Central

Journal . . . electronic edition

April, 2006

Keeping Members and Friends Informed

Promoting Fellowship
Contributing to Spiritual Growth

More good news…
Rev. Dr. Russell McReynolds

On that first Easter day, the women come to the cemetery early in the morning expecting to find the body of Jesus there. A young man in white proclaims to them, “Jesus is not here! He has gone before you to Galilee.” Where is Galilee for us in 2006? I hope, without exaggeration, Galilee is downtown Central United Methodist Church and all the other local churches throughout the world.

I am more prepared for the recognition of Easter this time around than I have been in the past. The credit goes to our Christian education program and its leadership. You have heard me say it from the pulpit: the classes offered at Central are awesome and comparable to what I received in seminary. I have learned and experienced so much these last several weeks. I have enjoyed the challenges to my understanding and previous training. We have differences of opinion, always working at coming together as a family of God. I am learning more each time and yet experiencing some challenging moments. This is the spiritual climate for resurrection and new birth. It is happening here in Galilee, the local church.

It felt like Easter when the pastors from downtown and other churches came together to design our Holy Week services. We were inter–denominational and cooperative. We had the opportunity to know each other better and again let our differences bring us together in unity. Our Mary Sabina Chapel will be open 12 noon daily during Holy Week with preaching and music by our fellow pastors and sister churches. The pastors volunteered to take Monday through Thursday. Maundy Thursday, in the evening, will be observed at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Good Friday will be at Christ Community Church (formerly First Baptist). What an amazing way to get ready for Easter Sunday morning in the local church!

Ash Wednesday was inter-denominational and United Methodist. Over 20 Churches were involved with a beautiful mass choir of 80 plus voices at People's Church in East Lansing. Central members were there in big numbers. Weren't we proud of the solo parts by Rob Parks and Terressa Birchen! We connected as a people of God. I was ready to fast and be sacrificial.

As a result of our faithfulness and togetherness, practicing Christian Unity in all these services, I keep thanking God for the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Easter is in Galilee, at the local church. In further recognition of Easter, remember to give toward our Easter Offering which is designated for our Ministry Shares and General Budget. Go the second mile and make a difference for God's Kingdom.

Lenten Schedule

5th Sunday in Lent, April 2
9:30 a.m., Worship Celebration: “The Good in the Bad” by Rev. Russell McReynolds
7:00 pm – Taize Service in Chapel

Palm Sunday, April 9
9:30 a.m., Worship Celebration, “God is Coming” by Rev. Russell McReynolds
7:00 p.m., Taize Service in Chapel

Noon Services at Central UMC Chapel All are welcome
April 10 ~ Rev Zachary Bartels, Judson Memorial Baptist Church
April 11 ~ Rev. Melvin Jones, Union Missionary Baptist Church
April 12 ~ Rev. Tony Patrick, First Presbyterian Church
April 13 ~ Rev. Mark Sommers, Christ Community Church (Formerly First Baptist)

Holy Thursday, April 13
6:00 p.m., Services and a Seder meal will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with Christ Community Church

Noon Good Friday Service, April 14
At Christ Community Church (Formerly First Baptist), Dr. Jeffrey O'Neill, First Presbyterian Church, mass choir of all churches

Easter, April 16
9:30 a.m., Worship Celebration: “Back to the Ordinary” by Rev. Russell McReynolds

Central Bikers: Would you like to train together for summer tours? Please call or email Mary Boudreau at 372–4146 or email at boudrea1@msu.edu

Education
Joi Tennant, Christian Education Director

Patsy Coffman returns to teach Sunday Mission Study on India and Pakistan

If you've never attended one of our annual spring mission studies led by Patsy, you are missing out on a great opportunity to broaden your understanding of the world and begin to grasp a concept of the work of the United Methodist Church. Patsy is a gifted teacher, and she brings her enthusiasm and energy to each hour she teaches. She immediately enlisted the help of Bill and Rosemary Bauer, former missionaries to India, to help teach the class at least 2 of the 6 sessions. The classes run April 23 – May 28, 11:05–12:15 in our church dining room.

This study presents the richness and diversity of the culture of India and Pakistan. It also explores selected current key issues affecting both countries, including gender issues, poverty, child labor, population, caste, illiteracy, religious extremism and globalization. The study examines the complexities of the border conflict over Kashmir between the two countries. The year 2006 is the 150th year of Methodist mission, ministry and heritage in India and Pakistan. This study includes a sketch about Mahatma Gandhi, and is a timely reminder of the ever–needful quest for peace in the public square.

KIDS–2–KIDS

You're going to hear a lot about GOATS as we continue our Sunday School “Kids –2–Kids” mission project through May. And if you were in church March 19, you even saw a baby goat which Dennis Kelley's mom, Jan, brought for the children's message! We are teaching our kids about the wonderful work of Heifer International. Our kids are learning to be responsible stewards. Instead of asking YOU for money, we are challenging our Central kids to think of ways to raise or save money at home so that all together they can buy one or two or three goats for Heifer to give to enrich the lives of other kids in the world. You can watch our weekly progress on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.

Thanks, Bill!

I want to especially thank Bill Amundsen for leading the recently completed Tuesday evening 10-week class, “In God's Time.” As Bill will wholeheartedly agree, this class from Wesley Theological Seminary was a challenge for every one of the twelve regular participants who dared to delve each week into some of the most puzzling sections of the Old and New Testaments. Bill tackled the daunting assignment of guiding us through it all, encouraging us the whole way. We all agreed that we have many new understandings now to help us form our own decisions about end time prophecies. These Tuesday evening classes are a great way to get to know each other better, too!

More Tuesday evenings for your enrichment

You are invited to join the “Passion Narratives” Bible Study class currently being offered from 7:00-8:30 p.m. every Tuesday in the church library through the month of April. It is a video class featuring Dr. Mickey Effird, Professor of Greek and Biblical Studies at Duke Theological Seminary. This class studies most of the same Bible passages Rev. Keith Pohl is using in his current study on Sunday mornings on the last days of Jesus' life. So here is an opportunity for anyone who may not be able to attend Keith's Sunday School class but would be interested in a similar Lenten Bible study on a week night. Joi Tennant is guiding the discussion portion of this class. Please feel free to come even to only one or two classes, if that's all you can manage to squeeze into your schedule. You will find it enlightening.

Church Camp for all ages

If you have never attended church camp or your kids have not yet saved time in their summer schedule for this experience, a golden life–changing opportunity is passing you by. You can check out all the West Michigan United Methodist church camps at their website: West Michigan Conference (Quicklink: Camping). It's easy to go online and see a description of every camp that's offered, includingall details and costs. We are able to offer $100 camperships to the first 10 people who register from our church. Thanks to the generosity of those who contributed to our S'More Campership fundraiser and to money given in memory of Dorothy Headley, we are again able to give 4 campers a “full ride” campership this year. Thank you for your contributions!

Next Confirmation class

Thinking about Confirmation? We are looking ahead to next fall or winter for our next confirmation class. We want to save at least 10 weeks so we can be sure the kids get to do field trips, work projects and complete all their classes. If you have a young person who will be at least 11 years old next fall and might be interested in joining a confirmation class, please talk to Joi about it. We will be gathering information so we can plan the best dates, etc.

“You ought to be in pictures”
By Mary E Boudreau, Chair, Evangelism Commission

Get ready for the 2006 Central Pictorial Directory!

This spring, we will create a new directory of all the people of Central United Methodist Church. This is a great opportunity, to not only get to know the people with whom we worship, but to also improve our nurturing ministry. This is a major undertaking, and we will need everyone's participation and some extra work from a great committee.

Your help is urgently needed to call members to schedule appointments, host families during the photography, and to help with the computerized layout of the book. Please call the church office or Mary Boudreau at 372–4146, if you are available to assist with this committee.

Professional photographers will take pictures of all of us, and each family/individual will receive one free 8 x 10 photo and the opportunity to purchase other photo packages. The photography days are May 24 and 25 and June 16 and 17. This year you may schedule your appointment: 1) online, 2) “face–to–face” after church services, or, 3) when a volunteer calls you at home. We hope that many people can come to the church to have their pictures taken; but if you are unable to come to the church, volunteers can come to you to take your picture digitally!

We will also have several pages to fill with photos of our general ministry. The photography firm will provide us with outreach materials (brochures, cards, etc.) based on how many people participate. Thank you for your involvement.

Music Notes
Caryn Welter, Music Director

Palm Sunday, April 9, will bring together the Wesley Choristers and Youth Fine Arts Group, singing “Hey! Hosanna!” A grand processional will lead off the worship experience. The Chancel Choir and Spirit Singers will also be part of the service.

Holy Thursday services will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, in combination with that congregation and the one from Christ Community Church. While our choirs are not singing for the event, everyone is invited to participate.

Good Friday services, April 14, at Christ Community Church (formerly First Baptist) will find our Chancel Choir as part of the massed choir. The rehearsal will be at 11:10 a.m., and the service is scheduled for 12 noon – 1:15 p.m. The worship music will be an interesting and diverse pot-pourri of offerings. Won't you please join us then?

Easter morning's service will begin in the majestic and glorious tradition of a brass and organ voluntary. The Central Bell Ringers will also participate; their presence underscored by the Chancel Choir's rendition of “Easter Song”. The Youth and Chancel Choirs will sing. In order to allow for family time, music classes will not meet after church.

Earth Day will be celebrated on Sunday, April 23, and will combine the Spirit Singers, Youth, and Central Bell Ringers in a moving rendition of the musical text that was chosen just for that day. The Spirit Singers will sing a second text that tells the of beauties of God's creation.

Sunday, May 21, marks the Celebration of Music in Worship Sunday. All groups will be a part of this inspirational presentation, sung and rung to the glory of God. The congregation of Central has every right to be very proud of all our participants—of their dedication, devotion, and gifts of musical talent.

Won't you decide now to join an appropriate group? You needn't have a trained voice. Rather, the only requirement is your love of singing. Following is the schedule of rehearsal times - all groups meet in the third floor rehearsal room:

Thursdays, 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. – Spirit Singers
Thursdays, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. – Chancel Choir
Sundays, 10:45 – 11:00 a.m. – Preschoolers
Sundays, 11:00 – 11:35 a.m. – Wesley Choristers
Sundays, 11:40 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Youth Fine Arts Group

Bell ringers, if you're not already part of Central's group, but would like to be, please leave a message at the church's extension 35 and indicate your interest.

Tentative schedule of worship participation for children and youth:
April 9 – Wesley Choristers and Youth
April 16 – Youth April 23, May 14 and 21 – Wesley Choristers and Youth

Celebrate Earth Day, honor God and raise awareness
Pat Bell, Church and Society

1) Sunday Potluck, April 23
Celebrate in Worship – pray with gratitude for God's creation
Start bringing your own reusable cup to cut down on Styrofoam waste We will be providing an area for storing your self-washed cup or mug, and markers to put your name on the bottom.

Carry reusable tote bags to the grocery store, and cut down on "plastic or paper" waste. We will be offering bags to order during Coffee Fellowship

Browse a Green Products display. Check out earth and people-safe cleaning supplies and other products that better honor the earth.

Potluck Speaker on fine–tuning our recycling efforts and recycling schedule for surrounding counties.

2) It is not too late to add your name and e-mail address to receive notices about political or social action initiatives and template letters if you wish to write your congress persons. Addresses can be removed from the list at any time and inclusion on the list does not mean that any responsibility for action is required.

Dreams come true at Rio Colorado School
Joi Tennant, Co-Chair, Missions Commission

It is probably not an exaggeration to say that the Energizer Bunny is no match for Peter and Estela Hudy, our own missionaries to Bolivia. Under their inspired, determined visionary leadership, the students of Rio Colorado School have watched what happens when ordinary people like Peter and Estela let God guide and turn possibility into extraordinary reality. Their enthusiasm has inspired many churches to get behind their efforts and give time and money to their projects. What would seem impossible to most of us in the Amazon basin, is now the blossoming of one of the finest schools in all of Bolivia.

God is doing great things, and we want to keep our covenant to support Peter and Estela with our prayers and our financial gifts. Stop by the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall and see the new pictures from the Hudy's. April is one of the four months in each year when we ask you to give to their work.

Update: Termite damage at Central
Steve Pifer, Chair, Board of Trustees

As many of you know, Central has had termite damage in several areas of the Church. In 2003, actions were taken to determine the specific damages and to ensure that the termites were eradicated.

Firms were hired to review our buildings and they were found to be structurally sound, but the damage has limited the use of certain parts of our buildings.

For many years, Central had contracted with a firm to protect our buildings from various types of infestation. Because the termite damage occurred under that contract, the Board of Trustees hired a different firm to eradicate the termites and protect the buildings in the future.

The Trustees communicated with both our insurance company and the firm that was doing monthly inspections for infestation. Our insurance does not cover the termite damage and the firm carrying out the inspections claimed they were not responsible for the damage.

The Board of Trustees have been involved in legal proceedings for some time and a financial settlement has been reached.

Central has received a check for $100,000 as the full and final settlement of our claims. The funds will be used first to pay for costs already incurred and for legal fees. Any remaining funds will be used to help repair the damage.

An informational meeting will be held after Easter on a Sunday following worship service to review what has been done, answer questions and consider ideas on how to proceed. Please watch future bulletins and announcements for the date.

The CUMC Board of Trustees has worked diligently to make sure the interests of the Church were properly represented and protected. We hope this information will help members understand the nature and scope of the project and the many hundreds of hours of effort by the Trustees on behalf of our Church.

“Relevant library”, Spring Book “Sale”
Win Anderson, Library Task Force

Someone recently said our Church Library is “relevant”. That's good news!

With the soon-coming most Holy Day on the Christian calendar, Easter has long been the subject of literature.

The classic, “The Day Christ Died” by Jim Bishop, is on our library shelves along with many other inspirational books for adults and young adults. The children's section has Bible stories of Easter as well as the bunny and related stories, all well illustrated.

To continue to be “relevant”, readers are encouraged to check out the books on the display shelves. Children have special stools and cushions to sit on while choosing their books.

Enrich this Easter season by reading some of the inspiring books and magazines now available in our Library.

SPECIAL NOTE: The annual Spring Book “Sale” will be on Sunday, May 7 and 14 in the Library. Many interesting books have been collected for your “buying pleasure”!

160 Valentines
Cathy Amundsen

A note of thanks to all who helped support the Valentine Blanket Project. We sold 160 valentines which means 160 blankets and 160 people warmer and more secure because of your caring. BLESS YOU ALL!

Remember...

At press time�
Please keep these individuals in your prayers.

Central family members in Iraq
Barbara Lansing – at home
Betty Ward – Dimondale Center
Dan Bolden – at home
Gladys Gilson – at home
LaVinnia Roberts – at home
Muriel Kirby – Ingham Medical

Thank you...

Thank you for the many letters and cards which I have received. I appreciate the two circles that have adopted me. Your prayers and letters mean so much to me. I am living in my own home and so thankful to be here.
Marcia Detloff

I would like to say "Thank you" to all my church friends for the many cards, phone calls, home visits and the radio broadcast on March 12th honoring my 90th birthday. All this made my day very special!
Georgia Mead

Many thanks to our Central frineds for their prayers, cards and service for our family during these past months with Patty's surgery and Jim's visitation, memorial service and luncheon.
Dottie Stark

Elderberrys Tow the Line
Frank Anderson

Once again the older adults demonstrated that they are not sleeping at the switch. For March we had nineteen persons enjoying a presentation by Justin and Marge Sleight from their recent personal trip to Vietnam. We saw scenes of the Mekong River, downtown Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Hanoi, the Capital. The country is thriving and has 70 million population. Remants of previous days when the French were in control still exist today in the style of government buildings. He had pictures of the presidential palace, and the "palace" that Ho Chi Minh lived in. And he had a great view of the memorial tomb of Ho Chi Minh. Thanks Justin and Marge.

Elderberrys will bypass their meeting for April, because it would fall in Holy Week. Please attend some of the services and special worship services offered.

Thanks for Supporting Open Door Ministry!
Bryan Halter

A special thank you to the members of Central church for supporting the Open Door Ministry of Downtown Lansing! During the year ending December 31, 2005, you made cash donations of $3,581.47 for general operations, $1,546.18 for the Ministry of Kindness and $957.00 for the Fellowship Lunch.

In 2005, according to Executive Director Cris Bobier, these contributions, along with other funding, provided groceries from the Food Bank for a total of 447 individuals (327 adults, 120 children) and 6,032 meals for 5,352 guests (some had "second helpings"). In additionCentral's on site laundry was utilized 12 times in January, 25 times in February and 9 times during the first week of March. Twelve individuals took advantage of the shower facilities for personal care, and 158 units of assistance totaling $3,209.86 were dispersed through the Ministry of Kindness.

Compared with the previous year, usage of Open Door services by individual clients has increased by 20 to 30%. It is expected that this trend will continue, and likely accelerate as time moves on.

Your past generosity is appreciated, and your future help is vital if these needs are to continue to be met.

Sader Meal - Thursday April 13

A combined dinner and worship experience at St. Paul's Episcopal Church will begin at 6 p.m. (The slightly later start time is to facilitate our parking in the adjacent ramp). Central will provide the dinner; Christ Community Church (formerly First Baptist) will provide the dessert; St. Paul's will provide the elements, and will lead us in the worship experience. All are welcome to attend and to bring friends.

Sign-up sheets for attendance and furnishing will be posted in Fellowship Hall, starting the second Sunday of March. They will remain through coffee fellowship time on Sunday, April 9.

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