2022 NEWS

SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

On July 1st SEP completed yet another successful summer program! Over the course of four weeks, students participated in a variety of enrichment activities ranging in the areas of culture, science, music, cooking, arts and, as always, FUN! Some highlights included field trips to a U-Pick Flower Farm, the DePauw Nature Park, the Putnamville historical buildings and the DePauw Farm. Other activities included making pizzas, sing-a-longs, puppet shows, interactive science experiments, music concerts and, of course, swimming at the pool. In the final week of camp, students worked together in small groups to practice and perform a play of their choice, a first-time experience for many of the campers. A heartfelt thank you to all of those who volunteered as well as supported SEP this year. We look forward to what next summer brings!

 

 

By: Pastor Bryan Langdoc

July is an important month in the life of a Methodist clergyperson. July 1 marks the beginning of the new appointment year. That’s right. Methodist clergy are appointed by the bishop for just one year at a time. And this year, once again, I have the great delight to share the following news (previously shared on Facebook).

“In commitment and renewal to my covenant as a clergy person in The United Methodist Church, I now reverently accept my appointment to Gobin Church with a glad mind and will, and pray that I shall be worthy of my call to the ministry, my conference relationship, and the place of labor to which I have been appointed.”

As Maureen and I begin our ninth year in ministry in Greencastle, we are excited about all that God’s Holy Spirit continues to do in and through the church. And as I renew my own commitment as your appointed clergyperson, I ask you to consider your own renewed commitment to the life and ministry of the church for such a time as this. Together, let us renew our baptismal vow to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. And may we also renew our Gobin membership vows of prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Our mission to transform the world (beginning with our community) is as important as ever. I’m so thankful I’m not in it alone. Together, let us be the church.

 

 

KIDS HOPE COMPLETES ITS FOURTH YEAR OF MENTORING!

The Gobin Kids Hope mentoring chapter wrapped up its fourth year of mentoring students at Deer Meadow Primary and Tzouanakis Intermediate Schools in May. Thirteen students were served this year, receiving one to one mentoring for one hour a week from a loving adult volunteer. Mentors and mentees participated in various activities together including painting, playing chess, reading books, making crafts, taking nature walks and more along with receiving academic support when needed.

One teacher of a Kids Hope student said her student would “jump for joy when it came to her time with her mentor.”

Another teacher shared that her student “saw his mentor as a fun break from school, but throughout the year his mentor taught him that school work comes first!”

Thank you to all of the mentors who served a Kids Hope student this past school year. Shared one mentor, “I think any quality time spent with a child impacts their life in a positive way. My mentee always seemed happy to see me, and I believe always looked forward to our time together.”

Gobin is actively seeking mentors for the 2022-2023 school year. If interested in sharing one hour a week with a child in need or just learning more about the Kids Hope program, contact Carol Miller at 828-606-6354.

 

 

The Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) is excited to announce it recently received a $10,000 grant from the Efroymson Family Fund, a Central Indiana based fund that provides financial support to a diverse range of issues from arts and culture to helping those in need.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Efroymson Family Fund, we have the resources to accept additional campers this summer and add field trips that explore the natural world and provide opportunities for creative self-expression,” said John Schlotterbeck, chair of the Summer Enrichment Board.

SEP’s mission is to provide educational, social, cultural, and recreational opportunities for approximately 60 at-risk elementary age school children in a five-week, non-denominational day camp. This year’s camp started June 1 and will continue until July 1 at Gobin.

 

TRANSFORMERS BREAKFAST RAISES FUNDS TO TRANSFORM LIVES

On April 7, Transformers hosted its third annual Transforming the Community Breakfast at Tiger Pointe Country Club. Guests enjoyed rolls and quiche from Putnam Inn while hearing stories of lives transformed through the four Transformers programs Getting Ahead, Pay it Forward, Kids Hope and TALKS. Over $17,000 dollars were raised at the event. Transformers would like to thank its breakfast sponsors Monical’s Pizza, TCU, Prime Real Estate, Asbury Towers and Jack Mace for their support.

 

EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY

By: Jeff Hansen

Assumption #1 – We all love God.

Assumption #2 – Because of that love we want to grow closer to God.

Assumption #3 – We all know we can grow closer to God through reading the Bible, praying, participating in study groups, increasing our giving…

Wait! What? What does giving have to do with growing closer to God? I thought giving was something we do to help those in need or to make sure the pastor’s salary gets paid. I’ve read the Bible. I know it says to take care of the poor, etc. Where does it say anything about giving to grow closer to God? My response is, it is all over if you look at the Bible through a particular lens.

Here is one example. Luke 6:38: Give to others, and God will give to you. Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands—all that you can hold. The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you.

Now, is this saying if you give to others God will reward you with worldly riches? I don’t think so. I think the full measure or generous helping we will receive has more to do with our closeness to God than to any monetary gain. I really don’t think God puts much value in wealth. Actually, I’m sure of it when I hear Jesus say how difficult it is for a wealthy person to enter the kingdom of God.

Ok, you might say, but have you seen my bank account? If you are like many people it might by hard to imagine how you could give more. It might, in fact, require a leap of faith. Now you are starting to get it. What better way to grow closer to God than to trust in God to provide for your needs? As Malachi said: Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

Feeling like you might need some help in figuring how how to do this? Gobin is here to help. Keep an eye out. We will be offering a 90-minute session on how to take control of your spending.

And remember, if you hear Gobin “asking for money,” what you are really hearing is an invitation to Christian discipleship – to growing closer to God.

 

PRAYER REFLECTION

By: Pastor Joel Everson

I am very grateful to have the opportunity to share a few thoughts with you this month regarding the spiritual practice of prayer.

I believe the word practice is important and quite appropriate as it reminds us that we are engaging in an intentional rhythm or habitual pattern. And while we might not be aware, we are practicing something all the time! We all have habits and patterns that seem to dictate our thoughts and responses, seemingly without our input.

Intentional practice then becomes our way of choosing what or how we will move and be in life.

You might think about it as a reset button that we must push many times before we can live out of a posture of newness. When we operate by our habituated patterns, we strengthen certain neural pathways, which makes us, as the saying goes, “set in our ways.” But when we stop using old neural grooves, these pathways actually die off! Practice can literally create new responses and allow rigid ones to show themselves.

I find it very interesting that we have come to understand the importance of practice in sports, in most therapies, in any successful business, or creative endeavor; but for some reason many of us do not see the need for it in spiritual capacity, where it is probably more important than in any other area.

We might even relegate it to a gift bestowed upon some and not others (some people do just seem to have an inclination to pray). However, the Gospels admonish us that “New wine demands fresh skins or otherwise we lose both the wine and the container,” (see Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37–38). Practices, more than anything else, create a new container for us, one that will protect the new wine we wish to take in.

Now, I must be clear, I am not proposing repetitive obligation as an end unto itself. We must know that while these body-based rituals can be powerful, if not practiced from a soul level they degenerate, leading people to understand them more as magical divinely required transactions. If this is where the person’s consciousness stops, instead of inviting people into new consciousness, these practices often freeze people in their first infantile understanding of those rituals. This leads to us attempting to substitute transaction for transformation.

This brings to mind John Wesley’s wonderful sermon, “On The Duty Of Constant Communion.” In it he makes the case that we MUST engage in these rituals as a consistent practice. Further, he draws the connection to prayer practice saying, “consistently participating will not lessen the true religious reverence, but rather confirm and increase it.”

So, what must we do so we might develop a consistent practice- while not becoming legalistic in our approach?

We open our heart and practice. And we keep on opening our heart and practicing.

When asked what one should be “doing” in prayer Thomas Merton, the great Trappist monk replied simply, “you begin by choosing not to DO anything, but rather allowing something to be done in you.”

I encourage you to begin today. Start small and set aside two minutes at the beginning, middle, and end of your day. If it is helpful to alleviate your worry about the time, you might set a timer on your phone or watch.

Begin by sitting in a posture that allows you to be fully within your body. For me, this means sitting with my back flush against the chair and feet on the ground. Often, I will place my arms down along my legs and turn my hands upward, in a receiving posture.

Then, take a deep breath and allow yourself to feel the blood flowing through your arms and legs. Notice the rhythm of your breath. Up and down. Up and down. You might even notice your breath begin to slow and connect to a deeper place of breathing from your stomach.

Next, find a word or phrase to hold onto or speak. I often will use a phrase or mantra around the theme of peace, like the one below.

“PEACE UNTO YOU

PEACE UNTO ME

PEACE UNTO THEM

PEACE UNTO US

PEACE UNTO THIS MOMENT”

As we engage the presence of Love through regular prayer practice we become more attuned to the presence of Love at all times and in all things. Remember, the primary purpose of prayer is not to get God to do what we want, but rather to be properly formed in Love.

Grace and Peace to you Gobin Family. You are fully loved. You are fully held. You are fully seen.

Amen.

 

PRIDE BLOCK PARTY

 

ANNUAL CONFERENCE UPDATES

By: Pastor Alisa Isaacs-Bailey

Each year, Indiana United Methodist Annual Conference takes place over the course of three days and allows laity and clergy to come together to celebrate what is good in the church and set a course for the coming year. New pastors are ordained and appointed, people pray for the future of the church, and votes are held on resolutions of how we can best move forward. This year’s AC, the first in-person Conference since 2019, was held on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University. Delegates were able to stay in campus dorms which allowed for easy access to food, Conference sessions, and rest, as well as late night chats and laughter. Gobin had an extra large portion of voting delegates this year due to a number of folks volunteering to represent the West district as Equalization Members – a fancy name for delegates who serve to ensure the number of votes between laity and clergy are balanced. “Love God; Love Neighbor” was both the official and unofficial theme for the 2022 Indiana United Methodist Annual Conference as a denomination divided between those who seek a more just and inclusive church, and those who do not. While some years have a number of issues up for discussion and vote, this year only two were ruled in order and were up for vote, and both dealt with inclusion. The first, R-1 “Building BeLoved Community Now” needed a mere 8 votes more in order to pass. More encouraging was the passage of the other resolution, R-5 “A Commitment to Grace in the Indiana Conference”, a call to Indiana United Methodists of all beliefs to treat one another with grace as we continue to wait for the next General Conference. Because a number of churches in Indiana will leave the UMC for the newly-formed, conservative Global Methodist Church before the 2023 Annual Conference, the waters seem to be flowing ever-closer to justice.

 

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ENCOURAGING GETTING AHEAD REUNION

Transformers has been serving our community, transforming lives, for 10 years now. One of our programs serving adults, Getting Ahead in Putnam County, recently had a reunion. Fifty people attended, including 20 children and 13 former participants. One participant from our very first class in 2013 was present with her five children. Stories were shared and victories celebrated. Participants, who had never met each other, still offered encouragement that getting out of poverty is not about a straight line. It is about ups and downs and perseverance. It is about seeds that are planted and take root at different times, yielding different varieties of fruit.

Over 10 years, eleven participants have purchased their first homes. Two have started new businesses. Six have earned educational degrees/ certifications. Two single moms were able to bring their children back to their homes. Four have purchased used cars. Nine are involved in “giving back,” serving to transform other lives in some way.

One said, “Everything good that has happened to me branched from GA. It changed my self-perception. For the first time, I saw what I wanted for my life and that I was worthy.” Everyone agreed that building new, positive connections is the most important part of GA and that it inspired hope when they felt hopeless.

Barbara Jackson was at the reunion and shared afterwards: I am still basking in the glow of Christ’s love that was so evident at the reunion. What a terrific affirmation of our prayers and efforts!

Thank you, Church, for your continuing support—for giving financially, supporting prayerfully and volunteering cheerfully.

THANKSGIVING MEAL OUTREACH

Last Thanksgiving, Gobin Church partnered with Greencastle Christian Church along with financial support from Greencastle Presbyterian Church to serve hundreds of meals to families in need. Tosh Everson shared the following on her Facebook page after the event:

Served 400 meals today to those who might have went without. …. in a country where there’s MORE than enough for everyone. Thankful for the privilege to do so. And thankful for partnering churches, volunteers, donations, and everyone who made this incredible day possible.

 

GC YOUTH GROUP WINTER FUN

CONGRATS TOSH!

LaToshia Everson is the new Conference Assistant – Diversity, Missions, and Justice.

Graduating from DePauw University with a degree in Communications, LaToshia aims to use her gifts toward her personal mission of justice. She currently serves as the President of the Greenfield NAACP chapter. According to Annettra Jones Stephens, Associate Director of Diversity, Missions, and Justice, “LaToshia is gifted to handle the complex administrative duties in our department, and she shares a deep passion for our values of inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism.” You may welcome LaToshia to the Conference at latoshia.everson@inumc.org.

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2021 NEWS

TRANSFORMERS HOSTED ON-LINE WEEK OF GIVING

Due to the ongoing concern of rising COVID numbers in Putnam County and for the health and safety of everyone, the annual Transforming the Community Breakfast, originally scheduled for Sept. 16, was replaced with a week of online giving. Kicking off Sunday, Sept. 19 and continuing through Sunday, Sept. 26, daily emails as well as postings on Facebook shared the stories of the Transformers programs, the lives transformed and opportunities to help. While the week is officially over, it’s not too late to give and serve! Consider providing a meal, volunteering as a mentor or Ally or making a donation. Transformers, an umbrella ministry of Gobin, features four current programs including Getting Ahead in Putnam County, Kids Hope USA, TALKS and Pay It Forward. For more information or to find out how you can help, email transformers@gobinumc.org or call the Gobin Office at 765-658-6010

 

PRAYER BREAKFAST HONORS DR. WHITE

On Friday, October 1, Pastor Bryan and Pastor Maureen were honored to host a Prayer Breakfast in celebration of DePauw University’s inauguration of its 21st President, Dr. Lori S. White. Over 90 people attended this special event on DePauw’s campus, including INUMC Bishop Julius C. Trimble. What a blessing it was to be a part of this commemorative day.

 

 

MY PERSPECTIVE: SPIRITUAL FORMATION RETREAT

BY: Marianne Savage

You may be familiar with The Upper Room through its published works such as The Daily Devotional Guides that are available in churches. What you may not know is that the Upper Room also offers online and in-person courses and retreats designed to enhance and deepen our spiritual experience. These are created and offered through the Upper Room’s Academy for Spiritual Formation.

Last week, I was blessed to be able to participate in one of the Academy’s offerings. The FiveDay Academy for Spiritual Formation was held at The St. Joseph Retreat and Conference Center in Tipton, IN. I signed up back in April having no real idea of what to expect or exactly why I was signing up. I just felt a sort of nudge that I should. As the retreat grew closer, I wondered what I had been thinking! The thought of spending five days in some sort of “spiritual encounter” with a bunch of people I didn’t know was, frankly, pretty frightening for me. But I should have known God wouldn’t steer me wrong!

The theme for this session was, Imagine: Embodying Change in an Emerging World. There were around 50 participants, both clergy and lay, mostly United Methodist, but other denominations were also represented. The majority of people were from Indiana, but there were also attendees from Illinois, Colorado, Alabama, and Texas. The schedule of our days was designed to meet the objectives set by the Academy leadership. Each day was a balance of prayer (three prayer services, including daily Eucharist), instruction, social time, sharing, silence, and contemplation. Rabbi David Horowitz and Reverend Grace Imathiu served as faculty for the week.

Rabbi David and Rev. Grace provided inspirational and thought-provoking sessions. We were encouraged to pray about and contemplate deep questions at the end of each session and then reconvened for discussion. Participating in three beautiful prayer services each day and celebrating with daily Eucharist was powerful and helped us focus on God’s presence. I had the opportunity to learn from the experiences of lay people and clergy from other churches and faith traditions and share with them our experiences here at Gobin and in our community. Each evening we met in small covenant groups to share the ways the day’s experiences had impacted us. And at the end of each day, we participated in The Great Silence – no talking or noise from the end of evening prayer until the opening of morning prayer.

I would highly recommend this experience to anyone seeking to deepen their relationship with God and further develop their spiritual life. It’s a rather big time commitment, but it’s well worth it if you can make it work. It’s also a bit expensive, but the Upper Room does offer scholarships to assist with the cost. These academy sessions are offered in different locations throughout the United States, but the team who organized this session is working hard to try to hold them in Indiana on a regular basis going forward.

You can find out more at https://academy.upperroom.org/. I’d also be happy to discuss my experience in more detail if you are interested. You can reach me at marianne.savage@comcast.net.

 

INAUGURAL INUMC DIVERSITY, MISSIONS AND JUSTICE MINISTRIES RETREAT

On Saturday, August 14th, Gobin and DePauw had the privilege of hosting the Inaugural INUMC (Indiana United Methodist Church) Diversity, Missions, & Justice Ministries Committee Retreat. We are so thankful for this opportunity, and very excited about the work of this committee in the life of Indiana Methodism.

Rev. Annettra Jones Stephens, the INUMC (Indiana United Methodist Church) Associate Director for Diversity, Missions, & Justice then joined us at Gobin Mosaic to preach some fire!

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THIS YEAR’S SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM SOARED!

With this year’s theme of “Taking Flight,” the Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) soared through another successful summer. Over 45 at-risk elementary age children, led by mentors, counselors and camp directors, attended this five-week day camp housed at Gobin Church from June 2-July 2. Breakfast and lunch were provided and weekend food packages were sent home with each camper on Fridays. Campers participated in a variety of activities including acting workshops, cooking lessons, making and playing with salt dough, hiking at the DePauw Nature Park, creating butterfly crafts and swimming at the Greencastle Aquatic Center. They also enjoyed performances such as puppet shows and musical concerts, and a visiting veterinarian shared her knowledge along with a few of her animal friends. As a culminating event and in keeping with this year’s theme of flight, campers had the unique opportunity to experience a thrilling tethered hot air balloon ride!

“This program is an awesome opportunity for these kids to escape in fun-filled activities that grow their minds and encourage healthy relationships. By the end of the day each one of the kids had learned something new whether it be a skill, fact or way to resolve conflict,” shared one mentor.

The Summer Enrichment Program would like to thank all of those who helped make this summer’s experience possible whether through generous donations of time, talents or monetary gifts. We look forward to continuing this program and watching it grow to new heights in the years to come!

           

 

PUTNAM COUNTY HOSPITAL CHAPLAINS

                           

An exciting new chapter in serving God’s Children in the Greencastle community has arrived at Gobin Church. Marilyn Culler, Bobbie Lancaster, Lisa Trigg, Alisa Isaacs-Bailey and Joel Everson are now Chaplains serving on-call for Putnam County Hospital. In a rotating schedule, the volunteer chaplains will serve with other local faith leaders to provide spiritual care to patients, families and staff at the hospital. Marilyn and Lisa are both Certified Lay Ministers in the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. Marilyn is assigned to ministry at Beech Grove UMC in rural Putnam County. Lisa is co-lay leader for the 11-county West District of INUMC and also volunteers in the Asbury Towers community. Alisa, Bobbie and Joel are pursuing certification as candidates for ministry in the Indiana Conference. Bobbie is a well-known worship leader, musician and advocate in the community. Alisa and Joel are both active in many areas of ministry at Gobin and bless the community often with their sermons expressing love for all of God’s people.

The chaplaincy program is overseen by PCH’s Tammy Hunter, patient advocate and community health worker. The volunteers are held to the same standards as PCH employees, and follow confidentiality requirements. Gobin Senior Pastor Bryan Langdoc said the Gobin involvement in the PCH Chaplaincy Program began with a voicemail from Hunter. “She said she was calling area pastors to try to staff a chaplaincy program,” Langdoc recalled. “I said I’d be happy to help. But I also said I had even better news — I had a church that could do it.” Gobin is a faith community that encourages its lay people to be part of the world’s transformation through lay servant ministry, which offers training in ministry areas such as caregiving and visitation.

“God is always working in our lives, showering us with blessings and surprises,” Culler said. “I woke up one morning wondering what other ministry opportunities were out there in the community for me. A few short hours later I got an email from Bryan regarding the Putnam County Hospital chaplaincy needs.” The chaplaincy program gives support to in-patients and their families, Cancer Center patients and their families, and PCH employees.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

The Prayer Shawl ministry had their first in-person meeting on June 25th. They had MANY items to bless: prayer shawls, baby blankets, scarves, and dish cloths. The knitters represent St. Andrew’s, Gobin Church, and First Presbyterian churches.

PUTNAM PRIDE BLOCK PARTY

On the last Saturday in June, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and Conspire teamed up to celebrate pride month on Indiana Street right here in our own Greencastle. Gobin Church was blessed to join the party by handing out rainbow cookies and sharing the message that God creates and makes Their children just as they are!

           

 

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PENTESTOCK!

Last Sunday (May 23, 2021) morning Gobin Church joined Churches around the World as we celebrated Pentecost Sunday. However, this was not just any Pentecost Sunday…it was PENTESTOCK! 

We could not have imagined a more joyous occasion full of singing, dancing, and sunshine, culminating in a shared meal prepared by some of Gobin’s gifted chefs! Thank you to all who joined us as we gathered outdoors in the beautiful sunshine to bask in the beauty of God’s Creation. 

Within the Christian Tradition Pentecost represents the birthday of the Church and culmination of the season of Eastertide. In the Upper Room 2000 years ago people had been gathered uncertain of what the future held. The moment of difficulty, uncertainty, confusion, and fear was the perfect container for the Holy Spirit to fill; and fill the room it did! As we read the account in the Book of Acts we see Pentecost as the Divine revelation of God’s intent for the Church as a leavening agent in the world, reminding everyone of the divinely implanted Spirit given in the beginning. The message of Pentecost is clear: The Spirit of God is clearly and completely democratic, unmerited, and inclusive. 

It was a gift to gather together in this spirit to lift our hearts and our voices in praise. We can’t wait to do it again next year! 

We would like to express our gratitude to Gayle Everson for allowing us to gather at the Everson Farm, as well as the many volunteers that made this event possible!

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GOBIN CHURCH CONFIRMATION 2021

On Saturday, April 3, Gobin recognized four outstanding young people for their commitment to live in the vows of the baptismal and membership covenant of the United Methodist Church. Led by Youth Pastor Alisa Isaacs-Bailey, students Clare Langdoc, Lillian Welch, Fischer Barcus and Maisy Isaacs-Bailey participated in an approximate 10-week class where they engaged in fun and safe discussions of their own beliefs as well as the beliefs of Christianity and the United Methodist Church.This journey culminated with a small celebration in the sanctuary, where Pastor Bryan Langdoc officially confirmed the students while offering a reminder of their baptismal vows. Congratulations to this exceptional group!

           

SUNNY SIDE CONCERT SERIES RECEIVES $10,000 UNITED WAY GRANT

As part of their COVID relief grant cycle, the United Way of Putnam County awarded the Sunny Side Concert Series$10,000, a fitting example of a way to address mental health during this pandemic.

The Concert Series was created by Greencastle resident Bobbie Lancaster in an effort to reach and connect with loved ones at Mill Pond, a local long-term care facility. These filmed performances, featuring talented community musicians and storytellers, were created and streamed into the rooms of Mill Pond residents.

“It was a big push to record and produce four concerts featuring talented friends in our community. I was in total amazement at how quickly doors opened, the team materialized and support grew,” Lancaster said.

This virtual endeavor is not only a way to bring joy to those in long-term care facilities, but also serve as a resource for home health and hospice workers. The Series hopes to expand and grow to other long-term care facilities in the future. Current episodes may be viewed on the Sunny Side Concert Series YouTube channel.

 

WELCOME CHAPEL INTERNS

Gobin is excited to welcome three Chapel interns this spring. These outstanding individuals are DePauw students who use their gifts for ministry to serve in Gobin’s student ministries, from liturgy to social media and more. Please welcome them!

   Parker Black, a DePauw sophomore, is a Greencastle native, talented musician, and assists in much of Gobin’s technology needs. He is a guitarist in a Grateful Dead cover band, owns and operates a recording studio, and started a nonprofit to help school children pay for their lunches. The Putnam County Community Foundation named him Philanthropist of the Year for his involvement in the community

 Imani Luellen, also a sophomore, grew up in SouthernIllinois and is majoring in philosophy. Not only is Imani a member of Gobin’s Leadership Team, but she also has led the Children’s Sermon and served as a liturgist. As a chapel intern, Imani has been able to connect her passion for social justice with her love for God. She is grateful for feeling so welcomed by Gobin.

 Andrea Avrand, a freshman from Los Angeles, CA , is studying biochemistry and polyscience. She uses her gift of writing to express her faith through devotions three to four times a week, which are posted on DePauw’s Center for Spiritual Life webpage. Andrea is excited to become more acquainted with the Gobin community, become involved in worship and spread Jesus’ love through children’s ministry.

 

CALLING ALL FARMERS, GARDENERS AND CROP HARVESTERS!

In order to help feed those in need locally, Gobin Church is organizing a grow more, share more program. The idea is simple, really. We ask you to plant an additional row in your garden this season and then deliver that harvest, or whatever you can spare, to the Gobin Church main office. Be sure to label your donation with your name. Our volunteers will then turn your crops into healthy meals for those who need them. If you have a plot in a community garden, a home garden or even some potted vegetable plants, we hope you’ll join us in these efforts to serve those in need. Happy Planting!

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GOBIN WELCOMES THE HARVEST HOUSE COMMUNITY!

The faces of Joel and Tosh Everson are definitely not new to the Gobin community. We have been blessed with their beautiful music as well as Joel’s divine words of faith leading us in prayer and worship these past several months via online services. Pastor Joel and Pastor Bryan have been collaborating for several years as the two share similar visions regarding mission, community and projects in ministry. Opportunities turned into conversations and dreaming, and now Joel and Tosh, along with their church family of Harvest House, have decided to join our Gobin family.

“We have chosen to merge our community of Harvest House into Gobin, and I couldn’t be more excited to bring these gifts and communities together and grow together,” Joel said.

Joel began pastoring at the age of 18 and for the past 12 years, he and his wife, Tosh, have been leading a small community here in Greencastle called Harvest House Church. This ministry actually began in the Everson’s living room, later expanding to a storefront space on the courthouse square and eventually to a small building for worship and gathering outside of town.

“At the unction of the Holy Spirit, we have felt led to become part of the Gobin community fully and to merge into this space in a both a communal way, but to also discern how that works in a ministry format,” Joel said. Just recently Pastor Everson began the United Methodist Church ordination process and is excited on what the future will bring. “It has become so clear to me that this is where God has been leading us all along,” he added. We at Gobin welcome the Harvest House community and are excited as to where the future leads us together!

 

Twelve New Members Joined in November!

Our Sunday November 8, 2020 morning service was especially meaningful, as we experienced the joy of welcoming 12 new professing members into our church community. What a blessing to witness all these individuals and their families affirming their faithfulness to Christ and Gobin Church. Congratulations!

 

• Jamie Douglas
• Scott Douglas
• Joel Everson
• Tosh Everson
• Charity Harvey
• Russell Harvey
• Bobbie Lancaster
• Jeff Lancaster
• Imani Luellen
• Garret Nichols
• Kelly Nichols
• Chris Weeks

Virtual Benefit for Beyond Homeless Exceeds Expectations

Throughout the month of December a virtual benefit, known as Carols4aCause, raised money and lifted the spirits of many during the holiday season. The idea emerged from Gobin’s very own Bobbie Lancaster after she had a conversation with two good friends. They decided to set a goal of raising $5,000 for Beyond Homeless, Greencastle’s Shelter for Women and Children. When Lancaster reached out to Lea Durbin, Executive Director of Beyond Homeless, Durbin shared that she needed exactly that amount for a new computer lab. Individuals, families and even co-workers posted videos of themselves on Facebook singing Christmas carols. The videos were shared and viewers were encouraged to make a small donation in a virtual “tip jar” a.k.a. a PayPal link. While the benefit hoped to raise $5,000 by Christmas Day, on the morning of December 25th, only $1890 had been raised. Later that evening, at almost the exact same time, two anonymous donors contributed $3200 each, bringing the total to over $8,000! “How’s that for a God that can give us more than we can ask or imagine?!” shared Lancaster.

Durbin posted on the Beyond Homeless Facebook page, “Thank you for providing beautiful music throughout the month, and thank you to everyone who tuned in, listened, and gave generously to help us. I am forever grateful.”

 

Sunny Side Concert Series Brings Joy to Mill Pond

Bobbie Lancaster and friends are bringing hope, encouragement and love to those in isolated care through the power of song. In an effort to reach and connect with loved ones at Mill Pond, a local long-term care facility, Lancaster organized the Sunny Side Concert Series. These filmed performances, featuring talented community musicians, were created and streamed into the rooms of Mill Pond residents. “It was a big push to record and produce four concerts featuring talented friends in our community. I was in total amazement at how quickly doors opened, the team materialized and support grew,” Lancaster said. And did support grow! In December, Lancaster received a generous grant from the Putnam County Community Foundation to continue this meaningful work.

Now the Sunny Side Concert Series presses on and your help is needed! Performers, storytellers, jokesters and children are all welcome. The on-line series hopes to expand this spring into other care facilities in Putnam County. Want to help or just want more information? Contact Bobbie Lancaster at mandomama@gmail.com

COVID Can’t Stop CIRCLES

Lives are still being transformed at Circles in spite of Covid. We had four Circle Leaders complete their training at the end of December and they are still coming, enjoying the positive support of the Circles Community. Covid has certainly changed things but it can’t stop us! One of the new Circle Leaders applied for a Pay it Forward loan to buy a used car and has turned her life around drastically. She went from being homeless to having stable housing and a full-time job that she enjoys. She knows she has been shaped by her past but not defined by it and she is moving into a brighter future.

We are looking for 5-10 new participants for the next Circle Leader training that begins with an Open House on Thursday, February 18 at 6:00 pm. If you know someone who is tired of surviving and ready to thrive, tell them about Circles or email Lori Miller at circlesputco@gmail.com.

With a new training group, we will also need several new Allies in the next two months. If you are a good encourager and have an hour a week to volunteer, reach out to Lori at circlesputco@gmail.com and she can explain what’s involved.