FirstNews a monthly publication of First United Methodist Church, Dallas
March 2014
In Light of Easter: A Journey with the Letters of Paul through Lent by Rev. Becky Walker, Minister of Adult Formation We are excited to offer a unique opportunity to join the entire FirstChurch family in daily study, reflection and prayer as we explore the thoughts and writings of Paul throughout the season of Lent. Our very own Dr. Andy Stoker has written a daily Lenten devotional, focusing on Paul’s journey through the book of Acts. The study will also incorporate readings of Paul’s undisputed letters (1 Thessalonians, Galatians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Romans, Philippians and Philemon), looking deeply at Paul’s theological reflection on the cross and Resurrection. You will have the opportunity to participate in this study as an individual or join one of the following Sunday morning classes: Agape, Becomers, Class, Etc., Covenant, Genesis, Interpretations, New Koinonia, Rise, Shine!, G06, The Journeys, UrbanLife or Voyages. Dr. Stoker will lead the first session on March 9 in the Atrium from 10:00-10:45 a.m. Everyone is encouraged to attend! The following five weeks will include a study companion with questions for classes to consider together in response to the daily scripture and theological themes – as we journey together to live our lives In Light of Easter: life to life, love to love, hope to hope. Whether you join a Sunday morning class for group discussion, use the study as a way of connecting your family with the scriptures and with the FirstChurch family, or spend your personal devotional time reading and reflecting on the daily offerings – we pray your Lenten journey is one that leads you to a deeper faith in the living Christ, and a deeper love for God and neighbor.
If you missed the pre-sale, click here for a free eBook version of In Light of Easter.
Paul’s Journeys to Turkey and Greece Oct. 31 - Nov. 10 with Lecturer/Preacher Dr. Andy Stoker
Over 60 people have registered for the tour of Paul’s journey through Greece and Turkey. Join the group – it’s not too late to sign up! Dr. Andy Stoker will lecture and preach on this wonderful Educational Opportunities tour and cruise. Click here for more information on trip details, or contact Rev. Linda Roby.
in this issue
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Education News
Music & Arts News
Variations Show Photos
Food Truck Thursdays Schedule
New Members/ Care & Concern
Taking on Lent
by Dr. Andy Stoker, Senior Minister
Fasting is one of the most difficult and transformative disciplines. Traditionally, fasting has been a spiritual practice of limiting or abstaining from food or other sustenance. The season of Lent is a penitential season of the Church year that memorializes the forty days Jesus fasted and prayed in the wilderness before he began his public ministry. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, used fasting as part of his educational and advocacy ministry to point to those who were hungry or underserved in London. Likewise, Methodists have utilized this season to engage individually and collectively become more aware of their own abundance and others’ need. Every year at Lent, I am convicted and compelled to integrate the practice into my normal rhythms of life. Some years, I complete the fast and in other years I struggle to make it through the first week. It has been my experience through the years that when I practice fasting in community, I am more successful. Additionally, when I practice fasting for advocacy, I am more focused to complete and appreciate the journey. This year, I am going to “take on” hunger for my reflective journey. Therefore, this year, you are invited to fast with me! Starting Ash Wednesday, I am going to give up at least one meal per week until Easter Sunday. I want you to join me! This is similar to our September fast called the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Challenge; where we were invited to live on $4.50 per day as our neighbors on the poverty line live with the assistance. Here are the specifics: 1) Pray for all of those who go without a meal. 2) Take on hunger by fasting one meal per week for six weeks. 3) With every meal you fast, save the money you would have spent on the meal for your Lenten Challenge offering. 4) CLICK HERE to join the Facebook Challenge! The goal for participation is 500 persons (members and guests). 5) The money will be collected for the Mission and Outreach Fund for distribution in light of our burgeoning ministry with the 75215 Zip Code. Here is the math: 500 persons x 6 meals x $10 per meal = $30,000 (cont. on Page 4)
Sunday Worship Sunday, March 2 Chosen for the Kingdom Matthew 17:1-9 Communion Sunday Sunday, March 9 Deserted Matthew 4:1-11 Sunday, March 16 8:45 a.m. Loving the World John 3:1-17 Scott Anderson preaching 11 a.m. The Audacity to Ask John 3:1-17 Evelyn Kelly preaching Sunday, March 23 Thirst John 4:5-42 Sunday, March 30 8:45 a.m. Are We Too Saved to Believe? John 9:1-41 Evelyn Kelly preaching 11 a.m. Chancel Choir presents Vierne’s Solemn Mass Sunday worship: 8:45 & 11 a.m. Sunday school:
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Taking on Lent (cont. from Page 3) Here are four examples of the impact: According to the North Texas Food Bank, $1 provides 3 meals... that’s 90,000 meals!!! According to Family Gateway, $1,000 provides one month of comprehensive services for a family of four... that’s 30 months of services for a family of 4! According to Project Transformation, $320 provides one week of after school programming for 8 children... that’s TWO YEARS of programming for eight children! According to Lydia Patterson Institute, $3,200 provides a year’s schooling... that’s 9 students on scholarships and new uniforms for each of them. Will you “take on” Lent with me? Will you share your experience with me? Will you share your experience with your friends and neighbors? One simple act together can change the face of poverty. I know that we are better together, because … Together we are held... In God’s Love,
Join Us for the 5th Sunday Mission Program
New Classes Starting March 19!
Sunday, March 30 at 10 a.m. in Fiedler Atrium Graciously hosted by UMW Come hear from Rev. Linda Roby, Rev. Jay Cole, Mission and Outreach Chair Brian Owens and others as they speak about FirstChurch Mission and Outreach Opportunities.
Our second semester of FCU is bringing over 100 children, youth and adults together for food, fellowship, study and FUN! If you missed out on our classes that began in midJan., you don’t have to wait until next fall to join the excitement on Wednesday nights! Click here to register today for one of the following 4-week courses, which will run from March 19 – April 9: Secrets of Happy Families led by Jennifer Tolin Navigating Methodism led by Rev. Tom Downing, Evelyn Kelly, Rev. Becky Walker and Dr. Andy Stoker Praying Your Myers Briggs led by Rev. Katherine Lyle
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March 23, 30 & April 6 from 12:15 to 1:45 in Cornerstone Topics include understanding addiction, legal issues and conversations you’d like to have with your family. $30 includes all 3 weeks + box lunches. Click here to register (secure login required). For more details contact Elise Daniel at ext. 204. Come hear from leading experts in their field: March 23 Harold C. Urschel, III, M.D.: “Addiction and the Brain” Founder of the Enterhealth Outpatient Center of Excellence and New York Times best-selling author of “Healing the Addicted Brain” March 30 Leigh Logan, Lawyer: “Life of the Party: Consequences and Liabilities” April 6 Kathleen Fischer: “Simple but NOT easy – conversations you’d like to have with your kids” Mother of three, registered nurse, public speaker and author of the books “Bringing Our Boys Through the Second Decade” and “Simple But NOT Easy – Regaining Balance In Our Family Life”
FirstKids Sneak-Peek
Sunday, March 30, 9:00-9:30 Dining Room, Ground Level, FirstChurch Perfect opportunity for “ almost” parents, new parents, “not-so-new” parents, and “well seasoned” parents to find out what is going on in our FirstKids Ministry area for the next quarter. Become an expert on all of the FirstKids events that happen monthly, how you can be involved, in a relaxed and comfortable manner. Led by members of the Children’s Education Council and, FirstChurch’s Director of Children’s Ministries, Gretchen Combs.
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Music and Arts News The Goodrich Gallery March Exhibit Gallery Hours
Alternative Photographic Works by Eight Artists Amateur and professional photographers alike will be interested to see the photographic exhibit featuring the talents of alt8. The exhibit will be on display through Sunday, March 30.
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
alt8 is a collective of contemporary artists who embrace the traditions of 19th 9 a.m. - Noon Saturday through 21st century photography, united by their passion and pursuit of the individually crafted, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday uniquely printed image. The artists are: Peter J. Blackburn, Amy Holmes Goerge, Loli Kantor, Frank Lopez, Kathy Lovas, Brian J. Magnuson, Rachel Rushing and Susan Sponsler. Originally initiated in 2010 as the North Texas Alternative Process Group, alt8 adopted its current name in 2013 to reflect its eight founding members. The group is comprised of professional artists and educators in photography who celebrate the practice of nontraditional image-making techniques. Sharing a passion for historical processes dating back to the birth of photography as well as unconventional modern printing methods, alt8 members specialize in a diverse range of alternative photographic applications.
Front Row, Women, left to right: Rachel Rushing, Kathy Lovas, Susan Sponsler, Amy Holmes George, Loli Kantor; Back Row, Men, left to right: Peter J. Blackburn, Brian J. Magnuson, Frank Lopez
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Zero Gravity by Peter J. Blackburn
The March show for the Goodrich Gallery is entitled, “alt8: Alternative Photographic Works by Eight Artists.� This exhibition showcases a diverse range of work which uniquely integrates contemporary subject matter and conceptual stimulus with unconventional or antique photographic methods, including Ambrotype, Cyanotype, Encaustic, Gum Bichromate, Lumen Prints, Palladium, Photographic Image Transfer, Salt Prints, Tintype, Van Dyke and Ziatype. In celebration of this exhibition, alternative photographic work by four contributing artists (Abby Mathews, Anne Melville-Blackburn, Ellie Ivanova and Elena Nosyreva) will also be included. We invite you to come and explore the inspiring variety of both process and vision.
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Variations present The Variations Youth Choir presented “The Magical Music of Disney� on Sunday, Feb. 23. A heartfelt thank you to all who contributed funds for the Variations choir tour in June! We raised $34,000. Your generosity and support is overwhelming!
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Magical Music of Disney
Photos: Marc Oxford
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2014 Urban Engagement Book Review Hosted by CitySquare on Third Thursdays
FREE event! Review presented by Randy Mayeux. (Not necessary to read book prior to review).
Mark your calendar for One Great Gift of Service, a variety of service projects that will be a blessing to others in our community. Projects will be suitable for participants of all ages, abilities and interests. Individuals, families, friends, and classes are encouraged to join us. If you would like to lead a One Great Gift project or have a group that would like to do a project together, please contact Kathy Mallick at kwm321@hotmail.com. Prepare to sign up, serve and share your blessings!
Thursday, March 20 Noon in Fiedler Atrium: “The Other America: Poverty in the United States,” by Michael Harrington NEW! Two food trucks will be set up at the Atrium Entrance at 11:30 and offer delicious food for purchase (see story below)! Or, you may bring your lunch or purchase lunch for $5 (RSVP to Keilah) to be enjoyed during the review.
Let’s Do Lunch! Join us each Thursday from 11:30 – 1 for an appetizing sampling of Dallas’ best restaurants on wheels. Please your palate, enjoy engaging entertainment from our friends in the Arts District, and find new friends in the serene Fiedler Atrium. Click here for food truck schedule. March 6: “The Humorous History of Dallas Churches”, speaker Dr. Bill Bryan, Director of Intern Program and Professional Formation at Perkins School of Theology March 13: The Nasher Sculpture Center: “A Little Sculpture, A Little Lunch” March 20: Urban Engagement Book Review (see information above) March 27: A New Dallas presentation 10
Bible Blast 2014 Twelve of our FirstKids had a blast learning all about the Bible on our annual Bible Blast Retreat on Feb. 14-15. The kids learned about the history of the Bible, practiced finding scriptures with some help from Secret Agent B., and even played games to help them memorize all of the books in the Bible. The kids were also brave enough to go on a midnight tour of the church to learn all about the history of FirstChurch and what part they will play in the life of the church. The retreat was led by Kathy Mallick. Assisting were Gretchen Combs, Dorian Albert, Kristin Ingram, Mackenzie Johnson and Mike Kaden (Secret Agent B.).
“A Very Powerful Retreat”
Forty-six women attended the annual FirstChurch Womens’ Retreat, hosted by UMW on Feb. 8. Women of all ages and stages experienced a journey of personal strength and discovery as they learned to walk “The Path Before You” with author and retreat leader, Paula D’Arcy. “A VERY POWERFUL retreat. Loved Paula and hope we can have her back.” – Marilyn Tinkle 11
Meet Our Newest Members BAPTISM FROM FEB. 9
NEW MEMBERS FROM MARCH 2
Continuing Visitors & New Members Join Us for FirstStep on Sunday, March 30 UrbanLife Center following 11 a.m. worship
Blake Feille Cannon with her parents Elizabeth and Mark, and brothers Jack & Keith
Sara & Jordan Blacketer
NEW MEMBER FROM MARCH 2 not pictured: Linda Posner
We invite new and returning visitors to gather with us for lunch to learn more about life at FirstChurch, including our history and the opportunities we offer for mission and ministry. An opportunity to join the church will be offered, and childcare is provided. Please contact Jennifer Tolin for more information.
Care & Concern BIRTHS: Congratulations on the births of: Ava Hope Salinas daughter of Marco and Alison Salinas Emily Jane Stutsman daughter of Donald and Becca Stutsman
Can’t Worship With Us?
DEATHS: Sincere sympathy to the families of: Rebecca Anderson, daughter of Joy Mallicote Alan Sanders, brother of Karen Sanders
Thursday, March 27 Project Transformation Luncheon 12:00 pm University Park UMC UMW is helping to underwrite and serve at the luncheon. Members are encouraged to help or attend as an FUMC “guest”. Contact Brianna Brown for more information. 12
Click here to watch us live on Sundays at 11 a.m. - even from your mobile phone! In addition, we will continue to air at 5:30 a.m. each Sunday on WFAA-TV (Ch. 8) with a 30-minute service of the prior week.