Spratt United Methodist Church

We would like to welcome you to the Spratt area. Our church, through the grace of God, strives to be a caring, welcoming community of faith with a Bible-based foundation, a local mission orientation, and priority of teaching and preaching and living the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Spratt is a rural farm community comprising agriculture workers, blue collar workers and retirees with middle to low income. Children attend school in the Alpena school district. Our small community is actually like a family. The area is also a summer resort community of all incomes and life styles. Our church can be described as giving and caring, warm and friendly and having continual teamwork.

Spratt UMC has a present but growing membership of 56 persons with an average Sunday attendance of 44 and Sunday school attendance of 19.

As part of our outreach and mission opportunities, we provide benefit dinners, funeral dinners, fruit baskets to welcome new families or elderly or shut-ins, health kits for the Salvation Army, quilts for fire victims, blankets for newborns, fellowship dinners, a special "Church in the Woods"service and many filling of needs quietly done and not recognized.

This is the last update I will be writing to you before I retire from my service at Hillman and Spratt UMCs on June 22, 2008. Service at Spratt has been a true joy. I find that the community of faith lives out the true meaning of "Love God and love your neighbor". Thinking of the other person is always first in whatever is being decided and whatever action is taken.

You have been a constant source of encouragement to me as you have prayerfully listened to my sermons, come to my study classes, tried out such events as Blessing of the Animals and Reaffirmation of Baptism. Just like Jesus, you have always been ready for a party and all it takes is the reception of a couple of new members and the party is on! While prayer and worship is of prime importance at Spratt, fellowship reigns over all and compassion and "hugs" are the signature images of this congregation.

It will be hard to leave and I'm taking within my heart many friends. Keep in touch! I use email (karen-mars@att.net) and I love to talk on the phone (231-929-0800). And then there is always Christmas Cards! The new address is 3000 Arborvitae Dr. #27, Traverse City, MI 49684.

AND NOW -- LET'S GET READY TO WELCOME REV. DONALD DERBY. Rev. Don and his wife Carol will arrive at the parsonage on June 26th to start moving in. Rev. Don will start his duties at the charge on July 1, 2008. Carol has indicated that she hopes to find a job up here and we wish her the best as she starts her round of interviews. Don has indicated that he is very excited about starting up here. He's a very friendly, upbeat guy and looks like he will be very easy to get to know. His previous career before being called to the ministry was as a Sales Rep. Don and Carol have 3 grown children and some grandkids.

The confirmation 6 week class finished and we had a celebration on Mother's Day where we welcomed 4 new members into our church. Chantale LaCombe was confirmed that morning. Three others joined the church and we had our usual "party" following the service. Since that date, we've had two more members transfer to our church -- and of course we had another party. See the movie section for up-to-date slide shows on our new members.

The Men's Club put on a FINE Mother's Day Banquet for about 89 women and friends of the church. The meal was superb (the men had been cooking and preparing all afternoon). The entertainment, led by Glen Reed, included quizzes before dinner, a wonderful skit on the making of mothers, and then the presentation by the St. Anne's Bell Choir. Hanging baskets were door prizes for 15 lucky women. A wonderful evening for all. Check the movie -- the pictures are great.

We tried something different this year -- a Blessing of the Animals. Fourteen different critters and their owners showed up and we had a super service. Although Valerie Durecki hoped that I could do an exorcism of Grit, her Australian Shepherd, rather than a blessing, we hope the blessing helped. We had cats, dogs, tiny kittens and even Sadie the horse. Check the movie -- all animals posed for a picture.

The UMW had their usual very successful "No Clothes" Rummage Sale. Last word was receipts over $1500.00. Thanks to all for their hard work.

The UMW had their June meeting with the usual wonderful book study and regular meeting, but they surprised me (Pastor Karen) with a retirement party. A beautiful cake appeared and they gave me a very special wall hanging to remember the wonderful times I've had with the UMW ladies during these two years.

Spratt UMC is located in Alpena county about 15 miles sw of Alpena on M-65 just south of Werth Rd on the west side of M-65. This is about 8 miles south of the intersection of M-32 and M-65 south.(about one half mile south of the flashing light.)

Saturday June 21st Retirement Party for Pastor Karen and Don at the Spratt Fellowship Hall. Social Hour will begin at 5:00 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30. Don't miss this special chance to say a personal goodbye to Pastor Karen and/ or Don.

Sunday June 29th Deacon Rev. Karen Thompson will be coming to be the preacher at Spratt for the morning service. If you remember, she was with us in January when Pastor Karen was on vacation. She has been anxious to come back and visit us again.

In 1912, after years of worshiping in the schoolhouse and in some homes, the people of the Spratt community moved into their newly constructed church building. Winters were severe and the pastor's pay minimal. At times even travel by horse was difficult. Spratt was often without a minister and community people sometimes filled the pulpit to keep the church open.

In 1988 worship began in the present sanctuary located on M-65. The old church building was moved to the Jesse Besser Museum in Alpena where it has been restored. Church members enjoy pancake suppers, quilting afternoons, bazaars and many other activities in their new fellowship hall. The Spratt Church shares a pastor with the Hillman United Methodist Church and continues its ministry under her leadership. This spring the church began a capitol fund campaign for the building of a Sunday School addition to the church.

The space for this web site has been provided courtesy of the

General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church.

The content of these home pages is the responsibility of Spratt UMC.

For comments on, feedback or additions to, the website, contact Don Mars

General Board of Global Ministries - Detroit Annual Conference - Saginaw Bay District Office

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