by Rev. Glen Miles, Senior Minister

In October of 2018, Julie and I traveled with a group of nearly forty folks from First Community through the Holy Land. Part of our trip featured a couple of nights in a hotel with a beautiful view overlooking the Sea of Galilee. After a day on the Sea sailing where Jesus walked (think about it for a moment!), we were ready for a nice meal together. I changed into a pair of jeans and my favorite Camp Akita t-shirt and got into the elevator. There was a couple inside in the elevator, a man and a woman, maybe in their late 60s to early 70s. As soon as the door closed, the woman asked, “Is your Camp Akita shirt from Ohio?” I said, “Yes! Have you been to Camp Akita?” She smiled and said, “Some of my best memories are from summer’s spent at Camp Akita. Are you from First Community?” By now, I had a huge smile on my face. “Yes,” I said, “I’m senior pastor there.”

Moments later, the elevator arrived on the dining room floor. After we exited, we talked for ten minutes about First Community, Camp Akita, children’s choirs (she sang in the youth choirs back in the early 1960s), and more. She said, as we headed toward dinner, “First Community continues to be a strong influence in my faith. I learned so much about God’s love and grace as I grew up in that amazing church.” I gave each of them a hug and said, “Please visit anytime. When you do, remind me, “We are the people from the elevator at the Sea of Galilee!”

I love telling that story. For one thing, it has a beautiful sort of small-world feel to it. I never thought I would run into someone in the Holy Land who knew Camp Akita and First Community. I was so excited I had a hard time falling asleep that night. It is a reminder of the power and strength of our mission and ministry here in Columbus. We are called to proclaim God’s love for all. We are called to welcome and accept anyone and everyone. These things may seem simple and obvious, but they have life-changing effects on the many who make their way to 1320 Cambridge, 3777 Dublin Road, or the old dirt road down at Akita.

The couple I met told me they live in the Pacific Northwest. I learned they found a church very much like First Community, one where all are accepted, where truth is always received no matter where it comes from, and where their worship and arts proclaim the joy of the infinite.

This summer, like the seventy summers before, there are young people at Camp Akita being told every day that they are loved just as they are. They are the very beloved of God. You never know where you’ll meet one of these campers. But I believe, with all my heart, that the same love and grace we share with our campers and our members and friends will be shared by them (including you) wherever you travel in this one world we share.

By the way, no matter where you go, wear your Camp Akita shirt!

Mary Kate earned her bachelor’s degree from Furman University in South Carolina then followed her call to continue her studies at Princeton Theological Seminary where she received her Master of Divinity in May 2019. Mary Kate was ordained in June 2019 at her home church in Hudson, Ohio in the same month that she was called to serve as one of the Associate Ministers at Plymouth UCC in Des Moines, IA. While she enjoyed her time in the South, North East, and Midwest, Mary Kate has been looking forward to coming back home to Ohio.

Besides her passion of pastoral care, Mary Kate enjoys baking, a newfound love of urban gardening, reading in the sunshine (with sunscreen!), and spending time with her cat named Princie and sweet dog named CC (Cookies and Cream). While Mary Kate has many passions, her passion for frogs and the color pink are most notable!

Please note that on Sunday July 4, there will be only one in-person service at 10 am, First Community South. Jim Long, Minister of Pastoral Care will deliver the sermon, "God and Country." Jim is a fine theologian and an outstanding historian as well. The 9 am online service will also air July 4, on Facebook and FCchurch.com.

Sunday school video lesson will be available for families to watch at their convenience. This week's video lesson will use a picture book with the text of Psalm 23 and up to date illustrations by Tim Ladwig. Families can enjoy the video at their convenience. Families that are registered for Sunday School will receive an email containing a link to the video on Friday morning. Contact Julie Richards with questions or to be added our email list.

by Cydney Philbin, Governing Board Chair

On June 23, the Governing Board unanimously approved the 2021 First Community Strategic Planning Mission and Operational Imperatives. The Strategic Planning Team delivered their imperatives on time, and the Governing Board was very appreciative of all their hard work. Here are a few meeting highlights:

The Governing Board's Mission Imperatives point to First Community's focus for the next 18-36 months. These imperatives will then be reviewed and re-evaluated annually. In addition to the Mission Imperatives, Operational Imperatives were discerned to focus the direction of the Governing Board over the same time frame. More details to come soon.

Thanks to our members and worship attendees, with help from our Executive Director of Operations Paul Anderson, First Community's budget continues to be positive. Please continue to keep up with your summer pledges.

There have been many worship services and social offerings put on by our incredible staff this summer. Please read the weekly emails from the staff and Rev. Glen Miles so you don't miss out. Each event brings more joy, as friends and members reunite at First Community – please join us!

You are invited to join with First Community this summer in a variety of events and services. We hope you will join us! Listed below are the July events. For a full list, please click here.

Reverend Jim Long will present four lectures in July on American Religious Traditions. He will discuss the pluralistic religious history, theology, politics, and ethics of the immigrant and indigenous religions in our nation, as well as the relationship of church and state in our democratic society.

Admission is one box of diapers size 5, 6, or 7 for baby Jesus. All are welcome! Register

Young Adults are invited to join Rev. Sarah Kientz for dinner, community, and conversation. RSVP’s required to ensure enough food. RSVP for Dinner

Youth Ministry staff and leaders will host grades 6-12 for games and snacks before outdoor movies begin in the FC North parking lot. Younger siblings may attend if accompanied by a parent. Bring your own chair. In case of rain, we will move inside Grace Hall and wear masks. No RSVP required. Please email Rev. Sarah Kientz with questions.

Children entering grades 1,2, and 3 can join the K-5 team for some faith-based summer fun. Our newly added afternoon session has openings from 2-5 pm on July 28 and 29 with a full day trip to camp, 8:30 am - 4 pm on July 30.

We’re halfway through the summer schedule at Camp Akita, it’s been wonderful having youth back at camp! Some things have been adapted for COVID-safety purposes, but the ‘Akita Spirit’ is still just as strong as ever!

We could use your help! We need more volunteers for July and August camp check-ins at our Columbus North location (3777 Dublin Rd).

Opportunities are available both inside and outside. It’s approximately an hour of time. Please click on the link below to sign-up to help! For questions, please email info@campakita.org or call (614) 488-0681 ext 113.

Updates on the blog this month from:

The Dominica School and Orphanage has been recognized by the Dominican Republic’s education department in Santo Domingo as the only highly ranked private school in the community that did not close its doors during the pandemic. Dominica says there are multiple reasons for the DSO’s success:

This summer, the DSOSF is funding a complete renovation of the existing basketball court, including a new metal roof over the court.  The project will create 1800 square feet of covered space that will serve as a gymnasium, dining hall, and auditorium for academic presentations and music and dance recitals.

For more info on the DSO and DSOSF, visit dominicaschool.org

by Pam Jameson, Director of Facilities Ministry 

With the financial support from the Foundation, a wall is being constructed between the Sanctuary and Weist Room to replace an inoperable folding door system. The new wall is constructed of dry wall, large glass storefront windows, and double glass doors. We are excited about this improvement and the better use of our spaces. The project is expected to be completed by the end of July.

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CALLING ALL FCC WOMEN & FRIENDS! Come join the Women’s Guild of First Community as we gather as a group on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 for the first time since March of 2020! All women are welcome to help us celebrate the beginning of a new Women’s Guild program year with a Dinner and Officer Installation Service. It is a great opportunity for old friends to see one another and for new friendships to begin!

Because of continuing COVID precautions, we are unable to have our traditional (always delicious!) potluck. As the alternative, we are buying box meals from Freedom A La Cart, a catering company that works with women who are recovering from being trafficked and are putting their lives back together. It is an awesome program which provides training and support to participants at a critical point in their recovery. Since we will not be giving our time, effort, and money to prepare our potluck dishes & since all profits from the meals go to support women (in keeping with our All-Guild “Women Supporting Women” Outreach Project), we are asking attendees to cover the cost of their box meal (approximately $12 to $14). Look for details regarding registering & choosing meals soon!

More Questions? Email April Howe

by Robin Hood, Congregational Care Coordinator

It’s back! A day trip to Akita for our older adults! We would love to have you join us on September 14, 2021 for a day filled with fellowship, lunch, nature and a message on Vesper Hill. We will meet at North at 9 am. From there you can either take the bus or drive separately. The bus will leave North by 9:30 and return by 5 pm. We hope to see you there! Register here by September 7. For more information contact Robin Hood at 614-843-3262.

by Jackie Cherry, Church Historian

No one was more surprised than Lowell Riley to be summoned to the front of the room at the Chancel Choir dinner in the fall of 1967. Music Committee Chairman Herbert Brown was at the microphone and in his hand was a piece of paper. In a commanding voice, he announced that in honor of Lowell's 25 years of service, First Community and the Governing Board had commissioned Lowell to compose an original work of music in the form of his choosing. Lowell responded that he would write something specifically for First Community with a huge smile on his face. I've always wondered if he instinctively knew just about what he would write.

Lowell's topic was almost preordained because the concept of the Seven Keys to the Kingdom had become such a cherished church tradition during Dr. Burkhart's ministry. Burkhart searched for the secret of life based on Jesus' statement to Peter; "I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven." Jesus did not name them, but Burkie found clues in the Gospels, and the number of keys kept growing as he began to identify them in his sermons. Finally, there were seven: Prayer, Faith, Love, Acceptance, Commitment, Forgiveness, and Healing….on a key ring symbolizing "eternal life within."

His wife, Beth, began writing words for the cantata almost immediately. Lowell composed most of the music while they were on a western vacation that summer. He later noted, "I started it sitting in a chair outside our motel room overlooking the desert of Monument Valley. I can't say the glorious setting helped that much. The biggest help was being away from the telephone." He wrote the entire composition without the benefit of a musical instrument and never had access to a piano until they reached his cousin's home on the west coast. Yet, he only made changes to one section of the cantata after finally playing it and hearing how it sounded.

News of the recent death of Barry Johnson on May 29th, was announced in a recent Parish Register. Dr. Johnson was called to begin his ministry among us on December 12, 1982.

Here are a few highlights of Rev. Johnson's tenure at First Community:

The Burkhart Center produces its own newsletter which includes:

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You can read the publication by clicking the button below.