First Connections 2021 Spring

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 SPRING 2021 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 1

God Is Still Here Online Ministry p.6 A reminder of the assurance we have in our faith, as seen in the FUMCR columbarium.

COVID-19 Personal Stories p.8 Beads Of Courage p.14 Strumming From Afar p.16

join us for worship!

online on facebook and youtube more details at fumcr.com/worship

traditional online worship 9:45am on Sundays on demand anytime

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

Senior Pastor Dr. Clayton Oliphint

modern online worship

Director of Communications Kristen Ceaser

11:00am on Sundays on demand anytime

Managing Editor Tracy Thomas

combined in-person worship 9:45am & 11:00am on Sundays sanctuary

Graphic Designer Kyle Henson Communications Team Kevin Burns Francy Collins Leslie Kring Contributors Shandon Klein Kim Guinn Dan Barrios Kyle Martin Pam Hughes Bodie Pyndus Julie Williams Mike Lightfoot Beth Smith

A NEW SERMON SERIES

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.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: First Connections, PO Box 830877 Richardson, TX 75083-0877

BEGINNING APRIL 11

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VOLUME 16, ISSUE 1

a message from our senior pastor

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s long as I live I will remember March 12, 2020. That was the day a phone call with the City of Richardson Medical Officer changed my world. I had reached out to him after hearing about the COVID-19 virus and cancellations of large public events. The conversation went something like this:

Clayton: Doctor, I’m hearing that some churches are canceling worship services, and other large gatherings are being canceled.

What can you tell me about the virus, and what do we need to be prepared for?

Doctor: Clayton, this is serious, and I would advise you to take it seriously. My advice would be to cancel in-person worship services.

And Clayton, you need to be prepared to do this through May, maybe even longer.

Clayton: (radio silence) Doctor: Clayton, are you still there?

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Clayton: (more radio silence) Ummm, Doctor, I’m here. I’m just trying to wrap my mind around what you’ve just told me.

That day we did make the difficult decision to cancel inperson worship, knowing that we had the ability to hold worship online. We had no idea then how dramatic and long this shift in the way we do things would be. Looking back over the last year, there are so many observations: More than a dozen church members have died of COVID-19 complications.

Many members have had COVID-19, with some experiencing mild symptoms, if any, and some being hospitalized with severe symptoms.

Every single member, along with every person on the planet, has been impacted by this pandemic. Some lost loved ones; some were isolated from loved ones; some lost their jobs or felt an economic impact. Some experienced great personal turmoil, mentally and spiritually.

Some experienced great professional stress and upheaval.

Everyone experienced change and inconvenience.

Through all of it, you have continued to be the church. Many of you have adjusted to the reality

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of online worship, Sunday school, and Bible studies. Some have found new ways to serve their neighbors, or maintain mission outreach in creative ways. You have continued to support the church with your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. I have to say a special word of appreciation also for our staff and the marvelous ways they stepped up to the challenge, pivoting to make ministry happen in new and imaginative ways.

As we approach Easter, we are reminded of the promise of resurrection. Beyond every temporary Good Friday pain and darkness, the light of new hope and new life are about to be born.

Just as God raised Jesus, so also God will raise us up out of this current reality. We see signs of hope all around us with vaccine distribution and declining virus numbers. We have reason to hope.

I hope that this edition of First Connections will inspire you to trust that God is indeed bringing us out of the darkness and into the light. I am grateful for your faithfulness to God, as together we place our ultimate trust in God’s steadfast faithfulness to each one of us.

In Christ,

Clayton Oliphint senior pastor

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When the calendar turned over to the new year, many of us were happy to wave goodbye to 2020. Little did we know what lay ahead! In just a few short months, this year has already had many twists and turns we didn’t expect. With each passing month, we are overcome with gratitude for a church family that only grows stronger with each turn in the road, mountain to climb… or even in a few inches of snow!

Sometimes the church IS the building

The winter storms of this past February gave us an opportunity to open our doors to those in need in our community. We were proud to partner with the City of Richardson in creating a warming station on our campus - available for anyone in need of a warm place to sit, a hot cup of coffee, or a charging station for their phone.

online ministry

There are many times within FUMCR’s church history that we have had to rely on faith and flexibility, and this season of the pandemic is no exception. Despite this time of uncertainty, we're able to open our hearts and minds to new horizons that we could have never imagined as we continue our mission to welcome people for Christ, grow people in Christ, and serve people with Christ. We've found ways to shelter in the presence of God in our homes, on our walks, and while driving in our cars as we worship online. We recognize sacred spaces and sanctuaries in our everyday lives and reimagine what deep, authentic connection could look like virtually with online small groups and classes. As a result, our body of Christ has expanded far beyond Richardson, Texas, and welcomed new family members from around the globe. While we look forward to the days our physical doors are fully open, our virtual open doors hold exciting possibilities for us to join in God’s mission to create disciples for the transformation of the world: one screen at a time.

- Shandon Klein

did you know... and Clayton record have 1700-2000 15 - 20GB of 1. Josh 2. We 3. Around sermons on Thursday views of videos on video is recorded and mornings and music is recorded about two weeks in advance to give our tech team time to edit services for one Sunday morning.

our YouTube channel, totaling about 415 hours of watch time each week.

edited down for one worship service.

Dr. Clayton Oliphint

Snowy Hello!

Laura Coward Clayton, I wanted to let you know how much the FUMCR Christmas Eve service meant to me. When I moved to New York in 2019 for a “great adventure,” I couldn’t have imagined that year two would be spent alone in a studio apartment. Made the difficult but necessary decision not to travel back to Texas for the holidays, which meant spending them mostly alone here.

I watched the FUMCR Christmas Eve service from a hotel room in Tribeca (for a staycation change of scenery), and immediately I felt less lonely. In fact, I felt joy and hope as I quietly sang along to the music. Your words and presence were such a comfort.

Suddenly I didn’t feel so far away.

I applaud you and your team for the ways you’ve pivoted during this difficult year. I can’t imagine how much work it’s been.

But I can tell you how much it’s meant to have the chance to stay connected.

Sending blessings to you and your family, as well as a snowy hello from the Upper West Side!

have dedicated 4. We staff “chatting” on

Facebook during live streams, and around 50 direct messages and phone calls are made from FUMCR staff to online viewers each week.

225 comments had online 5. Over 6. We’ve are made during viewers from across FUMCR worship services on Facebook each Sunday morning.

the world in places such as Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Bulgaria worship with us on Sundays.

KIM GUINN Three beloved members of my family – my aunt Judith Conkey, uncle Lewis Conkey, and cousin David Conkey – were early victims of COVID-19. It was early March 2020, before much was known, before any precautions were in place, and while treatment was by trial and error.

Lou, David, and his sister Kelly went to visit Judy, who was recovering in a rehabilitation facility following successful heart surgery. Shortly after returning home, David fell ill with the virus and was soon in the ICU on a ventilator. Days later both Judy and Lou tested positive for COVID-19 and were also admitted to the ICU and put on ventilators. Within weeks of being diagnosed, and within 36 hours of each other, all three passed away, alone, after hardfought battles with the virus.

My cousin Kelly was the only member of her family to be spared from the virus. Just after losing both parents and her brother, her husband Don was hospitalized with COVID-19.

It was heartbreaking to watch her suffer from afar. We couldn’t travel, and they were quarantined, so the only option was to grieve with her and support her via phone calls, texts, and social media.

On Easter Sunday last year, I posted a social media invitation to

celebrate through our online service. Kelly watched and worshiped with me virtually.

We were so moved by the words from Pastor Clayton who spoke of our family and told our story. We had no idea that anything would be said, and for her to hear that so many people were lifting them up in prayer was very special. Kelly experienced loss on such a massive scale in a matter of weeks. She continues to suffer from PTSD as a result. I still receive phone calls and notes from friends and strangers letting me know our family is in their prayers, and that is so heartwarming.

It’s hard to believe a year has passed and that we are coming up on the anniversary of our story. I am saddened to see the numbers of all those who were lost, because I know they left behind heartbroken friends and family. I am hopeful that with the new vaccines fewer families will have to experience this type of tragic loss. I am so thankful for everyone who has checked on me or let me know they have prayed over my family in the past year.

DAN BARRIOS Uncontrollable fevers and low blood oxygen level led my wife, Erin, to drive me to the hospital on Sunday, January 10th.

The next 11 days were some of the worst of my life as I battled COVID-19. My symptoms were severe and changed daily; my vital signs were all over the board. One night after a particularly tough day, I stayed up crying and begging God not to allow me to die. I was afraid that if I fell asleep, I would not wake up. It was a horrible night, but somehow both my body and my faith came through stronger in the morning.

I didn’t do it alone. Our friend, Chris Tory, is a Gospel singer, and she sent me a few recordings. I must have played her singing “How Great Thou Art” 50 times that night.

Chris’s singing wasn’t the only thing that helped me through the 11 days of hospitalization and weeks of recovery. What encouraged me the most were the thousands of uplifting texts, Facebook messages, and prayers from friends worldwide. I heard from childhood friends, friends I served with in ministry,

coworkers, and people whom I’ve met through my volunteerism in the community. Our friend Alison Kieckhafer set up a meal train, and friends provided food for several weeks. This experience did have its blessings.

The day after I was released, my mother tested positive and was hospitalized. We were extremely grateful that her case was less severe, and she was soon back home.

As I type this, COVID-19 is still affecting my life. I have a stack of bills that add up to about 50% of my yearly teacher’s salary. My doctor recently told me she sees evidence in my lungs of possible long-term effects of the disease. I had to take incompletes in two graduate courses I’m taking at UNT, so my graduation date will be pushed back to December. This journey is not over, but I am incredibly grateful for still being here, for faith, and for the love of friends and family that helps get me through difficult times.

KYLE MARTIN Bearing people’s pain without breaking is the greatest gift we as nurses have to give, and it is born from the most human power: Hope. Over the past year, day to day life at work has greatly changed. In many ways going into the ER feels like entering a fortress with health screenings, temperature checks, and metal detectors. For our entire shift, we work with our faces covered by surgical masks. Due to quarantine the hospital has not allowed visitors with patients, causing them to feel alone, scared, and lost in an intimidating environment. We have seen a great deal of pain during this pandemic. I thank my patients for their trust. It has been such a blessing and a gift to serve the patients that we care for.

We have been blessed so that we can be a blessing to others.

Allyson and I had our first born, Margaret, in January of 2020, just before the great quarantine began. Having a new baby during a pandemic presented its own set of challenges, as we had to isolate from friends and family at a time when we wanted to share her with the world. We have been blessed to stay healthy and are feeling a renewed sense of hope now that we and family members are getting vaccinated and able to be together again without fear.

Getting vaccinated was the most triumphant moment. It felt like all the hard work, all the pain, all the sacrifice was starting to pay off.

council corner

by Pam Hughes

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n February, the Church Council met for our annual retreat. Usually, this half-day, in-person event is an opportunity for us to kick off the year, meet leaders from across ministry areas, put faces to names, dream and vision together, and end the day over lunch. (The best meetings always involve a meal!) This year, of course, nearly everything was different.

Instead of the pre-meeting buzz of Mays Hall, we made small talk and waved to one another on a Zoom call. Instead of table groups for smaller conversation, we met in carefully orchestrated breakout rooms. And instead of capping off with a communal meal, we each enjoyed our own coffee and snacks in our offices or living rooms.

But what remained the same was more important than anything that made this year different. Because despite all of the “unprecedented” circumstances, the sense of hope and enthusiasm that infuses the annual retreat was ever-present.

I heard it when we broke into small groups. We weren’t bemoaning all that was lost in 2020 - instead we were dreaming of where the church can go

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The Hughes Family next. I heard it in the updates of impactful work being done across ministry areas, even in this most difficult of years. I heard it in the reports from the Strategic Vision Committee, which has helped the church maintain strong priorities and clear goals as it pivots (and then pivots again), and from the Racial Justice Task Force, which has begun its important work even in the midst of these physically distanced conditions.

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I am inspired and excited by the tangible hope that I heard from every member of the Church Council that morning.

And I know that this hope isn’t present only on the Council, but in every corner of our congregation. So thank you for continuing to be the church and living out our mission. I’m joyfully looking forward to all we’ll do together in the year to come!

VOLUME 16, ISSUE 1

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

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celebrate Easter

with First United Methodist Church Richardson

april 12th

Lenten Offering

YOUR GIFT WILL SUPPORT TWO PROGRAMS:

Body & Soul FUMCR continues to provide a weekly Sunday afternoon meal in downtown Dallas to meet a need of the homeless population. Your gift will ensure the continuation of this ministry that feeds bodies and nurtures souls.

UMCOR COVID-19 Response People’s daily needs for healthcare, food, hygiene, and job security are being met through an on-going programmatic response to COVID-19 that awards grants to local churches, annual conferences, and non-profit organizations to serve their communities. Your gift will extend care and compassion to those left most vulnerable during this challenging time.

april 12th

Holy Week Opportunities MAUNDY THURSDAY WORSHIP SERVICE - APRIL 1, 2021

7:00pm - sanctuary watch online - fumcr.com/live and facebook.com on demand at YouTube.com/fumcr Living Last Supper, communion, and special music by youth and adult ensembles.

Advance registration is requested for in-person service at fumcr.com/easter

GOOD FRIDAY WORSHIP SERVICE - APRIL 2, 2021

7:00pm - sanctuary watch online - fumcr.com/live and facebook.com on demand at YouTube.com/fumcr John Rutter’s Requiem performed by Chancel Choir ensemble, soloists, organ, and instrumentalists, with readings of Jesus’s last seven words.

Advance registration is requested for in-person service at fumcr.com/easter

april 12th

Easter Sunday Morning Worship APRIL 4, 2021

8:00, 9:30, 11:00am - first center parking lot 9:30, 11:00am - watch on television - KTXA watch online - fumcr.com/live & YouTube.com/fumcr Advance registration is requested for in-person service at fumcr.com/easter

beads of courage

by Bodie Pyndus

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still get tears in my eyes each time I watch the CBS News video about Beads of Courage. And I have viewed it more than a dozen times. The same results, each time. But, more than that, I have lived the story.

Whether it stemmed first from my genuine appreciation for the Beads of Courage program or later as a result of my grandson’s Leukemia diagnosis, I was ready to provide support for those going through medical trauma. Regardless, God works in mysterious ways. My wife, Linda, calls them God hugs.

Let’s begin in 2018. I gathered a group (men and one woman) who had a passion for woodworking. We met regularly in a church classroom

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and formalized our group as the “Sawdust Brothers,” but we wanted a facility to call our own.

We approached the Trustees and asked to use the third building on the Custer Road property, the one behind First Center. We remodeled it in the Fall of 2019.

Now we had a wood shop.

Meanwhile in the summer of 2019, I learned about the Beads of Courage non-profit organization through the North Texas Woodworkers Association.

As a member of that group, I participated in the Beads of Courage box build competition.

While I did not win a prize, I did learn how to make a box. I volunteered to deliver the 25 boxes to Children’s Medical Center Dallas. During my delivery, I met several of the

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nurses in the Cardiac Care Unit.

I was impressed by their passion for their profession and their compassion for their patients. I felt this was a story I needed to share with others. In July of 2019 I posted a video on my YouTube channel, “DIY Home & Garden Projects,” about these nurses and their involvement with Beads of Courage.

After watching CBS’s Beads of Courage video several more times, and tearing up again, I introduced the box build idea to the Sawdust Brothers. It was warmly adopted as one of our long-term projects to support. We started to build boxes. I produced an additional video asking other woodworkers to build a box and send it to us. To my surprise, they did.

VOLUME 16, ISSUE 1

Six months later in January of 2020, my grandson, Schuyler, was diagnosed with Leukemia and was rushed to the same hospital where I delivered the BOC boxes. Now the emotional roller coaster began. We were told that he would be in the hospital for the next 30 days. As a three-year-old, he required a parent or adult be with him 24 hours a day. And to complicate things further, he has Down Syndrome and is non-verbal.

The first 30 days in the

Schuyler

Follow these QR codes to see the videos mentioned in this article!

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hospital were difficult for the whole family. My wife, daughter (Schuyler’s mother), motherin-law, and my wife’s sister all took turns staying in the hospital for two to three days.

We managed the first 30 days, home for two weeks, and then returned for another 30 days.

The next break at home lasted 4 weeks, then a final 30 days back in the hospital. I am grateful for the many church ministers who helped us through these times. I give multitudes of accolades to the nurses and doctors of Children’s Medical Hospital. All were a godsend.

In March of 2020, I built the most special Beads of Courage box, this one for Schuyler. I produced a video about it, “A Box with a Purpose.” The Sawdust Brothers with the North Texas Woodworkers sent an additional 26 Beads of Courage boxes to Children’s Medical Center in 2020, and in February of 2021 we sent another 22 boxes. The boxes we make go to the children coping with serious illness, often life-threatening or terminal. The beads

CBS News Story

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Bodie Pyndus & Michael Hatley are a visible and tangible art form. Every time a bead is given, courage is honored, suffering is alleviated, resilience is strengthened, and the experience of human caring is affirmed. These are not just beads of courage; they are beads of life.

Schuyler is now recovering from his treatments, his hair has grown back, and he loves to play rough and tumble with his older brother. He continues to receive monthly treatments and will for another two years.

Sawdust Brothers continue building things from wood.

We invite you to join us as we continue to support Beads of Courage through our box making.

A Box Build With A Purpose

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strumming

from afar

by julie williams

“I’m gonna play so God can use me, anywhere, Lord, anytime.”

This is part of the closing tune for the new Ukulele Choir at First United Methodist Church Richardson.

We wrap up our weekly practices with a run-through of this song, and it always makes me think two things: 1) what a great message to center our lives around; and 2) I really need to practice my ukulele more often!

This new choir is the brainchild of Ian Gill (Associate Director of Music Ministry and director of The Journey Youth Choir) and Kim O’Neil (Director of Children’s Choirs).

But the catalyst of it all was a crazy time of quarantine. When the pandemic began in early 2020, Ian and Kim were determined to find ways to continue the church’s music programs, even though they couldn’t plan around any in-person worship services or gatherings. They had already been considering the idea of a ukulele choir; they just had no idea that it would be the perfect fit for a time of social distancing and online classes.

Early Days

The church was quick to promote the idea, recruiting members throughout the spring with the promise that no one had to be a musical genius (or have any experience at all). You just had to get a ukulele and meet online! By July 2020, there were 38 of us ready to start weekly rehearsals. And that’s when the much-needed fun began.

Ian would introduce a new chord or two each week, then bring in songs that used those chords. Every new lesson built on prior ones, and before we knew it, we had a whole set of songs that we could strum along to on our ukuleles. Throw in some new strumming techniques and an Elvis impersonation or two, and you had an extra fun lesson every time.

We were hooked.

Kim brings her own brand of entertainment to each class. She began some of our earliest rehearsals with trivia questions that taught us about the history of the ukulele.

We would scramble to type our replies in the chat feature, trying to see who could be first to get the right answer. By December, Kim had branched into Christmas trivia. Now, in 2021, we have moved on to playing “Name That Tune,” with Ian plucking out 3 notes, then 4 notes, then 5 until we have a lucky winner.

It sounds like simple entertainment. A few chords, a few contests. But the overall effect has been an amazing lift to our sagging spirits. The group also provides a new source of fellowship. We share our joys and concerns.

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Julie Williams and the FUMCR Ukulele Choir

We represent all ages, from elementary school students to retirees. Some members have been playing ukulele for years; others had never approached the instrument before that first Zoom call in July. But we have all shared in the pleasure of learning new skills and focusing on something other than the pandemic for a while.

giving back

Kim, Ian and the rest of the music team have found meaningful ways for our new choir to serve the church in return. We performed “Amazing Grace” in the fall of 2020. This debut involved each of us doing a video recording at home, then sending it in for editing.

The technical crew worked its magic and synchronized our videos into a single group shot.

The video was featured during worship one Sunday and online via social media. This was quickly followed by a recording of “Silent Night” for Advent season.

Kim and Ian are already planning more recordings for the future as our repertoire and confidence grow. We also look forward to a time when we can have regular rehearsals and performances in person.

feeling grateful

The pandemic has been a time when we could easily dwell on what we cannot do or where we cannot go. This choir, however, has been a wonderful response to those limitations. I am grateful to the church - and to Ian and Kim especially for this exercise in creativity. And on the weeks when my fingers don’t hit the right frets or want to strum the right rhythm, I’m also grateful for our online classes and that lovely little mute button. Life in quarantine has a few perks after all!

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pandemic pivots

by Mike lightfoot

Like everyone, the Music Team has adjusted the way we do things over the past year. We set some initial ground rules, and they worked, but as more was learned about COVID-19, we changed our rules to reflect changing guidelines. We pivoted, if you will, and then we pivoted some more. I am so proud of our Music Team for their continued flexibility and contributions that set and keep the bar high. A few people deserve special recognition, and for each of these I could list several others.

pivot 1: From worshiping in-person with live music to worshiping online with pre-recorded music Many of you recognize Rick Holt as the guy who plays percussion on choir anthems. Whether we need him on a drum set for a big gospel number or timpani for a Requiem, we call him first. What you may not know about Rick is that he has expertise in music video production and has produced many of our anthems over the past year. Our first videos were virtual, in that all singers were asked to record themselves at home and submit those recordings so they could be pieced together and made into a beautiful song for worship. Rick was so good at this that he is now producing videos regularly.

So, in addition to being the drummer, a Chancel Choir member, and producer of many music videos, here’s a little more about Rick Holt:

• Born in Florida, raised in Alabama

• Received his first set of drums when he was six years old

• Sang in his mother’s choirs where she was a choral director

• Earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Troy

University in Alabama

• Participated in a Bodhran (Irish drum) Summer School in Inis

Oirr, Ireland

• Composed “A Celtic Mass,” a beautiful work that was debuted at

our church in 2012 and has been performed by First UMC Dallas

and a major Atlanta suburban church

• Continues to compose and is now published under Walton Music

pivot 2: From primarily accompanist to featured pianist Anytime Antoine Spencer participates in worship music, everyone is struck by his ability to play the piano with so much styling and soul. Antoine is, of course, our Journey Youth Choir accompanist, and during this past year he has played several preludes at Mary’s request. As church organist, she is responsible for planning preludes and postludes, and she always looks for opportunities to have Antoine share his talents.

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Here’s a little more about Antoine:

• Began playing in church at age 9

• Earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education

• Accompanied the Turtle Creek Chorale for 16 years

• Has been principal of Otto Middle School in Plano ISD

since 2012

• Is transitioning to a new position with Plano ISD - Director of

Research and Accountability

pivot 3: from recording music at home to recording music at church and, later, a live quartet in worship Once back in the building, we planned for four singers to lead hymns for our online traditional service and later to sing for our in-person services. We asked Jenny Kelly and Susie McCoy to alternate singing alto with Kim, Ian, and me on our hymns. They have both been members of the Chancel Choir for many years and are always willing to participate.

Get to know Jenny:

• Attended West Texas State University and sang in the top

choir with me

• Earned her Bachelor’s of Music Education and was married

five days later to her husband, Tim

• Has worked in Richardson ISD for 27 years, the last 13 as

Coordinator of Elementary Music

• Joined FUMCR with Tim in 1994 and has sung in the

Chancel Choir for 27 years Get to know Susie:

• Taught elementary school for 32 years, 27 of those in

Richardson ISD

• Has taught in our children’s choir program for several years

• Has been a member of the Rich-Tones women’s barbershop

chorus for 36 years I also want to thank the singers who have participated more and more in the recording of our weekly hymns, making it possible to continue to offer both online and in-person worship: Katie Barron, Bruce Boyle, Diane Grandey, Dennis McCullough, and Susan Wyatt.

Our staff and all of our church musicians can pivot with the best, and they never complain. It’s a healthy way of dealing with our current situation. Today I say thank you to Rick, Antoine, Jenny, and Susie for being a part of all that we’ve done over this past year. And, thank you to each one of you in the choir who has been willing to pivot again and again. My hope is that we will soon be pivoting back into the loft. I miss our times together, and this church misses their choir!

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fumcr recipe share

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ot too long into the 2020 lockdown my family was getting tired of my same tried and true recipes. Little did I know just how much home cooking I would really be doing in the coming months. That’s when one of our church members suggested we have a recipe share group, and the idea was hatched.

What if we have an online community where we could crowdsource recipes and save my stale, weeknight dinner options?

Fortunately, and with the help of

by Beth Smith

several folks, the FUMCR Recipe Share Group was quickly created on April 3, 2020! (Ironically, this is the same day as my dad’s birthday, and I like to think of this group as a tribute to him, one of the best bakers I know!)

Since that first day, just about a year ago, the group has grown to 301 “members” from both inside and outside of the FUMCR community, in 38 cities, spanning 9 states. Very active in our posts, we have had 75 in the last 60 days alone, with over 1000 reactions

Hayley Minton - “I’ve loved the recipes but also the warmth and positivity that flows on here!!”

Laura Cook Lawrence - “I’ve loved the new ideas for meals, and also feeling connected to people while apart.

I’ve especially enjoyed the new connections to people I wouldn’t have otherwise met. This has legitimately been one of my favorite things to come out of COVID.” Jill Davis Dlott - “I’m not a great cook, but this group has given me new ideas and encouragement.”

Laura Holt Caston - “I’ve loved seeing what other people cook for their families - a window into the soul so to speak!

Definitely a part of the conversation that may have been missed in a traditional setting. Blessed by you all (and your inspirational recipes)!”

Life sure has given us lemons and this group has absolutely created the BEST lemonade! Thank you to all for joining in this community, providing culinary inspiration, and even sanity when I simply couldn’t come up with one more thing to cook on my own! If you would like to join us, we would love to have you!

Find us on Facebook at FUMCR Recipe Share, and invite your friends! There is always room for one more at this table!

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and 375 comments. These numbers are impressive, but what has been most impactful and such a joy to see, is not only what this group has meant to me, but also to the fellow members.

The homepage of our FUMCR website states, “FUMCR is a community where relationships matter, staying connected is key and hope is a foundation of our faith.” This came out loud and clear when members of the recipe share group were asked what the group has meant to them:

TJ Smelko - “It’s like we are authors of a church cookbook by sharing the love and appreciation about food.”

Amber Newsom - “I’ve had so much fun seeing what others cook regularly for their family, and I’ve added a few new recipes to my repertoire that I love! It’s really nice to be a part of a drama-free group where we legitimately only share recipes and not anything else going on in our crazy world.”

DeLisa Taber Menton - “So many wonderful ideas and inspiration among food lovers!!!! The absolute hit for our family is the crock pot beef and broccoli (with a few additions). I seriously have it in the rotation every couple weeks if not more. .......so major shout out to whomever posted that one!!”

The Smith Family

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For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Memorial and honorary gifts are a special way to celebrate a life, birthday, anniversary, special occasion, or just to say thank you, and they serve as genuine testimonies to others. We have received a great number of gifts over the past several months. The list detailing these gifts can be found at fumcr.com/gifts

FUMCR is blessed to be a church where trained Stephen Ministers are available to walk alongside anyone who is facing a time of challenge. You do not have to face situations alone. When you find yourself needing a listening ear, please reach out to Caring Ministry so they can confidentially connect you with a Stephen Minister - fumcr.com/caring

SPRING 2021

We are particularly excited to celebrate Marsha Mayo and Charles Peavy, two longtime Stephen Ministers, who just completed a robust Leadership Training. This training allowed them to take a deeper look at all areas of the ministry and gain the knowledge, skills, and tools to guide others through their journey in Stephen Ministry.

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VOLUME 16, ISSUE 1

finance update

O

ur staff leadership worked particularly close with your Finance Committee through last year, as we navigated the potential impact of the pandemic. There were some obvious expenses where we could save, such as bulletin printing and lights. The staff also worked hard to adjust their budgets while continuing to support our congregation and community.

I know several of you have been financially impacted by the pandemic. With that in mind, it was particularly inspiring for me to watch as we approached the end of the calendar and fiscal year, we were ahead of budget.

A clear representation of the generosity of our congregation and the strength in being “better together.” As Clayton’s often said, every gift truly makes an impact.

While it was important to put a portion of the surplus into our reserves, we also believe passionately in giving back to the community. In January, we made a $50,000 donation to our friends at Network of Community Ministries as they launched their Building for our

by Dianne Weideman

2021 OPERATIONS BUDGET DEBT SERVICE // 14%

WORSHIP & MUSIC // 23%

FAMILY MINISTRY // 12%

WELCOMING & FAITH FORMATION // 10%

OUTREACH & CARING // 19%

Neighbors campaign to move into their new, expanded space by Labor Day 2021. In addition, we have earmarked another $50,000 to be used in direct support of our community, as we continue to assess the impact of the pandemic on local students and families.

As we look ahead, your Church Council has approved the 2021 budget. While there may

Dianne Weideman

still be unknowns, we remain driven by a hope and excitement for the year ahead. As always, I’m in appreciation of the people of FUMCR, and I’m grateful to serve alongside you!

If you ever have any questions regarding the church budget or your individual giving, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d love to hear from you!

Stachia Brothers

Director of Finance dweideman@fumcr.com 972.996.0106

SPRING 2021

FACILITIES & ADMINISTRATION // 22%

Contributions Manager sbrothers@fumcr.com 972.996.0131

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VOLUME 16, ISSUE 1

PERIODICALS

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

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

spring plant sale ORDERS DUE APRIL 11 PICKUP ON APRIL 17 FUMCR.COM/PLANTSALE