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March 2021GOOD NEWSA GENTLE NUDGEHelp others discover the love, hope of JesusOne of my childhood heroes was Christian Hosoi. He wasconsidered by many to be the best skateboarder in the world(he was a contemporary of Tony Hawk, which may be amore familiar name to non-skateboarders!). In many ways,Christian was the rock star of skateboarding.He skated with great skill, authority, power and style. Hehad a wild fashion sense. He indulged in the rock star partylifestyle. He was a regular in the LA celebrity party and clubscene. He was known for a trick called the “Christ Air”,where he posed like Jesus on a cross while soaring abovethe ramp. He had fortune. He had fame. He had everythinghe desired.Christian’s lifestyle of excess also led to addiction. For themost part, while struggling with addiction, Hosoi was able tomaintain his skateboarding success. Eventually, a recklesslifestyle caught up to him and he found himself fallingbehind in the rankings.As his career began its downward spiral, his addictionwas also raging out of control. In early 2000, Hosoi foundhimself in prison.Upon entering prison, his wife said, “We need God.”Initially, Hosoi dismissed the idea of “needing God.”However, while in prison, he started reading the Bible andhis life was changed.In his book, “Hosoi: My Life as a Skateboard JunkieInmate Pastor”, Christian writes, “It’s not as if God’s beensilent over the years. Jen’s uncle Chris, the pastor, hasbeen reaching out to her forever, since long before we leftCalifornia. Even after she started going to church with hergrandmother she remained unconvinced, and I’m not evenlistening. Here we are, a stripper doing drugs and a strungout pro skateboarder. In the world’s eyes, and in hers andmine, that’s about as far from God as it gets. In God’s eyes,however, she and I are no different from some nice teadrinking husband and wife who do good and productive workand coach their kid’s soccer team on the weekends.”Hosoi’s reflection reminds us that no one is beyond theredemptive love and grace of God.The season of Lent is a reminder of our own need for God’sredemptive love and grace. Lent reminds us that, whether weconsider ourselves worthy or unworthy, God loves us!Lent is also a wonderful opportunity to reach out to thosearound us who may consider themselves to be “about asfar from God as it gets.” Extending an invitation to join usfor worship (in-person or online) might be the gentle nudgesomeone needs to discover the love, hope and grace ofJesus.I pray that our church will be known as a place where allare welcome, loved and accepted whether they are “aboutas far from God as it gets” or “some nice tea-drinkinghusband and wife”.Upon his release from prison, Christian Hosoi returned toa career in professional skateboarding, while also becomingthe Outreach Pastor at The Sanctuary Church in OrangeCounty, California.First Wayne Street United Methodist Church 300 East Wayne Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802ph: (260) 422-4681 fax: (260) 422-4354 www.fwsumc.org facebook.com/firstwaynestreet
Re-launching in-person worshipOn Sunday, March 7, we will re-launchour in-person worship gatherings! We willcontinue to livestream our services forthose who are not yet able to join us inperson.We will continue requiring the use ofmasks inside the building. We will providehand sanitizing stations around thebuilding. We also ask that people maintainappropriate physical distancing betweenindividuals and families not from the samehousehold.In case you were wondering, Cesar hasdetermined that keeping a distance of 3sanctuary chairs between individuals/groups is the appropriate amount ofspacing.On Sunday, March 21, we will resumeour children’s ministry and Sunday schoolopportunities. Please be in touch withWeekday Weather Policyyour class leaders or Audra Reinders tofind out if your class will meet virtually orin-person.In the event that Allen County returnsto the “red” category for the coronavirus,our in-person gatherings will besuspended until we return to “yellow.”Thank you for your patience andunderstanding during this time!New office hoursbegin in March 1In an effort to be wisestewards of our resources,First Wayne Street will bechanging our office hourseffective Monday, March 1st.With technologicaladvancements, the way welead and work in ministry haschanged over the years. Thisshift in hours will enable ourstaff and volunteers to moreeffectively and efficientlyutilize their time for ministry.In the event of inclement weather, First Wayne Streetfollows the Fort Wayne Community Schools schedule. IfFWCS cancels in-person learning, the church office will beclosed. If FWCS operates on a delay, the office will also openon a delay. If FWCS moves to a remote learning day, the officewill close and our staff will work remotely. If FWCS cancelsevening activities, we will also cancel our evening activities.Page 2 March 2021 Good NewsIf you need to meet withor contact our pastors orstaff outside of our officehours, please schedule anappointment or contact ourstaff by phone or email. In theevent of an emergency, pleasecontact Pastor Jason at765-212-6791.FWS Office Hours:Monday – Thursday:9am-3pmFriday: 9am-noon
A season of reflection, preparationLenten Fishes & LoavesWe are collecting cans of tuna,mackerel, salmon, and boxes ofcrackers for the East Wayne StreetCenter for Lent. The collection will gothrough April 4.Easter FlowersIt’s time to order Easter flowers.Order form is in this newsletter.Additional forms are in the churchoffice. Please fill out the form, attachcheck or cash, and return to the churchoffice. Deadline for orders will beWednesday, March 3.Easter Candy NeededPlease help us out by donatingindividually-wrapped Easter candy forour Easter egg hunt. You can leavethe candy in the container outsidethe office door now. We will continuecollecting through March 26.Pastor Jason and Pastor Dan offered a “drive-through” service on Ash Wednesday,distributing communion and offering the imposition of ashes.Children and Family MinistryCamp is Happening!Sunday School to ResumeSummer Camp registration is startingfor Summer 2021. There are safetyguidelines in place to make sure that allcampers have a fun and safe experience!First Wayne Street is offering 50% tuitiondiscount to all interested families. Thediscount code to enter at registration is:Wayne577 (this code is case sensitiveand contains no spaces). If you areneeding additional help this year for thecost of camp, we have a limited numberof 100% tuitions available; please contactAudra if needed.More information and registration isavailable Impact2818.org/camps.Sunday School for Children and Youthwill be starting again this year on Sunday,March 21 at 9:00 a.m. We hope you canjoin us!Easter Egg HuntWe are so happy to announce that wewill be doing an Easter Egg Hunt on EasterSunday this year! More information will becoming soon. Hope to see you there!Save the Dates!Our annual rummage sale will behappening this summer on Saturday, July10. All proceeds directly benefit Youth andChildren programming. We will be needinglots of volunteer help before, during, andafter to make this event the best it canbe. If you are interested, please contactAudra, Robin Hermann (co-chair), orLinda Allen (co-chair) to find out moreinformation. Also, please start thinkingabout saving items that you would bewilling to donate!Ice Cream Social: We will be having asafe and fun Ice Cream Social this yearon Saturday, July 17. More details tofollow, but please mark your calendar!All proceeds directly benefit Youth andChildren Programming.March 2021 Good News Page 3
ANNIVERSARIESMarch 1: Kim & Teresa TraceyMarch 16: Dan & Deb MetzgerMarch 19: Allen & Kenna DavisMarch 20: Andy & Peg CandorBIRTHDAYSMarch 1: Al Gross, Ben Hermann,Donna Hochstetler, BrookeMillerMarch 4: Ethan OmanMarch 5: Ashlee MillerMarch 6: Dwight ThomasMarch 7: Katie NorthMarch 9: Stephen MayMarch 13: Avery SchiffliMarch 16: Kate Schmidt, Justin HogleMarch 17: DeWayne Schmidt, ElizabethSchmidtMarch 18: Bill HatlemMarch 20: Dillon ReddingMarch 21: Andy CandorMarch 23: Walter GillilandMarch 24: Bryan OrellanaMarch 25: Lainey Dodds, Blair PhillipsMarch 28: Max RobisonMarch 30: Joseph Pose, Max SmithMarch 31: Dan BellingerMonthly CalendarTUESDAY, MARCH 29:30 am UMW Exec. MeetingWEDNESDAY, MARCH 3THURSDAY, MARCH 115:30 pm Outreach Committee Mtg —Virtual6:45 pm Chamber Choir RehearsalFRIDAY, MARCH 5World Day of PrayerSUNDAY, MARCH 7Communion SundayThird Sunday in Lent9:30 am Preschool Child Care10 am WorshipTUESDAY, MARCH 911:30 am Staff Meeting — VirtualWEDNESDAY, MARCH 106:45 pm Chamber Choir RehearsalPage 4SUNDAY, MARCH 14Daylight Savings Time Begins4th Sunday in Lent9:30 am Preschool Child Care10 am WorshipMONDAY, MARCH 156 pm Trustees Meeting — VirtualWEDNESDAY, MARCH 17St. Patrick’s Day6:45 pm Chamber Choir RehearsalMARCH 21, SUNDAY5th Sunday in Lent March 2021 Good News8:30 am Preschool Child Care9 am Sunday School10 am WorshipTUESDAY, MARCH 23Good News Folders (pm)11:30 am Staff Meeting-VirtualWEDNESDAY, MARCH 24Good News Mailers (am)6:45 pm Chamber Choir RehearsalSUNDAY, MARCH 28Palm Sunday8:30 am Preschool Child Care9 am Sunday School10 am WorshipWEDNESDAY, MARCH 316:45 pm Chamber Choir Rehearsal
Congregational LifeMission OfferingUMCOR Sunday (formerly called“One Great Hour of Sharing”) supportsthe work of the United MethodistCommittee on Relief. This specialoffering underwrites UMCOR’s “costs ofdoing business.” While most non-profitagencies deduct a small amount of eachdollar given, your support through thisspecial offering ensures that 100% ofthe gifts given in the event of a disasterwill go to help those who need it most.Through UMCOR, the United MethodistChurch can respond quickly with funds toaddress immediate needs and grants tosupport long-term disaster recovery.Food CartThe Food Cart in the Narthex is forfood item donations for the East WayneStreet Center’s food pantry. In January,we collected 65.56 lbs. of food, whichincluded 24 cans of soup for Souper Bowlof Caring.Souper Bowl of Caring Total – Wecollected 43 cans of soup. A big thankyou to all who contributed.Prayer ConcernsOur sympathies to Rev. Dan Bellingerand family on the death of his grandpa,Donald Busfield, who passed away onThursday, January 21.Our sympathies to family of ConnieShideler. She died on Tuesday, January26.Our sympathies to Luana Haskell onthe death of her son, Darrell, who passedaway on Tuesday, January 26.Our sympathies to Tom Hufford on thedeath of his wife, Mary, who passed awayon Sunday, January 31.Our sympathies to Stan and ConniePhillips on the death of Connie’sfather, Paul Rider, who passed away onThursday, February 11.PraisesThank you for your donation andsupport of our organization (in 2020).2020 was a challenging year for us, asit was for all in our community. Thanksto the generosity of individuals likeyou, we were able to consistently serveour residents and our community withexcellence. We finished the year strongand we strive to make an even biggerimpact in our community in 2021.Sincerely,Tomi Cardin, Exec. DirectorRedemption HouseI’m very grateful to all members of FirstWayne Street United Methodist Churchwho prayed and expressed concerns formy son, Darryl Haskell, who was on theprayer list for 15 months as he foughtStage 4 cancer. He put up a good fightbut passed away January 26, 2021surrounded by his loving family. As thehymn says, “The strife is o’er the battledone the victory of life is won.” He isgreatly missed by so many. As our greatgrandson, Luis Fernando said, he is nowwith his dad. Amen.Luana HaskellDevotionals AvailableThe Upper Room devotionals areavailable in the literature rack by the coatracks. If you would like us to mail you acopy, just call the church office (4224681) and let us know.Good News DeadlineDEADLINE for the APRIL Good News isMonday, March 15. Items should bee-mailed to Kim Truesdell, our newsletterEditor, at kmtruesdell@gmail.com.Address ChangesGlenn & Janellyn Borden; (winteraddress thru 4/30) 21380 Pelican SoundDrive, Unit 202;Estero, FL 33928Peg, Andy & Austin Candor; (winteraddress thru 4/30) 409 Villas Drive;Venice, FL 34285Sherrill & Sarah Colvin; (winter addressthru 4/30) 4751 Bonita Bay Blvd., #1903;Bonita Springs, FL 34134Barbara Jones; bajfw7@frontier.comKeith & Wilma Lake; 2537 CovingtonCommons Drive; Fort Wayne, IN 46804Pat Lee; (winter address thru 4/15)26868 Wedgewood Drive, #101; BonitaSprings, FL 34134Mike & Kay Ann Mannen (back intown); 2364 Hamlet Court; Fort Wayne,IN 46818; rockytop171@comcast.netMargaret McKay; same place but Room109Pastor David Michel; 13232 WhistlerHill Pl; Fort Wayne, IN 46845-9803;damichel@aol.comStan & Connie Phillips: winter addressthru 5/1) 21 S. Forest Beach Drive, #437;Hilton Head Island, SC 29928Daylight Saving BeginsMarch 14Don’t forget to turn your clocksFORWARD one hour before bed onSaturday, March 13.March 2021 Good News Page 5
Good NewsFirst Wayne Street United Methodist Church300 East Wayne StreetFort Wayne, Indiana 46802Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDPermit No. 475Fort Wayne, INRETURN SERVICE REQUESTEDMarch 2021 IssueFirst Wayne Street StaffSenior Minister: Rev. Jason MorrisVisitation Pastor: Rev. Dan BellingerMinistry StaffDirector of Music & Organist: Dr. Geoffrey NorthDirector of Congregational Life & Nurture:Audra ReindersChildren’s Choir Director: Phyllis BoesterYouth Director: Kim TruesdellSupport StaffOffice Manager/Bookkeeper: Connie BorenFacility Manager: Cesar AnzalduaSecurity Officer: Kenneth “Bart” BartholomewCommunications Coordinator: Kim TruesdellChildcare ProvidersJane Daniels, Brooke Orellana,Angi Reinking, Carrie HogleEmail: CBoren@fwsumc.org Website: www.fwsumc.org Facebook.com/FirstWayneStreet
FWCS cancels in-person learning, the church office will be closed. If FWCS operates on a delay, the office will also open on a delay. If FWCS moves to a remote learning day, the office . Monthly Calendar. March 2021 Good News Page 5 Mission Offering UMCOR Sunday (formerly called "One Great Hour of Sharing") supports
