Dear Central Family

Our hearts break for the open grief our broader community bears for the numerous injustices still perpetrated today.  We can hear Habakkuk’s lament echo in the cry which rises from the grief:

How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? 

Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? 

Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? 

Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. 

Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. 

The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted. 

May we all find ways to be present to the pain, listen to the longing, and respond with love.

Here are a few updates for the coming weeks. as we continue to navigate the changing phases of Indiana

2020 has been a strange journey so far.  At times it feels as though the next news story, the next wave, will unmoor us and knock us adrift.  Let us remember where our hope rests in these times, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19).  Friends, together we will journey through this all.

Yours in Christ,

Central UMC Staff

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RELIEF ROOM

This is a new Central United Methodist Church mission. The Relief Room, which is located in the area previously used by Boy Scout Troop 114, will be operated on a referral basis rather than being open to the public. The agencies we see working with us include Red Cross, Department of Child Services, Genesis, Refuge of Hope women’s shelter, Salvation Army, and perhaps more likely identified as we go along. It is likely members of the church may come forward identifying someone in need.

Ways members of Central may become involved in or give support to this mission include financial support, donations and help with the operation of the mission.

Those wishing to contribute financially can submit a check made out to Central United Methodist Church with Community Emergency Relief Room in the memo line. Contributions can also be made on-line. Needed material donations are listed below. If possible, donations should be left outside the Relief Room door. If assistance is needed for larger donations, contact Dana Mollenkopf at 765-277-0287 or papamole@comcast.net.  Volunteers will be needed to look through donated items, sort and then properly place items in the room.

Material Donations should not need repair. Clean clothes that are grown out, not worn out are appreciated. Things you would need to replace if suddenly you did not have them.

Clothing: All sizes of gently worn clothing, shoes, and accessories for ladies, men, children and babies. (We currently have a good supply of small to medium sized women’s clothing). Please make sure all items have been recently washed/dry cleaned. Plastic hangers are needed as well.

Household: Mildly used bedding, blankets, drapes, curtains, rugs, kitchen towels, bath towels and washcloths and pillows. Pots, pans, cups, glasses, dish ware, silverware, cutlery, small (working) household appliances and tools.

Toys and Sports Equipment: Clean, lightly used toys and children’s items like stuffed animals, dolls/action figures, board games (complete), and sports equipment.

Electronic Games/Devices: Working stereos, radios, DVD players, and small (easily liftable) working TVs.

Small Furnishings/Appliances: Easy-to-lift and transport nightstands, headboards, chairs, lamps, small tables, and other light home items.

Please, no large furniture and appliances (but let us know if available), infant/child car seats, cribs, mattresses, box springs, perishables, or anything with an expiration date.

May 31^st Worship Service Registration

Keep it Up! For the Faithful Ministry Leaders of Children, Youth, and Families

You have shown so much care and concern for kids, youth, and families in your church and community during this time.  You have spent hours on Zoom, mailed cards, made phone calls, and even stopped by houses.  You have adapted to a thumbs up online instead of hugs and high fives in person.  You have listened.  You have prayed.  You have become the tech guru of your church.  You walked through this time with uncertainty while leading and loving others.

Now you are facing a different season.  One of many questions about when and how to open your church doors and ministries back up.  You have already had tough conversations about how to do or not to do VBS, mission projects, and celebrations.  You have been asked the difficult questions about reentry.  You have engaged in online meetings about next steps.

You now have some decisions to make.  How do you make them when there are so many opinions, concerns, and pressures to consider?  To continue reading go here

UMW Antiques

Greetings from Creative Hands. We know that we’ve all been at home sheltering in place and have had time to organize and reorganize and have found antiques and collectibles that you think others would appreciate owning. We will be glad to take your donations of antiques and collectibles for our next Pop-Up for new owners to enjoy while helping UMW support their local charities. When it is safe, bring items to the church office for UMW. Please mark your donations “For UMW Pop-Up.” Thank you and we are wishing you well.

Dear Central Family,

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and in the name of Jesus, our Lord.  Never before has our whole community seen such rapid and wide-spread changes in nearly every area of our lives.  Never before have we had such a need as a church to lean into our rock, our unchanging God.  Though trials may arise, nothing can separate us from his love (Romans 8).  

Navigating this fluid and contextual situation as a church has meant being aware the road ahead could change.  On May 1, we sent out this email  putting forth our hoped for path given what we knew.  We were aware our ‘headlights’ could reveal a constantly shifting course as we discern the path God has set before us to best make disciples of Jesus in a responsible way for this time.   Please read on for our ‘road map’ adjustments and general announcements for this week. We are in this together even if we must remain physically distant for a few more weeks.

Re-opening and Reservations for services until June 14th

We are still hoping to have our 1st in-person worship service on May 31st.  So far, there has not been a new outbreak as states have re-opened (praise God!).  However, we will not be offering an overflow room, nor will we be starting Sunday School back up. Further, to ensure compliance with the 100 person limit, we are asking people to reserve a spot at the 10:00am worship service through OnRealm beginning next Wednesday the 20th. Please be on the look-out for an email with instructions on how to reserve your spot.  If you have not yet logged-in to OnRealm to update your information, profile picture, and email preferences, please visit our Realm resource page for more information.  For those who are not on OnRealm please contact the church office at 765-962-8345 to reserve your spot.

We will be asking all people who come to wear a mask.  If you do not have one, we will provide one for you.  As we are working out how best to reopen our whole building responsibly, we see this as a way to love our neighbor – fellow church goer – by creating an environment where anyone could enter.  If you are uncomfortable with this, we understand and look forward to celebrating in person with you when we can all gather again without masks (please contact Pastor Joseph with any such concerns).  We also encourage anyone who is at-risk or is the least bit uncomfortable with larger gatherings to please stay home.  These first few weeks back are to work out the logistics of in-person worship so more may come soon.  We will still be offering our online services indefinitely. Pentecost will surely be a celebration as we begin our course of gathering as a church again.  Our laments will continue until we can ALL freely gather again.

Global 6k Saturday, May 16, 2020
Location: Wherever you are!

We wanted to give people an opportunity to look beyond this moment and beyond this place.  We have a crushing reality here at home which our community has been wonderful about addressing together.  Still, anytime we can turn on the faucet and there is water which can pour out for more than the needed 20 seconds to keep our hands cleaner.  We at Central want to live in a world where all can have access to that reality. 

You do not have to sign-up to run or walk, though you are welcome to share our enthusiasm and join our team.  We look forward to seeing pictures of you at Glen Miller, Hayes, Cope, or on the streets of Richmond.  You do not have to give, though if you are able, please join us in ending hunger and water insecurity around the globe.  We do ask that you pray.  Those already dealing with such insecurities will be feeling the impacts of this moment in ways far different than ourselves.

Pray at 7pm

Join with us as we pray and trust in God to provide in this time of great need. take a minute at 7:00pm (19:00 for Covid-19) each night to join the world in prayer for our response to Covid-19. Let us pray for those suffering, those without access to medical care, those who have lost their jobs, those who don’t know how to find resources, the heroes in the medical field, those serving in essential services, families spending more time together than ever before, families divided by quarantine, those feeling alone, those not regarding guidelines, those risking all to serve the least of these, and those on your heart each day. We are together in this fight.

Meeting with Central Medical Professionals coming soon!

A time to ask questions of and hear from those we know about the current state of our community’s fight against the Coronavirus while also offering encouragement and prayer for our members in the medical professions. Join us Monday, May 18^th at 7:00pm on Zoom!

Join Zoom Meeting​

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87037531807​

​Meeting ID: 870 3753 1807​

​Dial by your location​: +1 312 626 6799

UMW Antiques

Greetings from Creative Hands. We know that we’ve all been at home sheltering in place and have had time to organize and reorganize and have found antiques and collectibles that you think others would appreciate owning. We will be glad to take your donations of antiques and collectibles for our next Pop-Up for new owners to enjoy while helping UMW support their local charities. When it is safe, bring items to the church office for UMW. Please mark your donations “For UMW Pop-Up.” Thank you and we are wishing you well.

The seasons are changing (hello Sun!), yet our God’s steadfast love to you and through you to this community has not.  As we journey together let us always look to the One who guides us, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11

Yours in Christ, Central UMC Staff

‘So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.’  Friends of faith, let us continue in these times with unwavering hope.  And let all who look our way see Christ’s love in all we do.

GLOBAL 6K

DATE: Saturday, May 16, 2020
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: Wherever you are!

We wanted to give people an opportunity to look beyond this moment and beyond this place.  We have a crushing reality here at home which our community has been wonderful about addressing together.  Still, anytime we can turn on the faucet and there is water which can pour out for more than the needed 20 seconds to keep our hands cleaner.  We at Central want to live in a world where all can have access to that reality. 

You do not have to sign-up to run or walk, though you are welcome to share our enthusiasm and join our team.  We look forward to seeing pictures of you at Glen Miller, Hayes, Cope, or on the streets of Richmond.  You do not have to give, though if you are able, please join us in ending hunger and water insecurity around the globe.  We do ask that you pray.  Those already dealing with such insecurities will be feeling the impacts of this moment in ways far different than ourselves. HERE IS OUR PAGE

Opening Central

Our Bishop and our Governor continue to update us with guidelines.  We will adjust as they share more.  We acknowledge those who are at a greater health risk will stay home and encourage those who continue to do so.  Please continue to reach out to one another and your amazing church staff for ways we can come alongside you. For all below, additional measures of sanitation and social distancing will be implemented. Hopefully, we can begin walking this road wisely…

Praying at 7pm

Fu Face Mask Pattern

Joann Fabrics Pattern

Let us rest our anxieties at the feet of our God, work at what we are called, love our neighbor well, and enjoy this life as we find it – not as we think it ought to be.

Shalom,

Central Staff