The Common Line
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The Common Line Endowment Fund Celebrates the Lives of Katie McCoy and Mary Jane McKinley The influence lives on for two southeast Ohio music legends who were matriarchs of FOR THE TRUTH First United Methodist Church Nelsonville. Whether they were leading our choir or FOR THE WORLD an ecumenical choir, playing the piano or recruiting and encouraging young musi- FOR THE GLORY OF GOD cians, the music created by Katie McCoy and Mary Jane McKinley inspired us. Through their music we felt the awesome power of God, the gentle presence of angels and Jesus calling to follow Him. Pastor’s Message On May 5, at a Church Charge Conference, the FUMC Leadership Team approved the establishment of the Katie McCoy and Mary Jane McKinley Music Scholars Fund of the First United Methodist Church Nelsonville. The fund is a permanent endow- Food Cupboard ment entrusted to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, headquartered on the Public Square in Nelsonville, creating opportunities for citizens and communities by inspir- Graduates ing and supporting philanthropy in 32 Appalachian Ohio counties. The project, a partnership between FUMC and the McCoy and McKinley families, Mother’s Day meets the families’ goal to award college scholarships to high school seniors who are active in music. Family funds now combine with church dollars from the McCoy and McKinley Music Scholars Fund established five years ago by FUMC to encourage Samaritan’s Purse youth participation in music ministry through small grants to local students and teachers. Memories of Katie Cheryl Prostler of Topeka, Kansas recalls “Aunt Mary Jane and Katie were examples and Mary Jane not only to our family, but also to generations of children and their families, of how to be caring and generous, helping others to achieve.” Mary Jane’s nephew Joe Malone shared that he has experience establishing scholarships in his hometown and is grate- Young Life ful to have local volunteers at the Nelsonville church who can oversee the details of the fund that memorializes his aunt. Another nephew William McKinley added, “We want to reward students who make music part of their lives. Music stirs the soul.” Katie McCoy’s brother, James McCoy was always proud of his big sister and said “Katie is smiling down on us for setting up this lasting and meaningful tribute to her. She loved your Nelsonville church.” Prostler, Malone, McKinley and McCoy are equal partners with the church making the initial, combined $25,000 donation to establish the fund. FAO is matching at 50 percent all gifts to endowment funds, like the Music Scholars Fund, while matching funds remain or until June 30, 2021. The public is invited to donate. See page 11 for details. Articles from various sources are reprinted in this issue describing the lifetime of service of Katie McCoy and Mary Jane McKinley. May/June 2021. The Common Line . (740) 753-1939 A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR DAVE OUR PROBLEMS CAN SERVE A PURPOSE After assuring us of God’s care and protection, in 1 Peter 1:6 we read, “In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials.” No sugar-coating here. He’s right up front in letting us know that life can often times be hard. The acknowledgement is that there will be many different kinds of troubles that we can experience in this life. There will be big problems, little problems, serious problems, insignificant problems, painful problems, annoying problems … and we’ve all had them: health issues, relationship issues, job issues, money issues … we’ve all been there. But Peter’s point here is that as we entrust ourselves into God’s care and guidance, those challenges can actually be used by God to work for our good. That’s what he means in verse 6 when he says that the trials are actually necessary. Now that doesn’t mean that everything that happens to us is good. What it does mean is that God is able to somehow work in the midst of every situation in our life to help us learn and grow from it. That’s the same message that the Apostle Paul offers in Romans 8:28 as he tells us, “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” So, even as a Christian, we’re going to experience tough times. But we can face those times with boldness and courage knowing that somehow God is at work in and through them. As a Christian, our problems aren’t without meaning. They serve us in a special way. Our problems can serve a purpose. That’s what Peter is trying to tell us as he goes on in verse 7 to tell us, “These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold - and your faith is far more pre- cious to God than mere gold.” You see friends, it’s important to realize that the trials and tests that we experience in our lives can actually work out for our benefit, as hard as that may be to hear. They come to help us grow and learn how faithful God is. They teach us that God can be trusted in absolutely every area of our lives. Truth is friends, the old cliché is right on the mark. We have a choice as we face the tough times. Trials and troubles in life can either make us bitter or better … it’s our choice. And with God’s help, we can come out of even the most difficult times of life better, if we but only entrust ourselves over to God’s care and guidance in our lives. On the Journey With You, Pastor Dave 2 May/June 2021. The Common Line . (740) 753-1939 Breakfast, Bath and PBJ Campaign Our campaign to raise funds for the Nelsonville Food Cupboard will be followed by FUMC sending volunteers to help at the Cupboard on Saturdays. If you or your family are willing to spend an hour or two on a Saturday helping to stock shelves and pack boxes and bags of donations, please let the church office know. You will be contacted with more information. During Kid’s Connection, our children will also help at church on Sundays by packing pet food for Food Cupboard clients with dogs and cats who need a helping hand. 2021 High School and College Graduates Mother’s Day Flowers Congratulations to our 2021 graduates! During worship on May 23 we honored Emily McWilliams, Nelsonville York High School, Mackenzie Perry, Ohio University, Becky Joyce, Ohio University Master’s Degree Program, and Casey Cox, Ohio University Master’s Degree Program. We’ll share more about their accomplishments and plans in the July issue of Common Line. Samaritan’s Purse Christmas in July will kick off our local and world mission project through Samaritan’s Purse to provide a variety of resources for people in need. The project will be on-going for a number of months and we are seeking two co-chairs for this project? Could you be one? Contact the church office for more information. Envelope Enclosed The enclosed envelope is a reminder that expenses and the work of the church go on. Thank you for giving and serving in Pre-school children decorated flower pots whatever way you can. Please feel free to use the for the women in church on Mother’s Day envelope to share your thoughts. 3 May/June 2021. The Common Line . (740) 753-1939 Reprinted with permission from Live Local Telling the Stories of Southeast Ohio. November 2019. 4 May/June 2021. The Common Line . (740) 753-1939 Reprinted with permission from Live Local Telling the Stories of Southeast Ohio. November 2019. 5 May/June 2021. The Common Line . (740) 753-1939 Reprinted with permission from Live Local Telling the Stories of Southeast Ohio. November 2019. 6 May/June 2021. The Common Line . (740) 753-1939 Reprinted with permission from FUMC Common Line. September 2019. A Message about Katie Katie showed me the value of faithfulness and com- mitment to our church, through her willingness to By Merrilee Carlson help with any task, serve on any committee, raise or If you were lucky enough give any funds needed and do anything she could to to have had Katie McCoy give aid to all of her fellow church members. Her and Mary Jane McKinley commitment and faithfulness were only magnified in as teachers, be it through my eyes over the last few years when it was so diffi- band, choir, church, golf or any other opportunity you cult for her even to make it to be there with us-----and knew them, you know that no one set a better example yet she did! of “a life well lived” then they did. Steve Cox I just returned from the funeral service for Katie, where She taught me to play clarinet better following a good her life was celebrated in a way that would make her start with Mary Jane. She taught me to be a good smile. Music, love and laughter were all there. The sport in both bowling and golf even though you get Nelsonville-York band played, Cheryl Nunnally gave a frustrated at times. She taught me etiquette on the lovely eulogy, her brother shared his love for his big sis- golf course, which was greatly important, and to put a ter and Steve Cox showed the congregation where Katie smile on your face as much as possible and to never had sat in the sanctuary after she had finally stopped sit- give up.