Summer 2024 First Connections

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 SUMMER 2024 VOLUME 19, ISSUE 2

The In-Between p.6

Labor of Love

General Conference: Unity and Hope p.10

Sawdust Brothers woodworkers presented FUMCR with a handcrafted cross before Easter.

A Podcast Partnership to #helpthemhome p.12 Posturing Congregations to Experience the Divine p.20

JOIN US FOR

WORSHIP TRADITIONAL WORSHIP SUNDAYS 8:45, 9:45, 11AM*

503 N. Central Expressway P.O. Box 830877 Richardson, TX 75080 972.235.8385 fumcr.com Senior Pastor Dr. Clayton Oliphint Director of Communications Francy Collins Graphic Designer Kyle Henson

SANCTUARY *FUMCR.COM/LIVE

Communications Team Kevin Burns Paige Hughes Shandon Klein Leslie Kring

ONLINE WORSHIP

Contributors Zack Allen Chelsea Alvarado Eric Czechowski Rohini Drake Lisa & Robert Grinsfelder Melanie Jackson Clayton Oliphint Matt Walker

SUNDAYS, 9:45AM FUMCR.COM/ONLINE

ON DEMAND YOUTUBE.COM/FUMCR

MODERN WORSHIP SUNDAYS, 11AM WORSHIP & ARTS CENTER

First Connections (USPS 022-024) is published four 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

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VOLUME 19, ISSUE 2

a message from our senior pastor

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guess things slow down for you at the church in the summer?” The question comes almost every summer from someone. There was a day that may have been true. That day is long past. At FUMCR summertime is a time when activity can actually ramp up! This summer we expect that hundreds of children and youth will participate in camps, mission trips, educational and spiritual adventures, and more. I love walking down the hallways of our church in the summer because they are filled with kids having fun. The H.E.R.O.E.S. camp serving children through young adults with special needs is particularly inspiring. If you’ve never peeked in the Sanctuary during Vacation Bible Camp and seen 500 or more children singing praise to God, then you haven’t lived! It can get noisy, but I love that our church loves and welcomes children of all ages.

Worship will be extra special this summer, and because of our Online Ministry, you can stay connected even when you are traveling. We’ll kick off June with

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a series called Gone Fishin’, where we will explore some of the great stories in the Bible that are whales of tales. In July, we’ll explore The Wonderful World of Jesus, with some Disney movies as backdrops for the biblical stories. Both of these series should be fun for every age group in our church.

As you can see in this issue of First Connections, FUMCR is alive! God’s Spirit is moving in our community, drawing people to join our church family, helping

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us grow deeper in our faith, and sending us out into the world to serve. If you are traveling this summer, I pray for rest and renewal for each of you. Whether at home or on the road, stay connected at FUMCR. Summer is going to be cool!

Clayton Oliphint senior pastor

VOLUME 19, ISSUE 2

engage. encompass. envision.

by Zack Allen, FUMCR Exploratory Committee Chair

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he FUMCR Exploratory Committee, dubbed “Explore First,” was created in response to a recommendation from the FUMCR Strategic Vision Committee following their work in 2022 and 2023 to revisit the strategic pillars of the church in a post-covid world. We are a task force charged with evaluating the current state of the facilities at FUMCR, gathering input and insights regarding best ways to utilize the FUMCR facilities, and providing recommendations for improving the church campus so that the FUMCR facilities can best serve its members and the community. Our work encompasses both the immediate and near-term facility needs for the church as well as those future, long-term facility needs that will enable FUMCR to continue to grow and serve as the body of Christ.

We view ourselves not as a steering committee but as a listening committee. To that end, we are currently in the process of gathering the feedback, data, and insights that will be used to guide our recommendations.

Our work began with an online survey designed to collect feedback from individuals, including members and non-

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Committee members, left to right: Keith Dagen, Jaxie Alt, Amy McCloskey, Zack Allen, Sarah Smith, Joel Barron Staff liaisons: Kristen Ceaser, Drew Presley, Clayton Oliphint members alike. As of this writing, the survey has generated over 300 responses, for which we are incredibly grateful. If you have not yet taken the survey, it can be accessed at fumcr.com/explore or by scanning the QR code on this page.

In addition to the survey, we are working to connect with each of the worship, fellowship, learning, and service communities at FUMCR to coordinate a time when we can meet and engage with you about your thoughts and recommendations for our church campus, both now and in the

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future. Finally, we intend to meet personally with individual church and community members to gain greater insight into how FUMCR can best use its facilities in order to carry out the mission of the United Methodist Church.

We are honored to serve as members of the Explore First Committee, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside each of you as we take intentional and proactive steps to sustain FUMCR for generations to come. We welcome your thoughts, your suggestions, your hopes, and your dreams for our church.

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THE IN

We love being able to serve our children and youth in the little and the big moments. We just had some very big moments in our church - Confirmation worship service and joining, kindergartners receiving their Bibles, children- and youth-led worship, and Senior Luncheon. These moments bring joy to the church’s heart when we get to celebrate these wonderful life moments with families.

But we also have a secret. What we love even more and cherish and desire are the small moments.

We want to see the faces in the hallway on Sunday. We want to see full Sunday school rooms bursting with laughter and voices. It brings our hearts joy to see youth worshiping together and closing with the UMYF benediction. We love having the small moments of prayer and conversations in between the big times. The big times are amazing, but the true voice of God and love that we can share with you happens in the small, everyday moments. The Sunday in which it was hard to get up but you made it here moments. The smaller, uninteresting moments that connect us with your family and with your children are when the Holy Spirit moves.

When Confirmation students took their membership vows in front of the congregation, they took a vow to faithfully participate in the church’s ministries by their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service, and their witness.

This made me think.

What does “faithfully participate” mean?

Participate with us to form your children’s faith not just on the big days but on the small ones. Allow us into your everyday life and in all the in-betweens.

It’s commitment. It’s sacrifice. It’s love.

BETWEEN

by Melanie Jackson, Assistant Director, Youth Ministry

We know that faithful participation does not look the same for everyone, and we honor this by offering multiple ways for children and youth to be involved and experience a great church love. Some kids connect through Sunday school; others prefer choir; while still others are here for God Squad or UMYF. We honor these commitments, but we also ask that regular worship attendance happens with these activities. The best way to form the faith and lay the foundation for the generation to come is to practice corporate worship.

We all know that preparation is the key to success. We prepare faithfully for sporting events so everyone knows what to do and has a higher likelihood of achieving success. Forming the faith of our youth and children is not much different. If there is no practice, the foundation crumbles and the probability that our children will continue seeking the love of Jesus is lower. With practice, the success of this relationship is higher. As Christians, we want our kids to have a faith, but they must be able to practice this faith in order to use it. This is our time to practice - the in-between days, the hard days, the days we don’t want to get out of bed. We must commit to the practice of faith as if we were getting ready for the big game.

Join us! Be here with us! Faithfully participate with us!

We pray and hope that we can continue to form our children and youth in faith on all the days - the big ones and the in-between ones - because we love them, and we want them to know the great love of Jesus Christ for all the in-between times we know they will have in their future.

Congratulations to our graduating seniors! A celebratory lunch honored them and their families earlier this month. Over $74,000 in scholarships were awarded!

Jack Orr Memorial Youth Choir Scholarships Evan Gray, Taylor Hopkins, Sammi Kimble, Isaac Lindh, Melina Linscheer Forrest Orr Memorial Scholarship Aubren Kazee

Spencer F. DePuy Memorial Scholarship Gabriela Ruelas

John Garrett Russell Memorial Scholarship Will Shiner

Craig Kelly Memorial Scholarship Connor Whitmire Hutchison Family Scholarship Taryn Clasby

Dorothy L. Davis Memorial Scholarships Emily Eklof, Josh Eklof David M. Bailey Memorial Scholarship Mia Ramsey Singles Fellowship Class Scholarship Nate Weber

Ben Marshall Honorary Scholarship Keiran Fleming

Men of Faith: Bob Moxham Scholarships Nick Fooshee, Chad Howard

UWF: Ruth Thomasson Heart of a Servant Scholarship Molly Harris

Rev. Joy Anderson Honorary Scholarship Celia Schaefers Sherry Calvert Memorial Scholarship Jacobi Orange

Dean and Carol Brown Arts Scholarship Hannah Winton

Mary Jo Lanford Memorial Scholarships (Graduate level) Shandon Klein, Natalie Nenovich, Lakeesha Browne

Youth Week // July 21-25

Fun, free activities throughout the week! lake day, Roughriders game, serving at Austin Street Center, Life Group dinners, worship, and games. Come to one or more!

summer Ohana Luau // Aug 4

Our official hello to our new 7th graders and goodbye to our graduated seniors

Really Living // Aug 9-11

The annual retreat led by our new senior class!

Friends welcome!

IceCream-a-palooza // AUG 25

Invite a friend and come dig into our mega ice cream sundae in a gutter at our UMYF fall kick-off!

fumcr.com/youth

connection is critical by Chelsea Alvarado, LPC-S

W

ith May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we join our community in increasing awareness on the importance of mental health and wellness in all of our lives. According to NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness), 1 in 6 youth 6-17 years of age experiences a mental health disorder each year, and 1 in 20 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness each year.

As a school intervention counselor, I see daily how mental health struggles can impact our young people and their families.

Social media comparison, loneliness, and trauma are all contributing factors to these struggles. While these struggles are real and overwhelming, I also get to see how connection and community can serve as protective factors for youth and adults alike. Connection is critical for all people but especially for those facing mental illness.

One of the biggest priorities in my work as a school counselor is to build community and opportunities for connection around our students who are struggling emotionally. We have the privilege and responsibility

to do the same for one another. Being involved in our church community is one meaningful way to do so. Whether it is having direct conversations about mental health, providing a place of belonging for children, supporting individuals who are grieving or experiencing hardship, or providing volunteer or service opportunities that bring purpose for those who participate, FUMCR is a hub for connection. At best, this connection is an antidote to mental health challenges perpetuated by isolation. Even for those not currently struggling, this connection can serve as mental health maintenance.

For those parenting school-aged children, never hesitate to reach out to your child’s school counselor with concerns, big or small. We are there at school to encourage your children, to partner with you, and to help in navigating resources when applicable. I sometimes ask students to identify affirmation

statements that they most need to hear. One of the most common statements identified is “I belong.”

Peer and societal influences sometimes communicate to young people that they do not belong; the value of quality time, screen-free connection, and open communication with our youth cannot be overstated.

I encourage anyone who hasn’t checked out FUMCR’s page on Mental Health and Wholeness to do so for information, support, and resources (fumcr.com/mentalhealth). Grant Halliburton Foundation is another wonderful resource for warning signs and resources for parents, educators, and young people (granthalliburton.com).

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general conference: unity and hope

by Dr. Clayton Oliphint, Senior Pastor

T

he postponed 2020 General Conference of the United Methodist Church was held April 23 – May 3, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina. This conference was my sixth as a delegate, and I’ve never seen a greater sense of unity and hope for the church.

The headlines that you may have read tell only part of the story. After 52 years of contentious arguing about

policies and language regarding human sexuality, people across the theological spectrum – conservative, centrist, and progressive – decided to stop fighting, remove harmful language, and move forward together in mission. As John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Movement said, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, diversity; in all things, charity.”

Among the things discussed, debated, and approved are the following: • Adopted Regionalization that allows the UMC in various regions of the world to set policies, make decisions, and do ministry in ways that are unique to their context. This will need to be approved by two-thirds of the voting members of annual conferences over the next year. I am especially pleased as this is a plan my father proposed for the church more than 30 years ago.

• Voted to remove exclusionary policies and language concerning LGBTQ people from the Book of Discipline, including prohibitions against marriage and ordination of otherwise qualified candidates for ministry.

• Adopted revised Social Principles that address current social concerns from a global perspective.

• Voted to give deacons the ability to administer Baptism and Holy Communion. (Rev. Pavielle Jenkins and Rev. Sarah Marsalis-Luginbill are deacons and are pretty excited about this!)

• Approved Full Communion with the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church will need to vote on this next. Full Communion means a recognition of the validity of each other’s ministry and for pastors to function across denominational lines if called on.

• Commissioned new missionaries to be sent out across the world.

• Approved a new defined contribution plan for Clergy and a reduced budget for the general church.

All of you would have been proud of our own Shandon Klein as she chaired a legislative committee, shining before the conference as she presented her committee’s work. As I noted above, this General Conference was remarkable in its joy, hope, and lack of conflict from past General Conferences. The heart of the Methodist movement that Wesley preached and taught, and that we continue to share, is that God’s grace is available to all. As proud United Methodist Christians, let’s live it and share it.

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A SUMMER OF

POSSIBILITIES F U M C R I S B L E S S E D T O H AV E F O U R I N T E R N S T H I S S U M M E R .

W E H O P E YO U ’ L L M E E T T H E M A N D G E T TO K N OW T H E M !

ALLISON MARTIN

YOUTH MINISTRY

I’m looking forward to supporting youth as they grow in their values, ask hard questions, and deepen their faith!

Ask me about my time as a youth at FUMCR!

CAITLIN HAMMACK CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

I am looking forward to going back to my old stomping grounds of Bridgeport Summer Camp and experiencing the camp from a new perspective as an adult! I cannot wait to meet everyone, make new memories, and see what God has in store!!

Ask me about my super fat cat spaz!!

HAVEN EMERY

ADULT FAITH FORMATION This summer I am excited to jump in openhanded to the community at FUMCR. I can't wait to meet new people, hear their stories, and grow in faith together.

Ask me about the worship album I am producing with my school, Asbury University.

KELLER BROWN

YOUTH MINISTRY

I am most looking forward to meeting new people and spending more time with the church I grew up with.

Ask me about baseball.

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a podcast partnership to

#helpthemhome

by Rohini Drake, Director of Online Ministry and Host of More Than Sunday

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n the fall of 2023, Pastor Clayton suggested we invite Daniel Roby, CEO of Austin Street Center (ASC), to be a guest on the More Than Sunday podcast during a season focused on engaging local "influencers." He didn’t know it at the time, but this simple suggestion would spark a unique collaboration aimed at shining a light on homelessness and inspiring the FUMCR congregation to get involved in the efforts to end homelessness.

As Clayton and I were interviewing Daniel for the episode titled "How can I be more compassionate?" I found myself deeply moved by the stories and statistics Daniel shared. The stark realities of homelessness and the innovative solutions offered by ASC challenged my preconceived notions about homeless shelters.

Intrigued by what I had heard, I decided to visit ASC firsthand, eager to witness their work in action.

My visit to ASC was a revelation. I’m embarrassed to admit, but I went with stereotypes and misconceptions. Instead, I discovered a vibrant community hub dedicated to providing comprehensive support services to individuals experiencing homelessness. From employment assistance to mental health care and spiritual support, ASC is redefining what it means to serve the homeless population with dignity and compassion.

Inspired by my experience, I realized FUMCR had the potential to share ASC's mission with a wider audience through our podcast. In January, the More

Than Sunday team pitched the idea of a collaborative season to Daniel, envisioning a platform where listeners could learn about ASC's work and explore actionable ways to address homelessness.

ASC, offering viewers a firsthand glimpse into the organization's transformative work. Subsequent episodes were filmed at FUMCR, aligning seamlessly with our worship series, “How Can I Help?” and the online book club

Left to right: Daniel Roby, Rohini Drake, and noted sports broadcaster/ Austin Street Center advocate Norm Hitzkis The pitch was well received

by Austin Street Center as they recognized the potential to amplify ASC's impact and engage the FUMCR community in meaningful dialogue. Together, the More Than Sunday and ASC teams collaborated to craft a sixepisode season that delved into topics ranging from advocacy and collaborative partnerships to solutions for homelessness.

The collaborative spirit extended beyond podcast recordings, with the first two episodes filmed on location at

discussion of When Helping Hurts.

As new episodes of the season launched, it became clear that this partnership was about more than just raising awareness—it was about building connections, fostering empathy, and mobilizing collective action. It’s my hope that this season of the podcast has demonstrated the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change and creating a more compassionate community for all.

More Than Sunday is available at YouTube.com/fumcr and wherever you listen to podcasts. Want to learn more? >>> SUMMER 2024

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COMMUNITY PARTNER

austin street center Beyond meeting basic needs, Austin Street is committed to helping their clients regain their independence and find a permanent place to call home. No matter how they got there, the focus is on a caring, customized, collaborative approach that involves a variety of community partners 2023 Impact to deliver services and special programs 2,399 Clients Served to remove barriers to permanent housing.

Austin Street is the only shelter in the United States with a medical respite program for people who have recently been released from the hospital and need a place to go to recover. Doctors and nurses are on staff and special hospital beds are available.

551 Clients Housed 415 Job Placements 22,740 Case Management Sessions 17,184 Volunteer Service Hours

FUMCR Work Day FUMCR members got hands-on experience at Austin Street recently when they served on a Saturday in the clothing closet. The groups worked to inventory, inspect, and sort clothing donations, organize the clothing closet, and fill clothing requests for clients. They also participated in a tour of the facility and learned about the incredible resources provided to clients. It was a joy to connect and serve together as the hands and feet of Christ!

Read more and consider ways you might help at austinstreet.org

opportunity taken by Matt Walker

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n January, Karen Varner, our Director of Caring Ministry, was contacted by the Events Coordinator of the nearby Appletree Court Assisted Living Center to ask if we could facilitate a weekly Bible study for their residents starting the following month. None of our pastors were available the first Thursday afternoon in February, so she “strongly encouraged” me to lead a couple of studies. I have taken Bible studies but never taught one, so to say I was hesitant is an understatement.

Reluctantly I said yes and was talking about it in the staff break room over lunch when Tammie

Caring & Welcoming Ministries Associate

Haug suggested I do a study of hymns. I love hymns and grew up singing hymns out of the Cokesbury Hymnal at family gatherings with my grandmother playing the piano. She lived in a small town in Louisiana, and on Sunday mornings would play at the Baptist church service then go over and play at the Methodist church.

I talked to Ian Gill and Kim O’Neil, both of whom had several books on hymns. I found some amazing stories, so in my Bible study I tell about the author, how he or she came to write the hymn, the Bible passage that inspired the hymn, and we sing the hymn. I'm

Matt Walker, leading a Bible study at the Appletree Court Assisted Living Center

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so grateful to Ian Gill for coming along to play guitar and lead the singing.

The first week I selected author Isaac Watts (1674-1748) and three of his hymns: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” “Joy to the World,” and “Marching to Zion.” Isaac Watts started learning Latin at age 4, Greek at 9, French at 11, and Hebrew at 13. At age 15, young Isaac was bored and uninspired by the songs sung like Gregorian chants in his church.

When he complained to his father, the minister, his father challenged him to come up with something better. Isaac wrote a hymn for the next Sunday which was enthusiastically sung. Isaac spent the next two and a half years writing a new hymn each week for the congregation to sing.

Over his lifetime he wrote over 750 hymns.

I was surprised to find this time so fulfilling. I continue to lead Bible studies at Appletree every other Thursday with about 16 men and women, who enjoy being together and hearing stories behind some of their favorite church music. Clearly you do not have to be a pastor or a Biblical scholar to lead a Bible study. I have a study Bible, the Interpreter’s Bible, the internet with more resources than I can use each week, and a very grateful audience.

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k oo b e n o s d rea

GREENWOOD HILLS ELEMENTARY

BY LISA AND ROBERT GRINSFELDER FUMCR CHILDREN FIRST COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Greenwood Hills Elementary School LITE (Library & Information Technology Educator) Kim Sierra had a vision for her school community to focus on reading one book “to bring our campus together with a single literacy event and to encourage families to read aloud together.” She had the perfect book in mind. “I chose Wishtree by Katherine Applegate because of its themes of friendship, compassion, and inclusion.”

The Children First Team was eager to participate, and FUMCR was able to provide the book for every family in the school in early February. The project continued through March and included a study guide with goals and discussion questions. Kim shared that “some families were engaged right away while others needed more time to get started.” Talk about the book among the students continued even after the project ended.

PARTNER SCHOOLS

FUMCR’s partner schools benefit through increased teacher/staff support; volunteers from FUMCR for events, work days, and RISD’s We Read Together program; and gifts of new books for each student every semester.

Just like neighborhood kids in the closing chapters of the book, students were asked to place their wishes on a specially designed tree in the hall by the library.

Kim shared, “This came at an emotional time for our campus as one week earlier, RISD proposed to consolidate our school” into schools nearby. The wishes included students wanting to keep their teachers, stay at the school, and also more personal ones like, “I wish my Mom did not have to work so hard,” or, “I wish ***** could have a friend.”

The timing of the project came when it was needed most, and the life lessons learned will help the students move forward with more tools to navigate what lies ahead.

FUMCR GHE 2015-2024 Greenwood Hills Elementary has been a special place to volunteer with a dedicated principal, Misti Lehman, and staff who have created an inclusive and positive environment.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Children First Team looks forward to continuing to support Mark Twain Elementary and possibly another school in the near future. Want to learn more or get involved? Find out more at fumcr.com/childrenfirst

Project Transformation North Texas is committed to supporting children in their love of reading and academic growth.

College students invest in the lives of underserved children while living in community, exploring their calling, and developing as servant leaders.

Children from low-income neighborhoods improve their literacy, socialemotional, and spiritual development in high-quality programs.

Churches in underserved communities host programs, reconnecting and building relationships with their neighbors.

Project Transformation North Texas engages over 100 college-age young adults in ministry and service with over 1,000 underserved children and youth in 10 site churches located in low-income communities.

80% of children and youth in Project Transformation maintain 95% or improve their reading levels over the summer. of young adult alumni say that Project Transformation 92% prepared them for future leadrship in the church or community. of lower income 4th graders in the U.S. are not reading at grade level.

Serve with Project Transformation This Summer at Walnut Hill UMC Read with children or lead "Talk About God" time June 24-27 and July 15-18, 9:30 - 12 pm Participate in Family Fun Night July 18, 6-8 pm See volunteer requirements and sign up by June 5 at fumcr.com/pt24

COMMUNITY PARTNER

project transformation

BIG SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sundays in July at 9:45 Deepen your understanding of what we, as United Methodists, believe.

Support RISD

led by FUMCR pastors.

fumcr.com/learn

August work day at Mark Twain Elementary & Back-to-School Bash

FUMCR F O U N DAT I O N Making plans today to enhance the FUMCR of tomorrow

fumcr.com/legacy

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Neighbors often go to Network of Community Ministries for the first time in a crisis.

When you support Network, you’re helping neighbors: • Put food on the table • Ensure they have suitable clothing • Take steps toward financial stability • Access necessary mental health services • Stay safe in their homes Network was able to serve more than 24,000 individuals last year. Thanks to FUMCRaffiliated individuals and groups in 2023, Network received: • $29,305 • 28,400 lbs. of food • 1325 hours from volunteers • Additional donations to the Toyland program and Clothing Closet Network has seen a 75% increase in the number of families coming for assistance compared to the same time period last year. Would you consider ways you might provide additional support?

• Make regular financial gifts • Volunteer in the Community Market or Clothing Closet • Donate non-perishable food, personal items, and like-new clothing • Purchase items on Network’s Wish List

Serve at FUMCR to support Network this Summer May 26 - Coleman Family Hall

June 9 – Network van in FUMCR parking lot

Assemble snack packs for children who are home in the summer and in need of food

Donate high demand items: • New socks and underwear (all sizes) • Shelf stable meals (chili, soup, hamburger helper) • Hygiene items (sunscreen, deodorant, shampoo, feminine hygiene)

Network helps our neighbors here in our community – people we see and share space with every day – and is especially instrumental in serving RISD students and families.

Thank you for your support of Network of Community Ministries!

COMMUNITY PARTNER

network of community ministries

I was 20 years old when FUMCR took a chance on me. I had nominal experience leading worship and a limited (but passionate) understanding of Jesus, and in spite of both of those shortcomings, FUMCR hired me to be the part-time worship leader for the 11:05 service and the co-director of the youth choir. This church has been home for me (and eventually my family) ever since. Even after moving away to Nashville, Val and I were married in the sanctuary here in December of 2011. After eight total years away from FUMCR, I was delighted to come home and back on staff in January of 2016 to lead worship with many of the same band members from eight years before. I was baptized here, as were both of our kids, and we’re so proud to be a part of this church.

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Throughout my ministry, I believe God has opened a number of doors for me to walk through for new experiences, challenges, and opportunities. In December of last year I was thrilled to walk through the latest door into the role of Director of Worship and Arts in the church where I found my first role in vocational ministry. Over the years of worship services, trainings, cohort groups, conferences, and conversations with colleagues, I’ve come to believe a few things about worship that you may already know but that took me awhile to learn to articulate: 1. God is present in our gatherings through the Holy Spirit before we know it, realize it, or feel it.

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2. We cannot script, control, predict, or manifest the Holy Spirit to move, but the mystery of God’s movement is something I’m learning to celebrate.

3. What IS in our control is how we work to posture ourselves to become more aware of the movement of the Spirit when we worship. This can be physical, spiritual, and emotional posturing, and some strategies can include prayer, breathing, kneeling, opening or raising hands, and/or singing. It can start in the parking lot or at the door to the church with a warm welcome from an FUMCR greeter!

In a season when I was more regularly consulting for churches, we had three pillars by which we assessed services. It’s a tricky thing when trying to put qualitative metrics to worshiping the Divine, but we believed that if a church was succeeding in clarifying their purpose for gathering, intentionally planning and executing worship services, and utilizing efficient and effective systems to support those services that they would be in the best position to help posture their congregations to experience the movement of the Holy Spirit during worship. To aid our team in clarifying our purpose, this past January our worship team at FUMCR discerned the following statement:

Vision Committee church-wide, and we’re looking through the lens of priorities including engagement and multigenerational ministry. As a result, you may see us trying some new things in our worship services!

We’re exploring ways to further engage lay worship leaders and support teams of all ages, and we’re working towards building lay teams to help facilitate things like Communion, altar dressing, and AV (cameras, screens, livestream, etc.). Our new cameras in the sanctuary have already made the 11:00 livestream service more engaging, and they give us some exciting possibilities for the inperson experience as well!

“We aspire to engage as a diverse community that offers our authentic selves as we worship God so that all may experience the grace of Jesus and be transformed by the Holy Spirit to bring light, love, and hope to the world.”

If you have ever been interested in leading or supporting worship services in any way, I hope you’ll reach out to me at Eric@fumcr.com. I am so honored to be charged with curating our worship gatherings at FUMCR; I am confident God is moving in mighty ways when we worship, and I’m praying I’m postured to notice. Thank you for your help in that work!

I’m committed to carry on the incredible work of the FUMCR worship team for posturing our congregations to experience the Divine when we gather. This year we’re leaning in to some new focus areas from our Strategic

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Memorial and honorary gifts are a special way to celebrate a life, birthday, anniversary, special occasion, or just to say thank you. Below are the gifts given January 1 – April 30, 2024.

In memory of...

Melissa Brumfield by Mary Daniels

Philip Key by the Pickleballers at FUMCR

Anna “AJ” Carr by the Apostles Sunday School Class, Bonnie Edwards

Charles Masterson by Rob, Rhonda, Alicia, and Blake Hydeman; Jeff and Colleen Hensley

Linda Waters' brother, Doug Coker, by Robert and Brenda Hanus and the girls

Dr. Corky McGee by Bonnie Edwards, Becca and Greg Cartwright, Missy and Tim Griffy, Pat and Robin Kelly, Gloria Scott

Carolyn Cummings by Bill and Janet Sheen and families, the families of Gordon and Sheryl Dunlavy, Ryne and Desiree Dunlavy and Jordan and Brett de Cardenas, the Bock Family, Robert Dunlavy

Bob Nusser by Chip and Jennifer Rawlinson, Don and Jane Schwart, Bonnie Edwards, Mark and Lynn Solomon Marjorie "Mitzi" O'Hara by Virginia Lea and family

Bob Davis by Donna Armstrong Chuck Petri by Tom & Linda Boedecker Linda Farrington by Oncor Energy Douglas Reagor by Bonnie Edwards Nita Green by Gere Gleim, Bonnie Edwards, Rick and Tracy Shamblin, Virginia Lea and family, Glenn Green Mason Humphrey by Mark and Lynn Solomon Lawson Jackson by Mark and Lynn Solomon Joseph Johnson by Carl and Ginger Smith and family, Mike and Lisa Balow, Jake and Jordyn Johnson Howard Kennedy by Anne Hendrick-Thomas for the Arts District Chorale's Board, John Lauder, the GenerousChurch Team and friends of Randy Kennedy, Bonnie Edwards, Randy and Maurine Gill, Bruce and Susan Boyle, the Apostles Sunday School Class, Jack and Kathy Kennedy and Karen Krause, Doug and Cheryl Freeman, Tom Calvert, Grady Venable

Gloria Reynolds by Jennifer Reynolds Bill Rivers by Tom Calvert, Betty Nickell, Bunco Babes Sandra, Missy and Tim Griffy, Nancy and Jim McCord, the Apostles Sunday School Class, Betty Bartula, Joel and Linda Robuck, Bonnie Edwards, Chip and Jennifer Rawlinson, Virginia Lea and family, J.M. and Mary McGeath, Betty Self, Caroline Mecom, Troy and Mary Ann Craig, Mr. and Mrs. James F. Martin, Michael and Susie Hatley, Andrew and Jane Rooker, Martha Wright Myers, Deedie Rose, Suzanne Baker, Susal Aspinall Block, June McGuire and Edwina Johnson, Charlotte Lee and Steve Hull Joe Shafer by Bonnie Edwards Richard & Joan Shaw by The Shaw-Olvera Family

In honor of...

Tracie Brugge by Jeanne Jacobson Stephens

Clayton Oliphint by Mary Sanger with Chapter EZ PEO Sisterhood, the wedding of Jack Wylie and Helen Lowman

Dan Flanagan by Tom & Linda Boedecker Becky Rivers by Bonnie Edwards Hadley Faith Fisk’s baptism by Jeff and Susan Willis Pavielle Jenkins by the Fellowship Sunday School Class Clem Presley by Tracy Shamblin

Morgan Willis, Mandi Willis Fisk, Matthew Fisk, Harper Grace Fisk, and Hadley Faith Fisk by Jeff and Susan Willis

PERIODICALS

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

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

a new worship series starting sunday, June 2