The Beauty of DifferenceOur youngest son, daughter-in-law, and middle granddaughter were visiting this past weekend. It is always good to be surrounded by family and especially granddaughters! We went to the zoo Saturday for a good portion of the day. Let me just say, we have a wonderful zoo! That is probably an understatement and most of you already knew.It was a hot day, the temperature itself was not so bad but it was a very humid day. However, it was so

fun to be together and walk through the various exhibits with a three-year-old, well, the adults were enjoyable too! Zebras, elephants, a monitor, bats and snakes, I think my favorite for the day was feeding and petting the sting rays at Sting Ray Beach.The other part of the day that spoke deeply to me was simply the diversity of those around us. Being in the midst of diverse skin color of every shade of humanity, listening as we walked and sat watching our granddaughter at the spray park, the various languages being spoken; English, Spanish, Asian languages. I am always fascinated in those kinds of places where diversity and difference are so evident, welcomed, and just a part of who we are.In our country and world today, it can feel like we have lost the appreciation for difference and diversity. I hear of those who think everyone should speak English or watch persons of color be targeted and profiled simply because of who they are and the color of their skin. We all carry that spark of the Divine with us. We are all unique and unrepeatable children of God.Diversity and difference are what make our world a more beautiful place. Take some time to be awake to the beauty of difference in the world and celebrate it!

Peace and Light for Our Continued Journey!

Rev. Kent

Connect

7020 Cass Street • Omaha, Nebraska 68132 • 402.556.6262

September 2019

Worship ScheduleSundays

8:30 & 10:50 am, Sanctuary

Taizé Worship Saturday, September 7 5:00 pm, Mead Chapel

Pastors: Kent H. Little

Cynthia Lindenmeyer

Church Office Hours:Sunday 8:30 am - noon

Monday-Thursday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Friday and Saturday Closed

www.fumcomaha.org

“We are a United Methodist congre-gation of all sexual orientations and gender identities making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We stand in solidarity with Reconciling Ministry Network working against injustice and discrimination through peace and justice.”

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Receive “Connect” by E-MailE-mail Candice Nielsen in the church office,

Candice.Nielsen@fumcomaha.org with your e-mail address and you will begin

receiving the newsletter by e-mail.

Rev. Kent H. Little

Our annual Picnic on the Front Lawn is quickly approaching! Invite a friend, neighbor and/or coworker for Sun-day, September 15 after the second service. We will have delicious food, lawn games, and TWO Bouncy House play areas (weather permitting). We will also have a DJ with Karaoke abilities for anyone ready to serenade our faith com-munity. This is a great time for fellow-ship and play as we say goodbye to Summer and hello to Fall! Please bring a lawn chair or blanket (tables will be provided for those in need of a table), and sunscreen! We encourage all to bring their reusable water bottle, too!

Picnic on the Front Lawn

While the fight for reparations has undoubtedly advanced in the more than 150 years since it began, things are far from settled. In the decades since the Civil War, calls for restitution for the descen-dants of the enslaved have been supported by activists, civil rights groups, and academics, who point to a vast list of racial disparities, including the racial wealth gap. Join us as we discuss HR40,

which would task a commission with studying the contin-ued effects of slavery and racial discrimination and make recommendations about what redress might be needed.

Navigating the waters of racism as a person with white skin reminds me of embarking on a luxury cruise with “one twist.” Most luxury cruises allow tourists to experience excursions into various countries – the experiences designed by the for-profit industry ensure white people feel comfortable and superior in the “developing” country in the name of vacation and relaxation. Imagine the same luxury cruise with “one twist”: The luxury cruise docks in a developing country to allow predominantly white and all rich tourists the opportunity to experience the country from the perspective of those who lack power and privilege. AND the first stop is San Juan – tourists file off the ship and take non-air condi-tioned old school buses to communities that still lack power. Second port-of-call is to Jamaica to tour the empty dairy farms forced out of business due to enforced regulations by the World Bank. A third stop in Aruba allows tourists the opportunity to experience the day raking the mounds of plas-tic and garbage into large moldy containers. Maybe one day beaches will return to pristine, white sand beaches on vacation brochures. Would you sign up for this cruise?Many white churches embark on luxury cruises where they pick and choose when and where they will engage in discussions and actions addressing race, poverty and our planet. Christianity must not be some for-profit industry where we avoid the pain and suffering, even trauma, that our nation triggered and continues to promulgate. Rabbi Joachim Prinz, in his 1963 speech on the National Mall (following the famous “I Have a Dream” speech) urged Americans not to be onlookers for “the most urgent, the most disgraceful, the most shameful and the most tragic problem is silence.” What happens when a church decides to navigate the waters of racism as onlookers? What happens when a church remains tourists desiring to remain comfortable in the name of vacation from the stresses of our first-world problems? We become responsible for Red Summers, rising homelessness and the hottest summer on record.

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Dr. Cynthia Lindenmeyer

Race Relations DiscussionsTuesday, September 17, 6:30-8:00 pm

Reparations

Event held at:First United Methodist Church

7020 Cass • 402.556.6262

Join us for a showing of

Red Summer at the Blue Barn TheatreSunday, Oct. 13 at 2:00 pmA world-premiere play about Omaha’s 1919 race riots, written by Omaha playwright and novelist Beaufield Berry. “Red Summer” centers on the case of William Brown, a 41-year-old black man who was unjustly accused of raping a white wom-an and was tortured and lynched.

Look for information in Announcing or talk to Judy Torrens or Pastor Cynthia.

Navigating Racism

Mercy &

Justice

Book Review – The Art ForgerThursday, Sept. 19, 2019, the Parlor, 10:00 amPlease join us for the first fall book review. We will meet for coffee, tea and so-cial time followed by a book review. Our guest reviewer, Donna Smith, will share with us the book, The Art Forger, by B.A. Shapiro. The story is riveting and also gives us a view into the artist, Degas, as well. The story has many twists and turns before things are resolved. Please bring a friend. All are welcome.

Clair, a young starving artist, is asked by a dealer to make a copy of an Edgar Degas painting which is not a crime unless it is passed off as the original. The dealer passes it off as the original which had been stolen at a heist in Boston. This puts Clair in a possible crime for which she is not responsible.

Volunteers in Mission (VIM) is gearing up for another trip to the Food Bank! On their last quarterly trip, they filled backpacks for the summer school programs for the local school districts. They filled 888 bags which amounts to 3,552 meals for students in need. If you would like to help them organize, sort, and repackage food for our local communities, join us Tuesday, September 24, 2019 from 1:00-3:30 pm at Food Bank for the Heartland (10525 J St). For more information, please contact Sharon Hofmann at topscat@msn.com.

Opportunity at Your Doorstep

Donation BoxWe are focusing

on collecting canned fruit, tuna,

beans, cereal, pasta and soup

David Blight will speak on his Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of Freder-ick Douglass. Living Historian Michael Crutcher will also appear.

David Blight, a scholar of slavery, race, and the Civil War at Yale Univer-sity, will deliver a lecture followed by a book signing of Frederick Doug-lass: Prophet of Freedom. Books will be available for purchase.“Living Historian” Michael Crutcher will appear as Douglass, reenacting a speech given in Omaha in 1893.The event is free and open to the public. RSVPs are required through Eventbrite, as space is limited.

Lecture by David BlightThursday, September 19, 2019 • 7:00 – 9:00 pmCreighton University Harper Center Auditorium602 North 20th Street, Omaha, NE 68102

We are actively seeking people to join the ushering team here at FUMC. This is a very important ministry of the church and our goal is to guarantee that all are greeted and feel wel-come in our house of worship. Usher responsi-bilities include greeting and welcoming friends and guests as they walk into the sanctuary for Sunday service, distributing bulletins, and welcoming them with a smile. Ushers will also assist with offering duties during the service. Ushers are usually scheduled only one Sunday per month but with more volunteers, it may be less often. If you’ve never ushered before, not to worry as we can arrange hands-on training to make you feel comfortable. We welcome you to become a part of this fantastic ministry and service to our church. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Jean Keeney at jean.keeney12@gmail.com. We look forward to having you join the team.

Please remember in prayer these members of Our Church FamilyFor Continued Healing: Dean Barnett, Roger Burns, Milton Davison, Joyce Ellis, Ella Gerber, Doro-thyann Haar, Charlie Harper, Marvin and Suzanne Morgan, Mike Niemants, Eleanor Ruge, Barb Winfield.Sympathies: To those whose loved ones have transitioned to new life: Mari Niemeyer (Husband Tim Varney)

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ngSubmit your prayer requests to:Marylin Stewart at MarylinS@aol.com or call the church office at 402-556-6262 x1001.Please follow these brief guidelines when submitting a request for the Prayer Chain: • For yourself: Give a brief statement of the need - illness, grief, crisis.• For others: Use names without describing the need. Give the first or full name and relationship -

friend, brother/sister, spouse/partner, parent, child, etc.• Get permission from the person to be listed on the Prayer Chain before contacting Marylin or the church.

Attendance for July/August

Total Attendance 1st Time Visitors7/21/19 ............... 281 .................................87/28/19 .............. 233 .................................68/4/19 ................. 252 .................................6 8/11/19 ............... 248 .................................7 8/18/& 8/25/19 will be in October’s Connect.

Usher Opportunity

The FUMC Foundation Board is initiating an extended campaign to provide opportunities to learn details of our Foundation and its importance to the current and future operation of our church. Throughout the remainder of this year and into 2020, there will be a series of newsletters, announcements, Q&A sessions and briefings/interactions with financial and legal profes-sionals to help us all become more aware of our Foundation and how we can sustain and grow this important resource to meet the needs and aspirations of the future of our church.

First United Methodist Church

Foundation

Building Our Future Together

Movie Group All are welcome to join the Movie Group as we

discuss Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood at the W. Dale

Clark Library, 15th and Douglas on Tuesday,

September 10, 6:00 pm. Everyone is

welcome to join us for the discussion and for dinner in

a nearby restaurant following the discussion.

Will Brown 100th Year Commemoration

Race and ReconciliationEcumenical Service

Saturday, September 289:00 am – Douglas County Courthouse

Sunday, September 296:00 pm – Clair Memorial UMC

5544 Ames Avenue, Omaha, NEFellowship time following service.

Faith Studies@ First

Faith Time officially restarts on September 8, 2019. Faith Time is our Children and Youth Sunday Education time. It starts at 9:35 am and goes until 10:35 am. Grades Pre-K through 6 will meet in the upstairs rooms of the Education wing. Room 204 will be the Tween’s room; grades 5 & 6. Teachers will be Becky Morton and Lyda Lohmeier.

Room 205/206 will be for Pre-K and Kinder kids. Teachers will be Sue and Sarah Wiedner and Linda Sundsboe.

Room 207 will be grades 1 and 2 lead by teachers Bri and Kevin Mayle-Harris, Rose Hill Dorr and Kelly Wanzenreid.

Room 208 will be used for Hosanna Choir practice. Throughout the school year, Cama Charlat will lead the younger kids in choir practices during split-up class time. The Choir will sing in worship at different times at the 10:50 am worship.

Room 209 will be used for grades 3 & 4 lead by Sophie Wojcik and Paige Toller.

Grades 7 & 8 will meet with Bogart in room 108 on the first floor.

High School Youth will meet in Room 114 (behind the kitchen) with Greg Nielsen and Jarod Hindes.

If you have any questions about the program, contact Bogart Nomad at Bogart.Nomad@fumcomaha.org

Our Summer Faith time was a big hit this year. We helped tend to the Garden Boxes by the Gazebo. We weeded and harvested and learned about farming from Ron Alexander. Ron will be missing the weekly help come Sept. 8. Would any youth and family or other adults like to help Ron through the fall harvest? Any help would be much appreciated. Big shout out to Kelly Wanzenreid who covered the indoor por-tions of Summer Faith Time. We are much more Eco-Friendly because of these two great leaders.

Children and Youth Faith Study Time

FUMC 101If you are interested in learning more about the United Methodist Church and this church in particular, join Pastor Kent in the Parlor for FUMC 101 on Sunday, September 8 after second service in the Parlor. He will share information on worship practices, church history, and organizational structure, as well as have time to answer any questions. This is a great class for people who are considering membership, who have joined recently, or any who just want to learn more about our community of faith. Youth and children are welcome!

Young(ish) Adult Faith Studies As both a member and a staff person, I have always been excited and proud of the many ministries and programs FUMC has to offer. However, I know there has been a growing need for a Faith Studies Class created specifically with young(ish) adults in mind. Identifying as a young(ish) adult (falling somewhere in the 20-something to 40-something range), I am passionate to see a new Faith Studies Class form that speaks to my generation. FUMC is excited to announce our new class begins Sun-day, September 8 in the Parlor during the Dedicated Education Hour (9:35-10:35 am). The first class will serve as a meet-and-greet with others that identify in this age range, and together we will decide the direction of the class. If you are between the ages of a 20-something and a 40-something, we invite you to join us September 8 as we navigate through faith and life, together. Our first series will center around the book, Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road? By Brian D. McLaren. If you would like a copy of the book, or more information regarding the class, please contact me at Candice.Nielsen@fumcomaha.org or call 402-556-6262 x1001. I look forward to seeing this class grow, and hope to see you there!

Candice Nielsen, Director of Membership and Communication.

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Hospitality Servers Needed We are in need of volunteers to pick-up donuts, make the coffee, and set out the treats on Sunday mornings. This vital ministry fuels our Hospitality Hour, and provides a space for meaningful conversation and fellowship to occur. If you enjoy a coffee, bagel, donut, or tea on Sundays, please consider volunteering to continue this mission. Training is available, and Sundays without servers are quickly approaching. Sign-up today by contacting Candice Nielsen at Candice.Nielsen@fumcomaha.org or call 402-556-6262.

Our congregation is blessed to have six octaves of handbells and choir chimes as well as a dedicated group of ringers who “swing into action” every fall. This year, the first rehearsal will be on Thursday, September 26, from 6:00 to 6:45 pm, in the choir rehearsal room.

If you are interested in joining the handbell choir, please contact mark.kurtz@fumcomaha.org. No experience is necessary, but keeping a beat and being able to count are helpful skills to have. It will be great to hear the bells ring in worship again soon!

Handbell Choir Start-Up

The Staff and Choir Appreciation PotluckNote the date change!

Please begin saving coats for our

C♥at Drive!!!

UMW members and those that join us bring a dish that serves 12-15.

Join us in honoring our great Staff and Choirs.

September 1 – Teresa of AvilaSeptember 8 – St John of the CrossSeptember 15 – Hildegard of BingenSeptember 22 – Meister EckhartSeptember 29 – Julian of Norwich

Listening to the MysticsJoin us as we continue our Sermon Series:

SpiritualitySpiritual Practices @FUMCAll Spiritual Practices meet in the Mead Chapel unless otherwise noted.

• Yoga Foundations – Mondays, 9:30 am, Thursdays, 6:15 pm• Tai Chi for Balance – Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:30 pm ★ Returns September 10 ★• Meditation – Wednesdays, noon• Taizé Worship – First Saturday monthly, 5:00 pm• Centering Prayer – Sundays, 9:35 am• Labyrinth, Garden & Gazebo – front lawn 24/7• Zumba – Wednesdays, 6:30 pm, the Commons

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Thank you to all who stopped by our Mead Chapel Dedication! The renovation will be appreciated by many for years to come. We are happy to report that lighting upgrades to the Mead Chapel and hall to LED bulbs and fixtures reduced our lights from 3170 watts to 1643 watts. We give thanks for the support and encouragement to take steps towards lowering our carbon footprint, one lightbulb at a time!

Mead Chapel Dedication

Starting September 10, Tai Chi will resume on Thursday after-noons! Please join Jan Dixon, Parish Nurse, on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays at 3:30 pm in the newly renovated Mead Chapel for Tai Chi. This free class invites you to open your spirit, center your chi, and stretch out your soul. Tai Chi may help improve balance and is a great way to retain flexibility! Newcomers are always welcome. Please contact Jan Dixon for more information at 2dixons@cox.net.

September Tai Chi

If you’re looking for a way to reduce stress,

consider Tai chi (TIE-CHEE).

Survivorship 101 Class A Time to Heal, Cancer Foundationis offering a free class, a group course for adult cancer survi-vors and their adult caregivers on Monday evenings start-ing September 9 in the Parlor. Please visit atth.org to learn about the class or to register. For more information, please call Brenda Kastens, Program Director, at 402-401-6083.

7020 Cass StreetOmaha, NE 68132-2601

Non-ProfitU.S. Postage Paid

Permit #105Omaha, NebraskaReturn Service Requested

All are invited and encouraged to attend our annual Min-istry Fair! On Sunday, September 22 in between services, join us in the Commons to hear from a variety of minis-tries – from Faith Studies to Mercy & Justice, from the Arts Board to the Youth, there is certain to be a ministry for you! Faith Studies Classes for this Sunday will not meet, as we encourage ALL to attend! We have asked all Ministries to participate, and are asking all participants of the Ministry Fair to challenge themselves to sign-up for one new thing. Perhaps you commit to attending one new Mercy & Justice Team meeting, or test out a Faith Studies Class you’ve never attended before. Maybe you’ll try serving as an Usher or Greeter, or attend an Afternoon Circle outing. Participating in a new ministry may help spark a passion within, and help create bonds with those in our faith community you have not yet met. Questions? Please contact Candice Nielsen at Candice.Nielsen@fumcomaha.org or call 402-556-6262 x1001.

Ministry Fair September 22 – Between services – The Commons