The Builder
June 2023
From the Pastor’s Desk…
June is upon us! And with it comes Annual Conference, the end of the Chancel Choir’s singing season, the beginning of summer vacations, PRIDE month, and Pastor Angie’s last Sunday as Broad Street’s Associate Pastor.
Annual Conference begins June 1st, at the Dayton Convention Center this year. This will be the first in-person Annual Conference since the pandemic shut down in-person gatherings in 2020. The return to in-person conferencing comes with a change of venue though—a Pentecost reminder that with the Holy Spirit’s presence, we never ever fully go back to the way it used to be. And Annual Conference is no exception. The years of holy conferencing combined with family vacationing and visits at Lakeside will be relegated to special, sacred, summer memories for many.
Annual Conference 2023 brings not just a change of venue, but also a chance to see ourselves anew. With many churches in the West Ohio Conference having chosen to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church, we will gather this week for holy conferencing—a smaller body of West Ohio—but one with more cohesion, I presume. We will wish the disaffiliating congregations well, and bless them sincerely as they choose to leave the family called United Methodist, to pursue their own fresh starts as independent congregations, or members of the newly formed Global Methodist Church. We’re sure to hear more about this at Annual Conference from June 1–3.
In addition to Annual Conference, June also marks the end of the Chancel Choir’s singing season. The Choir, under the direction of Gary Everts, and accompanied by Jason Mace on the organ and piano, now gets to enjoy a much-deserved summer respite from the choir loft. This past Sunday (May 28) was the Choir Cantata, and it was spectacular! Thank you, choir and musicians, for ALL you did to prepare and share the gift that was Cantata Sunday. During the choir’s respite, we’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a summer of “special music” by guest musicians and volunteers each week. Chancel Choir, we’ll miss your glorious sounds during the summer, and we’ll also be holding you in heart as you rest your cords and spirits throughout the summer. Come back in the fall, ready to lead us onward, okay?!
June also means the start of summer vacation and traveling season. For all of you who will be vacationing and traveling—be safe, please. And hurry back to us, refreshed, renewed, and energized for what’s ahead at Broad Street. And while you’re away, consider setting up automatic payments for your recurring gifts and offerings through the church website to help position us strongly for summer finances. You’ll see the Finance Subcommittee’s report below—we’re in good shape, Broad Street. Well done! Let’s keep it up throughout the summer.
June also marks PRIDE month. Make plans to join us for the RMN Pride Worship Service, hosted at Broad Street UMC, on June 16, at 7:00 p.m. “We’ve Never Done It This Way Before” will be the theme of the service, for adults, youth, and children. Also, plan to join us for the PRIDE Parade on Saturday, June 17. More info is below.
And finally, June means saying “goodbye” to Pastor Angie. June 11 is Pastor Angie’s last Sunday among us. She’ll preach her final sermon at Broad Street that morning at 11:00 a.m. (in-person and online/live-streamed). We’ll surround her with heart and prayer during the service as we prepare to bless and send her to her next pastorate at Livingston UMC; and the Personnel Subcommittee will sponsor a reception at the end of the worship service, where I imagine there’ll be photos, tears, laughter, and well-wishing galore! Don’t forget to bring a card for the card shower, too. There’s a box in the narthex for your cards, which will be presented to Pastor Angie on June 11th.
Well dear ones, June holds much for us. Be sure to join us each Sunday in the sanctuary as you’re able, or online, as we continue to be the church in the heart of the city, with the city in our hearts!
I’ll see you in church…
Pastor John Girard
The Heart of the City Foundation is excited to announce the completion of the Kitchen Renovation Project at Broad Street United Methodist Church!
Please Join us for a Celebration Open House
THIS SUNDAY, June 4, 2023
12:30 p.m.
Broad Street United Methodist Church
501 E. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Let’s celebrate the successful conclusion of the Neighbors with a Heart Campaign, tour the newly renovated kitchen, and express our appreciation to Campaign Donors.
No RSVP required; Refreshments will be served
Financial Stewardship at Broad Street UMC
A New Way of Looking at Finances in 2023
The Finance Sub-committee would like to share information about the 2023 budget in a new way. The graph below illustrates how your gifts and our other income are being used this year to fund our Mission and Ministry.
Our Mission and Ministry budget plan this year is $388,132. The budget plan encompasses all of our planned spending for 2023—including staff and building costs. The four broad categories reflect how your staff spends their time, how the use of the building supports our mission, and what our primary ministry areas encompass.
Ministry Areas Reflect Our Priorities
When you support Broad Street UMC with your financial gifts you support our mission and ministry priorities:
Mission and Justice ministries account for 34%—or 34 cents of every dollar received. Your support of Mission and Justice ministries includes outreach efforts such as Manna Café, Bethlehem on Broad Street, the Columbus Landmarks Foundation tour of Downtown Churches, the Warming Center (earlier this year), and Immigration Support.
Worship and Fellowship at Broad Street UMC is the very special way that we come together as a community to worship God and find fellowship with each other. Thirty-one cents of your giving dollar contributes to our meaningful and compelling worship services, our music ministry that includes the Chancel Choir, the Bell Choir, and seasonal special music. We have a beautiful sanctuary that is decorated with care and musical instruments in our organ and piano that contribute to the musical life of our congregation.
Discipleship and Lifelong Learning encompasses topical and seasonal study groups, new member classes, devotionals for holidays, events such as the recent concert with Kimayo, and our work together supporting Reconciling Ministries Network activities. Nineteen cents of every dollar given supports our growth as disciples of Christ.
Pastoral Care is provided by our credentialed and licensed clergy, Pastors John and Angie. Hospitalized members of our Broad Street family are visited. Grieving families are comforted. Celebrations of life for departed saints and the joyous sacraments of baptism and marriage are possible because we have experienced, loving, and compassionate pastors. Sixteen cents of your giving dollar enables our pastors to provide care and support to the Broad Street family.
Every financial gift given to Broad Street UMC funds an important ministry area, our staff, and keeps our building open to all. The Finance Sub-Committee of the Leadership Board extends our profound thanks to everyone who gives what they are able to support our mission and ministry at Broad Street UMC. Whether you give a recurring gift or give only when you are able, every gift is appreciated and used with gratitude. Thank you.
Next month the Finance Sub-Committee will share information about our income: congregational giving, grants, and other sources of income that help us to finance our Mission and Ministry plan.
Members of the Finance Sub-Committee are Chris Clough, Marge Galloway, Kylie Smith, Pastor John Girard, Treasurer Jennifer Blatter, and Financial Secretary Lydia Keller.
It’s Pride Month!
Central Ohio Reconciling Ministries Pride Worship is Back!
For the first time since June 2019, the Pride Worship Service in Central Ohio is back!
As we continue to navigate changes in our denomination, we are mindful that when it comes to being United Methodists, we’ve never done it this way before! This is the theme of our time together this year as we gather to worship with renewed hope and renew our sense of community that Covid-19 made such a challenge to keep.
There are certainly familiar pieces of this year’s service, including a combined choir, Holy Communion, and plenty of music, prayer, and sharing. We will also have a time with children and young people as part of the service—this is worship with and for the whole family!
Join us here at Broad Street at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 16th!
We can’t wait to see everyone once again!
Join BSUMC In the 2023 Pride Parade!
This year’s theme for the Stonewall Columbus Pride Parade is “Purpose. Passion. Power.”
We at Broad Street have all of these every day. Our purpose is “Be Loved. Be Love. Belong.” Our passion is Inclusiveness. Our power is The Holy Spirit. BSUMC has participated in the Pride Parade and Festival for over 20 years. Please help us recognize and celebrate this year by walking with us in the parade on June 17. There are 13 Reconciling Ministries Network/Ally churches that will be marching with us in the parade this year. We are growing each year and it’s exciting to see new churches and faces join our contingent! Let’s make Broad Street one of the biggest groups this year!
We will have shuttles to take you from the Broad Street parking lot close to the lineup spot on Saturday, June 17, between 9–10:30 a.m. There is limited seating in the bed of the truck if you cannot walk the whole route. Please let me know if you need a seat. You can also park and walk to meet us at the lineup. There will be someone in the parking lot to help you navigate. The parade steps off at 10:30 a.m., but we usually don’t get moving for 1–2 hours. The parade route is approximately 2 miles long—rain or shine. It starts at Broad and High and ends up at Buttles and High, which is the location of the Pride Festival in Goodale Park. Please plan on visiting the festivities while you’re there! There will be limited shuttle room back to Broad Street after the parade, so if you need information on transportation let me know. Also, this year we plan on gathering for good cheer, food, and fellowship at the East Market in the Historic Trolley Car District after visiting the festival. If you choose not to march in the parade, consider meeting us at the East Market later in the day. Please let me know if you are planning on walking or if you have any questions about the agenda for the day.
Looking forward to a fun-packed day and celebrating UMC Pride!!
Nancy Taggart
(614) 578-7782
Click/tap for a larger image.
Safety Tips and Reminders
This is the first of a series of monthly reminders, or tips, regarding our faith community at Broad Street. I will begin by reviewing many of the points we heard at the presentation by Officer Frank Hall, our Columbus Police liaison, on his CRASE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Event) presentation, but will also include other tips and reminders along the way. If you notice anything you think might be of value to our congregation, please let me know and we’ll discuss it.
Have you ever checked out all the exits available in our Sanctuary? There are four exits that you might use in case of fire, active shooter, or other situations. They are the Ramp Door by the piano, the East Tower Door that many use on a Sunday morning, the West Tower Door that is not used regularly but can be pushed to exit, and the “Bell Table Door,” just behind the bell tables on the west side. The Bell Table Door leads to a hall and a door to the right which opens onto the grassy area between our church and the Encova building. Check out all these exits next time you’re in the Sanctuary. It’s a good habit to do that in any public space these days.
Thanks for thinking together as a caring and connected community!
Submitted by Nancy Roberts
Supporting Broad Street’s Ministries
Your continuing faithfulness in giving to the mission and ministries of Broad Street is deeply appreciated. We are especially grateful to those who have switched to online giving, as we do not have to process checks to receive those gifts. To give via check or cash, you are welcome to give in-person on Sunday mornings or mail your offerings directly to the church. To give online, we encourage you to use one of the options below.
Go to broadstreetumc.net and click on “Giving” or click on the button directly below.
Text the dollar amount to (614) 665-0525.
Recurring Events:
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. — Livestream & in-person Worship | Sanctuary
Sunday: 12:15 p.m. — Ringers on Broad Rehearsal | Sanctuary
Monday–Thursday: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. — Church Office Open
Monday–Saturday: 12:00 p.m. — 501 AA Group | Room 306
Monday: 6:30 p.m. — Volleyball League | Gymnasium
Wednesday: 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. — Manna Café | Kitchen, Jim Thomas Hall
Thursday: 7:00 p.m. — Heart-to-Heart NA Group | Room 306
Events and Meetings:
June 4: 12:30 p.m. — Kitchen Celebration with Heart of the City Foundation | Kitchen & Gymnasium
June 5: 6:45 p.m. — Packing Sack Lunches with the Paulist Community | JT Hall
June 6: 6:00 p.m. — Heart of the City Foundation Board Meeting
June 10: 1:00–2:00 p.m. — Arline Fuhr Visitation | Sanctuary & Narthex
June 10: 2:00–4:00 p.m. — Arline Fuhr Celebration of Life Service & Reception | Sanctuary & Narthex
June 11: 12:15–12:45 p.m. — Coffee/Fellowship Gathering | Narthex
June 13: 1:00 p.m. — History and Archives Team | Room 305
June 14: 7:00 p.m. — Finance Subcommittee
June 16: 7:00 p.m. — Central Ohio Reconciling Ministries Pride Worship | Sanctuary
June 17: 8:30 a.m. — Stonewall Columbus Pride Parade
June 19: 6:45 p.m. — Packing Sack Lunches with the Paulist Community | JT Hall
June 19: 7:00 p.m. — Leadership Board | Zoom
June 25: 12:15 p.m. — Come to the Water Healing Ministers available after Worship
June 25: 12:15–12:45 p.m. — Coffee/Fellowship Gathering | Narthex
