August 2009Inside this Issue

Home Gatherings
Thank You so much for your gracious welcoming of me to Worthington United Methodist Church and community. It is already beginning to feel like home and your thoughtfulness and patience is greatly appreciated.

I very much want to spend these initial months getting to know you, the flow of life here and the hopes and dreams you have. It only took a few moments to sense the tremendous gifts and resources that are present in this congregation as well as the energy and eager anticipation I am experiencing from so many of you.

Indeed it is a wonderful place to be! And I am glad that each and every one of you are here and look forward to our inviting and welcoming others to join with us in this adventure called our faith journey.

As one way of getting to know this congregation, Home Gatherings are being hosted in many homes. The Staff Parish Relations Committee and office staff are helping to organize these. If you would like to host one, please contact the office and we will get you the information needed. It is a rather informal two-hour time with twelve to fourteen people where I can ask a few questions, and persons can share ideas and stories with me and one another. It is a relatively painless way to get to know at least a part of your church family a bit better.

Please, if you would like to host one of these events, contact the church office, at mary@worthingtonumc.org or 614-885- 5365, and we will help to set the date and get you the information you need. Also, if you would like to be certain to be invited to one, let us know that as well and we will make sure you are invited to one. Our hope is that enough people will host that every person can be invited to attend one.

Again, thank you for your hospitality. I feel blessed to be a part of the ministry here, and to work with such a talented and committed staff and cadre of leaders. Together, we can make a tremendous difference in this community and world.
- Cyndy

Meet New D.S. Rev. Marcus Atha

Rev. Marcus Atha and family.

You are invited to an Open House to meet the new District Superintendent of the Capitol Area North District, Rev. Marcas Atha, and his wife Kristen and their four children, Lucas, Cameron, Chelsea and Simeon. Open houses will be held at the following dates and locations:

Sunday, August 9, at Marysville First UMC, 207 S. Court St., Marysville
Sunday, August 16, at St. Luke's UMC, 1150 W. Fifth Ave., Columbus
Sunday, August 30, at Marion Epworth, 249 E. Center St., Marion

All persons from churches in Capitol Area North are invited to drop in and meet at the Open House most convenient to you. This is an informal time to visit. There will be no program. The time for each Open House is 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Stay as long as you like, and leave when you are ready.

Inside this IssueArticle titles are given below each page title.

Parish Concerns: parish concerns page

We express love and sympathy; Best Wishes; Congratulations

General News: general news page

Thank You (Marquis); Thank You (Spielman); Office Staff Email Addresses; Church Tours Available; Tailgate Foods Demo; New! Weekly E-Blast; Caretaker Wanted; Join VBS in August!; 2009 Explorations - Join us!; Stephen Ministry Class Offered; Book Review: 'Christ the Lord Out of Egypt,' by Anne Rice; Climate Change Meeting

Outreach Corner: outreach corner page

Worthington Food Pantry; Save the Date: Adult Mission Trip to Bayou La Batre, Alabama; CRIS Family Update; More Outreach Stories (Operation Sandwich - Clouse), (IHN, Stephen Ministry and More - Croley), (Sarah Circle "In-Reach" and More-Nourse) & (Marriage Celebration?Community Service Project Night-Gabel)

United Methodist Women: umw page

Sarah Circle Offers Many Opportunities; Trifles 'n' Treasures