Lent is a time to draw closer to God through personal reflection, prayer, and spiritual renewal as we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter. The timeframe, like Moses on Mount Sinai, Elijah’s journey to Mount Horeb, or Jesus fasting and temptation in the wilderness, is 40 days.
So how is it going for you? Are you noticing during these 40 days? Maybe you are noticing a change in yourself or others. Maybe you are becoming more aware of God working.
We would love to hear your stories. You can share them with Pastor Christi verbally, through email, or leave an anonymous note in the offering basket. We can’t wait to hear from you.
May 4 Celebration of the Call — Pastor Christi Graduation
May 11 Confirmation
REMEMBER TO CELEBRATE OTHERS
As May approaches, so does Confirmation Sunday. Confirmation is a public affirmation of faith and commitment to live out the baptismal covenant. As a congregation, we will participate, promising to support each of our young confirmands.
That support will take on many forms. Wouldn’t it be special for each confirmand to receive personal notes from the congregation? Notes affirming their decision. Notes of continued prayer. Notes of love.
Please write notes to our confirmands and put them in the offering plate on Sundays, bring them by the office Monday-Thursday, or send an email to Tammy.Taylor@columbiacityumc.org.
LET’S CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE
It’s our vision to Love First, but it’s hard to love those you don’t notice. One way we are exercising our “notice muscles” is to celebrate good things happening in our community.
So let’s make it our regular habit to watch and listen all week and then share and celebrate each Sunday. It’s a small thing that makes a BIG difference!
We’ve got this! Let’s celebrate!
Pastor Christi
LENTEN PRAYER STATIONS
Our neighbor. Our county. Our world. Interactive prayer stations are a wonderful opportunity for people to reflect on how God calls us to live in love, act in love, and be love. The interactive prayer stations are meant to be intergenerational, focusing inward and outward.
On Sundays, prayer stations are available before and after church.
Prayer stations are designed to:
Experience easily, with clear instructions at each station.
Pray for ourselves, family, church family, community, world.
Experience alone or with family/friend.
Experience one or more per visit.
We hope you will take the opportunity to experience prayer through the Prayer Stations during this season of Lent.
ELC UPDATES
ELC Sunday gave a glimpse into the joy children have about God. “He’s mighty and strong. There’s nothing my God cannot do.” The children were able to sing it loud and proud, believing every word.
This summer, children in grades kdg. – 5, have the opportunity to attend full-day summer camp at the ELC. Each week will have a different theme, science, art, sports, etc. with Bible lessons. There are spaces available for the full 8-weeks or drop-in/per week.
Pre-kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year is underway. Applications for children age 3 on or before August 1 are encouraged to apply. Five or three day opportunities are available.
The ELC full-day childcare program is growing. If you or someone you know is in need of full-day care, infants to age 5, please contact Randy Polston at randy.polston@columbiacityumc.org for more information.
Please share Summer Camp, Pre-K, and Childcare opportunities with your friends and family.
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Birthdays
2 – Roberta Metzger
2 – Mark Beck
3 – Neil Cooper
5 – Kenny Devito
7 – Janet Tappy
7 – Ryan Peppler
8 – Stanley Ritter
17 – Tamera Parker
18 – Jill Chapman
19- Julia Berry
22 – Joyce Butler
24 – William Schaefer
25 – Andrew Fudge
25 – Jeremy Meyer
26 – Dan Dorman
30 – Onalee Bender
Anniversaries
7 - Doug & Nancy Graft
23 – Michael & Julia Hayes
HOMEBOUND & CARE HOMES
Oak Pointe:
Francis, Dee, Harrison, Natalie, Nancy, Barbara
The Oaks:
Bette, Elaine
Byron Health Center:
April
Peabody Retirement Community:
Julia, Marilyn, Phil
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.
CHURCH COUNCIL
Church Council Summary
March 11, 2025
Finance Report
Net operating revenue of -$15,965 due to lower contributions and higher building maintenance expenses.
The ELC revenue was +$992.
Spending protocol for unexpected/unbudgeted costs was put into place
Trustee Report
Planning is underway for a spring Saturday workday.
A Trustee (Buildings and Grounds) Team is needed to provide support and assistance as needed.
ELC
Discussion of moving from an ELC Advisory Team to an ELC Board financials.
Church Council Training
Pastor Christi provided training to the Council covering the Council structure.
The Church Council has fiduciary responsibilities in addition to assuring we are ministering within the church boundaries of budget, policies/procedures, goals, mission, vision, and values.
The Church Council duties include permission giving, alignment, accountability, and empowerment for ministry.
Our structure allows for the creation of task force. Other potential structures were the specialist structure with 3 specialists in each area including: finance, trustee, staff parish and the L3 model involving loving, learning, and leading
Pastors Report
Pastor Christi reported on the status of the two new task forces that were formed.
The Missions and Outreach Team has met and proposes to hold a luncheon with approximately20 local area subject matter experts to get input on the community’s unmet needs.
The Facility Use Team has been formed and is evaluating opportunities to rent space and how to best utilize the property.
Other
Coffee with the Council will be held the last Sunday of March after the church service to meet with interested members of the congregation to answer any questions people may have and to take their feedback to the April Council meeting.
Witnessing our mission and vision in action included: member participation in the Sunday worship service and the Ash Wednesday service (visitors and caring shown toward others demonstrating love first).
(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
