PHOTO: Behind the scenes at the Lift Every Voice concert - Dayspring United Methodist Church
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PHOTO: Behind the scenes at the Lift Every Voice concert
I hope you’ll join us online on Easter Sunday at 9:00am (or any time after) as we celebrate the Risen Christ!
Thomas Merton writes,
A true encounter with Christ liberates something in us, a power we did not know we had, a hope, a
capacity for life, resilience, an ability to bounce back when we thought we were completely
defeated, a capacity to grow and change, a power of creative transformation.
The message of Easter is simple: new life is ours. Transformation is possible. The Divine breaks in and
reminds us darkness will not prevail: spring comes after winter, healing and recovery after destruction,
singing after sorrow, forgiveness and mercy after alienation, and new beginnings after failure
and defeat. God gives us Easter after Good Friday, and continues to offer us hope throughout a global
pandemic!
Happy Easter!
Pastor Jeff
Watch our services on Livestream, Youtube, Facebook, Vimeo,
or www.dayspring-umc.org/watch
SANCTUARY OPEN ON MAUNDY THURSDAY
Dayspring will open the Sanctuary for a time of quiet reflection on Maundy Thursday, April 1, from
10:00am to 12:30pm. It will be a time of personal reflection and private prayer in the Sanctuary. Please
respect others by socially distancing, sanitizing your hands and wearing a mask. The Labyrinth will also be
available for those that wish to meditate in an outdoor setting. Social distancing, masks and hand sanitizing
are required there as well. Dayspring welcomes all members to this quiet time in our beautiful sanctuary
and garden. Please bring your own Bible or other meditation readings. There are no Bibles or Hymnals in
the Sanctuary. For more information, email Mary T at thielemeir@msn.com.
April 2021 1
SPIRITUAL FORMATION When you feel lonely, longing to be seen,
To be heard, to be touched,
it’s loneliness for God.
The emptiness that cries out in you is holy,
it is the loneliness of God, God’s longing to be heard, to be seen, to be known,
God’s emptiness for you.
Sit with that longing. Embrace that loneliness.
In that holy ache is hidden your deepest joy.
~Pastor Steve Garnaas-Holmes
This meditation from Steve explains for me the emptiness that arises within me more often than I want to
recognize. During this time of isolation we have craved relationships, hugs, talking freely with each other.
Hopefully, we are coming to the time when all of this is becoming more real.
However, sometimes we sit and feel remorse. Steve tells is that this feeling is “Holy”– God is seeking us just
as we are seeking God.
During the week we offer at least these three special times on Zoom when we can “sit with that longing”.
One is on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m., PRAYING TOGETHER, where we offer our prayers for each other,
those who have special needs, and those who have been listed in the Sunday morning Prayers Concerns.
Please join us any time – or if you have special needs, please contact shirley@dayspring-umc.organd we
will pray for your requests.
Another is Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m., TIME TO WONDER, when we gather to share and to feel the
amazement of God’s Presence through lectio divina, guided meditation, story telling, centering prayer, and
other spiritual disciplines. All are welcome!
The third opportunity is Friday mornings at 10:30 a.m., OPENING TO GOD, is a time of silence, music,
reflection, prayer, and personal meditation. At the end of the week we experience a Spiritual Examen of
how God is present in our every day happenings.
~Pastor Shirley
April 2021 2
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
The Explorer's Class will continue
meeting throughout the summer
with various topics of interest and
lots of opportunities for
discussion. Social issues,
theological concerns, and current
relevant issues affecting our
society will be explored. These
classes will be available on zoom
for now, however we will begin
meeting in person as soon as we
are safely able. See you on
Sunday when the topic of how to
handle grief will be explored.
WALKING THE LABYRINTH Email jameshbaker@cox.net for
the meeting link.
One of the greatest treasures –among many – at
Dayspring is the memorial labyrinth located on our
campus! For so long we have been unable to walk
the labyrinth or even go onto the campus.
Therefore, this is even more holy space for us.
Beginning Maundy Thursday, April 1, and
continuing each Monday through Thursday in April
from 9:00am to 2:00pm, you may share with God
On April 11, the Contemporary
your innermost thoughts by walking the labyrinth.
Issues class will begin a four-
Reservations are required. Instructions for signing
week study on the topic "One
up as an individual or a family unit are available at
God, Three Faiths". In this
https://bit.ly/3rDFru2.
discussion, we will learn how the
three major religions, Judaism,
Especially during this time when we are emerging
Christianity, and Islam, all have
from the pandemic and the isolation that each one
one ancestor, Abraham; discover
of us has experienced, the labyrinth offers the
the origins of monotheism, and
space to walk in meditation by clearing your mind
explore how one God has led to
and becoming aware of the strength of God. You
three different religions. We will
need not do anything! Just simply be.
compare both the differences
and similarities between these
May you WALK IN LOVE and GO OUT IN PEACE.
three major religions.
April 2021 3
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
As we look ahead to spring and Easter we are looking for ways to
bring children and families together safely. We still have a few
spots remaining for our Easter Sunday egg hunting which will take
place on April 4 from 10-11:40am. Please sign up for a time slot for
your family using the sign up link: https://bit.ly/2Pl5ZmF. There will
be no zoom Sunday school on Easter morning but the virtual
classroom video will be updated for Easter.
We continue to look forward to meeting you all for Sunday school
online at 10:00 and 10:30 on Sunday mornings. Email
emily@dayspringumc.org for the zoom information (the meeting
link stays the same each week).
If Sunday mornings don't work for your schedule, check out our
virtual Sunday school classroom online with updated resources
each week. https://sites.google.com/view/dcm-home/virtual-
sunday-school-classroom
As we look ahead into summer we are in the process of planning a
modified vacation Bible school experience for your families. Right
now we are looking at dates in late June or early July so stay
tuned! Space will be limited with priority given to children of
volunteers. If you are interested in helping out please reach out to
emily@dayspring-umc.org.
April 2021 4
DAYSPRING YOUTH MINISTRY Our youth have been enjoying getting together Sunday
evenings, creating Easter bags for the Dayspring children’s
egg hunt, volunteering at Borderlands, attending Formation,
and reflecting upon the past year. It seems normalcy is not
that far off!
During Formation, the youth were encouraged to include
some thoughts for this collective reflection piece.
REFLECTIONS: A PANDEMIC YEAR
I’ve learned to love the little things in life. I’m thankful my family has been able to provide throughout
the past year. I pray people ask for help when it is needed.
I've learned good life skills for the future. I'm thankful that I'm doing well in school. I pray that people
remain strong.
I’ve learned that small things that seem like the end of the world aren’t always a big deal, that you
should try to find the positive thing in everything.
I’m thankful for books and music. I would be really bored without books, and I learn a lot from them.
I pray that it will get better, that we can get back to more normal, and that maybe in the future people
will learn from experiences, and be better humans.
I’ve Learned to overcome challenges and try my best. I'm thankful for being able to make changes and
grace. I pray we will grow stronger and have positive outcomes.
I’ve learned what is most important in life. This pandemic has taught me about priorities. I’m thankful for
this slower pace of life for a while. I pray that we have a smooth transition to post-pandemic life.
I’ve learned that in order to protect yourself, you have to protect others too. I’m thankful for my family
and friends that helped me through the difficult times. I pray that after this experience, people will learn
to care about others more.
I’ve learned that running everyday helps me stay in shape and helps me feel better to start my day. I’m
thankful that I live in a nice house with my family in a safe area and for my health. I pray
that the pandemic ends soon and no one else dies from the virus.
I’ve learned that I have to be more mindful of others. I am thankful for my family. I
pray that everyone will endure through the tough time.
I’m thankful for my learning how to study better, and skills to be successful in life.
I’ve learned that you don't get everything right first try, and its important to keep
trying. I’m thankful for all the free time I’ve had to do things I enjoy. I pray that we
can all get back to a state of somewhat normal. Jennine Ballew
Text: (480) 619-8990
(continued on page 11) jennine@dayspringumc.org
April 2021 5
5
April
VIRTUAL MEETING CALENDAR
01 Maundy Thursday 16 10:30 / Opening to God
7:00 / Maundy Thursday Service / online 7:00 / Music Appreciation Hour
02 Good Friday 7:00 / A Sacred Time
10:30 / Opening to God 7:15 / Youth Choir
7:00 / Good Friday Service / online 18 9:00 / Worship: dayspringumc.org/watch
04 Easter Sunday 10:00 / Explorers
9:00 / Worship: dayspringumc.org/watch 10:00 / Virtual Sunday School Prek\-2nd
9:00 / Formation / Patio 10:30 / Contemporary Issues
10:00 / Explorers 10:30 / Virtual Sunday School 3rd-6th
10:15 / Easter Egg Hunt / Patio 10:30 / Formation
10:30 / Contemporary Issues 19 10:30 / Memory Loss Caregivers Support
05 10:30 / Memory Loss Caregivers Support 6:00 / TheoPub
6:00 / TheoPub 7:00 / Praying Together
7:00 / Praying Together 21 6:00 / Cherub Choir
07 6:00 / Cherub Choir 6:30 / Children’s Choir
6:30 / Children’s Choir 7:00 / Music Appreciation Hour
7:00 / Music Appreciation Hour 7:00 / A Sacred Time
7:00 / A Sacred Time 7:15 / Youth Choir
7:15 / Youth Choir 22 7:00 / A Time to Wonder Lent Study
08 7:00 / A Time to Wonder 23 10:30 / Opening to God
09 10:30 / Opening to God 25 9:00 / Worship: dayspringumc.org/watch
11 9:00 / Worship: dayspringumc.org/watch 10:00 / Explorers
10:00 / Explorers 10:00 / Virtual Sunday School Prek-2nd
10:00 / Virtual Sunday School Prek-2nd 10:30 / Contemporary Issues
10:30 / Contemporary Issues 10:30 / Virtual Sunday School 3rd-6th
10:30 / Virtual Sunday School 3rd-6th 10:30 / Formation
10:30 / Formation 12:00 / Dayspring Singles
12:00 / Dayspring Singles 26 6:00 / Theo Pub
2:00 / New Member Orientation 7:00 / Praying Together
12 6:00 / TheoPub 28 10:30 / Lent Study
7:00 / Praying Together 6:30 / Children’s Choir
14 6:30 / Children’s Choir 7:00 / Music Appreciation Hour
7:00 / Music Appreciation Hour 7:00 / A Sacred Time
7:00 / A Sacred Time 7:15 / Youth Choir
7:15 / Youth Choir 29 7:00 / A Time to Wonder
15 11:00 / Tempe Interfaith 30 10:30 / Opening to God
6:00 / Family Promise Connect
7:00 / A Time to Wonder
April 2021 6
Morning Meditation
Are you interested in learning about meditation and mindfulness? The new
Meditation Meetup group is for you! We will meet at 7:00am online daily for
about 20 minutes to learn about meditation. We use the Calm app to guide our
practice. If you are interested in joining, please text Jennine at (480) 619-8990.
Dayspring Pride TheoPubs
All are welcome to join Dayspring PRIDE for great conversation from the
comfort of your home via zoom every Monday evening at 6:00pm. Email David
at pride@dayspringumc.org for details.
Dayspring Singles
ng le s Singles, Etc. zoom meetings April 11th and 25th, May 9th and 23rd. All zoom
meetings at 12:00 noon. June dates to be determined. Hope we are back
Si meeting together at restaurants then. We welcome all Dayspring singles to join
us. Please email singles@dayspringumc.org with questions or to be added to
the list to receive zoom meeting notifications.
Dayspring Book Club
Dayspring's Book Club will meet on Wednesday April 7 at 6:30 PM to talk about
"Kane and Abel" by Jeffrey Archer.
Here's a brief overview from GoodReads:
Born on the same day near the turn of the century on opposite sides of
the world, both men are brought together by fate and the quest of a
dream. These two men -- ambitious, powerful, ruthless -- are locked in a
relentless struggle to build an empire, fueled by their all-consuming
hatred. Over 60 years and three generations, through war, marriage,
fortune, and disaster, Kane and Abel battle for the success and triumph
that only one man can have.
If you love to read or just want to talk about this book we'd love have you join.
Please email Beth for the zoom link or more information about book club -
beth@thecadmans.com
April 2021 7
TAKING CARE:
LIVING AND LOVING WITH MEMORY LOSS
Caregiving for Loved
Ones with Dementia Caregivers can be suffering from self-neglect in
their taxing role of caregiving. So what strategies
What is Emotional Memory? may be helpful?
The most recognizable characteristic of dementia An awareness of Emotional Memory in the loved
onset is a change in memory. Early dementia one with dementia is a start. As a caregiver I can
e x h i b i t s d i f fi c u l t i e s w i t h w o r d fi n d i n g , make efforts to keep my voice just loud enough to
remembering how to do familiar tasks, forgetting be heard, and try to use language that is easy to
appointments and time schedules, and lacking understand. I can use phrases that encourage,
awareness of taking medication or eating meals. rather than criticize. I can be patient for my loved
The person may get lost trying to find a place that one to process what I say, and wait for replies even
they have known well. Their appearance may if that takes a while. I can repeat without shaming
change as a result of neglecting hygiene or my loved one. I can structure my body language to
forgetting how to dress appropriately. Losing convey gentleness and support.
items may provoke fear that they are being
robbed. They may become more isolated as In order to do this, caregivers cannot be running
conversations become too overwhelming. on fumes from providing more care than they are
prepared to give. A caregiver needs respite from
responsibilities and time to recover from the
demands of caregiving.
You and I may not be providing care to someone
with dementia right now, but we most likely know
someone who is a caregiver. Those caregivers
could use some encouragement. Providing a
listening ear via a phone call, an offer to run
errands, dropping off grocery items or a snack to a
caregiver may give him or her the support needed
to continue doing “the toughest job they will ever
love”—providing care to someone they love who
has dementia. I wonder how much impact it would
have if every caregiver could feel supported and
But one element of memory that seems to stay
loved in these ways? I hope you will find an
intact is the demented person’s Emotional
opportunity this month to deliver a supportive
Memory.
gesture to a caregiver. If you know of someone
Emotional Memory provides a sensitivity to their who could benefit from our support group, please
caregiver’s feelings. A great deal of the caregiver’s email Pastor Shirley at shirley@dayspringumc.org.
feelings are conveyed nonverbally. A caregiver’s
God’s blessings to you.
stress and frustration may be conveyed in a tone
~Anne Ahland
or volume of voice, posture, or impatience on the
caregiver’s part.
April 2021 8
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
In 2021 United Methodist Women around the globe will come together for their
Call to Prayer and Self Denial using the theme: “She Leads: Empowering
Women to Make a Difference”. Women are invited to pray, learn and give
generously remembering what all God has done for us and what God has yet for us to do. The program
encourages women to step out in faith and bring the love of Christ into a hurting world through their
prayers and selfless giving. Dayspring United Methodist Women will
hold their Call to Prayer and Self Denial program at their April 18th
unit meeting. Nancy Jamison and “friends” will present the program
via Zoom at 7pm.
This year’s Call to Prayer and Self-Denial offering will provide the
means for women to be able to gain control of their lives and
futures. It will support the programs offered by National Mission
Institutions and international partner organizations that promote
leadership development and foster the well-being of underserved
women, children and families. Projects include, but are not limited
to: GED and ESL, job readiness, life skills and livelihood training,
scholarships and microenterprise programs. Through the Call to
Prayer and Self-Denial offering, United Methodist Women are
witness to God at work, empowering women to make a difference.
Mary Martha Circle will meet on April 12 at 7:00pm. Suzan Bawolek will lead a lesson on Women and the
Civil War, which began on April 12. 1861. New members and visitors are welcome and may contact Nancy
Jamison at nancyjam@cox.net to receive the zoom link.
Connie Reading Circle will meet April 8. Sally Jarus will review the book Women Rise Up: Sacred Stories of
Resistance for Today's Revolution by Katey Zeh. Contact Bonny Sloane bsloane@cox.net for a link to the
meeting.
United Methodist men
The DUMC Men continue their Zoom Methodist history series with "The History of Dayspring United
Methodist Church". This session will be moderated by Mary Thielemeir. Please join us remotely on
Saturday, April 3 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. A Zoom invitation will be sent to those on our DUMC Men contact
list. If you wish to be added to the DUMC Men contact list, please provide your name and email address to
Rick Oliver at rko1946@gmail.com.
April 2021 9PASSOVER & EASTER
Ordinarily, we'd be in one of the busiest seasons
of the year for musicians now. But since we're not
study of Mendelssohn's Elijah, which emphasizes
the parallels between Elijah and Jesus. Elijah, the
meeting in person, I have some free time to harbinger of the Messiah, plays a central role in
think more broadly about the season. the Passover Seder. There is always one empty
chair at the table, and its place setting includes a
As I write this, the Jewish celebration of Passover very elaborate cup filled with wine. Both are for
is just beginning. This always occurs around the Elijah, should he appear, and there is a moment in
same time as Easter; this year, they're about a the modern Seder when everyone pauses in the
week apart. This is intentional: the very earliest hopes that Elijah will come. (As a child, I was
accounts of Jesus' life and ministry place the always convinced that I could see the wine in the
Passion and crucifixion during the week-long glass go down, just a little.)
Passover feast. Whether or not this is when Jesus
was actually crucified, it is important symbolically. And of course Moses is central to the Passover
story. He leads the Hebrews out of bondage and
Just as those who told the stories of Jesus' birth eventually to the Promised Land. Jesus, too, leads
were careful to connect the details of the events to an Exodus from the bondage of death to the
the prophecies in Isaiah, Micah, and elsewhere in Promised Land of resurrection. But the parallels
the Hebrew bible, there was a deliberate effort to go deeper than that. Like Moses, Jesus is marked
connect other details of Jesus' life to prophecy early as a leader of the Jews. In both cases,
and to two important figures from Jewish writings: leaders fear the birth of the child and seek to
Elijah and Moses. We have just finished our music destroy him through mass slaughter: Pharaoh calls
April 2021 10for the killing of all Jewish sons. Moses' mother
responds by floating him in the Nile in a basket, REFLECTIONS: A PANDEMIC YEAR
where Pharaoh's daughter finds him and raises (continued from page 5)
him. Herod similarly tries to kill Jesus through the
Slaughter of the Innocents, and Joseph takes his I've learned that the struggle we face in the
family into Egypt to protect them. Even the names moment can’t compare to the happiness and
of Jesus' parents evoke the stories of Egyptian joy that is coming. I'm thankful that I can still
bondage. Joseph is named for the first figure in foster cats and do the volunteer work I love
the Bible to be held in Egyptian bondage. Moses' safely learning to be more independent. I pray
sister was called Miriam; the Greek version of that for everyone who has struggled during the
name is María, which becomes Mary in English. pandemic and that they can find strength.
The most potent symbolism, however, is in the I’ve learned more about myself and how to help
story of Jesus' capture and crucifixion. The others in my own way. I’m thankful for the time
Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are explicit: given to us to see what is really important. I pray
on the night of his capture, Jesus eats the Passover for those who have lost during this time and to
feast with his disciples, reinterpreting the drinking help them seek comfort.
of wine and breaking of bread that are part of the
observance into the ritual that will become I've learned the importance of character and
Communion. Jesus is to be sacrificed, like the how to be a better friend and family member.
lamb of Jewish festivals, to save the people--the I'm thankful for the opportunities to learn my
shepherd becomes the lamb. Here is the most identity and what I love in life and for my family
powerful connection to the Passover story: in a test that loves and supports me everyday. I pray that
of their faithfulness, Moses commands the Jews to my family will continue to stay safe.
mark their doorways with a cross from the blood of I’ve learned self love. I’m thankful for real
a lamb. This way, the Angel of Death will know to genuine friends. I pray people can recognize
pass over their houses when the firstborn sons of their own self worth and surround themselves
the Egyptians are killed in the tenth plague; the with people who positively affect them.
faithful are saved from death through the sign of
the cross in lamb's blood. Paul makes this The Dayspring Youth, March 2021
connection explicit in 1Corinthians 5:7 when he
says that "Christ, our Passover lamb, has been
sacrificed." Jesus willingly gives himself up as a
We created a memory
sacrifice--as the Paschal Lamb--so that the faithful
place to honor those who
may be saved from the bondage of death itself.
are sick or who we have
Why are these connections important? In the early lost during the last few
days of Christianity, they mattered to a Jewish months. This sacred place
audience that had been taught for generations offers another way to
what to expect when the Messiah came. Each grieve. A tree along
connection between Jesus and his predecessors, Juniper St. in Tempe has been designated for
Elijah and Moses, helped sincere and faithful Jews this purpose. Ribbons and markers are in a box
to recognize who Jesus was. Today, we may think at the base of the tree for you to use. You can
less about the ways in which Jesus' life follows the park directly by the tree to add your ribbons
path laid out in prophecy, but the connection to and prayers. Please socially distance as you use
the Passover story is a reminder that we share a this. Please email Mary at
common ancestry and worship a God of many MaryT@dayspringumc.org if you want names
names and faces. added to the tree but can’t make it to
~David Schildkret Dayspring.
April 2021 11Many people consider the issue of economic inequality to be one of the most important and contentious of
our time. In the past three decades, there has been remarkable growth in income and wealth in the top 1%
of U.S. society, while poverty has increased at the bottom, and the middle class has stagnated. The U.S. has
a greater unequal distribution of income of all developed nations, ranking 64th in the world. For Christians,
there are concerns about these trends that go to the very foundations of our faith. The Church’s failure to
respond to inequality has been interpreted as silent acceptance —an acceptance that pleases those
wielding great economic and political power, but completely contradicts the teachings of scripture.
Economic Inequality and Prison Reform Event
by Bud Clark, Chair, Economic Inequality Task Force
On May 6, 2021, from 7:00-8:00 PM (Pacific Time) the Desert Southwest Conference Economic Inequality
Task Force of the Conference Board of Church & Society, will present the third webinar in the series for
2021. This event will discuss economic inequality and its impact on prison reform.
Previously, we presented webinars regarding the impact of economic inequality on race and on education.
The first events have been very informative, with excellent panelists answering questions regarding the
subject. This next panel will include three knowledgeable and involved individuals in the criminal justice
reform effort.
Attend the May 6th event and you will be better informed on the problem and what is happening
legislatively. Registration is required to attend via Zoom. Click on the link below to register and then share
the link to invite others from your community to register and attend via Zoom. https://dscumc.zoom.us/
webinar/register/WN_cXfm0mUzR4qyAIRgYeAtKA
Questions about this webinar may be directed to Bud Clark, Chair of the Economic Inequality Task Force,
at budandmary2002@gmail.com or Billie Fidlin, Director of Justice and Outreach, at bfidlin@dscumc.org.
See you then!
The live stream of this event will be available at https://www.youtube.com/DSCCommunication.
April 2021 12TAKING ACTION
ASSISTING ASYLUM SEEKERS
Our country is again receiving asylum seekers. If you would like to learn
more or help at the Welcome Center please email Pastor Jim O'Neal at
pastorjimo@aol.com. At this moment, our government is only able to give
short notice concerning when the immigrants will be arriving. This is far
from ideal, but it is the present reality and we are glad to get the people,
who are fleeing horrible situations, out of the detention centers and off to a
better life near their sponsors. In the future we hope to get a more set
schedule of drop offs by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
We need the following items in new or gently used quality: Men’s jeans,
sweatpants, all sizes; Women’s leggings or stretch pants, all sizes; Shoes for
all (except infant); Men’s underwear; Women’s socks; Men’s hoodies and jackets; Winter gloves, beanies
and scarves. Contact Pastor Jim to coordinate your donation, as we are still unable to accept donations at
the church.
Shoe COLLECTION
We are collecting any size of tennis, running or any kind of
athletic shoes/sneakers (new or gently used): women's,
men's, and kids' sizes would be so much appreciated, and
they will definitely be used. These may be dropped off at the
collection box outside the front gate at our Tempe campus.
Asylum seekers are migrants fleeing mortal danger they
faced in their country who are legally seeking safety to live in
the US. Because the Asylum Seekers have traveled for many
miles, often on foot, over a span of months, their own shoes
are in very poor condition, making these shoes so important
for them to have. Thank you for caring!
Borderlands Produce Rescue
Borderlands hosts a monthly produce distribution event at Aldersgate
UMC where families can purchase 70 pounds of rescued produce for
$12. In this time of increased unemployment and food insecurity, this
ministry is critical for the neighborhood. If you are healthy and looking for
a chance to serve, please consider joining us there on Saturday, April 17
from 5:30-11am to help sort produce, pack boxes and load cars! Be sure
to bring a mask and gloves if you have them. Please email
amy@dayspring-umc.org to sign up or for more information.
April 2021 13CHURCH REOPENING PLAN
With our bishop’s blessing, and based on the success and broad rollout of the
vaccines — please get yours as soon as it’s available to you! — we hope to
resume limited capacity, in-person worship on June 6. Our Reopening
Task Force has been meeting to ensure that all safety measures will be
in place.
Initially, we will offer one service each Sunday at 9:00am (to be
live-streamed and available following), along with childcare and
Sunday School. All offerings will be limited capacity and
available by online reservation only (more info to come).
The service will run about 45 minutes and include the normal
elements of our Sunday celebrations, with organ and/or piano and a
soloist, but not congregational or choral singing for the time being (we will
continue to use prerecorded video).
We ask that those who attend in-person services commit to serving at least once
a month as an usher or on the clean-up crew.
MEMBERSHIP
Are you new to Dayspring UMC or have been attending for a while and are interested to know more about
the church and what is involved in church membership? We invite you to attend a one-hour session with
Pastor Jeff to learn more about the United Methodist church and Dayspring specifically on Sunday, April
11, 2021 at 2:00 pm. We will meet via an online Zoom meeting or, if you are not able to participate online,
we can meet with you via phone.
Church membership asks these four questions of you:
1. Will you love God with your whole heart?
2. Will you love your neighbor as generously as you love yourself?
3. Will you seek to follow Jesus and live according to his teachings?
4. Will you live your life with generosity and hope?
If you want to attend the membership orientation on Sunday, April 11, 2021 at 2:00 pm via a Zoom
meeting, please contact the church office at 480-838-1446 or email to churchoffice@dayspring-umc.org to
let us know you are interested. If this time doesn’t work for you, please contact the church office for
alternate dates or times.
April 2021 14REFLECTIONS ON NEIGHBORING
When we watch nostalgic TV, it seems like being a relationships that start to make these circumstances
neighbor was easy. Wilson who peered over the less problematic. The first is to find ways to be
wood-slat fence into Tim Taylor’s yard in Home visible and the second is to be available. How can
Improvement, Gladys Kravitz always had her eyes you be seen? We had a neighbor when we first
peeled on Bewitched, Steve Urkel was around for a moved into our home who would sit in his driveway
laugh on Family Matters. Neighbors were part and in a folding chair every weekday evening between
parcel with life. There were good neighbors, about 5 and 6pm. So when we’d get home from
annoying neighbors, sometimes bad neighbors, work, we’d go say hi to him. He’d tell us what he’d
but none the less, there were people behind the noticed on the street during the day and we’d tell
doors next door. People with personalities, families, him about our days. He made himself visible, and
hobbies and habits. I wonder why so many of us we couldn’t help but go say “hi”. So, if my habit is
know little more about the people who live near us to read in the backyard on a nice day, maybe I
than what kind of car they drive and whether they could sit in a folding chair out front. The second
keep up their yard? thing is to be available. It’s one thing to sit out
front, but if I have my head buried in a book with
Really though, it’s not a surprise that neighbors
airpods in, I might not seem approachable. I might
have gone to the wayside. Often our streets and
need to skip the headphones and make sure I look
apartment complexes are not built for natural
up once in a while. One idea to be more available,
interaction. Front porches are rare. Garages have
is if you are on a walk in your neighborhood, take
doors. Backyards have block walls. Communal
out your headphones and say “hi” to the people
areas in apartments are out of the way if there are
you pass. Someone might just answer back!
any at all. Not to mention bigger issues like how
average workweeks are increasing in hours and Many of our homes are not built with a mindset of
p e o p l e m o v e a l o t , d i s r u p t i n g fl e d g l i n g building neigbhoring relationships, but with a little
relationships. thought, time and intention, we can create a culture
that creates connection right through those walls
The good news is that none of these barriers is
that are keeping us apart.
insurmountable. Two things can start building
~Amy Notbohm
April 2021 15FINANCE
The year-to-date income for January through February 2021 was $131,003. The expenses for the same
period were $143,978. This was a negative cash flow of $12,975. Giving YTD for 2021 is below both 2020
and 2019 as shown in this graph.
Reasons for the reduced income include:
• Loss of members either through death or moves out of
the area.
• Reduced new visitors contributing to offering.
• No income from space rental to other organizations.
The Finance committee had anticipated the need to reduce
expenses and this year's budget is lower than in 2020, however
the income is lower than what was expected. Most of the
expenses are fixed and unable to be reduced.
Regular giving by all members is more important than ever to get us through the next months, so if you
have the ability to increase your giving or make a special one-time gift to get our finances back to positive,
it would be greatly appreciated!
Important News About Vanco Online
Did you know that Vanco Online will provide a history of your online giving? In order to activate that feature,
you must have created an account with a login and password first before making a donation. If you have not
yet created an account, past donations will not be visible
to you.
If you don’t already have an account, do this first before
you make your next donation, and all future donations
made through Vanco Online will appear on your account
history. Complete your profile and method of payment
and save time on future donations. Also, don’t forget to
log in whenever you go to the site.
For a complete Dayspring giving history, including any
check or cash donations, contact Nan Lawson in the
church office at nan@dayspringumc.org. Thanks!
Vanco Online is available at www.dayspringumc.org/give.
April 2021 16FROM OUR PASTORS
Dear Friends,
For Earth Month, April, 2021 we will be featuring “Love Letters to the Earth” during our April 25 online
Sunday celebration service. Would you consider writing a Love Letter?
Guidelines: Love Letters to the Earth should be a concrete and specific as possible. 150-200 words.
Probably best to focus on one love subject rather than a love catalogue. For example, rather than writing a
love letter to all birds everywhere, choose a specific bird—from your memory, from your front yard or from
your imagination. Or you might even focus your love letter on a single feather that floated down gracefully
one day as a bird flew overhead—a heavenly handkerchief from a flirtatious dove! We’d like the love letters
to be visual/sensory, full of details that spark our imagination and activate our senses. Again, 150-200
words. Please record yourself sharing your love letter on your phone, landscape rather than portrait, and
text your video to jeff@dayspringumc.org by April 14th (if you need assistance sending your file, please
reach out to Andrea: andrea@dayspringumc.org).
Here’s an example, my own Love Letter to the Earth:
One of my fondest childhood memories was hiking into Havasupai with my father and his scout troop. I was
seven years old. My dad carried my sleeping bag and everything else I would need. I carried but one thing:
a half-gallon tin can looped with a rope handle. Perhaps a few river-polished stones or a disgruntled toad—I
don't remember exactly what I collected and carried in the can. But that childhood memory has come to
symbolize for me an unquenchable curiosity, a desire to understand our world of wonders. A couple of
years ago, I was able to return to Havasupai with my own family. Descending into the canyon, getting up
close and personal with the layers of sedimentary rock–literally going back through time, millions of years.
With age comes beauty! And the magnificence of those falls, their crystal waters painted turquoise by the
limestone underneath.
Emily Dickenson once remarked, “’Consider the lilies of the field,’ is one commandment I’ve never broken.”
Cultivating a deeper sense of awareness and awe has become for me the heart of prayer and spirituality.
With Jesus and Emily, may we consider the birds of the air and the lilies of the field and the falls and
canyons of our Creator. And respond with gratitude and care.
Blessings,
Pastor Jeff
April 2021 17DAYSPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1365 E. Elliot Road
Tempe, AZ 85284-1608
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Koinonikos
April 2021
Volume 27, Issue 4
FREE* Published Monthly
Dayspring UMC is a Reconciling Congregation. All
DAYSPRING UNITED
people, regardless of age, sex, race, color,
METHODIST CHURCH
A Stephen Ministry Congregation ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity,
1365 E. Elliot Road economic status or ability are welcome into the
Tempe, AZ 85284-1608
full life of our congregation.
Church Office Telephone: 480.838.1446
Email: ChurchOffice@DayspringUMC.org
Virtual Office Hours: Dayspring UMC affirms the value and worth of all
Mon. - Thurs.: 9:00am-2:00pm
Website: www.dayspring-umc.org persons, recognizing that everyone is a child of
Watch: livestream.com/dayspringtempe God. We call all to live by and attest to gender
Preschool Telephone: 480.838.9097
equality and to observe Jesus' principles of love
and non-violence in all our relationships.
April 2021 18You can also read
