Riverside United Methodist Church Ignites Faith Invites Others Involves Service Page 1

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1 I have been pondering what to ponder in the midst of change. My retirement was announced on Sunday, February 17 th and will be effective Sunday, June 30, I will be 69 and have served in the United Methodist Church for forty-three years. I was ordained elder forty years ago in June. Forty in the Bible is a metaphor for a long time. In Genesis 7 it rains for forty days and forty nights. In Genesis 8 Noah waits forty days after the Ark has come to rest and the mountain tops become visible before sending out a raven. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Moses was on the mountain with God for forty days. For forty days Goliath taunted the army of Israel. David reigned as king for forty years as did Solomon, Jeroboam, and Joash. Jesus was in the wilderness for forty days and forty nights following his baptism. So after a long time I am facing the change of retirement. For forty-seven years our United Methodist Church has been struggling with how we reconcile our varied understandings of scripture, our understandings of human sexuality, and what it means to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. The Special Session of General Conference voted on February 26 to retain the current language in our discipline defining marriage as between one man and one woman and barring the ordination of self-avowed practicing homosexuals from ordination by a margin of 54 votes 53% (438 to 384). We are deeply divided on this very complex issue. Some see this as being faithful to scripture and others see this as excluding who they see themselves to be as created by a loving God. We have yet to see the implications for our United Methodist Church. However, we can trust that God will continue to work together with us for good for all. I am reminded of what the Lord says in Isaiah 43:18-19: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Notice that the Lord is making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Change will at first seem like a desert and a wasteland. But God is there in the desert, in the wasteland, with us doing a new thing. Someone reflecting on the fact that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, commented, Yes, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus was on the move yesterday. Jesus is on the move today. Jesus is on the move forever. In Matthew 8:20 Jesus responds to a teacher of the law who proclaims that he will follow Jesus wherever Jesus goes by saying, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Jesus is still the same. Jesus is still on the move. James Weldon Johnson penned the words to what has been called the Black National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing which is number 519 in our United Methodist Hymnal. It is a powerful hymn and the last verse is, God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou who has brought us thus far on the way; thou who hast by thy might led us into the light, keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee; lest our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee; shadowed beneath thy hand, may we forever stand, true to our God, true to our native land. Isaac Newton, the slave trader turned preacher who worked to abolish the slave trade, penned the words of Amazing Grace, Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. We as individuals and as a community of faith can move confidently into the future unafraid of change because our God not only goes with us--our God goes before us to prepare the way. The God who was with Israel in the desert is with us. God s grace has brought us to where we are today and God s grace will lead us home. Our Indiana Conference report on the action of the Special General Conference ends with this, We will continue to lead in our rural churches, on the streets of the inner city, in our global and local mission work, and in our daily actions. We will continue to be a movement of God s people reaching the 61.3% of the population in Indiana that are not involved in a religious community. God will continue to work through the people called United Methodist making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, all to the glory of God. May we continue to ignite faith, invite others, and involve service so that others come to know and follow Jesus the Risen Christ into the fullness of life intended by God. Shalom in Christ, John Riverside United Methodist Church Ignites Faith Invites Others Involves Service Page 1

2 Opportunities to Respond to General Conference Plan now to tune in to Facebook Live on March 3 at 5:30 p.m. to hear Bishop Trimble share his thoughts about General Conference. For those that may not have Facebook, the live stream will also be available at inumc.org. Do you want to know more about the United Methodist Church s Way Forward? Join Superintendent Fulbright, as she hosts a series of continued conversations across the East District. She will present information from General Conference decisions, discuss the Indiana Conference s plan for moving forward, and answer any questions or concerns. These conversations will mimic the same tenor and civility as our first District Conversation in December These continued conversations are open to all laity, clergy, and those who are curious. Thursday, 3/7-11:00am - 1:00pm - Hagerstown UMC, 199 S. Perry Street, Hagerstown Saturday, 3/9-10:00 am - Noon - Edwards Memorial UMC, 4 West Seminar St., Liberty Saturday, 3/9-2:00pm - 4:00pm - Richmond First UMC, 318 National Rd., Richmond Sunday, 3/10-3:00pm - 5:00pm - Hartford City Grace UMC, 312 W. Washington St. Hartford City Muncie Community Lenten Services And Luncheon 12 Noon each Wednesday at Bethel AME 1020 E Jackson Street Wednesday, March 6 Ash Wednesday, Luke 18: 9-14 Speaker: Rev. Maurice Reed, Bethel AME Wednesday, March 13 John 2:23-3:15 Speaker: Bishop Royce Mitchell, Founding Pastor of Deliverance Temple Wednesday, March 20 John 5:1-18 Speaker: Rev. Mona Dale, St. Andrew Presbyterian Wednesday, March 27 John 8:12-20 Speaker: Reed Siebenthal, Retired Student Advisor, BSU Wednesday, April 3 John 6:27-40 Speaker: Austin Krepps, Interim Campus Minister, The Oasis Baptist House Wednesday, April 10 John 10:1-18 Speaker: Rev. Frank Scott, Assistant Pastor, Christ Temple Women s Lenten Luncheon Thursday, March 14, 10:00 am -- Garden at Gethsemane, Muncie All women of the church are invited to the United Methodist Women s Call to Prayer and Self-Denial Lenten Luncheon. Lisa Blalock, the Garden s high school and college youth leader will speak on Mobilizing the Next Generation. A complementary Baked Potato Bar will be provided. School supplies for Heart and Hands of Delaware Co. will be collected. Call the church office at by Monday, March 11 with reservations. Riverside United Methodist Church Ignites Faith Invites Others Involves Service Page 2

3 Saturday, March 9 at 7:30 am Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 am Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 am Saturday, March 30 at 7:30 am Saturday, April 6 at 7:30 am Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 Men s Lenten Breakfasts High Street UMC, 2109 S High Street, Muncie Daleville UMC, 8104 S Hickory Ln, Daleville Desoto UMC, 6309 N County Road 500 E, Muncie New Burlington UMC, 8081 S County Road 475 E, Muncie Cammack UMC, 1901 N Cammack Street, Muncie The Garden at Gethsemane, 1201 W McGalliard, Muncie (this is traditionally the day to honor all of our District Pastors) Passion/Palm Sunday April 14, 9:30 am Holy Thursday Service April 18, 6:00 pm Good Friday Community Service April 19, 12:00 noon At Riverside UMC Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart for Thank you to Dick Garringer for his many years of faithful service as usher to our Riverside congregation. Pat Brown and her helpers for preparing and serving a wonderful brunch for the Quarterly Missions gathering. Our dedicated Greeters and Hosts who faithfully serve in this important Ministry. Kay Rankin for updating the Riverside Saints video each year for All Saints Sunday. Riverside United Methodist Church Ignites Faith Invites Others Involves Service Page 3

4 Notes To and From Our Church Family Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers for mom. I know she very much appreciated the cards and visits as well. Paul and Kim Cooper (daughter of Betty Lacey) Thank you for the donation of 65 cleaning supply bags, items for the Christmas shop and the extra food in December to Covenant Partners Ministries. Also, thank you for the financial donation to CPM in January. We appreciate your faithful support of this ministry. What a blessing! Pastor Linda and everyone at Covenant Partners Ministries On behalf of YWCA Central Indiana, I would like to thank you for your support of the mothers and children residing in our Emergency Shelter Program during Christmas They come to us with nothing and holidays are especially difficult. Your support helps us continue our mission and to assist those in our community. The generous support of individuals like you makes it possible for our organization to exist and to make the community a great place to live. Thank you again for your support! Sincerely, WaTasha Barnes Griffin, CEO, YWCA Central Indiana Your hats and gloves given to the Clothing Center are much appreciated. They will be loved and used. Thank you for your work in making, and thank you for them. Sincerely, The Board of Delaware County Children s Clothing Center. (note: total winter items collected and disbursed from the Mitten Tree 104 items Clothing Store, 8 items Covenant Partners, 8 items Christian Ministries) SUNDAY SCHOOL Builder s Class, 8:30 am, Main Level, Room 203 Leader: Florence Shelby Master s Charges, Upper Level 302 following worship Leader(s): Class Members Spring Habitat Church Workdays Riverside has committed to assist Muncie Habitat with its mission to eliminate poverty housing in Muncie, Indiana. We are committed to work on Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13. At this time we do not know where or what we will be working on. We could be tearing out or putting back together an older home as we did last year. We could be building a new home or we could be working on a neighborhood project. We are to provide 12 people. The work day will be from 9 to 3 with lunch at noon. We are also committed to provide lunches each day. If you have questions contact Joe Speece at church or or speecejm@gmail.com. If you would like to help with the lunches please contact Nancy Campbell at church, or or campbell1322@att.net. We will have a signup sheet by the mission bulletin board beginning March 17. Joe Speece Riverside United Methodist Church Ignites Faith Invites Others Involves Service Page 4

5 A new opportunity for Riverside to make a difference in our community! Lynne Hatfield, owner of Simply Beautiful on Neely across from the church, is the organizer for a unique event in Muncie--a prom for special needs students/adults in Muncie/Delaware County. Last year, hundreds of dresses were donated so the attendees would be able to have a nice dress to wear to the prom. Vogue Cleaners donates tuxedos for the guys. Many dresses are currently stored at Riverside. (Plus-size dresses are desperately needed as well as bras.) Saturday, April 13 will be a "Dress-Fitting Party." These gals will come with parents or social workers to select a dress for this prom. And they will be doing this at Riverside! Help will be needed--checking people in, helping them find a dress and trying it on, checking them out. Obviously many hands will be needed. I am asking for anyone who can and/or would like to help to keep this in mind. The hours for the fitting are from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, 13th of April. As I learn more details, I will let you know. The prom will be the first Saturday in May at the Heartland Hall at the Fairgrounds. Lynne is so artistic and creative--to see how she can change the appearance of a venue is amazing. More than 400 special needs students/adults attended last year's prom; she is expecting more this year. This is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to help a group in Muncie. Kay Rankin kayrteach@comcast.net News from the Missions Team 2018 Summary M&M jar collection money- $3,230 Extra donations - $2,924 Money Collected and sent directly to the Organization $1,517 Muncie Mission Walk-a-Mile $900 Shoes for School $688 UMCOR $1,620 CROP WALK $355 Money for UMCOR taken to Annual Conference $770 - Bishop s Christmas Offering $1,660 Heifer M&M jar money and donations used to support these projects $2,000 -Taiama Enterprise Academy Sierra Leone $1,440 Operation Classroom 6 Scholarships $400 YWCA $100 Muncie Mission $200 - Ken Vance Missionary in Zambia $135 Covenant Partners Pork Chop Dinner Total Amount Donated - $11,785 Additional Support $2,300 Support for Ken Vance our missionary in Zambia $100 per month - Support for Covenant Partners Outreach Projects Food Pantry 4 times per year Meals for Sleep Room Riverside United Methodist Church Ignites Faith Invites Others Involves Service Page 5

6 Volunteers for Fresh Directions Inside Out Kitchen 2 times per week Covenant Partner Bags - 70 per month Covenant Partners - 2 meals Coats for Cold Habitat for Humanity YWCA towels Monthly donations to Christian Ministries Main Street Lunches 4 times per year WOW RIVERSIDE YOU HAVE BLESSED MANY PEOPLE! GOALS FOR 2019 $2,000 Taiama Enterprise Academy $1,200 Operation Classroom Scholarships $500 YWCA Purchase a sewing machine for the women of Zambia Food Pantry Donations Volunteer for Fresh Directions Inside Out Kitchen Volunteer Food Pantry Covenant Partner Bags 50 per month Shoes for School Sleep Room Main Street Lunches 4 times per year Covenant Partner Meals UMCOR Support local outreach - YWCA, Habitat, Muncie Mission, Christian Ministries, Covenant Partners, Riverside Community Garden, and other needs as they come up. The Giving Spirit of Riverside is always at work! 2019 To Date Riverside Mission hearts are getting a great start! Collected Soup for the Food Pantry Muncie Mission Walk-a-Mile - $1,609 our goal was $1,600 GREAT JOB! February volunteered at the Food Pantry Fresh Directions Inside Out Kitchen Volunteers 2 times a week Covenant Partner Bags January and February M&M Mission Sunday Collection - $ $100 sent to Christian Ministries We enjoyed wonderful food and fellowship at our first M&M Mission Lunch. Trish Roark talked about the many outreach programs of Christian Ministries. Our next M&M lunch will be in May or June so keep filling your jars. Your donations support all of Riverside s mission outreach will offer many Mission opportunities! Upcoming March Sleep Room Meals March 3-8 March Covenant Partner Lunch TBD April Main Street Dinner April 7 Habitat Work Days April 12 & 13 Toilet Paper collection for Food Pantry watch for more details Riverside United Methodist Church Ignites Faith Invites Others Involves Service Page 6

7 Walk-A-Mile 2019 On February 9, 2019 our team members John Young, Missi Young and Larry Souders participated in the Muncie Mission Walk-A-Mile, beginning their walk at a temperature of 12 degrees. Through our team s efforts, Riverside donated $1, to the Muncie Mission. Two thousand walkers raised over $76,640 toward the Mission's ongoing commitment to build hope for the homeless. Because of the total donated, RUMC was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the Muncie Mission. Covenant Partner Supply Bags Bring to the church by Monday, March 25 and Monday, April 22 Please put the following in plastic bags: 1 hand soap, 1 dish washing liquid 1 box of tissues 4 rolls of toilet paper 1 small bottle/box laundry detergent 1 shampoo Fellowship and Creative Opportunities to Learn and Grow Woodcarvers and crafters Woodcarvers and crafters meet the 1 st, 3 rd and 5 th Thursday s each month at 10:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Everyone is welcome to bring their woodcarving and crafting projects and have a time of fellowship as you continue your interests. Questions? mickandjan@comcast.net Quilters This group of quilters is comprised of people from Covenant Partners and from Riverside. They meet on the 1 st, 3 rd and 5 th Thursdays of each month from 10:00 am to noon in room 101. Just come and see what everyone is working on and join in! Close Knit Friends The Riverside knitters have been meeting each Tuesday evening from 7:00-8:00 upstairs in room 301. Anyone with an interest in knitting is welcome to join this delightful intergenerational group. Some are just learning to knit, beginning with a dish cloth. Other more experienced knitters work on prayer shawls. And some are continuing with projects that were already underway when we began meeting. All knitters are welcome each Tuesday from 7:00-8:00 pm. Questions? missiyoung54@gmail.com The following poem was written by Judy Kiproff, Florence Shelby s daughter, when she received a prayer shawl from the Close Knit Friends of Riverside in February *************************** Cozy blanket, soft and warm Wraps me and keeps me from all harm. Made for me by your caring hand. Women who pray and understand. Made with love and trust and care then blessed with such a special prayer. Sent out to those with special need. A knitted hug to wish God-speed. Do you know the good you do? On Tuesday nights the whole year through? Your effort brings such love and light as your creation keeps me warm at night. I m grateful and feeling oh, so loved by you and by our God above. Thank you so much for such a treasure. Love given and received without measure. *************************** By Judy Kiproff Riverside United Methodist Church Ignites Faith Invites Others Involves Service Page 7

8 Boy Scouts of America The Boy Scouts of America have reorganized their programs to include females in the Cub Scout program as well as the Boy Scout program. Cub Scout packs now have the option of being a boys-only pack, a girls-only pack, or a co-ed pack. The program for older scouts, now called Scouts BSA, is set up to offer either an all-boy troop or an all-girl troop. Riverside United Methodist Church is now sponsoring not only Troop 1, an all-boys troop, but also Troop 19, an all-girls troop. The troop number was selected to reflect the 19 th amendment to the constitution which was ratified on August 18, 1920 and reads, The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. An enrollment night was held on February 11, 2019, with the assistance of the boys from Troop 1, at which five girls joined. The first official meeting was February 18, Troop 19 s Scoutmaster is Tori Murphy. Assistant Scoutmasters include Bill Myers, Charlie Murphy, Darwin Murphy, Shandra Teal, and Mitch Teal. Our new scouts are Moria, Anneka, Olivia, Taylor and Kaitlyn. Moria, Olivia and Taylor are off to a running start by attending a Merit Badge Fair and earning their First Aid merit badges, which are required to earn the Eagle rank. The troop will be attending the District s Spring Camporee at Camp Redwing in April and Summer Camp at Ransburg Scout Reservation in July. The troop meets in Fellowship Hall at 6:00 p.m. on Mondays. Tori is very excited to be able to offer this wonderful program to young ladies and can t wait to watch it grow. Greeter Schedule Thank you to our door greeters! Outside Door Inside Door March 3 Bob Harrison Sandy Abbott March 10 Alan McGee Mary Schumacher March 17 Ron Brown Pat Brown March 24 Barry Turner Judy Turner March 31 Joe Mitchell Sara Michell April 7 Larry Campbell Nancy Campbell April 14 Bob Harrison Sharon Harrison Easter Mary Schumacher Lynn Wright April 28 Dick Murray Jan Johnson Riverside United Methodist Church Ignites Faith Invites Others Involves Service Page 8

9 March 3-1 Dale Hunter 3-5 Louise Whitaker 3-12 Darci Dehaven 3-18 Alan McGee 3-19 Maurice Carver 3-20 Judy Turner 3-21 Karen Blank 3-21 Barry Turner 3-26 Bev Reese 3-28 Nadine Rodriguez 3-29 Jo Clevenger 3-30 Fred Wallace April 4-1 Melinda Shocklee 4-5 Tammy Holt 4-6 Pat Ashcraft 4-7 Nicole Affolder 4-7 Pat Brown 4-7 Gary Shadoin 4-17 Allison Mitchell 4-29 Susan Reno 4-29 Jeanine Souders Prayer Concerns and Praises The Prayer Web is usually mailed on Monday or Tuesday. If you do not receive this or snail mail, and would like to, please contact the office. Prayer concerns are not limited to Sunday mornings. If you have a concern during the week, call the office at or john.young@inumc.org or call his cell at for that concern to be placed on the prayer web. Caring Friends Card List Pat Ashcraft, The Hearth at Tudor Gardens, N Michigan Rd. Apt. 234, Zionsville Mary Ann Beuoy, Palmer Hills, 2617 Maplecrest Rd., Apt. 116 Bettendorf, IA (563) Dorothy Bowman, 6609 Brindale, Muncie Wilma Carney, 1600 N Walnut St, Muncie Maurice Carver, 9509 N. Sugarwood Court, Muncie Julia Cougill, 1812 E 17 th St, Muncie Florence Irey-Crum, c/o Melinda Franz, 2807 W. Woodbridge, Muncie (mother of Julia Pittenger/Susan Reno) Odessa DeHaven, 2300 W White River Blvd., Apt #12, Muncie Kay Farling, Hoosier Village Hawthorn Hall, 9999 Hoosier Village Dr, Indianapolis Dorothy Hawkins, 3602 S Ironwood #211 B-E, South Bend Nadine Johnson, 4100 N Morrison, Muncie (mother of Judy Turner) Roberta Phelps, Park Place Room 106, 359 Randolph St, Parker City 47368, (mother of Mick Phelps) Rex Pittenger, 5801 W Bethel Ave, #531, Muncie Melissa Wallace, 1412 W. Tree Lane, Muncie 47302, (daughter of Fred Wallace) Mary Whitaker, c/o Marcia Smith, 2000 Tam O Shanter Dr., Mt. Vernon, Riverside United Methodist Church Ignites Faith Invites Others Involves Service Page 9