Summer 2016 First Pulse

Summer 2016 Edition

I am writing this article in a rather precarious moment in time.

The United Methodist General Conference is currently in session in Portland, Oregon. I have been reading carefully the daily news from Portland. I am remaining prayerful, attentive, and hopeful that some good news will come for important visionary decisions for our beloved denomination. I am attempting to interpret what is happening from a distance even though the information is flavored by observers, writers, reporters and bloggers. Clearly, the last four days of General Conference will be crucial.

Many are calling for Bishops to assume a more decisive leadership role during this time of anxiety, apprehension, fear, and ambiguity within the church. Some of the delegates are advising the Council of Bishops to call another General Conference in two years to deal with a reorganization plan for the church, including making the United States a Central Conference (which gives more

www.grandrapidsfumc.org

autonomy to the UM church in the United States). Others are calling for orchestrating some sort of separation within the church based on our theological, ideological, and cultural differences that seem too wide to bridge. Still others are calling for unity in spite of disagreement and conflict. Time will tell what the elected leadership of the church will do with this crucial time.

As we have opportunity (meaning our congregation), we will prayerfully study, discuss, and ponder the implications of the decisions of General Conference and how they impact us.

The second topic I want to address is that Pigeon and I will be away for three weeks beginning June 3. Our daughter, Emily, is graduating from seminary in Seattle and we are spending important family time to celebrate this major accomplishment. Guest preachers during my absence are:

June 5 — Rev. Dr. Karin Orr. Karin has had several careers: college teacher, newspaper columnist, television host, and community It is an exciting time – all the way around. volunteer. All of them, plus being a mother of four and grandmother of six, were excellent preparation for pastoral ministry. Karin graduated from seminary and then served for eleven years as pastor of the Centreville United Methodist Church. Since retirement from Centreville, she has been enjoying new friends and experiences at Clark on Keller Lake, where she serves on the Spiritual Life Committee.

Heartside community of our city.

He has many friends and colleagues in our congregation and we are delighted to welcome him to preach and lead worship.

June 19 — Rev. Dr. Karin Orr. June 26 — I will return for both worship and our annual all church picnic.

Finally, one of the important aspects of our congregation’s strategic plan is focused on our church campus, insuring that our facilities are compatible with the needs of our congregation.

First Church is strategically located in the heart of the fastest growing urban center in the Midwest. The city’s growth equates to new ministry opportunities and challenges. All of that, combined with the reality that a 40 year partnership with the GRCC Preschool Lab is scheduled to end in January of 2017 (as a result of a new building they are building on their campus), means that we need to study, plan, and make adjustments in our facilities as well. Clearly, our building has accessibility issues.

We have parking challenges. We need to upgrade our facilities for nursery, children, youth, and adult Christian Education. All that is to say that the Board of Trustees, in concert with the Leadership Council have entered an assessment/study time to consider carefully our options based on our current and future needs. An architect has been working with us to do master planning, given the information above and the fact that we have limited property. Just to let you know, the study is occurring.

June 12 — Rev. George Heartwell. It is an exciting time all the way around.

George recently retired (based on Blessings to you and to us all!

Protestant prayer beads for the 2016 United term limits) as Mayor of Grand Methodist General Conference. Photo by Rapids. Prior to his public service, Pastor Bob Hundley Kathleen Barry, United Methodist CommuniGeorge served as a pastor in the cations

inside

Intentional Faith Development

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Pastor’s Message

Radical Hospitality 1

Risk-taking Mission and Service

Passionate Worship 5

Extravagant Generosity 4

3 Congregational Care

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Intentional Faith Development I would love to give kudos to everyone who helped make this Confirmation year another success. Seventeen students were confirmed on May 15, Pentecost Sunday. Right from the beginning, we (the students and teachers), discussed why being confirmed on Pentecost was important. If you’re reading this, and you don’t know the answer, please ask one of the students. They have learned so much about their faith, prayer, the United Methodist Church, and what Jesus taught. It’s been an amazing journey.

Don’t just take it from me; I’m one hundred percent biased, but let’s see what two of the mentors have to say.

“When the notice for confirmation mentors came out last year, I went back and forth about committing to become a mentor. I am so glad that I took the leap of faith and said yes. I have enjoyed the students in the group, and the activities I have been a part of. It has also helped me to examine my own faith journey, and renew my commitment to my spiritual growth.”

- Karin DeHaan

“I often hear that God’s timing is perfect. I admit that sometimes I disagree with God on the timing of things and wish things would happen at different times. Through the mentoring experience this year, I learned to trust God more that God’s timing really is perfect.

When the announcement was made that mentors were needed for the confirmation class, I felt this was something I should do so I signed up on the one-stop sign-up sheet. After doing so, I wondered if this was really the right time for me to serve as a mentor to one of our youth. I was grieving the loss of my beloved mother and sometimes struggling to get through each day. How would I be able to mentor one of our youth? I even tried to unvolunteer. Fortunately, Emily was

I would love to give kudos to everyone who helped make this Confirmation year another success. Seventeen students were confirmed on May 15, Pentecost Sunday.

able to see things more clearly and planned to have me serve as a mentor. After much thought and prayer, I realized there may never be a right time to serve as a mentor from my perspective, so I will need to trust God on this.

As I look back on the past year, I see that God’s timing for me to serve as a mentor was perfect. Through the support and love of Kelsie and her family, I made much progress on my grief journey. I also developed a friendship with Kelsie and her family, which I hope grows and deepens over many, many years. Serving as Kelsie’s mentor was a true blessing to me. As I understand from Kelsie’s mother, Ruth, the mentoring was also a blessing to their family. I look forward to seeing what more God has in store in God’s own timing.”

- Nancy Mack For your prayers, your support, and your faith in our youth, I just want to say thank you!

Emily Uebbing, Director of Junior High Youth

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Passionate Worship

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. the entire book of Psalms (all 150 of them) is chanted over the course of a single month. The psalms are chanted to a formula known as Anglican Chant, and the choir has worked with Martin Neary, organist emeritus of Westminster Abbey to prepare for the residency.

Left: Lincoln Cathedral by TTaylor - TTaylor, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/ index.php?curid=1405408 Right: Choral Evensong

A Prayer for the evening. Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who lips… And our mouth shall show work, or watch, or weep this night, and forth Thy Praise.” Two important give your angels charge over those who musical moments are the settings of sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give the Magnificat (The Song of Mary rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe – My Soul doth magnify the Lord) the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the and the Nunc Dimittis (The Song joyous; and all for your love’s sake. of Simeon – Lord, now lettest Thou Amen. thy servant depart in peace). On one Eric Strand of the evenings at each cathedral, we Executive Director of will sing a Magnificat that I wrote in Worship and Arts honor of my father’s retirement from Southwestern College in 2000, and a setting of the Nunc Dimittis that I wrote specifically for this tour.

This summer, I will have a rare, and privileged opportunity to travel to England and be the organist in residence for a week at both Canterbury and Lincoln Cathedrals. Traveling with the St. Thomas Episcopal Church Choir from Battle Creek, we will substitute for the cathedral choir and organist at each location. English cathedrals are steeped in the tradition of daily services of Choral Evensong and weekend services of Sung Morning Prayer and Choral Eucharist. The application to sing for these two weeks was made about three years ago, and we have been rehearsing and raising Ancient. Canterbur y funds for the trip since last fall. Avery Cathedral, founded in and Drew are also singing in the choir. 602 A.D. is one of the oldest Christian churches Choral Evensong is a transcendent in England. The structure experience, as the music of the choir was dedicated in 1077, and organ waft around these massive and continues to be built, spaces, each note magnified by the restored, and added to resonant and shimmering acoustic. this day. The choir area Coming at 5:30 pm, it is an opportunity dates from 1184. Lincoln for rest and reflection at the end of the Cathedral dates from typical workday. The BBC broadcasts 1088, and was, for a time evensong from around the world (238 years), the tallest each week, and you can listen to these building in the world. It’s broadcasts on the internet by searching the third largest cathedral “BBC Choral Evensong.” in England (after St. Paul’s and York Minster). The Tradition. Choral Evensong has a organ is one of the finest traditional form, and both cathedrals in England, built by the follow the liturgy as set forth in the Willis firm in 1898 and 1662 Book of Common Prayer. restored at various times Evensong has been sung daily at these over the years. cathedrals for well over 400 years!

With the exception of the scripture Psalms. One of the readings, much of the service is sung. important functions of the There are sung prayers called Preces daily service of Evensong at the start: “O Lord, open Thou our at the Cathedrals is that Canterbury Cathedral - Public Domain, https://commons. wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1104248

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Risk-Taking Mission and Service Cass Community Social Services Intergenerational Mission Trip

Just about a month ago, Jim and I received a phone call from our 12-yearold granddaughter, Kate. She said, “Gramps and Nannie, when are we going to go to Cass Community on that mission trip again? I really want to go!” Wow, my heart did flip-flops when I heard those words coming from my granddaughter’s mouth.

Last June, our granddaughter, Kate, Jim, and I left for Detroit with 9 other First Church members for 3 days of volunteering at Cass Community Social Services. We all participated in and learned about Cass’ employment program, working alongside formerly homeless, jobless men who now make and sell rug mats recycled from discarded tires. We volunteered in the Day Program for developmentally disabled adults, playing Bingo, doing crafts and puzzles, and dancing with hula hoops alongside the students.

We cut grass, weeded, and cleaned up the overgrown sidewalk leading to the Homeless Drop-In Center and the Employment Center, getting our hands and knees dirty while creating a neat and tidy welcome for the men, women, and children who come to spend the night, eat a nutritious meal, or work there. We worked in the main kitchen, under the careful direction of our Chef and Kitchen Supervisor, who guided our efforts to prepare and serve

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Going on this mission trip opened our eyes to the “Other Side.” We saw extreme poverty and broken lives being reclaimed and repurposed through the relentless work of Cass Community Social Services. We had the opportunity to leave our comfort zone and view someone else’s reality. meals to some of the 1 million people, who walk in off the streets annually, for something to eat. We ate our meals with these very folks, sitting at round tables, just like family, enjoying a good meal and conversation.

We attended the Wednesday night worship service, held in the employment center, where we were led by a rousing, handclapping group of guys called the Ambassadors, who currently live in the residential program. They sang, played keyboard, and told their personal stories as we were led in joyful, exuberant worship. We took a side trip to the Detroit Wailing Wall where a 6-foot high, 1-foot thick wall was constructed in the 1930s in northwest Detroit, stretching for ½ mile to serve as a barrier to keep black people out of a new white housing development. It was shocking to stand in front of this physical evidence of fear, suspicion, and prejudice separating neighbor from neighbor. Our granddaughter, Kate, who has grown up in the predominately white community of Cadillac, Michigan, was jarred by the sight of the wall and said to me, “Nannie, I wonder what it felt like to live on the other side?”

For Jim and me, and for Kate, going on this mission trip opened our eyes to the “Other Side.” We saw extreme poverty and broken lives being reclaimed and repurposed through the relentless work of Cass Community Social Services.

We had the opportunity to leave our comfort zone and view someone else’s reality. We saw that people can and do rise above poverty, homelessness, drug addiction and loneliness through God’s love and the grit of human helpers. We hope that you might consider this trip to Cass Community too. After our trip was over last year, Kate said to her parents, “Mom and Dad, you really should both go on this mission trip to Cass Community. Take 3 days off from your jobs and go. THIS IS IMPORTANT!” Jim and I could not have said it better.

Jim and Lynne Brandsma Cass Community Social Services 2015 The 2016 trip is scheduled for August 3 – 5. It is open to children from children ages 8 – 18 who are accompanied by a parent or grandparent and to all adults.

Contact Laure Mieskowski laurem@ grandrapidsfumc.org to sign-up or for more information.

Radical Hospitality FirstStories

What brought you to First Church?

Were you born going to First? Did you move to Grand Rapids and found First while you were out churchshopping? Now that you’re a part of our First Church family, how do you connect? How do you make an impact through the different ministries at First? How have you been impacted?

What’s your “FirstStory?”

We all have a story to share and I’d love to hear and share your story!

Currently, I’m collecting stories about your volunteer experiences at First.

Each week, we’re sharing one of your stories on social media as a way to get to know each other and invite others into the story. If you’d like to share your story for our next Volunteer Spotlight, please email samim@ grandrapidsfumc.org.

Sherah Eavey’s full story is available on Facebook – facebook.com/grandrapidsfumc

Summertime!

What’s your favorite part of summer?

I love going to Lake Michigan. I love taking the kids to the park and the splash pad. I love the longer days and added sunshine.

Summer is also a great time to invite friends and family to check out First Church. As you make your summer plans, consider making First your first stop. Rather than meeting your friend at the beach, invite him to meet you for worship, then go to the beach. Are you taking your nieces and nephews to the Children’s Museum?

Park at the church for worship, then walk down to the museum. Meeting your mom for lunch? Invite her to the 10am service, then enjoy one of the many restaurants in downtown.

Don’t miss the opportunity to include your friends and family in our worship experiences and spiritual community.

Summertime is the perfect time to invite people to First Church!

Sami Marasigan Executive Director of Hospitality

Extravagant Generosity At First Church, we are blessed with a congregation that understands stewardship! Within the West Michigan Conference, we are recognized as one of the top few churches in terms of our giving and for the ministries and activities that this giving supports.

This doesn’t just happen because we feel a sense of “duty” to give. Rather, our generosity is inspired by God’s presence in the hearts of each and every giver.

I am always amazed at the kind of silent “under the radar” gifts that come in every week. Many of you may not be aware that in our midst are people who feel God’s call to give to various ministries outside of their regular giving.

On a given Sunday, we might receive a special check for the MLK ministry, or a gift to support the youth program,

or a special gift to the music ministry.

And the Christmas and Easter Mission offerings continue to inspire incredibly generous gifts that immediately go into ministry, all above and beyond our regular giving! And most of these gifts come from folks already giving examples of faithful giving. They do it because their faith has brought them generous regular gifts! to a place where generosity is simply a Pastor Bob recently preached about grateful response to God’s grace. the Pharisees who publicly flaunted their giving. Jesus called us to give to Is something happening at First the glory of God rather than for praise Church that “turns you on?” Have you and recognition by our peers. At First felt drawn closer to God because of Church, we are blessed with many of something here that has inspired you? these disciples who quietly go about Our regular gifts are not the only way to God’s work every day, and support the help put our faith in action! Thank God for all of those who inconspicuously ministries with generous giving. support the ministries of First Church I am asked to provide real-life examples with their generous gifts of time and of Extravagant Generosity for the treasure.

Monthly Pulse. However, the people I Chris Hawkins am writing about here don’t really want Finance Committee to make a big deal of their personal

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Congregational Care You Work for God? “Lord, make me a channel of your peace.” From the Prayer of St. Francis The trauma pager at the hospital beeped, and I responded. The patient was a teenage boy who had been hit by a car. I soon met his mom and sat with her as she absorbed the shocking news and heard the doctor’s initial report.

Where do you work for God? It could be at home, at work, at school, or in your neighborhood. for God? (Or at least that’s what I imagined was going through his mind.)

And so do you! My theology does not allow me to believe that chaplains, pastors, or church staff members work for God any more than anyone else. We can all work for God.

T his time my response required a bit more. “Well, lots of different places.” I said.

“For example, I meet patients in their hospital rooms—or other rooms like this.”

Where do you work for God? It could be at home, at work, at school, or in your neighborhood. It could even be at church or in a mission outreach program!

A little later the teenager’s 6-year-old brother, David, arrived with other family m e m b e r s. H i s m o m introduced me to him by saying, “This is Chaplain David was still Jim. He works for God.” I trying to figure was surprised. I had never it out: “But how had anyone introduce me d o y o u wo r k in that way before, but I for God?” Ah, didn’t object. I thought, another excellent “She knows what language to use so that her young son will question. “Lots of different ways.

Sometimes I sit with people and listen understand my role.” to them. Sometimes I remind them that About an hour later I returned to check God is with them and God will take on the family. After I learned about the care of them. Sometimes I pray with patient’s condition and met some family people.” members who had just arrived, young David looked at me intently and asked, I could have said, “Sometimes I play with kids.” In fact, that’s what I did “You work for God?” next. A doctor arrived to give the adults Once again I was surprised. For an update, and I could tell that the someone who has studied theology, family felt uncomfortable with a young the answer to that question could be child hearing the doctor’s potentially quite complex. But I decided to keep devastating news. So I played for a while my response simple: “Yes, I do work with David in the kids’ play area in the family waiting room. for God.” David had more questions: “But where do you work for God?” I was starting to get a window into what had been stirring in his mind. For an hour he had been pondering what his mom had said about me working for God, and he was trying to make sense out of it.

After all, where is God? Isn’t God in heaven? So how can this guy be working

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How do you work for God? By extending the love and peace of God to all around you. By doing your job or school work with as much skill, creativity, devotion, integrity, and joy that you can.

In my education to be a pastor and chaplain, teachers challenged us to “claim our pastoral authority.” At first I was reluctant. Who? Me? I’m nobody special. Well, in a sense that’s right. We are all God’s children, and we can all extend God’s grace. But that means we can all work for God in everything we do. So I shouldn’t be shy about it, and neither should you!

When I meet with people in my role as the Chaplain for First Church, I have this approach in the back (or sometimes front!) of my mind. But the church’s ministry is not just for staff. It’s for everyone. Lots of people are searching, hurting, struggling, grieving, or healing.

The needs are endless. And you, too, can extend compassionate care in countless ways.

My interaction with 6-year-old David Do you work for God? Where do you had a profound effect on me. That work for God? How do you work for evening as I walked home, I was filled God? Rev. Jim Lucas with a sense of awe. As I looked up at Chaplain the grand old trees along the road, I found myself thinking, “I work for the One who created these! I work for the Creator of the universe! What an honor and privilege!”

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JUNE June 1, 4:45 pm Legacy Administration 6:00 pm Young Adults Bible Study at Travern on the Square June 2, 9:00 am Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 5:30 pm Legacy June 5 Communion and Blood Pressure Sunday 10:00 am Sunday Worship June 6, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study 6:30 pm Stephen Ministry June 7, 6:00 pm Women’s Bible Study June 9, 10:00 am Moms’ Group Millennium Park Adventure June 12, 10:00 am Sunday Worship June 13 Summer Office Hours Begin 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study 6:00 pm Stephen Leaders June 14, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Well House Work Project Day (All Ages) 6:00 pm Women’s Bible Study June 15, 9:00 am Caring Connection June 16, 9:00 am Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship June 18, 8:30 am Feeding America June 19, 10:00 am Sunday Worship June 20 - 23, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Arts Alive! Camp June 20, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study 12:00 pm 60+ Luncheon 6:30 pm Stephen Ministry June 21, 6:00 pm Women’s Bible Study June 22, 6:00 pm Young Adults Picnic and Frisbee Golf June 24, 7:00 pm Canticum Novum Concert June 23, 8:30 am - 7:30 pm Tigers Road Trip June 26, 10:00 am Sunday Worship 11:15 am Summer Parking Lot Picnic June 27, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study June 28, 6:00 pm Women’s Bible Study June 30, 9:00 am Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship June 30, 9:00 am Moms’ Group Meijer Gardens Morning JULY July 3 Communion and Blood Pressure Sunday 10:00 am Sunday Worship July 4 Holiday: Church Building and Offices Closed July 5, 6:00 pm Women’s Bible Study July 9, 12:00 pm Methodist Connection Picnic at Johnson Park July 10 - 17 Family Promise/IHN July 10, 10:00 am Sunday Worship

Mark your calendars July 11, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study July 12, 9:30 am - 5:30 pm Country Dairy and Dale & Gail’s Road Trip 6:00 pm Women’s Bible Study July 14, 9:00 am Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 5:00 pm Trustees July 16, 8:30 am Feeding America July 17, 10:00 am Sunday Worship July 18, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study 6:30 pm Stephen Ministry July 19, 6:00 pm Women’s Bible Study July 20, 9:00 am Caring Connection July 24 - 30 Jr/Sr Mission Trip July 24, 10:00 am Sunday Worship July 25, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study July 26, 6:00 pm Women’s Bible Study July 28, 9:00 am Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship July 31, 10:00 am Sunday Worship AUGUST August 1, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study 6:30 pm Stephen Ministry August 2, 6:00 pm Women’s Bible Study August 7, Communion and Blood Pressure Sunday 10:00 am Sunday Worship August 8, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study August 9, 12:00 pm JFON Advisory Board 5:30 pm Finance Committee 6:00 pm Women’s Bible Study August 11 - 13 Stephen Leader Retreat August 11, 9:00 am Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 5:00 pm Trustees August 14, 10:00 am Sunday Worship August 15, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study 6:30 pm Stephen Ministry August 16, 6:00 pm Women’s Bible Study August 17, 9:00 am Caring Connection August 20, 8:30 am Feeding America August 21, 9:00 am Worship Support Teams Appreciation and Training 10:00 am Sunday Worship August 22, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study August 23, 6:00 pm Women’s Bible Study August 25, 9:00 am Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship August 28, 10:00 am Sunday Worship August 29, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study

H C R U H C ALL

NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

d n e k e e W Camping August 12-14

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PERMIT #354 GRAND RAPIDS, MI

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On the shore of Lake Michigan.

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Platform Tents Available for rent.

SUMMER

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Sunday, June 26 at 11:00 am in the parking lot!

Food and drinks provided. Bring a dessert to share. firstchurch@grandrapidsfumc.org

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