First Connections | January/February 2022

JANUARY FEBRUARY 2022

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

LAKELAND, FLORIDA

Relationships

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first: things first!

Everything Depends on This!

There are times when I say, “Listen carefully because this is really, really important.” There were times when Jesus did that. Certainly, what he said was far more important, and what he said was not conveyed in quite the same way, but what he said was really, really important. One of those moments began with a question by one of the religious leaders. “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

That question, undoubtedly, is a very important question. You could ask it another way, “What is the most important thing which God wants us to do?” Without hesitation, Jesus answered, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

(Matthew 22:36-40, NLT) Jesus, in a few short sentences, helps us understand that relationship supersedes all which is in the law and in the words (demands) of the prophets. The first and fundamental relationship is with God. We are to love the Lord with all of our being; heart, soul and mind. This relationship is based on love, the very love which God has shown to us “We love because he first loved us.” (I John 4:19, NRSV) The importance of what Jesus said is extended to the next level of relationship, our relationship with others, and we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. We must begin with the understanding that God loves us, then we respond by loving God, not out of fear or obligation, but because we are touched by and thankful for God’s love for us. In that loving relationship with God, we begin to see our neighbors through God’s eyes, which leads us to love them.

When we begin to love God and our neighbors, that stirs up a love for ourselves.

Jesus distilled this profoundly important understanding in an easily understood way; Love God, love your neighbor and love yourself. This, Jesus reminds us, is really, really important! Everything depends on this.

Peace and Grace, David McEntire

CONTENTS

My Relationship With First Connections ������������

. 2 Meet Megan Gallagher ����������������������������������������� 3 Prayers & Praise ���������������������������������������������������� 3 Patience and Faith by Carolyn Lindsey ���������������������������� 4 Our New Leadership ���������������������������������������� 5-7 Lay Leadership Academy by John Naser ������������������������ 8 Relationships: Forever Friends by Laura Lusa ����������������� 9 The Cornerstone of Living by Bob Kuhn ����������������������10

a publication of First United Methodist Church, 72 Lake Morton Drive Lakeland, FL 33801, 863-686-3163 • www.firstumc.org #1stLKLD

My Relationship with “First Connections” by Maggie Trask As I write this, I go back through all the past years of First Connections. This will be my last one to publish as I am retiring BUT, I wanted to take the time to let everyone who wrote for the magazine know just what they meant to me. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all your articles and processing a lot of your thoughts and ideas. This has been somewhat therapeutic for me to read your different thoughts and feelings. I will miss this part of my job at First United Methodist and will miss getting to know you through your articles.

I wish I had kept track of the many times I have heard from the congregation just how much they not only enjoyed reading your thoughts and articles but how much it meant to them and had even helped them tough times.

You, the writers, have been transparent. You have opened your hearts and been encouraging, patient, honest and affirming to our readers. Some have needed the affirmation that they read from you. First Connections has touched on a lot of subjects. Subjects like: A Gift from God and your thoughts on what God has given to YOU; One Faithful Promise (what promise have you received from God); Simple Gifts that Changed the World and you wrote on some of these gifts and how you see they have changed not only ‘the’ world but ‘your’ world; Who Am I - you wrote articles about who you are in God’s world and where you fit in the big plan. I could go on and on but those are just a few.

First Connections began in October 2009 when Rev. June Edwards came to a staff meeting and announced that we needed a magazine--something that would share the lives of our members. We talked and discussed it for quite a while before we sat down and planned it out. June and I sat at the Conference Room table in the old office with different colored pieces of paper to figure out just where each article would go and how many we would need each month. We had to type a page just to see how many words we would need per article. This was new to both of us. We finally engaged a member of the congregation who did this professionally and graciously helped us get started. She was sweet enough to meet with me several Saturdays and walk me through the process.

The big problem was who we were going to ask and how you, the congregation, would respond to writing the articles. At times when I have asked people to write, I get an answer like “Oh my, not me, I can’t write,” Or “ya know, I just don’t have anything to say.” Many have said they needed to think about it only to call me the next day and say, “ya know, some thoughts came to me last night about this very subject. I would like to write.”

No one really knows how much or what they have to say until they sit down and begin.

So when that email comes or that phone call, don’t just say no. Think and pray about it and see where God leads you. You might be surprised that you know more than you thought and have more than you thought to share.

I thank every single one of you who answered the call or email to write in First Connections.

I doubt that you know what it has meant to me and others. So, I thank ALL who wrote for our congregation. I will look forward to reading your thoughts every month.

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Meet Megan Gallagher: Associate Director of Youth Ministries We are thrilled to have a new Associate Director of Youth Ministries, Megan Gallagher. She has recently moved from New Jersey where she was very active in Youth, Children and family outreach. Megan was the New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church’s 2017 recipient of the annual Harry Denman Evangelism Award, sponsored by the United Methodist Church’s “Foundation for Evangelism.”

Read below what she has to say and be sure to give her a big welcome!

Hi everyone! My name is Megan Gallagher, and I am so excited to be serving as the Associate Director of Youth Ministries! I recently moved from New Jersey to be near family (and Disney). I was very involved at my church there, running a summer camp, Vacation Bible School, and volunteering with the youth group as well as an arts ministry program. A few fun facts about me are that I love all things Disney, I danced for most of my life, and my favorite sport to watch is hockey. Some of my hobbies include reading (my nickname growing up was Belle) and making all sorts of crafts with my Cricut. I am very excited to continue my call to ministry at First United Methodist Church, Lakeland, and I look forward to getting to know all of our youth and their families!

Prayers and Praise Birth Elijah Simon Brown, October 15 Son of Joe and Rebecca Brown Baptisms Emery June Hearn, October 17 Daughter of Jeremy and Ashley Hearn Colton Spears Kopilash, October 17 Son of Michael and Lauren Kopilash Warner Welles Smith, October 24 Son of Nicholas and Leslie Smith Evelyn Rose Burnett, November 14 Daughter of Jonathan and Nicole Burnett Weddings Linda Shah and John Wilson, October 23 Edmy McDermott and Elias Cruz, November 27

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Deaths Ruth Adcock, August 10 Al Smith, August 21 Jan Lyons, November 10 Merritt Allen, November 12 Michelle Price, November 15 Jack Howay, November 17 Barbara Smith, November 24 Jane Merta, December 4

David Patterson, December 4 Dr. Robert Mayes Jackson, (Bo), December 5 Rev. Harry Russell, December 6 Carol Jenkins Barnett, December 7

Patience and Faith

by Carolyn Lindsey

It was during the first week of March 2020 when the Lawton M. Chiles Center for Florida History under the directorship of Dr. James Denham had scheduled a lecture at FSC by Professor Douglas Brinkley, the prominent presidential historian from Rice University. I was very enthused and hopeful that the plans for a post lecture supper would be enjoyable and that everything would proceed accordingly. Not far from that thought, I noticed the phone ringing with a message from Dr. Denham relaying that the lecture had been cancelled due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air travel from Texas. Having worked with Delta Airlines upon graduation from FSC, I understood how flights could be cancelled. While I was quite disappointed with this turn of events, I could never have imagined the feelings that would result from the emergency with which the world would be forced to contend and how patience and faith would play on the world stage of this historic moment. This letter hopes to explain the Biblical connection between patience and faith as well as to describe the role letter-writing serves not only as my favorite mode of communication but, more importantly, the all-importance of the impact the “Letters of Apostle Paul” had on the Galatians, the Corinthians, and many other followers of Jesus Christ.

Returning to March 2020, I recall my emotions of disappointment over the cancellation rapidly skipped on to a feeling of isolation and sorrow over the inescapable change that everyone would experience going forward: the whisper of lockdowns, mandates, the passing of many of one’s friends and family members, and, of course, the financial blow that would assume some place in the still small voice of humankind. Reading on preparedness during this time of isolation preoccupied my time, yet daily moments of quiet reflection on my blessings along with the remarkable sermons offered by our Pastors helped me so much. Speaking of their own sentiments of the challenge of change facing their own families as well as our congregation, their care and expression of the wisdom of following God’s lead with patience and faith offered such hope—FUMC provided a dwelling place for our hearts to begin to heal.

Even though I recognized the level of patience that our church leaders were revealing, I became uncomfortable with the impatience I was feeling and displaying.

Recognizing that patience was not my strongest asset, and even though I am not a Biblical scholar, I took a dive into the “Letters of Apostle Paul” where I initially found mention of the terms patience and faith as Paul wrote letters to communities who were experiencing challenges in their daily lives.

Because patience and faith are stated among the “Fruits of the Spirit” referred to in Galatians 5:22-23 (The New Oxford Annotated Bible, Augmented Third Edition, 318), I am reminded: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit” Galatians 5:25 (318). In the October 10, 2021 sermon, Rev. Taylor notes that patience reveals the quality of “endurance, persistence, a time of activity while waiting” (Taylor, Sermon). The sermon continues: “Seek God and pray; do something in the positive in the waiting” (Taylor, Sermon). As I read and re-read the Letters of Paul to the Romans, the Corinthians, as well as to Peter and Timothy, it became clear how frequently the image of patience and faith was found in these passages. In I Thessalonians 5:12-24, Paul appeals to those followers living in northern Greece to warn those who are idle, encourage the timid or frail, and be “patient with all of them” (344). Subsequently, in scripture 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4, despite persecution and suffering of the followers, Paul gave thanks to God for these people because their “faith [was] growing abundantly, and the love of everyone of [them] for one another [was] increasing” (346). To these Biblical passages, I add the reminder offered by Rev. McEntire before we departed from the November 7, 2021 service: “We are called to leave the darkness of ourselves, and [accept] hope, love, and wholeness” (McEntire, Sermon).

In consideration of the numerous letters the Apostle Paul penned to the historic communities, one can glean the impact these remarkable letters had and how letter-writing is a very personal and enduring form of communication. Just as the historic followers of Christianity read, shared, and re-read the words of Apostle Paul, you and I return to letters we have received and have written to recall intimate conversations.

Finally, as Advent commences and memories of the birth of Jesus Christ surface in song, Christmas cards, and conversation, may I send my wishes for Joy and Peace in this Christmas Season.

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Our New Leadership NEWCOMERS / WELCOME MINISTRY: Muriel Kuhn, Chair; Diana Russell, Staff Liaison Class of 2022: Paula Graham, Barbara Gunter, Skip Stevenson Class of 2023: Elaine Clemens, Claudette and Jimmy Dillard, Bob and Muriel Kuhn,

Jean Anne Reed, Bonnie & Ed Seifert, Kim Stickovitch Class of 2024: Janet Earls, Joan & John Garrett, Russ Klise, Nan Lee, Wes & Marilyn Crist,

Becky Slivestre

GROW Have you ever thought about all our leadership? Who and what committees keep this wonderful church running like it does? Who keeps us able to keep all our outreach going?

First United Methodist is so blessed to have many people willing to serve in different ways and areas. Take a look at the next pages to see who is serving this next year. Thank them when you see them and let them know how much we appreciate their time and efforts.

This is how we designate what area a committee should fall under. Worship; Invite; Grow; Serve and Ministry Support. All of this comes from our mission Worship Plus 3.

Ann Skellenger, GROW Ministry Area Chair Grow Ministry Staff: Age Level Directors (Preschool, Children, Youth, Adult); Rev Andy Whitaker Smith, Ministry Area Pastor PRESCHOOL COUNCIL: Joleen Golden, Chair; Cherry McClellan, Staff Liaison Class of 2022: Blair Allen, Stephanie Bowes, Delia Crowder Class of 2023: Jillian Capper, Debbie Edmiston,

Joleen Golden Class of 2024: Christine Harris, Judi Morris,

Laura Verplanck, Parent/Teacher Organization Chairperson

Linda Gainer, INVITE Ministry Chair; Martha Gay Duncan, Vice Chair Diana Russell, Staff Liaison; Rev Nicki Taylor, Ministry Area Pastor

CHILDREN’S COUNCIL: Angela Shanks, Chair; Cristi Moore, Staff Liaison Class of 2022: Kevin Fullenkamp, Kristen Lisenby,

Lynsey Pippen, Ann Skellenger Class of 2023: Bev Lindsey, David O’Steen,

Sam Portwood, Angela Shanks Class of 2024: Mike Dammer,Sharon Diaz,

Moe Hassler, Sam Joyner YOUTH COUNCIL: Larry Young, Chair; Emily Felgenhauer, Staff Liaison Youth: Shelby Hallman, Nathan Offut, Aubrey Warren Adults: Angela Bowne, Scott Bowne, Kim Cassidy, Sam Joyner, Ron Kaufmann, Kim Mayes, Molly McEntire, Larry Young, Marc Zimmerman Members serve one year term that can be extended

FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY: Bill Moore, Chair Diana Russell, Staff Liaison Class of 2022: Amy Agee, Emily Corl, Kyle Lawton, Bill Moore, Bruce Strayer Class of 2023: Cindy and Terry Caldwell, Joe Echols, Laurie Johnston, Fred Stanton Class of 2024: Perry Brokaw, Susan Cornell, Sally Short

ADULT COUNCIL: Amy Tyner, Chair; Warren Pattison, Staff Liaison Class of 2022: Amy Tyner, Keith Warren Class of 2023: Roy Cannon, Sarah Hester, Michael Pippen Class of 2024: Amanda Blount, Marilyn & Wes Crist, Rick Jeffries

WORSHIP

Rev David McEntire, Ministry Area Pastor ALTAR GUILD: Beverly Lindsey, Alisa Rawdow, Co-Chairpersons WORSHIP PLANNING TEAM (appointed by Senior Pastor)

INVITE

SCOUTING: Rev David McEntire, Staff Liaison Church Liaisons and Representatives: Al and Carole Christenson

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SERVE

Alison Lyons, SERVE Ministry Chair Sean Hults, Forrest White, Staff Liaisons Rev David McEntire, Ministry Area Pastor CONGREGATIONAL CARE MINISTRIES: Julie Roberts, Chair; Rev David McEntire & Rev Andy Whitaker Smith, Staff Liasons Class of 2022: Julie Roberts, Alice Ray Overstreet Class of 2023: Danita Farnsworth, Lucy Heath Class of 2024: Kelly Hurley, Angela Hurst Moments of Care: Angela Bowne Ex Officio: Rev Betty Batey, Rev Dale Golden, Visitation Pastors FIRST TEAM: Joe Dionisi, Team Leader; Forrest White,

Director of Missions JUSTICE & PEACE: Betsy Grizzard, Angie Pattison, Co-Chairs; Rev Nicki Taylor Staff Liaison Class of 2022: Angie Pattison, Betsy Grizzard Class of 2023: Terry Heck, Karl Olexa, Gwen Pipkin Class of 2024: Anna Clare Green, Larry Young, Christi Wright MIGRANT STUDENT MINISTRIES: Forrest White, Staff Liaison, Gian Carlo & Ivelisse Monticello, Alice Ray & George Overstreet, Rev Larry Rankin, Ex Officio: Dani Higgins, Organizational Liaison MISSION COUNCIL: Laura Lusa, Chair;

Forrest White, Staff Liaison Class of 2022: Laura Lusa, Alison Lyons, Marty Standifer Class of 2023: Julie Jones, Harold and Sue

Maready, Gwen Pipkin Class of 2024: Cynthia Aqui, Dan Fowler, Shawn Wilson MISSION TRIPS: Jecssie Arman, Trisha Warren, Co-Chairs; Forrest White, Staff Liaison NEIGHBORHOOD MINISTRIES COUNCIL:

Keith Spoto, Chair;

Sean Hults, Staff Liaison Class of 2022: Cindy Arndt, JoAnn Jackson Class of 2023: Don Skellenger, Kathie Southern, Beth Verplanck Class of 2024: David Caldwell, Debbie Klise, Steve Jones OUR GIVING TREE:

Barbara Cavanah, Carol Marsh,

Co-Chairs;

Forrest White, Staff Liaison

OUTREACH FUNDING MINISTRIES: Lee Farnsworth, Chair; Rev David McEntire, Forrest White, Staff Liaisons Class of 2022: Gary Cleveland, Charlie Davis,

Sam Joyner, James Previte Class of 2023: Lesley Chambers, Gary Morris, Jennifer O’Steen, Donna Rininger Class of 2024: Karyn Cabrera, Jo Fickes,

Samantha Rogers, Shane Weaver SCHOLARSHIP MINISTRIES: Skip Stevenson, Chair; Rev David McEntire, Staff Liaison Class of 2022: Alisa Anderson, Kate Boney,

Kyle Fedler, Chad Magnuson Class of 2023: Ben Coppolo, Betsy Filipkowski, Nan Lee Class of 2024: Lisa Berry, John Curtis, Judi Morris,

Karen Pollard, Mia West VOLUNTEER MINISTRY: Donna Swygert, Chair; Rev David McEntire, Staff Liaison Committee Members: Rick Brock, Martha Gay Duncan, Joe Emory, Emily Hutchings, Andrea Bailey CHILDREN’S CLOTHES CLOSET: Karen Ruthven, Chair UMW PRESIDENT: Elected by UMW Unit FLORIDA U.M. CHILDREN’S HOME Representatives: Frank and Darcy Shinn

MINISTRY SUPPORT AREAS

Rev David McEntire, Ministry Area Pastor CHURCH COUNCIL Betsy Filipkowski, Chair; John Naser, Vice Chair, Mary Hinson, Recording Sec; Rev David McEntire, Harriet Mayes, Staff Liaison Members at Large: Class of 2022: Tim Parham, Todd Parrish, David Yeary Class of 2023: Bob Hughes, Tim Marsh, Chris Willis Class of 2024: Susan Ehrhart, Charlie Hicks, Barbara Whetton Representatives of Other Areas: Chairpersons of Worship, Invite, Grow, and Serve Ministry Areas (Continued) Chairpersons of all Ministry Area committees: (Invite) Fellowship, Newcomers/Welcome; (Grow) Preschool, Children, Youth, and Adults; Scout Coordinator (Serve) Congregational Care, First Team, Missions Council, Missions Team, Neighborhood, Our Giving Tree, Outreach Funding, Scholarships, Volunteer (Reps to) Children’s Clothes Closet, Community Ministries, FLUMCH, UMW (Ministry Support/Administrative Committee Chairpersons) Communications, Finance, SPRC, Trustees, Permanent Endow., Planned Giving

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Our New Leadership, continued Other Elected Officials: Church Treasurer: Janice Jones; Asst. Church Treasurer: Russ Rhoads; Co-Lay Leaders: John Naser, Anne Powell; Lay Delegates to Annual Conference: Harriet Mayes, Sandi Opalinski, Don Skellenger Ex-Officio: (non-voting): Staff: All appointed Clergy, Ministry Area Directors, Associate Directors, Church Administrator ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEES AUDIT COMMITTEE Tori Lehman, Chair; Harriet Mayes, Staff Liaison Rotational members consisting of Chairs of Trustees, Finance, Church Council; Treasurers Ex-Officio: Senior Pastor, Church Administrator BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chair elected at 1st 2020 meeting; Harriet Mayes, Staff Liaison Class of 2022: Cole Gard, Connie Durrence,

Mary Kay Langford Class of 2023: Chanel Bellotto, Steve Rowell, Hunter Short Class of 2024: Kate Boney, Duke Chadwell, Martha Tinsley COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Chris Crowder, Chair; Rev. Nicki Taylor, Justin Long, Staff Liaison, Kelley Hurley, Evan Portwood, Anne Powell, Matt Wiatt FINANCE COMMITTEE James Previte, Chair; Harriet Mayes, Staff Liaison Class of 2022: Tyler Bowes, Susan Chandler, Andy Edmiston Class of 2023: Terry Capper, Keith Warren, Barry Zimmerman Class of 2024: Ben Buie, Kitt Elliott, Jim Verplanck Members at Large: Reps of Church Council, Planned Giving, SPRC, Trustees, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Audit Committee Chair

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LAY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY ADVISORY COUNCIL John Naser, Chair; Kacie Rogers, Coordinator Rev David McEntire, Staff Liaison Members: John Curtis, Harriet Mayes, Warren Pattison, Russ Rhoads, Donna Swygert NOOMINATIONS & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Rev David McEntire, Chair (Clergy); John Naser, Vice-Chair (Lay) Class of 2022: Kim Mayes, Susie Penn Class of 2023: Karyn Cabrera, Lesley Chambers, Patty Fouts Class of 2024: Ivelisse DeLaFe, Mike Opalinski, Carole Wicorek PERMANENT ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE Weymon Snuggs, Chair; Harriet Mayes, Staff Liaison Class of 2022: Susan Dreyer, Tom Graham, Libby Prestipino Class of 2023: Ryan Rogers, Weymon Snuggs Class of 2024: Joe Ruthven, Beth Verplanck PLANNED GIVING COMMITTEE Sandy Sheets, Chair; Rev David McEntire, Staff Liaison Members: Susan Chandler, Ben Darby, Wade Harvey, Bettye Hunter, Lori Nadglowski, Bill Schichtel STAFF PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE Ryan Rogers, Chair; Rev David McEntire, Staff Liaison Class of 2022: Blair Allen, Bill Dufoe, Mary Hinson Class of 2023: Stacey Erickson, Ryan Rogers, Russ Rhoads Class of 2024: Denise Cannon, Linda English, Dale Dreyer Lay Member to Annual Conference: Sandi Opalinski; Lay Leader

Lay Leadership Academy by John Naser, Lay Leader This congregation is proud to say that this key has been used to open the door to multi-generational church leadership.

In our 2013 strategic planning effort we recognized that many church members saw church leadership as a locked door. It seemed that church direction was, intentionally or by tradition, the purview of the oldest church members. You know, the “Q-tips”, the white haired folks who were in leadership in most ministry positions. No one on the committee saw that as a positive strategy for the church. So, how does a congregation open that door to younger leaders?

Our solution to this problem was the creation and development of a leadership training program; we called our program the Lay Leadership Academy. The concept was to offer leadership training to younger but committed members of the congregation. We wanted to fast-track qualified and active Christians to church leadership through an interactive educational experience where these talented future leaders could interact with, and be informed about the church by, our pastors, staff members, and current lay leaders.

After some fits and starts, our first “cadre” of twenty intended future leaders began their training in January 2018. The process to identify these leaders for admission to the academy focused special emphasis on the 20 -50 year old church members. If we want younger leaders, we need to train younger leaders.

Those first twenty enthusiastic Christians were followed by another twenty in 2019 and by another twenty in 2020. Beginning this month, January, 2022, the Lay Leadership Academy will welcome its 4th cadre of approximately twenty active church members to learn about the ministries of this congregation in preparation for taking leadership roles here at First United Methodist Church.

This may

At the conclusion of their training members of each cadre have self-identified where he or she wanted to serve. Almost universally each person has been placed in a leadership role in a ministry of their choosing. What does that look like in actual practice?

Our more youthful graduates of the Lay Leadership Academy are serving this church on the Staff Parish Relations Committee, (with two having served as the chair of the committee), Trustees, Finance Committee (one as the chair), Youth Council (one as the chair), Congregational Care (one as the chair), Church Council, Children’s Council, Preschool Council, Outreach Funding, Adult Council (one as chair), Adult Ministry, Permanent Endowment, Neighborhood Ministry, Scholarship Committee, etc., etc., etc.

Our investment in the Lay Leadership Academy has made a major impact in developing younger leaders for our church. We have intentionally established a new tradition here at First United Methodist Church of Lakeland; we will continue to encourage young church members to leadership roles in our missions and ministries. We have found a key that works, one that unlocks the door to a successful future for our church.

This key is available to you. If you are reading this article and thinking, “I want to participate in the leadership of this church but I don’t know where to start,” then please remember this key. It is anticipated that the Lay Leadership Academy will be offered each year, to maintain the youthful and energetic lay leadership of our congregation.

Today our Lay Leadership Academy needs your help.

The current cadre and academy leaders needs your prayers and encouragement. If you know of someone who is participating in this year’s academy, thank them and pray for them. After all, they represent the future of this church.

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Relationships - Forever Friends by Laura Lusa, Missions Council Chair When asked to write about relationships, my first thought was, oh wow, what a broad topic! How am I going to narrow it down and discuss something that is so important to the health and well-being of each of us as individuals. We all have relationships: with God, Jesus, family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, that hardworking delivery person and, unfortunately for many of us, that never ending connection with our phones! Joking aside, I decided I needed to consult some outside resources to gain a better understanding.

Having recently moved, while unpacking I came across the 1938 dictionary my Grandmother Gertrude gave me as a twelfth birthday present; just so you’re not misinformed about my age – she had the book for some time before gifting it to me. The definition for relationship was short and to the point: the state of being related by kindred, affinity or other alliance. Has the definition changed over time? Next, I consulted my college dictionary (which is a hardbound book; I’m not sharing the copyright date). Key points from that source are that relationships entail a connection between two things as well as the state of affairs existing between those having relations or dealings. Lastly, I jumped to present day and consulted that favorite source: Google. Google tells us that a relationship is the way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected or the state of being connected.

While the words used in these three sources are different, I think the meaning has generally stayed the same. My takeaway from all of this in terms of human relationships is that it is an active connection between two people. Because friendship is so important to our mental health and applies to so many types of relationships, I’d like to focus on that type of relationship here. It’s vital to note that spouses and siblings can be friends just as easily as that life-long, forever best friend.

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The importance and responsibility of friendship is emphasized in the first line of Proverbs 17:17: “A friend loves at all times.”

To survive and move beyond that casual acquaintance, friendships need to be active – both parties participate and are engaged in the relationship. They each want to sustain and grow the friendship. Hopefully we can all agree that the folks we see only on Facebook, Twitter, Tiktok, etc., while often entertaining, are not friendships in the true sense of the word - unless there is some active participation beyond scrolling and looking at cute pictures and video clips. It takes those conversations over shared meals or doing things together to sustain and grow the relationship. Even when you live far apart or are unable to travel, letters, emails, phone calls or better yet, Zoom and Facetime calls keep us engaged and connected. My friend Linda and I met in Portland, Oregon centuries ago; she now lives in Alaska. It would be hard for us to live farther apart! Yet, during the pandemic when travel plans were cancelled, we stayed connected through weekly Zoom calls. I’m amazed at how much we found to talk about and help each other during those conversations.

Donna, JoAnne and I have been peas in a pod since grade school and even though we live a few hours apart, the occasional get together supplemented with Zoom calls keeps us engaged and supportive of one another. Peter, my younger brother, lives all the way in Winter Haven. With our busy schedules, it’s sometimes a challenge to connect in person but rarely does a week go by that we don’t talk by phone. These friendships enrich my life; I’m thankful for them and take seriously my role in making it a priority to stay connected.

Proverbs 18:24 tells us: “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Quality over quantity: nurture and cherish those friendships most important to you.

The Cornerstone of Living by Bob Kuhn As I think about the theme of relationships and their inherent importance in our lives, I am reminded of what Jesus told us about our need to love one another.

Jesus said, “A new command I give you: love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35) Jesus is very emphatic about our need for a loving relationship with others. We learn from scripture that God never intended for us to be alone. In fact, after creating Adam, God created Eve so that man would not be alone. 2000+ years later, we understand the need for relationships in our lives just as strongly.

Muriel and I recently celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. Looking back over the years and recalling our experiences together raising a family has convinced us of how incredibly important a strong relationship is for a husband and wife. Guiding children through all the stages from newborn through adolescence, can be extremely taxing even for the strongest of marriages.

I cannot imagine how difficult it must be without a strong bond between a husband and wife or doing this without a partner. Aside from raising a family, we all seek to live a happy life. There were times when I had to travel alone for work. I was able to visit places or explore parts of the country I had not visited before. On each of these occasions I found that the excitement and joy of those experiences were just not the same as experiencing them together with Muriel.

Relationships are the cornerstone in living a joy-filled life. Just as God created Eve to be a partner for Adam, our spouse, family, friends and neighbors make our lives so much fuller and enjoyable. We were truly made to be in the company of others. How do we establish and maintain these relationships? We have all heard that strong relationships must be based on loyalty,

trust and love. Very true. But to build and enjoy truly meaningful relationships, I believe we must first have a firm relationship with God. This relationship gives us the footing we need to be people worthy of trust, loyalty and love in our relationships with others. Putting God first in all we do and trusting completely in Him must be what we strive for, it must be our priority.

We often think the Golden Rule is what it’s all about, “In everything, do unto others what you would have them do unto you.” As Christians, this is what we try to do every day. Take a closer look at what God tells us about our relationship with others in John 13:34–35. Jesus commands us “to love one another as I have loved you.”

This is a much higher standard and expectation than the Golden Rule. Jesus’ love for others was with sacrifice and always putting the needs of others before his own.

If we are seeking the kind of relationship with others as God intended, it is imperative to dig deeper. How do we love others like Jesus loves us? Jesus always took note of those in need wherever he was. He noticed the sick, the lame, those in pain and never turned away.

He accepted and even appreciated the opportunity to be of help. We need to be more aware of the needs of others around us. Maybe it’s the elderly struggling to continue to live on their own, maybe the hungry we see on the street corners every day or maybe the parent trying desperately to make ends meet. What ever the needs are all around us, Jesus is not just asking us to be willing to step out of our comfort zone He is expecting us to do so. He is right there with us as we serve.

God gives us a myriad of opportunities to build relationships, witness to those desperate to hear about God and to serve those in need. “We don’t meet people by accident. They are meant to cross our path for a reason.” (author unknown)

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Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Lakeland, FL Permit No. 30

Published monthly by First United Methodist Church 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, Florida 33801 863-686-3163

PASTORAL AND WORSHIP TEAM Rev. David McEntire Rev. Andy Whitaker Smith Rev. Nicki Taylor Matthew Corl, AAGO Karen Buie Jeremy Hearn Diana Russell Nicole Wood

INVITE TEAM Diana Russell

Senior Pastor Associate Pastor Associate Pastor Co-Director of Music & Fine Arts Co-Director of Music & Fine Arts Director of Contemporary Worship Kids PRAISE Coordinator Pastors’ Administrator Assistant

Director of Newcomer Ministries

GROW TEAM Warren Pattison Cristi Moore Cherry McClellan Emily Felgenhauer Megan Gallagher Amy McLaughlin Sharon Diaz Ivelisse Arman

Director of Adult Ministries Director of Children’s Ministries Director of Preschool Ministries Director of Youth Ministries Associate Director of Youth Ministries Associate Director of Preschool Ministries Adult Ministries Assistant Children’s Ministries Assistant

SERVE TEAM

Sean Hults Director of Neighborhood Ministries Forrest White Director of Mission Ministries Stephanie Keen Associate Director of Neighborhood Ministries Rev. Betty Batey Minister of Visitation Rev. Dale Golden Minister of Visitation Vicky Pitner Connections Ministry Coordinator

MINISTRY SUPPORT TEAM

Harriet S. Mayes Justin Long Maggie Trask Shawn Joyner Vesta Foster Carole Christensen Kim Christoffersen Mike Stasiak Tom Kelly

Church Administrator Creative Director Communications Assistant Media Coordinator Financial Services Financial Services Financial Services Director of Food Ministries Kitchen Worker

WORSHIP SERVICES

8:15am, Front Lawn - Bring a chair and enjoy worship in front of Lake Morton on our front lawn *8:15am, Sanctuary *9:30am, Fellowship Center *11am, Sanctuary *11am, Fellowship Center *Livestream and on Facebook Livestream at: firstumc.org/worship-now

First United Methodist Church: firstumc.org Worship Now: firstumc.org/worship-now/ Online Giving: firstumc.org/give Recent Bulletins: firstumc.org/bulletin News: firstumc.org/news

Tim Harding Shane Tindale Chalcin Charles Carol Chastain Renise Charles Mwidimisi Munnisi Tom Kelly Daniel King

Director of Facilities Facilities Administrative Assistant Maintenance Techician Custodian Custodian Custodian Kitchen Support Kitchen Support/Facilities Support