Dear Friends,

            On Saturday, November 3rd, nearly 75 people gathered in the Fellowship Hall of Ann Arbor’s West Side Church to celebrate the “Mission Celebration Brunch”. The weather was delightful and spirits were soaring after we heard from Diane Griffin, Diaconal Minister and Director of Educational Ministries at Howell First, The Reverend Doctor Joe Perez, retired pastor and former staff of the General Board of Global Ministries and The Reverend Jeff Nelson from Birmingham First share their stories about their love of Christ, their passion for the mission of the Church, and how our work in our own faith communities can shape the ministries of United Methodist missionaries here in Michigan, throughout the United States and around the world.

            This “Musings” is another reminder to you, as a leader in your church and the Ann Arbor District, of our “Mission Celebration ”that will take place next April 10-13. Each church is being asked to forward its Congregational Profile for Mission Celebration to Curtis Bartz at 21800 Morley  Dearborn, Michigan 48124 as soon as possible… if not sooner. This will greatly aid our efforts to match missionaries and congregations, as will letters that will be forthcoming to your church. Please also bear in mind that it is hoped that each church will have several missionaries address a variety of settings in their church: worship, Disciple or other Bible study or small group, women’s or men’s group, youth group, or a committee that might meet during this four day event. As previously noted, it is expected that an offering will be taken each time a missionary speaks… and this offering will not go to that missionary, but will be used to further support the global missionaries of our Church.  The purpose for Mission Celebration, of course, is to increase our congregations’ awareness of, appreciation for and support of the worldwide mission of our United Methodist Church and our partnership with these people of faith.
We will also learn of the vast array of ministries made possible through your church’s faithful giving through apportionments, Ministry Jubilee and Advance Specials.

            This “Musings” piece is also to serve as a reminder to each of you to please place Saturday, April 12, 2008 on your calendar. The Mission Celebration Banquet will be held at the Washtenaw County Community College Campus across from St. Joseph Hospital (you can enter off either Huron River Drive or Clark). A delicious meal and program are planned for this program that is scheduled from  :    until  :    p.m. You will receive more information about this Banquet in a separate mailing, but you are asked to please place this date on your calendar now… and make your plans to attend. This will also give congregational leadership and pastors an opportunity to meet your missionary who will be with you in worship the next morning.

            Guess I’ll close for now. Please carefully and prayerfully bear in mind that it is hoped… and expected… that each of the 65 congregations on the Ann Arbor District will participate in the Mission Celebration scheduled for April 10-13, 2008. It can make a very significant difference in your church’s ministry and will not “cost” your church… but will likely reinvigorate your ministry. Come with an open heart and mind, allow God’s transforming spirit to blow through you and around you… for the sake of making disciples of Christ… in order to transform the world. May it be so. For you. For all.

Shalom,

Tom Macaulay
District Superintendent