The

Epworth TowerEpworth United Methodist Church | 4855 W. Central Ave. | Toledo, OH 43615Church Phone: 419.531.4236 | Church Fax: 419.531.7487Website: www.epworth.com | E-mail: epworth@epworth.com

May 7, 2014

Morning SessionJune 16-20

9:00 to 11:30 AM

Evening SessionJune 15-19

6:00 to 8:30 PM

2014 Vacation Bible Schoolfor children age 3 to fifth grade (completed)

Registration begins May 1 and ends June 1Sign up by May 15 and get a free music CD!

T-shirts can be purchased until May 15

Vacation Bible School is FREE this year!!!Registration forms are available in the Narthex or the Education Office

or online at www.epworth.com/vbs

Volunteer opportunities are available - please sign up on the Narthex bulletin board or contact the Education Office at 419.531.4236

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CondolencesDoug Periat on the passing of his wife, Sharon Periat, on March 6.

Alice Ralston on the passing of her husband, Ray Ralston, on March 24.

The family of John Saalfield on his passing on March 30.

Cal Shuptrine on the passing of his wife, Marilyn Shuptrine, on April 1.

David Haase and family on the passing of David’s brother, George (Fred) Haase, on April 8.

Dan and Christine Ellis and family on the passing of Christine’s father, William Schmeltz, on April 11.

Wes and Ruth Ann Johnson on the passing of Ruth Ann’s father, Byron “Beans” Bates, on April 21.

Joan Wiersma on the passing of her husband, Bill Wiersma, on April 25.

Tom and Kathy Rotte and family on the passing of Kathy’s father, Ira Begley, on April 28.

Bob, Jamie, and Lydia Bortolotti and Austen and Casey Lehto and family on the passing of their wife and mother, Tracy Bortolotti, on May 3.

PERSONALSEpworth Electronic MailYou can now sign up to receive electronic mail from Epworth. An email newsletter is sent on a weekly basis that is user friendly. Just go to the subject you are interested in and click. This newsletter also gives you a link to the most current Tower. Get on this list today and keep current with all the Epworth activities!

To sign up, please e-mail caryn@epworth.com with “Epworth Electronic E-mail List” in the subject line.

To sign up for any obituary notifications, please e-mail with “Obituary Notifications E-mail List” in the subject line.

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Like us on Facebook!www.facebook.com/EpworthToledo

Follow us on Twitter!@EpworthToledo

Share your Epworth event photos with us!#EpworthToledo

Table of ContentsSunday Activities and Education.............................page 4-5

For Parents/Kids...........................................................page 4-6

Friends in Faith..................................................................page 8

Furniture Ministry............................................................page 8

Adult Singles........................................................................page 9

Health Ministries......................................................page 10-11

S.W.A.T. Activities.......................................................back page

Church OfficeSummer Hours

June 3 through August 298:00 AM to 4:00 PM

CongratulationsMarc and Eileen Shirk Smedley on the birth of their daughter, Matilda (Tilly) Shirk Smedley, in Scotland, on April 24. The proud grandparents are Tom and Mary Alice Shirk.

PERSONALS

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Copy of the Monthly CalendarIf you would like a hard copy of the monthly calendar, you can pick one up from the kiosk in the Narthex on Sundays or in the Church office during the week.

The calendar is always available on www. epworth.com.

THANK YOU! !Dear Epworth Family:

Thank you so much for all of your prayers, support, meals, and kind words with the birth of our twins, Avery and Alexis. Thank you to the Priscilla Circle for the gorgeous baby blanket for each of the girls. We are so blessed to have our children and a wonderful church family to guide them along their journey.

God’s Blessings, Michelle, Gordon, Payton, Avery and Alexis Krueger

THANK YOU to all our Health Fair Participants!

Many thanks to the participants who helped make Spring into Health! – Epworth’s annual health fair – a terrific success!

And Epworth’s own ministries and groups: Special Needs Task Force, Stephen Ministry, Grief Support for Women, and Furniture Ministry.

Extra thanks to Caryn McDermott for display materials, Les Beland and Scott Leppala for set-up, and Sue Shuman and the Health Ministries Committee for dedicated planning and coordination.

You’re all a blessing!Beth Irwin, Director of Health Ministries/Parish Visitor

Thanks to everyone who helped with our Third Annual Touch-A-Truck on Saturday, May 3! It was a great event, as always, with lots of vehicles, horns honking, and 900 smiles. Walker Funeral Homes provided free ice cream, and our own SWAT provided free popcorn and cooked up hamburgers and hotdogs for sale. YES-FM was broadcasting on-site,

which made it even more fun! Thanks to all the drivers, the companies, and the agencies who gave their time and brought their vehicles, allowing everyone to climb all over them. The members of the Education Work Area and the Welcome Team did a great job to make it a fun day for everyone.

Thank You, Acolytes!

We would like to say thank you to those youth who have served as Acolytes or who were ready on standby for this past season:

Also, thank you to the parents and grandparents who got them here in time for church and to Mr. Mason for lending a guiding hand on Sunday mornings.

If you have a child in grades 4 - 7 who would be willing to serve the church in this fashion, please contact the church office (419.531.4236) or Tami Norris (personal information removed). We will have our Acolytes helping with services again starting in September.

Thank you Epworth…On Saturday, April 26, we had nearly 90 Epworthians serve at the Northwest Ohio Food Bank and at our Epworth campus. The NW Ohio Food Bank appreciated our efforts to get the outdated products off their shelves and getting their shelving in order to help fulfill their mission. We’re sure you noticed the mulch and the planting beds around Epworth looking spruced up and ready for Spring/Summer…We know it will arrive any day! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for all of your helping hands!

Grady BakerKendall BakerPreston BakerKathryn GyoriCameron IrwinAndrew Lyon

Carley LyonsSydney PriceHope RothLily RothKendal Wilson

The Ability CenterALMA Dance ExperienceThe American Heart AssociationThe Anne Grady CenterAnsberg-West Funeral HomeArbonne with Annette

LazenbyThe Arms ForcesBody Recall PlusComForcare with Lori JamesonDave’s Performance FootgearGenesis Village

Hear-RiteHoly Yoga ToledoHospice of Northwest Ohio Jobst Vascular CenterLutheran Village at Wolf

CreekOakleaf VillageProMedicaSunshine Inc.Swan Creek Retirement

VillageVein SolutionsWest Park Place

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Volunteer on Sunday Mornings Love Our Lambs

The Preschool Wing needs loving arms and warm hearts to care for our 3, 4, and 5 year olds at 11:00. You can help with snack, read Bible stories, play games, and share your love of God. How can you GENEROUSLY impact a young child’s life? Easy-to-lead, hands-on materials are all ready and waiting for you. All we need is you! Call Mary in the Education office or sign up on the Opportunities Page.

Education ServantsMany of you have served our children well in the past. But, there is still much more to do. The task is never-ending, and the responsibility is never over. In worship, you have met some amazing servants who give of their time in ways you may not have imagined. What is one more thing YOU can do to help our children on their faith journey?

It might be leading a class on Sunday morning. It might be reading stories or singing songs or playing games with our little ones. It might be calling on others to teach. It might be helping in the resource room with all the supplies and organization that is so desperately needed there. It might be helping in the summer classes or helping with Vacation Bible School.

The time commitment is varied. The possibilities are endless. The rewards are amazing! Please listen to God’s direction, and sign up on the Opportunities Page or call the education office at 419.531.4236 for more information. We would love to talk with you more about it.

Preschool MilestonePreschoolers and their parents are invited to their Milestone on Sunday, May 18 at 9:45 AM in Room 114. This is one way we are trying to give parents the tools you need to raise Christian children. Please come and jump into the Old Testament stories. We will experience them through art, drama, and song. Call the education office or sign up on the Opportunities Page if you plan to attend.

Sixth Grade MilestoneSixth graders and their parents are invited to their milestone “Preteen Passage” on Sunday, May 18 at 9:45 AM in Room 205. Family involvement is the foundational ingredient of the milestone. We will be looking at ways to nurture your student’s faith as they grow and change through Faith Talks, God Sightings, and The Blessing. Sign up on the Opportunities Page or by calling the church office.

Are You a Weird Animal?We are looking for those of you who have finished sixth grade and older to help with VBS this summer. Sign up now on the Opportunities Page, on the bulletin board in the narthex, or online at www.epworth.com/vbs to help with the best week of the summer! You will be expected to attend one of the training sessions on either Sunday, June 8 at 12:00 PM or on Tuesday, June 10 at 6:00 PM. If you cannot attend either of these sessions, you will need to make other arrangements for your training.

Adopt a Grandparent at EpworthDo you wish you had grandchildren here in town? Do you wish your children had grandparents close by? If so, you may enjoy getting to know some new friends right here at Epworth.

It is our hope that our children would know at least five adults by name that they can trust and enjoy spending time with. If you agree, we would like to connect families with older adults for fellowship and fun. Sign up on the Opportunities Page or contact Nancy in the church office at 419.531.4236 or nancy@epworth.com if you are interested.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 29 for a gathering here at church where we will get to know our new friends and families. Watch for more information soon!

Last Chance to Register!The next series of Spiritual Gifts classes begins Wednesday, May 14 for the evening class or Thursday, May 15 for the morning class. If you haven’t already participated in this exciting experience of learning more about yourself, plan to do so in May. Classes will meet Wednesday evenings, May 14, 21, and 28 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM or Thursday mornings, May 15, 22, and 29 from 10:00 AM to noon.

The cost for your book is $10.00. Register by signing up on the Opportunities Page or by contacting Nancy (419.531.4236 or nancy@epworth.com) or Pastor Marilynn (marilynn@epworth.com). Childcare will be provided if requested.

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NURSERY & TODDLER• Childcare is available at 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 in the nursery• Sing-n-Worship at 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 in Room 110 - We have moved across the hall to a larger

room. Now we have plenty of space to learn and play and grow. Our toddlers learn from lessons geared to two year olds, which let them know how much we love them and how much God loves them.

PRE-SCHOOL• Play-N-Worship at 9:45 and 11:00 in Rooms 112 & 114 - Preschool children ages 3-5 (not yet in

kindergarten) are invited to join us Sunday morning in rooms 112 & 114 for Play-N-Worship. Each month the children will explore a new Bible Point through stories, songs, and play. The children will also memorize a Bible verse, learn an action prayer, and collect a Pennies for Jesus offering to buy children’s Bibles to send with our mission teams.

ELEMENTARY• Children, Grades K-5 at 9:45 - In MAY we are seeing what the Bible says about ENDURANCE: Sticking

with what you started even when it gets tough. In March and April, the Kingdom kids (and some of their teachers) were able to raise $212.00 for much-needed physical therapy for the children of Haiti! Kids helping kids is what they do best!

• Sixth Grade S.L.A.M. at 9:45 in Room 206 (second floor in the Kingdom hallway)• Youth Donuts and the Bible at 9:45 - Junior High in Room 003 at the far end of the Family Life Center;

Senior High in Room 215. • Children, Grades K-3 at 11:00 WOW (Worship Our Way) in Room 205 - This class meets in Bible

Time Players (Room 205) directly following the Pastor’s Children’s Moment. Each week the children will learn about God’s love through age-appropriate lessons packed with hands-on learning through praise, worship, and prayer.

• Children, Grade 4 and up at 11:00 (“B’Tween Me & God”) - We invite kids grade 4 and up to join us in the sanctuary and worship. Sit together with a group of friends or join your family. Ask an usher for the special green “B’Tween Me & God” bulletin inserts created just for you each week. These sheets are filled with questions and insights to help engage you in worship. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers, and you don’t even need to turn these in to anyone at the end of the day because worship is B’Tween you and God!

ADULT• Adult Bible Study at 9:45 in Room 214 - We are studying a series entitled “Sermon on the Mount.” Each

session begins with a 10-15 minute DVD presentation which forms the background for class conversation to address questions such as “What is God’s standard for ethical living? What was Jesus really teaching us? And how can we let God work within us in order to move us ever on toward holiness?” Jump into the lively discussions and add your insights as together we develop a deeper spiritual understanding. Meet new friends on your journey. You will be welcomed!

• Friends in Faith at 9:45 in Room 213 - Come study with us as we discuss The Miracles of Jesus. We will read the scriptures and discuss a different miracle each week. No homework or advance preparation needed. Join us any time!

• Coffee and Conversation at 9:45 in Room 020 - Please join us as we discuss Renting Lacy: A Story of America’s Prostituted Children by Linda Smith and Cindy Coloma. Please feel free to join us.

• Bible Study at 9:45 in the Library (lower level by Central Avenue door) - Kyle Idleman’s riveting new study, Gods at War, properly notes that Christians and the church correctly emphasize the need to identify and eradicate sin. In this new series, Idleman challenges our presumptions about sin by suggesting that all sin derives from the same source - idolatry. While we don’t see many “graven images” around today, Idleman argues that there are still countless gods passionately at war for the throne of our hearts. Please join us as we learn how seekers, non-Christians, and life-long Christians alike will all be moved to grow their relationship with Christ.

• Sermon Notes at 11:00 in Room 214 - We are covering a new Hamilton series called the Last 24 Hours of Jesus’ Life, a follow up to The Way. Please feel free to join us.Ep

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Graduating?If you or someone you

know is graduating this spring or has graduated in the past year, we would like to honor them on Graduation

Sunday, June 1.

Please call the church office with the information

and reservation so we can list them in our bulletin that day. We need to know how many people will be attending, what school they are graduating from, the degree they are earning, and what their future plans are. Congratulations!

John Arthur MearsStudent Loans

Each year, Epworth offers loans to students in any post-high school program. After the application is received and an interview and review by the committee is complete, loans are approved up to $1,000 per year and sent to the school in the student’s name.

Loans are not due until seven months after graduation. If payments are made on time, there is no interest charged. Students may receive up to $4,000 total during their schooling. Applications are available at www.epworth.com and in the education office and are due by Sunday, June 1.

Special Needs Task Force Sponsoring “FIESTA”We are inviting group homes in the Toledo area to our spring event, “Fiesta”, on Friday, May 16 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. This is the third event we have held for them, and

they have always had a great time. We are expecting over 100 people this time.

We would also like to invite you to come as hosts, to help us welcome the clients and their caregivers to this fun evening. We can always use extra servers, game players, and smiling faces to assist our guests. You can also volunteer to bring some of the refreshments for the evening.

If you would like to help or bring food that evening, call the education office or sign up on the Opportunities Page.

We have to Re-Register ourKroger Plus Card

to continue EARNING MONEY for Epworth Youth Missions

During May 2014, each Kroger Plus Card holder must re-designate Epworth Student Ministries (#81972). Until Kroger Plus Card holders go to the www.KrogerCommunityRewards.com website, your purchases DO NOT create any rewards for Epworth Student Ministries.

Kroger Community RewardsOrganization Number for

Epworth Student Ministries is 81972.

To re-register your Kroger Plus Card, making Epworth Student Ministries your designated recipient, please:

• Go to www.KrogerCommunityRewards.com• Sign in to your account• Go to COMMUNITY REWARDS• Select Epworth Student Ministries (#81972)

as your designation

Thank you for supportingEpworth Youth Missions!

If you have trouble registering your Kroger Plus Card and selecting Epworth Student Ministries as your Community Organization, please contact Bob Knowles (bobknowles@epworth.com or 419.509.2353) or Chuck Campos (chuck@epworth.com or 419.902.2263).

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Pastor Bob has been appointed to the Stonybrook United Methodist Church in Gahanna, Ohio, in the Columbus metropolitan area.

Stonybrook is a little over 50 years old and has a similar worship attendance as Epworth with three Sunday morning services.

In addition to a large preschool, Stonybrook has a Free Store on site; partnerships with ministries in Cuba and Haiti; and multiple ministry partners across the city and across the US.

Pastor Thomas was appointed to provide mature leadership as the congregation lives into a new strategic vision and leadership structure.

June 22 is Pastor Bob’s last Sunday here at Epworth, marking the end of his 8th year of service.

Epworth’s Staff Parish Relations team is working with District Superintendent Marla Brown to bring a new Senior Pastor to Epworth.

Pastor Bob is Moving to Gahanna, Ohio

On Tuesday, May 13 at 7:00 PM in the Webb Chapel, Janelle Metzger, the executive director of Water for Ishmael, will be our speaker.

Janelle spent seven years living in the Middle East with her husband and four children in the 90’s. After returning to Toledo, the Metzger family joined a team of people in Toledo who were passionate about sharing the Love of Christ with and helping internationals in the Toledo area.

Water for Ishmael was born out of this team’s fervent prayers. Come to hear Janelle’s moving testimony to the power of God’s healing and restoring love as experienced by the unique community served by Water for Ishmael.

“Are any among you sick? They should call for elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.” [James 5:14] Scripture strongly affirms ministries of spiritual healing, which in recent years have received renewed emphasis throughout Christ’s holy Church.

Pastor Keith Luke will lead the service.

You may come to the service to pray for others, to have the community pray for your special needs, or to pray for the hurt and brokenness in the community and the world.

Healing and Wholeness Service

June Preaching Series

Pastors Thomas, Luke, and Schroeder will offer a 4-part preaching series during the month of June,

focusing on the 4 promises each United Methodist makes with church membership.

Each time a new member joins Epworth, we all reaffirm our promise to support the church through our Prayers, Presence, Gifts, and Service.

The 4-week series will serve as a reminder and inspiration for us all.

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Friends in FaithSunday School

Join us for Sunday School in Room 213. We meet every Sunday morning in Room 213 at 9:45. Check the Sunday Morning Education Section for information about our current study. New members or visitors are welcome at any time.

BUNCOOnce every month the Friends in Faith women gather at one of our homes for an evening of fellowship, food and Bunco. The hostess of the month provides the main course and everyone else is asked to bring a side dish, appetizer or dessert to share. We start at 6:30 PM. The next opportunities to join us are: • Monday, May 19 (new date) at Christina Nishiki’s

house (personal information removed). RSVP to Christina at (personal information removed).

• Wednesday, June 11 (new location) at Karen Wyckoff’s house (personal information removed). RSVP to Karen at (personal information removed).

Please bring a donation of a hygiene product (lotion, soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc.) or socks, scarves, gloves, aspirin, etc. for S.T.A.R.S. These items will be used to help support young girls and families who have been affected by human trafficking.

Friends in Faith Book Club Everyone is welcome to join us for the Book Club. We serve up lively discussion and dessert with every meeting beginning at 7:00 PM! The next opportunities to join us are:• Tuesday, May 20 - We will

discuss The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd and will meet at Linda Coon’s house (personal information removed). RSVP to Linda at (personal information removed).

• Tuesday, June 24 - We will discuss Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson and will meet at Linda Coon’s house (personal information removed). RSVP to Linda at (personal information removed).

• Tuesday, July 22 - We will discuss Monuments Men by Robert Miedsel and will meet at Linda Coon’s house (personal information removed). RSVP to Linda at (personal information removed).

BABYBOOMERSJoin Babyboomers at The Village Players Theatre on Friday, May 16 at 8:00 PM to see the comic/drama “Proposals” by Neil Simon. The theatre is located at 2740 Upton Avenue. Tickets are $12.00 each. Contact Janet Foster at (personal information removed) to reserve your pre-paid tickets.

The Furniture Ministry Needs Shoppers!Do you like to shop? Do you like to shop at garage sales? The Furniture Ministry is looking for willing shoppers to look for those items necessary to keep the warehouse fully stocked for our clients. If this sounds like something you would like to do, please e-mail volunteer@furnitureministry.org. Once we hear that you are interested, we will be in contact with all the details.

Furniture MinistryPickup Dates: May 10, 17, and 24June 1, 14, 21, and 28

Arrange a Donation Pickup: Call 567.694.3710

Volunteer as a Free Loader: Sign up on the Opportunities Page or e-mail epworthfurnitureministry@gmail.com

Items Needed: COMFORTERS and BLANKETS (Twin/Full/Queen)!! Also, needed are beds,

kitchen table and chair sets, and pots and pans.

2014 Statistics April YTDPieces of Furniture Gifted 70 252Families Served 11 43 Adults 19 61 Children 19 68

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LUNCH BUNCH meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 12:00 noon at the designated restaurant for that month. May 13’s location will be at Shorty’s Roadhouse (5111 Monroe Street, Toledo). June 10’s location will be at Executive Diner (2516 W. Sylvania Avenue, Toledo). RSVP to Sue Hartman (personal information removed) or sign up on the Opportunities Page.

COFFEE & SUCH meets the 4th Tuesday of the month at 5:30 PM at Barry Bagels (4024 N. Holland-Sylvania Road, Toledo). RSVP to Linda Coon (personal information removed) or sign up on the Opportunities Page.

MAY’S FRIDAY MEETING will be meeting at Nancy Hauer’s home (personal information removed). If your last name begins with A-M, please bring a salad or appetizer. If your last name begins with N-Z, please bring a dessert to share. We will have a special program by Maggie Sullivan. Maggie will be sharing with us her Alcohol Ink Art.

Please RSVP to Linda Coon (personal information removed) or Nancy Hauer (personal information removed). Don’t forget to bring items for Furniture Ministry Blessings Department. (Kitchen items, small appliances, pots and pans, and bedding are needed).

Each month we are trying to schedule a program presented by a member of our group. It can be whatever topic of interest you have (i.e. a hobby, a trip you have taken, or any other subject for which you have a passion). Be thinking what you would like to share. We have May, June, and July already assigned!

Adult singles ages 30+ are invited to participate. You do not have to be a member of Epworth to join in the Christian Fellowship, meet new friends, and enrich your Christian journey while helping those in need through our outreach projects.

For more information, contact Linda Coon (personal information removed). You may also sign up for any of our activities on the Opportunities Page inside your weekly Reminders.

Epworth[adult Singles ]

Priscilla CircleQuilts for Sale onSunday, May 11

The women of Priscilla Circle are busy finishing up our quilts for sale to benefit the Furniture Ministry.

The sale will be on Mother’s Day, May 11, in the narthex.

We have a variety of sizes and colorful themes.

We appreciate your generous support in helping us contribute to the community.

Priscilla Circle always welcomes new members, sewers and non-sewers.

If you would be interested in more information, please call Kay Hitchner, (personal information removed).

Help EpworthFeed Our Neighbors

at St. Paul’s Help Epworth serve a nutritious meal to 150 needy folks at St. Paul’s Community Center.

There are a variety of ways to jump in.

Just visit the Cloister and sign-up to donate specific food items, or add your name to the small crew preparing the meal in our kitchen on May 10---or, put on an apron to help serve the yummy meal at St. Paul’s on Sunday, May 11.

As you generously serve, listen for the echo of Christ’s words…

‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40

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Mind Matters: May is Mental Health Month

Epworth Health MinistriesMay is National Mental Health Month, but dispelling the stigma of mental illness is a year-round necessity. More than 60-million adult Americans experience some form of mental illness in a given year, including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, panic and anxiety attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), or others.

For some individuals, depression or anxiety can be triggered by a personally stressful situation, such as job loss, a death in the family, or divorce. It could also be the result of chemical or hormonal changes in the body. Illnesses like PTSD are not limited to the military; it can also affect those who have experienced physical or emotional trauma such as assault. For many, mental illness is a physiological problem they live with every day. According to NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness:

• One in four adults – about 61.5 million Americans – experience

mental illness in a given year. About 13.6 million live with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, major depression, or bipolar disorder.

• About 42 million adults live with anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks, OCD, PTSD, or generalized anxiety or phobias.

• About 9.2 million adults have concurrent mental health problems and addictions.

• An estimated 46% of homeless adults staying in shelters live with severe mental illness and/or substance abuse issues.

• 70% of youth in the juvenile justice systems have at least one mental health condition.

• One half of all chronic mental illness begins by age 14.

Mental health crises affect not just the patient, but the patient’s friends, family, and colleagues as they try to understand and learn the best ways

to help. Mood disorders such as depression are the third most common cause of hospitalization in the U.S. for those ages 18 to 44.

But mental illness is treatable and manageable. According to NAMI, as an individual becomes more familiar with their illness, they begin to recognize their own unique patterns of behavior so they can seek effective and timely care. Medications, counseling, and stress reduction all contribute to managing illnesses and moving toward wellness. And as revealed by the overwhelming statistics, no one with mental illness is alone and being willing to seek treatment is not a sign of weakness but an act of courage.

To learn more about symptoms of different mental illnesses and to find resources, visit NAMI.org or mentalhealthamerica.net.

(Information courtesy of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Mental Health America)

Low Vision/Macular DegenerationSupport Group Celebrates Spring

Please join us for the next meeting of the Low Vision/Macular Degeneration Support Group on Monday, May 12 at 2:00 PM in the Narthex. Light snacks will be served.

Our guest speaker will be Epworth’s own Linda Tippett, who will look at the lighter side of aging with her presentation “Age Is a Laughing Matter”.

The LV/MD Support Group meeting is open to all, and it’s the last meeting before summer break. Meetings will resume in September.

Please RSVP to Beth Irwin at 419.531.4236 or beth@epworth.com.

More about DepressionHow do you know if you are just “down” or if you have depression? It really takes the knowledge of a professional to diagnose, but here are some signs of depression according to the National Institute of Mental Health:• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and

making decisions• Fatigue and decreased energy• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness• Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism• Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive

sleeping• Irritability, restlessness• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once enjoyed• Overeating or appetite loss• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive

problems that do not ease even with treatment• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings• Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts

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ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES!The Red Cross needs your Blood!

Epworth is once again hosting a blood drive for the American Red Cross. The date is Wednesday, May 21 from 2:00 to 8:00 PM in the Family Life Center.

If you donated blood on or before March 26, 2014, you are eligible to donate for this drive. Encourage your friends and coworkers to join you.

Remember to eat iron-rich, low-fat foods in the days before the drive, and drink lots of water.

Donation times are available in 15 minute increments throughout the day, and total donation time from registration to refreshments is usually less than an hour.

Reserve your time slot by logging onto redcrossblood.org and entering EPWORTHUMC to see the entire registration table. Or contact Beth Irwin, Director of Health Ministries, at 419.531.4236 or beth@epworth.com.

Don’t just sit on your porch and watch summer pass by. Resting and rusting isn’t a good choice for those who want to stay well and continue an active lifestyle.

The Family Life Center is air conditioned, and Body Recall Plus is a perfect class for participants to stay conditioned.

Classes will continue in the FLC on a limited basis throughout the summer on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday mornings at 9:00 AM the weeks of June 2, 23, 30, July 14, 21, 28, and August 11, 18. The cost is $42.00.

If you are interested in staying fit, strong and flexible so that you can best enjoy these glorious days of summer, contact Nancy in the church office (419.531.4236 or nancy@epworth.com) to sign up or contact Pam Christensen, instructor, (personal information removed) with questions!

Summer

Restoration and RenewalBy Dianne Smolen, Health Ministries Committee Finally…whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable…think about such things. -Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

In the Midwest, and in northwest Ohio especially, spring is a special time of renewal and growth. After a long winter like we have had this year, spring is especially meaningful.

While growing up in the south, spring didn’t have quite the same impact as it does in Ohio because the winters weren’t quite as cold or as long. But one thing did arrive in late spring that had nothing to do with the flowers and sunshine of spring. It was hurricanes.

In late fall 1989 a particularly devastating, category 5 hurricane hit the east coast. It left a great deal of damage in its wake. When my husband and I visited the area to check on relatives, we saw where huge trees and azalea bushes, 50-100 years old, were uprooted or were all mangled with dead limbs. Roads were covered with debris and impassible in some places. Neighborhood streets were lined with 10 feet of tree and shrubbery debris on both sides of the street. Electricity and phone service were almost

non-existent. Roofs were torn off and/or needed repair. We got lost while riding around because the familiar landmarks were no longer there. All greenery or vegetation was simply stripped away by the high winds and rain.

When we went back for a visit the following summer, to our delight, most houses had a new or repaired roof. Windows that were blown out had been replaced. The smell of fresh lumber hung in the air. However, the trees and shrubs were still missing or those that remained were split open, ugly and bare of vegetation.

During our last day in the area, I was taking a walk on the street where my parents lived. I began talking with a neighbor about the devastation and the remarkable recovery in such a short time. “Oh yes!” she smiled. “We thought it would be years, and here, in a little less than a year, the town is about three fourths restored. And all the beautiful flowers and trees, I was so worried. And then spring came, and if you look closely, here and there the green sprouted up. I was so happy!”

Where I had seen only the ugly dead remains of a plant, she had instead focused on the green, the living hope of restoration and renewal.

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Questions about Epworth Student Ministries? Contact Bob Knowles atbobknowles@epworth.com or 419.509.2353 or Chuck Campos at chuck@epworth.com or 419.902.2263.

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Sunday, May 11 Mother’s Day 9:45 AM – Junior & Senior Sunday Morning Donuts & The Bible NO SWATs – Happy Mother’s Day

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