June 2014

The MESSENGER First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor June 2014

INTHISISSUE

Why do youth go on mission trips?

• Deepen their walk with Jesus Christ

• Build lifelong relationships with team members

• Learn to rely on God for all needs

• Find gifts and abilities that they may have not known they had

• Experience the worldwide body of Christ

• Step out of their comfort zone and away from day-to-day distractions

• Learn about a new culture

• View the world from a new perspective

You can support the youth and their adult leaders in this endeavor by becominga prayer partner.

Both mission trips are from June 21-28. Our 7th & 8th grade youth will leadVacation Bible School each morning at the Zeba Indian Mission for the childrenof this community. Youth contribute by planning and leading the daily lessonswith singing, drama, crafts, and games. They will stay at the Michigan Tech Con-ference Center at the Henry Ford Alberta Village. The high schoolers are headingto the Mission Camp at Mechuwana, a United Methodist camp located on 230acres of forest land in Winthrop, Maine, three hours north of Boston. They willhave the opportunity to repair old camp buildings and build new ones. THEY willalso head out into the community to help out with various local ministries.

We are asking each prayer partner to write a brief note or letter to your team mem-ber, to be dropped off to the church by Sunday, June 15. These will be distributed atthe beginning of the trip. We have additional info on how to be a prayer partner foranyone wishing to participate. Please contact youth parent Ellen Meader[meaderhccs@yahoo.com] to get more information or to choose a partner.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, withthanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcendsall understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”Philippians 4:6-7

Seeking Prayer Partners for Youth Mission Trips

Prayer Power .......................................... 9Energy Saving Tip ................................. 9Youth Academy Awards ....................... 10Update Your Contact Info ................... 11Immigration Program .......................... 12Green Wood ......................................... 13

Henderson Mission Trip ........................ 3Music & LiturgicalArts Ministries ................................ 4 & 5Caring and Connected ........................... 6Cass Community Services ..................... 7High School Grads 2014 ....................... 8

Book Review ........................................ 13Easter at Green Wood .......................... 14Wesley Foundation .............................. 15FiSH FRI ............................................. 16

The Messenger2

Marcia Schlee 426–2902Design andProduction Editor

The Messenger is publishedmonthly, except for Summer& Winter editions. Thesubmission deadline forthe Summer issue will beMonday, June 30. Emailchurch news and photos toMarcia Schlee atjschlee@umich.edu.

Published byAnn Arbor First UnitedMethodist Church120 South State StreetAnn Arbor, MI 48104

(734) 662–4536FAX (734) 662–1321Visit us at www.fumc-A2.org

PastorsJ. Douglas Patersondoug@fumc-a2.org

Nancy S. Lynnnancy@fumc-a2.org

Robert H. Roth, Jr.bob@fumc-a2.org

William Dunifonbill@fumc-a2.org

Program StaffAnn Marie KoukiosDirector of Music andLiturgical Artsannmarie@fumc-a2.org

Beth PascoeDirector ofChildren’s Ministriesbethpascoe@comcast.net

Melanie SnookDirector of Youth Ministriesmelanie@fumc-a2.org

TheMessenger

Masthead Photos: Jim Danforth,Mark Hansen, Carol Hulbert

KNOW God LOVE OthersSERVE the World

Clergy Corner

On Saturday night, May 10, in the Sanc-tuary, Frank Schaefer shared his story in amessage that touched my heart and re-awakened my mind. Frank was the UnitedMethodist pastor who was recentlydefrocked years after presiding at the gaywedding of his son. Frank told the story ofhis son’s coming out, a family growing inawareness and compassion together, a won-derful wedding held in Massachusetts(where same-sex weddings are legal), andhis United Methodist Church trial and con-viction (for violating a specific passage inour Book of Discipline) in Pennsylvaniawhere he was effectively serving a localchurch.

Those who know me well might be sur-prised that I was so moved and convictedby Frank Schaefer’s message. After all, I havehad clarity and openness on these issues fora long time, serving as pastor ofWilliamston United Methodist Church in1996 when it became the first ReconcilingUM Church (openly & fully inclusive) inMichigan. Indeed, the Wesley Foundationat UofM became a Reconciling campusministry a year or two later, one of the firstin the Midwest. Yet Frank Schaefer’s mes-sage again opened my eyes to the deep hurtbrought to GLBTQ people and their fami-lies when those of us who are supportiveare, well, really quiet and inactive most ofthe time about our support. Silence, yeseven silence from “allies” like me, can hurtand wound and exclude people created inGod’s image.

I have to let my voice be heard far more.You do too. We have to do all we can that

Next Steps for theGLBTQ Inclusive Church

our UM Book of Discipline will be changed.We have to let church leaders know whywe are an open church that includes all. Wehave to ask that, until the Disciplinechanges, trials be stopped and young gaypeople in our churches (teenagers in par-ticular) get the consistent message that theysacred and fully o.k. in the eyes of God andour church. Sometimes our denominationalleaders who are privately open and affirm-ing of all here in Michigan and beyond, sitquietly while people suffer and are excludedbecause they have not heard positive mes-sages from churches and individual UnitedMethodists.

So let’s speak up, beginning today. If youwant our denomination to move in a moreinclusive and affirming direction, here arethree people to whom you can write evennow: 1. Bishop Deborah L. Kiesey, 2164University Park, Suite 250, Okemos, MI48864; 2. The Rev. Mark Spaw, District Su-perintendent, 909 Seventh St., Suite 1, AnnArbor, MI 48103; 3. The Rev. SondraWillobee, Chairperson of the Bd. of Or-dained Ministry, 640 S. Lafayette, SouthLyon, MI 48178. Share stories of your gayand lesbian friends and relatives, or simplyshare your message of Christian compassionand inclusive from your heart. Also, pray forthese leaders. As the 2016 General Confer-ence approaches, there will be more that wecan do. As for now, may we who have beenfar too quiet begin to speak up!

June 2014 3

From April 9-12, 12 families traveled to Frakes, Kentucky,with generous support from the congregation, to work inthe community under the auspices of the Henderson Settle-ment, one of the outreach ministries of the United Methodist Church. A total of37 participants, ranging in age from 5 to 70 and including 18 youth, made thetrip. Five of the families were on their first mission trip.

We were able to work on a number of projects this year, including erecting moregoat fence, replacing a bedroom floor and a bathroom floor, digging a drainagetrench, and finishing work on a roof. Blessed with wonderful weather, we com-pleted most of the projects, learned some new skills, and made new friends. Whilewe tend to think of success as projects done, this trip provided that and muchmore. Under the leadership of Carole DeHart, we made, renewed, and strength-ened relationships with fellow church members through discussion, fun and games,and worship. It is this success that enriches our lives while serving others in thename of Christ.

Henderson Mission Trip

Signing the bedroom floor plywood. Photo by Peter DeHart

Photo by Peter DeHart

Digging the drainage trench.Photo by Tori Booker

Part of the goat fence construction teamPhoto by Shelia Nicholas

The Messenger4

Music and Liturgical Arts MinistriesMany thanks to the members of our FUMC Music Staff, Chancel Choir, Chancel and Asbury Bell Choirs, First Instrumental &Vocal Ensembles, Youth musicians, FUMC Instrumentalists, and Children’s Choirs for their inspiring music contributionsthroughout the past 2013-2014 music ministry season. As each of the members of our ensembles spend time this summer torefresh and renew themselves, we look forward to the many volunteer vocal and instrumental performers who will share theirtalents in special music offerings over the summer months. Please let me know if you are interested in participating in summermusic. We are also grateful for our MALAF (Music and Liturgical Arts Forum) who creatively envisioned, planned and producedone of the most vibrant Music Outreach Series in the greater Ann Arbor area.

Finally, many thanks to all who have supported our music ministries this past season. Perhaps you might consider joining one ofour ensembles this fall (no auditions required!). Feel free to contact me at any time if you are interested! We are in particular needof tenors and basses for our Chancel Choir. Meanwhile, have a wonderful and restful summer!

Ann Marie Koukios, D. M. A.Minister of Music

Members of Epworth, Carol & Handchimechoirs pose for their adoring media after adelightful Spring Musical Celebration, in-cluding the musical By the Sea, on SundayMay 4, 2014.

Directed by Carole DeHart and accompa-nied by Tzu Yin Huang.

Epworth, Carol &HandchimeChoirs

Cabaret 2014 – “From Sinatra to Swing”Save the Date - Saturday, October 4, 2014

Annual Music Fundraiser Cabaret EveningOur Music and Liturgical Arts team presents our annual fundraiser, an evening of fine dining, fun, frivolity, and dynamite entertain-ment. Along with our reception and silent auction, a sumptuous catered dinner will once again be provided by Chef Alex Young ofZingerman’s Roadhouse. We hope you will join us for “From Sinatra to Swing” featuring the popular music from the 40’s, 50’s andearly 60’s including such classics as In the Mood, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, I’ll Be Seeing You, Some Enchanted Evening, God Bless theChild, Star Dust, It Had to be You, I Get a Kick Out of You, The White Cliffs of Dover, and more!

June 2014 5

Washtenaw CommunityConcert Band

Lindsay & Chris Lees

First United Methodist Church 120 S. State St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104

June 2014

Caring & Connected This page comes to you as “news” from around our congregation and as a prayer list, in the hopes that it will enable us all to be caring of and connected to one another.

Weddings...

Eric Lippitt and Karen Kozlowski were married at Disney World's Yacht Club Gazebo. Eric's Mother and Step-Father are Jan and Mark Hansen.

Our Sympathies...

To the family of Thomas Sheets, who passed away on April 24. He was FUMC Choir director from 1994-2001.

To Jeff MacKie-Mason, whose mother, Jan Mason, passed away on March 5 in New York.

To the family of Thad Carr, who passed away on May 9.

To the family of Joyce Bennett, who passed away on May 13.

To Nancy & Tom O’Connor and Betty & Jack Threlkeld —Nancy and Tom’s son, Evan O’Connor, passed away on May 19. Evan is the Threlkeld’s grandson.

Also in our thoughts and prayers...

Phil Alexander, Barb Baily, Cliff Baker, Harry Benford, Bev Bole, the Bourne family, Letitia Byrd, Arthur Carr (Jan Radak’s father), Janene Centurione’s mother, Marilyn Chase, Joyce Chesbrough, Phyllis Cook (Linda Haywood’s cousin), Sharon Cox and her daughter, the Crumm family, Melanie Fuscaldo, Bob & Elaine Greene, Frances Hartmann, Florence Hendel, Barbara Hoffman’s parents, Gini Hunt, Martha Irwin, Betty Jones, Chuck & Dorothy Jones, Patty Keesee, Marilee Kelly, Gary Krause, Doris Kraushaar, Cynthia Lee, Betty Makena, MaryAnn (Tom Chapell’s sister), Alfred Neelands, Kim Richardson-Hippler, Doris Rumman, Larry Sarbaugh, Marcia Schlee, Ed Tabler, Jan Weaver, Cynthia Westphal, and Norma Wonnacott.

And we pray for...

Those visiting our church for the first time... Parent/child relationships... the very lonely... people recovering from illness or addiction... neighbors at Alpha House... those grappling with financial stress... those affected by job loss... expectant mothers... teachers... homebound members... people rebuilding after devastation from natural disasters and those providing assistance in recovery... our military... citizens of countries at war... victims of assault... those who are marginalized in our society... people struggling with depression and hopelessness... those who are grieving... caregivers...

Please help us to connect by submitting information for this page to the church office (734-662-4536 or tina@fumc-a2.org.) Information reported as confidential will not be publicized.

Celebrations...

On May 1, Rev. Dr. William Dunifon joined the staff at FUMC as Assistant Pastor.

On May 11, Scott Knudsen and Caitlin Bocks were presented hymnals in appreciation for their consistent participation in the Children’s Music Ministry at FUMC.

On May 18, Rev. Megan Crumm Walther was ordained Elder at the Detroit Annual Conference.

Over 80 adults and children attended Family Camp over the Memorial Day Weekend.

Baptisms...

Elliot Rondo Habbinga, son of Erik and Heidi Habbinga, was baptized April 27. Elliot is the grandson of Bob & Carol Spaly.

On the Move...

Chris Brewer & Robyn Bishop to 4156 Timber Ridge Dr., Ann Arbor, 48108

Kathleen Conrad to 3259 Braeburn Circle, Ann Arbor, 48108

Aaron & Kelly Wade to 1323 Maplewood Dr., Saline, 48176

Wedding Anniversaries...

Mike & Gail Nicklowitz – 30 years on June 2

Jason & Shannon Emery – 10 years on June 4

Dave & Chris Nelson – 20 years on June 4

David & Sara Eardley – 15 years on June 5

Scott & Cathy Pardon – 30 years on June 9

Robert & Almuth Scheible – 50 years on June 13

Chuck & Marsha Woolley – 30 years on June 15

Mark & Jan Hansen – 20 years on June 17

Jim & Barbara Krick – 60 years on June 18

Bill & Karen Ensminger – 50 years on June 20

Tom & Beth Moore- 25 years on June 24

Jerry Parker & Holly Craig – 40 years on June 29

Lolu & Tammy Ojo – 20 years on July 1

Tom Brock & Carol Fast – 30 years on July 6

Paul & Amy Slotten – 20 years on July 16

Doug & Ann Hanton – 55 years on July 18

Jared & Kim Gall – 5 years on July 25

Phil & Elaine Alexander – 60 years on July 31

6 The Messenger

June 2014 7

Without a vision…The scenes of urban decay in Detroit are disheartening. For many of us the decrepit building on WoodrowWilson looked like only an earthquake could take care of it; even tearing it down seemed like too mucheffort, but the Christian workers at Cass Community Social Services (CCSS) had eyes of faith to see thatthe massive structure could be the homes it has now become as the totally renovated Arthur AntisdelApartments.

The CCSS people, under the directionof United Methodist minister FaithFowler, found supporters, drew up plans,persevered through the trials of permitsand construction, and the building nowprovides 41 apartments for handicappedand formerly homeless people.

FUMC and the Detroit Annual Confer-ence have an ongoing collaborative con-nection with CCSS. We have sent vol-unteers, small groups and youth to vol-unteer in some of their ministries. Rev.Fow l e rand her

organization have offered congregations another way to participate in thework by undertaking to sponsor one or more of the apartments at $2,500per unit. One member of First Church Ann Arbor believed strongly enoughin the Cass Community vision that he personally committed funds for oneunit. Members of the Church and Society committee believe our congrega-tion will be moved to sponsor three more apartments and contribute $7,500to underwrite part of the debt for the building renovation.

If you can be partof this effort,checks should bewritten to First United Methodist with “Cass apart-ments” in the memo line. You will also find thisspecial designation if you donate online throughthe FUMC website.

For more about the project: http://casscommunity.org/media/ccss-in-the-news/

The Messenger8

Sam EllisonSkyline High SchoolNext year I’ll attend Williams College (inMassachusetts). Favorite moments: Ex-panding my global perspectives alongsidemy best friends and growing closer to God.Parents: Mary Eldridge and Jeff Ellison.

Meredith GrupeSkyline High SchoolCollege of LSA at the University of Michi-gan. A fond memory of youth group isplaying British bulldog at the Mayan ru-ins in Belize. This youth group will carryout its traditions no matter the circum-stances! Parents: Maria Bertram and KenGrupe.

David InnisDexter High SchoolDavid is heading to the UofM College ofEngineering. Favorite memories includefall retreat, which included playing BritishBulldog and playing football. Mom’s favor-ite memory: VBS 1997 with she wasdressed like Mary, Jerry Parker (retiredminister) played Joseph, and David at eightmonths played baby Jesus as we walkedaround the “market place” in Jerusalem.Parents: Dawna and Jeff Innis.

Quinn JohnsHuron High SchoolQuinn is going to study biochemistry atMIT. “Everybody is a genius, but if youjudge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, itwill live its entire life believing it is stupid.”Parents: Melanie Snook and Eric Johns.

John HoughtonSkyline High SchoolI plan on studying engineering this fall atU of M Some of my favorite memoriesfrom this youth group are spending timein mission, all of the retreats I had the op-portunity to attend, as well as making theclosest friends I have. Parents: Debbie andBill Houghton.

Hannah KlineSkyline High SchoolI am attending Kalamazoo College and planon studying social science or biology. Oneof my favorite memories was singing andplaying with the Kenyan children at KithokaPrimary School. In addition to going toKenya with some of my fellow youth, I’vereally enjoyed all the mission trips and out-reach our youth group has done. I’ve reallyenjoyed getting to know more people fromall over the world as well as becoming closewith this youth group. Parents: Margie andJohn Kline.

Madison Sandra MartinGreenhills High SchoolMadi received a full undergraduate scholar-ship to Case Western Reserve University andwill duel major in biology and dance. Myfavorite memories are of Zeba: sitting onmountains, jumping off waterfalls, and giv-ing piggyback rides. Parents: Melissa andDan Martin.

Neil McLeanPioneer High SchoolNeil will attend the College of William andMary pursuing a career in business/econom-ics. I enjoyed being a part of the church com-munity and attending the Appalachia Mis-sion Trip in Frakes, Kentucky. Parents: Kimand Austin McLean.

Steven RudnikSaline High SchoolI plan to attend Elmhurst College in Illi-nois and Major in Graphic Design. My fa-vorite memory from youth group is doingall of the “Belize Tonight” videos with Spen-cer Kennedy and Alex Wood. Parents: Dawnand Paul Rudnik.

Laila SamahaWashtenaw Technical Middle CollegeLaila is on her way to Idaho State Univer-sity. My favorite youth group memories be-long to mission trips. Spending the week

away from home with the youth group al-lowed me to make friends and serve oth-ers. Serving people who are less fortunateputs reality into perspective and changedmy outlook in life. I will always carry thesememories with me no matter where I go.Parent: Lisa Wall

Austin StoutPioneer High SchoolAustin will be attending Stanford Univer-sity next fall. My favorite memories ofyouth group are seeing my friends everySunday night, a Native American house-warming ceremony in North Dakota, andrebuilding a roof in Alabama. I have neverfound a group more like a family thatUMYF and am thankful for the relation-ships I have build with everyone in the pro-gram. Thank you to everyone for creatingsuch a great environment to grow in myfaith. Parents: Pam and Greg Stout.

Randy StrassburgSkyline High SchoolNext year I will attend the UofM Collegeof Literature, Science, and Arts to studyneuroscience. I will always remember themission trips and retreats, in which I trulyenjoyed being a part of. The mission tripto Belize in particular was my favorite, be-cause it was such a great experience to traveloutside the country to help others. I amgrateful to have been a part of such a won-derful group, and I will cherish the friend-ships that I have formed and the experi-ences that I have had. Parents: Tricia andRuss Strassburg.

Alex WeissHuron High SchoolI’ll be attending the University of Michi-gan LS&A I’m thankful for the opportu-nity to simply be a part of this group; I’vemet some of my closest friends through thischurch and can’t begin to express my thanksfor that. I’ve enjoyed playing my guitar in

continued on page 9

High School Grads 2014

June 2014 9

our music program over the last six years,and wouldn’t have any other musical outletif it weren’t for this program. I wish I’d beenable to attend high school mission trips, butI’ll always cherish the experiences I’ve beenfortunate enough to have with the groupnonetheless. Parents: Lisl and Phil Weiss.

Tanner Joseph WoodHuron High SchoolTanner will attend Western Michigan Uni-versity in the fall to study Business Financeand Graphic Design. His favorite memoryis the mission trip working with the SpiritLake Ministry Center in North Dakota,working with those in need on the reserva-tion. His favorite memory from that tripwas when his work team was gifted a starquilt from the woman who they built awheelchair ramp for. He would like tothank Wendy and Melanie for the workthey do with the youth group. Parents: Deband Doug Wood.

If you would like to announce a graduation(either college or high school) in the next issueof the Messenger, please send the informationto Wendy Everett, wendy@fumc-a2.org byJune 10.

High School Grads 2014continued from pae 8

Did You Know?You can reduce carbon admissions throughyour water use as well as lower your waterbill? The US uses 13% of its total electric-ity to pump, heat & treat water. This equalsthe output of about 150 coal-fired plants.

If every US household reduced its hot wa-ter by an average of 20% through efficientwater heaters, dishwashers, and clotheswashers, total energy savings would be 41million megawatt hours of electricity & 240billion cubic feet of natural gas with asso-ciated CO@ reduction of about 38.3 mil-lion metric tons.

SAVE WATER SAVE ENERGYwww.hrwc.org

PRA PRA PRA PRAYER YER YER YERPOWERPRAYER

PRAYERPRAYER

We all have to do lists. Why not to pray lists? Sometimeswe get so busy that we forget to examine how our soul isdoing. For those with a lot on their plate, I offer this littleto pray list based on Sally Dyck’s A Faithful Heart: DailyGuide for Joyful Living. I invite you to fill it out each cat-egory to help process those underlying concerns that cansometimes weigh us down.

God: Offer prayers of thanksgiving and praise to God.What in your life makes you grateful?

Self: Say prayers for yourself.

Worries: Tell your worries to God and try to leave themthere.

Silence: Be silent and listen for God.

Desert of Faith: What are you working on in your faith?

Night and Day: What are you struggling with in your life?Offer it to God.

Your special concerns: Pray about the most pressing orimportant concern to you personally.

People to Love: Pray for those you love and those you havetrouble loving.

And another thing: Lift up three additional concerns.

The world: Pray for world concerns.Being heard: Thank God for hearing your prayers.

May we all travel a little bit lighterand more joyful each day!

Peace, Amy Fryar Kennedy

Praying List

The Messenger10

Academy Awards

Youth Spring

Banquet

Sunday,

May 4, 2014

Our 2014 Seniors: (front row) John Houghton, Austin Stout, Tanner Wood, LailaSamaha, and Hannah Kline. (back row) Sam Ellison, Quinn Johns, Steven Rudnik,Alex Weiss, Randy Strassburg, and Meredy Grupe.

Pho

tos

by

Pete

r D

eHar

t

Laila Samaha receives her tiara and “Princess Laila” award,presented by Jackson Griffith, Angela Xydis, andMaryClaire Chamberlain.

Our terrific Parent Council crew: Tricia Strassburg, Kim Wood,Amy Slotten, Adele Roy, Mary Eldridge, Dawn Rudnik, WendyEverett, and Melanie Snook.

Youth take advantage of the props andcostume supplies in the photo booth.

June 2014 11

Soon we will update our Annual FUMC

Church Telephone and Address direc-

tory. If you are a member of the church,

or if you regularly attend services down-

town or at Green Wood, we would like to

include your current contact information.

The directory will be mailed directly to all

who are listed. If you have noticed that

your listing in the current phone directory

is inaccurate or incomplete, we’d like to

hear from you to correct our information.

Cell phone numbers and email

addresses will be included — but only as

requested. (We will not print cell phone

numbers or emails for youth or children.)

NOTE TO BUSINESS OWNERS

Our annual phone directory is free to

the congregation and is supported by

advertising. If you might be interested

in advertising your business through

the directory, please provide the

following information:

□ I would like to talk with someone

about advertising in the directory.

Contact Name:

Business Name:

Phone number:

Best time to call:

Please Print!

Your Name(s): _____________________________________

Are you a member of FUMC? □ Yes □ No

HOME phone number: ______________________________

List this number in the directory? □ Yes □ No

CELL ph. number #1: _______________________________

This belongs to whom? _____________________________

List this number in the directory? □ Yes □ No

CELL ph. number #2: _______________________________

This belongs to whom? _____________________________

List this number in the directory? □ Yes □ No

EMAIL Address #1: _________________________________

This belongs to whom? _____________________________

List this email address in the directory? □ Yes □ No

EMAIL Address #2: _________________________________

This belongs to whom? _____________________________

List this email address in the directory? □ Yes □ No

Has your mailing address changed in the last year?

□ No □ Yes (if yes, provide your address below):

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Family Members at home:

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Please fill out this form and:

Place it in the collection plate, Drop it off at the office, Fax it to the office at 662-1321, or

Send to: FUMC 120 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Please Update Your Contact Information with First United Methodist Church

A Human Rights Approach to Immigration

Tori Booker, FUMC Member & JFON Southeastern Michigan Site Director

Melanie Goldberg, JFON Southeastern Michigan Attorney

Jasmine Franco (middle), whose family was broken apart due to immi-gration policies while she was a teenager, reunited with Pastor Melanie Carey (right), Immigrant Rights Advocate, who provided a home for her after her parents left the country. Jasmine’s sister Jennifer is on the left. (Jasmine Franco’s story is on YouTube under her name.)

12 The Messenger

June 2014 13

You Might Like to Read…

Dave Rigan provides the congregation with succinct reviews of books and films that he feels youmight wish to explore in developing your faith. —Ed. Note

“The difference between a lady and aflower girl is not how she behaves, but howshe’s treated. I shall always be a flower girlto Professor Higgins, because he alwaystreats me as a flower girl, and always will;but I know I can be a lady to you, becauseyou always treat me as a lady, and alwayswill.” That is a quote from George Ber-nard Shaw’s Pygmalion, later made into themovie My Fair Lady starring AudreyHepburn.

Robert Rosenthal of Harvard and laterUniversity of California at Riverside andhis associate researcher Lenore Jacksontook the concept of teacher expectationsinto the classroom to test it out and cameup with the book Pygmalion in the Class-room. (Note that Pygmalion was originallya character in classic Greek literature, asculptor who fell in love with a statue hecreated and used by many future writersincluding Shakespeare)

The ideas seem undeniable to many cur-rent experts in education and other fields,indicated by research that affirm many ofthe assertions. For many years the book wasconsidered the “final word” in teacher edu-cation (as one reviewer said). For the au-thors, expectations are seen as a cause formuch behavior and performance by stu-dents and in other areas of human behav-ior; however, the results are not conclusive.

Rosenthal did not feel it was ethical tostudy the effect of low expectations so heused Oak School in California to presenthis idea of the effect of higher expectations.If teachers expected better intelligence andacademic behavior in students, would thestudents perform better?

In a number of situations they did and theauthors explain why this could be the case.“Teachers may have treated the children

Pygmalion in the Classroomin a more pleasant, friendly and courte-ous fashion when they expected greater in-tellectual gains of them. In previous stud-ies such behavior has been shown to im-prove intellectual performance, probablyby its effect on pupil motivation.

“By what she said, by how and when shesaid it, by her facial expressions, postures,and perhaps by her touch, the teachermay have communicated to the childrenthat she expected improved intellectualperformance.”

These words show why Shaw’s play wasused in the title: the way people are treatedcan affect how they behave. Movies in theUnited States and other countries such asGreece and India have explored how spe-cial teachers can help students.

The effect of expectations have beenshown to be important in medicine (pla-cebo effect for example), politics, theworkplace, and reli-gion. Perhapsit is a formof thec o m -m a n d -ment tolove thyn e i g h -b o r .Maybe italso meansnot to un-derest imateothers or attrib-ute lowly characteristics to them that caninfluence them to fail.

—Pygmalion in the Classroom by RobertRosenthal and Lenore Jacobson; Holt,Rinehart, and Winston. 1969, 1991.

Saturday Worship5:00 p.m.Casual, Contemporary, and Creative

Coffee House Series8:00 p.m. (Fridays)

David Vaughn, Green Wood Music Director

1001 Green Road, north ofGlazier Way

GreenWoodGreenWood

Stay tuned for information on Fall Series in upcoming Messengers.

Buy tickets for shows online with PayPal

The Messenger14

Easter at Green Wood

June 2014 15

TheWesleyFoundationat theUniversity of Michiganour campus ministry partner

Rev. Bob Roth, Chaplain/Director,rothrob@umich.edu, (734) 662–4536

Check out the website for details & updates:

www.umich.miwesley.orgFacebook: Students at Wesley FoundationFacebook Group for alumni & supporters:

University of Michigan Wesley Alumni

Please keep our 2014 Wesley UofM graduates in your prayers.

Their names, from left, and where they are headed in the weeksahead: John Von Leon Lee (Malaysia), Xiao Qin Teh (Malaysia),Carmen Lok (Hong Kong), Becky Munchow (Farmington Hills),Caleb Kline (Colorado), Michelle King (Detroit), Sarah Wales (Il-linois). Not pictured Maura Youngman and Josh Knight.

Summertime at WesleySpread the word to students and recent grads staying in town thissummer (or returning home for the summer) that there are activi-ties at Wesley throughout the summer both on “Wesley Wednes-days” (June 4 & 25, July 9 & 30, August 6 & 27), and also funnights and service opportunities on some Fridays and Saturdays.

Info and updates to be found on Facebook (“Students at WesleyFoundation”) and a weekly Wesley email. To be added to the Wesleyweekly email, invite students and recent grads to contact Chap-lain Bob Roth (BobJazzRR@gmail.com) with their interest.

June 8 Lansing Lugnuts BaseballWesley Foundation Fundraiser

• Donors will receive a ride from FUMC to Cooley Law SchoolBallpark in Lansing, a ticket to the game, and a copy of Bob Roth’sbook Our Lugnuts: Year One! (Aprimer on the Lansing Lugnuts andon minor league baseball.

Bob will sign and inscribe to theperson of your choosing.) We will de-part from the FUMC parking lotat 12:30 for the 2:00 game.

• To sign up to attend the game andfind out the suggested donationand other information, emailRick Miller(urmiller@umich.edu),registrar for the event.

The Messenger

COMING EVENTS at FUMC

Saturday, June 7 Habitat Work Day for Youth

Sunday, June 8 Music Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Downtown Sanctuary

Wesley Fundraiser to Lansing Lugnuts Game

June 12 & 13 Habitat Work Days

Saturday, June 14 UMW Assembly Recap, 10:00 a.m. FUMC Green Wood

June 16–22 Alpha House Host Week

Thursday, June 19 Habitat Evening Work Session

June 21–28 Youth 7th & 8th Grade Mission Trip Zeba

June 21–28 Youth High School Mission Trip Maine

July 7–11 Vacation Bible Camp Downtown

July 16–19 Art Fair/Wesley Art Fair Parking Fundraiser Church Parking Lot

Friday, July 18 Habitat Work Day for Staff

Saturday, July 19 Habitat Work Day for Adults and Youth

Friday, September 19 First FiSH FRI Event of the Fall

Saturday, October 4 Cabaret 2014 Downtown

FiSH FRI completes its 3rd year!Thank you to the hundreds of participants who came, worked hard, and had fun at the ten FiSH FRI service events thathappened this 2013-14 program year. In case, you haven’t heard FiSH stands for Families-In-Service-Here and the FRIpart is simply for Friday. It happens September through April, usually on the third Friday of the month. It is open tofamilies, kids, and people of all ages who want to serve our community. Each event offers the chance to participate in awide variety of service projects, and each one has a different line-up. Some highlights from the past year include: wrap-ping 400+ Christmas gifts (from the FUMC Giving Tree), Making sandwiches and packaging food for LOVE ThyNeighbor lunch program, Making homemade cookies and packing care kits for our Wesley college students, Creatingrubber band bracelets and puzzle packs for the “Poke Program” at Mott Children’s Hospital, Making dinners for GreenBaxter Court families who lost their homes to fire, and MANY other wonderful projects that benefitted our churchcommunity and the world around us.

Mark your calendars for FiSH FRI’s 4th year! the first date is Friday, September 19!