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A PUBLICATION OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
THEWINDOW 1411 BROADWAY | LUBBOCK, TX 79401 | 806.763.4607 | FUMC.COM | APRIL 2020
What’s Inside Page 02 Care Ministries
Page 02 Rev. Todd Salzwedel
Page 05 Spring Missions
Page 06 First Kids
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH•LUBBOCK
FIRSTLBK
MOVED BY JESUS. LOVING PEOPLE. SERVING ALL.
Our mission is to create a grace-filled environment in which Christ transforms lives.
PASTOR CRAIG ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT In late February, Dr. Craig Curry announced his plans to take retired status as an Elder in the United Methodist ministry effective at the end of June 2020. This process is outlined in the Book of Discipline as a path for maintaining clergy status and connection while stepping out of active, itinerant leadership. Craig has served United Methodist churches continually for forty-three years in one capacity or another and has been in pastoral roles in forty of those years. He completed his seminary work at Perkins School of Theology in 1986 and has served five churches in West Texas and New Mexico over those thirty-four years. Craig is finishing his tenth year of leadership here. In retirement, Craig will be moving to Farmington, NM to work full-time as the Employee Success Manager for PESCO, an oil-field related manufacturing company. He will step into a new position to help guide the systems and processes that affect employee recruitment, retention, performance, care, and development. This opportunity will put Craig and Kathy in the Four Corners area for the last segment of their working careers. Farmington is where they finished raising their family and has long been a place of replenishment. Kathy plans to resume her therapy practice while staying connected to kids and grandkids. Both are extremely thankful for their time and connections both here at the church and in the community, and they are confident that God will provide leadership for our church moving forward. Pastor Craig thanks the current Staff and leadership of First LBK for being the team that has shaped our current successes and that will carry this church forward into the next era.
Turn to page two to find out about our new Senior Pastor, Rev. Todd Salzwedel.
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Rev. Todd Salzwedel, Alice, Braeden and Paege A Message from our Staff Parish Relations Chair On Sunday, March 22, I was glad to announce that Rev. Todd Salzwedel will be our new Senior Minister. This comes as a result of a careful and cooperative process that has involved our Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC), the Bishop, and his Cabinet of District Superintendents. We built and supplied the profile that fits our church, and they combed through candidates from our region and beyond. Bishop Bledsoe personally met with our group in that profile stage, and Rev. Don Boren, our District Superintendent worked closely with us along the way. The Bishop and Cabinet presented Rev. Salzwedel as their best candidate, and
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after our evaluation and deliberations, we agreed. We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead with Todd leading our Staff and Church. We are also excited about his family becoming part of our church family. Todd is married to Alice, and they have two children, Braeden and Paege. Todd is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, though he has lived most of his life in New Mexico. Todd graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Economics and Philosophy, before attending Southern Methodist University where he received his Master of Divinity degree. He is currently attending SMU where he is writing his dissertation for his Doctorate of Ministry degree. Todd currently serves on the delegation to
General and Jurisdictional Conferences and serves on a variety of other boards locally and abroad. Outside of working in his mission field, Todd enjoys hunting and attending sporting events. He and his wife, Alice have been married for more than 19 years. Alice’s degree is in education, though she has held a variety of other positions. She has worked as a teacher, graphic designer, webmaster, and grant manager. Currently, Alice not only volunteers and serves at her church, but has been active in community work by holding board positions with the Junior League of Odessa, the Odessa Symphony Guild, and the Nimitz Choir Boosters. She also serves on the NM Board of Pensions and Health Benefits
for the United Methodist Church. Like many clergy couples, they began their ministry together in youth ministry before serving churches in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas during their almost 25 years of ministry together. Todd and his family have called First UMC in Odessa home since the summer of 2017.
11, is a sixth grader. She enjoys dance, acting, and choir…or really anything that allows her to be creative. She is energetic and loves to make new friends. As a family, the Salzwedel;s enjoy spending time with friends and family, getting involved with the community, traveling, and cheering for the Green Bay Packers!
Todd and Alice are blessed with two wonderful children. Their son Braeden, 16, is a sophomore at Permian High School who has played football, played in the drum line for the band, and is the lead guitarist for the Black Magic Choir. He also serves on the Conference Council on Youth Ministry (CCYM) team for the NM Annual Conference and is an employee at Market Street. Their daughter Paege,
We will be assisting Pastor Craig with the transition in leadership. Todd’s first Sunday is planned for July 12. Join us in welcoming the Salzwedel family by your hospitality and prayer. Jason Medina, SPRC Chair — Jason Medina, SPRC Chair
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Dear Church family,
Shera Atkinson Minister of Spiritual Formation and Congregational Care
As a counselor, I recognize that these are stressful times and that you are receiving a great deal of information quickly. The influx of information and the multitude of changes to our lifestyle, not to mention a pandemic, can be anxiety-provoking. As a pastor, I believe that the Psalms are good medicine for the anxious heart and mind. Therefore, I am inviting each of us to unite together in a 40 day reading of the Psalms. Please visit fumc.com/ study-resources to find a spreadsheet that includes a reading schedule, as well as a place to summarize the psalm and mark that it has been read. I suggest that you try to summarize the psalm in a sentence or a phrase that captures its theme. If you’d like, please let me know that you have joined in by emailing me at satkinson@fumc.com.
I would like to thank Mary Francis Baucum for creating and sharing the spreadsheet! Remember that we have volunteers to help with Technology and with Deliveries from the Grocery or Pharmacy for those who need it! Please contact me by email or call the church at 763-4607 ext. 240 if you or someone you know needs help. Also remember that during this time of social distancing we may not visit hospitals so please let me know if you or a friend or loved one goes into the hospital so that we may be praying, texting and calling! We also have information about using Zoom for classes and studies as well as virtual social gatherings. Soli Deo Gloria, Shera
PRECAUTIONS During this time of precautions against health risk we are offering two new ministries to those who are over 65 or at risk. If you are unable to shop for essentials such as food or medicines please call Shera at the church (763-4607) or email satkinson@fumc.com and you will be matched with someone who can deliver your needed items to your doorstep. If you would like to be added to our current list of volunteers please email Shera as well. Further,
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please contact Shera as well if you need assistance with navigating Facebook or the web in order to watch our live stream church services each Sunday. Please note: AA meetings on Monday nights are not meeting in person, but we are working to set up on Zoom for those who would like to meet virtually. The Counseling Center is still open.
The following events are canceled or postponed: AL Anon All Meetings Cancer Ministry Training Children’s Choir Choir Rehearsals First Youth Ministries Kids Night Ou Lay Shepherds Men’s Bible Studies Parent’s Day Out Primetimer Movie Day Quilters Shawl Ministries Treasured Times Vesper Concert Women’s Bible Studies
SPRING MISSIONS OFFERING SPRING MISSIONS OFFERING Dreaming
TOGETHER Praying
TOGETHER 2020
Giving
TOGETHER Missions & Outreach
School • Food • Local • Global Your gifts and time to the Missions and Outreach Ministry make a difference in the lives of our friends right in our own backyard as well as across the globe. Together we can do more. We invite you to Dream Big with us!
WAYS TO
GIVE
ONLINE fumc.com
SMART PHONE
SecureGive app
1411 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401 Write missions in memo line.
Dear First LBK family, These last few weeks have managed to change so many aspects of our lives in such a short amount of time. However, one thing remains unchanged, Jesus’ love for us and for our communities. April is traditionally our Mission Offering month. This month we will be encouraging you to consider supporting the missions and outreach of First LBK with your financial gifts. During this season of change and uncertainty, our missions and outreach continue in creative ways. Your support is still needed to make these things possible and to prepare for meeting future needs as they arise during and after this crisis. Some of the needs we are meeting include, continuing to feed our neighbors through Second Helpings with to-go boxes, mailing food vouchers to seniors in need, partnering with Grace Campus to make sure the needs of the people there are met. As we practice social distancing while also finding ways to continue to meet the needs of our community and the world, there will be ways for all of us individually to live missionally during this season. Tune in to Facebook on Mondays at noon through the month of April for our Mission Monday live stream, where we will be sharing stories of missions and ideas of how you and your family can practice living missionally. Together with Christ, we can live through this season in such a way that people see and feel the love of God through us. Grace and Peace, Sara Lattimore, Director of Missional Ministries
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Give Electronically!
First LBK has three ways to securely give electronically.
1. Computer Go online to FUMCLubbock.SecureGive.com or follow the “Online Giving” link from fumc.com.
Third graders received bibles during the 11 traditional service on March 8. Children in other services received theirs in February. We would like to give a special thanks to the HI Robinson class for generously donating the Bibles and engraving for all of our third grade students. -First Kids
2. Smartphone Download the SecureGive app on your smartphone, or go fumc.com/giving.
3. Kiosks SecureGive Kiosks access either of the two in the church using your credit or debit card • Just outside the business office • At the CLC Welcome Desk
@fumclbk
@fumclbk 6
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Engage wraps up Through the Decades with Family Game Night
Memorials & Honorariums – March 15, 2020 EVERLIVING CHURCH TRUST A donation made to the Ever Living Trust by the Generations Sunday School
In memory of Charlie Joplin by Lou Diekempers
In memory of Dorothy Nagy by Shannan Lile
In memory of Dorothy Nagy by Lou Diekempers
In memory of Wanda Bryan by HI Robinson Sunday School
In memory of Robert Knight by Lou Diekempers
In memory of Judy Wiebusch by Don McInturff
In memory of LaWanda Murfee by Lou Diekempers
In memory of Judy Wiebusch by Dale and Dee Gannaway
In memory of Dick Craig by Lou Diekempers
In memory of L.G. Moore, father of Greg Moore, by Steven and Sonya Crow
In memory of Jimmie Mason by Lou Diekempers
In memory of James Lipetska, father of Jason Lipetska, by Steven and Sonya Crow In memory of Wanda Bryan by Edward and Jo Anne Smith In memory of Pete and Nan West by Jerry and Barbara Smith In memory of Wanda Bryan by Shelah Lile In honor of Robin Lock, recognizing your birthday March 6 as your special day, by Ben Lock In memory of Suzan Headrick by Lou Diekempers
In memory of Gin Hutcheson by Lou Diekempers
FRIENDS OF MUSIC In memory of Wendell Howard by Sandy Howard MISSIONS In memory of Dana Robertson by Dub and Denece Harris MUSIC MINISTRY In memory of Dorothy Nagy by Tom and Carolyn Neal In honor of Tommie Hatch’s 90th Birthday February 28 by David and Delia Craig TREASURED TIMES In memory of Larry Anderson by Pamela McKay
Our Life Together – March 2020 BIRTHS Congratulations to Lon and Ashley Roberts on the birth of their daughter, Lucy. Lucy was born on Saturday February 15, 2020. Lucy has an older brother, River. The Roberts’s family joined First Lubbock in January.
SYMPATHIES Sympathies to the Bryan family on the death of Wanda Bryan. Wanda passed away February 19. A memorial service was held February 23 at Lost Prairie Church. The funeral home was Blair Stubbs Mexia. Jim and Wanda were residing in New Braunfels, but had been members of First Lubbock since February 18, 1968 as well as the HI Robinson Sunday School class.
SYMPATHIES Sympathies to the Wiebusch family on the death of Judy Wiebusch. Judy passed away February 19, 2020. Judy was a part of the Questers Sunday School class and had been a member of First Lubbock since March 17, 1985. Sympathies to Spencer Robertson and family on the death of Dana Robertson. Dana passed away March 3. A memorial service was held March 10, in the Abbey Chapel at Rest haven. The service was officiated by Dr. Shera Atkinson. Dana had been a member of the McMillan Sunday School class and had been a member of First Lubbock since January 11, 1987.
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FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH•LUBBOCK
FIRSTLBK
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MOVED BY JESUS. LOVING PEOPLE. SERVING ALL.
Lubbock, Texas Permit No. 594
1411 Broadway Lubbock, TX 79401 Return Services Requested
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH•LUBBOCK
FIRSTLBK
FIRSTLBK
MOVED BY JESUS. LOVING PEOPLE. SERVING ALL.
WORSHIP SERVICES Traditional
8:30 a.m. Connect - Sanctuary 9 a.m. Bowman Chapel 11 a.m. Sanctuary
Contemporary
9:30 a.m. Christian Life Center 11 a.m. Christian Life Center @fumclbk @fumclbk 8
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1411 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401 fumc.com The Window is a monthly publication of First United Methodist Church, Lubbock