June 1-30 - First Community Church

Community
Forums
Financial
Report
Page 7
Page 2
The Art of
Goodwill
Page 8
firstnews Monthly
614 488.0681
FCchurch.com
June 1 - 30, 2014
Vol. 60 No. 6
Three couples have signed on as co-chairs for the Capital Projects Campaign. Pictured from left, Don and Karen Gardiner, H.R. "Buss" and Lou Ann
Ransom and Diana and Bill Arthur.
The Endorsers
Ransoms, Gardiners and Arthurs Step Up To Support Capital Campaign
Occasionally, the feeling that one is
experiencing a critical time in history
becomes intensely profound. For three
couples whose personal history with
First Community Church reaches as far
back as childhood, that time is now.
journey toward a successful Capital
Projects Campaign. Their efforts,
along with countless others who
believe strongly in the ministries of the
church, will result in the construction
of a sanctuary at North Campus while
making much-needed improvements to
South Campus and Camp Akita.
Don and Karen Gardiner, H.R. “Buss”
and Lou Ann Ransom and Bill and
Diana Arthur are helping to lead a
The couples have accepted their
role as co-chairs of the Campaign, a
responsibility they take seriously and
 Story and Photo by Michael Barber
personally. Their primary goal is to rally
support for the projects they believe to
be critical to the church’s future.
The Capital Projects were born from a
report given by Dr. Richard Wing at the
February, 2013 Annual Meeting titled
Our 20/20 Vision. The report included a
plan for a sanctuary at North Campus
and reiterated the desire to keep South
Campus and Camp Akita vibrant.
(Continued, Page 2)
The Endorsers
(Continued from Page 1)
“
This is a vision for the church’s future that we can’t achieve
unless we do it now. The time has come. This is the time.”
— Diana Arthur, Campaign co-chair, member
Former Governing Board Chair Buss
Ransom is confident in the direction of
the proposed plan.
“What brought us here is the fact that
20 years ago the congregation had
several votes on whether to create
another facility,” Buss said. “Since that
time, the congregation has endorsed
not only support of the new facility,
but 1320 and Akita. As a result, we are
becoming stewards of those projects as
well as lots of other things the church
does. We’re going to help make that
happen!”
Current Governing Board member Don
Gardiner reflects on past efforts that
paved the way to the current North
Campus facility and lessons learned
along the way.
“We came awfully close to not having
a North Campus,” Don said. “Buss and
I were on the committee to evaluate
whether we should relocate the church
north - not have two campuses, but
move the church. We recommended
that we do so. That went to a vote of
the members and it was voted down
rather handily. Rev. Barry Johnson
had the vision to plow forward with
that and build an auxiliary facility at
that time. If he hadn’t done that, we
wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
Buss recognizes the value of keeping
South Campus open. “The reason we
thought the move to North Campus
was important was because that’s
where the growth was,” Buss said.
“What’s happened since that time
is there’s also a growth happening
of young people in the Grandview,
Marble Cliff and Upper Arlington areas,
reaching to downtown Columbus. In
retrospect, saving 1320 was a really
good thing to have happened. We
have 3 facilities to maintain and for
good reason.”
Each member of the team has a deep,
personal connection to the church;
2
however, Diana Arthur holds more
church history than the other co-chairs
having attended Sunday School in the
fifth-grade. Her parents built a house in
Marble Cliff, making it easy for her to
enjoy her church family. “My parents
joined after I did,” she said. “The
church has been there for me through
all the bumps in my life.”
Diana believes as strongly in the need
for a North Campus Sanctuary as she
does the preservation of South Campus
and Akita.
“North Campus does need a sanctuary,
it needs a sanctuary badly,” Diana
said. “Akita needs to be kept in tip top
shape all the time, safe for kids and
South Campus, where my heart is,
needs to be well maintained.”
Moving forward, the co-chairs will
lend full support to the Capital Projects
Campaign with their time, talents and
treasure.
“This is a vision for the church’s future
that we can’t achieve unless we do it
now,” Diana said. “When approached,
Bill and I realized this is too important
for something that’s meant so much
to our lives. The time has come. This is
the time.”
Community Forums
June 4, 7 pm, North Campus
June 8, 11:15 am, South Campus
The Capital Projects Committee will
be providing updates on all Capital
Projects, focusing on details related
to the South Campus and Camp
Akita Master Plans.
firstnews Articles
Karen Gardiner said she and husband
Don explored many churches 40
years ago before settling on First
Community. “My goodness, we just
couldn’t stay away,” She said. “Rev.
Robert Raines was there at the time.
We loved it. Looking ahead, these
projects aren’t just pipe dreams. They
are absolute brick and mortar needs.”
Include the date, contact person’s name,
phone number and/or e-mail address with
all submissions. Submit to:
email [email protected]
fax - 614 488.2763
phone - 614 488.0681
Karen is inspired by recent growth at
North Campus. “It’s fun to go up there
and see the place is jammed,” she said.
“I think, ‘Who are all those people with
all those kids?’ The energy is really
fabulous.”
firstnews is a communications mission of
First Community Church, published for
church members and the community to
share insights, educate and inform.
Don Gardiner has experienced slight
opposition to the idea of building
a North Campus Sanctuary from
a relatively small segment of the
congregation who believe money is
better spent on missions and outreach.
“We need a growing base of people to
do that,” Don said. “It’s very hard to
attract people if we don’t have a
sacred space that meets their
emotional needs. We’re not going to
raise this kind of money for a mission.
It can’t be done.”
We reserve the right to edit all submissions.
The deadline for all submissions is
12 pm on the 15th of each month.
Editor: Michael Barber
Graphic Design: Tabitha McCleery
Admin. Assistant: Emily Rogers
First Community Church firstnews (USPS 196300) is published monthly by First Community
Church, 1320 Cambridge Boulevard,
Columbus, OH 43212-3200. Periodicals
postage paid at Columbus, Ohio. Subscription
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June 1 - 30, 2014
South Campus
Summer Closings
As a part of our commitment to
reduce expenses in 2014, we are
closing South Campus located at
1320 Cambridge Blvd. 43212, each
Friday beginning June 6 through
Friday, August 29.
North Campus will be open on
Fridays except for July 4. The church
telephone line will remain open 9 am
- 5 pm at 614 488.0681
By closing a location we will lower
expenses through reduced power and
energy consumption and reduced
wage expenditures.
South Campus will open on Fridays
for limited hours to cover rehearsals,
weddings, ceremonies and special
scheduled events.
Soundings
Bobby Eddie
–– The Reverend Dr. Richard A. Wing, Senior Minister
Robert Edward Meehan died on April 29 after a
battle with acute leukemia since last August. Bob was
a husband, father, grandfather, friend, tireless worker
and two-time high school cross country champion
in the state of Wisconsin. Family referred to him
affectionately as Bobby Eddie. He called me “Pal.” I
miss him.
When Shirley and I were neighbors with the
Meehans in Northern California in 1982, Bob would
daily come home from work and go out running
through our hilly neighborhood. I’m not talking
about slow jogging. I’m talking about a real hard cross country run up and down
hills. I’m talking fast!
One day I said to Bob, “You make me feel like a wimp! Cross country looks hard.”
He said: “Dick, you are a wimp, but we love you anyway.”
“Uh, thanks Bob, I think.”
He said, “Cross country is not hard for me. Every time I see a trail, I have to run.
To run is life; everything else is simply waiting.”
Then, after serving our church for 14-plus years and returning to California, Bob
ran out of our lives and into a truth he knows which, for now, we cannot.
I met with his family in California where we shed tears in a small chapel. His many
relatives will gather in Wisconsin in June. Then, on his birthday in 2015, I will go
with the family to Eugene, Oregon and spread his ashes along the path that his
hero, Steve Prefontaine, ran. That’s what Bob wanted.
Ken Wilbur said, “The fact that life and death are not two is extremely difficult to
grasp, not because it is so complex, but because it is so simple.”
One day we will all jog with Bobby Eddie toward a light where we discover that
“life and death are one” and nothing of value is finally lost and where laughter has
the last word and we discover that death is nothing but a lie about eternal life.
Until we meet again, my brother Bob, thanks for moments where you offered to
this world the best in love, work, play and kindness.
Peace to you,
Dr. Wing will spend much of the summer on sabbatical with time divided among
sermon preparation for 2014-15, writing a new book and further education.
Dr. Wing’s new book, tentatively titled Simplicity, is inspired by the life of his
late friend, Paul Stearns. He will also attend the Living School for Action and
Contemplation in New Mexico. This two-year course is comprised of online and
in-person classes.
Due to the many important tasks facing the congregation, Dr. Wing will attend
the July Governing Board Meeting in person and will be present by phone in June
and August.
June 1 - 30, 2014
3
Foundation Corner
Foundation Takes Flight
— Lauri Speight Sullivan, Director of First Community Foundation
While everyone in OH-IO was enduring a pretty
miserable winter, Tabitha Kidwell spent over two
months in India at Deep Griha in Puné, India,
thanks to her own initiative and a grant from the
Foundation.
The Foundation is not in the business of supporting
just anyone who wants to experience a mission trip.
The criteria for approving Tabitha’s request came
down to three things.
•
Would her work improve the mission where she would be working?
•
Would her efforts continue the mission of First Community Church?
•
Would she share her experiences with the congregation?
Deep Griha has been a ministry that First Community has supported since
1975. Tabitha grew up in the church, attended Akita and cut her travel teeth
on mission trips to Mexico. She graduated in 2009 with a teaching degree. Like
many young people she quickly got her master’s in foreign and second language
education. While she taught school for the last two years, her passion is current
teaching techniques. During this time she realized she would like to teach at the
university level and has been accepted at the University of Maryland to begin her
doctorate.
In October 2013, she approached the Foundation to get a grant to teach
at Deep Griha Academy, to try out some of her theories and bring relevant
language curriculum to Deep Griha’s teachers. This was not a trip of luxury, but
service. She arrived in Puné and was assigned a room in the boy’s dormitory high
in the mountains, away from Puné.
She rode the bus with the kids to school. She lived just as any other staff
member, eating a spicy dal and vegetables with naan at night, (which, as she
said, was great the first few times, but got a little boring). Her stint was much
longer than most of the volunteers, allowing her to develop deep rapport with
both the students and the staff.
While it was her intent to bring current language techniques to the teachers, she
also immersed herself in the day to day teaching of the children. Her skills were
valued and her world truly broadened. Tabitha took the time to update us on her
journey as she travelled so we could pray for her safety and mission. Upon her
return to First Community Church she shared her experiences at a reception for
the congregation and the high school Crossroads members.
For FCC, keeping up with the activities of Deep Griha is part of our mission,
integrating it into our cares and concerns for the world at large. Demonstrating
to the community in India that we can support them with volunteers is equally
important and continues the relationship. For the Foundation, it was an
investment in Tabitha, the church community and Deep Griha.
And that is pretty good bang for our buck!
Donice Wooster Fund
Donice Wooster, Director of Early
Childhood Ministry, is retiring after
30 years.
Between the Preschool, Mary
Evans Center and parent support
programs, Donice has influenced
well over a thousand families. The
Donice Wooster Child Development
Fund is being initiated in her honor.
A named fund requires $5,000 in
donations. The fund will graduate
to a permanent endowment if
$25,000 is raised. Contributions can
be made online or with a check to
the First Community Foundation.
Foundation Gifts
In Memory of:
Amy Sutton
J. Thomas & Kathleen Jones
Caroline Pryce Walker
Deborah Pryce
Carolyn Rudy Jensen
Daniel Jensen
Dan Minor
Bob Elder
Donald Faehnle
John & Ann Rarey
Dorothy Durham
Guild Group 7
Edwin Johnston
Harold & Jo Ann Stevens
Eloise Mizer
Guild Group 7
Elsie Albrecht
Guild Group 7
Frank E. Lanaman
Tommie Lanaman
Frank Kennard
Betty Hardesty
Perinatal Resources, Inc.
Helen Reid
Guild Group 7
Herman Nack
Mary Lou Nack
Jan Shelby
BillMorris
Guild Group X
Jim & Shirley Mason
John & Ann Rarey
Tom & Emily Chidester
Thomas & Bette Frye
Jason Nemire
Brandee Nemire
Jeffery J. Rick and Kia
Graham & Sharryn Webb
Jennings Hockman
Judy Ross
Joanna Dorff Dodge
Guild Group 7
Mollie Gail Smith
Jeanne Johnston
Nancy Masters
BillJudy
Sue Wilson
Paul Stearns
Guild Group 7
Robert Meehan
Jeanne Blair
Dennis & Peggy Concilla
Roy Burkhart
CarolBaker
Ruth W. Riegal
John & Ann Rarey
Sandra Lee Sawyer Harp
JanSawyer
Steve B.
Bob Burns
William Rhodes
Kathleen Chambers
(Continued, Page 5)
4
June 1 - 30, 2014
Foundation Gifts
(Continued from previous page)
In Memory of:
William Rhodes
Charles Baxley
Tom & Emily Chidester
Sherri Whetzel
On We Go
Cinco de Mayo Pentecost
–– The Reverend Mr. Paul E. Baumer, Minister to the Staff
In Honor of:
Lauri Sullivan
Annita Meyer
Muriel Tice
Guild Group X
Paula Russell
Guild Group Q
Merry Hamilton
Guild Group 7
Rosemary Crego
Tom & Emily Chidester
First Community Foundation
Tim Feltes
Jerry & Mercedes Katz
Bruce & Cathie Hickin
Doug & Darian Torrance
Brian & Connie Johnston
Dale Crawford
Jean Brandt
Barbara Jaros
Charles Stuart
Dave & Tracy Hoag
Greg & Eleanor Trapp
Rick & Tamara Willimott
Charles & Sara Haag
Mitchell & Carol Berg
Lee & Raleigh Burges
Bill & Lori Covert
John & Lisa Diemer
Marcia Early
Elizabeth Haines
Nancy Heath
Dana & Hillary Holman
Marilyn Jennings
Carolyn Patterson
Sybil Pierman
Dick & Kitty Rohrer
Tom & Julie Stoltz
Cathy Tilling
Richard Wharton & Rose Konrath
Joanie B.
Anonymous Church Gifts
Friends of Akita
In Celebration of:
Camp Akita
Kathleen & Craig Cottingham
Thomas Crawford
Peggy Johnson
Betsy Miller
In Memory of:
Megan Patrick Fedorko
Holly & Sam Linzell
Friends of Music
In Memory of:
George and Lilyan Haddad
Diane Haddad, Connie Frecker & Carolyn Dougherty
Betts Hamwi
Tanny Gustafson
Frank Kennard
Tanny Gustafson
Nancy McDowell Masters
Mr. & Mrs. Phillip Markwood
Paul Van Cleef
Rick and Karen Greene
Mark Flugge
Lee Burges
Habitat for Humanity
Dave & Mona Barber
Jack & Sherry Barger
Carol Berg
Joy Converse
Terry & Barb Davis
Carol Deshler
Scott & Donna Doellinger
Pat Donovan
Paul & Claudia Dusseau
Adam Emery
James Evans
Susan Forbes
Brian Gillespie
I may be tried for heresy on this one, but a very
random thought while enjoying Cinco de Mayo has
stayed with me. So here goes.
To make a long story short, Pentecost is coming
and most of us in Christendom will cheerfully pretty
much ignore it. Or at least won’t understand or
enjoy celebrating it. Sort of sounds like Cinco de
Mayo in Mexico.
Cinco de Mayo celebrates the defeat of Napoleon’s
army, the best in the world at that time, by the sort
of rag-tag Mexican army. The two armies had been at it for about six months
and the Mexicans were losing. Then came the Battle of Puebla, May 5, 1862,
in which the Mexican army, nearly half the size of the French army, decisively
defeated the French.
Historians note that the French later successfully defeated and occupied Mexico.
So the Battle of Puebla took a backseat in Mexican history. But a side-effect of
the battle was that the French did not keep going north. Scholars believe
Napoleon wanted to join with the southern forces in the U. S. Civil War and thus
defeat the north and take over the United States. Mexicans living in the United
States believed that, celebrated the victory and kept on celebrating throughout
the years.
It’s sort of like Pentecost. Pentecost was a Jewish holiday ending the Festival
of Weeks, celebration of the spring harvest. Pentecost was the fiftieth day of
that celebration. Maybe by sheer coincidence, and who knows, God works in
mysterious ways, on that holiday is when Peter and his fellow apostles started
preaching in Jerusalem, declaring their joy in Jesus’ resurrection and telling the
good news of God’s love for everyone. Some accused them of being drunk on
cheap wine. Too much spring celebration! Peter and company said they were
actually drunk on the Holy Spirit, celebrating Jesus and their good company and
now we want to tell this good news to all of you! I don’t know who counted, but
Luke notes that they signed up 3,000 converts that first Pentecost.
The day is celebrated as the birthday of the Christian Church. This is when it really
all began. Little noted by the world around them. Seeming to end up in defeat
too many times to count. But the Christians kept on celebrating. Never finally
defeated. And here we come, 2,000 years later, still celebrating.
Happy Birthday, Church! Happy Pentecost!
Good Call
Using the Browser on
your smartphone, go to
FCchurch.com/minute
to give an offering to
First Community Church.
(Continued, Page 9)
June 1 - 30, 2014
5
Take Heart
Making Fear Your Friend
–– The Reverend Dr. Deborah Lindsay, Minister of Spiritual Care
Thirty years ago, psychologist Harriet Lerner wrote
an important book called The Dance of Anger. She
gifted us with new and life-affirming perspectives
on this most basic and primal of human emotions,
saying “Anger is a signal and one worth listening
to.” There are people who wrongly believe that to
be angry is somehow “not Christian” or not loving,
yet we have numerous examples in the Gospel
stories of Jesus being angry.
Jesus got angry about injustice, practices of the
religious elites and just the thick headedness of his
beloved disciples. Of course we’re not talking about anger expressed in abusive or
damaging ways, but anger as a signal that a healthy boundary has been violated.
Harriet Lerner believes that anger frequently grows out of our fears, “It is not fear
that stops you from doing the brave and true thing in your daily life. Rather, the
problem is avoidance. You want to feel comfortable so you avoid doing or saying
the thing that will evoke fear and other difficult emotions. Avoidance will make
you feel less vulnerable in the short run, but it will never make you less afraid.”
“Everyone freaks out. Sometimes the best we can do with fear is befriend it.
Expect it and understand that fear will always reappear. Eventually it subsides. It
will return. The real culprits are our knee jerk responses to fear and the way we
try to avoid feeling fear, anxiety and shame. Don’t get me wrong, wanting to feel
better fast is a perfectly natural human impulse. It is healthy to seek relief when
you feel hopelessly mired in the emotional soup.
Calming down is an essential first step to accurately perceiving a problem and
deciding what to do about it, but the last thing you need to do is shut yourself
off from fear and pain – either your own or the world’s. If there is one overriding
reason why our world and relationships are in such a mess, it is that we try to get
rid of our anxiety, fear and shame as fast as possible, regardless of the long-term
consequences. In doing so, we blame and shame others and in countless ways,
we unwittingly act against ourselves. We confuse our fear-driven thoughts with
what is right, best, necessary or true.”
The Bible speaks often on this subject; one of my favorite verses comes from the
book of Isaiah: “Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you.” (Isaiah 41:10) Notice the
text does not have God promising that hard and scary stuff won’t happen or that
God will make it all go away; instead our God promises support, presence and
strength, even when the circumstances of life make us fearful or angry.
Even when we are unclear about what is right, best or true. At these times, what
is most needed is for us to get quiet and listen for the still, small voice within that
is our still speaking God.
Blessings,
6
Book Group
"The deepest satisfactions of life beget
the deepest longings. Hearing a great
symphony, or looking at a breath-takingly
beautiful sunset, or feeling the impact
of a wonderfully balanced life, gives us
joy and some sense of peace; but it also
awakens infinite outreaches calling us
above and beyond our petty concerns,
and shining on us some glimmer of the
far-off lights of home.”
If It Were Not So, By Roy Burkhart
In the beginning of this short gem of
a book written in 1950, Dr. Burkhart
acknowledges the spiritual richness
of his time spent with the individuals
and families of our congregation. It
was written to help its readers to allow
faith to overshadow fear of death and
to invite us to a deeper grasp of the
mystery in which we have life.
There are many among us today who
had the honor and blessing of firsthand experience with Dr. Burkhart.
If you are one who has that fortune,
please strongly consider joining us to
add to the depth and richness of our
discussion of this book. Whether you
read this book long ago or are just
picking it up now, you are welcome
to join our discussion. If you plan to
attend, please consider taking notes
as you read or re-read so that you can
bring your full experience of the book
to our gathering.
ElderWisdom is a book discussion
group that meets every other month to
discuss books that focus on the spiritual
aspects of aging. Missy Obergefell,
Director of Older Adult Ministry,
facilitates the group as participants
share insights gained and inspiring
excerpts. Copies of this book are
available for $5 in the bookstore.
The next gathering will take place
Thursday, June 26 at 1 pm in the Older
Adult meeting space on the second
floor of the South Campus. Even if
you have attended in the past, please
RSVP to Kathy Weatherby, Older Adult
Ministry administrative assistant, 614
488.0681 ext 239. We want to be sure
to have a seat for you.
June 1 - 30, 2014
2014 April - Operational and Financial Report
–– Cindy Harsany, Director of Finance and Operations
There is so much
happening at
First Community
Church. I hope
everyone is
seeing who we
are and the
difference we
make together.
FCC has always
been a happening place, but with all
the “pockets of passion”, some may
not be able to see the big picture.
Our 20/20 Vision was presented by Dr.
Wing at our Annual Meeting in 2013. It
is all about you. The leadership is sitting
next to you, looking at the church
through your eyes, moving forward
with stimulating engagement within
our church in 2014 and beyond.
This year, we provided an Annual
Report for 2013. The report was meant
to give you a look at the many exciting
ministries, how wide we reach and how
much is available to you. If you have
not seen the report yet, I encourage
you to visit FCchurch.com/report to
download your copy.
Our financial statement continues to
show that we are reaching for greatness
as the church moves forward with Our
20/20 Vision. We appreciate all of the
personal and financial support received;
taking the responsibility seriously to
make sure your contributions continue
to make a difference.
First Community Church
Budgeted Financial Statement for April 30, 2014
Budgeted
Financial
Statement
for April 30,
Summary
Statement
of Activity
Summary Statement of Activity
33.33%
ANNUAL
BUDGET
DESCRIPTION
YTD
BUDGET
YTD
ACTUAL
2014
VAR$
Budget%
REVENUE
Gross Regular Pledges
Less: Unpaid Regular Pledges
$ 2,218,000 $ 749,153 $ 741,758 $ (7,395)
(66,000)
-
Net Regular Pledges
2,152,000
Prior Year Payments
749,153
741,758
(7,395)
16,000
10,000
6,339
(3,661)
Total Pledge Revenue
2,168,000
759,153
748,097
(11,056)
Sanctuary Offerings
Fee Supported Ministries
Education Ministries
Facilities & Administration
Other Ministries
Foundation Annual Gift
Supplemental Gift
Other Revenue
110,000
1,831,129
30,709
2,300
207,216
53,000
227,479
70,400
20,731
646,653
5,283
763
52,920
2,358
5,363
32,222
683,145
6,144
832
41,240
3,490
8,000
11,491
36,492
861
69
(11,680)
1,132
2,638
Grand Total Revenue
4,700,233
1,493,223
1,523,169
Fee Supported Ministries
Education Ministries
Facilities & Administration
Other Ministries
Program Salaries & Benefits
1,637,055
58,624
860,498
576,662
1,567,394
430,867
22,063
334,520
204,773
520,253
454,847
18,783
357,138
187,597
523,326
Grant Total Expenses
4,700,233
1,512,475
1,541,691
EXPENSES
Net Revenue & Expenses
$
-
29,945
23,980
(3,280)
22,618
(17,176)
3,073
$ (19,252) $ (18,522) $
29,215
33%
0%
34%
40%
35%
29%
37%
20%
36%
20%
0%
2%
11%
32%
28%
32%
42%
33%
33%
33%
730
Art Shepard’s $1 Million Gift
 By Michael Barber
Art Shepard has given new meaning to the words ‘gracious generosity’ with his gift of $1 million to the
Capital Projects Campaign. The donation is unrestricted and will be used as part of the campaign to
build a North Campus Sanctuary while making improvements to South Campus and Camp Akita.
At 103 years of age, Art remains an active member and supporter of First Community Church, challenging others to
answer the call to action. “I’m delighted to help the church in any way I can,” he said. “We’ll need others to do the
same to make this project a reality.” Paul Anderson, Capital Projects Committee Chair, is grateful for the gift. "With
inspiration and leadership such as Art's, we are confident the Projects will indeed become reality soon.”
June 1 - 30, 2014
7
The Art of
Goodwill
Red Cross
Blood Drive
 By Missy Obergefell
June 17, 1 – 7 pm
Brownlee Hall, South Campus
This month only, our Brownlee Hall
art gallery is featuring a marvelous
exhibit of original and expressive
works from the artists of the
Goodwill Art Studio and Gallery.
The Worship and Arts Council is
proud to highlight this innovative
fine arts program that serves over
80 artists with disabilities and
other barriers. The program offers
the opportunity for creative selfexpression, improved self-esteem,
increased life-satisfaction and a
sense of accomplishment through
encouragement and collaboration
with professional artists.
Make sure to take a few extra minutes of these June days to visit the Brownlee
Gallery so that these creations can touch and inspire you. Sales of the artwork
provide income for the artists and help the Goodwill Studio continue to offer its
programming.
Women’s Guild
By Jill Eliot
George M. Cohan wrote, “For it was Mary, Mary” and he might have been
writing about Mary Miller Young. The City of Upper Arlington and the Upper
Arlington Historical Society are pleased to announce that Mary Egerton Miller
(1909-2009) has been selected as the 2014 inductee for the Wall of Honor.
Mary Egerton Miller Young was the President of the Women’s Guild from 195859, in addition to being the first woman to chair the First Community Church
Governing Board. From Cohan, “She was a grand old dame!”
Newly-elected Women’s Guild Group chairs will meet with current Women’s
Guild chairs on June 2 at 4:30 pm, South Campus Guild Room. This meeting is
to begin planning for next year.
You don’t need a special reason to give
blood. You just need your own reason.
 By Paula Russell
There are two main reasons I donate
blood. Following the birth of my son,
I was the recipient of several units,
including whole blood. Perhaps those
donations saved my life, giving me
the gift of being at that son’s recent
wedding. Secondly, Clara Barton,
founder of the Red Cross, is a distant
cousin on my husband’s side of the
family. How can I not continue the
support of their good work of saving
lives? With 40 minutes of my time
and a slight prick of my arm, I may be
saving 8 lives.
Whatever your reason, the need is
constant and your contribution is
important for a healthy and reliable
blood supply. We have 28 appointments to fill for our
June 17 blood drive. If each of those
slots are filled, we have the potential of
saving 84 lives. That's reason enough to
donate.
Register online by going to
redcrossblood.org and entering
our sponsor code: FCCSC in the blue
box. Or, contact me, Paula Russell,
at 614 488.0481 ext 228 or
[email protected]
The Women’s Guild Installation/Potluck Dinner will be held August 27, North
Campus, from 6-8 pm. All ladies are requested to bring layettes (new or
gently used) to the event. We give the layettes to Church Women United for
distribution to mothers in need.
Our garden is complete. All the daffodils and the bright blue squills are lining
the garden path. Our Women’s Guild year 2013-2014 has been successful and
rewarding. Friendships have grown, philanthropies have expanded and our
work and projects continue. The Women’s Guild will provide lunch for 1,2,3…
Akita! counselors, gather layettes together for the Installation/Potluck Dinner,
help make fruit cobblers for the Shrimp Boil. Have a joyous summer everyone!
8
June 1 - 30, 2014
Church Gifts
(Continued from Page 5)
Heart to Heart
Doug & Cheryl Godard
Charles & Sara Haag
Elizabeth Haines
Bruce & Cathie Hickin
Bill & Becky Hinga
Jessica Hinton
Molly Hood
Gavin & April Howe
Barb Hoyt Coughlin
John & Sally Hughes
Darrel & Barb Irwin
Daniel Jensen
Peggy Johnson
Brian & Connie Johnston
Bill Judy & Sue Wilson
Jerry Katz
Robin Kelley
Rollie & Anne King
Deborah Lindsay
Jim & Clare Long
Jeremy Main
Tony & Angie Matessa
Bill and Vicki McGovern
Mary McMurray
Ryan Miller
Jeanne Morrow
Mary Munsell
Ted & Kathy Munsell
Carolyn Patterson
Maureen Penman
James Peppe
Sandy Pfening
Terry & Cydney Philbin
Sybil Pierman
Elaine Ragan
Bobbie Reynolds
Linda Ritter
Keith Schneider
John Scurlock
Trey & Jennifer Setterlin
Dave Shelby
Barbara Sipp
Tracy Stuck
Brian & Krista Thatcher
Doug & Darian Torrance
Maggie Tressler
Tom & Rita Trimble
Gregory Wilmer
George & Cory Wilson
Christine Baker
Pat Boyd
Richard & Peggy Ford
Mary Helen Hopkins
Janet McCutcheon
Mary Olson
Dick & Kitty Rohrer
Upper Arlington Rotary
Margaret Schorr
Bill & Dottie Seibert
Anne Sheline
Jack & Patricia Shuter
Angela Van Fossen
In Celebration of:
Levi Murry
Doug & Stacy Carlson
Baptism of Zahven Mdivanian
Van & Shirley Wade
In Honor of:
Kathy Cleveland Bull
Joe Bull & Kathy Cleveland Bull
Lucy Caskie
Jared & Amy Caskie
All Habitat Volunteers
Doug & Eileen Covell
Joan Betz
John & Judy Hoberg
Carol Baker & Her Good Works
Lindsey Margaroli
Ned Timmons &
FCC Habitat Volunteers
Bill & Susan Napier
Ned Timmons
Dave & Loretta Heigle
Carole Montgomery
Brian Supplee & Kelly Montgomery
June 1 - 30, 2014
Dan Carter
Charlie Vachris & Judy Long
Linda Ritter
Susan E Forbes
In Memory of:
Mary Burns
Bob Burns
Stephanie Jaros Higgins
Barbara Jaros
Eugene Fouse
Marilyn Jennings
Frank E. Lanaman
Tommie Lanaman
Sandra Lee Sawyer
Jan Sawyer
Helen Talmage &
Mary Jane Swineheart
Ralph & Joan Talmage
Putnam Pierman
Paige Schlembach
Virginia H Pickens
Rita M and G Donald Pierman
William E and Frances A Plyler
Martha Thomas
Paige Schlembach
Linda Potts
Gretchen Potts
June Davis
Ruth A Gingrich &
Susan Gingrich Miller
Rafiki and Refugee Task Force
Angie Andujar
Lynne Ayres
Jacintha Balch
Charles & Linda Baldeck
Marshall & Ginny Barney
Jane Barry
Linda Barry
Amy Becker
Jane Belt
Carol Berg
Joe Berger
Martin Berisford
Jeanne Blair
David & Amy Boyd
Dave & Jeanne Busch
Nancy Campbell
Burton Cantrell
Patrick Carle & Kevin Flora
Peg Carmany
David Carnevale
Jared & Amy Caskie
Ted & Bobbie Celeste
Erik & Shelli Clark
Sue Coady
Dennis & Peggy Concilla
John Connor
Joy Converse
Joanne Cooper
Dave & Dawn Costin
Sara Cotter
Doug & Eileen Covell
Dave & Ginny Culver
Chuck Curry
Ralph Daehn
Terry & Barb Davis
Stephanie Dean
Nancy Demuch
Carol Deshler
Gene Dew
Andy DiBlasi &
Jennifer Crawford DiBlasi
Mr & Mrs Ray DiDonato
Jeff & Kris Dilley
Pat Donovan
Wanda Dunbar
Paul & Claudia Dusseau
Robin & German Dziebel
Marcia Early
Julie Edmonds
Jeff Eisenman
Joan Everett
Bill & Nancy Ewing
Jamey Fauque & Brandi Lust
Laura Garish
Colleen Garland
Ron Glaser & Jan Kiecolt-Glaser
Doug & Cheryl Godard
Gretchen Goffe
Lynn Gutches-Snowden
Gene & Carol Hagemeier
Dan & Sharon Harris
John & Krista Hartman
Dick & Julie Helland
Margo Heskett
Tim Hickin
Lynne Hokanson
Bev Houseman
Gavin & April Howe
Tom & Cindy Hudson
Carol Hydinger
Ann Jacob
Bell Jacob
Chris & Susan Jagers
Nikole James
Marilyn Jennings
Daniel Jensen
Peggy Johnson
Steve & Betsy Johnson
Brian & Connie Johnston
Herb & Jeanne Johnston
C G Jones
Jenny Jones
Dennis & Jill Karem
Robin Kelley
Bill & Anne Kientz
Rollie & Anne King
John & Cathy Klamar
Mary Ann Krauss
Jeff Kuntz
Tommie Lanaman
Gerald & Kimberly Lane
Jim & Jane Ledman
Kathleen Lennon
Deb Linville
Jim & Clare Long
Lindsey Margaroli
Mary Mars
Tony & Angie Matessa
Sharon McGraw
Christine McKiterick
Richard & Carol Meyer
Alice Miller
Ryan Miller
Joan Moore
Kay Moore
Rick & Mary Moore
Mary Morrison
Amanda Moses
Mary Munsell
Steve Murray & Jamie Rhein
Steve & Rachel Mushrush
Hilda Neff
Branson & Marisa Nye
Kevin & Heidi Orsini
Carolyn Patterson
Sally Patton
Michael Pera
Christopher & Jennifer Peterson
Richard & Cindy Peyton
Geraldine Pfeil
Sandy Pfening
Terry & Cydney Philbin
Sybil Pierman
Pat Poe
Elaine Ragan
Jim & Linda Readey
Bobbie Reynolds
Linda Ritter
Dick & Kitty Rohrer
Bill & Lindsay Rumple
Dennis Russo
Becky Ryan
Eric & Anne Sandstrom
Les & Sharon Sauer
Jennifer Schaaf
Todd & Beth Scherer
Keith Schneider
Ralph & Jane Setterlin
Trey & Jennifer Setterlin
Steve & Kate Shaner
Jack & Patricia Shuter
Barbara Sipp
Peter and Jody Spalding
Julie Stoltz
Steve & Mary Stover
Charles & Rachel Stuart
Tracy Stuck
Ralph & Joan Talmage
Brian & Krista Thatcher
Sheryl Tibbetts
Cathy Tilling
Jerry Todaro & Barbara Waters
Doug & Darian Torrance
Brian Towns
Maggie Tressler
Tom & Rita Trimble
Sheri Van Cleef
David & Kelly Vaziri
Tim Veach & Chris Kirk
Jamie & Kristen Waby
Dick & Meg Wagner
Scott & Kelsey Walker
Bob & Sally Wandel
Joan Weiser
Marilyn Wenrick
Rich Wharton &
Rosemarie Konrath
MaryBrett Whitfield
Brian & Felicia Wilson
Sandy & Barbara Wood
Jay & DeAnn Young
Clint Younkin
John & Cheryl Zeiger
In Celebration of:
Dorothy Deems
Charles & Laura Deems
Jesus
Dave & Tracy Hoag
A beautiful Easter song,
sound and message
Connie Kristoff
Betty
Angela Van Fossen
Sarah Taylor
Anonymous
Stephanie Jaros Higgins
Barbara Jaros
Paul Knies
Norb & Joan Knies
Harmon Ervine & Harold Shiflet
Boyce Lancaster &
Beverley Ervine
Susie Leno, Lee Enckler, Cheryl
Alkire, John & Mildred Leno,
MaryBell Allen
Deb Leno
Gale Wiesman
Corey Liepelt
Ernest Mazzaferri, Sr.
Ernie & Laura Mazzaferri
William Morrow
Jeanne Morrow
Jeff Keeler
Brent & Julie Osborn
Dean W Palmer, father and
William & Leila Palmer,
grandparents
Amy Palmer
Sandra Lee Sawyer Harp
Jan Sawyer
Jerry & Jinny Sutermaster
Jean Sickles
H Myron & Wyn Shimer
Sandie Southern
William Lawyer
Sheryl Tibbetts
Faye & Jack Nimmer
Jim & Joy Tredway
Cheryl’s mother, Susan Pearson
Loren & Cheryl Van Deusen
Mr & Mrs Robert Whitely,
Mr & Mrs Roger Nelson
Glenn Whitely
Nana & Papa Hawthorne
Elena, Constance and John
Helen & Borden Hively
Kit Hively Schmauch
Mom, Kathy Selsor
Allie Selsor
Father, C Michael Downey, MD
Suzanne & Jon Lucas
In Honor of:
Joan Bryden
Barbara Bradley
Bob & Joy Meehan
Dana & Janet Ciccone
Rick & Janet Studer
Hudson C Groff
John Goff & Jenny Fountain
Kagai & Rafiki Kids
Connie Hieatt
Chet Hawley
Anonymous
Rafiki
In Memory of:
Radolph Balch
Jacintha Balch
Joanne V Cooper
Jacob & Sallie Davis
Scott J & Donna J Doellinger
Marcia B Early
Bryan E Holbrook
Joseph T & Bonnie D Reilly
Carol & Timothy Whetstone
In Memory of:
LCPL Andrew W Nowaki,
KIA Feb 26, 2003
Graham & Sharryn Webb
Eleni Gust Yaghooti
Todd & Beth Collis
John Mount
Sonya Albery
Margaret Phillips
Chad & Jenny Boyer
Karen Cleveland
Joe Bull & Kathy Cleveland Bull
Ted Clark
Ned & Nicole Clark
Theodore DiSantis
Patty DiSantis
Joanna Dorff Dodge
Linda Dorff
Frank Gusich
Don Drabant
Harold & Esther Ablery,
Thelma Haworth
Mr & Mrs Haworth
Parents Dan & Jan Hendrickson
Daniela Hendrickson
Rev Larry Hard
Bruce & Cathie Hickin
Missions
In Honor of:
Sally Kriska
Women’s Guild Group Q
Roger & Patti Post
Jacqueline D Thompson
Youth Choir Programs
In Honor of:
Sally Beske
Becki Harr
Adult Education
In Honor of:
Walter Watkins
Marilee Lowery Bush
Media Ministries
In Memory of:
Mrs Edna Laver
Christian & Donnalynn Laver
1320 Improvements
In Memory of:
Mary Virginia Ambrose
Melody and Matt Smiley
9
Care and Spirit
Parish Register
What Me Worry?
We share the joys and sorrows of our
church family in our prayers.
–­– The Reverend Mr. James M. Long, Minister of Pastoral Care
Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God
for everything you need, always giving thanks. And
God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand
it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NCV)
I have always been a bit of a worrier, although I
may hide it well. I remember when I was in sixthgrade at Barrington Elementary School, I thought I
had not done well on a fractions test. I remember
crying about it to my teacher, June Hale. She was a
wonderful person and she assured me that I had not done badly, but that I was
a “worry wart.” That stayed with me in later years when I thought I had a lot
bigger things to worry about.
In those years, there was a publication called Mad Magazine with a fictional
character called Alfred E. Newman. He was a kind of zany “ne’er do well” who
would say: “What, Me Worry?” There was a bit of pathology in that statement
because he seemed oblivious to the consequences of his behavior, and maybe
false bravado, but perhaps there was some good advice as well. What good does
worry do?
A time which seems to bring greater worry for many of us is when we wake up
in the middle of the night. Our thoughts can get exaggerated as we run through
different situations and concerns. My friend and colleague, the late Bob Meehan,
used to call this “scenario stress.” You play a situation over and over in your
mind, but it does not get resolved. It simply increases the fear and anxiety.
I think this is what is meant by the saying that “a coward dies a thousand
deaths.” Most of the things we worry about never happen, but they make us
anxious and fearful in the present. We can joke that our worry is what protected
us from those things, but we somehow know that we paid a price for the worry.
My friend Dick Wood, Sr. has led workshops on the mind/body connection and
how stress has real health consequences. Thus, worry can do real harm.
Worry is really a spiritual problem. If we have remorse and regret about the
past, or fear and anxiety about the future, these thoughts and feelings invade
and can destroy our present. Thus, many mystics and spiritual teachers speak of
“mindfulness” and living in the present moment. The past is past, and the future
is yet to be. The present moment is all we have. It is a gift of God.
Many times it is the thing we do not worry about that comes into our lives
unbidden and there really is no way to prepare other than to live each day in
faith and gratitude. This is really what Paul was saying in Philippians, perhaps the
first book on “positive thinking.” When difficult times come, it may be next to
impossible to drive fearful or negative thoughts out of our minds with our own
willpower, but we can turn to God in the present moment. By turning to God
and filling our hearts and minds with the spirit and mind of Christ, we break the
power of worry. This is the peace that passes all understanding.
Peace and blessings,
10 RECENT HOSPITALIZATIONS
Miriam Clark
Rod Ebright
Laura Lee Hickfang
Kathleen Jones
James Kennedy
Mary Ann Krauss
Bill Ress
BAPTISMS
June Davis Franklin 4/20/2014
Daughter of Lesley & Chip Franklin III
Annalise Zibners Naprawa 5/4/2014
Daughter of Amanda & James Naprawa
Parker James Stair 5/10/2014
Son of Anne & Jim Stair
Aaron William Abraham 5/11/2014
Son of Annie & Adam Abraham
Suzanne Louise Carlson 5/11/2014
Daughter of Erica & Tim Carlson
Cooper David Lee 5/11/2014
Son of Whitney & John Lee
Benjamin Russell Leonard 5/11/2014
Son of Heather & Mark Leonard
Lauren Nicole Levell 5/11/2014
Daughter of Amanda & Keith Levell
Zahven Neal Mdivanian 5/11/2014
Son of Rebecca & Tigran Mdivanian
Levi Samuel Murry 5/11/2014
Son of Abbey & Tony Murry
Carson David James Post 5/11/2014
Son of Marti & Steve Post
Claire Rosalyn Marie Williams 5/11/2014
Daughter of Emily & Graham Williams
WEDDINGS
Heidi Wertenberger & Marcus Griffin 5/3/2014
Daughter of Kathie Wertenberger
Sarah Link & Ryan LeVan 5/10/2014
Daughter of Patti & Jeff Link
DEATHS
Frank Kennard 4/19/2014
Father of Beth Kennard &
Katherine Tucker
Janet Shelby 4/21/2014
Wife of Dave Shelby
Robert Meehan 4/29/2014
Husband of Joy Meehan
Marsha Keefer 5/2/14 Mother of Tony Keefer
Paul Van Cleef 5/3/14
Father of Sheri Van Cleef
Carol Gillespie 5/7/2014
Rev. Jeb S. Magruder 5/11/2014
Norbert Knies 5/14/2014
Husband of Joan Knies
June 1 - 30, 2014
Words For Wooster
In typical Donice Wooster fashion, when asked what she might
like as a parting gift after 30 years of service to First Community
Church, she asked for words.
Donice has served as teacher and Director of Early Childhood
Ministry and will retire in June. Her contribution to families of all
ages and demographics is immeasurable. In exchange, we are
asking those whose lives have been deepened by Donice’s touch
take a moment to write her a letter - a reflection, a poem, a thank you or favorite
advice. Please submit by June 20 to Patti Link at [email protected] or a handwritten
note to First Community Church, 1320 Cambridge Blvd. Columbus, Ohio 43212,
c/o Patti Link. We are hoping to shower Donice with a box full of these expressions
of love and gratitude at her retirement celebration.
June Daily Readings
These Bible readings are from the Revised Common Lectionary
Daily Readings. In general, readings on Thursday, Friday and
Saturday are selected to prepare for the Sunday reading; readings
on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are selected to reflect the
Sunday lectionary.
1 (Sunday)
Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 2
Leviticus 9:1-11, 22-24 3
Numbers 16:41-50
4
1 Kings 8:54-65
5
Exodus 19:1-9a
6
Exodus 19:16-25
7
Exodus 20:1-21
8 (Pentecost Sunday) Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
9
Joel 2:18-29
10
Ezekiel 39:7-8, 21-29
11
Numbers 11:24-30
12
Job 38:1-11
13
Job 38:12-31
14
Job 38:22-38
15 (Trinity Sunday) Genesis 1:1—2:4a
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
16
Job 38:39—39:12
17
Job 39:13-25
18
Job 39:26—40:5
19
Exodus 12:43-49
20
Genesis 35:1-4
21
Ezekiel 29:3-7
22 (Sunday)
Genesis 21:8-21
Romans 6:1b-11
23
Genesis 16:1-15
24
Genesis 25:12-18
25
Jeremiah 42:18-22
26
Micah 7:18-20
27
2 Chronicles 20:5-12
28
Genesis 26:23-25
29 (Sunday)
Genesis 22:1-14
Romans 6:12-23
30
Genesis 22:15-18
June 1 - 30, 2014
Acts 1:6-14
John 17:1-11
1 Peter 4:1-6
1 Peter 4:7-11
John 3:31-36
Acts 2:1-11
Romans 8:14-17
Matthew 5:1-12
Acts 2:1-21
John 20:19-23
Romans 8:18-24
Romans 8:26-27
John 7:37-39
2 Timothy 1:8-12a
2 Timothy 1:12b-14
John 14:15-17
Psalm 8
Matthew 28:16-20
1 Corinthians 12:1-3
1 Corinthians 12:4-13
John 14:25-26
Hebrews 2:5-9
Acts 5:17-26
Luke 11:53—12:3
Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17
Matthew10:24-39
Revelation 2:1-7
Revelation 2:8-11
Matthew 10:5-23
Galatians 5:2-6
Galatians 5:7-12
Luke 17:1-4
Psalm 13
Matthew 10:40-42
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
Shrimp Boil
Fellowship & Fun
with a Purpose
The annual summer Shrimp Boil
sponsored by the Mission Council
provides our congregation with the
opportunity to share a delicious all-youcan-eat, family-style meal with each
other and enjoy outstanding musical
entertainment in a festive atmosphere.
Make plans now to join us on Friday,
July 25, from 6 – 8:30 pm to share an
evening of great food and fellowship,
as well as to learn more about the
Back Bay Mission and contribute to its
ministry. Tickets are $20 for adults and
$10 for children under 12. Tickets will
be sold after worship services, online
and at the North Campus reception
desk beginning June 29.
This popular social event is also the
primary fundraiser for the Back Bay
Mission, a community of the United
Church of Christ and one strongly
supported by our church through both
funding and volunteerism.
Back Bay Mission began by serving poor
families of seafood workers in Biloxi,
Mississippi in 1922. Since then, it has
evolved into a comprehensive program
serving the poor and marginalized
along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Their
mission provides services in the areas of
poverty, housing, health care and food
security, as well as advocating for social
justice. First Community Church sends
a contingent of workers to Biloxi each
year to help the Back Bay Mission in a
variety of ways.
11
The Infinite Quest
Windows for the Universe
–­– The Reverend Mr. David S. Hett, Minister of Religious Life and Learning
While on vacation to see, for the first time, the
Grand Canyon and the Red Rocks of Sedona, I
took along John Green’s novel, The Fault in Our
Stars. Green’s novel was wonderful for a number of
reasons, not the least of which was the character
he created in Hazel Grace’s father.
If you haven’t read the book, or seen the
omnipresent movie trailers, Hazel is a teenager
with terminal cancer who falls in love with a young
man from a “Cancer Kids Support Group.” Her
father is one of those fictional characters who could
become a role model for compassionate men.
A basically normal guy, Hazel’s dad is portrayed as breaking into tears whenever
the subject of Hazel’s terminal condition comes up, but his compassion is more
extensive. His reflective nature provides a deep truth in a scene where Hazel is
asking for her father’s beliefs about the meaning of life and death. He is at first
ambivalent, and yet willing to be open to the questions:
“I don’t know what I believe, Hazel,” he responds. “I thought being an adult
meant knowing what you believe, but that has not been my experience.”
Hazel and her dad are watching TV, but you know her questions are gnawing at
him, when he turns to her and shares the memory of the time a college math
teacher stopped in midsentence while talking about “fast Fourier transforms”
and said, “Sometimes it seems the universe wants to be noticed.”
“That’s what I believe,” says her dad. “I believe the universe wants to be noticed.
I think the universe is improbably biased toward consciousness, that it rewards
intelligence in part because the universe enjoys its elegance being observed.
And who am I, living in the middle of history, to tell the universe that it—or my
observation of it—is temporary?”
Like Hazel Grace’s dad, my spiritual teacher A. H. Almaas says that the individual
person is “an organ of experience for the whole universe: Experientially, the
sense is that the whole universe is behind you, and you are like a window
through which it sees.”
I found it very easy to grasp this experientially staring across and down into the
magnificence of the Grand Canyon or looking across the expanse of Red Rock
formations from the top of a Sedona “vortex.” Venturing to sacred sites like this
remind us of the possibility of seeing such beauty in each moment, even the
most mundane.
Becoming in a sense a clear portal for God is then the motivation for the “Work”
of spiritual transformation, writes Almaas. “From this vantage point, we see
that it is not to free ourselves from our suffering, but to become a clear window
for the universe. … Doing the Work in order to become a clearer and clearer
window for the universe is selfless; then you do the Work out of humility, out of
love, and out of putting your self (your ego) aside.”
Shalom,
12 Summer Sundays
Coffee with Clergy
& Others
Sundays, June 8 – July 27
8:45 – 9:45 am
Wicker Room, South Campus
(June 8 session in Burkhart Chapel)
Share a cup of coffee and informal
conversations with “persons of
interest,” including some of our own
clergy staff on Sundays in June and
July at 8:45 am. Our clergy will bring a
personal topic of interest to share along
with informal discussions.
Spiritual Searcher Mirabai Starr
June 8, Burkhart Chapel
Our schedule begins with a special
session with our June 6 - 8 Spiritual
Searcher, Mirabai Starr. Mirabai is a new
and loving voice in “interspirituality,”
the understanding and use of spiritual
practices from various traditions to
facilitate our relationship with God. She
is a translator of Christian mystics and
author of God of Love: A Guide to the
Heart of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Tentative Schedule:
June 15: Rev. James Long
June 22: Rev. David Hett
June 29: Special Guest Joseph Gentilini,
author of Hounded by God: A Gay Man’s
Journey to Self-Acceptance, Love, and
Relationship. Joe, brother of church
member (and Adult Learning Council
member) Anne Cooper completed
this profound and reflective memoir
in 2013, and will share his journey of
acceptance, faith and love.
July 6: No session this morning.
July 13: Rev. Dr. Deborah Lindsay
July 20: Rev. Paul Baumer
July 27: Rev. Kate Shaner
This series, sponsored by the Adult
Learning Council, is free and open to the
public. For more information contact
Adult Education Coordinator Walter
Watkins at [email protected] or
614 488.0681 ext 113.
June 1 - 30, 2014
Enhance Your Meditation
Summertime might be a good time
to engage in another opportunity to
expand your personal spiritual practice
with others (church members and
members of other faith communities
are part of both contemplative groups)
who are practicing “beginner’s
mind” on Thursdays at noontime and
Saturday mornings at 10 am.
30-minute group meditation and time
for reflection to close. A small free-will
offering is requested when possible
at the door each session, supporting
the church’s Psychological-Spiritual
Development Fund. The two groups are:
Our church’s Center for Spiritual Search
offers two ongoing “Contemplative
Way Groups” during the summer
months that are both open to new
participants who wish to share in an
experience of sacred reading, group
meditation and time of reflection. Both
groups follow a similar practice of
readings from a contemplative mystic,
Rev. David Hett and other spiritual
directors facilitate this time of sacred
reading from Teresa of Avila’s Interior
Castle. At 12:15 pm we begin a
30-minute silent meditation. If you
can only come in by 12:15 for the
meditation time, you are welcome.
Then from 12:45 – 1 pm, there is time
for final comments and reflection.
Contemplative Way Group 1:
Thursdays, 11:45 am – 1 pm
Wicker Room, South Campus
Saturday Morning Contemplative
Way Group: Saturdays, 10-11:15 am
Spiritual Guidance Room, South Campus
Annex Building (between parking lot and
Lincoln Road Chapel)
Sacred reading, 30-minute silent group
meditation and closing minutes of
reflection and discussion based on
Mirabai Starr’s book, a translation
of The Showing of Julian of Norwich.
Facilitated by Rose Konrath, Spiritual
Searcher committee, and Vickie
Murphy, Spiritual Director. Group will
not meet on June 7, due to the Mirabai
Starr event.
For more information, contact Rev.
David Hett at [email protected], or
call 614 488.0681, ext. 113.
Weekly Adult Learning Groups
Classes are free except where noted and open to the public. Books used for classes are available in the church bookstore. For more
information on books, registration or financial aid, contact Bobbi at [email protected] or call 614 488.0681 ext. 101.
For more details on specific classes, go to FCchurch.com, search: Adult Learning.
Sunday Morning Seminars: Coffee with Clergy & Others
Share a cup of coffee and informal conversations with “persons of interest,” including
some of our own clergy staff who will bring a personal topic of interest to share along
with informal discussions. (See schedule on Page 12.)
Sundays, 8:45 – 9:45am
Wicker Room, South Campus
Men’s Study Group
Men are welcome to join our current study: Paul's Letter to the Romans.
Contact Price Finley at 614 488.7978 or [email protected], or Craig Sturtz at 614
481.9060 or [email protected]
Wednesdays, 7 – 8 am
Wicker Room, South Campus
Wednesday Morning Fellowship
Presentations and discussion of leading-edge topics. Ends promptly at 8 am.
Wednesdays, 7 – 8 am
Brownlee Hall, South Campus
Women Living the Questions
This on-going women’s group will continue reading for discussion A New Earth, by
Eckhart Tolle. Composed of progressive, theologically-open women who are engaged
in the full range of spiritual exploration, Women Living the Questions might be the
answer to those looking for a smaller faith community within the church. Contact
Linda Baldeck at [email protected] or 614 459.0722.
Wednesdays, 9:30 – 11 am
Wicker Room, South Campus
Contemplative Way Group 1
A time of sacred reading, meditation and discussion. 11:45 am Sacred Reading: Teresa
of Avila’s Interior Castle; 12:15 pm Group Silent Meditation; 12:45 pm Comments &
Reflections. You are welcome to join just for the 30-minute meditation time. Free-will
offering supports Psychological-Spiritual Fund. New participants welcome.
Thursdays, 11:45 am – 1 pm
Wicker Room, South Campus
Saturday Morning Contemplative Way Group
Our newest opportunity for spiritual practice: sacred reading, meditation and
discussion based on Mirabai Starr’s newest book, a translation of The Showing of Julian
of Norwich. Facilitated by Rose Konrath, Spiritual Searcher committee, and Vickie
Murphy, Spiritual Director. Free-will offering. New participants welcome.
Saturdays, 10 – 11:15 am
Spiritual Guidance Room, South
Campus Annex (No meeting June 7)
2nd Saturday: Heart to Heart
Community Room, Annex
June 1 - 30, 2014
June 8 in Burkhart Chapel
13
Conversations on
Mind-Soul-Brain
Noted neurobiologist Dr. Daniel Siegel and spiritual
teacher A.H. Almaas, creator of the breakthrough spiritual
practice called the Diamond Approach, joined last year in
conversations about the nature of the mind, the soul, the
brain and personal transformation. These conversations,
moderated by Tami Simon of Sounds True form the basis of
this Wednesday evening series, June 11, 18 and 25, 7 – 9 pm
in the Wicker Room, South Campus.
Rev. David Hett, a long-time student of the Diamond
Approach, will host the series and facilitate discussion as an
event to support the Psychological-Spiritual Development
Fund. A free-will offering will be taken at the door each
evening. A $5 donation is suggested for each session, but
any donation accepted.
Both speakers are noted authors and leading voices
in mindfulness, the understanding of the brain, and
psychological and spiritual transformation. The series
schedule includes:
June 11, Part One: The Mind and the Soul
• How the soul and the mind are understood by both
spiritual traditions and the latest neuroscience.
• The relationship between Being (God), Essence, brain
and consciousness.
• How the mind relates to the brain and the ability of the
mind to change our neural tissue.
• Why the soul is no longer off-limits to scientific inquiry.
June 18, Part Two: Self, Relationships and Well-Being
• What is the self and how does it develop?
• How a sense of self emerges, and how relational and
psychological trauma impairs the development of wellbeing and the unfoldment of inner knowing across the
lifespan.
• The role of interpersonal and close, intimate relationships
in the development of our identity.
• How the models of therapist-patient and student-teacher
relationships overlap and inform each other as modes of
wisdom transmission.
June 25, Part Three: The Mystery of Transformation
• What science and spiritual traditions say about the need
for and nature of spiritual growth.
• The nature of meditation and how spiritual practices and
scientific studies perceive the process of inner reflection.
• How fixed personality traits like narcissism or greed
influence personal well-being and spiritual growth.
Register online at http://FCchurch.com/2014/05/mind-soulbrain, or by calling 614 488.0681 ext. 113, or at the door.
You may also make donations online at the same time while
you register or at the door each evening.
Congratulations to our 2014 Block of Wood recipients.
A Month of Sundays
1
MORNINGSONG
A
9:15 am • Grace Hall, NC - Dr. Wing preaching
Chancel Choir & Orchestra
11 am • Grace Hall, NC - Dr. Wing preaching
Chancel Choir & Orchestra
2 pm • Camp Akita - 65th Anniversary Celebration
8
SUMMER SCHEDULE BEGINS
B
10 am • Sanctuary, SC - Dr. Lindsay preaching
15
C
FATHER'S DAY
10 am • Sanctuary, SC - Rev. Baumer preaching
22
A
10 am • Sanctuary, SC - Dr. Lindsay preaching
29
B
MEMBERSHIP SUNDAY
10 am • Sanctuary, SC - Dr. Lindsay preaching
Check the website for the most up-to-date information.
For additional information:
Click: FCchurch.com
Email: [email protected]
Call: 614 488.0681
Visit: The Welcome Center at North or South Campus
A indicates Usher assignments.
14 June 1 - 30, 2014
Herlihy Moving & Storage
Portable Storage Containers
Full service to do-it-yourself moving & storage since 1920
614 871-4040
herlihymoving.com
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life event in
firstnews Monthly!
Sponsorships
begin at $19
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ext. 227
Thank You
Jones Middle School
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& L ANDSCAPE
614.595.0423
For registration information go to
FCchurch.com or call 614 777.4099
Let’s talk about
right-sizing in the
right community.
“ We have an apartment here but feel that
the whole facility is home.”
- Karen Jesko, Resident since 2011
Preserve your independence
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1-888-461-7579
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June 1 - 30, 2014
15
firstnews
Periodical Postage
PAID
at Columbus, Ohio
First Community Church
1320 Cambridge Boulevard
Columbus, OH 43212
13K Raised In Akita 5K
 By Scot Nicoll
We wish to thank everyone who participated in this year's
Akita 5K. We had beautiful weather and were able to raise
almost $13,000 for Camp Akita scholarships. There was a
bounce house and slide, balloon art and live reptiles.
We would also like to send a very special thank you to all our
sponsors who helped make this event a success including:
IGS Energy, The Daniel Sa Mortgage Team, Sudden Impact
Marketing, E.P. Ferris, Cam Taylor Realtors, Bradley Frick &
Associates, David C. Mueller, DDS, Jason’s Deli, and Circles
28, 70, and 84, as well as a number of Outpost sponsors.
Camp Akita is such an important ministry of First Community
Church, and we are so blessed to be able to offer scholarships
to campers in need. We could not do it without your support.
Dated Material: Do Not Delay
First Community Church
South Campus
1320 Cambridge Boulevard
Columbus, OH 43212
614 488.0681
FAX 488.2763
,
FCchurch.com
Mail Delivery Issues
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to [email protected] by the 15th of each month. Direct
questions to Editor Michael Barber at [email protected]
North Campus
3777 Dublin Road
Columbus, OH 43221
614 488.0681
FAX 777.4098
[email protected]
THE PROGRAM STAFF OF FIRST COMMUNITY CHURCH Richard A. Wing, Senior Minister; Paul E. Baumer, Minister to the Staff; David S.
Hett, Minister of Religious Life and Learning; Ronald J. Jenkins, Minister of Music
and Liturgy; Deborah Countiss Lindsay, Minister of Spiritual Care; James M. Long,
Minister of Pastoral Care; Katherine H. Shaner, Minister of Mission; Michael Barber,
Director of Marketing and Communications, Sally R. Beske, Assistant Organist/
Director of Youth Choirs; Tim Carlson, Director of Camp Akita Ministries and Youth
Programming; Dawn J. Costin, Director of K-12 Ministry; Cynthia Harsany, Director
of Finance and Operations; Pam Jameson, Director of Facilities Ministry; Scot Nicoll,
Executive Director of Camp Akita; Missy Obergefell, Director of Older Adult Ministry;
Paula L. Russell, Director of Member and Visitor Services; Lauri Speight Sullivan,
Director of First Community Foundation, M. Donice Wooster, Director of Early
Childhood Ministry.
No matter who you
are or where you are
on life’s journey, you
are welcome here.
Affiliated with The United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)