The Window - March 2019

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A PUBLICATION OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

THEWINDOW 1411 BROADWAY | LUBBOCK, TX 79401 | 806.763.4607 | FUMC.COM | MARCH 2019

What’s Inside

Response to the 2019 Special Session of General Conference At the date of this writing we are still waiting to see how the 2019 SSGC goes and what it’s results mean for First LBK. Once we know the results, we will have our existing groups work on appropriate elements in an organic fashion. “Organic” means that our leadership circles will tackle pertinent issues or questions as needed, and we will work outward from there.

Page 02 The Importance of Community

Page 04 All-Church Book Study Physical Fitness

Page 06 Looking Back - Open Door Preschool

SENIOR PASTOR

Craig Curry

It is very difficult to give any timeline or clarity to the process until we know what it is we are dealing with.

We have talked through scenarios in multiple meetings, and what we end up with is so many options that the entire hope to strategize becomes convoluted. So waiting, and using our existing structure, and making wise, prayed over, and healthy decisions is our plan.

Again the three plans being presented at 2019 SSGC are:

1. The One Church Plan…which eliminates restrictive language regarding human sexuality related to weddings and ordained ministry.

Page 09 Children’s Ministry Youth Ministry

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.

2. The Connectional Conference Plan…which creates several connected “conferences” based on agreeable positions of theology and practice on the issue.

3. The Traditionalist Plan…which keeps the current Book of Discipline language denomination wide.

The United Methodist Church has an informative website where you can learn more.

Go to www.umc.org/GC2019. If you care to read all 237 pages of the Daily Advocate (agenda for the 2019 SSGC), there is a link on this website, along with other useful links.

We believe God has called us to be Moved by Jesus, loving people, and serving all… and this will serve us in our deliberations moving forward and the Holy Spirit will be our guide. Please be in prayer for our process and our church so that we preserve our chance to create ways for lives to be transformed by Jesus.

Pastor Craig

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FIRST LBK:

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY Dear Church Family, As I write this today, many are celebrating Valentine’s day.

Interesting, isn’t it? One Shera Atkinson Minister of Spiritual day a year Formation and is set aside Congregational Care specifically to celebrate love and relationship. However, scripture calls us to celebrate and exercise love and relationship every day, every moment. In fact, the great commands are to love God and love others. God has designed us to need one another and then in His love for us, God called us into community. In fact we are designed to crave community.

Debra Fileta, a Christian author, shared the few reasons why community is important to each of us: 1. Community challenges you to be more like Jesus. –Hebrews 10:24-25 Nothing makes you more like Jesus than the daily grind of interactions with others. We often think about marriage when it comes to this refining process, but the truth is God also gives us community as a way to become more like Him. God’s Word reminds us that we are put in relationships in order to encourage one another in our pursuit of God and His Kingdom. It’s within the context of community that we are 2

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given the opportunity to be refined as followers of Christ.

2. Community meets practical needs. – Acts 2:42-47) Just like in the early Church, community is a place where we come to get our physical needs met. We need to learn to let down our walls and ask for help from our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Whether we need someone to pick up medicine for us when we’re sick, cook us a meal at the end of a long week or help us carry a financial burden, the Body of Christ was made to support and love one another in practical ways.

We can learn a lot about love within the exchange of practical needs.

3. Community carries you emotionally.

–Galatians 6:2 Just as important as physical needs are the emotional needs we carry through life. We are given the responsibility to support each other in hard times and to carry one another’s burdens. As much as we need to be available for our brothers and sisters in Christ, we also need to have the courage to ask them to come alongside of us when we’re the ones in need of support, prayer or a shoulder to cry on.

It’s important to learn to be real with one another, because that’s what true community is all about.

4. Community reveals your gifts and talents. –Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because there is double the strength, double the stamina and double the talents.

Within the context of community we’re given the opportunity to discover our gifts and our talents and then use them to bless others. We’re each given a very specific role in the Body of Christ, and it is within these relationships that our roles can be used to glorify God to the fullest.

We’re part of something really special.

–1 Corinthians 12:27.

5. Community opens your eyes to the needs of others. –1 Thessalonians 5:14 Within community, we are encouraged to look around at the needs of those around us. We’re called to strengthen those who are weak and to and encourage those who are down and out. Community calls us out of our self-centeredness and self-absorption by giving us the responsibility to look outward.

6. Community empowers your relationship with God. –Proverbs 27:17 There is something real about the concept of power in numbers. When we are surrounded by other believers, we feel empowered in our faith and may even be more sensitive to God’s presence in our lives. There’s something powerful about believers joining together, making each other accountable and being a sort of a witness of one another’s lives. We need people checking in on us, asking the hard questions, and challenging us to really live out our faith.

7. Community helps meet our need for love. –Proverbs 17:17 There’s no denying that we are men and women who crave love. We were made to, by a relational God who longs for us

to be in relationship with Him. But even more amazing, is that God gives us the gift of each other as a way to meet our earthly needs for love. This brotherly love (phileo) that we’re given is a beautiful representation of the greatest Friend who laid down His life for us.

We’re also called to love each other in this beautiful way.

8. Community offers opportunities for confession, which leads to healing. – James 5:16 There’s power in confession. It gives us the chance to bring to light the things that have been holding us back in darkness.

Within community, we’re given the opportunity to get real with one another, to confess our sins, and to break free from the things that are holding us back from living God’s best life. True

community requires transparency, authenticity, and confession.

10. Community gives you the chance to forgive. –1 Peter 4:8-11

9. Community teaches you to work through conflicts –1 Corinthians 1:10

There is nothing more beautiful than the picture of the Gospel displayed through our healthy interactions as a Body of believers. Within this Body, we’re bound to get hurt, and then guaranteed the opportunity to forgive. We get to feel what Jesus felt as He suffered wounds at the hands of the people He loved, and then loved them anyway. This is the hardest part about community, but it’s the part that makes us most like Him.

Bring any group of people together and one thing is certain: conflict is inevitable.

But we’re called to work through our divisions with one another as the Body of believers. We’re asked to be a united Body, which isn’t always easy or natural. It’s a humbling experience that teaches us to lay down our pride, to learn assertiveness, and to enhance our communication.

We need each other, because it’s within the messiness of relationships with one other that we’re reminded of our desperate need for Him.

Over the next few months Sara Lattimore and I will be forming new Spiritual Formation Groups. I encourage each of you to connect in community with other members of First LBK on a deeper level.

You will be blessed by the connections you make in these new groups!

SPIRITUAL FORMATION GROUPS

Sara Lattimore Director of Missional Ministries

Do you want to grow in a deeper relationship with Jesus?

Do you want to find community and points of connection for your spiritual life?

If yes, then lets partner together! First LBK is launching a new opportunity to do just that.

Would you be willing to consider what transformation could happen in your life if you were a part of a small (four to six people) group of friends?

A group who was intentional in doing

life together and holding each other accountable for growing deeper in relationship with each other and with Jesus?

Starting soon, we will launch a Spiritual Formation Group initiative.

This is micro-community discipleship, smaller than Sunday school groups and other small groups. We are asking you to consider forming in groups of four to six people, who you covenant to show up for each other for the purpose of deeper discipleship in the context of strong relationship.

This model isn’t new, it’s biblical and it is Wesleyan. John Wesley was quoted saying “There is no holiness apart from social holiness.” John Wesley believed that discipleship happens deeply in the context of real relationships.

Let’s build community and grow deeply together. First LBK will provide the

conversation guides for your group to use to get you started. The conversation guides will include some biblical and spiritual formation reading with discussion as well as some missional living insights and challenges for the group to engage.

If you are ready to jump in please contact me at slattimore@fumc.com or Shera Atkinson at satkinson@fumc. com. You can sign up as a group organizer, a group member, or sign up as an individual looking to be matched with a group.

Help reach the goal of forming and empowering 50 groups in 2019!

Church membership/participation is not required for group membership.

When forming your group consider engaging and inviting those in your life whom you feel could benefit from a community like this.

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ALL CHURCH BOOK STUDY BEGINS MARCH 6 This Year in our all church book study we will discover and discuss the eight traits that epitomize what it means to be a follower of Christ. The word Christian, once a powerful descriptor of a peculiar people, has become meaningless. It no longer identifies those who have aligned themselves with the person of Jesus Christ.

Imagine a world in which Christians again looked like Jesus.

Where spiritual leaders made disciples Where churches were groups of people with an insatiable desire to follow their Savior Where those who identified themselves with Jesus accurately represented his character

It’s time to: • Simplify, clarify and focus your spiritual life • Raise up Christian leaders who make disciples • Help churches rediscover their reason for existence • Honestly ask Am I identifiable as a follower of Jesus Christ?

Books will be distributed in Sunday school classes, and at the intersection by the welcome center. The books come with a bookmark that displays the reading schedule. Each Sunday morning message will be based on these traits. For individuals and classes that want to go deeper, a study guide is available at fumc.com/dna.

GOD CARES ABOUT OUR PHYSICAL HEALTH Throughout scripture God cares for His children. We often think of God caring for our spiritual needs but when we read about God’s dealing with people we often see His care extend to the physical needs as well. If you have determined that it may be time o attend to your physical wellbeing, FUMC has a new ministry just for you. Beginning March 7, 2019 FUMC will offer two opportunities for training and exercise.

On Thursdays from 12-1p.m., 4

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Alonso Garcia, an inspiring fitness trainer will lead those 65 and younger, or those 65 and older in good physical condition, in strength and fitness training. Then from 1-2 p.m. he will train those 65 and older in flexibility and mobility training and easy physical conditioning.

Come try out this new opportunity free of charge for the first three months. Thereafter, the cost is $10 per session. Contact Shera Atkinson with questions, satkinson@fumc.com.

British Empire Medal Previous Guest Artist in Residence at FUMC (199697) Jeffrey Howard, has recently been awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours list 2019. The United Kingdom Cabinet Office awards such accolades every new year, which includes Knighthoods and other meritorious honours, to citizens of the UK. Candidates are nominated by colleagues in their particular sphere and a panel of officials make a recommendation to Her Majesty the Queen who then awards the honours later on in the year. Jeff will receive the honour for ‘services to music’ in a special garden party to be held at Buckingham Palace.

Jeff has said that his time here in Lubbock working alongside Gordon McMillan has played a vital part in his development as a church musician and wishes to thank everybody at FUMC for the opportunities he had making music during his time as Guest Artist in Residence. Jeff makes his home in Cardiff, Wales with his wife Rachael and children, Oliver, William and Katie. He is Director of Music at St John’s College, Cardiff and works with several choirs and orchestras throughout the United Kingdom.

Chancel Choir Invited to Perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City major work LUX: The Dawn from on High on the DCINY Concert Series in New York City. This performance took place February 18 in Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall. Six members of the FUMC Chancel Choir joined other choristers to form the Distinguished Concerts Singers International, a choir of distinction. DCIParticipating members: Melanie Neal, Jeannie NY Artistic and Educational Barrick, Patty Freier, Bryan Smitherman, Ross Consultant, Dr. James M. Smitherman, and Brian Spruill.

Meaders served as conductor of the performance and Distinguished Concerts International clinician for the residency.

New York City (DCINY) announced that Seung-Won Cho and the First United Dr. Jonathan Griffith, Artistic Director and Methodist Church of Lubbock Chancel Principal Conductor for DCINY states: Choir have been invited to participate in “The First United Methodist Church of a performance of Dan Forrest’s newest Lubbock Chancel Choir received this

invitation because of the quality and high level of musicianship.”

“It is quite an honor just to be invited to perform in New York. These wonderful musicians not only represent a high quality of music and education, but they also become ambassadors for the entire community. This is an event of extreme pride for everybody and deserving of the community’s recognition and support.”

The singers spent five days and four nights in New York City in preparation for the concert. Participating members: Jeannie Barrick, Patty Freier, Melanie Neal, Bryan Smitherman, Ross Smitherman, and Brian Spruill – Jeannie Barrick Director of Youth CHoir

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UMW - Open Door Preschool The focus of the year’s “Call to prayer and self denial” for United Methodist Women is ministries with children and youth. At the February 11meeting, the FUMC UMW featured our church’s 35 years (1969-2004) of the Open Door Preschool. Teacher, Eloisa Castro, Becky Segrist, and van driver Larry Willis were special guests who shared their memories.

There was a display of archived records of the school. Our school served all, and mostly children below poverty line in just barely above it, meaning, they could not attend the federally funded programs in Lubbock. It was a program with Christian values and teaching.

It became an important part of FUMC’s influence in our community through the years.

Thinking about various programs of the UMW, brought to mind what the United Methodist Women of FUMC did in 1969 when they started the ‘Neighborhood Kindergarten’.

The Neighborhood Kindergarten, as it was originally called, was organized in 1969 after the Women’s Society of Christian Service, now called United Methodist Women, did a study on the children in Lubbock and found that there was a group of children falling through the cracks. The government was federally funding the Head Start program for fiveyear-olds, but to qualify a family had to meet the low income guidelines. There were many children whose families made more money than the guideline, but financially could not send their children to private preschool. The W.S.C.S under the leadership of Barbara Widmer, wife of Pastor Phil Widmer, persuaded First United Methodist Church to organize the Kindergarten which would especially serve children living in the downtown area. The first class started in August 1969 with 16 children enrolled. It become a premier early childhood educational facility under the leadership of the Board and the first teacher, Eloisa Castro, who was excellent in relating to the children and understanding their behavioral, emotional and physical needs. In the beginning it was funded

by UMW and our church. Later Sunday School classes, individuals and the Mission Work Area provided some of the funds. When the public schools added kindergarten classes 6

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throughout the district in 1973 our school changed its name to Open Door Preschool and began to accept fouryear-olds. After the Lubbock tornado destroyed much of the downtown neighborhood areas, we had more children by our Youth Pastor Becky Segrist, Larry Willis, and Eloisa Castro attended the UMW Dietrich, who February meeting to share memories of the Open Door Preschool. used Tech students as drivers. week and come help with snacks and with A program for various activities. Parties of all sorts were held mothers of the children was also organized, with the end-of-the-year party being special meeting twice a month to hear programs with hot dogs and all the trimmings and a little about nutrition, low-cost meals and to ‘talk to program in Memorial Hall. Larry Willis had adults’ as they expressed it. become the major bus driver in 1978 and that A special music teacher, Inez Farrell came was quite an important part of our being able twice a week. Later our own Pam Allison, who to have an effective school. had served on the Board, became the music The Open Door Preschool Board was the teacher. In 1970, the budget was $3500 a guiding force behind the school and UMW school year. The UMW gave $1500 and members spent many hours of time and effort there was a Conference fund called Reconcilto see that the school was run efficiently. iation Fund that helped in the beginning years We had: vision and hearing screenings, art of 1968-72. Gold Bond Stamps helped with projects, field trips and physical education indoor play equipment used by all groups of activities; all the basic skills preschoolers are children in the church. taught, so that they would have an excellent In 1978-79 plans were implemented to have foundation for public school. Names of UMW two classes of four-year-olds and applications people involved were: Jackie Harland, Pam were put in to be licensed by the State. This Allison, Becky Segrist, Esma Nader, Faye meant some changes, the largest of which was Matthews, Jaime Biggers, Christine Flynn, to move from rooms 218 on the second floor to Mildred Davis (treasurer for years), Chloe the first floor rooms, 119 and 116. Becky SegHatch, Lucy Hamilton, Joe Poteet, Helen rist came on board as a teacher in one room.

Lupia, Katherine Hunter, Grace Nix, Doloris She taught for eight years before she left to Holmes, Vondee Moore, Sharen Musselman, take a position at Cokesbury bookstore. Becky Ann Adams, Nancy Grishman, Willa Mae and Eloisa worked together providing the Price, Mary Nunn, and Melanie Neal. best in preschool education for our children – Marisue Smith in ODPS. Volunteers from the UMW and from UMW church were recruited to help the teachersthey would sign up for a specific day of the

UMW - 150 Years of Service This spring United Methodist Women is recognizing 150 years of service and advocacy for women and children. March 23, 1869, eight women gathered at Tremont Methodist Episcopal Church in Boston, Massachusetts, and organized the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society.

They raised money to send two women, a doctor and a teacher, to India. That same year, The Heathen Women’s Friend was published to report on missionary needs and actions. The current publication is response sent to inform and motivate members.

The original group was the Woman’s Home Missionary Society. In 1939 it became Women’s Society of Christian Service and in 1972 after the merger with United Brethern – United Methodist Women. The first elected president of the Northwest Texas Conference United Methodist Women was our

own Waldeen (Thomson) Pearson. Kay Hanna has also served as president and many of our members have served UMW in the Conference, Lubbock District and our local organization.

The beginnings of UMW at Lubbock FUMC are from 1902 with the 10 members of the Woman’s Home Missionary Society hosting an oyster supper to raise funds to help build a church. In 1929 “181 women made 5,672 visits to sick and ‘strangers’, provided trays of food to 787, made 1014 garments for local charity.” Ninety years later our numbers and activities are different. In February, we hosted a Conference UMW leadership weekend and at the last local meeting, the program focused on UMW as the force behind FUMC Open Door Preschool which served our neighborhood for 35 years before public school preschools.

Some of our mission giving stays local and some goes around the world. Even though UMW priority is no longer to build schools and clinics in China or India, FUMC UMW has increased long time support for Dr Jeremias Franca in Mozambique. The UMW intention is for personal and spiritual growth and helping to empower and improve the lives of women, children and youth in the U. S. and around the world, transforming hope and love into action.

– Martha Webster UMW

What’s Happening at Treasured Times This month the clients have been helping others. These photos show our clients helping prepare bags that are available to those needing snacks and personal care products.

Treasured Times has openings for those with dementia or those in the 1st or 2nd stages of Alzheimer. This ministry provides respite for the caregivers and an opportunity for those they are caring for to be engaged in a social setting for the day. This ministry meets each Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering or if you know of someone needing this ministry, please call the church or notify Challa Goedeke at cjgoedeke@ hotmail.com or call 799-7421.

– Challa Goedeke Treasured Times Coordinator

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Third Graders Receive Bibles Ten third graders received new Bibles in worship services on February 3.

THANK YOU! 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.

Each student was given a Bible wrapped in layers, and Tessa Armes, Director of Children’s Ministry, explained the significance of each layer, as students gently unwrapped their gifts.

The brown layer represents the Bible was given for everyone, regardless of race, gender, age, education or socioeconomic level.

-FUMC Children’s Department

The map layer represents the Bible is the road map for our life. When we’re lost, the Bible leads us in the right direction and helps us make good decisions.

The superhero layer represents that the Bible is full of ordinary people who did extraordinary things with God’s help.

Third graders who received their Bibles in the 11 Traditional Service were: Vivien Welch, Wade Massengale, Lila Keller, Wilson Goodman, and Kaylee Cottrell. In the 11 Contemporary Service were: Kaylee Stewart, Baylee Capehart, Elly Craft, Andrew Hull, and Tristan Soto.

Kids Beach Club – Celebrating Five Years Kids Beach Club is an outreach ministry of First LBK. As a church, we have been serving the kids and families of Bayless Elementary for the past five years through a weekly discipleship ministry on Thursday afternoons. Each week, 19 volunteers commit to building relationships and teaching the 40 kids who attend the love of Jesus. We are so thankful for everyone who has made this ministry possible over the past five years!

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The gold layer represents that the Bible is more precious that gold or silver. It is one of the most precious gift we’ve been given. When we study it and desire to know God more, our lives are changed forever.

First Youth Events Any student is welcome to join us for some FUN! Monday 3/11 • 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Cadillac Ranch & ARCH (Amarillo Rock Climbing House) • $15 plus lunch Bring your spray paint for Cadillac Ranch (10 spots available) Tuesday, 3/12 • 6:45-9:30 p.m.

Main Event (bowling, laser tag, pizza, $10 arcade card) Wednesday, 3/13 • 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Lunch & Disc Golf, Bring money for Lunch

Friday Youth Movie Nights 7-10 p.m. • Wesley Room March 16 April 20 May 11 Bring your favorite snack and friends!

Coffee & Bible Hangz at J&B Coffeehouse 10-11:15 a.m.

March 16 April 20 May 11 Bring your bible, friends and money for coffee.

Keep up with youth events and sign ups at: fumc.com/youth-events March 2019 | The Window

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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.

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

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Memorials & Honorariums – February 15, 2019 EVERLIVING CHURCH TRUST In memory of Tom and Margaret Nivens by Tom and Sammie Prather In memory of Lawrence Whiteley by Lex and Mary Helen Jameson In memory of Tom and Margaret Nivens by Jacob and Elizabeth Elliott and family

MUSIC FUND In memory of Donna Huffington by Douglas and Vickie Cannon ORGAN FUND In honor of Clarissa Bell by the Quilters PRAYER GARDEN In memory of Robert “Red” Tipps by Hannah Tipps and Shelby Cox

In memory of Margaret Nivens by Don E. McInturff In memory of Janelle Pharr by Pacesetters Sunday School In memory of Barbara Bowen by Pacesetters Sunday School

Our Life Together February 15, 2019 BAPTISMS Congratulations to Michael and Elizabeth Taylor on the baptism of their son, Nolan Taylor Flowers. He was baptized February 17 in 11 Contemporary by Reverend Bailey Barkley.

CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to the Confirmands of 2019: Rachel Barrick, Zoe Brehmer, Benjamin Craft, Lilly Diaz, Jack Fisher, John Haag, Camryn Howe, Carson Lattimore, Preston Myatt, Morgan Parker, Brent Sanders, and Emily White.

SYMPATHIES Sympathies to Elizabeth Elliott and family on the death of her mother, Margaret Nivens.

Margaret passed away January 24, 2019.

A memorial service was held on February 2 in the Bowman Chapel. Dr. Shera Atkinson officiated. Margaret had been a member of the Homebuilders Sunday School and of FUMC since 1972.

Sympathies to the Ragsdale family on the death of Norma Ragsdale. Norma passed away February 5, 2019. A memorial service was held February 11 at Neil Chapel at Carillon. Norma had been a member of the Adult Contemporary Singles and a member of FUMC since 2002.

Bahamas Methodist Habitat offers week long, short term mission trips to groups interested in serving in The Bahamas.

Volunteers serve on home repair projects in settlements throughout the island.

Projects are supervised by locally hired site leaders who can teach volunteers some of the basics of work onsite.

Find out more about the work of the Bahama Methodist Habitat at methodisthabitat.org/

New Ministry!

Our Prime Timers Senior ministry are beginning a new clothing ministry that seeks to help those who are homeless or impoverished with basic clothing. Please donate your used or new blue jeans, fleece or sweatshirts, t shirts, towels and blankets. All clothing should be clean and in good condition.

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