The Navigator

January 18, 2020

Reprinted from East Ohio Today

Rev. Cara Stultz Costello Appointed Tuscarawas District Superintendent

JANUARY 12, 2020EOC NEWS

Bishop Tracy S. Malone is appointing the Rev. Cara Stultz Costello to the East Ohio Conference Cabinet. She will serve as superintendent of the Tuscarawas District beginning July 1.

“To serve the kin-dom of God through The United Methodist Church in East Ohio and the Tuscarawas District is a distinct privilege. I am overjoyed to serve with Bishop Malone, my new colleagues on the Cabinet, and the pastors and congregations in the Tuscarawas District. I anticipate God enacting life-giving ministries in and through all of us together,” shared Stultz Costello upon learning of her new appointment. To read the article click https://eocumcnews.com/2020/01/12/rev-cara-stultz-costello-appointed-tuscarawas-district-superintendent/.

You can call me anything…

My nickname is “Pookie.” I think that often nicknames are shortened forms of a given name. Clearly “Pookie” has no semantic relationship to “Cara” and the fullness of my nickname is much longer than my given name – “Pooker-de-booker-de-baby-waby.”

Through my life, as I have embarked on new adventures, my parents have affirmed the experience by saying, “Pookie goes to…” When I went to England at 16 years of age with the United Methodist Youth Chorale may parents said, “Pookie sings for the queen!” When I worked at an Easter Seals Camp my parents exclaimed, ‘Pookie loves all of God’s people!” When I took my first appointment to the Spencer United Methodist Church, my father’s voice boomed into the narthex, “It’s Pastor Pookie!”

The other day as I told my dad of the news that Bishop Malone has appointed me to serve as a member of the Cabinet and assigned me to the Tuscarawas District he exclaimed, “Pookie is a DS!”

I think that a nickname allows us to both show a special fondness for a person and to, at the same time, take one step back from them. A nickname is both a certain investment and a protective mechanism. A new adventure is exciting and full of promise. Also, a new adventure is full of unknowns. As we step into this territory of transition together I will call you by name. I will do so because I love you and I want to invest that love from a close proximity.

When I was in Alabama the folks would say, “You can call me anything…just don’t call me late for dinner.” So, in these months when I am your pastor and we are also anticipating God’s new thing in regard to pastoral leadership at Faith United, as always you can call me anything…just don’t call me late for dinner.

With great fondness and love for each and all of you,

Pastor Cara

Safe Sanctuary Orientation will be available on Sunday, January 19 at 12:15 pm or Wednesday, January 22 at 6:45 pm. Anyone who serves in ministry with children, youth and/or vulnerable persons needs to attend an orientation annually. Choose the date that best fits your schedule. For questions contact Kathy Schmucker, Pastor Steve, or Dave McDaniel, Safe Sanctuary Ministry leader.

Faith United Library Book Give Away

Now through January 28

Check out the Book Give Away in the Gathering Area! Proceeds from this year’s Book Give Away donations will help purchase new adult books for Faith United’s Church Library. Contact Betsy Gorrell, Nancy Share, Donna McDaniel or Kathy Schmucker for more information.

The Youth will be collecting donations for a Basket Auction that will take place in February to help support the 2020 Youth Mission Trip. If you would like to donate a basket, please contact either Amy Ferguson or Linda Reynolds. Thank you!

Wednesday Dinner & Worship

every week at 6 pm.

Leave the cooking to us and join us for an evening of food, fun, faith, and fellowship!

Contact Kathy Schmucker, Bethany Sedziol or John Hartzell to learn more.

Wonder Kids Grades K-5

Following 6:00 pm dinner and worship, kids learn about faith through Bible stories, games, activities, service and mission projects and worship experiences.

Little Wonders childcare and activities for young children in the nursery.

Opportunity for spiritual growth and renewal

Dates of Next Emmaus Retreat:

Men's: April 16-19, 2020

Women's: April 23-26, 2020

Learn more about this experience of Christian spiritual renewal and growth by visiting the Emmaus page of our website for more information: https://www.myfaithunited.org/emmaus-ministry/

Emmaus retreat weekends fill up quickly. Contact Kathy Schmucker, Pam Wig, Laura Luikart, or Betty Fulton as soon as possible to register for the Spring Emmaus weekends.

Adult Group Opportunities:

Ask: Faith Questions in a Skeptical Age. Faith Meets Life Sunday School Class, Sundays at 9:45 am in room 16. Facilitators: Janice Golden and Kim Reynolds. *^
Faith 101, Sundays at 9:45 am in Room 5 beginning February 2. Facilitators: Pastors Steve and Cara. Review the Christian Faith, Methodism and Faith United with Pastors Steve and Cara. Whether you are new to Faith United or you have been here for a while, this class is a way to rediscover the wonder and power of the Christian faith; the mission, history and theology of the United Methodist Church; and the unique expression of both at Faith United. *
The Way of Forgiveness, Sundays at 11:00 am beginning February 2. Facilitators: Pastors Steve and Cara *
Jeremiah: Daring to Hope in an Unstable World, Women’s Bible Study Wednesdays at 9:00 am. Facilitator: Linda Reynolds.
Making Sense of the Bible, Monday Night Bible study at 6:30 pm. Facilitator: Ron Luikart.
Discerning the Voice of God, Tuesday Women’s Study, Tuesdays at 6:30pm beginning January 7. Facilitators: Sue Bell and Laura Luikart.
Jeremiah: Daring to Hope in an Unstable World, Women’s Bible Study begins January 8 at 9:00 am. Facilitator: Linda Reynolds.
Coffee Talk, Tuesday, January 28 at 9:30 am at Cultured Coffee and Waffles on Portage Ave.
Is It Possible…? Wednesday evenings following Wednesday Dinner and Worship. We are calling anyone who wants to join us as we engage in this question, “Is it possible…?” Facilitators: Pastor Cara, Tom Strauch, and Cindy Wilcox. *^

Note: Wednesday groups begin with dinner and worship at 6:00 pm in Robinson Hall. Leave the cooking to us!

Book Club Discussion January 30 at 7pm, Coordinator: Jan Baker.

Channel of Peace (Stranded in Gander on 9/11) by Kevin Tuerff

The Day the World Came to Town (9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland) by Jim Defede

Anyone interested is invited to gather to discuss one or both of these books. Both books deal with the extraordinary generosity of all in a small town in Eastern Canada that provided significant help to those airline passengers diverted to Newfoundland as a result of the tragedy of 9/11. Key takeaways are love, kindness and generosity.

*Denotes groups when nursery/childcare and activities for children are available.

^Denotes groups when youth activities are available.

Winter groups are now forming. To learn more about these and other opportunities for adults happening at Faith United, visit our website or contact Kathy Schmucker, Spiritual Formation Director, at kschmucker@faithumchurch.org or call 330-499-6040, ext 107 or 330-224-6138.

Sunday, February 9 at 4:00 pm.

An experience for all ages to worship, learn, and grow together!

Messy Church is an intergenerational worship experience where people engage with the day's Bible story through hands-on art and creative activities followed by a time of learning and worship and then end our time together with dinner.

Join us in February as we explore loving and serving others!

Faith United Children’s Sunday School

9:45 & 11:00 on Sunday Mornings

Deep Blue Loving God, Loving Neighbor

Weekly Family Devotions available at the Children’s Welcome Station

Try this Family Devotion with your family.

Read: Jesus Sends the Disciples (Mark 6:7-13)

Bible Story Focus: As followers of Jesus, we are called to share the good news of God’s love with others just as the disciples did.

Wonder Together: How do you work together?

Memory Verse: “So they went out and proclaimed that people should change their hearts and lives.” (Mark 6:12)

Pray Together: Share joys and concerns, and then pray, Dear God, thank you for the example of Jesus. Help us follow him in all we do. Amen.

On Sunday, January 19, 2020 Celebrate Arts presents “The Life and Music of Fanny Crosby” offered by Erin Byrne and Friends at 4 pm in the Family Life Center. Fanny Crosby was one of the most prolific sacred song writers of the 19th Century, writing close to 9,000 hymns. Probably one of the best known of her hymns is “Blessed Assurance.” Celebrate Arts is committed to showcasing all kinds of art forms. This presentation will be accompanied by a display of wonderful quilts. If you have a quilt (or quilts) to share, we’d love to include them in our afternoon of music, fiber arts, and fellowship. Quilts can be brought to worship that Sunday (please label with your name); we will display them, and they can be picked up after the performance. Contact Jan Baker for further information: 330-499-7321 or rbaker1@neo.rr.com.

Please join us for this will be a free, casual, interactive performance. Refreshments will be provided.

2019/2020 Children/Youth Emergency/Permission Registration Forms

For the safety of our children and youth, our Safe Sanctuary Policy asks that parents/guardians of children from birth through high school graduation complete an emergency form for children participating in church activities each year. On this form, you can designate the activities your child has permission to participate in so that you only need to complete one form per child. Click this link to register your children: http://tiny.cc/Forms

Are you somebody?

Kids need somebody to help them learn about Jesus and grow in their faith.

Zoey beautifully writes that her favorite thing about church is learning about God. Kids like Zoey need adults in their lives who model Jesus’ love to them so that they can learn to live, love and serve like Jesus.

Prayer fully consider how God is calling you to be somebody for the kids at Faith United. There are many opportunities to serve: Sunday School Teacher or Helper, Nursery Care, Wednesday Night Wonder Kids, Messy Church.

Bonus: Helping others learn about God is a great way to grow in your personal faith!

Contact Kathy Schmucker, Bethany Sedziol, or Pam Wig for more information.

Wonderful Wozny Gift

Rhonda Wozny served in several Faith United children’s ministries the summer of 2015. Her time of service may have been brief, but she touched the hearts and lives of the children, youth and adults she served alongside in beautiful and life-changing ways. The people of Faith United were blessed by Rhonda’s prayerful presence and her beautiful godly spirit. Rhonda’s family is now blessing our congregation with a generous gift to further honor Rhonda and her passion for children and youth.

On behalf of the family and in memory of Rhonda Wozny, you are invited to submit a request for funding that will support an initiative that meets the spirit of her love and care for the spiritual growth of children and youth.

Applications for Wonderful Wozny Work funding requests are available in the church office or email Sharyl Syler at ssyler@faithumchurch.org. Please submit applications to the church office by January 30.

Our Altar Flower Calendar for 2020 is ready for you to sign up. Flowers are $28 and can be given in memory or honor of loved ones. The calendar is located across from Robinson Hall. Flowers can be designated for the sanctuary or Family Life Center. They add such beauty to our Sunday services!

Shopping?

A reminder that if you order from Amazon or Cokesbury, please order through the link on Faith’s website so that the church receives credit and a rebate from your purchase.

Calendar Snapshot - View more at myfaithunited.org/calendar

Sunday, January 19

Confirmation Class Commissioning - all 3 services

8:30 am, 9:45 am, 11:00 am - Worship Services

9:45 am & 11:00 am - Sunday School Room 6, 8, 18, Youth

9:45 am - 11:00 am Faith Questions Study - Room 16

12:15 pm - 1:15 pm Safe Sanctuary Orientation - Room 5

12:30 am - 2:00 am UMC Protocol Information Time - Parlor

4:00 pm -6:00 pm Celebrate Arts Erin Byrnes concert/Quilt Show - FLC

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Fun Over 50 - Parlor

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Youth Group - Youth Room, FLC

Monday, January 20

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm "Making Sense of the Bible" Bible Study - Parlor

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Meditation Group - Conference room

Tuesday, January 21

6:00 am - 7:00 am Men's Prayer Group - Balcony

9:00 am - 11:00 am Library Time with FFLC - Library

9:00 am - 11:00 am Quilts to Share Room 5, 8

9:30 am - 11:00 am Celebration Bell Choir Rehearsal - Sanctuary

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Faith Friends Committee Meeting - Room 8

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm "Discerning the Voice of God" Bible Study - Parlor

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Finance Meeting - Conference Room

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Boy Scouts - Robinson Hall

Wednesday, January 22

9:00 am - 11:00 am "Jeremiah" Study - Parlor

9:30 pm - 12:00 pm Bible Study School Supply Packing - Room 8

5:15 pm - 6:00 pm Joyful Noise Children's Choir - Room 8

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Wednesday Night Dinner/Programs - Robinson Hall, Parlor, 16

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm WonderKids )K-5th) - Rooms 5, 6, FLC, Chapel, (Little Wonders - Nursery)

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm "Is it Possible" Study - Parlor

6:45 pm - 8:00 pm Wednesday Night Youth

6:45 pm - 7:45 pm Safe Sanctuary Orientation - Conference Room

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, January 23

7:30 am - 8:30 am Women's Prayer Breakfast@Samantha's on Market

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Prayer Shawl Ministry - Parlor

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm New Member Dessert - Parlor

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Circle of Love - West Robinson

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Sanctuary renovation meeting - Conference Room

Friday, January 24

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Pinewood Derby Weigh In - FLC

Saturday, January 25

10:00 am - 2:00 pm Faith Kitchen

2:00 - 7:00 pm - Pinewood derby

Sunday, January 26

8:30 am, 9:45 am, 11:00 am - Youth Sunday "All in Worship"

9:45 am & 11:00 am - Sunday School Room 6, 8, 18, Youth

9:45 am - 11:00 am Faith Questions Study - Room 16

12:10 pm - 1:15 pm Get to Know You Lunch - Parlor

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm NO Youth Group

Monday, January 27