The Spire. A publication of First United Methodist Church St. Charles, MO Check In & Check Up By Rev.

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1 The Spire A publication of First United Methodist Church St. Charles, MO Volume 45 Number 4 February 24, 2016 Articles for the March 9 Spire are due in the church office by March 2 You may them to fumc_stcharles@sbcglobal.net with the word Spire as the subject. Check In & Check Up By Rev. Debby Bartley Dr. Bart and I were recently talking about things, including the joy I am feeling in my life and at church. He graciously offered me the opportunity to share my thoughts with you in the front page Spire article. During Lent, we can take time to step back and reflect on where we ve been and our ongoing relationships with God and others. As I just heard during my time away at a conference this week, it s a time to check in & check up. This Lenten journey finds me reflecting on all the goodness and joy I am experiencing at First Church. There are times in our lives, individually and corporately, when we can be anxious without knowing why. Changes, whether real or perceived, may or may not be welcomed. I make these statements having been there, done that. Personally, I ve moved from wondering what it would be like to be an associate pastor going through a change in pastoral leadership to knowing what it is to experience how exciting and wonderful it is to be a part of a leadership team that evolves into a team that works together, serves together and has fun together. The excitement I m experiencing is also obvious around our church. We have made changes around the church and in worship, some easily noticed and some not so obvious. Our worship attendance is steadily increasing. The chancel choir is growing exponentially. New small groups are forming, and people are getting to know folk they did not previously know. Our children and youth are attending worship together at our 9:30 service. Babies and adults are being baptized. Worship is vibrant and alive. People are staying around after church to visit, rather than leaving quickly after services are over. As I walk through the church, I can feel the Holy Spirit s presence, moving in and among us in ways I ve never felt before! Likewise, there s a peace in my heart I ve never felt before. I m smiling, a lot! Apparently, it s more noticeable than I thought, as people tell me how good it is to see me smiling. I didn t realize I hadn t been smiling! It s Lent, and the Resurrection is near. Just as our lives and our (Continued on page 2)

2 Staying Connected Our deepest sympathies are extended to the families of those who have recently passed away: The Henderson family at the death of Gene Henderson, on February 15, Dr. Henderson was a former member of First UMC. (Continued from page 1) church can go through wilderness times, God guides us and raises us up. We are reminded during this season of the church year that we are Easter people. We find our hope and strength through the Good News of Jesus Christ. The same is true for our church! I give thanks for all that God has done and continues to do in our lives and in our church. I look forward to our future together, eagerly anticipating what more new ideas and growth we will experience. The best is yet to come! Let us live into the Resurrection full of hope and excitement for our new lives together! I m smiling, are you?? Staff Rev. Bart Hildreth, Ph.D. Rev. Debby Bartley Rev. Peter Norton Rev. Dr. Ken Gottman Margaret Love Carolie Owens Rev. Brint Hilliard Sharon Byers Stacey Davis Jim Nichols Patti Adams Diane Asmus Pat Williams Sally Jacobsen Kerri Johnson United Methodist Women Reminders Feb Unit Meeting in the Multipurpose Room at 7:00 p.m. - Presentation: Nicki Reinhardt Swierk from the Center for Social Empowerment & Justice in Ferguson (Wellspring UMC). All Pastry Braid/Cookie Dough money and orders due to Dawn Proffitt or Dee Dee Kassel that night. March 7 - next UMW Ex. Board Mtg.- Catherine Collier Room, 6:00 p.m. March 19 - Fundraiser Item Pick-up 9:00-noon in the Atrium. Any items not picked up that day will be put in freezer in kitchen for pick-up Sunday. SAVE THESE DATES! Sunday, 3/13 - children will sing at the beginning of the 9:30 worship service. Sunday, 3/20 (Palm Sunday) - Sunday school leaders will lead children as they process with palms at the beginning of the 9:30 worship service. Sunday, 4/24 - children will sing at the beginning of the 9:30 worship service. Sunday, 5/8 (Mother's Day) - children will sing at the beginning of the 9:30 worship service. If at any time you have any questions about your child's faith journey, please don't hesitate to let me know. Blessings, Meg CONFIRMATION CLASSES!! C o n f i r m a t i o n C l a s s e s a r e i n development. These Confirmation Classes will take place in the Fall of 2016 and/or early Spring of Generally speaking, confirmation is for those who are 11-years old to 19-years old and who are in 6th to 12th grade when it comes to school. Regular attendance at FUMC is encouraged but not required. If you or anyone you know is interested in these Confirmation Classes then let Brint Hilliard know. Easter Flowers By Brenda Ward Easter flowers will be adorning our Sanctuary on Easter Sunday. You may purchase plants in memory or in honor of someone. Please fill out the Easter Flower card that will be in the pew racks beginning on February 14, and return it with your check to First United Methodist Church by March 13. The price of each flower is $ You may take your plant home after services on Easter Sunday. 2

3 Julia Richardson Memorial Scholarship Open to all students! This scholarship offers $1,000 to the cost of study. Applications available on the church website and in the church office. Deadline: March 29, Contact Rev. Peter Norton for more information. The Julia Richardson Memorial Scholarship was created in honor of Mrs. Julia Richardson an outstanding woman of faith and promoter of Christian Education throughout years of her ministry with the church. To continue her memory and mission funds have been generously donated to support the next generation of men and women as they purpose degrees in higher education. Certification in Children s Ministry Congratulations to our own Meg Love! On January 28, 2016, the Board of Ordained Ministry approved Margaret Love s application for Certification in Children s Ministry in The United Methodist Church. The interview required that she demonstrate knowledge of the Core Competencies for certification in Children s Ministry. They are: 1. Ability to develop and administer a program for children that develops faith formation and equips them as disciples of Jesus Christ. 2. Knowledge of faith development for all ages with specific knowledge of faith and moral development of children and the ability to teach theological concepts to children. 3. Skills in working with volunteers and staff to create programmatic experiences and an environment that encourages children in the Christian faith. 4. Understanding of United Methodist tradition and doctrine and commitment to the ministry of the church with children. In addition to the nine (9) courses completed through Martin Methodist College-Center for Church Leadership, Meg Love completed a psychological assessment and was interviewed by the Board of Ordained Ministry. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU, MEG! A Look Ahead February 25 UMW Unit Meeting February 28 Apocrypha Bible Study March 5 Lavender Springs Spa Women s Retreat March 6 Youth Fund Raiser Dinner March 6 Apocrypha Bible Study March 7 UMW Executive Board March 13 Children sing at 9:30 service March 19 Butter braid pickup March 20 Palm Sunday: children process at 9:30 service March 27 Easter Sunday March 29 Deadline for Julia Richardson Scholarship Application April 10 Kairos #12 Closing Worship Service April 24 children sing during 9L30 worship April Disaster Response Training May 8 Chirdren sing at 9:30 service May Mission Trip to Mission Distribution Center June 26 Youth Mission Trip August 1-5 Ignite Mobile Camp Altar Flowers Don t forget to sign up for altar flowers this year. You may pick a date and buy the flowers for Sunday worship in memory of a loved one or to honor someone, or to commemorate a special event. Cost is $30 per Sunday. You may take the flowers home with you after the 11:00 service if you wish. If the flowers are left here, the Care of Souls team will take them to one of the shut-in members of our congregation. The signup sheet is on the bulletin board across from the restrooms near the sanctuary. 3

4 Dear First United Methodist Church, On Monday, February 15th, First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir from St. Charles, MO joined Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) for a concert at Carnegie Hall titled Mozart, Mealor, Martin, performing the music of accomplished composers Paul Mealor and Joseph Martin, including the New York Premiere of Mealor s Jubilate Deo, as well as Mozart s Requiem. First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir was among the many outstanding singers and choirs all over the US, UK, Austria, and New Zealand. New York Concert Review commended the truly inspiring concert and its performers for achieving a polished interpretation in a short time frame. Joseph Martin opened the program on a suitably upbeat note before guest conductor James Gordon conducted Mealor s Stabat Mater, which the reviewer called a stunning success. Despite the huge size of the group, the choir sang with an infinite variety of color and dynamic contrasts, razor sharp diction, and great emotion, while soprano Penelope Shumate shined with her descant. The audience awarded the performers with standing ovation before moving on to the short but boisterous Jubilate Deo. After the intermission, Conductor Laureate Vance George lead Mozart s Requiem, which was supported by soloists soprano Penelope Shumate (from Stabat Mater), mezzo-soprano Krysty Swann, tenor Yungbae Yang, bass Jeremy Milner. First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir made a remarkable contribution to what was an unforgettable concert at one of New York City s legendary cultural landmarks AND DCINY would like to congratulate everyone in First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir on their achievement and we look forward to future DCINY Concert Series collaborations. Iris Derke Co-Founder & General Director Distinguished Concerts International New York 4

5 Want your picture in a future issue of THE SPIRE? Submit a picture of your family using the Upon this Tree Lenten Devotion If you have any questions about the Upon this Tree Devotions & Stickers for the Days of Lent, contact Children s Minister, Meg Love, at FUMC.ChildrensMinistryTeams@gmail.com. Week of February 22 Use Stickers Week of February 28 Use Stickers Week of March 7 Use Stickers Week of March 14 Use Stickers Week of March 21 Use Stickers EASTER SUNDAY 3/27-Use Sticker #41 Buy Your Tickets in the Atrium on Sunday, February 28 and at the door on March 6! 5

6 HERE COMES SUMMER!!! By Meg Love, Children s Minister First United Methodist Church will provide two exciting camping experiences for the children of Saint Charles during the Summer of 2016 (Pat, add artwork you have here) DEEP SEA DISCOVERY Vacation Bible School EAGLE LAKE Summer Day Camp July 11 15, 2016 August 1 5, 2016 For children age 3 6 For children age 7 12 Director: Julie Pallardy Director: Meg Love Register online at fumc_stcharles@sbcglobal.net 6