Summer First Pulse 2019

F irst Pulse

First United Methodist Church Grand Rapids | grfumc.org

Summer 2019

Stories from First Church and the impact on the lives of our community.

F irst Pulse

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Summer 2019

On the cover A

Join us for a Summer of Wellness at First Church.

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The Youth Service was held Sunday, May 19.

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Baptism Sunday was on Mother’s Day May 12.

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Spiritual | Physical | Emotional

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hysical | Em o t i n a l o it u al | P

W e ll n e ss

OUR MISSION To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

OUR PURPOSE

To fulfill the call of Christ to be spiritually alive in the city while embracing the world.

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INCLUSIVITY Inclusiveness means openness, acceptance, and support that enable all persons to participate in the life of the Church, the community, and the world; therefore, inclusiveness denies every semblance of discrimination.

Pastor’s Message

As we head in to the summer season at First Church, this is the last edition of the Pulse until August. Throughout these next few months, we will continue the weekly communication pattern that is ours to keep the congregation fully informed of news, activities, ministry opportunities as well as the worship focus from week to week.

Our summer theme is taken from I Corinthians 6, where Paul writes, “Don’t you know that your entire being is the temple of the Holy Spirit?” We are kicking off the emphasis on Pentecost, June 9. Throughout the month of June, our focus will be on spiritual health, considering that we are indeed the temple where the Spirit of God dwells. On June 30, we will also welcome Dr. Don Saliers, Professor Emeritus at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, who will lead us in a hymn festival. In July, our focus will be on body health and wholeness. How we care for the temple of the Spirit is important. Then finally in August, we will consider the topic of mental and emotional health and wholeness. Pastors Tim and Joan will be sharing the preaching schedule throughout the summer along with other activities that you will read about each week that are planned for the health and wholeness of mind, body and spirit. So come and be part of the journey.

On June 9, we are also going to hold an informational Pastor’s FORUM after worship. This is designed to give you updated information about the conversations and preliminary plans emerging within the United Methodist Church after 350 people gathered in Minneapolis (May 17 – 18), 600 people gathered in Kansas City (May 21 – 23), as well as the review of actions at our Michigan Area Annual Conference (May 30 – June 2). I, as well as key lay leaders within our congregation, will also attempt to answer some of your questions about what is occurring in the general church and how we (as a congregation) are responding and participating.

Along with the above emphasis, our Missions Chair, Iain Charnley, along with our Mission and Outreach Director, Dr. Joan VanDessel, have written the following to encourage and inform our congregation that First Church is a church in Mission!

Our Easter mission offering raised over $11,000, which goes directly to mission work around the world and here in Grand Rapids. Most of these gifts further organizations or causes that we have a direct connection and relationship with through our congregation. We share God’s love through helping others seek justice, mobility, medical treatment, and relationships. This connectedness means that we not only invest with our dollars but in relationships and service.

As you may know, we are currently withholding our ministry shares from the Michigan Conference in hopes of a new direction, allowing integrity in support of the greater church institution. I want to assure you that this does not change our commitment to local and global mission giving. Our three mission offerings each year provide over $40,000 directly to mission projects we are related to as a church (Nicaragua, Cuba, PET Project, JFON, etc). Separate from these mission offerings, the Social Concerns Committee funds local groups working with the homeless, hungry, and others in need.

We will continue to find new ways to be active in service, collaboration, and giving as a church. I look forward to envisioning what comes next for First Church and would be glad to discuss any questions, concerns, or ideas.

In Christ, Dr. Iain Charnley, Missions Committee Chair Dr. Joan VanDessel, Director of Mission and Outreach Good things are happening at First United Methodist Church! While the summer season is a time for vacation, travel, and getting together with friends and family – whenever you are here, there is a warm welcome extended to participate in worship and the many activities of our congregation.

Blessings to you all!

Pastor Bob

Thank you for your generosity in supporting missions and outreach at First Church.

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Radical H ospitality Everyone Has a Story

Where were you born? Where were your grandparents or great-grandparents born? Are you the first or fifth generation to live in the US? Do you know your family’s history of immigration? Are you one of the millions who’ve tried out one of the DNA tests to learn about your ancestors? Or are you the collector of family photos and stories, carefully crafting and recording your family tree?

I was born in Butterworth hospital. My mom was, too. I need to go back a few more generations to find family who were born outside of the US. My husband, on the other hand, immigrated here from the Philippines. He and his family bring a great Asian culture to my family and to the community. (You’re invited to join us at Rosa Parks Circle for Asian Fest, June 14-16. See the schedule at grasianfestival.com.)

It’s meaningful to hear people’s stories and experience new cultures. That’s why our growing relationship with La Nueva, a Hispanic UMC, is so exciting.

Earlier this year, our youth groups started meeting together on Sunday nights. Now you’re invited to be a part of this growing partnership. Please join us on Sunday, August 18, for a meal and time of storytelling. If you are able, please bring a dessert or side that represents your family. Please also consider bringing a family artifact that helps to share your story – a photo, a wedding dress or other article of clothing, a teacup, a book, etc. During the meal, people will be

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invited to come to the microphone to share, or share within their table group. This is a great opportunity for all ages to interact and learn from each other, while building solid relationships. You’re also invited to stay after the meal for a worship service in Spanish.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect your spiritual wellness with your social wellness during our Summer of Wellness series. Coming together over a meal is a great way build community and support wellness.

Sami Marasigan Director of Hospitality and Invitation (Email samim@grfumc.org to sign up to help out with any of our summer events.)

PASSIONATE WORSHIP Music and Arts Ministry

We Are Living in an “Interesting” Time

It is no secret that we are living in an “interesting” time.

“May you live in interesting times” is an expression, perhaps a curse that is often attributed to an ancient Chinese source. (Actually, there is little evidence of this expression being of Chinese origin.) The implication in the curse is that conflict and chaos are to be found during “interesting” times throughout history, and that peace and calm are usually found in “uninteresting” times.

The German philosopher Hegel summed up this point: “World history is not the ground of happiness. The periods of happiness are empty pages in her.” The British statesman and politician Joseph Chamberlain said this in a speech before Parliament in 1898: I think that you will all agree that we are living in most interesting times. (Hear, hear.) I never remember myself a time in which our history was so full, in which day by day brought us new objects of interest, and, let me say also, new objects for anxiety.

(Hear, hear.)

It seems that we are being daily bombarded by “interesting” things, all of which seem to serve to raise our level of anxiety. Though most people have likely not read the poem, it seems that we are living in an “Age of Anxiety.” We live in an age that is filled with clutter of all sorts, literal and figurative: news, data, social media, trash, chemicals, pundits, exaggerations, and half-truths.

of our common humanity.

Perhaps as we join with others to create an experience of great beauty, we diminish any sense of scarcity, while augmenting our connection to all in a way which is paradoxically self-affirming. (artistworks.com) Choral singing involves an inner and outer coordination.

In the inner, there is imagination and audiation, hearing the music that is yet to be sung. In the outer, one is listening intently to the voices around, fitting one’s own voice and imagination into the larger whole.

One can really see the rise of choral music with the work of American composer, Eric Whitacre. Whitacre has tapped into the power of music and choral singing to connect and move people toward the experience of awe.

Whitacre’s recording, Light and Gold, released in 2010, went to the top of the classical charts in both the United States and United Kingdom within a week of its release.

Led by Whitacre, choral composition has taken off in the last ten years, with a slew of amazing new compositions marked not only by their musical attributes, but by the incredible poetry that speaks to our current condition and may even become a source for social change and justice around the world. His “virtual” choir connected thousands of people around the world, all singing his piece (in Latin, no less) Lux Arumque. (Light and Gold)

I find it fascinating that, against this cluttered Toward a background in which we live, there is A parallel phenomenon that is related More Profound Alleluia! something that is quietly emerging as to all of this is the resurgence of a potential antidote: choirs, choral evensong. Attendance at evensong The Music Making Art music, and contemplation. in the United Kingdom is up by 33% over the last ten years. This On Sunday, June 30 at 10:00 am we Singing in a choir forms service is largely unchanged will be having a festive service focusing connections that social media in its content since 1662. on hymns and music led by Don Saliers. cannot begin to touch. It The service is sung daily Saliers is in town for the Regional Convention seems that we can’t even in Britain’s 42 cathedrals of the American Guild of Organists, as he is the go a week without news and in many other chapels, national chaplain for the organization. of another study pointing particularly in the colleges to the health benefits of at Cambridge and Oxford.

Dr. Don E. Saliers is an accomplished musician, singing in a choir. The The increase in attendance theologian, and scholar of liturgics. Saliers is the studies are mounting has been so pronounced author of 15 books on the relationship between showing that choral singing that Oxford University has theology and worship practices, as well as has psychological, physical, undertaken a study to find out more than 150 articles, essays, chapters in and I would add spiritual why this is happening. books and book reviews. He co-authored benefits. Just type “health A Song to Sing, a Life to Live with benefits of singing in a choir” Evensong and contemplative his daughter Emily Saliers, a into your browser and you can services are an escape from the member of the Indigo spend hours reading study after study increasing noise of the world around into Girls. showing that choral singing improves our an oasis of beauty. All of this activity around mood, and reduces symptoms of stress, anxiety, choirs, composers, poets, and contemplation is and depression. Physically, it can lower blood pressure, a fascinating phenomenon at this particular time. It is improve oxygen levels in the blood, benefit the immune definitely something worth our attention. system, and improve respiratory function. Spiritually, it can lead to the experience of “awe” leading one to focus Eric Strand not on our individual problems but rather on a wider view Director of Music and the Arts First Pulse | Summer ‘19

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Summer 2019 JUNE Sunday, June 2 9:00 am – Sr. High Mission Trip Informational Meeting 9:15 am – Walk and Worship 9:45 am – Summer Nursery Care 10:00 am – Worship 10:15 am – Children’s Ministry: LEGO Bible Adventures 10:15 am – Shine Sensory Room 11:00 am – Servant Leader Appreciation Sunday 11:00 am – Blood Pressure Clinic 5:30 pm – Summer Gentle Yoga Monday, June 3 9:30 am – Lead Team Planning 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study 6:30 pm – Stephen Ministry 6:30 pm – Running Group Tuesday, June 4 7:00 am – Work Program 5:30 pm – SPRC Meeting 6:00 pm – Mixed-Level Mat Yoga Wednesday, June 5 7:30 pm – Steering Committee for the Way Forward Friday, June 7 5:00 - 8:00 pm – Visitation: Fritz Briscoe Saturday, June 8 9:30 am – Feeding America 11:00 am – Memorial Service for Fritz Briscoe Sunday, June 9 Coffee Can Offering 9:15 am – Walk and Worship 9:45 am – Summer Nursery Care 10:00 am – Worship: Pentecost

10:15 am – Children’s Ministry: LEGO Bible Adventures 11:00 am – Lemonade on the Lawn 11:15 am – Pastor’s forum 5:30 pm – Summer Gentle Yoga Monday, June 10 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study 5:00 pm – Board of Trustees 6:00 pm – Team Leaders 7:00 pm – Leadership Council Tuesday, June 11 7:00 am – Work Program 6:00 pm – Mixed-Level Mat Yoga Wednesday, June 12 5:15 pm – Young Adults: Dinner at Uncle Cheetah’s & Movie 7:00 pm – “Gen Silent” Movie at Wealthy Theatre Thursday, June 13 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 9:30 am – Mom’s Group: Playdate Sunday, June 16 Father’s Day 9:15 am – Walk and Worship 9:45 am – Summer Nursery Care 10:00 am – Worship 10:15 am – Children’s Ministry: LEGO Bible Adventures 11:00 am – Lemonade on the Lawn 2:00 pm – Mom’s Group/Families In Faith: Whitecaps Baseball Game 5:30 pm – Summer Gentle Yoga Monday, June 17 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study 6:30 pm – Stephen Ministry Tuesday, June 18 7:00 am – Work Program 6:00 pm – Mixed-Level Mat Yoga Wednesday, June 19 9:00 am – Caring Connection

6:00 pm – Young Adults: Picnic at Canal Park June 23 - 29 Sr High Youth Mission Trip Sunday, June 23 9:15 am – Walk and Worship 9:45 am – Summer Nursery Care 10:00 am – Worship 10:15 am – Children’s Ministry: LEGO Bible Adventures 11:00 am – Lemonade on the Lawn 5:30 pm – Summer Gentle Yoga June 24 - 27 Arts Alive Camp June 24 - 28 Junior High Week of Mission Monday, June 24 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study Tuesday, June 25 7:00 am – Work Program 6:00 pm – Mixed-Level Mat Yoga Thursday, June 27 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship Sunday, June 30 9:15 am – Walk and Worship 9:45 am – Summer Nursery Care 10:00 am – Worship 10:15 am – Children’s Ministry: LEGO Bible Adventures 11:00 am – Lemonade on the Lawn 5:30 pm – Summer Gentle Yoga JULY Monday, July 1 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study Tuesday, July 2 7:00 am – Work Program 6:00 pm – Mixed-Level Mat Yoga

Moments with the Children during the Youth Service and 2019 Youth Service participants 6

First Pulse | Summer ‘19

Thursday, July 4 Independence Day Church Building and Office Closed Sunday, July 7 Communion Sunday 9:15 am – Walk and Worship 9:45 am – Summer Nursery Care 10:00 am – Worship 10:15 am – Children’s Ministry: LEGO Bible Adventures 11:00 am – Lemonade on the Lawn 5:30 pm – Summer Gentle Yoga Monday, July 8 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study Tuesday, July 9 7:00 am – Work Program 6:00 pm – Mixed-Level Mat Yoga Thursday, July 11 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship Saturday, July 13 9:30 am – Feeding America 11:00 am – The Methodist Connection Summer Cookout Sunday, July 14 Coffee Can Offering 9:15 am – Walk and Worship 9:30 am – Bike to Church Day 9:45 am – Summer Nursery Care 10:00 am – Worship 10:15 am – Children’s Ministry: LEGO Bible Adventures 11:00 am – Lemonade on the Lawn 5:30 pm – Summer Gentle Yoga Monday, July 15 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study 6:30 pm – Stephen Ministry Tuesday, July 16 7:00 am – Work Program 6:00 pm – Mixed-Level Mat Yoga Wednesday, July 17 9:00 am – Caring Connection 5:30 pm – Young Adults: Millennium Park Beach and Bible Study Sunday, July 21 9:15 am – Walk and Worship 9:45 am – Summer Nursery Care 10:00 am – Worship 10:15 am – Children’s Ministry: LEGO Bible Adventures 11:00 am – Summer Picnic 5:30 pm – Summer Gentle Yoga 7:00 pm – Service for Inclusion

Monday, July 22 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study Tuesday, July 23 7:00 am – Work Program 6:00 pm – Mixed-Level Mat Yoga Thursday, July 25 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship Sunday, July 28 9:15 am – Walk and Worship 9:45 am – Summer Nursery Care 10:00 am – Worship 10:15 am – Children’s Ministry: LEGO Bible Adventures 11:00 am – Lemonade on the Lawn 5:30 pm – Summer Gentle Yoga Monday, July 29 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study Tuesday, July 30 7:00 am – Work Program 6:00 pm – Mixed-Level Mat Yoga AUGUST August 4 - 11 Family Promise Week Sunday, August 4 Communion Sunday 9:15 am – Walk and Worship 9:45 am – Summer Nursery Care 10:00 am – Worship 10:15 am – Children’s Ministry: LEGO Bible Adventures 11:00 am – Lemonade on the Lawn 11:00 am – Blood Pressure Clinic 5:30 pm – Summer Gentle Yoga Monday, August 5 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study Tuesday, August 6 7:00 am – Work Program 6:00 pm – Mixed-Level Mat Yoga Wednesday, August 7 5:30 pm – Young Adult Group Thursday, August 8 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship August 9 - 11 All Church Camping Weekend Saturday, August 10 9:30 am – Feeding America

Sunday, August 11 Coffee Can Offering 9:15 am – Walk and Worship 9:45 am – Summer Nursery Care 10:00 am – Worship 10:15 am – Children’s Ministry: LEGO Bible Adventures 11:00 am – Lemonade on the Lawn 5:30 pm – Summer Gentle Yoga Monday, August 12 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study 5:00 pm – Board of Trustees 6:30 pm – Admin Team Leader Tuesday, August 13 7:00 am – Work Program 5:30 pm – SPRC Meeting 5:30 pm – Finance Committee 6:00 pm – Mixed-Level Mat Yoga Sunday, August 18 9:15 am – Walk and Worship 9:45 am – Summer Nursery Care 10:00 am – Worship 10:15 am – Children’s Ministry: LEGO Bible Adventures 11:00 am – Lemonade on the Lawn 5:30 pm – Summer Gentle Yoga Monday, August 19 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study 6:30 pm – Stephen Ministry Tuesday, August 20 7:00 am – Work Program 6:00 pm – FAN of I Light: Specialized Grief Group 6:00 pm – Mixed-Level Mat Yoga Wednesday, August 21 9:00 am – Caring Connection Thursday, August 22 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship Sunday, August 25 9:15 am – Walk and Worship 9:45 am – Summer Nursery Care 10:00 am – Worship 10:15 am – Children’s Ministry: LEGO Bible Adventures 11:00 am – Lemonade on the Lawn 5:30 pm – Summer Gentle Yoga Monday, August 26 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study Tuesday, August 27 7:00 am – Work Program 6:00 pm – Mixed-Level Mat Yoga

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Intentional Faith Development A fitbit is great for tracking your steps throughout the day, but how do you measure your spiritual wellness? There are no apps for tracking how connected you are to the One who made us (although that’d be pretty cool). So how do we keep ourselves in touch with our spiritual wellness?

It turns out that there are as many ways to be spiritually well as there are people on the earth! But the common thread in all spiritual wellness is connection. Connection with God and connection with other people keeps us fit!

This summer, let’s explore this idea of spiritual wellness: does physical and emotional wellness have anything to do with how well we are spiritually connected? Are physical and emotional wellness required to love God and love other people?

Our summer is filling up with many ways you can connect. We hope you will carve out some time to explore spiritual wellness at First this summer.

Walk and Worship // Sundays from 9:15 - 9:45 am //Lace up those walking shoes and join your First Church friends for a jaunt around the neighborhood before worship. Routes are printed and take between 20 and 30 minutes to complete. Room 104 is set aside for walkers as storage space during the walk and cool-down space for after; snacks and water will be set up in that room, too.

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FUMC Running Club //Monday, June 3 at 6:30 pm //Do you prefer a little faster pace? Meet Pastor Tim and some other First Church runners at the north lobby doors for a group run around downtown.

If it is raining, the group will reschedule.

Gentle Yoga //Sundays from 5:30 – 6:15 pm in The Vine //A free gentle mixed-level yoga experience designed to strengthen, lengthen, and center you before the start of the work week. Mats, blocks, straps, and blankets are available for use. Kathy Julien and Rachael Richardson lead the class Mixed-Level Mat Yoga // Tuesdays from 6:00 – 7:15 pm in The Vine //A free, faster-paced mixed-level yoga experience for new and experienced yogis.

Instructor Peri Jill will help strengthen your body and your mind! Mats available for use.

Bike to Church Sunday //Sunday, July 14 //Get to church HOW? That’s right: provided it is not raining, bike to church if you live within biking distance! Or if you cannot ride your bike in, bring your bike to church and join in a postchurch bike ride. Bikers can safely store their bikes in The Vine and enjoy wheel-shaped breakfast foods before or after worship.

Healthy Meal Prep //August date TBD //Join Registered Dietitian and FUMC member Rose (VanderMaas) Britt for a healthy eating and meal-prep lesson. Sign

up in advance and submit any questions you have about healthy eating, eating around food allergies, expanding a vegan diet, etc. and Rose will bring answers and creative ideas to the event.

Gallery Walk with Leara // Sunday, August 25 at 11:00 am // Art Therapist Leara Glinzak will be the featured artist in our gallery in August. Join her for a guided tour of her works which will feature watercolors and mixed media landscapes from Leara’s spiritual journeys.

Gen Silent Movie Viewing // Wednesday, June 12 at 7:00 pm at Wealthy Theatre //A free showing of Gen Silent, a documentary illustrating the disparity in care for aging LGBTQ generation.

What would you do to survive if you were an older adult afraid of discrimination as you seek the care you need? Join a community screening of this documentary followed by a panel discussion on the topic.

Risk-Taking Outreach and Mission As I reach my one-year anniversary serving as the Director of Community Outreach and Mission at First Church, I continue to be incredibly encouraged by our congregation’s unwavering commitment to social justice and charity. I’m also deeply grateful for all of our incredible First Church volunteers who offer time, talent, and financial support of the mission and outreach ministries of First Church. Here’s a story from one of our dedicated Work Program volunteers, Jo Seamon.

Dr. Joan VanDessel

Serving the Table Recently moving to the west side of Michigan, I found myself searching for a warm, adequate living space, new friends, a church, and a few volunteer opportunities. The choices were endless. As a result, a one-bedroom apartment became my nest, friendships blossomed, and First United Methodist Church of Grand Rapids welcomed me with open arms. A new life was comfortably shaping my rebirth.

First Church has its roots deeply planted in the city.

Large in stature and members, it became easy to find my place as a contributing member. Social justice, equality, and community outreach continue as primary focuses. My table, so to speak, had been set. Fast forward two years. Another spring morning was upon us. Seven a.m. had arrived. Cold rain teased as she continued to spit in our faces. A bitter breeze slapped our necks and open jackets.

Homeless, indigent, and well-worn they came. They quietly huddled for physical and emotional warmth. A small slice of hope is for the taking. Today was First Church’s Work Program. I was there to help serve the table. On this cloudy, chilled morning, close to 60 men and women arrived for the random draw at a chance to work at 12 different job sites within walking distance. Several downtown churches, shelters, and social agencies provide two-hour working slots to this needy gathering. The Work Program helps to provide a paid workforce of a local neighborhood by funding short-term work for those living in poverty. Today, 38 jobs will be available. Legal identification and a willingness to work are the minimal requirements.

Dignity and respect are exchanged effortlessly. God is ever present. For today, a hot cup of coffee, reciting

the “Our Father” and $20 in cash will serve their souls and pockets – no questions asked. Workplaces and workers all benefit.

I have come to know many of the “regulars.” A few have actually become volunteers themselves with our church’s mission to reach out. Meet Randy, standing over six feet tall; he carries his broad shoulders and empty clipboard proudly. He knows his people, and serves as mentor, cheerleader, and sometimes crowd controller. In addition, he proudly serves on the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition. Community awareness and involvement are his strengths as he joyfully serves and advocates for peers and himself.

Henry shows weekly as the group’s comedian. Light laughter is never hindered. His cheerful smile and disposition provide calm and reassurance to the hearts and minds of his peers. He seldom forgets to remind us church members that he is available every Sunday to take the week’s offering to the bank. “Just give me a call, and I’ll be there!” With a quick wink and wry smile, Henry fills our Tuesday cup of humor.

I would be amiss if I didn’t include Richard Johnson, the leader of this outreach program. A true gentle and gracious man, Richard gives the Work Program fulltime effort. Weekly visits to local shelters, social service agencies and the like, he knows the city and its people well. Many of the Heartside neighbors look to him for a guiding light, encouraging word, or basic survival advice. I have found Richard humble, thankful, and truly a server of God. Ironically, I have discovered something about human nature as well. Nearly 200 years ago, many of these underserved individuals were serving my table, without choice, an unfortunate artifact of their race, ethnicity, or personal circumstance. Their personal lives were controlled and dignity was rare. Today, I choose to serve them at their table. Each week is a new awakening within me. Dignity, respect, and encouragement are my gifts to them. Giving of my time is minimal compared to the wealth of satisfaction I receive in return. God has blessed me over and over. I love my church family and its commitment to community.

God, continue to bless these loving souls and those of the Work Program. Amen.

by Jo Seamon First Pulse | Summer ‘19

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EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY Resource Development

A New Awakening In Methodism In late 1776, after the Declaration of Independence, the War for Independence had so far been one disaster after another. The Continental Army was in retreat and seemed to be falling apart. Despite the enthusiastic beginning to the quest for independence, things did not look good! Patriot Thomas Paine had been a part of the inspiration for independence with his pamphlet “Common Sense.” Now, with disaster seemingly at hand, Paine wrote a new series of essays aptly called “The Crisis.” Out of these writings comes this famous quote…

“These are the times that try [peoples’] souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: ‘tis dearness only that gives every thing its value.”

As we experience the current struggles within the United Methodist denomination, I am reminded of Paine’s writing. It would be so easy to just say… “I’ve had enough!” But I believe we are on the verge of a new awakening in Methodism as we at First Church work tirelessly toward the triumph of full inclusion.

I am struck by the way First Church continues to flourish in such trying times. As a church, our congregational giving is better so far this year than it has been in many years, currently at 98% of pledged levels! In addition, our Easter offering was excellent.

The generosity of our congregation is unchanged in the face of our current uncertainties!

In addition to our financial generosity, an incredible number of folks continue to be involved in the ministries of First Church. Just last week for example, about 100 volunteers staged an amazing weeklong Spring Outing event in Wesley Hall for hundreds of kids from Martin Luther King, Jr., Leadership Academy. Our mission teams have been active in Cuba and Nicaragua. Summer activities are planned and will be amazing.

So it seems that despite these times that are “trying our souls,” we are mindful of Paine’s essay that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

Let us not be “sunshine Methodists,” but rather continue to be in faithful and generous ministry, even as we struggle to find the new Methodism that is surely on the horizon!

Chris Hawkins Finance Committee

Martin Luther King, Jr., Leadership Academy Spring Outing volunteers.

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Congregational Care

Over the past three weeks, our church community has been impacted by the passing of three long-time and involved members. While this is a normal part of congregational life, it is difficult when it happens all at once. I find the opening lines from the Committal Service found in the United Methodist Book of Worship helpful: “In the midst of life, we are in death; from whom can we seek our help? Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8�

God accompanies us in our journey through life and supports us in every loss. Our help comes in our faith that Jesus conquered death and lives eternally with God. Our help comes from paying attention to the importance of life and a God that shares with us in life, death, and resurrection.

dad loved ice cream! I remember him sitting in the family room chair relishing a bowl of butter pecan ice cream. He would sit, taking bite after bite, telling us a story about his day. For us, this unconventional dinner option is a great way for us to talk about Dad and Grandpa, remembering how he loved us and how we are doing something he loved as well. The important part in remembering a loved one is in naming. We must name our grief by connecting the stories to our continued life story. In doing that, the person we lost through death is connected back into our lives.

There is no right or wrong way to remember a person who has died, but storytelling can be a way to remember someone. The year after my dad died my sons and I went to get ice cream on his birthday. My

Rev. Tim Tuthill Associate Pastor and Director of Congregational Care

Loss has no limits and at times can be very painful. I miss my dad daily and often wonder what he would have to say about a certain life situation. We miss Jane and Pat and Fritz. Our loss is lessened when we think about the gains each person gave to us knowing that God who made us continues to hold both.

First Church youth choir

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