May 2023

Before I Go

by Rev. Glen Miles, Senior Minister


Before Julie and I begin our sabbatical journey, I want to share a few thoughts with you. A sabbatical for a pastor is an opportunity for them to reconnect, refocus and re-energize. When we return to Columbus on August 1, it will be an opportunity for me to meet First Community as if for the first time, paraphrasing the words of the great theologian Marcus Borg.

 

A sabbatical for the senior minister is also an opportunity for the congregation to hear a series of fresh voices in the pulpit. Mary Kate Buchanan, Sarah Kientz, and Tim Vansant will deliver seven sermons between them, and I can’t wait to check them out!

These young, exceptionally talented pastors will bring fresh insights and new thoughts to the pulpit at First Community. Deb Lindsay, currently serving First Community in an interim role, will preach four sermons in June. She, too, will open your mind to see things from a fresh angle. In July, Jim Long, who most of you know, will preach one Sunday, and my friend and colleague, Rev. Allen Harris, the Regional Minister for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Ohio, will preach on another Sunday. Both of these seasoned, wise pastors will inform and inspire you.

 

According to an article in the Harvard Business Review, a sabbatical often creates an opportunity for more collaboration between the senior leader and the board of directors and between the senior leader and the interim leaders (the clergy and program staff at First Community.) The article notes this is “most likely because the planning and execution of the sabbatical provided a learning experience for everyone involved.” One of the ideas that came out of the strategic plan we developed a couple of years ago was the need to see more collaboration among our ministries and lay leaders. We’ve seen a serious uptick in this lately. This sabbatical will no doubt enhance this new direction and style of ministry.

 

Finally, please know you will never be far from my mind. I will begin my first day of sabbatical on May 1 with a prayer for you, the members and friends of First Community. I will thank God for the way your love continues to inspire, your commitment to care for the “least of these” is practiced in many and various forms, and the way your gracious desire to welcome and accept all reflects the very essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.


1 https://hbr.org/2017/08/research-shows-that-organizations-benefit-when-employees-take- 1

sabbaticals

New May Sermon Series

Governing Board Update

by Molly Hagkull, Governing Board Chair


Ah, the merry month of May! More sunshine, more green, more graduation activities, more family obligations, more end-of-the-school-year responsibilities, more spring sport rain make-ups, toss in confirmation and concerts, and scheduling summer plans and yardwork and…well… Maybe it’s just the busy month of May? (At least at my house, as a teacher with two teenagers.)


Our Governing Board members have been busy engaging in the life and work of our church. In the past, if you were a church council or committee member, you may remember having a governing board liaison as a part of your group. Last year, in keeping with our study of Governance and Ministry by Dan Hotchkiss, we chose to let go of many of our liaison roles. Per board by-laws, we still designate one board member as liaison to the Foundation Board (thank you, Doug Torrence!), while our other liaisons have become less formal. In the past, liaisons were a more needed part of church communication. Now that we are blessed (some might say inundated?) with technological communication, the need for people to report board activities is less necessary, and liaisons may have given the unintended impression that the board was “watching over” groups. So now, instead of assigning board members to groups, we ask board members to participate in the life of the church! Attend meetings! Join a team! Take a class! Be present at worship!


If you have questions for board members, feel free to reach out to us when you see us. As fiduciaries of the church’s mission, we do our best to represent the best interests of our congregation in decisions of policy and conversations around future planning. Board members are not separate from the congregation: we are the congregation. So please, say hello! Ask about the questions we are discussing! You can always find our meeting minutes by visiting FCchurch.com and searching “board minutes.” I have the pleasure of serving with the following members this year: Catherine Adams, Kristyn Anderson, Ginny Barney, Tricia Baxley, Dan Davis, Alice Finley, April Howe, Deb Humphrey, Rose Konrath, Jen Short, Doug Torrence, Andrew Wildman, Rebecca Wolfe, and Lois Zook.


God of all times, both busy and idle, your spirit ever-accompanies our days. Help us to feel your presence like the spring sun warming the sprouting plants. Help us notice and respond to your rhythms like the birds soaring on wind currents. Help guide our path like the garden trellis supporting the climbing vines. Amen. 


With joy, Molly Hagkull

What Do You Know About First Community Foundation?

by Seth Stearns, Exec. Director of Operations


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 focusing on the future of First Community and leaving a family legacy. The Foundation encourages families, friends, and church members 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 covered by the 113 Foundation funds include:

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


In April 2022, the Foundation approved a grant to purchase a new Side-by-Side Utility Vehicle for Camp Akita that was purchased last week. We are grateful for the families and their Foundation funds that made this possible:


Mary Bangle Johansmann Memorial Endowment 

(Established 1994)

Volunteer for Camp Akita

Check-ins and Returns

Volunteers needed for Camp Akita check-ins and returns this summer!


Volunteer dates are available between May 30 – August 9 at First Community North. Specific dates and times are included on the sign-up link below. Each shift is approximately 1 - 1½ hours of volunteer time, with opportunities both inside and outside.


To sign-up to volunteer at one or more Akita check-ins or returns, click HERE.


For questions, please email Info@CampAkita.org or call (614) 488-0681

ext. 113.

Mini Garage Sale

Volunteers Needed - Click Here to Sign-Up

Women’s Guild Mini Garage Sale May 6

9 am-3 pm First Community South


Have "Treasures" to Donate?

  • Bring your items to the First Community South parking lot on Friday evening, 4-8 pm or before 8 am on Saturday.
  • Help unload and display items. No pickups or storage available.
  • Most items will be sold by donation. Donors should only price expensive, unique, or furniture items.
  • Any remaining items will be donated to Volunteers of America.
Missions Updates

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


  • Three recent Mission events are reporting successful results! Read details on the Easter Special Offering, Shrimp Boil for Back Bay Mission, and Celebrate Deep Griha 2023!
  • Heart to Heart food pantry shares information on generous donations received and those needed in the coming weeks, plus a special thank you to the First Community Foundation.
  • Participate in planning for FCC’s participation in Columbus Pride this year by joining our next meeting May 4.
  • The monthly update from the Refugee Ministry team includes requests for some larger donations and a call for volunteers.
  • The Tri-Village Trading Post will be open during the Great Grandview Garage Sale. Get all the details before May 6.
  • The growing season has started and plans for expansion have begun in the Share and Learn Gardens.
  • Are you free on Monday evenings? Pat Porterfield is putting together a team to prepare meals on the third Monday of every month for Friends of the Homeless.
  • Mission Finance Team (FKA Mission Council) includes a recap of all grants awarded so far in 2023.
Read On a Mission! Newsletter Here

Minute for Mission

Rafiki

by Rick Greene

 

I heard the voice of the Lord, saying ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here Am I! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8


The Marafiki Global AIDS Ministry, Inc., was founded in 1995 by the Reverend Dr. John Mungai Nganga, while serving as Resident Chaplain for Children’s Hospital in Columbus. “Marafiki” means ‘many friends’ in Swahili and, per Reverend Nganga, stands for friends willing to love unconditionally, irrespective of color or religion, through ups and downs, to lend a hand, and to be there. Everyone needs a friend, but it can mean the strength to meet each day with renewed hope to those in crisis.


This non-profit organization provides food, clothing accommodations, education, medical care, a safe Christian environment, and loving support to children worldwide affected by HIV/AID and, specifically, to the Rafiki Children’s Center in Kikuyu Town, Kenya. It is a faith-based volunteer workforce trained by medical and pastoral care professionals to provide HIV/AIDS families with spiritual support and life-care assistance. Through its programs, Marafiki works to provide a home for people experiencing homelessness and support for orphans taken in by generous relatives or neighbors.


The Rafiki Children’s Center opened in Kenya, Africa, in 1998. This began a journey to help some of the millions of children in Kenya who were left orphans when their parents died of AIDS. As Rev. Nganga explains, “Most of these kids come to us helpless, and on the verge of going into an early marriage or a life on the streets, but by giving them a chance for an education, and a new family, we have the power to give them hope.”

 

Beginning by renting a house, Rafiki later purchased land; began the construction of dormitories, a dining hall, and a medical clinic, and plans were made for building a technical school. Funding for this drive included organizations, churches, and other friends and supporters from across the U.S. and the world through many fundraising events, including donations for specific areas of need at the Rafiki Children’s Center.

 

Since 2004, this mission has expanded to include programs such as Rafiki Children’s Center, Rafiki Academy, Dr. Terry and Barbara Davis Upendo Medical Clinic, Rafiki Farming, John Webster Shopping Center, Rafiki Sports Complex, and Rafiki John and Joyce Edmondson School of Music. A long list of activities for each of these programs is available online.


First Community Church was an early supporter of this organization. For example, the Church, along with other Central Ohio groups such as the Downtown Columbus and Capital Square Rotary Clubs, helped fund a school bus that would be used to pick up community children to attend classes at the Rafiki Terry Davis Academy. This school began in 2012, and before the purchase of the bus, classes were only half full. Even more recently, some FC members and supporters attended the dedication of a new chapel at Rafiki.

 

If you want more information about Rafiki, First Community Church, and its other Mission programs, please email us at mission@FCchurch.com


Upcoming Ministries 4 Movement March – Sunday, May 7 

Several members of the Racial Equity and Gun Violence Prevention (GVP) Ministry Teams participate monthly in a march and worship/information session with members of the Family Missionary Baptist Church and Ministries 4 Movement partners in the South End of Columbus the first Sunday of each month. First Community is recognized as an official partner of Ministries 4 Movement. We continue to work with this community and other partners for sustainment and new opportunities to contribute to justice causes.

If you are interested in attending this worthwhile event, the next march is on Sunday, May 7 at 3 pm at 996 Oakwood Ave, Columbus. Please sign up here if interested.    

First Community Pride Volunteer Gathering – Thursday, May 4

This year, First Community will be taking part in the Stonewall Columbus Pride Parade on June 17 and the Upper Arlington Pride Day on June 11. Being out in the community supporting our LGBTQ+ siblings and representing an opening and affirming church are central to our message. We have plenty of volunteer positions available in preparation of and on the day of these two events. We hope that you can join us on Thursday, May 4 at 6 pm in Room 101 at FC North as we discuss planning and volunteer opportunities. 

Community Justice April Monthly Meeting – Monday, May 15

All of our community justice teams gather on the third Monday of each month. This builds our community as we discuss and plan projects and overall direction of the Community Justice ministry together. Our meeting this month is Monday, May 15 at 7 pm in Grace Hall. Smaller, specialized meetings around individual projects/events will still occur individually.   

Gun Violence Prevention Night - Save the Date – Thursday, June 1

Community Justice Ministries will be hosting a Gun Violence Prevention Night starting at 6 pm on Thursday, June 1 in Grace Hall. The event will begin with a “BeSmart” Gun Safety Training at 6 pm. The “BeSMART” campaign was launched to raise awareness that secure gun storage—storing guns locked, unloaded and separate from ammunition—can save children’s lives. Be SMART emphasizes that it’s an adult responsibility to keep kids from accessing guns, and that every adult can play a role in keeping kids and communities safer. Firearms are now the leading cause of death among children in the United States. That’s why it’s more important than ever for parents and caregivers to know how secure firearm storage works.

Following the BeSmart Training, we will be unveiling the artwork from local artist Stephen Canneto created from guns that were safely surrendered and disarmed to First Community as part of our Guns to Gardens initiative. The unveiling will include a panel discussion with First Community, Stephen, community partners, and area officials on the project and gun violence prevention. 


Please be on the lookout for more details on this exciting opportunity in the upcoming weeks!

Grandview Heights Memorial Day Parade

Help represent First Community in the Grandview Heights Memorial Day Parade! We will walk alongside the decorated Heart to Heart van and pass out candy to the community. The parade route begins at the corner of First Ave and Cambridge Blvd, will proceed along First Ave, and will end at Oxley Rd. Please meet at FC South at 9 am. The parade will begin at 10 am. Please sign up below!

Sign-Up Here!

Older Adult Ministry

Registration Closed

Volunteer Here

Registration Closed

Read the Spiritual Life & Learning Newsletter Here

Click on any of our offerings for more information or to register.

2023 Spiritual Searcher Event coming in fall

A committee is selecting the 2023 speaker for the Center’s flagship program, the Spiritual Searcher lecture. These dynamic, thoughtful national leaders share their wisdom and help us make sense of faith, spirituality, and love in a complex world beyond central Ohio. We’ll keep you updated as we plan for their visit.

Visit the Spiritual Life & Learning Center Website

Wednesday Morning Fellowship Group

June Preview

Register Today!

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