A newsletter for the Amlin United Methodist Church community
C OUNTRY T ALK AmlinUMC.org
December 2014
The Word “The angel said, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you!’” Luke 2, 10-11
MARK YOUR
Calendar
December 2, 9, 14 Tavern Theology December 4: UMW holiday meal December 7: Youth “Wildlights “ December 13: Men’s Breakfast December 13: Christmas Caroling December 24: Christmas Eve Services 6:30, 8:00
Amlin youth assist homeless through Box City See more pictures of the youth group fundraising event on page 8! The Amlin UMC Youth group participated in the “Box City” overnight and canned food drive for homelessness awareness on November 21st. The event was quite successful in raising awareness about homelessness among the youth of Amlin. In addition, we also were successful in
receiving donated canned goods for homeless people and those at risk of homelessness. This youth group event was well attended, and both the youth and our adult youth group leadership, Mike Buckley and Stuart Osborne, found the event very meaningful. Youth group alumnus member
Sam Putka, Pastor Steve, and others also dropped by for a while to engage with the youth as they were constructing their shelters. In addition to sleeping in boxes (like many homeless people in the greater Columbus area), the group explored the topic of homelessness
through reading information in newspapers and exploring what the Bible teaches about homelessness. (Youth slept inside, however, due to inclement weather.) A big thank you to all who supported our youth in this mission event!
Join in new Christmas caroling tradition On Saturday, Dec. 13 from 6:308:30, our congregation will gather in the New Life Center and then head out into the community for caroling! We’ll be visiting church members as well as neighbors as we joyfully announce the good news of the birth of Jesus! We are especially hoping for participants who are inex-
The Details: Who: Anyone! What: Christmas Caroling When: Dec. 13 @ 6:30 Where: Meet at NLC perienced singers, but don’t worry! We will be led by people with steady voices. This event is for everyone!
This is an event for people of all ages! After caroling, we’ll return to church for Christmas cookies, cider, and hot chocolate. (Feel free to bring something to share if you’d like.) Finish the evening with a slow drive home to enjoy Christmas lights and you have a beautiful Christmas memory that can become a new tradition!
Thanks to the UM Women, Amlin friends and family enjoyed some favorite recipes during the Menu Making lunch in midNovember. In addition, participants donated to the Imagine More Malaria campaign. See more photos on page 8!
Jane Domer Todd Hanes Mason Rumph Tamera Yoder Becki Spiert Becky Kent Vickie Ferguson Addison Leonard Alex Mateos Hannah Thompson Heather Stovall
Matt Yoder Robert Domer Sr. Kristen Stovall Fox Jackson Rumph Gerry Lasson McKenna Walker Arlena Allen Jessica Justus Lynn Kerr Noah Wisner
Mr & Mrs Eugene Pauley Mr & Mrs Lyn Blevins Mr & Mrs Larry Stovall Mr & Mrs Mike Spiert
These Amlin friends will celebrate birthdays or anniversaries during the month of December.
PRAYER CORNER Please keep the following persons in your prayers. If you have a prayer request, you are invited to write it on a prayer card, loqcated in the pew, and drop it in the offering plate or contact the email prayer ministry at wing1@sbcglobal.net. We will list prayer requests in the bulletin and newsletter for one month, unless you prefer not to have them printed.
Our teens Killilea family Chris Grosser Nancy Brinda Eugene Pauley Mrs. John Countries in conflict Columbus Marathon runners Wisner family Jackie Aaro The Fisher Family Delaney West Side Freestore Emily & Tori Mortach Family Those being persecuted Dorothy
Jim Oldham Pettis Family Kevin Arway Chuck & Mary Kay Withrow Sayre Family Steve Mortach & family Sherry Erwin Andrea Ganim family Peace after surgery Family of Bill Long Greg Gaines Dasrath Family Linda Long Sharry Justice Jim Waldo Sallie & friends
Bill McFadin Travel Mercies Cindy Smith Gary Ellis Lynn Yoho Jason Kent Baby Audrinna Rachel Clingman Carmen Fisher Steve & Julie Ruland Lisa Hart
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. If you need access to the DropBox account, please contact the office at AmlinUMC@aol.com. If you have other questions about or suggestions for the newsletter, please email Jennifer Sayre at JenniferSayre7@gmail.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 3 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 Amlin United Methodist Church 5441 Cosgray Road Dublin, Ohio 43016 Phone: (614) 771-1904 Email: AmlinUMC@aol.com Website: www.amlinumc.org Church Fall Office Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Or by appointment Rev. Steve Putka, Pastor Email: sputka@me.com Phone: (614) 668-5001 Pastor of Administration Jennifer Gedeon Email: AmlinUMC@aol.com Phone: (614) 562-2868 Worship & Music Coordinator Christian Mateos Treasurer Chuck Brinda (614) 563-8364 Financial Secretary Mike McFadin Michael.McFadin@sedgwickcms.com
to help you. For example, if you have a question about your giving, I may refer you to our Financial Secretary. Or if you have a question about a plumbFrom Pastor Steve Putka ing problem, I may refer you to a trustee. This simPastoral Communication ply means that I believe in communicating directly with the person who has closest responsibility for Ask any pastor and they will tell you that area, and who can best assist you. Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) can that there can never be enough comhelp. If you experience a conflict with me, or would munication within the church. From exlike to give me feedback but might need support ternal communication with our community to internal doing so, please contact a member of our Staff Parcommunication among our fellowship, strong communiish team. This group at Amlin is a lot like the HR cation is exceptionally important in any church or misteam. They can often discuss a matter with you and sion initiative. help you figure the best way to help you communiRecently, our church set a priority and emphasis on cate most effectively with me. Here are some memimproving church communication. In that spirit, I offer bers of SPRC to contact with questions, concerns, the following ways to improve communication between and feedback: Nancy Chattoraj, Jen Bevington, you and I: Tony Ganim, Sallie Johnson, Eugene Pauley, or Speak the truth in love. St. Paul’s words, uttered Curtis Thompson centuries ago, are no less valuable today than they Share the constructive as well as were in the early church. I have a responsithe praiseworthy, and I plan to do the bility to speak truthfully and honestly with I offer the same. Change happens a lot based on you. This, at times, means communicating a message from the pulpit or in person that following ways feedback, but please understand that communication doesn’t always lead to that may be difficult. But I promise to do so to improve change. For example, I have received with both kindness and understanding. Similarly, you have a responsibility to comcommunication complaints about the worship space being too cold and too warm within just municate truthfully with me, but also with between five minutes! But I have also received kindness and understanding. you and I. numerous suggestions for ministry that Communicate directly about your we have implemented immediately. needs. Please let me know if you would Also, if you find that there’s something I like me to meet with you for a visit, for do that helps you to grow as a follower of Jesus, I prayer, or to discuss an issue. And please do so diwant to know that too. rectly. Despite the fact that I am active on social media, Prayer is communication with God, pastor, and that does not mean that I see all of your posts or know people. Every day, I pray for our church. I frequently when you would like support and care. I always appreturn to prayer lists, our membership rolls, and menciate a call, text, or email to meet. In fact, visitation and tal images of “people in the pews” while in prayer. the corresponding spiritual discussion is one of the minPlease pray for me as well that I might serve God, istries that I enjoy most as your pastor. grow in the Spirit, and help you grow in the best way Just ask! (But try to ask the right person.) Feel free possible. It’s important communication! to give me a call if you have questions, or give Pastor See you on Sunday! Jennifer a call. We are always happy to answer quesPastor Steve tions. But we may need to direct you to the best person
The Pastor’s Message
Fundraising is on track for UMW’s 3-year goal There have been various fundraising efforts that Amlin and the UMW have been doing all year long for the Imagine No Malaria campaign of our West Ohio Conference. Our church has pledged $5000 over three years to the cause, with an estimate that that amount will save 500 lives! Early in the year checks totaling more than $300 were sent toward our pledge. Deposits over the summer toward the project (Noisy Sunday and VBS mission sources) added up to over $500. In October the UMW’s Soups, Salads, and Sundaes Dinner added $380 while Menu Making contributed $270. We’re getting close to 1/3 of our 3 year pledge! Keep an eye out for future events and fundraisers to help support this worthwhile cause. Thank you to all who have already supported and contributed!
New Bible study for moms starts in January Have you ever wanted to meet with other moms to determine what God’s plan for you is during this season of life? Have you ever thought, I’m all alone on this journey of motherhood? If so, we have the bible study for you. As much as women desire to become mothers, sometimes the challenges are circumstances are not what we expected. Being a mom is wonderful, and challenging. We are looking to start a moms bible study in January to help discover or remember that God chose us to be mothers. He is working in our lives, even though sometimes it is a beautiful mess. If you would be interested in this 8 week study, please contact Mindi Fisher at Mindi.k.fisher@gmail.com by Jan. 2. Study will meet on Sundays from 4:00 -5:30pm starting Jan. 18. Cost of book will be $12. Hope mothers of all ages will consider joining this study. Have you met Clarence Dasrath yet? When he introduced himself on his first visit, he said he was originally from Written by Mary Vulic Trinidad though more recently from Hilliard. He was early even for the early service that morning, but made the effort to return at worship time and came back the following Sunday. Welcome, Clarence. Mary, who lives at the National Church Residences Avondale on Avery Road south of Rings, also arrived for her first worship with us with the timing off—late for early and early for late. She said she came to our church because, on a monthly basis, Pastor Steve shares communion with residents of her retirement community. Mary stayed around for second service that day and came back the next week with a car full of her neighbors—Leo, George and Laloo. It happened to be the Sunday of our Menu Making for Imagine No Malaria, and we are so glad that the four were able to stay for lunch and fellowship. Also in the Who’s New category are Kirby Utt and Teresa Cennamo. They have tried both the early and late services and have brought with them grocery bags full of non-perishable to support the youth’s Box City food drive. Kirby has also joined our new men’s group! Thank you, Kirby and Teresa, and welcome to Amlin. Did you catch the photo of the Leonard family in the November 23 Dispatch? Nick, Amber, Julia and Addison were featured in an article on getting a head start on college costs. I’m not sure if the girls have started elementary school yet. The UMW’s annual holiday dinner out for all of the women of the church is Thursday, December 4 at 6pm at the Olive Garden restaurant at Westpointe. Hope it finds dozens and dozens of friends feasting and enjoying festive fellowship. Nancy Brinda’s recent surgery was very successful.
The Details: Who: Moms! What: 8-week Bible study When: Sundays, 4:00 - 5:30, starting Jan. 18 Where: New Life Center
We’re so very happy for that and wish her a speedy recovery. Watch your step! Falls seem to be a problem amongst us. Both Jim and Sharon Oldham have had falls this fall as has Nancy Chattoraj. Gary Ellis had a heap of kidney stones blasted recently. And little Carmen Fisher had a medical procedure just a couple days after making her first appearance at church with her mom Mindy. We hope everyone is doing well. By now Jennifer Gedeon is back from a study seminar in San Diego. Ask her what she learned. The topic was eco-theology, I believe. Jen did an admirable job of planning and organizing the office so we could get along without her for the week. Maybe this is a short trial run for her longer study adventure to India this winter. How will we manage then? There is no question of who gets the Pew-t-ful Beautiful Award this month, but expand it times three. Heidi DeStephen’s baptism was the occasion that filled that many rows with her parents, Matt and Stephanie, big sister Harper, her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. What a blessed gathering! Isaac Kilmer was among those who served lunch at the West Side Free Store on November 1st. What makes him stand out amongst the others serving (his dad Greg, Cassidy and Jenna Walker, Cyndee Thomas, Melinda and Rachel Gloriosa, Pam and Roger Shaw, Pastor Steve, and Mary Vulic) is that Isaac has declared he enjoys it so much he wants to do it every time Amlin is scheduled! Plan to join him next year. Many thanks once again to Doreen Cole for doing all the shopping and prep work. Students in Georganne Wisner’s class at Heritage Middle School recently prepared six large trash bags full of clothing for the West Side Free Store. The students washed, folded, and bagged all of the items that had been left in the school’s lost and found this fall. Thanks, kids, for contributing to a cause dear to our hearts here at Amlin.
Marybeth Walters, director
l.com AmlinCommunityPreschool@gmai 904 771-1 (614) g C.or inUM Aml
Dear Amlin Friends, r for preschoolber is a wonderful time of the yea Merry Christmas to you! Decem They will gs for their Christmas program. son g nin lear nth mo the in beg l ers. They wil ry of that Holy as gift and will be learning the sto istm Chr a s ilie fam ir the g kin ma be wishes and Christmas will be talking about Christmas Night when Jesus was born. We Amlin Prein our little school room at the us for e tim al gic ma a It's ns. traditio school. you know d 2 students for the new year. If nee We s. yer pra r you in us p Please kee iate your help. Thank rmation. I would greatly apprec anyone, please pass on our info you! ebook. Jennifer Sayre posts darling Please remember to like us on Fac , Jen! n't want to miss them! Thank you pictures of the little ones. You wo so very ssing to so many families. I feel ble a and joy a is ool sch Pre le Our litt rch and program. be part of such a wonderful chu blessed at this time of the year to Thank you Amlin Friends. e true. y all your Christmas wishes com Merry Christmas to you all! Ma Blessings! Your preschool Gal, Marybeth
Support the youth group, buy a poinsettia
Men’s Group will meet early on Dec. 13
Beginning the first Sundays in Advent the Youth Group will be selling poinsettias as a youth group fundraiser. The poinsettias can be designated in honor or memory of a loved one. The flowers will adorn the altar through the Sunday after Christmas when you are welcome to take them home. If you would like to purchase a poinsettia, please contact our youth group leaders Mike Buckley or Stuart Osborne, michael.g.buckley@gmail.com or stuosborne19@gmail.com, or call the church office 617-771-1904.
The Amlin United Methodist Men’s group held their reorganizational meeting on Saturday, Nov. 15. The mission of the group is to facilitate fellowship and service, organized around spiritual growth and engagement. The group identified seven potential service projects that could be undertaken during the next year. Each member was challenged to identify other projects for consideration. They were also challenged to contact at least two other men of the church to join the group. The group will meet on the second Saturday of each month at the church from 8:00 - 9:30. The next meeting will be on Dec. 13. A continental breakfast will be provided. We welcome all men of the church to attend. Age is not a factor. Men of all ages are welcome including youth.
We are here to
SERVE Christ calls each of us to be his hands and feet, to step out of our comfort zone in mission to others, and to take his message of God’s love beyond the walls of our church. You can…
Bring new, wrapped toys tagged with a note indicating whether the toy is appropriate for a boy or girl and what age. The toys need to be at the church by Sunday, Dec. 7. We will also need someone to drop them off at the West Side Free Story on the following day between noon and 8:00 p.m. Contact Mary Vulic.
Our church will be participating in an Adopt-a-Family program through the Hilliard Assistance Council. The Christmas tree in the NLC will have ornaments that indicate gift needs for our adoptive families. Members of our congregation can take an ornament, purchase the appropriate gift and put it under the tree.
Participate in Amlin’s first Christmas caroling event on Saturday, Dec. 13. We will meet at the NLC and set out in small groups to visit and sing to church members who have difficulty getting out.
UMW is sponsoring a church-wide food drive to help stock the pantry of the Hilliard Assistance Council. The emphasis is on protein-rich staples, but any non-perishables are welcome. Grab one of the grocery bags near the church doors and bring it back full!
Provide cookies for Mary Richardson’s piano recital on Dec. 5, a semi-annual UMW-supported occasion that brings a generous donation to our music program. Contact Betty Baldwin at 527-7761.
Our Christmas Eve offering will be a broad-based mission offering for dozens of mission needs across the greater Columbus area and around the world. Learn more about this in worship!
To present your mission ideas to the Risk-Taking Mission Team, contact Mary Vulic or any member of the Team.
Live nativity event cancelled for this year Our Live nativity has been cancelled due to critical health concerns with the Ridenour Family. These Amlin friends have provided us our animals in years past as a ministry, and provided gentle and safe animals for the community to enjoy. Due to major health concerns within their family, they are unable to provide animals for this year. After discussion by the Live Nativity Team and Pastor Steve, our team decided to skip our event for this year. We plan to return again in 2015, however. All are invited to join us for caroling that same weekend, as we reach out to our community in a new way and celebrate in fellowship. Please keep the Ridenours in your prayers for health and full recovery. Our church recently send along a card and love offering to let them know that our care and appreciation for them and their ministry continues despite their challenges.
Special Events Team year-end report The Special Church Funding team would like to thank everyone who participated in our fundraisers: Kroger’s Reward, Wendy’s BurgerBash, and the Farm Science Review. Our combined efforts resulted in raising $1,162.19 for the church grounds and landscaping projects. Kroger’s will be sending another check for this quarters rewards which should bring our total raised to $1,400. Our next year events will appear in the coming newsletter and weekly bulletins. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Amlin celebrates long-awaited church lot renovation Starting on Friday October 24, the work on converting “Lake Amlin” into a usable parking lot started. First they dug up the existing drain under the lake and replaced it with a cement catch basin. The catch basin was connected to the storm drain that was recently run under Cosgray Road by the county engineers. Running the drain pipe from the catch basin to the storm drain allows the pipe to have a ten inch drop, allowing any water running from the parking lot to easily flow into the storm drain. The surrounding lot was dug up, filled in with gravel and re-graded to flow into the catch basin. On the Chapel side of the parking lot, all the asphalt was removed, filled with gravel and graded. The bottom step going up to the chapel was removed and new asphalt was placed in its place. In the corner of the NLC parking lot closest to the playground, a portion that was going bad was removed to be replaced with new asphalt. Starting with the lake area, a base layer of asphalt was installed over the complete old parking lot area. The entire layer was graded to drain into the catch basin. Then a thinner finish grade of asphalt was applied over the entire base layer. A sealing process was applied between the new asphalt and the old NLC lot. The new parking lot was then striped including handicap spaces, traffic flow arrows and a “No Truck Traffic” sign painted in the driveway. We planned the striping to flow in one direction. You enter the driveway, proceed toward the NLC, turn left and again left and back toward the driveway. Striping the lot this way increases the parking spaces by double what
we had before. We have also kept the parking in front of the chapel. With the completion of this work we have created a much safer parking lot. We will not have to worry about the lake freezing over and cars sliding out into the grass area. Also we have more spaces to park in. The overall appearance of our church was also improved by having this work done. This project has been discussed and funds collected for it for many years, maybe as long as the NLC was built. Many people have worked on getting the project completed. There have been many ideas on how to fix the problem, but until the county ran the storm drain on our side of Cosgray Road, it was extremely expensive to almost impossible to do. Sonny Bayles worked with the county to get the storm drain run over on our side. He also, once we approved the contract for the work, worked closely with our contractor overseeing the project. The trustees greatly appreciate Sonny and all the people who put in so much work on this project. The trustees also want to express a great appreciation to everybody in the congregation for their patience and understanding while the trustees worked to fix Lake Amlin. Thank you to every person who invested in this important project! Even though this project took a long time to complete, it’s worth the waiting to get the project done correctly. It’s amazing what can happen when a congregation comes together as one to help do God’s work. Just like most things in this world it takes all of us. Thank you all! The Trustees
Service Ministries Schedule
We have changed what is served for hospitality between the 9:30 and 11:00 services. Donuts or donut holes will be served and provided by the Church. There will also be coffee and juice. If you would be willing to make the coffee, set up the donuts and provide the juice please contact me at 614-570-8706 or sepauley@aol.com.
4 hours a week. Highly qualified teachers. Small classes! No more than 6 students w/ 2 teachers. Register Today! Your child will thank you for it!
Two Openings in January!
FIND US ON Facebook! AmlinCommunityPreschool.com AmlinCommunityPreschool@gmail.com Marybeth Walters, Director & Lead Teacher Amlin United Methodist Church, 5441 Cosgray Road, 614.771.1904
Sun
Mon
Tue
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7pm– Women’s Study @ Elkins’
7 pm Tavern Theology @ Tutto Vino
7 Bring in toy donations! 6pm– Youth trip to Wildlights 6 pm– Covenant
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9
7pm– Women’s Study @ Elkins’
7 pm Tavern Theology @ Tutto Vino
14 12pm– Youth serve at Freestore
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7pm– Women’s Study @ Elkins’
7 pm Tavern Theology @ Tutto Vino
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28
29
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
3
4
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13 Men’s Group meeting @ 8 am 6:30 - Christmas Caroling
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24 Christmas Eve Services 6:30 & 8:00 pm
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The newsletter is green! Amlin United Methodist Church believes in being good stewards of the earth and the resources of our congregation. We send a print newsletter only upon request. If you'd like a print copy mailed to you, please contact Pastor Jennifer at 771-1904. If you'd like to begin receiving an email copy of our newsletter, please contact Pastor Jennifer at amilinumc@aol.com.