April 2007

General News

Thank you

Thank you to everyone who supported and contributed to our J.A.M. BAKE SALE on Sunday, March 11, and to those who purchased and donated fleece. Our J.A.M. kids raised $100 and donated 20 blankets to Project Linus. Project Linus is a volunteer organization which makes and donates blankets to children in Hospice and hospitals around Columbus and throughout the United States.

 

Hospitalization Notifications Requested!

Remember, if you are hospitalized, the church is not notified by the hospital, even if they ask you for your church affiliation. (This is a change required by the privacy rules.) This is a constant source of disappointment to your ministers, who want to care for you, but may not know you are ill. Please do not hesitate to have a family member or friend call the office with this information. We would rather hear twice, than not at all! Thanks! Alan and Pat

Why I… Promote Church Camp

by Terrie Huston
When I was 22 my Dad took a job as the Director for Camp Allegheny, a United Methodist Church Camp in Western Pennsylvania. Both our children started attending parent/child summer camp events there when they were three years old and have had wonderful experiences, but the most profound moment to sum up why I am such a proponent of Church camp occurred when Scott was seven or eight years old. Camp Allegheny was celebrating their 50th Anniversary and many of the long-standing traditions of Camp were taking place. Rob and I, along side my parents, renewed our marriage vows at the Chapel in the Woods, and we all gathered around the picnic table and sang the "Watermelon Song" as a longtime staff member sliced watermelons one-handed with great speed and agility.

Another long-standing tradition occurs following worship – the candlelight walk from the Camp Center to the ball field where the candles are placed in the shape of a cross, around which communion is shared. For this special occasion, as we left the Camp Center for the procession, from the hillside came the sound of a single trumpet playing "Amazing Grace" then "On a Hill Far Away" and so many other great hymns. It truly sounded as though the hillside were singing. As we made our way to the ball field and looked to the sky, thousands of stars sprinkled the heavens and after placing our candles and taking communion Scott, who was walking with Rob, looked up to his Dad and said, "Dad, it feels like God is here."

While this was a very special and personal experience, Church camp provides those "Mountain Top" experiences to those who attend. It is a chance to become centered on Christ away from the demands of our everyday experiences. Every child, in every church, should have the opportunity to experience such a relationship with God. Our daughter, Sarah, was just telling me the other day that she can't wait to get to Camp this summer because she always feels so happy there. It's the only place she's been where, even without the trumpet's peal from the hilltop, she can sense God's presence. What a Gift!
- Terrie Huston, Camp Coordinator

Editor's note: If you are interested in learning more about Summer Camps, please contact the church office, at 885-5365, or contact Terrie Huston directly. Camp Sunday at WUMC is Sunday, April 29.

Summer Church Camp

The brochures for the West Ohio Summer Camping program have arrived! Camping opportunities are offered for the following individuals/groups:

• Kids (entering 2nd Grade–12th Grade, 2007-08 school year)
• Families
• Parent/child (child must be at least 6 years old or entering 1st Grade)
• Physically challenged (for those 9 years old or older) The West Ohio Conference offers two Church Camps and a Retreat and Conference Center. Among these three sites there are more than 50 events to choose from. To check out what's available and for registration information, pick up a brochure today!

Fundraising for Campers

For families sending kids to camp, the cost runs from $130 for mini-camp to over $400 for events for older kids. Many families in our church send more than one child to camp each summer. It is the Church's belief that no child should have to miss out on the opportunity to participate in a summer camping event due to the expense, and as a result offers fundraising opportunities to help offset the cost. This year you can support the Campership Fund in two ways:

1. Pennies For Camp – Last year we raised over $1,500 with this campaign and people continue to bring in their pennies for this fundraiser. The Pennies Jar is in Linda Kretschmaier's office. This is an easy way to contribute to the Campership Fund year-round.
2. Mother's Day Basket Silent Auction – Put together a basket that you or your mother would love, and bring it to the Church marked "Campership Fund Auction" by April 28. The basket auction will begin on April 29 and final bidding will take place May 6 with all proceeds going to the Campership Fund. Thank you for your help and support!

Love one another as I have loved you. - Jesus

Stephen Ministry is Christ caring for people through people. Stephen Ministry is a system of training and organizing lay persons for caring ministry in and around their congregations and communities. Through trained lay individuals, Stephen Ministry seeks to meet the needs of people:

• The hospitalized
• The terminally ill
• People who are homebound
• Those with a job crisis
• Those facing life transitions
• The aging and elderly
• Those with disabilities and their families
• The separated and divorced
• Households experiencing birth or adoption
• The lonely
• New members in church or in community

Stephen Ministers have completed 50 hours of training in preparation for their confidential ministry, and regularly meet for ongoing education and supervision. If you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister or if you would like to request a Stephen Minister, please contact Judy Mayhew (614-895-1337) or Patti Mills (740-881-4940).

Book Review

The Final Week of Jesus, by Max Lucado
One Hundred Graces, collected by Marcia and Jack Kelly
Unless We Pray, by Maxie Dunnam
If you are looking for some contemplative reading for the Lenten observance and Easter celebrations, look no further than The Final Week of Jesus, by Max Lucado, the same author who gave us Cure for the Common Life. The Final Week of Jesus is a thoughtful discussion of each of the seven days leading up to the Resurrection, combining scripture, historical fact and related modern events to create an engaging volume that is difficult to put down. Max Lucado's style is warm and inviting, and depicts the events before the first Easter in a unique and poignant way. The Final Week of Jesus is available in the WUMC library.

Other thoughtful volumes offered by the WUMC library are One Hundred Graces, compiled by Marcia and Jack Kelly, and Unless We Pray, by Maxie Dunnam. One Hundred Graces contains literally one hundred prayers from multiple backgrounds and cultures, including Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and Native American, and its unique calligraphy makes this work an artistic read as well as a thought-provoking one. Unless We Pray is a tiny volume, perfect to carry in a purse or jacket pocket, with one or two contemplative observations on prayer on each page. Even if you have little time to read, this little book is an inspiring supplement to daily prayer.
– Reviewed by Kristen Welcome-McKee

WUMC Youth Present Their 16^th Annual Mulch Sale

Purchase your mulch through the church and support the youth program. We offer free* delivery on orders of 15 bags or more. Orders can be placed with youth volunteers before and after the service. Orders will be accepted through April 15.

Join Open Door Class for Video Series

Starting the Sunday after Easter - April 15 – the Open Door Adult Sunday School class will begin a video series on the Holy Land, the Bible, and our faith. Filmed on location in Israel by Focus on the Family Films, Faith Lessons^™ is a unique video series that brings God's Word to life with astounding relevance. By weaving together the Bible's fascinating historical, cultural, religious, and geographical contexts, teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan reveals keen insights into Scripture's significance for modern believers. These illuminating "faith lessons" afford a new understanding of the Bible that will ground your convictions and transform your life. The first two videos in the series are "Faith Lessons on the Promised Land" and "Crossroads of the World," followed by "Faith Lessons on the Prophets" and "Kings of Israel." "Faith Lessons on the Promised Land" focuses on how God put his mark on a people and their land -- a mark that he has extended through ancient Israel to the faithful today. Join us for this fascinating video series, on Sunday mornings, at 9:30 am, in the Chapel.

Volunteers' Corner - Our Sound Crew!

Our Sound System Volunteers are crucial to the smooth operation of our sanctuary sound system during Sunday worship services, weddings and special services throughout the year. Headed by Craig Kramer (pictured here at the soundboard), our Sound Crew includes Carl Rolston, Sean Leary, Dick Mayhew and Jerry Stine. The worship service would be very quiet indeed without these faithful volunteers! The next time you are in the sanctuary for a service, glance up at the southern end of the balcony and give a wave and "thank you" to our wonderful sound crew!

Rutter Work Featured in Youth Choral Festival

We are excited to announce The Annual Youth Choral Festival Concert here at WUMC on Sunday, April 29, at 7:00 pm, in the sanctuary. The highlight of the evening will be a performance of John Rutter's Mass of the Children. The work made its debut at Carnegie Hall in February, 2003. It was Rutter's first major work in thirteen years. Rutter's Mass of the Children is a beautiful work written for four-part mixed choir, three-part children's choir, organ and orchestra. Performers include: Con Brio Children's Choir, Emily Gill, Director; The Columbus Children's Chorus, Sandra Mathias, Director; The Columbus Youth Chorale, Mark Hutsko, Director; along with our WUMC Chancel Choir, Eric Kauffman, Director; and WUMC Children's Choir, Gretchen Wessel, Director, The Upper Arlington High School Orchestra, John Deliman, Director, and Dr. Linda Nolan on the organ. This wonderful community outreach is made possible by a generous grant from The Barbara & Bill Bonner Family Foundation of the Columbus Jewish Foundation. It will be a wonderful evening of music, so be sure to mark your calendars!

WUMC Hosting Workshop on Sacred Music for Children

WUMC will host an A.G.O. (American Guild of Organists) Workshop on Monday, April 30, at 7:30 pm, in the sanctuary.

• Sandra Mathias, of the Columbus Children's Choir and Mark Hutsko of the Columbus Youth Chorale will lead Monday evening's workshop on Choosing Quality Sacred Literature for Children's and Youth Choirs.
• This workshop will consist of sharing favorite pieces of sacred literature performed by the Columbus Children's Choir, the Columbus Youth Chorale and participants.
• Participants will share packets of literature prepared for their reading, from the CCC and CYC libraries. A sheet with titles, composers, and publishers will be provided.
• This workshop is free and all are welcome to attend!

New Member Class

If you have been thinking about membership in our faith community, now's the time! Our next new member class will be offered on Sunday, April 22, beginning at 10:45 am and ending at 2:30 pm. We will provide lunch, babysitting and lots of opportunities to meet other members. You will learn about our church and its activities, have a short course on what it means to be United Methodist, take a church tour, and get connected! We will welcome you into membership at the 11:00 am service on April 29. If you are interested, please call Pastor Pat Oesterle, at 885-5365.

Support New Life Ministries at Bluegrass Concert

On Saturday, April 14, 6:00 – 10:00 pm, attend a concert of Bluegrass music to benefit New Life United Methodist Church's ministry with people in need. Scheduled performers are: Tradin' Up!, Alum Creek Singers, Death by Banjo, Delmar's Toad (featuring Tyler Ashcraft, Marty Leedy, Buren Carter and Miss Megan Murphy), and special guests: the King Avenue UMC Bluegrass Quartet. The concert will be held at New Life United Methodist Church, 25 West 5th Avenue, in the Short North area of Columbus. The music starts at 6:00 pm, and concessions are available at 5:30 pm, with a Silent Auction of unique items!!! This event is free!!! Admission is by donation. Packages of new socks and new underwear will also be gladly accepted. Come out and support New Life Ministries with an enjoyable evening of lively music!

ARK(A support and fellowship group for moms with children)

ARK is a fellowship and support group for moms and kids. The morning group meets each Tuesday morning, at 9:30 am, and the evening group meets the second and fourth Tuesdays, at 7:00 pm. Child care is provided free of charge. This group is open to any mom in the church or in the community.

Creative Play Center News

The CPC staff has spent a lot of time working on exploring and learning about the new criteria for NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) program accreditation. These new criteria went into effect in September, 2006. The new accreditation system has categorized over 400 criteria into 10 standard areas.

For our project, the staff was divided into small groups and assigned a standard area to examine. They were then charged with determining whether or not we, as a program, are meeting each of the criterion in their standard area, documenting how we are meeting the criteria, and finally, making recommendations for how we can meet any criteria that the team felt we are currently not fully meeting. The documentation of this process is available for all to see and learn, and is on display currently in the East Hallway of the church. Check it out!

Attention, Musicians!

Musicians from within our congregation are invited to share their talents at a Taizé service during the year ahead. In the four years since Taizé services began, many people from our church and the community have taken turns providing music for this lovely, quiet service. Two or three musicians are needed for each service, held the second Wednesday of the month. Music is distributed 10 days ahead of time and there is one short rehearsal in addition to the 40-minute service, which begins at 7:30 pm in the Potter Chapel.

It has been wonderful to work with high school and college students, amateur musicians from the congregation and even some professional musicians. We have had voice, guitar, violin, viola, viola da gamba, flute, clarinet, recorder, oboe, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium and piano. Many who have volunteered their services have asked to be included a second time, because of the nature of the music and the spiritual setting. If you are interested in contributing your musical talents to your church in this special way, please contact me by phone at 848-3360, or by email at jbakercook@aol.com.
- Janice Cook, Taizé Music Coordinator

SonForce Kids vacation Bible School 2007

Send your kids on a "mission" they will never forget. Kids are transported to a super secret high-tech satellite command center that orbits high above the earth. Kids join a special team of agents doing missions for God. Kids start as a Level 1 Special Agent working their way to a Level 5 Special Agent, the highest level possible. Kids will have a blast as they decode Joshua 1:9. Watch for registration information coming in the mail soon! SonForce Kids will...

• learn to be God's courageous disciples!
• use cool gadgets!
• try on disguises!
• play action Games!
• make cool Crafts!
• sing great Songs!
• eat yummy Snacks!
• watch hilarious Skits!
• get a FREE SonForce Kids T-Shirt!

Palm Sunday and Joyful Family Funday

Children (3-year-olds through high school) will gather in the Education hallway, beginning at 9:10 am on Palm Sunday, April 1, for our procession into the sanctuary. The Children's Choir will sing at both the 9:30 and 11:00 am services. Following Children's Moments, kids will be dismissed to Dixon Lounge to go to the Sunday School rooms. Families are invited to come back to church on Palm Sunday afternoon, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, to celebrate Joyful Family Funday in crafts, games, cookie decorating and our ever popular Easter Egg Hunt!

Take the Plunge! - into Sunday School!

"Make a Splash with Jesus!" is the theme for our Summer Sunday morning program for kids PreK through 6th grade. We will spend time in Lifespring Lagoon and soak up the Word each week as we experience God's Word in Bibleland Bay, Craft-Away Cove, Oceans of Motion, Snack Shack, and Raise the Reef Praises. Watch upcoming Messengers and bulletin announcements on how your kids can get their Season Pass for a summer of fun at WUMC. We will also be looking for Park Crews (teachers) to help us "Take the Plunge" each week. Sign up early to be on a Park Crew.

Parents' Night Out

Friday, April 20, 6:00-9:00 pm
Kids enjoy games, crafts and a movie while their parents enjoy an evening out. Please make sure your child has had dinner before arriving. Cost is $10 for the first child and $5 for each additional child. We provide a snack during our movie time. Parents' Night Out is sponsored by our Children's Ministry Team. Child care is provided through Sitters Unlimited Ltd. To make a reservation, call the church office at 885-5365.

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