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an edition of
chalk talk
BY DR. KENNETH W. CHALKER
One of the things that the congregations of both the former First Church and EpworthEuclid have had in common is a cathedral building that is one of the recognized sacred landmarks of our city. As our two congregations have come together to create University Circle United Methodist Church, we have worked hard to maintain our sacred landmarks and continue to keep our buildings as sites of important program ministry within our city. This is no small effort. But, no effort could be of greater importance. It can be very important to be a recognized sacred landmark in a city. But what I think is always far better is to be a sacred landmark that is recognized for the ministry of mission and service that goes on within the building! Sacred landmarks should be known for the activity, going on within and shared without, that improves the quality of life for the whole community. When this is the case, landmark sacred spaces such as ours become outward signs of a place where hope takes on a tangible form. Indeed, to borrow a phrase of Martin Luther King, Jr., our sacred landmark buildings become far more important when the content of our character is recognized along with the outward architecture. It is for this reason that I am so very, very glad that among the many community, lifeenhancing, programs and ministries of our churchministries that seek to draw the circle wideanother significant ministry is now taking place in our sacred landmark at East 107th and Chester. We have become the site for the monthly meetings of the historic Cleveland Branch of the NAACP. I cannot imagine a more important symbol of the inclusive nature of this growing congregationthis family of faiththan Continued on back page
The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Profit Dr., Dallas Texas, 75247-3919. Periodicals postage paid at Dallas, Texas and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to: The United Methodist Reporter, P Box 660275, Dallas, Texas .O. 75266-0275.
On the first Sunday of Lent, February 17, the Uppity Womenand actually, all women of the churchare invited to begin a closer walk with God as we discuss the book, God Is Closer Than You Think by John Ortberg. This book will, as its title implies, lead us to seek God in the ordinary, everyday spaces of our lives; to find the God in here, as opposed to the distant God out there. Join this Lenten journey by meeting with Heidi Denman in the Parlor from 9:30 to 10:15am. monitoring the safety of our food supply. On the Education and the Workforce Committee, she is a strong advocate for policies that strengthen our educational system and promote job creation. Congresswoman Fudge earned a bachelors degree in business administration from The Ohio State University and a law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University, and is past National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
A second opportunity to discuss and ask questions about the chancel renovation project with Dr. Chalker and Kay Hogg will occur in the sanctuary immediately following worship on Sunday, February 17. All interested persons are invited to participate.
Lets Talk
M E N S LU N C H
If youre a man connected with University Circle UMC, youre invited to gather at Quaker Steak and Lube on Canal Road in Valley View, Saturday, February 16, at 1:30pm, for the MENS groups regular time of semi-raucous fellowship. See you guys there. ~ Dave Hundertmark
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One by One
Jim Hogg, Editor I was struck by the significance of a couple of recent events in the life of our church. One you may have witnessed. The other you might not have experienced. After years of attending the former First Church and now University Circle UMC, my friend, George Forbes, met a moment in his life when he felt a deep-down need to join this congregation. So, on Sunday, January 13, George stood before Dr. Chalker and our congregation to make it official; an obviously meaningful occasion for him and for fellow members. And our church grew by one. At a recent Administrative Council meeting, Chairperson Jeff Day suggested that we could grow the church if each person brought one more person to church. When Marketing Chairperson (and brand-new mom) Laura Chalker stepped to the podium for her report, she followed up on Jeff s suggestion by saying, Do what some of us in the room have done. Dont bring a friendMAKE one! The room erupted in laughter, especially as the sounds of two other chairpersons babies had already serenaded us. One by one, we will grow this church. Whether its with a new life brought into this world, an eighth-graders confirmation, a young single who finds support and relevance in this place, a couple whose thoughtful search for a church home ends here, or a lifeexperienced man who finally joins his wife as a member of this church however it happens, whoever it is, our church grows and will grow, one by one. It just needs your help. One of those ones could be someone you know. Family, friends, associates, neighbors, new acquaintancessomeone could be searching for meaningful spiritual nourishment, for understanding and direction, for positive, inspiring relationshipsall under the umbrella of Gods unconditional love. Thats University Circle UMC. Thats your church! And people are looking for it. Share that love. Share our story. Grow this church, one by one.
Outreach in Action
Thanks to the consistent generosity of the congregation, UCUMC Outreach is off to a fast start in 2013! Our thanks goes to all who contributed supplies, funds or time to our 2013 Homeless Stand Down effort. As a congregation, we contributed complete, packaged, hygiene kits for 38 females and 32 males! These kits include approximately $20 worth of hygiene products, lasting one individual at least one month. The Homeless Stand Down is an annual event that provides health care, haircuts, food and transportation to those in our community without permanent housing. HandsOn NEO, the organizers of the event, count on UCUMCs annual contribution to this event and are always appreciative to see the blue bins roll in, full of supplies! This past holiday season, under the leadership of Dan Maly, we supplied one book to each student at Willow School. Thank you, UCUMC, for supporting this annual mission with your generous donations of books and cash! The congregation also created Christmas cards for residents of the VA Medical Center, and Neighborhood Basketball continues under the leadership of Hassan Lee two days per week. Upcoming Outreach events include donation sorting at Medwish on Saturday, February 23, and participation in the Walk for Hunger in May. Please sign up for donation sorting at Medwish through HandsOn Northeast Ohio at www.handsonneo.org. Email UCUMCOutreach@gmail.com or call me at 216.536.1857 with any questions. Thank you! ~ Doug Blank, Chairperson, Outreach Committee
George Forbes joins his wife, Mary, and daughter, Lauren, as members of UCUMC.
Church committee chairpersons and young mothers Megan Hufendick, Nicole Lewis and Laura Chalker pause for a photo moment after making reports at our January Administrative Council meeting.
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GRACENOTES
Its FUNreally!
B Y N AT H A N M O T TA
Director of Music & Arts
What an exciting time in Music & Arts! We have added some new musical talent and have planned several worship experiences that are sure to move and inspire! First, some warm Welcomes go out to l Juliette Regnier, who will be working on a second worship experience for UCUMC! She is such a talented actor, singer and worship leader! l Andrea Dreir-Cline, who joins the Music & Arts staff as a do-it-all musician, singing with the chancel choir, playing bells and offering her talents as a trained pianist/organist for our added worship experience and other opportunities. l Lydia Hall, who is the new soprano section leader in the Chancel Choir! Lent is such a wonderful season. Here are just some of the exciting Lenten offerings: l A second worship experience. Details forthcoming! l Mozarts Ave Verum Corpus sung by the Chancel Choir on March 3 along with
two offerings by our bell choir and a new musical communion setting l Multiple offerings by our Liturgical Dancers with support from our musical ensembles l The Lenten cantata, REQUIEM, on March 17 with highlights from some of the most famous Requiem Masses, including those by Mozart, Faure, Lloyd Webber, Rutter and Durufle. And we havent even talked about Easter! Also stay tuned for l Chancel Choir welcome-and-mingle events, including dinners and a FUN invitation to be a part of our music ensembles l Jazz in the Heights for Human Rights will be back with an ALL-STAR Jazz ensemble from around the city, led by Director of Jazz Ministries, David Kay. l David Hughes will be out and about in the congregation, discovering new talent for a variety of arts opportunities. Were happy to encourage vocalists, instrumentalists and dancers to express their talents. As always, thanks for all your support.
Rev. Robert Burns, pictured with Dr. Chalker, spoke to the congregation on Sunday, January 20, about his interactions with and impressions of Martin Luther King, Jr., during their shared years at Boston University School of Theology in the early 1950s and following. Rev. Burns currently lives in Uniontown, Ohio.
chalk talk
Continued from front page
this important relationship with the NAACP. It is another way in which our landmark building is indeed like a holy oil can offering opportunities for the communication, outreach and nurturing that lubricate the gears of social progress. The fact that the Cleveland Branch of the NAACP has accepted my offeron behalf of our diverse and growing congregation within this sacred landmark buildingto be the site of monthly business meetings and community conversations on matters that affect us all, is a wonderful sign that hope, inclusion and the advancement of civic life are more than a dream. Indeed, we are helping ensure that hope, inclusion and the advancement of civic life are themselves recognized as sacred landmarks in our community and beyond.
University Circle United Methodist Church is a diverse family of faith where all are welcome all the time. It is hard work. God is giving us the strength and opportunity to be doing it. No effort is more important in our divided world. See you in church, as we endeavor to BE AN OUTWARD AND VISIBLE EXPRESSION OF BEING THE CHURCH IN OUR TIMEIN OUR SACRED SPACE.
Dorothy Adams and others enjoy last years Mardi Gras Party
Deadline for the next Outlook issue is Wednesday, February 27, 2013 outlook@churchinthecircle.com