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Religion news – Sept. 26

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Staff Reports
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Services and studies

Asbury United Methodist Church — Asbury is offering in-person worship at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday. Patrons can also livestream worship or watch the recorded video after 11 a.m. at www.asburycolumbus.org/latest-worship.

Look for the Asbury Kids Facebook page for fun and fellowship for kids of all ages. A new Asbury Kids video is available each Wednesday at www.asburycolumbus.org/latest-asbury-kids.

The church is located at 1751 27th St., Columbus.

East Columbus Christian Church — The church is located at 3170 Indiana Ave. In-person services are at 10 a.m. each week and follow social distancing guidelines. Masks are available. Online worship is available live through YouTube and Facebook at 10 a.m. each week. Sunday morning Children’s Church is at 10 a.m.

Wednesday morning Bible study will be on Facebook Live at 10 a.m. and Wednesday evening Jr./Sr. Youth will be at the church at 6 p.m.

East Columbus United Methodist — Sunday morning worship at East Columbus United Methodist Church begins at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary with the implementation of the recommended in-person worship guidelines.

Social distancing guidelines include a face covering (face masks will be provided for those needing one), seating every other pew, no passing of offering plates, no handshaking or hugging, and the use of pre-packaged communion supplies. Holy Communion is served the first Sunday of each month.

Sunday school will be held immediately following the morning service and classrooms have been arranged to follow social distancing guidelines. Sunday evening service begins at 6 p.m. in the chapel. Seating has been arranged to follow social distancing guidelines.

The weekly service will continue to be available for viewing online through the church’s Facebook page and on their YouTube channel.

Fairlawn Presbyterian — Weekly worship services are on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom. (Links and numbers below or you can check fairlawnpc.net or visit the church’s Facebook page for login and phone information.)

Use Zoom to call-in by phone or login online. Join the online Zoom meeting at https://zoom.us/j/431070245 with the meeting ID 431 070 245.

Those interested can also dial-in at: +1 253 215 8782 US; +1 301 715 8592 US; Meeting ID: 431 070 245.

The church is located at 2611 Fairlawn Drive, Columbus. Information: Facebook, fairlawnpc.net, office@fairlawnpc.net, 812-372-3882.

Faith Lutheran Church — The church livestreams worship each Sunday on Facebook at Faith Lutheran Church — Columbus Indiana.

The church is also meeting in person each Sunday at 9 a.m., and will be following specific health guidelines. Daily prayer is livestreamed most weekdays at 8 a.m. All are welcome to worship the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The church is located at 6000 W. State Road 46, Columbus. Information: Faithontheweb.org, 812-342-3587.

First Christian Church — The church is offering in-person and online services at 9 and 10:30 a.m. The earlier service is reserved for those 65 and older and the 10:30 a.m. service is open for all ages. The church has activity packs available for children.

Information: www.fccoc.org, 812-379-4491.

First Baptist — The church is now holding public worship gatherings on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. The church also offers a livestream of worship connection via its website www.firstbaptistcolumbus.org or https://FirstBaptistColumbus.online.church.

Information: 812-371-8937 or 812-376-3321.

The church is located at 3300 Fairlawn Drive, Columbus.

First Lutheran Church — The church is offering in-person worship services. Sunday morning worship times are 8:45 a.m. for the classic service and 11:15 a.m. for the casual service.

Livestreaming of both services can be accessed on electronic devices at www.youtube.com/user/LCColumbus.

The church is located at 3600 E. 25th St., Columbus.

First Presbyterian — The church will have a service via livestreaming at 9:30 a.m. on Facebook and Zoom. Join in at https://www. facebook.com/groups/ 56933406910/ or on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/214025301.

People in the community in need of a meal are invited to the Hot Meals program, which is offered Friday at 5 p.m. The church is an LGBTQ-friendly church.

Information: fpccolumbus.org

First United Methodist — On Sept. 27, at 8:30 a.m., Rev. Howard Boles will deliver the message “What We Can’t See in the Desert” at the church, 618 Eighth St, Columbus. The scripture will be Exodus 17:1-7. Doors for the service will be opened at 8 a.m., and the church asks that attendees enter through the doors on Eighth Street or through the Lafayette Street doors. Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrances to the sanctuary. The church asks that everyone attending wear a mask while they are in the building. Masks will be available for those who don’t have one. The church will be practicing social distancing and will be taking other precautions to help ensure everyone’s health and safety.

The church will not be having childcare, children’s moment, or Sunday school at this time.

The church will continue to have a 10 a.m. livestream of service on their Facebook page, and it will be available on the church website for later viewing as well.

Oct. 1, FUMC will host a blood drive for the American Red Cross in Fellowship Hall from 1 to 6 p.m. See the church website or go to https://www.fumccolumbus.org/blood-drive-info/ for more information.

Oct. 3, FUMC will have its annual “Blessing of the Animals” event at 10 a.m. in the green space at Ninth and Lafayette streets. Bring your pet for a special blessing from the pastors.

Information: www. fumccolumbus.org or 812-372-2851.

Flintwood Wesleyan — The church is located at 5300 E. 25th St., Columbus. Sunday morning worship begins at 9 a.m. with The Amplify (contemporary) service. Sunday school follows with classes for all ages at 10 a.m. The Well service (traditional) begins at 11 a.m. Both worship services are led by Pastor Wesley Jones. The church’s Sunday Amplify services are livestreamed on YouTube.

Sunday evening is devoted to Celebrate Recovery meetings. The meetings are designed to assist in ridding ourselves of hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Meeting begin at 6 p.m. with getting to know each other, singing, and a lesson are open to the public. At 7 p.m., there is an open share. Safe child care is available.

Wednesday activities begin with a meal served at 5:30 p.m. in The Friendship Center. This is followed by iKids at 6:15 p.m. The first four weeks the theme will be “Overcoming the Bad News Blues.” IKids is a program for kids pre-K through sixth grade. The church prayer team will also met at 6:15 p.m. in the prayer room. Our Youth will meet at 6:30 p.m. and adult Bible study meets at 7 p.m. in the main sanctuary.

The church is sponsoring a Senior Adult Fall Frolic on Oct. 8 at The Seasons Conference Center. Registration forms, and fees, are on our website and must be completed. The fee includes a meal. If you do not have access to the website, call 812-341-5219. This is a mini-retreat for those who usually attend our District SAM Retreat.

Masks are required to enter the building for services on Sundays until further notice. The church will supply masks to those that don’t have them. Hand sanitizing stations are throughout the buildings along with colored lanyards with tags stating individual preferences on personal space.

Information: 812-379-4287, office@gmail.com, flintwood.org

Grace Lutheran — In-person worship times are 8 and 10:30 a.m. The 8 a.m. service can be livestreamed at www.grace columbus.org/livestream. Weekly services will be livestreamed, but recordings are also available at the same location.

Information about Zoom bible studies can also be found on the church’s website. The church is located at 3201 Central Ave., Columbus, and all events are held with CDC guidelines compliance.

Newbern United Methodist Church — The church is practicing strict COVID-19 preventative measures. Masks are required. All activities are postponed until further notice except for Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. and online Bible study each Wednesday at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

Memorial Baptist Church — Memorial Baptist Church, along with First Baptist Church of Columbus, will be hosting a Pumpkin Patch Vacation Bible School Oct. 5-9 at Memorial Baptist Church (2320 Seventh St.). VBS will go from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Children ages 3 through 12th grade are invited to attend. Sign up online at http://www.123formbuilder.com/form-5564040/form or call 812-376-6800 to register. Visit the church’s Facebook page for more information.

North Christian Church — Rev. Tonja Gerardy is continuing Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday morning via YouTube. Search North Christian Church Columbus Indiana to join.

In addition, join the conversation via Zoom on Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. The church will continue to explore Biblical characters whose lives unraveled. Each session is wholly independent from the others. Participants can choose to come and go as able. There is no book to purchase or any advance reading to complete.

Desktop link: zoom.us/j/ 83268062076; smartphones: +1 646 558 8656, 832 6806 2076#; Landline phones: +1 646 558 8656, then enter meeting ID 832 6806 2076.

The staff continues to work remotely. No building access is available at this time. The church will continue to monitor this ever-changing situation and update their response as appropriate.

The church is located at 850 Tipton Lane, Columbus. Information: 812-372-1531.

Old Union United Church of Christ — Scriptures for the 10 a.m. Sunday service, the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, will include Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, and Matthew 21:23-32. The message will be “Too Many Distractions.”

The church has applied social distancing guidelines. Face coverings are required, but can be provided by the church for those that need one. Seating is spaced two arm-widths apart for non-relatives. Seating is every other pew and there will be no fellowship in the basement, no passing of the peace, and no handshaking or hugging.

The church is located at 12703 N. County Road 50W, Edinburgh.

Petersville United Methodist Church — The church will gather for in-person worship at 9 a.m., at 2781 N. County Road 500E. Masks are required and pews have been arranged for social distancing. Masks for children and adults, sanitizer, and the offering basket will be placed on a table just inside the entrance.

The pastor Rebecca Milne will deliver the sermon, “Act 2: The Fall,” and scriptures will come from Genesis 3:1-7. The emphasis will be that when people turn against God, a world of brokenness, sickness, decay, and death is created.

Teresa Covert will present the children’s sermon. The offering will be prayed over during worship and accepted in the basket on the table in the narthex. At the end of the service, Rebecca and Jacob Milne will leave the sanctuary first, followed by those in the last pews, leading the congregation outside. All visiting should be done outdoors in the area near the rose garden.

At a recent meeting, it was decided that small study groups may start meeting in the fellowship hall, practicing social distancing. It also was decided that Petersville will not be able to safely host its annual Turkey Supper in November.

Information: 812-546-4438 or 812-376-3501.

Sandy Hook United Methodist — Sandy Hook United Methodist church gathers weekly for in-person worship. The church offers two services (8:45 a.m. is a traditional service and 11 a.m. is a contemporary service). On Sept. 27, Pastor Paul Dazet will bring the message “Acts 3: Isreal” as part of the Sermon Series “The Story of God.”

Those attending will be required to wear masks, and they will be available if needed. Seating will be marked and will be socially distanced. Sanitizer is available. Attendees should not gather in groups inside the church.

Nursery provisions are provided during both services and children’s church during the 11 a.m. service. Fellowship time will not take place, and Sunday classes are scheduled to resume in October.

The church will be hosting a Zoom Bible study from Sept. 30 through Dec. 9. This will be a 10-week study on Isaiah from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This is a Seedbed study, with videos to watch ahead of time. Discussion will happen on Wednesdays on Zoom. Books can be purchased on your own for $20 at seedbed.com.

The church is located at 1610 Taylor Road, Columbus.

Information: 812-372-8495.

St. Paul Lutheran — Pastor Doug Bauman will present the message ”We Are One,” based on Philippians 2:1-4. 14-18, Sunday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 6045 East State St., Columbus. Worship services are at 8 and 10:45 a.m. and follow all CDC guidelines for social distancing. Those 8 years and older are required to wear a mask while inside the building.

Christian fellowship will begin at 9:10 a.m. with Christian education for all ages following at 9:30 a.m. The Spanish worship service will be in the fellowship room at 10:45 a.m. with Spanish Sunday school at noon. In-person worship service with communion is held each Wednesday at 4:45 p.m. in the church followed by Bible study on the book of Ruth at 6 p.m. Wednesday’s worship service will be posted online the following day at www.stpaulcolumbus.org

Radio Worship Service every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on 1010 AM and 98.1 FM.

Wednesday morning Bible class meets at 9 a.m. at the church studying the book of Jeremiah. All are welcome.

Information: 812-376-6504, www.stpaulcolumbus.org

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus — At this time, the church has postponed in-person gatherings until further notice. Follow the church on Facebook or visit uucci.org for information on joining the church virtually.

The church is located at 7850 W. Goeller Blvd., Columbus. Information: 812-342-6230.

Westside Community Church — WCC will continue to offer two services through Sept. 27. Services will be held at 8:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Beginning Oct. 4, WCC will move back to ONE service starting at 10 a.m. Masks are required. Limited seating will be available to allow for distancing.

The church is recommending older adults attend the 8:45 a.m. service and young families and all others attend the 10:15 a.m. service. There will be no nursery or children’s church.

A broadcast will also be available on 87.9 FM for both services in the church parking lot for those who do not wish to enter the building.

The church encourages at-risk individuals to stay at home, and those who have, or have recently had, symptoms to remain at home.

The church is located at the corner of State Road 46 West and Tipton Lakes Boulevard. Information: 812-342-8464.

Events

Cornerstone Outreach Ministries — Jonathan Cahn, author of “The Harbinger,” and many other bestsellers, has launched “The Return,” a national and global day and movement of prayer and repentance culminating in Washington D.C. on Sept. 26 — 40 days before the presidential election.

Franklin Graham has asked Christians to gather for prayer wherever they are on that date.

Cornerstone Outreach Ministries has secured the Columbus City Hall steps for Sept. 26 from noon to 2 p.m.

The prayer event will be handled like a National Day of Prayer. Speakers will lead prayer for certain topics along with praise and worship. This will not be directed toward politics, but a returning to Jesus Christ.

Attendees are asked to not wear political shirts, as it’s not a political event.

We can embrace this moment — and our shared humanity

By
Staff Reports
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Brandon Andress

Editor’s note: Columns in the Faith section reflect opinions and perspectives of the writer and are not necessarily those of The Republic.

After days of arduous back and forth, negotiating and switching dates, we finally landed one of the most epic backpacking permits in the Grand Canyon.

As I shared this great news with my wife, she stared at me blankly with no visible emotion.

“You do realize those dates are during Easter, right?” she asked.

Silence.

Life is full of inevitable disruptions and difficulties.

Sometimes they are of our own doing.

Other times, they are out of our control.

Like this season of the pandemic.

While we have made important and necessary sacrifices to protect the most vulnerable among us, there is no question that our isolation has created a sense of disruption, helplessness, and loss.

We have lost embraces to standing 6 feet apart, the subtlety of a smile to face coverings, the ease of conversations to dividers and shields.

We have lost plays and musicals and concerts, sporting events, parades and block parties, community social events, faith gatherings, schools and classmates, work and coworkers, meals with extended families and friends.

We have lost the physical to the virtual, our natural rhythm to an unfamiliar beat.

And to compound our loss and isolation, we are fed nonstop media narratives that continue to polarize us, pit us against one another, and make us feel increasingly anxious and depressed.

As we try to find some semblance of community and connectedness in our isolation, we retreat to social media only to find more anger, division, and hostility, which leaves us even more fragmented and alone.

There is more that we are losing than lives to this virus.

We are losing our humanity.

We are being broken down into isolated and fragmented parts that are increasingly anxious and angry. We are rapidly losing our sense of what it means to be a fully integrated, fully alive human being that works toward healthy relationships and community. And we can either continue down this hateful and antagonistic trajectory, feeding the beast until it consumes our souls and we devolve into utter chaos, or we can draw a line in the sand and resolve to fight for our hearts and take back our humanity, finding a different, more life-giving way forward in the process.

But it has to begin with each one of us.

For there is no remedying the whole until the parts themselves find wholeness.

As a people, we have this mistaken idea that our help and our change can only come from on high… from elected officials, governments, courts, social organizations, political action groups, and so on.

But every wisdom tradition I have ever studied teaches us that our communities only change when we change individually. Our communities only find health when we find health individually. Our communities only become just, merciful, forgiving when we become just, merciful, and forgiving individually. And our communities only become whole and healed when we become whole and healed ourselves.

Jesus said that even a little yeast will permeate the entire batch of dough.

It is always the transformation of the smallest part that leads to the transformation of the whole.

While I grieve for those affected by the virus, I believe this season of loss is giving us an opportunity to look inward and evaluate ourselves.

We have never been more naked and exposed and vulnerable in our lifetime than right now. And we have been given an opportunity to honestly look inward, see ourselves, and rediscover our inherent goodness and our shared humanity, but what are we doing with this time?

On Easter morning of 2014, the guys and I sat in a circle on large rocks next to the Colorado River in the heart of the Grand Canyon and watched the sunrise. I unwrapped the foil that had preserved the homemade honey-molasses communion bread I had baked before the trip. While aching and feeling the loss of not being with my family to celebrate the day, I prayed with my brothers, broke the bread, and savored one of the most life-giving and holy Easter moments I have ever experienced.

Life is difficult and many times feels like profound loss, but we always have the opportunity to embrace the moment and look-inwardly. For it is only in this place where we can recover that which is life-giving and holy.

Brandon Andress of Columbus is a former local church leader, a Christian book author, a current iTunes podcast speaker and a contributor to the online Outside the Walls blog. His latest book is “Beauty in the Wreckage: Finding Peace in the Age of Outrage.” He can be reached at his website, brandonandress.com. All opinions expressed are those of the writer.

What insect is this?

By
Staff Reports
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Dear Car Talk:

My 30-year career as an agricultural biologist would have been a lot shorter if I had not spent so much time correcting the public’s insect misidentifications. Your reader, David, who had trouble with fruit flies in his truck should first get an honest-to-goodness ID on the insect.

My guess is that David has fungus flies, drain flies, gnats or another common feeder of general decaying material. Therefore, they could be living in the carpet of a leaky trunk or roof lining, mildewing air conditioner vent, the leaves packed in the doorjamb, etc.

Hope this is helpful. Thanks for all the great advice and laughs over the years!

— Ann

Very helpful, Ann.

My late brother Tom used to quote Charles Kettering, who was once the head of research at GM. Kettering often said, “You guys are going to sell THIS?” Actually, Kettering famously said, “A problem well-defined is a problem half-solved.” Which is pretty smart. And true.

And you would think that someone like me, who has spent most of his adult life asking people if it’s “more of a thunk, a clunk or a clank,” would have stopped to question the reader’s insect diagnosis. The question is, How does the average person find an agricultural biologist to make a positive identification of a fruit fly? Do you just watch “CSI: Kitchen Garbage Can,” and hope they repeat the fruit fly episode?

Actually, some counties have agricultural commissioners or cooperative extension services. Start there, if you have one. If not, your state might have entomologists if they have mosquito abatement programs or other invasive insect related programs. Or try a nearby college and see if you can get some help. In my experience, professors often love a chance to actually be useful once in a while. As long as you don’t ask them too often.

The easiest way to do all this is with a photograph, if you can get one. If you capture a few of the invaders in any kind of container and just leave it sealed for a few days, you will then have a … um … non-moving example of the species that you can photograph. Trying emailing that to your local agricultural experts (or a far-away expert, since it’s email anyway), and ask for help identifying the species and suggestions on how to get rid of it. Tell them Ann sent you.

Dear Car Talk:

I own a 1998 Cadillac Eldorado with a V8, 32-valve Northstar engine. It’s in pristine condition and has only 48,000 miles. While driving back home to Asheville, N.C., from Atlanta my Eldorado’s coolant light came on. I stopped to add coolant and went on my way. The car never did overheat or get hot.

When back home, I took the car to my mechanic, and by virtue of a chemical test, he said the car needed a head gasket overhaul and new head bolts. He said it was very complicated.

I also took the car to the local Cadillac dealership, who are very nice. They said that a gasket overhaul might solve the problem, but they have seen additional issues with the engine timing. They recommend installing a brand new engine instead.

I’m sure all of this work will cost more than the car is worth. Your thoughts on this would be appreciated.

— Walter

Are you sitting down, Walter? That’s a silly question. I’m sure both your mechanic and your dealer already sat you down to deliver their news, and you’ve probably been sitting with your head in your hands ever since.

This is not good, Walter. The problem is it’s hard to know exactly what’s wrong. Your mechanic did a chemical test, which looks for the presence of exhaust gasses in your coolant. If your engine is working correctly, those two substances never mix. If they’re found together, they’re either mixing through a broken head gasket, or worse — through a crack in the head or a crack in the engine block.

So you could pay your mechanic $4,000 to replace your head gaskets and then find out what you really needed was a whole new engine. And then you’re out another $10,000.

Alternatively, Walter, if you drop 10 grand on a remanufactured engine, you’ll still have a 22-year-old transmission, a 22-year-old suspension system and 22-year-old everything else. That’s a pretty risky bet. So taking that $10,000 and putting it toward a newer, two- or three-year-old car probably makes more sense at this point.

You obviously like a luxurious ride. So you might look at something like a recent vintage Chrysler 300, a Cadillac CT6 or even something like a Toyota Avalon or Lexus ES350. The advantages of a newer car, especially if you buy a certified pre-owned car from a dealer, is that you’ll get a solid warranty with it.

You also can choose a car with up-to-date safety features, like automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning and lane keeping assist. All great stuff that even the best running 1998 Eldorado will never have. And given the amount of driving you do (48,000 miles in 22 years), a two- or three-year-old car will likely set you up for the next 20 years.

If you’re absolutely in love with this old Eldorado and are vehemently opposed to replacing it, you can roll the dice on the head gasket job or bite the bullet and put in a new engine. And then hope nothing else fails for a while. But if you can afford to upgrade, I think the stars just aligned to give you the perfect excuse to go car shopping. Good luck, Walter.

Got a question about cars? Write to Ray in care of King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or email by visiting the Car Talk website at www.cartalk.com. Send comments to editorial@therepublic.com.

Virus impact: Hope Town Square project delayed by COVID-19 complications

By
Mark Webber
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A new concrete walkway has been installed at the gazebo as part of the renovations to the Hope Town Square in Hope, Ind., Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

HOPE — A contractor handling the $437,500 renovation of Hope’s Town Square says COVID-19 has affected his supply chain and hampered the company’s ability to meet the town’s deadlines for the project.

Town council members, who had initially complained about the pace of the work on the town square, now say they have a much better understanding of COVID-19 is hurting not just the town square project, but business in general.

Improvements in Hope include replacing 43 existing streetlights with black posts and globes that utilize LED lights. Within the town square, concrete pathways that conform to the Americans with Disabilities Act will be installed. Other new amenities include new park benches and receptacles both in the square and in the surrounding business area.

After submitting the winning bid for the town square project in February, Tom Poole, president of the Poole Group, Inc. of Dillsboro, assured town board members that his crews would start working on the job by June 14.

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But after that date came and went, weeks went by when neither town officials nor project consultants were contacted. Since the start date was not part of the written contract, there was no legal action that could be taken, consultant Steve Robertson told the council.

Poole agreed to meet with a few officials to ensure them his crews would begin work by July 20. And when additional delays forced him to push back the completion date from Sept. 4 to Oct. 9, Poole traveled 54 miles to give the town council a full explanation.

Since its founding in 1993, the Poole Group had completed more than $6 million of contract work, and transitioned into a general contracting and masonry firm that employs 25 people year round. But due to the COVID-19 virus, delays and late starts began to start rapidly popping up in March, Poole said.

“It just kept coming back and biting everybody,” Poole said. “We have our crews between six to eight men. But then, we had to go down to three or four, so if somebody got sick, we’d only have two or three guys quarantined or sick.”

Another issue surfaced when a subcontractor asked to work second shift, because they don’t want their guys mixing with the Poole Group employees. While Poole said he felt the same way about the subcontractor, the lack of communication did slow things down a bit, he said.

It wasn’t just happening in Hope. Poole said he found himself encountering a myriad of supply chain obstacles in all of his contracts.

After obtaining aluminum for door or window frames, the glass manufacturer was delaying their shipments due to the virus. Another problem was that while new doorknobs were available, two required pins manufactured by a small shop was closed for nearly five weeks, he said.

COVID-19 also hit the Dillsboro business itself. Initially, nobody at the Poole Group was allowed to work for three weeks under orders of Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb in March.

“Later, the state called and wanted us to put four other guys in quarantine,” Poole said.

Apparently, those four attended a party where one person was later tested positive for the virus. While none of the four employees caught the virus, Poole said a masonry superintendent did test positive for the disease.

Recently, a subcontractor told Poole it’s not economically feasible to send a concrete truck to Bartholomew County unless they could also pour concrete on another local project that was experiencing its own virus-related delays, he said.

And then, there were other adjustments. While a number of suppliers had representatives working from home while manufacturing staff made product at the plant, Poole said the sales force was initially unaware of dwindling inventory caused by workforce reductions, he said.

“While the sales staff kept selling, the company was not delivering,” Poole said.

Poole said a sales representative assured him an order of bricks would be shipped to him on Aug. 11. But just hours before the bricks were supposed to arrive, the representative called to say there would be an additional five-week delay, he said.

Poole said he is still dealing with suppliers that are only maintaining a minimal staff.

“Right now, everybody is kind of at the mercy of subcontractors and suppliers,” Poole said.

Delays are still possible in obtaining handrails, as well as inserts for coverings of expansion joints, he said. In addition, he’s not sure when an Evansville contractor hired by Duke Energy to pull out old light poles will arrive in town.

The virus has hit some companies harder than others, and supply chain disruptions were more commonplace earlier in the year, according to Cindy Frey, president of the Columbus area Chamber of Commerce.

“Earlier this year, we heard some manufacturers say they had orders, but couldn’t quite get all the parts,” Frey said. “But even though they had some short term shut downs, those manufacturers have rebounded pretty well.”

There are so many stories about different types of hard-hit businesses that the chamber worries about their survival, Frey said. Her organization has recently begun hearing from a few members who says they can’t afford to pay their dues because their business is so hard hit, she said.

“We still remain very concerned about hospitality, hotels, retail, restaurants, entertainment and health clubs,” Frey said.

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People of Faith: New Sandy Hook pastor passionate as a teacher and equipper

By
Brian Blair
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Paul Dazet is the new pastor of Sandy Hook United Methodist Church. He is pictured in the sanctuary at Sandy Hook United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

Editor’s note: People of Faith is an occasional question and answer series highlighting leaders and others among the diverse faiths and houses of worship in Bartholomew County.

One cannot miss the books on every shelf imaginable in the office of Pastor Paul Dazet — a man who has read more than 200 titles this calendar year alone.

The new pastor at Sandy Hook United Methodist Church in Columbus truly avoids such details in most conversations because he worries it can sound boastful, un-Christian, to an unassuming fellow who seems largely unimpressed with himself.

“I’m telling you only because you specifically asked,” Dazet said.

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Dazet’s reading and listening to authors such as Henri Nouwen and Eugene Peterson like a man running out of time; making notecards of most of the volumes he finishes only because of his fire as one knowledgeably pointing to one greater than himself.

“It’s about retention — retention for sermons, retention for general learning,” he said of his voracious spiritual and intellectual insight. “I’m very passionate about teaching, and training people and equipping people.”

Dazet is so passionate, in fact, that every Sunday, he ignores the fact that this lungs, damaged with fibrosis from lymphoma treatment 12 years ago, operate at only 53% capacity. And, after two services of speaking of God’s love and mercy under such a challenge, he must nap extensively each Sunday afternoon to recharge.

“We all suffer in some way,” he said.

But he must speak, guide and encourage, reminding people that Jesus was vulnerable, relatable and touchable.

“If he were Superman coming down here to earth, we would have no means to be able to relate to him,” Dazet said. “…But the comment I get so often is, ‘Well, we’re just sinners.’ And there’s a truth to that. But we are meant for so much more.”

He left the business world of corporate training for the ministry nearly 20 years ago with a drastically different leadership perspective than today.

“Back then, it was about the numbers (of people attending) and how big of a church I could grow,” he said. “I adapted to all that rather quickly. But, over time and specifically through cancer, I lost the desire for all that. And then I just wanted to be faithful.”

He recently sat in his office at the church at 1610 Taylor Road and answered a few questions.

How do you look at people, including those who perhaps may have been harsh or mean to you at some point in life?

“Every person on the planet bears the fingerprint of God…even though we’re all broken. Behind all our mess and all our sin, there is good there. That fingerprint of God is there, though we might not always be able to easily see it very clearly. You know, there’s a reason why people are the way that they are. And sometimes they are acting out of a wound that hasn’t been healed. I choose to have Jesus as my healer.”

You frequently have said ‘I am just me.’ What does that mean?

“If I am the same person at home if you were to knock on my door as I am in the office as I am in the pulpit, then there is no need for me to ever put on a different hat to go somewhere. I am just Paul, and there is something very freeing about that. You can choose to love me or to hate me, but I am just being honest and being myself. That’s a sense of integrity.”

Do you have something of a central message or theme that you often refer to?

“I talk about the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven a lot. In the Lord’s prayer, it says “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” I substitute the phrase “in Columbus as it is in heaven.” I have t-shirts over there with that phrase on them. We should be praying that God’s will in heaven — no more tears, no more death, no more pain — should begin to show up in some way right where we live.

“Here in Columbus, we should begin to see pieces of heaven show up, if we do our part. There should be less pain, fewer hungry people.”

What was one significant way that God worked through you in Muncie when you were ministering there before coming here?

“We did what a lot of churches do — it’s nothing new — we would gather and pray together on Sunday morning, and then go out in various ways and serve our community. Sometimes, you have to help people love others amid an outreach so they can then love people in everyday life at work and at school. And I think it eventually made a big difference in the lives of people.”

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”About the pastor” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Age: 51.

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio.

Ordained: In the Nazarene church.

Current position: New pastor at Sandy Hook United Methodist Church in Columbus.

Past position: Lead pastor at South Side Church of the Nazarene in Muncie.

Family: Wife Stacy and children Rebecca Milne, the new pastor at Petersville United Methodist Church locally, Jacob and Micah.

A night out with his spouse: Might include dinner and bookstores.

The reader is a writer: And a pretty polished one at that. Some of his musings are available at pauldazet.com

What’s in his Facebook posts: A lot of coffee, a lot of wisdom from Christian writers of depth, a lot of Christian singer TobyMac quotes — and a warning for Christians to avoid nationalism in exchange for a commitment to Christ that embraces all nations and nationalities.

Socially aware on Twitter: "It is not either/or. Black lives and blue lives matter."

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BCSC reports three new COVID-19 cases this week

By
Jana Wiersema
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The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. administration building located on Central Avenue in Columbus is pictured on May 24, 2016. The Republic file photo The Republic file photo

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. is reporting three new COVID-19 cases this week.

Since school reopened on Aug. 10, BCSC has reported a total of 25 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases

Superintendent Jim Roberts said that of this number, 16 are students and nine are staff members. Out of the student cases, 10 were enrolled in remote learning.

Five of the cases have come from Columbus East High School. Four are from Richards Elementary. The administration building, Clifty Creek Elementary, Columbus Signature Academy New Tech, Mt. Healthy Elementary and Columbus North High School have each had two cases. The following buildings have had one case each: Busy Bees Academy, Central Middle School, Columbus Signature Academy Fodrea, Parkside Elementary, Smith Elementary and Southside Elementary.

Roberts said that a total of 395 close contacts have been identified due to both internal and external exposure to positive test cases.

In-person learning will continue for BCSC next week, per the latest update on community spread from the COVID-19 Community Task Force.

For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.

Employee restroom to be added to parking garage

By
Jana Wiersema
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Columbus has chosen Repp & Mundt to build an employee restroom in the Second Street parking garage.

On Monday, the Columbus Redevelopment Commission approved a resolution to engage the company’s services for the project. Redevelopment director Heather Pope said that their bid came in at $64,334.

“What seemed to be a simple request … turned into a lot more than that when we found out that the garage was not even plumbed for a restroom facility,” she said. “So that’s why you’re seeing a larger price tag on the installation of a restroom, it’s because we have to dig up concrete, connect to the sewer line and just run all that infrastructure that’s associated with a restroom.”

Harold Lockhart of REI, who is the on-site garage manager, said that it will take about 30 to 60 days to get the state permit for the project. He said that once the state permit is approved, the project could be done by January or early next spring, depending on if there is bad weather or if other obstacles arise.

City recommends riverfront liquor license for Yats

By
Jana Wiersema
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The Columbus Redevelopment Commission is sending forward Kaza Ventures LLC’s request for a riverfront liquor license at Yats.

The company purchased the restaurant, located on 325 Fourth St., from the Kays family. Redevelopment director Heather Pope said that the Kays family is relinquishing its license. Since riverfront liquor licenses are tied to both location and individuals, the license could not be transferred over to the new owner, hence the new application by Kaza Ventures LLC.

Pope said that the redevelopment commission’s approval is the first step in the applicant’s request for the license. The redevelopment commission will then recommend that Mayor Jim Lienhoop provide a letter of recommendation for the applicant to attach to their riverfront liquor license application to the state Alcohol and Tobacco Commission.

Pope said that Kaza Ventures LLC owns Yats locations in Noblesville and Muncie. She also said that the company does not plan to change the restaurant much and will instead be “building on the Kays family foundation.”

Ribbon cutting planned for overpass project

By
Jana Wiersema
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This drone photo from Milestone and INDOT shows progress on the railroad overpass project underway on Columbus' west side. Submitted photo

Columbus will have a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new railroad overpass on the city’s west side at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

City engineer Dave Hayward said the ceremony will be held in the parking lot of Columbus Veterinary Services at 240 Jonesville Road, Columbus.

The $35 million overpass project is “basically complete,” Hayward said, with contractors finishing a few minor details, including some landscaping.

Hayward said previously that the city would go out for landscaping bids in January and that the work could be finished early spring or summer or possibly late next year.

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Milestone Contractors was the Indiana Department of Transportation contractor on the project, which began with a groundbreaking ceremony last November.

The overpass project that is being jointly funded by the Indiana Department of Transportation, city of Columbus, Bartholomew County, Cummins Inc. and the Louisville & Indiana and CSX railroads.

The overpass project was developed in response to a projected increase in railroad traffic on the Louisville & Indiana Railroad tracks. INDOT agreed to pick up half of the total cost, while the city, along with other partners, picked up the half of the tab.

The city has partnered with Cummins, Bartholomew County and the Louisville & Indiana and CSX Railroads to defray around half of the local funding requirements in the interlocal agreement, city officials said.

The railroad has leased its tracks running through Columbus to CSX, which is expected to result in an increase in train traffic, train speed and delays at intersections involving rail crossings through the city, with the State Road 46/State Road 11 intersection expected to have the most delayed local traffic.

Approximately 31,200 tons of new asphalt and 4,600 tons of recycled asphalt will be used for the project, and about 460,000 cubic yards of dirt will be poured at the site — equaling around 50,000 truckloads, said Mark Thompson, vice president of Milestone Contractors, in a previous interview.

Currently, 40,000 motorists cross the railroad tracks at this intersection daily. To put it in perspective, an estimated 45,000 people live in Columbus, and 80,000 individuals live in Bartholomew County.

Task force moves Columbus to Stage 5 of reopening plan, says trick-or-treating is up to individual choice

By
Andy East
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Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop along with officials from Columbus Regional Health, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp., and Bartholomew County government hold a press conference to announce recommendations by the Columbus and Bartholomew County COVID-19 Community Task Force at Columbus City Hall in Columbus, Ind., Friday, March 13, 2020. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The COVID-19 Community Task Force on Friday “cautiously” recommended that Bartholomew County move into Stage Five of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s  plan to reopen the state.

The move, which will take effect Saturday and continues through at least Oct. 17, lifts capacity restrictions at restaurants, bars and night clubs as long as all customers are seated and social distancing of at least 6 feet is observed between non-household members, according to the revised text of Holcomb’s plan.

Additionally, gyms, fitness centers and workout facilities can resume normal operations, but face coverings and social distancing are required.

Stage Five also removes size limitations for social gatherings and meetings, though people seeking to hold events with more than 500 people must submit a written plan to their local health department at least two weeks in advance of the event, according to Stage 5 of the plan.

Holcomb’s mask mandate also will remain in effect through at least Oct. 17, requiring anyone 8 years or older to wear masks or face coverings in indoor public spaces, commercial entities and on public transportation, as well as when outdoors and without the ability to maintain 6 feet of physical distance with others.

The task force, which was formed in February, includes representatives from Columbus Regional Health, the Columbus mayor’s office, Bartholomew County Health Department, Bartholomew County Emergency Management, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. and Cummins Inc.

The task force also discussed how Halloween would proceed this year after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidance earlier this week advising people to avoid traditional trick-or-treating, hayrides or tractor rides among people not living in the same household and also to avoid indoor costume parties.

The CDC also has recommended against “trunk-or-treating” where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots, traveling to rural fall festivals or going to an indoor haunted house where people may be close together and screaming.

After Friday’s task force meeting, city officials said they and the task force believe that trick-or-treating can be done safely in Columbus this year and have set trick-or-treating hours of 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31, said Mary Ferdon, the city’s executive director of administration and community development.

“We believe that trick-or-treating can continue safely,” Ferdon said. “It’s one of those activities where people have a choice. Parents can allow their children to trick or treat, and people can choose whether or not they want to participate.”

“We’re not encouraging that people follow (the CDC’s guidance) or not follow,” Ferdon added later in the interview. “We’re just saying that we believe that trick or treating can happen here (safely), and we will always provide the same law enforcement support that we do.”

For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.

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