Rev. Glen Miles, Senior Minister

In the church, you and I are called to invite each other and the world to a gracious way of life. Of course, grace can be found all over the world, both inside and outside of the church, but our singular goal in the church is to create a safe place where everyone can find a way to live their lives in the light of God's grace. 

Sometimes, the pathway to this gracious living begins with the smallest actions. Years ago, research was done to find the common denominators among couples who had been married fifty years or more. They were stymied until one characteristic began to emerge: every couple ended or started the day with a kiss. Just a kiss! A peck on the cheek. It is a simple yet intimate way of acknowledging our love. Julie and I try to do the same daily—a little kiss. 

One morning a few years ago, we had been having an argument. I don't recall what it was about, but I do remember that I was pretty sure I was right and she was wrong! I got ready for work and came down the stairs. I was in a rush. She had a big knife in her hand. I think she was making omelets for the boys. I picked up the argument. I really launched into her. Then, no kiss, no nothing, I stormed out. Sped out of the driveway, took the corner way too fast, and took off for work. About two blocks away, I realized, "I'm an idiot." I turned the car around. 

I returned home, opened the garage door, and entered the kitchen. Julie was still there and still holding the knife. I said, "I'm an idiot. I'm sorry. Can we talk about this when I get home tonight?" She said, "Yes. You are an idiot." And then said, "Yes, we can talk about this tonight." I leaned in carefully (around the knife) and gave her a kiss on the cheek. 

Sometimes, the smallest things can be the doorway to a deeper love, a richer life, and a greater way of seeing and being in the world. 

The same is often true when it comes to theology. I'm a theological nerd and love getting into arcane conversations about some of the finer points of different theologies. However, in the life of the church, especially as we reflect on Jesus's life and teaching, it is important to see that simple and beautiful proclamations are often the best. 

Paul wrote 2,000 years ago, "There is therefore no condemnation." In other words, God's singular desire is to save everyone. And when I say save, I don't mean saved from Hell or some nonsense like that. No. I believe God's one purpose is to invite everyone into a life worth living. 

That saving action is not dependent on you or me. God is not waiting for you to behave, be good, do all the right things, say the right stuff, or anything at all. God's singular desire is to do everything God can to bring you and me into a relationship that is defined every day and in every moment by God's unconditional grace. 

Jesus did not come to create a new religion with more divisions, rules, barriers, and walls to determine who is in and who is out. No! In one of his most brilliant moments, Jesus quoted the Hebrew prophet Hosea, who said that "All God wants is hesed," that is, steadfast love. Nothing more. Nothing less. 

This week in Sunday School

This week in Sunday school, we will wrap up our exploration of ways to pray by having a free choice response day. Children will be able to select from a variety of options including crosses, doodle prayer, and prayer boxes as ways to make a connection with God.

Beginning next Sunday, September 8, the normal schedule will resume with Sunday school being offered at all three services.

Get ready for an exciting Kick Off Sunday! We have a great lineup for you: worship schedule is 9 am in Richard A. Wing Grace Hall, 10 am, South Sanctuary, and 11 am, North Sanctuary. The Common Grace band will be leading worship at 9 am, and at the 10 and 11 am services, the Cambridge and Chancel choirs will return to lead worship. 

Rev. Dr. Glen Miles will deliver the sermon "On Earth as it is in Heaven," which promises to be inspiring and uplifting. Also, don't miss the kickoff of the Sunday School and Crossroads program year.

And let's not forget the cookies! It's going to be a fantastic morning filled with beautiful music, inspiring words, and warm fellowship as we kick off the new church program year. We hope to see all of you there!

The K-5 team looks forward to welcoming your family to our church community!

Sunday school  

Classrooms will be open 15 minutes before the beginning of each service on Kick-off Sunday, September 8 so families can stop in before worship.  

• 9 am North - two classrooms: K-2nd and 3rd-5th  
• 10 am South - one classroom: K-5th  
• 11 am North- three classrooms: K-1st, 2nd-3rd, 4th-7th 

Lessons for each class will be mindfully prepared to be developmentally appropriate for the age group. The K-2 (9 am) and K-1(11 am) classroom will offer a gentle curriculum exploring spiritual concepts, Bible stories and lessons about God. The 3rd-5th (9 am) and 2nd-3rd (11 am) will be our Godly Play classrooms offering Bible stories through a hands-on teaching style that engages children in the foundational stories of our faith. The 4th-7th classroom (11 am), will follow a curriculum that explores peace and peacemakers. The K-5 classroom (10 am, South) will use a combination of lessons depending on the needs of the children attending.  

Sunday Morning Childcare

The Sunday Childcare Program is hiring teachers for Sunday mornings. Spend time welcoming and supporting our youngest members as they play in the room during services beginning Sunday September 8:  

• 10 am at South during 1 service. 
• 9 am at North and 11 am at North

Do you need service hours for high school? If you would prefer to earn service hours during this time, I am happy to arrange that with you.  

Please contact Leigh Anne Easterling: LEasterling@FCchurch.com for either option. 

Get ready for the ultimate kickoff festival event at First Community South - it's the Party in the Parking Lot! Join us on Sunday, September 8 from 3-5 pm for an afternoon of pure fun. We've got free hotdogs, a Kona Ice truck, inflatables including ax throwing and a dunk tank featuring none other than our Senior Minister! 

But wait, there's more! This fantastic event will be made even better by your presence. So, mark your calendars, plan to attend, and don't forget to bring your friends. And if you'd like to extend the invite to your friends and neighbors, postcard invitations are available at both locations.

Let's make this a party to remember!

Next Level Generosity

Discovery Report

Last Spring, First Community Church collaborated with Horizons Stewardship, a leading consulting firm in the field of church stewardship, to clarify the church's stewardship practices. The results were published in a Next Level Generosity Report prepared by Rick Vilardo, MDiv., MBA Senior Ministry Strategist.

The report provides a comprehensive overview of philanthropy in America and the key strategies for churches to grow their giving to the next level. The report emphasizes the need for churches to develop a compelling vision for their ministry, focusing on life-change and ministry impact rather than just financial needs. It also identifies the top three reasons why people give: belief in the mission, respect for leadership, and fiscal responsibility, and highlights the characteristics of thriving churches in the 21st century.

The report assesses First Community Church's financial challenges and provides key strategies to further its vision, such as developing a clearly articulated theology of stewardship/generosity, establishing a generosity team, and creating a culture of intentional gratitude. It also emphasizes the importance of building donor relationships, measuring effectiveness, and integrating stewardship, giving, and generosity into teaching and preaching series.

Additionally, the report recommends initiating a consistent asset-based giving ministry, offering personal money management classes annually, and conducting a six-month physical review and church-wide discussion regarding FCC's South location. These strategies aim to cultivate a vibrant, contagious culture of generosity within the church community.

The Generosity Team, established to implement the report's initiatives, has already begun its work. You will soon see these strategies woven into the upcoming fall Generosity Campaign, 'Measuring What Matters: Journey Towards Generosity '. Your involvement in this campaign is crucial to our mission, and we are excited to see the impact of your generosity in our church, communities, and the world.

Dr. R. Glen Miles, Senior Minister

If you were asked what matters most in your life, how would you respond? Would you talk about bank accounts, 401Ks, and the (hopefully) ever-rising value of your home? Those things do matter, of course. We want to provide for our families and ourselves and have a safe and comfortable place to live. But when answering from your heart, what matters the most to you at the end of the day? I'm pretty sure the list will read something like this: love, friendships, service, and kindness. These are not just words, but the essence of a joyous and fulfilling life. 

In the Measuring What Matters sermon series, we will listen carefully to the teaching of Jesus, who, as you may know, has a lot to say about what matters! Jesus also helps us see what doesn't matter much at all. Instead, Jesus is constantly inviting us to generously give our whole selves to the needs of the world. The journey toward generosity is not always easy, but once we begin, we will discover that it is a beautiful way to live.

We are excited for the return of Midweek Missions (MWM) and Choir beginning on September 11. MWM is a place where kids in kindergarten- 8th grade can put their faith into action by doing projects to support our church and Columbus community. A central focus of MWM is to empower children to take action, while building empathy to see the humanity of all people.  

Join us weekly for The Gathering, that includes a simple dinner and short worship service at 5:30 pm in Grace Hall. Children will be released to go the choir and Midweek Missions at 6 pm.  

MWM schedule

6-6:30 pm Grades 4-8

6:30-7 pm Grades K-2

Choir Schedule

6-6:30 pm Grades K-2

6:30-7 pm Grades 4-8

Staff will walk participants between MWM and Choir so children will be supervised for an hour.  

This Fall  

We have been apart all summer, so we will spend the first two weeks of MWM working to build community and discuss why the work we will do is important. In October, we will begin to prepare Thanksgiving Baskets for families selected by the staff at Gladden Community House in Franklinton.  

Register 

Please click HERE to register for our programs. Registration allows us to add your child’s name to our attendance sheets, prepare materials, have your emergency contact information, and is a place for you to share any medical issues your child has. Registration also ensures we can keep you informed about changes in our programing and about upcoming special events.  

Fall MWM and Choir Important Dates 

• September 11 – Kick-off 
• Wednesdays, September 11 - October 30 – normal schedule 
• November 6 – No MWM – All choir rehearsal 
• November 13 – MWM and choir – Pack Thanksgiving baskets 
• November 20, 24 (Sunday) and December 4 – All choir rehearsal 
• December 8 – Children’s Christmas Musical 
• December 11 – all children are invited to the K-5 Christmas Workshop to make gifts for family and friends 

Contact Julie Richards: JRichards@FCchurch.com with questions about Midweek Missions 

Please join us on Sunday, September 29 from 1-5 pm at Camp Akita to honor the past 75 years, while also embracing the future for our next generations of campers.

Details include:

• The Akita Gate opens at 1 pm. Busing will be provided from First Community North at 12 pm, returning by 5:30 pm. Sign-ups to reserve a spot on the bus will be available in the Wednesday Stay Connected email each week in September. Limited parking will be available at Camp Akita.
• Rev. Sarah Kientz, Minster to Youth & Camp Akita, will lead a casual worship service, beginning at 2 pm. Wear your favorite Akita shirt!
• The day will feature food in the Dining Hall, along with pictures and memorabilia from the past 75 years. Akita-style music will also be highlighted throughout the day!
• The rest of the day is open to hiking, reuniting with old friends, and visiting your favorite Akita spots!

The current Camp Akita might look a little different to campers of 25, 50 or 75 years ago, but the spirit and mission haven't changed. Please plan to help us celebrate the past 75 years, and kick-off the future for the next 75 years!

Camp Akita is located at 29746 Logan-Hornsmill Rd, Logan, OH 43138. For additional information or questions, please contact the Columbus Akita offices or call (614) 488-0681 ext. 113.

Are you interested in becoming a member of First Community? Join Senior Minister Glen Miles and Director of Membership Engagement Kristy Glaser for a special event, Coffee with Glen, on September 21 at 9:30 am. Enjoy some special coffee, treats, and engaging conversation. All are welcome! Email Kglaser@FCchurch.com to learn more and to register. We look forward to seeing you there!

by April Howe, Governing Board Chair

Greetings First Community,

Do you love sunshine but not so much the heat and humidity of August in Ohio? That's one reason I think September is the best month of the year! It's also my favorite because of the changing colors and college football. O-H! I pray you all find ways to enjoy the beauty of nature and the changing seasons. September begins the church's program year, leadership nominations, and operation pledges.

We're all blessed with various incredible programming, events, educational opportunities, and volunteer opportunities at First Community. I invite you to check out something new and invite a friend. 

The Governing Board and related Committees ended our summer break in late August with a full slate of meetings. The Governing Board will meet on August 28. Foundation Board Chair Nancy Rummel will join us with a report on the Foundation and offer insights into how our Boards can continue to work together for the benefit of our church.

Other highlights include:

• A financial report from our Board Treasurer Ginny Barney. You can read that report on our website or by clicking this link.
• Akita timber sales help with its land management and add income to our budget. 
• In Glen's Senior Minister's report, he highlighted updates to his 2024 goals and gave us a preview of the fall operating campaign.
• Worship Attendance and engagement are high. Several events over the summer helped to keep energy and connections high. 
• Annual on-site work by the auditors of the church's 2023 financials is complete and so far, has been very smooth, with no issues to report. The auditing team will make a full report to the Governing Board when their work is completed. 
• The Personnel Committee is wrapping up its work on the Staff Handbook and will have a report at the September meeting on what updates were made.
• Overall, our facilities continue to run smoothly, and our FC Staff is doing a great job supporting our congregation and community while also managing their department expenses. 

Peace & Blessings,

April Howe

It's that time of the year when we come together to nominate our church leaders. The process is made easy for you, with nomination forms available now through September 8, in various convenient formats. You can pick them up at First Community North and South Reception Desks and Narthex, print a PDF version HERE, or submit online HERE. Please return the completed forms to Shelly Sagraves at ssagraves@FCchurch.com or mail to First Community, Attn: Shelly Sagraves, 1320 Cambridge Blvd, Columbus, OH 43212.

Seth Stearns, Director of First Community Foundation

Friends, in the month of June the Foundation received over $10,000 in donations because those within our community who passed, and their family members graciously included naming First Community Foundation in their obituary. We are so grateful for their planned giving.

Did you know that you can honor someone’s birthday, anniversary, any special occasion or no occasion at all by making a donation to the Foundation in their name. We have created a special letter that will be sent to your honoree acknowledging them and letting them know that a gift has been made in their honor. The letter can include a note from you to them. It will also indicate which impact area your gift honoring them will support. This can be a powerful and long-lasting way to honor someone special in your life.

You can participate in the vital work of the First Community Foundation and the support of the ministries of First Community by creating a fund, donating to an established fund, or remembering the Foundation in your estate planning, will, obituary, and 401(k) benefits. Planned giving is a wonderful way to support those ministries of First Community that you feel most passionate about for decades to come. Not only are your planned gifts vitally important in support of the ministries of First Community, but there may also be tax incentives available to you now and to your loved ones in the disposition of your estate.  

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 planned gifts from those focusing on the future of First Community and leaving a family legacy. The Foundation assures donors that their legacy gift wishes will be honored and benefit the church.  

The impact areas supported by the First Community Foundation include:  

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

Please contact Seth Stearns, Director of First Community Foundation, to explore your planned giving options. You can reach Seth by email at sstearns@FCchurch.com or (614) 488-0681.  

We're excited to announce that we have 'Be Kind' yard signs available for pick up at both our North and South locations. Let's spread some kindness in our community! Hurry, these signs are available while supplies last. 

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

• First Community Missions is starting a new collection for used, empty pill bottles.
• Heart to Heart is closed the first full week of September. Our next monthly collection is for Peanut Butter and especially Jelly!
• Our Refugee Ministry Team continues to support recently resettled families and other projects as they gear up to welcome another family this fall.
• The Trading Post has two sales planned in September. They will be open on Labor Day, Monday September 2 and the first Saturday, September 7!
• Read the weekly updates from our Share & Learn Garden volunteers, and an invitation to pick flowers!
• Regular monthly meetings of All Mission Ministry Teams resume in August at First Community North and online.  

Community Justice Volunteer Opportunity!

Interested in making a difference this election season? This could be your chance! 

The Metropolitan Columbus League of Women Voters is hosting the National Voter Registration Day. A nonpartisan organization that works to promote civic engagement and access to reliable election and voting information, the League of Women Voters engages individuals, communities, and policy makers to make a difference in our communities – through volunteers like you.

LWV needs volunteers for all 23 library branches to register voters and answer voting questions on Sept. 17. Volunteers will be stationed inside the library during its busiest time of the day: 3:30pm - 6:30pm.

After signing up to volunteer, you will receive detailed instructions and a link to a voter outreach training video. If you have questions, please reach out to Elizabeth Grieser at LWVMC - vote@lwvcols.org.

Registered to Vote?

At vote4ohio.gov, you can confirm your voting location and update any of your voter information. Whether you have voted in every election in your adult life or just registered to vote for the first time, it behooves you to take several minutes to confirm your eligibility and voting location.

Key 2024 Dates:

Oct 7: Last day to register

Oct 8: Start of Early in-person Voting

Oct 29: Last day to request a Vote-by-Mail Ballot

Nov 4: Last day to mail Absentee Ballots (w/postmark)

Nov 5: Election Day. Polls are open 6:30 am – 7:30 pm

The Older Adult Ministry hosted Daniel Seltzer of Evergold on Tuesday, August 20, in Grace Hall for an eye-opening and engaging lunch and learn titled A.I. and Technologies. The discussion focused on how we can use and understand today's technologies as tools to assist and improve our lives.

In his presentation, Daniel explained that the usage of assistive technologies by older adults, including smartphones, smart T.V.s, tablets, wearables such as smart watches, home assistants, and smart home technologies by adults 50+ has increased significantly over the last few years, coming close to having the same percentage of users as in the 18-49 age group. The category that lags for older adults is the use of wearable technologies, such as smartwatches.

He explained that not only do assistive technologies increase the quality of life for older adults, but they also prove to offer benefits for non-paid caregivers and help with solving the issue of labor shortages, giving an example of a robot that took orders and served food at the assisted living facility where he worked during the time in which everything was shut down due to Covid.

Daniel also pointed out that using assistive technology devices allows older adults to live at home longer.

Daniel's discussion moved into A.I. (Artificial Intelligence), which generated much audience engagement and questions. He described narrow A.I., also known as Weak A.I., as designed and trained for a specific task or set of functions. Most A.I. applications currently fall under this category.

Also explained was Strong A.I., which would have human-like cognitive abilities and could perform any intellectual task that a human can do. This type of A.I. remains theoretical and is the subject of ongoing research and speculation.

He discussed that A.I. technologies are increasingly integrated into many aspects of daily life, including virtual assistants, recommendation systems on streaming platforms, e-commerce websites and social media, autonomous vehicles, healthcare diagnostics and treatment planning, fraud detection in banking and finance, and natural language processing for language translation, explaining how an app can take written words on a piece of paper and translate them into a different language.

While Daniel also touched on the fact that A.I. holds the promise of revolutionizing many industries and improving efficiency and productivity, personalization, enhanced decision-making, innovation, and creativity, he also touched on the disadvantages of A.I., such as job displacement, bias and fairness, folks in lower income brackets not having as much access, privacy concerns, ethical and moral issues, and cost and complexity.

The common theme throughout the discussion is how fast the development of technologies and A.I. is moving in today's society.

The First Community Foundation sponsored this Lunch & Learn event, and can be viewed in its entirety by clicking on the link below:  

Special thanks to Louis Kutz for the event photos.

Kitty Rohrer, Publicity Chair of the Guild Executive Committee, Guild Group RSZ Member

Akita Sunday, celebrating the end of the great summer camp season, reminds us all of what a beautiful, joyful, spirit-filled place lies just an hour away from Columbus. Akita is truly a treasure we are so fortunate to have as a “sacred space” where God’s presence can often feel so close. It’s a place where we can truly unwind, relax, rejuvenate, and just be our “true, authentic selves.” A place where we are “enough” and accepted just as we are, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance. A place where we can experience the presence of God’s unconditional love through the fellowship we share. This is what our young campers and staff carry away with them as they return home at the end of camp. This is the kind of affirmation we all need at every age!

From October 18-20, the lodge at Akita will be filled with women of all ages who have gathered to enjoy all Camp Akita offers. It’s a chance for renewal: renewal of connections to self, to others, to God, and the world around us. Barb Davis’ program, “Finding Beauty in these Broken Times,” will help facilitate our path of renewal, aided by others sharing their talents to enhance our journey further. And, of course, there will be many fun ways to enjoy time at Akita, such as hiking, boating, Yoga, Tai Chi, arts and crafts, singing, games, worship, eating, napping, and visiting with friends, old and new! As always, attendees can participate in planned activities as much or as little as they wish.

Below is the link to register, so log on and register soon! The cut-off date for registration is Sunday, October 6.  

Fall is right around the corner, and this year, it means that the presidential election will be here before we know it! That also means it must be time for the Betty O’Neill Election Day Bake Sale sponsored by the Women’s Guild of First Community Church! The bake sale will be held on November 5 at both North and South locations. Most items are sold by “donation,” and proceeds benefit the various Women’s Guild outreach efforts, from the church to the local community to the church’s missions overseas. 

There will be a variety of soups, cookies, coffee cakes, assorted quick breads, brownies, snack mixes, cupcakes, and many other delectable goodies. The sale is a favorite of voters, poll workers, and church staff alike!  So whether either of these locations is your polling place or not, consider stopping by and picking up some homemade soup for lunch or some goodies to share at work. See you November 5!

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