Country Talk - August 2012 by Amlin United Methodist Church

A newsletter for the Amlin United Methodist Church community

C OUNTRY T ALK AmlinUMC.org

August 2012

The Message Jesus said, “I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly!” -John 10:10

The preschool children are looking for some new friends! There are three spots left in the M/W 3year-old preschool class! Know someone?

ACP looks for new faces We’re getting ready! The blocks, magnifying glasses and writing boards are coming out of the cupboards. New paint and glue has been purchased. The room is almost ready! This month, Amlin Community Preschool will welcome lots of new children to our preschool. But, we are still looking for three more! Our new Monday/Wednesday morning class has 3 spots open. This class is for 3 year olds and is great for a first-time preschooler. If you know anyone who has a young preschooler, please share this information. Our spots are filling quickly! Thank you for your continued prayers for the preschool! It’s going to be another great year! Marybeth Walters, AmlinCommunityPreschool@gmail.com, (614)771-1904

Pastor Steve had fun as “The Pilot” of this year’s VBS, Sky! He helped the children (and adult volunteers) learn that “Everything is possible with God!”

VBS fills our church and hearts Clouds, kites and toy planes filled the “sky” of the New Life Center. The smell of popcorn, strawberries and root beer floats filled the air. The sounds of music, laughing, and the squawker was all around. It was Vacation Bible School week at Amlin. With a new theme came a new station: Imagination Station. Using science and

But, the kids always imagination, children found some! and adults could be By the end of each found shooting film evening, the energy canisters into the air was infecand creating life-size bubLook inside tious as The bles around Pilot (Pastor for more their peers. photos from Steve) led Add this to the fun-filled the group in singing, dancthe chock-full week! of creativity in ing, Godsighting and the craft station and the hands-on hand-stamping. Bible Adventures Every face had a station, there was smile as they experihardly energy to visit enced God… VBS the Games Station! style!

In My Own Words

The story of how Amlin United Methodist Church has changed one person’s life I was surprised when asked to write this months article. After all, I didnʼt grow up in a Christian home and never went to church except for the occasional invite from friends. How could I possibly share my spiri-

tual growth? Yet, Iʼve always had a sense of faith, a sense that there has to be something more. When I turned 23, I was blessed to marry into a Christian family. There I began my relationship with God.

After moving to Ohio, it took us awhile to find our church home. Thanks to some good friends who invited us to Amlin, we finally had found a wonderful place for us to worship and gain a sense of family.

It wasnʼt long before the Walker family became involved in Amlin in some way. Even though I didnʼt grow up in a traditional Christian home I continue to learn about God, through Bible study and most recently

through the Run for God program. Iʼm He ather W alker looking forward to continuing my spiritual journey with my new church family!

Have an Amlin PO Box? For years, Amlin UM Church has been providing newsletters to those who have an Amlin PO Box as a way to connect with our immediate community. If you’d like to continue receiving our newsletter, please send an email to AmlinUMC@aol.com and let us know. If you don’t have email, give us a call at 771-1904. We’d be happy to keep you on the list. We’d also be happy to stop sending a newsletter to homes that don’t care to receive our newsletter. This will reduce waste, and also reduce our expenses. We will continue sending newsletters to every resident who contacts us.

PRAYER CORNER Please keep the following persons and situations in your prayers. If you have a prayer request, you are invited to share it during worship, write it in the Friendship Pad, or contact Pastor Steve or the church office. We will list prayer requests in the bulletin and newsletter, unless you prefer not to have them printed. Names will remain on the list for one month, unless otherwise directed. Knisley Family Jim Oldham Chelsea & Jill Johnson Don Farrell Brian and Family Shirley & Art Kishbaugh Dennis Huffman Larry Messer Jean Allard

Carla Heckathorn’s Mother John Thompson Uncle Steve Laura Jen McFarland’s Father Carla Heckathorn Helen Bonham Tim Johnson &Family Mary Kay Withrow

Jim & Sharon Oldham’s Nephew Emily Rader Preslie Sapp John & Carolyn Thompson Toby Pollitt Erwin Clements Barb Heckathorn Sue MacCauley Pearl Kirby and Family

Those searching for jobs The people and ministries of our church

Our world, our leaders, and those serving our nation, especially our troops.

Those who are traveling For children participating in Columbus area’s Freedom Schools

Country Talk is a monthly publication of Amlin United Methodist Church, issued at the beginning of each month. The deadline for articles is the 20th of each month for the next month’s issue. Articles and photos should be put in the church’s DropBox account, in the “Newsletter” folder. If you need access to the DropBox account, please contact the office at AmlinUMC@aol.com. If you have other questions, email Jennifer Sayre at jlsayre@columbus.rr.com.

Regular Sunday Morning Schedule 9:30–10:30 Traditional Worship* & Sunday School in the Chapel 10:30–11:00 Fellowship Time for Both Services in the New Life Center 11:00–12:00 Contemporary Worship* & Sunday School in the New Life Center 12:00 p.m. – Fellowship Time in the New Life Center *Nursery care (birth through 2 years) is provided in the New Life Center throughout the morning. Sunday School is for ages 3 through grade 6 is held during both services. Children start in the worship service and are dismissed following “Children’s Moments.” They move to the Fellowship Hall, where they participate in lessons including songs, prayer, bible study, etc.

Contact Information: Phone: 614-771-1904 Email: AmlinUMC@aol.com Website: www.amlinumc.org Pastor Steve Putka Email: sputka@me.com Administrator Angela Adkins Church Office Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs. 10:00 - 2:00 Wednesday 4:00 - 8:00 Treasurer Pam Ellis By appointment, call 761-1371 Financial Secretary Becky Kent By appointment, call 446-2359

The Pastor’s Message

family, or the lack of genuine community nowadays. Should our church offer opinions about social issues? Yes! We speak clearly in our church’s teaching materials, From Pastor Steve Putka The Book of Discipline and The Book of Resolutions. Our “Creating the Abundant Life” church supports reasonable gun control and encourages us all to avoid graphic and gory video games, but I believe This column is being written on July 20, that the real solution also goes much deeper. Jesus calls us all, the entire world, to the abundant life. as we woke up to yet another senseless This is not a life of great consumeristic blessings, living on shooting massacre in Colorado. The Coleasy street. This is a life of self-restraint and sacrifice, umbine Massacre in 1999 impacted our operating from the joy-filled power we receive as we rely family personally. A cousin of mine was teaching at the on a faithful and loving God. school and got the students to safety. But many, as we all Jesus shares a vision with us that includes our know, did not make it out. So today, the vioentire world. Perhaps it’s best to think of it this lence in Colorado has been on my mind. As we look around way: Our church has a message of abundant In John’s Gospel, we recall Jesus saying, “I at the challenges life! By following in the path of Jesus, we find a came that you might have life, and have it abunin our world, we way of deep forgiveness. We find a way of mudantly. I am the Good Shepherd, and I give my are not to wait tual understanding, humility, courage, and wislife for the sheep.” How far from this example of patiently for the dom. We find a way that leads us to transform sacrificial love can we move as a community?! second coming the world with God’s power! At the time of this article, I have no clue about of Jesus. This is our vision. This is our mission. Look the motivation of the shooter. Mental illness? around you at a world in need of a compass! As Hardened hatred? The pundits have already we look around at the challenges in our world, we are not begun to blame the policies of the other political party, edgto wait patiently for the second coming of Jesus. Second ing for election advantages. In the blogosphere, we have coming? The world we see around us is why Jesus came already begun to lament that we have no impactful gun conthe first time, and called us to believe in Him. When we trol, or we lament that there weren’t more armed citizens in truly believe, we teach others in our community about a the theater (with currently unavailable bullets that can penebetter way. And this is a mission and vision for which we trate body armor and helmets). We point to our prevailing can give our lives, each and every day! culture of gun violence entertainment, or the decline of the

Youth group invites 7th graders

The Youth Group took a trip to Cedar Point on July 18.

Don't be a stranger! Please sign in! We are starting to take advantage of more functionality in our church management system. Part of this involves more robust attendance tracking than Amlin has done in the past. In order to ensure accuracy, please sign the friendship pad as it passes by on Sunday morning. If you have recently moved or are unsure whether the church has your current address/phone/email, please include those as well. Thank you! Amlin Unite

d Methodist

Church

The youth group took a trip to Cedar Point on Wednesday, July 18. It was a great bonding time and we had so much fun! With beautiful weather and short lines we had plenty of time to learn a lot about each others thrill for rides- and thrill for God! Thanks to the chaperones who came with us! Here's some pictures from the fun day! On August 18, we will be having our Youth Group

Kick-Off Party at Mychal Ellis's house from 12;00-4:00 pm. For this event, we invite all incoming 7th graders to join us to help start planning a new year of youth group while getting to know one another. In addition, all youth in grades 7-12 are welcome to participate in Amlin’s Youth Group. For more information, please contact Emily Kerr at emilykerr10@gmail.com.

Remember: take attendance at church meetings, events We are recording attendance at all Amlin UMC meetings/events for reporting to the UMC. We will be using attendance sheets at all church functions. If you are in charge of the meeting or, even just attending, please be sure these sheets are completed. The sheets will be available on the Welcome Desk in the New Life Center and on the table in Fellowship Hall. Thank you for your cooperation!

New administrator joins Amlin family Amlin United Methodist Church is excited to announce that we have a new Business Administrator, Angela Adkins. Angela and her husband, Keith, have been attending Amlin for a little over eight months. Angela grew up in Tiffin, Ohio. Her interests include church activities, animal rescue, and playing organ and piano. You will often find her sharing her talent and love of music during the first service. Angela showed her commitment and willingness to contribute to the Amlin family by taking on the challenge of the church directory, which was not an easy task. Angela’s work experience includes being an operation manager, office

Amlin’s new secretary, Angela Adkins, loves animals and music.

manager, and substitute teacher; she also has an Associate’s degree in accounting. When you have the opportunity please be sure to introduce yourselves so she can put faces to all of our names.

Women’s Bible Study that will resume meetings on September 16, 2010 at 7:00 in the Fellowship Hall. We are studying Remarkable Women of the Bible. All women are invited to attend. Contact Nancy Chattoraj for more information at (614) 529-4175.

Support UMW! Cut this out and post it on ! your fridge

This year the UMW will continue collecting donations for the Westside Free Store with a monthly theme. The overall focus is collecting the small, mostly consumable items that are seldom covered by usual donations. We will take the items to the Westside Free Store at the end of each month. We appreciate everything you are able to do to help the growing number of individuals needing assistance in these economic rough times. As you do your own shopping please keep in mind the themes for each month and consider contributing to the program. August: new underwear September: new socks October: hats, scarves, gloves November: first aid (no medicines) December: shampoo For more information, please contact Mary Vulic & Jane Fink, Mission Projects Coordinators

Would you help with a Service Ministry on Sunday mornings? We are looking for new people willing to commit to serving as Lay Reader, Usher, Greeter, or Nursery Volunteer. Our hope is to get enough people not already serving so the rotation will be one time every two or three months. This is a very easy but very important way to help! Please contact Eugene Pauley at sepauley@aol.com or 614-570-8706 and he will get you signed up! Thank you for your consideration!

Would you help clean God’s house? Our church is seeking God’s servants willing to rotate weekly cleaning/custodial duties in the NLC. You will share a turn no more often than once a month. This will be light to moderate cleaning, restocking of bathroom supplies, and other miscellaneous duties that can be performed at your convenience. Checklist provided. For interest in helping with the NLC cleaning, please contact Bev Hart at bhart@worly.com or 614-519-3971.

UMW’s branches of love reach far & wide Lunch Fundraiser We are planning a Soup, Salad, and Sundae fundraiser oups on Sept. 9 after the alads second service. undaes Several varieties of soups and salads will be served (all homemade), plus homemade breads and ice cream sundaes. Please plan to join us for this fun and delicious meal! Donations will be accepted and proceeds will go toward our Living Water project. We hope to eventually raise enough money to provide a well in memory of Mary Spencer.

Monthly Meeting Our next meeting will by August 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. At our last meeting several new ladies joined us. We thank them for attending and welcome all women of the church to meet with us!

Memorial Tree The UMW has received a gift certificate for a memorial tree to be planted on the church grounds. We are looking at the playground area for the tree and plan to also add a bench and plaque to honor both Mary Spencer and Irene Foulk. Fair Trade Coffee/Tea A reminder that our group continues to have coffee and tea for sell through the Fair Trade Coffee Project. These are available in the NLC each Sunday. For more information, please contact Nancy Chattoraj

New Bishop was selected for West Ohio Conference He served churches in Cleveland and Canton before serving as Superintendent in Youngstown Bishop Gregory Palmer has been selected to serve as the leader of our West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church, beginning in September 2012. Bishops are elected democratically at Jurisdictional Conference, with equal representation of clergy and laity. This year, Amlin member Sue Stutz was elected to represent our conference as part of the electing delegation. Like our local pastors, bishops serve for a limited period of time in any location, but in four year blocks. Bishop Palmer comes to us from the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, and Bishop Ough moves on to serve in the Minnesota/Dakotas Conference. Bishop Palmer grew up in Philadelphia, the son of a pastor and a school teacher. He and his wife Cynthia have two grown children. He went to seminary at Duke, and served churches in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. He then transferred to the East Ohio conference, where he served churches in Cleveland

and Canton before serving as Superintendent of the Youngstown District. He became a bishop in 2000, first serving the Iowa Conference before being moved to the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. While serving as bishop, he also served as leader of The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, and served a two-year term as President of the Bishop Gregory Palmer is a big believer in local churches Council of Bishops. connecting in local mission efforts, said Pastor Steve Putka. Pastor Steve has remarked, “I am very excited to learn that local mission efforts. I expect that he will Bishop Palmer will be our new bishop. He challenge our conference in new ways. is very well regarded by his current confer- He’ll really challenge us to follow Jesus ence and is well known as a spiritual by building caring relationships with leader among spiritual leaders. So many those in need within our communities. I who really know Bishop Palmer are thrilled am excited by where our conference is that he is coming back to Ohio. He is a big heading!” believer in local churches connecting in

One mom rides in memory of two Amlin members while raising $1,200 to support cancer research Within $25 of her goal, Robin Thompson gets ready for the Aug. 11 event In July’s newsletter I wrote about my decision to ride in the Pelotonia Ride to End Cancer. The Pelotonia is a bike ride. Riders can register to ride 25 to 180 miles. This is the fourth year for the event. In the first 3 years, Pelotonia has raised 25.4 million dollars. All of the money goes to the James Cancer Hospital at OSU. The ride will take place on August 11th this summer. I decided to ride in the Pelotonia in memory of many family members, friends, loved ones, and some dear friends that were recently lost, Dan Pompeii and Irene Foulk.

riding in the 25 mile I am also riding to race which starts in represent the girls in downtown Columbus my Girl Scout troop. and ends in One of them Pickeringrecently lost ton. her mother, Since my while another one first article in July, I have has a father amazing who is curnews. rently batFirst, as of tling stage 3 July 19th, malignant melanoma. Robin Thompson there are Signing up over 5800 Help Robin to to ride in the riders regisPelotonia raise $1,200 for tered and was a leap cancer research! over 6 milof faith for lion dollars Donate online me. Riders has already pelotonia.org must pledge been raised Search to raise a Robin Thompson for this minimum of year’s ride. rider profile 1,200 dolSecond, I RT0022 lars. have been In addition practicing to this steep fundraisand training and I ing commitment, I am have no doubt I will not an athlete. I am be able to complete

the race. But, the most amazing news is all of the love and support and prayers I have received from friends, family, and especially from our church family. As of right now, I am only 25 dollars short of my 1200 fundraising commitment! I took a leap of faith and prayed about this decision and through all of your love and support; God has shown me that I made the right decision. August 5th, the Sunday before the race, I will be bringing in “sleeves” to church. I will wear the “sleeves” on my ride. I would like every-

one to write names of their loved ones on the “sleeves”. Please write the names of people you have lost, people who are currently going through the battle, and people who are survivors. I will take all of them with me as I ride that day. If you aren’t at church that day, please email me with the names. robin.thompson25@y ahoo.com After all, this race is for them. All of this is towards One Goal… End Cancer.

R4G runners make plans Have you noticed our new bulletin board in the New Life Center? Look for upcoming races and events as you walk in the south doors. We will also start posting photos in this location. Unfortunately, the hot weather makes training difficult. If you are struggling with the humidity, please know that cooler temps and lower humidity in the fall will make running much easier maybe even fun! Here are some fall races to plan for: March of Dimes Night Moves Friday, September 21, 2012 at 7:30pm http://marchofdimesnightmoves.com/ Oktoberfest 4 miler Friday, September 28, 2012 at 6:15pm http://www.m3ssports.com/events/ oktoberfest.htm Step up for Stephanie 5k Sunday, October 28, 2012 at 10:00a http://stepupforstefanie.org/ We are still meeting Mondays at 7:00 p.m. by the blue caboose at Homestead. Assume the group run is cancelled any time the temperature is above 90 degrees. We would love to see some new faces! Whether you plan to walk, run, or somewhere in between, everyone is invited!

Pastor Steve Putka sits in the newly built Pastor’s Office,. This is the first time a Pastor at Amlin UMC has had an office at the church.

New pastor’s office is complete For the first time in the history of Amlin United Methodist Church, our congregation now has a pastor’s office located at the church. The office is located in the chapel building, in the area that had until recently been used

for music lessons and storage. The pastor’s office was approved by our Board of Trustees in May, and Dave Adair volunteered as the project leader. Dave provided most of the labor, but was also sup-

Dave Adair helped build the new Pastor’s Office and Jennifer Bevington helped to add a fresh coat of paint.

Fellowship can be found with hammers, paint brushes With the wonderful new addition of the Pastoral office, you may have missed the fresh coat of paint in Fellowship Hall and

outside hallway. This creates a clean and inviting look to our congregation and visitors. Thanks to those

who donated the supplies and paint and to our wonderful helpers: Dick, Cindy and Nathan Moore, Jason Bevington, Bob Cook,

Steve Putka, Sherry Erwin, Jennifer Sayre, Mary Vulic and Jennifer Bevington.

ported by Sonny Bayles and his brother, as well as Jason Bevington. Materials were provided through special gifts from several families, as well as some of the fundraising from Donatos coupon book sales and Wendy’s Nights (with leadership provided by Margy Johnson and Sally Pauley). No regular offerings were used to create the new space. Pastor Steve has been very excited about the new office. “It is so good to have private space to meet with members of the congregation. The office also has room for my library, so our parlor at home is more usable for my family again,” said Pastor Steve. He is eager to give office tours following our Sunday worship services. Feel free to ask for a tour, as he is eager to show everyone the new space!

Amlin United Methodist Church

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL No matter who you are… No matter how you feel… No matter what people do… No matter what happens… No matter where you are...

TRUST GOD!

Amlin United Methodist Church would like to give a huge

THANK YOU! for participating in this year’s VBS! To all of the children who came to learn, get messy, make friends, have fun and witness God sightings each night! Thank you! To all of the parents for recognizing the blessing that VBS is for children and delivering them safely to us each evening! Thank you!

To wonderful “staff” of AUMC volunteers:

VBS Co-Directors: Thank you for your leadership! You set the tone and gave so many hours to make this happen. God bless you! Elizabeth Creek Jennifer Sayre

Station Directors: You deserve extra big THANK YOUs for all of the time and effort that is required. From planning lessons to locating props, running a station is a big job! Thank you! Mary Vulic / UMW Women – Snacks Curtis Thompson/Robin Thompson – Bible Adventures Elizabeth Creek/Garrett Creek – Cloudy Creations Pam Ellis/Gary Ellis – Imagination Station Rebecca Palazzo/Dave Adair – Imagination Station Mike Buckley/Sam Putka - All-Star Games Bruce Kerr/Brent Danforth – Spotlight Drama

The Pilot: Thank you for inspiring us and keeping our spirits soaring high all week! You are truly “the talent!” Pastor Steve Putka

Crew Leaders: You deserve extra big THANK YOUs for your service to our children. Your commitment and patience had a huge impact on the children in your crew. You now hold a special place in their hearts. Thank you! Jackie Cook/Brooke Slaughter/Stacy Rumpf/Sarah Grant Flight #1 (Preschool Crew) Sheila Buckley/Grace Buckley/Libby Thompson Flight #2 (K/1 Crew) Wendy Putka/Amy Scarfpin/Nancy Brinda Flight #3 (2/3 Crew) Jennifer Holstein/Emily Kerr Flight #4 (4/5/6 Crew)

Floating Helpers: Jane Fink Jennifer Bevington Alex Mateos

Jason Bevington Betty Baldwin

Set-Up Workers: Pastor Steve Putka Jennifer Sayre Jane Fink Garrett Creek

Wendy Putka Gary Ellis Mary Vulic Abby Sayre

Elizabeth Creek Anndrea Slominski Lauren Creek

Snack Donations: Kim Wisecup Millie Cruea Diana Walker Brooke Slaughter Beth Lhamon Mary Vulic Barb Frazer Allana Meyer Moira Bauman Amy Hissong Sherry Erwin Rebecca Palazzo Sallie Johnson Betty Baldwin Becky Kent Elizabeth Creek

Laura Ganim Becki Spiert Lynn Kerr Sharon Oldham Nancy Chattoraj Heather Stovall Renee Clements Kathy McFadin Pam Ellis Cathi Allen Anndrea Slominski Amy Grandy Robin Thompson Heather Walker Jennifer Sayre

Donations/Loans of Other Supplies: Amy Grandy Kathy McFadin Brooke Slaughter Christian Mateos Mary Vulic Jim Oldham Sue Adair Moira Bauman Brent & Alicia Danforth Wendy Putka Amy Grandy Becky Kent Millie Cruea

Cathi Allen Rebecca Palazzo Diana Walker Lynn Kerr Robin Thompson Dee Elkins Dave Adair Anndrea Slominski Abby Sayre Jennifer Sayre Doreen Cole Steve Putka Gary Ellis

And THANK YOU to all of those who supported and prayed for this year’s VBS participants and volunteers! Your prayers were heard!

Service Ministry Schedule August

Worship Service

August 5 Communion

August 12

August 19

August 26