Shrimp
Boil
Standing for
Children
Page 6
Page 2
New
Members
Page 13
firstnews Monthly
614 488.0681
FCchurch.com
May 1 - 31, 2014
Vol. 60 No. 5
Garage Sale
Chaos Yields To
Caring, Compassion
 By Michael Barber
Nineteen years ago, a simple
suggestion to help fund missions work
with a small garage sale contained
within Grace Hall seemed like a good
idea. Today, this idea has become the
very definition of church, while raising
more than $500,000 for causes in
central Ohio and around the world.
Coordinator Beth Hanson was with the
Mission Council Garage Sale since the
beginning. The genesis of this effort
was a need to fund missions, which
had previously relied on a limited
annual church contribution.
“The church decided mission money
would no longer come out of the
operating budget,” Beth said. “We
had to figure out some fundraising
techniques.”
This independence eventually led
to substantial growth of the Mission
Council, allowing the group to raise
more money, doing more good.
The first sale in 1995 earned more than
$7,000.
At the time, many of the volunteers
were concerned that a second annual
attempt would be less successful,
assuming the congregation would
have emptied their homes of unwanted
items the year before.
Last year, the sale earned more than
$52,000.
“It’s expanded beyond the church,”
Beth said. “Our base of donors is now
huge.”
Weeks before the 19th annual sale, Beth
and a dozen of the more than 300
volunteers gathered to chat about the
event’s history and their connection to
it.
All agree that the sale exists in spite
of itself. Battles for sales turf, pricing
structure and the ability to keep calm
with customers during stressful times
often push volunteers to the edge.
“This sale is fraught with frustration and
yet we’re still here,” Beth said.
“We’re here because we failed a
basic IQ test,” joked Dick Meyer who
volunteers with his wife, Carol.
Biddie Clark justified her participation.
“No matter how tired you get, no
matter how many problems you’ve
had, you feel so good for the good that
you’ve done,” she said. “It’s a warm
feeling.”
“
No matter how tired you
get, no matter how many
problems you’ve had, you feel so
good for the good that you’ve
done. It’s a warm feeling.”
— Biddie Clark, Garage Sale Volunteer
Biddie became emotional while
describing a family who came to
the sale after losing their home to a
fire. “We gave them everything they
needed to start housekeeping again. I’ll
never forget.”
Cathy Klamar, whose “turf” was earned
in linens because she knew how to
fold a fitted sheet, has experienced
customer showdowns in the past.
“There was a lady I had sort of a
confrontation with over price,” she
said. “She would come back every
year. She started talking to me about
her husband who was very ill. The next
year I learned that he had died. Even
though it was difficult in the beginning,
we have formed a relationship and I
look forward to seeing her every year.”
Carol Baker works in children’s clothes
and understands the importance of
presentation. “Sometimes, people leave
(Continued, Page 2)
Sale On
(Continued from Page 1)
their things stored for way too long,” she said. “We all take them home and wash,
iron and display them. We want curb appeal!”
The sale is not without its lighter moments. Ron Bright recalls telling Beth that
an entire room would have to be emptied to accommodate some roofing
contractors. “She thought I was serious,” he said.
Carol Meyer remembers a woman who donated a wedding gown. “Her friends
asked her how she could sell her wedding gown,” she said. “The woman took it
back. Well, it must have been a tough week because the wedding gown came
back to us and we sold it for a cheap price.”
Regardless of the item, volunteers respect the gift and the circumstances that lead
to its donation.
“While moving furniture from the home of a man who was recently deceased,
I remember taking something out of the closet,” Beth said. “He had written on
a piece of wood each year beginning in the 1930s. One of the years it said “old
age setting in.” It feels sacred, so personal. You feel invested in how the things are
treated when they get where they’re going. We have to turn this into something
good.”
Beth’s sister, Cathy Hanson, considers the Garage Sale an extension of the overall
ministry of the church.
“I’ve had people comment to me that they go to First Community Church because
it’s a mission church,” Cathy said. “Somebody working at the garage sale said, ‘This
is what church is. The community and working for others. This is church.”
It’s been suggested that Beth write a how-to book explaining the finer points of a
successful garage sale. “It depends on the nature of the volunteers,” she said. “It’s
hard to think about putting it in a book with a formula. How do you describe just
getting along? It seems like magic. None of us really understand how it works, but
somehow it has.”
The 19th Annual Mission Council Garage Sale takes place Friday, May 16, 6:30 pm 9 pm (prices doubled) and Saturday, May 17, 8 am - 3 pm at North Campus.
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
 By Karyl Hanhilammi
July 25 will be the date of the everpopular Shrimp Boil. This dinner,
featuring delicious shrimp and all the
trimmings, will benefit the Back Bay
Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Loretta and Dave Heigle serve during a recent
Shrimp Boil.
This event is often sold out, so plan to buy your tickets beginning June 29. More
details will be available soon.
2
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
firstnews is a communications mission of
First Community Church, published for
church members and the community to
share insights, educate and inform.
The Shrimp
Are Coming!
You will also be treated to
entertainment by What the Heck
Four, a fantastic barbershop quartet
featuring our own Rev. Paul Baumer.
firstnews Articles
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
rates — U.S. First Community members - $1/
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dollars. For non-U.S. rates, call the firstnews
office. Postmaster: Send address changes to
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Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43212-3200.
May 1 - 31, 2014
From Words, Action
 By Tracy Hoag
Over a year ago, I heard Dr. Wing talk about the Albert
Schweitzer Fellowship in a sermon. He discussed the
graduate students who were committing themselves to
year-long, mentored service projects designed to address
vulnerable populations in the Columbus area. As a Masters of Nursing student who works with vulnerable
populations for a living, I thought he just might be talking
to me. The seed was planted. Many months later, again in a sermon, Dr. Wing mentioned
that a First Community Church group was starting to visit
people who were approaching the end of their lives at
Franklin Medical Center, a medical center for those serving
time in prison, many of whom did not have visitors. As a hospice nurse, I’m accustomed to meeting people
at this stage of their life, but I had never been in a prison
before. Somehow I just knew that I could do it. So I joined
the Ministry of Presence, and I started going to the prison
every other week.
The Ministry of Presence does many things with the
inmates: singing, crocheting, playing cards. Vickie Murphy
and I read stories with the inmates who are elderly or too ill
to function in usual prison life. We laugh and talk and are
just kind to each other. It is meaningful in the simplest way. Through our involvement, we learned of the
administration’s efforts to improve the palliative care
program in the prison medical center. They expressed a
desire to expand compassion and healing for aging inmates
not just in their final days, but across the continuum. It
became clear to me that I had my project. With the help
of the administrative staff of the prison and my advisor at
Capital University, I developed a proposal for the Albert
Schweitzer Foundation and was awarded a Fellowship for
this coming year. The hope is to expand what the prison is already trying to
do by identifying the needs of aging inmates earlier and
providing holistic interventions to address those needs. I
will be partnering with the staff at Franklin Medical Center
and my faculty mentor to develop programs and coordinate
volunteer efforts to promote healing for the inmates and
their internal and external families.
I know that I have a lot to learn. I know that I’m going to
need patience and prayers. I also know that I’m supposed
to be doing this and Dr. Wing now knows that at least one
person is listening to his sermons.
Soundings
Kindness
–– The Reverend Dr. Richard A. Wing, Senior Minister
Kindness feels like a soft weak
word. Far from it. Kindness is not
niceness, or weakness, or cheesy.
Kindness is not greeting card
sentiment. It has substance.
— Eugene Peterson
The late Roger Ebert said,
“Kindness covers all of my
political beliefs. No need to
spell them out. I believe that
if, at the end, according to
our abilities, we have done something to make others a
little happier, and something to make ourselves a little
happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others
less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where
all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world.
That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our
circumstances. We must try. I didn’t always know this and
am happy I lived long enough to find it out.”
The Dalai Lama was asked what his religion was. He replied,
“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”
When I was a child, our church burnt down. Hardly a thing
was rescued from it. The only thing we were able to take
from the old wooden framed church and put on a concrete
wall was a marble plaque which read: “Be kind, one to
another.”
Philo of Alexandria said long ago, “Be kind, for everyone you
meet is fighting a great battle.”
Peace to your path,
Looking Ahead
Dr. Wing is preparing the following sermons:
May 4:
Third Sunday of Easter
THE RETURN
May 11:
Fourth Sunday of Easter
I DON'T NEED A THING
May 18:
Fifth Sunday of Easter
WHEN THE WOOD IS GREEN
May 25:
Sixth Sunday of Easter
ONE MORE THING BEFORE I GO
May 1 - 31, 2014
3
Foundation Gifts
Foundation Corner
Whatjamajig?
— Lauri Speight Sullivan, Director of First Community Foundation
Any new job is, by nature, going to expose you to
new things. Mine is no exception. Recently, the
Foundation was asked to pay for an annunciator for
the 1320 building. Now, I know the oratory skills of
our preachers are amazing, so why an annunciator?
So we could hear Dr. Wing better? And more
importantly, why a Foundation grant?
An annunciator is a high-tech fire alarm system
which alerts the fire department in the event of
an emergency as to where specifically the fire is
in the building. This one was to be placed on the
main floor of the 1320 building. This came at the request of the Grandview
Fire Department who recognized the current fire panel located deep in the
basement, in an area called “the well,” could ultimately be a hazard to both
visitors to the building and the firefighters.
Additionally, this is an area where cell phones don’t work. You might question
the need of an annunciator, but trust me this building has more nooks and
crannies than an English muffin. There are stairs that lead to doors that are
locked. There is a basement that could easily be classified as a catacomb and
there are small children in our preschool. So the Foundation Board agreed this
could be a useful item.
By most standards it was inexpensive ($2,000) but it was an “extra”, and an
excellent example of what the Foundation does routinely for the congregation.
Pam Jameson, Director of Facilities Ministry, has a budget for normal, anticipated
repairs; the current fire panel was not really broken, just installed in an unsafe
area of the building. Her choice to approach the Foundation made sense
since, as a non-profit, the Foundation adheres to generally-accepted non-profit
principles and is obligated to spend about 5% of our earnings annually. This was
just one of several projects in 2013 that the Foundation reviewed, determined
the best fund to use honoring donor instructions and released the money for use.
Our spending in total was $335,197. I can’t help thinking that the folks who
started the Foundation in 1954 are smiling knowing their idea of endowment
for First Community Church is such a force. All ministries have received some
Foundation support over the years and most annually. Foundation Sunday on
May 4 is a time to reflect on the accomplishments and impact. Please take a
minute to look at The Acorn, the Foundation’s annual newsletter, located in this
issue of firstnews Monthly.
Personally, I hope the annunciator is never used, but I am thankful it is there
protecting the building and everyone who uses it. I am also thankful the
Foundation is there to help make our facilities as
FOUNDATIO
IT Y
N
exceptional as our worship services.
UN
M
FIR S
TC
O
60
M
*
Diamond
Anniversary
In Memory of:
Jane Davis
Miriam Clark
Kay Graf
Preston and Margaret Garvin
Terry and Barb Davis
Jim and Clare Long
Tomi Spyker
Nancy Masters
Dave and Charlotte Search
Bill and Patty Mielke
Heather Kelly
John Brooks Decker
Bill and Diana Arthur
Fairfield National Bank
Rob Van Evra and Rita Romine
Pete and Suzie Edwards
Rand Kampmeier
Susan Brooks
Mollie Gail Smith
Guild Group Q
In Honor of:
Heart to Heart
Doug and Darian Torrance
First Community Foundation
Joe Ray
Herb and Jeanne Johnston Church Gifts
Worship Technologies
In Honor of:
Matt McCandlish
Donnalynn and Christian Laver
Heart to Heart
Mark & Carol Allaire
Crystal Allen
Dwayne & Tammi
Christine Baker
Cathy Boggs Utgard
Marjorie Bohl
DA Bramlett
Merideth Brown
Mary Buchsieb
Bob Burns
Kevin & Elizabeth Carpenter
Biddie Clark
Richard Connolly
Patrick & Hope Cooper
Thomas Davis
Matthew & Allison Dee
Nancy Dell
Helen Dennehy
John & Ernestine Dilorenzo
Pat Donovan
Susan K & Thomas R
Sue Dunlap Potts & Thomas Potts
Michael & Jane Endres
Richard & Peggy Ford
Philip Fulton
David & Gloria Gardner
Ron Gardner
Howard & Virginia Gauthier
Brian Gillespie & Scott McLaughlin
Melissa Gordon
TR Gross
Nancy Heath
Charles Dana Hendrickson
Joseph Heremans
Theodore & Diane Hobson
Molly Hood
Paul & Melissa Imhoff
Richard & Donna Irene
Herbert N & Jeanne Johnston
Denny & Ellen Kaercher
Ann Kayser
David & Glenna Kinard
Mary Ann Krauss
Robert & Deborah Lentz
Brian & Mary Loe
Howard & Ellen Lowery
J Eric & Kari Mackenbach
Bill & Debbie Marsh
Janet McCutcheon
Richard Millisor
Gilbert Morris
Mary Munsell
Steve & Rachel Mushrush
James Nicklaus
Mary Olson
Betty O’Neill
Rich & Joanne Ottum
(Continued, Page 5)
4
May 1 - 31, 2014
Church Gifts
Peter & Diana Pema
Rita Pierman
William & Frances Plyler
Thomas & Susan Powell
Quarterly Magazine Concepts
Joseph & Jeanne Reed
Dick & Kitty Rohrer
Tacy Satterthwaite
Robin & Janice Schmidt
Margaret Schorr
Anne Sheline
Jack & Patricia Shuter
Debra Stephens
Tracy Stuck
Jonathan & Jackie Thackeray
Stephen & Susan Trendy
Robert Turner
Loren & Cheryl Van Deusen
Angela Van Fossen
Carolyn Warmolts
Rick & Patty Weisheimer
Marilyn Wenrick
Jackie Wood
Paul & Susan Younger
In Memory of:
Putnam S. Pierman, Sr.
Robin & Lorren Negrin
James & Kristi George
The Tom & Arlene Alexander family
Jack Wallace & Shirley Lersch
Loren & Cheryl VanDeusen
Dr. Diana Laver Bowman
Christian & Donnalynn Laver
On We Go
The UCC
–– The Reverend Mr. Paul E. Baumer, Minister to the Staff
One of my intentions is to use this column
to chat with you now and then about one of
the denominations to which First Community
Church relates. And “relates” is the correct word,
not “belongs.” I do this because most of our
denominational participation takes place with the
United Church of Christ. Unfortunately, or not, many
of us are unaware of this vital relationship which
helps extend our mission outreach and offers helpful
resources and education.
The United Church of Christ is a congregational
polity denomination and one of the most forward-looking Christian
denominations. Our predecessors were the first to send missionaries overseas,
although they were new at it and didn’t do the job as well as we do now. Just ask
native Hawaiians. Be that as it may, our predecessors were also the first to ordain
women clergy and the first to ordain out of the closet homosexuals.
Rafiki
In Honor of:
Dr. Richard Wing
J. Thomas and Kathleen Jones
So here we go. But let me start and close this first chapter in our denominational
journey together with the preamble to our denomination’s constitution, not
always dry reading:
Mexico Mission Trip 2014
Amy and Doug Bodin
In Celebration of:
Sherry Barger
Paula Russell
Emily Orsini
Heidi & Kevin Orsini
In Honor of:
Sarah Kientz
Tim Carlson
Pam & Wayne Carlson
In Memory of:
Rev. Richard Scanland
Adam & Christopher Miller
Paul Knies
Joan Knies
Mary Virginia Ambrose
Lori Smith
Jeff Rieck, KIA April 2012
Sharryn and Graham Webb
The United Church of Christ acknowledge as its sole Head, Jesus Christ, Son of
God and Savior. It acknowledges as kindred in Christ all who share this confession.
It looks to the Word of God in scriptures, and to the presence and power of
the Holy Spirit, to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world. It
claims as its own the faith of the historic church expressed in the ancient creeds
and reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers. It affirms the
responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own in reality
of worship, in honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before
God. In accordance with the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing
among evangelical Christians, it recognizes two sacraments: Baptism and the
Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion.
Friends of Akita
In Celebration of:
Camp Akita
Carol Baker
Matthew Hersha
Camp Akita Campers
Jean Crawford
In Honor of:
Scott, Kelsey & Ella Walker
Lynne Olson
In Memory of:
John Decker
Ruth Gingrich & Susan Miller
Nahara Mau
Llora Beth Le Fevre
Friends of Music
In Celebration of:
Dick Wing
Ann Williams
In Honor of:
Ronald Jenkins & William Davis
J. Thomas & Kathleen Jones
In Memory of:
Dr. Diana Laver Bowman
Early Childhood Scholarship Fund
In Honor of:
Sharon Chidester
Donice Wooster
Or, as we say in today’s theological shorthand, we believe that God is still speaking.
Community Forums June 4, 8
Community Forums are scheduled for June 4, 7 pm, North Campus and 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.
Watch FCchurch.com and Firstnews-Extra.com for details.
May 1 - 31, 2014
5
Take Heart
Glad and Sad…Mother’s Day Edition
–– The Reverend Ms. Deborah Lindsay, Minister of Spiritual Care
In last month’s column, I wrote about the difficulty
we have when we experience a mix of emotions,
the confusion in feeling mad and sad and glad all
at the same time. We know how to celebrate; we
know how to grieve, but we don’t know how to
do them both at the same time. Sometimes we
even feel guilty when we “should be happy,” but
we’re experiencing feelings of grief and loss. By the
way, “should” might as well be a four-letter word,
if you ask me. There is no “should” about human
emotion; you feel what you feel.
Mother’s Day is a primary example.
I’ll use my own life to illustrate: the
birth of my son, William, was the best
thing that has ever happened to me.
The death of my mother, when I was
13, was the worst thing that ever
happened to me, and on Mother’s Day
my feelings about both get all stirred
up. Mostly, I am happy to celebrate
the joys and rewards of being William’s
mom, but the sadness about losing my
own mother at a young age is heavy on
my spirit as well.
Mother’s Day is complicated for so many of us, for so many reasons. For the
woman who is unable to have children, for the mother whose child is sick or has
died, for the same-gender couples who are prevented from experiencing the
full benefits of parenting children, for people whose mother has died, or whose
mother was unable to be a loving, capable parent, or people whose relationship
with their mother is broken…for all these reasons, Mother’s Day brings grief
along with the celebration.
I encourage you to respect and hold all of these feelings gently. Don’t brush
them away or pretend they don’t exist. Acknowledge the emotions you
experience and know God blesses them. (Even – especially – if what you’re
feeling is anger at or disappointment in God.)
Whatever your life story, Mother’s Day can be meaningful. For example, you
might participate in Standing Women. At 1 pm on Mother’s Day, May 11, men
and women of all ages will gather around the globe to stand in silence as a
witness for peace. At First Community, Standing Women will be held at the
outdoor labyrinth at our North Campus location. The five minutes of silence
will begin and end with bells; you are invited to pray for peace or simply stand
quietly in community. Of course, being at the church is not a requirement; you
can stand wherever you are at 1:00 that day.
On Mother’s Day we can each celebrate that we are the product of an eternally
creative Creator, and One that is continually re-creating to make all things new.
Blessings,
6
Standing for
Children,
Mother’s Day
Sunday, May 11, 1 pm
Outdoor Labyrinth, North Campus
on May 11, in many locations around
the world, women and men will stand
for five minutes in silence, holding a
vision of the world they envision for
future generations. The silence will
begin and end with the ringing of a
bell.
Please arrive in time to be standing in
place when the bell rings at 1 pm to
begin the silence. If you are unable to
stand for five minutes, you are welcome
to bring a lawn chair.
You can check the website
standingwomen.net for other locations
around Columbus and the world and
for the story of how this began.
Mother’s Day Peace Prayer
Together let us invoke the
unconditional power and
commitment from all the mothers,
grandmothers, aunties, and all
women circling the earth, to awaken
the global heart. By lifting our voices
in a chorus of peace, we will move
forward to influence humanity, for
a more caring, just, tolerant and
peaceful world. Let it be so.
Printed with gratitude to:
weareenough.org
Get firstnews
Monthly online.
It’s fast. It’s free.
Go to FCchurch.com,
click on firstnews.
May 1 - 31, 2014
Second-Hand Goods,
First-Rate Service
Vocal Recital
Ryan Jenkins is completing his third
year of study in Voice Performance
at The Ohio State University. He has
recently been cast in Interharmonyʼs
production of LʼIncoronazione di
Poppea in several supporting roles.
 By Rebecca Wolfe
Garden Supplies
May inspires us to get
into our gardens and
get everything ready for
the blooms of summer.
Tri-Village Trading Post has a variety of planters and other
accessories for your garden. We also have beautiful vases
for the fresh cut flowers that are sure to come!
With our low prices you can pick up a pretty container to
have on hand for a nice surprise for a neighbor or friend.
Name Brands for Less
Chico’s, Talbot’s, Coldwater Creek – these are just a few of
the brands that are flying off our racks this spring. Shopping
at these stores, you know what it costs to update your
wardrobe. Come see us at the Trading Post and see how
you can get up-to-date styles at a real bargain.
Get Social
Trading Post is now on Facebook. We want to keep people
up-to-date on our constantly changing store. It’s not the old
Trading Post of your grandma’s days when opened in 1953.
We are light and bright, clean and organized and we want
everyone to know. Please “like” us!
Personal Shoppers
Did you know that Tri-Village Trading Post has personal
shoppers? Harriett Brown will tell you that we do. Harriett
has trouble shopping for herself, finding that just-right fit
and colors that go together well. Does that sound familiar?
On a recent visit to Trading Post, Harriett was greeted by
our wonderful ladies and treated to personalized service
finding an outfit that brought smiles to everyone’s faces.
Harriett was especially exuberant, exclaiming, “Today, I felt
like I could really see.” The ladies at the Trading Post were
her eyes and through them she was made to feel special, for
Harriett is legally blind.
One of our regular shoppers calls our clerks her
“fashionistas” as they always give advice on what will work
well together. Several of our volunteers have had experience
in retail and are excellent resources. This particular young
woman always comes in looking great and proudly
exclaims, “Well, I bought it here!” and then of course
proceeds to tell how little she paid for it.
Dressing lovely doesn’t have to cost a lot if you have an eye
for what goes together and what works well for you.
May 1 - 31, 2014
This production will take place in
Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Germany at
the end of this summer.
To help off-set the cost of this trip,
Ryan has put a recital together with
works from Gershwin, Quilter and more. This recital will also
feature Matt Ebright (piano), Dr. C. Andrew Blosser (tenor)
and Kelsey Christlieb (Mezzo). Ryan Jenkins
The recital will take place at North Campus, Sunday, May 4,
6 pm.
Women’s Guild
 By Jill Eliot
Put on your Sunday clothes for the Women’s Guild Spring
Event, “Fashion Fling.” The luncheon will be held at
Brookside Country Club on May 10, 11:30 am - 2 pm
featuring the Grand Salad and Pasta Buffet. Tickets are $28
with free valet parking. The deadline is May 6 for ticket purchases. Checks can be
made out to the FCC Women’s Guild. All women are invited
to come and share in the afternoon. The program will feature a fashion show and boutique from
the Tri-Village Trading Post. Spirits will surge with joy while
watching the 15 models dressed to the nines.
Modeled clothing and boutique items may be purchased
with cash or checks only. Ladies are requested to bring
bundled, white plastic hangers as a gift for use in the Trading
Post. The Spring Event committee members are: Katherine (Kie)
Seiple (chairperson), Susan Brooks, Biddie Clark, Jill Eliot,
Ann Eliot-Naille, Jinny Frick, Ruth Gonser, Rose Kandel, Merci
Katz, Patsy Poe, Estelle Scott and Rebecca Wolfe, Director of
the Trading Post. So, get out your feathers, your patent leathers
Your beads and buckles and bows
— Lyrics by Jerry Herman from Hello Dolly!
7
Care and Spirit
The Spiritual Disciplines
–­– The Reverend Mr. James M. Long, Minister of Pastoral Care
One of the real joys about being at our church is
the wonderful music we experience in worship,
memorial services and other programs. We are
blessed every week by Ron Jenkins, our Minister of
Music and Liturgy, and our organists, Bob Griffith
and Sally Beske. However, I have learned that the
music we so enjoy does not come easy. Indeed, if
there is one thing all our musicians share, it is an
incredible work ethic and discipline.
Discipline can seem like “bad news.” However, it
is necessary to learn anything meaningful, such as
a different language or playing an instrument. It also is important in the spiritual
life. Many years ago, I encountered Celebration of Discipline (Harper and Row,
New York, N.Y., 1978) by Richard Foster, which has since been issued in a second
edition. Foster asserts that spiritual disciplines are a “path to spiritual growth.” In a
sense they “open the door” to a relationship with God.
Foster identifies the following disciplines: The Inward Disciplines - Meditation,
Prayer, Fasting and Study; The Outward Disciplines - Simplicity, Solitude,
Submission and Service; The Corporate Disciplines - Confession, Worship,
Guidance and Celebration.
He says that God’s grace is unearned, but we can engage in practices that make us
more available, open, alert, awake, and aware of God’s presence and guidance in
our lives. Foster calls this “the way of disciplined grace.” “If we expect to grow, we
must take up a consciously chosen course of action involving both individual and
group life and that is the purpose of the Spiritual Disciplines.” (p. 7.)
A “discipline” is a method or approach whereby one is trained by instruction
or exercise. It is an orderly or regular pattern of behavior. We often “practice” a
discipline, whether it is an art form, language, sport, etc. It requires consistent and
rigorous application, repetition, perseverance, and faithfulness.
He asserts that one need not be well advanced in theology to practice the classic
spiritual disciplines. “The Disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that
he can transform us.” (p. 6.) Inner transformation is not gained through human
will and determination. It is God’s work.
Indeed, Foster calls it “the way of death” if we turn the spiritual disciplines into
laws, rules, or requirements. If we make the spiritual disciplines explicit commands
or laws, they can be used to manipulate, control, and imprison people, which we
should not do. And we can never control, manipulate or imprison God.
Gifts, aptitudes, and personality types will influence which disciplines come
more naturally to people. For example, more extroverted and action oriented
people may find certain types of service easier than prayer and meditation. More
introverted and contemplative people may find prayer and meditation easier than
certain types of service. Not everyone finds reading and study to be easy. However,
like any discipline, we simply need to start.
Begin with those disciplines to which you seem called or for which you have a gift
or aptitude. However, do not rule out those disciplines that are more difficult for
you. As you practice, the more difficult disciplines may be the very ones that you
need. And the good news is that God is with you.
Parish Register
We share the joys and sorrows of our
church family in our prayers.
HOSPITALIZATIONS
Joan Betz
Don Eliot
Frank Kennard
Bill Ress
Mary Thomas
Sherri Whetzel
Julie Wilkinson
Paul Younger
ADOPTION
Harrison Grant Fox 12/2013
Son of Julie & Roger Fox
BAPTISMS
Hunter Bradley Herrold 3/16/2014
Son of Lyndsay & Brad Herrold
Marc Scantland Littleton 3/16/2014
Son of Susan & Rob Littleton
Violet Katie Dowell 4/13/2014
Granddaughter of Deke & Dan Kidwell
WEDDINGS
Caroline Schleappi & Matt Gatsch
3/21/2014
Allison Fontana & Gabriel Tomlin
3/29/2014
Daughter of Linda & David Fontana
Lori Lueth & Teddy Damron 4/12/2014
DEATHS
John Decker 3/15/2014
Uncle of Dan Davis
Lad Jelen 3/20/2014
Father of Tom Jelen
Elizabeth Weirick 3/23/2014
Mother of Scott Hieatt
Jack Supman 3/24/2014
Father of Scott Supman
Wib Justi 3/27/2014
Uncle of Joan Talmage
Dennis Brown 3/30/2014
Brother of Marcia Early
William Wentz 4/4/2014
Father of Amy Wentz
Amy Sutton 4/6/2014
Wife of Paul Sutton
William Rhoades 4/7/2014
Husband of Janet Rhoades
Randolph Balch 4/8/2014
Husband of Jacintha Balch
Julie McNamee 4/12/2014
Sister of Steve Crawford
Peace and blessings,
8
May 1 - 31, 2014
Heart to Heart Food Pantry Totals
For March 2014:
Year-to-Date:
Households served..........................234
Individuals served............................678
Children served............................244
Adults served................................355
Seniors served................................ 79
Meals provided.............................6,102
Households served..........................737
Individuals served.........................2,022
Children served............................688
Adults served.............................1,085
Seniors served..............................249
Meals provided...........................18,198
Heart to Heart offers a helping hand and caring heart in times of need.
May 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
2
3
4 (Sunday)
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 (Sunday)
12
13
14
15
16
17
18 (Sunday)
19
20
21
22
23
24
25 (Sunday)
26
27
28
29 (Ascension Day) 30
31
May 1 - 31, 2014
Isaiah 25:1-5
1 Peter 1: 8b-12
Isaiah 26:1-4
1 Peter 1:13-16
Isaiah 25:6-9
Luke 14:12-14
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 Acts 2:14a, 36-41
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35
Genesis 18:1-14
1 Peter 1:23-25
Proverbs 8:32-9:6
1 Peter 2:1-3
Exodus 24:1-11
John 21:1-14
Exodus 2:15b-25
1 Peter 2:9-12
Exodus 3:16-22; 4:18-20
1 Peter 2:13-17
Ezekiel 34:1-16
Luke 15:1-7
Psalm 23
Acts 2:42-47
1 Peter 2:19-25
John 10:1-10
Ezekiel 34:17-23
1 Peter 5:1-5
Ezekiel 34:23-31
Hebrews 13:20-21
Jeremiah 23:1-8
Matthew 20:17-28
Genesis 12:1-3
Acts 6:8-15
Exodus 3:1-12
Acts 7:1-16
Jeremiah 26:20-24
John 8:48-59
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
Acts 7:55-60
1 Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14
Exodus 13:17-22
Acts 7:17-40
Proverbs 3:5-12
Acts 7:44-56
Proverbs 3:13-18
John 8:31-38
Genesis 6:5-22
Acts 27:1-12
Genesis 7:1-24
Acts 27:13-38
Genesis 8:13-19
John 14:27-29
Psalm 66:8-20
Acts 17:22-31
1 Peter 3:13-22
John 14:15-21
Genesis 9:8-17
Acts 27:39-44
Deuteronomy 5:22-33
1 Peter 3:8-12
Deuteronomy 31:1-13
John 16:16-24
Psalm 47
Acts 1:1-11
Ephesians 1:15-23
Luke 24:44-53
2 Kings 2:1-12
Ephesians 2:1-7
2 Kings 2:13-15
John 8:21-30
Special Offering
Provides Housing
Solutions
 By Ryan Miller
The special offering for Habitat for
Humanity-MidOhio will be held on
May 11. First Community Church has
a long-standing tradition of supporting
the important work of this ministry in
our community.
Since 1987, FCC has helped build 22
Habitat homes through volunteer labor
and financial sponsorships through the
Northwest Coalition. The 2013 Habitat
home located at 1320 E. 15th Ave. was
sponsored by the Northwest Coalition
and built in partnership with Charisse
Jackson and her two sons.
The opportunity to offer more families
hope and a brighter future has never
been greater. Your help will provide a
solution of safe and affordable housing.
The staff and volunteers of Habitat for
Humanity-MidOhio are most grateful
for your generous contributions to help
provide housing solutions for so many
families in Columbus and around the
world.
Seeking to put God’s love into action,
Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio brings
people together to inspire hope, build
homes, empower families and develop
communities. Habitat for HumanityMidOhio believes everyone is entitled
to a decent, safe, affordable and
energy-efficient home.
9
The Infinite Quest
A Thousand Ways to Kiss the Earth
–­– The Reverend Mr. David S. Hett, Minister of Religious Life and Learning
i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes
--e.e. cummings
Alan Watts cajoled moderns for calling ourselves
“materialists,” noting that most of us take no real
interest in matter except for how it can be used for
our own quick pleasures or profit.
Summer Spiritual
Growth
Coffee With Clergy & Others
Join us Sunday mornings at South
Campus, June 8 - 29, 8:45-9:45 am
(prior to the 10 am Worship Service) for
informal gatherings with our clergy and
other “persons of interest,” beginning
June 8 with our weekend Spiritual
Searcher, Mirabai Starr.
Mind & Spirit Series
With modernism, spirit was removed from matter, and in a way, everything
became inanimate. The sacred, luminous world died. Protestant religion, a
phenomenon of the modern era, bought into that worldview, disregarding,
rejecting and often even condemning the spiritual nature of matter despite the
fact, as Rumi said, “There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the earth.”
An evening series in June featuring
dialogues between psychologicalspiritual teacher A.H. Almaas and
interpersonal neurobiologist Daniel
Siegel, with discussion facilitated by
Rev. David Hett.
But I was reminded in a lecture the other day that the “Word” was not made
“body;” the Word was made “flesh.” And, said theologian J. Kameron Carter,
that includes the “flesh” of all matter, of plants and animals, of trees and rocks
and hills.
Introduction to the
Hebrew Bible
Philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty developed this idea of the collective “Flesh”
toward the end of his life, as ecological philosopher David Abrams points out in
The Spell of the Sensuous. Merleau-Ponty spoke of “the flesh of the world,” and
his idea of human participation in the world, says Abrams,
calls attention to the obvious but easily overlooked fact that my hand is able to
touch things only because my hand is itself a touchable thing, and thus is entirely
a part of the tactile world that it explores. … To touch the coarse skin of a tree is
thus, at the same time, to experience one’s own tactility, to feel oneself touched
by the tree. And to see the world is also, at the same time, to experience oneself
as visible, to feel oneself seen. … We can perceive things at all only because we
ourselves are entirely a part of the sensible world that we perceive! We might as
well say that we are organs of this world, flesh of its flesh, and that the world is
perceiving itself through us.
In that spirit, Hamilton College professor S. Brent Plate has written A History of
Religion in 5 ½ Objects. Five of the objects are stones, incense, drums, crosses and
bread. The final half of these five and a half objects, as a reviewer notes, is “the
seeking, incomplete human body.” Subtitled Bringing the Spiritual to Its Senses,
Dr. Plate says of his thesis, “If we’ve all got the senses, then we’ve all got access
to the sacred. We taste the bread, we smell the incense; you don’t have to have
an advanced degree to know what that smells like…So don’t feel bad about
having an experience involving stained glass windows; that’s not a trivial thing.”
Adult Education Coordinator Walter
Watkins presents his next summer
course, a July evening series focusing
on the books and message of our Old
Testament, the Hebrew Bible.
Contemplative Way Groups
The Thursday noontime and Saturday
morning Contemplative Way Groups
continue through the summer months.
New participants are always welcome
for this time of sacred reading of mystic
teachers, group silent meditation, and
reflection. Refer to the Weekly Adult
Learning Groups page for more details.
Watch FCchurch.com/adult-learning
and the June firstnews Monthly for more
details, or contact Rev. David Hett at
[email protected] or Walter Watkins
at [email protected]
Thank goodness that Spring comes alive with sacredness, and humans with any
sense-itivity at all seem to know it, as the poets always do, like e.e. cummings
in the epigraph above, or the way Jeff Poniewaz discovers the sacred as he’s
Watering the Garden:
The Bird Sang Me. Beyond Word.
Trills and runs beyond notation.
…emerald hummingbird
come to hover holyghostly
in the rainbows of my hose-spray.
Shalom,
10 May 1 - 31, 2014
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 Natalia at [email protected] or call 614 488.0681 ext. 113.
For more details on specific classes, go to FCchurch.com, search: Adult Learning.
Sunday Morning Seminar at North
Cultural Literacy for Religion: 30 minute video lectures by Professor Mark Berkson of
Hamline University. April 27 - Catholic and Orthodox Christianity; May 4 - Jains, Sikhs
and Bahais; May 11- “Chasing Ice” environmental documentary with an eye toward
understanding what the Genesis idea of ‘dominion’ might mean, and whether that’s
different from stewardship. Facilitated by Walter Watkins, Adult Education Coordinator.
Sundays, 9 – 9:50am
Room 115, North Campus
(Last class – May 11)
Sunday Morning Seminar at South
Cultural Literacy for Religion: Everything the Well-Educated Person Should Know. Facilitated
by Mike Elliott and members of the Adult Learning Council. Coffee with Clergy &
Others will begin June 8.
Sundays, 9:30 – 10:45am
Wicker Room, South Campus
(Last class – May 11)
Meets June 8 -29, 8:45 - 9:45 am
Tuesday at Ten
Embracing Spiritual Awakening with Diana Butler Bass. This 5-week DVD discussion
series with one of our past Spiritual Searchers teaching on the Dynamics of Experiential
Faith concludes the program year for this group.
Tuesdays, 10 – 11:30 am
Wicker Room, South Campus
(Last class – May 27)
Tuesday PM
On God’s Side - May 6 - “Chasing Ice” environmental documentary with an eye toward
understanding what the Genesis idea of ‘dominion’ might mean, and whether that’s
different from stewardship; May 13 – Group brainstorming on topics for next year. Last
session until September.
Tuesdays, 7 – 8:15 pm
Room 125, North Campus
(Last class – May 13)
Men’s Study Group
Men are welcome to join our current study: Pauls’ 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 woman’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
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
A time to study scripture and pray. Led by Rev. Jim Long. Open to all.
Wednesdays, 7 – 8:15 pm
Conference Room, North Campus
(Last class – June 4)
Contemplative Way Group
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 in 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
2nd Saturday: Heart to Heart
Community Room, Annex
May 1 - 31, 2014
11
May Spiritual Salon
Biblical Hero
Deborah
June Spiritual Searcher
Mirabai Starr
Author, translator of the mystics and leading voice in the
emerging Interspiritual Movement, Mirabai Starr uses fresh,
lyrical language to help make timeless wisdom accessible to
a contemporary circle of seekers.
Deborah’s Daughters:
Gender Politics and
Biblical Interpretation
Dr. Joy Schroeder
Professor of Church
History, Trinity
Lutheran Seminary
Thursday, May 22
7 – 8:30 pm
Brownlee Hall,
South Campus
Dr. Schroeder’s fascinating Deborah’s
Daughters is the story of how Jews and
Christians have read the narrative of
Deborah (Judges 4-5)—prophet, judge,
poet, and war leader—for the last
2,000 years, and how they applied the
story to the women of their day.
God of Love: A Guide to the Heart
of Judaism, Christianity and Islam
Friday, June 6 • 7 - 8:30 pm
One Love: The Interspiritual Quest
An exploration of the interconnected wisdom at the heart of all religious and
spiritual traditions. Discover the unifying teachings and experience the heartopening practices that carry us beyond the intellectual understanding of
humanity’s many spiritual paths to the place where we are transformed by the love
at their common core.
Saturday, June 7 • 9 am - 3:30 pm
Bees in the Garden
An Experiential Workshop in Cultivating Interspiritual Nature
Open to the public. Free-will offering
taken at the door to support Spiritual
Salon programs.
In this day-long gathering, we will follow the sweet streams of mystical longing
and social justice through the readings from the ecstatic poetry of the mystics,
investigating the sacred texts of the world’s greatest religions, sitting in
contemplative silence, chanting the names of God in an array of languages, and
engaging in deep dialog through conversation and writing.
More information available at
FCchurch/adultlearning or by calling
614 488.0681, ext 113.
Presented by the Center for Spiritual Search. Reduced registration fees are available
through May 5. More information and registration available at FCchurch.com/starr
or at 614 488.0681 ext. 113.
Come Join the Fun!
Preschool Summer Session:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays
Four Weeks: June 3 - June 26, 9 am - 12 pm
Cost: $225 per child for the session
Open to children age 4 or 5 by September 30, 2014
Summer session includes lots of playground time, including
water play! Weather permitting, children wear swimsuits
under their clothes and bring a towel for getting-wet
fun! Some classroom activities move out-of-doors, like art
activities and the sensory table. The day includes both
indoor and outdoor play, stories and singing.
Subscribe to your
favorite church interests.
FCchurch.com/mychurch
Registration Form
Child’s Name ____________________________________________________________
Currently enrolled in First Community Church Preschool?  Yes
Gender __________
Birthdate __________________
 No
Parent(s) Name(s)________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address___________________________________________________________________________________________ Zip _________________
Primary Phone ___________________ Cell phone for parent ___________________ Email ________________________________________
To register, return this form with $100 deposit or full $225 tuition to:
Early Childhood Office, First Community Church, 1320 Cambridge Blvd., Columbus 43212
If you choose to pay the deposit, the remainder will be due June 3.
12 614 488.0681
FCchurch.com
May 1 - 31, 2014
Welcome New Members Heather Adams
Andrew DiBlasi
Jennifer DiBlasi
Kevin Kearney
Joined on Sunday, May 4, 2014
Eileen Martin
Carole Myser
Heather Bioty Adams, an occupational therapist with
OhioHealth, grew up in Columbus. Husband, Chris Adams,
and mother-in-law, Corlene Adams, are members. Chris and
Heather were married at First Community Church. Heather
appreciates the worship experience and music. She looks
forward to being a part of the church family.
Andrew DiBlasi and Jennifer graduated from Upper
Arlington and are the parents of Kyleigh and Christian (9
mos). They attend the 11 am service at South Campus and
join for the infant programs and all that this faith community
offers. Andy is in real estate development with DRK Village
Communities. He enjoys playing golf and softball.
Jennifer Crawford DiBlasi grew up attending FCC and
Camp Akita. Jennifer is a television host with the Home
Shopping Network, frequently traveling to Tampa, FL to
tape. She has lived throughout the U.S. and in London.
Jennifer and Andy enjoy spending time with extended family
and traveling.
Kevin Kearney, father of Jonah, Sara, Bailey and Katie (ages
5-12), attends the North Campus 10 am worship service. He
has traveled to Guatemala, Canada and the Czech Republic
and volunteered for Children’s International Summer Villages.
Troy, OH is his hometown and hiking, politics and repairing
electronics are just some of Kevin’s interests.
Eileen Martin, who has lived in Spokane, WA and California,
joins First Community with partner, Carole Myser. Eileen is a
computer analyst at Nationwide and enjoys running, biking,
gardening, cooking and golf. She and Carole look forward to
serving others and have already helped with Monday Night
Meals.
Carole Myser, originally from Canton, is a Transmission
Settlement Manager at AEP and enjoys tennis, golf and
traveling to Palm Springs where she and Eileen have a
second home. They heard about FCC from member Cat Oehl
and attend the North Campus 8:30 am worship service.
May 1 - 31, 2014
Angie McLarty Seamon
Lee Swad
Lindsey Swad
Angie McLarty Seamon is a mother to daughters, Cynthia,
9 and Rose, 7. She joins for the worship, music and adult and
children’s programs. Angie began attending services at North
Campus after learning about our church from neighbors
Carole Myser and Eileen Martin. Angie enjoys the beach,
reading and painting.
Lee Swad is the nephew of longtime members Ned and
Marti Timmons and has been visiting the church for many
years. He is an attorney with WilmerHale and joins for the
inclusive theology and infant programs. He and Lindsay
worship at the South Campus 11 am service.
Lindsey Swad is originally from Irvine, CA. Lindsay and Lee
are the parents of Audrey, 3 and Gavin, 3 months. A stayat-home mom who enjoys reading and cross-stitch, Lindsey
looks forward to getting involved in the church and serving
others.
If you are interested in becoming a member of First
Community or would like to learn more about our church,
please contact Paula Russell, Director of Member and Visitor
Services at 614 488.0681 ext 228 or [email protected].
Our next Membership Seminar will be Saturday, June 14. If
this date does not work for you and you are ready to become
a member, please let us know.
13
A Month of Sundays
4
MEMBERSHIP/FOUNDATION SUNDAY
C
8:30 am • Burkhart Chapel, SC - Rev. Baumer preaching
8:30 am • Grace Hall, NC - Dr. Wing preaching
10 am • Grace Hall, NC - Dr. Wing preaching
Chancel Chamber Choir, Junior Choir
11 am • Sanctuary, SC - Dr. Wing preaching
Chancel Choir
11
7,000 Eggs, A Bunny and
One Crazy Dance
 By Julie Richards
Thanks to everyone who participated in our church Easter
Egg Hunt. We had a beautiful, windy day and everyone
seemed to have a great time.
Ninety children hunted for 7,000 eggs, participated in a
cookie-walk and “danced for candy,” an Akita favorite, led by
Sam Donovan and Nick Graves.
The Easter Bunny made an appearance and posed for
pictures with the children.
A very special thank you to Allison Kingsley, who chaired the
event and donated all of the Easter Eggs.
She put together a wonderful committee consisting of Betsy
McCollum, Kari Rucker, Sarah Jonaus and Katy Brown. The
committee helped plan, prepare for and run the Egg Hunt.
BAPTISMS & MOTHER'S DAY
A
8:30 am • Burkhart Chapel, SC - Rev. Long preaching
8:30 am • Grace Hall, NC - Dr. Wing preaching
Whitechapel Ringers
10 am • Grace Hall, NC - Dr. Wing preaching
Chancel Chamber Choir, Whitechapel Ringers
11 am • Sanctuary, SC - Dr. Wing preaching
Chancel Choir, Kindergarten & Cherub Choirs
18 BLOCK OF WOOD/COMMUNION
ALL
SERVICES AT SOUTH CAMPUS:
B
25
C
8:30 am • Burkhart Chapel, SC - Rev. Long preaching
Chancel Choir
11 am • Sanctuary, SC - Dr. Wing preaching
Chancel Choir
8:30 am • Burkhart Chapel, SC - Rev. Lindsay preaching
8:30 am • Grace Hall, NC - Dr. Wing preaching
10 am • Grace Hall, NC - Dr. Wing preaching
Chancel Chamber Choir
11 am • Sanctuary, SC - Dr. Wing preaching
Chancel Choir
High school students Emily Orsini, Katie Schoedinger,
Mikayla McVey and Sarah Richards helped out on the day of
the event.
Thanks to all of you for your support-we couldn’t have done
it without you!
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 May 1 - 31, 2014
Herlihy Moving & Storage
Portable Storage Containers
Full service to do-it-yourself moving & storage since 1920
614 871-4040
herlihymoving.com
Celebrate a
life event in
firstnews Monthly!
Sponsorships
begin at $19
Call 614 488.0681
ext. 227
CARLISLE L AWN
& 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
in a safe and caring environment.
1-888-461-7579
www.fcvlife.org
TM
Place your sponsored message here. Call 614 488.0681 ext. 227
May 1 - 31, 2014
15
firstnews
Periodical Postage
PAID
at Columbus, Ohio
First Community Church
1320 Cambridge Boulevard
Columbus, OH 43212
Front row left to right – Kim Harris, Meg Wagner, Mary Evans and Lara
Belliston Cobb. Second row – Left to right – Director Carol Neff, Annita
Meyer, Deb Linville, David Evans, Betty Drobny and Janet Shearron.
The Whitechapel Ringers
 By Carol Neff
Can you imagine the beautiful sound twelve bell choirs can
make?
On Sunday, May 4, 7 pm, the Greater Columbus Area May
Handbell Ring will present twelve bell choirs in concert at
New Albany High School, 7600 Fodor Road in New Albany.
The FCC Whitechapel Ringers will play one of six solos and
ring a challenge piece with 7 other choirs. Brass and timpani
will be included on two of the six program pieces for all the
choirs.
Local co-directors: Chris McManus and Josh Fitzgerald will
conduct the handbell choirs. Chris McManus is Director
of Music at King Avenue United Methodist in Columbus
and Chair of the Greater Columbus Handbell Directors
Association. Josh Fitzgerald is Director of Handbells at Church
of the Messiah in Westerville and Area 5 Ohio State Chair
of Handbell Musicians of America. A freewill offering will be
taken.
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
In recent months, mail delivery of firstnews Monthly has
been unpredictable. Our production remains unchanged.
If you experience mail delays of firstnews Monthly, contact:
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firstnews Monthly
News articles and photos for firstnews Monthly must be submitted
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)
MorningSong
A Spring Service of Worship and Inspirational Music
Music from England and America
The First Community Church Chancel Choir
with members of the Columbus Symphony Chorus
and forty-five members of the
Columbus Symphony Orchestra
Ronald J. Jenkins, Conductor
and
The Columbus Dance Theatre
Timothy Veach, Artistic Director
Sunday, June 1, 2014
9:15 and 11 am
First Community Church
North Campus
3777 Dublin Road
MorningSong
A Service of Worship and Inspirational Music
Music from England and America
Sunday, June 1, 2014 9:15 and 11 am
Grace Hall, North Campus, 3777 Dublin Road
The First Community Church Chancel Choir
with members of the Columbus Symphony Chorus
and a forty-five member Orchestra
Ronald J. Jenkins, Minister of Music and Liturgy
Robert A. Griffith, Organist - Jonquil Thoms, principal violin
The Columbus Dance Theatre, Timothy Veach, Artistic Director
The Reverend Dr. Richard A. Wing, Senior Minister
delivering the Homily entitled, The Ends of the Earth
Prior to the services of worship, at 8:45 and 10:30 am,
Ronald Jenkins will give a pre-service lecture about the music and its history.
This Service of Worship will include joyful hymns for the congregation,
inspirational words, choir anthems and choral songs, which will include:
Edward Elgar..................................................................................... Nimrod (from “Enigma Variations”)
Gustav Holst/Proulx..................................Processional Hymn, “O Spirit All-Embracing” (Thaxted)
Leonard Bernstein..................................... Prayer response, “Almighty Father” (Chorale from Mass)
Charles H. H. Parry.......................................................................................................................I Was Glad
Stephen Paulus.........................................................................Birdsong (from “Of Songs and Singing”)*
Aaron Copland ..............................................................The Promise of Living (from The Tender Land)
Aaron Copland.........................................................At the River (from “Old American Songs, Set II”)
James Erb.......................................................................................................................................Shenandoah
Mack Wilberg.......................................................................................................Down to the River to Pray
Mack Wilberg..................................................................................... Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
*Commissioned by the Columbus Symphony Chorus in Honor of Chorus Director Ronald Jenkins’ 30th
anniversary with the CSO.
Continue the experience of God in music and nature at Camp Akita this afternoon at 2 pm.
Complimentary bus transportation from North Campus is provided at 1 pm.
Acorn
The
The Loyalist
The minute I met Art Shepard I was struck by his
true blue eyes. Not a pale blue, more like tanzanite
blue, set off by bushy white eyebrows. Those eyes
have seen a lot in his 102 year life. Think back, born
1912 to starting his career in about 1932 while the
US was at the cusp of the Roosevelt years. He
witnessed with those eyes the Great Depression,
the Great War, Korea, Sputnik, the Beatles, Viet
Nam, Watergate, Iran Contra deals, 911 and Lady
Gaga.
Art started his career selling insurance; he ended his
career co-owning a successful insurance company.
The loyalist. He met and married Bea and had
forty great years together. He met and married
Art Shepard
Dottie and they had forty great years together. The
loyalist. He started attending and supporting First Community in 1933 and hasn’t
stopped. The loyalist.
Art first visited First Community during his courtship with Bea. Before long, he and
Bea immersed themselves in the church while raising their two daughters Lynne
and Marcia. Couples Circle, guild group, Block of Wood and Akita became more
than activities. The church and its ministries were the core of their friendships and
a second home. He referred to Roy Burkhart as “Burky.” Art also took the time to
serve the church on the Governing Board and sang joyfully in the choir.
Art was there when the Foundation started as the Roy Burkhart Honor Fund in
1954. He helped the initiative for the fund to became a separate 501 (c ) 3 as the
First Community Foundation of First Community Church in 1961. He remembers
laughing with Lorena Hawley about trying to get the Foundation to give a grant in
excess of $2500. When the Foundation received a $100,000 gift from an insurance
policy from Irene Hirsch, Art led the campaign to get a separate Board of Trustees
from the church. Naturally, he was its first chair in 1970.
Being loyal to the cause, he led by example and by 1979 had initiated two
endowments within the Foundation. The first was in memory of Bea in 1972,
giving her insurance policy to the Foundation. Bea, a native of Columbus, was a
dancer that captured Art’s eye and heart. Any time his sales calls got him close to
Columbus, he found time to court her. At one point his boss pulled him aside and
said, “Art, you have to marry that girl and move to Columbus. Your Columbus sales
are horrible.” Today that endowment can be used for anything at Camp Akita; it is
a legacy of life and love.
(Continued, Page 2)
First Community Foundation
FI R ST COMMU N IT Y
FOUNDATION
May 2014
Foundation Grants
By the Numbers
1 dam builds 1 lake
= 30,000 jumping
into Akita’s lake
1 land purchase
= a whole new
church campus &
child care center
1 Deep Griha scholarship
Helped in India = 500
1 new camera system
= visual presence to
over 2500 every
week for 20 years.
1 Foundation
= 60 Years of Service
Bring the Children
 By Donice Wooster
As my time as Director of Early Childhood
Ministries at First Community Church
draws to a close, I reflect on the
profound effect the Foundation has
had on the ministries I lead.
I am thinking of a family with five
children and very limited financial
resources, remembering especially
the year that major appliances broke
down and there was one unexpected
problem after another. Each year they
applied for financial aid to send their
children to the Preschool, because they
valued how their children grew in every
way – mentally, emotionally, physically,
socially – in this program. They knew
why it was an excellent program just
right for young children. And each
year, thanks to regular grants from the
Foundation and a careful application
process, I was able to help them
enough to make it work.
We are able to assist 10-15 families
annually who deeply value their child’s
experience in our programs but cannot
manage the tuition. Over my time here,
this means that at least 250 children
have thrived in our programs who
would not have been here without
help. What a wonderful mission!
The Roy A. Burkhart
Foundation is started
to advance the welfare
of mankind and to
honor Dr. Burkhart’s
20th Anniversary.
The Loyalist
I am thinking of the bright new Mary
Evans Center at our North Campus
when it opened its doors in January,
1992. After 21 years of service, the
refrigerators (industrial strength) that
had held the lunches and milk for a
whole generation of children needed
to be replaced. We were able to
manage that large expense thanks to
the help of the Foundation.
I am thinking of the heavily used South
Campus playground, with so much
happy traffic that the safe rubber
surface needed to be restored – an
unusual expense supported by the
Foundation to ensure the continued
life of the Preschool and its service to
the surrounding community.
I am grateful that a church family,
whose children have attended the
Mary Evans Center, have given seed
money for a Foundation fund to
support the Center. It is important for
new generations to take on the task
of helping the Foundation to do all of
the good it can do thanks to careful
stewardship.
I will be cheering on the Foundation
from another vantage point after
I retire in June, but I will always be
grateful for the work of its Director and
Board and the possibilities it opens for
everyone in the family of God.
Foundation held
$135,663 in assets. A
Volkswagon Microbus
was purchased for
Akita.
1961
1954
First
Community
Foundation
Timeline
2
The Foundation
is renamed the
First Community
Foundation and
becomes a separate
501 (c ) 3.
Art also initiated the Worship and
Arts Endowment in 1979 which was
begun to honor his good singing buddy
Bob Bowman. Evidently, Art and
Bob participated in Vaudvilities and
practiced their songs while they were
going on sales calls in the car together.
Imagine, both of them singing loudly
driving down 71 to Newark or out 70
to Springfield. He laughs, as he tells
the story, at the reactions of truckers
and other cars passing them on the
road. Today the endowment’s earnings
support many of the music endeavors.
Last year, it was tapped to provide
travel scholarships for the choir’s trip
to Austria and Germany. What a gift
of friendship that has impacted much
more than his friend Bob.
Art knows his days of serving on
committees is complete, but knows
he has left an indelible mark on First
Community Foundation and the Church.
Above his kitchen sink are three tiles:
faith, hope and love. He has been
blessed to live and demonstrate all
three of those attributes. His steady
loyalty to his career, family and the
church will continue because of the
legacy he has so freely given. Thank
you, Art.
The Foundation funds
a Sunday morning
radio broadcast. It
cost $1875 for half
the year.
80 acres of land is
purchased adjacent
to Akita for camp
expansion.
1970
1965
1964
(Continued from Page 1)
Irene Hirsch insurance
policy of $100,000
was given, causing a
restructuring of how
the Foundation is
managed.
1977
1974
1967
After being managed
by the Governing
Board, the first
Foundation Board of
Trustees is elected.
First Community Foundation
$150,000 was given
to initiate our media
ministry. It was the
largest grant ever
given to date.
1983
Dick Conrad Memorial
Sculpture purchased
for South Campus.
Message from the Chair
As chairperson of
your First Community
Foundation Board
I am amazed by
just how much
financial support,
your church and
community receive
each year from the
Foundation. Without
that support your church would not
be the wonderful church I have known
since I was 6 years old. If the First
Community Foundation is to continue
to thrive it will need new gifts from our
congregation. The Foundation accepts
most types of assets. Among a few
are cash, stock, and the purchase of
annuities, insurance policies or naming
the Foundation in your will as one of
the beneficiaries of your estate.
65 individual funds and 37 endowed
funds that protect our future as a
church. The 2014 asset value of your
Foundation was $8,325,000. First
Community Church has 4,740 members,
including children. Our First Edition
television program serves almost 2,500
weekly. What about the homeless
we serve, the Akita scholarship kids,
counselors, and life guards for Camp
Akita. Does it count the numerous folks
in First Community Village? How about
the mission projects we help fund
each year; Rafiki, India or Houses for
Mexico. Not to mention Heart to Heart,
the Trading Post or the Mary Evans
Child Center. I would estimate First
Community Church serves or reaches
20,000 individuals every year. The
grants from our Foundation directly
or indirectly reach each of those
individuals throughout each year.
Most of us have savings accounts, IRAs,
401Ks and many other investments
that protect our future health and
wellbeing. We depend on them to keep
us safe in times of extreme need and
for retirement. The First Community
Foundation is the Church’s savings
account for rainy days. Each of us need
to seriously consider providing long
term support to the Foundation to
ensure that First Community Church
remains healthy throughout the
decades to come. We currently have
First deferred
planning dinner
raised $500,000.
I feel it is my charge to ask each of you
to consider making a gift to the First
Community Foundation this year. How
can you do that? Make a continuing
annual gift in honor of or in memory of
those you love. You may wish to make
a gift of any amount to an existing
fund or you may make a gift of $5,000
or more which will enable you to
“name” a fund. An endowed fund may
be established with a gift of at least
$25,000. Also a gift of $2,500 will enable
The First Community
Heritage Society
was established to
encourage members
to include the
Foundation in their
wills and trusts.
1992
1985
1988
$313,000 was awarded
to First Community
Village to start the
Health Care Center.
Electronic organ
purchased for
North Campus.
1999
1996
Don Jameson was
hired to run the
Foundation.
you to be a member of our Foundation
Legacy Society, formerly the Heritage
Society. Lauri Sullivan, our Foundation
Director, is available to talk to you
about your giving plans. Don’t wait; call
her today at the church.
Make your family a part of the future of
your church by leaving a legacy.
First Community Foundation
Board of Trustees
Buck Byrne, Chair
Sandy Anderson, Incoming Chair
Doug Torrance, Past Chair
Matt Byrne
Doug Covell
Jennifer Fountain
Wayne Harer
Jim Hutchins
Rose Konrath
Scott McLaughlin
Walter Neff
David Quelette
Lee Vescelius
Cheryl Zeiger
Mike Zook
Scott Campbell, Governing Board Liaison
Cindy Harsany, Secretary
Erick Piscopo, Treasurer
Lauri Sullivan, Director
Patti Link, Administration
$190,000 spent on
renovations to the
1320 building for a
new roof and gutters.
2014
2009
2002
The Foundation gave
seed money to start
the Spiritual Searcher
Program.
First Community Foundation
2012
Foundation funded
new church web
design.
Foundation has over
$8 million in assets.
3
Past, Present and Future
I confess I am
at the age
when birthdays
are scary, but
anniversaries are
milestones and
demand some
attention. The
First Community
Foundation is
officially sixty years young. Back in
1954, the Foundation was initiated
as the Roy Burkhart Fund to
commemorate his twentieth year of
leadership. The original objectives
were to work with Batelle on scientific
endeavors, support graduate
students with loans, and provide the
maintenance and operations of the
church in lean years. In 1961 it became
a separate 501 (c ) 3 and renamed the
First Community Foundation.
continuous support. Within the first
few years we made a contribution for
operations of First Community Church,
bought land at Akita and financed
seminary students.
These initiatives continue today.
While we do not refer to the Church
annual budget as “lean,” it contains
minimal resources for big repairs
and relies on the assets within the
Foundation. Education is still an
imperative, as it currently is supporting
a young lady in Equador, David Hett’s
continuing ed and Lauren Partis de
Breiul’s master’s degree at Methodist
Theological Seminary of Ohio. While
the Foundation is not into scientific
experiments any longer, it has helped
every ministry at First Community.
The Foundation gave the seed money
for the Media ministry and the Health
Care Center at First Community Village.
It has literally kept a roof over the
Cambridge Boulevard building!
There are minutes going back to those
early years and they tell a story of
Looking to the next sixty years, the
Foundation is poised to help with
the 20/20 Vision, but the work is far
from completed. The mission of the
Foundation will evolve, but the core
will be to support First Community
Church and its ministries. Just this year,
a grant from Dr. Wing will be used to
aid the new Prison Ministry program.
Facility management will continue to be
an issue on both campuses and Akita.
The Media ministry really is our fourth
campus, but needs stronger resources
to buffer the costs involved.
A gift to First Community Foundation
is physical belief that the First
Community’s mission will continue
long into the future. Join me in helping
make that a reality.
Foundation Sunday is May 4
Our Mission
First Community Foundation of First
Community Church is a not-for-profit
organization created to encourage
and receive gifts from people and
organizations wishing to support
the programs and ministries of First
Community Church, Camp Akita,
and other worthwhile projects.
Its purpose is to fund religious,
charitable, scientific, literary, and
educational endeavors. It encourages
friends and members of the church
to include the Foundation in their
financial and estate planning, and to
establish funds within the Foundation
to help fulfill its mission.
First Community Foundation is a
separate 501 (c) (3) public charitable
corporation whose Board of Trustees
is appointed by the church Governing
Board. The Foundation stands apart
from First Community Church, yet by its
side to assist the church in those areas
of financial need not covered by the
church’s annual operating budget or
special capital campaigns.
We have an education video as well as
printed material about the Foundation
that we would be happy to share with
you. It is our hope that you will consider
including First Community Foundation in
your financial and estate planning. We are
available to speak to groups; please do
not hesitate to contact us.
FI R S T COMM U N I T Y
FOUNDATION
“We have made at least a start on
discovering the meaning of human
life when we plant shade trees under
which we know full well we will never
sit.” — Elton Trueblood
First Community Foundation
1320 Cambridge Boulevard, Columbus OH 43212 • 614 488.0681 • FCchurch.com/foundation
First Community Foundation