Central Journal August, 1997
Manufactures' Coupon
Notice
UMW has a coupon exchange bulletin board in the downstairs hallway to
the Church Tea Room. We encourage you to participate by bringing in
coupons to share and by taking coupons you can use. We cannot accept
expired coupons.
Thank you!
Help Central Methodist Church raise money towards our Annual
Apportionments ... and have a GREAT time in the process!!! (free viewing
of a Main Stage event)
Sign up in fellowship hall today. For more information call:
Ruthann Jaquette 617-9406, Pat Wangen 669-8433 or JoAnne Harvey 321-0945.
We ... are committed to ministry in the metropolitan area
and the world beyond.
Always at this time of year, as we begin to think about the fall
schedule, I get a strong desire to somehow communicate to every member
of my church family how fundamental, to your very reason for existence,
is the experience of disciplined Bible study. The Disciple Bible Study
program offered at Central each year since 1991 is something worthy of a
special appointment on your life calendar. Even when I wrestle with the
enormous complexities of time management I can very honestly tell you
that I have never for a minute regretted the weekly commitment of hours
of time spent in this outstanding study of the Bible. In fact, I would
be hard pressed to think of a more valuable way to have used any of that
time, as I look back on it.
What a wonderful experience it is to really begin to know God!
Before Disciple I think my understanding of God could be compared to my
understanding of my grandfather who died when I was five a few family
stories, a few pictures and a very few remembered personal experiences.
Meeting God through the carefully organized unfolding of the Bible
provided in Disciple is beyond anything you could experience. At first,
you obediently tackle the assignments, wondering if you've bit off more
than you can chew. But then after the first several weeks, you begin to
realize close encounters with God, and you begin to know why through all
our Judeo-Christian history the Bible has been called the Word of God.
God does speak to us through the Bible.
This spring I completed Disciple III and, dear friends, as
everyone in our class would readily confess, we do not consider
"graduating" as some kind of attainment. Rather, the sense is more like
an illiterate adult must feel when she finally learns to read; "Wow!
What have I missed all my life?!" I sincerely hope you will try to make
room in your life for Disciple this year or even next year. Nothing
could be more valuable.
Please speak to me, David DeVinney, Jim Mort, or Dave Bass if
interested.
I am encouraged to know that Central's Well Women have decided to
undertake Disciple I beginning this fall, tentatively scheduled for
Tuesday mornings at the church. I have been asked to join them and lead
as necessary.
The women would love to widen their circle and have you join them.
For information on this specific opportunity, contact either me or Karen
Holoweiko.
Joi Tennant
Rummage Sale Reminder
For many years UMW has conducted Rummage Sales in the church basement.
Over the years, these events have raised thousands of dollars for use in
promoting the goals of our organization.
This month's sales is Wednesday, August 27th. 10:00 - 4:00
Won't you consider assisting in some manner, perhaps in time consuming
setup/takedown tasks or for various tasks during sale day? Your
contribution of sale items or encouraging others to contribute is also
welcome. If you offer small or large mechanical items, we especially
need to know its working condition. And of course, all donated items
need to be clean.
For work scheduling opportunities, contact Norma Hansen. For potential
donation item questions, contact Ginny Hane.
Quiet Moments is a column with devotional and spiritual focus. Call Leah
Fitch at 394-4597 if you would like to share your experience or insight.
This months column has been submitted by Steve Ezop.
"The real problem of the Christian life comes where people do not
usually look for it. It comes the very moment you wake up each morning.
All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And
the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back in;
in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view,
letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And
so on, all day."
C.S. Lewis
Doesn't this sound like how we try to start our days? Unfortunately, we
often forget to put things back in and listen to that greater voice. We
depend on plans and schedules to control our days. While this is a great
way to run our lives, it may not always serve God in the way that we
need.
God has an open welcome to us, each and every day. Just as we are
welcoming a new pastor or the return of our youth from a fantastic trip
to Russia, God welcomes us to be aware of the voice and to plan our
lives accordingly. WELCOME TO ONE AND ALL!
Steve Ezop
Please note: The quote from Rev. Sid Short in the Quiet Moments column
of the July Central Journal should have read "It's not what's necessary
but what's possible.
Well Women
After successfully completing several Bible studies without major
interruptions from families, careers, and personal problems, the Well
Women have decided we are ready to tackle "Disciple I". We are
tentatively scheduled to meet on Tuesday mornings beginning in the fall
(barring any unforeseen interruption from families, careers, and
personal problems). We would love to widen our circle and have you join
us as Joi Tennant leads us into this new territory. Contact Joi Tennant
or Karen Holoweiko for more information.
Worthy for special appointment on your life calendar
by: Joi Tennant
A greeting message from our new Pastor
Greetings to all! On behalf of my family, I would like to thank
all of you for welcoming us so warmly to Central Church. It will of
course take a long time for us to get to know all of you and keep track
of the church's many happenings, but already we feel a part of things.
We especially look forward to this fall when the school year starts and
we can become fully immersed in the life of this great church.
We come with great hopes and aspirations. We are honored and
grateful to be here and to become a part of this church's living
tradition. The faithful service of this congregation is renowned, and we
are anxious to be a part of it.
But the future beckons in new and wonderful ways. As we are on the
verge of the next millennium, we all have a great opportunity to move
forward with Christ's Church into uncharted waters. The past can be our
guide and inspiration, but can be our undoing if we allow it. Let us
pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we live together as faithful
disciples of Christ.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. John Boley
Fall Events
Coming up!!!
Sunday School Kick-Off: September 14th. Watch for details in next month'
Journal.
Boy Scout Open House: September 30th, from 7:00-8:30. Central Church has
agreed to host a Boy Scout Troop. If you have a child, boy or girl, who
is interested in scouting, put this important date on your calendar.
And in October ...
Vision 2000: October 11th. Central will be hosting child care for this
event. We will need volunteers. Since this will be an all day event, I
do not expect people to work all day. I will be assigning two hour work
periods. If you do not plan to attend The Vision 2000, please consider
helping during the day with this important task. A feature story
providing detailed information on the Vision 2000 Event is scheduled for
the October issue of the Central Journal.
An invitation for celebration
We cordially invite invite you to help us celebrate fifty years of
marriage for Bob and Lois Jenkins. In honor of this event, there will be
an open house for them on their anniversary, Sunday, August 10th, from
4-8 PM. It will be held at our home, 11964 Jarvis Hwy, Dimondale. From
Lansing, travel south to the junction of Logan (M99) and Waverly Road;
continue south on Waverly for two miles, turning right onto Jarvis. No
gifts please.
Linda and Tom Towsley
Calling All Home Beautifiers!
Central's UMW is selling Cream-of-the-Crop Dutch flower bulbs in support
of our General Assembly in Orlando, Florida. These bulbs are 100%
guaranteed to grow and bloom! Plant once and spectacular flower displays
will return in full color and vigor, year after year! Each pack is $10.
See the UMW Board or contact Pat Mort or Jan Ruppert for details!
Disciple Bible Study
(Coming up)
by: David DeVinney
Dr. Ellsworth Kalas was one of the UMC keynote speakers at the Eaton
Rapids Camp Meeting this year. What an opportunity to hear great
preaching and to draw closer to God.
Dr. Kalas is one of several teachers on the DISCIPLE I videotape
series which presents some of the best scholarly teachers each week.
New classes begin September 9th. Don't miss this opportunity to
hear great teaching and explore faith together.
For information or to sign up, call David DeVinney at 372-6761, or
Joi Tennant, Jim Mort, or David Bass.
EVANGELISM and NURTURE
Special
Events
Please take note
August 6th
There will be a Mini School of Christian Mission at Holt United
Methodist Church from 2-8 p.m. Sign up sheets are available on the UMW
Board.
August 26th
Join the Tri-County Women's Coalition on Tuesday, August 26th, from 7-9
p.m. for a Women and Religion Speak Out/Community Talk to be held at the
Unitarian Universalist Church across from the East Lansing Library on
Grove Street off Abbott. Come join us for a milestone evening of
friendly exchange of ideas and creative thinking across faiths. Help
assess the Lansing area women's progress in meeting the vision of
equality in religion of the Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention held
150 years ago next year. The wider the cross section of religions and
perspectives represented the better! Refreshments.
Admission is $5.00. Send checks to the Tri-County Women's Coalition,
P.O. Box 20053, Lansing, MI 48901. For more information contact Liz
Homer during the day at 484-1880. The event is sponsored by the 19
member groups of the Tri-County Women's Coalition and the U-U Women's
Fellowship.
September 17th
The Lansing District Annual is September 17th at Lawrence Ave. UMC in
Charlotte from 2:30 - 9:00 p.m. We are being challenged to collect
"Quarts of Quarters" in honor of our 25th anniversary as United
Methodist Women. All quarters collected will go to Grand Rapids
Community House. Please begin collecting your quarters today and give
them to your UMW Mission Team members! Let's see how many quarts we can
fill!!!
Red roses to .......
All the people involved in the recent carpet work. This was a huge job
in light of the tremendous heat we experienced installation week.
Jim Stark for his diligent efforts in coordinating a reassessment needs
study of the church computer network.
Those in our church family who worked hard to make our new Pastor feel
so welcome at Central. (see cover story)
Kathy Kursch for spending countless hours planning and coordinating the
Adult Studies Program for this fall.
Getting ready for fall!!!!
Lab School: August 16th and 17th. at Mt. Hope United Methodist Church,
from 8:30-5:30. Anyone interested in attending please call Denise. The
cost is $60 for each person. If three of us attend, the cost is reduced
to $50 for each person.
Day Camp: Also August 16th and 17th at Mt. Hope United Methodist. This
is an educational and recreational experience for children and youth
ages 4-17. Activities have been planned which will give children insight
into local history and encourage new friendships. The cost is $25 for
each child. Contact Denise if you would like more information.
Education Commission Meeting: August 20th, 6:15. This will be a time for
fall planning.
Fall Sunday School Teacher Training: August 23rd, 1:00-3:00, in
Fellowship Hall.
Sunday School Clean-up: August 27th, 9:00-12:00. Everyone invited to
help get the rooms ready for fall.
Quiet Moments...
Denise Fabbri, Education Director
Mark calendars! Kick-off Sunday for Sunday School is September 14th!
14th!!!class
Please help...!
We need volunteers
Child Care and Nursery
Volunteers are needed for a few upcoming Sundays. Please check your
calendar for August 3, 24, and 31. Also September 7. To help, call Dick
Murley at 482-4700 or Denise.
Upholstery Work
We are looking for someone who can do upholstery. Some furniture has
been donated for Judy Grove's old office near the Library. If this is a
talent you have, call Denise.
Church Resource Room
The Sunday School needs a volunteer to maintain the resource room. This
position would include filing, organizing, and maintaining shelves with
supplies. Much work has been done initially, but maintaining this area
to allow the best use of the resources is essential. As little as two
hours a week would make all the difference. Please call Denise if you
feel this is something you could help with.
Thank You
Thanks for the help my church friends have given me as I am recovering
from my recent fall. Everyone has been very understanding.
Lois Myers
Strong and growing...
New Copying Procedure
This fall will begin a hopefully helpful procedure. In order to maintain
the copying machine and prevent additional repairs, we are setting up a
copying procedure. When you find you need copies for a meeting, Sunday
School class, or correspondence, simply fill out a copying request from
the office and return it to the office. One week later you can pick up
your copies. This procedure does require that you be pro-active, but it
will save time in the long run and help save maintenance of our copy
machine. Please realize that this does not mean that you can no longer
get those last minute copies.
United Methodist Church of Rosebush
3272 East Weidman Road
Rosebush, Michigan 48878
Pastor: Mark Payne
Dear Central family and friends,
This is a letter that I have been getting ready to write for
several years now. I have had it in my mind that as soon as I reached
this point I would have to give credit where it is due and give thanks.
My journey with you started 38 years ago when I was born and
was baptized in your midst. You helped to raise me and to nurture me in
the faith just as you said you would on that day. You taught me about
God and you taught me about Jesus Christ. You taught me how to serve
others at Work Projects. You taught me the meaning of Christian love as
you accepted me and the rest of the youth who had different ideas of how
to worship and celebrate God. You taught me to love music and let me
test my wings in new styles of Christian music. You allowed me to
explore my faith and to ask questions and to doubt in Thursday night
Bible Study. You taught me how to show compassion through Stephen
Ministry training. You loved me and my new family as I married and had
children. You helped me to recognize the call God had for my life. And
when it was time for me and my family to leave, you were more gracious
and generous that we had thought possible.
Aside from my immediate family, there are no people I have had a
longer relationship with. Perhaps that is why I still feel close to you
and why it always feels like homecoming when I am in your midst again.
And that is also why I need to tell you how much I am grateful for what
God has done through you for me. I also must say that Nola and the kids
feel the same way.
We have moved on now. We continue to serve the church in Rosebush
and I have finally reached the level of being ordained Elder. The formal
strings have been severed as I am now a member of the Annual Conference
(not any local church) and Nola is a member of the Rosebush church. But
our heart strings will never be severed from you. You are too much a
part of who I am and who we are.
God bless you as we continue on this incredible journey separately
and yet together.
Grace and Peace to you and all of our love,
Mark and Nola
Payne, Danielle and Tyler
God is the only thing right left in a wrong world.
Whitney Houston
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to
what lies within us.
Oliver Wendell Holmes
Do you wish to be free? Then above things, love God, love your neighbor,
love one another, love the commonwealth; then you will have true
liberty.
Savonarola
Homecomming Sunday
"Deepening our Roots
and
Branching Out"
Join us for Homecoming Sunday September 7, 1997, 9:30 a.m.
worship. This coming year will be one of "deepening our roots and
branching out" as we joyfully reach for the 21st Century.
As we plow the fields of our hearts, turning down the weeds and
bringing up fresh new soil, we humble ourselves in preparation for
harvesting the "Spirit's Fruits".
All are welcome to come and meet our new minister, Rev. John Boley
and young family.
Transportation is available to the homebound by calling the church
office, Arline Roe 371-7832 or Beth Murley 482-4700.
Central United Methodist Church
Prayer Chains
Newly established prayer chains are now available to receive
requests from anyone needing prayers or knowing of someone else who
needs prayers. Please contact the first person listed on the prayer
chain (or the second person listed if the first individual cannot be
reached) according to the time of need and the prayer chain available.
The church office will be informed as well as the next person on the
chain, etc.
Daytime Prayer Chain
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Janet Mort 321-2330
Karen Holoweiko 626-6798
Jill Whiteman
Agnes Gamble
Ann Mather
Eleanor Moore
Miriam Priebe
Lois Myers
Joyce Brendahl
Evening Prayer Chain
5:00 pm to 8:00 am
Elizabeth Gibbs 882-2635
Kayla Tipton 669-3259
Joi Tennant
Nancy O'Shea
Ruth & Fred Brazee
Rosa Houston
David DeVinney
Pat & Anne Mort
Cheer & Leon Martin
This ministry will continue to be open to anyone desirous of becoming a
prayer chain participant.
Note
We would like to have a birthday card shower for Marie Wright on her
90th birthday, August 26th. Her address is 690 Mason Headley Road, Suite
405, Lexington, Kentucky 40504.
Food Bank
Volunteers working our Food Bank report that they could use additional
large paper grocery bags. If you have any to donate for this worthy
program, please call the church office
Note:
Rev. John Boley's monthly column will occupy this space beginning
in September. John's welcoming message to our readers may be found on
the the cover of this issue.
Look for a feature cover story in September focusing on Central's Youth
Fellowship summer trip to Russia, authored by Director of Youth
Ministries Steve Lyon.
Missionaries released and safe
Frank Anderson has received notice that Larry and Laura Hills, UMC
Missionaries to Lumbumbshi, Africa , were detained by Congo soldiers in
Kilwa. However, they have been released through their associates and
have safely made their way to the United States where they are now.
From Journals past ...
1982
October 24th, dedication day for the new set of Whitechapel handbells.
Area bell ringers joined Central Ringers in a late afternoon concert.
1967
Spring, Mothers and daughters (and interested men) were invited to a
unique Fashion Show in Fellowship Hall, an event of fun and
entertainment. Refreshments followed.
1956
At the May meeting of Central's Men's Club, Marion N. Stutes was elected
President, and Robert F. Jenkins was elected Vice President.
Sunday School Material Tree
Shortly after reading this article you will notice a tree in
Fellowship Hall with notes attached. This is an opportunity for everyone
to support the Sunday School through an act of giving supplies.
How will this work? Each note card on the tree will have a
specific need written on it with an approximate dollar amount. Take
whatever card(s) that fits your budget, shopping time, or interest and
purchase that item(s). A collection box will be in the office.
Some of the items we need include construction paper, glue, glue
sticks, scissors, poster board, magic markers, play dough, sand,
birdseed, watercolor paints, glitter, and multi-cultural paper and
crayons.
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