Table of Contents Sections. 5 C.O.M. Ministry Team

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1 March 9-22, 2019 Pages 2-4 Table of Contents Sections Letters from Pastor Steve 5 C.O.M. Ministry Team 6 Membership Care 7 Youth Ministry Team 8-12 Spiritual Formation Ministry Team 13 Calendar Note: If you don t see your Ministry Team/Group it s because you didn t submit anything for THIS Navigator. The Navigator is a bi-weekly -blast. If you need to submit something send to the Comm. Team Communications-Team@faithumchurch.org

2 With Mission All Your Outfitter Heart Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart - Joel 2:12a It seems that God is bent on being in relationship with us. After Adam and Eve disregarded the limits God provided in the garden, they found themselves naked and ashamed. God came, knitted them clothing and restored the relationship. After Cain, consumed with jealousy, killed his brother Abel, he feared for his own life. God came and put a mark on Cain that would protect him. God refused to sever the relationship. When the earth became populated, all humankind abandoned God and turned to evil thoughts continually, it grieved God to God s heart and for a while, God was sorry He even made creation at all. But, still, God did not give up. Through Noah, God made a way and creation was restored. It was again a new beginning. These examples are found in the first eight chapters of Genesis, the first book of the Bible! They set the stage for what we find repeatedly in the remaining 65 books of the Bible (including the small book of Joel!). The message is clear, no matter how far we move away from God, intentionally or unintentionally, God is still with us, ready to restore us into the life-giving relationship God desires for all creation. Sometimes we take this message to mean that we can do whatever we want because God will never turn God s back on us. Yet, countless testimonies in scripture and history tell us that doing whatever we want at best leads to an unfulfilling life and at worst leads to brokenness, destruction, pain, suffering and death. The Good News about Lent is that it is a season of restoration. The word itself means spring from the Latin lencten. Beginning on Ash Wednesday (March 6 for 2019), Lent is a 40-day journey that ends on the Saturday before Easter. Sundays, however, are not counted as Sundays are always a day to celebrate resurrection and new life! The 40 days remind us of the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness fasting and praying and wrestling with temptation. Then, when the 40 days were over, Jesus knew who he was and what he was called to do with the rest of his life. In fact, in Jesus, we see what it looks like when someone gives all their heart to God. With All Your Heart is the theme for this year s Lenten journey. Our ministry teams have planned many opportunities for us to return to God with all our heart. These opportunities are intended not only for Faith UMC, but for the whole community. So, spread the word, invite a friend, post on social media, tell the world the God of Love is ready to restore us to abundant life in God s name. Happy Lent! To learn more about Lent, visit UMC.org On a journey in faith together, Pastor Steve

3 Faithfulness Beyond General Conference In the wake of the decision passed on February 26 at the special General Conference, I have been moved, inspired, and encouraged by the witness of Faith UMC. While many in the congregation are disappointed, hurt, and saddened by the decision, and others are in agreement with the decision, I have seen a continued commitment to being the church that Faith UMC has always been. There are so many things we can celebrate in our mission together even in this time between times. During this uncertain time, I feel called to do my best to lead Faith UMC in a way that affirms and encourages us to continue in the many ministries and goals in which the church can be proud; for us to continue to be a church with many diverse views that appreciates and loves one another; to be a church that: Welcomes all people including LBGTQi+ persons and including persons with very different theological and political viewpoints. Worships together alongside one another knowing our deeply held differences. Reaches out to the community with the Good News of Christ who s life shows us the love of God incarnate. Works side-by-side in the Faith Kitchen ministry feeding the hungry and providing help for the most vulnerable in our communities. Makes important missional decisions together through healthy processes that engage all of us in prayer, holy dialogue, study, reflection and action. Practices good stewardship of all that God has given us directing our resources in the ways we believe will best further God s mission at Faith. Engages in prayer and Bible Study humbly recognizing that all of us have much more to learn in our journey of faith and celebrating that God is not through with us yet! These are indeed trying times. Yet, the gospels and history has shown that God often does God s most amazing, life-changing, world-changing work in the most difficult and painful times. I am hopeful that on the other side of this chapter in the history of the UMC, we will have become a better, stronger, healthier, more inclusive, more welcoming and more missional church that shows the world what God s love can do. I encourage you to join me in this call to prayer and unity with our diversity. To this end, I also encourage you to watch this 2-minute video that celebrates what it means to be a United Methodist (click here) and to attend one of the Post General Conference Gatherings where our Bishop, Tracy Malone will be speaking: Saturday, March 9 10:00 11:30 a.m. Newcomerstown Christ UMC Saturday, March 9 2:00 3:30 p.m. North Canton Faith UMC Sunday, March 10 4:00 5:30 p.m. Strongsville UMC In prayer, mission, and ministry together, Faithfulness Beyond General Conference Pastor Steve

4 Sanctuary Renovations Phase 1 Proposal Approved Note: This rendering does not necessarily reflect the final colors or details. On Tuesday, March 5, the Church Board, with 28 people in attendance, voted unanimously to approve the Sanctuary Renovations Phase 1 proposal. Much thanks and appreciation was expressed to the 20/20 Worship Space Renovations Team and its leader, Debbie Wiley. The meeting included over an hour of discussion that heard and responded to several good questions as well as concerns. The team will be meeting regularly, working closely with the architect over the next five months to keep the project moving toward the goal of starting renovations by early August. Over the next 2 months, the team will be giving special focus to the concerns that have been expressed. Also, to be celebrated is the congregation s generosity reflected in all the second-mile giving to the 20/20 Acting on Faith Initiative. Because of your commitment over the past 3.5 years, we have all the funding necessary to pay for the Phase 1 renovations! For detailed information about the design, timeline and/or finances, please be in touch with Debbie Wiley, Worship Space Renovations Team Leader and Tom Fiala, 20/20 Team Leader. Stewardship Ministry Team Forty Simple Gifts for Lent is a spiritual and missional practice promoted by the Stewardship Ministry Team this year. Lent began on Ash Wednesday, March 6th. Bags are available in the Gathering Area for individuals to place one usable item per day inside on each of the forty days of Lent. The items might include clothing, non-perishable food, even toys. With joy at Easter, donate the bags to the non-profit of your choice. Make room for God in your life, especially during Lent, and experience joy in simplicity and generosity. The Shaker tune Simple Gifts written in 1848 by Elder Joseph Brackett carries a helpful message: Tis the gift to be simple, tis the gift to be free, Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find ourselves in the place just right, Twill be in the valley of love and delight. When true simplicity is gain d, To bow and to bend we shan t be asham d, To turn, turn will be our delight, Till by turning, turning we come out right.

5 C.O.M. Ministry Team Resurrection 300 9th St. North Canton, OH April 20th Race Day: Registration: 7:00 am Fun Walk: 8:30 am 5K Run: 8:45 am Service: 9:30 am 2019 Seventh Annual Monetary Donation or Bring a Canned Food Activities: Music Easter Egg Roll Easter Bunny Photos Sidewalk Chalk Art Pre-Registration Forms are in the church office: Fun Walk 5K Run Activities Faith United Methodist FUN Run to Resurrection SAVE THE DATE: The 8th annual Run to the Resurrection (R2R) will be held on Saturday, April 20th at Faith United Methodist Church. The 1 mile fun walk begins at 8:15am and the 5k run begins at 8:30am. Monetary donations and/or a non-perishable food donation acts as the registration fee, with all proceeds going to support Faith Kitchen. Runners, walkers and volunteers are needed! Contact Greg Brokaw or Taylor Sowers with any questions. SAVE THE DATE: Come and eat to your hearts content at Taggarts Ice Cream Restaurant (Fulton Rd. location) on Tuesday, April 23rd - all proceeds to benefit Faith Kitchen (R2R). The fundraiser is on both eat-in and take-out orders, all day long! No forms to turn in - just go and eat. PLEASE DELETE THIS LAYER BEFORE SAVING All images must be embedded All fonts must be outlined Calling for a Friendly Smile! Our new Welcome Center will officially begin on Sunday, March 10. It will provide a central location where we can offer welcoming hospitality to anyone new to Faith UMC. The Welcome Center will be a table located in the Gathering Area under the television and in the Family Life Center on the back wall across from the stage. The Welcome Center will have two people at the table before and after each service who will greet new people, make connections, answer questions, provide directions, and share pertinent information. BLEED AREA - 37 x 76 NOT VISIBLE WHEN DISPLAYED FINISHED AREA - 36 x 72 VISIBLE WHEN DISPLAYED SAFE AREA - 34 x 69 KEEP IMPORTANT TEXT/LOGOS WITHIN THIS AREA Please help us get our Welcome Center started by becoming a member of a crew. You can select the service and Sundays you wish to help with. This new ministry group will fall under the COM (Communications, Outreach, and Marketing) Ministry Team and Judy McLaughlin will be the Welcome Crew coordinator. Contact Judy McLaughlin with questions or to be added to a Sunday Crew.

6 Membership Care Ministry Team March Birthdays: Erma Chorian will be 89 on March 24. Lillian Smith will be 95 on March 26. Jackie Reed will be 90 on March 28. Ruth Anstine will be 87 on March 30. We express our deepest sympathies to: Roger and Patty Hatten on the death of Roger s mother, Ruth, February 27. Congratulations: Kevin and Ashton Crowl on the recent adopton of their newborn daughter Emma Grace. Second Wind: Your smoke alarm goes off in the middle of the night--quick! do you call the fire department first or do you get out of the house? Capt. Gary Coen of the North Canton Fire Department joins us in March for a program on fire safety. Bring your questions! Program: Capt. Gary Coen, NCFD, Fire Safety When: Tuesday, March 12 Desserts and coffee at 1:00 Cost: $1/per person for refreshments Church bus pickups: Danbury at 12:35, Waterford 12:45 Contact: Betsy Douce by Sunday, March 10 with your reservation at or BetsyDouce@yahoo.com For your calendars: On April 9, we ll be joined again by Bill Winkler, sharing an amazing (and true) story from WWII. Attention Faith UMC Golfers: There will be an organizational meeting for the 2019 season on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at 7:00pm in Room 8. Please try to attend this meeting to go over changes for the coming golf season. Questions call Dale Miller at / or Tim Bracken at Lydia s Circle: Please join us Wednesday, March 13 at noon Speaker: Barbara Tarentino Barbara will be talking about a Mission Trip going to New Mexico and the Dominican Republic. All are welcome.

7 Youth Ministry Team 2019 Youth Mission Trip Soup & Pie Fundraiser April 14th After the 9:45 & 11 services in Robinson Hall Come enjoy amazing soup and pie in support of the Youth Mission Trip! If you would like to donate a pie please let Amy Ferguson or the office know! Youth Ministry Team The Youth Mission Trip will be be having a Soup & Pie luncheon fundraiser on April 14th after the 9:45 and 11 services. Come out and enjoy some homemade soup and pie! All donations will benefit the 2019 Youth Mission Trip to West Virginia. We are also looking for pie donations for the event. If you would like to make or buy a pie to donate please call the office and let Amy Ferguson know. We hope to see you all there!

8 Spiritual Formation Ministry Team Messy Church: Sunday, March 10 at 4:00 pm. Messy Church is an innovative worship experience where people of all ages engage with the day s Bible story through a variety of hands-on art and creative activities followed by a time of learning and worship and then end our time together with dinner. Join us for the March Messy Church as we explore this month s theme: WHAT IS LENT? How can we draw close to God with all our heart? * Free Dinner What is Lent? Ash Wednesday (March 6) marks the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is the forty day period (not counting Sundays) between Ash Wednesday and Holy Saturday (the day before Easter) in which we are called to open our hearts before God for honest examination in a spirit of confession, penance, and redirection as we approach the celebration of Christ s Resurrection on Easter Sunday. The word Lent comes from an old word for spring. Lent is a season of renewal. It s a time of rebirth in nature and spiritual rebirth within ourselves as we renew our commitment to God and strengthen our faith. Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, prayer, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. Lent is a season to explore, refocus and renew our faith commitment and allow God to change our hearts and shape and mold us to be what God has created us to be. Lent is a time to consider how we might make room for God in our lives? Lent is a season to immerse ourselves in the words of scripture, Return to me with all your heart (Joel 2:12). May your Lenten season be one of challenge, commitment, and comfort as we seek to respond to the call of God.

9 Lent Experiences Faith UMC offers several opportunities for you to engage in the season of Lent. Lent Reflections Weekly scripture readings and reflection questions based on our Lent Worship Series With All Our Heart. We encourage you to respond to our Facebook posts and share thoughts, prayers, art and photos as you feel challenged and inspired. Week of March 10 God s Generous Heart. Read Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13 Week of March 17 Imitating. Read Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17-4:1 Lent Calendar Copies of a Lent scripture and prayer calendar created by Barb Rich are available for your use throughout the season of Lent. Prayer Room (Room 5) COME to the Prayer Room March 6th-April 21st as we continue our Christian journey in prayer, contemplation, and study (reading) using resources provided on the tables, easel and window ledge by the window wall. May your Lenten season be one of challenge, commitment, and support as the church responds to the call of God - "Return to me with all your heart" (Joel 2:12). Lent Resources and Worship Engagement Look for devotion booklets and resources for all ages as well as family Lent experiences in the literature kiosks in the Gathering Area, outside the Family Life Center and Worship Engagement Shelf. Visit Faith s Library for additional resources to inspire your faith journey this Lent! 40 Simple Gifts Faith s Stewardship Ministry Team is encouraging our congregation to explore this year s stewardship theme during Lent by collecting 40 useable items, one per day during the forty days of Lent. Items can be new or used such as non-perishable food, clothing, blankets, even toys. With each item, each day deepen your relationship with God, remembering Christ s sacrifice for you. With each gift you will simplify your life and benefit others. With Easter joy, donate the bag of items to the nonprofit of your choice. Coats, Sheets, Blankets and Towels for Palm Sunday Again this Palm Sunday (April 14) we will welcome Jesus by collecting donations of clean and gently worn used or new coats for Faith Kitchen and Community Christmas. This is a great time of year to find coats on clearance at great prices! We will also collect NEW sheets, blankets, and towels for the Hartville Migrant Center. Bring them all to worship on Palm Sunday! Wednesday Night Faith Connections Dinner Dinner at 6:00 pm with Lent reflections and fellowship! Program and activities for children, youth and adults! Join us for fun, food, faith & fellowship!

10 Spiritual Formation Ministry Team Save the Dates: Mark your calendars and don t miss out on Faith s 2019 Summer Events! VBS 2019, Roar: Life is Wild! God is Good! June 17 21, 9:00 am 12:00 pm, Ages 4-Grade 6 Camp Read-A-Lot Wednesdays July 10, 17, 24, 9:30 am 11:30 am Children entering Grades K-3 Children s Sunday School 9:45 and 11:00 am on Sunday Mornings Deep Blue at Home with God Weekly Family Devotions available at the Children s Welcome Station Try this Family Devotion with your family! Read: The Forgiving Father (Luke 15:11-32) Bible Story Focus: Nothing will ever separate us from God s love. Wonder Together: How do you think the son from the story felt when his dad welcomed him home? Memory Verse: Now is the time! Here comes God s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news! (Mark 1:15) Pray Together: Share joys and concerns, and then pray, Dear God, help us change our hearts and lives so we can share your love with everyone this Lent. Amen. Wonder Wednesdays Kids Grades K-5: Wednesdays following Wednesday Night Faith Connections Dinner. Elementary-age children explore science, art, service and mission projects as they learn and grow in faith. March 13: God s Amazing Love art night. March 20: God s Forgiving Love science night. Little Wonders childcare and activities for young children in the nursery. Contact Kathy Schmucker, Spiritual Formation Director, Bethany Sedziol, or Kristin Krach for more information about children s ministries at Faith UMC.

11 Learn more about registration and scholarship opportunities in the Gathering Area on Sunday, March 17! Contact Kathy Schmucker or Tallie Paz for campership information. We want to help your kids get to camp this summer! Visit for more information! Jesus is Calling... Can an hour or two of your time matter in the life of a child and the future of our church? Jesus is Calling 85% of first-time faith commitments are made between the ages of 4 and 14. Our ministry to children and families is vital to our church and community. Sunday School, Nursery, Wednesday Night Faith Connections and Messy Church are some of the ways in which we have a tremendous opportunity to touch the lives of our children and families with the love of Christ. We have children who are excited to experience God. Prayerfully consider how God may be calling you to nurture their spiritual lives. For more information contact Kathy Schmucker, Spiritual Formation Director, Kristin Krach, Childcare Coordinator, Special Needs Across the Ages: Becoming an Accessible, Inclusive Congregation Where All Belong Thursday, March 14 at Faith UMC 9:00 am 2:30 pm Go quickly to the city s streets, the busy ones and the side streets, and bring the poor, crippled, blind, and lame. Go to the highways and back alleys and urge people to come in so that my house will be filled. Luke 14: 21b, 23 Who is missing from your congregation? Recent studies indicate that families with children with autism are almost twice as likely to never attend church or other religious services. And children and adults with other disabilities such as physical, developmental delays, attention deficit disorder, sensory challenges, anxiety, etc. are often missing as well. Join us for this day of vital conversation and learning to empower our churches to do all we can to become churches where persons of all abilities belong. The event will include key note address, workshops, Q&A session, resources and lunch. Workshops: Disability Awareness 101: Introduction to Disability and Disability Ministry with hands-on experiences. Awareness to Action: Supporting Individuals With Special Needs in All Environments Invisible Disabilities: Not Seeing and Believing Mental Health Issues in the Local Church Autism Basics: Communicating and Building Success Sponsored by East Ohio CEF: Christians Engaged in Faith Formation and The Spiritual Formation and Christian Education Committee of the East Ohio Conference. Cost: $20 includes resources and lunch. Click here to register Questions? Contact Kathy Schmucker at kschmucker@faithumchurch.org.

12 Called: Hearing and Responding to God s Voice, Sunday mornings at 9:45 am in Room 16 beginning March 17. Facilitators: Janice Golden and Kim Reynolds. The Art of Living, Monday Night Meditation Group, Mondays at 7:00 pm in the Conference Room. Facilitators Tom and Lynn Strauch. Coffee Talk: Navigating the Messiness of Faith and Life, Tuesday, March 26 at 9:30 am at Cultured Coffee & Waffles on Portage St. Jonah, Navigating a Life Interrupted, Tuesday Women s Group, Tuesdays at 6:30 pm in the West Parlor. Facilitators: Laura Luikart and Sue Bell. Faith and the Environment, Wednesdays at 6:45 pm in the West Parlor. Facilitator: Dick Pickles The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus Wednesday Morning Women s Group begins Wednesdays at 9:00 am in the West Parlor. Facilitator: Linda Reynolds. Lenten Lunch, Thursday, March 21 at 11:30 am. Coordinator: Kathy Schmucker and Pam Wig. Theology for the Times Friday, March 15 at 12:00 pm at Beyesly s in North Canton. Enough: Discovering Joy through Simplicity and Generosity, Men s Life Study, begins Saturday, March 9 at 7:00 am at Beyesly s Restaurant. Facilitator: Kim Reynonlds. The Common Table: A Multicultural Cooking Experience, Sunday, April 7, 3:00pm 6:00pm. The Common Table would like to invite you to join us for an afternoon of food, fun and fellowship. Sima Arshadi is our cook. She was born in Azerbaijan, grew up in Tehran, Iran, and lived in Turkey prior to coming to Akron, Ohio. She will be cooking some of her favorite Persian dishes. Sima has had experience cooking for American Missionaries in Turkey where she refined her cooking skills. Sima is also an artist who works with clay to make floral decorations, paints in water colors, makes jewelry and knits. She is looking forward to sharing her cooking and culture with us. A $30 donation will cover cooking supplies, donation to Welcoming the Stranger Ministry and an Honorarium for our guest cook. Click here to Register online Hurry as limited spots are available! Coordinator: Donna Benzing. Visit our website to learn more about other opportunities for adults happening at Faith UMC or contact Kathy Schmucker, Spiritual Formation Director, at kschmucker@faithumchurch.org or call , ext 107 or

13 Calendar Snapshot to view Online visit: