300 East Wayne Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
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firstwaynestreet@fwsumc.org

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Posts by Rev. Cheryl Garbe

Pastor Cheryl to retire from ministry June 30

It is with both excitement and also bittersweet thoughts that I have decided to retire from full-time ministry effective July 1, 2020, to move closer to our son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter Parker, who live outside New Albany, Indiana. First Wayne Street has felt like the perfect congregation — kind, nurturing, supportive, and willing to try…

A Season of Celebration

“Can I be a Christian on my own, or do I have to join a church?” The Rev. Michael Lindvall raised that question in his book, “A Geography of God.” How would you respond?  On the one hand, the answer is yes.  One can be a Christian without being a member of a church or…

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‘The Measure You Give’

“A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over…” Some cooks add a pinch of this and a handful of that. My mother would measure a teaspoon of salt by cupping her hand and pouring a bit into the small indentation in her palm … close enough! Other cooks measure with precision accuracy. My husband would chuckle watching me bend down to…

Town hall to address UMC, LGBT debate

Friends of First Wayne Street UMC, Some of you have had questions about “what is currently going on in The United Methodist Church?” as it wrestles with the church’s stance on marriage, ordination and  sexual orientation.   Below is an update from Rev. Adam Hamilton that he shared with the congregation at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas.  You may find…

Create a lasting legacy with estate gifts

Have you ever considered what kind of a legacy you will leave behind after you are gone?  A number of faithful Christians have chosen to remember the First Wayne Street United Methodist Foundation in their estate planning and their gifts may create inspiration and ideas for you as well. In addition to gifts to the First Wayne Street UMC General Foundation Fund,…

Life at the Table hosts soft launch

With great excitement, First Wayne Street UMC kicked off the first “Life at the Table” (a dinner church experience)—as we welcomed 17 folks for a time of fellowship, great food and discussion over the meal.  We met new folks and heard about how Jesus called Matthew, the tax collector, to follow him—and then had dinner…

Dinner Is Served

It has been said that when we read about Jesus, he is either on his way to a meal, attending a meal, or just leaving a meal. Jesus was always engaging people in relationship — and what better way than over food? The early church communities gathered in homes and generally a meal was part of that experience as…

The Power of Resurrection

Did you know that “Easter” is not just one Sunday?  While churches around the world may have celebrated the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, April 21, the Easter season extends all through May until Pentecost Sunday, June 9!   Easter is not just about what happened on that one day.  But what…

Opening Our Eyes to Injustice

This article was originally published in The Journal Gazette. Once when I was a student at Louisville Seminary, one of my classes was canceled and the only substitute that fit my schedule was “Feminist Interpretation of the Bible.” It was not a class I had ever intended to take – who, me, a feminist? –…