insideIntentional FaithDevelopment

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Risk-taking Missionand Service

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Pastor’s Message

1

Extravagant Generosity

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Radical Hospitaliy

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Compassionate Care

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Passionate Worship

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August 2015 Edition www.grandrapidsfumc.org

There is some-thing about July 4th that changes one’s mind-set. The other day, my wife and I were in a store briefly and it

was mind boggling to see Halloween decorations, fall decorations, and even Christmas trees, lights, and wreaths on display. Some of the email advertising that I am receiving is for fall and win-ter clothing – including snow boots! Marketers - P-L-E-A-S-E! Fall, Christ-mas, cold and snow will be here in due time. For now, let’s enjoy summer. We don’t need to prepare for winter in July!

Yet I must confess I am pain-fully aware that Labor Day is just around the corner. I am living with just a tinge of panic because the fall church schedule begins September 13! That is a short six weeks away. So preparations have ramped up a notch or two.

The biggest adjustment that will take place on September 13 is regarding the Sunday morning schedule. • 8:15 am We are going to have

an early morning worship expe-rience located in what is currently called the parlor! We have a lovely grand piano already in the room. Some relatively minor lighting and furnishing adjustments will make the space worshipful and inviting. Our 45-minute service will include communion. Our singing, prayers, liturgy, meditation, and reflection time will be engaging and mean-ingful.

• 9:15 am We will have an hour designated for Intentional Faith Development with classes and discussion groups offered for all ages and stages. To me, this is the most exciting dimension of our sched-uling change. Christian Education opportunities are being developed for people to study, explore, learn, and grow in their faith. Participat-ing in classes also connects us with other people in meaningful ways. Over the next few weeks, you will know the subjects as well as the teachers for our fall classes.

• 10:45 am Worship in the sanc-tuary. We will continue our com-mitment to a more traditional (or classical) style of worship, yet with freedom to explore and experi-ment with the use of technology, musical variety, and a move to be intentionally inclusive with our children and youth participation.

So – like a good marketer, I am get-ting you prepared (and hopefully ex-cited) for the fall. Put September 13th on your calendar as Homecoming Sunday at First United Methodist Church! It is the day we kickoff a new schedule. I invite you to plan to be with us.

In this edition of the “First Pulse,” you will read about the ways in which we are preparing for fall in all of our different ministries. Preparations are occurring in Intentional Faith Devel-opment, Passionate Worship, Risk-Taking Mission and Service, Radical Hospitality, Extravagant Generosity, and Compassionate Care. Please read each article to be informed, encour-aged, or invited to participate in minis-try. There is something in this edition for everyone.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and don’t even think about Christmas trees and lights – at least not yet!Grace and Peace to you!

Pastor Bob Hundley

Put September 13th on your calendar as “Homecoming Sunday at First United Methodist Church!” It is the day we

‘kick-off’ a new schedule.

You Are Invited

HOMECOMINGSUNDAY

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Intentional Faith DevelopmentChildren Experience and Dwell in God’s PresenceOne exciting piece to our worship re-structuring this fall is the expansion of our Children and Worship program. Since this program has been in exis-tence at First Church for over twenty years, there are a lot of Children and Worship alumni in our congregation!

Children and Worship was designed by Sonja Stewart and Jerome Berryman in the late 1980s and quickly became and continues to be a vibrant nation-wide movement.

The inspiration and philosophy of Children and Worship stem from Dr. Maria Montessori’s (1870-1952) ideas of educating young children. Montessori’s now 100-year old philos-ophy is the foundation for many early childhood programs in the United States as well as programs on all five of the other inhabited continents.

Following are pillars of both the Montessori and Children and Wor-ship philosophies:1) Children thrive in an environment

where beauty and orderliness are emphasized and appreciated.

2) The minds of children between the ages of 2 - 7 are “absorbent;” they assimilate without much conscious effort.

3) Effective education respects the unique ability levels, innate tenden-cies, and natural intelligences of each child and allows him/her ap-propriate freedom and choice.

4) The most effective class-room leader for this age group and for assimila-tion is a leader who guides experience rather than a teacher who instructs. (montessoritraining.net)

In Children and Worship, children learn about God while experiencing God. This is all done in the context of

worship. Whereas a typical church edu-cation class explains and interprets the mysteries of God, Children and Worship allows children to ex-perience and dwell in God’s presence.

Our two new worship centers (one for pre-schoolers and another for kindergarten - 2nd graders) will be located

on the 3rd floor. They will be filled with the artifacts that have always given our Children and Worship center beauty and awe: banners and underlays appropri-ate to the season of the church calen-dar, God’s stories set out one by one as each is introduced to the children Sunday by Sunday, the prayer corner, the Christ Candle, God’s book of sto-ries with picture-labeled bookmarks marking all of the stories the children have experienced so far, books and puzzles of these same stories, simple craft supplies for self-expression, rugs which the children use during their time alone with God.

Like the sanctuary in “big church,” our Children and Worship centers are meant to soothe and inspire. They are order-ly, with a place and purpose for each thing. The children quickly learn that when we are in our “sanctuary,” we take our time; we speak softly and are careful not to interrupt others because they may be speaking or listening to God in their own special way; we are careful and respectful of the things in the worship center: we handle the story pieces with care and reverence, and we put things away in their proper places when we are finished with them.

Our Children and Worship program guides and inspires the young mem-bers of our church family as they learn to walk with God, each in his/her own special way.

Please join us in church on Sunday, August 9 when we will share even more about this special program.

Tammy Taylor DeWittChildren and Worship Leader

Our Children and Worship program guides and inspires the young members of our church family as they learn to walk with God, each in his/her own special way.

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When does worship begin? I’m not talking about hours and min-utes or even worship service times. I’m talking about moments. Worship can begin the moment we walk into the church building. What should that moment look like? An unattended door with only a self-serve pile of bul-letins to chose from as I find my way to a seat? I hope not.

I feel most invited into worship when there is a friendly welcom-ing face as I enter. It’s amazing how a kind greeter or usher can set the tone for our wor-ship experience - espe-cially if I woke up late, skipped breakfast, and listened to the kids argue in the car on our way to church. That’s why our worship support teams are so impor-

tant: they can help me reset as I walk into worship. Our greeters and ushers are also the “Face of First” to people who are visiting us for the first time. Not only do they set the tone, they also point visitors in the right di-rection. Do you remember the first time you got lost at First Church? I do! Not long after I began attending First Church, I wanted to show my parents the really cool chil-dren’s area on the third floor. I took my parents up the stairs to show them around. However, I didn’t realize the stairs leading to the balcony didn’t connect to the part of the building where the chil-dren’s area is. Oops! (Feel free to laugh, my parents did.) I really appreciate all of the current ushers and greeters

we have now! But we need even more welcoming people to join our teams. As we create complete teams, we will be able to expand to additional areas where visitors may feel unwelcome or lost. For example, imagine how welcomed people would feel if there were parking lot or coffee hour greet-ers. The worship support teams truly are a vital part of worship leadership – no microphone required! If you feel that God can use you in this area of minis-try, please email samim@grandrapids-fumc.org or call 616.451.2879.

Sami MarasiganExecutive Director of Evangelism

and Hospitality

Passionate WorshipI feel most invited into worship when there is a friendly face welcoming. It’s amazing how a kind greeter or usher can set the tone for our worship experience - especially if I woke up late, skipped breakfast, and listened to the kids argue in the car on our way to church.

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Risk-Taking Mission and ServiceCircles Grand Rapids: A Community Effort To Reduce PovertyWhat It Is... Circles USA is an innova-tive national initiative whose mission is to “inspire and equip families and com-munities to resolve poverty and thrive.”

Circles engages the entire commu-nity to own the solution to poverty by (1) empowering low-income participants to permanently move out of poverty and (2) increasing the poverty IQ of leaders in business, education, the faith community, and other sectors of the larger community to motivate stra-tegic action to resolve systemic barri-ers to self-sufficiency.

United Methodist Metro Ministry of GR, along with launch partners Inner City Christian Federation, 5/3 Bank, United Way, Access of West Michigan, and others, has established the Grand Rapids Chapter of Circles USA.

How It Works... Motivated low-income participants attend 12 weeks of Circles Leadership Training to be-gin building financial, emotional, and social resources, and to create a per-sonal Economic Stability Plan that sets goals unique to their own needs and dreams. (Research shows that mini-mum economic stability is achieved when income reaches 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.) Graduates are called Circle Leaders - persons who proactively lead their own lives out of poverty.

Each Circle Leader is matched with two Allies, community volunteers typi-cally from middle class. Allies have a personal passion to help alleviate pov-erty, and are trained and supported by Circles to provide weekly long-term support (18 months) as the Circle Leader works to achieve stability goals. Allies offer coaching, problem-solving

help, the essential modeling required to secure and retain good jobs, as well as access to their own networks, which are often wider, stronger, and more di-verse than those of the Circle Leader.

The Circles initiative is lived out through weekly meetings – which in-clude a free meal and free child care – to provide peer support and account-ability, discuss strategies for attaining self-sufficiency, and build healthy rela-tionships.

Weekly meetings and long-term rela-tionships help Circle Leaders to learn and use the unwritten rules of educa-tion and the workplace to complete school and advance in careers. Allies learn what life is like for those experi-encing poverty, and how to help with-out hurting, rescuing, or enabling.

Whole Community Involvement: Big View... The larger community completes the Circle. One meeting per month is open to the public, and is fo-cused on raising the poverty IQ of the community. Typically, specific commu-nity leaders and decision makers are invited to Big View to collaborate with Circle Leaders in developing strategies together to relieve and remove specific systemic barriers so that both families and community thrive.

Join the Circles Movement... Circles Grand Rapids will be launching late this fall and you can play a role, large or small. We need persons with passion to alleviate poverty, and gifts and time to share: Allies; meeting facilitators; meal organization, prep, donation, and service; funding (Metro Ministry is a Six Lane Advance Special – designate gifts to Circles); fund raising; child care and programming; administrative assistance; Big View research and ad-vocacy; advisory/visioning/resource team, and more.

For more information, please contact Rev. Julie Liske, Circles Chapter Di-rector, at jliske@grmetroministry.org; 616-719-4510. Visit www.circlesusa.org, and watch for upcoming gather-ing dates at First Church to learn in de-tail where you might fit, and how you might serve!

Circles USA is an innovative national initiative whose mission is to “inspire and equip families and communities to resolve poverty and thrive.”

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Legacy MinistryBy definition a “legacy” is a gift of property, personal property or money, given through a will or bequest. With any gift comes the responsibility to manage, invest, or use the gift wisely… and if guidelines are established by the giver, to honor the donor’s wishes. The Legacy Ministry at First Church over-sees gifts given through bequests, sec-ond-mile giving, and/or planned giving. Over the years, the Legacy Ministry Funds are invested through the United Methodist Foundation with a current value of just over $4 million dollars.

Are you aware of the wonderful minis-tries supported by our Legacy Ministry Funds?

Did you know we have an Ardath Wil-tse Music Scholarship Fund? Each year, around the first of May, I put a notice in the Weekly Pulse that music scholar-ship applications will be taken through mid-June. This year’s scholarship recipi-ents are: Emma and Abby Schuiling – attending Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp; Katie Wezeman – private violin lessons; Kelsie, Kamryn, and Kylie Wezeman – attending St Cecilia Music Society’s

summer orchestra program. We are eager to hear these gifted individuals share their talents with us during wor-ship some Sunday.

Did you know that the Legacy Minis-try is supporting our summer intern, Kaylee Harmening? Kaylee is a stu-dent at Grand Valley State University. She went on the Cass Community Mis-sion trip and had a wonderful experi-ence in Detroit working with 13 oth-ers from our church. Kaylee has also worked alongside Richard Johnson to learn about our work program. I have also seen her work with Audrey Kawel and our Children’s Ministry. Kaylee is a most welcome addition this summer!

Did you know the Donna Keller Hun-ger Fund supports Casey’s breakfast each Christmas Eve? The food bill is approximately $1,500 each year. This hunger fund also supports the Feeding America food distributions sponsored by Social Concerns. Most recently, the hunger fund has been reimbursing folks for groceries purchased for the food preparation for our Family Promise week. The fund has helped those who want to provide a meal to Family Prom-ise, but simply could not afford the cost

of the groceries. What a great way to combine gifts and talents!

Did you know that we have seminary scholarship funds available for those who feel a call to ministry?

I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. The Legacy Ministry evolved because of generous saints who have gone before us. I invite you to contact me if you want to talk about how you might leave a Legacy for your church, either through planned giving, second-mile giving, or a specific be-quest to our church. What a wonder-ful way to continue to do the work of Christ in our world!

Sharon SorensenLegacy Administrator

Extravagant Generosity The hunger fund supports the Feeding America food distri-butions sponsored by Social Concerns and most recently, has been reimbursing folks for groceries purchased for the food preparation for our Fam-ily Promise week.

“What About Names”Do you know that the fear of not re-membering a name is the biggest obsta-cle to being hospitable for any church? Maybe you met someone last week and they have returned and you can’t pull their name out of your memory bank. Maybe it’s a long-time member who sits on the other side of the sanctuary that you have met a couple of times but their name doesn’t come to you. Maybe it’s someone you worked with on a church project during the week but come Sun-day their name is lost to you. Maybe you sat next to someone on a Sunday morn-ing and then ran into them at the gro-cery store and their name is completely gone.

It’s the whole thing about names: we just can’t remember them! This shouldn’t surprise anyone because it happens to all of us. There’s nothing wrong with not remembering; it’s just a reality. The good news is that it is a real-ity for almost everybody. So we can’t let it prevent us from greeting and engag-ing people in conversation.

A number of tips:1. Wear your name tag!2. “Hello, my name is _______.” Peo-

ple will usually respond with theirs.3. “Help me with your name.” Then

immediately give your name in case the person can’t remember yours.

4. You’ve just met someone and go to introduce them to a friend and can’t

remember her name. Introduce the friend by saying “Have you met Bri-an?” Chances are Brian will offer his hand for a hand shake and the new person will say “Hi, my name is Stephanie.” Then conversation goes from there.

5. You’ve just met someone new and want to introduce them to a friend and as you walk toward your friend, you lose both of their names. Now don’t laugh…..it has happened to us all at one time or another. Just say, “Have you two met?”

When we begin to obsess about forget-ting names, it gets in the way of being hospitable, and we can’t let that happen. We all have learned social cues over our lifetimes to help us when we get in a pinch or another person has and we act automatically. So don’t fret! We are all in this together.

Patsy McGillivrayDirector of Invitational Ministry

Did you know that the fear of not remembering a name is the biggest obstacle to being hospitable for any church?

Radical Hospitality

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Changes In Congregational CareChange is dynamic, a constant in life just as it is in ministry. Very few things are the same as they were ten years ago, just as ten years from now things will not be the same as they are today. As our congregation works through our three-year strategic plan, most of us are excited about the opportunities and possibilities that are creating some change. Adjustments and expansion are occurring which are positive. But at the same time that there is enthusi-asm and excitement, there is also some anxiety about change. Change can be frightening, foreboding, and unset-tling because you don’t know what to expect. For some, change can even be painful - but it is also essential if we are going to grow. Studies have shown that people are twice as unhappy about losing something as they are happy about gaining something else. Even positive change means a loss in some way. To lower some of the anxiety and help you know what to expect, I would like to answer some of the questions I have been asked regarding changes in congregational care.

Will your title change? Yes, it has been changed from Parish Nurse to Executive Director of Congregational Care.

Will we hire a new Parish Nurse? No. Pastor Bob and I will continue to lead Congregational Care but I will have an increased focus on attempting

to meet the spiritual, emotion-al, physical, and mental needs of our congregation. We will be enlarging our team to in-clude other professional staff and Congregational Care As-sistants.

Do we still call the pastoral care phone number if we have a need? Yes, for now we ask that you do that. Unless I am on vacation, that number will ring directly to me.

What will the new Congre-gational Care Assistants do? The CCAs will be recruited and trained in areas such as confidential-ity, boundaries, resources, prayer and reporting so they may make routine hospital calls and homebound visits. Emergency calls and end-of-life vis-its will continue to be made by Pastor Bob and me.

When will we know who these Con-gregational Care Assistants are? As soon as they are trained, I will write an article about them which will include their names, photos, backgrounds, and what types of visits they will be doing. They will also be introduced during a future worship service.

What will change with our Stephen Ministry program? Nothing! We will continue to be a Stephen Ministry congregation and provide one-on-one Christian care to those in our congre-gation and beyond our walls.

Will Caring Connection continue? Yes! We will continue to meet once a month for fellowship, breakfast, and to pray for and send cards to people experiencing a health concern, loss, surgery, or a new baby.

What support groups are you con-sidering beginning? I would like to begin a Cancer Survivors’ Group, Grief Support Group, Divorce Sup-port Group, and an Anxiety/Depres-sion Support Group. I have informa-tion on most of these and am looking for dynamic, passionate people to lead each of them. Let’s talk!

Will you still be available to meet with us individually to talk about health concerns, end of life deci-sions, and mental health needs? Yes!

You can see how some things are changing in congregational care, yet some will remain the same. So let the changes come! Remember, every new thing you learn, every new thing you experience, and every new piece of in-formation you receive changes you in some way. May we each keep an open mind and a teachable spirit so that the things we learn and experience will change us…for the better!

Grace and peace,Marj Timmerman RN, Executive Director of Congregational Care

Compassionate CareFor I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans to prosper you and not harm you; plans to give you hope and a fu-ture. (Jeremiah 29:11)

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firstchurch@grandrapidsfumc.org facebook.com/grandrapidsfumc twitter.com/FUMC_GR

Blessing of the Backpacks!Sunday, August 30

at 10:00 amBring your backpack to worship this day!

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

Permit #354Grand Rapids, MI

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

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

DinnerEight

fore e

Are you looking to connect with others at First Church?

I’ve participated in Dinner for Eight for too many years to count! What I love about it is getting to know some people better I’ve rarely seen, as well as those I run into weekly. Dinner for Eight expands the opportu-nity to feel a sense of community within the church while having a wonderful time. It’s great for long-time members and newcom-ers alike! Give it a try. You’ll be glad you did! — Mary Molhoek

Three times a year, each participant enjoys a potluck-style dinner with

seven other individuals. Sign up in the Sunday bulletin or online at www.grand rapidsfumc.org/sign-up-sheet. Last day

to sign up is Sunday, September 20.