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The First United Methodist Church of Germantown
Sunday • February 1, 2015 • 11:00 am • Order of Worship
WELCOME TO YOU!
WELCOME TO ALL, COMING TO WORSHIP!
Everyone, including children of all ages, is invited to full
participation in the engaging worship and
outreaching mission and ministry of the church.
We strongly encourage all persons to sing the gender nouns
and pronouns they prefer in referring to God.
we come to make ourselves
fully available to you,
to your will, and to your way.
Help us to understand the ways
in which we have failed to
live faithfully into your word and wisdom.
The congregation’s responses are printed in bold type.
Forgive us for these shortcomings
and set us aright in our
thoughts, words and deeds.
Large-Print Bulletins and Personal Listening Devices
are available from the ushers.
UMH - United Methodist Hymnal
TFWS - The Faith We Sing Hymnal
SEEDS - Seeds Upon The Wind
Speak to us clearly and gently.
for we are Yours.
We desire to hear from you,
even in the slightest whisper.
Speak, Lord,
for your servants are listening. Amen.
TIME OF PREPARATION
Enter the sanctuary quietly, respecting the meditation
of others and opening to the presence of God.
CENTERING THOUGHT
The time is always right to do what is right.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Peace
May the message of a grave
which cannot not hold God captive
inform our living
and our dreams of the future.
May the peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
GATHERING AND PRAISE
Prelude “Vater unser im Himmelreich” Dietrich Buxtehude
(Our Father, who art in Heaven)
Call to Worship
Amen.
Everyone is invited to exchange a greeting or word
of peace as a sign of reconciliation and community.
Welcome and Announcements
Please pass the maroon folders.
Standing with body and spirit This is the day that the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Opening Hymn
Standing with body and spirit
UMH 662 “Stand Up and Bless the Lord”
Opening Prayer
Holy God
of unconditional love
and unlimited presence,
FUMCOG response to Liberian Ebola Crisis
PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE
Hymn of Preparation
Standing with body and spirit
UMH 395 “Take Time to be Holy”
Gospel Lesson
Matthew 6: 7-21
Anthem
Sermon
Chancel Choir
“The Lord’s Prayer” Mark Miller
Rev. Lorelei Toombs
Hymn of Response
Standing with body and spirit
UMH 140 “Great is Thy Faithfulness”
A SERVICE OF COMMUNION
The Great Thanksgiving Text in UMH pp. 12-14.
Breaking of the Bread & Giving of the Cup
This is God’s table; all are welcome to receive
communion. Please come forward at the direction
of the ushers, bring forward your Communion Offering.
This offering supports the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund.
It is used for private pastoral needs in the community,
of which the pastor is aware.
Gluten free communion is available. Please tell the server
as you approach the communion table.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Mother-Father, who art in heaven, hallowed
be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be
done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day
our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as
we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever. Amen.
Finally, Senor, let us all live as your own
one family. Amen.
(From a Church Wall in Mexico)
SENDING FORTH
Closing Hymn
Standing with body and spirit
TFWS 2145 “I’ve Got Peace Like a River”
Benediction
Postlude
Wir Glauben all an einen Gott
(We all believe in one true God)
J.S. Bach
1 1 1 1 1
Liturgist: Libby Pethick
Audio: Brianna Chapman
Ushers: Bonni H. Zetick, Gail Lozenski, Nancy Tkacs,
George Herold, Ruth Thornton, Bill Tkacs, Deb Clarke
Linger Lunch: Grace Council and Brianna Winnals
CDs: Forms and instructions for ordering are
available at the display by the elevator in Pilling Hall.
Offering /Offertory
Chancel Choir
“Kittery” (The Lord’s Prayer) William Billings
Doxology
Standing with body and spirit
UMH 95 “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Offertory Prayer Give us, Senor, a little sun,
a little happiness, and some work.
Give us a heart to comfort those in pain.
Give us the ability to be good,
strong, wise and free,
So that we may be as generous with others
as we are with ourselves.
FUMCOG Mission Statement
The First United Methodist Church of Germantown
(FUMCOG) is a diverse, urban community of faith that seeks
to experience and worship God through Jesus’ message of love
and inclusion and the mystery of grace expressed through his life.
We affirm our commitment by working together, taking risks
for social justice and peace in our community, our city,
our nation and our world.
We l c o m e Vi s i t o r s ! ! !
Thanks for finding your way to FUMCOG! We are
glad you have come! Take the opportunity to register your
attendance in the maroon folders passed along the pews.
Your sharing of contact information will allow us to be in
touch. A variety of church information is available on the
church website. Also, members of the staff and congregation are eager to greet you at the front of the sanctuary immediately following the service. You are cordially invited
to join us for Meet & Mingle in Pilling Hall.
ADULTS AT FUMCOG: Various small groups and work
areas function for participants to get to know one another,
to work toward a goal they are passionate about, or to learn
more about themselves and their journeys of faith. These
groups meet at various times during the week. For more
detailed information, speak to the church staff.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH AT FUMCOG
Children and youth are welcome in worship at FUMCOG. Periodic “family-friendly” worship services are
scheduled and are geared to the worship needs of all ages.
DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, September to midJune: classes are available for each age group, from nursery through senior high. Classes for infants through 9th
graders meet in the Loder Education Building.
A professionally staffed nursery is open each Sunday
morning in Room 106 from 9:30 am through the end of
the worship service. From 9:30-11:00 the nursery serves
all children through grade 2 so that older siblings and
parents can attend morning education programs. During
worship, a room at the top of the balcony stairs is available
for parents who wish to attend to their children’s needs
while still hearing the service. Just ask an usher or greeter
for assistance in finding your way.
FUMCOG
PreK – 12th Grade Educational Program: Classes meet
at 9:45 am. Classes from PreK through 6th grade follow the
“Grow, Promise, Serve” curriculum which integrates Bible
stories with worship and social justice issues. Grades 7-9 take
part in a confirmation class, a structured, two-year program
including classes, trips, retreats, community service, and worship. Grades 10-12 [the Senior High Group] meet on Sunday
mornings for discussion, informal fellowship, and reflection.
FUMCOG’s youth also take part in special activities and
events, including trips, parties, cultural events, and retreats.
Classes meet in the following locations: Infants-2 year olds in
room 106, 3-4 year olds in room 102, K-2nd grade in room
207, 3rd-4th grade in room 214, 5th-6th- grade in room
207A, 7th-9th grade in room 201, and 10th-12th grades in
the “old choir robing room” –ask the ushers for directions.
During the Worship Service: Older children and youth
[3rd grade and older] are invited to attend church with their
families. Younger children, pre-K through 2nd grade, have
two options. For children who wish to remain in worship
service with their families, Busy Bags are available from the
ushers. Or, young children may participate in professionally
supervised child care which is available in room 102.
FUMCOG Staff and Email Addresses
Senior Pastor Lorelei Toombs
[email protected]
Pastoral Associate Miles Hopgood [email protected]
Director of Music Kevin O’Malia
[email protected]
Office Administrator Wanda Fuller
[email protected]
Lay Leaders [email protected]
Facility Caretakers Shamir Radcliffe & Raphael Zappala
Tidings/Bulletin Bruce McNeel [email protected]
Website Announcements [email protected]
E-Give [email protected]
Altar Flowers - call the church office @215-438-3677
First United Methodist Church of Germantown
6001 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144
telephone - 215.438.3677; fax - 215.438.3077
email: [email protected]. web address: www.fumcog.org
• Senior Pastor: Lorelei Toombs
Pastoral Associate: Miles Hopgood • Director of Music: Kevin O’Malia • Office Administrator: Wanda Fuller
• Director of Publications: Bruce McNeel • Facility Caretakers: Shamir Radcliffe & Raphael Zappala
Prayer
is the
soul’s
sincere
desire,
unuttered
or
expressed,
the
motion
of a
hidden
fire
that
trembles
in the
breast.
James
Montgomery
mcneel
Immigration Reform Event
Saturday, February 21
Participate in a Forum on
Comprehensive Reform
SPONSOR BY:
Rapid Response Team Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
of the United Methodist Church
Rev. Peggy Johnson, Bishop
When: Saturday 21February, 2015
Time: 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM: Registration
Join PIHN
at Stagecrafters Theater!
9:30 AM to 12:30 PM: Presentation & Explanation of
President Obama’s Executive Order on Immigration Reform
Where: West Lawn United Methodist Church
Something Intangible
15 Woodside Avenue, West Lawn, PA 19609
by Bruce Graham • Directed by Barbara Mills
CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMAN & REPRESENTATIVE
URGING LEGISLATION FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM
Buy tickets to the Sunday Feb 1st 2:00pm
show of Bruce Graham’s Something Intangible presented by The Stagecrafters Theater
and support Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network (PIHN) and families experiencing
homelessness in Philadelphia. Tickets are $20
and are available on our website at www.philashelter.org. For more information, please
call our office at 215-247-4663 ext. 102.
For more information contact Rev. Nicolas Camacho at 484-769-5173
Participants
Attorney Adam Solow
from
Solow, Isbell & Palladino
Immigration, LLC
Philadelphia, PA
Solow, Isbell & Palladino, LLC is a law firm with offices in Philadelphia, PA; Camden, NJ; and Chadds Ford, PA
dedicated exclusively to the practice of immigration and nationality law. The firm also act as immigration
consultants to international corporations seeking assistance with obtaining short-term work visas for outbound
immigration to Canada, the Schengen Zone, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.
As President of Friends of Vernon Park and want to let
you know that there are big plans in the works for Vernon Park and we hope that FUMCOG will be interested
in the outcome.
We have been working on park improvements
for some time. Councilwoman Cindy Bass has arranged
for funding for a $900,000 greening master plan with con-
Hosted by: PIHN, Elfant Wissahickon
and The Stagecrafters Theater
A warm and wonderful way to spend a
February afternoon!
The Stagecrafters Theater
8130 Germantown Ave, Phila. PA 19118.
struction beginning in late February/early March this year.
The plan will create new lighting throughout the park,
new playground equipment for children and physical fitness equipment for adults and storm water management
and other improvements.
Please check out our website: www.friendsofvernonpark.org and Facebook page. We will not be
planning as many events and volunteer clean-ups and picnics etc. this year because of the construction, but hope
that members of FUMCOG will join us when we celebrate.
Ruth Seeley
FUMCOG
February 1, 2015
Please Keep in Prayer...
Jack Snite who is hoping to be released 1/31 from HUP after a 11day stint at hospital, and resume the treatment plan prescribed to
address his Stage IV lung cancer. Julie and Jack have set up a blog at
CaringBridge to receive messages and to update folks on his status
(name: Jacksnite).
Their new address is: Jack Snite & Julie Conover
2101 Market Street, Unit 3403, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Anne Ewing who has returned home (1/28) after a 7-day hospitalization... Ruth Thornton, whose Aunt Betty died on January 19 at
the age of 95...The friends and family of Roberta Timmer DeHaan,
who died Friday, January 22 in Grand Rapids, Michigan after suffering for many years with Alzheimers disease. Words of support can be
emailed to her nephew Mr. Ray Mulder at [email protected]...
Rev. David Brown, who has recovered from a recent heart stent
procedure. David and Marion thank all for wishing him well...Craig
Kasper and his caregiving parents Mariana and Rolf Kasper. Craig
is an adult with cerebral palsy who has become bedridden. Craig
and Mariana are cousins of Anne Toensmeier... John O’Malia, father
of Music Director Kevin O’Malia, whose cancer has spread... Amanda
Scott (mother of Russell) who is recovering at Caring Heart Nursing
Home following a prolonged illness and hospitalization late this fall.
Cards can be sent to: Amanda Scott, c/o Caring Heart Rehab, 6445
Germantown Ave, Rm. 355, Philadelphia, PA 19119...The OrbachOnema family on the passing of Stephanie Orbach on 12/25, aged
61, sister to Frank and sister-in-law to Annette Onema following a
brief battle with cancer. Condolences can be mailed to: 242 Mercer Street, Trenton, NJ 08611... Sharon Owens on the sudden death
of her brother, Tom Sarbach, on 12/23, who with his family lived in
Ohio. Condolences can be mailed to Sharon at: 9 Evergreen Court,
West Chester, PA 19382... Suzanne Moller, who is now at Wesley
Enhanced Living at Stapeley... Phone calls and visits are welcome.
Suzanne’s phone number is 267-350-2551...Michael Mahan, who is
recovering from succesful spinal surgery on 12/29.
What’s happening at
FUMCOG
Sunday, February 1
9:45 am Sunday School Classes
9:45 am Adult Academy
A special presentation about the Kofa Foundation
and its Ebola relief work in Liberia
11:00 am Worship
Rev. Lorelei Toombs preaching
Meet & Mingle • Linger Lunch
1st Sundays, Music & Meditation
5 pm in Turner Chapel
Ken Ulansey & Kevin O’Malia
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 2
Tuesday 7:30 pm
SPRC Mtg
Gribbel Room
Wednesday 7:15 pm Boy Scouts FUMCOG Gym
Thursday 7:45 pm
Chancel Choir
Music Rm.
Sunday, February 8
9:45 am Sunday School Classes
11:00 am Worship
Boy Scout Sunday
Guest Speaker Brian Wallace
Meet & Mingle • Linger Lunch
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 9
Tuesday 7:30 Ad Council Budget Mtg Cassel Parlor
Wednesday 7:15 pm Boy Scouts FUMCOG Gym
Thursday 7:45 pm
Chancel Choir
Music Rm.
Sunday, February 15
9:45 am Sunday School Classes
11:00 am Worship
Miles Hopgood Preaching
Meet & Mingle • Linger Lunch
Admin Council Budget Meeting
Tuesday, February 10, 7:30 pm in Cassel Parlor
Our gender neutral/unisex bathroom is easily located.
Start from the right front corner of the sanctuary, go up a few
steps and walk straight ahead, to the end of the long corridor.
February 25 - Ash Wednesday
FUMCOG is hosting the first
Germantown Cluster Lenten Service
Dinner - 6:00 pm • Worship - 7:00 pm
Rev. Lorelei Toombs preaching
First Sundays:
Music & Meditation
Mindfulness Class
David Dimmack, who has been
a mindfulness student with Zen
Master Thich Nhat Hanh for 25
years is offering a 6 week class
titled Mindfulness Practice: The
Foundation of Healing, Tuesday
mornings, 9:30-11:00, February 3-March 10 at Center on the
Hill in the Presbyterian Church of
Chestnut Hill. All are welcome!
First Sundays:
Music & Meditation
Premier event: Sunday, February 1, 5 pm
This Afternoon!
Kevin O’Malia, organ, Ken Ulansey, saxophone
5 pm in Turner Chapel
A Taizé-style worship service, with silence, short readings in an intimate
setting with candlelight, meditation and simple musical chants.
Kenny Ulansey and Kevin O’Malia in a service of meditation
through
beautiful
Taize chants.
Brilliant of
saxophonist
Kenny
First
United
Methodist
Church
Germantown
Ulanssey will augment this candlelit service.
6001 Germantown Avenue, 19144 (at High St.)
Wanda’s vacation
Wanda Fuller, Office Administrator, will be on vacation
February 9 - February 13 (M-F). The office will remain
open, staffed with church volunteers, to take phone messages and appropriately direct questions and physical inquiries.
Email to the “[email protected]” and “fumcog1@gmail.
com” account will be responded to on her return.
Sunday, March 1, 5:00 pm
Sunday,
1
Stabat
Mater byMarch
Giovanni Pergolesi.
5 pm in Turner Chapel
Performed by the women of FUMCOG choir, Darlene Kelsey
and Majalisa Fritzhuspen soloists, Fairmount String Quartet.
First
United
Methodist
Church
Come
and
walk the
way of
ofGermantown
the cross
6001
Germantown
(at High
through
ItalianAvenue,
music19144
of the
18thSt.)
Century in our beautiful Turner
Chapel. Stabat Mater, by Giovanni
Pergolesi performed by the women of FUMCOG choir, Darlene
Kelsey and Majalisa Fritzhuspen
soloists, Fairmount String Quartet.
Brian Wallace to speak at FUMCOG
on Boy Scout Sunday, February 8
Brian Wallace is an Eagle scout,
Principal of Morton McMichael
Elementary School in Philadelphia, the Scoutmaster of Troop
358 at Grace Baptist Church of
Germantown, a lifelong Scouter,
a divinity student and the only
African American to ever be the Lodge Chief of Unami
One Lodge of the Order of the Arrow. Brian is a dynamic
and energetic speaker who brings great passion to Scouting in the City. He was recently featured in the current issue of Scouting Magazine whose cover story was the 2nd
Annual Philadelphia Encampment, which he chaired.
On why he chose the education field: “When I worked
at Treasure Island Boy Scout camp, I loved teaching merit
badges. I just loved teaching. All of the leadership skills I
learned in our Scout troop, as a camp staff member and
as [an Order of the Arrow] lodge chief are the same skills
I use to educate kids every day.”
On the significance of the Philadelphia Encampment:
“There were thousands of Scouts who could potentially
end up in traditional units. Scoutreach does well, but the
missing link was a program like this one to bridge the
two. We needed to let people see how great Scouting is.”
St. Augustine’s Corner
by Kevin O’Malia
Give us this day our daily bread
Today we focus on different settings of The Lord’s Prayer.
For the prelude, we hear the music of North German School composer Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707).
Buxtehude’s most prominent post, from 1668, was at the Marienkirche, in Lübeck which had two organs, a
large one for big services and a small one for devotionals and funerals. There he succeeded Franz Tunder and followed in many of the footsteps of his predecessor. He married Tunder’s daughter Anna Margarethe in 1668 – it
was not uncommon practice that a man marry the daughter of his predecessor in his occupation (there is a story
that he was the last of four organists to be offered the post, and the other three refused because they were not
receptive of Anna Margarethe!). Buxtehude was among the first composers to set involved and complex pedal
lines in his organ compositions. He wrote in the stylus phantasticus (literally, fantastic style) which featured
short fragmented sections in pieces as well as many contrasting and colorful sounds. He is chorale “Vater unser
in Himmelreich” (Our Father) is an ornamented chorale, with the hymn tune in the soprano, “dressed up” with
other passing tones and ornaments. It is supported by a gentle accompaniment in the left hand and pedal.
Johann Sebastian Bach, in the next generation of organists, was rumored to have travelled hundreds of miles
on foot to hear Buxtehude play in Lubeck. His concert series Abendmusik (evening music) was very popular
throughout Europe and the young Bach was enamored of Buxtehude’s style upon the acquaintance. Clearly,
Buxtehude’s style made an impression on Johann, who emulated his style in his organ compositions; ultimately
he developed the North German style further and in more complex ways. Wir Glauben all an einen Gott (We
all believe in one true God) is another chorale prelude, taken from Bach’s set of Klavierubung III. These chorale
preludes are to reflect the ideals of the Lutheran catechism, and are teaching pieces, featuring the mass parts:
Kyrie, Gloria, Creed, etc), the 10 Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, etc). Wir Glauben is Luther’s poetic
setting of the creed. Bach sets it to a full registration, with a two part fugue in the manuals and an alternating
through composed pedal line.
For our anthems today, we hear to other settings of the Lord’s Prayer. The first is by a favorite composer of ours,
Mark Miller. Mark serves is Assistant Professor of Church Music at Drew Theological School and is a Lecturer
in the Practice of Sacred Music at Yale University. He also is the Minister of Music of Christ Church in Summit,
New Jersey. Since 1999 Mark has led music for United Methodists and others around the country, including directing music for the 2008 General Conference. His choral anthems are best sellers for Abingdon Press
andChoristers Guild and his hymns are published in “Worship& Song”, “Sing! Prayer and Praise”, “Zion Still
Sings”, “Amazing Abundance”, “The Faith We Sing”, and others. Mark received his Bachelor of Arts in Music
from Yale University and his Master of Music in Organ Performance from Juilliard. Mark is a lifelong United
Methodist. He is the grandson, son, brother, uncle, and cousin to United Methodist clergy. As a lay delegate to
the 2000 and 2004 and 2012 General Conferences, Mark was a witness to Christ’s mission of breaking down
the dividing walls of hostility and fear in the United Methodist Church. The piece is set to a contemporary
translation, and is a three-part choral setting with a rippling accompaniment. And our final setting is by William Billings, known as the ‘father of American’ choral music. He taught the colonists how to sing (he lived
from 1746-1800)..Hailing from Boston, he composed hymns and anthems in a simple yet rugged style. Kittery
(an anthem named after a town in Maine) is a paraphrase of the Lord’s Prayer. It is a fuguing tune, set in an A-B
form, the first section hymn-like in four parts and the second section in imitation, or fugue.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Lenten Service @ 7:00 P.M. (Dinner @ 6:00 P.M.)
Location: - Ridge Avenue UMC
470 Green Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19128
Preacher: Rev. Suzanne Duchesne
Lenten Service @ 7:00 P.M. (Dinner @ 6:00 P.M.)
Location: Green Lane UMC
470 Green Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19128
Preacher: Rev. Steven Pittman
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Lenten Service @ 7:00 P.M. (Dinner at 6:00 P.M.)
Lenten Service @ 7:00 P.M. (Dinner @ 6:00 P.M.)
Location: Servants of Christ UMC
Location: Grace UMC
5213 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144
7101 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19138
Preacher: Rev. Alfred W. Jones. III.
Preacher: Rev. Dr. William Gary George
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Maundy Thursday Service @ 7:00 P.M.
(Dinner @ 6:00 P.M.)
Location: Bickley’s New Beginning UMC
6239 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19126
Preacher: Rev. Jackie Anne Stewart
Friday, April 3, 2015
Good Friday Service @ Noon
Location: Janes Memorial UMC
47 E. Haines Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144
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Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Lenten Service @ 7:00 P.M. (Dinner @ 6:00 P.M.)
Location: Janes Memorial UMC
47 E. Haines Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Preacher: Rev. Anna R. Seward
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Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Ash Wednesday Service @ 7:00 P.M.
Dinner @ 6:00 P.M.
Location:FUMCOG
6001 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144
Preacher: Rev. Lorelei Krall Toombs
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How can we work together to save
this piece of Germantown history?
Dear Rev. Toombs, Wanda, Shamir, Bruce,
Mark, and All the FUMCOG Community -Please accept the thank you of Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) and the Germantown Community for hosting an amazingly powerful
community meeting. This was the largest gathering of
Germantowners that I have witnessed in the close to thirty
years I’ve lived in this area. FUMCOG understood the tensions but also understood the importance of the issue we
were working through.
Germantown is at a turning point and needs all the activism we can use to turn our neighborhood back into the
vibrant place it once was. FUMCOG is at the forefront of
our renaissance.
Thank you for attending the January 22 community meeting on saving the Germantown YWCA. We were excited to
see such a large turnout of so many community residents
to discuss this important issue. We have posted a video of
the entire meeting on our web site:
http://germantownunitedcdc.org/wp/category/events/
Please visit this site for updates as we receive them.
Next steps: GUCDC will continue to advocate for the
YWCA to be saved and put to a productive, communitysupported use. In the short-term we are requesting that
Councilwoman Bass and the PRA immediately share the
results of the L&I inspection so we can share it with you.
Thank you.
Please contact us at [email protected] if you
have additional questions or comments. Share your ideas
with us on how to save and re-use this historic Germantown building.
Julie Stapleton-Carroll, Vice President
Garlen Capita, President, and the GUCDC Board
Look for email updates as they become available.
Thank you.
FUMCOG Joins Kofa Family Foundation Help for Child Survivors of Ebola in Liberia
Many of us have wanted to do something to help the victims of the terrible Ebola crisis in West Africa. Now we — members of FUMCOG and our families and friends — have a timely and important way to help!
There have been more than 7000 Ebola deaths since last August. On a human level, this is a greater disaster than
9/11. International organizations, governments and foundations have sent massive support to help victims and curb the
spread of the virus — and with good results. According to the New York Times (Jan. 24, 2015) new cases in Liberia are
down from 300 last September to just 8 cases reported the week of Jan. 18. Although this effort must continue until there
are 0 cases, it is great progress, for which we are all thankful.
Now the work of recovery must begin. Liberia and its neighbors have been devastated and must receive assistance
of all kinds. But of greatest urgency is to address the desperate needs of orphaned children who are survivors of Ebola.
Sadly, these children are stigmatized — even by family members — because of fear of contracting the deadly virus even
though the children are now immune.
The nation of Liberia underwent decades of oppressive dictatorship causing many to leave the country and continue their lives in refugee camps and neighboring countries. One couple, Agnes and Joseph Kofa, came to Philadelphia
in 1997 and, being good Methodists, found their way to FUMCOG. The next year, 17 family members also emigrated
from Liberia to take up life in Philadelphia. Many FUMCOG members and groups assisted in their relocation. When the
Ebola pandemic came about, the Kofa family was affected. One family member returned from his home in Minneapolis to
Liberia to help with the crisis in that country. He contracted the disease and died, the first American citizen to die in the
epidemic. There are others in the extended Kofa family in Liberia who have died from the disease.
Midwestern members of the Kofa family and their friends have created a Kofa Family Foundation to care for victims of the Ebola crisis. The emphasis of the Foundation is caring for the orphaned children. The Foundation has appealed to the FUMCOG community to join them in raising
funds to help these orphans. If you were at worship on January 11, you heard Decontee Kofa Sawyer
share her personal story of her brave husband, Patrick, who is the person mentioned above. She spoke
from her heart in describing the toll Ebola has taken and the courageous people who are helping.
The Foundation is partnering with More Than Me (MTM), a girl’s education non-profit
organization serving the very poor neighborhood of West Point in Monrovia. After schools were
suspended, MTM led a community coalition to stop Ebola, which reached 100,000 people. With schools re-opening in
February, MTM is committed to serving the Ebola orphans with a home, education and other help. But they need financial
support and the Kofa Family Foundation is responding.
FUMCOG has always responded to natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis. This crisis has touched
FUMCOG in a very personal and familial way. In December the Trustees approved a Julia Morgan Fund Grant of $2000
as a “seed” fund with the hope that the FUMCOG community would add to this amount. The Administrative Council
established an Ad Hoc Committee (Sayondee Kofa, Dick Cox, John Riggan, Ray Torres, Dan Ross, Phyllis Thomas and
Beverly Lucas) to learn more about the needs and to bring recommendations to the Council. The result is this Fundraising
Campaign.
The Campaign will be launched on February 1 with Adult Academy and the Sunday morning worship service.
Decontee has made the wonderful commitment to come from Minneapolis to speak and answer questions, along with
Sayondee and the Committee, at Adult Academy at 9:30am. During worship a special communion offering will be taken
as a first opportunity to give generously to this great cause. The Campaign will continue for two more weeks, concluding
on February 15th. During this period we hope that all FUMCOGers will contribute AND share this letter with family,
friends and anyone you know who might be interested in helping the children who are surviving victims of Ebola. We will
dedicate these gifts during worship on Feb. 15.
Please give as generously as you are able. A check addressed to FUMCOG with “Ebola” on the memo line will
ensure that all contributions are tax deductible.
Thank you for joining in this good cause.
Dick Cox and John Riggan for the Ad Hoc Committee