What's Happening

i Vol. 53 Issue 4 April 2021

A PUBLICATION OF HAYMOUNT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

He's Alive!

Easter 6:30AM Sunrise service in the courtyard 9:45AM in the New Life Center and live streamed 11:00 AM in the Sanctuary and live streamed

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M i s sion: Ma k i ng d i sc iple s of Je su s C h r i st for t he t r a nsfor mat ion of t he world

Haymount United Methodist Church

FROM THE PASTOR

1700 Fort Bragg Road Fayetteville, NC 28303 (910) 484-0181 FAX: (910) 484-9805

www.haymountumc.com Lead Pastor Rev. Dr. John Tyson drjohntyson@haymountumc.com

Associate Pastor Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Tyson drelizabethtyson@haymountumc.com

Christian Education Dorothy Funkhouser dorothy.funkhouser@haymountumc.com

Director of Traditional Music & Organist Dr. Monica Sparzak monicasparzak@haymountumc.com

Director of Youth Ministries Drew Ellis humcyouth@haymountumc.com

Leader of Contemporary Worship Andrew Sanchez andrewsanchez@haymountumc.com

Minister of Communications and Facilitiess Rev. Donald Warren donaldwarren@haymountumc.com

Rev. Dr. John Tyson Lead Pastor

Dear Friends, Socrates said, “Know thyself.” The first time I heard this, I remember thinking, “that is one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard! Know thyself? Who doesn’t know themselves? I thought Socrates was supposed to be a genius.” Of course, as I got a little older, I realized that knowing oneself is trenchantly challenging because we keep changing, even when we are determined not to. The older I get, the more I realize that knowing oneself is a life-time occupation precisely because we change, the people around us change, and the environment around

us changes. Identity crises are not the sole purview of teens. They often come to us, unbidden and unrelenting, when our situation in life is altered by changing roles, changing opportunities, changing relationships, and changing ideas.

United Methodists, as well as other denominations, seem to be having identity crises. When Haymount Church was founded 75 years ago in 1945, views on scripture, sexuality, race, and gender roles were fairly fixed. However, in 2021, we find that these views have changed for many of us. What are we to do? Six weeks ago, the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention made some decisions which are quite different than the decisions United Methodists have made, and they have reinforced other policies, such as the subordination of women. Are we to try to cling to the mores of decades past? (Continued )

Deadline for Next Newsletter April 2021 submission deadline: APRIL 16, 2021 Please send submissions to Donald Warren at donaldwarren@haymountumc.com

March/April Teaching Series - From Death to Life Or are we to think critically about complex issues and respond positively to new light and new information? Neither are easy, and neither are comfortable for many of us. It is uncomfortable to cling to the mores of 1945 precisely because it is no longer 1945. But it is uncomfortable to change because, for many of us, our values and assumptions were shaped decades ago.

It is difficult for us when our peers and close friends choose a path different from us, and it can temporarily confuse our understanding of who we are. When our views diverge from people we love and respect, it is painful, and it can be confusing. Like you, I strive to be absolutely true to the message of scripture. As we study scripture and listen to both the Holy Spirit and other people who are Spirit-filled, our views change and grow. This is as it should be.

God does not change, and the scripture does not change, but our understanding of God and His word is supposed to grow, develop and change. Jesus told His disciples this in His “Farewell Discourse” in John 16:12.

So in the month of April, we will think together about our identity in Jesus.

We will begin on Easter Sunday by celebrating the fact that Jesus is alive! His presence with us, and His dominion for eternity, illicit exultation within us. The following Sunday, we will consider the glad calling that our Lord has “sent” us into the world with His good news. On April 18, we will transition to consider ways we are different from some of our brothers and sisters in other denominations, whom we love and respect in the Lord. On April 25, we will celebrate some of the things that make United Methodists special and distinct.

As individuals and as a congregation, the process of figuring out our identity can be both daunting and exciting. But once we really get it figured out, it is dynamite!

In His great love, Dr. John

Teaching Series - Our United Methodist Identity in Jesus April 4 April 11 April 18 April 25

He Is Alive!

John 20:1-18 Sent!

John 20:19-31 Differences Among Denominations Romans 14:1-5 How Are United Methodists Distinctive? John 16:12-15

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FROM THE PASTOR

Vi sion: Hay mou nt Un ited Met hod i st C hu rch ex i st s to ma ke d i sc iple s by br i ng i ng hope a nd he a l i ng to tod ay ’s fa m i l ie s

HUMC PRESCHOOL

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M i s sion: Ma k i ng d i sc iple s of Je su s C h r i st for t he t r a nsfor mat ion of t he world

Thank You for your Service After 13 years of dedicated service as the preschool director at Haymount United Methodist Church, Eileen Hatch will leave for a new adventure this April 2021. Eileen has been a steadfast leader and her leadership has guided our preschool to be one of the leading child care providers in Fayetteville.

In her role, she oversaw recruiting, management of staff and curriculum planning each year. So many children in our area have been impacted by her calm demeanor and caring nature. Eileen always says that the preschool is an opportunity to show God’s love to children at even the earliest ages. She has accomplished that and so much more.

Besides making sure the traditional family programs of the preschool were offered with creativity and integrity, like the annual No Room In The Inn, the Thanksgiving Feast, the Spring Program and Graduation Ceremonies, new traditions were begun under Eileen’s directorship, such as the annual Breakfast With Santa and the Spring Field Days. Eileen was diligent and committed in finding scholarship funds for those students whose families ordinarily would not have been able to send their children to the preschool, and she instituted two school-wide fundraisers specifically for this reason. She also networked with the Haymount congregation to advocate for supplementary scholarship funding.

One of the greatest additions that came from Eileen’s creative thinking was the creation of a physical education curriculum. A teacher was hired to especially work with each child in every class to develop gross motor skills to prepare them for elementary school. Eileen has worked closely with the PTO parents and teachers and found ways to enhance both organizations, all for the welfare of the children in her care and the preschool at large.

Service Continued Although Eileen is leaving the preschool, her accomplishments will leave a mark on our preschool for years to come. The motto of the preschool is “Children are a gift from the Lord”. Eileen believes that with all of her heart and her dedication to the children of Haymount over the last thirteen years are evident that her work here exemplified that motto. All of our best to her and new adventures.

Paige Ross and Angela Tew Current and Past HUMC Preschool Board Chairpersons

A Letter from Eileen Dear friends and family, Saying good-bye is hard so let’s 'say see you later.' After serving as your Preschool Director for almost 13 years, it is time to follow God’s direction down a different path.

Thank you for working with me and supporting our preschool in so many ways. Our preschool has a rich history of serving our community well, and I know it will continue to reach new heights in the future. Please pray for the staff and families during this time of transition.

Please pray for the Preschool Board members as they make plans to move forward. Know that I hold you near and dear in my heart and Haymount UMC will always be in my prayers.

See you later – Eileen Hatch

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HUMC PRESCHOOL

Vi sion: Hay mou nt Un ited Met hod i st C hu rch ex i st s to ma ke d i sc iple s by br i ng i ng hope a nd he a l i ng to tod ay ’s fa m i l ie s

MISSIONS AND MINISTRY

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M i s sion: Ma k i ng d i sc iple s of Je su s C h r i st for t he t r a nsfor mat ion of t he world

Myrover Reese Bible Study

Christmas to Remember - Fayetteville Urban Ministry We are pleased to support Fayetteville Urban Ministry and Fred's Rwandan well project with funds from this year's Christmas to Remember offering. Fayetteville Urban Ministry does so much good in our community, and with the covid crisis our neighbors' needs have been even greater. We were able to present F.U.M.'s Executive Director, Mr. Johnny Wilson, with a check for $14K! We were also able to present Mr. Fred Kayitare, a senior at Methodist University, with a check for $18K to help with a well building project in his home country of Rwanda. Fred returns to Rwanda in May to oversee the project.

Thank you, everyone, for your generous support of a Christmas to Remember!

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Memorials & Honoraria Current as of March 19, 2020 Memorials have been given to God’s glory and in memory of: David Miller, by Jim & Linda Kizer and Janet Collie David Wells, Woody Wells' brother, by Cliff & Pat Spiller Gene Lemley, by Woody & Carole Wells Lyndo & Lou Tippett, Ron Fowler, and Barbara Kiser Cy Earnhardt, Kim Hurley's father, by Joyce Reid Bill Hurley, by Joyce Reid Honorarium: Donald Warren, by Lucy Jones

April 1 Brenda Booth Jean Crowell Dailah Cole April 2 David Oliver April 3 Joann Herron Mark Hurley April 4 Kim Cofiori Mary Simmons Bob Fry Barbara Bodnar Jennifer Brookhouse April 5 Bob Allen Melanie Wheeler Ellie Ashby April 7 Jim White April 8 Thomas O'Connor April 9 Jack Lancaster Lily Willenbrock April 10 Steve Belliveau Gregory Koonce Sharon Matthews Phillip Howard Katie-Ann Roach April 11 John Blanding April 12 Jon Alcorn April 13 Jane Wike Victoria Beltran April 14 Barbara Overman Guy Mathis April 15 JoAnn Stanford Leah Gray April 16 Nolan Nunez Peggy Harkey April 17 Larry Howell Sarah DePaola April 18 Susan Black Sarah Meoni April 19 Rileigh Sevigny

April 20 Jennifer Britt Jan Gothard Sadie Mullen April 21 Alyson Sevigny Fernando Uriarte April 22 Robert Tew Madeline Potter Matt Mooneyham April 23 Kathy Maxwell April 24 Henry Moses Susan Oliver Vivian Kramer April 25 Matthew Brookover April 26 Kirby White April 27 Vicki Richardson Landon Goetz April 28 Dave Helfrich Bob Taylor April 30 Rebecca Black Leia Smith

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BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS

Vi sion: Hay mou nt Un ited Met hod i st C hu rch ex i st s to ma ke d i sc iple s by br i ng i ng hope a nd he a l i ng to tod ay ’s fa m i l ie s

CHURCH NEWS

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M i s sion: Ma k i ng d i sc iple s of Je su s C h r i st for t he t r a nsfor mat ion of t he world

Family Fellowship Meals Survey The Fellowship Meals Committee met to discuss the results from our congregational survey. We received 82 responses, representing approximately 78 family units. Wednesday evening was overwhelmingly the choice for a fellowship meal. However, we feel there should also be other opportunities for congregational fellowship, perhaps quarterly, at Sunday lunch or Sunday evening. Although we are hopeful for a return to WEF in September, the committee suggests we organize some outside tailgate meals or box meals once the weather is conducive for a church wide picnic on the grounds.

Another very positive result of the survey was at least 40 responses of people willing to serve in some aspect of meal preparation, service and cleanup. We continue to research possible catered meals. Based on the survey, Kinlaw’s is still a favorite but we would like to schedule a rotation of menus that also includes other options suggested and meet special dietary restrictions as often as possible. Although we can’t meet everyone’s needs every week, there should be some opportunities for as many people as possible.

Stay tuned for more information as we continue our planning and pray for a September renewal of this important opportunity for congregational fellowship.

Welcome to Our Newest Members Garth and Patti Johnston

HUMC Endowment Funds “Supporting our Church Now and Forever” The Endowment Committee would like to remind staff and church members that it’s time to apply for disbursements from several endowment funds. The following funds offer disbursements by application: • Marlin Stewart Fund – for camperships, preschool scholarships and needs of underprivileged children. Applications due April 15.

• Nellie Smith Arts Fund – for worship arts and art education. Applications due April 15.

• Dayton A. Dawson Fund – for needs of underprivileged children. Applications due April 15.

• Mary Evelyn Cross Hayes Fund – for United Methodist Women, children and youth programs and sanctuary flower fund. Applications due August 15.

Please contact the Finance Office for any questions and the application form. The application form will also be posted on the church website soon.

The great news about our Endowment Program is that since it was established at HUMC in 1987, our fund disbursements have totaled $106,901!!

- Endowment Committee

Women's Fellowship Organizational Gathering All widows are invited to an outdoor get-together to discuss starting a new fellowship group for widows of all ages. Our Congregational Care Chair, Katherine Pugh, and our Associate Pastor, Dr. Elizabeth, look forward to hearing your ideas.

When: Thursday, April 22nd @ 11am Where: Near the magnolia tree in front of the church; chairs provided Bring: Your ideas Optional: a bag lunch and your own camp chair More information: Katherine Pugh, 910-797-9278

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CHURCH NEWS

Vi sion: Hay mou nt Un ited Met hod i st C hu rch ex i st s to ma ke d i sc iple s by br i ng i ng hope a nd he a l i ng to tod ay ’s fa m i l ie s

ECHO YOUTH

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M i s sion: Ma k i ng d i sc iple s of Je su s C h r i st for t he t r a nsfor mat ion of t he world

Youth News Easter is upon us! It is a day that we all stand together remembering the One who lived, died, and rose for us. This is the climax of history, the focal point of God’s amazing grace. He is risen! He is risen indeed!

But now what? What are we to do? Where are we to go? To whom can we turn? This is where the Church comes in. We are part of something bigger than ourselves. We are the Church. We are the ‘now what’ and the place to go. We look to one another, united in Christ by the Holy Spirit. We fellowship together, live our lives together, share our possessions together. We are the body. We are family. We show up on Sundays and worship together. Then we go home, we go to work or school or elsewhere; we go about our lives until we come back together again.

But fellowship is not just for Sunday mornings worship. Fellowship is sharing our whole lives together as we live out God’s mission and proclaim the Gospel. Fellowship is not just when we get together to eat; it is opening our lives to one another. Fellowship is having each others’ backs and support one another through the good and the bad. It asks more of us than coming to worship or going to Bible study. Fellowship is about opening up the entirety of our lives to one another and about walking together in faith and love.

For the past few weeks I have been looking at what fellowship means and what Andy Stanley wrote about it: “Circles are better than rows.” Imagine what it would do for your faith if you devoted yourself more fully to what worship and fellowship means. As we remember Easter, and celebrate what it means for us to have a God who would send His own Son to die for us, may we live into the fellowship that will show the world what it means to love God and love neighbor. It is so important to come together for worship, whether in person or online, but our faith is so much more than an hour a week. Let us remember to fellowship with each other in the love that God pours out for us.

Upcoming Studies New Outdoor, In-Person Bible Study: Philippians "I’m sure about this: the One who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus." - Phil. 1.6 You are invited to participate in this new Spring study. We will meet in front of the church near the magnolia tree; if it's raining we can meet under the breezeway. Bring your Bible, some hydration, and a camp chair.

There is no cost to participate.

This study will begin on Wednesday, April 7th @ 10:30am ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------New Bible Study for Women Beginning April 12th on Zoom Time: Every Monday from 10a-12p Cost: Order your own books at http://bit.ly/QuestStudy1 Register by emailing Dorothy.Funkhouser@Haymountumc.com Overview of study: There Is No Quest Without Questions The crooked punctuation mark at the end of a sentence speaks of curiosity, interest, and perhaps doubt. A question is an invitation to vulnerability, to intimacy. The Bible does not shy away from such an invite. Over and over we see the people of God asking questions of their Creator. We also see the God of the universe asking questions of His creation.

The Quest is a challenge to accept the invitation. In this six-week excursion with Jesus, Beth Moore uses questions from Scripture to lead you into intimacy with the One who knows you best. Learn to dig into the Word, to respond to the questions of God, and to bring your questions before Him. Let the crooked punctuation mark be the map that points you into a closer relationship with the Father.

• • • •

Learn to pray to promote intimacy with God. Explore questions and responses from the Bible.

Track your quest by journaling along the way.

Learn to read and respond to Scripture.

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ADULT MINISTRIES

Vi sion: Hay mou nt Un ited Met hod i st C hu rch ex i st s to ma ke d i sc iple s by br i ng i ng hope a nd he a l i ng to tod ay ’s fa m i l ie s

MUSIC MINISTRY

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M i s sion: Ma k i ng d i sc iple s of Je su s C h r i st for t he t r a nsfor mat ion of t he world

Musical Notes Dear Haymount UMC Family, I wish you all a blessed Holy Week and Easter. During Holy Week, many of you are traveling and worshiping with us online. I look forward to rejoicing and celebrating the resurrection of our Lord with you.

It has been over a year since Covid changed our lives and the way our congregation worships together. I would like to thank our dedicated choirs. The Chancel Choir has enhanced worship by singing six feet apart in masks. It is extremely difficult, and it is almost impossible to hear each other. The members attend weekly rehearsal, and they share their love of music with the congregation. The Handbell Choir is ringing masked and six feet apart on the first Sunday of every month. They are ringing music completely off the table, and the distance is difficult when trying to perform music together. There is limited music for this type of ringing, and they have adjusted with different rehearsal space. If you see a choir member, please thank them for their unfailing service to our congregation.

Children’s Worship Arts has worked hard this winter. Please see some highlights here of their work thus far. I hope you enjoyed their altar interpretation and participation in the Palm Sunday service.

My sincere thanks to Karen Argo, Tony Argo, and Rev. Woody Wells for assisting our children in worship arts in March.

Soli Deo Gloria, Dr. Monica Sparzak Director of Traditional Music & Organist

Andrew's Updates Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we approach the time of our resurrected Lord and Savior, I am filled with hope and inspiration. I hope you are, too. The resurrection of Jesus is the epicenter of our faith. If Jesus did not resurrect, our faith would be meaningless. It is because of His death and resurrection that we may find comfort and solace in the love of Jesus Christ. "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe," as the hymn goes. We also wouldn't have the Holy Spirit if it weren't for His death and Resurrection.

Think about that.

Even after we sentenced Jesus to death, God still loved us so much that He gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit. Once we are baptized in Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. This is a huge part of our faith as Christians. In the same way God and Heaven’s army went before David, the Holy Spirit goes before us to prepare people’s hearts to hear and receive the gospel. Scripture tells us that there is a war being waged for our souls that we cannot see and that our war is not of flesh and blood but of principalities and the powers of darkness of this age. And because we believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus, we can receive the Holy Spirit to help us and rescue us from these dark spiritual battles.

Friends, take heart in knowing that the God who raised Lazarus from his tomb can also raise us out of our spiritual tombs. Whatever it is that may be holding us back from having communion with God, let us surrender it and die so that we can have a new and full life with the creator of the universe.

God’s blessing to you all, -Andrew

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CONTEMPORARY WORHSIP

Vi sion: Hay mou nt Un ited Met hod i st C hu rch ex i st s to ma ke d i sc iple s by br i ng i ng hope a nd he a l i ng to tod ay ’s fa m i l ie s

KIDS WORSHIP

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M i s sion: Ma k i ng d i sc iple s of Je su s C h r i st for t he t r a nsfor mat ion of t he world

A Look Ahead for Kids Summer Programs:

June (for students who will have completed Kindergarten through Fifth Grade) - every Wednesday from 10am-12pm we will enjoy kids group time, maybe a field trip, maybe water games outside, maybe pizza making and a movie, or such.

July (for students who will have completed a 4s preschool program through Fifth Grade) - VBS the week of July 12-15. The format is to be determined based on COVID protocols.

August (for students who will have completed Kindergarten through Fifth Grade) - HUMC Day Camp at Camp Rockfish the week of August 2-5. The church will provide transportation to the camp and back each day.

Registration numbers are limited for each program based on available space and safety protocols. Online registration for each event will become available in late May. For information, contact Dorothy.Funkhouser@Haymountumc.com

Facilities Update

By Rev. Donald M. Warren Work continues in our sanctuary as we prepare for the day when our newly refurbished organ will be ready to use in worship. Removing the carpet from the chancel floor was a big change at the front, giving us a beautiful hardwood chancel that allows sound from the choir to blend and carry out into the nave. The balcony is also a carpeted space and, with the installation of our new trumpet en chamade, that carpet must also be removed.

Due to COVID-19 shipping delays, our new balcony floor is not yet in, but shortly after Easter we hope it will be installed and ready for use. It will be an LVP floor that looks almost identical to the real oak hardwood installed in the chancel. Using LVP will eliminate the need to sand anything around those brand-new organ pipes in the balcony.

Work is progressing on refurbishing the existing organ pipes in the wind chamber above the chancel. The reed division, along with some of the other pipes, was in particularly bad shape and had to be removed and taken to the Lewtak workshops in Mocksville for cleaning and restoration. Some of the tallest pipes, the 16-ft ones, are not straight but rather are bent at an angle, called a miter, to allow them to fit within the confined space. Over time, the weight of these pipes can cause them to bend and collapse. These mitered pipes have been repaired and fitted with new braces to help them maintain their shape for many decades to come.

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CHURCH BUILDING

Vi sion: Hay mou nt Un ited Met hod i st C hu rch ex i st s to ma ke d i sc iple s by br i ng i ng hope a nd he a l i ng to tod ay ’s fa m i l ie s

PERIODICALS

15 WHAT’S HAPPENING (USPS 578-080), successor to THE HAY-MOUNT HAPPENINGS, is published monthly by Haymount United Methodist Church. Periodical postage paid at Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Postmaster please send address changes to WHAT’S HAPPENING, 1700 Ft Bragg Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303.

The Flower Cross On Easter Sunday morning, the flower cross will be placed near the front door of the sanctuary. If you have any flowers growing at home, please bring some to place on the cross. We will have some extras near the cross for those who do not have flowers from home.

Let’s make a beautiful Easter cross together!

Find Us Haymount United Methodist Church 1700 Fort Bragg Road Fayetteville, NC 28303 haymountumc.com churchoffice@haymountumc.com