June 30 - July 13, 2018 Pages 2 Table of Contents Sections Two Things that Changed My Life 3 Membership Care Ministry Team 4 Worship Arts MinistryTeam 5 SPRC Team 5-9 Spiritual Formation Ministry Team 9 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 email-blast. If you need to submit something send to the Comm. Team Email: Communications-Team@faithumchurch.org
Two Things that Changed My Life Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created. - Esther 4:14 Today is my last day as the communications intern at Faith United Methodist Church and the majority of my morning has been spent staring at a blank page. Writer s block is perceived as not knowing what to write, but sometimes, we encounter writer s block because we don t know where to start. That s how I feel about this internship; I have learned so much about the field of nonprofit writing, my hidden talents in videography, and my faith in God that I don t know what is worthy and not worthy of reflection. However, when I look back on my time here, one project keeps coming back to me. During my internship, I had the opportunity to interview people for the 2019 Living Faith. Every person I interviewed remarked upon two pillars of their faith journey the first being that church becomes life-changing when you get more involved and the second being that church provides you with a community that will be there for you through anything. As an intern, I spent more of my time and energy at Faith United Methodist church than ever before. Not only did I hear these pillars throughout all the interviews, I saw them at work in my own life. In order to truly grow in my journey with Christ, I need to be an active member of the church and create a church family. When you get involved at church beyond sitting in the pews on Sunday morning, you start to understand God s purpose for you and your life. The moment you act on your faith just might be the moment for which you have been created. In ministry together, Angela Myers Communications Intern, Faith United Methodist Church
Membership Care Ministry Team July Birthdays: Norma Taylor turns 85 on July 1. Malcolm Moffat turns 90 on July 17. Phyl Psolla turns 103 on July 24. Mary Conley turns 95 on July 26. We express our deepest sympathies to: Prayers for Mike Flechtner on the death of her nephew, who passed away, June 11. Prayers for Pastor Cara Stultz Costello and family on the death of Cara s mother, Rev. Dr. Valerie Stultz, on June 14. Thank you to the congregation from the Stultz Costello Family: We are overwhelmed by the expressions of care from you, our church family, at this time of great loss. Thank you for being a source of God s comfort. Cara, Steve, Eli and Atticus New Church Bus Update: Representatives from groups who use the church bus on a regular basis formed a task group to determine how to proceed in replacing our current bus. The bus is 15 years old and has required many repairs the past few years. The group determined that a new bus would be the best option. While the annual bus expenses and insurance fall under the Trustee Ministry Team, five other groups came together to help with the funding initiative. Thanks to Faith Kitchen, Wonderful Wozny Fund, Miner Fund, Endowment Fund, 2020 Initiative and Trustee Contingency Fund, the bus will be paid in full and no financing will be needed. The bus should arrive sometime in September. Medical Equipment Loans and Donations: The church has a supply of medical equipment available to be loaned. This includes ambulatory aides such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and crutches as well as various braces, shower seats, etc. These can be signed out in the church office. Donations of such equipment are welcome and accepted at the church office. Please call before you drop off your donation to see if we have a need for that specific piece of equipment. Questions: Contact Libby or Jim Blake.
Worship Arts Ministry Team Worship Arts Coordinator Position: SPRC has received the resignation of Tim Eck, Worship Arts Coordinator, and Chancel and Carol Choir Director effective July 14. Tim has accepted a position as Director of Music Ministries at Bath United Church of Christ in Bath, OH. Dorothy Leeson has volunteered to be the search committee chair. Interested persons should contact Kathy Fiala, SPRC Chair or Dorothy. A Farewell for Tim will take place on Sunday, July 8. Peace and Conflict Summer Worship Series Sunday July 1, 2018 to Sunday August 26, 2018 The Summer Worship Series Peace and Conflict, based on the book, Anatomy of Peace, will feature selected scriptures, sermons, and hymns that will hopefully provoke thoughts, and spirit-led discernment regarding the conflicts in our lives, and the healthy reconciliation and resolution that can follow. There will also be 2 special follow-up sessions on Sunday, July 15 and Sunday, August 19 following the 11:00 am worship service. These will be in the parlor with Co-Pastors Cara and Steve Stultz Costello where you will have the opportunity to discuss at greater length those thoughts, feelings, and concerns about peace and conflict. A light lunch will be provided. Peace and Conflict Worship Series Opportunities: Anatomy of Peace Sunday School July 1, 15, 22, 29, August 5, 19, 26 at 9:45 am. Facilitators: Pastors Steve and Cara Peace and Conflict Exploration Luncheon July 15 and August 19 at 12:00 pm Facilitators: Pastors Steve and Cara
Staff Parish Relations Committee Team Orientation and Training for Summer Ministries Camp Read-A-Lot and Summer Arts Camp This summer orientation and Safe Sanctuary training for our summer ministries will be offered on the following dates: Sunday, July 1 after worship. If you are planning to serve in more than one ministry, you will only need to attend one date. Contact Kathy Schmucker kschmucker@ faithumchurch.org for more information and additional dates. This year s Volunteer Information form is available in a digital format. You will only need to complete one form for all the ministries you would like to be involved in this summer. This form helps us to know when you are available to serve and any special needs you may have. Click here to complete the form. Spiritual Formation Ministry Team Children and Families Outreach: Camp Read-A-Lot: Wednesdays July 11, 18, 25, 9:30 am 11:30 am Summer Literacy Program for students entering Kindergarten Grade 3 Register online at http://faithumcchildren.weebly.com/participant-registration1.html Visit Faith s website to learn more about all of Faith UMC s summer ministries: Summer Arts Camp, Summer Wednesday Nights, and Messy Church. Volunteer: Serving at Camp Read-A-Lot is an amazing opportunity for fun, spiritual enrichment and renewal. Don t miss out on an opportunity to share the love of Christ with children and families in our community. Join Faith s Camp Read-A-Lot team and BE SOMEBODY to the children who will be attending this year. There are lots of ways available to serve, both behind the scenes and directly with the children: Group Leader, Helper, Mentor, Art Experience Leader, Registration and Hospitality, Decorating, Tech Team, Nursery, Mission and Service Project Team, Snack Team, Set up, and Clean up. Volunteer information can be found at: http://faithumcchildren.weebly.com/volunteer-info.html
Adult Faith Formation and Discipleship: Adult Groups The Investment of a Life, Men s Life Study: Saturday, July 14 at 7:00 am at Beyesly s Restaurant. Facilitator: Kim Reynolds. Theology for the Times: Discussion with Pastor Cara, July 20 at 12:00 pm at Beyesley s Restaurant. Join us in engaging lunch conversations to inform faithful living. Iron Sharpens Iron: Wednesdays at 7:00 pm beginning June 27. This is an 8-week workshop in how to discuss highly contentious issues with goodwill while applying the best insights of today s social science and the wisdom of our Methodist tradition. We will learn and then practice the disciplines of better thinking, effective communication, and deeper understanding. Together, we will practice these disciplines in addressing the issues in our Methodist Way Forward. Contact Tom Strauch at magic12no9@gmail.com Bonfire Bible Study: Living So That: Thursdays July 5, July 19, August 2 at 7:00 pm. Thursday, July 5, we will gather at Kathy Schmucker s home. Join us for conversation and fellowship around a summer night s bonfire. Email kschmucker@faithumchurch.org if you would like to host one evening in your backyard. Anatomy of Peace: Sunday mornings at 9:45 beginning July 1. What if conflicts at home, conflicts at work, and conflicts in the world stem from the same root cause? What if we systematically misunderstand that cause? And what if, as a result, we systematically perpetuate the very problems we think we are trying to solve? Every day. Come explore these wonderings which dovetail with our summer worship series. Facilitators: Pastors Steve and Cara Financial Peace University: Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm beginning July 17. In 9 lessons, you ll learn to take control of your money, invest for the future, and give like never before. Within the first 90 days of this class, the average family pays off $5,300 in debt and saves $2,700. Spots fill up quickly so register ASAP. Scholarships are also available. Learn more about this class and register online at http://www.faithumchurch.org/adult-groups.html Facilitators: Chuck and Beth Standley Summer Adult Groups are now forming. What s your summer passion? Gardening, Running, Walking, Bonfires, Reading, Scrapbooking, Cooking, Exploring Nature, Art, other ideas? We are looking for people interested in helping to form some fun and creative short-term small group Bible study experiences this summer. To learn more about other opportunities for adults happening: Visit www.faithumchurch.org Contact Kathy Schmucker at kschmucker@faithumchurch.org or call 330.499.6040 ext 107 or 330.224.6138.
Children and Families Faith Formation and Discipleship: Children s Sunday School Deep Blue Learn and Serve 9:45 and 11:00 am Preschool Ages 3-5, Grades K-3, Grades 3-5, Toddlers Weekly Family Devotions available at the Children s Welcome Station Try this Family Devotion based on Luke 21:1-4 with your family. SERVE TOGETHER TIP: Turn this activity into a family challenge. SAY: Together, let s brainstorm a way for you to give some money to the church this week. You could save your allowance, arrange to help with extra chores around the house, or help pack your own lunch instead of buying lunch. When you do these activities, think about doing them for God and about how the widow in the story sacrificed so much to be able to give something to God. Decide with your child how she or he will earn money in the coming week to give to the church. Consider placing a reminder in a prominent place to help your child follow through. If you don t have a local congregation, consider donating the money to a service organization. PRAY: Gracious God, create generous hearts in us and help us look for ways to sacrifi ce little things so we can give more to our church and our community. Amen. Summer Sunday School Opportunities to Serve Sunday mornings at 9:45 and 11:00 am Share the love of Christ with children this summer by serving in our Summer Sunday School as a teacher or helper. Training and materials are provided. Contact Kathy Schmucker or Joni Hendricks for more information. Spiritual Formation Resources: The Giving Tree Look for the Giving Tree in the Gathering Area and outside the Family Life Center. Select a tag and purchase the item needed to support Faith UMC s Summer Ministries. Thank you. Spiritual Formation Resources: Summer Camp News There is still time to register your children and youth (grades K-12) for a week of life changing experiences. Hurry because Camp Registrations are filling up. Please contact Kathy Schmucker or Tallie Paz for more information. Spiritual Formation Resources: Employment Opportunity Paid Part-time Child Care Providers Needed for Faith Church Faith UMC is hiring additional childcare providers to meet our growing needs for childcare. We are looking for a few individuals who would be available to work flexible hours on an as-needed basis. Please prayerfully consider someone you might know who is a high school graduate with a heart for sharing Jesus love with children and who might benefit from some extra income working flexible hours on an as needed basis. For more information and an application email kschmucker@faithumchurch.org.
Children and Families Outreach: Shipwrecked Vacation Bible School: Thank you and Praise God for an incredible VBS adventure. Visit our website and Facebook page for pictures and a video. 181 Children registered 70+ Volunteers and staff serving during VBS 200 attended Friday s Celebration Luncheon 55 Faith Friends Learning Center Summer Camp students participated in VBS XX Cereal boxes collected for Faith Kitchen XX collected for Pennies for Paraguay XX collected for Haiti drought tolerant seed project. Partner churches to share VBS décor and resources (Grace UMC in North Canton, Grace Brethren in North Canton) Countless God Sightings shared, friendships formed, and the light of Christ shone brightly as we learned that when we are lonely, when we worry, when we struggle, when we do wrong and when we feel powerless, JESUS RESCUES. A VBS Reflection written by Tallie Paz: My name is Tallie Paz and I would like to talk about my experience this year at VBS. It never ceases to amaze me how VBS touches me personally each time I volunteer. As I looked around the sanctuary this VBS, I was amazed to see what a large group of youth volunteers who stepped up (7th-12th graders). To watch the interactions between the youth and their younger groups of children was truly an inspiration. This was a testament to the importance of Christ in their lives. To say that the children benefit from the VBS experience each year would be an understatement. The excitement the kids show is contagious. But what I want to share with you all is that the messages provided in VBS are not only for children to hear. They are for us ALL to hear. Day 1: When you re lonely...jesus rescues! Not one of us has never felt lonely. In fact, I believe that adults feel lonely even more than kids. Kids are purposefully put in situations to interact with other kids from the school setting, swimming lessons, baseball teams, or even VBS to help them to make friends and engage with other people. Adults sometimes purposefully choose to be alone, and feel lonely. This is when we need to know Jesus will rescue us. Day 2: When you worry...jesus rescues! I know that when you take the time to hear someone talk about what makes them worry, you learn a whole lot more about that person. Kids were able to share some of their worries this week with their groups. As adults, we often keep our worries to ourselves. This is when we need to know Jesus will rescue us. Day 3: When you struggle...jesus rescues! As an elementary school counselor, I am very aware of struggles kids face. But as an adult, I know we inherently face a great deal of struggles, often lifechanging struggles. This is when we need to know Jesus will rescue us. Day 4: When you do wrong...jesus rescues! Through family support, teachers, neighbors, community members, and church, kids are navigating their way through the rights and wrongs of life. They need to know Jesus s forgiveness is unconditional. As an adult, we should know what not to do, but sometimes we do it anyway. Asking for forgiveness and offering forgiveness seems much harder as an adult. This is when we need to know Jesus will rescue us.
Day 5: When you re powerless...jesus rescues! Sometimes kids feel powerless when adults make decisions for them without their input. As an adult, there are many times when I have felt powerless. A friend or family member diagnosed with cancer. Waiting for test results. This is when we need to know Jesus will rescue us. Although we all can attest to the fact that volunteering at VBS can be exhausting at times, the messages and the people around us radiate the energy we need to make this experience meaningful for the children who attend, and for us as adults. I am hoping that my words today may inspire you to volunteer next year for VBS or for this year s Camp Read-A-Lot or Summer Arts Camp so that you can experience Christ from the eyes of a child, while strengthening your own spirituality through the messages it brings for all. Calendar Snapshot (to view Online visit: http://www.faithumchurch.org/calendar.html