the voice - Anderson First United Methodist Church

THE VOICE
A Newsletter of First United Methodist
A Message From the Senior Pastor
Among my favorite movies is the Robert Redford film A River Runs Through
It. Some of you may remember that outtakes from it have appeared in a
sermon or two. But, I’m quite sure I have not mentioned my favorite
scene. If you haven’t seen it, Craig Sheffer and Brad Pitt star as the two
sons of a Presbyterian pastor in Missoula, Montana. The brothers learn the
art of angling from their father who regards fly fishing as a sacred act.
Though fly fishing is the central metaphor for the story, that image is
surrounded by a variety of deeply insightful glimpses into this sometimes
wonderful, sometimes tragic, life we share.
So, my favorite scene? An old fashioned church picnic.
That’s right. The Reverend Maclean’s local flock gathers in a grassy
meadow for a carry in dinner. Under sunny skies the congregation enjoys
fried chicken and a little gossip. Pies made famous by local women are
savored, young men and women court, friendships are enjoyed, and life is
celebrated. To me it is a picture of the church as it should be – children
playing and laughing surrounded by nurturing adults, all being formed in
the faith.
I have read that the era of the church picnic is long past.
Megachurches of thousands of members simply can’t pull it off, and when
they try something is just lost in the numbers. A variety of other
challenges, including large societal shifts, make the joy of a good old
church picnic hard to replicate.
I for one would like to fight back. I’d like to bring back the church picnic.
So let’s give it a try at Davis Park on Sunday, 5:00 PM, May 15th.
For quite a few years now we have had a Davis Park spring event to do
visioning or to be inspired by a good speaker. This year we’d like to just
have some fun and fellowship.
So put it on your calendar.
There will be award winning pulled pork, brisket, and stuffed pork loin
smoked on site by Hoosier-Que-Daddy. (As seen on the T.V. show Barbecue
Pitmasters.)
All the sides will be carry-in by our members.
There will be some good entertainment by Carl Erskine and his friends.
Come on out; renew friendships and make some new ones; let’s have a
church picnic.
Note: Please call the church office (643-6977) and let us know you
are planning to be there. Beverages, meat and place settings will be
provided. Bring a side dish to share.
First United Methodist
May 2016
Vol 53 Issue 5
page 1
Table of contents
1
A Message From
Pastor Jeff
5
Helping Hands/Community Café
2
Adult Ministries
5
Fall Mission Trip
3
Children’s Ministries
5
Thank You
3
Youth Ministries
5
Mark Your Calendar
4
May J.O.Y. Lunch
6
March Memorials
4
Bon Amis Schedule
6
Music Interns
4
Summer Eats
7
God at Work at FUMC
Adult Ministries
Study Opportunities
Our Sunday School classes for adults
continue to meet on a weekly basis.
The Friday morning Bible study at 9:00 am
began Beth Moore’s study When Godly
People do Ungodly Things on April 29.
Contact Peg Peter if you would like to join
them for this study.
Any of these groups would welcome new
people interested in studying at any time.
United Methodist Women News
Bible Study Circle: May 5, 9:30 am
North/South Parlor
Hostess: Sue Williams
Co-Hostess: Betsy Bachman
Lesson: Harriett Wheeler
Circle Leader: Merrillyn Vance
Friendship Circle: May 5, 9:30 am—Davis Park
Hostesses: Gail Landwehr, Camille Roudebush,
Dorinda Cassiday, Bev Duncan
Circle Leader: Mary Falkenberry
Lydia Circle: May 10, 7:00 pm
North/South Parlor—It’s Play in May!!
Hostess: Johanne Coleson
Circle Leader: Peg Peter
Mission U (formerly School of Christian
Mission) will be held July 19-22 on the
campus of DePauw University in
Greencastle, IN. Sampler Day for
7:00 pm July 22—4:00 pm July 23
Mission U is scheduled for Saturday,
July 23.
On July 22, the Indiana Conference of
United Methodist Women will be
holding a new conference, aimed specifically at young women beginning in 9th grade up to
age 39 to learn more about United Methodist Women at the conference and world level.
This conference is sponsored by United Methodist Women of Indiana, and attendees will
incur no cost, except in getting to and from the campus. There will be Worship, Hands on
Mission Projects and Workshops for all. Attendees are encouraged to bring their laptops,
tablets and phone. See Peg Peter for an application to attend if you are interested.
First United Methodist
May 2016
Vol 53 Issue 5 page 2
Children’s Ministries: Following Jesus in Showing Compassion
Ministry Update:
Do you remember the Good News Garden of last summer? Our weather was a
challenge, but some wonderful produce came from that little patch of ground out at
Davis Park. The children will give it another go this year as well; this time with fewer
veggies and more fruit. Planting day is Sunday afternoon, May 1st. That day is also
our final Step by Step Kids afternoon until fall. We’ll celebrate a wonderful year with a
pizza party.
Who’s Who Feature: Ryan Falkenberry is 4 years old, a
preschooler at the Learning Tree and a new big brother. Ryan
is your “fix-it” guy. He loves taking things apart and putting
them back together. Hammers, screwdrivers and wrenches
are among his favorite tools. But he also loves to “help out”
with any task that needs doing, stacking chairs, picking up
sticks, counting out shoes for Changing Footprints, and caring
for baby brother, Connor. This year Ryan is playing T-Ball for
the first time with the Midnight Top Spot Pirates and loves it
about as much as he does watching The Floogles, a cartoon
of tiny, happy aliens who are discovering all about the earth.
Next time you see him, give Ryan a high-five and pray for him,
that he will continue to follow Jesus in showing compassion.
Youth Ministries: Pulse
May Schedule
April 30—Paint Day
May 1-- Pulse
May 8-- Community Café
May 15—Pulse Kidznite-All Church Picnic
May 22—Camp Cookout @ Bethel UMC and
Summer Kickoff
May 29—Youth Sunday Practice
June 4—Sara’s Open House @ Davis Park
June 5—Youth Sunday & Bake Auction
On May 1 the youth
will start a new
study series
entitled VIVA!
Grace. Subjects
include
Burdened, Come
and Rest, Grace
and Yoked.
Janine and Sara Spurgeon would like to invite their church family
at First United Methodist Church to Sara’s open house on
Saturday, June 4 at Davis Park from 1 to 4 pm. Help them
celebrate this significant event in Sara’s life.
First United Methodist
May 2016
Vol 53 Issue 5
page 3
Upcoming Events
May J.O.Y. Luncheon—May 20
The J.O.Y. program for May is still in planning stages. Reserve the date of May 20 from
11:30 am—12:45 pm for lunch and a speaker. Check the bulletin, the e-news and church
announcement screens for more information when it becomes available.
J.O.Y. is open to all individuals 65 and older. Invite a friend to join you. Please call the
church office to make your reservation. A donation of $7 is requested to defray expenses.
2016 Bon Amis Schedule
May 24-25—Overnight trip to St. Louis
There is room for two more people to go on this trip. Please contact Pastor Donna
immediately if you are interested.
Thursday, June 16—Fort Wayne
The group will visit the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, enjoy lunch at the Cork and Cleaver
restaurant, and tour DeBrand’s Fine Chocolates. The zoo is regarded as one of the
top zoos in the country and includes Australian, African, and Indonesia Rain Forest
exhibits as well as a variety of rides. The cost of the day is $50. The bus will leave
the church at 8:15 am and return approximately 5:30 pm or so.
Saturday, July 2—Symphony on the Prairie
The group will take its annual trip to Connor Prairie to attend the patriotic Star
Spangled Symphony concert of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. The group
enjoys table seats, a box supper from McAlister’s Deli, and the fireworks show after
the concert. The cost is $40, and the bus leaves the church at 5:30pm. The
remaining tickets for this trip are reserved for members of the First United
Methodist congregation.
Friday, August 19—Louisville, Kentucky
The group will head south for a day in Louisville starting with a lunch buffet cruise on
the Ohio River on the Belle of Louisville, the oldest operating steamboat in the
United States. After the cruise the group will visit Slugger Museum and Factory, the
location where Louisville Slugger bats are manufactured. The cost of the day is
$50. The bus will leave the church at 8:15 am and return approximately 6:30 pm.
Summer Eats Returns
Summer E.A.T.S. is a summer travel
group that explores Anderson area Tasty Surprises. Once a month during the summer
months of May through September you are invited to join the group and let the bus take
you to a restaurant in the surrounding area for an enjoyable lunch. The trips may include
a second stop for dessert. The cost will be $30 each time and includes all expenses (lunch,
dessert, and bus). Individuals of all ages are invited, and the number will be limited to 20
each month. Please call the church office to register. A $10 deposit is required at time of
reservation and full payment due two weeks prior to the date of the trip.
Tuesday, May 17—Lunch at Vera Mae’s restaurant in Muncie and dessert at
Concannon’s Bakery Café in Muncie
June (date to be announced)—Mrs. Wick’s Pies and Restaurant in Winchester
July (date to be announced)—Tina’s Traditional Old English Kitchen and Tea Room in
Carmel
August (date to be announced)—Mayberry Café in Covington and Coldstone
Creamery in Noblesville
September (date to be announced)—Kopper Kettle in Morristown and Good’s Ice
Cream in Anderson
First United Methodist
May 2016
Vol 53 Issue 5 page 4
Serving & Outreach Opportunities
May Community Dinner
Helping Hands Non-Food Pantry
Listed below are the teams scheduled to cook at the The Helping Hands Non-Food Pantry
Community Café for the month of May.
will be open on Wednesday, May 11 and
May 25. There are always opportunities to
May 1—Pat Murphy
donate to this ministry.
May 8—Youth/Angela Smith
Following is a brief list of the most
urgent
May 15—New Hope UMC
needs for the Helping Hands Non-food Pantry:
May 22—Cheryl Eiler
May 29—Chris Taylor
Paper Towels Dish Soap
Tissues
Shampoo
Laundry Detergent
June 5—Crossroads
Also remember we offer a mini-food pantry for Deodorant for both men and women
our Sunday evening guests, and non-perishable
food items are always appreciated when you do- They continue to need:
Toilet Paper
Razors
Toothpaste
nate them.
Toothbrushes Feminine products Men’s
Toiletries
Fall mission trip to Louisiana
The dates for the fall mission trip to SagerBrown UMCOR depot in Baldwin, Louisiana,
are fast approaching. The dates are Sunday,
September 11-Friday, September 16. Team
members have the opportunity to serve in a
variety of ways—receiving, sorting, packing,
and shipping supplies for disaster relief
around the world; providing maintenance on
the campus; working in the sewing room; or
working in the community on special projects
such as housing rehab.
Call the church office to make your reservations for the team by May 15, 2016. The cost
for team members is $100 per person and
travel expenses. This is a great opportunity
to show Christ’s love to others and to have a
great time and to develop closer relationships
with others from First UMC. Consider signing
up today! Please contact Pastor Donna with
any questions.
Special Thanks To:
 The congregation—Thank you for
your generous contributions to the
Easter offering. Almost $9000 was
given.
 Louise Melander and the Lifters—
40 persons responded to the call to
commit to prayer for every person
in our congregation for at least 3
months. Thanks to Louise for coordinating the ministry and to all who
volunteered to pray!
Mark Your Calendar
May 2
Book Club—9:30 am—Church Library
The Dog Who Could Fly - Damien Lewis
May 15
May 17
May 20
May 24-25
First United Methodist
All Church Social—Davis Park
Summer Eats—Vera Mae’s Cafe
Joy Lunch
Bon Ami Trip to St. Louis
May 2016
Vol 53 Issue 5
page 5
March 2016 Memorials
John Mendel
Garnet Weatherford
Marilyn and Jim Ault
John Molesphini
Gail Brant
Sharon Thuma
Mary Cummins
Connie Skeels
Charlotte Marmon
Nancy and George Hawes
Carol and Bill Reid
Sharon and Ron McNabney
Betty and Meredith Church
IN Senate Democrats
Nina and Tim Kline
Karen and Cliff Ambler
John Mendel to Youth
Scholarship Fund
Judy and Jim Wessar
John Mendel to Bus Fund
Carol and Jerry Hardacre
John Mendel to Margaret Ann
Hudson Library
Louann Krall and Judy Jackson
John Mendel to Davis Park
Lynn and Al Rowley
Dorothy Miller
Barbara Farrar
The Wright Group
Dorothy Miller to Margaret Ann
Hudson Library
Jackie and Forest Todd
Dorothy Miller to Bus Fund
Carol and Jerry Hardacre
Kathryn Beigh
Joan and Joseph Richardson
Marilyn and Richard Schmidt
Kathryn and Max Beigh to
Davis Park Butterfly Garden
Jerry Burand
Shirley Culler
Larry Beehler
Betty and Meredith Church
Virginia Musser
Miriam and Charlie Jones
DeeAnn and Howard Williams
Joanne and Frank Figge
Pat and Don Moore
Bob Harruff
Sheri Lantz
Cathy and Kevin Kelich
Brenda and Guy Mettert
Mary Mendel
Gayle and Bob Scircle
Jayne and Frank Beeler
Diann and Brad Conrad
Dr. and Mrs. Fred Culler
Mr. and Mrs. Allen Beaty
Karen and Rick Autry
Marilyn and Jim Ault
Mary Ann and Robert Edwards
Jane Barrett
Carol and Bill Myberg
Coyner Family
Marsha and Mike Coyner
Bonnie and Dave Craig
Jill and Terry Murphy
Ann Hardacre
Shirley Culler to Community
Café
Pat Conrad
Susan and Mike Shuter
and Family
Beverly and Dennis Mattert
Dr. Landwehr and Perenatal
Center Staff of IU Ball
Gail and DeWayne Landwehr
Robert Abshire
Shirley Culler to Youth
Scholarship Fund
Vicki and Joe Snyder
Shirley Culler to Davis Park
Butterfly Garden
Jerry Burand
Velda Jane Brown to Youth
Scholarship Fund
Joyce and Bill Mathys
Rosemary McGuire to Youth
Scholarship Fund
Joyce and Bill Mathys
Rosemary McGuire to Music/
Choir Fund
Suzette Melson
Bob Harruff
Bill Hardacre to Bus Fund
Carol and Jerry Hardacre
Thanks and Congratulations to our Senior Music Interns
Perhaps you’ve noticed them in the choir, or seen them in the building, or heard their
voices on Sunday morning. This year we have been blessed with several interns from AU
who enhance our music program. Four of these young people will be graduating this
coming May from Anderson University. Olivia Hacker, Olivia Gnagey, Mort Garringer and
Otis Jeffries are all seniors graduating this year.
Here’s what a couple are planning after graduation: Otis Jeffries will graduate from AU with
a Bachelor of Music Degree in Voice Performance, he will spend the summer performing in
Clinton, Iowa, and will begin pursuing a Double Masters degree at Bowling Green State
University this fall.
Olivia Gnagey will return to Dayton, Ohio, and earn her certification as a personal trainer
and a wellness coach while auditionin at several performance venues. Eventually she
hopes to move to New York City or Chicago and begin working there as a fulltime
performer. God has much in store for all of our interns. Godspeed to you all.
First United Methodist
May 2016
Vol 53 Issue 5 page 6
God at Work at First United Methodist
Volunteer Ministries…this is what I see…
Have you ever stopped to realize that one of our ushers is the first person you see as
you walk into our sanctuary on Sunday morning? Ushers greet you with a smile,
sometimes your name, often a hug or handshake. I have to smile because I think they’re
having fun!
These are men and women who have a personal relationship with Christ. I imagine this,
not because they tell me that when they volunteer to be an usher, but because they have
chosen to serve in a ministry that marks them as a visual representative in our church.
They stand at the door of God’s house serving God’s people.
This is what I see: serving as an usher is more than the tasks involved. It’s more than
handing out a bulletin, receiving our tithes or tidying the church after service. It’s a
ministry that gives from the heart of a servant who has made a decision to serve according
to his or her gift. We have twenty-eight such people in our church. Thank you for your
service. I hope you consider your usher ministry one of honor. I know I do……Kathy Kean
Join your neighbors in showing your patriotic spirit
Show your love of Country and support to your local
Boy Scout Troop 208 sponsored by the First United
Methodist Church.
Scout Name :
For $35 a year your local Boy Scouts of America Troop 208 will emplace and take down a 3’ x 5’ American flag
on your front lawn 5 times a calendar year (Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4th, 9/11, and Veterans Day). Help
raise money to support the boys' Scout Activities.
Name ____________________
Address__________________City____________State________Zip Code__________
Phone Number________________ Cell____________
_
Make check payable to: Troop 208
For information contact Charity Gosler at 765-621-4357 or at chrty_Gosler@yahoo.com
To subscribe by mail, mail payment to Charity Gosler, 7605 Charlotte Dr., Ingalls, IN 46048
Please visit our Troop website: Troop208Anderson.com
May 29—Worship at Davis Park—9:00 am
Downtown Worship at 10:45 am
First United Methodist
May 2016
Vol 53 Issue 5
page 7
First United Methodist Church
1215 Jackson Street
Anderson IN 46016
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 909
Anderson, Indiana
Phone: 765-643-6977
Fax: 765-642-5232
E-mail: mail@andersonfirst.org
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Visit us on the web at
andersonfirst.org and
follow us on Facebook
Sunday, May 29, 9:00 am
Davis Park
Worship Downtown at 10:45 am
Sunday, May 15, 5:30 pm
First United Methodist
May 2016
Vol 53 Issue 5 page 8