Monthly Newsletter

Our Mission is always to “Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” (Paragraph 121, UMC Book of Discipline).

In light of this mission and Jesus’ command to “…love one another, as I have loved you…” (John 13:34-35) we are committed to LOVE FIRST as we:

Welcome Authentically 

● Engaging ALL without judgment 

● Meeting people where they are 

● Building relationships 
 

Grow Intentionally 

● Prayer and scripture 

● Engaging worship 

● Discipleship that spans generational gaps 

Reach out Passionately 

● Youth and young people 

● Shut-ins 

● The margins

Dear friends,

Not long ago I was in a room full of pastors when the question was posed “How is it with your soul?”  I had several things on my plate that day and my knee-jerk reaction was “harried.”  But since that seemed like a terrible answer, I paused and poked around under all that stuff vying for my attention.  You know what I found?  Peace and hope – right where I left them!  Peace that God is with me.  Hope that God, not all that other stuff, is leading me.

Sometimes it’s hard to see around all life throws our way.  That’s one of the reasons we’ve been praying “Holy Spirit, help us discern Your will…”  Discernment is a little like an Epiphany – it’s understanding, seeing, trusting what was hidden or uncertain.   Like how the Holy Spirit has revealed God’s will for us to make Love our highest priority.  To be love, live love, share love, speak love until the only thing we’re known for is love.  

It's an exciting time to say our prayer has been answered!  But if you’re like me, sometimes I like to be sure.  Is that REALLY where God is leading?  So, sometimes I ask God to repeat the message – just in case I heard it wrong.  That’s what I did a couple of months ago.  You know what happened?  In less than a week, I was in a meeting where Rev. Abel shared the district challenge for all the UM churches in our district.  Want to guess what it is?  LOVE!  He challenged us to live into 1 Peter 1:22 as we love each other deeply and earnestly.  How?  By making connections with other churches.  AND… meeting a currently unmet need in our community to show them love. 

It was like the same Holy Spirit that was speaking to us was speaking to him… oh, wait…it IS the same Spirit!  Peace and Hope – gifts of the Spirit who leads as we follow.

As we head into February, I want to share two ways you can follow God’s leading to make Love your priority.  First, you can begin by practicing – no one ever won a race without practice.  Our commitment to love first is no different.  

How can you practice?  Start praying our new breakthrough prayer consistently at 6:05 morning or night (or both).  Start watching for opportunities to offer love, trusting God to provide them.  Check the info desk regularly for opportunities to share love in the community.  

Second, while it seems impossible, Lent is right around the corner.  Our challenge for Lent this year won’t be to give something up but to give Love… first – in the ways Jesus gave it.  Which means, February will be a month where we will be watching closely to see just how we can love like Jesus.  

So, keep praying, keep practicing, stay tuned, and stay hopeful.  

God is leading us to love first.  Will you follow?
 

Pastor Christi

In January, Lauren Gaff, one of the ELC infant teachers, received her CDA credentialing.  To obtain the CDA credential, you must train in various CDA-approved subjects, work a designated number of hours with children, and take the CDA exam. The CDA certificate requires you to build a portfolio and complete a verification visit before receiving your credential. The Council of Professional Recognition awards the CDA for competence in delivering high-quality education and care services to young children. 

We are proud of Lauren, the work she has done, and the dedication she has to the children and families of the ELC.

Additionally, the ELC has openings in the infant room.  Infant childcare is a real need in Whitley County. Please share news about Lauren and infant room openings with family and friends.

Registration for camps in Indiana are now open. If you are interested in going, or for more information, go to https://impact2818.org/summer-camps/. 

The church does have funds designated for church camp for those who need help. Contact Pastor Christi for more information about how to get this help.

Once again it is time to begin thinking about the next school year.  CCUMC Early Learning Center will open Pre-kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year at the end of February.  Registration forms can be found online and in the church office, beginning February 24.  Open House will be March 4, 6-7 pm.  

If you or someone you know has a 3, 4, or 5 year old, please share the information about CCUMC ELC Pre-kindergarten.

We have openings in the Infant room beginning April 1. These openings are filled in order from the waitlist.  

Please contact Stephanie Clark, stephanie.clark@columbiacityumc.org or 260-244-7671 for more information.

What do rocks, trees, pails, and maps have in common?  They are all related to prayer!  This Lenten season we will have prayer stations that will help us live into our vision of Love First.  Stay tuned for more information.

Church council is more than meeting once a month to discuss church business.  It is a three year commitment to empower leadership and ministry of the church.  Additionally, the church council provides alignment of authority, accountability, and responsibility in accordance with the Book of Discipline.  Three members have moved off the council Ron Frickey, Judith Hays, and Sandy Thomas and three new members, Megan Devito, Wendy Meyer, and  Chris Jones will begin serving January 7th.  We would like to thank Ron, Judith, and Sandy for their service to the council and church.

February birthdays

3- Ron Richey

4- Kathy Johnson

    Brenda Marty

5- John Flora

6- Noel Phegley

7- Lenny Crosby

    Karen Hedrick

11- Amaya Hedrick

      Robin Kleiman

15- John Kleiman

16- Dale Lawrence

18- Nancy Dorman

      Dee Green

20- Eli Fudge

22- Vicki Jones

25- Mark Pequignot

27- Ruthie Zent

Anniversaries

14- Sharon and David Richey

Oak Pointe: 
Francis, Dee, Harrison, Natalie, Nancy, Barbara

The Oaks:  
Bette, Elaine

Byron Health Center: 
April

Peabody Retirement Community: 
Julia, Marilyn, Phil

Homebound: 
Betty, Barb, Ron, Ruth, Louise, Donna

Autumn Trace: 
Evelyn (resident)

Do you know what it means to be a part of the body of Christ?

In the words of Thom Rainer, author of I AM A CHURCH MEMBER, "God has placed us in churches to serve, to care for others, to pray for leaders, to learn, to teach, to give, and in some cases, to die for the sake of the gospel."

What you'll gain in the Member Class:

• Book Study: I Am A Church Member, by Thom Rainer, shares the basic building blocks for the body of believers.
• An understanding of the mission and vision of CCUMC.
• A Biblical perspective and practical approach to church membership.
• Discover the privilege and responsibility of belonging to a local church.
• Consider how you will participate in ministry at CCUMC.
• Opportunity to connect with others.

Class details:  This small group will meet with Pastor Christi on Sundays after church, 11:15-12:30.

Dates: February 2-23

Please contact Tammy Taylor in the church office to register for the class.

District Superintendent challenges for the year were reviewed. 

1)  Develop at least one new ministry to address the identified needs of our community 

2)  Intentionally connect with two other congregations in ministry, mission, service and fellowship 

District Leadership Meeting held Sunday, January 12, 2025. 

Key takeaways: other churches are also encountering challenges, what is our church known for, what should we do differently to understand our church culture and to make space for others. 

The Council roles and responsibilities: The Church Council is a decision making body and operates as the church Trustees, Finance Committee and the Staff Parish Committee. The Church Council should also be part of growing people in ministry by involving them in teams. Additional training will be provided to the Council at a later date. 

Pastors Report 

Pastor Christi reported on a new Love First Breakthrough Prayer. The proposed prayer was reviewed and edits suggested to be taken back to the working group. Pastor Christi shared potential Love First logos to be used for signs and/or t-shirts to communicate our vision and to re-establish a Love First culture. 

Two new Task Forces are to be formed. The first team is the Missions and Outreach Team. This team will identify ministry opportunities and recruit people to participate in the outreach efforts. The second team is the Finance Team. We are looking to transition to the CCUMC building being utilized to serve the church to fund ministries. Pastor Christi reminded the group that we serve Christ and not a building. Pastor Christi will be out of town Monday Jan 20 – Jan 29, 2025. Pastor Chris Danielson will provide emergency support during that time. 

Finance Report 

Overall, the ELC was down $49,256 for the year. A more detailed discussion on the ELC financials and ELC Task Force recommendations will be conducted in a future meeting. 

The CCUMC funds are down $10,216 for the year (excluding the ELC). The reports show a very positive revenue result from September through December 2024. The church attendance for 2024 was up from that of 2023. In person church attendance weekly average was 119 per week in 2024 versus a weekly average of 110 per week in 2023. The on-line church service participation also increased to a weekly average of 14 people per week in 2024 versus a weekly average of 10 people per week in 2023. 

Trustees Report 

The Council reviewed current snow removal practices. The south parking lot has been plowed when there is snow. The north parking lot would be an additional charge to be plowed. The Council recommended plowing the area near the dumpster where the handicapped parking spots are located and barricading the rest of the lot if snowy. Greg Lawson will follow up with the plowing contractor and the Valet Parking Team. 

A new ELC Director has started and has received training through the Whitley United Way state program. The ELC priorities are to provide quality daycare and to get financials to cover costs. 

All of our Operation Christmas Child boxes were shipped on December 7, 2024.

They were delivered and blessed children in Lesotho, Africa.  Lesotho is a mountainous area with little land suitable for growing crops.  

Due to a scarcity of jobs, much of the population travels out of the country to work.  Operation Christmas Child began delivering shoebox gifts to children living in Lesotho in 1999.  

The boys and girls are also offered the follow-up discipleship course, The Greatest Journey. Thank you CCUMC for supporting this outreach program.

(260) 244-7671 • www.columbiacityumc.org
605 Forest Parkway Columbia City, IN 46725

Christi Murray, Pastor — christi.murray@columbiacityumc.org

Tammy Taylor, Director of Administration and Discipleship — tammy.taylor@columbiacityumc.org

Ashley Bailey, Communications Specialist — ashley.bailey@columbiacityumc.org

Gary Shanklin, Bookkeeper – Shanklin.gary@gmail.com