First Church News First Congregational Church United Church of Christ Columbus, Ohio “Enter to Worship – Depart to Serve’’ July 2014, Volume 162, No. 7

“Hope Comes Alive” the battle of this dread childhood disease. Children Five “Hopeful” Sermons on were dying at alarming rates. He knew that what Five Sundays in August doctors were doing was not effective. He knew in his By Rev. Tim Ahrens heart of hearts that they needed to increase the Senior Minister dosages to save the children. But, no one wanted to [email protected] face the increased suffering they would put the children through to actually heal them. (continued on “For in this hope we were page 2) saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who FIRST CHURCH YOUNG ADULTS COOKOUT hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for SATURDAY, AUGUST 9TH AT 6PM! what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” If you are in your 20s or 30s, single or partnered, with or - Romans 8:24-25 without kids, in school or in a career, church member or

not… it doesn’t matter, let’s get together for a cookout at During five Sundays in August, Rev. Dan Clark and I will explore “Hope” in our sermon series, “Hope Rev. Dan’s house, 633 S. Cassingham Rd., Bexley on Comes Alive.” Where does Hope come from? How do Feel free to bring a plus 1 or kids or just yourself. Dan we experience Hope? From the slightest signs of will provide burgers, dogs, buns, grilled veggies and rice, Hope to the Billboards of our lives proclaiming, “HOPE IS HERE!” – how we discover, create, share, and and soft drinks. Please bring a side or sweet and embody hope in our lives? beverages to share. RSVP to [email protected].

In her book, Living into Hope, Joan Brown Campbell writes: “Life has taught me that hope is born in the eye “Hope Comes Alive” of the storm. Hope is not happiness. Rather it is the Sermon Series fulfillment that comes from a life that takes risks and August 3 – Part I of V: “Hope is Anchored in Our loves deeply and falls and soars and falls and rises Souls” – I Corinthians 13:13 - Rev. Ahrens again.” August 10 – Part II of V: “Hope Cannot Be Seen” Joan is right about the birthplace of Hope in many of - Hebrews 11:1 - Rev. Ahrens our lives. Often the unseen nature of Hope has been borne of suffering. All of us can attest to this. Some of August 17 – Part III of V: “Hope in Trying Times” the most hope-filled people we know have battled -Psalm 9:18 - Rev. Clark through cancer or oppression or depression. They have faced down other horrors of life and they have August 24 – Part IV of V: “Hope Comes Alive in lived to fight another day. They have walked through An Imaginative Faith” – Romans 12:12 deserts and rainforests as survivors of torture and - Rev. Ahrens war, suffered in prison camps and somehow lived to tell the story. They have traversed oceans – August 31 - Part V of V: “‘Agents of Hope’ sometimes on tiny wooden rafts – in their quest for freedom. They have survived abuse and found in the Transform the World” James 1:2-4 light that is in them a place to smile, and they are truly - Rev. Ahrens joyful.

Years ago, I saw a powerful program on Childhood Leukemia. One doctor at Johns Hopkins Medical Center told a story of the early days of treatments in

(Hope Comes Alive” Five “Hopeful” Sermons on Five has served as a pastor and a hospital chaplain. Rev. Sundays in August continued from page 1) Langstraat will invite knowledgeable speakers from the community to provide information on caring for congregants generally, and caring for those who are Late one night the doctor was walking the halls on his experiencing specific challenges. unit and a young teen called to him from his room. As the doctor entered the teen’s room, the boy asked for The evening of our first meeting, participants will his hand. Looking into the eyes of the doctor the teen receive a resource binder. This binder will include said, “Doctor, I am going to die. I am alright with that. handouts of the presentations for the training, along But, I want you to use me in your research to save with some additional articles on specific topics of other lives. I want my life and my death to mean ministry. Each class will consist of three elements: something. I want to bring hope alive to the younger talking about our experience with the subject for the children who have a chance to survive this disease.” evening, a presentation by an “expert” speaker, and As the doctor remembered this story, he looked at the some practice time, so that participants can apply interviewer with tears in his eyes and said, “We did what they have learned. what he asked. Because of his selflessness, he saved the lives of many children. He brought hope We are specifically offering this course for downtown alive.” congregations. Sign up in the Church Office or tear off the sign-up sheet in the Parish News on Please join us each Sunday in August as “People of Sunday and place it in the offering plate. For more Hope” in our family of faith come together to explore information, contact Rev. Langstraat at 614-544-4071 this central teaching and primary belief of our or [email protected]. Christian faith. Hope is coming alive at First Church. Don’t miss it coming alive in your life as well! Here is some advance GREAT NEWS! Over 45 people have signed up! WOW! We are hoping for over 50 of our members and friends in this exciting Sign up for Clippers Game on August 23 program. Maybe you are one of the final five!? Also, Join us to see the Columbus Clippers vs. Indianapolis at thanks to a generous gift from one member 75% of 7:05 pm at Huntington Park. the costs of the class have been covered. The cost Sign up in the church office or Contact Alec Deitz at will now be only $5 for the class. Thanks to our [email protected] to register by Sunday, August 10th. generous friend! $10 General Admission, $7 (12 and under and seniors). Associate Minister Search Committee Congregational Care and Hospital Is Moving With Diligence and Purpose Visitation Training Monday evenings: By Rev. Tim Ahrens August 18 through October 13 from 6 - 8pm The time is at hand for final sign-ups for the Our Associate Minister Search Committee is moving Congregational Care and Hospital Visitation Training forward. Working hard and fast to prepare and at First Church! It begins on August 18th! present our First Congregational Church Profile to the United Church of Christ and worthy candidates for our This 8-week course will address the following topics: Associate Minister position, the search committee has Self-awareness as We Visit Others, Basic Listening completed this important task! They have done so in Skills, the Psychological Effects of Crisis and Illness, record time! Thanks Be to God! Care for Those with Mental Illnesses, Grief and End of Life, Ministry to the Elderly/Advanced Care Planning, With the profile ready to roll out to all candidates for Care for Those with Disabilities, and Ministry in the our Associate Minister position, we will soon be Midst of Addictions. receiving responses, inquiries and candidates. This is an exciting time in the life of our church. We ask for The class is coordinated and taught by Rev. Kristin your prayers and input. What are you looking for in Langstraat, System Director for Faith Community the Associate Minister? What kind of person and what Relations at OhioHealth. She is also a supervisor in (Associate Minister Search Committee… Continued from page 2) the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, and

areas of our life together would you like to see Resource Task Force in your thoughts and prayers. addressed? While the job description (completed in In addition, if you have creative ways to bring more June) and the profile (completed in July) both speak to dollars and other resources into the life of our these qualities and the person we are seeking, we are congregation, please be in touch with Joe or Francille always open to your thoughts and feelings, too. – or other members of the committee. Joe’s Email is: [email protected]; Francille’s email is: The Chairperson of the AM Search Committee is [email protected] Gerry Worth. Gerry’s email is: [email protected]. The members of the Search Committee are: Gerry Wednesday Book Study Begins New Worth, Bobby Carrington, Brian Cave, Kelly Dodd, Book August 6 - Learning to Walk in the Melody Leidheiser, Sarah Reed, Alex Rodriguez, Cameron Wade, Mary Weaver, Carrie Wise, and Dark, by Barbara Brown Taylor Frank Cook. Rev. Ahrens and Frank Cook, Moderator On August 6 and 13 and September 3 and 10, from are ex-officio members. Alex Rodriquez is our 11am-noon in the Church Parlor, Rev. Tim Ahrens “Chaplain” and Rev. Sarah Reed serves as our will lead a discussion on Barbara Brown Taylor’s Secretary. We will next meet on August 11th. We ask newest book, Learning to Walk in the Dark. There for your prayers as we move forward. Our hope is to are four more copies in the office – selling for $15. If present a final candidate for congregational approval you purchase the book through Amazon on-line, you by year’s end. We hope and pray the person will be may find a better price. able to begin full time in early 2015. Dr. Taylor provides a way to find spirituality in those times when we don’t have all the answers. She has The Resource Task Force (RTF) is become increasingly uncomfortable with our tendency Moving Forward! to associate all that is good with lightness and all that By. Rev. Tim Ahrens is evil and dangerous with darkness. Doesn’t God work in the nighttime as well? In Learning to Walk in The Resource Task Force launched its important work the Dark, Taylor asks us to put aside our fears and on June 30th. Meeting every Monday for four straight anxieties and to explore all that God has to teach us weeks, the Task Force made strides forward under “in the dark.” She argues that we need to move away the excellent leadership of co-chairs, Joe Baszynski from our “solar spirituality” and ease our way into and Francille Firebaugh. They are researching ways appreciating “lunar spirituality” (since, like the moon, in which the church can strengthen our resources and our experience of the light waxes and wanes). develop new streams of financing and support for the Through darkness we find courage, we understand important missions and ministries of First Church. the world in new ways, and we feel God’s presence They are working hard to prepare a report to the around us, guiding us through things seen and Church Council at their September 17th meeting. unseen. Often, it is while we are in the dark that we Stay tuned for their updates and their exciting report! grow the most.

The other members of the Task Force are: Rev. Marti Come and join us in August and September for this Baumer, Matt Allen, Lisa Morris, David Holt, wonderful new look at Spirituality that doesn’t split the Christopher Washington, Tom Worley, Kent Rambo, world in two – but looks at ways to help us find our Pavan Peter. In addition to: Revs. Dan Clark and Tim footing in times of uncertainty and giving us strength Ahrens and Moderator Frank Cook, all serving in and hope to face all of life’s challenging moments. ex-officio capacity. Please keep the members of the

Art-Themed Outreach Concert Mark 12:31- Love Thy Neighbor as Yourself By Catherine Hope-Cunningham

On Sunday August 10 at 5:15 pm, we will reach out to our Art Museum neighbors with an art-themed wind ensemble concert presented by the Ohio Capital Winds. The one-hour outdoor concert in the parking lot will feature repertoire based upon works of visual art. Following the concert, a small reception will be held inside the church. Congregant Rick Sayre will lead attendees through the sanctuary, highlighting the history behind centuries- old tapestries, stained glass and commissioned artworks. Please come enjoy the concert, learn about the beauty in the sanctuary, and meet your fellow art enthusiasts!

Inclement weather date: Sunday August 24, 5:15pm

Confirmation Class 2015 Getting organized! Initial Organizational meeting - August 17, 10am, Church Parlor Bring your Confirmand! Bring a Friend! I love teaching Confirmation…. Most days!  In Confirmation, eighth and ninth grade teens explore their faith, learn the church’s history, meet people of other faiths, and spend time growing in relationship to God and one another. They each have an adult mentor who walks through the process with them. They learn the Bible, church history, how our denomination works, how God, and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit interact with each of them and as our Triune God. Confirmation is a wonderful exploration of life with God!

Often we see Confirmation as something for our children only. Let me tell you the story of Leslie Thornton. Years ago, Leslie walked through the doors of North Congregational Church with her friend Becky Huffenberger. She had no church background. She hadn’t been to worship too often. She just wanted to learn about Jesus Christ and his followers. She signed up for Confirmation. Leslie read everything I gave her! She studied her confirmation books. She answered all the questions. She was a beautiful, receptive and completely engaged member of our confirmation class. On Confirmation Sunday, I baptized AND confirmed Leslie. You don’t have to be a member to be in Confirmation! Friends and others are welcome to join us, too!

We have as many as 15 young men and women who are eligible for Confirmation! We hope they all join with us for this fun journey! If you have a friend, a grandchild or neighbor, they can come, too! Blessings! Tim

Church Profile Survey By Deana Armstrong

When I was in seminary, someone asked a professor why churches count people. His answer was simple: We count people because people count. This year we have several items that need good data to assist in planning our future as a church together. These include the funding for a full time associate minister, the Financial Task Force, and a new Long Range Plan.

In order to help with this planning we ask all members of the church, who have completed confirmation, or are older to take twenty to thirty minutes to complete a survey of the church. Questions range from statistical data about who attends worship here, to your involvement in the church, what you like about worship, education, our witness to the community, and some religious attitudes.

Some of these questions may seem very personal and you may be reluctant to answer them. Please rest assured that your answers are completely anonymous and that no member of staff will see the form that you fill out. We ask that you fill out as many of the questions as possible. These questions may seem irrelevant, but they will help us to compare our data to that of similar congregations both by demographic data and by attitudes and beliefs.

Someone was recently reading the book of 1 Chronicles and wanted to know why David’s military census was condemned by God while the census of the Levites was OK. The best answer I have for that applies here: The survey helps us prepare to worship God with all of our resources of time, talent, and treasure. Like the survey of the Levites before building the Temple, we are giving an offering to God. Each of us matters individually, but our gifts are used in the fellowship of the Church. The survey is also a chance for each of us to reflect on our beliefs, our involvement, and our gifts to God through First Church. So we ask for a few minutes of your time to be sure that every member counts.

The survey can be filled out online at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/first-church

E. Broad Street churches offer history but still meet members' needs Columbus Dispatch, Thur., July 31, 2014

An article on Downtown Churches was published in the Dispatch on Thursday, July 31st. Click on this link to read more… http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/07/31/broad-street- churches.html

Moral Mondays – Week of Prayer August 21-28 Have you heard about the North Carolina Campaign for Moral Mondays? Ohio will be having a week of prayer August 21-28. Each day we will gather at the Statehouse for daily prayer from Noon to 12:30pm. (More information to come.)

New Members… In Their Own Words By Rev. Dan Clark Designated Associate Minister [email protected]

New Member Class On August 25th at 7pm in the Parlor You are invited to join First Church’s next New Member Class to explore a greater connection here. If you have any questions or want to sign up, please contact Rev. Dan at [email protected] or 614.228.1741 x21.

Meet the new members from June 2014 in their own words. If you are interested in becoming a member of First Church as the next step in your spiritual journey, please email Rev. Dan Clark at [email protected] to sign up for the next class, Monday August 25th, from 7-9 PM in the Parlor.

John and Rev. Mary Kay Beall Carter I (Mary Kay) am from Akron, Ohio. I am a writer, a poet, a church musician, and an ordained UCC pastor. I was Alto Soloist at First Church from 1966-1969 when Ed Johe was the Organist/Choir Master. My first church affiliation was The Cathedral of Tomorrow, Cuyahoga Falls, OH where I received great leadership training and sang on television with a girls' trio.

I (John) am from Nashville. I am a composer by profession. I also teach privately and have been the Music Composition Professor at Trinity Lutheran Seminary for the past 7-8 years. I was brought up as a Southern Baptist. My father, John Carter Sr., was a Choir Director who ended his career as Director of Music at First Baptist Church, San Antonio, TX, a congregation of 8,000 members during his tenure.

We currently live just one block south of German Village. During our marriage and writing career we've served in several denominations as Directors of Music and Arts and we were both Editors for Hope Publishing Company in Chicago for over 20 years. We have attended several concerts over the past few years at First Church and, as we are currently not employed in a church, we feel that the pastoral leadership, the inclusive welcome and theological stance, and the great music program at First Church provide the best worship community for us.

Dan Clark I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, though I have also lived in Chicago, Virginia Beach, and Colorado Springs. While those are beautiful places to live, I’m glad to be back home in Columbus for the last 5 years. I live in Bexley with my three children who are each named for Beatles songs: Jude is 8, Lucy is 6 ½, and Sadie is 5.

I am currently the Designated Associate Minister here at First Church. It is a temporary role while preparations are made to fill the role of Associate Minister permanently.

I was raised Baptist, but have been on quite a personal, professional, and spiritual journey for the last 15 years or so, worshiping and working in small and large churches, mainline and nondenominational, as well as doing extensive non-profit development work in Eastern Europe and Africa, which has had a tremendous influence on my spiritual life.

I came to First Church because of its legacy of social activism. I’m inspired by Rev. Tim’s efforts to see the gospel lived out in our civic and social lives.

Sharon Ferguson I grew up in northwestern Ohio. After living in several places—including Washington DC, New York City, and three Connecticut cities—I came to Columbus. I have lived in the Short North for more than 23 years.

I’m a senior fundraising consultant with Benefactor Group, a national consulting firm that is headquartered in Columbus. We consult with non-profit organizations of all kinds—from arts and culture to human services, health, religion, and education. I grew up in the Lutheran Church and went to St. Olaf College. While living in Connecticut I joined the United Church of Christ; my son was baptized there. I worked for the national UCC when it was headquartered in New York City. In Columbus, I sang with the choir at Trinity Episcopal Church for nearly 20 years prior to coming to First Church.

The choir, the music, and Kevin Jones drew me to First Church. I’m very happy to be back in the UCC.

Marylin Lewis I am from Cleveland originally. I lived in New York City for 26 years, and am now living in Gahanna.

I am a writer. I work at home. I also do odd jobs to help pay bills. I'm a full time student at Ohio Christian University, studying for my degree in Pastoral Ministry.

I was raised by an adoptive family who was Jewish, and they gave me a very conservative Jewish education until I was 14. Throughout most of my adulthood, I was a Religious Science Practitioner, and I still believe in Christ's power to heal. I left that church when it moved away from New Thought traditions and more into New Age philosophies.

I came to First Church because I was looking for a church that was Christ-centered but that was welcoming and joyful and uplifting. I stay because I really love its mandate for Social Justice and its tolerant, broad-minded atmosphere.

Eric Malmborg My Dad was an American Baptist minister, and as a result, I was born in Charlotte, NC, moved to Newton, Ma, then to Denver. Except for some time away for school, I've been in Colorado since high school. I now divide my time between Boulder and Columbus.

I have a management training and consulting business, specializing in Facilitation Skills, Change Management, and Strategy Formulation for Non-Profits.

I have been a member of the First Congregational Church in Boulder for the past 17 years and am drawn to First Church in Columbus because of its progressive theology in a traditional setting, and its focus on social justice issues. The music and ministry is outstanding!

Wayne and Cathy Redenbarger I (Wayne) grew up in a small farming town in central Illinois. I have lived here in Old Arlington almost 40 years. I am emeritus in Romance Linguistics at OSU. I continue to write articles and papers on subjects ranging from the pronunciation of Vulgar Latin, Latin graffiti on pottery shards at an excavation in Roman Lusitania, Portuguese phonology, etc.

I grew up in conservative Protestant churches, attended a Unitarian church in Washington DC, and finally First Congregational in Cambridge, Massachusetts, before coming to Columbus. Since then, pretty much attended where my wife Cathy was Alto section leader:

Trinity Methodist ( with Jim Gallagher), and First Community Church in Marble Cliff. I came to First Church because of Kevin and the quality of the music. We joined because of the quality of the pulpit ministry and the people.

I (Cathy) was born here in Columbus. Except for a few years in Salt Lake City I have been here most of my life, including graduating from OSU. I am retired. I volunteer at First Church, exhibit (prize winning!) day lilies, participate in quilting ministry, etc. I am also on the music staff part time at Columbus State, as an alto section leader in Chorus Columbus.

I grew up in the Methodist church. I sang at Trinity Methodist for ten years, First Community, etc. We came to First Church because of Kevin and the music. We joined because of the content from the ministers every Sunday, and we loved the people we met here.

Tracy Ross I was born in Detroit, Michigan and currently live in the Sycamore Place/German Village area. I am the Executive Director for the American Diabetes Association. As a child, my family belonged to a Baptist Church. As an adult I became a member of Unity Church of Christianity, a non-denominational Christian congregation.

I work in a building directly across the street from First Church, so the first thing that caught my eye was the sign out front which I pass often. After attending a service, I realized I have had the fortune of being at numerous community social justice rallies where Rev. Tim was a speaker. Those two events and my curiosity to know more about the UCC Church history and beliefs brought me to First Church. They also keep me coming.

Michael Underwood and Helen Ninos Originally Helen and I are both from the Pittsburgh area. But we have lived in Columbus since 1980 and raised our three kids here-so Columbus is home. We live in Gahanna. I am an attorney at a law firm-Porter, Wright, Morris and Arthur. Helen is Deputy Director for the School Employee Retirement System (SERS). Helen and I were raised Roman Catholic. We have not participated actively in that church for some years for a variety of reasons.

We learned about First Church from good friends who are members, including Nancy Gilson, Neil Brower and Lisa Morris. We were attracted to the open philosophy and attitudes of the Church. We learned more about the church as we made plans for our daughter Katy to be married there and eventually decided it is a place we want to worship and get involved.

Jean Wetmore

Celebration Sunday is September 7 By Mark S. Williams Christian Education Director [email protected]

The Christian Education year begins on Celebration Sunday, September 7, with the education hour starting for all ages at 10 a.m. This year’s theme is “Love Thy Neighbor.” More information will be in the September newsletter, on the Web site and on our Facebook page.

“Blessings of the Backpacks” August 17th

During both services on Sunday, August 17th we will have the “Blessings of the Backpacks” for all of our children and youth. We encourage our students heading back to school to bring their own backpack to church for the blessing. We will also have a special prayer for all those connected to educating our children and youth.

Help Purchase Backpacks for Gladden House The Christian Education and Justice and Mercy Commissions are joining together to help purchase backpacks and school supplies for the Gladden Community House children and youth. We will be collecting monetary donations now through August 10th. The Mission offering on August 10th will also be for the purchase of backpacks and school supplies. Here is how it works; we will be ordering backpacks with school supplies already included for elementary, middle school and high school students. The elementary backpack/school supplies cost $13.00 each and the middle school/high school backpack/school supplies cost $17.00. We can purchase these by the case as well. Please consider helping to purchase a backpack or two or even a whole case. We will have a “Blessing of the Backpacks” on Sunday, August 17th just in time as these children and youth head back to school. The need is great and every child/youth needs a good start to the school year with the materials they need. For more information, contact Mark Williams at [email protected].

Elementary Backpack/supplies Middle/High School Backpack/supplies

Add Your “Smiley” - We are all peacemakers! Join us by posting a picture of your smile to remind the world that peace starts with a smile. Just email us your smiling face and we will post it on the First Church Facebook page. Email your picture to jhamilton@first- church.org or post with the hashtag #smileforpeace.

“As people living, giving, sharing, and serving with the good news of God, let me encourage you to live at peace. Pray for peace. Work for peace. Make peace, as Jesus proactively puts it in the Beatitudes. (Matthew 5:9) And even, smile for peace. Mother Theresa said ‘peace begins with a smile.’ This is something we can do. We can meet and greet our coworkers and neighbors and family and friends with the peace of Christ. That doesn’t just have to be something we reserve for a couple minutes during a worship service.” – Rev. Dan Clark

This project was started at First Congregational Church UCC of Columbus Ohio and was inspired by a Pastoral Epistle from Rev. Dan Clark, which was used during a Children’s Sermon by Christian Education Director Mark S. Williams.

In Thanks By Kevin Jones Minister of Music [email protected]

As I am on vacation the first three weeks of August, I want to thank Dene Barnard, organist/choirmaster emeritus, for playing the 11 o’clock service in my absence. Dene will delight us, along with a gaggle of flutists for each of these three weeks. In addition, the music for August 17th will include a tribute to local organist and composer Wilbur Held. Mr. Held will celebrate his 100th birthday this month! Thanks, also, to Cindy Deliman and Tom Stewart for leading the music for Morning Prayer and Holy Communion at 9.

Choirs Start in September! All four choirs will commence rehearsals early in September: First Church Ringers begin on Thursday, September 4, at 6:15 p.m.; First Church Choir begins on Thursday, September 4, at 7:30 p.m. Teen Choir and Treble Choir both begin on Sunday, September 7, at 9:00am All choirs have room for additional singers and ringers. If you are interested in becoming a member of any of the choirs, please contact Kevin Jones, Minister of Music, at [email protected], or 614-228-1741, x12.

Children in grades two through six are encouraged to join the Treble Choir. Please contact Pam Welsh- Huggins, Treble Choir Director, for more information. The Treble Choir rehearses Sundays at 9 in the Music Activities Room. Pam can be reached at [email protected].

Youth in grades seven through twelve are invited to join the Teen Choir. They rehearse Sundays at 9 in the Choir Room. Kevin Jones is the director of this choir.

First Church Ringers is actively recruiting experienced ringers that would be willing to be on a substitute list. A substitute would be called upon, as needed and as available, to fill in for a missing regular ringer either for a Thursday evening rehearsal or a Sunday appearance. Experience in ringing and sightreading is necessary. Please contact Kevin Jones if you are interested.

All choir schedules (rehearsals and liturgical appearances) for the year are posted on the individual choir pages on the First Church website. Simply navigate to http://www.first-church.org/Choirs.aspx and follow the links on the left to find your choir. There are embedded Google calendars for each choir on each of their pages, as well as links to subscribe to the calendars if you so wish. I invite you to make use of these pages of information often. Anthem lists are also posted on these pages. Happy Summer. See you in September.

Concerts at First Church Please save the date for the first Congregational Concert on Sunday, September 28, at 4 p.m. as Minister of Music Kevin Jones presents his second solo organ recital since becoming Minister of Music at First Church. Kevin will play music by J.S. Bach, Paul Hindemith and Edward Elgar. Please make plans to join us for the kick-off of the 2014-2015 season.

The Concerts at First Church website, http://www.concertsatfirstchurch.org contains complete information on all 2014-2015 concerts. Please visit the website to see the entire season. The yearly brochure is available and the annual appeal for donations is in full swing. If you are not on the mailing list, but would like to be, please contact Marty Worth, Program Manager, at [email protected], or 614-228-1741, x14. Thank you to volunteers Jim Fewlass, Carol Gallagher, Cathy Redenbarger, and Sharon Walquist who helped stuff envelopes, address and send the large mailing of the brochures.

Pilgrimage to Gloucester – 365 days and counting The Choir’s Pilgrimage to Gloucester is now less than 365 days away! Excitement is building among all of our planned 49 travelers. Fundraising efforts are well underway. Planned events for this year will occur in early January (Twelfth Night), mid-February and early May. Most recently, the Choir worked a beverage tent at the 2014 Arts Festival, netting nearly $2,300 in support for the trip! It was an exhausting 12-hour day full of great fun, laughter and camaraderie. We plan to do the same in 2015. Thank you for all of your support for the trip. We have Choral Evensongs planned for October 5, November 2, March 22, May 3, and July 23. These, too, are part of our preparation for Gloucester. Our trip is full, but we are still taking names for a waiting list. If you are interested in going, now’s the time! Please contact Kevin Jones, [email protected], or Marty Worth, [email protected].

Hymn Society of the United States and Canada Event On Wednesday, July 16, the Hymn Society of the United States and Canada held one of their Annual Conference events at First Church. A hymn festival, led by Eric Wall, and titled, “Corners of Unmeasured Space,” filled the Nave with singers, voices and song. A capacity crowd packed into the main Nave, both transepts and even a few upstairs in the Gallery for an evening of familiar hymns, new hymns and readings from scripture, poetry and even a scene from Thornton Wilder’s play, “Our Town.” It was a unique weaving of the Word. All manner of musical accompaniment was employed in bringing alive the texts of the hymns and the tunes to which they were set. Kimball, von Beckerath, piano, oboe, and drums combined with one another to celebrate word and song together. It was a delight to host nearly 700 people that evening.

Heir of the Highest Heaven CD Hymn Festival, July 16th The First Church Choir will soon release their first professionally produced CD of Christmas music, Heir of the Highest Heaven. The CD will be available in early September and will be offered for sale at $12 each. These make terrific Christmas gifts and are wonderful momentos of First Church. The signature piece of the recording is the commissioned carol from the 2013 Festival of Lessons and Carols, “Heir of the Highest Heaven” by composer Peter Niedmann. Using parts of Washington Gladden’s poem “Immanuel,” Niedmann wove a jaunty, exciting carol for us to hear. Other highlights of the album include “Once in royal David’s city,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Adam lay ybounden,” the evocative Lux Aurumque and many other favorites from last year’s season of Advent and Christmas music. Rounding out the CD is Baroque organ music by J.S. Bach, Buxtehude and Johann Pachelbel played on the Beckerath organ. The recording engineer was Andrew MacGregor, who also edited, mixed and mastered the CD.

The recordings will be made available in the Church Office as soon as they are released. If you would like to pre-order them, please contact Kevin Jones, [email protected], or Marty Worth, mworth@first- church.org for an order form.

Kevin Jones’s Member Minister Advisory Group Kevin Jones’s Member Minister Advisory Group will meet on Wednesday, August 27, at 7 p.m in the Choir Room. Members of his MMAG are:

Gretchen Atkinson 614.267.1726 [email protected] John Deliman 614.804.5579 [email protected] Jim Gallagher 614.891.0444 [email protected] Kim Hopcraft 614.286.0177 [email protected] Judy Smith 614.239.7187 [email protected] Gerry Worth 614.488.2169 [email protected]

Please be in contact with any of these members if you have items that you would like them to address with Kevin.

News from Central Southeast Ohio Association, Ohio Conference Central Southeast Ohio Association, Ohio Conference announced Rev. Dr. Helen Janine Wilson as our Candidate. A special Association Meeting is scheduled for August 23 at 10:30am at Grace UCC, 1185 Pleasantville Road, Lancaster, OH 43130

From the B.R.E.A.D. June 2014 Newsletter: Building Power Through Investments By Greg Halbe

Each Justice Ministry has two responsibilities: 1. Bring 3 people with them to the Nehemiah Action 2. Attend the three other major meetings throughout the year: the Annual Assembly, the Rally, and the Celebration. They are also invited to participate in the research by sitting on research committees, and to invest $200 each into the work of justice.

When we invest in justice we see significant returns in dollars that will change lives for people in Franklin County. $2.1 million dedicated for small business development, a $4 million annual revenue for an Affordable Housing Trust Fund, a $22 million annual revenue for a County Land Bank, $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 BREAD, $122 are leveraged into the community.

These and other victories BREAD has achieved over its 18 year history are significant, but we aren’t done yet. In order to expand this ministry, we need to engage more network members by incorporating staff organizers working 50-70 hours a week to engage new member congregations. Imagine what BREAD can accomplish if we can deepen our team and network ownership. When we expand our congregational investments, we will grow our power. With more power, we can solve even more serious community problems.

Investment payments can be made at worship (with a designation to BREAD) or in the church office. Commitments to invest may be paid in installments. Please contact Greg Halbe, Alec Deitz, or David Holt with any questions about your commitment and schedule of payments.

Member Birthdays in August 19: Melissa Kulwicki 19: Nicholas Hoffman 1: Janet Stoneking 19: Emma Henderson 1: Isabella Kirker 19: Charlotte White 2: Helen Spears 20: Mark Jensen 2: Wib Smith 20: Amy Trace 2: Ava Walton 20: Lily Rosati-Yoos 3: Nancy Livingston 20: Carden O'Leary 3: Lourdes Henderson 21: Keene Lebold 3: Melody Leidheiser 21: Janice White 3: Jensan Allred 21: Chris Glaros 4: Bill Rhoads 22: Roland Weller 4: Dayna McCrary 22: Duan Cannon 5: Deb Anderson 22: Chutney Anderson 5: Ellen Boriin 22: Alaina Thompson 5: Heather Grunkemeyer 23: Lissa Wade 6: Keith Gochnour 23: Matt Goetz 6: Jenny Sieck 23: Peter Spofforth 6: Denise Vogt 24: Charles Drummond 6: Josh Hollar 24: Tom Stewart 6: Meg Rhoads 25: Barb Cunningham 8: Donna Vogt 25: Dan Axt 9: Dan Harkins 25: Steve Kennedy 9: Caroline Bowers 25: Tristan Setty 9: Scott Winberry 25: Joel Morton-Wilson 10: Betty Cameron 26: Sandy Valinis 10: Alan Daulton 26: Jean Wetmore 10: Bill Faith 27: Sue Cook 10: Kevin Ayres 27: Michael Kasler 10: Alex Aeschbury 28: Russ Kelm 12: Lesley Schaab 28: Jim Velo 12: Mary Weaver 28: Holly Heer 12: Rob Loevy 28: Anna Rhoads 13: Bobby Carrington 29: Rebecca Baird 13: Valerie Conlin-Losinski 29: Elysia Paullo 14: Hugh Allen 29: Finnegan Miller 15: Chuck Atkinson 30: Grace Johnson 16: Willard Fernald 30: Andrew Batchelor 16: MK Carter 30: Brian Holt 16: Alyssa Dean 30: Kevin Martin 17: Jacques Washington 30: Mia Provenzano 18: Dennis Secor 31: Rhett Bishop 19: Karen Sterrett 31: Carter Dean

Member Anniversaries in August 17: Diane and Larry Dixon 4: John and MK Carter 17: Lee Ann and Tom Hadley 4: Don and Katherine Erickson 18: Kemper and Nicki Campbell 6: Betty and James Powell 18: Nazmi Anik and Bonnie Sparhawk 7: Catherine and Steve Kennedy 20: Karen Sterrett and Steve Sterrett 7: Duan and Reggie Cannon 21: Dana and Hugh Schultz 8: Holly and Bill Heer 23: Cindy Conn and Betty Johnson 11: Jane and Dane Chavers 24: Dan and Joyce Ward 11: Amy and Chris Brooks 25: Chris and Tom Farquhar 14: Barbara Mason and Rhonda Poirier 25: Mars Robinson and Jessica Underwood 15: Molly and Scott Sass 27: Mark and Melanie Brown 16: Lisa Morris and Kent Shimeall 31: Dave and Tammy Wharton

July Baptisms 10: Eliza Joy Paracha 27: Emily Elizabeth Cave 24: Ellie Harper Winberry August Baptisms

August Newsletter Calendar Noon - Fellowship Hour - Parish Hall Monday, August 18 Sunday, August 3 6pm - Congregational Care and Hospital Visitation 9am - Worship - Parish Hall Training - Parish Hall 11am - Worship - Sanctuary Tuesday, August 19 Noon - Fellowship Hour - Parish Hall Noon - Care Ministry - Large Conference Room Monday, August 4 2pm - Worship Planning - Small Conference Room 6:30pm - Church Vitality Mtg - Dan's Office 7pm - Church Council - Large Conference Room Tuesday, August 5 Thursday, August 21 Noon - Care Ministry - Lg Conference Rm 10am - We Believe Ohio - Large Conference Room 2pm - Worship Planning – Sm Conf Rm Saturday, August 23 6:30pm - Christian Ed Committee - Room D 7pm - Clippers Game 7pm - Justice and Mercy - Large Conference Room Sunday, August 24 Saturday, August 9 9am - Worship - Parish Hall 10am - First Church Quilters - Large Conference 11am - Worship - Sanctuary Rm Noon - Fellowship Hour - Parish Hall 6pm - Young Adult Cookout - Rev. Clark’s house 5:15pm - Rain Date for: Ohio Capital Winds in Sunday, August 10 Conjunction with Window, Tapestry and 9am - Worship - Parish Hall Architecture Lecture - Outdoors 11am - Worship - Sanctuary 6pm - Rain Date for: Lecture on the Stained Glass Noon - Fellowship Hour - Parish Hall Windows, Tapestries and Architecture of First- 5:15pm - Ohio Capital Winds - Outdoors Church - Sanctuary 6pm - Lecture on the Stained Glass Monday, August 25 Windows,Tapestries and Architecture of First- 6pm - Congregational Care and Hospital Visitation Church - Sanctuary Training - Parish Hall Monday, August 11 7pm – New Members Class - Parlor 9am - Good Samaritan Day 7pm - Budget & Finance Committee - Large – Large Conference Room Conference Room Tuesday, August 12 7pm – Personnel Committee Meeting – Small Noon - Care Ministry - Large Conference Room Conference Room 2pm - Worship Planning - Small Conference Room Tuesday, August 26 7pm - Executive Committee - Small Conference Noon - Care Ministry - Large Conference Room Room 2pm - Worship Planning - Small Conference Room Wednesday, August 13 7pm - Deacon Meeting - Room D 9:30am - Staff Meeting - Large Conference Room Wednesday, August 27 6pm - Lancaster Chorale Auditions - Choir Room 9:30am - Staff Meeting – Off Site Saturday, August 16 7pm - Kevin Jones Member Minister Advisory 8:30am - House & Grounds - Small Conference Group - Choir Room Room Sunday, August 31 9am - Women's Retreat 9am - Worship - Parish Hall - Large Conference Room and Parlor 11am - Worship - Sanctuary Sunday, August 17 Noon - Fellowship Hour - Parish Hall 9am - Worship - Parish Hall 11am - Worship - Sanctuary

FIRST CHURCH LEADERSHIP FIRST CHURCH JOYS AND CONCERNS Senior Minister Timothy C. Ahrens, M. Div. Designated Associate Minister Daniel J. Clark, M.A. Minister of Music Kevin Jones, M.M. Members: Pat Patterson; Marjorie Smith; Ray Pendell; Director of Christian Education Mark S. Williams, M. Ed. Ann McIsaac; Marie Pfeiffer; Wib Smith; Amos White;

Commissioned Minister and also families and friends who continue to mourn for Social Justice Tom Brownfield the loss of loved ones. Commissioned Minister for Spiritual Formation and Direction Jacquelyn Dean Friends & Family: Nursery Staff Rosemary Pawandiwa-Priore, Denny Griffith; Drew George; Evin Wimberly, Sara Kapp, Floyd Starr; Katie Secor, daughter of Denise Secor; Simone Ellerson Gary Stevens, Matt Stevens’ father; and all those Organist/Choirmaster Emeritus G. Dene Barnard suffering from the effects of mental illness.

DIACONATE August Fellowship Hour Senior Deacon Christine Farquhar Fellowship teams are being reorganized. Deacons Kathryn Bamberger, Craig Clay, More information will be available in time to serve. G. Dene Barnard, Sue Cook, Jacquelyn Dean, Anne Hudson, Tom Kiesel, Paul Leidheiser, August Acolyte Schedule Mary Lightbody, John Matchett, Jonathan Miller, Matt Myers, August 3: Chutney & Eddie Anderson Sue Salak, Lynn Wallich August 10: Trenton Helmer & Alex Palmer CHURCH STAFF August 17: Finnegan Miller & Peter Spofforth Business Manager Sharon Leidheiser August 24: Luke & Will Zimmerman Program Manager Martha Worth August 31: Alyssa & Courtney Batchelor Building Manager Thomas R. Luff Office Manager Jaclyn Hamilton Mission Offering Schedule Custodians William Lee, Mark Freeman In August the undesignated loose offerings will benefit the Wedding Coordinators Janet Axt, Fran Panek, following missions that First Church supports: Lisa Fravel-Dean, Tori Stucke August 3: Good Samaritan Fund CHURCH OFFICERS August 10: Gladden House Moderator Frank Cook Moderator-elect Elaine Warren August 17: CATALYST Treasurer David Holt August 24: Faith Mission Assistant Treasurer Joe Baszynski Secretary Melissa Prendergast August 31: Mid-Ohio Workers Assistant Secretary Deana Armstrong COMMISSIONERS Administration Jim Griffin Administration-Elect Kent Shimeall Church Growth Catherine Cunningham Church Growth Elect Scott Jones Education Julia Myers Education-elect Todd Jacobson House & Grounds Gary Leidheiser Justice & Mercy Matt Allen Justice & Mercy-elect John Deliman Music, Arts, Heritage Kevin Cubick Music, Arts, Heritage-elect Marti Baumer Church Vitality Alec Deitz ChurchThe Vitality First-elect Congregational ChurchMelissa Kulwicki SarahUnited Reed Church of Christ Nominating Chair Christopher444 E. Washington Broad St. Trustees Hugh Schultz Member-at-large CameronColumbus, Wade Ohio 43215-3821 Youth-at-large Chris Farquhar Senior Deacon John Matchett Deacon Council Rep

Please Deliver By: Friday, August 8th 2014

TO:

The First Congregational Church, UCC 444 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43215 Phone: 614.228.1741 FAX: 614.461.1741 Email: [email protected] Web site: www.first-church.org Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 3pm Closed Major Holidays

“An Open & Affirming Faith Community”

SUNDAY WORSHIP HOURS

Worship at 9am - Parish Hall Worship at 11am - Sanctuary