July
July 2015
Volume 48, Issue 7
The Leaf – a monthly
publication of GLC
Gethsemane Lutheran Church
The Leaf
35 East Stanton
Stanton Avenue ♦ Columbus OH 43214 ♦ 614614-885885-4319
www.gethsemane.org
Pastor
Rev. June A. Wilkins
pastorjune@gethsemane.org
Music Ministries
Dr. Timothy E. Guenther
tguenther@gethsemane.org
Mission Developer
Rev. Ipyana Mwakabonga
ipibonga@hotmail.com
Child Care Center
Brenda Weilbacher
bweilbacher@gethsemane.org
Parish Secretary
Diane Gutgesell
glcoffice@gethsemane.org
Custodian
Brian McLean
In this Issue
From the Pastor—P. 2
B.R.E.A.D.—P. 3
Hymn Festival—P. 4
Adult Education—P. 5
Small Groups—P. 6
Book Group—P. 7
Thrivent/Clippers—P.8
New Members—P. 9-10
Prayer Concerns—P. 11
Council Highlights—P. 12
Serving Schedule—P. 13
Calendar—P. 14
Gethsemane VBS 2015
Tuesday, July 28
Wednesday, July 29
Thursday, July 30
6:30-8:00 pm
FROM THE PASTOR
what God gives at the table, and how we can share it
with others. We will sing, share stories, play games,
and eat snacks. We will be collecting food for our food
pantry again and having an all around good time.
This year, with Terri Siebert’s retirement, we need
everyone in the congregation to join together and
help this congregation put on a great VBS for our
children and the children in our neighborhood. If you
haven’t helped out with VBS before, or you think
you’re too old for it (you’re not!) now’s the time to get
involved. We need people to both lead and help out
with crafts, snacks, games, service projects, and
registration. We also need people to go out and
deliver fliers to tell the neighborhood about our food
pantry collection. And we just need people to be there
to direct children.
Growing up I never had Vacation Bible School. I don’t
know if it was because I was Roman Catholic, or it just
wasn’t the thing to do where I lived. Whatever the
case, VBS was not a summer tradition in my youth. But
when I started working in churches during seminary, I
found out the joy and value of VBS!
VBS is a joy for everyone, young and old alike, and I
hope that everyone can experience it and make it a
fun week!
VBS 2015 is July 28, 29, and 30. 6:30-8pm.
VBS is a concentrated time when we can gather with
children and share stories and music and fun. Some
churches have glitzy programs with lights and
recorded music and huge sets, and some (like
Gethsemane) have more home-grown versions.
Regardless of the style, the purpose is the same: to
teach kids about the Bible and God’s love for them. All
good stuff!
Rev. June Wilkins
This year, the theme for Gethsemane’s VBS is “Come
to the Table” (that is also our worship theme!) We will
talk about what it means to be a part of God’s table,
2
JUSTICE MINISTRY
MINISTRY
Investment Drive for B.R.E.A.D.
B.R.E.A.D. justice ministry organization relies on a combination of grants, corporate
investments, and individual investments to pay for expenses. As any non-profit
knows, grants are very unreliable and they can be stopped at any time for any
reason. Corporate investments come with some of the same risks.
It is important that the members of engaged congregations do their part to
support this ministry of justice in our city.
When we invest in justice we see significant returns in dollars that will change lives for
people in Franklin County. $3.1 million dedicated for small business development, an
Affordable Housing Trust Fund with an annual revenue of $4 million, a County Land Bank with an annual revenue
of $22 million, $500,000 allocated to Project KEY to keep children in school, and $2 million in savings from the 100
youth diverted out of the juvenile justice system.
This means for every $1 invested in B.R.E.A.D., $122 are leveraged into the community.
During July, Gethsemane is collecting investments in B.R.E.A.D. from our members to be used for justice
throughout the year. If you believe in God’s call to justice, if you were inspired by the testimonies given at the
Nehemiah Action, or if you were not able to make it to the Nehemiah Action, we invite you to invest in
B.R.E.A.D.’s work so more of it can be done in our city.
During July, there will be a basket in the rear of the sanctuary. Make any checks payable to B.R.E.A.D. Our
congregation’s investment goal is $3,000.
3
HYMN FESTIVAL
Augsburg Fortress is hosting a hymn festival at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, August 3, at Gethsemane
that is free and open to the public. Gethsemane members should plan on attending and bringing
their friends.
Hymn festivals are a way of promoting congregational song in churches, as well as bringing
communities together through music and liturgy. “Let the Whole Creation Cry: A Hymn Festival”
follows a pattern for worship that includes hymn introductions and accompaniments, readings,
reflections, and prayers prepared by John Ferguson, retired professor of organ and church music
and cantor to the student congregation at St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn. Congregational
hymns and choral anthems will be led by Anton Armstrong, professor of music at St. Olaf College
and conductor of the renowned St. Olaf Choir.
In addition to the hymn festival, individuals and choirs are invited to participate in the festival
choir led by Armstrong and accompanied by Ferguson in a rehearsal prior to the hymn festival
from 6 to 7:15 p.m. No registration is required to attend the hymn festival or rehearse and sing
with the festival choir.
The hymn festival is part of the Augsburg Fortress Summer 2015 Music Clinics, which annually
draw hundreds of church musicians at six locations across the United States with the purpose of
exploring fresh and innovative ways to enliven music in worship.
4
LEARN
Vacation Bible
School
Is
July 28, 29, 30
6:30-8:00 PM
STORY TIME
Christian Education about life, for life, and for a lifetime
SUNDAYS at 10:45 AM
IN THE LIBRARY
Story Time in the Library begins on July 12 at 10:45am
with a story about “Caring for Creation: Some of the
Challenges” lead by Gethsemane’s Environmental
Stewardship Team. Then we have two weeks with
stories of important Biblical characters.
He was a son of Abraham – he had 12 sons who led
twelve tribes – he died at 137 years of age – an angel
of the Lord promised that his offspring would be so
great that they could not be counted. Who is he?
(Hint, NOT Isaac). Join us after worship on July 19 to
solve this mystery told by Don Dell.
Her husband married into her family business. And
then the whole family got kicked out of town. Then
they followed another itinerant leather worker into
some pretty rough places. She became a woman to be
listened to. Any ideas about her name? Find out on
July 26 with help from Violet Meek.
On May 31 we said farewell to Terri Siebert, Director
of Education and Family Ministries, as she retires after
16+ years of service to Gethsemane.
5
CONNECT
Small Group
Ministries
First Reflections
Monday Bible Study
Paula Sauer
Every Monday at 8:00am
at La Chatelaine-Worthington
Second Saturday of the month
at 8:00am at TeeJaye’s
paulagsauer@yahoo.com
Brown Bag Bible Bunch
Dick Lyndes
rhlyndes@wowway.com
Connections:
Faith at Work
Judy Reuning
Every Wednesday at 12:00pm
in the church library
Every Tuesday, Thursday, and
Saturday from 8-3:00pm.
jreuning@lifecrossings.com
Book Group
Sharon Walton
skrwalton@gmail.com
Barbara Ford
bandbford@columbus.rr.com
Quilting
Men’s Breakfast
Bob Davis
rjdjr@wowway.com
Thrivent Builds
Bill Darlage
Darlage_bill@hotmail.com
First Friday of the month at
7:00am at Bob Evans on
Olentangy River Road
Last Saturday of the month
from 9-12:00pm in Trinity Hall
LWR Quilts
Terri Siebert
tsiebert@gethsemane.org
Prayer Shawls
glcoffice@gethsemane.org
OR
Call the
Church Office
Fourth Monday of the month
Last Wednesday of the month
at 7:30pm in the church library. at 7:30pm in the church library.
6
BOOK GROUP
This is Gethsemane’s Book Group reading schedule for 2015-2016. All discussions
are from 7:30 – 9:00pm in the church library, usually the last Wednesday of the
month. See specific dates below. You are invited to attend all sessions or to come
when you can. For more information contact:
Sharon Walton at 614-451-4820 or skrwalton@gmail.com
Barbara Ford at 614-263-1365 or bandbford@columbus.rr.com
DATE
TITLE
AUTHOR
LEADER
August 26
Ordinary Grace
William Krueger
Arlene Hendrickson
September 30
The Last Runaway
Tracy Chevalier
Sharon Walton
October 28
Learning to Walk in the Dark
Barbara Taylor
Don Dell
November 18
(week early)
The House at Sugar Beach
Helene Cooper
Barbara Ford
2015
December 30
NO MEETING
2016
January 27
Convictions: How I Learned
What Matters Most
Marcus Borg
February 24
Scott Prigan
NO MEETING
March 30
Dead Wake (The Lusitania)
Erik Larson
Diane Langner
April 27
The Tempest
William Shakespeare
Joy McLemore
May 25
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee
Joyce Geary
June 29
The Invention of Wings
Sue Monk Kidd
Jane Sieberth
July 27
August 31
NO MEETING
A Brief History of Time
Stephen Hawking
7
Eric Walton
Thrivent Financial representatives Joe Reilly and Linda Mackov invite you, your family and friends to the 4th Annual
Thrivent Night with the Clippers on Friday, July 24, at 7:15pm (gates open at 5:30). Use the Clippers ticket order
form for discount tickets and join hundreds of Thrivent members and their guests for an evening of fun! Print this
form from the newsletter, look for copies of the form on the Thrivent bulletin board in Atrium Way or call the
Thrivent office at 614/396-4120. We hope to see you there!
8
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to Gethsemane! – PART 2
Here are some more new members for you to welcome. They, too, like last month’s array are interesting and
diverse people!
David Kibble is a native of Columbus and knows the whole city. He has
lived on Parsons and is now on Broad Meadows near church. His sister
was born and lives in Columbus. He works as a handyman doing
painting, dry wall, and many other “house fix-ups.” Look for a flyer in
church soon offering his services once he recovers from a bicycle
accident. Interests include fishing, cooking and “being a worker bee.”
David came to Gethsemane as a Lutheran from his time in Coldwater,
Michigan, and was a member of Hilltop Lutheran in Columbus.
Sue Humbert was looking for a smaller church than her church at
Worthington Presbyterian when a friend told her about Gethsemane’s Annual Neighborhood Service Day. Even
though she lived outside of our usual service range we made arrangements to rake her leaves, too. Pastor June
sent a letter to those served and Sue visited with Pastor. She then decided to visit GLC and is now part of our
family. Her only blood family are cousins in Mt. Vernon. Sue graduated from Ohio State in sociology and has been
a case worker for Franklin County Children's Service and worked for the state health department doing office
work. Swimming is her pleasure at Devon pool in UA at 6:30am. Being an early riser brings much beauty and good
swimming at that hour. She has 4 cats aged 16, 14, 13 and 5. She likes cats because they give unconditional love,
are smart, and can be trained to fetch and respond to their names.
Joel and Anna Wildermuth are Ohio natives – Joel from
Sydney and Anna from Clyde – and they met at Bluffton
University. Joel was a history and theology major and Anna is
in social work. She graduated first and volunteered with
PULSE a non–profit group in Pittsburgh. They have been in a
traveling ministry group where both sang and Joel played
electric guitar. For two years Joel was part time Worship
Pastor at his home church – Church of God – teaching Sunday
School, working with worship teams, sound, visual arts, and
music where he played drums, piano, guitar and harmonica. They were not happy that there were no young
people in that church. In seeking what to do next they landed at MTSO – Methodist Theological School in Ohio
with a full $10,000 tuition and living scholarship. Anna comes from a Lutheran background, Joel Lutheran and
Presbyterian. They spent six months church shopping when they came to MTSO visiting Gethsemane several times
and finding it “different”. They like the small, warm and welcoming feeling, the music, and the association with
the Swahili church. Anna works with Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Delaware and central Ohio. Both like to walk,
cook, go to movies, and Joel likes to play music. He’s also seeking how to eventually get into Lutheran ministry
and really enjoys languages such as Hebrew and Greek. They have a large and close family. Joel’s dad died and his
mom remarried so he has two younger sisters and three older step-siblings. Anna has two older sisters in Illinois
9
NEW MEMBERS
and Columbus. Her mother has been a nurse for forty years and her dad, according to Joel, is the most
knowledgeable shoe salesman he’s ever known!
Peter Olesen Lund comes to us from Concord, New Hampshire, via a
recommendation to attend Gethsemane from the present pastor of his
“birth church” in Millington, Connecticut. That pastor is Julie ReuningScherer! Small world! Peter went from his birth church to membership
at an American Baptist church in NH where Lutherans are few and far
between, to now closed St. Mark’s Lutheran in Columbus, back to NH
and CT and now to Gethsemane.
He left CT for NH to attend King State College for a Bachelor’s in
Education and taught Industrial Arts in middle school (now the STEM
program.) During a sabbatical year he earned his Master’s degree at Colorado State University and he is now
enrolled in a PhD program at OSU planning to supervise student teaching in his area when he graduates. Peter has
had a varied and sometimes challenging life getting to where he is now. He was invited to OSU by Dr. Michael
Scott with whom he worked on National Common Standards for national teacher certification in Technological
Education, an optional but highly valued certification. Peter entered OSU in 2000 and completed all of his
coursework during summers, sabbatical, and leave of absence from teaching and was taking his pre-candidacy
exam in the summer of 2008 when he was robbed at gunpoint. Though he passed his written exams he was so
traumatized over the robbery that he failed the oral exam. After some years of teaching again and facing his
diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder he was able to appeal to OSU and returned to studies in the fall of
2014.Reviewing past classes and research techniques are getting him closer to that PhD! Peter has been active in
all of the churches he has belonged to working with youth, church council, Peace Movement, care of church
property and choir. He has been on many professional committees, received an NSF grant for Technology and is
past president of the Gay Men’s Chorus in NH. His brother and family live mostly in the NH area. Of Danish
heritage, Peter has enjoyed several trips to Denmark and plans for more.
Melanie Jessie and her two sons, 5th grader Wally and Kindergartner Chris are part of Char Jessie's family who decided to join her
at Gethsemane. They visited and "felt really comfortable" here.
They enjoyed the services and Pastor June. Wally loves baseball and
skateboarding and goes to Clinton Elementary. Chris goes to
Duxberry Park and is into break dancing and basketball. Art
(painting & sculpture), music (all kinds but especially blues) and
playing piano are among her many interests and talents. She also
has a 19-year-old daughter Ana as well as 3 brothers and a sister.
Welcome these interesting new members to our family – and tell
them about yourself!
10
PEOPLE NEWS
Our Prayers and Concern
Are With . . .
July
Birthdays
2
5
6
7
9
10
11
12
18
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
31
Mike Siddall
Christy Hubbard
Payton Hagerdorn
Isaac Lutz
Alice Siddall
Reva Woodruff
Sibylle Custis
Hono Lyatuu
Dave Norman
Gary Rader
Audrey Tober
Bob Cerny
Matt Bogan
Frank Perin
Christina Murphy
Dick Lyndes
Maya Gardner
Joe Perin
Joanne Vollrath
Ian Lyatuu
Barb Brugler
Jeff Luedke
Rachel Mackov
Howard Spring
Carolyn Fergus
Jane Sieberth
Bonnie Reilly
“Pray in the Spirit at all times in every
prayer and supplication. To that end
keep alert and always persevere in
supplication for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18
New Concerns: Donna Baer … Eugene
Hirschfeld (father of Alice Siddall) …
David Kibble … David Lagerberg …
James Laspisa … Grace Portzline
(granddaughter of Ralph Portzline) …
Amy Tatz (sister-in-law of Jim Tatz).
Members with ongoing concerns: Bob
and Sibylle Custis … Elaine Haines …
Dick and Sue Jones … Phyllis Nelson.
Family and friends with concerns:
Charles Rader (uncle of Gary Rader) …
Bonnie and Dennis Weirick (sister-inlaw and brother of Jan Davis).
Homebound: Mary Bardach … Beryl
Cumberland … Dotty Edwards (LaurelsWorthington) … Carolyn Fergus
(Wesley Glen) … Ken and Alice Gerken
(Mayfair Village) … Becky Oldaker
(Bennington Glen) … Ralph Portzline
(Chapel Grove Inn) … Joanne Vollrath …
Phyllis Wei … Reva Woodruff (Sterling
House).
Our love and compassion to the family
of Lilia Caye Scanga (niece of Anita
Gardner) who passed away June 8 … to
the family of Lois Badger (friend of
11
Char Jessie) who was killed in an auto
accident on June 19 … Mike Dhume
(friend of Bob and Jan Davis who passed
away June 21.
Would you like to add a name
to the Sunday prayers?
Contact church secretary at 885-4319 or
glcoffice@gethsemane.org before 10:00
am on Thursday to have the name
printed in the bulletin. After that time,
you will have the opportunity in worship
to name those silently or aloud during
the prayers. You may also have the
name sent out to the congregation via
our E-Prayers (email).
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Congregation
Council
OFFICERS:
President
Mark Hagerdorn
Highlights of Council Meeting – June 18, 2015
A copy of the Council minutes and Financial Report is posted in Atrium Way.
PLEASE READ BUT LEAVE POSTED. Take home copies (minus attachments) are available
at the Sign-Up Desk in the narthex.
PASTOR’S REPORT
mark.hagerdorn@panaceaproducts.com
Vice-President
Paula Sauer
paulagsauer@yahoo.com
Secretary
Bonnie Reilly
bonniedreilly@yahoo.com
Treasurer
Chris Bullwinkle
chrisbullwinkle@gmail.com
MEMBERS:
•
•
Will be on vacation June 21 and 28 and July 5.
Pastor has met with parents to identify needs and set priorities for youth
education and family ministry. They will meet again in July.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Contributions for May were slightly lower than budgeted. Total expenses were
higher than expected in May, driven by the Payroll line. In the budget, we only
had 2 pay periods when there were actually 3 in the month. We should expect
June to be around budget. These items had a relatively small impact to our net
income year to date. Again, contributions should remain a focus within the GLC
financials and for the congregation as a whole as we are entering June, which is
historically a month of lower contributions. We also need to remain focused on
keeping expenses within budget as we close out the fiscal year.
Jackson Lyimo
kljack1@yahoo.com
2016 BUDGET REVISIT
Michael Murphy
Concerns were brought to Council regarding the passage of an unbalanced budget
and the implications as we look to the future. Of particular concern are the need
for sustainable increases in income, the need to identify areas the budget can be
cut if necessary, and the need to better communicate budget concerns to the
congregation. Council will form two task forces to address these issues. One will
do an in depth analysis of the budgeted expense line items to identify areas that
could be cut if necessary. The other will explore creative ways to increase income
in a sustainable manner. Pastor June, the Council and the Stewardship team will
work in the coming year at better communication regarding budgetary issues.
michaeldavidmurphy@gmail.com
Judy Kulikowski
dkulikow@columbus.rr.com
Char Jessie
cjessie@columbus.rr.com
Gary Rader
grader@wowway.com
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEXT MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 9, 2015, AT 7:00 PM.
.
Submitted by Bonnie Reilly
12
SERVING THIS MONTH – JULY 2015
July 5
9:30 AM
July 12
9:30 AM
July 19
9:30 AM
July 26
9:30 AM
August 2
9:30 AM
Assisting Minister
Don Dell
Don Dell
Don Dell
Don Dell
Elaine Haines
Projectionist
Jim Sauer
Mike Siddall
Brian McLean
Kate Lutz
Paul Siebert
Sound
Monitor
Mark Geary
Jim Sauer
Mike Siddall
Eric Walton
Jim Sauer
Readers
Jeff Luedke
Wendy Luedke
Joy McLemore
Joanne Leussing
Bill Darlage
Judy Kulikowski
Carol Savolaine
Don Huiner
Hugh Geary
Joyce Geary
Ushers
Barb Driver
Jim Driver
Jim Siebert
Howard Spring
GottfriedMaeffert
Manfred Maeffert
Brian McLean
Scott Conlon
Jeff Luedke
Wendy Luedke
Diane Langner
Rick Langner
Bob Abdou
Bill Darlage
Paul Siebert
Dave Reutter
Dick Reuning
Hugh Geary
Joyce Geary
Jim Sauer
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4CAFA92AA13-sunday
Click on the link to sign up and serve in the nursery.
Nursery
Communion
Bread
Joyce Geary
Worship Team
Carole Wilkins
Brian Lutz
Joyce Geary
Communion Care
Darlene Norman
Darlene Norman
Darlene Norman
Darlene Norman
Betty Guenther
Diane Langner
Counters
Joanne Leussing
Hugh Geary
Imma Lyatuu
Dave Reutter
Brian McLean
Joyce Davis
Mark Geary
Work Day
Please reserve Saturday, July 18,
2015, to volunteer on the Thrivent
Builds house currently under
construction. No construction experience is required and
all tools, supervision, and lunch will be provided.
Additional information will be provided as we get closer to
the work day. If you have any questions, just email Bill
Darlage at darlage_bill@hotmail.com.
13
JULY 2015
Sunday
Monday
5
9:30 AM
Worship
10:45 AM
Education Hour
4:00 PM
Swahili
Worship
12
9:30 AM
Worship
10:45 AM
Education Hour
3:30 PM
Swahili Choir
NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE
19
9:30 AM
Worship
Education Hour
4:00 PM
Swahili
Worship
6
8:00 AM
Reflections
8:00 PM
A.A. & Al Anon
26
9:30 AM
Worship
10:45 AM
Education Hour
3:30 PM
Swahili Choir
27
8:00 AM
Reflections
8:00 PM
A.A. & Al Anon
Tuesday
7
10:30 AM
Staff Meeting
13
8:00 AM
Reflections
8:00 PM
A.A. & Al Anon
14
10:30 AM
Staff Meeting
6:00 PM
P&L Staff Mtg.
20
8:00 AM
Reflections
6:00 PM
Day Care
8:00 PM
A.A. & Al Anon
21
10:00 AM
LSS Food
Pantry
10:30 AM
Staff Meeting
7:00 PM
Worship
Ministry Team
28
10:30 AM
Staff Meeting
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
NO Bible Bunch
12:10 PM
CRC Lunch
Program
4:45 PM
Tutoring
6:00-8:00 PM
Food Pantry
8
NO Bible Bunch
4:45 PM
Tutoring
6:00-8:00 PM
Food Pantry
2
12:10 PM
CRC Lunch
Program
3
CHURCH
OFFICE &
DAY CARE
CLOSED
4
NO Food
Pantry
9
7:00 PM
Congregation
Council
10
11
8:00 AM
Men’s
Breakfast
15
12:00 PM
BB Bible Bunch
4:45 PM
Tutoring
6:00-8:00 PM
Food Pantry
7:30 PM
Swahili
22
12:00 PM
BB Bible Bunch
4:45 PM
Tutoring
6:00-8:00 PM
Food Pantry
7:30 PM
Book Group
29
12:00 PM
BB Bible Bunch
4:45 PM
Tutoring
6:00-8:00 PM
Food Pantry
NO Book
Group
16
11-1:00 PM
Food Pantry
18
8-3:00 pm
Thrivent Builds
11-1:00 PM
Food Pantry
23
30
6:30 PM
Summer
Handbells
7:30 PM
Summer Choir
6:30-8:00 PM
Vacation Bible School
14
17
24
7:15 PM
Thrivent Night
with the
Clippers
31
25
NO Quilting
11-1:00 PM
Food Pantry