Circuit Rider. Consecration Service A formal consecration service on February 15th marked the completion of Union Avenue s renovation project.

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1 Volume 15, Issue 3 March 2015 Consecration Service A formal consecration service on February 15th marked the completion of Union Avenue s renovation project. Remembering our God-given Mission Statement: Called to be faithful servants, sharing the good news of God s grace It was a celebration for all and a homecoming for many during our Service of Consecration. Special recognition was given to John McIntosh of the Building Ministries Team, who served as our project manager working with the contractors during the eight-month construction project. Pastor Coralee thanked the University of Mount Union and Copeland Oaks for opening their facilities for our church services during the process. The Praise Band, Chancel Choir and Bell Choir performed; a slide presentation of the history of the church was presented by Karen Perone; and former pastors and current church members shared memories and messages and read Scripture during the two-hour and 15 minute service. U N I O N A V E N U E U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H Circuit Rider Above: Cross made by Don Danford; curtain made by Pat Gates and Lynda Slack. Right (l to r): Rev. Coralee Cox, Rev. Hoyte Wilhelm, Rev. Gordon Ruggles, District Supt. Rev. Benita Rollins, Rev. Kenneth Chalker, East Ohio Conference Bishop John L. Hopkins. Below: Sanctuary. Photos and story: Mike Patterson. More photos: pgs. 5-6.

2 Icebergs. They have fascinated me ever since I first read the book, A Night to Remember by Walter Lord back in elementary school. As many of you already know, it is a tremendous book, written in the 1950s about the sinking of the Titanic. Perhaps you ve read it, too. I ve been thinking more about icebergs lately as I ve watched news reports AND as we have been dealing with the snow and ice of our Ohio winter. In addition, not long ago I saw an advertisement on television (I don t recall the product being advertised) that showed an iceberg and made the point that there is always a lot more to everything than we can possibly see or know. In fact, typically only one-tenth of the volume of an iceberg is above water. And, the shape of the underwater portion can be difficult to judge by looking at the portion above the surface. As I ve pondered these truths, I began to theologize a bit admittedly a common pastime for us preacher-types. For example, if I were to tell you that a long time ago a baby was born, you wouldn t think much of it. However, if I added that the baby s name was Jesus and that He was God in human flesh, I would surely have more of your attention. The additional information would make a huge difference. In similar fashion, if I were to tell you that a long time ago a man suffered and was cruelly and unjustly put to death, it wouldn t mean nearly as much as if I were to add that the man s name was Jesus. He was God incarnate, and knew no sin...but became sin for us and paid sin s penalty on the Cross of Calvary. Because of His sacrificial death, and through our placing our faith in Him, we can be forgiven of our sins. Washed clean even whiter than all the snow I see outside my window. Even more, because Jesus conquered the power of death by rising from the grave, we too can know life abundant and eternal. A baby. A man. Our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. The rest of the story really changes things, doesn t it? Together, let s continue our holy journey through this sacred season called Lent. See you in church, Did you know? This iceberg was photographed near the spot where the RMS Titanic sank in April HOLY WEEK WORSHIP AND EASTER CELEBRATION SCHEDULE Palm Sunday, March 29, 9 and 11 a.m. Regular Sunday morning schedule Maundy Thursday, April 2, 7 p.m. A traditional service with music. Good Friday, April 3, noon-3 p.m. Easter, April 5, 7, 9 and 11 a.m. Sunrise Service, 7 a.m. Breakfast, 8 a.m. The Avenue Service, 9 a.m. Sunday School, regular times Traditional Service, 11 a.m. Our sanctuary will be open from noon to 1 p.m. for meditation and prayer. Vine Street UMC will host a community Good Friday service from noon to 3 p.m. Pastor Coralee will preach on one of the Seven Last Words of Christ at 12:45 p.m. Her word will be Dear woman, here is your son. Page 2 CIR CUIT RI DER

3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN MARCH TO New Members Drew and Jessie Canavan are our newest church members, having joined February 22nd during The Avenue service. They are seen here with their children Kiernan, a fourth-grader, and Kaia, who's in the second grade. Drew joined via Profession of Faith and Jessie is transferring her membership from Church Hill United Methodist Church in Youngstown. Jessie, a 2003 graduate of Mount Union with a Master's degree from Kent State University, is currently director of admissions at the University of Mount Union. Drew, a 2000 graduate of Mount Union, works for Paris Companies in Ravenna, a supplier of uniform services and hospital and health care linen. 2 Jeaninie Beatty 3 Jeane Baylor 3 Gene Dawson 6 Mike Patterson 7 Mary McGeehen 10 Sandy Rodman 11 Evelyn Music 13 Steffani Vickers 14 Cricket Slack 17 Anna Leforte 17 Paul Whipple 19 Joyce Lackey 22 Kay England 23 John Armitage 26 Sarah Koran 27 Sandy McLachlan 29 Robert Hartzell DEEPEST SYMPATHY Our hearts go out to the families of these loved ones who will be truly missed. Patricia Patty E. Riebold February 16, 2015 Rev. Deane R. Williams February 2, 2015 UNITED METHODIST WOMEN Carol Danford, President Union Avenue United Methodist Women will have our first 2015 unit meeting on Tuesday, March 17th (note date change) at Copeland Oaks. Doris Stahl will present the Call to Prayer and Self Denial. To find out more about who we are as women who know God through Jesus Christ, our supportive fellowship and our participation in the global ministries of the church, join us at the March meeting, or ask Carol Danford or any member about our group. All women are welcome! UNITED METHODIST MEN Jim Lackey, President The United Methodist Men wish to thank all those who helped to purchase new chairs for the Fellowship Hall. We knew that they would be more comfortable and look better than the shabby old ones. However, after the new ones were actually installed, it was almost a shock to see the big improvement in the hall's appearance. Originally, we set a realistic goal to replace 100 of the 120 metal chairs; but, praise God, we received enough funding to replace them all. Again, many thanks! Page 3 CIR CUIT RI DER

4 MISSION NEWS Kay Hettler, Chairperson EASTER OFFERING MARCH 5TH Union Avenue United Methodist Church is a connectional church we have connections with missions in our local community, across our region and Ohio, and throughout the USA and world. The Easter offering this year will help connect to those in need both near and far and will be divided among four needs: The Community Outreach Fund, the United Methodist Bishops 3Cs Mission Project Churches, Clinics and Classrooms, the Alliance Community Pantry, and the Habitat for Humanity Apostle Build. The Community Outreach Fund is administered by Pastor Coralee and provides monetary assistance to those in the Alliance area who might need short-term help for medicine or utilities or rent or gas money, etc. Those persons requesting assistance are screened by the Alliance of Churches. The 3Cs Mission Project Churches, Clinics and Classrooms funds churches, medical facilities and schools in Africa and Russia. Out of our abundance and the generosity of East Ohio Conference churches, we have responded to the needs of others in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Russia and Zimbabwe. A foundation of relationships, work teams, supply lines and financial resources are changing lives in those areas. Our Union Avenue UMC delegates to Annual Conference will present a donation of $500. The Alliance Community Pantry supports our Alliance neighbors by providing nutritious food in a choice pantry setting. Clients are able to choose the items they need from a wide selection of nonperishable foods, meats, fruits and vegetables and some paper/home care products. Our Easter offering will give $250 to the Alliance Community Pantry. Habitat for Humanity has been building homes for Alliance area residents for many years. Home recipients must provide sweat equity by helping work on their new home and receive counseling on how to manage home ownership. Multiple Alliance area churches are again providing funds to build a home during the summer of The Easter offering will provide $250 to help support our pledge to the Apostle Build. ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING One Great Hour of Sharing is one of six Special Sundays in the United Methodist Church. The offering supports UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). Gifts deliver hope that changes everything: hospitality to immigrants and refugees, recovery after natural disasters, and relief for conditions contributing to hunger, poor health, and poverty in more than 100 countries including the U.S. and Canada. One hundred percent of donations go directly to UMCOR missions. One Great Hour of Sharing is an offering that makes the love of Christ real for individuals and communities in need and those who serve them through the gifts of money and time. This year s One Great Hour of Sharing campaign began February 22nd and ends on Sunday, March 15th. Giving Calendars were distributed with small donation boxes. These popular calendars provide insight into our many blessings and offer suggestions for small daily giving amounts that may be placed in the donation box. This is a wonderful way for children to begin to think about giving to missions. If the weather has kept you away, it is not too late to participate. Boxes and calendars are available at the back of the sanctuary. Cash or a check to UAUMC marked One Great Hour of Sharing is welcome, too! (Because UAUMC must purchase the donation boxes, it would be appreciated if you returned them used or unused. Thanks!) COOKS ON CALL: NEW MISSION FOR MEMBERS Wouldn't it be nice to help some of our own members who may be going through a hard time? A new mission for our members has a possibility of being started at Union Avenue. This new mission, Cooks on Call, would help members of our church have delicious, warm meals when there is a death in the family, surgery, extended illness, or new baby! However, we need to see if there is an interest. If you are interested contact Jen Slack at or at jenslack10@hotmail.com Page 4 CIR CUIT RI DER

5 MORE CONSECRATION SERVICE PHOTOS. Above (top): Karen Perone presented a slide show of Union Avenue history. Above: Len Slack, Iris Andrews and Clyde Lepley listened as John McIntosh spoke after receiving thanks for his work as the church construction project manager. Below (l to r): Previous ministers Rev. Kenneth Chalker, Rev. Hoyte Wilhelm and Rev. Gordon Ruggles returned to speak and read Scripture at the Consecration Service. Page 5 Above (top): George Miller, Dekota Toot and Eva Miller read Scripture at the Consecration Service as representatives of the Union Avenue congregation. Above: District Supt. Rev. Benita Rollins and East Ohio Conference Bishop John L. Hopkins also joined us for the special occasion. CIRCUIT RIDER

6 JOIN US FOR... STEWARDSHIP REPORT March Activities and Special Events FEBRUARY 2014 March 8th, both services We will present Bibles to our children and youth. Join us for this glorious and exciting service. March 11th, 7:00 p.m. Union Avenue will lead the Vespers service at Copeland Oaks. Pastor Coralee will lead the service and Kim Lewis will direct music. Everyone is welcome. Received in February and Year-to-date Operating Ministries: February $22,760 Special Ministries: February $9,108 YTD $49,063 YTD $18,261 March 15th, 5:00 p.m. Union Avenue s evening at Don Pancho s Tex Mex Café, 2105 W. State St., is sure to warm up your day. Everyone will order off the menu and all ages are welcome. Check out the menu at donpanchostexmexcafe.com. Please let us know if you plan to join us. Please RSVP (form in bulletin) or call the church office by Thursday, March 12th. March 25th, 10:00 a.m. Pastor Coralee will host Wednesday with Coralee in the Williamsburg Lounge at Copeland Oaks. Lunch is available afterwards by prior arrangement. March 27th, time TBA Watch the bulletin for details about our movie night for movie fans of all ages. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT. The church was busy with activity in early February as new flooring was placed in the new storage room and the kitchen (below) and the Fellowship Hall floor was cleaned and sealed. John McIntosh, Pastor Coralee and Clyde Lepley (below, right) explained the project to The Alliance Review for a feature story. Below (l to r): Rev. David Andrews, Minister of Pastoral Care and Rev. John McLachlan, Associate Pastor, both took part in the February 15th Consecration Service. Former Lead Pastors Revs. Richard Cheney, Edwin Aluzas and Robert Tolbert, and former Deacon/Associate Rev. Rebecca Innerst were unable to attend. Pastor Coralee had the great joy of greeting all living former lead pastors at the service or by phone. Page 6 CIRCUIT RIDER

7 2015 SUNDAY WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 9:00 a.m. The Avenue 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Service 91.1 FM Sunday Morning at 11:00 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 8am UMM Breakfast pm H&H Quilters 5 6 1pm Church Women United (at 2nd Baptist) 7 MARCH 8: HOLY COMMUNION 6pm Praise Team 6:30pm SPRC 6:15pm Bells 7:30pm Choir BIBLE PRES- ENTATION TO YOUTH 6pm Oasis 6:35pm Missions 7pm Building Ministries Team 6pm Praise Team 1pm H&H Quilters 7pm Vespers (CO) 6:15pm Bells 7:30pm Choir One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday 1pm UMW (CO) 1pm H&H Quilters 5pm Dinner at Don Pancho s 7pm Trustees 7pm Worship 6:15pm Bells 7:30pm Choir am Wednesday with Coralee (CO) pm H&H Quilters 6pm Oasis 6pm Praise Team 6:30 Administr. Council 6:15pm Bells 7:30pm Choir TBA Family Movie Night Holy Week Svcs. see page 2 6pm Oasis 6pm Praise Team Page 7 CIR CUIT RI DER

8 UNION AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED S U N I ON AVENUE A LL IAN C E, O H A United Methodist Church Practicing Safe Sanctuary through the child protection policy Rev. Coralee Cox Pastor Rev. David Andrews Minister of Pastoral Care Kirk Miller Director of Family Ministries Christine R. Lamb Administrative Assistant Erin M. West Membership Secretary J. Kim Lewis Director of Music Melody Schmid Director of Preschool Sherry Lepley Treasurer Christine Cochran Financial Secretary Dale Brown Custodian Rev. Coralee Cox works from the office Tuesday through Thursday. Appointments may be scheduled for those days. Friday is her day for worship and sermon preparation. Cell ; Home Rev. David Andrews, Minister of Pastoral Care, has office hours on Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cell ; Home Chris Lamb, Administrative Assistant, is in the office Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. ** CIRCUIT RIDER DEADLINE: The deadline for the April Circuit Rider newsletter will be Monday, March 16. Let your words be the genuine picture of your heart. John Wesley ( ), founder of Methodism Phone: Fax: Web site: uaumc@unionavenueumc.org Facebook: CAN T MAKE IT TO CHURCH? LISTEN TO WRMU 91.1 FM SUNDAY AT 11:00 A.M.