Summer 2017 Edition
For a United Methodist clerg yperson, June is generally a month of ambiguity. Most of us are not quite sure how to feel about June. Why? Because June is fraught with wonder, anxiety, excitement, depression, or a myriad of other possible emotions. United Methodist clergy exist in a system called itineracy. What that means is that we are appointed to our ministry assignments by a Bishop along with District Superintendents, that together, create an entity called the cabinet. They do sacred, yet imperfect, work. Theoretically, clergy are assigned to their various ministry posts year by year. The appointment year begins on July 1. On July 1, I will begin my 38th year under appointment in the United Methodist Church and my 5th year here at First Church. June is the month when most clergy who are continuing in their ministry assignment are internally celebrating and planning with a sense of purpose and excitement for yet another year with their people and community, as they work to make a positive difference in that location. Other clergy who are staying are ambivalent or perhaps disappointed because they may have requested or silently desired a move, but there was no place to go. Unfortunately, treading water is more common than we United Methodists like to admit. That is true for clergy and laity! Still other clergy and clergy families are packing and preparing for a move to a new setting with new challenges and opportunities along with meeting and working with new people. June is a season of saying “hello” or “good-bye,” but it’s hard to know which sentiment comes first or last.
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Intentional Faith Development
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www.grandrapidsfumc.org
At First Church, we, too, are saying “good-bye” and “hello!” But ours is sort of an odd transition. Let me explain. We are saying “good-bye” to Laure Mieskowski as a paid staff person. Laure is transitioning from being on staff to being active in lay ministry within First Church. Laure Mieskowski’s first weeks on the job - 25 After all, First Church is Laure years ago! and Dick’s home church. They love the people, the ministry that First probably many other rolls. She and Dick Church has developed in Christian have been valued and valuable to this education, outreach and missions, the congregation and will continue to be. ministry of music, Stephen Ministry, and For that, we are grateful. on and on. All of the various ministries named above have been influenced As a way to celebrate her 25 years of significantly by the ministry of Laure. ministry, the Staff Parish Relations She has been on staff for 25 years. I Committee will be hosting Laure’s wonder if the congregation realizes recognition day on June 11. Please keep how rare it is to have a staff person for up with the invitation and instructions 25 years! I happen to be the 4th Senior from the committee as together, we say “thank you” to pastor that Laure has worked with, At First Church, we too Laure for her excellent which is also rare. are saying “good-bye” work for these 25 years. Please do not miss it! She was hired as a and “hello!” Christian Education Simultaneously, we will be preparing Director. She has to officially say, “hello” to Rev. Amee adjusted her title Paparella as our new Associate and responsibilities Pastor on July 9! You will hear more as the cycle of need about that next month, but again, and opportunity the transition is a bit odd because has changed. She Amee and her husband Jim have has been Program been part of our congregation for Director, Human nearly a year. We will be able to Resource Director, welcome her into a new role and Director of Social relationship. Justice and Mission Ministries, and most recently, Laure stepped in to fill a gap of both Director So as we enter June, join me in praying of Faith Development AND Mission for Laure and Dick, Amee and Jim, and Outreach. She has been deeply First Church, and the United Methodist committed to this congregation. Church as we begin the transition yet She has been a recruiter, educator, again, to a future built upon the past. developer, volunteer coordinator, social justice advocate, mission team leader, Grace and peace to you all. Pastor Bob supervisor, advisor, team member, and
Congregational Care
Extravagant Generosity 4
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1 Risk-taking Outreach and Mission
Passionate Worship
Radical Hospitality
Pastor’s Message
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Intentional Faith Development Have you ever shared a story with someone? I believe that everyone has a story to share and if you’ve ever talked with someone and shared a story, then you’ve been a mentor. When I look for Confirmation mentors, I look to church members who are willing to share and walk alongside one of our Jr. High students on their faith journey. I have heard time and again that the mentor feels like they learned just as much (if not more) than the student! It is an opportunity for personal growth as well as helping our young students learn about their faith. Questions by both the mentor and student are encouraged. Our students are empowered by seeing their church members join them in class, on field trips (we go to four different houses of worship), and sharing the sacrament of Communion
Thank You!
and worship. We learn the importance Confirmation mentor program, please of our Wesleyan traditions and we have use the sign-up sheet or contact Emily. fun. Emily Uebbing I am seeking mentors for fall. If you are Director of Junior High Youth interested in learning more about our
Children’s Sunday school classes are designed to follow the same Sunday To all those who have taught, assisted, morning pattern: worship, education, volunteered with, or taken a class at worship. Children’s Chapel and Children First Church this year, thank you, and Worship, the Sunday school classes thank you, thank you! You have helped that meet during worship times, are your students and peers grow through designed to give kids their own worship your faithful presence, your listening experience with scripture and stories and personal time ear, and your kind heart this year. We Education AND Worship are with God. All of hope you will take vital to growth in Christ. the classes that meet this summer to rest, This applies to children, during the 9:15 am education hour get outside, and youth, and adults. are designed to be prepare your heart and mind for another wonderful year hands-on and community-building for all participants. We believe that both of learning come September. education and worship are necessary Why is education so to challenge us with and expose us to new ideas and ways of seeing and important? experiencing Christ’s vision for the The transition to our current Sunday world. morning schedule (8:15 am worship, 9:15 am education hour, and 10:45 am There are many ways that you can take worship) was, in part, meant to send a part in the education hour on Sunday strong message: that education AND mornings during our program year: you worship are vital to growth in Christ. may take a class, offer to lead a class, This applies to children, youth, and or volunteer in our children and youth classes. I promise that all three options adults.
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will equip you with a new perspective and a closer relationship with God and your church. We hope the spirit will move you to participate in some way in the education hour in September. Class listings will be published in August. In the meantime, please feel free to contact one of us, your education staff members, to chat about what classes might fit you best. Have a safe and peace-filled summer break! Audrey Kawel Director of Children’s Ministry and Interim Adult Education Director audreyk@grandrapidsfumc.org Emily Uebbing Jr. High Youth Director emilyu@grandrapidsfumc.org Heather Yzenbaard Sr. High Youth Director heathery@grandrapidsfumc.org
Passionate Worship Recharging of the batteries is a necessary part of life, no matter the season in which it may be accomplished.
Summertime and the livin’ is easy…
For many (not all), the summertime months often bring a more relaxed pace of life. Students and teachers often get a little break from the action from mid-June to late August. The summer is prime time for continuing education workshops and possible travel experiences that may have an educational component. For others, summer may be a busier time, depending upon the nature of your work or living situation. Whatever your situation, I do hope that you might find some opportunity for relaxation, travel, reflection, and renewal. Recharging of the batteries is a necessary part of life, no matter the season in which it may be accomplished. The word “sabbath” refers to taking rest. There is a rhythm to taking rest that seems to be built into us. These “rest-taking” rhythms are built into our days, weeks, months, and years. Rest-taking extends to our environment and seems to be built in to our natural world. Farmers know well the importance of rest in the planting and rotation of crops. In order to avoid burn-out and to maintain a positive and energetic attitude, times of rest are as important as times of productivity.
and appropriate to a wide range of skills, so that it’s an opportunity for some of us to dust off an old instrument that we may not have touched in some time ( f o r e x a m p l e, my violin, that still needs a new bridge). We will get started this summer, and, hopefully continue a many such opportunities for musicians pattern of rehearsing a couple times a of all types and genres to list here. If you have done any of these, share month this fall. them with me, and I can collect these The dates for these evenings, from for others to consider. The church does have a small fund to help defray 6:30 - 8:00 pm are: the cost of these camps for children 1. Wednesday, June 14, 2017 and youth. 2. Wednesday, June 28, 2017 3. Wednesday, July 12, 2017 It’s very exciting to consider how we 4. Wednesday, August 9, 2017 might be re-energized and re-engaged 5. Wednesday, August 23, 2017 through these various experiences Second, consider a workshop or this summer. Do all you can to take summer camp. Several instrumentalists advantage of this important season in our church take advantage of of the year. I’m interested in what workshop and summer “camp” you might be doing this summer to experiences that are readily available. recharge your batteries, and I look I’ll put you in contact with some in forward to hearing from you. our church who continue to participate Eric Strand in these gatherings. For singers, there Director of Music and the Arts are many workshop opportunities. For many years, I have been going to one run by the Royal School of Church Music in America. There are just too
In the way of advocating for some re-charging of the batteries, I would like to suggest some activities that we might do over these less hectic months of summer. First, we are having Church Ensemble evenings, where instrumentalists of all types can gather and play music together. These evenings will allow us to get to know each other in a new way while sharing our talents and skills. This will be an opportunity to explore ways in which the instrumentalists in our church can continue to enhance our worship services. It will be light
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Risk-Taking Outreach and Mission Family Promise: Interfaith Hospitality Network “I felt so safe on my first night. The dinner was wonderful and the volunteers made me feel so welcomed and respected. It was the first time I felt like I was safe and could sleep and feel rested.” Sandra “I didn’t know what to expect but IHN really feels like my home. You all really care.” Tyeisha “When we didn’t have a home, you all made yours ours.” Katelyn, Tim & Kayden Family Promise of Grand Rapids, founded in 1997 as the Greater Grand Rapids Interfaith Hospitality Network, partners with local congregations, individuals, families, foundations and corporations to provide emergency shelter and viable solutions for families with children who are facing a housing crisis. First Church has been an IHN
“I’m focused on being the best mom I can be!”
“I felt so safe on my first night. The dinner was wonderful and the volunteers made me feel so welcomed and respected. It was the first time I felt like I was safe and could sleep and feel rested.” Sandra hosting church right from the beginning! care of family business. Through the use of our computer center, case The overall goal and purpose of Family managers, and mentors, they are able to Promise is to provide children and access community resources to search their families with shelter, basic needs, for employment and housing. Key and assistance as they seek permanent to their success is the fact that every housing. Family Promise is unique in family is connected to the community that it does not split up families during through volunteers at the congregations their crisis. Dads and boys over the age as well as through mentors in our of 10 are allowed to remain with their Family Mentoring Program. Families families, keeping the family unit strong. are able to build a new community network that helps them achieve IHN is also unique in that it is able to t h e i r g o a l s o f i n d e p e n d e n c e. meet the emergency needs of the families we serve through the hard work of a We are excited to report that 90% of small staff and over 2,000 volunteers. the families served last year found The majority of the work is provided permanent housing. Furthermore, through 16 Host Congregations and 96% of the families are housed two additional Support Congregations years later! who house families in their facilities FEBRUARY 2017 every night. Volunteers conduct all the First Church’s next Family Promise week evening activities of housing, feeding, is July 1 – 9. Volunteer opportunities Ending Homelessness... One Family at a time encouraging and interacting with the include: evening hosts, overnight hosts, children and families. Family Promise dinner preparers, set-up, clean-up, and is able to utilize existing community laundry. Watch for sign-ups beginning resources of the congregations to in June or contact Darren McKnight at “LOOK AT US NOW!” make every dollar count. The IHN darren.mcknight4@gmail.com. Anessa walked through our doors with nothing, but her 3 program operates atsonless kids (daughters: Jordan 13, Jayla 6 and Juelz, than 1). It was 1/3 winter and it was cold and she andof her kiddos had nowhere the average cost most shelters! Adapted from Family Promise article to sleep. “I was in a bad place mentally when I got to Family Promise. I didn’t see my self-worth, I was struggling with www.familypromisegr.org. depression and I didn’t have a home for me and my kids.” During the day, families come to a Despite the many setbacks Anessa faced on-site she stayed Day “home base” which is our the course until moving home became a reality. “Family Promise never gave up on me. Being in shelter with my Center, where they are busy taking 3 kids was so hard, but they never gave up on me,” said Anessa. Now, her life looks completely different. “LOOK AT US NOW!” she said. Yes, look at them now. After finding a home, Anessa enrolled in our Family Promise Aftercare Program. The Aftercare Program provides in-home case management for up to 9 months after a family moves home and Anessa used every opportunity to grow, learn and build a home for her family. Now she can focus on what is really important to her: her kids. “I’m focused on being the best mom I can be. I’m advocating for my daughters and they are doing great in school!” This is what happens when a family moves home and regains their footing: the family-unit thrives! Anessa’s children love being home too. Her girls are always inviting friends over and Juelz helps with household chores. He loves helping mom with laundry and holding the dustpan! “I don’t just have a house. I have a home,” she said “and you are welcome to come over, take your shoes off and stay awhile, because we are here to stay.” Look at them now!
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IN THIS ISSUE...
Radical Hospitality
It’s vacation time!!! Many of us look forward to the slower pace of summer and time to travel. As your Director of Invitational Ministries, I have a favor to ask.
visit different churches, look around and see what you like and what you don’t like. Take note of their signage and see if it’s easy to get around. Is the bulletin easy to follow as an “outsider?” Were you warmly greeted or did you First Church is always looking for ways feel unnoticed or pounced upon? Did to “better-up” our hospitality and one something happen that you would like of the best ways of doing that is by to see happen at First? Would you be attending other churches to see what inclined to return to that church; why and how they do things. As you travel, or why not?
First Church is always looking for ways to “better-up” our hospitality and one of the best ways of doing that is by attending other churches to see what and how they do things.
For those of you who are new to First Church, how would you answer those questions? What stood out to you on your first time with us? You also have firsthand experience that can help us improve our hospitality. I’ve asked some of our new members and they all give “glowing reports” but we know that there are ways for us to improve. And that is what we are looking for! Submit the form online at grfumc. org/travel and report back to us. We will eagerly await hearing all of your good ideas and suggestions for improvement. Patsy McGillivray, Director of Invitational Ministries
Extravagant Generosity
harvest” that causes us to thankfully glorify God with our first fruits?
campaign, we served pie. When we cut the pie, the first piece was “set aside for God.” Then we all enjoyed the remaining pie. All that was left when we were done were a few crumbs in the pan. The message of course was this: if we all had cut our own pieces first, God would have only gotten the crumbs. By cutting God’s piece first, we all got a slightly smaller piece, but everybody was still able to enjoy a delicious serving and we thanked God for the blessings of this “harvest” by giving God our “first fruits”!
At First Church we are blessed with many folks who have put God first in their giving, and they are among the happiest people you will meet. They don’t want for anything. If we put God’s gifts aside first, we can discover that we really are blessed with enough to do just fine.
How many of us practice this scripture with our finances? When we establish our financial priorities, do we set aside God’s gift first? Do we come to the realization that most of us have been In all our church meetings during the blessed by God with an “abundant
I hope this scripture continues to challenge all of us as we march steadily toward becoming a tithing congregation.
In Deuteronomy, we are challenged to give God the “first fruits of the harvest,” which is one of the most cited passages when discussing giving and tithing to the church.
In today’s context, this passage is used as a guide in our financial decisionmaking. We are taught to set aside God’s gifts first, and then use the rest for ourselves. If we do that, then we are giving God our very best. If we don’t put God first, then God simply gets the leftovers. Several years back, our stewardship campaign focused on this scripture passage. In doing so, we used delicious pies to illustrate its message.
The next time you bake a pie, or bake some cookies, set aside a tenth to share with someone – perhaps a lonely neighbor. You will find that you still have plenty for yourself.
Chris Hawkins, Finance Committee
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Congregational Care Christ Caring For People Through People! Stephen Ministry News! Your Stephen Leader Team (Kim Hamilton, Marj Timmerman, Lois Walker, and Suzy Wood) are excited to announce that we have three brand new Stephen Ministers trained and ready to care! Diane Eddy, Denise Niswonger, and Jill Peirce have just completed 50 hours of training which included topics such as boundaries, confidentiality, spiritual care, grief care, and process versus results. They are being commissioned on Sunday, June Diane Eddy, Denise Niswonger, Jill Peirce 18th. You won’t want to miss it! Once commissioned, a Stephen Minister is assigned to meet with one person at a time. The person they are assigned to is called a care receiver (CR). The CR is usually going through a particularly tough time. They may have lost a loved one, have a family member in prison, be transitioning into a retirement community, having financial or employment concerns, going through an “empty nest” period, or having health challenges. There really are very few concerns – large or small, short-term or long-term – that a Stephen Minister can’t help a CR with. The goal of a Stephen Minister is to meet with their CR weekly for an hour. They show up, listen, and pray! A Stephen Minister can’t fix your concerns, but having someone listening, caring, and praying for you as you go forward is so powerful.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for the Lord’s compassions never fail. Lamentations 3:22
cried, letting me speak freely about my feelings of anger and loss, and then praying with me. That personal care helped me to heal and go forward. I would recommend Stephen Ministry to everyone.”
along side you until it is.” To show up every week and listen and pray, then watch what God does in someone’s life. It is humbling and inspiring. Never underestimate the power of God when we gather in God’s name.”
“My world fell apart when I unexpectedly lost my job. When Marj met with me and told me about Stephen Ministry, I was hesitant to say yes. But with some nudging, I agreed to try having a Stephen Minister and I have to admit it was the best thing I could have done at the time. We met for coffee and conversation almost weekly and he was an encouraging and reliable support for me for about 2 years.”
I invite you to hold Diane, Denise, and Jill in your prayers as they begin an exciting new journey as Stephen Ministers!
And Lois Walker shares: “Stephen We always keep the identities of the Ministry is such a part of me it’s hard CRs confidential, but here are some to imagine who I would be without it. I have had the privilege of being quotes I have received from them: in partnership with six care receivers “I am so very thankful that my church over 12+ years. I say partnership has Stephen Ministry and that I could because that is how it really works. I have a Stephen Minister support me have worked with someone grieving, during one of the darkest times of someone ill, and someone trying to my life. I don’t think I could have find some purpose for their life. It has gotten through the loss (of my family never been to enter the picture with all member) if it weren’t for her meeting the answers. It is to simply say “I wish with me weekly, hugging me when I life was better right now and I will walk
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Peace and joy!
Marj Timmerman RN Director of Congregational Care
June 1 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship June 4 Communion Sunday Blood Pressure Sunday 10:00 am – Sunday Worship 11:00 am – Legacy Scholarship Committee June 5 11:00 am – Retiree Bible Study 11:00 am – Executive Team 1:00 pm – Staff 6:30 pm – Stephen Ministry June 6 5:30 pm – Staff/Parish Committee June 7 12:00 pm – West Michigan Children’s Ministry Group 5:30 pm – Young Adult Bonfire June 8 9:00 am – Moms and Muffins Date June 11 9:00 am – Sr High Mission Trip Parent Meeting 10:00 am – Sunday Worship 11:00 am – Laure Mieskowski Celebration 11:00 am – Jr/Sr High Youth Summer Gathering June 12 Summer Hours Begin 11:00 am – Retiree Bible Study 5:00 pm – Trustees 5:00 pm – Stephen Leader Meeting June 14 6:30 pm – Women’s Organic Prayer 6:30 pm – Church Ensemble Night 8:00 pm – Clarinet Concert June 15 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 6:30 pm – Choir End-of-Season Party
June 17 8:30 am – Feeding America 10:00 am – Moms’ Group: Boulder Ridge June 18 Stephen Ministry Commissioning 10:00 am – Sunday Worship June 19 11:00 am – Retiree Bible Study 12:00 pm – 60+ Luncheon 6:30 pm – Stephen Ministry June 21 9:00 am – Caring Connection 5:30 pm – Mom and Me Yoga 6:00 pm – Young Adult Bible Study at the Beach 6:30 pm – Women’s Organic Prayer June 25 10:00 am – Sunday Worship June 26 - 29 9:00 am – Arts Alive Camp June 26 - 30 Jr High Arts Alive Camp June 26 11:00 am – Retiree Bible Study 5:30 pm – Building Committee 7:00 pm – Leadership Council June 28 6:30 pm – Women’s Organic Prayer 6:30 pm – Church Ensemble Night June 29 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship July 2 - 9 Family Promise July 2 Communion Sunday Blood Pressure Sunday 10:00 am – Sunday Worship July 3 11:00 am – Retiree Bible Study July 4 Holiday: First Church Closed
Mark your calendars July 5 6:30 pm – Women’s Organic Prayer July 9 Welcome Rev. Amee Paparella 10:00 am – Sunday Worship July 10 11:00 am – Retiree Bible Study July 12 6:30 pm – Women’s Organic Prayer 6:30 pm – Church Ensemble Night July 13 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 9:00 am – Moms and Muffins Date July 15 8:30 am – Feeding America 12:00 pm – Methodist Connection Picnic July 16 10:00 am – Sunday Worship July 17 11:00 am – Retiree Bible Study 6:30 pm – Stephen Ministry July 19 9:00 am – Caring Connection 6:30 pm – Women’s Organic Prayer July 21- 29 Sr High Mission Trip July 23 10:00 am – Sunday Worship July 24 11:00 am – Retiree Bible Study 5:30 pm – Building Committee July 26 6:30 pm – Church Ensemble Night July 27 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship July 30 10:00 am – Sunday Worship July 31 11:00 am – Retiree Bible Study August 4 - 5
Stephen Leader Retreat August 6 Communion Sunday Blood Pressure Sunday 10:00 am – Sunday Worship August 7 11:00 am – Retiree Bible Study August 8 5:30 pm – Finance Meeting August 9 6:30 pm – Church Ensemble Night August 10 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 9:00 am – Moms and Muffins Date August 11-13 All-Church Camping Weekend August 13 10:00 am – Sunday Worship August 14 11:00 am – Retiree Bible Study 5:00 pm – Trustees August 16 9:00 am – Caring Connection August 19 8:30 am – Feeding America August 20 10:00 am – Sunday Worship August 21 11:00 am – Retiree Bible Study 6:30 pm – Stephen Ministry August 23 6:30 pm – Church Ensemble Night August 24 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship August 26 4:00 pm – Wedding August 27 10:00 am – Sunday Worship August 28 11:00 am – Retiree Bible Study 5:30 pm – Building Committee
H C R U H C ALL
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First United Methodist Church 227 Fulton St E Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3236
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FirstStaff Laure Mieskowski Happy Retirement! 25 Years on Staff at First Church! Join us June 11 for brunch in Wesley Hall following worship.
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