First Pulse June 2015

June 2015 Edition

For a United Methodist Pastor, June means basically one thing: Annual Conference! It’s hard to believe that the rhythm of my pastoral life is dominated by one recurring annual event, but it is. I was officially appointed to my first two-point charge in 1980 while I was a graduate student at Michigan State University. I have attended every Annual Conference since 1980 because… I am a United Methodist Pastor. Attending Annual Conference is part of the job requirement!

www.grandrapidsfumc.org

and civility during times of disagreement. People can (and often do) say things that are harsh, insensitive, judgmental and offensive – and they feel justified in both what they say and the way they say it. There are others who are loving and gracious who attempt to heal the hurts inflicted by ill-advised comments.

where the needs of the local church, the needs and desires of a pastor and the pastoral family, as well as the needs of the greater church are all attempted to be weighed carefully. It used to be that a clergyperson did not know if they were staying or going until they got to Annual Conference! That is not true anymore.

This year’s Annual Conference will have several hot-button-issues… again. We will talk (again) about merging the West Michigan Annual Conference with the Detroit Annual Conference to make ONE conference in the State of Michigan. It should have been accomplished years ago. Perhaps this year, we will make a good decision based on mutual values, mission, and the best utilization of resources. We will debate (again) the topic of human sexuality. The same folks will probably say the same things they have said for years. Somebody has to be right and somebody has to be wrong, when in fact, maybe there is not a right or wrong. And we will debate (again) how we will spend our money most effectively. As I prayerfully prepare for Annual Conference, I invite you to pray for us as we attempt to make decisions that will benefit all United Methodist Christians in West Michigan.

I have been appointed (and moved) seven times since 1980. Each time has brought measurable anxiety because we left the familiar and went to the unknown. It is not easy to go through a process of re-appointment and say “goodbye” to friends in one place while nearly simultaneously saying “hello” to strangers in a relatively strange new place with a different set of pastoral challenges. But it is a vital part of our covenant to God and the church.

Pastor Tish, Brian, and Ben are in that “unsettling” stage. Tish has been with us at First Church for four years durThere have been times when I enjoyed ing a transitional time of changing Segoing to Annual Conference, just as nior Pastors. Having been an Associate there have been times when I did not. when that has occurred, I know what There have been times when being that experience is like. Tish has done with friends and pastoral colleagues good work at First Church. She has was spiritually refreshing and energizgrown just as she has invested in this ing, just as there have been times when congregation. She is ready to “move I have been deeply disapin” to the next chapter of pointed by both processes As I prayerfully prepare for Annual Conference, I pastoral ministry. I expect and results of Annual invite you to pray for us as we attempt to make her to do well. ThroughConference. Four-and-aout her career, she will half days are spent attend- decisions that will benefit all United Methodist look back at the things ing worship, listening to Christians in West Michigan. she has learned here with reports, participating in gratitude. Please join us legislative debate, and making decifor a time of celebration and blessing sions about the ministry and direction One other dynamic that is part of be- on June 14 as we say “good-bye” and of the church. Sometimes it is weari- ing a clergy member of the Annual she begins saying “hello” to a new opsome… sometimes exhilarating… Conference is our ordination vow to portunity. God is present and active in sometimes discouraging and some- “go where we are sent.” The appoint- and through it all. times, I even get angry. I am always ive process is SO different than it Grace and Peace to you all. amazed at the lack of Christian care used to be. The consultative process: Pastor Bob Hundley

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Intentional Faith Development

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Compassionate Care

Extravagant Generosity 4

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1 Risk-taking Mission and Service

Passionate Worship

Radical Hospitaliy

Pastor’s Message

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Intentional Faith Development Arts Alive Camp Clean Water: it’s something we tend to take for granted here in Michigan. All over the world and even in the United States, clean and abundant water is not as readily available as it is here in the Great Lakes State. Arts Alive! Camp 2015 will focus in on the clean water crisis and what “living water” means for people everywhere.

Children entering grades 1-6 are invited to join us on a journey August 1013 as we explore water through Bible study, science, art and play. We will also view this vital resource through American Indian culture in storytelling, music, drums, and dance. Last, we will learn about groups who are working hard to provide clean water to the millions without it and help raise money for their global clean water effort.

Registration is now open! Early Bird Rate: $45 if registered by July 5; $60 after July 5. Please visit www.grandrapids fumc.org/arts-alive-camp to register.

Fee provides lunch and snacks each

day, t-shirt, reusable water bottle, entrance fee for our Thursday field trip to Ah-Nab-Awen Park and the Public Museum. Additional costs are underwritten by First United Methodist Church. For more information or scholarship information contact Camp Registrar, Audrey Kawel at 616.451.2879 or audreyk@grandrapidsfumc.org.

Youth entering grades 7-9 are invited to join in the “Junior High Mission Week of Giving,” which runs concurrently with Arts Alive Camp.

Please visit www.grandrapidsfumc. org/jh-week-of-giving or email Emily Uebbing, Jr. High Youth Director, at emilyu@grandrapidsfumc.org.

If you are interested in becoming involved in our children’s ministry, please email Audrey at audreyk@grandrapidsfumc.org; or youth ministry, email Sami at samim@grandrapidsfumc.org. helped corral her as a toddler, and entertained her as I’ve talked to “just one more person” on Sunday mornings.

Rhea is now 10 years old and is almost done with 5th grade. (Where does the time go!?!?)

Yesterday, Rhea’s Sunday School class helped to serve communion in worship. The night before worship, Rhea was reluctant to go up front. I told Rhea that it meant a lot to me that we could serve together and that I love communion because it reminds me that everyone is invited to the table. It Hi! Sami here - “Mom Sami” not became a teachable moment.

“Youth Director Sami!” Most of you know I have two kids - a son, Eman, We were blessed to serve communion and a daughter, Rhea. Many of you to many of you who’ve helped raise held Rhea when she was just a baby, her and have cared for her. I can’t

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tell you how much it meant for me to serve side-by-side with Rhea. To offer Christ’s love to so many of you who’ve offered Christ’s love to us, impacted me. I could tell by the look in many of your eyes that it had an impact on you, too.

Thank you to all of our teachers, adult leaders, and other people who are welcoming to our children. You are an important part of their faith journey and development! What you do really does make an impact!

Sami Marasigan Director of Youth & Young Adults

Passionate Worship

In all honesty, there are times when solved by MacGyver? Sometimes havhaving to write this monthly install- ing “nothing” can bring out more rement on “Passionate Worship” is sourcefulness and creativity. Could it a difficult task. The dialogue goes be that, sometimes, having “nothing” something like this: Renee: “Do you may be having more? have your article for the First Pulse done?” Me: “I got nothing.” If only, Now at this point (if you have read like in that great Gershwin song, this far) you may be asking, “What on “I Got Plenty of Nothing,” it was earth does this have to do with worenough for me, not to mention the ship?” Well, think about all of the 500 or so words needed to fill up this stuff that we bring (or have provided blank space. The notion of having for us) to worship: bulletins, Bibles, “nothing” reminded me of an inter- hymnals, sound systems, signs, symesting story by the writer who created bols, screens, and musical instruments the MacGyver television series. Lee of all varieties. Trust me, I’m not adDavid Zlotoff tells a funny story of vocating throwing out any of these gathering a group of valuable parts of writers in a room to the worship exbegin work on the perience. Howseries. One of the ever, what if, on writers asks Zlotoccasion, we had off what he has to nothing? None that point. Zlotof the “stuff ” off replies, “I got that we think we nothing,” to which always need for another writer, reworship.

What sponds, “Then let’s would we bring go with that… nothwith us, if we ing.” If you know “got nothing”? the MacGyver se- Sometimes, having “nothries, you know that ing” can bring out more reThere is a current MacGyver doesn’t sourcefulness and creativity. and significant carry a gun, or have Could it be that, sometimes, trend in worship any fancy high-tech having “nothing” may be known as “Paequipment such as having more? perless Liturgy.” that carried by James In these services, Bond. What MacGyver does have is there is nothing to be held and read, be ingenuity and resourcefulness. Did it prayers or music. And, incidentally, you know there is a MacGyver Wiki nothing projected to be read or sung web page that lists all of the problems on a screen. The music is taught by

rote. There is a good deal of improvisation that is a part of the prayer and music making. One such collection of music is called “Music by Heart: Paperless Songs for Evening Worship.”

In this way, music and prayers are crafted such that they are picked up easily and memorized. Indeed, I think there is freedom to be found in occasionally getting rid of the barrier that is “following” along with a bulletin or musical score, and going with the leading of the spirit.

Praise the LORD! Let my whole being praise the LORD! I will praise the LORD with all my life; I will sing praises to my God as long as I live. (Psalm 146:1-2) If we do on occasion have “nothing,” we may find that we, in actuality, bring more to our worship. For starters, we might bring an open and willing spirit. We might bring a smile, a greeting, a hug, or a handshake. We might bring our creative and inventive minds. We might bring a heightened awareness of the beauty that is continually around us. We would certainly bring the greatest musical instrument ever created: our voices. And with all of this “nothing” we could, indeed, “Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness.” And of course, there is God, brought or not brought, bidden or unbidden, who is continually in the midst of us: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there with them.” (Matthew 18:20) Eric Strand Director of Music and the Arts

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Risk-Taking Mission and Service “Pass the peanut butter, por favor”

Here are a few memories from this year’s team:

“The money we take down to Cuba is vitally important for the physical needs of our brothers and sisters, like feeding the kids after church and providing a new well, but nothing can compare to the shared spiritual connection of Christ. We are The coolest part is seeing that with the small all one in Christ. amount of money they get, their faith was This year our team, Janette Curtis, Bet- Now this is greater than most people we know. – Sydney ty and Lydia DeVinney, John, Mary, something that and Sydney Judnich, Barb Moser, and no amount of money can buy.” – Betty Jackson Wierenga, met the newly appointed pastor of Herrudura Method- “It’s crazy how our lives are so similar, ist Church, Cesar, his wife, Yelina, and but yet so different. We enjoyed some son, Fernando. Working with Cesar in of the same things like soccer, playing advance, we found out that the church cards, even some of the same tv shows needed a laptop computer, clothes, like One Tree Hill, but I can not imagcraft supplies, medicine, puppets and ine the limitations they go through for more. Because of First Church’s gen- even their basic needs. We are truly erous support, we were able to take blessed to live in the United States.” – most of what was requested. Betty Lydia DeVinney created beautiful banners as controlled by a suppressive governgifts for the church and mission build- “The coolest part is seeing that with ment and have limited access to qualings. Spanish study Bibles were also the small amount of money they get, ity, affordable food, they are extremely presented to Cesar, Yelina, and seven their faith was greater than most peo- happy, friendly, and full of hope bemissionary leaders. Our financial gifts ple we know.” – Sydney cause of their belief in God and Jewill help finish a mission building and sus! They do not blame anyone nor are start two more, dig a new fresh water “This Sunday, Pastor Bob spoke on they angry. They truly live for family well on the parsonage property, and ‘Open Minds, Open Hearts, and Open and Jesus!” – John then start two meal programs, one for Doors’ and I can not imagine a better children and one for seniors of the phrase for our trip. While we headed “I will never forget presenting the Bichurch. there, excited to offer supplies and bles to the missionaries. Two of them resources, we received gifts far more shared that it was the nicest gift they precious than we could had ever received. But they gave us provide to them. They something we will never forget: their embraced us from the love.” – Barb moment we arrived to the moment we left and we Please continue your generous finanwere blessed to see the cial support for our mission in Cuba. depth of their faith that I Barbara Moser, co-leader now challenge myself to Are you interested in being part of reach.” – Mary next year’s Cuba team? Dates are April “The Cuban people are 1 – 9, 2016. Watch for informational truly an example for all of meetings that will occur in August. us. Even though they live Contact Laure Mieskowski, laurem@ in third world conditions, grandrapidsfumc.org.

You are probably wondering what peanut butter has to do with a mission trip to Cuba. We take many everyday foods for granted here in the US, but peanut butter is a treat for our friends in Cuba. It’s expensive and they just can’t afford it. That’s what this mission trip is all about. We take what we can to help make our brothers’ and sisters’ lives a little easier, even peanut butter.

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Radical Hospitality

f a r e we l l .”

What happened in that conversation, though, changed everything as she encouraged us to look at church relationships differently and inspired us to be the ones to reach out; start something new.

“Don’t wait for it to happen; create it yourself!”

I asked Jess to share this beautiful example of Radical Hospitality already being done in our church. It might inspire you to do something. I think the key is “Don’t wait for it to happen; create it yourself!”

Patsy McGillivray

“When [Jesus] wanted fully to explain what his forthcoming death was all When I asked her over that January about,” writes New Testament scholar afternoon it was with an anticipation N.T. Wright, “he didn’t give a theory. that this was good-bye. My family and He didn’t even give them a set of I had attended FUMC for just over scriptural texts. He gave them a meal.” two-and-a-half years and although We decided that if any relationships we were involved in a number of ac- were going to develop or grow, if our tivities and outreach opportunities family was going to connect, we needmy husband and I had still not found ed to expand the scope and possibility “our community,” people who wanted of our home, our yard, our commuto do life together. Although we stood nity, and our lives. with the church in beliefs and actions toward social justice, we were lonely.

In Rachel Held Evans new book So when she came over, Jake and I had Searching for Sunday, she shares, “Someall but made the official decision to times the most radical act of Chrisfind another church. This was a for- tian obedience is to share a meal with mal due diligence thank you to a per- someone new.” So we began to open son in leadership, an official “so long, up our home two Sundays a month.

Extravagant Generosity We were sitting in our kitchen in the early afternoon on Saturday, May 3, when suddenly the windows began to shake as if a strong wind was beating against them, but it was a beautiful spring day. That window rattling quickly morphed into a general loud shaking of the room around us. In a few seconds it was over. After a few confused moments we realized we had just experienced an earthquake.

Our confusion quickly gave way to chuckles and joking. Our son in the San Francisco area teased us for making such big news out of a 4.2 quake!

But, on the other side of the world, the people of Ne-

Our hope was to welcome anyone who wanted to share a meal, engage in conversation, and grow in relationship with anticipation of, if only a little, closing the gap of loneliness.

Through these Sunday afternoons, Jake and I found that FUMC was not only where we needed to be but where we wanted to be. For through this simple act of opening our home and sharing a meal with someone new, God manifests Him/Herself. We found that there is always more room at the table, always more space for relationships and always more bread to be shared.

Jess and Jake DeBoni store, when many others don’t even have a refrigerator. You get the picture.

pal are dealing with no laughing matter. Thousands dead. Thousands more displaced and living in fear. And now, a few weeks later, another quake hits the same vicinity with equal viciousness.

I think the recent Michigan Earthquake of 2015 coupled with the incredible disaster in Nepal is a great example of how richly we are blessed compared to most in the world. It is said that Christ came to “comfort the afflicted and afIsn’t this the way it is for most of us? flict the comfortable.” I hope that as we We live in a level of comfort and safety enjoy the relative opulence of our lifethat most of the rest of the world - style, that we are a little bit “afflicted.” and indeed many in our own community - cannot even comprehend. While As we enjoy our good fortunes, do we we in our sturdy generously remember those around us It is said that Christ came to well-built homes who struggle every minute of every make light of day? First Church ministries reach out “comfort the afflicted and a slight earth- every day to comfort the afflicted. Just afflict the comfortable.” quake, others think how much more we could extend carry burdens we the love of Christ if every single one may never truly of us took our discipleship so seriously understand. We that we allowed ourselves to give a tithe occasionally find back to God! the refrigerator empty and are Amazing things are possible! annoyed with the Chris Hawkins unplanned trip Finance Committee to the grocery

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Compassionate Care ki has made prayer blankets since 2006 as welcome gifts for each of our new babies! Dorothy Wimmer sends cards and notes of cheer to many people each month – I almost always find a card from Dorothy at bedside as I am visiting our ill and homebound members. Jess Rozga, Marlys Davis, and Suzy Wood are usually the first to sign up to take meals for someone in need, taking them love and care on a plate!

John and Marianne Warnock make and freeze yummy homemade macaroni and cheese which is ready to be baked and delivered as needed. Cheryl Coder makes beautiful handmade cards for our Caring Connection to send out each month. Elaine Youngs, Juanita Dygert, and Gloria Baehre have a “Hot Fudge Fix” for our members monthly

Compassionate care is often unexceptional, consistent, and humble. Acts 9:36-39 tells us about a disciple named Dorcas who “was always doing good and helping the poor.” When she died, Peter came and found many widows “crying and showing him the robes In a congregation our size, and clothing Dorcas one person can’t look out had made while she for everybody; nor will it was still with them.” work if everybody tries to Her years of making clothing and humble look out for everybody. caring for others But if everybody looks made an impact on out for somebody, we can all around the town truly make a difference, in of Joppa.

Jesus’name!

Right here at First Church, we are blessed with many humble people who, like Dorcas, care for others in consistent and unexceptional ways! Even though I know they aren’t looking for recognition for what they do, I would like to tell you about some of them.

When we began a prayer quilt ministry in 2004, Ginnie Edwardson quietly came forward to lead the team, spending hours preparing for each quilting bee which has allowed us as a congregation to tie knots and pray over 137 beautiful quilts. Each quilt brings so much comfort to the recipient as he or she goes through cancer treatment, major surgery, or a health challenge.

Marilyn Moore has knitted over 60 pairs of booties and Ann Donajkows-

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swered the call to be trained and commissioned as Stephen Ministers – and 22 are presently active in this behindthe-scenes compassionate ministry.

People like Kathy Berg meet with a homebound member regularly though our Caring Circles ministry so they know they are loved and remembered by their church family.

At funeral and memorial services, Ray Moser often volunteers to usher, and Pat and Don Hiler regularly organize and serve the reception. 24 people serve on our First Response Team and are trained and ready to respond to any health emergency during a worship service. Jen and Marlene Terpstra take blood pressures on first Sundays and counsel those with hypertension. Tom Conquest, Mark Rector, and Jason Smith rarely miss a blood drive.

I know there are others whom I haven’t mentioned here, but you get the idea. Like Dorcas, they all give of their time and talents in unexceptional, consistent and humble ways. As at Clark. George Bob and Fritz Briscoe Mother Teresa said, “Not all of us can are usually ready and willing to pro- do great things, but we can do small vide transportation for those unable to things with great love.” Thank you! drive to treatments and doctor’s visits.

Grace and peace, Kim Hamilton and Lois Walker share Marj Timmerman RN, their time and talents each month to Parish Nurse co-lead our Stephen Ministry team.

In 11 years, over 70 people have an-

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May 31 - June 6 May 31, 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 11:00 am 11:00 am 11:30 am June 1, 11:00 am 6:30 pm 7:00 pm June 2, 7:00 am 10:00 am 5:30 pm June 3, 6:00 pm June 4, 9:00 am 9:00 am June 7, 9:15 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:15 am 11:00 am 11:00 am June 8, 11:00 am 2:30 - 6:30 pm June 9, 7:00 am 5:30 pm June 10 June 11, 9:00 am June 14, 9:15 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:15 am 11:00 am 11:00 am 11:15 pm June 15, 11:00 am 12:00 pm 6:30 pm

Family Promise/IHN Worship: “Call and Response” Infant Nursery and Toddler Room Hometown Nazareth: 4-yr old - 6th grade Teacher Appreciation Sunday and Reception Haiti Info Trip Session Teacher Development and Lunch Retiree Bible Study Stephen Ministry Leadership Council Work Program Moms’ Group at Meijer Gardens Staff Parish Relations Young Adults Bible Study at Tavern on the Square Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship JFON/Immigration Law Fundamentals Training Choir Rehearsal Worship: “Reconciled to be Reconciling” Infant Nursery and Toddler Room Hometown Nazareth: 4-yr old - 6th grade Cass Community Info Session Blood Pressure Clinic Retiree Bible Study Blood Drive Work Program Finance Summer Office Hours Begin JFON/Immigration Law Fundamentals Training Choir rehearsal Worship: Tish’s Last Sunday Infant Nursery and Toddler Room Hometown Nazareth: 4-yr old - 6th grade Farewell Reception for Tish Stephen Ministry Meet and Greet Second Sunday Lunch Bunch Retiree Bible Study 60+ Luncheon Stephen Ministry

Mark your calendars June 16, 7:00 am Work Program Cass Community Mission Trip to Detroit June 17 - 19 June 17, 9:00 am Caring Connection June 18, 9:00 am Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 9:00 am JFON/Immigration Law Fundamentals Training 10:00 am Moms’ Group at Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park June 19 - 21 Father/Child Camp June 21, 10:00 am Summer Worship 10:00 am Infant Nursery and Toddler Room 10:15 am Hometown Nazareth: 4-yr old - 6th grade June 22 - 26 Office Reorganization Week June 22, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study June 23, 7:00 am Work Program June 25, 9:00 am JFON/Immigration Law Fundamentals Training June 25, 8:30 am - 7:30 pm Road Trip to Detroit Tigers Game June 28, 10:00 am Summer Worship 10:00 am Infant Nursery and Toddler Room 10:15 am Hometown Nazareth: 4-yr old - 6th grade June 29, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study June 30, 7:00 am Work Program

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

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First United Methodist Church 227 Fulton St E Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3236

Permit #354 Grand Rapids, MI

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Farewell Reception for Pastor Tish!

Sunday, June 14 following worship.

August 10 – 13 For children entering

the

Global

Village

1st – 6th grade in fall of 2015

$45 if registered by July 5; $60 after July 5.

Clean Water: it’s something we tend to take for granted here in Michigan. All over the world and even in the United States, clean and abundant water is not as readily available as it is here in the Great Lakes State. Arts Alive Camp 2015 will focus on the clean water crisis and what “living water” means for people everywhere.

Camp Schedule:

Monday – Wednesday: 9 am – 3 pm Thursday field trip: 9 am – 3 pm

Register online at www.grandrapidsfumc.org/arts-alive-camp firstchurch@grandrapidsfumc.org

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