Monthly Archives: June 2015

Intern Introductions

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This is our sixth year hosting youth from local and regional churches and providing them opportunities to serve in mission in the city. God has moved in mighty ways in years past and we expect will do so again this year as we serve and focus on studying “The Potter’s House” as found in Jeremiah. Our Summer Impact program would not be possible without the leadership of our Summer Impact Interns! In case you did not get a chance to meet them in worship on June 14th, here is a brief introduction for each of our wonderful interns:

Meet Alex! In her spare time she likes to slide down volcanoes, travel the world, and cuddle puppies (but no cats!). What’s her next adventure? College. She will be a Miami RedHawk in the fall.

Meet Julia! She is a math wizard, professional ice cream server, and animal lover! In her spare time she likes to solve math equations and drink milk. She is in her third year as a Capital University Crusader!

Meet Elizabeth! She is an aspiring scientist and wicked good dancer (don’t challenge her to a dance-off). She tends to be the fashionista of the group. She calls Wittenberg her home for most of the year and she will be entering her second year there this fall.

Meet Sam! His self given persona is Nogman ( he makes people happy by giving them eggnog). He took Beyonce’s advice and “put a ring on it”- he will be getting married this summer! The married couple will be moving to Saint Louis this fall where Sam will be attending seminary!

Meet Emily! In her spare time she likes to drink an exorbitant amount of coffee, read books, and take artsy pics. She is an aspiring world changer, majoring in international studies and economics. She will be entering her second year at Ohio Wesleyan University!

Shalom XX Coalition Habitat House Update

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Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church has been involved with the Shalom Coalition Habitat for Humanity since its inception over 19 years ago. This year the Shalom Coalition plans to build the 20th home. In celebration of Shalom XX, Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church has committed $25,000.

The Community Ministry and Global Outreach team budgeted $5,000, and the challenge to the congregation was to raise an additional $20,000 from May 24 to June 14. The total cost to build Shalom XX is $90,000.

To date, we have raised $14,300! Thank you for your generosity as we partner with other churches and individuals to make Shalom XX a reality! You have responded in a powerful way to God’s call to be a transforming presence in our community.

If your intention was to give to Shalom XX, but have not yet done so, it is not too late. Please write your check to HPCUMC, and write in the memo line (and/or on the envelope) Habitat Shalom XX.

Together we make a difference. May God’s blessings abound as we partner with God to bring God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven! See you in Church!

Love in Christ,
Pastor Doug

Annual Conference Highlights

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The West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church held Annual Conference June 7 – 10, on the shores of Lake Erie, Lakeside, Ohio.  Over 1600 Lay and Clergy gathered to worship, approve a budget, hear reports of mission and ministry, and elect delegates to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences (Denominational Conferences held every four years).  As I reflect on our time together, I share with you some of the highlights of this year’s Conference:

Two years ago West Ohio Conference set a goal of 3.5 million dollars for the eradication of Malaria on the continent of Africa (Imagine No Malaria).  At the start of the Conference, West Ohio was short of the goal by a little over $250,000 (includes pledges and cash).  The offering from Tuesday morning worship went to “Imagine No Malaria”, collecting $403,733.

Rev. Dr. Thomas Long, Professor of Preaching, Candler School of Theology, was our teaching pastor, leading us in a refreshing look at the four Gospels.

Bishop Palmer inspired us in worship, under the theme of “Taken, Blessed, Broken, Given”, reminding us we are the Body of Christ, privileged to be a part of God’s redemptive work in the world.

We honored retirees (the retiring class, collectively, had over 700 years of service), ordained, and commissioned clergy.

We Elected 8 Clergy, and 8 Lay representatives to General Conference, and an additional 8 Clergy, and 8 Lay representatives to Jurisdictional Conference.

It was reported that West Ohio Conference led the denomination in Advance Special giving (Missional support given above and beyond apportionment giving), giving $2,568,210 in 2014.

Bishop Palmer read and fixed the appointments of all Clergy.  Cathy, Dave Weaver and I are privileged and honored to return to Hyde Park for another year of ministry.

God continues to refresh, empower, and inspire God’s church.  In God’s grace we partner with God to bring God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven!  See you in Church!

In Christ,
Pastor Doug

Summer Impact 2015

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Summer Impact 2015 will be in full swing for six weeks starting on June 21. Our five interns moved into the Peebles House on Friday – they will be formally introduced during worship on June 14th. If you see them, please welcome them!

This will be our 6th year hosting youth from local and regional churches and providing them opportunities to serve in mission in the city. God has moved in mighty ways in years past and we expect He will do so again this year as we serve and focus on studying “The Potter’s House” as found in Jeremiah.

For Summer Impact to be as impactful as it can be, we need your help! We have a particular need for people interested in serving with and continuing our partnership with Wesley Chapel Mission Center. There is a 3 hour day camp every day and our participation in sending volunteers is vital to the success of their camp. If you are interested in serving with Wesley Chapel the time commitment is from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm any weekday between June 22 and July 31. However, we also have needs for people to provide desserts, welcome teams upon arrival, help serve dinners, host the interns for dinner on weekends, and more.

For all volunteer opportunities and to sign up, please visit hydeparkchurch.org/hpcumc-sign-up. Call Sarah Putman at (513)979-8162 with questions or for more information.

Sarah Putman

When the Wind Blows

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There’s nothing quite like a fresh breeze blowing through the trees to refresh your spirit! When I look around I see God’s Spirit has been moving among us:

Beth Viera, a member of Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church, will be commissioned this year at Annual Conference and will begin serving the Fort Jefferson UMC near Greenville, OH on June 21. Beth was honored at the Ohio River Valley Spring Gathering on May 31. She is pursuing ordination as an elder in the United Methodist Church. Beth looks forward to serving Christ in a beautiful setting, bringing pastoral leadership to a congregation of over 100. She is thankful for Hyde Park Community UMC, her home church. Please join us in praying for Beth as she steps forward to serve in her new appointment and and celebrating Beth’s new chapter of ministry!

Vacation Bible School, June 15 – June 19, has already been blessed with a high early registration of children and many wonderful servants who have stepped forward to share the love of Christ with the children in our community.

The Worship Task Force, formed after Vision Weekend 2015, was charged to: “evaluate our current worship opportunities, and then create, design and recommend worship options that reflect our diversity and will engage and inspire.” A diverse team has faithfully served since fall of 2014 and has presented its report and recommendation to the Worship Planning Team and the Servant Leadership Board. It has been approved by the Worship Planning Team, composed of our musicians, pastors, and key laity and received with joy and thanksgiving at the Servant Leadership Board on June 1. The congregation is invited to hear the report and proposal and offer input at two congregational Worship Conversations on:

June 28, Sunday, 12:15 pm in the Little Theater
July 7, Tuesday, 7:00 pm in the Little Theater

We hope to see you this Sunday as we celebrate Holy Communion, honor the class of 2015, and celebrate a God who is our refuge and strength. Please read Psalm 91 to prepare for worship. Have a blessed weekend!

Peace,

Pastor Cathy