By Glen Miles, Senior Minister

My New Year’s resolutions tend to be practical. Eat healthy, work out often, and so on. This year, I’m taking a serious approach. I will focus on three areas of my life - personal, spiritual, and professional - with three resolutions in each area.

Personally, I am making a commitment to honor my time away with my wife, family, and friends. Too often in the past I’ve let “urgent” issues get in the way. I cannot preach the importance of this without practicing it myself. I am also going to eat healthier and work out more! I know, boring, but I cannot begin to reiterate how important this is for all of us. Third, I’m going to read more for fun. I get so caught up in the week to week effort to produce a sermon I sometimes forget to just read. If you have a recommendation for me, send it my way!

My spiritual life and the efforts I take to enhance always feels like three steps forward two and half steps backward. Like the rest of my life, the tyranny of now too often interrupts the quiet meditative time my spirit craves. I resolve this year to spend at least thirty minutes per day in silence. I will just be in the moment. Thirty years ago, my spiritual director told me, “You talk too much. Be quiet.” Her words were jarring but accurate. This year I am also going to give time to prayer. I used to make lists of prayer needs and concerns. One year, I easily filled a 100-page within the first three months. The third item on this list is about finding a place to serve. In the past, I’ve volunteered with Court Appointed Special Advocates, inner city youth sports programs, and more. I will find a place to give back to the world this year.

In my professional life, there are many areas I am reworking and paying more attention, but these three will be at the top of the list: 

Happy New Year to you and yours!

~Glen

By Robin Hood, Congregational Care Coordinator

Paula Russell joined the staff of First Community in 1985 as the K-5 Assistant. She then became a member of Program Staff in 2000 as Director of Membership and Small Groups, eventually transitioning to the Director of Congregational Care. Paula was a central person in the church for the 24 years she was on staff. She connected thousands of people to First Community and was the person who people came to for information and care. She ensured we stayed connected to all she met and was a resource when people didn’t know where to go. We will miss Paula dearly and wish her many blessings on her next journey. 

By Sally Beske, Director of Youth Choirs

K-12 Youth Choirs presented Listen to the Angels , our 24 ^th Annual Children’s Christmas Musical on December 8 at First Community North. A story about overcoming our fears around growth and change, the children sang and danced their way into our hearts in this adorable musical. 

 

January is a great time to join a youth or children’s choir! 

By Morgan Mulgrew, Director of Communications

It's that time of the year - New Year's Resolutions. Some focus on fitness, weight loss, or better nutrition. Others choose spending more time with family, becoming more active in the community or the church…the list goes on. While I also set goals like those, I have one major goal in mind for this year: dropping stress weight.

No, I do not mean the extra pounds I’ve gained over the holidays (though I do plan to work on that). What I want to lose is the weight of my mind when I’m stressed. Trying always to do more and do it right, trying to get along with everyone, trying to avoid conflict -that weight creates a different version of me – I eat and sleep poorly, I exercise sporadically, and I sometimes miss what is important every day.

That’s why I’ve decided my 2020 goal is to drop some of that stress weight --to let go of things out of my control, to be calm when something doesn’t go as planned, and to allow change to happen - no matter how messy. There is room for growth everyday and there are always more chances to improve.

My best friend just recently got her Yoga Trainer Certification and has been talking to me for almost a year about the benefits of taking an hour to just "be" ...to stretch, to relax the mind and body, to breathe, and to focus internally. I finally took a class with her, and it was everything she said it would be. I was more relaxed in that hour than any time in recent memory, even if it was a flow yoga class with lots of position changes and core work involved.

Since then, I’ve tried to get to a yoga class at least once a week to get that one hour of "down time” to de-stress and to be at peace. It helps me to find my place in God's big universe.

Yoga isn't for everyone, I’m not even sure it’s for me, to be honest...but I am ready to find a place that keeps me calm and helps me cope. Wish me luck.

The Columbus Dispatch did some wonderful coverage of our organ construction.

We were thrilled to be able to spend Sunday, December 22, as well as 2 of our Christmas Eve services in our new Sanctuary space at First Community North. Hundreds of people came to worship for these services - to see our new space and get a first glimpse of our nearly finished Klais organ.

There is still work to be done in this space, so we are not permanently moving in (yet). But it was a wonderful experience to spend time in the new space during the season of Advent.

We will keep you informed about worship location changes and the progress of the Sanctuary as it becomes available.

“A single person is missing for you, and the whole world is empty.” 

―  Joan Didion,  The Year of Magical Thinking

 

January book selection:

The Year of Magical Thinking

By Joan Didion

Thursday, January 30, 1 pm

First Community South Library

In our January gathering, ElderWisdom participants will discuss insights gained from this honest and powerful memoir, written by Joan Didion, recounting her experience of the year that followed the sudden death of her husband. In our discussion we will consider the author’s sharing in light of our own experiences of grief.

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.

By Rebecca Wolfe, Director of the Tri-Village Trading Post

108 children woke up on Christmas morning with smiles and giggles of delight, due to the generosity of Wickcliffe Elementary School families and the gracious monetary donations of First Community members and friends.

For the fourth year, the Trading Post and Heart to Heart partnered to provide 30 food pantry clients the experience of shopping for their children without having to worry about money. A man just losing his job, another employed in construction and entering the slow work time of winter, a family whose bikes were recently stolen…these are the stories of real people, our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is why we are a “Christmas Presence,” and why we are grateful for everyone who was part of this event.

By Lamar Graham, Director of Heart to Heart

Many people ask themselves the question, “What will I do when I retire?” or “How can I give back and/or contribute my time?”

Well, we say at Heart to Heart the priorities are (in order): Taking care of yourself, spending time with family, spending time with friends, and lastly, traveling and seeing the world.

Now, after you have done all those things, then come in to volunteer with us at Heart to Heart!

We have volunteering opportunities Monday-Friday, mostly in the mornings through the early afternoon. Many of our volunteer members are First Community members, however we have a variety of volunteers from various communities. Our eldest volunteers are 91 years of age and our youngest volunteers are between the ages of 3-4.

Our volunteers pick up food from various direct retail places such as Starbucks, Giant Eagle, Target, Huffman’s Market, GFS, Penzey Spices, Marc’s, etc. Our volunteers stock the shelves on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. We also have volunteers take care of our clients on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These volunteers are usually taking clients through the food pantry, checking them in at the desk, and/or helping clients out to their cars.

We would love to have you volunteer with us in the incoming year.

Feel free to reach out to Lamar Graham, Director of Heart to Heart using the link below, or visit or website to learn more about Heart to Heart.

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 Julie Richards, Director of K-12 Ministry

 

Each spring break, First Community sends a group of high school and adult volunteers to Tecate, Mexico, to build houses for people in desperate need of a home with a door that locks and a roof that doesn’t leak. The Mexico Mission Trip has been an incredible experience for our young people throughout our 24-year relationship with Amor Ministry. Unfortunately, the cost continues to rise. It is our hope to offer this important experience for years to come, so our fundraising efforts are expanding.

Many people enjoy our Mexico Mission trip Pasta Dinner fundraiser. This year, we will offer a silent auction at the dinner. The idea of the auction is to offer goods and services from church members in hopes of building relationships within our congregation while raising funds for the trip.

We are looking for items and experiences to be auctioned. Can you knit, cook, garden, or sew? Does your business have a space that can be used for a party? Are you willing to make a financial donation to help pay for an item or experience? Please share your gifts with us.

By Ann Eliot

Soup and Casserole Sale

How to help:

Save the Dates!

Women’s Guild Newsletter in the works:

We are coordinating with the Communications Department to create a Newsletter for Guild Members. Eventually, we will be asking for items from members to submit for inclusion, but at this time, we are collecting email addresses from all the members. Please have your Guild Group president Email Ann a list of member emails.

Membership:

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

Film Discussion Group

Friday, January 10

Gathering and pizza at 6 pm

($5 suggested donation)

Movie begins at 6:30 pm

Wicker Room, First Community South

Benjamin Fiedler and his friends are entering their teen years. As their families look forward to the sacred celebration of bar mitzvah the teenagers prepare themselves as best they can for this monumental life event.

Keeping Up With the Steins is a feel-good movie that brings to light the significance, tradition and meaning of bar mitzvah but with a humorous, reverent approach.

RSVP to Bob or (614) 486-0953 by Thursday, January 9.

Coffee & A Love Revolution

Creative Fund-Raising Event

Date: Thursday, January 23

Time: 6- 8 pm

Location: NatterDoodle, 3516 N High St., Columbus, OH 43214

Join us at NatterDoodle in Clintonville to create your own fun and uplifting canvas while you support the work of The Burkhart Center. Examples of canvas artwork, like the one shown here, can be seen in photos at the registration link below. 

NatterDoodle is giving 25% of the price of every ticket directly to The Burkhart Center.   Please use the special code "Burkhart" when registering;  we need at least 15 people to use the code in order to qualify for the fundraiser. 

The cost is $45 per person, and the session will be led by Natalie, owner of NatterDoodle.

Rachel Held Evans Book

Topic for Much Matters

Thursday, January 16

6 – 8 pm

First Community South, Library

The late Rachel Held Evans, who tragically died last May at the age of 37, was a best-selling author who challenged conservative Christianity and gave voice to a generation of persons wrestling with their faith. All are welcome to join the Much Matters book discussion group who will be discussing her 2015 book, Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving and Finding the Church .

Searching for Sunday has been described in  Goodreads  as “both a heartfelt ode to the past and hopeful gaze into the future of what it means to be a part of the Church.” Her book is a memoir about making do and taking risks, about the messiness of community and the power of grace.

Christianity: Perspectives & Insights New Series

“Christian Myth-Busters: Moving Beyond Biblical Literalism”

Sundays, 4-5:30 pm (beginning January 5)

Narthex Room 101, First Community North

Marcus Borg, who was one of the leading voices in progressive Christianity, spoke here at a Friday night Spiritual Searcher event in 2011 on “Speaking Christian: Re-Claiming Christian Language.” This video highlights the January Progressing Spirit class facilitated by Rev. David Hett, Spiritual Director of The Burkhart Center and Minister of Religious Life & Learning.

The overall title of Dr. Borg’s March 2011 weekend series was “Living a Transformed Life: Being Christian Today.” In addition to this lecture, the class will review articles by new voices in emerging spirituality writing from The Progressing Spirit website, the successor to John Shelby Spong’s website. A video lecture with Marcus Borg, and essays from progressive Christian voices old and new stimulate discussions led by Rev. David Hett.



Christian Myth-Busters: Moving Beyond Biblical Literalism

 

Sundays, 7-8:30 pm (beginning January 5)

Narthex Room 101, First Community North

 

Was Mary a virgin? Did Jesus die for our sins? What does the Bible actually say about gender and sexual orientation? Scriptural scholar, contemporary theologian, and champion of an inclusive faith, Bishop John Shelby Spong challenges us with questions such as these. Using DVDs of Spong’s many lectures, with references to several of his many books, this class meets weekly. Facilitated by Paul Kramer.

Tuesday at Ten Group Explores Channeled Spiritual Messages

Tuesdays, January 7-28

10 – 11:30 am

Wicker Room, First Community South

Local author, spiritual teacher, and trance channel Cindy Riggs will visit the Tuesday at Ten class the final week of this four-week series, Vishnu Speaks: Messages of Enlightenment from The Ancient Deity. Jim Turner facilitates the class discussion based on Cindy’s encounter with the Hindu supreme god Vishnu, receiving spiritual truths for the purpose of the evolution of humanity Vishnu's messages are informative, inspirational, and practical. This class is free and open to the public.

For information, contact Jim.

Sunday Morning Seminar Studies Richard Rohr’s The Universal Christ

Sundays, January 5 - 26

8:30 – 9:45 am

Wicker Room, First Community South

Rev. David Hett leads a 4-week series on a study of Father Rohr’s latest, and perhaps most important, work in which he describes what others like Matthew Fox call the Cosmic Christ concept.

The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, and Believe, is a work that moves us beyond a limited view of what Jesus’ meaning and message is, a view that has hobbled modern American Christianity especially. It challenges notions of Christianity as the only path to God, the idea of a fallen humanity rather than the original goodness of creation, and particularly focuses on living a transformed life now in this world as the true path Jesus was teaching and the Divine desires.

Class is free and open to the public. Email for more information.

Tai Chi for Balance

Tuesdays, 9:00 – 9:45 am

Brownlee Hall, First Community South

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 at (614) 203-7913 or Diane Sturges

Wednesday Morning Fellowship

Wednesdays, 7 – 8 am

Brownlee Hall, First Community South

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

Wednesdays, 9:30 – 11:30 am

Wicker Room, First Community South

Our topic for January is How to Tune in to the inner guidance of our Body. We'll use, along with related videos, the book  In Touch  by John Prendergast. New members are always welcome.  For questions, email Linda Baldeck

The Contemplative Way

Thursdays, 11:45 am – 1 pm

Wicker Room, First Community South

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. Questions?