The Outlook

an edition of

The United Methodist Reporter

Two Sections

New Ruach Service | 8A

Section A

Jazz in the Heights Returns | 8A

Mardi Gras Dinner | 4A

909160 Vol. 159 No. 46 March 15, 2013

chalk talk
BY DR. KENNETH W. CHALKER

Were giving Dr. Chalker a respite from his usual task of providing an insightful and motivating message, so he can commune with nature and redirect his energies toward his favorite sport of skiing. He has discovered that a few days in Steamboat Springs, CO, at the vacation home of members Dr. Ed and Diane White can help realign priorities and widen perspectives. You can see him here in his element, ready to conquer yet another Rocky Mountain slope. Thanks to Ed for this photo. More Chalk Talk in the next issue.

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER EVENTS

Add any and all of these worship and fellowship opportunities to your calendar today:
3/28 ~ Maundy Thursday, light supper with Dr. Chalker, 5:30pm, Reception Room ~ Maundy Thursday service, 7pm, Chapel 3/29 ~ Good Friday service, 7pm, Sanctuary 3/31 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Easter Sunday Sunrise Service, 8:30am, South Lawn Pancake Breakfast, 8:3010am, Great Hall Easter Service, 11am, Sanctuary Neighborhood Lunch, 1pm, Great Hall

Chancel Funding Process, Redesign Approved

Led by our District Superintendent, the Rev. Dr. Peggy Streiff, our February 24 Church Conference approved a three-fold motion to l authorize our Board of Trustees to fund and initiate the chancel remodeling project designed by the architectural firm of Westlake, Reed and Leskosky; l authorize this chancel remodeling project to be funded by philanthropic gifts or grants and/or a commercial loan not to exceed $800,000; l authorize the renovation project to begin in July, 2013, and be completed by the end of October, 2013. The Board of Trustees, in consultation with the Finance Committee, will attempt to coordinate the timing of the loan and construction with the lease and/or sale of the East 30th property. Of the 153 votes cast, 135 were in favor, with 17 opposed and one abstention. With this approval, the Board of Trustees, in consultation with the Finance Committee, will pursue completion of this chancel change.

GRACENOTES
B Y N AT H A N M O T TA
Director of Music & Arts

THE UNIVERSITY CIRCLE OUTLOOK

printed every four weeks as an edition of THE UNITED METHODIST REPORTER for University Circle United Methodist Church Dr. Kenneth W. Chalker, Senior Pastor 1919 E. 107th St., Cleveland, OH 44106 www.churchinthecircle.com; 216/421-1200 Outlook Editor: Jim Hogg outlook@churchinthecircle.com Photographers: Jeff Day, David Hughes, Brian Misch Editorial Staff: K. Shamp, E. Prince, C. Day, M. Abele

This months column begins with words from Jim Hoggtenor, bell ringer, combo keyboard player, sound man extraordinaire, comedian, Mr. Kay Hogg and all-around great guy. Here is his plug for the Chancel Choirs Lenten Cantata on Sunday March 17! Lenten Cantata Blends Requiems While our churchs Chancel Choir has in the past performed single requiems as part of their contribution to Lenten music, this years cantata features favorite movements of several well-known requiem massesa rather novel approach to providing musical support for the Lenten season. The brainchild of Directors Nathan Motta and Joanna Li, this blending of select requiem movements occurs throughout the Sunday, March 17, service, to compliment various aspects of worship. From the Introit and Kyrie of Maurice Durufls Requiem to the Agnus Dei and In Paradisum of Gabriel Faurs Requiem, all but one of the cantata selections will be sung in Latin. Other requiem pieces include John Rutters Sanctus, Mozarts Confutatis and Lacrymosa, Brahms How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place and the Pie Jesu by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Youre warmly invited to experience this unique blend of celebrated requiem movements and to invite others to join you. Its not often that such a mix of musical masterpieces can be enjoyed at once and in such a spectacular setting. Plan now to be a part of it. Thanks, Jim! Also, plan now to be a part of these impactful services: l The unique worship experience led by Juliette Regnier, with musical assistance from staff keyboardist/organist Andrea Drier. l A Maundy Thursday service, complete with Bell Ringers, Liturgical Dancers and the Chancel Choir. l A moving Good Friday service in the blended style, offering time for contemplation and meditation combined with soloists and our FullCircle Combo. l Easter Sunday with all of our groups celebrating the holiday, along with our usual Brass Quintet! One other thing: You may have heard that the Chancel and Bell choirs had some good times recently involving pizza, a trivia game and much carrying-on. Sound interesting? Come check us out!

Another Museum RAP Event!

Members Kermit Greeneisen and Saundy Stemen, Cleveland Museum of Art docents, have joined forces to create another of our churchs Random Acts of Programming RAPswith their HOLY WEEK TOUR at the Cleveland Museum of Art on Sunday, March 24. In December, over 50 members of our church family toured the museum and saw objects relating to the birth of Christ, with Kermit and Saundy as our guides. Now, on Palm Sunday, March 24, this dynamic duo will host another museum tour, with a focus on European paintings and sculpture from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods (12th to 17th Centuries), depicting the events from Palm Sunday to Easter. The one-hour tour will start at 1:30 pm. A light lunch will be served immediately following worship for those going to the museum. Reservations are required for lunch and the tour. Please sign up in the church office in person, via email to hhoward@churchin thecircle.com or by calling 216-421-1200.

The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Profit Dr., Dallas Texas, 75247-3919. Periodicals postage paid at Dallas, Texas and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to: The United Methodist Reporter, P Box 660275, Dallas, Texas .O. 75266-0275.

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THE UNITED METHODIST REPORTER

MARCH 15, 2013

Resurrection Sunday, UCUMC offers a Service of Healing and Hope on Tuesday, March 19, 7:00pm. This service includes a time of Scripture, silence and reflection and a chance to pray for ourselves, our community and our world. OPEN COMMUNION is available to anyone who requests it. Heidi Denman, Coordinator of Pastoral Care, leads this service. ***** Now that we have voted to officially begin the allows early birds the chance to share a cup of chancel redesign, it is more important than coffee, a bagel and prayer conversation. ever to continue to be in prayer Prayer requests can be submitted during for University Circle UMC. It is worship using a Prayer Request card (found in important that each and all of us the pew pockets). Place the card in the offering remain attuned to the vision plate or in the wooden prayer box in the God is revealing for our church northwest corner of the Sanctuary. (Requests as we step out in faith to follow can be made anonymously.) These requests Gods lead. In addition to keeping UCUMC in are then shared with church staff and your personal prayers, you are invited to members who feel called to pray. You may also participate in these other opportunities for submit prayer requests via email to Heidi prayer: Denman, Coordinator of Pastoral Care, at Sunday mornings following worship, the h.e.denman@gmail.com. All prayer requests Circle of Prayer meets in the East Chapel room are confidential. for fellowship and a time of prayer for one Prayer helps us focus our vision as a church another and UCUMC. community. Prayer helps us discern a way Tuesday mornings at 8:30, at Panera where there appears to be no way. Listening in Bread on Tiedeman and south of I-480, brings prayer helps assure that our Church in the another opportunity for fellowship and prayer, Circle is working not just towards her own as well as a preview of the weeks lectionary needs, but the needs of a greater community passage. and greater Church. Prayer is the one thing Thursday mornings at 6:45 at Einstein that can and does and will make a Bagels in Lakewood (Detroit & St. Charles) differencewhen it seems nothing else will. ***** Coming attractions: Mark Saturday, June 1 on your calendars, ladies! We are in the planning stages of offering a Womens Retreat that day, focused on walking the labyrinth as a spiritual discipline. We will learn together and then walk the labyrinth at the Seidman Cancer Center while also learning about their healing gardens. Watch for more information in the weeks to comebut for now, mark those calendars! ~ Heidi Denman, Coordinator of Pastoral Care

Lent can be a time of self-examination and spiritual growth. Like Advent, it can also be a season during which loss can feel especially pronounced or just somehowdifferent. We may be exceptionally aware as Christians that loved ones, while gone from this place, are indeed resting in the arms of the Almighty. So, as we draw closer to Holy Week and

LenT

Mardi Gras Dinner

About ten dozen fun-loving celebrants not only enjoyed crawfish, jambalaya, shrimp Creole and King Cake, but got up and danced to the genuine French Quarter music of the New Orleans Jazz Ensemble, as part of UCUMCs Second Annual Authentic New Orleans-Style Creole/Cajun Mardi Gras Dinner Party, held this past February 9. Our sincere thanks goes to Rev. Chez Ben and Della Magee for organizing and preparing this spectacular meal and to all of their talented volunteers for helping make this event such a super success.

Puzzles
by Sue Harden Some are simple Only a few pieces Easy to match the designs and colors Others are more of a challenge Pieces are smaller or all the same shape No easy design Otherswell, dont give up Even if there are no edge pieces to get us started Even if the design is unclear, without a picture on the box lid Even if the pieces just dont seem to fit Even if pieces from two boxes are mixed together Dont give uppersevere The Master Designer knows The final picture How it will all fit together With His help We will see the final pattern We will fit all the pieces together Creating a new, previously unseen, design. Susan B. Harden, 2009 (Susan composed this poem just prior to our merger. It subtly speaks to the challenges we faced in combining two churches and affirms that God has not brought us this far on our journey to let us fail.)

Second Sunday Lunch

Our April SSL happens at the Chicago Deli, 9601 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. New York City isnt the only place to find great delis. The Chicago Deli & Restaurant is famous for its corned beef sandwiches, PLUS you can choose from the menus many pasta, chicken and seafood dishes as well. Lunches cost from $9 to $15. Directions can be found in the church bulletin. You must RSVP to Betz Richards @ 440-235-9343, or email: chefbetz1@aol.com by April 9 to be a part of this latest RAP event.

Rev. Chez Ben and Della Magee

Deadline for the next Outlook issue is Monday, April 1, 2013 outlook@churchinthecircle.com

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THE UNITED METHODIST REPORTER

MARCH 15, 2013

~Youth News~
Pastor Spends Quality Time with Youth
Over the next few months, Dr. Chalker is making a concerted effort to interact with the members of our growing youth program. He has already invited the youth to fill a Question Box with questions that they wanted to hear him answer. For his sermon on March 3, Dr. Chalker randomly drew these questions from the box and answered them on the spota daring and creative way to engage the youth in worship. Dr. Chalker will also be attending pizza parties with the youth after worship to spend some informal time sharing ideas about the life of our church family. He will meet with the Sr. High Youth on March 10 and with the Middle School Youth on April 21. Additional upcoming events include May retreats for both the Middle School & Sr. High Youth Groups, and Confirmation/Youth-led worship on June 9. Stay tuned for details on more exciting events to come. ~ Rev. Sharon Seyfarth Garner, Coordinator of Confirmation Program

Summer Camp Is Just Around the Corner

New Service Features Unique Approach

These days, a lot of people dont go to church. Its been that way for a while now. And reports are, its a growing trend. The rituals, the music, the whole traditional worship experiencetheyve often been a disconnect for a number of Americans. And perhaps thats why so many people check the NONE box next to Religious Affiliation. As a member of University Circle UMC, Juliette Regnier shares that she has a strong spiritual base in this church home she loves. And thats a good thing. Yet, as someone whos always expanding her horizons and searching for lifes truths, Juliette has developed a keen interest in discovering if the NONEs in her life still have some kind of belief system. So, she has done some research, taken polls and made some interesting discoveries. In her conversations with friends and associates who dont attend church, Juliette has learned that many still consider themselves spiritualjust not religious. They often believe in a higher being and/or rely on nature for their inspiration, many times through solitary, quiet, reflective moments of meditation or by communing with the Juliette Regnier outdoors. Some used to go to church but have drifted away for various reasons, most having to do with unmet needs. When Juliette asked people if they might consider strengthening their spirituality through elements of meditation and nature in a group settingin communityon a regular, non-sporadic basis, most responded positively...with the caveat that they would have to find the experience fulfilling in order to attend regularly. Not long ago, Juliette shared her findings with Dr. Chalker and staff, who expressed strong interest and support for the creation of an additional non-traditional service at the church. As a result, Juliette is indeed leading a very unique and insightful service of spiritual experiences, which began this month. These contemplative, meditative, reflective services take place in a quiet space, away from all the outside buzz, Juliette says, on a regular basis, in community. She anticipates drawing from a multitude of sources for elements of calm, understanding, growth, inspiration and direction. Quiet music and the sounds of nature can accompany passages, quotes and scripture, among others, with shared thoughts and prayers at the conclusion; its an evolving approach, she adds. Juliettes additional research has revealed the Hebrew word, Ruach (roo'-awk), which can mean breath or wind or spirita kind of invisible moving force. Ruach seems like a real fit as the name for this kind of service, to be held in the Yoder Room on the first and third Fridays of the month from 12:15 to 12:45pm and the second and fourth Tuesdays from 7:00 to 7:50pm. It is our church staff s belief that nothing quite like this kind of service is currently available in the University Circle area. It is intended to address an unmet spiritual need in non-traditional ways. And while its main focus is not to grow our church, increased attendance may indeed become a welcome serendipity. Juliettes teaching, acting, presentation and musical skills equip her to bring a polished approach to the two-fold challenge of rekindling the spiritual strength of those whose faith has faded while also energizing in new ways the healthy spirituality of NONEs and other believers in our community. Enabling spiritual understanding in others is indeed a noble mission, and we wish Juliette every success in this exciting endeavor. ~ Jim Hogg, Editor (This articles original version appeared in the February 21 Sunday bulletin.)

Its hard to imagine warmth, sun and summer vacation during these cold gray days of winter in Cleveland. But, its not too early to begin thinking about East Ohio Conference Summer Camps! EOC Summer Camps provide children, youth, even families with unique opportunities to have fun, explore their faith and make new friends in a caring community. From family camp to horse camp, canoeing to stargazing, sports to praise, there is outdoor fun for everyone at Camp Aldersgate, Camp Asbury or Camp Wanake. A life-changing experience is right around the corner! For more information about summer camp opportunities, go to www.eastohiocamps.org or pick up a camp brochure in the church office. Camp scholarships are available for

UCUMC children and youth who need financial assistance to attend camp this summer. Our Education Program provides the funding. In order to receive funds for camp, families are asked to: 1) Contact Amy Wheatley, Director of Education, BEFORE APRIL 14 to request a camp scholarship; 2) Register your camper BEFORE MAY 1 online at www.EOCSummercamps.org or use the paper event registration form; 3) Pay the $40 deposit/registration fee, to be sent with the campers registration. Once campers are registered and their families have paid the $40 deposit, our church will pay the remaining camp fees. Start thinking about camping opportunities nowsummers closer than you think! ~ Dr. Amy Wheatley, Director of Education

Jazz in the Heights Returns

With the super success of the first Jazz in the Heights for Human Rights in the fall of 2011, University Circle United Methodist Church (UCUMC) announces the return of this benefit jazz performance, Sunday, April 7 from 69pm at Nighttown on Cedar Road in Cleveland Heights. This years entertainment will feature the sounds of Blue Note City, with UCUMC members Nathan Motta and David Kay and other professionals. University Circle UMC is an active member of the Reconciling Ministries Network of the United Methodist Church which is dedicated to teaching, organizing and supporting persons of the LGBTQ community and to helping the church become more faithful to the dynamic love of Christ. As part of UCUMCS commitment to and active support of the LGBTQ community, all proceeds after expenses will be donated to the Human Rights Campaign. Tickets are $30 per person; food and beverage are not included. Ticket availability will be publicized in the coming weeks.

MENS group leaders Dave Hundertmark and Ed Dickson bookend Dr. Chalker and Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, who addressed a large church audience about her life experience in government, as part of the groups February 17 Community Speaks Forum.