First Church News
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Fir st Church News January 2013 First Congregational Church Vol. 161, United Church of Christ No. 1 Columbus, Ohio “Enter to Worship – Depart to Serve’’ Welcome 2013 Before we can say “hello” we also need to say “goodbye” to Marti Rideout. Marti has served wonderfully and ‘On Love Alone’ faithfully since July 1. She has been gracious enough to By the Rev. Timothy C. Ahrens, , Senior Minister serve a second time as our interim music minister. On ([email protected]) January 6, after our 11 a.m. worship, we will gather in Fellowship Hall to offer words of thanks and gifts of “The child we seek doesn’t need our gold. On love, on thanks in her honor. Marti has been a lifesaver! Let us love alone he will build his kingdom.” – Gian Carlo all come out and sing in one voice, “Well done good and Menotti faithful servant of God!” Thanks Marti. Rest for a little while! With the turning of the calendar, we made it to 2013. 2012 ended in horror Let us build this year to the honor and glory of God. “On with the slaughter of God’s holy innocent love Alone” may we continue to grow in Christ. May the ones in Newtown, Conn. Our prayers love of God in Christ Jesus our Savior, keep our hearts are with the lost and grieving in this small and minds growing in love for one another. New England town. In addition to prayers, many of us have begun the work of changing the tide of gun violence, 2013 Annual Congregational Meeting while also trying to meet the needs of a growing number is January 27 of Americans who have untreated mental health needs. But, with a backdrop of dire predictions from the Mayans We will have ONE service of worship on January 27 and others, 2013 ultimately arrived with little fanfare. at 10 a.m. We will follow this service with our annual st meeting at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. In addition to We are in our 161 year of life together in Christ in receiving reports from the boards, commissions, downtown in Columbus, Ohio. I am more certain than committees, Council leadership and staff, we will also ever before that our best years of serving God in the city vote on the annual budget and the slate of nominees are still ahead of us! who have stepped up to serve in 2013. We begin this new year with a new staff member. We In addition, we will vote on our church’s constitution are blessed to have Kevin Jones arrive as our Minister of (See related article on Page 2). Following the Music on January 2. He will lead worship for the first meeting, all are invited to Parish Hall for an all-church time on January 13. Kevin brings many gifts to us. luncheon. In our 161st year of life together, we have Originally a Buckeye from Ashland, Ohio, Kevin comes held these meetings as a way of being from Hartford, Conn., to serve our church. With training congregational Christians. It is the “Congregational on organ, harpsichord, piano and voice, Kevin brings a Way.” great range of musical experience – including eight years as music director of the Blue Hill Troupe, New York City’s Gilbert and Sullivan ensemble. He also has served as adjunct faculty at Hartt School of Music Inside teaching applied voice along with English, German and From the Pastors – 2 Birthdays – 9 French diction classes. He is married to Dr. Joe News – 3, 4-9 Anniversaries – 9 Bellissimo, a doctor of chiropractic medicine. Welcome Kevin and Joe. Christian Ed – 4 Calendar - 10 Music – 5 Prayers - 11 From the Pastors Christmas, empower us. God’s Deal; Our Agreement By the Rev. Dr. Janine Wilson, Associate Minister ([email protected]) “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the If you take the word “deal” all by itself, you will end up creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me with a plethora of ways to experience something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me it. To deal is to contract, have a something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and transaction, make an agreement, arrangement, pact, treaty, compact or you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to covenant. To deal is to trade, do visit me.” business, exchange, buy, sell or transact business. It is also to distribute, share out, dole out, Church Constitution Will Be apportion, divide up and/or split. Voted on at January 27 Meeting To delve into the word “deal” is a history lesson on the By the Rev. Timothy C. Ahrens, Senior Minister world and everyone in it. How leaders have dealt with riches and power provides a significant history of the At our annual meeting, being held following our one world. But more than a world or it’s history, how you and service at 10 a.m., we will vote on our congregation’s I have lived and dealt with our opportunities, provides a revised constitution. This new and improved edition of history of our families and our own life. How are we our constitution from over 30 years ago, seeks to dealing with our opportunities? What do we keep or strengthen sections on faith and covenant, how we covet? What do we distribute and share out? become members and choose to leave the membership of the church, definitions around calling and dismissing No matter which way one chooses to slice, dice or the Senior and Associate ministers, and the process for embrace the word deal is the challenge for 2013. I’m hiring and dismissing staff beyond the clergy. pretty sure that since many of you have teen-agers as we do, I’m probably not the only mother who Whether the changes are small occasionally tells her sons to “just deal with it.” No “tweaks” or more significant in your matter where you were on life’s journey last year, God is mind, I would encourage everyone in the process this very minute offering all of us a new to read the constitution that has year – complete with a fresh, clean slate. been mailed out. It also may be found on our church’s website – Now is the time for us to deal with opportunity. What will www.first-church.org. Copies can you give away, exchange, divide up? What will you be attained in the church office as well. choose to share this year to build up someone else’s hope? What transactions will you make to further peace All active members can vote on the constitution. in your family, between friends, between faith Associate members have voices but no votes. If you communities? What opportunities will you seize to treat would like to change your status as an associate each person with respect and gentle welcome? With member, you need to put that in writing and clarify the which persons or groups will you contract to speak out change with the Deacons before the congregational against violence, create a green economy, eradicate meeting. The committee and Council have put it in the disease, provide clean water or end hunger? And for hands of members two months before the ratification whom will you pray? date with the expressed intent to have meaningful conversations in advance of voting. My prayer for each of us this year is that we will intentionally take up the opportunity to stand together There will be forums on the constitution held in the Large with open hearts and minds; and together we can stand Conference Room on January 13 and 20 at 10 a.m. and with the disenfranchised and become physically, after the 11 a.m. worship. Please make time to read, personally connected to others in need. God came to us discuss and come ready to engage the constitution prior in covenant and keeps one side of this amazing deal. It to the meeting on January 27. is up to us to take up our side of this same contract. May God’s hope be fulfilled in little and great ways, even by us, in 2013. May the love that captures us as 2 First Church News Deborah Mitchell is a professor at Ohio State University. She also is a musician who also enjoys volunteering and horseback riding. Kay Neffenger looks forward to meeting new people. She is a Realtor and also makes (and sells!) handmade jewelry. Tiffany Dixon is working toward an advanced degree. She discovered us through her volunteer work with Bethlehem on Broad Street. New members were welcomed to First Church during worship on December 16. Christina and Brian Holt were married here at First Church. We’re all new to Christina, but Welcome New Members! It is Brian grew up at First Church. Together they Wonderful to Begin 2013 With You! have chosen to become actively involved in new ways. By the Rev. Dr. Janine Wilson, Associate Minister Michael Frost has been worshipping with us for We welcomed new members to First Church during several years as well. He has just begun his worship on December 16. Here’s a look at who they are: new career, training to be a nurse. Rachael Gardner, Judy Purdy, Deb Poe and her Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! We all look forward to daughter Kaylyn Schwartz all worship at the 9 growing in faith with each of you in 2013! a.m.