Stardust – I finished working ahead in my planning for our Lenten and Easter Season the other day. By the time this newsletter is published we will be looking at the beginning of the season March 6, 2019. Pondering Lent and it’s be-ginning with the tradition of Ash Wednesday set me off on a thoughtful journey as I considered where those forty days, not counting Sundays, might take us this year.

The sermon series Cynthia and I are working on is in the context of “The Lenten Labyrinth” based on a book of the same title by Edward Hayes. For me, Lent has always taken on the image of journey and those familiar words that some commu-nities share about dust to dust and remembering from whence we came. There is another author I enjoy, Robert Fulghum who writes a story about the dust in our homes. He shares the dust we have are left over particles of us, left over particles of meteors and stars that have struck our atmosphere and fallen around and with us in microscopic pieces.

I ran across the image I have shared here which caused me a wonderful pause the first time I saw it. What if… the image asks, the Divine is a metaphor for the universe and we are created in its image. To be awake to this kind of wonder is to be conscious of the Presence in which we are immersed, to be filled with all things, and to be connected to all that is.

We are the stuff of stars, of the cosmos, connected one to another and to all that has been and will be. We are stardust and to stardust we shall return, I read in our Ash Wednesday liturgy. A wondrous, ponderous, journey together.

Connect

7020 Cass Street • Omaha, Nebraska 68132 • 402.556.6262

March 2019

Worship ScheduleSundays

8:30 & 10:50 am, Sanctuary

Taizé Worship Saturday, March 2

5:00 pm, Mead Chapel

Pastors: Kent H. Little

Cynthia Lindenmeyer

Church Office Hours:Sunday 8:30 am - noon

Monday-Thursday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Friday and Saturday Closed

www.fumcomaha.org

“We are a United Methodist congre-gation of all sexual orientations and gender identities making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We stand in solidarity with Reconciling Ministry Network working against injustice and discrimination through peace and justice.”

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Receive “Connect” by E-MailE-mail Candice Nielsen in the church office,

Candice.Nielsen@fumcomaha.org with your e-mail address and you will begin

receiving the newsletter by e-mail.

Ash Wednesday, March 6, 201912:00 pm – Mead Chapel • 7:00 pm – the Sanctuary

You are Dust we say...A mix of minerals and water...A brew of elements and spirit...A concoction of intellect and sense...An amalgam of mystery and wonder.We are, you know, part of...

Connected by...Immersed in the Universe.We may Be dust...But we are the stuff of the Universe...Stardust we are.Shine. Together. One Community. One.

Seek deeply who you are in this journey on which we are about to embark, and we shall emerge on the other side even more deeply connected to one another and the Divine.

Peace and Light for Our Journey. Rev. Kent

All are invited to begin our Lenten journey together in a time of worship and reflection. We will gather to remember who and whose we are, connected by the Divine, as we walk the labyrinth of life from birth to death, from darkness to new life and light.

Pondering LentLent represents, to me, the knee-level circular wooden table in my grand-mother’s living room that during Advent was covered with Christmas cards, but now is empty. My grandmother is gone. Her friends are gone. And one day I will be gone as will all my friends. The ink of life transitions from glossy Christmas scenes to an obituary newspaper print. At least, that’s the visible aspect of our life journey. The spiritual journey reminds us that while we phys-ically occupy these things we call bodies, our soul ventures beyond. Beyond mortality. Beyond eyes that need cataract surgery and glasses. Beyond bodies that need hip replacements. Obituary. Interesting word. First time I heard it was in fourth grade, and if you asked me back then to define “obituary” I would’ve said….well, I best not print because it borders on profanity and judging one’s cognitive abilities. If you want further clarification, just seek me out.Lately, I find myself reading obituaries: In the World Herald, Facebook posts, and on-line. In fifth grade, I lived with my grandmother and I remember her thumbing through the Houston Chronicle reading the section dedicated to the lives of the deceased. Every Advent, that round, circular wooden table would be covered with masses of Christmas cards from her friends. As the years went on, I observed that the cards were fewer and fewer. Lent reminds me of a life transition from when the collection of cards from the living is replaced with notices of the transitioned.

In less than a week’s time, two friends passed away. Jackie Young, wonderful mentor, whose childhood memory of innocently being mesmerized as Japanese warbirds flew over her front yard as she was leaving for church on December 7th, 1941, was a story I cherished. Penny Gnesin first introduced me to the reali-zation that spirituality offered a journey untethered by patriarchal rules of organized religion. No obituary could capture their life stories. And I still have their 2018 Christmas Cards…

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Dr. Cynthia Lindenmeyer

April 9 – Color of Fear • April 30 – The Lynchings of Omaha

Donation BoxPlease bring in non-perishables – soup, saltine crackers,

box dinners (hamburger helper etc.) to help support Clair Memorial UMC’s food pantry.

Tuesdays 6:00-8:30 pmMarch 12 – Native Americans What is Justice?

Race Relations Dinner and Discussion

Racist logos continue to target Native Americans. Join us as Edouardo Zendejas, the Program Director for UNO’s Tribal Management and Emergency Services Program, speaks

on the continual unjust policies the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska experience. Mr. Zendejas is also the Chief Judge for the Omaha Tribal Court for the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska; Ju-venile Drug Court Judge for the Winnebago Tribal Court and District Court Judge for the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Nebraska and Kansas.

Mercy &

Justice

Travelers get to know each other!Friday March 22, 6:00 pm - 1:00 amThe Youth and Adults traveling on the Civil Rights History Mission Trip are asked to join us at the Hope Center. We will be gathering to get to know each other before we go. We are hop-ing that all participants from both buses can begin to bond and form friendships before the long journey together. Contact Bogart for more details by e-mailing Bogart.Nomad@fumcomaha.org.

Face-to-Face with Black HistoryUnderstanding Your Own Story through the lens of Black History

www.PrestonLoveJr.com

Day 1Memphis MondayJune 18, 2019St. Georges BunkhouseCivil Rights MuseumLorraine MotelMason Temple

Day 2Birmingham TuesdayJune 19, 2019Brown vs. Board of Education (1954)Birmingham Civil Rights Museum16th Street Baptist ChurchKelly Engram Park

Day 3Selma WednesdayJune 20, 2019Voting Rights Museum & InstituteSlavery & Civil War MuseumEdmund Pettis BridgeTravel to MontgomeryCivil Rights MemorialFreedom ShrineDexter Baptist ChurchAlabama State University

Day 4Montgomery/Tuskegee ThursdayJune 21, 2019Rosa Parks MuseumNational Memorial for Peace & JusticeWill BrownTravel to TuskegeeGeorge Washington Carver MuseumOaks HomeTuskegee University

Day 5Atlanta FridayJune 22, 2019Spelman CollegeMorehouse CollegeKing Center for Non-Violent Social ChangeEbenezer Baptist

Five days, Six cities, Changed lives

Learn History, Respect History, Make History

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Movie Group – will discuss Cold Pursuit at the W. Dale Clark Library. Everyone is welcome to join us for the discussion and for dinner at a nearby restaurant following the discussion. Tuesday, March 12, 6:00 pm.

Please remember in prayer these members of Our Church FamilyFor Continued Healing: Dean Barnett, Walter Bircher, Barry Burt, Theresa Davidson, Milton Davison, Lisa Ellis, Ella Gerber, Dorothyann Haar, Charlie Harper, Debra Mabry-Strong, Hazel McGill, Mike Nie-mants, Jeremy Richart, Eleanor Ruge, Ed Schwenk, Grace Webner, Barb Winfield.Baptisms: Baptized January 13- Alice Kathryn, daughter of Michael and Lauren Helgerson. New Members: Joined February 10 – Cody & Candace Jorgensen, Rick & Betsy Perez, and Josh Pope.Births: Cooper James, born February 14. Son of Jason and Justin Holling-Karas.

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ngSubmit your prayer requests to:Marylin Stewart at MarylinS@aol.com or call the church office at 402-556-6262 x1001.Please follow these brief guidelines when submitting a request for the Prayer Chain: • For yourself: Give a brief statement of the need - illness, grief, crisis.• For others: Use names without describing the need. Give the first or full name and relationship -

friend, brother/sister, spouse/partner, parent, child, etc.• Get permission from the person to be listed on the Prayer Chain before contacting Marylin or the church.

Attendance for Jan/Feb Total Attendance 1st Time Visitors

1/20/19 ........................294 ................................21/27/19 ........................332 ................................82/3/19 ..........................303 ................................62/10/19 ........................202 ................................2 2/17/19 attendance will be in April connect

We want to know! If you or someone you know in our faith community is in the hospital, goes to a rehabilitation center, or is in need of pastoral care, please contact the front office. We treat all information as sacred and confidential. We want to be sure we aren’t missing anyone, especially in their time of need. You may also e-mail Candice Nielsen at Candice.Nielsen@fumcomaha.org.

Thank you!!

Celtic Guest Musicians for St. Patrick’s Day

Sunday, March 17This year, the luck of the Irish is upon us,

as St. Patrick’s Day happens to fall on a Sunday! Celtic crooner Jill Anderson and Irish fiddler Mindy Hunke will join

us in leading worship with a distinctly Celtic flair. So wear your favorite green

outfits and bring your friends to this special Sunday celebration!

Faith Studies@ First

March Book Review Thurs., March 21, 10 am, ParlorMarylin Stewart will review Integral Christianity: The Spirit’s Call to Evolve by Paul R. Smith on Thursday, March 21, in the Parlor at 10:00 am. At a time when the Christian church has been in decline in Europe and shows the beginnings of a similar decline in Ameri-ca, the author has provided an inviting and expansive pathway for the Christian religion that is faithful to a Jesus centered theology of biblical interpretation and is illuminated by the emerging field of in-tegral philosophy. His message speaks to the church as well as to the individual. Please join us for a very interesting morning. All are welcome.

The University of Sioux Falls Concert Chorale will once again conduct a “singing and service” tour across the upper Midwest, and is scheduled to perform at First United Methodist Church Saturday, March 9, at 7:00 pm! The choir selects 60 student-musicians by audition and performs sacred music from throughout history and from various cultures. USF’s choir tours domestically each year and travels internationally every-other year, all the while offering concerts and volunteerism in the form of serving agencies such as Habitat for Humanity and performing in children’s hospitals. Past domestic tours have spanned the nation, from New York City to Los Angeles, while international destinations have included England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Belgium, Hungary, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Please mark your calendars for this wonderful choral experience!

University of Sioux Falls Spring Concert

Transportation Ministry Many members in our faith community are in need of transpor-tation to and from church. Maybe you’ve noticed a familiar face missing in your pew! If you would like to ensure all are welcome in this space, including those unable to drive, please contact Candice Nielsen at 402-556-6262 x1001, or e-mail Candice.Nielsen@fumcomaha.org to find out how you may be able to support this important and meaningful ministry!

Membership CommitteeDo you have a passion for the missions and ministries of FUMC? Want to learn more about the ways you can help our faith community grow?

Join the Membership Committee onWednesday, March 27, at 6:00 pm in the Conference Room.

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gRainbow Factory – Where ADVENTURE begins! Now offering half and full-day class options for the 2019-2020 school year. Please contact Jamie Pressnall, Director of Rainbow Factory Preschool, at 402-556-6262 x1009.

Forum on Climate Justice Sunday, March 31,

9:35 a.m. in the CommonsFUMC Eco-Team is hosting a forum focusing on climate justice. Join us in the Commons to learn

about positive actions taking place locally and globally as well as what you, as an individual can do. 

Anything else you’re interested in is not going to happen if you can’t breathe the air and drink the water. Don’t sit this one out. Do something. You are by accident of fate alive

at an absolutely critical moment in the history of our planet.~ Carl Sagan

Celebrating 150 Years - UMW is 150 years old in March! United Methodist Women is the largest denominational women’s group

with 800,000 members. UMW offers opportunities for spiritual growth, leadership development, education, service and advocacy.

Google United Methodist Women history for complete history. The next FUMC UMW meeting will be

March 7 at 10:00 am in room 112. The program will be prayer and self-denial.

A special offering will be taken. We give thanks for the

leadership, wisdom, service, and support

of our amazing United Methodist Women!!

Lenten Carbon Fast March 6-April 20 Consider calculating your carbon footprint and committing to reducing that footprint during Lent and beyond. Hu-man-induced climate change is attributed to our produc-tion of these greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and chlorofluorocarbons. As we go about our daily lives, our actions produce these green-house gases directly and indirectly. An individual’s annual carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases that are attributable to our actions in one year. Go to: coolcalifornia.arb.ca.gov/calculator-households-individuals to calculate your impact on the planet.

SpiritualitySpiritual Practices @ First UMC-OmahaAll activities are held in Mead Chapel unless otherwise noted

• Yoga Foundations – Mondays, 9:30 am, Thursdays, 6:15 pm

• Tai Chi for Balance – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30 pm

• Meditation – Wednesdays, noon

• Taizé Worship – First Saturday monthly, 5:00 pm

• Centering Prayer – Sundays, 9:35 am

• Labyrinth, Garden & Gazebo – front lawn 24/7

• Zumba – Wednesdays, 6:30 pm, the Commons

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First United Methodist Church Omaha invites you to enjoy a meal of pancakes to celebrate Mar-di Gras! This FUMC tradition will also include a Variety Show afterwards in The Commons. You won’t even have to leave your dinner table! We will start the evening at 5:00 pm with the meal. The show will begin around 6:30pm and go until 8:00 pm. Good news, the Nursery will be open! Bring the kids and enjoy an evening out.

A Free Will Offering will go to boosting the Youth Mission Trip Budget for 2020.

Box City is Back! – SAVE THE DATE!!!The CardBoard Box village on the Front Lawn will be back! After work on Friday, May 3 through lunch on Saturday, May 4, First United Methodist Church Youth will host and gather folks to learn about and experience the homeless issues that face our beloved Omaha. More details to come!

7020 Cass StreetOmaha, NE 68132-2601

Non-ProfitU.S. Postage Paid

Permit #105Omaha, NebraskaReturn Service Requested

Sunday, March 24, 2019– Celebration SChedule –

1:00 - 1:30 Registration 1:30 - 2:30 Keynote Speaker

2:45 - 4:30 WorkshopsAll who want to take responsibility for their own wellness and

who seek insight on ways to do so, as well as those who care for others privately or professionally, are welcome.

$10 suggested Freewill offering to cover expenses★ Please enter doors #4 (north), #6 (northeast) and #7 (north) ★

Celebration of Soulful Healing

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1:30 - 2:30 – The CommonsSpeaker: Ryan Evans, MS, LIMHP, LADC

Trust Your GutIdentifying similarities between our Mind and the rest of our Body.

Keynote PreSentation

WorKShoPS2:45 - 3:30 p.m.

General Health Exercises with Qi Gong – Jan Dixon Gathering Place 8 forms of Qi Gong that benefit general health. Participants will be able to do forms and know the health benefits.

Guided Meditation – Cathy Beaudin Room 111 This session will focus on an overview of different types of guided meditation as well as the opportunity to be led in a guided meditation.

Tickle Your Funny Bone – Sue Rood The ParlorWe will spend our time together laughing which relaxes muscles, boosts immuni-ty, increases endorphins and much more.

3:45 - 4:30 p.m. Reach the Root of the Issue – Emotional Vibration – Sophia SiriLivtar Room 111In this workshop we will explore a variety of Medical Meditations, including Miracle Breath – the kriya. She shares 35 years of experience with you.

Healing Frequencies of Mind and Body – Lois Weber The ParlorThis experiential session will introduce various sound healing music. We’ll learn practical ways to integrate healing sounds into daily life as part of self care!

Daily Energy Routine – Gabriele Kohlieber Gathering PlaceA simple technique that can benefit nearly everyone in our stress producing, technological world. This daily routine builds positive habits into our energy field with cumulative effects. It will improve your energy and health with just a few minutes a day!