April/May 2016 - New Life United Methodist Church

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April-May
2016
Open Hearts
Open Minds
Open Doors
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From the Pastor,
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, our risen
savior!
I have been the interim pastor at New Life UMC for
five months now and it has been nothing but a life
learning and spiritual journey each day. I see God
working in so many miraculous ways with the
members on Sunday morning. We’re growing
together in Christ and that’s the best way I can explain
the beauty of it all. And also the rewards are
tremendous when reaching out to help others in the
name of Christ at the New Life Community Outreach
program.
On that note, I have recognized that so many volunteers are helping because
they understand that it is a command of Jesus and his example (and not just
something to keep busy!), that motivates their actions. The United Methodist
Church has a strong emphasis on servant leadership – which was the type of
leadership that Jesus set before us. Jesus was a leader but he was truly a
servant. No doubt, the foot washing exercise found in John 13:1-17 was a
visible parable of kingdom expectations. This lesson shows us that there is
only one kind of greatness, the greatness of service.
We recognized all of the New Life Community Outreach volunteers on
February 14 during worship service. I would like to further extend a special
thank you to all of the “unsung heroes” who faithfully do a magnificent job of
helping and serving when others are not even aware of what goes on behind
the scenes. It’s a continual and oftentimes thankless job that they do. But I
and the members of New Life UMC are so grateful for all that is being done.
What the volunteers at New Life Community Outreach do is an
encouragement to each of us as we contemplate what God is calling us to do
on a daily basis.
The
Monthly News
Magazine of
New Life
United
Methodist
Church
At our recent Maundy Thursday Service with King Ave. UMC I preached about
the Christian Calling which referenced the John 13 passage. I ended with
these words:
Is there a need you can meet? Is there someone near you who needs his or
her feet washed—some practical service that could make that person’s
burden lighter?
May the Lord open our eyes to dirty feet and give us a heart to wash them.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Alyce Hardin-Cook
Clothing Room
Volunteer-of-the-Month
Pam Boh is our volunteer for the month of
April. She
comes to us
from Linworth
United Methodist Church.
Pam is a wonderful part of
our Clothing
Room ministry.
She has been
volunteering for
about 1 year.
Pam says: I retired from teaching for 30
years in 2014. I have been married to my
husband Boris for almost 31 years. We
don't have children, but we do have a fluffy
black and white cat named Freckles! Now
that I'm retired, I've become more involved
in activities at my church, and I do quite a
bit of volunteering. I especially like helping
out at New Life!
Pam, thank you for the services that you
provide to our neighbors love, support and
encouragement.
Simona Clardy,
Clothing room Steward
“Every Sunday” in April is
Invite a Friend Sunday!
Fill your pew, invite strangers, coworkers, neighbors and the unchurched to New Life UMC one or
more Sundays in April!
New Life
United Methodist Church
25 West Fifth Ave.
If you would like to volunteer in the Clothing Room, contact Simona Clardy. She has
orientation for new volunteers every Tuesday at 8:30 AM.
[email protected]
614.976.5197
Columbus, Ohio 43201
Sunday worship—10:30 AM
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SPIRITUALITY AND THE GIFT OF MUSIC
"Again when the mind is doubtful, when the mind drinks deep of doubt-poison the senses have no
capacity to inject faith into the mind. Here also music comes to the rescue."
--Sheri Chinmoy
I have taken many paths over a lifetime in my spiritual quest, much the same as others of my
generation. It was the music that brought me back to my roots. Take me home, country roads
and gospel music.
However, the spiritual nature of music transcends any one genre. I have been lifted by Mozart,
gospel, Gregorian chanting, drumming and even rock 'n roll! Music transcends politics, different beliefs and conflicts (at least for a time). It reconnects all of us to our divine nature which is
spiritual. We are all on the same page, both literally and figuratively when we sing or play music together. Maybe the world would not be in such discord if we could just sing to each other.
Music is the sound of spirit. It is a form of prayer. A good friend of mind who is also on a renewed musical journey talks to me about singing and breathing when we practice. Spirit comes
from the Latin word spiritus, which is translated as breath, the essential nature of something.
I have always considered myself a "doubting Thomas," or at least a "questioning Thomas," but
music has always lifted me from despair. Music places us above our doubts and fear and selflimiting beliefs.
It has been a real privilege to have become a part of the music program at New Life. Pastor
Alyce has been a great musical and spiritual inspiration to me and to others in our journey forward. Thanks be to God in gratitude and thanks be to Pastor Alyce for inspiration.
Elaine Buhrlage
Make a joyful noise
unto the Lord.
Psalm 100:1
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Youth Fun Event at New Life
New Life held a fun event for youth in January. It was called the "Fear Factor" because for almost 2 hours, youth
from grades 5-12 played various versions of "hide and seek" (even using cell phones!) throughout the entire church
except for the lower level.
The youth and adults had a great time learning all the "nooks and crannies" of our historically old church.
This event, hopefully, helped the youth understand the different aspects and meaning of the church building and
why certain areas were built in such a manner. Thanks to Mr. Tom Householder who shared so much information
about the church and also led in some of the games!
In the pictures you will find kids hiding by being squeezed up in the bell tower while trying to hide!
The other picture shows the little ones who played in the children's area while the older ones played hide and seek.
Another fun event is being planned now for all of the youth for the spring.
Afterwards, everyone enjoyed pizza donated by Papa John's Pizza on N. High
Street. Parents donated beverages and
other snacks.
A special thanks to all the parents and
volunteers who helped make this a fun
experience. Pictures taken by Cassie
Chenoweth.
Rev. Alyce Hardin-Cook
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Organization; It is a very busy time for the NLCO. The connection to New Life church is widening. The Board and the members of the Finance, Trustees and Administrative Council are
getting to know each other better. This has brought an even greater appreciation for the administrative volunteers. A lot goes on that is generally unseen.
Fund Raising; These events are the major source of income for the ministries. Please plan on
not only attending but sharing the information with your friends and family.
An Evening of Bluegrass our annual fund raising event is scheduled for Saturday, April 16 at
Trinity UMC at 7:00. See the flyer in the newsletter.
The Buckeye Season Kickoff Party is our annual late summer fundraiser. This year the date it
August 30 at Vila Milano. Keep the date open. We will have more information by June.
Many churches continue to provide clothing, food, personal items and money for the ministries.
All are appreciated and valued. Many individuals also make monetary donations. Thank you to
all the donors and if you haven’t please consider giving.
Grants: We have applied for and received a grant from the Endowment Fund at Church of the
Messiah for help in purchasing a newer bus for the breakfast ministry. The bus will have to be
painted, it can’t be left yellow. A major central Ohio company has promised to help up get the
bus painted.
NLCO is also applying for a grant from the United Methodist Church West Ohio Conference.
Community; The NLCO is also connecting with the Short North Alliance so we can see how to
improve the community. We are also reaching out to the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless
as we continue to try to maximize our services and resources to better serve our neighbors in
need.
Finally, we want to thank Pastor Alyce Hardin-Clark. She walked into a very tough situation
and has done a remarkable job in supporting the NLCO. We have been blessed by her presence.
Troy Salyers
NLCO Board President
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From the Director of Christian Education
It is such a blessing to be a part of helping the youth learn the Christian faith tradition and to
help them grow in their relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I want to lift up
thanks to God for the moms, dads, aunts, and church van drivers who provide transportation
to and from church for the youth every Sunday morning. Without the support of relatives and
mentors, the youth would not have the opportunity to be a part of our faith community.
Sunday, February 14th was Volunteer Appreciation Sunday in which we honored all those
from New Life UMC, from our partner churches and from community organizations who serve
as the hands and feet of Christ in our outreach ministries. To aid in the celebration, the youth
cut out valentine hearts and for a couple of weeks, they gathered personal messages of appreciation and thanksgiving from
neighbors attending Sunday morning breakfast which they
distributed during Sunday morning worship. The youth also
traced and cut out handprints of neighbors on fabric which
were used to make a permanent for the altar for that Sunday
symbolizing the many hands that come together to show the
love of Christ to the community.
On Palm Sunday, the youth engaged the congregation in a
reenactment of Jesus entering Jerusalem. Youth told the story
and lead the adults in waving palm branches, laying down
cloth in the aisles, and shouting “Hosanna!” as Jesus
(represented by Liam Timmons) rode in on a donkey. The
youth also blessed us with their voices, singing “This is the
Liam Timmons rode this very donkey
Day that the Lord Has Made.” I am so proud of the youth and down the aisle on Palm Sunday.
their ongoing contributions to leading worship.
Please pray for the youth, their families and the adults from a half-dozen different churches
who give of their time to be a part of our van ministry. Our van drivers are not just “safe drivers”—through their conversations and actions they also serve as Christian witnesses and mentors for the youth.
Peace and Joy,
Pastor Wendy
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New Life United Methodist Church
Year-end 2015 and first quarter 2016
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New Life
United Methodist
Church
25 West Fifth Avenue
Columbus, OH 43201
Mission statement
To love, welcome, and serve all people
in the name of Jesus Christ
New Life News
is the monthly news/magazine of
New Life United Methodist Church
25 West Fifth Ave
Columbus, OH 43201
614-294-0134
[email protected]
www.newlifeunitedmethodist.org
Pastor
The Rev. Alyce Hardin-Cook
Christian Educa Coord
Wendy Hansen-Smith
Pianist
Elaine Buhrlage
Guitarist
Bill Henning
Collating
Alice Brooks
Clothing Room Steward
Simona Clardy
Custodians
Norm Moore & Michael Reeves
Editor
Maarlene Haught