April 14 - April 27, 2018 Pages Table of Contents Sections 2 3 Renewal Reflection 13 Liberia Mission Trip 4 Behind The Scenes... 5 6 7 7 8-12 13 Youth Ministry Team Membership Care Ministry Team Service in Mission Ministry Team Worship Arts Ministry Team Spiritual Formation Ministry Team 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
The Tie That Binds Sabbath Reflections 13 September 24-October 8 Brothers Brad Hiking White Oak Canyon with Dan, college roommate Graves Mountain Lodge Syria, Virginia & Jeff, Cousin Mark Bless be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above UMH 557 Whenever my extended family got together growing up, before dinner we d stand in a circle, hold hands and sing Bless be the Tie that Binds before my dad would give the prayer. It is a tradition that continues still today! What is the tie that binds? It was there when I spent two days and nights on the Potomac River with just my two brothers and my cousin as we laughed, told stories and relaxed. I felt it the tie - again when I spent two nights camping at Graves Mountain Lodge with my best friend Dan hiking, talking, catching up, sharing music. In a different, but no less significant way, the tie was present among the 100+ family and friends at the Costello Pig Roast children running in the yard screaming gleefully, the clanging of horseshoes, overhearing a multitude of conversations everywhere as we ate barbeque pork. At my Granny s graveside memorial service, as we celebrated her 103 years of life and shared stories about her wisdom and wit, I felt it again the tie. What is this tie that binds our hearts in Christian love? Granny s Memorial Service She lived to be 103! Throughout my renewal leave, I have experienced again and again an undeniable sense of God s living presence made real in relationships with friends and family but also with strangers and acquaintances. I am grateful for you the Body of Christ at Faith UMC for the beautiful ways you nurture this tie. Annual Family Pig Roast Warrenton, Virginia Return to Worship - October 8, 2017 When I returned to worship at Faith on October 8th and we renewed our baptism, I saw it as clear as sunlight through stained glass windows the tie. Is it not the living God inside each of us that binds us together in Christian love? Dedicated New Font For 9:45 Modern Worship Thank you for supporting this renewal leave and for being the church. This is my last Navigator Sabbath Reflection. You can read all my reflections on our church website. Pastor Steve
Liberia Mission Trip - July 5-16, 2018 The East Ohio Conference of the UMC is leading a group of mostly young adults on a mission trip to Liberia July 5-16. Faith UMC has 4 participants going: Michael Farmer, Kaitlyn Schmucker, Amanda Mills and Eli Costello. There is still room for one or two more! Pastor Jason Hockran is leading the trip. If you are interested in going, you will need to be in touch with him right away. But, you can be part of the mission without leaving home! The team is inviting support through prayer and financial contributions. The trip cost $3,000 per person. That covers: flights, ground transportation, lodging, food and mission supplies. Faith UMC Endowment is supporting the mission with $5,000 total. If you d like to support the team from Faith UMC with a financial contribution, you may write a check to Faith UMC and put Liberia Mission in the memo, or you can make an electronic contribution by going to our website and click Online Giving or https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=159706 and select Liberia Mission Fund. All gifts to the Liberia Mission Fund will support the participants from Faith UMC, not designated individuals. Over the next couple months, we will tell about each participant. Eli is our second featured missionary. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Steve or Sharyl Syler. When I was a kid, I had a piggy bank just like most kids. My parents thought it was dumb to have to break it every time you wanted your money out of it, so they got me one with a lid you could unscrew at the bottom. This piggy bank even had four different slots for money. One was for saving, one for spending, one for giving, and I can t remember what the last one was. I didn t like spending a lot of money, so my piggy bank progressively got more and more full of money. Every time I got money for anything, like Christmas, birthdays, even when I got spending money, I d put it in that piggy bank. One day, when I was about seven years old, my dad told me about this horrible disease in Africa called malaria that was super deadly and spread by mosquitoes, but could be easily prevented by putting mosquito nets over your bed at night, so the mosquito couldn t get in and give you the disease. The problem was, people didn t have enough money to buy these mosquito nets. I thought about what my dad told me, and I was inspired. A few minutes later, I came downstairs with my piggy bank and we emptied the whole thing out and sent it off to help buy mosquito nets for children who couldn t afford them. With my money, I donated over 200 nets to those who needed them. Over the next couple years, both my parents went on mission trips to Liberia, a struggling nation in Africa that had recently been ripped apart by a civil war. I ve always wanted to follow them in their mission, but I wasn t old enough. When I found out that 15 was the minimum age to go this year, I was elated to continue the work of my parents, and help in any way I could to the people there. Because of the support of my church, and the East Ohio conference, the total expense of the trip is $3,000. This covers airfare, food, lodging, ground transportation, and mission construction supplies for 11 days. The trip is July 5-16. $1,000 was already contributed by my church. $1,000 is needed by May 14 and $1,000 is needed by July 1. I m writing to you and others to raise these funds. I m asking people to pray for me and the mission team and to consider a financial gift. In these ways, I hope for you and others to share in this life changing experience and important mission. Every gift matters, no matter the amount. Thank you for your support. Read more missionary stories on our website: - Eli Costello http://www.faithumchurch.org/camphor-mission-liberia.html
Behind The Scenes... We had 40 walkers and 80 runners. We had 30 volunteers and a handful of people come to watch. All in all, we were at 150 people on the grounds of the church for the Run to Resurrection on Saturday, March 31. We had a record amount of food donated, including 7 grocery bags from people on the route. There was over 300 lbs of food donated, along with $510 in cash, plus $208 from the Taggarts fundraiser totaling $718 in support of Faith Kitchen. Roars of laughter and rounds of applause were heard from Second Wind this past Tuesday, April 10 in the Chapel. Mark Twain once wrote, Never tell a lie, except to keep in practice. The audience was challenged to see if they could spot which of our Tall Tale Spinners, Joanne Fox, Dot Fisher, Cara Stultz Costello, and Tom Douce, have been staying in practice.
A Message from Bishop Malone: Dismantling and ending racism is all of our work to do. says Bishop Tracy S. Malone in her reflection on today s 50th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Rallies and prayers are meaningful, but are not enough. Our talk and concern must result in action in the trenches in the places where we live and among the circles where we have influence. Racism must be confronted in homes, churches, workplaces, schools, communities, governments, policy-making, law enforcement, etc. To make a difference, an intentional commitment must be made to think, believe, and behave differently. Read Bishop Malone s reflection in its entirety. http://www.eocumc.com/bishop/dream-yet-unrealized.html Wonderful Wozny Fund Update: The review team that has been tasked with overseeing the Wozny Fund did not receive any applications in January. We realize this is a new initiative and have adjusted the time line the first year so that more people can learn about this new source of funding that will support children and youth. The revised application deadline is May 15 with funding to be determined in June. If you have questions about the process or need to pick up an application, contact the church office. Scholarship Forms for seniors in high school and college students will be available in the church office Wednesday April 18 and due back no later than Sunday, May 6 at noon. Custodian Needed: We are looking for a few people to be called as needed to fill in for our custodians when they are sick or on vacation. This position includes some housekeeping and facility set up. Must be 18 years or older. No experience necessary. If you are interested or know of someone who may be interested, please contact Sharyl Syler in the church office. Youth Ministry Team Youth Mission Trip Bake Sale Sunday, May 13th Mother s Day! Buy your mom some baked goods and support the Youth Mission trip to Georgia! We will be in the gathering area in between services. If you would be able to donate please let Amy Ferguson or Scott Sigman know.
Membership Care Ministry Team Birthdays: Mary Jane Watson will be 86 on April 25. Janet Barnard will be 85 on April 25. Jack O Harrow will be 91 on April 30. Congratulations: Kennedy Reese was born on Friday, April 6, to son and daughter-in-law of Sue Schillings. Sue is the proud grandmother of her third granddaughter. Get To Know You Lunch: For those of you who are new to Faith UMC we are having a Get to Know you Lunch Sunday, April 15 at 12:15 in the parlor. Come and enjoy a delicious lunch with pastors Steve and Cara. You ll get to meet some of our staff and lay leadership who look forward to welcoming and getting to know you. We ll share a little about Faith UMC and do our best to answer your question. Our next New Member Sunday is May 20. Please call the church office if you are interested in becoming a member. Veterans Group: You Are Invited: Veterans, or anyone interested in working with the Veteran s Ministry, are welcome to attend the monthly Veteran s Breakfast at Bill and Mary s Diner on the 1st Saturday of each month at 9:00 am. Contact John Hartzell with questions 330.407.6438. Transportation Group: The Transportation Group is in need of volunteers to provide occasional rides for church members who need to go to doctor appointments, pharmacy visits, etc. Most of these trips are in the immediate North Canton area. All are strictly voluntary based on driver availability and willingness to help at any given time. If you are willing to add your name to our list of potential drivers, please call Bob Snyder at 330-933-9725 or email at rsnyder4@neo.rr.com and thanks. Blessing and Remembrance of the Animals Ceremony: When: August 25, 2018 at 10:00 am. Meeting: There will be a meeting in the Conference Room Wednesday, April 18 at 6:45 pm for anyone who would like to help plan the ceremony. You are more than welcome to come to dinner at 6:00 pm in Robinson Hall and then attend the meeting. Contact: Sue Weaver and/or Pastor Steve Stultz Costello for questions.
Service in Mission Ministry Team Welcoming the Stranger: Here s the count all the donations from Palm Sunday. Bath towels = 48 Hand towels = 18 Washcloths = 32 Throws/Blankets = 30 Twin sheet sets = 24 Full/Queen sheet sets = 6 Flat sheets = 2 Dish cloths = 5 Pillow cases = 2 Large blankets = 2 Thank you for all you do for the migrants. Worship Arts Ministry Team The Harmony Ringers/A Chorus For A Cause are performing at Faith UMC on May 6 at 6:30 pm. ESCAPE on the Chattanooga Choo Choo to see What a Wonderful World we have. It will take you to hear the Birmingham Blues and head into Florida to Disneyworld where you can Wish Upon a Star, but beware of the Pirates of the Caribbean. From there we ll change our transportation mode after visiting the Beach and head across the water to Brazil. We still have the Cherry Blossoms to see in Japan and other places along Life s Journey. One place you may never get to in person but with us is when we board a rocket that will Fly Me to the Moon. Speaking of rocket Elton John s Crocodile Rock will be winding up our musical journey. After this concert you just might need to find some peace and quiet and meditate on Be Still My Soul. There you ll find that you re saying, I m So Glad I came to this free concert. No tickets needed. Donations accepted and appreciated so that we may continue doing what we re doing. Thank you to all who participated in our 2017-2018 Celebrate Arts Series of free community arts events here at Faith United Methodist Church. Our final event, The University of Akron Chamber Choir, will perform on Saturday, May 12 at 7:00 pm in our Sanctuary. We can still receive contributions and truly appreciate your support.
Spiritual Formation Ministry Team Adult, Children and Families Faith Formation and Discipleship: Wednesday Night Faith Connections: Wednesdays April 18, 25, May 2. Dinner at 6:00 pm in Robinson Hall. Mark your calendars for an evening of fun, faith, food, and fellowship. All are welcome. Leave the cooking to us and come join the fun. Children, Youth and Adult Programs follow dinner. Children s Choirs rehearse at 5:00 and 5:15 pm. There are Little Wonders childcare and activities for young children in the nursery. Wonder Kids Grades K-5: April 18: April 25: Spring Mission Project May 2: Spring Celebration Wednesday Youth Gathering: April 18: April 25: Spring Mission Project May 2: Spring Celebration Adults: April 25: Spring Mission Project Salad in a Bowl Spring Mission Project Wednesday, April 25 at 6:00 pm Come to Wednesday Night Faith Connections dinner and stay to plant salad planters for Faith Kitchen families and help make a difference in our community. Decorate the planters. Dig in the dirt and plant lettuce, tomatoes, and pepper plants so families at Faith Kitchen can enjoy fresh vegetables this summer. Faith s Wonder Kids are also collecting sunscreen and sun protection products to share with those in need this summer. Butterfly Raising Project This spring Faith s children and families will be learning about some of the amazing things that God has created. Children will have the opportunity to witness firsthand the miracle of one of God s most amazing creations: the life cycle of a butterfly. This will be an exciting, educational, and spiritually enriching experience for children and families. Families will have the opportunity to raise caterpillars as they grow and transform into butterflies. We will learn about butterflies and why they are a symbol of Christianity on Wednesday nights. Families get to take home the caterpillars to watch them develop into a chrysalis and then emerge into a butterfly. This is an amazing and breathtaking experience. The care for the caterpillars is very minimal and the butterflies should be released when we are finished. We release them in the Memory Garden on a Sunday in mid-may. Contact Kathy Schmucker at kschmucker@faithumchurch.org if you would like your family to participate.
Adult Faith Formation and Discipleship: Adult Groups Faith 101: Sunday mornings at 11:00 am, Facilitators: Pastors Steve and Cara Learn about the Christian Faith and learn about Faith UMC. Heaven, Faith Meets Life Sunday School Class: Sundays at 9:45 am, Facilitator: Janice Golden. Theology for the Times: Discussion with Pastor Cara, April 20 at 12:00 pm at Beyesley s Restaurant. Join us in engaging lunch conversations to inform faithful living. The Investment of a Life, Men s Life Study: Saturday, April 21 at 7:00 am at Beyesly s Restaurant, Facilitator: Kim Reynolds Coffee Talk, Navigating the Messiness of Faith and Life: Tuesday, April 24 at 9:30 am at Four Kids Coffee in North Canton. Coming soon to Faith UMC. 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 on Sunday mornings 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 Acts 9:20-25 with your family. Supplies: an age-appropriate book about Harriet Tubman TIP: There are many books about Harriet Tubman available at local libraries or read aloud on youtube.com. Suggestions include: Escape North. The Story of Harriet Tubman by Monica Kulling, A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman by David Adler, and Who Was Harriet Tubman? by Yona Zeldis McDonough. SAY: Paul s friends were very brave when they helped him escape. Today, let s explore a different story where friends had to help others escape. This story about Paul reminds us that there are a lot of places and times when people had to escape from dangerous situations like Paul did. Harriet Tubman helped hundreds of slaves escape to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Read the story with your child. ASK: What do you think of Harriet Tubman s story? How is it like the story of Paul s friends? How is her story different? PRAY: Dear God, thank you for brave people like Harriet Tubman who inspire us to be brave to help others. Amen. Children and Families Outreach: Messy Church Sunday, May 6 at 4:00 pm An experience for all ages to worship, learn, and grow together. Curious? Come find out what Messy Church is all about. There are several opportunities to get involved with Messy Church: Greeters to welcome folks as they arrive. Station leaders: give people simple directions about the activity at your station and help them complete the activity. Meal team: help prep, serve, and clean-up a simple, low prep dinner. Set-up/clean-up team: help set up stations and clean them up at the end of the afternoon. Contact Bethany Sedziol or Kathy Schmucker for more information. Graduation: If you or someone in your family is graduating from college or graduate school this Spring 2018 or did so in December 2017, please contact Kathy Schmucker, Director of Spiritual Formation, or call the church office. We will be recognizing college and graduate school graduates during the 9:45 worship service on June 3. Spiritual Formation Resources: Labyrinth: Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 3. National Day of Prayer Labyrinth will be available in the Family Life Center all day. Prayer Service at 7:00 pm.
Children and Families Outreach: Summer Ministry Registration is now open. Click the links below for more information and to register your children. Vacation Bible School: http://faithumcchildren.weebly.com/vbs.html Camp Read-A-Lot: http://faithumcchildren.weebly.com/participant-registration1.html Created By God: https://faithumcchildren.weebly.com/created-by-god.html Summer Arts Camp: http://www.faithumchurch.org/summer-art-camp.html Contact: Kathy Schmucker, Bethany Sedziol, Sue Schillings, Pam Wig, or Melissa Vaughn to learn how you can get involved in one of our Summer Community ministries and make a difference in the lives of children and families in our community this summer. VBS: Shipwrecked June 18 22 9:00 am-12:00 pm Camp Read-A-Lot and Created By God Wednesdays July 11, 18, 25 9:30-11:30 am Summer Arts Camp August 7, 8 6:30-8:30 pm Spiritual Formation Resources: Summer Camp News: Early Registration and Scholarship Applications Deadline are May 1. Summer Camp can be a life-changing experience. The East Ohio Conference of the UMC offers many great summer camp opportunities. Faith UMC wants to help kids and youth get to camp this summer. There are also opportunities for anyone who would like to help kids and youth get to camp this summer. Pick up an application at the Spiritual Formation table outside the church office. Contact: Tallie Paz, Kathy Schmucker or Pastor Steve for more information. Visit: https://faithumcchildren.weebly.com/summer-camp.html Texas Roadhouse Camp Fundraiser: Sunday, April 29, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm 10% dining day for Camp Scholarships at the Canton Texas Roadhouse. Print and bring the attached flyer and present it to your server, enjoy a wonderful meal, and help kids and youth get to camp this summer.
Faith United Methodist Church Sunday, April 29th 11AM-4PM Support this cause by presenting this invitation to the listed Texas Roadhouse location and Texas Roadhouse will donate 10% of your total food purchases to the fundraiser! (330) 491-9296 5025 Dressler Rd. Canton, OH. Please note that no flyers are to be passed out on TXRH premises. Failure to comply can result in forfeit of organizations check.
Calendar