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A PUBLICATION OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
THEWINDOW 1411 BROADWAY | LUBBOCK, TX 79401 | 806.763.4607 | FUMC.COM | MAY 2020
What’s Inside
MULTIPLE UPDATES Let me take a few lines to catch us all up on the many layers we are following at First LBK!
Page 03 First Kids
Page 04 Wilderness Experience
Page 05 Progress of Transition
Page 06 First Youth
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.
SENIOR PASTOR
The big story is obviously COVID-19 responses, which for us means “remote mode.” Thank you for your patience and encouragements as we migrated through Holy Week and Easter in remote mode. As we move into May, we are eagerly awaiting what will be allowed and what will be safe for our members/constituents. We do not have any early hints what easing back into some new normal will include. Watch for emails.
Craig Curry
This virus has hit people hard, and Lubbock has seen some of that. Disease and recovery is just one side of the equation; unemployment or underemployment is the other side. In the middle of all of that is the struggle to find supplies and groceries. But I’m so proud of our Staff and our church who are stepping into forms of service within their networks. Directly tied to the virus and its mitigation, General Conference 2020 (GC2020) has been pushed into 2021. The dates and location are not published just yet. The agenda will likely be an enhanced version of what GC2020 was to process this year. We have not learned of any new “plans” for the denominational impasse. We at First LBK will continue to be who we are as compatible and diverse, working to be lovingly inclusive as a covenant keeping body. Related both to COVID-19 and the postponement of GC2020, Jurisdictional Conference 2020 (JC2020, scheduled for July this year) is delayed to the fall of 2021. The impact on our Conference and church in that it is at Jurisdictional Conference that bishops are elected. Our Bishop is set to retire at the end of August, so a new Bishop was to be elected and appointed. Now that process is being altered, and we do not have an official word on what the interim holds. Annual Conference 2020 was to be in Lubbock (both at the Overton and at our church). It will not be held in June. At the time of this writing, the vague future for this postponement looks like a one-day event in mid August. Nothing clearer than that is available at this time. This article feels like the news conferences we’ve grown used to watching from our leadership. I will address updates on the pastoral transition on page three. God will lead us in love and wisdom through all of these things. Pastor Craig May 2020 | The Window
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Dear church family,
b. A gratitude journal helps us stay positive
We are living through an unsettling time for our families, church, community, and nation. Each of us are experiencing disappointments, delays, and separation. But God. Those are two of my favorite words in scripture. But. God. Every time we see those words we hear of God turning things around or using circumstances for Shera Atkinson His children’s growth and welfare Minister of Spiritual Formation and and, ultimately, for His honor Congregational Care and glory. As we walk through this time, never underestimate the power of God who makes all things possible. During this time, choose to rest in God’s amazing love.
c. Gratitude improves sleep and health
We are all called to reflect God’s character of love, grace, holiness etc. to the world. Now, more than ever, we have opportunities to do just that. We may be staying at home but we can reflect His character by making phone calls to our members as well as our neighbors. We can listen for needs in the community and pass them on to the volunteers at church who are able to make deliveries. We can donate to charitable organizations and to specific needs that come to light. We can pray and pray some more.
d. Use deep breathing and relation techniques
Anxiety is high with some as we face the uncertainty of this time. If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety consider the following suggestions:
3. Use problem solving techniques to choose solutions and take action: a. We feel better when we have taken positive, thought through action b. Remember to consider every option and forecast outcomes c. Remember to develop and action plan complete with realistic time frames 4. Attend to your physical well-being: a. Exercise daily- even a few minutes at a time helps b. Eat healthy foods and eat in moderation, limiting inbetween meal snacks c. Keep a healthy sleep schedule 5. Focus outward a. We feel better when we have done for others b. Make phone calls to check on others c. Send cards and letters d. If you can afford to, have food delivered to others in need If you need further help coping with the anxieties of this unique situation please call me at the church, 763-4607 ext.240.
b. Focus on what you can control
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. –Philippians 4:8
c. Focus on what is positive
Remember, you are loved!
2. Keep a gratitude journal:
Soli Deo Gloria,
a. Writing it down helps us remember the good when it is hard to see the good.
Shera
1. Control your thoughts: a. Remember that words have power so speak kindly and positively to yourself.
Welborn Payne Christian Life Conference: Sandra Richter As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Welborn Payne Christian Life Conference featuring Sandra Richter is postponed. We are excited to announce that this renowned Bible scholar has been
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rescheduled for August 29-30, 2020, and will be previewing her newest study, Epic of Eden: Psalms. If you had previously registered and paid, and wish to attend in August, you do not need to do anything. We will keep
your reservation. If you have registered and paid, and want a refund, please contact Gloria Asby at gashby@fumc. com. Shera
First Kids Staying Connected The children’s department has been staying connected with our kids in many ways. We have a virtual Sunday School that includes family activities. Supplies are dropped off for families at the front porch. Kids made palms for Palm Sunday, and a week before they had a fun surprise of bubbles and other activities left on their porches. On Easter Sunday, Leslie Moss used the flower cross outside her house for her Sunday School class. She then invited families to come by and take their photos in front of the cross.
Easter Eggs Donated to Lubbock Youth Leadership Academy Every Easter season, as a part of our Blessing Bayless initiative, we have collected eggs for an Easter egg hunt. Because of the global pandemic and schools being closed, we could not bless the Bayless students as in past years. With the help of Leslie Moss and LYLA, 4,500 eggs you donated were delivered to families in the
Cavazos neighborhood. LYLA serves 287 kids in that neighborhood. A couple of texts from families: “We love it! Thank you for leaving eggs on the porch.” “God bless you guys for going out and beyond for our kiddos in this time of need!” May 2020 | The Window
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WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE Is this a Wilderness experience again? Is this time just a disaster or an opportunity? Let me ask another Seung-Won Cho quick quesDirector of Traditional tion. How many of us Music Ministries remember when we had to hold our worship services in Memorial Hall during March 2019. It seems ages ago, and maybe some of us can hardly recall. One thing I for SURE remember is that we called the worship time in Memorial Hall downstairs a Wilderness Experience. At that time, from young to old, we could still gather together for Sunday School and Bible Study. We held Engage and Vesper Concerts. We had choir rehearsals–and above all, Sunday’s corporate worship services. We were still able–and seemed less inhibited in that setting–to shake hands and hug. After six or seven weeks of the Wilderness Experience, we were excited to get back to ‘normal.’ We re-gathered for beautiful Holy Week services in the freshly plastered and painted sanctuary. Let’s fast forward to February, March, and April 2020! The unprecedented risk of COVID-19’s global outbreak has led us to stay at home. Now, like it or not, we are separated from people. Not only are we unable to meet with others, there’s no shaking hands and no hugging. This dilemma also has kept us from getting together for our in-person 4
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worship services. The church doors are CLOSED on Sunday. For now, NO one is invited in. No one comes in to attend. We have not defined our circumstance for this period, but it seems we are in the real wilderness in our own isolated places. The wilderness experience in Memorial Hall was not even close to, or comparable with what we are experiencing now. While the Israelites were journeying through the desert after the exodus from Egypt, they had to get rid of what they used to do in Egypt and leave their Comfort Zone. Their offerings might not have been what God was expecting from them. They–and their offerings as well–were transformed and consecrated to worship in the wilderness. Amos 5: 21-24 recounts it this way: “I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon. Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” These were most certainly terrifying words from God. It would be sad if God does not accept our very BEST offering of our service. The wilderness may be the place God calls us to be. It could be the place God wants us to worship. In the wilderness, there is no fancy bulletin, no fancy choir and no fancy pipe organ. We are used to gathering for worship in a beautiful building, a city landmark with gorgeous appointments, shiny polished accessories, magnificent windows and services we take for granted.
These last few weeks, God for SURE has been challenging us. The question we now are facing is, “What does it mean to worship in the real wilderness?” The Israelites had so many distractions in Egypt and they were used to Egyptian’s cultures and styles. Before COVID-19, we were anticipating many distractions and past times in our daily lives–including March Madness, baseball season, Easter outfits, and graduations. For 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites were trained to focus on God and to follow God’s direction with the clouds for days and nights. It is also true that there was not much for the Israelites to do in the wilderness. Now because of COVID-19 we stay at home and if we can recognize it–there is a great opportunity. Many of us are learning how to better focus on God with our families and daily schedules. The Israelites were sanctified and consecrated in the wilderness, leaving secular life styles in Egypt behind. Because of COVID-19, we are more focused on sanitizing and disinfecting. Perhaps just as importantly, or more so, we are also learning how God helps us to be sanctified and consecrated through this isolated wilderness. Through this real wilderness experience, God may have given a great opportunity for us to have a new perspective of worship and to become more focused Christians! God’s expectation about worship may differ from the expectation of typical sacred worship we are accustomed to. We will see. We will learn. We will grow through all of this. We will most likely continue to have an extended isolation, we’ve just had a 14-day isolation, which was actually used in the Bible, specifically in Leviticus 13. Let’s take a minute and look at this clear example of isolation:
When the priest examined someone who might have an infectious skin disease, before he finally pronounced him unclean, the priest must put him in isolation for seven days. After seven days, if it was not still clear, he would put him another seven days of isolation, until he could judge correctly. Together it was a 14-day isolation. The 14-day isolation did not mean the afflicted person was unclean and had to leave the camp to live alone. In fact, this isolation guaranteed two more chances to be examined by the priest so that, eventually, the afflicted ones were pronounced clean. The lesson we can take away from this true example is that the 14-day isolation was a God-given opportunity to be pronounced clean again, before the total separation from the camp, His people. Whatever plagues and disasters have come and will come down through the centuries and into modern day, it does not matter how bad they look. They likely will be used by God to show us the way He has for us. The world suffered during the seven-year famine, but God brought Joseph and Jacob the opportunity to re-connect again as family–to be God’s people again. This COVID-19 pandemic and the world-wide isolation may be an opportunity for us to restore our consecration, our relationships, and our calling. It is time to re-consecrate ourselves before God. This is an opportunity to challenge ourselves again–despite our failures and mistakes. This is an opportunity to restore our justice with empathy to others. This is most certainly an opportunity to renew our calling and our relationships with God and with others. I pray that this whole situation–a real Wilderness Experience caused by COVID-19–will become an opportunity for us all. Let’s each–in our own ways– learn the best way to accomplish this challenge to our faith. Seung-Won Cho,
Progress Bar of Transition
Director of Traditional Music Ministries So we’ve grown accustomed to our devices working in front of us while we wait and watch the progress bar move from left to right. Thought I’d give you an update on this transition we are walking through.
Minister. He and Alice and their two great kids, Braeden and Paege, have their own progress bar that includes buying a house and getting his Lubbock direction set while finishing well at FUMC of Odessa. They love the Salzwedels there, and you will love them here! Todd is beginning to meet and connect with leaders and staff here, and that will slowly ramp up to his first Sunday, July 12. And they are doing all of this in the midst of this COVID-19 craziness.
Progress...
Again we are blessed to have had this opportunity to serve you and to lead this team. I have grown and learned along the way, and I count it a privilege to have been your Senior Minister. My retirement from active ministry roles is a transition toward the business world for work, and to do that we are blessed to have a great opportunity in Farmington, NM. This puts us in the frenzy of selling a house here and buying a house there, trying to time it all with our final Sunday, June 14. Kathy is working toward her own work transition in Farmington as well, and we are doing all of this in this COVID-19 craziness. And the progress bar for selling, buying, and moving has moved a chunk past the center point. Rev. Todd Salzwedel has been appointed as your new Senior
Through it all there has been amazing progress amidst a shaky economy and formidable uncertainty. We read about transitions in the Bible, and while they are all different, there’s a wise, loving, and powerful God behind them. I can’t help but report that our God is behind the progress bars, and that He will help us grieve well and receive well, all for the kingdom work to which we are called. Keep our transitions in your prayers as Todd and I will be praying for yours. You, bless me, Pastor Craig
Kids’ Beach Club Bayless Elementary recently nominated First United Methodist Church, Lubbock as LISD Partner of the Year and we were selected runner up. From Bayless’s Facebook Page: “We were planning to recognize and honor our partner of the year, today at a LISD banquet. Since those plans have changed we would like to take an opportunity to give a huge shoutout to our ongoing Partner in Education who has stood by our side for many years offering love and unwavering support: First United Methodist Church! From hosting Beach Club to weekly food bags and everything in between, this organization blesses Bayless tremendously! Thank you for your ongoing partnership and commitment.” May 2020 | The Window
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Youth Families Stay Connected with Zoom
First Youth families got “together” on Zoom to compete against other families for a Scavenger Hunt inside their homes! The Stanfield Family (Sherri, Lauren and Drayton) took home the gold!
A Note from the Business Office First LBK Family, The business office emailed statements in April if we have your email address on file. The emailed statement came from us through our Shelby database. If you did not receive an email, and believe you should have, please update your email address, at fumc. com/update-contact. If we do not have an email address on file in our Shelby database, your statement will be mailed. Please contact Stephanie Davis at sdavis@fumc.com if you have any questions. Thank you! The Business Office
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Friday night game nights look a little different these days. First Youth families and adult sponsors got “together” on Zoom and played a game of Scattergories. The Barkley (Bailey, Randa, Dayton, Ella, Hudson, and Brennan) and the Powell (Jamie, Jodi and Nathan) families tied the game.
WAYS TO
GIVE
While we are all practicing social distancing, the mission and ministry of the church is continuing. Now, as always, your tithes and offerings given to God through First United Methodist Church, Lubbock are greatly appreciated.
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To donate, text “tithe”, a space, and amount to 806-256-6004. For example: if you would like to donate $5, you would text “tithe 5”. If you are donating through TTG for the first time, you will receive a text containing a link to login or create your SecureGive account.
Update Contact Information
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The primary way that we have been communicating with you during this season of social distancing is through email. The Weekly Window is sent every Friday morning. Devotionals are typically sent out on Wednesdays and Fridays. Sunday morning worship resources are sent on Saturday. If you are not receiving these emails, please visit our website at fumc. com/update-contact, and update your email address. For questions, email Karen Flores, Director of Communications at kflores@fumc.com. May 2020 | The Window
Memorials & Honorariums – April 15, 2020 CHILDREN’S DEPARTMENT In memory of George Morris by Don and Robin Walker EVERLIVING CHURCH TRUST In memory of Nel Luck by Charles Curry
In memory of George Morris by Edward and Jo Anne Smith In memory of J.C. Chambers by Pat Enloe In memory of George Morris by Dr. and Mrs. Steven Austin
In honor of Campbell Schwartz on his birthday, March 24, a very special day by Ben and Robin Lock
In memory of George Morris by Byron Martin
In honor of Carson Bibb on his 9th birthday, March 30 by Ben and Robin Lock
In memory of George Morris by Richard Bouldin
In memory of Dana Robertson by Gary and Kay Phillips and Sheryl Smith In memory of Thresa O’Dell by Danny and Pat Johnston
In memory of Dana Robertson by Darryl Lindsey
NICODEMUS FUND In memory of Carolyn Upchurch by Chris and Erin Jordan In memory of Carolyn Upchurch by Larry and Sheri Lord
In memory of Wanda Wylene Bryan by Mark Bryan
SECOND HELPINGS In memory of George Morris by Don and Nell Furgeson
In memory of George Morris by Pat Enloe
In memory of Wanda Bryan by Dee Craigs
In memory of George Morris by Choc Hutcheson
TREASURED TIMES In memory of Sharon Wilson by Bobbye Shaw
In memory of George Morris by Randy and Ann Hooks
Our Life Together – April 2020 SYMPATHIES Sympathies to Gena Morris and family on the death of George Morris. George passed away April 1, in Dallas. Services pending. He was a member of the HI Robinson Sunday School and a member of First Lubbock since 1968. Sympathies to the Ewan family on the death of Bill Ewan. Bill passed away April 1. Dr. Atkinson will be officiating services sometime in August. Bill was a member of the Canterbury Sunday School class and a member of First Lubbock since 1995. His wife, Romayne, passed away June 28, 2018. Sympathies to Trudy Gamble and family on the death of her sister, Sharon Wilson. Sharon passed away April 7. Sharon was a member of Through the Bible Sunday School class and a member of First Lubbock since 2013. Sympathies to the Fields family on the death of Winnie Mae Dubose Fields. Winnie passed away April 7. Burial was a private service. She had been a member of the Friendship Sunday School class and a member of First Lubbock since 1942.
Sympathies to Hal Upchurch and family on the death of Carolyn Upchurch. Carolyn passed away April 8. Carolyn was a member of the Seekers Sunday School and a member of First Lubbock since 2018. Sympathies to Sara Lattimore, Aaron, Carson, and Kennedy on the death of Sara’s father, Richard Purdy. Richard passed away April 11. Sara is our Director of Missions. Sympathies to the Goodacre-Schmidt family on the death of Glenna Maxey Goodacre Schmidt. Glenna passed away April 13. Glenna’s wishes were there would not be a memorial service. She had been a member of First Lubbock since 1949. Sympathies to Cally Reeves and her family on the death of her grandmother, Janelle Reeves. Janelle passed away April 18. Cally is the Administrative Assistant to Contemporary Worship as well as the Youth department. Cally has been with First Lubbock for almost a year.
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MOVED BY JESUS. LOVING PEOPLE. SERVING ALL.
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WORSHIP SERVICES Traditional
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May 2020 | The Window
1411 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401 fumc.com The Window is a monthly publication of First United Methodist Church, Lubbock