Encouragement (Page 3)
Why We Chose HUMC
November 1, 2023A Note from the Rev. Melonie Harnish Dear Friends, I have been attending for the last year but most of you do not know me — my name is Melonie Harnish, and I moved to Hilliard in June 2022. I am a retired United Methodist Elder (pastor) in full connection with the West Ohio Conference. I have been retired since July 1, 2021, after serving in West Ohio for 34 years. I have been married to Sam for…
Showing No-Matter-What Love
October 25, 2023A Note from Nikki Buskirk Dear Friends, As many of you know, back in January I officially became a Godly Play trainer. I get to go to other churches and train people in how to do Godly Play, the Bible stories and materials we use in our Children’s Ministry on Sunday mornings with kids age four through 6th grade. I have loved every moment of it: meeting new people, talking about Godly Play, speaking the language of Godly…
The Courage to Be
October 18, 2023A Note from Courtney Wiater Dear Friends, I have always liked to stay busy. Not always productive, but always busy. All throughout my high school and college career, I was at the school 12 or more hours daily, participating in classes, band, choir, theater, and other extracurriculars. In my social life, I would go from one activity to the next, rarely pausing or just staying home to rest. As I entered my first few years as a teacher,…
My Answer from God?
October 11, 2023A Note from Michelle Dethlefsen Dear Friends, When I had my son, I quickly realized that I didn’t know half of what I thought I did. I was 24 and a single mom. I didn’t really have a place to live, and I was determined to make my child feel as if he wasn’t missing out in life due to the choices I made. I crashed at friends’ houses, moved in with someone I barely knew, worked four…
The Church Where We Belong
October 4, 2023A Note from Donna Bradley Dear Friends, Walking into church many years ago, our then three-year-old son Elliot became obsessed with a deceased squirrel we passed crossing the street. During a quiet time of prayer, the questions rang from his mouth, not yet pronouncing “squirrel” properly. “Mommy, is the dead girl still in the street?”“Why can’t I touch the dead girl?”“Who will clean the dead girl up?” I remember trying to stifle my laughter and sheepishly clarifying “squirrel”…
Who We Are
September 27, 2023A Note from Pastor Jon Dear Friends, I don’t know if you’re tired of hearing me say it, but I will continue to do so: I am eternally grateful to each and every single one of you. In this season of renewal for our Lead Pastor, Rev. April Blaine, you have continued to drive forward our mission and vision of sharing the love of God with all persons, No Matter What. Time and time again, you have stepped…
Wasteful with our Prayers
September 20, 2023A Note from Beth Palmer Dear Friends, In early August I got some upper respiratory crud that has hung on FOREVER — it’s been six weeks now, and it’s still not totally gone! Here’s me at my best. (Ha.) Dry throat for a week, then the chest cough, deep and croaky, for a couple weeks. Next was the worst. head. cold. ever. The phlegm, my God, the phlegm! Then it plugged up my ears, and my hearing got…
God loves you… no matter what!
September 13, 2023A Note from Rev. Woody Woodward Dear Friends, I don’t remember when it was exactly. To be honest, I don’t even remember the year. But I’m guessing it was eight or nine years ago, when I sat in a circle in a classroom in the Sanctuary building with a dozen or so other folks from HUMC. We had been called together as part of a strategic planning process for the church, and the discussion turned to the idea…
Giving Back
September 6, 2023A Note from Stephanie Dailey Dear Friends, Pastor Jon approached me a couple of months ago and asked if I would be willing to write a Letter of Encouragement for HUMC, more specifically a letter explaining why I felt called to offer my estate planning services to HUMC’s members and church-goers at a discounted rate and then donate 100% of the fees paid to the church. I was very happy to assist, but I will warn you in…
There is Enough
August 30, 2023A Note from Pastor Jon Dear Friends, This Thursday night and into Friday morning it will be time to turn the page. Like it or not, we will acknowledge that we are two-thirds of the way through this calendar year of 2023. The page turn to September, however, is an exciting one for me. The excitement is not just because my kids are all back in school either. I have always loved this time of the year. There’s…
Introducing New Director of Contemporary Music
August 16, 2023A Note from Jeff Rone Hello, HUMC family! My name is Jeff Rone (he/him), and I am the new Director of Contemporary Music. I will be working with Jody Hepp and Tony Hagood (our new accompanist!) to provide music for the 10:30 service, as well as serving as the worship leader and a member of the strategy team to help us move to weekly worship in Warehouse 839 at 11:15. I already feel incredibly honored, blessed, and downright…
Fear Not
August 9, 2023A Note from Max Andrick Hello Friends! Lakeside Institute is the name of the camp we attend as a youth group every summer. I have had the opportunity to be on staff for over ten years. This year I was given the privilege of being the chaplain for the week. The scripture of the week was Isaiah 43:1: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine.” In the months preceding…