Letter to the Church
October 26, 2023
Dear Church Family,
I wanted to update everyone on where we are with all of the many shifts and changes that have been happening over the past month.
Renovations are well underway at the former Connection campus, now Joe’s Kids, with the hopes of completion up to the gymnasium before the end of the year. Part of that renovation process will include updating the current restrooms more than likely sometime the end of November/beginning of December. The 11:00am worship service continues to meet in the gym and agreed that during the weeks that the restroom renovations are being done that they will meet at Celebration UMC. The Celebration family and Pastor Stacy have graciously offered to shift their morning service to accommodate our 11:00am service and welcome us into their space while the restroom renovation is happening.
The visioning team has begun work exploring the ways we might come together as one Church for the future should the space at Joe’s Kids no longer work for us. The visioning team is discussing with Servant Council the possibility of working with a strategic planning consultant to help us in this work with support through a grant from the Centers for Congregational Excellence. At the center of this work will be the mission of our church – and giving better shape and substance to what we are called by God to be and do.
The merge of Walnut Creek into First has happened relatively smoothly thanks to our transition team, lots of prayer, and all of our great church family that has offered to help through this process. Pastor Stacy has made the move over to First and is settling into her new office space and roles. Our SPRC will be working to put together the specifics of Pastor Stacy’s job description as Associate Pastor for her time with us. In addition to worship support, Stacy will be helping with discipleship, care ministry, mission, and community engagement through outreach and collaboration with the other UMC’s in the community.
Regarding Walnut Creek assets, our finance team and Ann Baker have been working hard with the former finance chair from Walnut Creek to move accounts over. Most of the moveable items in the church have been moved out and are being repurposed. The Walnut Creek Church property has been listed with Peterson Realty and there has already been interest. The organ at Walnut Creek has been sold to Church of the Good Shepherd (the other church where Terry White plays on Sunday mornings). The transition team and Servant Council have been in conversation about the ways we can continue the legacy of Walnut Creek through our historian Janet Kirkpatrick and the resources that are generated and will keep us informed.
Please continue to be in prayer for our church as we navigate through these shifts and challenges.
Excited to see where God leads,
Pastor Brian
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Aldersgate Tailgate
The Youth Network will be meeting together this Friday, October 6th for a meal and games at the Aldersgate Tailgate! This is held at the Atwood Aldersgate UMC. Lots of fun and food planned, and the age range is age 10 and up (but if your kids are close to that age, that’s close enough!). Families are all welcome to come out and enjoy!
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Community Kitchen Meal FAQ
Are you or your group interested in donating a meal to the Community Kitchen at Warsaw First United Methodist Church? Sometimes this commitment comes with a few questions that we hope we can clear up to help you better as you serve those vulnerable in our community.
- How many people should we expect at the meal on Wednesday?
- Currently we are seeing 125 – 140 people each week.
- What equipment is available to be utilized for preparing the meal?
- Ovens, refrigerators, stove tops, roaster ovens, cooking utensils, various cookie sheets, and pots/pans
- What are common meals prepared for the Community Kitchen?
- Spaghetti, sandwiches, casseroles – a main dish, veggie, dessert, and drink
- What does the volunteer invidividual or group need to provide?
- Only food items and drinks to be served, plates, napkins, and utensils are provided
- What time should everything be ready at the Community Kitchen?
- The Community Kitchen is open from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., food should be in the building by 10:30 a.m. the day of if it has been prepped ahead of time. The building opens at 8:30 a.m. for teams to enter to start preparations the day of.
- Where is the Community Kitchen?
- The Community Kitchen is served out of Warsaw First United Methodist Church 179 S. Indiana Street Warsaw, Indiana. There is a temporary parking/drop off spot off of Indiana Street in the alley between the entrance and the Lake City Bank building. Food is served down the ramp from that entrance where there is a full kitchen available. Permanent parking is available off Market street on the southeast side of the building.
- For any additional questions, please reach out to Luke Becknell at 574-376-0376
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Holy Ghost Weenie Roast
Sunday, October 8th
2pm – 5pm
Dave & Shannon Stump’s home
2382 N 550 W Columbia City
Bring a side to share, chairs, blankets, and dress up!
We will have a candy hunt in the woods, pumpkin picking, weenies, drinks, & s’mores provided!
RSVP to office@warsawfumc.org by 10/1 and please bring in a bag of Candy 10/1
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Apple Gleaning
The Indiana Region of the Society of St. Andrew is sponsoring a field gleaning of apples near Winona Lake on Monday, September 25, from 10:30am – 1:00pm. September is Hunger Action Month, and this is an opportunity to glean some apples for your favorite food pantry or organization providing for the food insecure families in the community!
Please sign up before 4pm the day before the event. An email is auto scheduled to go out to all volunteers the evening before the event. The email will contain the directions to the farm and any other specific information needed for the event.
If you have any questions or find that you are not able to sign up before 4:00 the day before please CALL Audra Boarman 317-607-0004
Thanks and hope to see you there!
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Women’s Retreat
Women’s Retreat
October 7 9a-3p
At the Silver Lake Lion’s Club
“Come to Jesus Moment” program by Cindy Gackenheimer
Lunch pitch-in. Bring beverages and dessert.
RSVP by October 1st to Cathy Taylor at trinityuwif@gmail.com
BIO: Cindy Gackenheimer, facilitator. Cindy was born and raised in Warsaw, Indiana, and grew up in the First United Methodist Church there. After graduating from Butler University with a degree in Pharmacy, she married the love of her life Jerry. They have lived in Warsaw for the past 40 years and have two grown sons and 4 grandchildren. In 2001 Cindy accepted the call to ministry and became the Pastor at Celebration Church—a United Methodist Congregation for 16 years, and while there she completed her course of study as a Licensed local Pastor. While there she instituted a very popular bar ministry called “Beer and BS (Bible Study) at several local bars in Warsaw which featured many provocative topics.
Though Cindy is now a retired local Pastor she continues to preach as a guest speaker occasionally at various churches and still greatly enjoys leading small group studies. Cindy has a full retirement as she spends time with grandchildren, camps and hikes with Jerry, and raises Monarch butterflies at her garden, Gack’s Flutterby Garden.
Synopsis: You are invited to a fun day away with the women of Trinity United Methodist Church! Our topic will be “Come to Jesus Moments”. Cindy Gackenheimer will be facilitating the Bible Study for the day. We will study Paul’s original “Come to Jesus Moment” on the road to Emmaus, and then dig into some compelling and provocative Bible Study as we look with open hearts and minds at the issues currently on the minds of most United Methodists. Cindy will lead us deeply into the scriptures and present both traditional and progressive views of passages regarding questions about homosexuality. We will also have a fun “Is this in the Bible?” game and finish the afternoon studying how the woman at the well had her come to Jesus moment and share together in prayer on how to empty and fill our “cups”. Lunch provided.
Outline for the day:
- 9-930: Gathering and Introductions ..
- 9:30-10: Paul’s come to Jesus moment: Acts 9:1-16; Gal 2:16-21
- 10-10:30: Small group breakout discussion…
- 1030-10:45: Break
- 10:45-11:45: Can you be a Christian and be Gay?
- 12-1 Lunch and social time
- 1-1:30: Bible quiz time
- 1:30-2:30: Coming to Jesus by filling our cups. The woman at the well. John 4:1-26
- 2:30-3: Worship and Communion
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Homecoming Sunday
Join us September 10th at 10 a.m. for Combined Service at 179 S Indiana Street.
10 a.m. will be the service – also available on YouTube
11 a.m. will be an important Town Hall Meeting
12 p.m. will be a meal in the Fellowship Hall. Bring a dessert to share!
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Proposed Merger
A Charge Conference will take place Tuesday, September 19, at 7:00 p.m. at 179 S Indiana Street – Membership of Warsaw First UMC will gather for a special-called church conference to vote on the proposed merger between First and Walnut Creek. Only full members can vote.
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Strengthening Families
Kosciusko Cares Presents:
Strengthening Families Program (SFP) – (kosciuskocares.org)
Strengthening Families is a 14-week program that builds family communication and relationships. Goals of the program include:
- Conflict management strategies
- Stress management strategies
- Communication skill development
- Identification of family & individual strengths
- Family problem solving skills development
- Relationship development
Session Outline:
- 6:00-6:30 p.m.: Family Dinner
- 6:30-7:15 p.m.: Breakout Session(Groups: Parents, Teens (Middle & High School Students), Elementary (K-6th Grade), Nursery Care (Baby-Age 4)
- 7:15-8:00 p.m.: Family Activity Time (activities vary with session, but include board game nights, family challenges, group games, etc.)
SFP is FREE. It includes dinner, and incentives, including $100 in gift cards, among other opportunities. Transportation is available if needed. If your family, or a family you know, would like to join SFP for the next session, please contact:
Mandy Bailey, SFP Coordinator
mbailey@warsawschools.org, 574-527-8776
Next Session:
Thursday Evenings, 9/7-12/21/23, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: FUMC Downtown (179 S. Indiana St., Warsaw)
A note from Mandy…
Dear FUMC Family,
Could your family, or a family you know, use a weekly “family date night,” a time to come together to build communication, connection, and relationship? We’d love to have you join us at Strengthening Families. SFP is encouraging, warm, and extends your support network. We would love to have you join us!
Hosting SFP at FUMC is such a gift! Families feel at “home” here. They feel encouraged & cared for by our church family. The families have expressed repeatedly the comfort & love they feel extended from our FUMC family. It is especially neat to hear this from families who have previously had negative experiences with faith/church. Thank you for opening our church homes to others and providing a place for families to grow in love & connection to their families and community! Many families send their children to FUMC events & VBS as a result!
Would you like to participate in SFP? Opportunities are as follows:
- Join SFP with your family, or share the opportunity with a family you know.
- Pray for the families and facilitators of SFP.
- Provide a meal (any Thursday, 9/7/23-12/21/23, at 6 p.m. – drinks & paper products provided) – contact Mandy to sign up (mbailey@warsawschools.org, 574-527-8776)
- Volunteer in the nursery (6:30-8:00 p.m., any Thursday) – contact mbailey@warsawschools.org, 574-527-8776 to sign up!
Thank you so much for your support!
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Stronger Together
Where: Plymouth – River Park Square, 112 Water St.
When: Aug. 12 Noon to 3 pm ET
What: A FREE festival gathering for all clergy and laity of the North District
Why: To celebrate that we are Stronger Together and rejoice in the fellowship and joy of life and ministry.
Mission Focus: We will be collecting donations for Bishop Trimble’s Africa University Scholarship. You can give online or in person.
Other things you need to know:
FREE ice cream, splash pad (bring towels), LIVE music (you may want to bring your own lawn chairs or blankets), food trucks, and lots of kids activities.
It is not too late to sing with the District choir! You can join as an individual or bring a group from your church. If you would like to join, email esta.rosario@inumc.org and she will send you the music. The choir will practice at Plymouth Trinity UMC at 10:30 ET on Aug. 12 and sing shortly after noon when the event starts.
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