The Governing Council is Faith United Methodist Church’s main administrative body whose charge is to plan and implement “a program of nurture, outreach, witness, and resources in the local church” (UMC Book of Discipline par. 252). There are 12 members on the Council and they meet on the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the parlor. Everyone is invited to attend the meetings, however non-members do not have a vote and will be asked to be excused during staff and personnel issues. In addition, once a quarter we will have a Quarterly Connection, kind of like a town hall meeting, to discuss the big issues we are facing as a church and to hear from you. The first Quarterly Connection will be Sunday, March 15. We will have one service that day at 10 a.m. Following the service we will have our Quarterly Connection and then a carry-in lunch. One of the main items for conversation that day will be the United Methodist General Conference taking place May 5-15 in Minneapolis. United Methodist delegates, both laity and clergy, from the entire world will meet to do the business of our denomination. Part of that business will be to deal with at least four proposals that would significantly change the structure of The United Methodist Church and our current policy on human sexuality. If you are interested in a summary of the proposals you can find a link at our website (faithumc.com). I would also ask you to pray for our Indiana delegates to General Conference. They are listed to the right. God Bless! Pastor John

“Quarterly Connections” Indiana Delegates

Clergy:

Russ Abel

Aleze Fulbright

Lisa Shubert Nowling

Ronnie Bell

Rob Fuquay

Jill Howard

Duane Carlisle

Larry Whitehead

Lay:

Chris Hancock

Ian Hall

Shirley Dominick

Leah Padgett

Michael Womack

John Lomperis

Shannon Priddy

Amy Land

Faithnews MONTHLY NEWSLETTER | MARCH 2020

Stephen Ministry Stephen Ministry presents one with a unique opportunity to form a Christian caring relationship with another who could use a sounding board to work through the challenges facing them in life. It is an opportunity for a Care Receiver to talk through those concerns, hurts, losses, or relationship issues which are troubling them. All said is kept in confidence between the Stephen Minister and the Care Receiver.

Of course, the Stephen Minister does not replace the Pastor in a crisis situation. When a crisis occurs, there are many smaller ripple effects from the actual crisis. Care is needed long after the crisis itself has passed. Stephen Ministry could be viewed as a “Pastor Extender” in their role of providing longer-term caring, Christ-centered support. The Stephen Minister/Care Receiver relationship may last a few months or even a year or more, depending on the need for care and support. The Stephen Minister is not a “fixer” of an individual’s problems. They are not counselors nor casual visitors. They usually visit weekly for approximately an hour.

The Stephen Minister’s purpose is to share the love of Christ. When one is unable to attend the church service the Stephen Minister can bring communion to the Care Receiver after the Pastor has blessed the communion elements.

The Stephen Minister is always mindful that they are the Care-Giver. God provides the cure. Devotions and prayer may be a part of the visit if desired by the Care Receiver. It is not a “Bible Study” as such. However, the care provided is based on teaching of the Bible to “bear ye one another’s burdens” and “love one another as I have loved you.”

Stephen Ministry training emphasizes compassion, trustworthiness, faith, and skilled interpersonal skill. The Stephen Minister listens, asks focused questions, identifies additional resources that may be beneficial to the Care Receiver, and supports them in their journey to find peace. These concepts are emphasized in the training classes that prepare one for Stephen Ministry. Opportunity in class is provided to practice these skills.

Female Stephen Ministers work with female care receivers. Male Stephen Ministers work with male care receivers. Stephen Ministers do not work with minors.

When you or someone you know could benefit from this type of caring, Christian ministry, please obtain their permission to give their name and contact information to one of the Stephen Minister Referral Coordinators: Pastor John or Cathy Van Huystee, or one of the Stephen Leaders: Janet Miller, John Moore, or Linda Schrock.

The Stephen Ministers of Faith include Judy Atkinson, David Bortner, Brian Conwell, Scott Jamison, Lisa Meredith, Teresa Null, Vicki Shoemaker, Ramona Sutphin, Irene Weesner, Pat Witt, and Linda Wood.

We have heard from many care receivers that they were blessed by working with a Stephen Minister. The Stephen Ministers have also indicated they have been blessed through their work as a Stephen Minister.

-submitted by Linda Schrock, Stephen Ministry Leader

Dale & Judy Stickel

Relational Missions Team Announces a Scholarship Fund In the Name of Dale and Judy Stickel.

Faith United Methodist Church is establishing a scholarship program in honor of Dale and Judy Stickel.

This program is to provide financial assistance to church members and/or constituents to participate in mission trips. Information regarding the guidelines for those seeking this support, and applications for scholarships will be available in the church office and on the Missions Bulletin board for the month of March. The goal is to encourage participation in mission trips. If you have questions regarding this program you can contact Jim Hendress, Chairperson Relational Missions Team 574-370-2879 or email jhendress@gmail.com.

The Stickel Scholarship Fund for Missions will be the March Mission of the Month.

Donations:

In March & April we will be collecting infant

diapers and adult incontinence products for

Church Community Services. Non-perishable

foods are also being collected and can be placed

in the shopping carts in the lobby. Thank you for

donating 131 lotions & deodorants for Jan/Feb.

Susanna’s Kitchen has a continual need for

Country Time Lemonade powdered drink mix.

Breakthrough Youth Spring is on its way, and I can’t wait until the warmer weather returns. But,

while we wait, we are still meeting regularly each week! In the month of

March we will begin a new series called, “Doubt It” on the 8th. We’ll talk

about doubts and how we can work through them. We’ll also be having our

first Mission Trip meeting, and continuing with our second monthly TGYF!

Check the schedule below for what’s coming up.

MARCH:

1st: Mission Trip Meeting @ 9 am, Youth 5-6:30 pm

8th: Youth 5-6:30 pm

15th: Youth 5-6:30 pm

22nd: Youth 5-6:30 pm

27th: TGYF @ Sarah’s 6-10 pm

29th: Youth 5-6:30 pm (Dinner night!)

Faith Kids! Hello Everyone,

We had a very successful, and FUN, Parent’s Night Out! Thank you to all who volunteered.

In Breakout we have been learning about the Ten Commandments. Each week we review them and I am so impressed how fast the kids can rattle them off!

Next the children will be learning about different spiritual gifts. During this series the children will be learning that The Holy Spirit can live in us. The Holy Spirit can be a bit of a mystery to children, but before they try to identify their spiritual gifts and how they can use them, children need to understand the source of the gifts. We will be helping kids get to know the Holy Spirit and to feel empowered. They will also be learning the meanings behind the different spiritual gifts.

We are currently looking for Sunday School teachers for two classrooms. Please let me know if you would be interested. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Miss Vanessa (vanessa@faithumc.com)

Stewardship Report

Annual Budget $ 819, 956

Year to Date Needed: $ 126,147

Year to Date Rec’d: $ 110,075

Annual Bus Trip

Faith's Annual Bus Trip will take us to Chicago on Tuesday,

September 15 for a fun day on the Odyssey River

Boat. The boat is a new state-of-the-art ship, fully

enclosed by glass and climate controlled. Included in the

cost of $129.00/person is a 3 course lunch, the river cruise

to view Chicago's renowned architecture, a visit to the

Chicago Cultural Center, and travel via Motorcoach. Look

for brochures coming out this spring. Call Joan Stiver for

questions (238-6879).

For hospitality & events, we are asking for donations of bottled water. We are running

low. Thank you!

Children’s Chimes!

Rehearsals start

March 22 at 9am for a

May 17 performance.

Contact Laura

Radeline or Vanessa

Rosenberg to

participate.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

We will have our first church-wide Quarterly Connection

on Sunday, March 15 at 11am. There will be ONE service

at 10:00am. Sunday school classes may choose to meet at

9am. After the service we will come together to connect

with what’s happening at Faith. Then we will connect with

each other in a time of food & fellowship during a carry-in

lunch. Last names A-J Main Dish, K-S Side/Salad,

T-Z Dessert

The Lenten Breakfast Series begins Saturday, February 29

and continues for 6 weeks. All are invited to attend any or

all of the series. Each breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m.

Feb. 29: Jamestown UMC

Mar. 7: Goshen First

Mar. 14: Bashor

Mar. 21: Location TBD

Mar. 28: Faith UMC

Apr. 4: Dunlap UMC

Discipleship New Studies beginning Wednesday, March 4th at 6:30 pm! During the Lenten Season, join either Pastor John or Pastor Sarah for a 5 week study.

Help My Unbelief by Barnabas Piper—Meet in Room 310 All of us have questions about faith, but we often feel awkward or uncomfortable asking them. We assume doubt is always a bad thing.

Yet God chooses to reveal Himself in ways that spark questions rather than settling them. What if our doubts are not the enemy of

faith, but a path to deeper faith?

Join Pastor Sarah in exploring how God is big enough to handle doubts. God uses our doubts to invite us into a larger faith, one that has

room for questions, victories, failures and mystery. God not only desires our belief but welcomes our curiosity. When we bring our

doubts to Jesus we find that our doubts may actually pave a path to belief and trust.

In Pursuit of Peter the Apostle—Meet in Room 312 How did Peter transform from an uneducated fisherman into one of the most celebrated and beloved Jesus-followers in history? New

Testament scholar Con Campbell explores the places where Peter lived and traveled—including the Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem, and Rome.

Con's inquisitive mind and adventurous spirit create an engaging travelogue-style program that both entertains and enlightens. Join

Pastor John to better understand how Jesus slowly transformed Peter's outlook from worldly cowardice to otherworldly glory.

Easter Lilies will be available to order in memory of or in

honor of starting March 1. Each white lily will have 4-5

blooms have a gold pot cover. Order forms will be in the

lobby. Each plant is $8.

Be sure to “spring forward” the evening of March 7 by

moving your clocks up one hour to avoid missing church

and Sunday school!

If you would like to be baptized on March 15, please

contact Pastor John or Pastor Sarah.

If you are a volunteer in the Children’s Ministry, please

be sure you are wearing your name lanyard and have a

YELLOW volunteer card. If you need one, please contact

Vanessa or the office.

THE ART OF MARRIAGE Friday, March 20 • 6-8pm Saturday, March 21 • 9a-4p $35/couple (assistance available)

A DVD & Discussion study open to all couples, married or

considering marriage. A DVD & Discussion study open to all

couples, married or considering marriage. This 2-part session

weaves together lessons, stories, humor, and more to portray

the hope & beauty of God’s design for marriage. Sign up

sheets are in the lobby.

Su

n

Mo

n

Tu

e

We

d

Th

u

Fri

Sa

t

1 8:30am T

raditional Worship

9am Y

outh Mission M

tg. 9:45am

Grow

th Studies

New

Mem

ber Class

10:45am F

amily W

orship 5pm

Life Group:

Mom

s In Prayer

5pm B

reakthrough Youth

2 11:30am Lunch &

Learn 6pm

Men’s F

ellowship @

M

ichael’s Italian

3 4 5:15pm

Ladies Bible S

tudy 6pm

Pickleball

6:30pm B

ible Study w

/ P

astor John 6:30pm

Bible S

tudy w/

Pastor S

arah 7pm

Choir &

Handbell

Rehearsals

5 6:30am M

en’s Breakfast @

M

ayberry Café

10am Intercessory P

rayer T

eam

6:30pm Life G

roup: Vets

6 7 8:30am

Lenten Breakfast @

G

oshen First

8 Daylig

ht S

aving

Tim

e 8:30am

Traditional W

orship 9:30am

Donut F

ellowship

9:45am G

rowth S

tudies N

ew M

ember C

lass 10:45am

Casual W

orship 5pm

Life Group:

Mom

s In Prayer

5pm B

reakthrough Youth

5pm J-S

quad

9 6pm M

en’s Fellow

ship @

Michael’s Italian

10 1pm

United M

ethodist Wom

en 4pm

Stephen Leaders

6pm S

tephen Supervisory

7pm D

aycare Com

mittee

11 5:15pm

Ladies Bible S

tudy 6pm

Pickleball

6:30pm B

ible Study w

/ P

astor John 6:30pm

Bible S

tudy w/

Pastor S

arah 7pm

Life Group: P

letcher 7pm

Choir &

Handbell

Rehearsals

12 6:30am

Men’s B

reakfast @

Mayberry C

afé 10am

Intercessory Prayer

Team

6:30pm

Life Group:

Vets @

Perkins

6:30pm R

elational Missions

Team

13

14 8:30am

Lenten Breakfast @

B

ashor Children’s H

ome

9a-4p The A

rt of Marriage

(Day 2)

15 9:00am

Grow

th Studies

10:00am C

ombined W

orship 11:00am

Quarterly

Connection T

ime

12:00pm P

otluck Lunch 5pm

Life Group:

Mom

s In Prayer

5pm B

reakthrough Youth

16 11:30am

Lunch & Learn

6pm M

en’s Fellow

ship @

Michael’s Italian

17 11:30am

Senior Lunch

4pm W

orld Missionary P

ress

18 5:15pm

Ladies Bible S

tudy 6pm

Pickleball

6:30pm B

ible Study w

/ P

astor John 6:30pm

Bible S

tudy w/

Pastor S

arah 7pm

Choir &

Handbell

Rehearsals

19 6:30am

Men’s B

reakfast @

Mayberry C

afé 10am

Intercessory Prayer

Team

6:30pm

Life Group: V

ets 6:30pm

Governing C

ouncil

20 6pm

-8pm

The A

rt of Marriage (D

ay 1) 6pm

True Love W

aits (Y

outh)

21 8:30am

Lenten Breakfast @

Location T

BD

9a-4p T

he Art of M

arriage (D

ay 2) 10am

Knitting F

ellowship

22 8:30am

Traditional W

orship 9:00am

Children’s C

himes

9:45am G

rowth S

tudies B

ible Buddies

10:45am C

asual Worship

5pm Life G

roup: M

oms In P

rayer 5pm

Breakthrough Y

outh 5pm

J-Squad

23 6pm

Men’s F

ellowship @

M

ichael’s Italian

24 4pm

Stephen Leaders

6pm S

tephen Supervisory

25 5:15pm

Ladies Bible S

tudy 6pm

Pickleball

6:30pm B

ible Study w

/ P

astor John 6:30pm

Bible S

tudy w/

Pastor S

arah 7pm

Life Group: P

letcher 7pm

Choir &

Handbell

Rehearsals

26 6:30am

Men’s B

reakfast @

Mayberry C

afé 10am

Intercessory Prayer

Team

27 6-10pm

TG

YF

(Youth)

28 8:30am

Lenten Breakfast @

F

aith UM

C

29 8:30am

Traditional W

orship 8:30am

Youth C

ouncil 9:00am

Children’s C

himes

9:45am G

rowth S

tudies 10:45am

Casual W

orship 5pm

Life Group:

Mom

s In Prayer

5pm B

reakthrough Youth

30 11:30am

Lunch & Learn

6pm M

en’s Fellow

ship @

Michael’s Italian

31

Ma

rch

20

20

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Easter at Faith UMC

Our next sermon series, “The Life of Peter,” begins March 1st

and will carry us through the Easter season. Everyone is invited to participate in the Lenten events.

Feb. 26 Ash Wednesday Service 6:30 p.m.

April 5 Palm Sunday Regular Service times (8:30 & 10:45 a.m.)

April 9 Maundy Thursday Worship 7:00 p.m.

April 10 Good Friday Guided Prayer Walk - A time to slow down & connect

with God individually or as a family. Open 8a-10a; 11a-12p; and 6p-8p

April 12 Easter Sunday 7:00 a.m. Sunrise Service & Breakfast

Regular Service Times (8:30 & 10:45 a.m.)

3/1 Mahra Chris 3/10 Elaine Crump 3/23 Wilkie Bush “102”

3/2 Rich Brewton Wendy Myers Jan McBride

Suzan Mortrud 3/11 Jackie Wade 3/24 John & Cathy Southern

Danielle Thompson 3/12 Alberta Hardy “101” Kent & Sherri Stauffer

3/3 Vanessa DuBois Brenda Horein Irene Weesner

3/4 Claire Williams Louise McDowell 3/25 Jessica Buckmeier

3/5 Roger Niccum 3/13 Pat Griffey Randy & Joanne Hirsh

3/6 Marilyn Anderson 3/14 Jean Lloyd Bill Marohn

Veradine Berkey 3/15 Todd & Sheila Tice Dean & Jan McDowell

Jeremiah Clark 3/16 Tiffany Roa Laura Radeline

3/7 Terry Alber 3/17 Dale McDowell 3/26 Larry Miller

David Long Becky Nelson Sandy Trindle

3/8 Mandy Chris Dan Null 3/27 Bruce VanDyke

Marv Clark Pat Shaffer Phyllis Wood

Richard Gorsuch 3/18 Warren & Stacey Hurt 3/28 Ron Bowers

Craig Stiver 3/21 Richard & Mona Gorsuch Sandy Polk

Missy Zimmermann Christy Niccum 3/29 Matt Simon

3/9 Jim Hahn Pat Robertson 3/30 John Southern

Payton Starzyk Laura Stout 3/31 Marilyn Smith