Rev. Glen Miles, Senior Minister

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you…Do not let your hearts be troubled, do not let them be afraid." 

This word from Jesus is one I have heard countless times at funerals and memorial services. The promise is clear; in life and death, God is always with us. Fred Craddock says, "The peace of God is the confidence that God is God and neither our gains nor our losses are ultimate."

I tend to think that when things are complicated, confusing, or worrisome, somehow God has left me or no longer cares about me. I've heard it said we tend to forget about offering thanks to God when things are wonderful and good and then wonder where God is when things are tough. Scripture promises that God is always present, no matter what is happening.

That sounds like a preacher-ish thing to say, but hang on a moment. I also know, and maybe you do too, that Jesus is giving this teaching the week he will be betrayed and arrested. He will be tortured. He will soon be killed. His words to the disciples come not during some mountain top getaway or a seaside retreat. He speaks of peace amid terror and fear, worry and fright.

God's peace comes with the promise that God loves the world no matter what. Trusting in this promise allows us to rise above the noise to find the peace God intends for us no matter what is happening around us.

Do you recall what Jesus said to the disciples at the end of naming this promise? "Rise, let us be on our way." They are rising to begin the painful walk into the valley of the shadow. They are on their way to Jerusalem. Jesus' determination to go toward Jerusalem means he will wade into troubled waters.

This may be why many find it difficult to follow in the way of Jesus. Sometimes, we want a leader to show us a way around problems. We want everything to be smooth and easy. Some are not willing to follow Jesus because it is too hard, too difficult, too frightening. Jesus, however, understands the teaching of Psalm 23, which says that the only way to walk through the valley of the shadow is to go "through." There is no way around it. 

How often do we choose the easy path in our relationships, especially those that matter the most to us? How often do we avoid the too-hard, the too-difficult, the too-frightening conversations because we are afraid? Brené Brown writes, "The courage to be vulnerable is not about winning or losing, it's about the courage to show up when you can't predict or control the outcome." Maybe it's time for you and me to enter the arena as Brené Brown suggests and prepare to wrestle with God, set our faces toward whatever Jerusalem we are facing, and choose courage over comfort.

This is never easy, but whenever I take on a challenging task, there is almost always a sense of peace after the wrestling.

Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024

Time:  10 am

Location: Both in-person and virtual options. Registration is requested to plan for seating needs, as well as to provide the appropriate Zoom links to virtual attendees. Register HERE or by clicking the button below. Registration closes at noon, Friday, February 2.

Options to Attend:

• In-person: First Community North, Grace Hall, 3777 Dublin Road
• Virtual: Online meeting via Zoom meeting link. Meeting information packets will be emailed.
• Audible, only: You can call a provided phone number to hear the meeting, no visual options will be available.

Qualified Members: Must be either an Active or Associate Member of First Community and meet the criteria for membership as defined in the Membership Brochure.

Questions: If you have questions concerning the annual meeting, email annualmeeting@FCchurch.com, and someone will respond.

by April Howe, Governing Board Chair

Greetings First Community,

Allow me to introduce myself briefly. My name is April Howe, and I am honored to be the FC Governing Board Chair for 2024. 

My husband Gavin and I were married at FC South (April 1999) and live in Upper Arlington. We're the proud parents of 2 college students, Alicia and Ethan. Our family has spent much of the last 25+ years sharing our time, talents, and treasures with the following church ministries: Early Childhood, Youth, Akita, and Missions. I have also been honored to serve with: Worship & Arts, Women's Guild, Board of Deacons, and Nominating Committee. My professional career, for the past 12 years, has been spent in marketing with The Cleary Company, a local Remodel-Design-Build firm. I earned a BS in Interior Design from The Ohio State University in 1996 and am an active member of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) and NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry.)

Please join me, my fellow Governing Board members, and church staff at the All Church Annual Meeting on Saturday, February 3, at 10 am in Grace Hall, FC North. There will be light snacks and time for fellowship as well as a full agenda of church business that will include a review of the 2023 financials, a look at the 2024 budget, and accepting slates for the Governing Board, Diaconate, and Nominating Committee.

We'll also be honoring Alice Finley (outgoing Past Chair), Molly Hagkull (incoming Past Chair), and Deb Humphrey (Treasurer 2022 - 2023) for their wisdom, leadership, and service during all of their years on the Governing Board. Plus, acknowledgment and thanks to outgoing Board members Tricia Baxley, Doug Torrance, and Andrew Wildman for their three years of service.

Congratulations to the 2024 Vice Chair, Rose Konrath, and the incoming class of Board members, Dwayne Ackley, Charles Boltwood, Mark Hollinger, and Jim Hutchins. Plus, the incoming Board of Deacons and Nominating Committee. Their bios can be found in the annual meeting packet here.

At the Governing Board's January meeting, we discussed and approved the church budget for 2024. Our February meeting will include a retreat where we will gather for a half day of fellowship and strategy. The top priorities this next month will be to craft our goals for 2024, set our committees, review the summary of the Horizons survey, and elect a Treasurer. 

Peace & Blessing,

April Howe

Seth Stearns, Director of First Community Foundation

First Community Foundation was established in 1961 to support the future of First Community Church’s programs and ministries. The Foundation is supported by immediate and/or planned gifts from those with a focus on the future of First Community and leaving a family legacy. The Foundation encourages families, friends, and members of the church to establish a Foundation fund or to give to an existing fund with full assurance that donors' wishes for their legacy gift will be honored and benefit the church.  

The impact areas supported by the over 100 Foundation funds include:

• Camp Akita
• Facilities, landscape, and maintenance
• First Community Village
• Missions
• Worship & Arts
• Youth Programs

In 2023:

The Foundation awarded a total of $538,101.30 in grants to various ministries and programs associated with First Community. The Foundation earned $1,092,239.71 through its investment portfolio. The current value of all funds in the Foundation is $11,373,917.65. Columbus Business First ranked First Community Foundation #23 in the top foundations in Central Ohio based on grants awarded.

Please remember First Community Church and First Community Foundation in your estate planning, will, and obituary. Your planned gifts are so vitally important in the support of the ministries of First Community. Please contact Seth Stearns, Executive Director of Operations, to explore your planned giving options. Seth can be reached by email at sstearns@FCchurch.com or by phone at (614) 488-0681.

First Community welcomed 18 new members into the congregation on December 17, 2023.

The season of Lent begins on February 14.

Please watch your email inbox for a special Lenten issue of firstnews,

coming February 12.

The Ash Wednesday Taizé -style service will be held on Wednesday, February 14 as part of The Gathering. Dinner begins at 5:30 pm in Grace Hall at FC North, followed by the Ash Wednesday service at 6 pm in the Sanctuary, North. This service of meditative music, readings, and silence offers participants the opportunity to quiet their minds and hearts as we enter into the season of Lent.

Each Tuesday throughout Lent, a Taizé worship experience will be offered in the South Sanctuary. During these short services, participants will be invited to meditate, sing, and pray. These services will begin Tuesday, February 20 at 7 pm South. 

Winter has officially arrived, and with it comes the annual Women's Guild Frozen Soup & Casserole Sale! On Sunday, February 18, Guild A will sell homemade soups and casseroles following both worship services at First Community North.  

In preparation for the Sale, Guild D members gathered at the Scioto Boat Club and made good use of the kitchen facilities as they prepared casseroles to contribute to the sale. The casseroles they prepared include pasta, ground beef, alfredo sauce, red sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses. Many years of combined cooking experience were put to good use in preparing these casseroles! While having an evening full of fun and camaraderie, nineteen 8X8 casseroles were prepared and assembled in just under an hour. The casseroles are safe and secure in Merci Katz's freezer until their February debut on the 18th at the Women's Guild Frozen Soup & Casserole Sale. Plan to attend the sale and take home a homemade treat to share with your family!  

Women's Guild Groups frequently create, develop, and produce projects that serve the larger community and the church. If you are interested in joining a Guild group for friendship, support, and service, please contact Nancy Withers at nancyfly70@gmail.com or call her at (614) 571-4469. Nancy will help you visit groups if you like and find the right one. 

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE WOMEN'S GUILD SPRING LUNCHEON: SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024, 11 am. More details coming soon.

Camp Akita is experiencing a shortage of female Counselors for summer 2024! We are seeking college-age women who are fun, responsible, hard-working, and who would enjoy working with kids in an inspiring and supportive environment. 

Need an internship? Many Counselors use their employment at Camp Akita to fulfill academic requirements for practicums, internships, and independent studies. Those studying education, outdoor rec, environmental studies, counseling, social work, music and theater, videography, communication, non-profit business, and the medical disciplines will find a particularly inspiring work environment at Camp Akita. 

Do you know a fun-loving, responsible, and kind person who would make a great Counselor? Send them our way!⁠ Note that all applicants must be 18 and at least one year out of high school (graduated in spring 2023 or before).⁠  

Find more info at CampAkita.org/apply or email our Camp Director, Rev. Sarah Kientz, directly at sarah@campakita.org. 

First Community’s Youth Ministry is leading a trip of 35 participants to build homes for families in need in rural Mexico. We are seeking donations to support our trip! There are two ways to help: 

1. Donate directly to the trip. Every dollar donated through our general donation link supports trip expenses and building supplies. 
2. Purchase a Flower-a-Month card. For $75, you'll receive a membership card to Bloomtastic Florist in Upper Arlington, good for a bouquet per month for 12 months! $25 of this purchase supports our trip. 

Find links to donate at FCchurch.com/Mexico. Please reach out to Rev. Sarah Kientz at skientz@FCchurch.com with questions. Thank you for your support! 

Please note the change of date for this month. Taking place on February 25.

The Older Adult Ministry Team was pleased to host a luncheon to get the older adults together to battle the winter blues and enjoy each other’s company to start the new year! Food, friendship, and fun that featured a list of questions to ask and respond to at each table so those sitting together could learn something new about their friends and get to know those they were meeting for the first time. A sampling of questions asked, “As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?” and “What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?” A lot of stories were told! Older adults have been requesting opportunities for fellowship to enjoy each other’s company, so it was a pleasure to get everyone together!

We look forward to gathering for more fellowship during our March 5 Lunch & Learn featuring Dr. Weigand! See you there! 

Dr. John Weigand to Speak on the Importance of Sleep at Lunch & Learn Event at Noon, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Grace Hall 

Back by popular demand and in preparation for daylight savings time, Dr. John Weigand will return to First Community to share his expertise on the importance of sleep in a presentation titled, “Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep: Understanding the Third of Our Lives Spent With Our Eyes Closed.” 

Please join us in Grace Hall at First Community North for this luncheon event, with arrival requested at 11:45 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. RSVP to Jane Torbica at jtorbica@FCchurch.com or call (614) 488-0681, ext. 235, by Friday, March 1. 

Our guest presenter, Dr. John Weigand, a gerontologist and expert on aging, spoke last November on the various aspects of the aging brain and memory loss. He is the Medical Director at the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Aging. Dr. Weigand has also served as the Chief Medical Officer at National Church Residences. He has received many honors, including the Ohio Commendation Medal presented by Governor Mike DeWine for his effective work managing COVID-19 responses in Ohio, especially for older adults.  

The Older Adult Ministry Team sponsors this event. 

February 29: On the March by Trudy Krisher. Discussion led by our own, Trudy Krisher. Meeting time is 1:30 pm. 

Click below to read the On a Mission! monthly news. In this month’s news you can find more information about:

• The Mission Ready! Event on January 23 was a success. Click the link below to read about the event and learn about the various Mission Ministry Team opportunities available to everyone
• In the Heart to Heart update this month, we share an opportunity for Volunteers to come together for fellowship. There is still time to RSVP to this dinner on Feb 6
• Our Refugee Ministry shares updates on the three families currently being supported and a thank you to the congregation
• The Trading Post has great news about 2023 earnings. Don’t miss your chance for the Orange Bag sale this week!
• The Deep Griha team will host a dinner on March 8 with keynote speaker Jason Barger. Read more and register.
• Sad news from Healing Art Missions this month. We will hear from their ministry at our next All Teams meeting on February 27.

by Kitty Rohrer, Mission Finance Team & DGUSA Board Member

Namaste! We are delighted to announce that Jason Barger will be the Keynote Speaker at the annual Celebration of Deep Griha Society, an NGO serving the marginalized residents in the slums of Pune, India. Jason Barger grew up in First Community Church, one of the several church communities that aided in the founding and ongoing support of Deep Griha's work and mission.

Jason is a globally celebrated author/speaker/consultant and creator of the Step Back from the Baggage Claim Movement, featured in multiple publications. His dynamic storytelling and engaging keynote speeches have resonated at global leadership conferences worldwide and with innumerable corporations and organizations. Jason's four books have all received national and international acclaim. His latest book, Breathing Oxygen: How Positive Leadership Gives Life to Winning Cultures, was released in August of 2022 and quickly reached number one as a new release on Amazon.

As a young man, Jason became a First Community Church employee working as a leader in the youth programs where he led numerous high school mission trips to Mexico to build houses as well as developing and implementing the Take It to the Streets Ministry, where youth prepared and took food to the homeless in the streets of Columbus. As the former Director of First Community Church's Camp Akita, he designed leadership programming focused on living with joy, love, compassion, faith, and service for over 1,900 campers each summer.

Jason further developed his leadership skills as captain of the men's basketball team at Denison University and later received certification in nonprofit executive management from Georgetown University. In 2004, he was one of five people in Columbus, Ohio, to receive a Jefferson Award, a national award given to "Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things." In 2014, he was selected as a "40 Under 40" award winner by Business First, and in 2021, Jason was recognized as a "Top 200 Global Thought Leader to Follow" by PeopleHum.

Given his mission and leadership background, we are honored to have Jason as our keynote speaker. We will also share a video interview with updates from the Deep Griha Director, Ashlesha Onawale. 

Please plan to attend:

Friday, March 8 at 6 pm

Grace Hall, First Community North

3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, Ohio 43221. 

Tickets are $25/person, and you can register online here. Registration link for Deep Griha event is now live.

February 11 is SOUPerbowl Sunday

Heart to Heart is holding a soup drive during all worship services Sunday February 11! Look for the volunteer quarterbacks at collection sites outside at both locations to drop off your donations of shelf-stable soup.

We especially appreciate donations of hearty soups that serve as a whole meal, such as: beef vegetable, chicken and rice, Italian wedding, etc. For a $5 donation (cash or check), you can become the proud owner of a one-of-a-kind soup bowl or mug decorated by students at First Community Church in the Midweek Mission (K-8) and Crossroads (8-12) programs. 

Can't make it? Click the button below to make an online contribution!

To schedule an appointment, click here

Share your heart! Come give in Feb. for a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. See rcblood.org/heart. 

Because it is relatively early in the calendar year, many of us are still living in our new year’s resolutions to create a joyful and fulfilling life. While intentions are often quite personal, it is also true that intentions can be collectively held. This is especially so for our community justice teams, who come together in spirit and person to work in support of a life well lived for all; especially for people who are often under-supported and, therefore, can experience higher rates of loneliness, despair, and injustice. Disparities in things like racial equity, safety, inclusion, and environmental health intersect and impact our neighbors' outcomes.

The Community Justice teams collaborate regularly with each other and outside organizations to create conditions that support all people. One example of our current work is an April 2024 health fair to promote equitable access to healthcare services and support in our city. Our community justice teams are collaborating with members of four Columbus churches to recruit

service providers and encourage community attendance. The health fair will be held in Woodland Park, which is a part of the East Broad Street Historic District.

This project is an example of how members of our community justice teams have opportunities to join meaningful initiatives that call upon the systems and services in our city to distribute resources and care in a just manner - making a sustainable commitment to a healthy, happy planet and community where all feel that they belong and are valued.

Opportunities for this and other projects happen throughout the year within the First Community Justice Teams. You can join us for our standing meeting on February 26, 2024, at 7 pm in Grace Hall, FC North, or email Kristyn Anderson at kanderson@FCchurch.com for more information. We hope that we have an opportunity to enjoy your presence soon!

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