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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH First Church NewsUNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Columbus, Ohio

November 2017Volume 165 No. 11

November 2017 – A Month of Joyful and Generous ThanksgivingBy Rev. Dr. Tim AhrensNovember will be a month of great celebration in worship! Don’t miss a week of worship in this glorious time of generosity, thanksgiving and love.We begin November with our All Saints Celebration on November 5. We will remember with great love those who have passed away in the last year. We will lift up in

song and special remembrance the lives of Harry Guynn, Jr., Sharon Walquist, Sandy Bennett, Frank Hussey, and Ray Pendell. Each person left a great legacy of love with their families and with our greater community. We will also lift up and remember in love those of blessed memory in each of our lives. We will welcome each family and celebrate their loved ones in our prayers. All Saints Day is a time for all of us to give thanks to God for all of those who lived and loved well in our lives. Come and celebrate at 9 or 11 a.m. those saints and loved ones who have made a difference in your life. Thanks be to God for all the saints! My sermon title will be: “Blessed Are You.”Sunday, November 12 is Veterans Day/Food Collection for Thanksgiving. We will lift up and celebrate our veterans and the men and women of our nation who are serving and have served so faithfully. This year, be sure to write the names of those who remember and love in our Book of Celebration at the Wall of Honor in the southwest corner of the sanctuary. Please bring your friends, family and neighbors to our 2012 Veterans Day service. I feel it will be a beautiful reflection in Word and Song. Also, be sure to thank the Veterans of our congregation for their sacrifice to our nation. At First Church, we can SEE our neighbors coming to our doors hungry. If we do not serve them, we are not serving our Lord! It is that simple. Recent news reports tell us that locally and regionally we are getting hungrier and hungrier. Ohio still ranks as the 6th hungriest state in the Union. Our immediate neighbors are in great need - and it is growing! Once again, the children and youth of First Church will lead us! They have called to us to join them as they lead an effort for mission which will feed the hungry in our midst through the Broad Street and Gladden Community House food pantries. I feel so strongly about this effort, I can’t say enough! We have to address the hunger of our sisters and brothers all around us. Here are three immediate ways each and every one of us can respond! First, bring non-perishable food items to the church on November 12. There will be a list in our Sunday bulletins. But, the list is in this newsletter and on-line. I challenge us to bring 1,000 pounds of canned goods for the hungry in Central Ohio this month! Second, join the Hunger Action Network, which focuses on legislation to feed the hungry in Ohio. Rev. Nick Bates, a Lutheran Pastor who has taken on the needs of the poor in dynamic ways, leads this. Let us get with the network and make a long-term, lasting impact on Ohio’s programs to feed the poor. Here is the link on-line:https://actionnetwork.org/groups/hunger-network-in-ohioSunday, November 19 is Thanksgiving Sunday / Lay Leadership Award Celebration. We will sing the great hymns of Pilgrim faith! But, singing is not enough! Let’s continue to consider the needs of people in our communities as we head to the Thanksgiving Table on Thursday, November 23. When you and I sit down for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, November 23, let’s also ask our families to give more to feed the hungry. Take up an offering for the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. Collect canned goods from your family. Bring them to church and share them with the poor in our midst. Let’s make this Thanksgiving a memorable one in our efforts to end hunger. Let us always remember that feeding the hungry is the call of Christ. My sermon is entitled, “When Did I See You?”

In this issue…

Associate Minister News page 3 Education News page 3 Music News page 6 Church Vitality / Growth page 7 Church News page 8 Trustees News page 8 Justice and Mercy News page 9 Joys and Concerns page 12 Calendar of Events page 13 Birthdays and Anniversaries page 15

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A Month of Joyful and Generous Thanksgiving (continued)Our 2017 Lay Leadership Award goes to Elaine Warren. Elaine has served our church is many capacities through her years of membership. These have included Moderator, Senior Deacon, and Student Associate while she was in seminary. Elaine’s beautiful spirit, kind heart, compassion and organizational genius have assisted our church to become an even brighter beacon on Broad Street. Come Celebrate Elaine’s reception of this honor in worship and during Fellowship Hour in Parish Hall. November 26 is the Reign of Christ Sunday. This final day of the Christian year is a great day of worship and praise as we lift high our voices in song and celebration. I have come to love this Sunday for its glorious music, a sound of joyful praise! My meditation will be: “When the End is the Beginning.”At 6 p.m. on November 26, we invite everyone to return to “Hang the Greens” in the Sanctuary. Join the youth and our church family to make the sanctuary beautiful for the coming Advent/Christmas Season which begins on December 3. Come to worship in November! Bring family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Come and celebrate the joyful and generous spirit of God!

Sermon Titles

for November

November 5 – All Saints Sunday

Communion Meditation – “Blessed Are You”– Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens

Texts: John 7: 9-17, Matthew 5: 1-12

November 12 – Veterans Day / Food Collection for Thanksgiving

Sermon: “Foolish” – Rev. Emily Corzine

Texts: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13

November 19 – Thanksgiving Sunday / Lay Leadership Award

Sermon: “When Did I See You?” – Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens

Texts: Zephanian 1:7; 12-18, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30

November 26 – Reign of Christ

Sermon: “When the End is the Beginning” – Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens

Texts: Ephesians 1:11-23, Matthew 25:31-46

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News from Our Associate Minister by Rev. Emily Corzine, Associate Minister (ecorzine@first-church.org)

Emily’s Advent Bible Study One Evening a Week, beginning after Thanksgiving. Enter the season of Advent more deeply this year with a small group. Emily will lead a WEB-BASED study and small group. Enjoy the comfort of your own home and computer, but connect and engage with others. This will combine short videos, prayer, Bible study and discussion. See Rev. Emily Corzine (ecorzine@first-church.org) for more details.

Embodied Life Yoga Series Continues: Tuesday, November 7 and 14 from 5:45-6:45 p.m. It’s never too late.

Join us as well in Advent for the yoga series that engages the themes of Advent: Faith, Hope, Joy and Peace. Come and breathe in the spirit of Advent with this Series. A one-hour commitment, please watch for sign up registration information or contact Emily Corzine (ecorzine@first-church.org) for more information.

First Church and Geben Communication Live into the Long-Range PlanFirst Church has contracted with Geben Communication here in Columbus to assist us with our Communication Audit as outlined by the Long-Range Plan. Geben will help us generate a streamlined communications strategy for a variety of our efforts at the church. In the next two weeks, you will receive a Constant Contact email from First Church with a link to the 2017-2018 Communications Survey.

The Survey will be open from Sunday, November 5 through Thursday, November 16.

We need your input. Please take a few short moments to fill this out and help us at First Church meet our expanding communication needs. If you have questions, please feel free to ask Rev. Emily Corzine at ecorzine@first-church.org.

Educationby Mark S. Williams, Christian Education Director (mwilliams@first-church.org)

Formative Discussions for Adults in NovemberThe Faith and Life Discussion Group will focus on “Faithful Advocacy and Your Legal Rights.” First Church Member, Nikki Baszynski works in the Assistant State Public Defender office of Ohio as a Public Defender. Nikki’s devotion to advocacy, education and diversity started well before she arrived at Moritz College of Law, and her tireless work to enhance diversity within the college, university and Columbus community has made a lasting impact. The curriculum will cover how we as a people of faith may faithfully advocate for all and in doing so know the legal rights of advocacy. This training is exceptional and will be valuable resource as we lift our voices for those who cannot be heard.

Our second discussion group, the Opening the Word, will continue our theme of what does it mean to be welcoming and the act of hospitality. Rev. Nancy Livingston will guide a Bible Study exploring the scriptures that call us to welcome the stranger. Both sessions will be at the 10 am Faith Formation time on Sunday mornings.

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Education (continued)

Youth Selling Fudge for Holidays The First Church Youth Groups will be selling a variety of fudge again this year as a fundraiser during the holiday season. The fudge, either ½ pound or pound boxes, will be on sale after each worship service and during office weekday hours beginning the end of November through December. This makes a perfect gift for the holiday season. Consider giving a box of fudge as gifts for your business/employees. Order forms will be available starting November 5. See Mark Williams- mwilliams@first-church.org for more details regarding special orders.

Annual Cabaret/Spaghetti Dinner is November 5 If you never attended…you are missing a great and fun event! The First Church adults and youth will take the stage on Sunday, November 5, at 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall. There will be amazing acts to entertain every age, and lots of food and fun. A silent auction of wonderful and amazing themed gift baskets takes place during the event as well. Proceeds from the night will benefit the Youth Ministries 2018 summer mission trip to West Franklinton. The event includes a full Spaghetti dinner, salad, garlic bread and drink. Please note, tickets are limited and will not be available at the door. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for children. Call the church office today to see if there are tickets still available. Again, tickets will NOT be sold at the door.

Children’s Christmas PlayCrisp apples, cool nights, nervous turkeys--that’s right, it’s autumn yet again. And that can mean only one thing: the Christmas Play is right around the corner. Rehearsals for this year’s production, “Angels We Have Heard Near Broad,” get underway Sunday, November 5. Rehearsals as always are the supremely family-friend time of 10 a.m. on Sundays (Education Hour, if you’re counting) through the day of the play, Sunday, December 10. The only non-Sunday practice is the dress rehearsal the day before, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 9, in Parish Hall. Pre-K-1st children will tackle the roles of Mistletoe Marchers; 2nd graders will introduce the spectacle with their very own spotlight-stealing rhymes; and 3rd-5th graders will charm and disarm us with speaking parts to rival Shakespeare or SpongeBob. All are welcome; there are no tryouts or cuts. Questions? Contact Melissa Kulwicki at molissabee@hotmail.com and Karen Mozingo at karen_mozingo@hotmail.com.

“And the Children will lead them….” The children and youth of First Congregational Church invite you to join them in a year-long mission project called “Laundry Love.” “Laundry Love” is an initiative in partnership with individuals, groups and local Laundromats throughout the US. The initiative helps to wash the clothes and bedding of individuals and/or families living in poverty. From the infant to the aged, and across a broad spectrum of ethnicity, culture and personal story, Laundry Love seeks to nurture the well-being of each person through intentional networking and friendship.

The Children and Youth will be collecting quarters and donations of laundry detergent and dryer sheets from the congregation. We would love for members and friends to join us the last Tuesday of each month from 6 to 7 p.m. at WashLand Laundromat, 1469 West Broad Street in West Franklinton to serve those in need. Justice and Mercy Commission, Good Samaritan Fund and The Gladden House are also partnering with this important mission. So, start saving your quarters and donate to this worthy cause. The next Laundry Love day will be November 28. Come join us in serving those in need.

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Education (continued)

Making Plans – Advent for Children and Youth!I always hope each year for my letter to be your first Christmas letter of the season! Advent is coming soon, and we want to make sure you and your children don’t miss all the wonderful activities and resources First Church is providing during Advent. We encourage and invite all our families to participate in this wonderful season.

Advent resources for children, families and adults will be available beginning Sunday, November 26, at the entrance to the worship space and in classrooms. An Advent children’s activities calendar will be available and is perfect to display on a refrigerator or a family bulletin board. New this year is an Advent Box that contains a daily meditation for the season of Advent. This resource comes from the SALT Project and we are happy to provide this wonderful resource to you. Of course, we will also have a variety of individual devotion booklets for the days of Advent. Please pick up a copy at either service or in the church office.

The Children’s Christmas Play will be presented to the church at the Congregational Christmas Dinner, Sunday, December 10, from 6–7:30 p.m. Please watch for details on how to sign up for this FREEWILL dinner. It is not too late for all the children to be a part of this wonderful tradition. The preschool, kindergarteners and 1st graders (Mistletoe Marchers) will be opening the program with the 2nd through 5th graders presenting a Christmas play with a great theme. Julia Myers (JLSimcock@outlook.com) is heading up the “Mistletoe Marchers” and Melissa Kulwicki (molissabee@hotmail.com) and Karen Mozingo (karen_mozingo@hotmail.com) are co-directing the upper elementary Christmas play. Please contact them for more information on how your child can participate.

Each Sunday of Advent, several activities sheets will be available for the children that relate to our Children’s Time in worship as well for the 9 a.m. service. Sunday, December 17, the Service of Lessons and Carols will be at 4 p.m., with the Prelude at 3:30 p.m. There will be several activities sheets at the door for the younger children since they remain in the Sanctuary the entire time. Childcare will be available for children ages 4 and under in the nursery.

The Middle and High school youth will again be presenting an Art Exhibit that will be on display December 10-17 in the Parish Hall and then in the Education Wing from December 21-January 7. This is a wonderful way for our middle and high school youth to show their talents in original visual, musical, lyrical, and other forms of art that has been gifted to the congregation temporarily during the Advent season. This project is being led by Bill and Susan Rhoads. Be sure to visit the youth exhibit that is throughout the building.

We are pleased again to offer a 45-minute Christmas Eve Service at 3 p.m. for our congregation. The Christmas story will be told by readers and by children and many Christmas carols are included in this service, which will be early enough to celebrate Christmas, return home still in daylight, enjoy Christmas dinner with family and friends, and tuck the little ones in bed at a decent hour.

The Christmas Pageant will once again be presented by the youth on Christmas Eve at the 7:30 p.m. service. This long-standing traditional service is one of the highlights of the First Church Advent season. This is such a favorite of families who attend. There will also be a special children’s activity gift for this service. Middle and high school youth wanting to participate should contact Mark S. Williams at mwilliams@first-church.org. And of course, we will have the traditional candlelight service at 11 p.m. with our First Church Choir.

We hope to see all of you during this glorious season and hope you will find calmness and peace during this wonderful and sometimes hectic time of year.

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From the Minister of MusicBy Kevin Jones, Minister of Music(kjones@first-church.org)

November signals the closing of the liturgical year. As we cycle through the yearly observance of All Saints’ Sunday, November 5, we remember those that we have lost since the last All Saint’s Sunday, and we memorialize them and celebrate their lives. This act of remembrance also connects us with the past, bringing us fully into the present, and having us look forward to the future. This year we celebrate Reign of Christ Sunday on November 26, the last Sunday in Ordinary Time. We begin the season of Advent in preparation for the festival of Christmas on December 3, and we also signal a new liturgical year—Year B in the three-year cycle of Sunday lectionary readings.

Choir News Rehearsal/Liturgical Appearance Schedules Jubilate Choir – Rehearsals November 5, 12, 19 at 9 a.m. Sing in Worship November 19 at 11 a.m. Exultate Choir – Rehearsals November 5, 12, 19 at 9 a.m. Sing in Worship November 19 at 11 a.m. First Church Ringers – Rehearsals November 2, 9, and 30, at 6 p.m. Ring in Worship November 12 at 11 a.m. First Church Choir – Rehearsals November 2, 9, 16 and 30 at 7:15 p.m. Sing in 11 a.m. Worship November 5, 12 and 26 Choral Evensong/Concert on November 19 at 4 p.m.

Concerts on the Horizon The First Tuesdays series continues on Tuesday, November 7 at 12:15 p.m. with a program of music for harp and organ. Harpist Jeanne Norton joins organist Kevin Jones for this concert. Music of Grandjany, Sacedo, and the Ohio premiere of Dutch composer Ad Wammes’ “Twilight”, which was commissioned and premiered in 2016.Lunch is available in the Parish Hall at approximately 12:45 p.m. for a donation of $5.

First TuesdaysTuesday, November 7, 2017

12:15 p.m.

Music for Harp and Organ

Jeanne Norton & Kevin Jones

First Congregational Church444 East Broad Street • Columbus, Ohio 43215

614.228.1741 † www.first-church.orgParking lots behind and on the west side of the Church.

More information can be found at:

www.concertsatfirstchurch.org

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Choral Evensongs continue on Sunday, November 19, at 4 p.m. The First Church Choir will sing the Preces/Responses by Richard Ayleward, Evening Service in A Major by Stephen Caracciolo, the current director of LancasterChorale, and the contemplative anthem “I will lift mine eyes” by Jake Runestad. The Rev. Dr. Nancy Livingston will be the officiant, and the choir will be accompanied by evensong organist Tyler Robertson. The 45-minute service of prayer and meditation is the perfect close to the day. We look forward to seeing you there.As always, please consult the Concerts at First Church website, www.concertsatfirstchurch.org for complete and up-to-date information on all concerts.

Church Growth and VitalityNew Member Class is forming for December. Please contact Rev. Emily Corzine for more information on dates and times.

Hanging of the Greens: November 26 from 6-9 p.m.: Intergenerational EventCome at 6 p.m. for pizza and fellowship and help us prepare for Advent. Tasks are easy and fun will be had by all. People of all ages and skill levels can participate in this festive event. From hanging wreaths to tying bows to stringing lights on the tree in the Nave, many hands make light work. Please respond to the church office if you are able to attend.

Volunteers Needed:Saturday, December 2nd 1-3 pm: Columbus Landmarks Hallelujah Tour begins here at First Church at 2 p.m. before walking to other downtown churches. We need hospitality support. Welcome visitors, assist them in finding the sanctuary. People of all ages are needed; the task is NOT labor intensive. Volunteers needed: 10. Please see Rev. Emily Corzine or the church office to sign up. More details will be available closer to the event. For more information, got to https://www.facebook.com/events/121665608497317/.

Saturday December 9: 1-4 p.m. Discovery District Holiday Trolley Tour. Volunteers are needed for hospitality in the church narthex and sanctuary for this tour. Shifts are available. Work is not labor intensive, but assisting people to know more about First Church and a friendly holiday spirit is encouraged. Volunteers needed: 10. Please see Rev. Emily Corzine or the church office to sign up. More details will be available closer to the event.

The First Church Choir sings Choral Evensongwith organist Tyler W. Robertson

Responses: Richard AylewardPsalm 19, chant by Wesley

Canticles: Stephen CaraccioloAnthem: Jake Runestad, “I will lift mine eyes”

Choral Evensong

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Nov 4 pm

CONCERTSAT FIRST CHURCH

2017–2018First Congregational Church • United Church of Christ

444 East Broad StreetColumbus, Ohio 43215

www.concertsatfirstchurch.org

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First Church News New Security Team Rev. Emily Corzine accepted the resignation of our Security person, Matt Taylor. He has provided security for special events and evening meetings for the past few years. He is employed at CCAD and his schedule there has increased. We give thanks to Matt for his security ministry with us.Moving forward, First Church has entered into temporary contract with Anchor Security and Logistics to provide security for events and services here at the church through the end of 2017. We will evaluate this relationship and develop a plan for 2018. If you have questions, please see Rev. Emily Corzine or Mark Dahnke, Building and Grounds Superintendent.

Trustees News Legacy Sunday SuccessThe Trustees send a sincere thank you to the entire congregation as Legacy Sunday was a great success! The generosity of our congregation’s members resulted in the largest mission offering in memory, with $5596.22 going to the Building Endowment fund for the care of our beautiful church. The mission of the Trustees is to oversee the church endowments and to make decisions regarding the use of the endowment fund income within the donors’ established guidelines. This year marks a major fund expenditure for phase one of deferred maintenance, referred to as our 20/20 project, with the church on schedule to enter into a contract and work to begin in 2018. That 20/20 project is supported by the Building Endowment Fund, so we are thrilled to see donations to that fund for future uses.I hope the congregation also enjoyed the celebration that day as much as we did with our pie tasting contest. We not only tasted the results of creative talent, we had fun talking with church members and meeting new and prospective members. The weather was perfect, the food was good, and company was great, and the generosity of all of you is appreciated! Thank you!

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Justice and MercyOur Faith Tells Us to Act James 2: 15,16

Our Faith tells us to act for the hungry. The designated offerings on November 12 will be for the Broad Street Presbyterian Pantry and Gladden Community House Pantry. Both pantries report serving over 1000 families a month who struggle with food insecurity. In addition to your monetary gift, please bring non-perishable food i.e., canned fruits, vegetables, protein, and boxed meals. Families especially appreciate personal hygiene items and household cleansers. Thank you for contributing to this offering and for your year-round support.

Canned vegetables and fruit, especially tomatoes and pineapple

Pasta, Rice, Dried Beans, Instant Mashed Potatoes

Boxed meals such as Hamburger Helper

Canned Meats (Tuna, Chicken)

Cereal

Boxed Macaroni & Cheese Mix

Soup (Chicken Noodle, Chicken and Stars, Chicken and Rice)

Jelly

Cornbread Mixes (Jiffy, etc.)

Cookie Mixes

Sugar

Mission Offerings

Date Mission Amount ReceivedOctober 1 CWS - Hurricane Relief $1,532.93October 8 Good Samaritan Fund $2,148.51October 15 Byrd Polar Institute $563.25October 22 Spirituality Network $561.00October 29 Neighbors in Need $671.50

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Ohio UCC Conference News Transitional Outdoor Ministry Coordinator NamedBy John Gantt, Interim Conference Minister Ms. Joyce Oyler has been employed by the Conference as our Transitional Outdoor Ministry Coordinator. She begins her work in the position November 1, 2017 and will continue to serve full time through October, 2018.Joyce is no stranger to the outdoor ministry programming of the Conference, having participated continuously as a volunteer and formerly as the employed Director of the Division of Outdoor Ministry.Much has changed since she was engaged in that responsibility. We have secured the effective management services of United Camps, Conferences and Retreats (UCCR) which promotes our camp, oversees maintenance and support activities, and assists with training and other program services.We have divested the Conference of one of our camp sites in light of drastic changes in financial support for Conference programming and a steady decline in the number of Conference campers.In addition, we approach the completion of Nicole Havelka’s part time contract with the Conference. Nicole was thrust into assuming staff oversight of outdoor ministry even though it was not her intention to include that ministry in her portfolio. Her support of the program has been deeply appreciated, for it was provided without reservation in spite of how it reduced the time she had available to provide the networking and creativity emphasis to which she had been called.The Board also recognized the significant role Pam Brown has played as Conference Administrator. She works with Nicole to manage registrations, publicity, record keeping, promotion and other essential support for outdoor ministry. Pam will retire at the end of December after 17 years of tending to so many functions of the Ohio Conference. Her successor will have a steep learning curve, indeed!When these factors were considered, along with a frequent observation by some leaders throughout the Conference that outdoor ministry needs full time staff support, the Board determined there was a present need for leadership while the search for a called director is under way. Joyce’s past experience and acquaintance with Ohio Conference allow her to step into this time of transition with less orientation and lost time.The Conference will develop a national search for a full time Director of Outdoor Ministry in 2018.I trust we will warmly greet and support Joyce as we work to grow an active, effective and faithful outdoor ministry. Welcome, Joyce!

Community News A long-time congregant of Temple Israel Columbus is in desperate need of a kidney transplant, blood type A or O, so that he can see his four grandchildren grow into active members of the community. He has been approved as a transplant recipient at both The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York. He is working with Renewal, a charitable organization that helps people find kidney donors.

If you or anyone you know may be interested in helping save this life please have them call Renewal at 718-431-9831 ext. 209 and tell them your inquiry is about patient R23350 or email them at R23350@renewal.org. All inquiries to Renewal are strictly confidential and are without any obligation.

With much gratitude,

Sharon

Rabbi Sharon Mars, Senior Rabbi

Temple Israel

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CENTER FOR ETHICS AND

HUMAN VALUES

PART OF A YEAR-LONG SERIES OF EVENTS ORGANIZED BY THE CENTER FOR ETHICS AND HUMAN VALUES

CONVERSATIONS ON MORALITY, POLITICS AND SOCIETYRELIGION

Frances FitzGeraldEvangelicals: A New Way to Look at American History

NOVEMBER 6, 20177:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.Conference Theater, Fawcett CenterThe Ohio State University

Until the 20th century, religion was a great part of American intellectual life. Today our history books say so little about religion that students could believe we always lived in a secular society.

This talk will be about how evangelicals influenced 19th century history, the split within the movement that led to the culture wars of the 20th century, and the future of evangelicals in 21st century politics.

MS FITZGERALD'S TALK WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A PANEL DISCUSSION:

Paul Beck, moderatorPolitical ScienceThe Ohio State University

Tim Ahrens, panelist Senior Minister of First Congregational ChurchUCC in downtown Columbus

Rich Nathan, panelistSenior Pastor of Vineyard Columbus

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT, PLEASE VISIT

GO.OSU.EDU/EVANGELICALS

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First Church Joys and Concerns Members Craig Clay; David Kirker, serving in Puerto Rico; Kathy Brownfield; Pauline Fritz; Virginia O’Neill; Don Erickson; and families and friends who mourn the loss of loved ones, including Mark Brown, on the death of his mother, Janet Brown, and Lauren Emery, on the death of her grandfather, Stuart Terrass.Friends and Family Calvin McCune and family, friends of Bruce and Fran Panek; Alice Anderson, mother of Eddie Anderson and sister of Duan Cannon; Jenny Lukens, friend of Sharon Leidheiser; Susan Lebold; Jay Stoeker; Ensign Elizabeth Lebold, serving as a nurse on board the ship USS Comfort in Puerto Rico; Rev. Roger Miller; and families and friends who continue to mourn the loss of loved ones, including the family of Bill Crawford, friend of Amy Wagner. Throughout The World In God’s Hands: The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle: This month in the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we pray with and for the following people and churches:• Week of November 5: Oceania: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia (Maohi Nui), Kanaky, Kiribati,

Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

• Week of November 12: Aptearpa, New Zealand, Australia• Week of November 19: East Timor, Indonesia, Philippines• Week of November 26: Brunei, Malasia, SingaporIn The United States We pray for the victims and families of the terrorist attack in New York City on Tuesday. We pray for the victims of that attack who were from Argentina, Belgium and Germany. We hold in our prayers the first responders and bystanders who came to the aid of the victims. We hold in our prayers the people of United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. We pray for the victims of the California wildfires in recent weeks. We pray for the city of Columbus and the escalating loss of life due to gun violence in our city. We pray for comfort and healing for all the victims’ families and friends. We pray for those who are victims of sexual violence and sexual harassment. Missionaries This month we pray the following missionaries:• Week of November 5: Phyllis Byrd, serving in Kenya• Week of November 12: Nishan Bakalian, serving in Thailand• Week of November 19: Ann Gregory, serving in Thailand• Week of November 26: Anil Henry, serving in India

If you have any prayer requests or joys to share, please contact the church office (awagner@first-church.org or 614-228-1741, ext. 10) or one of the ministers (ecorzine@first-church.org or 614-228-1741, ext. 21 or minister@first-church.org or 614-228-1741, ext. 13).

Recent Celebration Gifts to First ChurchBy Bill Johannes and Jane Werum

Given to the Legacy Fund by Mr. and Mrs. Al Glover

Given to the Building Endowment Fund by: Mr. & Mrs. John Firebaugh, Mrs. Arlene Reynolds, Anonymous, Mrs. Margaret Atkinson, Mr. & Mr. Andrew Bensing, Mr. & Mrs. Peter Boriin, Mr. & Mrs. Loren Braverman, Mrs. Barbara Clapham, Jdg. & Mrs. Ransey Cole, Mr. Jeffrey and Rev. Emily Corzine, Ms. Carol Ernst-King, Dr. and Mrs. Wallace Giffen, Rev. Mary Ann Goetz, Mr. & Mrs. George Hudson, Miss Martha Huey, Mr. & Mrs. Todd Jacobson, Mr. Russ Kelm and Mrs. Pamela Kallner, Mr. & Mrs. Eric Klintworth and many more who will be listed in the next NEWS.

Members and friends of First Church, age 70 1/2 or older, may now transfer up to $100,000 tax-free directly from an IRA to the charity of their choice. Please consider making a direct transfer to the Trustees, First Congregational Church, to support your favorite ministry’s Endowment. The benefits are: no income taxes are paid on the distribution from your IRA; the gift counts toward the minimum required distribution from your IRA, and the gift will make a long-lasting impact at First Church. A description of each endowment fund can be found on the church website at www.first-church.org/EndowmentFunds.aspx .

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Wednesday, November 111 a.m. – Book Study – Parlor4 p.m. – Building and Office Close

Thursday, November 26 p.m. – First Church Ringers Rehearsal – Education Wing Room J 7:15 p.m. – First Church Choir Rehearsal – Parish Hall

Saturday, November 49 a.m. – Food Preparation for Cabaret – Kitchen

Sunday, November 5: All Saints’ Sunday9 a.m. – Worship: Morning Prayer and Holy Communion – Parish Hall 9 a.m. – Exultate Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room9 a.m. – Jubilate Choir – Music Activities Room10 a.m. – First Church Choir Warm Up – Choir Room10 a.m. – Faith Formation Time – Education Wing, Rooms C and D 11 a.m. – Worship – Sanctuary Noon – Fellowship Hour – Parish Hall12:30 p.m. – Confirmation Class – Education Wing, Room D 6 p.m. – Cabaret – Parish Hall

Monday, November 6Noon – Care Ministry – Ralph Fanning Room6 p.m. – BOBS Planning Meeting – Ralph Fanning Room6:30 p.m. – Christian Education – Mark Williams’ office

Tuesday, November 712:15 p.m. – First Tuesdays Concert and Luncheon – Sanctuary and Parish Hall2:30 p.m. – Worship Planning – Parish Family Room 5:30 p.m. – Sacred Earth – Ralph Fanning Room 5:45 p.m. – Yoga – Parish Hall7 p.m. – Speaking of Faith – Sanctuary, Parish Hall

Wednesday, November 89:30 a.m. – Staff Meeting – Ralph Fanning Room 4 p.m. – Building and Office Close7 p.m. – Justice and Mercy – Ralph Fanning Room

Thursday, November 96 p.m. – First Church Ringers Rehearsal – Education Wing Room J 7:15 p.m. – First Church Choir Rehearsal– Parish Hall

Saturday, November 118:30 a.m. – House and Grounds – Ralph Fanning Room 10 a.m. – First Church Quilters – Parish Family Room 10 a.m. – BOBS Board Meeting – Education Wing Room D

Sunday, November 12: Harvest Sunday9 a.m. – Worship: Morning Prayer and Holy Communion – Parish Hall 9 a.m. – Exultate Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room9 a.m. – Jubilate Choir – Music Activities Room10 a.m. – First Church Choir Warm Up – Choir Room10 a.m. – Faith Formation Time – Education Wing, Rooms C and D 11 a.m. – Worship – Sanctuary Noon – Fellowship Hour – Parish Hall6 p.m. – Middle and High School Youth Group – Parish Hall

Monday, November 139 a.m. – Good Samaritan Day – Ralph Fanning Room 7 p.m. – Trustees – Ralph Fanning Room

Tuesday, November 1411:30 p.m. – Worship Planning – Parish Family Room 5:45 p.m. – Yoga – Parish Hall 7 p.m. – Executive Committee – Ralph Fanning Room

Wednesday, November 1511 a.m. – Book Study – Parlor4 p.m. – Building and Office Close

Thursday, November 166 p.m. – First Church Ringers Rehearsal – Education Wing Room J7:15 p.m. – First Church Choir Rehearsal– Parish Hall

Sunday, October 199 a.m. – Worship : Morning Prayer and Holy Communion – Parish Hall 9 a.m. – Exultate Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room9 a.m. – Jubilate Choirs – Music Activities Room10 a.m. – Faith Formation Time – Education Wing, Rooms C and D 11 a.m. – Worship – Sanctuary Noon – Fellowship Hour – Parish Hall12:30 p.m. – Confirmation Class – Education Wing, Room D 4 p.m. – Choral Evensong – Sanctuary

Monday, November 201 p.m. – Deadline for Newsletter Articles 7 p.m. – Personnel – Parish Family Room

Tuesday, November 2111:30 p.m. – Worship Planning – Parish Family Room 7 p.m. – Church Council – Ralph Fanning Room

Wednesday, November 22Building and Office Closed All Day

November Calendar

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November Calendar (continued)Thursday, November 23Thanksgiving Day – Office and Building Closed Friday, November 24Thanksgiving Day – Office and Building Closed1 p.m. – Faith Mission Meal Preparation – Kitchen

Sunday, November 26: Reign of Christ Sunday9 a.m. – Worship : Morning Prayer and Holy Communion – Parish Hall 9 a.m. – Exultate Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room9 a.m. – Jubilate Choirs – Music Activities Room10 a.m. – First Church Choir Warm Up – Choir Room 10 a.m. – Faith Formation Time – Education Wing, Rooms C and D 11 a.m. – Worship – Sanctuary Noon – Fellowship Hour – Parish Hall6 p.m. – Hanging of the Greens – Sanctuary6 p.m. – Middle and High School Youth – Parish Hall

Monday, November 276 p.m. – Budget and Finance – Ralph Fanning Room7 p.m. – Deacons Meeting – Education Wing Room D

Tuesday, November 2811:30 a.m. – Worship Planning – Parish Family Room 6 p.m. – Laundry Love – WashLand Laundromat, 1469 West Broad Street

Wednesday, November 299:30 a.m. – Staff Meeting – Ralph Fanning Room 4 p.m. – Building and Office Close

Thursday, November 306 p.m. – First Church Ringers Rehearsal – Education Wing Room J 7:15 p.m. – First Church Choir Rehearsal– Parish Hall

November SchedulesNovember Fellowship Hour ScheduleNovember 5 November 12 November 19 RomansNovember 26

November Mission Offering ScheduleNovember 5 Good SamaritanNovember 12 Food PantriesNovember 19 Mid Ohio Workers AssociationNovember 26 Gladden Community House - Christmas Fund November Acolyte ScheduleNovember 5 Jack Patterson Cassidy HopcraftNovember 12 Ethan Murray Anna Sophia SeversonNovember 19 Cassidy Hopcraft Samantha MyersNovember 26 Ethan Murray Erin Murray

November Crucifer ScheduleNovember 5 Dylan HopcraftNovember 12 Erin MurrayNovember 19 Will ZimmermanNovember 26 Peter Spofforth

Please let us know...if you have a new address, telephone number or email address, or if we’ve missed your birthday or anniversary. We strive to keep our database as accurate as possible, but we need your input to keep us up-to-date.

Thank you! Amy Wagner, Office Manager (awagner@first-church.org)

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11/4 Ann and Jeff Hunt Stephanie and Mike Koscher11/6 Becky and Troy Magaw11/7 Amy Nicholson and Mohamed Obeid-Salim11/8 Joanna and Jamie McWilliams11/9 Arevena and Bill Nirote Susan Sitler and Tim Ahrens11/10 Janette and Randy Hoffman Lesley and Karl Schaab Lynn Wallich and Mary Jo Hudson11/15 Missy and Doug Zimmerman11/26 Kathie and R.Guy Cole Sarah and Wally Giffen Sandy and Michael Valinis11/29 Janet and Rick Pfeiffer11/30 Eric and Bonnie Klintworth

Member Birthdays in November

11/1 Melissa Erickson Carrie Ghose Barbara Glover Pat Groseck11/2 Nolen Chambers11/3 John Aeschbury Tom Bishop Beau Kirker Nikki Nwosu11/4 Elijah Horne Samuel Horne Noah Kirker11/5 Courtney Batchelor11/6 Nathaniel Vogt11/8 Emma Rau James O’Neill11/9 Brianna Burkett David Leidheiser11/10 Jean Sankey11/12 Erin Dean Wendy Reber Don Streibig11/13 John Aeschbury Melanie Brown Victoria Washington11/14 Elijah Horne Samuel Horne11/15 Erin Murray11/16 Barbara Knox11/17 Joyce Oyler Robert Reber Judy Smith11/18 Caitlin Bukach11/19 Paul Flocken Larry Thorne11/20 Schlelia Gray John Matchett11/21 Anita Babu Allison Palmer11/22 Natalie Barker Kristen Blanks Adeline Brown Madeline Helmer Jane Weddle11/23 Bill Wagner11/24 Mike Bukach Andy Rozmiarek11/25 Sarah Ahrens11/26 Eric Malmborg Gillespie Shimeall-Evans Adam Wade11/27 Beth Iannarino Kevin Jones Wayne Redenbarger11/28 Nell Cole11/29 Xavier Dean David Ghose

November Member Anniversaries

Please let us know...if you have a new address, telephone number or email

address, or if we’ve missed your birthday or anniversary. We strive to keep our database as accurate as possible,

but we need your input to keep us up-to-date. Thank you!

Amy Wagner, Office Manager (awagner@first-church.org)

16

CHURCH STAFFSenior Minister Timothy C. Ahrens, D. Min.

Associate Minister Emily Krause Corzine, M. Div.Minister of Music Kevin Jones, M. M.

Director of Christian Education Mark S. Williams, M. Ed.Commissioned Minister for Social Justice Tom Brownfield

Commissioned Minister for Spiritual Formation and Direction

Jacquelyn Dean

Organist/Choirmaster Emeritus G. Dene BarnardTreble Choir Director Sandra Mathias, Ph.D.

Business Manager Sharon LeidheiserProgram Manager Martha Worth

Office Manager Amy WagnerBuilding & Grounds Superintendent Mark Dahnke

Custodians William Lee, Jimy SibrianWedding Coordinators Janet Axt, Margaret Cipriani, Diana Chandler, Amy Wagner, Katie Wagner

Nursery Staff Evin Wimberly, Simone Ellerson, Natalie Barker, Taylre Arnold, Shelly Gies

DIACONATESenior Deacon Alec Deitz

Deacons Kris Brant, Anthony Brown, Valerie Conlin-Losinski, Bert Cook, Martha Fullemann, Dean Hafey, Todd Jacobson, Karen Mozingo, David Nassau, Janet Newcity, Jorge Polo, Alejandro Rodriguez, Hugh Schultz

CHURCH COUNCILModerator Kent Shimeall

Moderator-Elect Joe Baszynski Treasurer David Holt

Assistant Treasurer Joe Hoffman Secretary Pat Patterson

Assistant Secretary Nancy Loy

COMMISSIONERSAdministration Sue Cook, Elect - Chris Glaros

Church Growth/Vitality Kent Rambo and Mary Anne Jacobson, co-chairs;Elect - Tom Kiesel and Mary Anne Jacobson

Education Helen Ninos, Elect - Chris GelpiHouse & Grounds Eric Klintworth, Elect - Gary Leidheiser

Justice & Mercy Al Glover, Elect - Dawn GeorgeMusic, Arts, & Heritage Sharon Ferguson, Elect - Joel Mathias

Nominating Chair Brian Cave Member-at-large Neal Brower

Youth-at-large Joe Spofforth Deacon Council Representative Janet Newcity

TRUSTEESChairperson Lisa Morris

Treasurer Bill JohannesTrustees Chris Farquhar, Francille Firebaugh, Tom Hadley, Bill Heer, Lisa Morris,

Sheldon Taft, Keith White, Gerry Worth

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The First Congregational Church, UCC 444 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43215Phone: 614.228.1741 FAX: 614.461.1741 Email: home@first-church.orgWeb site: www.first-church.orgOffice Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Closed Major Holidays

“An Open & Affirming Faith Community”

SUNDAY WORSHIP HOURSWorship at 9 a.m. ~ Parish Hall Worship at 11 a.m. ~ Sanctuary

TO: