May 7th Updates
UMW Garage Sale Update
Yes, UMW is planning to hold a GARAGE SALE on Saturday, June 5th (the Saturday of the US40 Garage Sale). While UMW holds a garage sale to raise money for our local missions and as a service for our congregation to “recycle” our gently used and once loved items, it will be scaled back this year. Please help us by going through those boxes you plan to donate and give items a “second” look. Bring your donated items and leave them in the coat area outside the church office. We will have an antiques and collectibles area. We will NOT be having clothes and shoes. More information to come and thank you!
Spring Has Sprung!
Come join UMW for a spring program about flowers, given by Sandy Witherby of the Richmond Petal and Stem Club, Thursday, May 13 at 1:00 in Fellowship Hall. Members are encouraged to bring a book(s) to be donated to “Every Child Can Read” for children ages birth to third grade. We will continue to wear masks and socially distance. If you want to join us for lunch, please let Shanron Rider or Ann Cashner know ahead of time. Everyone is welcome.
It is GRADUATION TIME!
Do you have a child or grandchild graduating from high school or college? Maybe you have just completed a degree? We want to make sure to celebrate these accomplishments. We will have a bulletin insert, and highlight the names of graduates, on Sunday, May 16. Your church family wants to celebrate with you but we need some information from you.
WORK AS WORSHIP RETREAT
On May 14, 2021 from 9AM – 4PM, either in person or online, gather with us as we join thousands of business leaders across North America. Together, we’ll learn from leadership experts about how to connect faith and work. This event is being presented by RIGHTNOW MEDIA @WORK. REGISTER NOW:
We Want You!
Do you fall into either one of these categories? We’d love to have you join us on June 8th from 8am-5pm at the church for the Indiana Kids Belong Event. We will be hosting children in foster care so Indiana Kids Belong give them a chance to have a day of fun and share their story through photos and video to hopefully match them with a forever home and family. Contact Pastor Jen or Pastor Joseph by May 9th to let us know you’re interested to serve. Those serving must go through the free background and fingerprint process provided by DCS.
Hospitality: 2 people to greet and show guests around to different rooms we are using during the day. 2 people to serve snacks and lunch that will already be provided.
Guides: 6 people to engage with a child (most children would be between 10-15 years old) while they have fun and do their video and photo shoot. A guide will help them feel comfortable and enjoy the day. Children will get to play games, have snacks, eat lunch, and have fun! A guide will respect privacy boundaries, be flexible/go with the flow and adjust as needed.
Pizza with the Pastors is Back Next Sunday!
May 16th!
Informal time Socially distanced!! 
Missed Sunday morning coffee and donuts? 
With your help, we are ready to bring
them back! Contact Pastor Jen to serve.
SAYING GOOD-BYE TO PASTOR JEN AND SHERI
- On Sunday, June 6, we will be honoring Pastor Jen with a luncheon immediately after church. We will be collecting a Love offering for her. Checks should be made out to Central and noted “Pastor Jen” on the memo line. They can be put in the offering plate or dropped off at the office by May 30. We are also going to give her a Remembrance/Gratitude Jar. We will have colored strips of paper in a basket on the table in the parlor to write something that you are thankful for about Pastor Jen. Any little remembrance about her time here will be put in a jar so that she can take them out and read them when she misses Central and is knee-deep in boxes! Please don’t forget to do this.
- YOUTH from Central will be having a “good-bye” pizza party for Sheri the evening of Sunday June 6.
- After the services on June 13, the congregation will be having a Cupcake Party for Sheri to wish her well in her new job. A Love offering will also be collected for her, and you can follow the same instructions as shown above for her.
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RELIEF ROOM
We continue to make connections with local agencies that will be possible sources of referrals for assistance through the Emergency Relief Room. Thanks to the material and financial donations made to this mission, the room has become organized and readily available for people referred to us. Our current need is for household and kitchen items that are used on a regular basis. As mentioned before, think in terms of what you would need to replace should you be faced with the loss of everything you owned. That is what we need for future families coming to us for help. As always, if you have any questions or want to get involved with the Relief Room, do not hesitate to contact Dana Mollenkopf at 765-277-0287 or papamole@comcast.net
Musical Reminders/Announcements:
Tuesdays at 10:00am: Experience a time of weekly worship and virtual fellowship from Madeleine’s home in Brookville, Ohio! We pray, read Scripture, sing hymns, and hear meditative piano music. Streams live from Central’s Facebook page.
Benevolence Ministry Hours
The recent study of Helping Without Hurting has led to the formation of a benevolence team. This team will be holding office hours on Tuesdays from 1-3 for the specific purpose of building relationships with the many people who come to Central in their time of need. If you would like to support this ministry, please lift it up in your prayers. Further, we are looking for people to pray here at the church during these hours. Finally, if you feel led to join the ministry, please talk to Pastor Joseph or Pastor Jen about reading the book and next steps.
Shalom Sessions
With so much dividing us in our world today, the church can and should offer an invitational third way of uniting all of us in following the way of Jesus. We will be continuing the conversation about ways we can bring Shalom to our Starr and Vaille neighborhoods. Join us on the 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 12:05 in the Fellowship Hall for a brown bag lunch as we discuss and listen to the matters and efforts breaking and making the Shalom of our community. On May 18th, we will be giving space relevant topics and matters affecting us here locally. We look forward to hearing your stories and taking requests for future topics of conversation. Feel free to invite any and all concerned about our neighborhoods. May we all find ways for all to be part of God’s Shalom.
MASKS & MORE
The Governor has dropped the mask mandate for Indiana. We are still asking people to wear masks as we move around the building here at Central. If a group gathers and all participants have been vaccinated (or all but one participant who is healthy and willing) then feel free to take off your masks for the gathering, as you desire. Or, if you are in a group and all participants are distancing more than 6 feet apart, you may remove your masks during that time. However, we will continue to refrain from congregational singing for the time being. These are all small ways that we can continue to love our neighbor by making room for those who have not been or cannot (yet) be vaccinated.
Read more...
April 30th Updates
UMW Garage Sale Update
Yes, UMW is planning to hold a GARAGE SALE on Saturday, June 5th (the Saturday of the US40 Garage Sale). While UMW holds a garage sale to raise money for our local missions and as a service for our congregation to “recycle” our gently used and once loved items, it will be scaled back this year. Please help us by going through those boxes you plan to donate and give items a “second” look. Bring your donated items and leave them in the coat area outside the church office. We will have an antiques and collectibles area. We will NOT be having clothes and shoes. More information to come and thank you!
Spring Has Sprung!
Come join UMW for a spring program about flowers, given by Sandy Witherby of the Richmond Petal and Stem Club, Thursday, May 13 at 1:00 in Fellowship Hall. Members are encouraged to bring a book(s) to be donated to “Every Child Can Read” for children ages birth to third grade. We will continue to wear masks and socially distance. If you want to join us for lunch, please let Shanron Rider or Ann Cashner know ahead of time. Everyone is welcome.
It is GRADUATION TIME!
Do you have a child or grandchild graduating from high school or college? Maybe you have just completed a degree? We want to make sure to celebrate these accomplishments. We will have a bulletin insert, and highlight the names of graduates, on Sunday, May 16. Your church family wants to celebrate with you but we need some information from you.
Please submit, via email, to sheri@richmondcumc.com, the following information: Name of graduate, school attended, any higher education plans, and an address so that people may send cards or notes.
WORK AS WORSHIP RETREAT
On May 14, 2021 from 9AM – 4PM, either in person or online, gather with us as we join thousands of business leaders across North America. Together, we’ll learn from leadership experts about how to connect faith and work.
This event is being presented by RIGHTNOW MEDIA @WORK. 
REGISTER NOW:
https://events.rightnowmedia.org/attendee/site/4308
We Want You!
Do you fall into either one of these categories? We’d love to have you join us on June 8th from 8am-5pm at the church for the Indiana Kids Belong Event. We will be hosting children in foster care so Indiana Kids Belong give them a chance to have a day of fun and share their story through photos and video to hopefully match them with a forever home and family. Contact Pastor Jen or Pastor Joseph by May 9th to let us know you’re interested to serve. Those serving must go through the free background and fingerprint process provided by DCS.
Hospitality: 2 people to greet and show guests around to different rooms we are using during the day. 2 people to serve snacks and lunch that will already be provided.
Guides: 6 people to engage with a child (most children would be between 10-15 years old) while they have fun and do their video and photo shoot. A guide will help them feel comfortable and enjoy the day. Children will get to play games, have snacks, eat lunch, and have fun! A guide will respect privacy boundaries, be flexible/go with the flow and adjust as needed.
Benevolence Ministry Hours
The recent study of Helping Without Hurting has led to the formation of a benevolence team. This team will be holding office hours on Tuesdays from 1-3 for the specific purpose of building relationships with the many people who come to Central in their time of need. If you would like to support this ministry, please lift it up in your prayers. Further, we are looking for people to pray here at the church during these hours. Finally, if you feel led to join the ministry, please talk to Pastor Joseph or Pastor Jen about reading the book and next steps.
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RELIEF ROOM
We continue to make connections with local agencies that will be possible sources of referrals for assistance through the Emergency Relief Room. Thanks to the material and financial donations made to this mission, the room has become organized and readily available for people referred to us. Our current need is for household and kitchen items that are used on a regular basis. As mentioned before, think in terms of what you would need to replace should you be faced with the loss of everything you owned. That is what we need for future families coming to us for help. As always, if you have any questions or want to get involved with the Relief Room, do not hesitate to contact Dana Mollenkopf at 765-277-0287 or papamole@comcast.net .
Benevolence Ministry Hours
The recent study of Helping Without Hurting has led to the formation of a benevolence team. This team will be holding office hours on Tuesdays from 1-3 for the specific purpose of building relationships with the many people who come to Central in their time of need. If you would like to support this ministry, please lift it up in your prayers. Further, we are looking for people to pray here at the church during these hours. Finally, if you feel led to join the ministry, please talk to Pastor Joseph or Pastor Jen about reading the book and next steps.
Shalom Sessions
MASKS & MORE
The Governor has dropped the mask mandate for Indiana. We are still asking people to wear masks as we move around the building here at Central. If a group gathers and all participants have been vaccinated (or all but one participant who is healthy and willing) then feel free to take off your masks for the gathering, as you desire. Or, if you are in a group and all participants are distancing more than 6 feet apart, you may remove your masks during that time. However, we will continue to refrain from congregational singing for the time being. These are all small ways that we can continue to love our neighbor by making room for those who have not been or cannot (yet) be vaccinated.
Musical Reminders/Announcements:
Read more...
April 23rd Updates
Gorge Cleanup – richmondindiana.gov
Richmond Parks Department is hosting a two day trash pick-up around the gorge area. More information is at this website. https://www.richmondindiana.gov/events/gorge-cleanup-3
IU EAST Animals & Earth Club is going to help out on Friday, 12-3pm PM!!
Come out and help the Richmond Parks Department clean up the Whitewater Gorge of trash and invasive species! We’ll be working along Bridge Avenue, Sim Hodgkin Parkway, the Cardinal Greenway, and the Gorge Trail.
WORK AS WORSHIP RETREAT
https://events.rightnowmedia.org/attendee/site/4308
Blood Drive at Central
The next blood at Central United Methodist has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 28 between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. As always, the need for blood donations is high. COVID-19 precautions will be in practice as they have been in the past. The bar has been set high as we have forty-six time slots to fill. To register, go to redcrossblood.org enter CUMCRICH in the box that says find a drive, select your time and put it on your calendar. Central has been recognized by the Red Cross as a strong supporter. Blood donations is a great way to continue our support.
Volunteers Needed
Drug Free Wayne County’s Sr. High Youth Coalition, C2 is offering the 2021 Community Dodgeball Tournament on Sunday, April 25th. This event requires volunteer support and we are asking for community members who are interested to contact us to discuss the opportunity. Details to know- Volunteers signed up by 4/16; Time slots are between 1:30 and 4:00 pm for middle school ages & 4:30 and 7:00 pm for high school ages. Volunteers need to be signed up by 4/16. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Tim Pierson, Youth Coordinator for Drug Free Wayne County at 765-277-4684 or by email at tpierson@bgcrichmond.org
Spring Has Sprung!
Come join UMW for a spring program about flowers, given by Sandy Witherby of the Richmond Petal and Stem Club, Thursday, May 13 at 1:00 in Fellowship Hall. Members are encouraged to bring a book(s) to be donated to “Every Child Can Read” for children ages birth to third grade. We will continue to wear masks and socially distance. If you want to join us for lunch, please let Shanron Rider or Ann Cashner know ahead of time. Everyone is welcome!
IT IS GRADUATION TIME!!
Do you have a child or grandchild graduating from high school or college? Maybe you have just completed a degree? We want to make sure to celebrate these accomplishments. We will have a bulletin insert, and highlight the names of graduates, on Sunday, May 16. Your church family wants to celebrate with you but we need some information from you:
**Please submit, via email, to sheri@richmondcumc.com, the following information:
Name of graduate, school attended, any higher education plans, and an address so that people may send cards or notes.
Benevolence Ministry Hours
The recent study of Helping Without Hurting has led to the formation of a benevolence team. This team will be holding office hours on Tuesdays from 1-3 for the specific purpose of building relationships with the many people who come to Central in their time of need. If you would like to support this ministry, please lift it up in your prayers. Further, we are looking for people to pray here at the church during these hours. Finally, if you feel led to join the ministry, please talk to Pastor Joseph or Pastor Jen about reading the book and next steps.
Shalom Sessions
With so much dividing us in our world today, the church can and should offer a third way of uniting us in following the way of Jesus. There has been much in our world on the matters of race, we will be continuing the conversation. Join us on the 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 12:05 in the Fellowship Hall for a brown bag lunch as we discuss and listen to the matters and efforts breaking and making the Shalom of our community. On April 20th, we will be giving space for race and the history of the church. We look forward to hearing your stories and taking requests for future topics of conversation. May we all find ways for all to be part of God’s shalom.
NEW LIFE!!!
Christin, our building manager and Erika, our preschool teacher, have both welcomed new babies into their homes! We are so excited for them and their families. We know that many have been asking about sending cards and providing meals for them. If you would like to send a card, you may find Christin’s address in our online directory or you may drop cards off for either one at the church office and we will make sure they get them. If you are interested in providing a meal, gift cards to places that offer carry out or the grocery would be appreciated.
UMW Garage Sale Update: Yes, UMW is planning to hold a GARAGE SALE on Saturday, June 5th (the Saturday of the US40 Garage Sale). While UMW holds a garage sale to raise money for our local missions and as a service for our congregation to “recycle” our gently used and once loved items, it will be scaled back this year. Please help us by going through those boxes you plan to donate and give items a “second” look. Bring your donated items and leave them in the coat area outside the church office. We will have an antiques and collectibles area. We will NOT be having clothes and shoes. More information to come and thank you!
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RELIEF ROOM
We continue to make connections with local agencies that will be possible sources of referrals for assistance through the Emergency Relief Room. Thanks to the material and financial donations made to this mission, the room has become organized and readily available for people referred to us. Our current need is for household and kitchen items that are used on a regular basis. As mentioned before, think in terms of what you would need to replace should you be faced with the loss of everything you owned. That is what we need for future families coming to us for help. As always, if you have any questions or want to get involved with the Relief Room, do not hesitate to contact Dana Mollenkopf at 765-277-0287 or papamole@comcast.net
Musical Reminders/Announcements:
Tuesdays at 10:00am: Experience a time of weekly worship and virtual fellowship from Madeleine’s home in Brookville, Ohio! We pray, read Scripture, sing hymns, and hear meditative piano music. Streams live from Central’s Facebook page.
MASKS & MORE
The Governor has dropped the mask mandate for Indiana. We are still asking people to wear masks as we move around the building here at Central. If a group gathers and all participants have been vaccinated (or all but one participant who is healthy and willing) then feel free to take off your masks for the gathering, as you desire. Or, if you are in a group and all participants are distancing more than 6 feet apart, you may remove your masks during that time. However, we will continue to refrain from congregational singing for the time being. These are all small ways that we can continue to love our neighbor by making room for those who have not been or cannot (yet) be vaccinated.
Devotionals and Testimonies
We are taking a break from the Lamplighter for the coming months. In the meantime, please check out our BLOG, Realm or Facebook pages to stay in touch. During this time, we are asking you to share your thoughts and inspiration. Please send your devotionals, stories, artwork and testimonies to Pastor Joseph’s email address at joseph@richmondcumc.com
Where are you in your journey with Jesus?
Christian Conversations
This is a space where you and anyone can drop in every Monday at 1:30 by the Parlor fireplace (and on Zoom) to share and discuss whatever may be on your heart or mind. Feel free to drop in here and there or attend weekly or invite someone new. There is no topic off limits as we conspire about what Jesus is about in our lives. For 2021, any remaining time in the hour will be focused on Practicing the Way of Jesus. We will go through every command of Jesus and wrestle with how we can obey them here and now. For more questions, contact Pastor Joseph (joseph@richmondcumc.com).
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