First Connections - Fall 2020

fi rs t co n n e c ti o n s STORIES OF LIFE AND FA I T H

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH RICHARDSON FALL 2020 VOLUME 15, ISSUE 3

Still Going Strong Where We’ve Been p.4 Pastor Clayton and Sam Asmah sharing encouragement and hope at one of our drive thru gatherings.

The Journey To Racial Justice p.8 Dots In Heaven p.12 New Lens p.16

join us for worship!

live on facebook and fumcr.com/live on demand at youtube.com/fumcr 503 N. Central Expressway P.O. Box 830877 Richardson, TX 75080 972.235.8385 fumcr.com

traditional worship

live at 9:45am on Sundays on demand anytime

Senior Pastor Dr. Clayton Oliphint

modern worship

Director of Communications Kristen Ceaser

live at 11:00am on Sundays on demand anytime

Managing Editor Tracy Thomas Graphic Designer Kyle Henson

daybreak worship 8:00am on Sundays west side parking lot

Communications Team Kevin Burns Francy Collins Leslie Kring Contributors Dr. April Bristow Tim Griffy Rev. Joy Anderson Amy McCloskey Aaron Devlin Mimi Richards Nathan Lewis Dianne Weideman First Connections (USPS 022-024) is published six times a year, by First United Methodist Church Richardson, 503 N. Central Expressway, Richardson, TX 75080.

Periodicals postage paid at Richardson, TX and additional mailing offices.

THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR FAITH FOUND IN PAUL'S LETTER TO THE ROMANS A FALL SERMON SERIES

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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: First Connections, PO Box 830877

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a message from our senior pastor

N

ormally writing for the August/September edition of First Connections is easy. It’s back to school time, we have a host of activities we’re gearing up for at the church, football season is about to begin, and in a normal year I’d be writing about all of these things and more. But I have a feeling when the story of 2020

is written, there will be a giant asterisk beside the year, and it will be noted that very few things were “normal.”

Like so many of you I find myself living with a sense of uncertainty about what is happening. I want to have in-person worship services; attend football, basketball, and baseball games; go to movies

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and restaurants; gather with friends; and so much more that we have been unable to do with the reality of COVID-19 hanging over our heads. I believe there will be a day when all of these things are possible. But right now everything continues to be uncertain.

Uncertainty put us off balance.

It messes with our minds and hurts our hearts.

It causes us to ask a thousand questions and play out a million scenarios in our imagination.

It can cause us to focus on the worst possibilities and all the negatives.

It can also force us to consider all of the possibilities and the positives.

Yes, even a pandemic can have a silver lining with possibilities we never dreamed of ahead of us.

When I have found myself reeling from the uncertainty of the present circumstances, I have turned time and again to what is certain, and that is this: God is with us, we are not alone! Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so! Nothing (not

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even a pandemic) can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus! That kind of certainty in the midst of uncertainty gives me balance and gives me hope. And hope helps me focus on a sense of normalcy again.

So, getting back to normal, I’m excited about what is ahead of us this fall. Yes, it is uncertain.

I don’t know when we will be able to worship together live indoors again. I don’t know what the school year looks like. And as of the day I am writing this, I am uncertain about whether or not there will be a football season. But I am certain that the church will continue to proclaim the good news of God’s love for all people, that we will have many opportunities to engage in growing in our faith through studies, and that we will have many opportunities to bless others through our church outreach mission and ministry.

I want to invite you to walk forward with me into this fall season filled with the certainty that God is with us, God is for us, and God is at work in and through us to be a blessing.

In Christ,

Clayton Oliphint senior pastor

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DRIVE THRU

GATHERINGS

We love seeing you! Several occasions have been celebrated with drive thru events, and we’re happy to see the smiling faces every time. Students celebrated with teachers, friends waved and said “hello” to each other, and senior adults picked up goody bags, just to name a few. We can’t wait to see you all again.

ONLINE WORSHIP

We’ve learned a lot in the last several months! Staff and volunteers have risen to the occasion and worked hard to make the online worship experience meaningful and relevant.

Work continues “behind the scenes” to produce worship services each week that help our congregation feel connected and inspired.

MISSION &

SERVICE

While the doors of the church temporarily closed, the “church” remained open and continued showing that service is in the DNA of FUMCR. While our Year of Service hasn’t turned out the way we had planned, every day we see how the people of FUMCR show love and care to our community.

THE JOURNEY TO

RACIAL JUSTICE

BY DR. APRIL BRISTOW

For the past several years, I have led the cultural intelligence training for people on the ordination track in our annual conference. This has become my passion because of an incident that happened early in my ministry.

In 1997 I was preparing for my seminary internship. A church in our conference was looking for a pastor to help with various duties that could have been a suitable internship for me. When the pastor reviewed my resume, he was impressed with my skills and experience. He told my internship supervisor that he was “okay” with the fact that I was a woman because the church had a woman pastor on staff before. When he learned that I was African American, his words were “My church is not ready for that.”

I was hurt, angry, and disappointed that someone from the denomination I loved, grew up in, and was preparing to serve would show such shortsightedness in that day and time.

Even more disappointing was the fact that the pastor rejected someone who was well qualified on the basis of race and didn’t seem interested in making changes in his or the congregation’s thinking.

It became clear to me that the seminary education I was receiving was preparing me to serve in churches that were different than me, but I wondered what was being done in local churches to prepare them to receive pastors who were different from them?

It was a reminder to me that the narrative of racism is part of our American culture and, unfortunately, part of the church’s narrative as well.

My work in cultural intelligence training challenges participants to do and share some difficult self-reflection. I also encourage participants to build a biblical and theological foundation for transformational dialogue and right action.

One exercise I lead is called “Formative Diversity Experiences” where participants look back on their lives and recall when, where, and how they became aware that race is a “thing.” Doing this type of reflection helps to build a foundation from which you can impact change from the way you were socialized about race.

We all have the choice in life to determine what to keep from what we were taught, what to correct, and what to discard so that the actions we take are based on respect of all of God’s children.

WHAT NOW?

VISIT FUMCR.COM/ENDRACISM

WHITE FRAGILITY: WHY IT’S SO HARD FOR WHITE PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT RACISM Challenge your old ways of thinking about race and racism, and gain insight into systemic racism and white supremacy.

Every other Saturday // 9:00-11:00AM // Sept. 5 – Nov. 14 Led by Shawna Lewis and Thalia Shirley

SO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT RACE Engage in a variety of interpersonal and societal themes around race, and learn to turn insight into action.

Tuesdays // 6:30-8:00PM // Sept. 15 – Nov. 24 Led by Jenifer Williams and Shandon Klein

EXCERPTS FROM THE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN’S CHARTER FOR RACIAL JUSTICE Because we believe: That racism is a rejection of the teachings of Jesus Christ; That racism robs all human beings of their wholeness and is used as a justification for social, economic, environmental, and political exploitation; That our strength lies in our racial and cultural diversity and that we must work toward a world in which each person’s value is respected and nurtured; We commit ourselves as individuals and as a community to follow Jesus Christ in word and in deed, and to struggle for the rights and the self-determination of every person and group of persons. Full text at fumcr.com/umw-crj

the north star

by Tim Griffy

I

am reading and heartily recommend A. Lincoln, a biography of our 16th president by Ronald White. This book clearly shows that Lincoln’s view of slavery as a moral evil was his North Star, his guiding light.

The political choices he made both before becoming president and during his presidency were guided by this ultimate anchoring principle. His choices were difficult and by no means uncontroversial in their time, but Lincoln’s resolve ultimately resulted in the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, ending slavery in the United States. In hindsight we view his leadership as heroic, although it was anything but certain that he would be successful.

This summer, we all saw the demonstrations that were precipitated by the killing of George Floyd. In response to these events, Clayton sent a message to our church calling for all of us to be not only neutral in this struggle but to actively learn how we can become antiracists (fumcr.com/endracism).

Clayton has not only provided these words of guidance to us, but has also asked a group within FUMCR, led by Dr. April Bristow, to look at the actions we should be taking as a congregation to

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live into the goal of becoming an anti-racist church. This group will bring their recommendations back to the Church Council, and we as a Council will join staff and lay leadership to respond to the challenge Clayton has made to FUMCR. Like many things in our divided society, the concept of fighting racism in our country has acquired political baggage.

But if we look at this not from the perspective of politics but as Methodist Christians, I don’t think it has to be that way at all. There is no doubt that black persons in the United States suffer disproportionately from poverty, incarceration,

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unemployment, and more.

Collectively as a church and as individuals we need to answer the question: are we going to be the priest, the Levite, or the Good Samaritan from the parable in the gospel of Luke? Are we going to see the injured man lying in the road and keep walking, or are we going to stop and help?

This decision is not a partisan one for us as Christians. If we keep our North Star — our faith — squarely in front of us (like Lincoln did) and focus on loving our neighbor, the choice to be anti-racist becomes a foregone conclusion. After all, Jesus has already told us who our neighbor is; all we have to do is respond.

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a spirit of serving

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hurches have always been known to provide assistance to people in need, but by 1985 in Richardson the habit of people going from church to church asking for help had become a problem in need of a solution. Representatives from various houses of worship met to talk about addressing the issue together, and Network of Community Ministries was born.

I was on that committee and have been involved ever since.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit North Texas in March, Network went into overdrive to serve families who were suddenly without expected income or the breakfasts and

by Joy Anderson

lunches that had been provided for their children at school. I started helping pack weekend food boxes two days a week for those families and appreciated the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. When

regular crew assisting with dropoff every Tuesday from 1-3 pm at Network. It’s very rewarding to be involved in efforts to support people in times of crisis.

My life-long passion for serving others has become my

“It’s very rewarding to be involved in efforts to support people in times of crisis.”

FUMCR started our weekly collection of food and toiletries for Network, I wanted to help with that, too. We now have a

life’s work. I work hard and feel fortunate to have everything I need. So many families work hard and still struggle. The people we help may walk up, or they may drive through in well-worn to recent-model cars. Those needing food may be black, white, brown, Muslim, Christian, Hispanic, men, women, young adults, or senior adults. Anyone with an address in RISD can be a client of Network and qualify for a week’s worth of food. Every donation helps Network help our neighbors. You and I can make a difference!

Visit thenetwork.org for donation times, current needs, or to volunteer

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D O T S

I N

H E A V E N

BY A MY MCCLOSK EY

W

hen my brother Grant and I were little, we came up with the idea that before we are born, we are all “dots” in heaven. We decided that we were connected even as dots in heaven and that God chose us to be brother and sister.

We were inseparable best friends, always playing and creating together. Grant lit up ever y room he walked into. He kept us laughing with his antics and wit and astonished us with his talent in art and music. He cared deeply for people and had friends from all walks of life.

He was 14 when he was diagnosed with depression, and for the next five years our family fought hard to help him overcome his depression and, ultimately, bipolar disorder.

Grant fought hard, too. He loved life and wanted to be whole and well. But in November of 2005, we lost the fight. Grant took his life at the age of 19. In that moment, my life was forever changed.

I didn’t know what to say to God for a while after Grant died, but even in the pain of silence I knew He had me, He loved me, and He would never let me go. He is constant, unchanging, and faithful, and I have found a deeper trust in Him through my grief journey.

The nonprofit that bears my brother’s name – Grant Halliburton Foundation – is committed to youth mental health and suicide prevention.

We work hard to educate people about the warning signs of suicide and connect them with life-changing and life-saving help. Last year, we trained nearly 50,000 students, teachers, parents, and professionals how to recognize and respond to a person in crisis.

We also have a mental health helpline, a free ser vice that helps individuals find options for treatment. Not surprisingly, calls have doubled during recent months as the pandemic drives sk yrocketing rates of anxiet y, depression, substance use, and suicide.

Fifteen years ago, the earth crumbled under my feet. I still feel the aftershocks, but God has found a way to use this unspeakable loss for good. It has made me more resilient and compassionate. It has fueled our work to keep young people healthy and keep them here.

Whatever your earthquake was or is or will be, give yourself space to experience the tremors and aftershocks that will surely come. Lean on your communit y. Learn to ask for what you need. Whatever you are carr ying that feels heav y, share it with a friend, partner, counselor, or someone you trust. It does get better. And above all, remember that God is faithful and trust worthy.

To learn more, visit GrantHalliburton.org.

For the helpline, call 972-525-8181, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

LEARNING COMMUNITIES

WHERE IS GOD IN THIS PANDEMIC?

CAMPFIRE STORIES AND MORE: A JOURNEY THROUGH GENESIS

Dr. Terry Parsons leads this discussion of our questions around faith and God through this pandemic.

Join Dr. Dan Flanagan in this exploration of pre-history and early family narratives found in the book of Genesis

Sunday, 10/4, 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Tuesdays, 9/1 - 9/22, 7:00pm - 8:30pm

ENNEAGRAM SUBTYPES: INSTINCTUAL DRIVES AND THEIR IMPACT ON OUR BEHAVIOR

HOW YOUNG ADULTS WILL CHANGE THE CHURCH

Join Rev. Phil Dieke as he examines the future of the church with the contributions of today’s young adults.

An advanced course for those who have taken the Enneagram Journey and want to deepen their Enneagram knowledge

Saturday, 10/24, 9:00am - 12noon

Wednesdays, 10/28 - 12/9, 11:30am - 1:30pm

DISCOVER YOUR ENNEAGRAM NUMBER: THE ENNEAGRAM ADVANTAGE

WANT TO LEARN MORE? Detailed descriptions and registration information are available online at

A beginner’s class for those who want to discover their Enneagram number or those wanting a refresher course.

fumcr.com/learn

Saturday, 11/7, 9:00am - 3:00pm

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e m i t d e B s g n i s s e Bl Our popular Bedtime Blessings returned in late August to our FUMCR YouTube Channel. As you create your new school routine, we invite you to carve out special time together each night for a story, prayer, and a time of blessing one another.

With 20 new videos recorded by FUMCR staff, our hope is that your family will create or continue practices that may last into the weeks to come. The books are listed on our website, so you can read along or go back and re-watch any family favorites! Just visit fumcr.com/bedtimeblessings.

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Cheryl recording new episodes just for you!

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New Lens Going through a time of crisis often results in a sudden demonstration of personal faith. It didn’t work quite like that for me.

I was diagnosed with COVID-19 in April.

Shortly thereafter Pastor Clayton called and left a beautiful message letting me know that I was not alone and that I was being prayed for.

I wanted my faith to take over and provide for me the optimism that I so easily have for others in their times of crisis, but fear set in – fear of having to go to the hospital, fear of having to go on a ventilator, fear of never seeing my wife and kids again.

As both a spiritual and scientific thinker, I have struggled from time to time with my faith.

My tendency toward hopefulness and helpfulness for others does not naturally reflect back on myself. This inconsistency loomed painfully and occupied my thoughts on many a sleepless night during my six-week bout with COVID-19.

I thought to myself, why can’t I be more like my wife who is so confident and comfortable, why is my faith not prevailing during this very scary time? It turns out that God was working though my pastor, my wife, and my friends to show me I was not alone and I didn’t have to be afraid. They supplied the hope and the help that I was lacking.

Just two weeks past recovery, the details of those exact feelings were already hard to recall, but even now I still can’t jump to the conclusion that my faith is somehow unwavering. Rather, my

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by aaron devlin

scary situation has motivated me to reevaluate my everyday thinking and behavior from the perspective of my faith. I have a new lens through which to see myself as God sees me - loved and cared for. I have a new motivation to try to apply the same hope and help that I have for others to myself, to have a positive outlook as an example to my family, and to give my fears to God. I am thankful to be healthy again and be part of an amazing family. My wife, Courtney, took care of me and our boys, one of whom was also diagnosed with COVID-19, and continued to work, all while warding off negative thoughts about the unknown. My faith is a work in progress, and if personal doubts and fears resurface, I will be grateful for my family of faith to show me God’s hope, strength, and courage again. But I hope I will see them for myself.

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Being a ministry intern during a pandemic has definitely been different and brought unique challenges, but I have had a wonderful time at FUMCR this summer! I have been able to be a part of so many new events the church has held, including book studies, small groups, and parades. I was interacting with all age groups, and being able to listen to the wisdom coming from older generations to the joyfulness and eagerness of seventh graders has helped me grow tremendously in my own faith.

One moment that stands out is the pop-up mission event for the junior and senior high students. Seeing students come to the church, ready to serve their church and non-profit organizations reminded me of the selflessness God calls us to live by. I had the opportunity to give a devotional on the last day of the mission event, and that was definitely a new and unusual experience. It was 9pm, dark and windy, and for safety reasons the students were far away, so I could barely see them. Even though it was unlike anything I had imagined doing, sharing the word of God with students was one of the highlights of my summer.

I have had a blast as an intern for FUMCR this summer! It has helped me solidify my calling for ministry and developed many skills that will help me as I continue to explore life in ministry!

MIMI RICHARDS

MINISTRY INTERNS

NATHAN LEWIS

My name is Nathan Lewis, and I have been a summer intern at FUMCR the past two summers. Interning at FUMCR has been a truly life changing experience. I have become part of an incredibly loving staff family, grown deeper in my relationship with God, and better discerned God’s call on my life.

The one thing that I will remember from this experience, decades from now, is the people. I feel so blessed to have been able to work alongside faithfully committed believers whose love and kindness shine bright in all they do. The staff at FUMCR did an incredible job of making me feel known, supported, and loved.

I am so grateful for the relationships that formed over these past two summers, and my life has truly been enriched by having these relationships grow and develop.

FUMCR has been a wonderful faith community to grow in my faith. The church is so intentional about pointing people toward Christ in everything that it does. I have grown so much in my own personal walk with Christ and have been poured into by so many mature and wise Christians.

Entering into the summer of my freshman year, I was confused about what God was calling me to do with my vocation in life.

Following my completion of this internship, I feel a sense of peace and clarity. This peace and clarity has come because so many people at this church took the time to talk with me about faith and about my call story. My story is still being written, but FUMCR will always be an incredibly transformative and important chapter of my life.

for over 124 years, FUMCR has proudly celebrated our neighbors and community. Often times, these efforts have laid the foundation for some of our most popular traditions.

Blessing of the Backpacks may have looked a little different this year, but the spirit rings stronger than ever. We proudly celebrate the students and teachers at every level, as they embark on this new school year. We pray God’s blessings upon you!

Memorial Gifts Memorial and honorary gifts are a special way to celebrate a life, birthday, anniversary, special occasion or to just say thank you, and they serve as genuine testimonies to others. Below are the gifts given as of August 6, 2020.

In Memory Of Bodie Pyndus’ father by FUMCR Garden Ministry

Bob Way’s son by the Joyful Questers SS Class

Marcia Hitt by Nancy Hudson, Carol and Jack Corgan

Carol Tate’s father by the Joyful Questers SS Class

Barbara Clary by Joan and Marvin Lane, Diane Evans, Linda and Tom Boedecker

Kay Schafer by Rick and Tracy Shamblin, Ed and Kay Murray, Jennifer and Chip Rawlinson, Marvilou Walters, Bonnie Edwards, Sylvia Deadwyler, Frances Hegener, Betty Self, Susan Thompson, Peggy and Jim Schafer, Margaret Culbertson, Kaley Culbertson, Glenn and Susie Straus, Larry and Murlyn Zeske, Jan Casner, Lynn and J. Luke

Jeanne Bradford by Mary Turner Wanda Knepper by Sally Cobaugh

Judie Wallace by Penni Lewis and friends from Joy’s Hallmark

Paulette Mansell by the Apostles SS Class, Margie Franks, Bonnie Edwards, Betty Self, Neil and Martha Gehrig, Betty Bartula, Betty Nickell, Bob Diggs and Mary Howard

Colleen Hartley by Gere Gleim, Barbara and George Schrader, Nita Green and family, Billye Hartman, Pam Tucker Mattie Ivy by Bill and Jackie Westmoreland, Helen Kay Catt, Bobby and Nancy Singleton, Phyllis and John Roberts

Susan Parker by Susan and Ken Ord, David and Becky Twiss Susie McCoy’s father by Denise Baker, Billye Hartman

Don Pratt’s mother by Sallie and Nowell Loop

Linda Armstrong’s mother by Billye Hartman

Peggy Horn by Frances Hegener

Connie Presley’s father by Bonnie Edwards, Max and Valerie Whitfield Jana Bell’s father by Bonnie Edwards

Shirley Anderson by Marleen McCage, Vance and Luanne Payne, Andrew and Karen Bryant, June Mohn, Sallie and Nowell Loop

Debbie Smelko’s mother by Tim and Missy Griffy

Joy Turner’s son by Betty Sue and James Hall

Janet Vance’s father, Richard “Dick” Luthans, by the Joyful Questers SS Class, Terry and Sandy Brehm, Nowell and Sallie Loop, Pat and Robin Kelly, LeeAnn and Walter Horn

Helen Bell by Jennifer and Chip Rawlinson, Bonnie Edwards, Benita Belsley Bobby Cave’s sister by Betty Self

Lavonne Band, Norwood and Katharine Band, A. I. and Lucille Ward, Charles and Martha Rosendahl, Pam Rosendahl and Lisa Rosendahl

by Norwood and Marsha Band

Mary Jo Lanford by Mary Howard and Bob Diggs, Elaine Klobe, Ann Brooks, Becky Lanford Gideon, Jenny Lanford Kettering and family, Pat and Robin Kelly, Billye Hartman, Peggy Courville, the Joyful Questers SS Class

Hisako Engle by Janet and Ted Thompson Don Furuta by Sylvia Deadwyler, Susan and Ken Ord, Marilyn Dickson, Bruce and Betty Stahl, Johnie Amend, Walter and Jean Wharton, Nowell and Sallie Loop

John Mecom by Jennifer and Chip Rawlinson, Marsha Emmett

Larry Cottam by Michael and Sharon Conroy

David Burnett by Martha Chandler and Amanda Chandler, Richard Seibold

Marilyn Wright by Laura Davis

Charles Lowe by Bert and Brenda Duckett Dick Spies by Nowell and Sallie Loop

To view honorary gifts, please visit fumcr.com/ honorarygifts

June Delleney’s sister by Nowell and Sallie Loop Glen Meggs’ mother by the Joyful Questers SS Class Anne Harris’ mother by the Joyful Questers SS Class

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finance update

by Dianne Weideman

T

hroughout my career in finance, much of my days are spent working with numbers, evaluating everything from operating budgets to trends in our utility bills. But there are other numbers that sometimes touch my heart in a different way. When I reflect on our church and the way we have graciously and thoughtfully responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, I get excited to share these numbers. Since March 15th we’ve...

51,300 views of our youtube videos welcomed 104 new members had 290 vbc participants raise money for 29 guatemalan stoves worked alongside 33 youth in our first pop-up mission experience delivered over 1,000 backpacks to network tallied over

Wow! Those are some numbers to celebrate!

I’d be remiss if I didn’t also share an update on our 2020 Operating Budget. Our finance and executive teams have worked with our ministry leads to finalize a revised operating budget. Your faithful giving, combined with adjustments to our expenses, has put us in stable position as we enter the Fall. There is still much that remains unknown in the months to come, but we’re closely monitoring our situation and are ready to adjust as needed.

As always, we’re available to answer any questions you may have or provide any additional information.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Stachia or me.

Dianne Weideman

Stachia Brothers

Director of Finance dweideman@fumcr.com 972.996.0106

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Contributions Manager sbrothers@fumcr.com 972.996.0131

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PERIODICALS

503 N. Central Expressway P.O. Box 830877 Richardson, TX 75080 972.235.8385 fumcr.com

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Can’t wait to see you aga in soon!