By Glen Miles, Senior Minister

Whenever I find myself becoming easily irritated or frustrated, I know I have pushed God aside. Recently, I was sitting in my car behind another car at a red light. The light changed to green. The car in front didn’t move. I did a gentle, “beep, beep,” on my horn. No movement. I honked again. This time, I held the horn down longer. The car sat there. The traffic in the lane next to me was moving too quickly for me to maneuver around. So, I held the horn down for several seconds. The car suddenly lurched forward. The driver appeared to be surprised the light had turned green. 

I fumed for several minutes over this minor delay. When I arrived at my destination, I took a few moments to calm down. My heart rate was up. My irritation level was over the top. I took three deep breaths and then, quite suddenly and with absolute surprise, I said out loud, “I’m sorry.” A woman in the same area where I was standing looked at me and asked, “Are you speaking to me?” “No, no,” I stammered, “I think it was a prayer.” 

Looking back, I know it was a prayer. I knew I needed to ask for forgiveness. The man or woman sitting in front of me at the red light was probably on their phone and not paying attention, but my little explosion of anger was not justified. There are a dozen reasons (or more really) for what was happening. Maybe the driver just got bad news or wasn't feeling well. 

Me? I needed to remind myself of God's presence. I needed a moment to heed my frustration, to pay attention to my anger, and to ask what was going on in my soul. My simple two-word prayer helped me realize all too often my impatience is a sign I’ve pushed God aside.

Nadia Bolz-Weber once wrote, “Whenever people annoy me beyond reason, I can guarantee it’s because they’re demonstrating something, I’d rather not see in myself.” She’s right. If I can blame you for the way I am feeling, I’ll feel better, right? No.

I’m pretty sure that is why the spirit encouraged me to utter that little prayer, “I’m sorry.” When I recognized my need for forgiveness, suddenly there was room for God. 

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me,” wrote the psalmist 500 years ago. His words are a reminder that even in our weakness, our failure, and our lack of patience, God is always finding a way to create something new within us.

By Jodi Patton, Governing Board Chair

The Governing Board is pleased to announce our new firstnews article, “First Community Governing Board: 2020 Vision.” We plan to publish articles in the church newsletter periodically throughout this year as we have news to share. With this regular communication plan, we hope to open a lens into the business of the Governing Board and share pertinent information with those for whom we represent, the members of our congregation. It is our hope this contact with First Community will allow you to be more informed.

In order to offer Governing Board more visibility and improve our contact with our congregation, we will wear our Governing Board name badges at worship services and other church events so we can be easily identified. Please introduce yourselves to us so we may get to know you on a first-name basis.

In 2020, the Governing Board will continue to provide best practices in the way of governance oversight, tending to work like fiscal responsibility, routine and standard review of standing committees, councils, and boards, and oversight of our ministries and programs.

In our visioning for this year and beyond, the Governing Board, along with staff, council, board chairs, and others from our congregation, will join efforts in a strategic planning process to define the path forward for our church. We have engaged the help of strategic planning consultant, Reverend Sarai Rice with Congregational Consulting Group, to help launch this next essential step. Reverend Rice will be with us in March to help discern the work to which God is calling us. Look for more to come on this.

Thank you for the support of your leadership team!

This month, we lift up a heartfelt thank you to Jamie Greene for his exceptional leadership and unwavering devotion to First Community as our 2019 Governing Board Chair. 

Our gratitude also goes to those whose Governing Board terms have come to an end; Bill Mead, Past Chair, and for members Jack Burtch, Barb Burgie Satterfield, Bob Stilman, and Mike Zook.

In 2020, the Governing Board welcomes Cydney Philbin to serve as Vice Chair, and new members Joe Bull, Ryan Nicoll, Molly Hagkull, Steve Mushrush, and Dick Wood, Jr.

Thank you for your service to our church.

By Paul Anderson, First Community Foundation Director

The Foundation Board wishes to thank these three retiring Board members; Rose Konrath, Jim Hutchins, and Bob Dana. All served for 2 six-year terms and were active members of the Board. 

Officers for the upcoming year are:

The Foundation is also adding new board members Cheryl Van Deusen and Greg DuPont.  

The On a Mission! blog will be a monthly update containing all Mission-related news and announcements, beginning February 1.

Deep Griha BBQ – March 13

Come help us celebrate Deep Griha at our annual dinner on Friday, March 13, from 6-8 pm at First Community North. Our speaker this year is Doug Kridler, the President & CEO of the Columbus Foundation. Dinner will be provided by City Barbecue with some additional vegetarian dishes and homemade desserts. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children. Registration opens Sunday, February 16, after worship at Sunday tables or here.

Join the Warm Welcome Knitting Group!

The Warm Welcome Knitting Group creates hats, scarves, and mittens that are distributed through several agencies, including those serving refugees and our own Heart to Heart food pantry. The group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 1-3 pm in the Guild Room at First Community South location. If you’re interested in joining the group, click here for more info.

Share and Learn Garden Receives Grant

Congratulations are in order for the volunteers diligently maintaining the gardens on the Mary Evans playground! The Share and Learn Gardens at First Community North have been awarded a grant by the Columbus Foundation’s fund for The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Community Garden Academy. The award includes $1000 cash and in-kind donations of garden soil, mulch, humus, and manure.

Join Mat Makers

Mat Makers created and distributed 116 mats in 2019 to both homeless individuals and those with homes but no beds or blankets on which to sleep. Please join our gun group on the first and third Tuesday of every month in the Guild Room at First Community South. We have the supplies and can teach you the basic skills necessary for the job. Click here to learn more.

Save the Date – Back Bay Mission Trip

Our next trip to the Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi takes place October 4-10. Visit FCchurch.com/back-bay-mission for trip details and information on upcoming pre-trip meetings.

Heart to Heart News

Check out the two huge grand prize experiences to be raffled off at the Hunger Hoedown for Heart to Heart February 7. You do not need to be present to win these two ultimate date night packages. More information and a link to purchase raffle entries here .

A complete list of Christmas Memorials can be found at link below.

Members of the Youth Vocal Ensemble gather at North at a new time, 5-5:30 pm, immediately following Crossroads.

Watch for them in worship at the 5:30 pm service on February 2.

For information about any of our youth choirs for kindergarten through high school, contact Sally Beske.

By Susan Langner, Minister to Youth

You are invited to join the First Community youth on February 18 for the annual Pasta Dinner and Silent Auction!

Join us at First Community North in Grace Hall from 5:30 - 7:30 pm, or grab a carry-out order from 5-7 pm. All proceeds support our Mexico Mission Trip.

Our group will journey to Tecate, Mexico, this March for the 24th consecutive year. We look forward to serving with Amor Ministries in building homes and relationships with the people of beautiful Tecate!

 

This year's dinner will also feature a silent auction! Many generous donors have supported this effort. Just some of the many items include condos in Montana and at Lake Erie, dinner with Glen and Julie Miles, a two-month membership to Wendy's Gymnastics, professional sports tickets, and an evening of duck pin bowling with our female clergy. Bidding for the auction items will be open during all services on February 9 and 16 and will remain open until 7:15 pm the night of the Pasta Dinner. Winners do not have to be present to win.  

Join us for a wonderful evening and support this life-changing mission experience for our First Community youth!

Hosted by Early Childhood and K-5 Ministries

Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World

 

This series will be held each week from Sunday, February 9 - Sunday, March 8, at 10 am in room 211 at our North location.

Participants will purchase the book independently and read 2-3 chapters each week leading up to the discussion.

In Unselfie, Dr. Michele Borba Ed. D. shares her 9-step process developed from years of research about how to teach empathy and the long-term affect it has on children’s personal and academic success. Timely parenting issues are discussed, along with activities and ideas for supporting the growth of empathy in kids of all ages.

Childcare is available in the Rose Wing for children in Pre-K. Children in kindergarten through grade 5 are invited to bring a quiet activity to room 209 where they will be supervised by a member of the K-5 staff.

Please express your interest by clicking the link below, and indicate the ages of your children in the "Comments" section so that we may plan for adequate staffing.

ElderWisdom

February book selection:

Just Sit: A Meditation Guidebook for People Who Know They Should but Don't 

By Sukey Novogratz and Elizabeth Novogratz

Thursday, February 27, 1 pm

First Community South, Library

“Mindfulness is a state of noticing, which means not worrying about the future or the past” - Novogratz

For our February gathering, we welcome Rev. David Hett to join us for our book discussion and to lead us in a short meditation practice in light of the wisdom in this clear and practical, lightheartedly illustrated book.

ElderWisdom participants will have the opportunity to share insights and ask questions about the benefits and trials of beginning or deepening the practice of meditation in their own lives.

ElderWisdom is a discussion group that meets to explore books and topics that focus on the spiritual aspects of aging.

Join us! All ages are welcome. It is not essential to have read the book prior to the gathering.

Contact Lorelei Lanier Lotozo at (614) 209-7125 or Missy Obergefell, Director of Older Adult Ministry, with questions or to add your name to our email list.

Quest Singles

If you are a single who enjoys meeting new people, join us for a dinner and/or book discussion. Most of us are in our sixties and up, but we welcome all ages. If you would like to be on our e-mail list, contact Nancy Dunn or call (614) 771-4869 for more detail about current plans. 

 

If you have an idea for a fun activity, let Nancy know.

 

Thursday, February 6

6:30 pm

Dinner at Red Hook Grill

1223 Goodale Blvd.

Grandview

 

Sunday, February 16

5:30 pm

Book Discussion

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

MCL Cafeteria at Kingsdale

 

Thursday, February 20

6:30 pm

Dinner at Bonefish Grill

5712 Frantz Rd.

By Rebecca Wolfe, Director of the Trading Post

I don’t like to use the word LOVE loosely, even in this month of hearts and Valentines, but everyone definitely LIKES February at the Trading Post because we have some of our best sales.

We start out with an orange and white tag sale of all fall and winter clothing at 50% off from February 10-15. Valentine goodies will also be on sale that week for 50% off.

We follow up on February 17-22 with our hugely popular BAG SALE. We provide the bag and for $6, you cram in all you can from our fall/winter selections as well as those from our Bargain Racks. 

This is a month you won’t want to miss at the Trading Post.

We are open Monday-Saturday, 10 am-4 pm. and we’d LOVE to have you stop in to see us.  

Rev. Jim Long will begin a ten-week study, Great Texts for a Healthy Spirituality, on February 12 from 7-8:15 pm in Room 101 at First Community North. There will be a discussion of scriptures that have a central place in Christian spirituality. Please join us. No pre-registration required.

By Doug Covell, Task Force Member

Presented by the Gun Violence Prevention and Safety Task Force of First Community

February 3, 7-9 pm

First Community North, 3777 Dublin Rd.

Ted Celeste, task force member, former Ohio Representative, and founder and director of Next Generation, a project of the National Institute for Civil Discourse, will moderate the presentations and following discussion.

Presentations/Presenters:

By Susan Langner, Minister to Youth

With our annual Mexico Mission Trip just weeks away, our youth team is feverishly pulling together the logistics to bring 60 people across the border. This will be First Community’s 24 ^th consecutive year serving with Amor Ministries in building homes for families in Tecate, Mexico.

As a first timer, I am so looking forward to experiencing the wonder of the trip – building relationships, the fellowship around the campfire, and the sense of accomplishment that comes in constructing a new home. Mission trip veterans have said it’s nothing short of life changing. But as a first-time trip leader, I admit I’m currently overwhelmed by the details.

The expression, “The devil is in the details,” came to mind the other day as the final registrations rolled in and our team became knee-deep in checklists. I strongly dislike that expression, to be honest. After all, when I look at the details in the natural world, I see God’s work. For example, to look at the veins in a leaf is to see the miraculous design that allows a plant to take in water and thrive. Details in the face of a child allow us to understand their emotions before they can even speak. Even the stories of how best friends come to know each other are filled with details that speak to the work of the Holy Spirit. I propose we adopt a new expression: “The Divine is in the details.”

In these final weeks before our trip, as tedious as the planning becomes, I will do my best to see this process as something sacred. Each trip participant will bring unique gifts that contribute to the whole of our group. Everyone who supports our work through donations and prayer offers distinctive value to our mission. All of these details will culminate in a week that will transform the lives of our First Community participants, and, prayerfully, the lives of Tecate families.

Let us look for the Divine in the details of our daily lives, too. Amidst otherwise stressful tasks, we might just see God at work.

By Ann Eliot

“Ultimately the bond of all companionship, whether in marriage or in friendship, is conversation.” – Oscar Wilde

The Women’s Guild embodies companionship, friendship, and conversation. We are women who:

Everything listed above begins with a conversation. We invite all women to join in our conversations. Below are upcoming events that will spark conversations between old friends, new members, and anyone that is looking for a connection.

Guild Sunday is February 23 . Guild members will attend all services to speak about how the Women’s Guild has been so important in their lives. Please stop by the guild table after services to speak to a Guild member about joining.

Spring Event – Saturday, April 4

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is the theme of the Annual Spring Event. This year, the event is held at Scioto Country Club, the gathering will feature a brunch, entertainment from Rachel Sepulveda (who will perform songs form Audrey Hepburn’s movies and The Great American Songbook and a raffle of a cross necklace from Tiffany’s). Most importantly, this is a chance for you to dress the part and have a ball with old friends and new.

Tickets will go on sale soon. This event is open to all women in the church. Many Guild members invite family members to attend as well; it is not uncommon to see three generations sitting at one table.

Membership:

If you are interested in joining the Women’s Guild, please contact Nancy Withers, Membership Chair, at (614) 571-4469, or email

Some say, “Today’s MIRABAI STARR shines brighter!” We say, “Today, MIRABAI STARR makes us shine brighter!”

Reading Mirabai’s books moves us. Listening to her podcasts encourages us. And seeing Mirabai on video is enlightening.

 

But experiencing Mirabai in person awakens us.

Teacher of interspirituality, translator of the mystics from Christianity and all traditions, Mirabai Starr is The Burkhart Center’s 2020 Spiritual Searcher.

The event will be held the weekend of March 6 – 8 at First Community North.

In her work, Mirabai opens up the deep feminine aspect of God for all genders, vital for relationships, spiritual growth, and connection with the Earth.

Mirabai Starr teaching in Burkhart Chapel in 2015

For questions contact Tom White or [email protected]

For registration and fees, click this link .

Mirabai Starr signing a book for Katy Malhame at the 2015 Spiritual Searcher Weekend

The Burkhart Center is providing two opportunities to study Mirabai Starr’s newest book, Wild Mercy: Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics, prior to her 2020 Spiritual Searcher weekend here Friday, March 6 – Sunday, March 8.

SUNDAYS, FEBRUARY 2 – MARCH 1

Sunday Morning Seminar: 8:30 – 9:45 am, Wicker Room, First Community South

Facilitators: Vickie Murphy and Rose Konrath, Burkhart Center members and facilitators of Mirabai’s translation of Christian mystic Julian of Norwich’s work, lead meditations, reflection, and discussion of Wild Mercy.

TUESDAYS, FEBRUARY 4 – MARCH 3

Tuesdays at Ten, 10 – 11:30 am, Wicker Room, First Community South

Facilitator: Gail Evans, Adult Learning Council facilitator of “Portals of Wonder” series, and frequent Film Group facilitator, leads the discussions of Mirabai’s Wild Mercy.

With this book’s focus on the female mystics of all traditions, Mirabai Starr brings the wisdom of the divine feminine to all genders. The feminine aspect of God is vital for men and women in establishing intimate relationship, spiritual growth, and connection with the Earth.

Mirabai Starr presenting during her 2015 Spiritual Searcher Weekend.

Friday, February 14

Gathering and pizza at 6 pm

($5 suggested donation)

Movie begins at 6:30 pm

Wicker Room, First Community South

Nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Paul Newman, this 1981 film brings issues of ethics, journalistic integrity, and legal definitions of defamation.

RSVP about film and whether ordering pizza by emailing Bob or calling (614) 486-0953 by Thursday, February 13.

Much Matters Book Group

The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt

Thursday, February 20

6 – 8 pm

First Community South Library

Drawing on his twenty-five years of groundbreaking research on moral psychology, Haidt shows how moral judgments arise not from reason but from gut feelings. He shows why liberals, conservatives, and libertarians have such different intuitions about right and wrong, and he shows why each side is actually right about many of its central concerns.

For information or to register, contact Dr. Shah Hasan .

Much Matters January discussion of Rachel Held Evans’

Searching for Sunday.

Saturday, February 15

9:30 am – Noon

Guild Room, First Community South

This Burkhart Center group open to all adults provides stimulating discussions about Progressive Christianity, ideas of God and seeking the Divine, facilitated by Rev. David Hett. In February, we continue to hear from Marcus Borg on the theme “Speaking Christian: Re-Claiming Christian Language” from the video of his 2011 Spiritual Searcher weekend (pictured left with Sarah Kientz in 2011 when Sarah was coordinator of high school ministry). We also review the current articles from new voices in emerging spirituality writing from The Progressing Spirit website. Participants are encouraged to subscribe to www.progressingspirit.com

Sundays at 4 – 5:30 pm

First Community North Narthex, Room 101

“Christian Myth-Busters: Moving Beyond Biblical Literalism”

This class, during the Crossroads Youth program and preceding the 5:30 pm Worship Service, is free and open to all adults. This biblical study focuses primarily on the work of past Spiritual Searcher, Bishop John Shelby Spong, and other biblical scholars.

In February, we will explore the literary connections  Bishop Spong makes  between Moses and Jesus, focusing on Matthew’s Gospel, which opens the recognition of how this Gospel utilizes the Jewish story of Moses to explain Jesus. We’ll also look at that notorious character, Judas Iscariot. Using DVDs of Spong’s many lectures, with references to several of his many books, this class meets weekly. Facilitated by Paul Kramer.

Tai Chi for Balance

Tuesdays, 9:00 – 9:45 am

Brownlee Hall, First Community South

Facilitators: Sally Kiska and Diane Sturges

Forty-five minutes of easy, relaxed moves that will strengthen stability, balance, agility, and health, as well as, provide a calming meditative experience during these stressful times. Beginning and experienced students are all welcome to participate. The instructors are Sally Kriska and Diane Sturges, both certified in Tai Chi for Balance, levels 1, 2, and 3, Guang Ping Yang style. There is no fee and registration occurs at the class. Questions, contact Sally Kriska or Diane Sturges

Wednesday Morning Fellowship

Wednesdays, 7 – 8 am

Brownlee Hall, First Community South

Both men and women enjoy the fellowship and weekly presentations and discussion of leading-edge topics. Ends promptly at 8 am. Open to the public. Facilitated by Lee Vescelius .

Women Living the Questions

Tuning Into Inner Guidance

Wednesdays, 9:30 – 11:30 am

Wicker Room, First Community South

The weekly discussion group focuses on “Tuning Into the Inner Guidance of the Body.” We'll use the book  In Touch by John Predergast, along with related videos. New members are always welcome. For questions, contact Linda Baldeck , (614) 459-0722.

The Contemplative Way

Thursdays, 11:45 am – 1 pm

Wicker Room, First Community South

An opportunity for a lunchtime meditation practice. Sacred reading and discussion of Cynthia Bourgeault’s book, The Heart of Centering Prayer, followed by a 30-minute silent meditation starting around 12:15 pm each week. Facilitated by spiritual directors and group participants.