|
Moment for Mission
Easter Special Offering
| | |
|
by Rick Greene
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good
stewards of God's varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10
First Community's website lists six important beliefs--including "compassionate action." Although this phrase can have several interpretations, Mayahana Buddhism teaches that compassionate action leads to boundless loving-kindness, compassion for all beings, joy (in the happiness of others), and the desire to help all beings regardless of size or status.
As part of the church's compassionate action, First Community has had several special offerings for various programs and needs in the past. FC has decreased the number of such scheduled requests to a more judicious level in recent years. For example, the annual Christmas and Easter offerings remain. The most recent Christmas offering resulted in more than $8,000, split between Friends of the Homeless and the Refugee Task Force.
In addition, the Disciple's of Christ Week of Compassion program sends out announcements about offerings for special needs. This arm of the DOC administers the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. Most recently, this Week of Compassion has focused on the humanitarian needs in Ukraine; to this date, First Community donors have generously given over $30,000 for this effort, with individual donations ranging from $5 to $1,000.
Any contribution to our special offerings is well-received and appreciated. As Peter encourages us to be stewards of God's gifts, we are asked to pay them forward so others may be helped.
If you want more information about First Community or are interested in joining the Mission Council for 2022, please email us at
| | | |
|
Hospitality Looks Like
Carol Baker
by Rick Greene
Romans 12:13
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
| | |
|
This scripture exemplifies the work of the Monday Night Meals at Friends of the Homeless and, in particular, coordinator Carol Baker. Along with her late husband, John, she began volunteering for the Monday Night Meals in 1983 at the program's inception. Before that, they were active as youths at First Community; Rev. Roy Burkhart baptized Carol.
When Joel Hawley resigned as the coordinator for the program, John and Carol took over the helm. For almost 40 years, most of which the Bakers have been in leadership, the Monday Night Meals program has continuously provided meals every Monday evening, including holidays and periods of inclement weather. The Bakers and other FC volunteers have provided almost a quarter of a million meals to the homeless by some estimates. The program has had many changes and challenges, most recently providing meals during a pandemic, while Carol has rolled with the punches and led the many volunteers faithfully.
Besides Carol's work for the Monday Night Meals at First Community, she has been an avid golfer and has enjoyed skiing, travel, and gardening. Carol also has a son John and a daughter Beth (Peter Colburn), and four grandchildren.
Early in life, Carol began her career as a registered nurse, eventually becoming an Associate Professor in the College of Nursing at The Ohio State University. In retirement, she was a Professor Emeritus. She has touched many lives of current and past medical professionals in Ohio and throughout the world. Recognizing her activities with the College of Nursing and the wider world, the College of Nursing Alumni Society awarded her their annual Community Service Award in 2009.
The Monday Night Meals program has been a tremendous outreach ministry to the homeless in Columbus. Much of this mission effort has continued successfully because of Carol's faithful dedication and determination. The Mission Council of First Community values her, and the many years of service she has provided to homeless individuals in Columbus.
| | |
|
refugee task force | a first community mission
The task force has been busy helping to resettle a family here in Columbus. Click the button on the right to read our latest update.
As interest in refugee ministries continues to rise, we have planned a training session for those interested in working on or with a CRIS Welcome Team. See the graphic below for more information.
| |
|
 | |
by Beth Hanson
The Trading Post business continues to boom as we spring into spring! Since the new year began, we averaged 30 shoppers per day. These happy shoppers are spending an average of $1,733 per week, which is already higher than last year’s weekly average. So, in the first three months of 2022, we have already raised $19,066.
The volume and variety of donations couldn’t be better. One of our recently departed church members and long-time former Trading Post volunteers left all of her belongings to the Trading Post in her will. Visions of Mission Council Garage Sale pick-ups dance in my head as we contemplate emptying the 12 X 12 storage unit, which is packed floor to ceiling! Her generosity is appreciated and will help satisfy the needs of our many loyal shoppers.
As I have mentioned in past articles, many of our customers are enthusiastic about our little shop. They often compliment us on:
- how nicely the shop is decorated
- how low our prices are (especially compared to similar establishments)
- how great our variety is
- how friendly the volunteers are
- how much they like the oldies we have playing over the sound system
As much as we are loved and appreciated, I have noticed some comments in the last month that have made me roll my eyes and think, “With friends like these, who needs enemies?!” Let me give you some examples:
- One young, enthusiastic 20-something was shopping one afternoon and was finding all kinds of items she loved. She exclaimed, “You have so many great vintage things here! I just LOVE this store!! I’m NEVER telling my friends about it because I want it all to myself!”
- Two days later, a mother and son found all kinds of cool things to buy, and when they finished picking out their treasures and preparing to pay, the mother said, “I just love this place! I’m never telling any of my friends about it because I don’t want them to find out!”
You are starting to get the picture! But there’s more:
- One of our frequent shoppers found some wonderful fabric, a gorgeous queen-size comforter and sheet set, and some C.D.s. As I was checking her out, she said to me in all seriousness, “Before I come down here, I always pray to God that I won’t find anything!” (But I guarantee you she has never left empty-handed.)
- This week, another regular was paying for her purchases, and she suddenly announced, “This is NOT okay! I didn’t want to buy anything when I came down here!!” I remember that “Little Old Lady from Pasadena” was playing, and she was gently boogying to the tune, so I could tell she wasn’t as disgruntled as she was letting on.
Of course, we have no hard feelings when we hear things like this, but I think it is amusing that these sentiments are expressed when we are trying our darnedest to get more customers and raise as much money as possible for missions. Deep down, I think they will go ahead and tell their friends and keep coming in and spending money despite themselves. I always remind them about how much money they are saving and how it’s all going to worthy causes, and this seems to have a soothing effect. Everyone seems to leave feeling like they just had a lift in their day.
If you haven’t been down to the Trading Post (in the basement of the Annex Building at South Campus), you have to come down and see what all the fuss is about. You may discover, too, that you don’t want to tell your friends and don’t want to buy anything, but I seriously doubt it! We are open every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, plus the first Saturday of the month during those same hours.
P.S. We are still in need of all sizes of paper and cloth bags, especially ones with handles. Also, we are still accepting Easter items. You can drop these off at the Annex Building.
| | | | |
|
Get out in the fresh air this Spring and Summer while doing good. The First Community Share & Learn Garden is seeking volunteers! This garden is located adjacent to the Mary Evans Child Development Center at First Community North.
Whether you are a novice or experienced gardener, we want YOU to help grow nutritious food for your fellow humans. All produce grown goes directly to the Heart to Heart food pantry. Our fun, easygoing group will teach you new skills, or benefit from your seasoned garden skills. Our group meets once per week for 2-3 hours. Our season begins at the end of April, and wraps up around Thanksgiving.
If you are interested in volunteering, please email Kate Paulson.
| | |
|
Deep Griha Society
Update and Invite
| | |
|
by Kitty Rohrer
The Deep Griha Society (DGS) was founded in 1975 by the Reverend Bhaskar Onawale and Dr. Neela Onawale to address the health and welfare needs of underprivileged inhabitants of the urban slums in Pune, India.
The scope and programs of DGS have evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of the communities. At this time, the organization provides:
- Primary family welfare service provider in 3 urban slums, running 9 creches providing full daycare (including nutrition and health check-ups) for up to 225 working mothers
- Integrated services for HIV & AIDS education, prevention, and treatment
- A 4-month course in computer basics, English, and customer service with comprehensive assistance in locating a job upon course completion,
- Basic community medical care including access to different specialized physicians such as Optometrists, Dentists, Gynecologists, Pediatricians, ENTs, etc.
- A Women’s Empowerment Program to increase women’s self-esteem, confidence, and greater independence through livelihood skills training for income generation, savings clubs, self-help groups, etc, to mention a few.
DGS has also expanded services to the rural area outside Pune, providing:
- An orphanage for 50 at-risk boys
- An English-Medium School from pre-Kindergarten through secondary education
- A sustainable farming for training and produce for the orphanage.
In all, DGS provides services that benefit over 50,000 people per year.
Join us for the Celebrate Deep Griha 2022 Webinar on April 23rd from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Details above.
| | | | |
Did you miss the last issue of On a Mission! blog? There's a great story from the Trading Post. View it, and all past issues, by clicking the link below. | |
| | |
|
Did you know Heart to Heart is on social media? Click the buttons below to follow us. We also have a blog! Read the weekly blog posts at h2h.FCchurch.com/blog | | |
Did you know Trading Post is on Facebook? Click the button below to follow us. You can also sign up for the email list for occasional announcements, sales, and events. | |
| | | | |
