April, 2001
Keeping Members and Friends Informed
Promoting Fellowship
Contributing
to Spiritual Growth
What can I do?
Bob Wangen, Finance Chairman
As you should all know from presentations to the congregation and the
Administrative Council, we are entering a very tight year with a deficit
budget. Many members of the congregation have asked what they could do as
individual members of the church to help relieve our financial
situation.
The position of the Finance Committee has been to increase revenue rather
than cutting program costs. However, it is only prudent to reduce spending
as much as possible. If you serve on a committee or commission, reduce
discretionary spending as much as possible, and delay expenses until late
in the year when we hope to be in a better financial position. In programs
such as education, music, and worship, making minimal purchases of curriculum
materials, new music, and bulletin covers may do this. As individuals we
can ALL do a better job of turning off lights and closing windows when we
finish an activity.
The best way to increase revenue is to increase the membership of the church.
If we are truly Disciples of Christ we should be doing this anyway. Invite
a friend to join you for Sunday worship or other church activity. If you
notice that a current member has not been attending, take the personal
responsibility to contact them and tell them they have been
missed.
The Bible says, "We must run with determination the race that has been set
before us." We have a great race in front of us. The outcome of this race
is a financially sound church, active in the community and spreading the
word of God, or a grand old building with closed doors and boarded up windows.
Our determination must be to win this race, for the stakes of losing are
high and losing is not an option. Let's all run together in this
race.
Pastor's Pen
Last week I attended the initial convocation of JustPeace, a new initiative
of the United Methodist Church. JustPeace is the United Methodist "Center
for Mediation and Conflict Transformation." Rev. Bob Roth, of the Lansing
District Shalom Center, also attended.
JustPeace has grown out of the vision of several Bishops, including our former
Bishop, Donald Ott, based on the amount of conflict in the church, both at
the national level and in individual local churches. The vision for JustPeace
is that participants in the JustPeace movement would gain conflict transformation
skills for use at every level of life, from national church issues to local
church conflict, and that some churches would go on to become JustPeace Centers
- service centers for the transformation of conflict existing in church,
family and community.
As we go through Lent, let us recall that conflict is a reality of life.
Almost all of us try to avoid it. But the key for all of us to learn is to
transform it into winning situations for everyone. Of course the only reason
that is possible at all is because of the saving love of God as revealed
in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without Christ as the model and center
of our lives, conflict cannot be transformed, and will always and only become
destructive.
As we look forward to Easter Sunday, let us remember the victory and vindication
of Jesus Christ!
John Boley
Shalom Center event
The Shalom Center announces an event at University United Methodist Church
the morning of April 28 beginning at 9:00 a.m., titled, The Prison Crisis
in Michigan: The Culture of Violence and the Christian
Antidote.
Transitions
Long-time member Marie Wright died in Lexington, KY, on March 14,
2001.
Bernie Cairns, passed on to be with the Lord, March 8, 2001, in Hastings,
MI.
Our condolences to family and friends.
Thank you…
Thanks be to God for you, my church family. Your ministry to me through your
prayers, greetings, visits and flowers during my recent mishap was a rich
blessing and continues to sustain me as I recover.
Mary L. Yard
Spaghetti Dinner a stringy success!
$1100 raised for the church budget!
Many thanks to all those hard workers whose efforts contributed to the successful
outcome of the Music Committee's spaghetti dinner fundraiser. Your great
sense of teamwork allowed it all to happen, with fun, success, esprit de
corp, a sense of common purpose, and superlative food: Diane Boley. Kate
DePriest, Kathy McLaren, Jerry Polakis, Leora Stutes, Caryn Welter, The Music
Committee.
Babysitter wanted
Lynette Massie (332-6291) is looking for an "on-call" babysitter for her
5-year-old-son.
Finance Committee to conduct "Run With Determination" 5-K Run May
19
The Finance Committee will be conducting two fundraising events this year;
a Church-wide Garage Sale, and a 5-kilometer run. The date for the Garage
Sale is still to be set.
The run is called, "Run With Determination" because, as it says in the Bible,
"We will run with determination the race that is set before us." If you wish
to volunteer to help with the "Run With Determination" or have any questions
for the Finance Committee, contact Bob Wangen at 669-8433 or at
wangenrb@grtlaketng.com.
What goes around comes around….
His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying
to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby
bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in
black muck, was a terrified boy screaming and struggling to free himself.
farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying
death.
The next day a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings.
An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father
of the boy farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you," said the nobleman.
"You saved my son's life."
"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied,
waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door
of the family hovel.
"Is that your son?" the nobleman asked. "Yes," the farmer replied
proudly.
"I'll make you a deal. Let me take him and give him a good education. If
the lad is anything like his father, he'll grow to a man you can be proud
of." And that he did. In time, farmer Fleming's son graduated from St. Mary's
Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout
the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of
Penicillin.
Years later, the nobleman's son was stricken with pneumonia. What saved him?
Penicillin. The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's
name? Sir Winston Churchill.
The message: What goes around comes around. Don't miss the opportunities
to share Christ's love with those you meet. You don't know who they are or
what the future holds.
(Reprinted with permission from PrimeTimers)
"MAY DAY" EVENT TO BE A FASHIONABLE AFFAIR
Fashions through "The Central Years" will be the theme of the May Day event
to be held Saturday, May 5, at 11:00 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church.
The event calls for members of the congregation to model fashions popular
during Central's over one hundred year history. A luncheon will
follow.
David Mills, chairman of Partnership for Preservation, and John Boley, minister
to Central's congregation, will speak.
This annual event is sponsored by Partnership for Preservation, whose mission
is to develop a fund dedicated to maintaining and preserving the structural
integrity of the Central United Methodist Church Sanctuary building and adjoining
Temple House, for the purpose of providing a location for religious, cultural,
recreational and community service to the city.
Lost and Found
Gloves: One pair of lady's (navy); single: lady's pink, child's
orange
Shirts: Black Adidas sweatshirt – L; Child's white dress shirt (S 7-8);
Child's pink decorated
Mountain Dew Shirt – L
Child's Red fleece vest
Lady's print smock
Man's black/teal jacket
Beige slacks
Necklaces: black beaded; silver/stone
Bag of Towels, etc.
Book – "101 Pet Jokes"
Plastic handcuffs
Eyeglasses – brown
Coffee mug
Small denim coin purse
Orange bow barrette
(After April 20 these articles will be donated to a charitable
cause.)
New Members – Oops !
In the March issue of the Central Journal it was incorrectly reported that
new member Claudia McLellan worked at Ingham Regional Medical Center. Claudia
and her husband Tom operate McLellan and Company, Inc., a medical case management
service.
Tom and Claudia have two children: Alicia Cousineau, also a new member and
a junior in Social Science at MSU, and Jonathon, an eighth grader at Haslett
Middle school. It had been incorrectly reported that Jonathon was Alicia's
son.
We are sorry for the errors.
Fun, games and food for Central Young Adults Saturday, April 21, 5
p.m.
Join us for a Potluck and Game Night at the home of Kimber Wilson, 2000 John
Street, Lansing. Meat, beverage and table service will be provided. Please
bring a dish to pass and any game you wish.
If you have any questions or concerns, or just need directions, please contact
Denise Kelley at 484-9109 or Kimber Wilson at 485-1268. Hope to see you on
the 21st!
Denise Kelley
Central broadcasts 2000th worship service.
David DeVinney, Broadcast Team
Sunday March 4, 2001 marked the 2000 consecutive broadcast of Sunday morning
worship on
WJIM-AM radio.
According to the Central Journal, October 4, 1962, the first live broadcast
of Central's worship service took place on Sunday, October 7, 1962. The
newsletter reported that, "a half hour of the first service will be broadcast
on WJIM starting at 10:15 a.m. This will permit our sick and shut-in members
to enjoy an anthem and to share a sermon each Sunday."
Apparently, for several months prior to this date, Central hosted a program
called, "Religion in the news," probably broadcast from the radio
station.
On October 21,1962, Laymen's Day, it is reported that Donald Marshall, District
Lay Leader, preached and Marion Stutes, Lay Leader, directed the worship.
Stutes was assisted by Mrs. Floyd Hamacker, president of the WSCS and Mr.
Lee Dibble, president of the Men of Central.
Holy Week Worship Schedule
April 8 – Palm Sunday Service
9:30 a.m.– Kid's Musical –"It's OK to be Dif- ferent"
April 9-12 – Holy Week
12:15 p.m.– Weekday devotional services in Mary Sabina Chapel, sponsored by the
Pastor's Alliance of Greater Lansing.
April 12 – Maundy Thursday
5:45 p.m.- Seder Dinner at St. Paul's Episcopal Church next door, $5.00.
7:00 p.m.- Combined Service at St. Paul's: Both choirs singing, Rev. John
Boley preach- ing, Rev. Gordon Weller celebrating Holy
Communion.
April 13 – Good Friday Service
12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m., Pilgrim Congrega- tional Church on S. Pennsylvania
Avenue near Michigan Avenue and Sparrow Hospi- tal. "Seven last words of
Christ" sponsored by the Pastor's Alliance of Greater Lansing. Lunch available.
Come and go as you can.
April 15 – Easter Sunday
8:00 a.m. Continental breakfast
9:30 a.m. Service of the Resurrection
Mom's vs. Peewee Annual Basketball Game
Kara Parker throws final basket for "Kids" to beat the "Moms" 36 to 34, in
annual Mom's and Peewee basketball match-up.
It was a well-played game with two equally talented teams. With tummies full
from the delicious spaghetti dinner on March 25, the grandstand was full
of anticipant spectators for this annual event. What a fun
time!
Summer Camp
Summer 2001 Camp schedules are in. For more information please call the education
office or see the display in Fellowship Hall during coffee hour on Sunday
mornings.
Spring Fashion Show May 2 at 6:30 p.m.-Cost $5:00
We are planning a Spring Fashion Show with clothes, jewelry and accessories
for sale. Dessert will be served. Ten percent off purchases and ten $5 gift
certificates will be given away at the end of the style show. Our fashions
are coming to us from Denise's Clothes Corners based in Florida. Denise features
new, first quality, washable resort and career related separates which are
classic and ageless in styling in sizes 8 to 20 and in average and tall lengths.
Sizes 4P to 3X in some styles.
Tickets available in Fellowship Hall following Sunday service through the
end of April, or from your Circle.
The Cookie Dough is Coming! The Cookie Dough is
Coming!
Many of you will remember the tubs of cookie dough UMW sold last spring.
While most of our sales were "outside" our church family, many of our family
also took advantage of the sale to stock their freezers with fresh cookie
dough in a variety of flavors.
We will be selling dough again this year—and in this time of price
increases—there is no increase to the price of a tub of dough! $7 each,
the dough freezes well for fresh cookies when you want them. A freezing tip:
make the dough into balls before freezing, then take out as many as you want
to bake!
Order forms will be available on the UMW Board in Fellowship Hall, or contact
Pat Mort or Linda Towsley. To help sell, or deliver May 10 late in the afternoon
or early evening, let Pat or Linda know.
Church Women United
April Program, Monday, April 9
"Flowers of the Bible"
10:00 a.m. Board meeting (sack lunch), 1:00 p.m. Program
Slides presented by Margaret Timnick
Alersgate United Methodist Church, 2400 Lake Lansing Rd.
May Program, Friday, May 4
May Friendship Day
9:00 a.m. Board meeting, 10:30 a.m. Bible Study
Potluck salad lunch, 1:00 p.m. Program
"For Such a Time as This: A Call to End Racism"
Faith United Methodist Church, 4301 S. Waverly Rd
Everyone welcome !
Who are "kids"?
Anyone in school. If you would like your story printed here, this is your
opportunity! In the space below, describe how a special person has touched
your life, given you good guidance, or is a great listener. Turn your story
for the Central Journal in at the church office by April
13.
Name:_____________________________________________
Age: Phone #:
_____________________________________________
Topic: _____________________________________________
Story in this space:
A Tribute to Bernie Cairns
Bernie Cairns was one of those people who, before her stroke, was always
at the church working. Mondays she polished brass. Thursdays she worked the
Fellowship Lunch, in between she was in the office doing anything and everything
called upon to do.
She always came to UMW Mission Team meetings. When UMW needed typing or co
Bernie did it. When it came to going to assemblies, Bernie was in charge
of making sure the van doors were locked or the rooms at the hotel were cleared
out of personal items before we left. She always enjoyed herself, always
made her own way, and always made sure anything she was in charge of got
done.
We lost Bernie this March; just shy of her birthday. Those of us who knew
her, know she hasn't been happy since her stroke 10 years ago. We realize
she's "free" now and home with her 9 siblings in her Creator's House. We
also know we will miss her.
If you would like to contribute to a "Gift in Memory" in Bernie's memory,
please do so through your circle or by contacting Dottie Stark.
(482-7834).
Bread for the World
Bread for the World is a nationwide Christian movement that seeks justice
for the world's hungry people by lobbying our nation's decision
makers.
At Central United Methodist Church we have an "offering of letters" on Mother's
Day to encourage our representatives and senators to support hunger legislation.
Last year Congress revised the eligibility rules about the value of housing
and car ownership for food stamp recipients, helping nearly a million low
income households. But Congress did not raise the minimum wage or grant food
stamps to legal immigrants.
The working poor need help more than ever, despite our nation's prosperity.
There is a growing demand for emergency food and other assistance. Many of
those seeking help are employed, some at more than one job, but cannot make
ends meet. Last year Bread for the World asked for a $1.00/hour increase
in minimum wage, but now is asking $1.50 increase over 3 years, to $6.65/hour
in 2003. It is needed because inflation has eroded the value of the current
$5.15/hour minimum wage set in 1996.
We are again urging Congress to restore food stamp eligibility for about
450,000 legal immigrants who were excluded by welfare reform in 1996. Immigrants
work, pay taxes and contribute to the economy, but some do not earn enough
to feed their family adequately.
A new Senate Bill (S. 277) calls for the minimum wage increase. You can write
to our senators, Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, to encourage them to support
this bill. The address is: Mr. Carl Levin or Ms. Debbie Stabenow,Senate Office
Building, Washington D.C. 20510.
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