|
Minute for Mission
Crochet and Quilting and Mats—OH MY!
| | |
|
by Rick Greene
MISSION GRANTS TEAM MEMBER
Sometimes your heart speaks best through your hands
| | |
|
When at First Community, you may have noticed the artwork; it is an offering of the creative human spirit responding to our God. As artist David Hockney has said, “When the eye, the hand, and the heart come together, that's when you get the greatest art.” People can be truly uplifted by the work developed through such handiwork as manifestations of visible and tangible faith and love.
There is evidence of this in the Church through fabric arts at both North and South locations, including hanging quilts, paraments, and clerical stoles. But there are other fabric art activities in the life of First Community and its missions, such as Mat Makers, Warm Welcome Knitters, and Prayers and Squares. In addition, a local artist, Molly Todd, uses her quilting skills to support families and children.
| | | |
|
Mat Makers
Members of the Mat Makers at First Community Church make and provide 3-by-6-foot mats to clients of its Heart to Heart food pantry and the Near Northside Emergency Material Assistance Program food pantry in the Short North. The clients who receive the mats often sleep under bridges and are grateful to have the warm, water- and bug-resistant cushions. Otherwise, clients would sleep on cardboard or old clothing.
| | |
|
The Mat Makers create a sleeping mat which is comfortable and can also be used as a camping mat under a sleeping bag, used for catching some sun, etc. The best use for them, however, is to help a fellow human. As sleeping mats, they're more hygienic, easily transportable, and provide protection from the cold concrete. They are a welcome comfort to those living rough, while also keeping more plastic out of landfill and our marine systems. The mats have also been donated and used in orphanages in other countries.
Making mats is a good way to recycle plastic bags. It takes about 1,000 plastic grocery bags and up to 50 hours to make one mat including the time to prepare the plarn (yarn made of plastic). The volunteers flatten, cut, plan, and knit the mats.
First Community members can donate plastic bags (such as Target, Meijer, Kroger, etc.). There are drop boxes at FC South (coatroom) and FC North (Rose Wing vestibule).
| | |
Warm Welcome Knitters
The Warm Welcome Knitters was started a decade ago by Donice Wooster and Sally Wandel. Originally, this group made hats, scarves, and mittens for refugees coming from warmer climates. At that time, the number of refugees coming into the U.S. was being cut back by the government. The Knitters expanded their efforts by giving warm hats and scarves to others who could benefit. This group has donated over 800 items to Heart to Heart at First Community and groups such as CRIS (refugee settlement), Project HOPE, and various other community organizations. In addition, the Knitters have sold some of their creations to earn money for the Refugee Task Force.
| |
| | |
|
Prayers and Squares
First Community's Prayers & Squares quilt ministry allows our congregation to provide the comfort of prayer and support to our members who ask for prayers and a quilt. These quilts are a still, silent testimony to our belief in the power of prayer, and thus the quilts truly can be called “comforters." Much of the quilt art is in both Church locations.
| | |
|
Members of this ministry complete quilts and donate them to someone who has requested prayers and a quilt. There is the opportunity of others to tie a knot in the quilt while saying a prayer at church services and digitally online.
.
The Prayers & Squares motto is: “It’s not about the quilt, it’s about the prayers.” This ministry has always been about congregational prayers—people do not need to personally know the quilt recipient to offer a prayer for their comfort. Past recipients have attested to the power of prayer from complete strangers as well as loved ones.
| | |
Art Quilts by Molly Todd
You may have noticed additional quilted hangings on the west courtyard at FC North brought to us by the Worship and Arts Council. The local quilt artist, Molly Todd (Art Quilts by Molly Todd Inc., 501c3 non-profit charity) has a display of samples of quilts to hangings that she has created from children’s original artwork, with the artist’s permission. Even down to every imperfection is captured to add whimsy and charm. Each quilt is made to last for generations because a child’s artwork is a powerful legacy. After all, the culture of quilting is all about comfort and legacy.
| |
| |
|
The mission of Art Quilts by Molly Todd was born of passion. Her love of children's original artwork and a lifelong passion for fabric combine to allow her personal expression and creativity. As she explains, “With their parent’s permission I translate children’s artwork into high quality quilts. I do this for free for critically ill children and families of children who have passed away.” She considers these events to be spiritual in nature.
People can commission a quilt by Molly made from their child’s artwork. These customers’ purchases allow her to create gift quilts to honor children who have passed away, as well as, for critically ill children at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. She then donates these quilts to the children and their families.
In addition, she has written a book called Threads of Life—photographic tribute to the unexpected, to heart-touching children, and to life-altering events. It honors children’s creativity and the charm of thirteen young artists’ original artwork. And finally, Threads of Life pays tribute to the culture of Quilting, where legacy looms large.
In October, her display will expand. For more information, please contact her at https://www.artquiltsbymollytodd.com/.
If you would like more information about volunteering with the above groups, or for additional information about First Community Church and its other Mission programs, please email us at mission@fcchurch.com.
| | |
Heart to Heart
Monthly Update
| |
|
by Yohan Kim
FOOD PANTRY MANAGER
September began with our annual weeklong closing and has been busy ever since. We are grateful for all those who signed up to do the arduous work of deep cleaning fridges, freezers, and our many spaces at First Community South. Since reopening, we have had high volume in the Drive-Thru on Tuesdays, with 112 on September 10 and 100 on September 17. Our Pop-Up Pantry has also been hard at work supporting various sites, having served 145 families, as of this writing.
With the start of the school year, our friends at the Youth Ministry returned to their weekly Wednesday shifts, preparing us for the Thursday Drive-Thru. Attempting to quantify the number of families they have assisted during my tenure is a fool’s errand. It has been rewarding to experience as their members continue volunteering during summers, become leaders of shifts, and eventually go on to college.
Speaking of college, we began our third term with Semester of Service at Ohio State, who have consistently provided top-notch volunteers on accelerated leadership tracks. We have been joined by Omar and Eliana, who you will see around on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Maria, who joined us during our first semester with the group, continues to sign up, show up, and lead our Drive-Thru. I take that as a positive sign of a pantry continually in motion.
I’d like to close this out by expressing our gratitude to the many donors, spanning a multitude at First Community (thanks for the PB&J!), churches like Our Lady of Victory, gardens like South Side Family Farms, businesses like Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Direct Retail Partnerships with Giant Eagle, Marc’s, and Penzeys. New partnerships and drives are in the works. Stay tuned.
In these contentious times, your continual support improves the livelihood of people spanning a variety of cultures, nationalities, and neighborhoods. We also have volunteers from different generations, denominations, and ways of learning and carrying out tasks. It takes great effort, resulting in great satisfaction, to see everyone working in unison for the greater good. To quote Veronica Jennings, a Facilities staff member at First Community South, “God made us different so we can learn from each other.”
| |
Service Statistics
Households Served 863
- Drive-Thru Pantry 659
- Pop-Up Pantry 204
- New Families Served 228
Individuals Served 2889
- Seniors Served 332
- Adults Served 1,506
- Children Served 1,051
Meals Served 26,001
| |
Incoming Materials
in pounds
- First Community Church 2,478
- Giant Eagle 1,869
- Marc’s 217
- Mid-Ohio Foodbank 33,413 total weight
- Shop Thru 15,874
- Order 17,539
- Cost $6,629.07
| |
|
by Shirley Barney
REFUGEE MINISTRY TEAM LEAD
The team welcomed a new family on September 20. The family of five is from Venezuela and does not speak English. The CRIS team is working on long-term housing for the family.
Thank you to the team for quickly pulling together household items, groceries, welcome meal, clothing, etc. Thank you to our volunteers: Megan, Hilary, Trudy, Sharon, Linda, Kathleen, Mike, and Les! So proud and grateful for our team! Thank you!
| | |
|
We need volunteers to help with transportation, and other needs of the family.
If you are interested in volunteering or donating the items needed, please contact Shirley Barney.
| | | |
|
This summer, one of our shoppers told us that she was let out early from work to celebrate the Fourth of July. She worked at Polaris and lived in Lithopolis, but when she found out that she could leave early she thought, “I know where I’m going to go. The Trading Post!” She was gleeful as she found bargain after bargain and declared, “I just love this shop! It’s one of my favorite places in Columbus!” When I helped her carry her purchases to her car she said, “You have such a charming, well-organized store! I know you ladies put a lot of work into it. It is clearly a labor of love!”
It was so heartening to get this enthusiastic compliment and to know that she had traveled way out of her way to come see us. We get all kinds of people in the shop and everyone seems to find it one of their “happy places.” We have regulars who come in every day we are open. It appears they look forward to the boost of endorphins it gives them. We also have several shoppers who reward themselves with a trip to the TP after their treatments (or a spouse’s treatments) at the James Cancer Hospital. It helps give them a pick-me-up and some comfort after the stress of their medical appointments. Other people have moved away from Columbus, but they always come in to shop for bargains when they are home visiting family and friends. Frequently, shoppers will tell us that they used to come to the Trading Post with their mother when they were a child to get their school clothes. (We opened in 1953.) They seem to savor the sentimental feelings that wash over them as they stand in the very same place they used to come with a long-departed mother. In the last several years, we have had a lot more young people coming into the store looking for the fun and funky and affordable items a store like ours is famous for. The Trading Post used to be so much more staid, but now we see a lot more tattoos!
These are only a few of the examples of the people we meet during the day at the Trading Post. It is rewarding to provide such a delightful experience for so many. Shoppers always know they will be greeted cheerfully and that will have the fun and satisfaction of a treasure hunt for bargains. We all feel that we are communicating the personality, heart and values of First Community Church with every shopper we encounter. So it’s not just about the money we are raising for missions. Our purpose is also to provide a safe, cheerful place where kindness can be counted on and where people will feel seen.
Come visit us and make The Trading Post one of your “Happy Places”. To dangle a carrot, we are currently stocked with fall and Halloween décor and costumes of all kinds. We are located in the basement of the Annex building at FC South. We are open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and the first Saturday of the month from 10 am to 4 pm. Donations can be dropped off on the racks in the hallway on the first floor of the Annex Building.
| |
An Invitation from the
Tandana Foundation
| | |
|
Hope Taft has served as President of The Tandana Foundation’s Board of Trustees since her daughter founded the organization in 2006. Along with this role, Hope has held countless other informal positions from manager of Tandana’s “International Headquarters” to inimitable recruiter, marketer, and relationship builder. In doing so, she has provided immeasurable value and strategic leadership that has helped Tandana grow from an idea into a global nonprofit that has positively impacted the lives of many thousands of people in Ecuador and Mali as well as volunteers and supporters from around the world.
As Tandana approaches its 18th anniversary and “comes of age,” Hope is stepping back from her formal role as President and from most of her informal duties as she transitions to the title of "President Emerita." To recognize Hope’s enduring legacy at Tandana and beyond - and in celebration of her 80th birthday - Tandana is throwing a big party and inviting all its (and Hope’s) friends to attend.
Come join hands with us to celebrate Hope and honor her dedication and service while also supporting Tandana and ensuring its success well into the future. There will be dinner by the bite, a cash bar, great fellowship, music and merriment, and much more. Business casual attire. We look forward to seeing you there!
| | | |
|
Legacy of Hope Celebration | |
Date:
Friday, November 8
Time
6 pm to 9 pm
Location
Boat House at Confluence Park
679 West Spring Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
| | |
|
In The Garden
Updates from the Share & Learn Garden
| |
The Share and Learn Garden at First Community North sits on the property behind the Mary Evans Child Development Center. All the produce grown in the garden comes directly to Heart to Heart. The garden is managed and harvested by a small but mighty and fun group of volunteers. Master Gardeners Cheryl and Loren VanDeusen, and their daughter, Kate Paulson, are the group's leaders. The group convenes on Tuesday mornings, weather permitting. We receive weekly updates from Kate Paulson during the growing season, including these excerpts below. | |
|
September 22
Hi all!
Last week was successful and speedier than anticipated with the carrot harvest. This week we will continue with round two!
I planted snap peas seeds last week…so fingers crossed they sprouted!!!
Today is the first day of autumn despite temps north of 90 degrees. Fingers crossed next week’s prediction of wet weather comes to fruition.
This week will be more collards, hopefully tomatoes and green peppers, Okra and of course carrots.
Thanks to everyone for continuing to pitch in. Food scarcity continues to be a worrying issue; I am happy we are making a tiny contribution.
Thanks,
Kate, Loren, Cheryl
| |
|
September 15
Hi all!
Hope everyone’s week went well!
As autumn approaches, we continue to harvest! Tomatoes are still producing a bit, the collards and Okra are happy, and the peppers are hanging in there…new yearly total is 707 pounds!
The big project this week is we will begin harvesting the carrots. We will harvest and wash before taking to the pantry. Also this week is planting snap pea seeds (where the cucumbers were) for a late fall harvest.
Looking ahead, I hope Mike and John will be available before Thanksgiving to clean up the now defunct compost pile and disassemble the cement blocks….and of course use my trailer to haul the plant waste to Roberts Road. 😃
Also on the horizon is to prep beds for winter once crops are finished for the year….add soil, amend with compost and cover with mulch.
The garlic and shallots will be planted at Halloween. The bed for this needs to be amended with soil and compost to ensure we get nice big garlic cloves next summer.
See you Tuesday!
Kate, Loren, Cheryl
| |
|
September 8
Hi all!
We are back at it again at 9am. The temperature will be much more comfortable than the past few weeks. Thank goodness we finally got rain! ☔️
This week will include harvesting produce and pulling out the spent cucumber plants.
Last week we harvested 47 pounds and our grand yearly total is 671.
I hope everyone has a nice rest of their weekend.
Kate, Loren, Cheryl
| |
|
August 30
Hi all,
An exciting week for the Garden!
The mission council met this past Tuesday evening and decided to fund
construction of a new 40 foot bed for the Garden in full sun. This will allow more room to grow more food starting in 2025! We can now utilize the playground beds for garlic, carrots, onions, shallots and whatever less sun dependent veggies Heart to Heart needs.
Erik Mars will construct the bed and install the irrigation lines and dad and I will order the cinder blocks, soil and compost Spring 2025.
***Franklin Park Conservatory has their Harvest Awards Sept 26 at the Wells Barn (located behind the main conservatory) from 5-7pm. If you would like to attend, text me at 614-560-7923. I do need to RSVP a number to the growing to green people so they can have enough chairs and food/drink. The event allows you to chat with other gardening groups and see presentations of nominated groups.***
This week Heart to Heart is closed. We will still harvest and Janice Rook will utilize this week’s harvest for the pop-up pantry delivery.
We will start at 9am as temperatures are forecasted to cool down - yea!!!
See you Tuesday!
Kate, Loren, Cheryl
| |
Abuse Prevention Training | A Note from Julie Richards, Director of K-5 Ministry | | | | |
|
In January 2016, First Community Church and Akita staff made a commitment to protecting all children from abuse by offering training in the nationally recognized sexual abuse prevention program, Darkness to Light. First Community staff, whether they work with children or not and volunteers who work with children are required to attend a Darkness to Light sexual abuse prevention training*. Re-certification for staff and volunteers who work with children is required every three years.
Training information
There are two training options currently available for staff and volunteers. Both will be held in Room 101 at First Community North. If you have not been trained, please click the blue Registration button to sign up.
- Monday, September 30, 2-4:30 pm
- Tuesday, October 15,6-8:30 pm
*If you or someone you supervise has been affected by abuse and is emotionally unable to take the training, please reach out to Rev. Mary Kate Buchanan.
| | | |
|
|
State of the Ministry Team
Thank you to everyone who came to Rev. John Girard's State of the Ministry Team address on Sunday, September 22.
Click the image to view photos from the event. Click here for a video.
| | |
|
Monthly All Teams Meetings
A Standing Invitation
| |
Did you miss the last issue of On a Mission!? View it, and all past issues, by clicking the link below. | |
| |
|
Did you know Heart to Heart is on social media? Click the buttons below to follow us. We also have a blog! Read the weekly blog posts at h2h.FCchurch.com/blog | |
Did you know Trading Post is on Facebook? Click the button below to follow us. You can also sign up for the email list for occasional announcements, sales, and events. | |
|
News from our Mission Partners | | | | |
