Worthington United Methodist Church
January 2015
Volume 59, Number 1
Building a more diverse and open community
of committed Christian servants.
Howard Thurman’s famous poem provides for
us good reminders of how the Birth of the Christ
Child translates into our lives, our world, our
“work” as Christians. Good reminders as we
begin 2015 with all the hopes and dreams we
bring to it and the opportunities and
responsibilities it holds.
As this Messenger goes to print we are
wrapping up 2014. Your generosity and giving
of self has been wonderful, and has made a
difference in the lives of many persons including
those we will never meet or know – the box of
food, the warm gloves, hat and scarf, the thick
socks and needed underwear, the warm meal in
Fellowship Hall, the caroling and homebound
treats open the mind and heart to the warmth
and joy of Christmas! And it is looking like all our operating expenses for the year will
be covered and we will begin 2015 with a firm financial foundation.
Thanks to all who have made this Advent and Christmas season such a
wonderful time at WUMC. Nativity scenes and railroad trains, special
music and children’s sharing.
This Advent and Christmas we have had the joy and complexity of
several construction and work crews throughout the building as the
results of your gracious giving to the capital campaign. They are bringing
new lighting, a security system, a new audio/video booth in the balcony,
and new nurseries in the Ministry Hallway. In addition, the north elevator
has been repaired. All this as we decorated the trees and lit the Advent candles.
Thank you for a wonderful 2014!
opportunities which lie ahead.
Be sure to read this Messenger carefully and see the
We have been asked by Bishop Palmer in the face of the violence and turmoil (bedlam)
around us to gather in early January for some conversation on how we might be people
of faith transformed by the grace of Christmas to help in transforming the world.
(Bethlehem) Our Open Hearts Group is already sponsoring a study of the Social
Principles of the United Methodist Church and we are going to use this study to share in
our Circles of Grace as one way of bridging divides, and creating a place where more
and more people might experience grace and beloved community. The Social
Principles and this study time (see inside the Messenger for more details) will provide a
place for us to reach beyond comfort zones and begin to bridge our relationships and
understandings through God’s grace.
Be sure Sundays January 4 and 11 are on your calendar as we begin the new year with
Holy Communion on the 4th and the Renewal of our Baptismal Vows on the 11th.
Thanks again for a wonderful 2014! Together may we have a wondrous 2015!!
Cyndy
Inside
Prayers and Concerns……….2
UMW Kickoff………………..3
Marriage Celebration………..4
Administrative Council………5
New Members Class…………6
Calendar……………………...7
Epiphany
Gathering at
Cyndy’s
You are invited
to Cyndy’s home
on Sunday,
January 4! Come
anytime between 4:00 and
7:00 p.m.
Chat with old friends, meet
new ones. Spend time with
your church family as the
new year begins!! Light refreshments will be available.
Bring friends and family.
Directions to 5155 Portland
Street, Columbus:
Go west on Bethel Road off
Route 315. When you pass
Godown Road and Centennial
High School, Portland is the
first street on the left
(south side). Turn onto Portland and the house is the
second on the right (west
side). Hope you can come!!!
The deadline for the
February
Messenger
is Thursday,
January 15.
Send your articles to:
denny@
worthingtonumc.com
Parish Concerns and Joys
We express love and sympathy to:
Danny and Martha Clifford, on the death of Danny’s uncle, Earl “Bud” Clifford.
Congratulations to:
Brooke Calbert and Cam Morris, on the birth of Cassidy Elizabeth Morris, November 25. Wendy
Raab is the grandmother.
Capital Campaign Update
If you have been around the church during
the week recently, you will have been sure
to notice lots of construction activity. The
work to create the two nurseries on the first
floor is in process. The classrooms have
been torn out and the infrastructure for the
nurseries is being built.
The project
completion date is planned for midJanuary, with occupancy scheduled for February. Look for information around the church about the “shower”
the Family Ministry Team is holding to furnish the nursery space.
The sound booth move in the balcony will be final shortly. Many of the light bulbs and light fixtures have been
replaced by the Trustees lighting project. This brightens our space—noticeably in many areas—and reduces
our electric costs into the future. The goal is to qualify for rebates from the utility company to offset some of the
expense.
The storm water drainage problems are being addressed. It is a multi-staged project—isolating the problems,
finding the existing pipes and tie-ins with the city’s system, analyzing the need, determine the appropriate
solutions and then proceeding with the repairs.
We expect to see the stained glass windows get measured soon, so the coverings can be constructed and
installed when the weather permits.
All of this is being done because of the generosity of members of this congregation. At a church conference in
September 2012, the Capital Campaign Committee received approval to obtain a line of credit up to the
estimated gift amount. The three-year giving period for the campaign ends in June 2015, and to date, gifts
exceed 83% of the campaign goal amount of $1,187,379. Because people are continuing to meet their giving
estimates, we have not accessed the line of credit and we are letting it expire without using it now or anytime in
the future.
This Capital Campaign is focused on maintenance and enhancement projects for the building, keeping in repair
the home base for our many ministries and missions. Your gifts to the capital campaign are important to the
structure. Your gifts to the Operating Fund are important to supporting the ministries that are so vital to each of
us, this community and the world. - Gari Aber
January 15—Friendship Dinner Community Meal. 6:30-7:30 p.m.
January 16—Miami University Men’s Glee Club in concert at WUMC,
7:30 p.m.
January 22—Red Cross Blood Drive, 1:00-7:00 p.m., in Fellowship Hall
January 23– Adult Fellowship (Fellowship Hall) and WUMC Singles
(Offsite), 6:30 p.m.
Join Us For Our Taize Service
Wednesday, January 14, 7:30 p.m. in Potter Chapel
2
The Messenger, Jan. 2015- Worthington UMC
UMW Kickoff Event is January 24
The United Methodist Women New Year Kickoff Gathering
is back for a third year, and will be held Saturday, January
24, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall, with fun, fellowship and lots of great information about the UMW.
Join us for this fast-paced day of information—not just
UMW members, but for anyone curious about us, or interested in what we do. Learn a little more about some of our
missions—we will have videos featuring Hope House orphanage in Haiti, Templo Aelyua Methodist Church in
Mexico and a speaker from Johnstown-Northridge Area Freedom Schools.
Sit in on your choice of breakout discussion groups, including topics such as program and devotional ideas for circles, a review of our reading program, the history of UMW, social action
videos on Human Trafficking and Immigration and more! Displays and take-home materials,
useful information about our many activities, presentations on some of the mission projects we
support, a pledge service, and hands-on service projects are also part of the program. And,
we’ll feed you lunch and watch your kids!
There is no cost to attend, but we ask that you to register in advance. Please indicate on the
back of your WUMC Sunday attendance cards on January 11 or 18 if you plan to come and if
you need child care, or contact Marilyn Wolfe at 740-548-6577, or mwolfejojo@aol.com.
Support for Freedom School
Each summer, hundreds of students in our West Ohio Conference participate in a Children’s
Defense Fund Freedom School, a six-week program dedicated to increasing literacy in students who have fallen behind in their studies. CDF Freedom Schools aim to help children fall
in love with reading, increase their self-esteem and generate more positive attitudes toward
learning.
The UMW is pleased to welcome Megan Croy, pastor of Alexandria UMC and a member of
the Johnstown-Northridge Area Freedom School board of directors, as the mission speaker
during our January 24 kickoff. We are collecting donations of school supplies for them during
January. General school supplies, such as notebooks/paper, pencils/pens/markers/crayons,
craft supplies, backpacks, etc., as well as cash donations, are needed.
A collection box will be located near the church office where donations may be left any time
before January 24 (please give cash donations to the church receptionist). Our congregation
is always very generous in supporting local missions, and we thank you in advance for your
support!
3
The Messenger, Jan. 2015 - Worthington UMC
Who is It? Read the Description and Take a Guess!
?
She was an associate pastor here in the 1980s; sang in Sisters in Song, a choir of clergywomen in
West Ohio; was a pastor at Summit UMC and a chaplain at Wesley Glen; takes a cruise from time to
time; loves to travel several months of the year with her spouse, and spend time with their family;
has fun camping; proofreads the bulletin and Messenger for WUMC when she is in town; is a
Stephen Minister; began November 23, 2004, as Visitation Pastor here; has spent the last 10 years,
when she was not traveling, visiting many of our older members.
If you did not guess after the first item or two, you surely know now that Mary Holm is the person to which this list
points! Mary is a dear friend to many of us and a good friend to WUMC. She has given much here and will continue
to do so, but not in her current position, as she retired from it December 31. With travel time for her and Bob
increasing and having passed that 10-year mark in this position, she has decided to no longer be a paid staff
member here, but will continue to serve in a variety of ways, assisting both in pastoral ministry on a more limited
scale and office assistance.
As Mary transitions into this new role, we invite you to express your appreciation for her. Cards may be brought to
the church office or you can speak with her as you see her. The next major trip she will be on does not start until
later in January so you will be seeing her around the church during the first part of the new year.
Mary, your relationships with many people here have been long and deep, you have seen many of your former
parishioners, now friends, die, and been with them in precious moments in that journey, and you bring so much to
WUMC, the staff and the congregation. We are glad that you are going to be around and involved. For all that has
been we give God thanks; for all that will be in times to come, we say yes!!
Got Soup? Sure do! Thick homemade, hambone based, anything that looks right vegetable
soup or slightly spicy tomato. Maybe a combination – tomato on veggie is a common choice.
Got Dessert? Yep – that too. In a variety provided by our guests that is just amazing and outstandingly delicious! If you’re a regular, you know the
routine: first couple to arrive heads to the kitchen to lend a hand. Second couple is stationed at the front
door to welcome old and new friends and hang up coats – typically assisted by the third and fourth couples
to arrive. As everyone comes in, they collect in the great room or hang around the kitchen. Hang around
the kitchen and you’ll be put to work cutting southern (read: not low fat) cornbread or carrying it to the tables or ??.
A little before 7:00, Paul’s voice cuts through the noise: “All right, listen up.’’ After a welcome, some introductions and grace, everyone grabs a bowl and a plate from one of the tables and gets in line for soup. It’s
quiet for a little while as everyone digs in, but soon the noise level starts to rise and, of course, there’s the
parade back for seconds and to the laundry room (really) for dessert. We gather at the end for sharing and
plans.
This is a great opportunity to get to know other couples at WUMC. The January Marriage Celebration gathering is not really about the soup or the desserts. It’s really about new friends and old, about sharing
Christ’s love and about being part of the family of WUMC. Please join us. There are always new couples
and always a warm welcome from the regulars.
Marriage Celebration will gather at Paul and Vivian George’s house at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, January 10.
Please plan to bring a dessert or beverage to share. Please email VSGeorge@earthlink.net or call 614436-3975 to reserve your bowl and spoon by January 7. If you e-mail, we will reply to your e-mail. If
you don’t get a reply within a day, please try again or call.
The Messenger is published monthly by Worthington United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 307, Worthington, OH 43085 (614-885-5365).
Our ministers include Rev. Cyndy Garn and Rev. John Girard. Thursday, January 15, is the deadline for the February Messenger. To submit
your article, drop it off or email your articles to editor Denny Mahoney at denny@worthingtonumc.com. Thank you!
4
The Messenger, Jan. 2015 - Worthington UMC
ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL 2015
These are the members of the Administrative Council for the coming year. New members are designated by *. We thank everyone for their service to WUMC in 2014.
Chairperson: Gari Aber
2015 – At Large
Mysa Mathews
2016 – At Large
Janet Anderson
Johann Yang
Carol Rachfal*
Committee
Administrative Council
2017 – At large
Patrick Bowen
Bill Kapus
Mary K. Walsh
Chair(s)
Gari Aber
Adult Council Co-Chairpersons
Ivan Dangler and Larry* and Becky* Boord
Board of Trustees
Bill Kapus*
Capital Campaign Committee
Steve Potter and Don Wheat
Altar Guild - Flowers & Paraments & Taize Set-Up
Organization
Ann Wheat*
Communion Stewards
Sheri and Doug Scott
Endowment
Dick Ollila*
Family Ministry Team
Andy and Lori Bowman
Finance
Jeri Seabaugh*
Financial Stewardship Enhancement*
Keith Stimpert*
Hospitality Coordinator
Terrie Huston*
Library
Dorba & Ron Mezger
Memorial
Vivian George
Lay Leadership
Cyndy Garn
Lay Members to Annual Conference
David Hadley, Ann Wheat and Gari Aber*
Outreach
Dave Wade and Amy Wingerter*
Staff/Parish
Jim Heilman
Creative Play Center Board
Matt Seabaugh
CPC Scholarship Committee
Beth Dudley
Open Hearts
Judy Mayhew
Treasurer
Russ Line
United Methodist Women
Mary Stephens
Welcoming and Inviting (Evangelism)
Allison Blankenship*
Youth Council
Leisel Clark
Staff: Cyndy Garn, John Girard, Ashley Mills, Mark Reed, Linda Nolan, Lynn Ebright, Denny Mahoney
5
The Messenger, Jan. 2015 - Worthington UMC
2015 Photo Directory Update
Work is under way on the 2015 photo directory, and we need you
to help make us complete! There’s still time to schedule an appointment to have your photograph taken. Everyone who schedules a LifeTouch Photography session receives a free 2015 Photo
Directory. Photo appointments can be made by clicking on the blue
“Portrait
Sign-up”
icon
on
the
church
website
www.worthingtonumc.com, or contacting the church office 614-8855365. Photo times and days are listed below.
Like to volunteer? Several volunteer positions are still available to
help with check-in when individuals and families arrive to have their
pictures taken. Contact the church office if you’d like to volunteer
for a 1.5 to 2 hour shift, or email john@worthingtonumc.com.
Winter New Members Class
The next New Members Class series begins January 11! Plan to join us Sunday
mornings during the Sunday School hour
(10:40-11:20 a.m.) for the five-session
Can’t be here to have your picture taken? Alternate arrangements class starting that day through February 8.
New members will join the WUMC on
can be made. Contact church member/project coordinator Allison
February 15.
Blankenship at ablankenship@teamlogicit.com, or 614-946-5183.
DATE
Friday, January 2, 2015
TIME
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturday, January 3, 2015
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
1:00 to 7:50 PM
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
1:00 to 7:50 PM
Thursday, January 8, 2015
1:00 to 7:50 PM
Friday, January 9, 2015
1:00 to 7:50 PM
Saturday, January 10, 2015
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
1:00 to 7:50 PM
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
1:00 to 7:50 PM
Can’t attend all five classes? No problem.
Indicate the Sundays you will be absent
when you register, and we’ll be sure to get
the corresponding class information to you.
Classes are designed to help you meet other new members, discover ways you can
get involved in the life of the church, and
become familiar with some of the history
and core beliefs of the United Methodist
Church. Classes run concurrent with Children’s Sunday School and Nursery
childcare.
For questions or registration, call the church
office (614) 885-5365, or email Pastor John
Girard, john@worthingtonumc.com
Mission Trip Coming Up
Social Principles Discussion Group
Begins in January
What are the Social Principles of The United Methodist
Church? We often hear about the Social Principles, but too
many of us have no idea what they are or what they include.
The Open Hearts group is offering a six-week discussion
time to look at the six main areas of the Principles and learn
what they are, how they have come into being and what can
be done to make changes in them. The sessions begin
Wednesday, January 7, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall
and continue through February 11. We will enjoy a light supper at 6:00 and have our conversation from 6:30-8:00.
This is an opportunity to read the Social Principles and understand how they shape the doctrine of our denomination.
6
We are now accepting applications for the next Adult Mission Trip. The dates are February 28 – March 7, 2015.
We will be staying in Grand
Bay, Ala., which has been our
base of operation for the last
few trips. We will most likely
be working around Bayou La
Batre building wheelchair
ramps. Please join us for a
time of fun and fellowship
while we are carrying out
God’s work. The final sign-up
date is Feb. 4, 2015. For
more information, contact
Russ Line at 885-3111 or
rjlineohio@aol.com.
The Messenger, Jan. 2015 - Worthingon UMC
Sunday Schedule at Worthington UMC
9:30 a.m. Worship & 11:30 a.m. Emerge Worship,
in the Sanctuary; Sunday School at 10:40 a.m. for
children, youth & adults
Worthington United
Childcare for infants & toddlers at 9:30 & 11:30 a.m.;
Methodist Church
January
2015
Children’s Church at both services
Fellowship
Time is 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the Dixon
600 High Street, P.O.
Box
Lounge;
Youth Impact is 6:00-8:00 p.m., unless
307,
otherwise noted
Worthington, Ohio 43085
Send
calendar
items
to: denny@worthingtonumc.org
Phone: 614-885-5365
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Website: worthingtonumc.org
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
Email calendar items:
Happy New Year!
WUMC Closed
4
5
See Sunday
Schedule
Epiphany
Blessing of Church
Officers
4:00 p.m.—Cyndy’s
Open House
5:30 p.m.—Praise Team
6:00 p.m.—Youth Impact
11
See Sunday
Schedule
Baptism of the Lord
Renewal of
Baptismal Vows
10:40 a.m.—New
Members Class
5:30 p.m.—Praise Team
6:00 p.m.—Youth Impact
18
9:00 a.m.—Emmaus
10:00 a.m.—Prayer
Group
6:00 p.m.—Emerge
Planning
6:15 p.m.—Jubilee
Ringers
6:30 p.m.—Gateways
7:00 p.m.—SPRC
12
9:00 a.m.—Emmaus
10:30 a.m.—Prayer
Group
6:15 p.m.—Jubilee
Ringers
7:00 p.m.—CPC Board
19
See Sunday
Schedule
MLK Day—Office,
CPC Closed
10:40 a.m.—New
Members Class
10:40 a.m.—Tour
12:15 p.m.—Capital
Campaign Committee
5:30 p.m.—Praise Team
6:00 p.m.—Youth Impact
11:00 a.m.—
Community MLK
Day Celebration
25
See Sunday
Schedule
10:40 a.m.—New
Members Class
5:30 p.m.—Praise Team
6:00 p.m.—Youth Impact
26
9:00 a.m.—Emmaus
10:30 a.m.—Prayer
Group
6:15 p.m.—Jubilee
Ringers
7:00 p.m.—Elizabeth
Circle
6 9:00 a.m.—New 7
8 1:00 p.m.—
Life Clothing
6:00 p.m.—
Worthington
Cotillion
6:30 p.m.—Finance
7:00 p.m. - Welcoming & Inviting
7:15 p.m.—
Devotions
7:30 p.m.—Trustees
8:00 p.m.—Sr. High
Devos
Deborah Circle
4:30 p.m.—Children’s
Bells
5:30 p.m.—Open Hearts 5:00 p.m.—Children’s
Choir
6:00 p.m.—Social
5:00 p.m.—Rainbows
Principles Discussion
7:00 p.m.—CPC
Budget Meeting
7:00-8:30 p.m.—
7:00 p.m.—Martha
Confirmation
Circle
7:30 p.m.—Chancel
Choir
13
14
9:00 a.m.—New Life
Clothing
6:00 p.m.—
Worthington
Cotillion
7:00 p.m.—Finance
7:15 p.m.—
Devotions
8:00 p.m.—Sr. High
Devos
20
9:00 a.m.—New Life
Clothing
6:00 p.m.—
Worthington Cotillion
6:00 p.m.—CPC Staff
8:00-9:00 p.m.—Sr.
High Devos
9:00 a.m.—New Life
Clothing
9:00 a.m.—New Life
Clothing
6:00 p.m.—Social
Principles Discussion
6:30 p.m.—Adult Fellowship Planning
7:00 p.m.—CPC
Personnel
7:30 p.m.—Taize
Service
21
9:00 a.m.—New Life
Clothing
1:00-4:00 p.m.—Mat
Ministry
6:00 p.m.—Social
Principles Discussion
7:00 p.m.—
Confirmation
7:30 p.m.—Family
Ministry
15
4:30 p.m.—Children’s
Bells
5:00 p.m.—Children’s
Choir
5:00 p.m.—Rainbows
6:30 p.m.—Friendship
Community Dinner
7:30 p.m.—Chancel
Choir
22
1:00-7:00 p.m.—
Blood Drive
4:30 p.m.—Children’s
Bells
5:00 p.m.—Children’s
Choir
5:00 p.m.—Rainbows
7:00 p.m.—CPC
Budget Meeting
7:30 p.m.—Chancel
Choir
279:00 a.m.— 28
29
New Life Clothing
6:00 p.m.—
Worthington Cotillion
7:00 p.m.—
Devotions
7:15 p.m.—Adm.
Council
8:00-9:00 p.m.—Sr.
High Devos
4:30 p.m.—Children’s
Bells
5:00 p.m.—Children’s
Choir
5:00 p.m.—Rainbows
7:30 p.m.—Chancel
Choir
9:00 a.m.—New Life
Clothing
6:00 p.m.—Social
Principles Discussion
8:00 a.m.—Yoga
10:00 a.m.—Directory
Photos
9
9:00 a.m.—Library
Work Day
10:00 a.m.—
Directory Photos
3:45 p.m.—Zoo
Lights
10
7:00 a.m.—Breakfast &
Conversation Group
7:30-8:30 a.m.—
Men’s Breakfast
8:00 a.m.—Yoga
9:00 a.m.—Bulletin
Assembly
6:00 p.m.—Family Fun
Night
16
17
8:00 a.m.—Yoga
9:00 a.m.—Bulletin
Assembly
No Events
Scheduled
10:00 a.m.—Prayer Shawl
Group
7:30 p.m.—Miami
University Men’s Glee Club
Concert
23
24
8:00 a.m.—Yoga
9:00 a.m.—Bulletin
Assembly
9:00 a.m.—UMW
Kick-Off Event
6:30 p.m.—Adult
Fellowship
6:30 p.m.—WUMC Singles
30
8:00 a.m.—Yoga
9:00 a.m.—Bulletin
Assembly
31
9:00 a.m.—WUMC
Singles
The Messenger
Worthington United Methodist Church
600 High Street, P.O. Box 307
Worthington, OH 43085-0307
Volume 59, No. 1
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Dated material:
Please deliver by Jan. 2, 2015
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
January
Happenings
Saturday, January 3: WUMC Trip to see the
zoo lights
Wednesday, January 7: Social Principles Discussion Group Begins
Friday, January 16: Miami University Men’s Glee Club Concert at 7:30 p.m.
Monday, January 19: MLK Community Celebration at WUMC
Saturday, January 24: UMW Kickoff Event
COLUMBUS, OHIO
PERMIT NO. 8115