2023 Summer: From the Corner of Grace, June/July edition

From the Corner of

HYDE PARK COMMUNITY UMC MAGAZINE

Dear Friends of Hyde Park Community UMC, What a wonderful spring we have had!

In this early summer magazine, we pause to reflect on and celebrate all of the ministry that has happened over the last few months. Our church has been living out its mission both inside and outside of the walls in impactful ways.

During the season of Lent we experienced the last weeks of Jesus’ life from Mark’s perspective with the worship series, Messiah Revealed. We had a meaningful Jazz Vespers during which we began work on the mandala which now hangs in the entryway by the church office. Holy week began with a meaningful Palm Sunday complete with processions, palms, and a Praise and Prepare lunch with activities hosted by Family Ministries. We observed Maundy Thursday by coming forward and receiving communion. First Friday Fellowship experienced a Passover Seder led by Rabbi Ruth and our Good Friday worship included testimonies from those experiencing the cross with the music from Durufle’s Requiem shared by the Cathedral Choir. Easter was filled with joy as generations of members and visitors filled the sanctuary and celebrated the resurrection together.

We have served our community in many ways including Project 5,000, Super Serve Saturdays, Found House, Rock the Block, and the Spring Mission offering. And, in spite of the rain, we had a great crew join us on Hyde Park Square to host the Flying Pig Marathon Party Zone as we practiced being Church Beyond the Walls.

As we look to the summer, we are excited to begin our next worship series, celebrate our graduates, send out our first team to serve at Tijuana Christian Mission since Covid, welcome many children for Vacation Bible School, baptize little ones, present a draft of the Strategic Plan to the congregation, participate in the Cincinnati Pride Parade, and host guests through Found House.

There are so many wonderful things to be a part of and to celebrate through the ministries of Hyde Park Community UMC. We are so blessed to be here as your pastors and to be marking our one-year anniversary on the last Sunday of June. We look forward to many more years of celebrating and serving God together with you.

Blessings!

Pastors Suzanne and Todd

What is God Like?

In a world that has many perspectives on what God is like… it can be hard to know what is the true God and when and where we see God in the world. June’s sermon series is inspired by the children’s book “What is God Like…” by Rachel Held Evans and Matthew Paul Turner. A book that explores children’s wonder and curiosity around the extravagance and love of God. Join us as we explore what God is like with open and curious eyes like a child.

June 4: What is God Like…

June 11: God is like a Guardian

June 18: God is like Nature

June 25: God is like a Mystery

July Sermon Series

Grief Unbinded

Grief is a product of the human experience. It can come in all shapes and sizes: in the death of a family member, the death of a friend or the loss of a friendship, the loss of a job, the loss of a marriage, the death of a child or ability to reproduce, the end of a dream, the loss of a community, or the loss of memories. These losses can be hard to weather alone.

Join us in July as we unpack the story of Lazarus from different perspectives of Lazarus’ death and resurrection. Each week will be unpacking their grief and trauma surrounding its events and how we can better embrace our grief with empathy and love, rather than denial and avoidance. Grief will continue on for the ages and we will explore how we can better grow with and around our grief rather than be defined by it.

July 2: Dying Lazarus

July 9: Projecting Disciples

July 16: Grieving Sisters

July 23: Weeping Jesus

July 30: Resurrected and Unbinded Lazaurs

Recap of Stephen Ministry Continuing Education God’s Extravagant Welcome, May 1st

“On the evening of Monday, May 1st, HPCUMC had the honor of hosting Sue Jelinek, MDiv., BCC, the Trans-Clinic Chaplain from Cincinnati Children’s come and talk to our community about Trans 101 terminology as well as some of her theology surrounding God’s Extravagant Welcome to members of the transcommunity. It was a well-attended night and many came away inspired with new understanding and perspective on human-beings and the God we love and serve. Some of the verses she referenced in her theology of extravagant welcome were: Psalms 139:13-18, Acts 8:26-40, and Jeremiah 29:11. If you were unable to make the presentation and would like to know more information about trans terminology use the QR code to visit: https://www.thetrevorproject. org/resources/guide/a-guide-to-being-an-ally-to-transgender-andnonbinary-youth/

And if you have any questions about the theology portion of the presentation, please do not hesitate to reach out to either Rev. Suzanne Allen, Rev. Kate Smith, or Sarah Knapton. The hope is to have Chaplain Sue Jelinek back in the Fall or next Winter for more continuing education. The more information we have the better we can love and support the rights of our trans-siblings in Christ.”

Summer Suggested Book Catalog

Check out our Summer Suggested Reading List!

See a book that interests you? Buy one for yourself and a copy to share and donate to our faith community’s new Free Little Library. (Or after you finish the book, donate it to our library for others to enjoy.)

The hope of this Free Little Library is to broaden our perspectives beyond our church walls. As a community of faith, we invite you to read about different cultures, viewpoints, and imaginations this summer as we commit to learning with one another and the community that shares our building.

Pick up a catalog in the Welcome Center, outside the Church Office, or use QR code to view a pdf. Any donations can be given to either Meredith Menius or Sarah Knapton.

& Introducing Donuts and Discussion!

Books and Beverages with Sarah and Meredith is returning in the fall, with an additional opportunity for conversations: Donuts and Discussions!

Donuts and Discussion will use the same book of the month, and will meet on the Sunday morning of the same week as Books and Beverages.

We are so excited about this opportunity for more people to be involved in the conversations about the books we are reading! Be on the lookout for a sign up link and location details for all dates closer to August!

Fall 2023 Dates

Books and Beverages:

Wednesday, September 27, 6:30pm

Native by Kaitlin Curtice

Wednesday, October 25, 6:30pm

Living Resistance by Kaitlin Curtice

Fall 2023 Dates

Donuts and Discussions:

Sunday, September 24, 11:00am

Native by Kaitlin Curtice

Sunday, October 22, 11:00am

Living Resistance by Kaitlin Curtice

The Endowment Funds

Learn more…

Legacy Sunday was May 21st. Rev. Dr. Michael Vilardo shared many celebrations from the ministries of our church that our endowment supports and helps make possible. If you have questions or would like more information about the endowment funds, please contact Michael at mpvilardo@gmail.com.

Kaitlin Curtice is an award-winning author, poet-storyteller, and public speaker. As an enrolled citizen of the Potawatomi nation, Kaitlin writes on the intersections of spirituality and identity and how that shifts throughout our lives. She also speaks on these topics to diverse audiences who are interested in truth-telling and healing.

As an inter-spiritual advocate, Kaitlin participates in conversations on topics such as colonialism in faith communities, and she has spoken at many conferences on the importance of inter-faith relationships.

Besides her books, Kaitlin has written online for Sojourners, Religion News Service, Apartment Therapy, On Being, SELF Magazine, and more. Her work has been featured on CBS and in USA Today. She also writes at The Liminality Journal. Kaitlin lives in Philadelphia with her family.

Colaw Lecture Series: Kaitlin Curtice

We are very excited to announce that Kaitlin Curtice will be our Colaw Lecture Series speaker for Fall 2023.

Mark your calendars for November 4 & 5!

On November 4, Kaitlin Curtice will lead a lecture at 10:00am and a workshop at 2:00pm

On November 5, Kaitlin Curtice will preach at the 9:30am and 11:00am services

Be on the lookout for more information to come!

Thank you Pig Time!

Thanks so much to the 74 people who helped to take the church beyond our walls and over to the Party Zone at Hyde Park Square for the Flying Pig Marathon! The rain didn’t dampen our spirits but made us even more determined to cheer on and support the runners at (likely) their hardest race yet. Reading on the Flying Pig Marathon Community group there were LOTS of messages of gratitude for all the people who came out to support them in the rainy conditions. We’re already making plans for next year so mark your calendars for Sunday, May 5 to be a cheering church!

Summer Movie Series

Join us on a Sunday afternoon in July and August at 4:30pm for our Summer Movie Series (dates listed below). This is an opportunity for both children and adults to watch a meaningful movie and have discussion after, with dinner provided! Nursery Care is available for children 3 y/o and under in Room 120. We hope you can make it!

Sunday, July 30 | 4:30pm

Adults: Welcome Center A Man Called Otto Children: Little Theater: Inside Out

Sunday, August 27 | 4:30pm

Combined Family Movie Night in the Little Theater: Turning Red

Support the Mexico Serve Team

An intergenerational team of 12 has been preparing over the last few months with pre-immersion meetings to serve with our partners in Mexico - Tijuana Christian Mission, a children’s home and Women with Purpose, Tijuana’s first women’s shelter. The partner visit will be June 17-22 and the team would love your prayers as they do final preparations and during the trip. The team will focus on building relationships with our partners and also work on various work projects to support the mission of these ministries to children and women like creating a garden for fruits and vegetables, installing cabinets, and building bunk beds. Thank you for supporting this team through your prayers!

Sam Gneuhs

Mary Wheeler

Scott Schap

Laura Schap

Jeff Sheldon

Mary Sheldon

Kate Smith

Shannon Standridge

Shawn Standridge

Shepard Standridge

Shipley Standridge

Kate Warren

HOLY GROUND

CARING FOR GOD’S CREATION

In our Easter worship series, Holy Ground, we have considered how our faith compels us to care for God’s creation and creatures. We hope you are inspired to grow in your practice of composting, saving water, recycling, planting trees, taking care of the animals, and reducing your purchases of new and single use items. Here are a few details related to the hands-on practices we shared in the welcome center in April and May.

UWF Upcycling:

The United Women in Faith have a long history of supporting efforts in caring for creation. The UWF at Hyde Park UMC currently collects plastic lids, pill bottles no-longer- needed eyeglasses, vases to reuse for various other ministries.

The book Climate Justice, done recently as a Tuesday morning study, is published by the UWF. Check with the church office if you would like a copy. For more information about the work of the UWF, check out https://www.uwfaith. org/what-we-do/serve-and-advocate/ climate-justice/

Composting:

To get started–

Check out this booklet for home composting: https://www.hcdoes.org/DocumentCenter/ View/546/2022CompostBooklet?bidId=

Or Google Composting Cincinnati to find a number of organizations that will do the composting for you!

Household Care:

We passed out laundry strips to give an example of how a simple change in the product we use can reduce plastic, water usage, and the fuel needed to transport large and heavy items.

There are a number of different companies to purchase laundry strips from online. Many offer other environmentally friendly cleaning products as well. Do an internet search to compare options and find the one that works best for you.

Planting Trees:

Taking care of trees is integral to caring for each other and all of creation. We passed out tree seedlings to encourage you to do our part in planting trees in our community.

Here are 5 reasons we need trees for a healthy planet:

• Trees purify our air and combat climate change.

• Trees provide housing to millions of species that protect us from disease.

• Trees cool our streets and cities.

• Trees protect against floods and water pollution.

• Trees ease the mind during stressful times. (And without trees we would not have coffee & chocolate!)

Flower Buds and LaSoupe:

addition to keeping items out of the landfill, the organization works to “increase awareness of the connections among ‘things’, consumer habits, and harmful environmental consequences.”

bless others. The Flower Buds pick up past date flowers that would otherwise be thrown out. They sort through them and make beautiful new arrangements that are shared with shut-ins and nursing homes and those who might need a little bit of beauty in their day.

LaSoupe utilizes volunteers to rescue perishables from farms, grocers and wholesalers. Chefs and volunteers transform this food into healthy soupes and meals that are distributed to roughly 170 share partners that feed the food insecure. They also rescue overages from restaurants and catering and deliver directly to agencies that feed the hungry. https://www.lasoupe.org/

Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub:

This volunteer-run non-profit is located at 911 Evans Street, in Cincinnati’s Lower Price Hill neighborhood. In

CRRH (The Hub) reduces the amount of waste going to landfills by accepting items and materials that are recyclable and reusable, including many that are not permitted in traditional recycling bins.

One stated goal of the organization is “to shift norms and expectations away from disposability and toward sustainability—where the value of an item is judged not only by its immediate utility, but also by its long-term effects on the environment, the economy, and social justice.”

Visit the website https://www. cincinnatirecyclingandreusehub.org for comprehensive information on CRRH’s mission, what the organization takes for free, what it takes for a fee, what it does not accept, volunteer opportunities, guidelines and directions, how to donate, and more.

What we Believe:

To find out what United Methodists believe about creation care and climate justice: The Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church: https://www.westohioumc.org/sites/ default/files/conference/documents/pdf/ page/2016-umc-book-resolutions.pdf

HOLY GROUND MAY PLASTICS CHALLENGE! PART 1

One of the easiest ways that we can care for creation is to be more aware of, recycle, and reduce our use of single use plastics.

Did you know that you can recycle more than just grocery bags in the recycle bins at the grocery store?

They will also accept and recycle:

bread bags, overwrap (from bottled water, toilet paper, paper towels, etc), ziploc bags, produce bags, air pillows (from shipping), bubble wrap, cereal bags, newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags, #2 and #4 bags, plastic shipping envelopes (labels okay).

These ministries remind us how much of what we throw out can be kept from the landfill and used to

And Flexible Film items including: Frozen food bags, chip bags, candy wrappers (please place in small ziploc bag), pet food bags, #5 and #7 bags, prewashed salad bags.

(Please get as much of the food/product out of the packaging as possible before recycling.)

THE CHALLENGE: Recycle as much of what is listed above as you can for 2 weeks this month. As you note how much you use, choose alternatives to single use plastic.

HOLY GROUND MAY PLASTICS CHALLENGE! PART 2

It can be hard to keep up with what plastics can be recycled through curbside recycling programs.

Recycling our single use plastic is an excellent way to care for creation but sometimes we get confused about what can be recycled or we put a few extra items in because we wish they could be recycled. This actually disrupts the recycling process.

Here are a few helpful tips from Rumpke: Plastic Recycling:

The average American generates nearly one ton of trash a year, making it more important than ever to recycle. Households that commit to a recycling program help reduce landfill waste. Discarded plastic resists decomposition, and has a presumed life span of over 500 years. On the other hand, when plastic is recycled correctly, it can be repurposed beyond a single use.

THE CHALLENGE: Learn about what plastics can be recycled curbside and what needs to be recycled in other ways.

Types of plastic that can be recycled through curbside bins:

· Bottles, Jugs, Tubs, Cups

Types of plastic that cannot be recycled through curbside bins:

· plastic grocery bags, clamshells, wrappers, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, foam egg cartons, polystyrene, or motor oil

Tips and best practices for recycling plastic at home

Keep screw-on plastic lids attached to beverage bottles, or toss them in the trash. They’re too small to recycle on their own and can disrupt sorting machines.

Rinse containers like sauce jars and milk jugs before recycling. Contamination decreases the likelihood that plastic will be recycled.

It’s amazing how quickly these items add up and how much we can keep from the landfill! Each of our small daily decisions add up and have a large impact.

HOLY GROUND MAY PLASTICS CHALLENGE! PART 3

There are some kinds of plastics that take a little more thought and effort to recycle, but it can be done.

The Cincinnati Recycle and Reuse Hub is a great local resource that is helping to do this:

https://www.cincinnatirecyclingandreusehub.org/ Here are the plastics that they will receive for recycling:

· All rigid #2-#7 and no-number plastics, sorted by number. (#1 plastics are not accepted at this time.)

· Plastic lids & bottle caps, straws, fishing line, corrugated plastic sheets/signs, plastic plant pots, kitty litter buckets, plastic utensils, used gift cards (plastic only - if it tears, recycle it!), plastic packaging (including containers, clam shells, coffee & creamer capsules, etc.).

· Empty toothpaste tubes and caps, toothbrushes, toothpaste cartons, toothbrush plastic outer packaging, and floss containers.

· Clean, white styrofoam (molded foam packaging), food styrofoam, plastic styrofoam. Keep packing peanuts (Styrofoam and biodegradable/starch) contained in a bag or box.

All packaging must be clean and dry to be recycled.

THE CHALLENGE: Add a new plastic item or two to your recycling practice. Make plans to take it and a few other items you can find listed here https://www. cincinnatirecyclingandreusehub.org/ to the Recycle and Reuse Hub or other recycling facility soon.

The Recycle and Reuse Hub often gets asked the question, Why can’t all plastics be recycled in our curbside recycling?

Here is their answer:

There has to be a market for plastic recycling in order for it to be recycled. New plastic is cheap. In order to recycle plastic a company has to first collect, sort, clean and shred the plastic. That added cost is passed along to manufacturers who use recycled plastic. As consumers, we need to put pressure on the large companies and stores to take back their plastic waste, use recycled plastic or find an alternative to plastic. Until we do, companies have no incentive to pay the higher price for recycled plastic. In the meantime, consumers should look for alternative products that use less or no plastic.

to Rev. Sadell

receiving her Master of Divinity Degree from United Theological Seminary!

54th Session Of The West Ohio Annual Conference To Meet June 1-3, 2023

The 54th session of the West Ohio Annual Conference will be held in person June 1 – 3 at the Dayton Convention Center. Our theme is Committed, Connected, Community based on the scripture from Hebrews 10:23-25:

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

In a letter to conference members, Bishop Palmer alluded to the 2019 tornadoes that hit the Dayton area. He wrote: “Many feared that the city and surrounding area would never survive. A few years and a pandemic later, the Gem City is still standing. Not the same as they used to be, but the people encouraged one another with love and good deeds. Now, in some ways, they are better than they imagined. Much like Dayton, The United Methodist Church has weathered some storms. Our beloved church is different than it was in 1968 and only God knows what we will be in 2028 nevertheless we gather in hope, committed to God, connected to one another and in community with all God’s children.”

Each congregation has an equal number of lay and clergy delegates.

Hyde Park’s delegates are:

Clergy: Rev. Dr. Suzanne Allen, Rev. Dr. Todd Anderson, Rev. Kate Smith, Rev. Sadell Bradley

Laity: Ronda Deel, Diane Weaver, John Chase, David Scott

For more information and to find the resolutions that will be discussed and voted on, go to https://www. westohioumc.org/ac/2023

Congratulations

Bradley for

Mandala

Thank you to everyone who contributed to coloring the Mandala during the Lenten season! We were able to find a temporary location for it in the entrance by the Church Office (awning entrance), so if you haven’t had a chance to see it please walk that way when you’re in the church building!

The mandala was originally introduced by Meredith Menius, Director of Connecting and Discipleship Ministries, at Hyde Park Community UMC’s Lenten Jazz Vespers service on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Through the music provided by the leadership of Paul Owen and the artistic talent of Sarah Knapton, Congregational Care and Funeral Coordinator, to create the mandala outline, we were able to collectively create this artwork together. This mandala represents the contemplative nature of Lent, and how we all bring our own life experiences to make the world beautiful.

Hyde Park Choirs in Concert

June 11th

2:00pm

Listen and enjoy our very own Cathedral and Wesley choirs as they sing their favorite pieces from throughout the year.

Kroger Community Rewards

If you use a Kroger Plus Card, and haven’t linked it to a community organization, consider linking it to the church. As a community organization we get rewards every time you use your plus card when it is linked to us.

Here are the steps to link your card to support either the youth ministry or preschool ministry of HPCUMC:

1. Create a digital account. https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards

A digital account is needed to participate in Kroger Community Rewards. If you already have a digital account, simply link your Shopper’s Card to your account so that all transactions apply toward the organization you choose.

2. Link your Card to an organization.

Selecting the organization that you wish to support is as simple as updating the Kroger Community Rewards selection on your digital account.

1. Sign in to your digital account.

2. Search for your organization here.

3. Enter the name or NPO number of the organization you wish to support.

4. Select the appropriate organization from the list and click “Save”. Your selected organization will also display in the Kroger Community Rewards section of your account. If you need to review or revisit your organization, you can always do so under your Account details.

3. Your organization earns. Any transactions moving forward using the Shopper’s Card number associated with your digital account will be applied to the program, at no added cost to you. Kroger donates annually to participating organizations based on your percentage of spending as it relates to the total spending associated with all participating Kroger Community Rewards organizations. If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Service Center.

Did You Know…

Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church has had a prayer shawl ministry since 2006. The prayer shawl ministry combines the compassion and love for knitting/crocheting with a prayerful ministry which reaches out to those in need of comfort, to those celebrating milestones, and to those serving God’s kindom. As we knit or crochet a prayer shawl, we ask God’s blessings on our hearts and hands and on the heart of the recipient. This prayerful intention continues as the shawl is being created. We use patterns of three to represent the Trinity and attach a cross and prayer cards on each shawl. Once completed, the prayer shawl ministry team blesses the shawl before it goes to the recipient. Thus, each shawl is bathed in prayer and blessing and becomes a symbol of God’s unconditional embracing love and a physical demonstration of community presence and support.

As of May of this year, we have had the honor and blessing of giving 876 prayer shawls to members of Hyde Park Church and their extended family and friends including our sister ministries in Germany, Russia, Romania, Haiti, Mexico, Columbia, and Africa. And we have sent prayer squares with our missionary teams as a reminder of God’s presence with them.

If you would like to find out more about this meaningful ministry, please contact Christine McHenry at clm2804@gmail.com.

MONDAYS | 7:00-8:30pm

Start your week of enjoying your favorite beverage and meaningful conversation with other young adults. On Mondays, starting June 12 through July 17, meet at the downstairs outside picnic table of Bean and Barley (Madison Rd.) for the Brews & God Who? study.

Who does God say they are? Exodus 34:6-7 is the first time God describes their character and the most quoted passage in the Bible. In this study, we will ask what it means for God to describe themselves as “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, overflowing with loyal love and faithfulness” and how Jesus brings these traits to lift. This list of characteristics invites us into a lifetime of pondering the depths and mysteries of the character of God and what it means for us today.

For this study, we will be using BibleProject podcast episodes and YouTube videos to learn about the 5 characteristics. Each week stands on its own - come when you can. Scan the QR code on your phone to view the schedule, more information about the study, and links to listen to the episodes or watch the videos.

Preparing Children for Success in Life

Enroll your child age 2 1/2 – 5 for the 2023-2024 school year at Hyde Park Community UMC Preschool. Our goal at HPCUMC Preschool is to encourage the development of each child's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills, as well as spiritual growth in order to prepare each child for the formal learning experience. Learn more by visiting our website www.hydeparkpreschool.org.

Friday, June 9 7:00p.m.

One of America’s premier youth handbell choirs, THE BELLS OF CHRIST CHURCH, hails from historic Christ Church Anglican (1733) in the Historic District of Savannah, Georgia. This exceptional auditioned bell choir will be performing their summer tour concert at Hyde Park UMC (1345 Grace Avenue, Cincinnati) at 7:00p.m. Friday, June 9.

Ringing on 15 octaves of handbells and chimes, the group has performed in Washington D.C., Colonial Williamsburg, by invitation at the international music festival Spoleto in Charleston and throughout the eastern and southern United States. The auditioned 12-member bell choir, now in its 25th year, is made up of College and High School students who have produced three professional recordings to date.

Their 1.5-hour-long concert includes some of the finest bell repertoire in the genre and includes a history of bells and handbells and a hands-on traveling bell museum. We guarantee that the program will be joyous and entertaining for the entire family.

Any further inquiries may be addressed to Mark K. Williams, Director, at williams4950@bellsouth.net

Come and hear and experience the rich history, the power, and the beauty of bells!

OPEN CASTING CALL

TUESDAY, MAY 30TH

7:00-10:00pm

Sign up here or simply show up!

Don’t want to be on stage? Sign up here to help with tech, set construction, or costuming.

Who: Everyone of every age!

Dance tutorial/recap: 6:15 pm

Arrive to audition: 6:30pm

Where: Hyde Park Community UMC

1345 Grace Avenue, Hyde Park

2nd floor Little Theatre

How: All audition specifics:

Optional: (dance audition info)

Check the webpage for the Dance tutorial video.

All who audition will be included in the final production!

www.hydeparkchurch.org/Godspell

Cincinnati is celebrating its 50th Pride Parade on Saturday, June 24th and our church will be part of it! Show your support for our LGBTQ+ siblings by being in the family friendly parade representing Hyde Park Community UMC or by coming out and watching the parade and/or going to the Festival at Sawyer’s Point.

The purpose of Cincinnati Pride is to provide the Greater Cincinnati LGBTQIA+ community and allies a forum that promotes inclusion and acceptance while affirming individuality. Being part of Cincinnati Pride offers us a chance to break down barriers of judgment and exclusion, strengthen our community and celebrate the inclusive love of Christ. As a church, it’s an opportunity for us to stand with our LGBTQIA+ siblings and strive to be a safer space where all people can belong!

Another way you can support the outreach event is by donating fun size Skittles and Rice Krispie Treats that the group will pass out during the parade! A collection bin will be in the Social Hall.

To learn more about the parade and to sign up to participate, please follow the QR code or get signed up in the Welcome Center!

Caring For Our Building

The Property team shares what they have been up to.

The HPCUMC Property Team, currently led by Jerry Hounchell, is responsible for ensuring that our facilities are clean, safe, and fully functional. We receive and handle a wide variety of requests for maintenance and enhancements, not only for the Hyde Park building, but also for the parsonage and The Warehouse. Sometimes we can accomplish the requests with the help of our facilities management partner (TDG), and sometimes we need to hire contractors.

We’d like to highlight 3 of our recent projects. The stained-glass windows in our chapel have been refurbished. During an insurance appraisal, we discovered that the leaded glass had expanded and contracted over the years, causing the glass to warp and bow. We contracted with Bigelow Glass of Findlay Ohio to refurbish those windows. Stabilizing bars have been added to prevent future warping. In addition, we had Bigelow remove our faded plastic storm windows and replace them with clear glass storm windows. Now, the windows look spectacular from both inside and outside!

All of the sanctuary pews (except balcony) have been taken off-site, repaired, and refinished. We hired a local company to perform this work – Bothe Cabinetry & Countertops. We were so pleased with their workmanship, we also used Bothe to refinish our communion table.

Following a burst pipe and flood in the 2nd floor music room, we inspected the condition of all our fan-coil units in the 1927 building. The Property Team decided to replace them all. Units were ordered, and TDG brought in a team of workers install 14 new fan-coil units. The old units had fans that were turned on or off manually, but the new units are thermostatically controlled. This should save energy and provide more consistent room temperatures.

Thank you Thank you Thank you!

Wow we removed several tons of yard waste! Words cannot describe the amount of debris we trimmed, hacked, pried, ground, hauled. We constructed a step handrail and a log holder. Weeded, trimmed bushes, planted and mulched. Scrapped, painted, stained.

Your leaders were most nervous when the yard waste truck driver shrugged at the pile of logs and said we probably needed to figure out how to get a dumpster.

Thank you everyone for your willingness to flow to the work and keep chipping away at the yard debris! I hope that you had a Fun time and make it to our next time to Rock the Block!!

June 2023 Donation Drive

Help the clients of Found House Interfaith Housing Network with these items.

1. Reusable water bottles

2. Bath towels and/or wash cloths

3. Shower curtains

4. Tote bags

Please place your donations in the entry-way donation bins anytime during June. Soul Builders Sunday School Class thanks you for your generosity.

Found House Interfaith Housing Network, the new name for our long-time partner Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), reflects thirty years of service and growth from an Emergency Shelter provider to a comprehensive program of services to address the needs of homeless families for stable, permanent housing. Explore their web site at foundhouse.org to learn more about Shelter Diversion, new options for Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, Rapid Re-housing, Child Enrichment Program, Aftercare, and more.

Support Found House at HPCUMC

Hyde Park Community UMC has a longstanding partnership with Found House IHN, serving as a host congregation for 4-5 weeks a year and hosting up to 4 families each week. Through our partnership with Found House we are working to ensure families who are experiencing homelessness have access to temporary shelter while they receive essential assistance and take necessary steps to move to permanent housing. Each time we house and host families at our church, we need volunteers to provide dishes for hot meals, items for snacks, breakfasts, and sack lunches, and hospitality—set up and serve dinner, clean up, fellowship with guests, play time with children, and serve as overnight hosts. The remaining host weeks for 2023 are July 2-9 and November 12-19.

To learn more and to sign up to serve and/or donate, please visit our website by using the QR code.

Opening of Melrose Place

Found House IHN continues to grow both services and facilities. With its grand opening celebration on April 18, 2023, it opened its first, site-based, supportive housing project in Walnut Hills called Melrose Place. With 26 family-sized units, Melrose Place will also provide on-site services and amenities that ensure housing is maintained and future loss of housing is avoided. It is also a petfriendly building in keeping with Found House IHN’s goal to serve the whole family, furry members included. Applications are identified through the Coordinated Entry system of the Hamilton County Continuum of Care and Strategies to End Homelessness.

Found House IHN relies heavily on dedicated volunteers for their commendable work serving Cincinnati area families who are experiencing homelessness. Ready to help? These are just some of the many and varied opportunities beyond those available during our hosting weeks. Visit the website at foundhouse.org for more information and to sign up.

Update on our Strategic Planning Process

On Wednesday March 22nd, 41 members of the congregation and community met for our first Strategic Planning Retreat. Charly Bauer and Elizabeth Pafford from Measurement Resources joined us to share the results of the survey and interview process that they conducted. This allowed us to more fully understand the nature of where we are currently as a congregation.

Overall the results were very positive. The results were formulated into a SWOT analysis. SWOT stands for strengths and weaknesses which are internally focused, and opportunities and threats which are external and beyond our control.

The quality of the worship services was right around 90%. The quality of pastors and staff was at 95%. Worship, small groups, and service opportunities were consistently noted as strengths.

Reaching more people within a younger demographic and a need for increased communication were regularly noted as areas where improvement is needed.

Over half of those who responded to the question noted that their top social concern is equality for all regardless of race, sex, or gender. Quite a few were not sure of what the actual needs of the neighborhood were.

The division within the UMC, the lingering impact of Covid, and the aging of the congregation were noted as threats.

Those in attendance were invited to share what they appreciate about HPCUMC, to reflect on the report, and to share what excites them most about moving forward.

Our next Strategic Planning retreat took place on April 16th. Eric Weinheimer, a consultant from Bank of America joined us to help us consider what is next for HPCUMC. He took us through a process of considering our values, our mission, and our North Star goal. We had a lot of good discussion and sharing of hopes for our church. We then selected a Steering Committee of 12 people who represented various groups and ages from the congregation. This group has met with Eric several times to refine the work we did in the retreat and to begin to set our Strategic Initiatives.

The Steering Committee will present their work to the Strategic Planning team at our next retreat on June 6. After that feedback is taken into consideration and added to the plan, it will be presented to the whole of the congregation for feedback. We anticipate that this will take place in mid-late summer. We will let you know as soon as the date is set.

If you have other questions, please check with Pastor Todd, Pastor Suzanne, or a member of the Servant Leadership Board.

ADULT DISCIPLESHIP SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL MIXERS!

While most of our classes are not meeting in person during the summer months, we will still have some opportunities for learning, relationship building, and fun for anyone who would like to join!

These opportunities will be present at both 9:30am & 11:00am on the following Sundays in the Social Hall with Meredith Menius:

June 25, July 9, July 23, August 6 & August 20

If you have any questions, please email Meredith Menius at mmenius@hpcumc.org.

Dive into the Scriptures this Summer!

Led by Pastor Suzanne

Galatians by NT Wright

Tuesdays at 10:00am OR 7:00pm

June 27, July 11, July 25, August 8, August 22

10:00-11:30am

Sign-up

7:00-8:30pm

Sign up

While summer has its own rhythm and pace, it’s still good to connect with each other and spend time in God’s Word. You are invited to join us every other Tuesday beginning on June 27 for a discussion based study of Galatians.

We will utilize the commentary and questions provided by NT Wright in Galatians.

Books will be available in the church office in early June. Please register using the QR codes provided below or by calling Amanda in the church office (513)871-1345.

Rev. Dr. Suzanne Allen

Rev. Dr. Todd D. Anderson

Rev. Kate Smith

Pastor Sadell Bradley

Pastor Sherman Bradley