Inside This Issue First First Christian Christian Church Church Issue No. 401 The Call April Jan. 2017 2015 Belonging, Boundaries, Balance Worship Schedule All Congregational Planning Event/ Week of Compassion From the Board Chair Mental Health Education Forum/ Ushers and Greeters Opportunities to Serve Lifetree Café Featured Members Thank Yous/ Looking Ahead News From the Pews Fellowship at FCC Calendar & Servant Schedule 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 B y now, we are fully into the new year. Writing 2017 is seeming less strange. We are on the other side of the season s darkness. Each new day brings just a little more light than the previous one. One year ago we had just hosted a very well attended, inspiring Wholeness Weekend with Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the US and Canada. That weekend culminated with our hosting the Community Inter-Faith Martin Luther King, Jr. Service with Rev. Watkins preaching. It took all of us working together to make such a grand undertaking work with such grace and beauty. For the last 5 ½ years we have all been working hard together. We have been involved in a visioning process that has given us focus, as well as many undertakings. We have worked hard, and we have grown in faith, in outreach, in numbers of children, and in worship attendance. Along the way we have worked hard to strengthen the ties that bind our hearts in Christian love (as the hymn goes). Through it all, we have a renewed sense of energy for what is happening, and we are tired and in need of rest. Shortly after the Wholeness Weekend, there were a couple of different gatherings first among the church s leadership, then the whole congregation to consider the possibility of a Renewal Grant Program through the Lilly Foundation. There was clear support for the idea, so a team of people were appointed to work through the details of the grant. Then the FCC General Board approved the grant application. We found out late last August that First Christian Church was awarded the grant for a renewal from April 17 July 17, 2017. First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 611 Clark Avenue, Ames, Iowa Phone: (515) 232-5766 E-Mail: fccames@fccames.org, www.fccames.org 1
(Continued from page 1) We have worked hard. Soon it will be time for a shift to open ourselves to God s work of new insight, renewal of spirit and commitment, and grace. It is time for Sabbath just as God rested on the seventh day of creation, so we are invited to take time to look around and appreciate all that we have co-created with God. That is the intention of the Clergy Congregational Renewal time. Now that 2017 has arrived, preparations are in full swing. There are three aspects of the planning and preparation. 1. Nuts and bolts regarding how the church will continue to fully function in absence of your pastor (me). 2. Congregational Renewal activities to make sure you all have opportunities for rest and renewal. 3. Clergy Renewal activities to give me focus for the renewal time. In order for you to gain clarity, ask questions, and offer input as we plan and prepare for our three months apart, there is a series of events that will take place over the next couple of months. January 29 th Following Worship there will be displays for the various activities and areas of responsibility so you understand the how and what. There will also be short presentations from leaders, time to talk at tables, and then share thoughts and questions with the whole group. February and March During these months First Christian Church Elders will host small group gatherings where we can deepen our relationships with one another, have conversation about the renewal time, and hear a bit more about Pastor Mary Jane s planned renewal activities. Please plan to take part in these opportunities to learn and prepare. Come as you are, you belong! Let s continue to deepen our belonging to one another and to God as we prepare for our time apart. Worship Schedule Pastor Mary Jane January 22 January 29 February 5 February 12 February 19 February 26 Fish for People Luke 5:1-11 11 Healing on the Sabbath Luke 6:1-16 16 Raising the Widow s Son Luke 7:1-17 17 Are You the One? Luke 7:18-35 Forgiven at Jesus Feet Luke 7:36-50 Transfiguration Luke 9:28-45 March 1 April 13 April 16 Ash Wednesday Maundy Thursday Early Easter 2 At First Christian Church At Ames United Church of Christ At First United Methodist Church
2017 Clergy & Congregational Renewal All Congregational Planning Event Sunday, January 29, 2017 Following Worship In the Great Room T he Clergy Renewal Leadership Team has been meeting to plan and prepare for the Clergy & Congregational Renewal that is coming up April 17 July 17, 2017. The Leadership Team is comprised of First Christian Church Board Chair, Jim Gaunt, Vice-Board Chair and Personnel Chair, Vern Hawkins, Elder Chair, Emily Paull, Council of Ministries Moderator, Darla Ewalt, and Property Co- Chair, Shirley Malaby Renewal Chaplain, Deb Lewis, Minister of Worship Arts, Janet Lott, and Pastor Mary Jane Button- Harrison. Week of Compassion Now it s your turn to be part of the planning process. You are invited to come to this All Congregational Planning Event where you will have opportunity to: See displays and receive information about the various task teams who will attend to different areas of church life during the renewal time. Ask questions about the Renewal Program Sign up for activities of interest to you. Have conversation about how we can support one another on this renewal journey. Mark your calendar. Save the date. Plan to come and participate in this planning and orientation event. Pastor Mary Jane The relief, refugee, and development fund of the church. February 19 & 26, 2017 3
I want to let the Congregation know that I am proposing to the General Board that we amend the FCC Bylaws to make the Stewardship Committee an official committee of the Board and the Chair of the Stewardship an elected officer of the congregation. By doing this we would be making the Stewardship Committee equivalent in status to the Property, Personel, and Nominations Committee. Raising funds to support the annual budget and for other purposes is an extremely important function within the congregation. Since we have several elected officers of the congregation whose primary purposes include receiving, disbursing, and prioritizing how we spend the funds we receive, I think it makes good sense and is in the best interests of the congregation to have an official committee and an elected officer who are tasked with raising the funds we need to carry out our various ministries. Actually, this would be more like a restoration of a previous status than an entirely new idea. For much or most of the history of the congregation, the Stewardship Committee was an official committee and the Stewardship Chair was a full member of the Board. The available records indicate that this was true at least for the last several decades of the 20 th Century. Beginning with the slate of officers elected for the 2002 calendar year, a Stewardship Chair was no longer elected and the Board chair began appointing people to raise the annual budgets. This practice was made official in the the totally new set of Bylaws adopted on May 14, 2003. From the Board Chair... once in our current Bylaws. Planning for fundraising is identified as a responsibility of the Board. Without regard to the Bylaws, Chairs of the Stewardship Committee were once again nominated and elected in the same manner as other officers of the congregation, beginning with the slate of officers elected by the congregation to serve in 2010. Beginning in 2010, Stewardship was once again given a spot on the Board meeting agendas and the Stewardship Chair was treated as an elected officer of the congregation in every respect. There is no mention in the Board minutes of why this practice was resumed and no objections to it are recorded. The Board simply resumed the pre- 2002 practice and it continues today. As I stated above, I believe it is in the bests interests of the congregation to continue the current practice and to once again make it official by appropriate amendments to the Bylaws. Copies of the proposed amendments and an explanation of the reasons for the changes are being mailed to all members of the General Board. Electronic copies will be in the Board packet for the February13 meeting to be considered as the first reading, as per the Bylaws. The final reading will be at the August Board meeting since we will not be making policy changes during Pastor Mary Jane's absence for her Clergy Renewal Program. Feel free to contact me if you have questions about the proposed amendments to the Bylaws. Those 2003 Bylaws are still in effect today. Many who read this will be surprised to learn that the term stewardship does not occur even Jim Gaunt Chair of the General Board 4
Be an Usher or Greeter in 2017! Thank you to all our FCC ushers and greeters who help friends and visitors feel so warmly welcomed at FCC! Many people are needed to fill this important role throughout the year. Serving as an usher or greeter can be a fun way to get to know faces old and new at FCC, and it is also a way to fulfill one of our FCC core values: "to genuinely accept, welcome and love everyone as Jesus did." If you or your family (children can be wonderful greeters, too!) would be willing to serve as ushers or greeters in 2017, please contact Stacey Maifeld at staceymaifeld@gmail.com or 515.520.9844. You can also look for a sign-up sheet in the bulletin on one of the upcoming Sundays. Thank you! Stacey Maifeld 5
Each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ s gift The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (Eph. 4:7;11) Opportunities to serve: Volunteers needed to help with Fellowship Coffee on the first Sunday of the month. Please contact Shirley Malaby, 233-1827. Attend the Mental Health Forum, on January 21st, from 9 am to Noon in the Great Room. Be an Usher or a Greeter in 2017! Share your gift of welcome and hospitality. Contact Stacy Maifeld, at staceymaifeld@gmail.com or 515.520.9844. Attend the All Congregational Planning Event, on January 29th, after worship. Participate in Sunday morning Learning Time, Sundays, at 9:15am, Volunteer to be readers, writers, actors, musicians, singers, bell ringers for worship. Contact Tim Button- Harrison, Janet Lott, or Jason Paull. Be a Lifetree Café host! Contact Cindy Ratliff at 290-7670. Learn to operate the sound and video equipment. Contact Janet Lott jalott@isunet.net. Join FCC s Food at First Core Group of Volunteers, which serve every first Saturday of the month. Contact Cynthia Gaunt at cygaunt@hotmail.com. Help fold bulletins, newsletters, or other projects in the church office. Keep watching this box and respond as you are able. It takes a lot of people contributing their gifts to keep the ministry of FCC moving, growing and vital. The Call Weekly News Update Light for the Journey Prayers of the People 6
Click on the images to learn more! Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. Meets in the Coffee House at First Christian Church 611 Clark Ave. 515.232.5766, lifetreecafe@fccames.org 7
W e have all met people from First Christian Church that we liked and wanted to get to know better. Jackie and Chris Haley are those kind of people! One Sunday, about twelve years ago, a young couple, Jackie and Chris visited our church. They continued to visit, and before long they were engaged, which led to their marriage in 2006. Then their first son, Spencer was born in February of 2008, and they brought him to the worship service. The baby cried and Jackie and Chris looked apologetically at those seated near by. The worshipers said it was great, because it had been a long time since we had heard a baby cry in worship. Jackie and Chris had their second son, Jackson in May of 2009. The Haleys started something that has continued to grow as evidenced by the 29 children that participated in the worship service the week before Christmas. Spencer (8) and Jackson (7) were Wise Men in the service. We think their Mom and Dad are also very wise for selecting FCC as their church, for which we are very grateful. Jackie was born in a very small town, Greenbush, Minnesota about 15 miles from Canada. She moved quite a bit before graduating from Fort Dodge High School. Christian was born and raised in Nevada, where many of his extended family still live. Both Jackie and Chris have family near them, "and it is a blessing that our boys can see them all often. Spencer and Jackson are both at the Nevada School and play with their cousins, classmates, and neighbors", Jackie says. "They are typical boys, taking after their father with a love of golf, Star Wars and all things electronic. If there isn't a drone flying or some robot traveling across our living room floor, its an unusual day. They also play lazer tag, a new Christmas gift from grandma and grandpa. You could say their is never a dull moment in the Haley household." Chris and Jackie are both working parents, so they really try to make as much family time as possible when work is done. Christian stated, "We love to take road trips with the boys and hold each moment at this age." They will be grown up in no time and we want to cherish every moment." Jackie accepted a position in Nevada, which relocated her to the community where she met Chris. In their search for a church in which to get married, they tried First Christian Church in Ames. Jackie says, "We were both overwhelmed by the welcome we received there and both very moved by Pastor Digby's service. This church gives us a sense of family and community that we sincerely appreciate." Jackie and Chris both grew up in the church. They believe that "...it is very important to help guide our children through GOD's word." Christian stated, "First Christian Church provides that now, more than ever, with all the wonderful programs. Even if we can't always make church, there is never any pressure and we always feel welcome. We also liked the sermons delivered at the church by both Pastor Dave when we first came and now by Pastor Mary Jane. There are so many things we love about First Christian Church, but those are just (Continued on page 9) 8
(Continued from page 8) a few." When asked if there are areas with FCC that should have a greater emphasis, Jackie responded, "I think First Christian Church goes above and beyond on so many things. I think spreading the word about all of the great stories where FCC was helping could be emphasized more. From meals, to having a writing group, to so many other things, FCC has so many great stories to tell. I should add at this point that Jackie is a published writer. Her book, Chrystal Beach was published in 2012. Jackie and Chris added, "We sincerely appreciate everyone at FCC and look forward to our children growing up with a church family as well. Thank you to everyone for your support and friendship". Jackie, Chris, Spencer and Jackson, we are so blessed to have you as members of First Christian and look forward to growing with all of you in First Christian Church and in our love of Jesus Christ. Save the Date! Bob Watson Thank You! Thank you so much for your generosity in providing Christmas stockings for young children when we give out Christmas food packages. They brighten the day of many families! Bethesda Community Food Pantry January Reminders and Looking Ahead The Week of Compassion Offering will be Received on Sundays, February 19 and 26. Mental Health Education Forum Saturday, January 21 9 am to Noon, Great Room On Second Floor ALL Congregational Planning Event Sunday, January 29 After Worship, in the Great Room Second Floor Meeting of the General Board Monday, February 13 7 pm, in the Coffee House Early Registration Discount ends April 1st! Lent Begins March 1st Lenten Devotionals will be on order soon. Let us know if you d like one! Ash Wednesday Service March 1, 7 pm First Christian Church 9
News from the Pews Church office hours are 9 am 2 pm Monday-Thursday Have a question? Email Liz Collazo at: fccames@fccames.org Stewardship Report For the month of November, 2016: Income: $22,900 Expenses: 17,349 Difference: 5,551 Disciples Mission Fund: 1,863 For the month of December, 2016: Income: $21,370 Expenses: 19,215 Difference: 2,155 Disciples Mission Fund: 1,702 2016 YTD Totals: Income: Expenses: Difference: Disciples Mission Fund: 2016 Special Offerings YTD: Week of Compassion: Easter: Pentecost: Reconciliation Thanksgiving Offering: Christmas Offering: $222,424 244,333 11,909 25,058 $972.84 525.00 499.00 804.00 435.46 439.58 Our Deepest Sympathies for the Woodward Family, on the passing of Mable Woodward, on December 31, 2016, and the Chance Family, on the passing of Marian Chance, on January 1, 2017. Baby Blessing Congratulations to Amanda and Dennis Mokaya, on the blessing of their baby girl, Angela Mokaya, on Sunday, January 8, 2017. 10
Join us in Fellowship at FCC! Wednesday Schedule: 5:30 Social Time Ping Pong, Singing, Visiting, etc. 2 nd Floor 5:55 Eat with Food at First Fellowship Hall 6:30 organized learning activities Great Room, 2 nd Floor 7:00 Singing with FCC Singers 7:15 Dismiss (FCC Singers will continue to practice) Sanctuary Sanctuary Meals Sunday thru Friday 5:45 pm and Saturday at 11:30 am (7 days a week) FCC s Volunteers the 1st Saturday of every Month! Contact Cynthia Gaunt for more information, at cygaunt@hotmail.com. Grocery Distributions Monday and Thursday at 4:45 pm a and Saturday at 10:00 am Sign Up to Volunteer at http://bit.ly/1tg7xb2 11
Calendar and Servant Schedule Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday February 2017 29 9:15 am Learning Time 10:30 am worship After worship All Congregational Planning Event 5 9:15 am Learning Time 10:30 am Worship 12 9:15 am Learning Time 10:30 am Worship 19 9:15 am Learning Time 10:30 am worship After worship Fellowship Dinner 12:45 pm Elder s meeting (Coffee House) 26 9:15 am Learning Time 10:30 am worship 30 10-11:30 am Ukuleles (CH) 6 10-11:30 am Ukuleles (CH) 7:00 pm Trustees (Conference Room) 13 10-11:30 am Ukuleles (CH) 7:00 pm Board Mtg. (Coffee House) *Nicole Mesenbrink 20 10-11:30 am Ukuleles (CH) Noon The Call Deadline *Meg Knol-Digby 27 10-11:30 am Ukuleles (CH) 31 1 12:15 Prayers, (CH) 5:30-7:15 pm Playing with the Word (The Hub, 2nd Floor) 7:00 pm FCC Singers (Sanctuary) *Eg Gagnier 7 8 12:15 Prayers (CH) 5:30-7:15 pm Playing with the Word (HUB) 7:00 pm FCC Singers (Sanctuary) 14 7:15 pm Property Meeting (Library) *Larry Mesenbrink 21 6:30 pm Council of Ministries Meeting, (HUB) *DeLores Hawkins 15 12:15 Prayers (CH) 5:30-7:15 pm Playing with the Word (HUB) 7:00 pm FCC Singers (Sanctuary) 22 12:15 Prayers (CH) 5:30-7:15 pm Playing with the Word (HUB) 7:00 pm FCC Singers (Sanctuary) 28 1 Ash Wednesday 12:15 Prayers, (CH) 7:00 pm Ash Wednesday Service at FCC * Denotes birthday Chapel 2 nd Floor BT = Bell Tower CH = Coffee House FH = Fellowship Hall LIB = Library 2 6-8 pm Listening to God (Chapel) 7pm Lifetree Café (CH) *Mark Love 9 6-8 pm Listening to God (Chapel) 7pm Lifetree Café (CH) *Karen Brenden *Mendy Pendry 16 6-8 pm Listening to God (Chapel) 7pm Lifetree Café (CH) *Cathy Krebs *Bill Pyle 23 6-8 pm Listening to God (Chapel) 7pm Lifetree Café (CH) 2 6-8 pm Listening to God (Chapel) 7pm Lifetree Café (CH) 3 *Eric Brown *Spencer Haley 10 *Sharon Olson 17 *Mary Gregory 4 9:30 am 1 pm FCC volunteers for Food at First in Fellowship Hall 11 *Suzanne Clark 18 24 25 3 4 9:30 am 1 pm FCC volunteers for Food at First in Fellowship Hall Servant Schedule We are looking for Ushers and Greeters for 2017! If you or your family (children can be wonderful greeters, too!) would be willing to serve as ushers or greeters, please contact Stacey Maifeld at staceymaifeld@gmail.com or 515.520.9844. You can also look for a sign -up sheet in the bulletin on one of the upcoming Sundays. 12
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 611 Clark Avenue Ames, Iowa 50010-6137 Phone: (515) 232-5766 Fax: (515) 233-6294 Website: http://www.fccames.org/ Return Service Requested The people of First Christian Church accept these values as core Genuinely accept, welcome and love everyone as Jesus did. Connect people to God and to one another. Cultivate an environment where people grow in faith and discipleship. Celebrate everyone s gifts for ministry and encourage people as leaders. Minister in the community with God s healing love. Staff at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Ames, IA: Minister: Mary Jane Button-Harrison Minister of Worship & Discipleship: Tim Button-Harrison Minister of Worship Arts: Janet Lott Administrative Assistant: Liz Collazo Worship Musicians: Joseph Schwartz Emily Paull Building Custodian: Sherri Khan Nursery Attendants: Karen LeCount