construction of the robert s. crane, jr. welcome center...

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“Informing and Inspiring the Central Ohio

Faith Community”

BE MINDFULThe best part of

your story is when it changes.

Dr. Glen MilesSenior Minister

© 2017 First Community Church

PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL BARBER

Construction of the Robert S. Crane, Jr. Welcome Center, South Campus, began April 17. It is expected to open mid-September. Stay up-to-date on construction at FCchurch.com. Click ‘Welcome.’

AmazingLove

Author Jonathan Martin uses “shipwreck” as a metaphor for a time in your life when it felt like everything was sinking, like you are out of control and all is about to be lost. I loved his book, How to Survive a Shipwreck.

If you are facing a tough time right now, buy it, read it. Martin is a pastor who went through a shipwreck of his own making. The book was worth the price for this one line, “No matter where you are in life - there are no dead ends.” When Martin found himself in a shipwreck, he also discovered he is loved unconditionally. Friends he thought would reject him, loved him even more. People he was certain would be full of judgement, instead became living embodiments of the grace of God.

For the first time in his life he discovered the deep, unending, all encompassing love of Heaven. My singular wish as a pastor would be for of all of us to find this same amazing, overwhelming love. The hard part, of course, is the simple recognition that this knowledge is sometimes only made real on the other side of the wreck.

For many, if not most, the shipwreck occurs after mid-life, after all the effort that has gone into creating a resume, developing a personal brand of sorts, of making sure you had all the things you thought you needed or really wanted, and then one day you wake up and

Building MomentumCapital Projects Fundraising in Final Stretch

n By Michael Barber

During a three-year journey toward building a North Campus Sanctuary, South Campus Welcome Center and making improvements to Camp Akita, the Capital Projects Committee (CPC) of First Community Church has had its fair share of pleasant surprises.

Nothing could have prepared the team, led by CPC Chair Paul Anderson, Owner’s Representative Nan Weir and financial consultant Bruce Pontious, for what happened in May.

The “quiet phase” of fundraising, which began in 2014, was followed by an all-church (REALIZE) pledge campaign in the spring of 2016. Financial gifts of all sizes, from a few dollars to a million, brought the Projects clearly into view.

Adding to the momentum was the March 26 groundbreaking for the Robert S. Crane Welcome Center at South Campus, expected to open mid-September.

However, a shortfall in financial

commitments for the sanctuary required the Committee, and architect Phil Markwood, to sharpen their collective pencils. The slightly-reduced budget forced adjustments to the sanctuary design, involving the elimination of some desirable elements and the inclusion of value engineering.

Gone were the exterior stone, a standing seam metal roof, stone flooring in the sanctuary and the renovation of Unity Lounge.

Then came very good news.

“To say we are elated is an understatement,” CPC Chair Paul Anderson said. “Due to their devotion to the North Campus Project, and the vital role it will play in the future of the church, an anonymous FCC family has pledged $4 million.”

The gift will return many quality components to the final design. It will also allow the CPC to move forward with an addition planned for the north side of the sanctuary in support of worship and the music program.

Additionally, the CPC will consider a more serene and contemplative location of the Columbarium, originally set near the parking lot.

Senior Minister Dr. Glen Miles - who was affirmed by the congregation on January 8 and formally installed May 21 - is energized by the gift, but is also realistic as the need for additional funds remains.

“As magnificent as this anonymous gift is, we still have work to do to raise the necessary gift commitments for the Projects,” Glen said.

Currently, the needs are: North Campus, $1.83M, South Campus, $331,000, Camp Akita, $526,000.

“If you have donated to the Projects previously, we are grateful and ask that you prayerfully consider an additional gift,” Glen said. “If you have not participated in this campaign, we respectfully ask that you join us in this final effort. With your continued support, we will certainly have more reason to celebrate.”

Taking Shape

2 JUNE 1 - 30, 2017 | firstnews

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Jesus Seminar Draws Diverse Crowd

Presence

Summer Worship Features Quiet Space for Families

June ALC Film/Pizza Group

Jesus Scholar Dr. Robert Miller discusses his presentation with Pete Diehl during the weekend seminar. PHOTO BY CHARLES BALDECK.

n By Rev. David Hett More than 150 gathered to hear the “Alternative Christianities” presentation by Jesus scholars Celene Lillie and Robert Miller during our April 28-29 Spiritual Searcher weekend through The Burkhart Center, in which we learned that, contrary to the way we normally understand it, there were varieties of ways people chose to understand and to follow Jesus in the years following his crucifixion. Bob Miller, religion professor at Juniata College, and Celene Lillie, Director of the Tanho Center, used texts as varied as the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Truth, The Gospel Mary, the Gospel of Peter and Thunder Perfect Mind to describe the way different communities

followed the path of Jesus. These texts and these communities were in existence at the same time as the gospel texts in our New Testament, and the communities that followed the writings we know as Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, not to mention the communities that Paul began. Both scholars, and many participants who have been to other “Jesus Seminars on the Road,” an offering of the Westar Institute, said that our attendance was the largest they had ever seen. The seminar attracted not only our own congregation and local community, but also people from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New York.

Somebody asked me recently if I was always as happy as I seem to be.

Well, yes!

No small part of that, and I don’t want to sound off the religious map on this, is my assurance that

somehow God is with me. It began when I was a kid and heard about my birth. Born three months early, no

small matter now and especially then, and survived because a local physician had been to a conference in Vienna and came back to Wisconsin with three of those new-fangled things called incubators. I had the privilege of being the test run, and the thing worked! No other great miracles in my life, other than my wife Jan saying yes, she would marry me, but somehow always, for me, a sense of walking with something way beyond my understanding. My faith is that it’s God, or, as we often call God, the Holy Spirit, the life-giving force.

We will soon celebrate Pentecost, the day on which we formally rejoice in God’s presence with us and God, through Jesus, calling us into a special company of God’s people, the Christian Church. The first Christian Pentecost is often called the birthday of the Church, but in reality every day is a birthday, a new day of living with God and God’s creation. I’m always aware every day of my life is a gift and I thank God for the presence and power of God’s Spirit. I hope the same may be true for you. This Pentecost, join with me in celebrating God’s presence with us.

Rev. Paul BaumerMinister to the Staff

North Campus will host a 9:15 am worship service this summer.

In order to help families with young children, Leigh Anne Easterling, Director of Early Childhood Ministries and and Kate Hiser, Coordinator of Sunday Childcare, will provide a dedicated space in Grace Hall where children will be allowed some freedom to play quietly.

Some toys and activities will be provided. Feel free to bring a favorite quiet activity from home. Parents will be with their children in this space while being able to fully participate in the music and liturgy of the service and listen to the sermon, too. This replaces our regular child care.

K-5 will continue to have Sunday School. The new schedule begins June 18.

Youth ChoirsYouth Choirs are on a break and will begin again on Wednesday, September 13 for K-5 choirs and bell choirs and Sunday, September 10 for the Vocal Ensemble for middle school and high school youth.

Register your child now at FCchurch.com/youthchoirs

All children from kindergarten through high school are

welcome in the vocal choirs without an audition. Each Bell Choir can accommodate 11 youth.

There are openings right now in Bell Choir 1 for beginning ringers (third grade on up).

Contact Sally Beske, Director of Youth Choirs, at [email protected] for more information.

Thursday, June 8Wicker Room, South Campus6 pm gathering and pizza($5 suggested donation)6:30 pm film begins Witness (Rated R)After witnessing a brutal murder, a very young Amish boy, and his widowed mother, Rachel, played by Kelly McGillis, seek police protection from John Book, a Philadelphia cop played by Harrison Ford.

When Book discovers corruption in the narcotics division of the police department, he takes Rachel and Samuel to hide in the Amish countryside. There, Book and Rachel begin a cautious romance.

This is both an electrifying Hitchcock type mystery and a poignant love story with issues of very tough life choices to be made. The movie was filmed on location in Philadelphia and the rural Pennsylvania towns

of Intercourse, Lancaster, Strasburg and Parkesburg.

Local Amish were willing to work as carpenters and electricians, but declined to appear on film, so many of the extras actually were Mennonites. Discussion of Witness will be facilitated by Mary Gossard. Please RSVP by Wednesday, June 7 to Jennie Nickel at (614) 529-9930 or [email protected]

firstnews | JUNE 1 - 30, 2017 3

A MONTH OF SUNDAYSJUNE 4 B

PENTECOST SUNDAY COMMUNION

8:30 am Burkhart Chapel, SC Rev. Rinker preaching

9:15 am Grace Hall, NC Dr. Miles preaching


11 am Sanctuary, SC Dr. Miles preaching

JUNE 11 C ONE MORNING SERVICE


5 pm Grace Hall, NC EveningSong

JUNE 18 A SUMMER SCHEDULE BEGINS



JUNE 25 B MEMBERSHIP SUNDAY



JULY 2 C BAPTISM SUNDAY



A Indicates Usher Assignments

For more information:

Click: FCchurch.com

Email: [email protected]

Call: (614) 488-0681

Visit: The Welcome Centers

Back Bay Mission Prepares to Shore Up Housing

Remedial Christianity

Women’s Guild

n By Linda Larrimer

In September, First Community Church will send a group of volunteers to Biloxi, Mississippi to share their time and energy at Back Bay Mission that serves residents on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and provides self sustaining assistance to the poor and marginalized.

The Mission has been a lasting source of hope and help for thousands of children, adults and families since 1922. As one of the oldest and most highly respected organizations within the United Church of Christ and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Back Bay Mission continues its journey of providing innovative solutions and compassionate responses to those suffering at the hands of social injustice.

Its Mission Trip program provides hands-on service learning experiences for hundreds of volunteers from across the nation. Back Bay Mission’s Board of Directors met May 5-6 in Biloxi and elected officers for 2017-18. President Matt

Williams; Vice-President Jasmine Quinerly; Secretary Wil Brown; Treasurer Brent Johnson. Elected to the Class of 2020 are: Jasmine Quinerly (TX); Crystal Allen (OH); Joyce Bathke (MO); Rosa Smith Williams (NC). If you would like to learn about this mission, interested volunteers should attend the informational meeting on July 12 at 3 pm in room 215, North Campus at 3777 Dublin Road. This initial meeting will be an overview of your commitments on the trip, your costs and transportation and to answer

your questions about the work week at Back Bay.

You can also find additional information at FCchurch.com/back-bay-mission. Registration forms and payment for the trip are due Friday, August 4. A full group planning meeting will be held on August 9 at 3 pm for all registrants. Our work camp week will focus primarily on housing repair and construction as Back Bay Mission assists low income families to remain in the community despite storm damage to their homes.

Construction experience is helpful, but not necessary.

There are other ways to help the community, too. Workers are needed in the food pantry and the Micah Day Center that serves the needs of the homeless during the day.

Volunteers are also needed for meal preparation, serving and clean up at the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen. Mission volunteers stay in a comfortable dormitory during their work week and share meal preparation and meals. A day trip to New Orleans to tour the 9th Ward is included in the activities. On July 28, Back Bay supporters and FCC Mission Council will host a Shrimp Boil from 6 to 8:30 pm in Grace Hall, North Campus. Enjoy boiled shrimp, red beans and rice and homemade cobblers along with musical entertainment. All proceeds will benefit Back Bay Mission. If you would like to help with this delicious Gulf Coast dinner, please contact Amy Caskie at (614) 488-0681 ext. 106 or [email protected]

Summer SeminarWednesdays, June 7 thru July 12, 7 - 8:30 pmBrownlee Hall, South Campus Adult Education Coordinator Walter Watkins presents another thought-provoking summer seminar, presenting and leading discussion on Remedial Christianity: What Every Believer Should Know about the Faith but Probably Doesn’t, written by one of our past, local, Spiritual Searchers, Dr. Paul Laughlin, Emeritus

Professor of Religion at Otterbein University.By registering for Remedial Christianity, at FCchurch.com/remedial-christianity, you will join an exploration of history, tradition and other influences that helped Christianity evolve into its present form.

That’s right, Christianity wasn’t always what we have now. This study will address a broad variety of topics including how the Bible came together, aspects of biblical

scholarship, Jesus of history versus the Christ of faith, human nature and the problem of evil. We will also take a look at alternative Christian views.

While dealing with important theological issues, our author’s approach is not without humor. Our discussions will be lively, informative and sometimes challenging.

We also have a limited supply of books available at attractively discounted prices.

n By Jill Eliot

This is a season of graduations and there are many kinds of graduations we celebrate - grade school to middle school, middle school to high school, high school to college and the great graduation of present life to everlasting life.

Ralph Waldo Emerson gave this advice: “Hitch your wagon to a star.” I still have a gold star with those words written on it, a gift from my mother.

On June 5, 4:30 pm in the Guild Room, South Campus, the old and new chairs of each Women’s Guild Group

will meet together. This is an opportunity for the former chairs to “graduate” from leadership to other exciting types of service and for the new chairs to glean from the experienced women any tidbits of wisdom they can use in the coming year. We have a new recipient for our “generous spirits” at the annual Women’s Guild potluck and celebration on August 29, 6-8 pm at North Campus.

Kitty Rohrer spoke with Cary Simonton, Volunteer and Donations Coordinator of Van Buren Shelter. Through Cary, it was learned that 20 women

have certain needs taken care of such as bras, undies and feminine hygiene items.

Following is a list of things they still need:

• Bar soap for bathing• Shampoo and conditioner• Brushes and combs

(66% of the women are African-American)

• Nail clippers for both hands and feet

• Women’s deodorant• Tissues

In addition, Cary is available to provide a program to the various Guild groups about homelessness in central Ohio

and the shelter system. He can be reached at (614) 715-2030 ext. 211.

We have invited Cary to the Guild Pot Luck and Installation. Contact Kitty Rohrer at (614) 486-6119 for more information. We are on the hunt for a new vice-president and a new membership chairperson.

Finding new ladies for the Women’s Guild is a fun way to spend the days!

MOVES TO A

NEW TIMEBEGINNING

JUNE 4Watch Sunday,

8:30 am on WWHO-TV (The CW)


PARISH REGISTER

We share the joys and sorrows of our church family in our prayers.

As of May 16, 2017

WEDDINGS

5/6/17Abby Robertson & KC Nolan Daughter of Lindsay & Calloway Robertson

BAPTISMS

4/29/17Asher Ross Benjamin Son of Elizabeth & Aaron Benjamin4/30/17Cyana Sh’nee Parks Daughter of Ayana Grant & Colin ParksFrazier Edward Sypniak Son of Sarah & Michael SypniakFinnegan Jeffrey Wahl Son of Erin & Jeffrey Wahl5/14/17Alexander James Abraham Son of Annie & Adam AbrahamJohn Christopher Montgomery Son of Chelly & Christopher MontgomeryElijah Cyril Rhein-Murray Son of Jamie Rhein & Steve MurrayGavin Thomas Simmons Son of Courtney & Justin SimmonsJack Keller Yeager Son of Katie & Jim Yeager

DEATHS

1/17/17Patrica Oberst Wife of Robert Oberst4/17/17Guya Henderson Mother of Lamar Graham4/22/17Doris Beymer 5/13/17Kathryn “Kathy” Heinzerling 5/13/17 Darryl Rafeld Brother of Blake (Chris) Rafeld Uncle of Jason Rafeld & Jessica Rafeld Espada5/14/17Dwight Edward Gardner Father of Ron Gardner5/16/17Mary Thomas Wife of James Thomas Mother of Nan (Michael) Weir

Please send notifications of weddings, births, hospitalizations or deaths to [email protected] or (614) 488-0681 ext. 228

Our Pastoral Care staff is available if you desire a visit or call during an illness, hospitalization or time of need.

Rev. James LongMinister of Pastoral Care

Alumni Conversation with Austin Glasser

A Life of Prayer

Baptism SundayRed Cross Blood DriveTuesday, June 20, 1 - 7 pmSouth Campus 1320 Cambridge Blvd, 43212

The need for blood substantially increases during the summer months. For decades, First Community Church has played a major role in supporting the efforts

of the Red Cross. Join us in saving lives.

Register online at redcrossblood.org and enter our sponsor code: FCCSC or contact Paula Russell at (614) 488-0681, ext. 228 or [email protected]

n By Scoty Nicoll

Austin is a recent graduate from the University of Toledo College of Medicine. He will be starting his residency in OBGYN at Riverside Hospital in the summer. Austin worked at Camp Akita as a Counselor and member of the Program Team. He was also a camper every summer as a child. What is a memory from your camper days that stands out for you? Playing bass guitar at camper night. It allowed me to take something I was good at and share it with others. The amount of encouragement I received was amazing. What was your favorite program character you played? Ansel Orbit – Intergalactic space pop star. It made me step outside my comfort zone as I tried my best to be a “pop star.” It was a lot of fun and I think the campers really enjoyed it. We also recorded an original song that summer that we used as our intro music called Space Trip. What skills did you develop at camp that you think will benefit you as a doctor? Communicating with others. When you are at camp, you get to connect with people in such profound ways that are so different from everyday life. I think Camp Akita really helped me to improve my communication skills and communication

is such an important part of being a good doctor. The age-old college dilemma, summer internship vs camp job. How did that work out for you? I’m very glad I made the decision to work at camp instead of spending my summer doing research or some other internship. I think that when you do something solely as a resume booster, those experiences won’t last over the years and often won’t be meaningful. I’m glad I worked at Camp Akita instead. I made memories that will

last a lifetime, formed great friendships and learned a lot about myself. What was your favorite song to play at Akita? King Jesus. Call and response songs just can’t be beat. I loved playing the banjo the most, but also played the bass, mandolin and stand up base. What was your favorite camp meal? Salisbury steak, an unpopular choice I know, but I loved that stuff.

Much like the disciples, we struggle with how to pray. We instinctively pray when under stress or when circumstances are not what we would have them be; however, we may have difficulty in establishing a regular time of prayer or question its efficacy or whether we are “doing it right.”

In her book, To Pray and to Love, Roberta C. Bondi uses the monastics of the Early Church as a point of reference in a conversation on a prayer. In doing so, she does not advise us to enter a monastery or separate ourselves from the “world,” but she does say that prayer brings our spiritual and daily lives together: “Prayer is for life. Rather than providing the one who prays with a world apart, it does just the opposite: it carries us into love. Prayer and love remove the

boundaries between the “spiritual” and the “everyday.” (p. 74)” We are assured in scripture that “God is love” (1 John 4:8b). Jesus also calls us in the Great Commandment to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:34-40). However, Bondi says: “If a life of prayer is also a life moving toward God and each other in love, the ancient monastics knew that there cannot be love where there is no self to do the loving” (id. at 75). Indeed, the Great Commandment calls us to love ourselves. What keeps us from claiming that “self” that is loved and capable of loving God and others? Bondi identifies a number of areas, but directly addresses a few: the need for approval, perfectionism and blaming others. The need for approval may drive us to deny our own needs and make our own worth depend on the good or bad opinion of others. We need to know that our own identity is not dependent on how others evaluate us. And we can’t care

for others if we don’t care for ourselves. Perfectionism is a challenge because it stems from our believing that our real value comes from what we do or how we do it, rather than from God. If we only prayed more or worked harder or did better, we would be better. In the extreme, we feel guilty or imagine that we have failed in a myriad of things. Fear of failure may lead us to procrastinate. And sometimes we blame others or claim ourselves as victims. Filled with anger and guilt, we do not act out of love, but obligation. In all these cases, we may think we are giving ourselves away in love, but it may not be a real and generous love. That only comes from claiming ourselves in God. A life of prayer, however inadequate it may seem at times, grounds us in God, the God who loves us as if there were only one of us to love. Knowing we are loved empowers us to love God and to love others as ourselves.

n By Paula Russell

Our next Baptism Sunday will be July 2 at the 9:15 am service, North Campus and the 11 am service, South Campus. If you are scheduling a baptism for the first time at First Community Church, there will be a baptism class on Thursday, June 22 from 7-8 pm in the Wicker Room, South Campus. Rev. Jim Long, Minister of Pastoral Care, will explain the meaning and practice

of baptism and what occurs during the baptism. Leigh Anne Easterling, Director of Early Childhood, will share the many opportunities the church offers families with young children.

To schedule a baptism or for more information, contact Paula Russell, Director of Congregational Care, at [email protected] or (614) 488-0681 ext. 228. Additional 2017 Baptism Sundays are September 10 and November 12.

From left; Greg Glasser, Tim Glasser, Hayley Head, Kendall Glasser and Austin Glasser.


Do This in Remembrance

Rev. Christopher RinkerClergy Associate

What do we mean when we repeat the words Jesus uttered to his friends on the night before his death – “This is my body, broken for you… This is my blood, poured out for you…”?

Every time we practice communion, we say

these words. These words that have been passed down for thousands of years, for countless generations. And I wonder if they have become hollow, meaningless, almost as though we have forgotten what truly lies on the table in front of us.

It struck me some weeks ago, as I sat in meditation in our sanctuary at South Campus, that the table is just as important a symbol for us Jesus people as the cross. Now, being a Disciples minister, I may be a bit biased. But I sat there and I saw, from my perspective, the cross hanging over the table. I realized that just as we so often look at the cross and see Christ’s broken and bleeding body hanging there, we must also come to see that same broken and bleeding body lying strewn across the table at which we gather.

In the Disciples’ tradition, all are welcome at the table; rich, poor, middle class, Jew, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, gay, straight, trans, Black, White, Latino, documented, undocumented, conservative, liberal… you get the point.

If you are human, you are welcome at

the table. But if all who are welcome actually came to the table and sat around it, well, there would certainly be a lot of folks there who didn’t like each other. There would be folks who harbor deep anger and resentment for others; folks who have been hurt by others; folks who believe so strongly that they are right and that others are wrong – that they are the agents of good and the others the agents of evil – that they might even be prepared to take the lives of some of those seated around the table.

This is why it is important to see the broken and bleeding body of Christ laid out across the table. You see, God didn’t kill Jesus. We did. Our arrogance, selfishness, petty disagreements and our unwillingness to see the fullness of humanity in others.

When we come to the table, we are confronted with the broken and bleeding body of Jesus and we are reminded that the wages of sin is indeed death. Perhaps this ought to give us pause as we take a look around at all the others who are welcome at the very same table.

So the next time you partake in communion, I would invite you to imagine not that you are sharing a meal with your close, like-minded friends, but rather with your most bitter enemies. Consider that they, too, are invited to this table. Allow your feelings toward that person to be confronted by the broken and bleeding body of Christ lying before you, and consider whether there might be a better way forward.


Don Jameson

Life Goes OnIf you have been concerned about “George” from my May column, you can relax. He was not put out with the trash.

His family slowed down the search for a retirement community and got him involved. After a few months, they found him a

new home where he fit in nicely. It took him awhile to settle in, but that was to be expected since it was a major change in his life style. He did remark after a few months that he was enjoying having less things to worry about.

He had been feeling prior to the move that he did not own his house anymore. It owned him! There are many things to consider in such a move. A first-class retirement community marketing staff will bring up things you might not have thought of. Eventually, you will probably need some degree of medical care or physical assistance and your new home should be able to help you with assisted living, healthcare and rehab services. When you need those services, it is very nice to have help available where you live rather than having to be temporarily relocated to strange facilities. When choosing your new home, ask lots of questions. Answers should be readily available. Don’t just read the brochures or watch the TV ads. (You will never see an automobile company state in its TV ads that its new cars are not really that great but look nice!) It is very helpful to have a friend who resides in the facility you are considering and who will give you facts not found in the sales brochures. Below are a few areas you may wish to explore: Is the staff not only competent but positive and friendly to help you? Remember, you will be seeing a lot more of these folks than you will your family! Is there an established hospitality program that for at least two months, unless you wish otherwise, will see that you are invited to activities and sit with different folks at dinner and have a volunteer resident “host” to help you feel comfortable in your new home? Could noise - external or internal - be a problem? If you are especially sensitive to noise, be sure to visit the apartment you will be occupying before you sign up and perhaps talk with another resident in your corridor. (I recently stayed one night in a very nice hotel in Tampa and got very little sleep because my room was right next to the elevator shaft!) Check out the financial status of the community and its parent corporation if your new home is part of a larger entity. The retirement housing business is a very complex industry in which our government agencies are heavily involved and programs and policies that may affect you can change at any time. Most facilities have storage areas for you to store things you do not need every day. This may be a 10’ x 5’ cage, or just a shelf which would hold two suitcases. Lots of help is available to you. Just explore online or through government agencies or senior centers. Retirement communities you visit can also suggest organizations to contact. Finally, and this is very important, please select a community that is convenient to the North or South Campuses of First Community Church and one that provides transportation to those locations if you do not drive.

JUNE READINGSThese 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 Exodus 19:1-9a Acts 2:1-112 Exodus 19:16-25 Romans 8:14-173 Exodus 20:1-21 Matthew 5:1-124 (Pentecost Sunday) Psalm 104:24-34, 35b Acts 2:1-21 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 John 20:19-235 Joel 2:18-29 Romans 8:18-246 Ezekiel 39:7-8, 21-29 Romans 8:26-277 Numbers 11:24-30 John 7:37-398 Job 38:1-11 2 Timothy 1:8-12a9 Job 38:12-31 2 Timothy 1:12b-1410 Job 38:22-38 John 14:15-1711 (Trinity Sunday) Genesis 1:1-2:4a Psalm 8 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 Matthew 28:16-2012 Job 38:39-39:12 1 Corinthians 12:1-313 Job 39:13-25 1 Corinthians 12:4-1314 Job 39:26-40:5 John 14:25-2615 Genesis 21:1-7 Hebrews 3:1-616 Genesis 24:1-9 Acts 7:35-4317 Genesis 24:10-52 Mark 7:1-1318 Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7 Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 Romans 5:1-8 Matthew 9:35-10:2319 Genesis 23:1-19 1 Thessalonians 3:1-520 Genesis 25:7-11 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 21 Nehemiah 9:1-8 Luke 6: 12-1922 Exodus 12:43-49 Hebrews 2:5-923 Genesis 35:1-4 Acts 5:17-2624 Ezekiel 29:3-7 Luke 11:53-12:325 Genesis 21:8-21 Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 Romans 6:1b-11 Matthew10:24-3926 Genesis 16:1-15 Revelation 2:1-727 Genesis 25:12-18 Revelation 2:8-11 28 Jeremiah 42:18-22 Matthew 10:5-2329 Micah 7:18-20 Galatians 5:2-630 2 Chronicles 20:5-12 Galatians 5:7-12


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Portable Storage Containers

QUEST SINGLES

We singles enjoy meeting new people, so join us for one of the dinners and/or the book discussion below. Most of us are in our fifties, sixties and up, but we are an equal opportunity group and welcome all ages. We communicate primarily via email. If you are not on our list, contact Nancy Dunn at [email protected] or call (614) 771-4869 to verify the current plans. If you have an idea for a fun activity, let Nancy know.

DINNER AT THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY

Thursday, June 1, 6:30 pm3975 Townsfair Way, Easton

DINNER AT MORETTI'S OF ARLINGTON

Thursday, June 15, 6:30 pm2124 Tremont Center

BOOK DISCUSSION

Sunday, June 25, 5:30 pmMCL Cafeteria, KingsdaleThe Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick

DINNER AT CRAZZY GREEK II

Thursday, June 29, 6:30 pm3640 Main Street, Hilliard

Dust Clouds from the ArchivesField Day: The Spirit of Community

Jackie CherryChurch Historian

Possibly one of the most unique, enjoyable and noteworthy Tri-Village traditions was instigated by our church when the Teachers Council suggested planning an event for the entire neighborhood instead of the usual Sunday

School picnic - a day of games, festivities, good food and perhaps even a parade. Thus, the first Field Day on Saturday, June 17, 1916 was the beginning of a custom that lasted for a decade and engendered an enormous sense of community.

There has been nothing quite like it since, but anyone who participated during those years remembered Field Days with great fondness. There was lemonade and food, field games, horseshoe pitching, a ball game between single and married men and even a 50 yard dash for men over 200 pounds.

The parade consisted of brass bands and 20 decorated cars, trucks and horse drawn vehicles that were interspersed with groups of people dressed in costumes to represent the names of their street. The day concluded at the church with entertainment by the high school girls glee club and boys orchestra.

Everyone declared it a rousing success. Each year, something new was added - a kite contest in 1917, a baseball game between Grandview and Arlington in 1918, a baby contest in 1919. Field Day was

proclaimed a holiday by the Grandview mayor so that everyone could participate in its activities. The patriotic fervor of the war years encouraged all residents to decorate their homes with flags and bunting. Returning soldiers marched in the 1919 parade which was covered by three downtown newspapers and drew spectators from all over central Ohio. I must not forget to mention the queen who was chosen by all three villages to reign over the day’s festivities. The age limits were 9 - 40 years (quite a range). For twenty-five cents, anyone could place a name on a ballot and five cents guaranteed the privilege of casting 100 votes for your favorite candidate. The candidate selling the most tickets was declared queen. Virginia Bullock Hughes told me that she remembered selling 200,000 tickets to become queen in 1923. Parade spectators numbered 3,000 in 1920 and a downtown newspaper reported that 1,500 people were part of the 1921 parade which was more than a mile-and-a-half long. All events were filmed for showing later in downtown theaters. This unique tradition achieved national recognition when Pathe News filmed all activities of Field Day 1923 for screening throughout the United States and Canada. Income from Field Day went to various causes for improving the lives of those within, as well as beyond, the Tri-Villages. Proceeds funded such things as a day nursery on the West side, the Americanization program and English teacher for Grandview’s immigrant

families who had come to work the Marble Cliff quarries, playgrounds and the salary for a recreation director. Much of the credit for this annual community celebration was given to our church. The Women’s Guild cooked and served the meals. Oliver Wiest lent his enthusiasm and worked tirelessly for its success. Events were planned so that everyone in the villages could be a participant. Residents of the various streets united to design floats, present skits or costume themselves as walking units in the parade.

It was an event to be anticipated each year, enjoyed fully on the day and remembered with fondness forever. And it did a great deal to shape the intense love and loyalty and sense of community that is still to be found among our residents today.

Melton to SpeakGlennon Doyle Melton, author of Love Warrior and Carry On, Warrior and writer of the Momastery blog.Sunday, August 20Upper Arlington High School Auditorium

The Burkhart Center, in partnership with the Upper Arlington Author Series, is pleased to announce this “conversation” with Glennon Doyle Melton. Ticketing information will be forthcoming.


Donation Needs for June: Tuna

2017 APRILHouseholds 451Individuals 1,386 Children 465 Adults 701 Seniors 220Total Meals 12,465

Collected at North Campus 12 lbs. Collected at South Campus 54 lbs.From MOFB 7,735From GFS 1,283From Giant Eagle 2,273From Fresh Market 1,863Unique Volunteers 74

Heart to Heart Food Pantry Totals

WEEKLY ADULT LEARNING GROUPS Classes are free and open to the public. For information on books, registration or financial aid, contact Natalia at [email protected] or (614) 488-0681 ext. 105.

For more details, visit FCchurch.com/the-Burkhart-Center

MORNING FELLOWSHIP

Wednesdays, 7 – 8 amBrownlee Hall, South CampusPresentations and discussion of leading-edge topics. Ends promptly at 8 am.

MEN’S STUDY GROUP

Wednesdays, 7 – 8 amWicker Room, South CampusThe group is reading and discussing The Divine Dance by Richard Rorh. Contact Price Finley at (614) 361-6567 or [email protected], or Craig Sturtz at (614) 481-9060 or [email protected]

WOMEN LIVING THE QUESTIONS

Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30 amWicker Room, South CampusThis summer, the group will use Dr. Wayne Dyer’s book Change Your Thoughts--Change Your Life, for a discussion of the Tao Te Ching. Along with the reading, we use video, alternate translations and guest speakers as appropriate. Contact Linda Baldeck at [email protected]

BIBLE STUDY

Wednesdays, 7 – 8:15 pmConference Rm, North CampusLed by Rev. Jim Long.

CONTEMPLATIVE WAY

Thursdays, 11:45 am - 1 pmWicker Room, South CampusIn June the group will continue Cynthia Bourgeault’s new book The Heart of Centering Prayer: Nondual Christianity in Theory and Practice, during its time of sacred reading, followed by a 30-minute silent meditation starting around 12:15 pm each week. Limited number of copies of the book are available for sale at the South Campus Bookstore on Sundays. Facilitated by Rev. David Hett and other spiritual directors.

Sunday Morning Seminar, Christianity 101 and Tuesday at Ten will resume in September.

Rev. David HettMinister of Religious Life and Learning

The Divine Holding

AMAZING FROM PAGE 1

Occasionally, over the last few months, I’ve noticed in my spiritual practices and at some times of both joy and sorrow, moments of experience that I can only describe using the word “holding.” These

are unfamiliar experiences, because I cannot even say they are experiences of “being held,” which I’ve had in moments of pain sometimes, or moments of inquiry at others. So I’ve characterized them to others as a “holding without a holder.” No one can be on a spiritual path in any way (hardly even on a life path) without having had some or multiple experiences of being held. And because our earliest experiences related to being held in the arms of mothers and fathers and grandparents and others, it soon seems obvious to our young forming egos that the holding comes from outside ourselves, and throughout life that’s where we expect to receive it—how many countless love songs include “hold me” in the lyrics? But what if all that external holding actually summoning the experience of being held, of “holding,” that is at the core of our soul’s existence? A “holding” that is the basis of all souls’ entry into manifestation out of the Divine Oneness? You could say, although still dualistically, that it is the inner “holding” that is always with us; that, in fact, is our true nature as children of the Divine.

We are, as the Jewish philosopher Elliott Wolfson writes, the recipients of “an irreducible and unconditional givenness in which the distinction between giver and given collapses.” Or, in even more practical terms, Elizabeth Boyden Howes lectured about a “power—a resource, whatever the name—this resource is present; it is a Presence. It is a ‘given;’ it is an a priori numinous ‘given’ in the nature of things, and we can experience it. We know we are experiencing it when we have decreased tension, opened up of our heart, and found a clarity of mind. Richard Rohr advises that we surrender in faith to this “Bigger Pattern,” and this is what experiences of being held, whether with a “holder” or not, allow to deepen that existential trust: At our low points, we are one step away from either enlightenment or despair, says Father Rohr. Without faith that there is a Bigger Pattern, and the grace to surrender to that Bigger Pattern, most people will move into despair, negativity, or cynicism. We need a promise, a hopeful direction, or it is very hard not to give up. When you have not yet learned what transformation feels or looks like, someone—perhaps some loving human or simply God’s own embrace—needs to hold you now because you cannot hold yourself. When we experience this radical holding, and even deep loving, this is salvation! Perhaps the poet May Sarton said it most simply in this one stanza: “There is in each of us a healing mother.” Shalom.

realize a lot of that stuff doesn’t really matter.

You begin to wonder, what is important? Why do I have a life? What does this all mean? The shipwreck can happen long before middle age, of course. Sometimes terrible things do not happen until very late in life, but it is almost inevitable that you and I will face some moment of true suffering.

Richard Rohr reminds us, “Some form of suffering or death - psychological, spiritual, relational, or physical - is the only way we will loosen our ties to our small and separate false self.” In the letting go of the small false self, we are set free to be embraced by God’s love. 2000 years ago, the Apostle Peter wrote about this too. He wrote to the Early Church, “Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.” I really love this verse. It is so open and honest and real. There will be a multitude of mistakes in any church. There will always be a need for us to begin, and end, with constant love for one another.

We church folk are rightly criticized by non-church people for not always practicing what we preach, but that’s not surprising because we are human beings. We are far short of perfect.

We gather for worship, not as perfect examples of how we should live, but as broken, wounded and imperfect people who have heard the good news of God’s love. On our best days, we believe that is true. Not only for us, but for the world too. Grace and peace to you.

Tri-Village Trading Post volunteer Margaret Schorr shares a laugh with her friend John Zagan days before her 99th birthday. Margaret said she appreciated the cake John brought to celebrate, but didn’t like the number. Margaret has been a member of First Community Church since the early ’50s. She has volunteered at the Trading Post half her life. She attributes her lengthy service to the many friends she has made along the way. The Rotary Club of Upper Arlington has presented their 2017 annual Northwest Volunteer of the Year award to Margaret and fellow church member Betty O'Neill for their community service. PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL BARBER

Celebrating Friendship


to ourDISTRIBUTION PARTNERS

Firstnews thanks the following businesses and locations for participating in our distribution program. If you wish to become a distribution partner, contact Jane Torbica at (614) 488-0681 ext. 247 or [email protected]

COLUMBUS METROPOLITAN MAIN LIBRARY AND 21 BRANCHES

Thank You

ACCENT ON NATURE1435 Grandview Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 486-7333accentonnaturerocks.com

AVOLA LANZA HAIR AND NAIL STUDIO1417 B Grandview Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 486-8402avolalanza.com

BIG LEAGUE HAIRCUTS2800 Fishinger Rd.Columbus, OH 43221(614) 442-1111bigleaguecolumbus.com

CHEF-O-NETTE2090 Tremont CenterColumbus, OH 43221(614) 488-8444chefonette.com

COLIN’S COFFEE3714 Riverside Dr.Columbus, OH 43221(614) 459-0598facebook.com/Colins-Coffee-199129576778911/

COLUMBUS STATE DISCOVERY EXCHANGE BOOKSTORE283 Cleveland Ave.Columbus, OH 43215(614) 287-2427cscc.edu/services/bookstore/

CS HAIR SYSTEMS2148 W. Henderson Rd.Columbus, OH 43220(614) 451-5244

CUCO’S TAQUERIA2162 W. Henderson Rd.Columbus, OH 43220(614) 538-8701cucostaqueria.com

DUBLIN ROAD AUTO CARE1107 Dublin Rd.Columbus, OH 43215(614) 486-4400

EL VAQUERO MEXICAN RESTAURANT2195 Riverside Dr.Columbus, OH 43221(614) 486-4547elvaquerorestaurants.com

FIRST COMMUNITY VILLAGE1800 Riverside Dr.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 324-4455nationalchurchresidences.org

FRESCO FURNISHINGS1744 W. Fifth Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 586-1963frescofurnishings.com

FRESH KITCHEN3680 Fishinger Blvd.Hilliard, OH 43026(614) 400-5814freshkitchenohio.com

GET AIR TRAMPOLINE PARK3708 Fishinger Blvd.Hilliard, OH 43026(614) 808-6370trampolineparkhilliardoh.com

GRANDVIEW CLEANERS1445 Grandview Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 486-2704

GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY 1685 W. First Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 486-2951ghpl.org

GREAT CLIPS AT ARLINGTON SQUARE AND 7 OTHER AREA LOCATIONS4715 Reed Rd.Columbus, OH 43220(614) 459-4880greatclips.com

HOWARD’S BARBER SHOP1462 W. Fifth Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 488-8645https://www.facebook.com/howardsbarbershop63/

HUFFMAN’S MARKET2140 Tremont CenterColumbus, OH 43221(614) 486-5336huffmansmarket.com

J. WILLIAMSON SALON2280 W. Henderson Rd.Columbus, OH 43220(614) 442-8004

JIN’S TAILORING & ALTERATIONS1630 W. First Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 488-1955

LASH SPA STUDIO3714 Fishinger Blvd.Hilliard, OH 43026(614) 319-3255lashspastudio.com/ locations/Columbus

LUXE NAIL SPA1818 W. Henderson Rd.Columbus, OH 43220(614) 326-2222luxenailsalon.com

MAILBOX AND SERVICES1601 W. Fifth Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 488-1863mailboxandservices.com

MARCO’S PIZZA 4719 Reed Rd.Columbus, OH 43220(614) 326-1111marcos.com

MOS MY OWN SALON2818 Fishinger Rd.Columbus, OH 43221(614) 457-6086myownsalon.com

NEIGHBOR’S DELI2142 W. Henderson Rd.Columbus, OH 43220(614) 459-0188therealneighborsdeli.com

ONE MORE TIME1521 W. Fifth Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 486-0031onemoretime.com

PANZERA’S PIZZA1354 Grandview Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 486-5951panzeras.com

PAUL’S FIFTH AVENUE1565 W. Fifth Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 481-8848paulsonline.com

PULP JUICE AND SMOOTHIE BAR3664 Fishinger Blvd.Hilliard, OH 43026(614) 655-7857pulpjuiceandsmoothie.com

ROTOLO’S PIZZA1749 W. Fifth Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 488-7934 rotolospizza.com

SAX FIFTH AVENUE CAR WASH 1319 W. Fifth Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 486-9093

SECOND CHANCE CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUE1803 W. Fifth Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 488-3006secondchancegrandview.com

STUDENT BOOK EXCHANGE AT OHIO STATE1806 N. High St.Columbus, OH 43201(614) 291-9528sbx-osu.com

STUDIO H HAIR SALON1279 Grandview Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 485-0523salonstudioh.com

STUDIO POSH1670 W. First Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 586-4180studioposh.com

SUNNY STREET CAFÉ4733 Reed Rd.Columbus, OH 43220(614) 732-4479sunnystreetcafe.com

THE BLOWDRY CAFE4740 Reed Rd.Columbus, OH 43220(614) 273-0123blowdrycafe.com

TRATTORIA ROMA1447 Grandview Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 488-2104trattoria-roma.com

TREE OF LIFE PLAY + CAFE3708 Fishinger Blvd.Hilliard, OH 43026(614) 363-4041treeoflifeplaycafe.com

TREMONT PHARMACY2144 Tremont CenterColumbus, OH 43221(614) 488-2625

UA FITNESS2100 Tremont CenterColumbus, OH 43221(614) 486-0575getfitua.com

UPPER ARLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY2800 Tremont Rd.Columbus, OH 43221(614) 486-9621ualibrary.org

UPPER ARLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY LANE RD. BRANCH1945 Lane Rd.Columbus, OH 43220(614) 459-0273ualibrary.org/laneroad

VILLAGE SQUIRE BARBER SHOP 1245 Grandview Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 488-3485

VISIONONE OPTICAL2118 Arlington Ave.Columbus, OH 43221(614) 487-1022vision1optical.com

WESLEY GLEN RETIREMENT COMMUNITY5155 N. High St.Columbus, OH 43214(614) 705-2386wesleyglen.com

WESLEY RIDGE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY2225 Taylor Park Dr.Reynoldsburg, OH 43068(614) 467-8560wesleyridge.com

WESTMINSTER-THURBER717 Neil Ave.Columbus, OH 43215(614) 228-8888westminsterthurber.org

W.G. GRINDERS UPPER ARLINGTON LOCATION2820 Fishinger Rd.Columbus, OH 43221(614) 459-3663wggrinders.com

WORLD OF PHOTOGRAPHY1043 W. Third Ave.Columbus, OH 43212(614) 824-5047worldofusedphotography.com

FOUNDATION GIFTSGet Well Kay Graf Lee BurgesIn Honor of Phil Hawley/Dominica Kiran Devulapally Kathy Hossler Phil Hawley & Lisa Myers Amy Wood Miles & Lauren Hawley Robert & Paula M. Karl Joanne Trees Leah Letner Rachel Cantrell Ray Hays Heart To Heart Sallie & Pete Bethge John & Sarah Oberlin Doug & Darian Torrance The Columbus Foundation/ Jacintha Balch Jim Long Liz Galbreath Gerald & Lynn Robinson David Robinson Lynn Snowden Merry Hamilton Patty Vesper The Vesper Family Cheryl Zieger (past President) Guild Group 7In Memory of N. Robert Bennett Guild Group 7 Brian Casey Guild Group 7 Megan Casey Guild Group 7 William B. Comiskey Guild Group 7 Dottie Cowles Sallie & Pete Bethge Marguerite Dome Guild Group 7 William Fouse Guild Group 7 Dr. Edwin Hamilton Guild Group 7 Dick Helland James & Janet Bieber Betty Brewer Chumney Guild Group 7 Anthony & Julie Keefer Bob & Sherri Whetzel Robert Kuhns Charlotte & Mike Collister Rick Ottsen Guild Group 7 Jan Shelby David Shelby David Smith Dick & Anna Greer James Richard Unger Thomas Unger & Patricia R. DeSilva Dick Wetherbee Sallie & Pete BethgeIn Observance of Foundation Sunday Lynne W. Ayres Mitchell & Carol Berg Brad & Jane Briggs Joe Bull & Kathy Cleveland Bull Ben & Tracy Dickens Price & Alice Finley Jason & Betsy Gambone Krista Hartman Margo Heskett Brian & Connie Johnston Tony & Julie Keefer Jim & Jane Ledman Kay Moore Bryon & Susan Murray Sandy Pfening Cliff & Jeanine Provencal Susan Ragan Ralph & Jane Setterlin Liz Sturges Ralph & Joan Talmage Sherry Tibbetts Doug & Carol Ann Van Fossen Lynn WellsGeneral Gift to the Foundation Jack & Pat Shuter

CHURCH GIFTS

PRAYERS AND SQUARESIn Honor of Barb Davis Guild Group X

THE BURKHART CENTER Jim Hutchins Cynthia Kuhn

THE BURKHART CENTER SPIRITUAL SEARCHER EVENT The Jesus Seminar on the Road Robert Monaghan Mary Echelbarger

FRIENDS OF AKITAIn Memory of: Dr. Judith Neff

Carol StoweIn Celebration of: Camp Akita Anonymous

MISSIONSMay and June donors, including Heart to Heart, will be recognized in the July issue.

It is with gratitude that First Community Church accepts the following gifts.


Expires 6/30/17Expires 6/30/17

Expires 6/30/17

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)

THE PROGRAM STAFF OF FIRST COMMUNITY CHURCH Dr. R. Glen Miles, 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 C. Lindsay, Executive Minister; James M. Long, Minister of Pastoral Care; Christopher B. Rinker, Clergy Associate; Katherine H. Shaner, Minister of Mission; Michael Barber, Director of Marketing and Communications, Sally R. Beske, Associate Organist/Director of Youth Choirs; Leigh Anne Easterling, Director of Early Childhood Ministries and Mary Evans Child Development Center; Cindy Sue Gepfert, Foundation Administrator; Pam Jameson, Director of Facilities Ministry; Bobbi Mueller, Director of North Campus Administration & Akita Operations; Scot Nicoll, Executive Director of Camp Akita; Missy Obergefell, Director of Older Adult Ministry; Julie Richards, Director of K-12 Ministry; Paula L. Russell, Director of Congregational Care

articles and photos must be submitted to [email protected] by the 15th of each month. firstnews

Direct questions to Editor Michael Barber at [email protected]

construction of the robert s. crane, jr. welcome center...

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