insideIntentional FaithDevelopment

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Risk-taking Missionand Service

4

Pastor’s Message

1

Extravagant Generosity

5

Radical Hospitaliy

5

Compassionate Care

6

Passionate Worship

3

April 2015 Edition www.grandrapidsfumc.org

As I look at the April calendar, I have a hard time seeing beyond April 5! Oh – it’s a month that in-cludes my wife’s birthday and some

vacation time… but being in pastoral ministry, we tend to focus on EASTER! April 5 is Easter. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday (March 29), the winding down of our congregational study of Dr. Forbes book, Whose Gospel? It has been a great Lenten series and thank you for your faithful participation in our various discussion groups. Hope-fully, over the next couple of months, we will be drafting a statement that will be descriptive of what it means to be a progressive Christian, connected to a progressive United Methodist con-gregation, and engaged in progressive ministry in the heart of the city. The drafted “statement” will be discussed, debated, and in the end, embraced as a description of who we are as members and friends of First United Methodist Church. It is an ex-citing spiritual jour-ney for us all that will lead us to great-er fruit production in our ministry.

Holy Week includes:1) Wednesday evening’s Taizé worship

experience at 7:00 pm. Our service will be a prelude to the Last Supper as we ponder the servant ministry of Jesus as he washed the disciples’ feet. We will pray with word, song, and silence in an atmosphere of great peace and joy. This service will also include a celebration of communion.

2) Holy Thursday (Maundy Thurs-day) is one of my favorite services

of the year. Communion is always deeply moving for me, but particu-larly on Maundy Thursday. It is a rehearsal of the Last Supper, when Jesus met with his friends, forever transforming the breaking of bread and drinking the cup. We are joining together again this year in Wesley Hall with a supper at 6:00 pm fol-lowed by worship and communion.

3) Good Friday includes two service possibilities. At noon, the down-town churches celebrate the tradi-tional “seven last words of Christ” at Central Reformed Church at the corner of College and Ful-ton. Rev. Tish Bowman will be one of the speakers this year. Then, at 7:00 pm, we will once again have a Good Friday evening ser-vice in our sanctuary. Our service will include our choir and organist, bibli-cal readings, special music, congregational

singing, and great art work that will blend together to give us a poignant message of suffering as be-ing a part of living. If you missed it last year, it was a deeply moving and meaningful worship experience.

4) Then, on Easter morning – we will have two identical services at 9:15 and 11:00 am. The resurrec-

tion celebration will include great music with choir, brass … with the congregation singing the Hallelu-jah Chorus by George Frederick Handel. It will be a morning to re-member.

I invite you… no… I encourage you, to make it a priority to join us for all the services. You might be surprised how Easter worship will come alive for you because you have participated in the journey from the upper room, to the cross, and then, the resurrection!

Finally, I want to share a brief up-date on our “Envisioning our Fu-ture” process. We collected a sizeable amount of information as a result of the congregation’s excellent participa-tion in our seven conversation events. That data is being sorted by a pro-

fessional who is able to guide the Vision Com-mittee in focusing our time and resources in ap-propriate ways. The Vi-sion Committee is work-ing on cultivating the information and as soon as we have a report to deliver, we will enthusi-astically let you know of our findings and what we believe will be the next steps. Stay tuned.

Happy spring, a Blessed Holy Week and Easter, and a growth-filled April to us all!

Pastor Bob Hundley

It is an exciting spiritual journey for us all that will lead us to greater fruit production in our ministry.

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Intentional Faith DevelopmentDear Parents of OurElementary-Age Children, Think back to your years in school. How many novels do you remember reading? How about chemistry equa-tions; do you remember any of those? How about those all-important alge-braic terms? If you are like me, the things you remember clearly from your school years are those that you enjoyed presenting or performing in front of an audience. Research in education shows that stu-dents learn best when they are chal-lenged and engaged while having fun. If children are given an authentic audi-ence with which to share what they’ve

learned, their new knowledge will stay with them. Beyond the research, actu-ally preparing for a performance and performing it is fun, especially when done with friends.

Many kids never have the opportunity to perform in front of an authentic au-dience in a play or musical, sing with a choir, or speak in front of a large group. Those who do have the oppor-tunity to perform often do not take it because performing can be scary.

Church is the ideal safe place to at-tempt new things, like performing or presenting to an audience. As a child, many of my formative experiences happened while performing some-thing at First United Methodist or at a church event. While I was never personally inspired to audition for a show on Broadway, those experiences did give me the confidence to seek out other public speaking opportunities.

This spring, the Faith Travelers, kin-dergartners through sixth graders, will have a chance to experience a new-to-them kind of performance: a musical! We will practice and perform a small selection from “Welcome Back, Billy Best!,” an adaptation of the The Prod-igal Son Parable, by Joe Cox and Jody W. Lindh, to be performed at 10:30 am on Sunday, May 17.

I would like to personally invite your elementary-age child to give this new experience a chance. Even if he or she has never been to Faith Travelers be-fore, please consider joining us at 9:15 on April 19 when we begin rehearsals. Because we have only a five-week win-dow to rehearse, it is imperative that children be at all the rehearsals they can! No prior knowledge of the par-able is necessary, just a desire to learn something new and have some fun.

The entire congregation is and will be invited to watch the performance on May 17 and support our elementary students in this new experience.

Thank you for supporting Children’s Ministry at First United Methodist Church!

Blessings, Audrey Kawel

Director of Children’s Ministry

Research in education shows that students learn best when they are challenged and engaged while having fun.

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I AM. Identification. Empathy. Unity. Barrier-free. Dr. James Forbes, in his amazing weekend of teaching and preaching, raised critical issues that we face to-day. Coming at it from a variety of an-gles, he couldn’t have made it clearer that the “free flow of God’s love” is being restrained in our lives and, par-ticularly, in our relationship to one an-other. Raising the question of how we identify ourselves, he pointed to the way in which God tells Moses that “I AM” has sent him to the Israelites. Too often, taught Forbes, we fill in the blank following “I am” with a de-scriptor that, all too often, separates us from one another. “I am black,” or “I am white,” or “I am an American,” or “I am straight.” You get the pic-ture, and Forbes couldn’t have more powerfully or poetically brought this message home about the boundaries and divisions that are thus created and reinforced when we fill in the implied “blank” following the words “I am.” Knowing that we are created in the image of God, can we also simply say: “I AM?”

I AM… WE.

Or, as Forbes put it, “I AM, because WE ARE.” During Lent, we have been singing “Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on US.” I found it rather interesting,

especially in the first two or three weeks of Lent, how difficult it was to remember to sing “us” rather than “me.” Because this hymn is so well known, it’s rather habitual to sing “me” rather than “us.” In making this small yet significant change, we have had to be intentional about including the other.

Becoming more aware of “us” is an important ingredient in forming com-munity. Community is about becom-ing aware of shared experience. Wor-ship emphasizes a shared experience. There is a recent study that yawning among people produces “group em-pathy.” Why? Well, yawning is relax-ing, and, often comes about sponta-neously in us. Yawning is contagious. We all know the experience of yawn-ing, and as we yawn together, we are having the same experience.

Think about the shared experience of beauty. We are overcome with a type of spontaneous “awe” when we expe-rience beauty in nature, such as an in-credible sunset or sky. In worship, we may experience a moment of “awe” in beautiful sights, sounds, prayers, and even in attentive silence. When we sing together, uniting in the word, we have a shared experience. “One who sings prays twice” (often attributed to St. Augustine) doesn’t refer to merely a doubling of the prayer, but to prayer in multiple dimensions, which encom-passes this shared experience. I think

that when Jesus says in the Gospel of Luke, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing,” he is, in part, saying that the shared experience of hearing these words is part of the ful-fillment or dimension of those words.

May we continue to become intention-al about identifying ourselves in ways that unify us and worship in ways that emphasize the shared experience of this “free flow of God’s Love.” May we all sing together: “I AM.”

Eric StrandDirector of Music and the Arts

Passionate Worship Becoming more aware of “us” is an important ingredient in forming community. Community is about becoming aware of shared experience.

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Risk-Taking Mission and ServiceWhy Take the Risk?My daughter Emily went on one of the first mission trips to Cuba in 1998. At the time, our family finances were tight. Someone in our congregation gave an anonymous gift that paid half of Emily’s expenses. Emily called this person her “Cuba Angel.”

Emily had never traveled outside of the United States. She had never seen poverty close-up and personal. During her stay in Herradura, Emily became especially close to one little girl. When it was time for the team to return to the United States the little girl want-ed to express her love to Emily. She gave Emily her prized possession, her baby-doll. Emily didn’t want to take away the little girl’s special doll. The team leaders advised that to refuse this gift would be the unloving thing to do. So Emily brought a bedraggled little baby-doll home with her. This gift of love forever changed Emily’s life. Her faith was deepened and her under-standing of extravagant generosity was changed. She went on to study nursing and Spanish in college and has used these tools to serve her community. Seventeen years later, Emily’s interac-tion with a little girl in Cuba still makes a difference, impacting how she loves and raises her own children. The gifts of one “Cuba Angel” and one little girl continue to change the world.

Why support someone going on a mis-sion trip? Why take that risk yourself ? Through mission ministries we spread the word of Christ, strive to share God’s love, alleviate suffering, and seek relationship with people who are our neighbors both locally and in far off places. Persons who serve in mis-sion learn to rely on God, to pray more deeply, to understand how all are con-nected through God’s unconditional love, and become committed to treat-ing all persons with love and respect.

Contact me if you feel ready to take a new risk and I will help find the right mission ministry for you to partici-pate in. If you would like to become a “Mission Angel,” plan on contributing to our Easter mission offering.

Take a risk! Change the world!

Looking up, Jesus saw rich people throwing their gifts into the collection box for the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow throw in two small copper coins worth a penny. He said, “I assure you that this poor widow has put in more than them all. All of them are giving out of their spare change. But she from her hopeless poverty has given everything she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4

Laure MieskowskiDirector of Missions

This gift of love forever changed Emily’s life. Her faith was deepened and her understanding of extravagant generosity was changed. She went on to study nursing and Spanish in college and has used these tools to serve her community.

5

It is remarkable to reflect on what has happened in Grand Rapids in the last 20 years. Downtown and several city neighborhoods have seen almost com-plete re-inventions of themselves. New office buildings have opened, as well as new residential buildings, restaurants, ArtPrize, entertainment, and remod-eled parks and green spaces. Now the city is embarking on the complete make-over of the riverfront.

These are truly exciting times to be a part of the Grand Rapids community. It is pretty easy to let the good things over-shadow the fact that the effects of gentrification have moved the prob-lems of poverty from the “front and center” downtown areas to suburban pockets. As such, the problems of poverty can be almost “out of sight- out of mind.”

Michigan Radio recently reported on a Brookings Institution study of subur-ban poverty…

“In 2000, no census tract in the Grand Rapids suburbs had a poverty rate above 20%, according to Brookings. By the pe-riod of 2008-2012, there were 20 sub-urban census tracts with that distinction. Nearly a third of the people living in pov-erty in the Grand Rapids area right now live in the suburbs. Grand Rapids ranks eighth in the country for the rise in subur-ban poverty concentration since 2000.

As we bask in the resurgence and ex-citement of our fair city, let us not forget that the problems of poverty in our midst remain rampant. At First Church, we are in constant ministry and local outreach in many ways…but this is only made possible by our gifts of time and money. The rebound from the recession is well documented, but this rebound has left many behind. As Christians, we cannot forget the plight so many face every day as they simply try to get through each day.

Thankfully, our First Church family “gets it!” We have heard the call to be witnesses for Christ. As you enjoy the many great offerings our city offers, please remember those just around the corner who are at risk of being forgot-ten. It is never too late to re-think your giving commitment to the wonderful ministries of First Church as we strive to be Extravagantly Generous!

Chris Hawkins, Finance Committee

Extravagant Generosity

As we bask in the resurgence and excitement of our fair city, let us not forget that the problems of poverty in our midst remain rampant.

What does “Radical Hospitality” look like? We keep asking that question of ourselves. Is it the “children’s spot” at coffee hour, greeting your neighbor in worship, the “fidget” bags and pew cards? I’m beginning to believe that “Radical Hospitality” means anything that pushes us further and, often past our comfort zone. Last month, Marj’s article covered “compassionate care of families in worship,” but then I received the following email this past week. Might this be another face of “Radical Hospitality”?

Hi Patsy, It’s Andrea McGrew. I haven’t been to FUMC much since my son Masen was born. Since then I’ve been struggling to incorporate Masen into my church at-tendance. I sort of got the feeling that hav-ing a child in the sanctuary during service

wasn’t appreciated by some. However, I’m not willing to make Masen (who just turned 3) go to the nursery/toddler

room. As you may recall, I work full time so Masen spends every day away from me at daycare/preschool. Saturdays and Sundays are our time together, and I want to experi-ence worship with him and share the jour-ney together. I have tried one or two other churches, but I really love FUMC. So, I wanted to get your thoughts on having Masen with me in the sanctuary during service. If there comes a time when he wants to go with the other kids, then I would happily let him, but I know that for now, he’ll want to stay with me. I’m always conscious of others and whenever he would get loud, I’d take him out and walk the stairs. But, I wanted to get your thoughts on it.

I responded to Andrea telling her that she and Masen were welcome here and we had put some new things in place: fidget bags, childrens’ pages and kids’

bags. Andrea is a member and felt she needed to ask me this question, and for that I am sorry. It made me won-der what our visitors feel when they come in with children: They don’t al-ways want to put them in the nursery or childcare the first couple of visits, nor do they know where it is. We need young families to help us grow, so we need to be “Radically Hospitable” to them.

Jesus said “Let the little children come to me.” Sometimes that means in childcare or our education classes and sometimes it means in the pew with mom, dad, and/or grandparent.

Patsy McGillivrayDirector of Invitational Ministy

I’m beginning to believe that “Radical Hospitality” means anything that pushes us further and, often past our comfort zone.

Radical Hospitality

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Christ Caring for People through People!That’s what Stephen Ministry is all about! Later this year, we will be cel-ebrating 12 years of being a Stephen Ministry congregation. In that time, our Stephen Ministers have journeyed along with more than 100 people going through difficult times in their lives. The people with whom our Stephen Ministers meet are called care receivers. We always keep the identity of the care receivers confidential, but I would like to share with you some of the comments I have heard from them.

“I am so very thankful that my church has Stephen Ministry and that I could have a Stephen Minister support me during one of the darkest times of my life. I don’t think I could have gotten through the loss of (my family member) if it weren’t for her meeting with me weekly, hugging me when I cried, letting me speak freely about my feelings of anger and loss, and then praying with me. That personal care helped me to heal and go for-ward. I would recommend Stephen Ministry to everyone.”

This was on a card that one of our Stephen Ministers recently received: “Because of you (Stephen Minister), I’ve laughed a little harder, cried a little less, smiled a lot for no special reason. Because of you I’ve felt the warm embrace of a good and lasting

friendship…because of you, my world is a happier, nicer place.”

“My world fell apart when I unexpectedly lost my job. When Marj met with me and told me about Stephen Ministry, I was hesitant to say yes. But with some nudging, I agreed to try hav-ing a Stephen Minister and I have to admit it was the best thing I could have done at the time. We met for coffee almost weekly and he was encouraging and a reliable support for me for almost 2 years.”

“My family wasn’t happy with me liv-ing alone any more so I had to move against my will. I was hurt and angry and afraid – a lot of different emo-tions even at my age. When I called the church to let them know my new address, Marj called and then visited me. She offered to have a Stephen Minister visit me while I worked through my feelings during this time of “transition” as my family called it. My Stephen Minister helped me pro-cess my feelings and enjoy this stage of my life. I will be forever grateful for her.”

One of our Stephen Ministers was given a magnet years ago that read “We’ll always be friends – you know too much about me!”

“My sister contacted your church and asked about having a Stephen Minis-ter visit me. My health was declining and I needed to make some difficult decisions. I was given a Stephen Min-ister who met with me until I moved back home (to the other side of the state). Her prayerful support and love to someone who wasn’t even a mem-ber of your congregation was some-thing I will always remember.”

Have you ever wondered about Ste-phen Ministry? Meet and greet your Stephen Ministry team in the parlor after both services on April 12. Look for the blue shirts! They will be ready to answer your questions and provide you with information on this life-changing ministry. Remember, Christ provides compassionate care through you and through me!

Peace and joy,Marj Timmerman RN, Parish Nurse

Compassionate Care

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compas-sions never fail. Lamentations 3:22

Stephen Leaders

Newly Commissioned Stephen Ministers

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Join us for Easter 2015www.GrandRapidsFUMC.org/lent

PALM SUNDAY SERVICESMarch 29 – 9:15 and 11:00 am “Can God Survive the Church?”Youth Auction and Brunch

MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICEApril 2 – 6:00 pm“Am I Really Listening?” — A family meal followed by worship and communion.

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICEApril 3 – 7:00 pm“The Garden, The Court, and The Cross“ — Music and readings on the Passion of Christ.

EASTER SUNDAY SERVICESApril 5 – 9:15 and 11:00 am“Is There Any Hope?”

Alleluia!

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Permit #354Grand Rapids, MI

P A I DFirst United Methodist Church227 Fulton St EGrand Rapids, MI 49503-3236

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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