Posts tagged Stewardship
Lee & Helen Butler: 50 Years with Chancel Choir

Helen’s and my interest in Choir began when were dating in El Paso, TX at Asbury Methodist Church. She received a Bachelor of Music at SMU. Helen has the musical talent; my interest was in sports. But we found a common interest in singing in the Asbury Church Choir. Arriving in Bloomington, we went to FUMC for their outstanding Music Program. This was in 1967, and we have been fortunate to remain serving in the Chancel Choir to the present. The music that our Directors provide for us to present not only impacts the congregation, but is very moving to the Choir as well.

We serve as we can to help lead the congregation in worship, and receive blessings for ourselves as well. We have found a support group within the Chancel Choir’s members. The blessings we’ve received from our service are the many friends we have made because of our participation in the Choir.

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Upshaw Family: Discipleship Hour

Discipleship Hour helps us grow in our faith. Classes are offered for both kids and adults, so there’s something for everyone. We really enjoyed the “Wired Word” classes in the summer that connected faith with current events. The Discipleship Hour also gives us opportunities to connect with other church members, learn their stories, and build relationships. It’s also a great way to help out and give back to the church, so I now teach the 2nd-4th grade class every other month.

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Jared Dixon: Singing with Chancel Choir

Singing with the Chancel Choir gives me the opportunity to engage deeply in the traditional worship service in a truly meaningful way. When I hear and sing along with the music that Dr. Prestinari so carefully and purposefully chooses for each worship, I am able to engage with the service and be "one" with its message. Sharing in music making as a member of Chancel Choir at First United Methodist Church touches my soul. I feel the music inside me, as the text speaks to me in profound ways. I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to sing with such an incredibly talented and gifted group as we praise God, share our gifts of music, and humbly serve the Lord.

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Eli Wetzel: Volunteering with MCUM

I have worked at MCUM as a volunteer alongside my Mom for many years and then independently while I was in middle school during the COVID pandemic. I spent a lot time sorting and boxing up food and personal care items in the MCUM self-sufficiency center. I was able to help other friends learn about MCUM through food drives, cleaning/hygiene drives, other special projects and even a larger food drives with Jackson Creek Middle School, St. Mark's United Methodist and Scout Troop 100.

As for my Eagle Project, the MCUM director really wanted to see a sensory playground for all of the kids in the Compass Early Learning Center. I was excited when they approached me about working on this and I was really excited to work on this for my Eagle Scout project. MCUM received some grants, but I learned really quickly that playgrounds are very expensive and there are a large number of regulations that have to be followed. In the end, we were able to provide the kids in every playground space with sandboxes, a couple fence-mounted sensory activity boards, and painted tricycle tracks for bike riding.

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Street Family: Serving as a Family

As a family, we love finding ways we can serve together -- which can be a challenge with younger kids. We care deeply about teaching our children to respect and nurture our environment, so gardening and creation care are natural outpourings of that desire. We have been happy to help play a role in getting FUMCB's garden efforts off the ground this year -- we've started small as we've experimented with the beds and the space, but it's been great to deliver some produce to the food pantry. It's also been great to look at the landscaping around the church and focus on invasive species removal. There are certainly ways we can grow these efforts next year and we hope to help with gardening for food and pollinators alike in the future!

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A Word from Pastor Lisa: Re-member

On Sunday we gathered with Christians from around the globe at the communion table to honor all that Jesus has done for us. Oftentimes we are divided and dismembered – one part of the Body of Christ cut off from another. We are broken and shattered. In that sacred meal, however, we recall what it means to be the whole family of God, and we re-member Christ’s Body, given for us all.

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Restoring Contemporary Worship with David Price

With our new contemporary worship service launching in 2022, we have an opportunity to do something new and exciting by building connections with those seeking an open and inclusive alternative to traditional worship. In a casual, relaxed, and welcoming environment, we will encourage our community of seekers to become better disciples of Christ no matter where they are in their spiritual journey.

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Racial Justice and Faith in Wesley Conventicle

Our role is to help and support, to walk beside and not in front. The long-term goal is to dismantle systemic racism. But this has a long history, and it is woven into the fabric of America. It is controversial and the road ahead is going to be bumpy. Perhaps we can find a piece that we here in Bloomington can address in a meaningful way. That’s where the Inclusion Team can start.

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The Kogge Family's Story of Generosity

Generosity means doing what you are able to support your community, whether that community is your neighborhood, church, work, family network, or other entity. I hope others will realize that generosity can change lives in many ways and that you don’t have to be wealthy or in a position of power to make that change. The smallest act can make a huge impact!

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The Riester Family's Story of Generosity

Our family continues to grow in our faith journey, stumbling along the way. With the great support of First Methodist, we are inspired to stretch and grow through our participation in the church. Our growth is not always simple and definitely comfortable, but in the end, I feel that we always come away with better skills and tools to bless those we encounter, daily, outside of the church. We are continually equipped to show up for others as Christ would have us show up.

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Mary Jane's Story of Generosity

I hope others will try giving generously — giving more than they thought they could. By investing time and effort, we all become more like “owners” of anything and want it to succeed. I applaud those who give their time generously to prepare and teach Sunday School, sing in the choir and lead the various laity groups in the church. It does take all of us — working and giving — to be God’s people, doing His work.

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