618 Eighth St. Columbus, IN 47201 (812) 372-2851

August, 2016

Volume XXIII, Number 8

Summer Break?

The rhythm of our church changes during the summer months. People travel, there are weekend commitments and attendance fluctuates. While we have experienced these changes, things did not come to a halt this summer. During the summer many people volunteered to make our Vacation Bible School a success. Around 80 children arrived to find the church decorated and waiting for them, teachers and volunteers poised to share stories of God’s love, singers to lead them in inspiring songs. It was a wonderful event. During the summer, the Trustees have been very active with multiple projects. You may have noticed the large lift outside the church entrance on weekdays. Long needed repairs were made to the windows of the steeple and the trim around it was painted. The slate roof is being repaired and two chimneys are being taken down. Despite these major projects, the Trustees will continue to be a hard working committee with several other repairs identified for future action. They have worked hard this summer. The HOPE Committee and Missions Committee have been hard at work preparing for the annual

picnic. They are both working diligently to make sure there is enough food and that the entertainment and activities are a success. The Missions committee is also at work preparing for the start of the new school year with the Clothe a Child project that helps needy children in our neighborhood with the supplies and clothing they will need. The Staff-Parish committee has worked hard to review all employees job descriptions, making changes where needed to reflect the expanding work of our staff. Along with that they have been receiving applications and preparing to conduct interviews for a new organist. The Preschool had four great weeks of summer camps, each of which was filled to capacity. The summer provided opportunities to learn and grow and play in important ways. Our Preschool staff has been enrolling students for the upcoming year with almost every space filled. The custodial staff is doing deep cleaning of the rooms and the teachers are beginning to decorate their classrooms. And the staff members took some time for a retreat to prepare for the activities and events of the coming year. Along with that, we took time to eat together and play together in ways that exemplify the collegial spirit of our work together. And then there are the quiet ongoing ministries that are a part of the life of this church. People praying for one another, visiting one another, caring for each other. People feeding the hungry, reaching out to those in need, sharing their gifts in meaningful ways. Although summer is often a time to slow down and relax, here at First UMC it has been filled with lots of good work. We give thanks for what God has done in and through us and look forward to where God will lead! Pace bene (peace and all good things), Howard

F irst United Methodist Church

On July 16, 2016, the Committee on Episcopacy of the North Central Jurisdiction announced the assignment of Bishop Julius C. Trimble to the Indiana Episcopal Area. Bishop Trimble will begin his service Thursday, September 1. He is originally from Chicago, Illinois, and has served the Iowa Conference since his election as bishop in 2008. His full biography is available at www.inumc.org. Bishop Trimble will succeed Bishop Michael J. Coyner who will retire on August 31. We welcome Bishop Trimble and his family to Indiana, and look forward to serving God together!

The Listening Bench

The Listening Bench will continue throughout the month of August. Rev. Boles will be seated at the bench in the lot just north of the church every Monday from 4-5 p.m. The conversations this summer have been wonderful. Some have come by to share a story, others to ask a question. Some have come with a difficult issue seeking guidance, others to share what they would like to see for our church. There is room on the bench for you. Come and share your story, ask your question, share your concern.

Half Truths by Adam Hamilton

Beginning August 14, 2016, there will be a five week Sunday School class studying Adam Hamilton’s "Half Truths." We will discuss some popular sayings that sound Christian, but don’t always convey the entire truth, and we will compare those sayings with the words of Scripture. The first week we will talk about the phrase "Everything happens for a reason."

This intergenerational class will be open to adults, as well as youth who are in 6

th to 12

th grades. It will be team taught by

Pastor Lisa and Sarah Campbell, and will meet in South Fellowship Hall at 10:10 a.m. Make plans to join us!

Travelers Class

Dates 8/14 - 9/18 (but not Labor Day weekend), we will be joining the class on "Half Truths" led by Pastor Lisa and Sarah Campbell in South Fellowship Hall at 10:10 a.m.

Dates 9/18 and beyond, we will be back in the Blue Room.

Book Club

The book club will resume in August with the study of "The Freedom Writer’s Diary" by Erin Gruwell. This true story chronicles the path of a first-time teacher who was faced with students who had little interest in school. All are welcome to join us for this discussion, led by Pastor Howard, on Sunday, August 21

st at 6:00 p.m. in

the Multi-purpose room.

F irst United Methodist Church

Save the Date

October 28, 2016 Movie Sing-a-long

"The Wizard of Oz"

Choir Corner

Chancel Choir begins rehearsals for the 2016-17 season on Thursday, September 1, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Music Center. We welcome all returning members and hope to see some new faces. If you love to sing and enjoying lifting your voice in praise please join us. Sounds of Celebration will begin meeting again on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. in the Music Center. Come join director Julianna Jerome-Drerup for lots of high powered singing and fun activities as we grow together spiritually in our praising of God through music. All 2nd-6th graders are invited to sing with us! Sounds of Joy will begin meeting again on Sunday, August 14, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in the Good Shepherd classroom 314. Come join Margaret Powers for songs, bell ringing, movement and lots of fun. All 3 year olds through first graders are welcome! Sounds of Faith will resume in October in preparation for Youth Sunday, November 13, 2016. All 7th-12th graders are invited to sing with us. Watch upcoming editions of the Spire for further information.

Ringers Roundup

Chancel Ringers will begin rehearsal on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Music Center. We welcome back our returning ringers and are always looking for new faces to join us. A little musical background is helpful but we look forward to helping any new people learn the joy of ringing.

Joyful Ringers will resume rehearsals in October. We welcome 5th-12th graders to join us! Watch future editions of the Spire for further information.

Fridays@First

August 12, 2016 @ 7:00 p.m. – Benjamin Seiwert – Vocal Recital

August 26, 2016 @ 7:00 p.m.– His Grace Ensemble – Instrumental Ensemble from Taiwan

September 16, 2016 @ 7:00 p.m. – Vocal Recital

October 14, 2016 @ 7:00 p.m.– Arkady & Tamara Orlovsky – Cello & Piano

All events are free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Acolytes will return to worship on August 14

th. All children

and youth 2nd

grade and older are encouraged to sign up to be an acolyte (lighting the candles in worship) or a crucifer (carrying the cross into and out of worship) at either worship service. Sign ups are available online in the children or youth section of the church website (www.fumccolumbus.org) or you can email Sarah to sign up.

F irst United Methodist Church

Sunday School

Sunday School for all ages resumes August 14

th! Children birth – 12

th grade should

have received a letter letting them know which class they will attend, along with other fun info for the year! If your child did not receive a letter, please contact Sarah Campbell to be sure you are on the mailing list!

Save the Date! Student Leadership Academy for 9

th-

12th graders will be November

18-20th. If you will be in 9

th-12

th

grade and are interested in attending this weekend retreat, please let Sarah Campbell know. More details to come soon!

Our first youth group event will be our annual Youth at the Lake! August 14

th we will meet

at the home of Jim and Jennifer Rumsey at 1:00 p.m. for a fun day of swimming, tubing, food and fun! Please RSVP to Sarah Campbell by 8/10! You are welcome to bring a friend!

Bible Sunday is August 14th!

Join us on August 14th when Bibles will

be presented to all 2nd

graders as well as all children older than 2

nd grade who

have not received a Bible from FUMC.

Sunday Night Connections will kick off on Sunday, August 21

st!

Everyone is welcome to join us for dinner at 5:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall, followed by small groups for adults, choirs and activities for children 6

th

grade and younger and youth group for 7

th-12

th graders! For

more information please contact Sarah Campbell!

August Church Calendar Room Key: MC= Music Center, MPR = Multi-purpose Room, BR = Blue Room, CR =Conference Room,

FH = Fellowship Hall, Kit=Kitchen, Cha=Chapel

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

6:30 a.m. Zumba-SFH

10 a.m. Women’s Bible

Study-Lib

5 p.m. Hot Meals-FH

6:30 p.m. Boy Scouts-FH

2

10:30 a.m. Prayer Shawl-Lib

1 p.m. Staffing-CR

5:30 p.m. Trustees-CR

3

4

5:30 p.m. Zumba-

SFH

6:30 p.m. Praise-

San

5

6

7

9 a.m. Trad. Worship

10:10 a.m. Coffee

11 a.m. Cel. Worship

8

6:30 a.m. Zumba-SFH

10 a.m. Women’s Bible

Study-Lib

5 p.m. Hot Meals-FH

6:30 p.m. Boy Scouts-FH

7 p.m. SPRC-CR

9

LTP Open House

1 p.m. Staffing-CR

7 p.m. Roundtable-FH

10

LTP First Day of School

9 a.m. District-BR

12 p.m. Finance-CR

5:30 p.m. Missions-CR

11

5:30 p.m. Zumba-SFH

6:30 p.m. Praise-San

12

7 p.m. Fri@First-San

13

14

9 a.m. Trad. Worship

10:10 a.m. Coffee *Sunday School Starts

11 a.m. Cel. Worship

Youth Day at Lake

15

6:30 a.m. Zumba-SFH

10 a.m. Women’s Bible

Study-BR

5 p.m. Hot Meals-FH

6:30 p.m. Boy Scouts-FH

16

1 p.m. Staffing-CR

7 p.m. Ch. Council-BR

17

1 p.m. Miriam-BR

5 p.m. Cub Scouts-MPR

18

5:30 p.m. Zumba-SFH

6:30 p.m. Praise Team-San

19

20

9 a.m. BSF-FH, MPR, 116

5 p.m. PFLAG-MPR

3:30 p.m. Spire

Deadline

21

9 a.m. Trad. Worship

10:10 a.m. Coffee

11 a.m. Cel. Worship

5:30 p.m. Sunday Night Connections-FH

6 p.m. Book Club-MPR

22

6:30 a.m. Zumba-SFH

10 a.m. Women’s Bible

Study-Lib

5 p.m. Hot Meals-FH

6:30 p.m. Boy Scouts-FH

23

1 p.m. Staffing-CR

24

5 p.m. Cub Scouts-MPR

25

5:30 p.m. Zumba-SFH

6:30 p.m. Praise Team-San

26

7 p.m. Fri@First-San

27

7 a.m. BSF

28

9 a.m. Trad. Worship

10:10 a.m. Coffee

11 a.m. Cel. Worship

5:30 p.m. Sunday Night Connections-FH

29

6:30 a.m. Zumba-SFH

9 a.m. District-BR

10 a.m. Women’s Bible

Study-Lib

5 p.m. Hot Meals-FH

6:30 p.m. Boy Scouts-FH

30

1 p.m. Staffing-CR

7 p.m. Ch. Ringers-MC

31

5 p.m. Cub Scouts-MPR

F irst United Methodist Church

The Spire is a monthly publication of First United Methodist Church.

Worship Services: Traditional 9:00 a.m. and

Celebration11:00 a.m.

Education Opportunities & Coffee Connections: 10:10 a.m.

Church Office hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to Noon Friday

Articles for the Spire should be submitted to

Editor Rachel Nay, r nay@fumccolumbus.org, by the 20th of each month.

First United Methodist Church 618 Eighth Street, Columbus, IN 47201 Phone: 812.372.2851 Fax: 812.378.2828

Camp Moneto Work Day

Saturday, September 10th, from 8:00 a.m.-Noon we will be working at Camp

Moneto in Nashville, IN. Projects include clearing trails, cutting trees, and splitting firewood. Contact the church

to sign up or for more information!

Church Staff Pastor, Howard E. Boles Associate Pastor, Lisa Cottingham Administrative Assistant, Tammy Fields Receptionist, Pam Maschino Volunteer and Communications Coordinator, Rachel Nay Director of Music, J. Kevin Butler Director of the Praise Team, Julianna Jerome-Drerup Facilities Manager, Paul McHone Custodian, Marcia Hornback Custodian, Roland Campfield Director of Youth and Children’s Ministries, Sarah Campbell Director of Learning Tree Preschool, Sue Ellen Brown Associate Director of Learning Tree Preschool, Tammy Pace Associate Director of LTP Extended Care Ministry, Gayle Kelley Ministers, All the Members of First UMC

Do we have your email address?

If not, please send to tfields@fumccolumbus.org.