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The Vision
February 2015
Inspired by Christ , transformed and moved to action
First United Methodist Church fumc safford.org
PASTOR ACTION
Showy fasting—Matthew 6:16-21
"And when you fast, don't put on a sad face like the hypocrites. They distort their faces so people will
know they are fasting. I assure you that they have their reward. When you fast, brush your hair and wash your
face. Then you won't look like you are fasting to people, but only to your Father who is present in that secret
place. Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting. It is the first day of Lent in
Western Christianity. It occurs 46 days before Easter. According to the
Gospel’s of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the
desert where he endured temptation by Satan. Lent originated as a
mirroring of this fasting 40 days as a preparation for Easter. Ash Wednesday
derives its name from the practice of blessing ashes made from the palm
branches blessed on the previous year Palm Sunday and placing them on the
heads of participants to the accompaniment of the words “Repent, and
believe in the Gospel.”
Our time of Lent is upon us. To us churchy people we know it as a
time of fasting and repentance accompanied by ashes on Ash Wednesday
and then moving through the rhythm of Holy Week that precedes our Easter
Celebrations.
So we get it, but how do we make all this presentable and available
to those more non-churched or re-churched people. Does our foot washing
on Holy Thursday, which has basically been updated to washing ones hands,
Ash Wednesday Service 6:30 pm, Feb 18
give the participants that Christ power
buzz to set them on a road of reflection? Does sitting on the steps of the
church in ashes rending our clothes yelling, “Forgive us Lord!” promote the
“Good News” of Jesus Christ.
I can tell you from my last year’s experiences at our Holy Thursday
(Don’t even get me started on calling it Maundy Thursday) and our Good
Friday worship that even the most faithful Sunday attendees do not turn out
for these services. Holy Thursday was small enough but Good Friday, #$%^! I
also knew every person who attended. That tells me we are not reaching those
Valentine’s Day falls on the 2nd
we need to!
Saturday of the month.
From
And back to the scripture. Jesus tells us when we fast to wash our face Valetine’s Day to President’s Day to
and hair. We are to look to the world as if we are going about our daily Ash Wednesday which begins the
routines, but God will know we are fasting. It appears that we have developed season of Lent, February packs a lot of
action in 28 short days.
traditions that contradict what our scriptures say to us. What is the spiritual
seeker to think? That we Christians are wishy-washy and act contrary to what the Scripture has said?
As Lewis Carroll reminds us, sometimes the world just gets ”curiouser and curiouser.”
So what are we to do? I am beginning to think it has to start in a personal place and then we can share with
those who we have personal contact with; family, friends, and people we meet daily in our lives.
First: Ash Wednesday is a seed time. We are planting, the harvest will come later. Listen to these words
from Father Delp who was a German Jesuit priest condemned to death by the Nazis in Berlin, Germany in 1945.
“This is seed-time, not harvest. God sows the seed and some time or other he will do the reaping. The
one thing I must do is to make sure the seed falls on fertile ground. And I must arm myself against the pain and
depression that sometimes almost defeats me. If this is the way God has chosen- and everything indicates that
it is-then I must willingly and without rancor make it my way.”
Maybe we should look at Ash Wednesday, with or without ashes, as a journey for us to turn back to God.
It is a time to look at those areas in our lives where we have become too self-centered and how we have fallen
short of what we want to be. It can become a day when we call all of our angers, hatred and jealousies out from
their dark corners and look them in the eye and embrace them as part of us. Let’s let Lent become a season of
healing. We can open up our lives so we can see into the depths of our souls. It is a time of confession for us. It
is a time of forgiveness and healing.
If we are willing to give ourselves permission we can allow God to bring light into those places where
change is needed. We can allow God access to those places in our hearts that suffer from the illusion that we
are separate from the rest of creation. We are allowing the real work of Lent to happen. Lent can renew our
sense of connection, restore our dignity and call us back to ourselves. This then calls us back to that place where
we can once again acknowledge the invitation to choose life and our responsibility to act co-creatively with God.
Are we facing a barren desert in our life? Jesus did! We may be tempted to do something wrong or to
do something selfish or hurtful. Have we become lost and not sure which way to turn? Lent gives us the time to
reach deep inside and to find that sacred spark that represents the very best in us. In finding that spark we
remember who we really are and who we can be and are reminded that we are here to share a spirit of life and
love with others. We come to find out that we can blossom even in the desert places, and we can help others
to blossom too!
Blessings and prayers,
Grace and Peace
“On the Way”
Pastor Bob
Ash Wednesday activities & service
Our Ash Wednesday observances will take a new turn this year.
Between 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. we will be presenting a walk-by/drive-by ashes imposition in our parking lot at
the corner of 10th Ave and 10th St. We will hand out information on the historical and traditional background of ash
imposition along with the ashes. For those who would like early in the day ashes, please stop by.
Later that day, we will have an evening service at 6:30 pm with a message from Pastor Bob as he begins his Lenten
Sermon series, “Fearless—The Courage to Change.” There will be an imposition of ashes.
P.S. If you are interested in helping Pastors Bob, Sherry and Maribel, please contact us.
ACTION: Ministry & Missions
Announcement
By Sue Bonefas, RN, retired
Blood Pressure & Glucose checks will be performed on February 8th in the
Wesley Room. This is a monthly mission of FUMC made available to you at no charge. These checks are a
preventative health screening that can catch potential problems before health issues get out of control.
News From The Hispanic Ministry
By Maribel Calvo
Hi everyone! There is a story in the Bible that I like in Acts 8:26-40 that says: One day
the angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south the road, the desert road and he started out,
and on his way he met an Ethiopian, an important official in charge of all treasury of
Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He was sitting in his chariot reading from the book of
Isaiah the prophet. Philip heard the man reading Isaiah and he asked, “Do you understand
what you are reading?” “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” Then Philip began to explain
to him the scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
Wow! We are in the desert, and we are the “Philip’s” that God has called to go to this community and
transform it through our actions. Hispanic Ministry at our church has the goal to reach the Hispanic community.
We are doing that through:
1. English as a Second Language classes
2. Visiting the Dialysis center at the hospital
3. Helping with translations at school and governmental
agencies
The goals for this year are:
1. To establish a Hispanic Ministry Committee
2. To start a Citizenship class (for people who must take the
test to become citizens of the USA)
3. To initiate a Spanish Bible study
Please pray that this ministry continues on to fulfill the goals for the New Year, and if you feel like a “Philip”
then we have many ways for you to be involved in this ministry. For more information, please contact me at
(504)599-4206.
United Methodist Women
February 12, 2015 --MARK THE DATE UMW Luncheon/Business
Meeting
By Donna Wright, president
Thursday, February 12th is the United Methodist Women meeting. This will
be the annual pledge service with a nice lunch. The business meeting begins
at 11:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. Of course, lunch will be served at noon too. All
women are invited to attend!
Can I Get A Witness?? A little testimony…..
I am attending Soul Overhaul, Adult Sunday School Class that meets each Sunday in the Day Care
classroom next to the church office. The study we are completing is Revival, Faith as Wesley Lived It, by
Adam Hamilton. The author took us on an exciting and inspiring journey through the life of John Wesley and
the historic sites that mark the birth of Methodism in England. This review of John Wesley’s life makes me
proud to be a Methodist.
Peggy J. Hunter, Church Historian
Dinner and Business meeting
By Steve Haralson, UMM president
United Methodist men will hold a meeting and dinner on February 24th. Come
hungry, for both food and camaraderie. Meet us in Fellowship hall at 6:00 pm.
HYSTERICAL EVENT COMING SOON!
By Peggy Hunter
On February 23, 1015 a group of volunteer folks will gather in the Fellowship
Hall at 9:00 a.m. to re-organize 121 years of historical documents, letters, official
minutes, photographs and much more.
The Conference Archives and History Commission is encouraging all churches
in this conference to preserve all historical records. Records are almost living
organisms. They are born, mature during their use, and then are retired or removed. We
are to recognize when a record has reached the end of its life cycle and no longer serves
a useful administrative function, it is ready to retire from the office.
If we are to have a past for the future, we must preserve the records of today.
Peggy Hunter at Mount
New acid free boxes and supplies will be used and we will remove our historical
Rushmore, Sept. 2014.
records from the Walmart plastic tubs and transfer to the new acid free boxes. We will
sort, toss out duplicates, and become aware of our precious history.
CALLING VOLUNTEERS, WE NEED YOUR HELP! Call Peggy Hunter 235-0515.
S
See
*********OMG I meant to Say, “ Historical Event Coming Soon”!****************
DAYCARE SHOPPING LIST
Kleenex
Bleach
Latex disposable gloves
Liquid hand soap (cannot be antibacterial)
Disposable cups (5 ounce)
Toilet Paper
Please bring items to the Daycare office
or leave in the Narthex.
Stephen Ministry
Divorce
It’s over.
You never dreamed anything could hurt so badly. You don’t want to
think, to remember. Divorce.
In this extremely painful time, you need the gentle, caring support of a
Stephen Minister. A Stephen Minister will be there for you as you work
through this difficult time, listening without judging or pushing you to get over it.
To find out more about Stephen Ministry or to receive a Stephen Minister’s care, call
Janice Evans at 310-991-6918 or see Pastor Bob. (Please do not report a friend’s need without
first asking his or her permission to do so.)
BOY SCOUT SUNDAY/BIRTHDAY……FEBRUARY 8,
2015……105 years
Boy Scouts of America was founded February 8, 1910 by Robert Baden-Powell
and is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States with 2.7 million
youth.
As early as 1915, The Graham County Guardian was publishing stories telling
of Scout activities in the Safford area. In an article dated March 1917, we find that
J. M. Foster was among an early group of farsighted men in the Gila Valley and a member of the
Methodist Church. Through his efforts Safford Troop #1 was organized and sponsored by the Methodist
Church. It was later to be called Troop 23 and finally became Troop 5023.
On Sunday, February 8 we will celebrate with our Scouts as they will participate in our worship
service.
Thank you for supporting our Scout Program,
Scout Troop 5023, Cub Pack 5023
Managing Chronic Pain:
Support is available
A Chronic Pain Support Group is currently meeting every
other week and you are invited to join. If you are not sure how
this group can provide support for you or someone you care
about, please come to a meeting and ask questions. All are
welcome. The purpose of the group is to:
 Provide mutual support for each other in dealing with chronic pain
 Share resources to expand the knowledge of what is available to all members seeking answers about managing
chronic pain
 Provide a place where persons knowledgeable about pain management can share their expertise and answer
questions
 Reaching out to and include others who are dealing with chronic pain
We meet on every other Monday evening from 6:30pm to 7:30pm in the Sanctuary Wesley Room (to your right as
you walk into the front door of the Church) Our next meeting is scheduled for February 2 and every other Monday after
that! Please join us!
ACTION: Taking care of business
From Our Finance Secretary, Monika Ragland
I've lived in the Gila Valley for 42 years. I'm married to Ed Ragland, whom everyone knows because of
his long-time association with the City of Safford as a city councilman. We have two sons, Lance and Travis. I
was born in Germany and raised as a Lutheran, but we've been attending the Methodist church for a number of
years. I enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and geocaching, as well as reading and creative writing. I enjoy being
able to do work for the church as the financial secretary.
Editor’s Note: We asked Monika to put together a little bio we could share with everyone as a way of introducing her to the folks who
may not yet know her. She is who you connect with concerning your giving statements. Thank you Monika for all you do for us!
by Janice Evans
Song is the climate in which God Himself works in His most glorious ways as Creator Job 38:4-7.
Song is the companion means by which we are taught to see the Word of God enriched
in its workings within our lives, in practice and purity - Colossians 3:16-17.
Song is the conduit by which the soul's night of darkness is ignited with hope and deliverance - Job
35:10; Psalm 32:6-7.
Song is the claim of the barren, by which God says we may entertain and expect fruitfulness - Isaiah
54:1.
Song is the conquering instrument available when we are outnumbered by circumstance - 2 Chronicles
20:21-22.
The secret of song is the Church's most distinctive resource, not because music is more powerful than
the Word or the Spirit, but because song is a means by which both can become so joyously conjoined - by ALL
the people of the Lord!
Your Staff/Pastor-Parish
Relations Committee is
organized to work for
and with you!
By Dick Spining, SPRC Chair
The Staff/Pastor-Parish
Relations Committee (SPRC)
had its first meeting of the year
on January 13. In this first
quarter of the year (January
through March) we will be
engaged in the following
activities:
1. Set expectations as a basis
for evaluation of clergy and
paid staff at the end of the year.
2. Establish a relationship with
you, the congregation,
members in leadership roles,
and of course our ordained
clergy and paid staff.
3. Put in place a plan for responding to concerns that you may have about Safford 1st United Methodist church
in regard to how we are working to “make disciples for Christ”.
Following is a listing of members you elected to the 2015 SPRC and their assigned responsibilities to
serve as liaison between specific persons and the committee. Please feel comfortable in talking with these
persons as you seek to contribute to improving what we do.
Chair: Dick Spining. Members: Jeff McCormick, Bruce Stanfield, Dick van Loben Sels, Hank Slotnick, and Karl Schade.
Members (Ex-Officio): Barbie Spining (Lay Leader) and Steve Haralson (Chair – Administrative Council). Pastoral Staff:
(who meet with the committee): Pastor Bob Gilfert, Associate Pastor Sherry Brady, Licensed Local Pastor (Pending)
Maribel Calvo
Liaison/Coordination with pastoral staff will be the responsibility of SPRC Chair and Lay Leader, Barbie Spining
Liaison/Coordination responsibility for paid staff is as follows:
Staff Position
SPRC Liaison
Office Manager
Dick van Loben Sels
Custodian
Hank Slotnick (Direct Supervision provided by
Board of Trustees)
Choir Director
Jeff McCormick
Accompanist
Jeff McCormick
Media Coordinator
Bruce Stanfield
Nursery Attendant (and assistant)
Karl Schade
Thank you!
Dick Spining, Chair SPRC
[email protected]
928-428-1414
ACTION: Just for Fun
WHO AM i?
The little one in diapers is one of our members.
Can you guess who that is? Find out in next
month’s issue of The Vision.
Editor’s note about Your Front
Page Photos and more…
Photos on the front page this month were all found on the internet.
Please share your “Who Am I” pictures with us. You can send pictures for
Who Am I and other photos/stories you’d like to share to
[email protected] for future publication.
Also, please let us know when you have an exciting achievement or
accomplishment in your family like birth announcements, engagements, new members in your family and awards received
and other special achievements. We’re here to share your news with your church family!
ACTION: Recognition
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
Feb 1 Terry Fisher
Feb 2 Sharisse Fisher
Feb 3 Bryan Folstad
Feb 3 Rachel Micetich
Feb 4 Jerry Sterr
Feb 4 Norman Wilson
Feb 6 Chad Bailey
Feb 7 Christa Owen
Feb 7 Jane Smith
Feb 8 Alyssa Brady
Feb 9 Monika Ragland
Feb 10 Polly Gyger
Feb 11 Pat Wade
Feb 12 Johnathan McCamy
Feb 13 Kelly Capps
Feb 13 Ed Sherman
Feb 14 Karl Schade
Feb 16 John Craig
Feb 17 Jesse Hunter
Feb 17 Elizabeth Manning
Feb 18 Marty Mitchell
Feb 19 Bridgette Baca
Feb 19 Peggy Hunter
Feb 20 Brooklyn Lindsey
Feb 21 Shirley Lindsey
Feb 21 Jesse Stone
Feb 23 Geri Jeremy
Feb 23 Annick Sterr
Feb 27 Al Foreman
FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES
Feb 3 Steve & Barbara Haralson
Feb 8 Jerry & Pat Wade
Feb 11 Matt & Mickie Hunter
Feb 14 Joe & Nora Delgado
Feb 14 Clay & Sali Farrell
Major Events in FEBRUARY
FEB 14 VALENTINESDAY
FEB 16 PRESIDENT’S DAY (OFFICE CLOSED)
FEB 18 walk-by/drive-by ashes imposition 7:30-10:30am
Feb 18 ASH WEDNESDAY service 6:30 pm
2015Ad Council/Chair Persons
Clergy: Pastor Bob Gilfert, Rev. Sherry Brady,
Lay Minister Maribel Calvo
Ad Council: Steve Haralson
Congregational Care: Carrie Glaspie
Education: Joanne Montell
Finance: John Bonefas
Finance Secretary: Monika Ragland
Foundation: Lowell Hinkins
Hispanic Ministry: Maribel Calvo
Historian: Peggy Hunter
Lay Leader: Barbie Spining
Missions: Sharon Worland
Newsletter Editor: CJ Palmer
Recording Secretary: Carolea Bailey
Scout Coordinator: Jim Wright
SPRC: Dick Spining
Treasurer: Dorine Chancellor
Trustees: Ty Montell
Worship: Paula Schade
First United Methodist Church
1020 S. 10th Avenue
Safford AZ 85546
Office: 928-428-4211
First United Methodist Church
1020 S. 10th Avenue
Safford AZ 85546
Office: 928-428-4211
[email protected]
www.fumcsafford.org
Inspired by Christ, transformed, moved to action
Robert Hoshibata, Resident Bishop
Dottie Escobedo-Frank, Superintendent
Pastor Bob Gilfert
Rev. Sherry Brady, Assoc. in Ministry
Maribel Calvo, Lay Minister Assigned
Janice Evans, Choir Director
CJ Palmer, Office Manager