January Mosaic 2019 by United Methodist Church of Kent

The Methodist Mosaic Volume 61 Number 1 The United Methodist Church of Kent— A Place to Grow

January 2019

Dear Friends, In less than two months, from Feb. 23–26, our United Methodist Church will be holding a special General Conference in St. Louis for the sole purpose of considering, and perhaps significantly changing, our denomination’s stance on human sexuality. Currently, the United Methodist Church, in its official “rule book,” the Discipline, has a statement that “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.” Along with that, the Discipline has a rule against same-sex weddings being performed in a United Methodist Church or by a United Methodist pastor, and a rule against the ordination or appointment of what the Discipline calls “self-avowed practicing homosexuals.” At the same time, there is a statement in the Discipline that “We affirm that all persons are individuals of sacred worth, created in the image of God. We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons.” For years, many United Methodists have been pushing for the church to change the Discipline to move the denomination toward a stance that is fully welcoming and affirming with respect to LGBTQ persons. Debates have raged at every General Conference, and the votes have been close, with the vote at every General Conference being tipped toward the conservative side by the international delegates. At the last General Conference, in 2016, with more debates and lots of petitions looming, the Conference resolved to take a new direction, to seek to find a “way forward” that would accommodate the divergent perspectives in the church, while being faithful to the call of Christ. A special commission was established to explore new approaches, which would be presented to a special General Conference, which is the one about to take place. Our Council of Bishops is bringing a recommendation to the General Conference that, if adopted, would make broad-reaching changes in the Discipline. With all this before us, I will be doing a sermon series, starting on Sunday, January 13, entitled, “The Way Forward: What God Says to the Church on Human Sexuality.” In the series, I will elaborate further on what is unfolding in the church; but most of all, the series will enable us to look at what the Bible actually says about same-sex relationships. We will find in the process that the relevant Bible passages have a lot to say to every one of us! The series will conclude on March 3, just past the end of the General Conference. Obviously, there is a lot of controversy in this realm; and some pastors are inclined to say nothing at all, since to say anything will surely make somebody mad! But I believe I owe it to this congregation to help us to clearly hear God’s Word. There have been numerous misunderstandings and distortions of the Bible on the subject; but through the course of this series, I hope we can all get a picture of how God is leading us on “the way forward” in our discipleship as followers of Jesus Christ.

In His Service, Dr. David Palmer

The Methodist Mosaic

Youth Ministry News January 2019

January Acolyte Schedule JAN 6

JAN 13

JAN 20

JAN 27

Beau Harper Tyler Morris

Happy New Year! And what an exciting year we have planned. We have completed our spring calendar and are very excited about our upcoming events. Here are a few of the highlights of what to expect this spring: • The weekend of February 1 and 2 the youth will participate in World Vision’s 30 hour famine. Once the details are finalized packets and

Andy Curtin

important information will be distributed so see Rick and watch the mail

Beau Harper

if you need more information about this exciting weekend.

Dylan Schmidt Jeremiah Lepp Jeremiah Lepp Ben Ina

• January 21 we will be planning an activity to celebrate Martin Luther King Day • March 10 is Youth Sunday. • The Time and Talent Auction is scheduled for Sunday, April 28

The last day to sign up to be a part of this year’s Mountain TOP team is Sunday, January 6, however, the trip is already full! If you’d still

JANUARY YOUTH CALENDAR

like to go but haven’t signed up see Rick about getting placed on our SUN 6 waiting list ASAP. Over all I am very excited about our plans and hope that everyone

SUN 6

Last day to join mission trip Resurrection, ZAMARingers, Youth Fellowship

will take advantage of one or more of these events. Additionally, SAT 12

9–12 Confirmation

don’t forget youth group is every Sunday From 7-8:30 make sure SUN 13 you plan to come and bring a friend to any or all of these events.

Resurrection, ZAMARingers, Youth Fellowship

Shalom,

Rick<><

Calling all actors: Youth Sunday is an annual day when the youth of our church lead our Sunday morning worship service. It is characterized by a focus

SUN 20 AM

Resurrection perform

SUN 20 PM

Resurrection, ZAMARingers, Youth Fellowship

MON 21

MLK Activity TBA

FRI 25

Confirmation to temple

on the music of our youth musical groups Resurrection and the SUN 27 AM

ZAMARingers perform

ZAMARingers, liturgical dance, drama and teaching by a senior SUN 27 PM member of our youth group.

Resurrection, ZAMARingers, Youth Fellowship

On Tuesday, January 8 at 7:00 in the sanctuary there will be an informational meeting and open try outs for anyone interested in being a part of this year’s Youth Sunday. At this meeting we will explain this year’s theme, talk about ways to be involved and discuss rehearsal times. We need multiple actors, for this annual event. If you would like to be involved, please plan to attend this important meeting as part of the Youth Sunday preparation process.

January 2019

EPIPHANY SUNDAY – JANUARY 6

Why Believe Book Published

Epiphany – January 6 – is the day we remember the visit of the wise men to the infant Jesus. Our worship that Sunday will focus on the story of the wise men, and the sermon will be the conclusion of the sermon series entitled, “The Kingdom Is at Hand.”

Place to Grow Press—our church’s publishing arm!—has published Why Believe, a book by Dr. Palmer that addresses the skepticism and doubt of our age. The book contains the ideas presented in last summer’s sermon series but also develops RAISE THE ROOF a number of the subject areas further. The book is Our Raise the Roof capital campaign came to a suc- available on Amazon—in either Kindle form or in cessful conclusion at the end of 2018, with all debts print—and print copies will be available for sale in paid. Thanks to all who supported that important our church atrium. The price is $15 for a print copy project! or $9.99 for the Kindle version. All proceeds supORGAN CAMPAIGN GOAL ACHIEVED port the mission of our church. Our Music for the Soul campaign – to raise funds for Media Volunteers Needed the renovation of the sanctuary organ – has been With a short bit of training, you can become one fully subscribed. As of Christmas week, we had of our audio or video volunteers! We have excelpledges slightly more than the $460,000 goal. This lent equipment, and are in need of a few additional was a wonderful “Christmas present” to our church! volunteers for several of our teams. Generally you These pledges can be paid off over the three year would be in a rotation such that you are “on” just span of 2019–2021. We have more than $215,000 once every six weeks. We need sound board volof those pledges already paid, enabling us to move unteers and video camera volunteers for the 10:30 forward with the first phase of the project, which is service, and we need video projection and video the replacement of the organ console. The console streaming volunteers at the 9:30 service. It’s fun, is the part of the organ that is in most dire need of easier than you might think, and a great way to attention, as portions of the console have been fail- serve the church! To volunteer, please contact ing, and such failures render sections of the organ Dr. Palmer. unusable.

UNIVERSITY OF LIFE – WINTER TERM,

Additional contributions and pledges to the Music STARTS SUNDAY, JANUARY 6 for the Soul campaign can still be made. Any funds A Way Forward for the United Methodist Church that are received beyond what we need for the current project will go into an organ maintenance fund, Beginning Sunday, January 6, the University of the interest from which will be used to maintain the Life will be studying and discussing the United Methodist Church’s effort to reach consensus on organ for decades to come. how to address its approach to homosexuality. It The organ builder, Charles Kegg, has commenced will be built around Dr. Palmer’s sermon series that the construction of a completely new console with begins January 13. The first session (January 6) modern electronics. Completion is expected in six will deal with some of the specifics of the General months. We are hopeful that the existing console Conference, February 23–26 in St Louis, which will keep functioning as much as possible for that will be debating this topic. The following sesspan! sions (January 13 – March 3) will be a study of the A big “thank you” goes to David Dix, organ com- Scriptures from which Dr. Palmer preaches each mittee chairperson, and the entire organ commit- Sunday. Rev. Denton will be leading these sessions, tee that has been at work for months to study the 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM, in room 200, which is the first organ’s needs, design the renovation, hire a builder, large classroom on the top floor of the Education and promote the campaign. wing. All adults are invited!

January 2019

Caring for Retirees: Not Just a Domestic Concern

January Meetings of Kent United Methodist Women (UMW) Circles

While some retired clergy in the United States may stretch their budgets to pay for vacations and entertainment, many retired clergy in the central conferences (conferences outside of the United States) often struggle to pay for their next meals. Historically, most5 of the central conferences provided little or no pension support for pastors or their families. However, the tides are turning. United Methodist clergy across the globe are now being served by pension programs. Program assistance and education through the Central Conference Pension program is helping these pension plans progress toward becoming self-sustaining.

The Miriam and Mary Reed Circles of Kent United Methodist Women will not meet in January. The Rebecca Circle meeting will be held at 7:30 PM on January 9 in Pierson Hall. The program will be called “Socially Responsible Sweatshop”. Charlene Pees will hostess, assisted by co-hostesses Sue Abbott and Donna Stiller. Devotions will be led by Peg Arnold. Janus Circle will meet at 6:30 PM on Tuesday January 8 at the home of Hostess Laurel Stiller (1615 Kent St., Kent). Meghan Harper will lead devotions. Mavis Palmer will present a program on Traveling the Middle East.

CCP was launched via a task force established by General Conference 2000 to initiate a “pension support plan for the central conferences.” At General Conference 2004, The Book of Discipline was amended to authorize an effort to raise funds. The entire UMC worked together to reach the funding goal. UMC of Kent contributed more than $10,000.

UMCOR/Sager Brown Mission Trip: Oct 27–Nov 1, 2019

Yep, we still have spots available for YOU (and your friends) if you are interested in planning a vacation/ mission trip opportunity for 2019. Now that we are only 1 year away from this opportunity (as opposed to 2 1/2 years from the time of booking), it is time for some of you to reconsider the opportunity to Since then, the CCP initiative has grown to a fulljoin us on a trip to Baldwin, LA the last week of fledged program that assists in the administration of October in 2019.

retirement funds for clergy in 69 annual conferences. Retirement funds are now reaching nearly 3,000 pensioners amid some challenges that include serving those who can only be reached on foot by walking six or seven hours. There is a chart posted on the atrium bulletin board showing the extent of retirees.

During the week we inspect donated emergency kits such as flood buckets, hygiene or school kits which are given out to those who are hungry, displaced, sick or in poverty due to natural or humanmade disasters. We can also choose to work in the sewing room and in the local community during the week. Along with relief efforts here in the United GLEANING TEAM States, UMCOR serves 81 countries of the world. Volunteers from our church gleaned approximately Each year, more than 3,000 volunteers come to 5,000 pounds of sweet corn this past summer and the depot at Sager Brown to work in the depot and took it to food pantries and hot meal programs community surrounding Baldwin, LA. around Portage County. During the year, Catholic Cost of the week is $255.00 per person. This fee Charities, Center of Hope, the Salvation Army, and includes a $25.00 processing fee, $120.00 for lodging, and $110.00 for meals. Additional costs include Kent Social Services all received corn from our hotel rooms for travelling to and from Louisiana. team. This was much appreciated! The work is light, the food is good and the time is The team is led by Dave Vanderneut. The crops are well spent. Please consider joining us in mission gathered at Pochedly Farms in Mantua. Volunteers next year. will be needed next summer. This is a great way to

Questions? Contact Carol Pozuc.

help the needy in a very hands-on fashion!

Phone: 330-571-5741 email: cpozuc@aol.com

Regular Schedule

Regular Schedule Communion Sunday

Sunday

6 pm Garden Club/Pierson Hall 7:30 pm Worship band Rehearsal/Gym 7 pm Disciple I/Rm 207 7 pm Disciple II/Rm 200

7:30 pm Worship band Rehearsal/Gym 7 pm Disciple I/Rm 207 7 pm Disciple II/Rm 200

Monday

10 am Companions in Christ/Room 208 6 pm Yoga/Parlor 7 pm Gifts, Memorials, and Investments Comm/ Conference Room

29 8:30 am Tuesday Morning Work Group 12 pm Rotary Lunch/PH 7–9 pm Basketball/Gym

10 am Companions in Christ/Room 208 6 pm Yoga/Parlor 7 pm Finance Committee/ Conference Room

10 am Companions in Christ/Room 208 6 pm Yoga/Parlor 7 pm Education Committee/Library

10 am Companions in Christ/Room 208 6 pm Yoga/Parlor 7 pm Rebecca Circle/ Pierson Hall

10 am Companions in Christ/Room 208 6 pm Yoga/Parlor

Wednesday

8:30 am Tuesday Morning Work Group 12 pm Rotary Lunch/PH 7–9 pm Basketball/Gym

1 New Year’s Day Office Closed

Tuesday

7 am Men’s Discussion Group/Little City Grill

7 am Men’s Discussion Group/Little City Grill 5:30 pm Joanna Circle/ Room 208

7 am Men’s Discussion Group/Little City Grill 12 pm Lion’s Lunch/PH

7 am Men’s Discussion Group/Little City Grill

7 am Men’s Discussion Group/Little City Grill 12 pm Lion’s Lunch/PH

Thursday

Friday

10—1 Haymaker‘s Farmers’ Market/Pierson Hall

10—1 Haymaker‘s Farmers’ Market/Pierson Hall 6:00 New Member Orientation/Parlor

12l

10—1 Haymaker‘s Farmers’ Market/Pierson Hall

Saturday

Regular Sunday Schedule 8:30 Worship Service/Chapel 9:15 Children’s Choir—4 years–6th grade 9:30 Contemporary Service/Gym 9:30 New Spirit/Sanctuary 9:30 Child Care/Nursery 9:30 Adult Bible Study 10:30 Worship Service/Sanctuary 10:40 Sunday School—Preschool–6th Grade, Youth 11:30 Fellowship Time/Pierson Hall 12:00 pm Chancel Ringers/(Adult Bells)Sanctuary 5:00 pm Resurrection (Youth Choir)/Choir Room 6:00 pm ZAMARingers (Youth Handbells)/Sanctuary 7:00 pm Youth Fellowship/Gym and Pit

January 2019

Our sympathies to:

USHERS AND GREETERS Date

• • • • • •

8:30/9:30/10:30

January 6

January 13

January 20

January 27

Family and friends of Norbert Neissner Family and friends of Pearl Santich Family and friends of Barbara Meeker Ed Bose on the death of his father Debbie Eichler on the death of her mother Brenda Lewis on the death of her sister

Recent Hospitalizations and Surgeries: Ray Beighley, Lois Enlow, Darlene Flynt, Davina Gosnell,

If you are unsure of what team you Tom Pierson, Earl Somoskey, Becky Smith, Rick Stout are on, please call the office THANK YOU at 330‑673‑5879 x10 or email Adam at I would like to thank the church for the lovely altar flowers that adamalderson@kentmethodist.org. Gail Pytel from the Rebecca Circle delivered to my home. It really

Jan 6-Sharon Coia Jan 13-Don Ashton Jan 20-Betty Sweet Jan 27-Janice Anderson

VIDEOTAPING SCHEDULE JAN 6

Eric Wertz

JAN 13

Cheryl Brode

JAN 20

Gary Mote

JAN 27

Eric Wertz

JANUARY LAY READERS JAN 6

Jill Beer

JAN 13

Michelle Ronowski

JAN 20

Mavis Palmer

JAN 27

Randy Smith

brightened my day. Patricia Stevens (Mother of Eric and Andrea Stevens) Please share my thanks and deep appreciation for all the prayers, and of course, the quilt. It is quite the blessing to have such a church family. I shared the prayers with Cindy as her burden has increased with my care; not to mention living with me for 38 years. As a result of the prayers I continue to do well and give thanks for each day. God is good! Dave Vaughan Hello Dr. Palmer, Greetings from LA! I hope everything is well with you. We have settled in to our new surroundings quite well, although (and I thought I would never say this) I miss Ohio so much. Finding a church where we could serve has been tougher than I thought it would be. We started doing the research before we left Ohio, and even emailed them. . . but attending service and trying to form a community was harder than I thought. We attended the Hillsong LA Church when we got here. For sure, I thought, that is where we would end up. I was wrong. I was a bit turned off at service. It was like a concert— bright lights, loud noise, and smoke. We tried two other churches after that—which I feel were both mega-churches. . . neither one was for me. There were Sundays when I would cry, not wanting to go to service and just missing my family at Kent UMC. The joy of going to service and being with church family was gone. . . . Then Mark found this little church in a not-so-desirable area. We’ve been there quite a few times. The people are very welcoming, and I’ve even made friends in the church. It’s not a mega-church with a lot of money, or fancy things, but it feels like where God wants me to be right now. Our Bible study starts next month, and one of the people we will be studying is John Wesley, which I am excited about. I really miss the church community there. I miss having that support so close by. I can’t even begin to tell you how much the people in that church have helped me grow as a Christian. . . all of them! From my Disciple classes, Sunday school kids and Women’s Group, I’m just blessed that I’m still in touch with them—even the kids! You have an amazing group of individuals at the church, and I am blessed to have been a part of it. Thank you! I don’t know if God will want me at this church for awhile. But what I do know is the love and compassion I was shown at your church is the same love and compassion I must spread here in LA. Kent UMC will always have a piece of my heart. God Bless, Darah Rubio

Apply Postage Here

The United Methodist Church of Kent PO Box 646 Kent, OH 44240 Church Office: 330-673-5879 Web Site: www.kentmethodist.org

Mailing Label Here

Dr. David Palmer, Senior Pastor Douglas Denton, Minister of Pastoral Care Rick Stout, Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministries

Mailed December 28

“And now, glorious and blessed God. . . You are mine and I am Yours.”–Covenant prayer

Worship Calendar Date

Sermon

Scripture

Preacher

Special Event

January 6

“Why Do They Honor Him”

Mathew 2:1–12

Dr. David Palmer

Chancel Ringers, Communion,

January 13

“Rightly Explaining the Word of Truth”

I Corinthians 6:9–10; I Timothy 1:8–11; Galatians 5:19–21; II Timothy 2:15

Dr. David Palmer

Children’s Choir

January 20

“Sodom and Gomorrah—Repeated Today (but not how people think)”

Genesis 19:1–16

Dr. David Palmer

Resurrection

January 27

“What the Bible Says”

Acts 10:9–16, 34–35; Leviticus 18:22, 20:13

Dr. David Palmer

ZAMARingers; New Spirit prelude

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