In early March, Conscious Leadership
seminars for leaders in the church were held. They were facilitated by L. Cecile Adams of the Creative Coaching Center.
The BISHOP'S DAY ON EVANGELISM & STEWARDSHIP was
March 1 at
Tawas United Methodist Church.
Mike Bechtle and
David Bell
were the keynote presenters.
The DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETING was October 13 at Saginaw First UMC in Saginaw. The keynote speaker was The Rev. Jack Harnish.
The UNITED METHODIST MEN had a rally at Frankenmuth UMC on April 28.
A Youth Lay Speaking Weekend was held at Midland Aldersgate UMC on April 20-22. 14 youth attended.
An ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS CELEBRATION was held April 15 at Midland: First United Methodist Church. DAVID DEAN was the featured speaker.
A Children's Worship Festival, SONG, DANCE, CHIMES & DRAMA, was held March 10 at Midland First United Methodist Church. 8 workshops were offered. Children from 12 churches participated.
The BISHOP'S DAY ON EVANGELISM & STEWARDSHIP was March 3 at Midland First United Methodist Church. 14 workshops were offered with 233 people attending. $2,200 was collected for Nothing But Nets.
The UNITED METHODIST WOMEN had a Spiritual Enrichment Brunch at Caro UMC on February 3. The speaker was Sharon Boyce of the United Methodist Community House.
The MISSION SCHOOL OF THE NORTH was held October 17 at Gaylord United Methodist Church. The theme was Harvesting Peace.
The District MISSION CELEBRATION & ANNUAL CONFERENCE was October 14 at First United Methodist Church in Midland. The Rev. Jack Mannschreck, pastor at Big Beaver United Methodist Church in Troy was the keynote speaker. His theme was Intentional Discipleship - Empowering Leadership While Working Effectively in Ministry. In addition to Board and Council business meetings, 10 workshops were held.
The United Methodist Women had their Annual Meeting & Elected Leadership Training on October 7 at Frankenmuth UMC. The theme was: Vision + Action =Mission: Sharing Our Gifts.
The United Methodist Men had election of officers and programs on Mission, Society of St. Andrew, & Scouting at Pinconning UMC on September 30.
The 3rd Annual Leadership Renewal Retreat for leaders and workers of children and youth was held Aug 19-20, 2006 at Camp Nissokone, Oscoda, Michigan
Both the Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conferences voted "overwhelmingly" to declare their intention to merge into one Michigan Area conference. According to the Rev. Terry Euper, Clergy assistant to Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton, the ballots from both conferences were counted Monday morning, June 5, by the respective conference secretaries, Linda A. Schramm (DAC) and the Rev. Kathy Cadarette (WMC) in the Michigan Area Office under Euper's supervision.
The results of the vote are:
Detroit: Yes, 770; No, 110; Abstentions, 6.
West Michigan: 568 Yes, 157 No, Abstentions, 2.
(Voting percentages: 87% in the DAC; 78% in the WMC.)
As a result of this vote, Resolution #5 in DAC and Petition #1 in WMC, have been approved. In accordance with the decision Bishop Keaton will be appointing the Transition Team to carry out the work outlined in the legislation printed below.
The Michigan Area Cooperation Task Force moves [that the Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conferences declare their] intention to create a new annual conference in the Michigan Area. We believe this strategic change will allow the Michigan Area to better fulfill its mission of strengthening the local church for the purpose of 'making disciples of Jesus Christ' for the transformation of the world. Further, we request that the Bishop of the Michigan Area appoint a Transition Team who will assist the bishop in designing the new Michigan Area annual conference. The Transition Team will report at the 2007 sessions of the DAC/WMAC, with a final vote of affirmation by June 15, 2008.
A Youth Lay Speaking Weekend was held at Auburn UMC on April 28-30. View pictures of the weekend.
This spring there were 30 participants in a 12 week Dale Carnegie Training session at Aldersgate UMC, Midland. A writeup of the program appeared in the September 2006 Michigan Christian Advocate.
UNITED METHODIST MEN had a Rally April 8 at St. Luke's UMC, Essexville.
An activity of the Frankenmuth UMC is highlighted in the
March-April 2006 issue of Interpreter and Interpreter OnLine. The story - part
of the "It Worked for Us" department - tells how the church incorporates
FIRST Lego League International competition in its children's ministry.
"Robotics team achieves success with focus on God"
A Children's Worship Festival was held March 18 at State Street UMC in Saginaw. Jan Sutherland was the Choir/Chime Director.
A Service of Celebration and Commitment to Lay Speaking was held February 26 at Jefferson Ave UMC, Saginaw. Recognized were 10 people who completed the Basic Class and 22 people who completed advanced classed in Story Telling and Heritage. Sally Brozzo gave the meditation.
Leadership Training Day 2006 was held February 11 at Midland First UMC. Fifteen workshops were offered. District Superintendent Louise Ott was the keynote speaker.