2018 FIRST NEWS & VIEWS Volume ISSUE 27 July, 18 #67 #15 Save the Date August 4th - 2:30 pm Dominique-Clark Wedding August 8th - Newsletter August 9th - 11:00 am Red Cross Blood Drive August 12th - 11:00 am Church and Community Dinner World Mission Jed and Jenny It has been almost a year since we sent 15 people to Peru, engaging in Christ s work of accompaniment with our Peruvian sisters who were victims of sexual and physical violence. For many of us, that trip impacted how we see the world and our call as people of faith, as Christians, to continually make God s kingdom more fully a reality in our day and time. Jed and Jenny Koball, our mission partners, continue to faithfully journey with our Peruvian brothers and sisters. They were planning a trip to the U.S. this fall but have been approved to adopt in Peru!!!!! So, they will hopefully be united with their child-to-be soon and will need to stay in Peru as it all unfolds. Please keep them in your prayers during this time of amazing transition in their lives! Here are pieces from their most recent letter: Jenny s and my childhoods were very different. She was raised in the high jungles of the Amazon. I was raised in the suburbs of Virginia Beach. She grew up in the midst of terrorism that ravaged her countryside and threatened each day. I grew up near military bases, ripe with Cold War rhetoric and unknown fears. But, something we shared in common were families who made us feel safe and parents who loved us without condition. Such love and a faith in the God of all peoples profoundly shaped us and led us to where we are today to this gospel ministry we share. Continue reading this article on page 5. World Mission Jan Heckler It has been almost a year and a half since Jan Heckler came to visit and knocked our socks off with the amazing educational work she had designed and was implementing in Madagascar. She continues this work there and we continue to support her financially and with prayer as a mission partner. Many great things continue to happen in Madagascar as more and more children are learning through EBMI (evidence-based methods of instruction), a model Jan herself designed tested and has had amazing impact in Madagascar. Continue reading this article on page 4. INSIDE CHARACTER BUILDERS WORLD MISSION STORIES CONTINUED DEEP BLUE PASTOR S PONDERINGS
Character Builders July 29th: The Parable of the Great Dinner as told in Luke 14: 15-24 poses some interesting questions for us. A host who is planning a very special dinner sends invitations to his chosen guests many of whose responses are lame excuses for not attending! What to do? The preparations are all made, so the host fills the empty spots with some unlikely substitutes. Who do you think Jesus is really talking about here? Cora Kerr will be the discussion leader. Consider yourself most cordially invited to come and take part during the education hour. RSVPs not required. August 5th: In Romans 2: 1-12, Paul is writing to the church in Rome cautioning the people of the dangers of judging others. The lesson, GOD S JUSTICE, challenges the reader to consider whether he or she might well prove to be guilty of the same offenses for which they accuse and, perhaps, condemn another. Clearly, this is displeasing to God, and the accuser might find himself facing God and expecting to be judged by the same standards he applied to another. No one is guiltless of sin as set forth in the Law, but we are reminded that our Judge is impartial, righteous and loving. Come join us as Jim Baker leads our discussion. Thomas Vow Renewal Nancy and Larry Thomas invite you to join them and family, on August 11th, in celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. The Vow renewal ceremony will start at 2:00 pm with a reception to follow until 4:00 pm. This celebration will be held in the Aldrich Dining Room in Birchaven Village located at 15100 Birchaven Lane Grow in Faith Findlay, Ohio. Larry and Nancy are asking for no gifts but you can send a card to: Larry and Nancy Thomas 15100 Birchaven Lane #308 Findlay, Ohio 45840 Childcare for Little Ones Our Little Ones Room will continue through the summer. Families can begin drop-off at 9:15 am for children who are infant through 3 years of age. Deep Blue Sunday Summer Program We have had a lot of fun experiencing Bible stories through games, art, activities, and videos this summer. Join us to experience the following stories as we finish out our Deep Blue summer. We will learn that seeking grace and forgiveness rather than boasting brings us closer to God by experiencing the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. We will also hear The Ten Talents story and discover how to be responsible stewards while not contributing to the oppression of the poor. Our final story for the summer will be The Man in the Synagogue when we will hear how Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath. We will experience his authority as the Son of God and his mercy to people in need, even on the Sabbath. We will kick off the school year on Sunday, August 19th with Godly Play and the Blessing of the Backpacks, so don t forget your backpacks! Dominique-Clark Wedding Brandi and Jordan invite you, the congregation, to their wedding ceremony on August 4th at 2:30 pm here at First Presbyterian Church. We hope to see you there and celebrate this wonderful day with us! Quote by Fred Rogers Transitions are almost always signs of growth, but they can bring feelings of loss. To get somewhere new, we may have to leave somewhere else behind. -Fred Rogers Movie and Conversation If you went to see Won t You Be My Neighbor?, please let me know and we ll get together for pizza at the church. We can discuss how this impacts what and where God is calling FPC Findlay to do and be in the 21st century. Let s talk!! To contact Bill, email him at blindeman@fpcfindlay.org. Stuff the Bus Hancock Christian Clearing House is asking for more bookbag donations toward the Stuff the Bus project. They have 700 children in need and only 275 bags received. If you are able to help, please drop bookbags off by August 1st at: 1800 N. Blanchard St. #107 Findlay, Ohio 45840 FPC Sign The street sign is finally all put together! They placed the digital sign on Tuesday and will be smoothing out all the kinks. We are hoping to have the sign up and running within the next week. Please be patient as we learn and create slides for our new marketing tool!
Pastor s Ponderings Have you noticed the headlines recently? Shootings, murders, and wars, all occurring so frequently it seems routine. I can hardly believe I m using that word! Routine implies a pattern that this has been going on for so long that it is now commonplace. That s right, of course. The killing of innocents routine? Really? The hatred of everything that is different (xenophobia) routine? Really? I don t know the answers. Maybe that s because we re not asking enough questions? And we re not asking enough questions because we re getting numb. I can feel myself getting numb and I cannot allow that to happen. When I get numb, I stop feeling. When I stop feeling, I stop caring. When I get numb, I cannot even feel despair. I stop believing that anything good can happen. Even worse, when I get numb, I cannot feel hope. The Psalmist knew this hopelessness. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? why are you so far from helping me, from the worlds of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest. (from Psalm 22) This is one of the longest Psalms in the Bible one that Jesus quoted from the cross. It goes on and on describing how God has disappeared, how enemies laugh in scorn and slaughter all who oppose them. But the Psalmist also knew the hope. Yet you are holy (vs. 5, same Psalm) Yet it was you who took me from the womb (vs. 9, same Psalm) But you O Lord, do not be far away! (vs. 19, same Psalm) From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued me. (vs. 21, same Psalm) I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters (vs. 22, same Psalm) He (the Lord) did not hide his face from me, but heard me (vs. 24, same Psalm) That Yet and But from the Psalmist is what keeps me going. In spite of all evidence to the contrary, regardless of the battle, regardless of the disease, regardless of the evil, regardless of the pain, regardless of the darkness, God s light of hope still shines and nothing can put it out! I still believe that. In spite of all its flaws and foibles, I still believe the church of Jesus Christ really is that light for a hurting and broken world. That s the good news. The bad news is that since the church is really the people you and me, and not the building that means that we have no choice but to be that light of hope to each other. As Ann Weems says below, maybe we have to be rainbows to each other. Are you up to it? Maybe this will help. Shalom, Bill Reaching for Rainbows I keep reaching for rainbows Thinking one God s morning I will wake up with rainbow ribbons in my hair, With hurts painted over in hues that only angel wings could brush, Black obliterated, chaos hurled beyond the rainbow and my vision, The world created in a myriad of colors: The hungry fed, The dying held, The maimed walking, The angry stroked, The violent calmed, The oppressed freed, The oppressors changed, And every tear wiped away. I keep reaching for rainbows, But instead of colors in our storm, Gray and black infiltrate, dirtying the sky, And I hear human voices wailing in the darkness, The never-ending darkness Just the same I know the promise of the rainbow. I keep thinking I ll turn a corner one day And find a litany of rainbows Flung across the sky, Hosannaing back and forth Through all the ages and Out into eternity forever amen! Every tear wiped away It s a promise When we become rainbows to each other. --Ann Weems
World Mission, cont. Heckler works with schools affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar, better known by the Malagasy acronym, FJKM. The initial results of the instructional methods she is introducing alongside her Malagasy colleagues are remarkable. In a pilot project, scores on cumulative final exams improved from the term-ending average of 60 percent to 90 percent correct. This substantial improvement occurred after only one term of teaching with the new methods. The results are so incredible that FJKM wants to introduce it in all its 723 primary and secondary schools. Heckler says EBMI has an excellent record of success in a wide variety of classroom settings. Yet she realizes her assignment in Madagascar is not a rescue effort, but a ministry built on mutuality. A partnership can only be effective when a mutually dependent and trusting dynamic is nurtured, she says. To me, this interactive demonstration of trust is a prerequisite for sustainability. When it works, friendship and its fruits become part of the many gifts reciprocated. In her most recent letter upon return- World Mission Connection ing to Madagascar after a number of months in the U.S., she writes about the success of the EBMI project while she was away: This core team of three individuals, working only with my itineration-assignment-invoked distance consulting, struggled against a myriad of factors that worked against them to achieve an overall average score on cumulative final exams (all grades and subjects) that still exceeded 90% correct! They achieved these spectacular results despite: the country s worst bout of the bubonic & pneumonic plagues in more than fifty years last autumn; (Northern Hemisphere s) a month s closing of schools to help halt the spread of the diseases; training three new TECs; and the school system s frantic demand, once reconvened, to cover all first term curricula in the term even though the term had been shortened by more than 30%! On this occasion, I bring the core team good news from the U.S. Two additional external helpers are reinforcing the team working on the EBMI project. First, Rosemary Mitchell, Sr. Director for Mission Engagement and Support for World Mission and a certified fundraising executive (CFRE), indicated that she will be working with V and me to help identify a major funding partner so we can move forward with roll-out (when the training of large numbers of teachers begins) in the EBMI Project. Second, Rickey A. McCallum heard the same calling and has likewise joined our growing team. Rickey, the Associate Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement at the University of Tennessee and a member of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN, is a strong supporter of this ministry and the EBMI Project. It is a great reward to be able to work with V, Mampion, Dio, the rest of the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (the FJKM), Rosemary Mitchell, the rest of the extended Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and people like Rickey McCallum on this project. Imagine being a part of a multi-year effort whose fruition will mean improved education for thousands of children year after year after year in perpetuity. Well, open your eyes! Because you who read this are a part of it a huge part! Let us keep Jan in our prayers and the mission committee will continue to keep you informed on her remarkable ministry with EBMI project in Madagascar!
July-August Sunday July 29 8:00 am Bible Study C 8:45 am Prayer Ministry C 9:30 am Traditional Worship S Deep Blue S, 340 10:45 am Character Builders 209 Monday July 30 9:30 am Women of Faith L 7:00 pm MOPS GIFT 332 Tuesday July 31 6:30 am Men s Breakfast Cafe Marie Wednesday August 1 9:00 am MOPS Drive-Thru Registration Outside Thursday August 2 9:30 am Christian Education P 5:30 pm Connection Ministries 116 6:30 pm Worship Committee 206 Friday August 3 Newsletter Deadline Saturday August 4 2:30 pm Dominique-Clark Wedding S Sunday August 5 8:00 am Bible Study C 8:45 am Prayer Ministry C 9:30 am Traditional Worship S Deep Blue S, 340 10:45 am Character Builders 209 Monday August 6 9:30 am Women of Faith L 7:00 pm MOPS GIFT 332 Tuesday August 7 6:30 am Men s Breakfast Cafe Marie 5:00 pm NS Staff Meeting 116 6:30 pm Joy Circle 330 Wednesday August 8 10:30 am Communion at Birchaven 4:00 pm Nominating Committee 116 Thursday August 9 11:00 am Red Cross Blood Drive GR 5:30 pm Stewardship & Finance 209 7:00 pm Trustees 214 Community Dinner Committee 117 Friday August 10 9:30 am KnitWits 112 Saturday August 11 7:30 am Community Food Pantry GR 8:00 am Community Dinner Prep GRK C: Chapel S: Sanctuary L: Library CR: Choir Room GR: Great Room NS: Nursery School P: Parlor #: Room Number World Mission, cont. Over the years, through the stories we have told, initiatives we have introduced, and requests we have made, World Mission Connection there runs a common thread. Simply put, we long to help make a world fit for all children: from the grossly contaminated Andean town of La Oroya where nearly all the children suffer from toxic metal poisoning, to the forgotten farmlands of San Martin where a high concentration of hearing impaired children have no access to education, to a humble shelter in the mountains of Huanuco where children and adolescent survivors of sexual abuse grow in solidarity with one another to heal and to re-enter the world with confidence. In each of these communities and beyond, we continue to learn and to teach how to humbly walk alongside those struggling for a new reality. We continue to ask questions in order to understand the deeper and often global root causes of such violence, poverty and discrimination. We continue to empower ourselves and others to speak up and to work for justice locally and globally. We continue to discern God s will for our lives in making things right for all children, everywhere. In short, we continue seeking ways to share the love of God that has been shared with us. It is this longing to share such love that has not only led us to where we are: it continues to shape our dreams of the life God has in store for us. As Jenny and I both first came to know of God s blessings through the care of our families, we, too, cannot stop imagining the family we hope to one day raise together. In fact, this is something we have been planning for quite some time. And now, I can say with increasing confidence that it may become our reality much sooner than later. Two years ago, Jenny and I took the first steps towards adopting a child here in Peru....While no adoption is guaranteed, and no timeline can be specified, we are under the impression that we could receive our future son or daughter before the end of the year. We could not be more excited! As you can imagine, this will bring significant change to our life. The most immediate change is our schedule for the rest of this year. Over the past year, Jenny and I have been communicating with you about our plans to travel to the U.S. this coming fall to share about our work and that of our global partner with churches across the country. In fact, we have already scheduled visits with many of you. Due to the anticipated arrival of our child and because of the adoption laws in Peru that require us to be present here not only for the adoption but for at least one year after, we have decided to postpone our trip to the U.S. Rest assured that our work here continues. Our accompaniment of the children of Peru and our global partner working on their behalf from La Oroya, to San Martin, to Huanuco and beyond will not wane. And it is our fervent prayer that your gracious and generous support for this ministry we share will also not wane, rather increase with hope and expectation. In the meantime, we hold fast to the words of Christ as told to us in the Gospel of Matthew, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. In Truth, Love, and Gratitude, Jed and Jenny
First Presbyterian Church First News & Views First Presbyterian Church 2330 South Main Street Findlay, Ohio 45840-1146 FIRST NEWS & VIEWS (USPS #604-100) is published bi-weekly by the First Presbyterian Church, 2330 S. Main Street, Findlay, OH 45840-1146. Periodicals postage paid at Findlay, OH. POSTMASTER: send address change to PERIODICAL Phone: 419-423-2112 Fax: 419-423-2113 E-mail: info@findlayfpc.org Visit our website findlayfpc.org Like us on Facebook facebook.com/findlayfpc First Presbyterian Staff Bill Lindeman, Interim Pastor Jessica Commeret Myers, Interim Associate Pastor Brent Neuenschwander, Director of Music Nicole Cramer, Coordinator of Children s Faith Formation Stephanie Bryan, Office Secretary Bethany Charlton, Communications Coordinator Dorie Pierre, Childcare Staff Amy Wilkerson, Financial Secretary Marna Weaver, Church Accountant Sharon Vaas, Nursery School Director Matt Pfirsch, Facility Manager Amy Ring, Head Custodian Annette Jones, Custodian Kerry Lee Appleton, Custodian Next newsletter deadline is Friday, August 3rd. Staff Summer Schedules Jessie will be out of the office July 2nd through July 29th. Brent will be out of the office July 7th through the 31st. Church Transportation Dave Reynolds will be the bus driver for Sundays, July 29th, August 5th and 12th. Please call (419) 423-4243 if you need a ride. Financial Results Second Quarter Actual Budget Revenue: $98,360 $153,821 Expenses: $179,280 $205,144 Deficit: ($80,920) ($51,323) Year to Date Actual Budget Revenue: $310,699 $354,765 Expenses: $374,042 $410,289 Deficit: ($63,343) ($55,524) Sunday Morning 8:00 am Bible Study in the Chapel 8:45 am Prayer Ministry in the Chapel 9:30 am Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary 10:45 am Christian Education Preaching Schedule July 29: Rev. Bill Lindeman August 5: Rev. Ellen Hugunin August 12: Rev. Bill Lindeman If you would like a large print newsletter, please contact the church office.