2020 Summer Magazine

QUARTERLY

From the Corner of

r e m m u S 2020

August 10-14 & August 17-21 9:00AM – Noon

513-979-8191

Staff

www.hydeparkpreschool.org

MILESTONES

CATHY JOHNS June 2014 (6 years) Senior Pastor AMANDA KERN August 2017 (3 years) Front Desk & Ministry Assistant

DOUG JOHNS June 2014 (6 years) Senior Pastor JULIE VAIL August 2011 (9 years) Preschool Director MATTHEW COVERT June 2016 (4 years) Worship Leader

Letter from

the Communications team

Our lives have changed dramatically during the Covid-19 epidemic. But moments of kindness have been rampant since the outbreak. Both HPC and our community have come together for volunteer networking, creating inspirational videos and giving one another messages of love.

Through our local partnerships in Cincinnati, we have banded together to come up with creative and safe ways to share God’s love with our neighbors, serving as a resource to individuals, families, groups, and churches.

Also in this issue we celebrate the retirement of Neal Hamlin as our director of music for 27 years, Christine McHenry offers us a guided meditation based on verses from John’s gospel, and Sadell Bradley with, The Warehouse Church in OTR, provides an update of the many ways they are sharing the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We hope you experience God’s love and peace and that you are blessed with a wonderful summer.

Shari Rust and Lisa Foley

Table of CONTENTS Celebrating Neal Hamlin

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Local Partnerships Strengthen during COVID 19

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Children’s Ministry

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The Warehouse: Getting Started

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Filling the Gap: COVID-19 Offers an Opportunity for the Church and Community to Serve

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Summer Reading List

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Be Still: The Place In-Between

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The Warehouse: Tuesday Table Talks

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Class of 2020

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The Shirley Marts Scholarship Fund

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Youth Ministry

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Fall Classes

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Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.

-Ephesians 5:19

We celebrate Neal Hamlin’s

retirement and his service to the Lord and HPCUMC as our Director of Music of 27 years

What do you look forward to doing the most?

What aspects of work will you miss the

Spending time with our seven grandchildren

most? Every day I’ll miss working alongside

and friends and family throughout the country.

a staff that is congenial and passionate about

I anticipate traveling to places we have only

the church and its ministries. I will miss the

imagined, including our National Parks; and,

unwavering support of leaders who always offer

while we have happily spent Christmas here

encouragement and who participate in the music

for better than forty years, Dee Dee and I look

ministry. I will miss the collegial friendship and

forward to sharing some holiday celebrations

musicianship of our organist, directors, choristers,

with family back east or perhaps out west. And

handbell ringers and perennial guests including

yes, I am excited about my newfound ability to

the Canterbury Brass. I will miss rehearsals on

take my boat and go fishing…any time…for as

Wednesday and Thursday nights, and worship

long as I wish!

service offerings of choral music on Sunday mornings. I will miss the joy of taking a group

Looking back on any events or happenings

of enthusiastic singers and building a choral

while you were at HPC, would you share a

instrument, and cultivating great friendships in

favorite memory? I have been blessed to serve

the process.

under seven senior pastors, one interim pastor and at least twenty associate pastors, all of whom

What is the best part of growing older?

have contributed to the legacy and present

Continuance of a great partnership with the

vision of this steadfast church community. I

love of my life, Dee Dee; the gifts of children

will always remember the day I was asked to

and grandchildren, of honest perspective for

become the Director of music in 1993. For all

establishing priorities, of great family gatherings,

of my life God had been grooming me for this,

wonderful memories and storytelling.

and I realized it then. I remember performing the Mozart Requiem to a packed church, two

Who has had the greatest impact on your life?

weeks after 9/11, with only two brief rehearsals. I

God has guided me all of my life; family has

recall conducting a musical tribute to retiring Sr.

always been my rock and my homing place. Dee

Pastor Rev. Don Dixon in an afternoon concert

Dee and I both came from families rich in clergy,

which convened the entire ministry of music: the

missionaries and church music, all of whom

Carillon Choir, the Hyde Park Community Brass,

seasoned our upbringing and spiritual heritage;

the Sunshine Singers, the Youth Choir, along with

we know that God led us to each other fifty-three

the Wesley and Cathedral Choirs. The concert

years ago, and still leads us today.

ended with all of the ensembles presenting “This is My Song,” a large work specially

What is something most people don’t know

commissioned for the oc­­casion. And among

about you? I love cooking, photography and

numerous performances of choral masterworks

winter. Having grown up in upstate New York

with orchestra, there were three memorable

and Vermont, it was more profitable (and

“Messiah” presentations.

necessary!) to embrace winter rather than complain about it. Thus, I love the change of seasons as they come and go, and I welcome each season of every year.

Local Partnerships Strengthened during COVID-19

Over the years, the people at HPCUMC formed partnerships with local organizations where people were actively engaged through service. Through our partnerships we have banded together as we navigate uncharted territory because of the Coronavirus. Since March, we have worked with our partners to come up with creative and safe ways to share God’s love with our neighbors.

Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) Hyde Park Community UMC was scheduled to host IHN families for 5 weeks this year. Our 2nd scheduled hosting week happened at the same time we went into the state’s Stay-at-Home order in March. IHN families have been housed in extended stay hotels since the order and has allowed us the opportunity to provide dinners for our hosting week in March. Weekly, we deliver 90 meals to children from our lunch distribution, and the Mission and Outreach team voted to donate an additional $5,000 to IHN to cover the hotel costs for our hosting weeks in March and May. The Center for Respite Care Mary Sheldon has led a few small groups in organizing, collecting, and delivering homemade meals to The Center for Respite Care. She gets the word out about the date of the meals, what food items are needed, and people can drop off or meet Mary at the church to collect the food to be delivered. If you are interested in providing part of a meal in the future, please contact Mary Sheldon at msheldon@ zoomtown.com 5

Barb Fillion has been dedicated to delivering pantry items monthly to the residents at The Center for Respite Care. After April’s delivery, The Center for Respite Care posted a picture and this text: “The Center for Respite Care continues to be amazed and grateful for our ongoing relationship with Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church – such a history of support from the congregation itself and individual members. These donations for the Center’s pantry came in today!

Madisonville Education and Assistance Center (MEAC) A message from MEAC to Hyde Park:

The Lenten Season is a special time of year no matter what, but at MEAC we receive the added gift of the Project 5000 donations from Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church—a donation we fondly refer to as the “Orange Bags!” It is a true blessing for us every year but even more so this year. The generosity of your congregation despite the challenges and uncertainty over the last several weeks is truly Christ-like. The Orange Bags have helped MEAC provide “goodies” like peanut butter & jelly, soup, and cereal along with the box of staples we’ve given to every neighbor who has come to see us. With your support, we’ve distributed over 1,000 boxes to our neighbors in need at this very critical time! Thank you so much!

– Sean Cornforth, Stabilization Programs Manager

Thanks to those who have filled the orange bags and dropped them off at the church and donated money — so far over $8,100 has been donated to fill their food boxes!

Donations will continue to be accepted over the summer.

You can pick up and drop off Orange Bags in the Welcome Center or donate online at hydeparkchurch.org/give and choose Project 5000 from the dropdown menu.

UMC Foods Our food distribution for children at HPCUMC and State Ave. UMC was made possible because of the partnership with UMC Foods. UMC Foods has provided and delivered hundreds of shelf stable meals for us to distribute to children 7 days a week since March 17 to the end of the school year on May 21. In 66 days, 8,000 meals were served!

State Ave. UMC A United Methodist congregation located in Lower Price Hill, led by Rev. Diana McHenry agreed to be a food distribution site to help widen the impact and extend the resource. People from our church and the community have stepped up to distribute food 2 hours a day 7 days a week! The leadership at State Ave. UMC has said they want to continue to feed 3 days a week over the summer and take over leadership of the food distribution site. If you are interested in serving over the summer on Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 2:45-4:15pm please contact stateaveunitedmethodistchurch@gmail.com

Rothenberg School While our tutors were not able to finish the school year with the students, the partnership with Rothenberg remained strong. People stepped up to donate supplemental food to families, school and craft supplies, games and activities to be passed out to students for the rest of the school year!

Summer Impact Cincinnati Due to COVID-19, Summer Impact Cincinnati is pivoting this year to empower people to support the continued work of local partnerships to serve our neighbors in new, creative, and safe ways. Serving as a resource to individuals, families, groups, and churches, Serve in Place will be an information hub detailing how people can serve, share the love of Jesus, and transform their community while their lives are transformed as well. Not only will this resource be in place this summer as we continue to “shelter/stay in place” but it will serve as an ongoing resource. The long-term goal of Serve in Place is to encourage, support, and empower congregations and the community to serve locally and establish or strengthen partnerships with local organizations. If you are interested in learning about all the ways that you and your family can serve locally this summer, please visit: summerimpactcincinnati.org

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Children’s

7

MINISTRY

Kids Worship through technology & Sunday School continues…

• We have provided links to Sunday School Videos for preschool through grade 6 on the webpage to help continue our weekly work.

• We are using Flipgrid for children to answer the “Question of the Week” and they submit their weekly praises and prayer requests. (The link is https://flipgrid.com/hpcumc6251 and the password is LoveGodLovePeople. The link will also be found on the webpage.)

• Sunday School Children continue to build community by sharing photos of their week which are published in the “HPC Kids Weekly” email.

• Links to Daily Devotions which continue to explore the Sunday School lesson can also be found on the webpage.

• We offer links to printable activity pages and online games that match the sermon scripture each week.

Our Kids spread the love of Jesus…

• The children are drawing pictures and writing cards for quarantined senior adults. This has created some “penpals” that are continuing to keep in contact.

• They are also making photo-cards to send to our senior citizens, which have reached over 400 individuals.

If you would like to join our closed Facebook Children’s Ministry group search Hyde Park Community UMC Children & Family Ministry and request to join. If you would like to receive our weekly email “The HPC Kids Weekly” please email Pam at ppilger@hpcumc.org.

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There’s a familiar Yiddish proverb that says, “We plan, God laughs.” That certainly describes what’s going on at The Warehouse Church OTR. Of course, the more scriptural way of saying that is, “Many plans are in a person’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.” (Proverbs 19:21) Our scheduled launch on Resurrection Sunday, April 12, 2020, was waylaid by COVID-19, which some not so affectionately call, “The Rona.” All of our plans and programs which had initially been directed toward in-person gatherings, community building, hugs, and food sharing, were now postponed… indefinitely. We had a hard choice to make. Would we delay the launch until it was safe to re-open with gatherings of people? Or could we do something new?

In the start-up business world, the term used to describe what has happened at The Warehouse is a PIVOT. When your first business model for whatever reason will not work, you change directions. Eric Ries, author of “The Lean Startup” coined the term Pivot and explains it simply for us. “A pivot is a change in strategy without a change in vision. The vision is the destination you have in mind, but if you have an obstacle, you don’t just drive into the obstacle over and over again in the hopes that it will be fine. You, with your GPS, find a way around.”

Many well-known companies like YouTube, Avon, Suzuki, Twitter, and Groupon started off with one idea, purpose, or delivery system in mind, and in the course of surveying the atmosphere…found themselves needing or wanting to make a critical adjustment that allowed them to not just stay alive, but to thrive.

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Of course, since we’re a plant, we had not been streaming services for years like HPCUMC does. Nor we did not have the equipment, systems, or expertise to do so.

So we scrambled like crazy for the first few weeks to attempt to offer something online. It did not help that I (Sadell) was terrified of doing anything on video. After praying about it, the LORD encouraged me to start by doing short-under 3 minute videos to encourage folks with Scripture who might be anxious or worried about the pandemic. About 30 takes later, I’d conquered my fear and I posted my first video. Then we began to set a course for offering services, Bible study, and informative content online. We added Telestreaming services, Zoom calls, even a phone bible study for Seniors. We discussed with Doug and Anna that given the times and that we did not know when we would meet again in-person, we thought we should just launch The Warehouse Church OTR as an online church. So we shifted our budget toward this end to pay for equipment, software, learning opportunities, etc. and began to put out what we hoped would be content.

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas Edison’s quote about inventing the lightbulb, pretty much sums up our technological journey so far. Can we get the live stream to successfully be delivered to multiple platforms (Facebook, YouTube, thewarehouse.churchonline.church) at the same time?

The answer is sometimes we can, and sometimes we can’t, LOL! We’re playing all these instruments and stems to fill in for sounds and vocals we don’t have, but because our sound system has never had to go through the air to

BELONG. HEAL. GROW. SERVE.

TRANSFORM your phone or tablet, we’re not sure how it sounds…Oh no! it sounds terrible. How do we fix that?

You mean we need scheduled social media going out daily, but it shouldn’t invite people to our programs all the time, but should be engaging them in conversation?

Ok, we didn’t know that. Well…how do you count attendees? We see views, engagements, likes, and comments, but what does that all mean? How many people are actually receiving and consuming what we’re putting out? You get the gist. All of these questions and so many more have arisen as we’ve scrambled to do in a couple of weeks, what normally would have taken months or a year to accomplish.

“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure…than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.

- Theodore Roosevelt Michael Jordan said, “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” So we decided not to just hang our heads in disappointment that things didn’t turn out the way we’d planned. Nor were we just going to wait until all this is over. Instead we decided to run toward the challenge…hard…and do things we’ve never done before. It’s been thrilling. It’s been exhilarating. It’s been exhausting…but it’s been fruitful.

Where we might have launched on a single day with 150 or so people, probably mostly from our Launch Team and HPCUMC on April 12th, the LORD has allowed

us to literally touch thousands around the world virtually with the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Some of the interesting things we’ve been doing are in the article Tuesday Table Talks on pg.16. What a learning experience of God’s abounding grace and mercy! What a revelation of the need for a unified and great team which God has blessed us to have, and of the power of using our collective gifts for Christ’s glory. Another great blessing is our participation in The Greenhouse 2020, the educational offering for West Ohio UMC’s cohort of church planters. It has been hard work, but extraordinarily beneficial to our preparation to plant successfully. In many ways, the delay has been a blessing in disguise.

Finally, we are especially grateful to some specific members of the HPCUMC staff who have been critical in helping us to make this pivot: Doug & Cathy Johns who have graciously agreed with us to attempt this pivot; Shari Rust, Anna Lawson, Dana Calhoun, and Zeke Plymesser and their teams, who have literally been life savers for us in their respective areas. We are also grateful for YOUR generosity, without which none of this would be happening. As HPCUMC campuses are not scheduled to open until all can worship together, online church is where it is for now. Our in-person launch may not be until 2021, especially if there is a 2nd or 3rd wave of the Coronavirus. In the meantime and between time…we will go on and the Good News is being preached as The Warehouse OTR online continues to be a place, “Where transformation begins”.

thewarehousechurch.org

Filling the Gap COVID-19 Offers an Opportunity for the Church and Community to Serve

“I have a greater impact than what I thought.�

On March 13, Governor Mike DeWine announced that school buildings would be closed the following week. Partnering with UMC Foods, Hyde Park Community UMC has been able to stand in the gap for families distributing lunches 7 days a week since March 17.

With Hyde Park Community UMC being one of the first to organize feeding efforts, the local news shared the information on how to get involved to serve. This feeding initiative was not only a mission of the church, it turned into an effective outreach by engaging people from the community who were not connected with Hyde Park Community UMC. Here is a reflection from someone in the community who saw the opportunity and has been dedicated to serving over the last two months.

My name is Tyler McCullough, a current graduate student at the University of Cincinnati working on my Masters in Social Work. I heard about the opportunity to distribute meals to children at Hyde Park Community UMC and State Ave. UMC through my graduate program as a way to receive internship hours. As most of you are aware that with this recent pandemic of Covid-19 there have been a lot of changes. One of the changes that was made with my program at the University of Cincinnati was that our internship

Hyde Park Community UMC’s CoVID-19 Children Feeding Initiative in Partnership with UMC Food Ministry and State Ave UMC

2 distribution sites 66 distribution days 124 volunteers* *over 60% new volunteers NOT connected to the church

8,008 meals served

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Tyler McCullough serving at State Avenue UMC

needed to be done remotely as online training or volunteer hours.

I chose to volunteer instead of sitting behind a computer screen all day. I found this volunteering opportunity and signed up without a second thought when I saw that we would pass out food to children. I currently work with children and anytime I see children and volunteering in the same sentence I sign up right away.

Not only did I want to fulfill my internship hours but I wanted to do something that was meaningful. My goal was to be able to assist in any way I could whether that was packaging the meals or passing out the meals. A typical volunteering day for me at State Ave. UMC would consist of arriving around 2:40-2:45pm and setting up the tables so we could lay out the packed meals. From 3:00-5:00pm we would pass out the meals to the children. What I loved about volunteering here so much was seeing the interaction between some of the volunteers and children. The personal interaction, I’m sure, is much appreciated by the children and parents.

‌but through love serve one another.

- Galatians 5:13

While serving I have met some amazing people. Walking in I did not know anyone which is pretty normal for me because I love throwing myself out there and meeting new people. Never would I have thought that I would make connections like I have. Everyone was very warm and welcoming. While volunteering there are three things that have stuck out to me. First, the interaction between volunteers; second, the children I have grown to know while volunteering; and third, the experience of being able to help others during this time.

I would like for people to know that the children we feed are very grateful and are even more grateful due to the current circumstances.

SHARE YOUR FOOD WITH THE HUNGRY - Isaiah 58:7

There are a lot of children who get their meals from school and without that they would go without food because there is no grocery store within walking distance in Lower Price Hill.

Since I was a child my mother always made sure we volunteered whether it was in our community or a community in another city. So volunteering is second nature to me and is very rewarding. With this experience I have learned specifically that I have a greater impact than what I thought. Meaning even though I personally love volunteering and will continue to volunteer that there are people watching (specifically the children in this case) and hopefully they will see the value in volunteering themselves.

There has been a little boy who has come every day not only to get food, but to visit and play with the volunteers. After a few days of visiting with the volunteers he saw himself as a volunteer and started to ask the other people who came by how many bags they needed and helped them!

I would tell you to volunteer in your own community because one day it could be you that is going through hard times and would want someone to help.

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r e m SRuem ading List

Jesus > Religion: Why He is So Much Better than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough

by Jefferson Bethke Written by a 23 year old, Jesus > Religion describes the author’s powerful experienceof grace and how organized religion failed him. Ann Voskamp, a New York Times bestselling author, says, “This is a book that will make you think. Jefferson Bethke asks questions that your life really has to answer. Thinkers and seekers and questioners start here. Wrestle it out. You can’t walk away from these provocative pages unmoved.”

Sensible Shoes Series

by Sharon Garlough Brown For those who enjoyed Sensible Shoes and Two Steps Forward, the story continues with Barefoot and An Extra Mile. Follow four women from diverse backgrounds (a workaholic preacher, a widow with a college-age daughter, a Type A grad student, and a wife in an abusive marriage) as they continue their spiritual journeys, develop a deeper sense of who they are, and learn the true meaning of friendship.

The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz How many of us are impeccable with our words, don’t take things personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do our best? In this small but inspiring book, don Miguel Ruiz shows how these four agreements can help us overcome self-limiting beliefs that rob us of freedom and joy.

Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation

by Parker J. Palmer Have you ever wondered what you are meant to be doing with your life? Parker Palmer, writer, teacher, and activist begins by asking the question, “Is the life I am living the same as the life that wants to live in me?” Palmer argues that vocation is about listening to your “True Self ” and the truths and values you embody. This thoughtful and powerful book is a classic and a must read at any age.

Kitchen Table Wisdom

by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. This collection of deeply moving true stories addresses such profound issues such as suffering, love, faith, and the meaning of life. Written by a physician who is a therapist and a patient with chronic illness, these stories demonstrate the healing power of our interconnectedness and of our ability to listen to each other’s experiences. This book is a classic and full of wisdom for all of us on this journey called life. For further book selections go to www.umc.org/content/todays-rx-read-a-good-book 16

BE STILL…

The Place In-Between There is no doubt that we are facing difficult and challenging times. Life is and will be forever changed.

There is no going back to our pre-COVID way of life. The future is uncertain as we rush to develop a vaccine, keep our social distancing, and gradually re-open the economy. There is a term for a time such as this. The mystics would call it liminal space, that space betwixt and between, that space between what was and what will be. We experience liminal spaces many times in life whether it is the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, the birth of a child, or even the day turning into night. This space is where what was before will never be again and what is to come is unknown. Liminal spaces are filled with uncertainty, anxiety, and often times fear as we realize we are not in control. They can be destabilizing and disorienting.

But liminal spaces are also places of hope and transformation as we surrender to the unknown. It is safe to say that this pandemic has placed our entire globe into a liminal space.

I don’t know about you, but I find myself becoming overwhelmed by the daily statistics related to infection rates and deaths, unemployment, and food insecurity.

I’m fearful to go outside especially since I’m in the “at risk” age group and angry when I see people on the news blatantly disregarding recommendations to keep the human community safe. But I am also tremendously grateful for all those on the frontlines, from doctors and nurses and all the healthcare professionals to truck drivers transporting essentials supplies and those stocking our grocery shelves. And I am grateful for the love, support, and encouragement of family and friends. It is so important for us to recognize and acknowledge all these and other 7 17

emotions we may be feeling during this time and to be gentle with ourselves.

Jesus speaks to this idea of liminal space in the Gospel of John. He says, “Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.” (MSG) The following is a guided meditation based on these verses from John. There are several things to keep in mind as you enter into this meditation. First, make sure that you are seated comfortably. Second, take several deep breaths to center yourself, breathing in the breath of life and breathing out God’s love and light to the world. Third, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in this meditation and allow whatever is there to arise. Remember, whatever feelings are present, wherever you are in this process, it’s ok. Allow yourself to feel your feelings.

Guided Meditation Just as the grain of wheat has been plucked from the stalk, so too, you have been plucked from things that are familiar and a source of security to you.

• What feelings arise as you reflect upon being plucked from that which is familiar?

• Where in your body do these feelings reside and what is the sensation? Allow yourself to sense these feelings without judgment.

Written by Christine McHenry Christine has been a member of HPCUMC for over 35 years. She is a retired pediatrician with a masters degree in theology from United Theological Seminary. She is a trained spiritual director and supervisor, a trained labyrinth facilitator, and a retreat leader.

• What are you believing about yourself, others, the circumstance that may be fueling these feelings?

Just as the grain of wheat is placed into the ground where it is cold and dark, you now are thrusted into a dark space, a liminal space, an in-between place where things are far from clear. You’ve never been in a place quite like this before.

• What feelings arise in this liminal space? Where do you sense them in your body?

• What assumptions do you have about this space and what are they based upon?

• Who are you in this space?

• What do you most need right now? What needs attention?

• How might you show some compassion toward yourself?

Just as the grain of wheat lies in the ground and allows the moisture to penetrate and split its husk and new growths from the grain push deep into the soil for nourishment and extend sunward to new life, you, too, begin to notice a change in yourself as you rest in this liminal space.

• What is bringing about this change in you?

• Is there anything you had to surrender or let go in order for this change to take place? Is there anything you had to accept?

• Where do you find your nourishment?

• What are your feelings now as these changes are taking place?

• What questions do you have?

We all have been plucked from those things that are familiar and a source of security and we all have been thrusted into this liminal, in-between space. Though we all are in this space together, we all experience it differently and have a range of emotions. Whatever we are experiencing, wherever we are in this process, it is ok! It is important for us to be present to it and to see what it has to teach us. And we shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to others who are willing to be present with us, to listen and be a witness to our experience.

When I begin to feel overwhelmed, fearful, or despairing, the following help me to center on what is true. I offer these to you with the hope that they may be of help to you as well.

1. Psalm 23: 1 (my paraphrase) - “The Lord is my Shepherd; I have everything I need.”

2. Isaiah 41: 10 - “do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”

3. Teresa of Avila - “Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing upset you. Everything changes. God alone is unchanging. With patience all things are possible. Whoever has God lacks nothing. God alone is enough.”

As I look outside our enclosed sun porch and see a robin building a nest under the eves, I’m reminded that no matter what I am experiencing, life goes on and God’s grace abounds. May you know God’s love and light, joy and peace especially during this inbetween time.

• What new life is emerging?

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Tuesday

table talks

The Coronavirus pandemic has changed our lives in ways we probably have not fully comprehended. Any crisis is also an opportunity for us to grow. James said we are to consider it all joy when we encounter various trials. They are working in us patient endurance. We must allow perseverance to finish its work so we can be mature and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4) As pastors, we are seeing this pandemic and subsequent financial calamity affect our parishioners and those we touch in many ways. Some are basic, like the need for food or monetary assistance. Others are more complex: mental, emotional, relational, systemic, spiritual and justice oriented. At The Warehouse OTR, we’ve decided to tackle some issues others may not be touching.

Our initial concept for Tuesday Table Talks was going to be in-person at our location, 1310 Race Street in our fellowship hall. We were going to convene 25-50 people from various walks of life and perspectives, by app or invitation, to discuss relevant issues in our Community and introduce them to a Christ-following world-view. Obviously, God had other plans. In business, a pivot is a change in strategy without a change in vision. As the shelter-at-home orders were introduced, we decided to co Tuesday Table Talks virtually. We would offer relevant content to help people through this crisis from Christian professionals with great insights.

Our first set of Tuesday Table Talks were interviews with Mental Health Professionals. Pastor Cindy Robertson, a licensed counselor and social worker, Dr. Gary Sweeten, a Christian psychologist, and Dr. Rosallind Smith-Sistrunk, a marriage and family therapist were interviewed

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https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+warehouse+church+OTR https://www.facebook.com/warehouseOTR/ @warehouseOTR #WhereTransformationBegins #TheWarehouseChurchOTR

respectively on: how to deal with anxiety in the pandemic, how men can better cope with the crisis, and how to maintain a healthy marital relationship in quarantine.

The financial implications of the pandemic began to hit individuals, small businesses, and families with closings, and unemployment rising. So we interviewed financial professionals. Accountants Christine Luken - The Financial Lifeguard, and Candice Hayes-McInnis of PROVIDOM, respectively shared on personal financial stability, and the needs of micro-enterprises and small business owners.

In addition Marc Henn, CFP President of Harvest Financial Advisors, shared about how we should view our investments and retirement accounts during the pandemic.

This content has proven to be very beneficial to our listeners and has given us ways to support the mental health and financial security of congregants. It also helps pre-Christians know that the Church is poised to deal with relevant issues in a practical and wise way. The Warehouse Church OTR is about transformation. God wants us to grow, mature, and change. Jesus brought renewal, revival, and restoration to those He encountered. God anointed Him…and us… to mend the brokenhearted, to release the captives, to bring recovery of sight to the blind, to liberate the bruised, and to proclaim God’s free-flowing favor to the world. We are called to this ministry to rebuild desolate cities that have been in ruins for generations. (Isaiah 61:1-4; Luke 4:18-19) Tuesday Table Talks is one way we are accomplishing this mission.

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Colin Mark Bennet Sycamore High School Michigan State University Business Management

Jossey Jordan Frye Mariemont High School Kelly School of Business, Indiana University

Jonathon Scott Morton Turpin High School Purdue University Computer Engineering

Alexander John McHenry Holy Cross High School Thomas Moore University Nursing

Zachary Neilan Potter Moeller High School Miami University Farmer School of Business

Serra Elizabeth Tuzun Turpin High School University of Michigan Bio-Chemistry

Zachary Noah Stith Mariemont High School Elon University Finance and Marketing

Melanie Marie Weiss Mariemont High School Northeastern University Economics and Marketing

f o s s a l C 21

Peter Dean Morton Turpin High School Michigan State University Physics

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THE SHIRLEY KYLE MARTS

SCHOLARSHIP FUND reaches out to graduating seniors from HPCUMC Shirley Kyle Marts was a long- time member of HPCUMC. When Shirley was young, she was able to attend college because a benefactor offered financial assistance. As a result, she went on to have a successful career with P & G. To pay it forward, Shirley endowed her estate to provide scholarships for qualified graduating seniors from HPCUMC. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, participation in church activities and academic records. Each awarded scholarship may be renewed for an additional three years.

In the ten years that the Marts Scholarship Fund has been in existence, over 60 graduating seniors have benefitted by this gift.

The newest recipients of a Marts Scholarship for the school year 2020-2021 are Colin Bennett, Alex McHenry, John Morton, Peter Morton, Zach Potter, and Melanie Weiss.

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Youth Connected

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background illustrustion by Lorelei Turan

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Pastor Dave’s Study Thursdays, 6:00pm-7:30pm, Library Sept. 17-Oct. 22 You are invited to join us in a six-week book and DVD study titled, “Reckless Love” by Rev. Tom Berlin. Focus will be on the “Great Commandment.” Berlin suggests that Jesus teaches us how to love God with heart, soul, mind and strength by showing us how to love our neighbor. While many hope to learn to be better family, friends, leaders and neighbors by finding a deeper relationship with God, what if…becoming a better neighbor leads us to a deeper love of God? Book donation $10.00.

Register by Sept. 13 through Realm at www.hydeparkchurch.org or with Pastor Dave at dweaver@hpcumc.org.

“NEVER STOP LEARNING BECAUSE LIFE NEVER STOPS TEACHING” Pastor Doug’s Tuesday Morning Classs Tuesday, 10:00 am, Social Hall Beginning September 15 The class will study Derek Flood’s book, Disarming Scripture: Cherry-Picking Liberals, Violence-Loving Conservatives, and Why We all Need to Learn to Read the Bible Like Jesus Did. Join us on Tuesday mornings, 10:00 – 11:30. Come when you can, miss when you must.

FALL CLASSES

Disciple Fast Track: Genesis and Exodus

Soul Builders

First & Third Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m., Welcome Center September 1, 2020 through February 16, 2021

Sundays, 11:00 am, Room 205

Join Pastor Cathy for this 12- session journey through Genesis and Exodus. These two Old Testament books study powerful themes of Creation, Redemption, Forgiveness, and Freedom.

This course is designed for anyone who wants to study the Bible at a gentle pace in a loving community. Beginners to life-long learners are invited to join the journey.

Soul Builders will begin with Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman. Powerful preacher, acclaimed theologian, and religious leader, Thurman was first black dean at a majority-white American university (Marsh Chapel at Boston University), co-founder of The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco, and mentor and spiritual advisor to Martin Luther King, Jr.

The class may begin as a ZOOM class. If we are able to meet face-to-face, we will share appetizers with one another at 6:30 p.m. in the Welcome Center and conclude our study at 8 p.m. Free childcare is available at the church with reservation. The class will meet for 12 sessions, first and third Tuesdays, starting Sept. 1 and concluding on February 16.

Based on the strong similarity that Thurman sees between Jesus, the poor Jew living under brutal Roman oppression, and the lives of American Negroes, he demonstrates how creative resistance can overcome the destruction of individual souls and the world around us. Through four principles of Jesus’ life—Fear, Hate, Deception, and Love— he portrays a Jesus of victory for the oppressed, marginalized, unloved, despised—the disinherited.

What is the role of American Christianity in this picture? Is the plight of the African-American the same as it was when Thurman was writing? Who are the marginalized today? Has the experience of COVID-19 changed our understanding in any way?

Come join us for lively and respectful discussions!

Registration donation of $15 is requested.

Register online through REALM or Pastor Cathy at cjohns@hpcumc.org.

Let’s Get Real Study Group

Questions? Contact Ronda Deel, rodeel@fuse.net, or 513-604-4191.

(formerly Parlor Group) Sundays, 9:30am, The Parlor

The New Ventures Sundays, 11:00 a.m., The Parlor

You are invited to join us for in depth conversations about how we maneuver the everyday and find our faith, even in the most difficult issues. This class offers honest and open communication and a space for people to explore their faith free of judgement.

This fall we delve into Jesus Outside the Lines

by Scott Sauls. We will examine how we can lean into living in complex situations and the mess of life instead of looking for the black and white.

How do we get out of polarizing conversations and connect honestly with others? Hope you will participate. Purchase your own book or kindle copy through Amazon.com.

Questions? Contact Jason Burgess at jasonburgess13@gmail.com or Mary Jankovsky at larimerme@gmail.com.

We gather to discuss questions raised by a searching faith. Discussions encourage participants to share differing views that cause us to wrestle with biblical principles, traditional church teaching and contemporary applications of dynamic Christian faith. Each week we will look at a current article or chapter in a book that causes all to think more deeply about the intersection of faith and life. Started by a group of “baby boomers” to address their questions of Christian faith and life in the 21st century, all are welcome to join the lively conversations that are part of each Sunday morning.

Contacts for the class are Joyce Bates at joycebates@cinci.rr.com , Mary Pearce at mnbpearce@fuse.net and Michael Vilardo at mpvilardo@gmail.com

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2020-2021

Concert series rhonda.edgington.info

October 25, 2020 4:00 pm

THANK YOU

GIVE US FEEDBACK

FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ISSUE Christine McHenry Sadell Bradley Pam Pilger Neal Hamlin

Kate Smith Dana Calhoun Dave Weaver Tyler McCullough

communication@hpcumc.org What did you think of this issue? We would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on what you are interested in seeing in this quarterly magazine.

1310 Race St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 871-1345 www.thewarehousechurch.org

1345 Grace Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45208 (513) 871-1345 www.hydeparkchurch.org Senior Pastor

Rev. Dr. Cathy Johns

Senior Pastor

Rev. Doug Johns

Associate Pastor

Rev. Dave Weaver

Pastor of Mission & Outreach and Young Adult Ministry

Rev. Kate Smith

Pastor of The Warehouse

Pastor Sadell Bradley

Pastor of The Warehouse

Pastor Sherman Bradley

HPCUMC Office Hours 9:00am - 5:00pm Sunday Online Worship 9:30am, & 11:00am

The Warehouse Sunday Online Worship 10:00am