First Connections Oct-Nov 2011

FIRSTConnections First United Methodist Church Richardson

Volume 7, Issue 25

October/November 2011

Celebrating

10 Years

of Ministry at FUMCR!

Welcome!

We are so glad that you have chosen to worship with us, and we hope that you find First United Methodist Church Richardson to be both a welcoming and an inspiring community of faith.

During the scorching summer months, it was hard to imagine that the great heat wave would ever come to an end. But now, as we embrace the fall that is upon us, we are reminded that “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1.

While our “to-do” list may be longer than ever…

4 Fall Festival 4 Kid’s Halloween Costumes 4 Planning for Thanksgiving 4 Business Trips

Senior Pastor Dr. Clayton Oliphint

…we cherish the moments of quiet time that can be found in the midst of our days.

In your crazy and sometimes hectic days, we invite you to take a moment and allow God’s love to fill your heart. Walk with us as we celebrate, learn, support and share this journey of life together.

Whether in worship, small groups, access contemporary service, or through our many ministries, we welcome you to our church campus. We are available if you have any questions or would like more information, and we look forward to meeting you soon!

Elizabeth Wilson, Director Inviting & Involving 972.996.0134 Direct ewilson@fumcr.com

503 N. Central Expressway P.O.Box 830877 Richardson, TX 75083-0877 972.235.8385 www.fumcr.com

Kristen Ceaser Inviting & Involving Associate 972.996.0154 Direct kceaser@fumcr.com

Join Us for Worship Sundays Service of Communion & Prayer Chapel, 8:15 am & 12 noon Traditional 8:45, 9:45, 11:00 am Dr. Clayton Oliphint, preaching 5:00 pm access A Contemporary Worship Experience Dr. Clayton Oliphint, preaching Tune in! WRR 101.1 7:00 am Worship at FUMCR

Director of Communications & Worship Gloria Scott Editor/Graphic Designer Elizabeth Gonzalez Communications Associate Kevin Burns Website Manager Francy Collins Contributors Joy Anderson Marilyn Dickson Holly Lee James Lee Janeva Longacre Suzie Lyons Debra Hobbs Mason Faith Nyagato Julie Williams

972.235.8385 www.fumcr.com FIRST Connections (USPS 022-024) is published 6 times a year, bi-monthly by the First United Methodist Church of Richardson, 503 N. Central Exp., Richardson, Texas 75080. Periodicals postage paid at Richardson, Texas and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to First Connections, PO Box 830877, Richardson, TX 75083-5315.

Do you remember hearing a song when you were a kid, complete with hand motions: “Here is the church, here is the steeple; open the doors and see all the people” When I look out on Sundays and see all the people, I am constantly amazed by the talented and committed people who make up First United Methodist Church Richardson. Every person has a story, and it is fascinating to discover some of the incredible abilities and experiences some of our members have had. One of our desires in our FIRST Connections magazine is to introduce you to some of the amazing people sitting beside you in the pews, and working alongside you in ministry.

Dr. Clayton Oliphint, Senior Pastor

So many people have shared with me that they love the friendliness of FUMCR. One of our new members wrote me recently and said, “I was afraid when I came here that this church was too big. But we found a home in our Sunday School class, and now we feel like we’re in a small town church, where we know so many people.” What is the church? It’s not a building, it is people!

People—That is what our mission as a church is all about; welcoming people for Christ, growing people in Christ, serving people with Christ. In this edition you will see some of the many ways that FUMCR is living out this mission. When people recognize they have been blessed by God, and they want to turn around and bless others, get out of the way, because good things are going to happen.

I’m proud to be the pastor of this great church and to see all of the ways the church is passionately ministering to the needs of people, introducing people to the love of God through Jesus Christ, training people up in the faith, and sending people out into mission in the world. It’s all about people who are powered by God. I’ll see you in worship on Sundays, morning or evening, at the “see all the people” place!

In Christ, Clayton Oliphint

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ow’s the time to put that big star on your calendar for the weekend of November 11, 12 and 13. Once again the elves will transform the Bartula Family Life Center into the wonderful International Christmas Market.

For the last 28 years, the FUMCR market has been providing needed funds for a variety of worthy projects. From one table with a couple of nativity sets and some Heifer International literature, this market has grown to fill our huge Bartula Family Life Center and has gone from $100 to last year’s $91,000+ weekend. Can we help even more people this year?

Invite your friends to come and participate in this unique shopping experience.

We know it’s still hot outside but cool weather and Christmas will be here sooner than you think! Wouldn’t you like to have all your Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving this year and have meaningful gifts for all those on your list?

Honor family members, neighbors, friends, business colleagues, clients and coworkers with a gift that will make a difference in our community and around the world. When you honor someone with a donation, you will receive a personalized card to send, telling them of your gift. What a wonderful way for them to be remembered.

Look at what you can do… m Build a home for someone in Dallas who has never known the joy of home ownership through Habitat for Humanity. m Feed the hungry in Downtown Dallas every week at Body and Soul. m Strengthen a new congregation at Nueva Vida UMC.

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S uzie L yons

O utreach M inistry

m Educate children in a South African village in partnership with Pretoria’s Willows UMC. m Send our FUMCR youth on a mission trip to Appalachia. m Buy an animal through Heifer International to help a struggling family feed and educate their children. m Support adult workcamps with the purchase of bean soup – it’s already wrapped for gift giving! m Vaccinate and heal children and their families at Maua Hospital in Africa. m Help pay Ark House rent and utilities for families staying near hospitalized loved ones.

m Be a part of rebuilding in Haiti. m Drill a well for a village that needs clean water. m Marvel at affordable handmade crafts from all over the world, wake up with that delicious coffee and chocolate, and put a smile on a child’s face with items for Wesley Rankin.

Forget the last minute rush to the mall. Forget the crazy traffic around the shopping centers. Join the excitement and feel good about your gifts. You’ll be able to write those Christmas cards you never have time for!

Interna Christm tional as Mar ket 2011 Friday,

Novem ber 11 5 – 9:3 , 0 pm* *$5.00 lets you be first gets yo in line a u food nd and dri nk Saturd ay, No vembe 10 am r to 4 pm 12, Sunda y, Nov 8:30 am ember 13, to 1 pm

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Way to Go!

Real people at FUMCR achieving extraordinary success in personal pursuits. . .

Connecting Community & Service: Frank Clem and Adam Haug

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W riting and P hotography J ulie W illiams

reast cancer is a disease that affects millions. Studies have found that Asian-American women over age 50 have the lowest rate of screening history among all U.S. ethnic groups: less than half reported having had a mammogram screening in the last two years.

Frank Clem, the church’s director of operations, is working together with a local health group to change these statistics. He helped coordinate free bus transportation for more than 40 local Bhutanese women to attend special mammogram screenings this past June and July. The project will continue in October, when he will arrange transportation for a Burmese women’s group.

Clem said: “I got a visit from Frances Leung, the community outreach manager for the Asian Breast Health Outreach Project. The group works with Methodist Richardson Medical Center in the Asian women’s health department. They organize different groups to try and convince women that it’s a good thing to come for these screenings.”

Many of the participants know very little English and have never had a mammogram previously. Overcoming this cultural hurdle is the goal of the outreach project.

“I thought it would be a good ministry to support,” Clem said. So together with driving support from church member Adam Haug, Clem coordinated plans for a 14-passenger van to transport this summer’s group. With limited seating, the event resembled something like a tennis match. “Adam or I would pick up one group, drop them off, and then go get another group. By then, the first group would be about ready to return.”

Clem said the result was worthwhile. “It felt like it served a good need.”

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More Than Just a Competitor: Clay Krames W riting

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was asked to write an article about fellow church member Clay Krames and his success in the National Senior Games.

However, when I met with him recently at his residence at Highland Springs retirement community, I discovered that the real story is that of a leader.

Mr. Krames is recognized for his accomplishments in Senior Games competitions (field events) regionally and nationally.

Braving the triple-digit heat at the National Senior Games in Greater Houston this summer, the octogenarian earned a gold medal in javelin, silver medals in the discus and hammer throw, and finished fifth place in the shot put in the 85-89 age group.

He has competed in three National Senior Games, eight Texas State Games, and many other local competitions. Seventy-six medals now adorn the Krames’ home.

This athlete played football and was a high hurdler at Beaumont high school. But, he competed in a discus event in the absence of the school’s regular thrower—and won—and was, thereafter, a discus thrower. After serving in the United States Navy during World War II in Carrier Aircraft Service Unit (CASU-2) in the Pacific, Mr. Krames returned to Texas and was the principal discus thrower on the University of Texas at Austin from 194649, lettering all three years.

After leaving UT, he had a forty-one year career with Chance Vought Aircraft/LTV Systems, retiring in 1991. During that time, he stayed fit through exercise routines and sports with company and church groups, but never considered competing in track or field. Then, in 2004, his son-in-law, Gary, a Senior Games participant, prompted Mr. Krames to begin competing also. To prod him a little, Mr. Krames’ daughter, Cheryl, sent him a discus for Father’s Day. It had been 55 years since he had handled a discus, but he decided to give it a try. After tinkering with the practice discus a little during the summer, he entered the Qualifying Games in Lubbock and finished in the top three, earning him an opportunity to compete in the State Senior Games that year.

In addition to his accomplishments on the field, Mr. Krames is the patriarch of a successful family. He has a beautiful wife, Joyce, whom he met at UT and married in 1950. The couple raised three children—Cheryl (a medical doctor), Christy (a medical illustrator), and Michael (a PhD in electrical engineering

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H olly L ee

and CTO of a start-up company in LEDs and advanced lighting). He is also a proud grandfather of six.

Mr. Krames’ leadership extends beyond the track and field and home. He is a proven Christian leader. He was a founding member of Plymouth Park Methodist Church in Irving, Texas. Our own David Shawver was a pastor for a period of time at that church, which got its start by meeting in Crockett High School. When the Krames family moved to White Bluff in Whitney, Texas, they began searching for a new church home. The resort had none, and the only options were in nearby small towns or in relatively distant Waco. So, a group of Christians began meeting in homes. Eventually, the group was allowed to meet in the White Bluff Administration Building. A retired Baptist minister volunteered to be pastoral leader. Then, the core group, including Mr. Krames, led the growing congregation in the acquisition of land, some donated and some purchased, to build a church home. White Bluff Chapel was completed in 1993 when Mr. Krames was Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Perusing the extensive documented history of White Bluff Chapel, it is clear what an integral role Mr. Krames played in fostering the growth of this congregation that brought people from fourteen different denominations under one roof. The Chapel continues to function as an active, mission-driven church.

Families, churches, and athletic events have all been blessed

by Mr. Krames’ leadership. I look forward to tracking his future athletic career at the Senior Games’ website—www.TSGA.org.

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Martial Arts World Champion Amongst Us: W H Hal Recionos riting by

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ook next to you in the pew, and you might find a Martial Arts World Champion. Reverend Harold “Hal” Recinos earned 10 gold, 1 sliver and 2 bronze medals in the recent 2011 Legends of Kung Fu/ Taiji Legacy World Martial Arts Championship, bringing his total world championship medal count to 65. He also was second male runner up for the title of Internal Forms Grand Champion. Rev. Recinos is a professor of church and society at Southern Methodist’s Perkins School of Theology, and ordained elder and member of the UMC’s BaltimoreWashington Conference, and author or editor of several books, including ones on Hispanic ministry. His wife, Maria Jose, and children, Eli and Hannah, have been members of FUMCR for about 7 years.

Rev. Recinos has been practicing martial arts since he was eleven years old and trying to survive in a tough South Bronx neighborhood. He began by studying ju-jitsu and earned black belts in both ju-jitsu and tae kwon do. In the late 1970s, he discovered the internal martial art of tai chi chuan. This Chinese internal kung fu discipline appealed to him because it closely linked physical skills development with spiritual peace and harmony. Beginning in 1982, he decided to devote himself exclusively to the practice of tai chi chuan studying then with Grand Master C.K. Chu of the New York School of Tai Chi Chuan.

About 10 years ago, Rev. Recinos moved to Dallas to join the SMU faculty. It was then that he met and began practicing with

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Master Wuzhong Jia, founder of the HeBei Chinese Martial Arts Institute in Richardson. Rev. Recinos continues to connect his martial arts and spirituality through cultivating the ability to focus deeply. He considers his martial arts practice a part of his prayer life.

To stay in shape, the Martial Arts Champion also runs marathons, most recently completing the Marine Corp Marathon and the Austin Marathon. To train, he runs about 8-10 miles a day. He hopes to run a peak race at the Dallas Running Club Half Marathon this fall and to return in 2012 to the Austin Marathon.

With all of this activity, our theologian still finds time to serve.

Much of Rev. Recinos’ mission work is focused on working and supporting the La Rosa Blanca school in El Salvador. This school, with a student body of 225, is located at the periphery of the Southeastern side of San Salvador in a socio-economically marginal community. Click on this link to see footage from a recent visit to this school http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=oFWbzDlIrHQ.

Maximizing His God-Given Talents: W P P Paul Robinson

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hotography

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J ulie W illiams P aul R obinson

11 hours, 29 minutes, and 54 seconds. That is

how long church member Paul Robinson spent fighting currents and testing his endurance, as he successfully swam across the English Channel this summer. With his support team cheering him on, he completed his personal goal of swimming from England to France on July 26.

Robinson’s swim career began at an early age, and he narrowly missed making the 1988 U.S. Olympic swim team. As an adult, he had competed in four Ironman competitions but by 2010 he was ready for a new challenge. “I’ve always been goal-oriented, and I wanted to instill that core value in my children,” he said.

Thus began 18 months of intense training, which included lake swims and also swimming tethered in place in his neighbor’s unheated pool during the cooler months to build up his tolerance of cold water. The English Channel was 61 degrees Fahrenheit for his 26-mile crossing that day.

While this was a solo swim, Robinson stressed that he “did not do this in a vacuum,” a point that is readily apparent in his blog about the whole experience. His family and friends supported him throughout his training, and then accompanied him across the Channel in the observation boat. His support crew helped keep him focused and fueled while the boat captain navigated through the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

Robinson said the sense of affirmation has stayed with him since his big swim. He encourages everyone to strive to maximize their God-given talents and skills to make differences in their lives and achieve new goals.

For an inside look at Robinson’s training and the day of his big swim, please visit his blog at www.channelswimr.wordpress.com.

Paul and friends at the White Horse, a place where channel swimmers who have finished the swim, go in and sign the wall. Paul dedicated his swim to the memory of his age group swim coach, Neil Matzen, “Probably the reason I did as well in swimming as I did.” Neil was also a member of FUMCR, but died in late 2009 from aggressive brain cancer. “MBM” stands for “Made by Matzen.”

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Summer Camps...

P hotography

Children’s Ministries

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FUMCR FOCUS M inistry and Y outh M inistry

Weekday Kids At First: Year round 145 Summer school 60 HEROES (6 weeks): 510 Summer Bridge (new morning day camp for kids with Autism characteristics): 10 Summer Fun: Preschool (2 weeks): 150 Mother’s Day Out (3 weeks): 100 Vacation Bible Camp: 485 Music Makers: 107 Children’s Ministry Camps (5 weeks): 167 Children’s Sports Camps (4 weeks): 242

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“Great kids, Great Coaches, Great Camps�

Heather Canny, Director of Family Life Ministries

Youth Ministries:

Senior High Mission Trip: 58 kids, 11 adults Junior High Mission Trip: 80 kids, 13 adults Really Living: 110 kids, 24 adults 1900 miles traveled, 186 gallons of paint, 15 boxes of nails, 95 paint brushes, 3 power saws, 12 ladders, 6 sections of scaffolding, 8 smashed thumbs, 10 gallons of sweat, a few tears, 10.5 sunburns, and thousands of smiles!!!

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Columbarium...

A Place of Peace & Rest

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n August 29, 2010, First United Methodist Church Richardson held a dedication ceremony for the newly completed Columbarium. This was the result of several years of work and plans culminating in a beautiful place of rest within the sanctity of our church.

In years past, many churches had graveyards next to the church.

That is no longer possible, but a columbarium allows a return to the tradition of having a final resting place in the shadow of the church, a church that is a central part of the lives of its members.

The columbarium is a place of beauty and dignity where friends and family can visit and meditate at any time.

Any past or present Church member and immediate families— including spouses, parents, or children—may be inurned in FUMCR’s Columbarium.

Having a niche in the Columbarium eliminates the pressures of choosing a burial site, casket, vault and monument. It provides a place for internment immediately adjacent to the sanctuary.

There is also substantial financial savings. The combined cost of a columbarium niche and cremation are less than one-fourth the cost of casket, burial site, and marker. The church can provide a place for family visitation prior to the day of the service.

The $3,800 niche fee includes opening and closing the niche for inurnment, as well as perpetual care of the Columbarium and gardens. Fee does not cover the cost of cremation, urns, or inscription for the niche plaque. Each niche accommodates two urns. The fee may be financed by the church, but must be paid in full prior to selection of a niche or inurnment.

If you have purchased a niche and decide not to use it, FUMCR will repurchase your unused niche, for 75% of the purchase price. Once cremated remains are placed in a niche, no refund will be made, even if remains are subsequently removed by the heirs. Once used, a niche may not be resold.

Recent addition of scripture texts to the Columbarium were given from memorials for Rev. Ken Shamblin.

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J aneva L ongacre

C olumbarium C ommittee

For more informatio n visit www.fum cr.com/pag es/ columbari um. You w FAQ’s and il l find links to the Applicatio to Purchas n e a Right o f Inurnmen Columbari t and um Rules and If you wish to purchase Regulations. a Dianne We ideman, Dir niche, contact ector of Fin ance, 972.996.0 106.

Columbari um commit tee membe Haydel, Ro rs (Paul bert Diggs, Kathy Cart Janeva Lon e r and gacre) are a ls o a v a il a ble to answer questions.

“For us, it meant that we finally had a resting place for Kay. She passed away several years ago, but we hadn’t found the right place for her final rest. When the church built the Columbarium we knew it was the perfect place—a part of the church she loved so much.”

Longacre family

The Importance of Education Faith Nyagato, Pastor Zimbabwe Ministry of FUMCR

“He raises the poor from the dust, he lifts the needy from the ashes”

I Samuel 2.8

At the recent graduation party for Rev. Faith Nyagato, one of our Zimbabwe pastors, the importance and value of education was powerfully proclaimed through her life story and testified to by fellow pastors and a college professor.

A number of the men present spoke passionately about the need to support women in the pursuit of knowledge and not to hold them back out of fear or jealousy. A moment marking a milestone in Faith’s life was used as a witness to others. Here’s her story.

Debra Hobbs Mason

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orn in a family of nine was a girl named Faith. In those days, in Zimbabwe, a girl child was considered to be of little worth. She struggled to attain an education through the fifth grade having to work in the tobacco fields on a farm during the day and go to class at night. This was as far as she could go, but one thing Faith always knew was that God loved her.

Faith got married to Nathan Marcus Nyagato who was then called to minister the Word of God in 1979. Marcus was appointed a church in Zimbabwe. They had five children. After the fifth child was born, Faith started to do her upper-top schooling, which is high school. She had to wear a school uniform just as all the children did. She got her GED with Oxford University, London through correspondence. God is faithful. She felt a call to the ministry in 1989 and went to United Theological College in Zimbabwe earned her Diploma in Theology in 1997.

She started a long distance extended education with Covington Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia in 2006. In 2008 she came to the USA to continue her studies. She received a Bachelor in Ministry degree in 2009 and a Masters in Counseling in 2011. Presently she is working on her Doctorate in Biblical Counseling. Faith is also doing clinical pastoral education at Baylor University Medical Center. Faith says, “one thing I know is God is able to do exceedingly beyond what we expect.”

Faith knows she could never have pursued God’s call on her life or her education without the unwavering love and support of her husband Marcus and her children. Her pursuit of education in the United States was the beginning of her journey to FUMCR and pastoral leadership with our Zimbabwe Ministry.

North Texas pastor, Rev. Ken McIntosh and his wife Iweeta were responsible for connecting the group to First United Methodist C h u r c h Richardson under the

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D ebra H obbs M ason and F aith N yagato

leadership of Dr. Clayton Oliphint and Rev. Debra Hobbs Mason.

The Zimbabwe Ministry was started on October 11, 2008 with eight people. In 2009 the pastor left and the group requested Faith to lead them. The group has grown to 69 people! Eleven were welcomed in the church on the 29th of May this year. They also have had one infant baptism.

On behalf of the Ministry, Faith said “we are so humbled by the love of the entire FUMCR church to us & the help you have given to care for 168 orphans in Zimbabwe. The Ministry will continue to care for our people back home.

We also have extended our hand to Rev. Mutombo in Congo paying school fees for Oliphint Mutombo while his father is in the hospital in South Africa. [The late Bishop Ben and Nancy Oliphint supported the ministry of Rev. Mutombo and he named his son Oliphint. The Zimbabwe Ministry recently sold some native clothes given to them by the Oliphint’s daughter Mary Brooke Casad in order to raise money for Oliphint’s college tuition.]

Words cannot express the love we feel being members of FUMCR. This project of caring for the orphans and the needy in Zimbabwe and Congo is expanding as we look forward to digging wells and promoting poultry and gardening efforts in different parts of the country so that they can sustain themselves.

The Zimbabwe Ministry at FUMCR is growing spiritually.

Thirty-eight members attended the annual Zimbabwe revival in Orlando, Florida September, 2011. There were over 300 Zimbabweans from throughout the United States in attendance.

We would like to thank our mother church [FUMCR] for accommodating the Zimbabwe Community especially on the use of the facility for the fundraising event for the other orphans cared for by the Friends of Baptists Zimbabwe and the funeral of Mr. Maramba that was held at the church. This made FUMCR very popular to the Zimbabwean community for their caring spirit.

As Jeremiah 29.11 says “I have a plan for you” Sure! A plan for us as we worship in our mother language Shona. MWARI AKUKOMBOREREI [God Bless You], Rev. Faith Nyagato.”

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FIRST Inspiration

Heroes: A Veterans Day Concert

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including a Bounce house, candy & games

Friday, November 11 7:30 pm Chancel Choir with professional orchestra will be joined by WW II hero, Louis Zamperini

Sunday, October 30

$10

general admission

6 - 7:15 pm West parking lot

$15

Reserved Seating + Admission to International Christmas Market

(Read his life story in the New York Times No. 1 best-selling book “Unbroken.”)

Call or email to register your “trunk” 972.996.0120 or ageorge@fumcr.com

Simple Gifts

Register online!

$3

A FREE, fun event for the family

h g i H Jr. in Oct. 28

Locken- ture Landing Adv

Sr. High

Camping Trip Nov. 18-20 14

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www.fumc

advent workshop 2011 November 27 2 - 4 pm $15 family Bartula Family Life Center

r.com

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If you are interested in working a craft table, Contact Connie Presley at cpresley@fumcr.com.

As Iron Sharpens Iron M en

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17)

This biblical truth is a guiding principle in our efforts to encourage each other to grow in our faith and be the men God has called us to be. Another guiding principle Men of Faith Men of Honor is that no lasting spiritual growth can occur without spending consistent time in God’s word. Men of FUMCR you are invited to do just that by joining one of the ongoing Bible studies currently in place, or becoming a part of a new small group Bible study.

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J ames L ee

P hotography B y F aith M en of H onor

curriculum and teaching resources: email disciplingmen@ fumcr.com.

If you aren’t already a part of a small group Bible study prayerfully consider joining one and see how God will bless you through His word.

“I know that throughout my own faith journey whenever I have been involved in consistent Bible study I have felt closer to God, reacting differently to people and to the challenges and struggles we all encounter in everyday life” James Lee

All groups are casual in nature and are intended to encourage open and honest study, reflection and discussion. Some groups have been together for several years, some for less than a year.

We have studies early in the morning as well as in the evening.

Some are pastor led while others are facilitated by church members and characterized by active group discussion. Men of all ages and varied experience studying the Bible participate in these studies.

Current Bible Studies for Men:

• Monday mornings 6:30 a.m. Bartula Family Life Center Room 2A • Monday nights 8:00 p.m. Home of James and Holly Lee • Tuesday mornings 7:30 a.m. BFLC 2D • Alternating Friday mornings 6:15 a.m. Shawver Welcome Center.

For more complete description visit www.fumcr.com. Resources are available to help start a new small group or provide F ir s t C onn e c t ion s

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Creating with Biblical Women

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reating with Biblical Women was a bi-monthly two and a half year bible study during 2009-2011, based on Old and New Testament women. Each session centered on who they were, what they did and the role their faith played on the shaping of their lives. The creating part of this study happened after people left our teaching circles when they had a chance to “create” a story, a poem, a first person prayer or as some did, a quilt block with colors chosen that helped tell the story. Their creative response was shared during the next class period. The quilt in the photo was made by Nona Lee (pictured) and represents several hundred hours of creating!

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M arilyn D ickson

It was a rich and rewarding time of learning, using creative gifts as well as developing many new friendships. Reverends Mary Howard and Marilyn Dickson facilitated the teaching sessions.

Sixty-four women mentioned in scripture were studied—some named, many were not. The stories found in scripture were often similar to the class members’ faith stories and struggles.

From the Business Office Aug 2011 YTD:

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n honor of Kevin Henderson from Richard & Kay Fleming.

In honor of Shirley & Dave Roberts from Kathryn Alexander, Drew & Judy Mohr, Frieda Wyatt. In honor of Leroy Howe from Paul & Judy Byerly. In honor of Brenda Duckett from Fellowship Sunday School Class. In memory of John Hamlett’s brother from Betty & Ben Sloan. In memory of Anna Robinson from Milton John, Joan & Joe Moody, Edward & Janice Bolt.

In memory of LaRuth Morrow’s mother from Carolyn Jones.

In memory of Mike O’Reilly’s father from Billy & Betty Self. In memory of Rosanna Whitfield’s cousin from Annette Stone, Joe & Luella Johnson.

Memorials/Honorariums - weeks of 7/19/11, 7/25/11, 8/8/11, 8/15/11, 8/29/11, 9/6 & 12/11

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Actual YTD Income Budgeted YTD Income Overage

$3,037,900 2,991,100 46,800

Actual YTD Expenses Budgeted YTD Expenses Overage

$3,090,300 3,036,700 (53,600)

Currently, we are ahead in income for the year. The overage is due to some pledges being paid in full. Therefore, we expect this overage to even out as we near the fourth quarter. Expenses are over budget year-to-date. As always, thank you so much for your gifts to the church! Please contact me should you have any questions or concerns.

Blessings, Dianne Weideman, Director of Finance, dweideman@fumcr.com

An African Partnership with Skuinkloof School W

riting by

J oy A nderson

Two local grocery stores have been donating food to Skuinkloof.

This helps ensure the children are being fed more than gruel type food that they were accustomed to eating.

O

ur 2011 Lenten/Easter offering included the Skuinkloof School in South Africa (featured in April/ May 2011 FIRST Connections). Some of the money from the offering is being used to better the conditions for the present students in a variety of ways. These include: digging an additional well, purchasing school uniforms (which are very important to African children), and making other upgrades to the facility that will benefit the children.

Willows Methodist Church in Pretoria, South Africa has become interested in the school and the plight of the children. They have begun providing clothing, blankets, and shoes for the children, who range in age from 6-13 years.

FUMCR has been in contact JULY 2012 with the coordinator from Willows to partner with Mission Trip them in ministering Opportunity to this children and FUMCR will take a wo rk/mission teachers of the team of ten to the sch oo l in July Skuinkloof School.

2012 to work on

projects. It will be a wonderful opportu nity to see the school and intera ct with the children and teachers.

More information to come!

It was discovered that thirty orphans were living at the school because they had no place to go. The teachers who live in small concrete block rooms on the school property moved the children, boys and girls, into one of their rooms so the kids would have a place to stay. Other arrangements are being worked out for housing and clothing these children.

Grow on the Journey October

Dr. Phillipa “Pip” Leonard

October 13, 7:00 p.m., Ogden Fellowship Hall

Dr. Leonard will explore skills we can develop in ourselves and our children to boost our resilience. We will particularly focus on processes that help us in letting go of old hurts and griefs, enabling us to continue on our journey unburdened.

Dr. Leonard is a retired medical doctor from Australia whose experience with life-threatening illness led her to the study of resilience­—the ability to thrive, not just survive, after encountering great difficulty or adversity. As a singer and poet, she now teaches on resilience in lecture and workshop formats in Australia, Ireland, Africa and the USA.

November

Cynthia Garrison

Wednesday, November 16, 6:00 p.m., Bartula Family Life Center

Anger and Parenting—Most of us find these two topics intersecting more than we expected they would before we were parents and more than we wish they would now that we are. Often we think of anger as a “negative” emotion, yet anger is a normal part of the human experience. Using real-life examples Cynthia will take research-based information on effective parenting and turn it into educational and entertaining solutions for parenting challenges, including bringing good out of the experience of anger.

Cynthia Garrison, MS, CFLE, CAMS, founder of CG Resources has both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Child and Human Development and Family Studies with her Masters minor in Counseling. Cynthia has been featured in the Dallas Morning News, Plano Star Courier, Plano Profile, and Fox 4 News and supports families through a regular radio show in Dallas.

Childcare available by reservation on a first-come, first-served basis.

Call 972.996.0120.

F ir s t C onn e c t ion s

O c t o b e r / N o v e m b e r 2 0 11

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New Life, New Hope. . . Living into a God-Sized Vision With open hearts and open minds we…

Welcome People for Christ Grow People in Christ Serve People with Christ LCI provides FUMCR with further opportunity to carry out its mission statement and to practice Radical Hospitality in ways that will develop, expand and reward us as a congregation.

We will WELCOME approximately 600 clergy, staff and laity from across the nation.

We will WELCOME any and all assistance from the congregation members in order to successfully bring LCI to the church.

We will GROW current and future church leaders in God’s vision for them.

We will GROW as a congregation through the preparation for and implementation of LCI. We will SERVE the conference attendees with radical hospitality so that they feel His presence within our church walls and carry that spirit beyond FUMCR to their own church homes.

• We will SERVE each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, working together to achieve wonderous things in His name and for His glory.

• • • • •

In order to make this conference the experience envisioned, and to live into His greater vision for FUMCR, we need your assistance.

We have a place for you. Opportunities exist for work to be done prior to the conference, starting now, as well as during the conference. We would even ask you to consider taking of ½ day off of work, if you have the ability, during the conference.

We will need assistance throughout the day and into the evenings.

We also have sponsorship opportunities. Please go to www.fumcr.com/lci to peruse all of these and complete the forms.

A committee chairperson will contact you to talk with your further about your interest. o Wednesday, January 25, 11:30 am Audio Visual – Drew Presley Lunch (General LCI) – Dorothy Cheairs Book Store – Connie Cross o Wednesday, January 25, 11:30 am Lunch Conference Materials – Vickie Montgomery (Young Clergy) - TBD Facilities – TBD o Wednesday, January 25, 6:00 pm Dinner – Kay General Volunteers – Elizabeth Wilson, Kristen Schafer Ceaser o Name Tags – Charlotte Grimm o Hospitality – Hayley Hangartner o Photography – Kevin Burns o Snack Station Logistics – Cheryl Winnenberg o Registration – Holly Lee o Welcome Bags – Cheryl Winnenberg o Room Assignments – Pam Shamblin o Pesonal Amenity Baskets – Heather Alsup o Social Media – Kevin Burns o Decorations – TBD o Sponsors – Melinda Bogoslavsky, Debbie Tilger o Room Hosts – TBD o T – Shirts – Kaye Johnson o Host Hotel – Gloria Scott, Beth Smith o Transportation – Bob Moxham o Monday, January 23 Young Clergy Event Host o Vendors – Alys Richards o Wednesday, January 25 Clergywomen’s o Workshops – Billie Snow, Jan Casner Breakfast o Thursday, January 26 Bishop’s Breakfast Information: Beth Smith at bsmith@fumcr.com or 972.996.0156 o Meals – TBD o Monday, January 23, 6:00 pm Dinner – TBD o Tuesday, January 24, 11:30 am Lunch – TBD o Tuesday, January 24, 6:00 pm * Limited childcare will be available during LCI by reservation only.

Dinner – Ida Dwight o o o o o

Go to www.fumcr.com/lci to complete the online volunteer form or fill it out and return to the Church office during the week or collection plate on Sundays. Thank you for your participation in LCI 2012.

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F ir s t 18 C onn s e c tOion ctos ber/N e rN 2o 0v1e1m b e r 2 0 1 1 F ir setc t Cion onn Oo c tvoebme br /

From August 21, 2011

Malcolm and Martha Council

From August 28, 2011

Wally and Leann Balzac Children: Branson, Brennan and Bennett

Lily Ann Lockman

Brian Cofer

Don and Jordanna Massoud Daughter: Rya Michaela

Joey and Amanda Wyatt Children: Andre, Dylan and Isabella

Mark and Miriam Sibley Children: Austin, Lee and Meredith

Mark and Jill Miller Daughter: Gretchen

Aaron and Brie Brown Children: Henry and Miles

Margaret Isom Sons: Austin and Aaron

FFir irsstt C Conn onneec cttion ionss

Rick and Wendy Eklof Children: Josh and Emily

From September 4, 2011 Terisa Herrman Sons: Kenneth and Gordon

Mike and Kelly Smith Daughter: Jordan

Wes and Carol Sperry Son: Jackson

September 11, 2011

Johnny and Amanda Hunter Daughter: Emma

O Occttoobbeerr//N Noovveem mbbeerr 22001111

19 19

PERIODICALS

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

503 N. Central Expressway P.O. Box 830877 Richardson, TX 75083-5315 972.235.8385 www.fumcr.com

Celebration Time!

Dr. Oliphint begins 10th year of ministry at FUMCR.

roughout these years he has challenged us to dream far beyond our expectations. We have journeyed together spiritually. . . .we have cried together and laughed together. . . now, let us celebrate together!

er to his erican Receiv m A llA 1 8 9 1 ur xas.

ETHER with o in Sherman, Te e g TRAVEL TOG lle o C in st u alma mater, A ll inclusive ber 29, $30 a to c O ry complex) y, a rd tu Sa ce of sanctua n a tr n e in a (m s 10 a.m. rman Depart on buse /Lunch in She ersity Buffet Brunch w DePau Univ vs e .m. g lle o C UMCR by 5 p F e iv 1 p.m. Austin rr A . e m g the ga iately followin er 9 & 16 Return immed ter on Octob Cen ver Welcome

r Shaw .fumcr.com o Tickets www

Next Issue

December 2011/ January 2012 Advent - “Simple Gifts” Christmas Eve

WORSHIP TOGETHER Sunday, November 13 Recognition of Dr. Oliphint in all worship services

LCI 2012