20th century hymn says, “I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world

today!” As 21st century Christians, we know it to be true. What God

sightings have you experienced in your life? In recent days? What stories

can you share of how you have seen God at work in the world? The

stories are all around us, waiting to be seen, to be read, to be told. In

these 50 days of Easter, as we look toward Pentecost, I invite you to

keep your eyes open, keep your mind open: you never know when the

next God sighting might take place. Then share your story with someone

who might need a good word. We have good stories…God stories… to

share, don’t we?

2

A WORD from Wendy I was near giddy with anticipation. All morning we

had been making our way around the Sea of

Galilee – first a boat ride on the lake, docking near

Magdela, then the Mount of the Beatitudes and

the place of the feeding of the 5000. Now we

approached the “Primacy of Saint Peter” on the

northern shore, where Jesus met the disciples

after his resurrection.

The resurrection appearance of Jesus in the 21st

chapter of John is unique. The disciples are back

home in Galilee and have gone back to their

everyday jobs. They are back on the lake, back in

the boat, back to pulling up empty fishing nets.

Jesus shows up and prepares breakfast on the

beach. Peter is so excited he dives off the boat

and swims to shore.

We followed the path from the parking lot

through a grove of trees, and before us appeared

a church. Of course there was a church – every

site of significance, it seemed, had had a church

built over it. Then just beyond the church was the

blue of the water, and down a few steps was the

rocky beach that edged the sea. Shoes were

strewn aside as we walked the beach and dipped

toes (even frolicked) in the edge of the sea.

Jesus had instructed the disciples to return to Galilee

and promised that he would see them there. I’ve

often wondered why Peter wanted to go fishing

again. Was it an attempt to return to life as it was

before he met Jesus, before hopes were dashed with

his death, before the mystery of this thing called

resurrection and the unknown-ness of the new life it

brings? Yet, when Jesus filled their nets with fish,

they recognized his work among them! When Christ

cooked breakfast for them, they knew it was the Lord!

I love asking our children where they have seen God.

They tell how God helped them not be mean to a

sibling, or comforted them when sad, or share a

favorite toy, or do something kind for someone.

Around the Leadership Board table, the sightings

include mending of broken relationships, joy and

peace in the midst of grief, a Fellowship Hall full of

families and a palm parade that filled the sanctuary.

The church has long celebrated Eastertide, the 50

days the risen Christ spent appearing to the disciples

before the ascension and coming of the Holy Spirit at

Pentecost. Join me in spending these days looking for

God at work, for Christ alive among us. The

seemingly dead branches in the chapel and sanctuary

will become Easter trees, abloom with sightings of

resurrection and new life. Look for and share stories

of God alive and at work among us! Christ is risen!

Christ is risen indeed!!

3

Did you expect to read through a list of

completed action items in this “Consultation

Report”? Well, we are tracking that, too; but the

desire of the Missional Church Consultation

Initiative is not to create a long list of action

items that need to be tracked to completion. So

some items are complete and some still need to

be completed. Moreover, we are living into

being church where we know God through

Christ, grow in faith and discipleship, and show

God’s love in this community and around the

world. We are experimenting with ways to

empower and engage families in the journey of

faith. Our lives are being changed, and we are

changing lives. We are being a church in mission.

Thanks be to God!

*For more about First UMC’s first Lenten Fair, please see the feature article on page 8 –Editor

CONSULTATION INITIATIVE UPDATE:

It’s not about completing a checklist…

Hello, FUMC church family!

On behalf of the Leadership Board, I would like to invite you to the second of our

regular “town hall meetings.” In an effort to keep the lines of communication open,

we are planning to have these meetings quarterly to allow us to share some of the

ministry moments of the church as well as allow for questions of us as a board. At

our last meeting on February 16, several people noted that they missed having

potlucks together, so we thought it would be nice to have our next gathering over

a meal to allow some formal AND informal conversations to take place.

Sunday, June 1, immediately following the second service, please join us in

Fellowship Hall for fellowship and to learn (from the Board as well as each other)

what is happening at our church. Since it’s a potluck, please bring a food item to

share. We will provide table service and beverages.

See you on June 1!

Wendy Merb-Brown, Lay Leader

Town Hall Meeting and Potluck Luncheon Planned for Sunday, June 1st

On Palm Sunday, the Fellowship Hall was a-buzz

with laughter, clanking coins, smells of a Seder,

pounding nails, and folks of all ages huddled over

palm crosses, Easter cookies, and popcorn.

Emerging from “the tomb” were more than 80

people, representing 29 families of various shapes

and sizes, who participated in the Lenten Fair,

which centered on the biblical stories of Holy Week

with hands-on learning and reflective discussion

questions. The energy made its way up the stairs

into a crowded narthex for Connection Time, and

spilled out into the aisles of the sanctuary as the

congregation joined the choir and the children in a

Palm Parade at the beginning of worship! The

comments spread faster than the smiles: “Who

knew learning could be so much fun?!” “It was

great watching the kids help the adults.” “This is

the best event this Fellowship Hall has seen.”*

4

Getting Started

Rick’s Ramblings Pastor’s Reflections

"Going from the frying pan and jumping into the fire" has been a phrase I have heard several times since I began my position on April 1st here at First UMC. It sure has been challenging and a blessing at the same time.

Getting Sunday School Servants and VBS Servants plus looking at summer curriculum and learning "the ropes," has been overwhelming at times. I would not have been able to get through it without the help of Pastor Wendy, Martha Sloan and the rest of the Staff. Thank you.

Now it's your turn. I cannot do this all myself. It was never intended to be designed that way. I need all of you to make this successful. YOU have been given Gifts from God to use in His ministry and this is the time to use them.

We need Servants in the areas of Nursery, Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, Greeting, and many more opportunities that God has placed on the hearts of the children of this church. Please contact me if you want to talk about this and/or step-out in faith and become a Servant in First UMC. rick@firstumcathens.org or 593-3977 ext.16

Rick Seiter, Director of Faith Formations

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: JUNE 15-19

WHO: Families and individuals of all ages; there will be something for everyone, from kids to adults, including nursery care for the little ones. WHAT: An intergenerational exploration of God’s Workshop of Wonders. Art, music, games, science, and more! WHEN: June 15-19, 6-8:30 PM WHERE: Each evening will start with a light supper in Fellowship Hall. WHY: To grow in faith, spend time with family and friends, and explore God’s Word and God’s world! JOIN US!

You can register for VBS online!

http://2014.cokesburyvbs.com/firstUMCathens

Volunteers are still

need to help with

VBS! Please contact

Rick Seiter for more

information about

which volunteer

opportunities are

available.

Thank you!

CALENDAR:

May 25: Graduation Recognition Sunday

June 1: Teacher Recognition Sunday

June 15: “New” Family Sunday School Series begins. “Table Talk” by Carl Frazier. This is an interactive and engaging study; it isn’t a lecture-only study. It is a Bible study (participants should bring one!) It isn’t a worship service in disguise. It is a small group event within a large group event. Will include adults, small children, and teens. Begins June 15th @ 9 AM downstairs. Follow the signs! Plan to join us. Bring the family! Bring a friend!

5

Jeff Daubenmire

6

Alexander Van Bibber lives in Columbus, Ohio, and is in fourth grade at Clinton Elementary School. Alex began formal piano lessons at the age of three, at his own request. He has enjoyed playing for churches and local events since he was four. When he was five, Alex began studying with his current teacher, Mary Craig Powell. At the age of six, Alex began competing in local, district, and state piano contests. He has won second and first place in numerous local and statewide competitions. In December 2013, Alex achieved his first international win, competing in the Suzuki Association of the Americas Piano Concerto Contest for pianists up to fifteen. Alex, age nine, performed the Haydn Piano Concerto in D Major and was chosen as the winner. He will travel to Minneapolis, MN in late May to perform the piece live with orchestra.

When he is not at the piano, Alex, now ten years old, enjoys attending Columbus Symphony Orchestra concerts, building with Legos, reading a wide variety of books, and playing with his friends and three younger siblings. Alex is the grandson of church members Jed and Vicki Butcher.

Bill Kloppenburg, bass-baritone, currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in both the voice and folk music departments at Ohio University. Bill graduated with a masters in vocal performance from the Indiana University Jacob’s School of Music and made his operatic debut there as the sergeant in Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia. Other singing highlights at the Indiana University Opera Theater include Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah (Elder Mclean), Puccini’s La bohéme (Alcindoro/Benoit), and La rondine (Rambaldo). In addition, Bill has a vested interest in new music; helping to create the role of Friar Laurence in Don Freund's musical adaptation of Romeo and Juliet and the role of Ominou in Julian Livingston’s Napa DeMonk. Most recently Bill was seen as a young artist with Opera New Jersey where he covered roles in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia (Don Basilio) and in Menotti’s The Consul (Secret Police Officer). Bill has been blessed with many great teachers in his life, but his primary voice teachers have been Dale Moore and Dr. Brian Horne. Bill is also the spouse of First UMC’s Low Brass Ensemble Director, Sarah Paradis.

Sara Richardson is a junior at Ohio University School of Music majoring in Music Therapy. Ms. Richardson grew up in Albany, Ohio and studied voice through the Athens Community Music School. Sara has appeared as a featured soloist many times as a member of the Ohio University Singers with highlights that include, "The Time for Praying," arranged by Howard Helvey, Vivaldi's "Gloria," and Schubert's "Auf dem Wasser zu singen". Sara is a cancer survivor and is extremely passionate about her studies in voice and further exploration of the world of singing. After graduation, Ms. Richardson looks forward to pursing a professional career in music therapy.

Scott Ewing holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in voice from Ohio University and has been active as a collaborative pianist and vocal coach in the Athens community, having performed numerous recitals with students and faculty in the voice, string, and wind areas of the OU School of Music. During his time in Athens, Scott has provided music for worship services at First United Methodist Church, and has been heard in numerous special events around the Athens area, including accompanying Sharell Arocho in the Fall 2013 commemoration of the March on Washington and the annual Stuart’s Opera House fundraiser A Night with the Legends in Nelsonville, Ohio.

Scott is also active in musical theater, recently partnering with director Dale Shields as music director for Ohio Valley Summer Theatre’s 2012 production of Ragtime. Most recently, he served as vocal coach for the Ohio University Opera production of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, and provided continuo accompaniment on harpsichord for the performances. In the summer of 2013, Scott worked as an apprentice vocal coach at the Manhattan School of Music Summer Voice Festival in New York City, coaching and playing productions of Sondheim’s Into the Woods and Bernstein’s New York.

Emmet Yeager is a native of Crooksville, Ohio with a degree in Music Management from Hocking College. Mr. Yeager is also a professional yo-yoer with over ten years of experience accumulated while travelling across the country for competitions and events. Ranked 4th in world, his dazzling tricks are known across the globe. Emmet’s unique collaboration with Associate Director Daubenmire began while taking piano lessons with him at Hocking College which led to creative performances between the two unique artistic forms unlike anything ever done before.

Jeff Daubenmire is a distinguished musician, composer and director of music who has written and arranged pieces for voice, piano, and organ over the last twenty years. Mr. Daubenmire performs frequently at the piano and accompanies a diverse selection of community productions, regional events and other venues throughout the United States. He has performed as a professional musician for many years, produced and released five albums, and continues to work and perform collaboratively with internationally known artists and other regional musicians. Jeff holds degrees in music education and educational administration from Ohio University and currently serves as the Dean of Arts, Business and Information Technologies at Hocking College. He was recently named the new Associate Director of Music at the First United Methodist Church in Athens, Ohio.

An Evening of Piano and Voice – Performer Biographies

7

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY READY TO RESUME

This season, we are focusing on “God sightings” and “God stories” as we encounter the Risen Christ in the scriptures and in our own faith journeys. Sometimes, that Spirit-led nudge we feel to “do something” is the spark that can ignite the flame of a new God story, or of the next chapter in a God story that has already been started. Sharon Stoltzfus, one of our Prayer Ministry Coordinators, shares that God has laid it upon her heart to reactivate the Prayer Shawl ministry that has been on hiatus for a few years.

Sharon remarks that in years past, this has been a helpful and beneficial ministry to a number of members and friends of the congregation. The time has come to breathe new life into it, and this seems like a natural extension of the Prayer Ministry which Sharon and her husband, Ben, have been coordinating.

What is the Prayer Shawl Ministry story? A number of years ago, church member Suzanna Theodoras visited a church out West and was introduced to this ministry. She was inspired to do something locally, and the Prayer Shawl Ministry was born. Shawls were made, blessed in worship time, and then carefully selected and delivered along with a brief visit and prayer time, to those who needed or requested one. The shawl is meant to be worn around the shoulders of the person during prayer time, or at any time, a warm reminder of God’s love, blessing and presence. It sounds simple, but the benefits and blessings can be profound. The interaction between the people giving and receiving have been reflected upon as true “God moments.”

Because of a variety of factors, this particular ministry has been on the sidelines for a while. However, with a renewed prompting from the Holy Spirit, Sharon feels ready to coordinate it once more and is now looking to the congregation to take an active role as well. So, what is involved?

There are several ways to participate in sharing the blessings of the Prayer Shawls. The first is to help make them! Do you like to do needlework? Shawls can be knitted or crocheted, and patterns are available to guide you if you have not made one before.

Another need is for volunteers to select and deliver the shawls. This is also a ministry of prayer. Sharon outlines this process as follows: “The expectation is that a person will receive the name of a prayer shawl recipient (I try to find a good “match” of recipient and deliverer), select a shawl, and arrange for a delivery. The visit is not expected to be long, but I do expect them to explain the ministry and have prayer with the person when they give them the shawl. There should be cards in the boxes of shawls that contain a prayer that they can read as their prayer, if they are more comfortable doing that.”

Do you knit or crochet? Do you know of someone who might be blessed by receiving a prayer shawl? Do you have the gift of compassion and the time to dedicate to a brief visit and prayer with a friend in need? Then God may be speaking to you to become involved. You might be the willing instrument through which another might experience a “God sighting”, a moment of Spirit-led ministry and Christ-like interaction. Wouldn’t that be an exciting blessing to add to someone else’s (not to mention your own) day?

Contact Sharon Stoltzfus (sfink1950@gmail.com 707-3415) for more information on ways you can be a part of reactivating this ministry of prayer and presence at First United Methodist Church.

Sharon tells the story of one church member who

delivered a prayer shawl to a friend and fellow

church member who was going through a difficult

time: “My instructions to anyone who ever delivered

were to go to the container of shawls, pray about

which one to select, and then take it to the

person. She did that, and felt led to a blue one. As it

turns out, she didn’t know this, but blue was the

favorite color of the person who received it.”

By Laura Dalton, Director of Communications

8

Scott Ewing

LENTEN FAIR A SUCCESS:

What an exciting Palm Sunday morning we enjoyed at First UMC! During the 9 AM worship and teaching hour on April 13th, a team of volunteers, led by All in the Family Ministry Coordinator Martha Sloan, held the church’s first Intergenerational Lenten Fair. Attended by over eighty people representing nearly thirty families, the Fair highlighted multiple stations, enabling participants to learn about the various events and themes of Holy Week. Organized to move attendees through the week between Palm Sunday and Easter, the stations gave children and adults alike opportunities to learn, reflect, create, and engage with the Gospel stories in meaningful ways.

The experience began with filling an egg carton with twelve empty plastic Easter eggs. At most of the stations, a small symbol representing some part of the Holy Week story was available to put in one of the eggs. The egg cartons were meant to be kept and shared by each family, couple, or individual as part of their Holy Week reflections.

Each station included instructions for the activity as well as a brief background statement regarding the station’s theme: PALM SUNDAY: Clothes Pin donkeys, Palm leaf crosses; MONDAY: Cleansing of the Temple TUESDAY: Judas agrees to betray Jesus; WEDNESDAY: Silent day for thought and reflection MAUNDY THURSDAY: Hand washing, Seder Meal, Garden of Gethsemane; GOOD FRIDAY: Jesus nailed to the cross (nail a prayer request to a wooden cross), crown of thorns, giving vinegar to Jesus, casting lots for Jesus’ clothes, preparing Jesus for burial; SATURDAY: Visit the tomb (an empty storage closet was converted to a “tomb,” with low lighting and a place to sit and reflect); EASTER SUNDAY: The joy of the resurrection was represented by symbols of new life and service: popping corn (as something hard and closed is transformed into something light and new), planting seeds (the opportunity to witness the growth of new life), making tissue paper butterflies (a classic symbol of metamorphosis and new birth), and decorating Easter cookies to be shared with residents of the Timothy House.

The Fellowship Hall buzzed with excitement and energy as toddlers and grandparents, and individuals of all ages in between, shared a meaningful and interesting journey through the events of Holy Week. What a wonderful way to usher the church community into the spirit of the season, and to help the seeds of a deeper understanding of the Bible stories grow in the hearts of all who participated. We hope everyone will come and enjoy more Lenten Fairs in future years! ---Laura Dalton

Photos, from top: Lots of smiles while setting up for the Fair; making palm

leaf crosses; Pastor Wendy explains the elements of the traditional Seder

meal; a realistic crown of thorns helps participants understand the

sufferings of Christ; examining a map of New Testament-era Jerusalem;

Helping young friends construct tissue paper butterflies; a carton of

Resurrection Eggs.

Learning, Sharing, Creating set the Stage for Holy Week 2014

9

God’s Not Dead: Encounters with the Risen Christ

To encounter is to meet somebody or something, usually unexpectedly, sometimes briefly, often difficult to deal with. At times we pause and ask “where’s God in all this?” while others may be ready to assert that “God is dead” or “this proves there is no God”. After the encounters at the empty tomb, scripture includes 6 stories of encounters with the risen Christ. They vary in situation: grief, fear, doubt, a work day. They include different participants. Yet in each meeting, Christ is encountered; faith is formed; and lives are transformed. God’s not dead! Christ is alive and well and Christ’s Spirit dwells within us. Encounter the risen Christ during the “50 day of Easter”: Sundays at 9 a.m., Heritage worship, or 10:30 a.m., New Traditions worship. May 4: Luke 24:36-49 (Rev. Joyce Fry, preaching) May 11: John 20:24-31 (Rick Seiter, preaching) May 18: John 21:1-19 “Do You Love Me More Than These?” Where do we encounter Christ? In everyday life and around the breakfast table, Jesus meets us where we are. May 25: Matthew 28:16-20 “Go” When a mountain appears in a scripture story, you can count on an encounter with the divine. This time, Jesus, their rabbi, gives one last lesson on disciple-living and disciple-making. June 1: Luke 24:44-53 “You Are Witnesses” Who doesn’t like to share in life experiences with one another? Having encountered the risen Christ, those are our stories to tell as well. June 8: Acts 2:1-12; John 7:37-39 “Birthday Wishes” Pentecost Sunday is widely recognized as the birthday of the church. On this Sunday we will celebrate with Music Sunday, and share our birthday wishes for Christ’s church and for First UMC.

LOOKING AHEAD: It is a book that can be read alone

but preferably with others. Explore Scripture between the

lines. Wrestle with the Story we’ve received. Hear a tale

that is at once familiar and surprising. Because as much as

the Bible is a story about God, it is also a story about

us. “The Story of God, the Story of Us”: sermon series and

discussion groups beginning June 15.

UMW Rummage Sale WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2014 7:30 AM – 4 PM

LIVING Word Reflections on Family and Faith

Submitted by Jean Witkowski, Member of the Church Leadership Board

My mother and father together provided a strong, solid

base on which my Christian faith was born. God was

central to our family life……..we went to church together,

read scripture following each evening meal and our home

was filled with Christian love and prayer. My father served

the lead role in our faith based family and through his

example I found my way in the church……..attending

Sunday school and Vacation Bible School as a young child,

teaching Sunday school and attending Youth Fellowship as

a teen, and singing in the choir as a young adult.

Even with this solid base, I, like many others of my

generation, moved away from the church, its teachings

and its rituals. For many years as I floundered to find my

place; my father and mother were always there with

unconditional love and understanding, allowing me to

make my own decisions and take my own paths. I knew

they were disappointed that I had not remained steadfast

in my faith and had chosen to leave the church.

It was not until later in life that I realized one of the critical

things that was missing from my life; a church and the

loving family and environment it provides. And just like so

many other things in life I made new decisions, decisions

on what was truly important in my life. My priorities had

changed again and there is no question that the guiding

force which brought me back to the church was the solid

Christian base that my parents provided. I think about

them each time I sit in worship, each time we sing one of

their favorite hymns; sometimes tearfully, sometimes

joyfully, but always grateful for that very important gift

they have given me.

Please bring items to donate

starting Sunday, May 4. New

this year: cookies for sale and

$1 bag sale after 3 PM. Come

on by!

CURRENT Sermon Series

10

The Vision of Athens First United Methodist Church

We aspire to be a community of faith where:

We know God’s love through Jesus Christ;

We share God’s love through care and service;

With God’s love, we welcome all to walk with us.

SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 2014 Join us in worship as we observe

Pentecost Sunday and praise God with special music.

We invite you to join us

Sunday mornings for worship:

9:00 AM Heritage Worship (Chapel)

10:30 AM New Traditions Worship (Sanctuary)