Monthly Newsletter

God said to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. So say to the Israelites, ‘I Am has sent me to you.’” God continued, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your ancestors, Abraham’s God, Isaac’s God, and Jacob’s God, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever; this is how all generations will remember me.”  Exodus 3:14–15, CEB

Dear friends,

I’ve been thinking a lot about legacy lately.  Certainly, the legacy of those we have lost this year: family, church family, and friends, but also, my own legacy in parenting, ministry, and everyday life.  Simply put, legacy is the lasting impact our lives have on the generations that come after us.

When God revealed God’s name to Moses, it’s striking that God did so by pointing backward as much as forward -- the God of your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These were not perfect people. They made mistakes, took wrong turns, and sometimes struggled to trust. And yet, through their lives, and even through their imperfections, others came to know God. Their faith left such a mark that generations later, God is still known by their names.

Do you know someone like that? Someone whose life isn’t flawless, yet through knowing them, you’ve come to know God better? That’s legacy.  Which begs the question: who is being shaped by your faith? Not because you live it perfectly, but because you allow it to shape your words, your actions, and your relationships, and because you share the ways you experience God’s presence in your life.

One of the gifts of Scripture is the way it tells the story of God through ordinary people. God is known through the stories of prophets and kings like Moses, David, Elijah, and Ezekiel. God is known through Jesus’ followers like Peter, James, and Paul.  And God is still known today through faithful people whose stories are not written on the pages of the Bible, but in the lives of others.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be reflecting on these stories—how God makes Godself known through people and across generations. As we move toward Lent, we’ll spend time with Moses, Elijah, and Ezekiel, and on Ash Wednesday, February 18, we’ll return to the burning bush and listen again for God’s revealed identity – and ours.

These stories help us know God better—the God of our ancestors, whose faith has been handed to us, and the God who will be known by those still to come through the lives we live and the stories we share.

I invite you to prioritize worship in the weeks ahead and throughout Lent. Let us seek God together, revealed in the legacy of prophets, priests, disciples, and regular ordinary people like you. Invite a friend or a few as we help each other know God better as we worship, pray, serve, and live side-by-side.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Christi

The Prayer Chain shares two types of information:

1. Prayer requests for oneself or others (with permission).
2. Updates on previously shared prayer requests.

A compiled list of prayer requests is shared every Monday and Thursday. In cases of urgent need, requests will be shared immediately.

Guidelines for Submitting Prayer Requests

• Requests must be submitted by noon on Monday or Thursday to be included in that day’s Prayer Chain email.
• Requests may be submitted by:
  • Emailing tammy.taylor@columbiacityumc.org or christi.murray@columbiacityumc.org
  • Calling the church office
  • Filling out a prayer request card and submitting it on Sunday morning
• Please respect confidentiality—only share details with permission.
• Use compassionate and considerate wording.
• Updates are encouraged when possible so we can continue to pray meaningfully.

Thank you for being part of this vital ministry of care, prayer, and connection.

Registration opens online February 9. Meet the teachers, see the classrooms, and ask questions at our OPEN HOUSE, March 5, 6:00 - 7:00 pm.

3-day class

• Age requirement:  3 before August 1, 2026
• Schedule: Tues, Wed, Thurs, 8:30-11:30 am
• Tuition: $132.00 monthly/$1188 year

5-day class

• Age requirement:  4 or 5 before August 1, 2026
• Schedule:  Mon – Fri, 8:30-11:30 am
• Tuition:  $160.00 monthly/$1440 year. 

Registration Fee:  $35 non-refundable and due with registration.

Check out the new CityKids Preschool playground equipment peeking out from under the snow!

Encountering God, February 1 – 15:  Through the lives of Moses, Elijah, and Ezekiel, we’ll explore encounters with God that will prepare us to recognize the deep Old Testament roots of Jesus  “I AM” statements during Lent.

I AM:  Jesus in His Own Words, February 22 – March 28:  During Lent, we’ll listen closely as Jesus tells us who he is. Through the “I AM” statements in John’s Gospel, we’ll discover how his identity reshapes our reality.

When you hear LOVE FIRST, what comes to mind?

That’s the question we asked our community at First Fridays this summer—and we received more than 70 responses. Here are just a few:

“Love people at Kroger, love people on the street.”
“Listen, understand…not respond.”
“Be a positive member of the community.”

While the answers were as varied as the people who shared them, some clear patterns emerged as we look ahead to 2026:

• Love is practiced in ordinary places.
• Listening, noticing, and respecting matter far more than convincing or correcting.
• Simple, repeatable acts—patience, generosity, kindness—make the biggest difference.
• Love First is outward-facing and deeply relational.

When we look to Jesus, we see the same patterns. He practiced love in ordinary places—along the roadside, at the table, in conversation. He listened and noticed. And he kept moving outward, drawing in those on the margins and offering grace to all.

As we approach Lent, it’s worth celebrating how you are already living this out.

You have listened, noticed, and responded generously to those in need:

• Since November, we’ve delivered food to our three local pantries at least twice each, providing $300–500 in food each time.
• With support from an Indiana Conference grant, we’ve delivered over $1,000 in meat and will reach $3,000 by month’s end.
• You’ve helped supply nearly 900 basic hygiene items, protecting the dignity of our most vulnerable neighbors.

You have prioritized loving relationships:

• Offering a warm indoor walking space to 23 community members this winter—now filled with conversation and prayer.
• Sharing nearly 100 home communion kits with those unable to attend worship.
• Welcoming more than 230 visitors to worship in 2025.
• Deepening relationships with over 20 residents at Oak Pointe through monthly worship.

And that’s just part of the story. You are extending kindness and grace in grocery stores, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces — and yes, even to your pastor. Thank you.

Lent will be here before we know it. As we celebrate what God is already doing among us, I invite you to take a cue from our community: choose a simple, repeatable way to practice God’s love in ordinary places. Through lives like yours, Columbia City is recognizing—and experiencing—the love of Christ.  And we’re just getting started!

Our weekly email is getting a new name and a whole new look!  The Top 3 for the Week will offer three things you need to know to stay connected and grow in faithful action. 

Our goal is that what matters most won’t get lost in what’s most familiar.  So, let us know what you think, and if you’re not getting our weekly email yet, we’d love for you (and a friend) to subscribe so no one misses what’s happening in the life of our church.   

Our vision to Love First through authentic welcome, growing intentionally, and reaching out passionately, may have you wondering how you can plug-in this year.  Here are a few ways to show the love of Jesus.

First impressions Team -  This team serves on Sunday morning, ensuring that every first impression is of a welcoming church that points people to Jesus.  An Outdoor Greeter will direct cars to the proper parking lot and valet when needed, while the Indoor Greeters connect with anyone who walks through the door.  Positions needed one Sunday a month: outside Parking Greeter, Valet Greeter, and inside, Welcome Center, Entry Door, Worship Entry Doors, and Worship Exit.  A sign-up sheet will be in the Narthex or you can call the office with your availability.

Visitation teams – Visiting once a month with members of the congregation that are in shut-in at home or in an assisted living facility.

Communion to shut-ins – on the first Sunday of the month, extra communion packets are available to take to members not able to be in service.  These packets are offered with communion during the Sunday morning service.

Oak Pointe Service – On the 4^th Sunday of the month, CCUMC leads a 2:00 worship service for the residence.  The number of those attending the service have grown from 6 to 15.  Each month the team consists of a Message Leader, Musician, Song Leader, and 2 Hosts.  Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex or you can call the office with your availability.

Birthdays

Ron Richey Feb 03

Brenda Marty Feb 04

Kathy Johnson Feb 04

John Flora Feb 05

Noel Phegley Feb 06

Karen Hedrick Feb 07

Leonard Crosby Feb 07

Amaya Hedrick Feb 11

Robin Kleiman Feb 11

John Kleiman Feb 15

Dale Lawrence Feb 16

Dee Green Feb 18

Nancy Dorman Feb 18

Eli Fudge Feb 20

Vicki Jones Feb 22

Bette Reed Feb 23

Mark Pequignot Feb 25

Ruthie Zent Feb 27

Anniversaries 

David & Sharon Richey  Feb 14

Oak Pointe Assisted Living:  Francis Bundy, Dee Green, Harrison & Natalie Harker, Barb Gilman

The Oaks Skilled Care:  Bette Reed, Elaine Beard, Joanna Sims, Galen Eberhart

Byron Health Center:  April Snyder

Ossian Health & Rehabilitation:  Jill Chapman

Autumn Trace: Evelyn Stemen, Karen Bucher

Homebound:  Ron Reed, Donna Toole, Florence Linn, Louise Walter, Barb Bilger (cards only), and Betty Mosher (cards only), Joyce Lawrence, Chick Harker, Marilyn Fry, Joyce Butler

* If you know anyone that is homebound or in a care facility, PLEASE let the office know.  We want to be sure we are reaching out to all.

In attendance: Pastor Christi Murray, John Snyder, Tammy Taylor, Carl Siler, Ron Richey, Nathan Lundy, John Kleiman, Megan Devito, Jamie Peppler

Absent: Chris Jones, Brenda Marty

Learning/Training:

Board training on the Simplified Accountable Structure

• Discussed empowering, visioning and making space for ministry to happen
• Bylaws provided to new members
• Specialist Designations can streamline tasks or address needs between monthly meetings.  Board members will be assigned to one of the following categories:  Staff Parish, Finance, Trustee

4 P’s Purpose - Picture - Plan – Part

• Discussed what it would look like in 3-5 years if we were successful at making disciples of Jesus Christ in our church, community, and world.  Discussion will continue next month.

Trustee Report:

Building Use Policy Update in progress - will be reviewed at future meeting for approval.

Finance Report:

December 2025

• Total revenue $40,481.13
• Expenses $18,091.40
• Net revenue $22,390.12

The updated finance oversight structure was reviewed.  Bookkeeper - Gary Shanklin, Treasurer - Ron Richey, Finance Chair - Wendy Meyer, and Pastor Christi will meet to ensure a smooth transition.  Thank you to Robin Wright for his faithful service. 

Pastor’s Report:

• District Day - January 25th in Muncie -- 3 training sessions, members encouraged to attend
• Microgrant Idea Funds are being donated with the intended use to encourage mission-driven ministry ideas.  Team needed to help define use. Names were offered; others interested should contact Pastor Christi.
• Registration for CityKids Preschool 2026-27 school year will open by early February.
• Evaluating community flu/COVID numbers at Oak Pointe in preparation for the January worship
• Emergency shelter contacts are being made to determine what opportunities exist when needs arise
• Thank you to Council and congregation for support during Sean’s dad’s passing/services
• Upcoming dates: Day Away for Clergy - February 11-12, 2026
• Pastor Christi's vacation dates for 2026:  February 26 - March 1, 2026; May 18-29, 2026; June 14-21, 2026

(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