February,
2001
Keeping Members and Friends Informed
Promoting Fellowship
Contributing
to Spiritual Growth
GODSPEED! THE HUDYS LEAVE FOR BOLIVIA
Peter and Estela Hudy, with Benjamin (5 yrs.) and Jonatan (soon 3 yrs.),
left Lansing January 15 to begin their new lives as missionary teachers in
the rainforest of Bolivia. They stopped off for a visit with Estela's family
in Guatemala before continuing on to the United Methodist Rio Colorado School
to be ready to begin the new school term in February.
Central has embraced this family since they began attending and joined our
church in the months before Jonatan was born. Peter's restless desire to
use his many skills, honed while in the Peace Corp in Guatemala and further
trained in graduate studies at MSU, made him ready to hear the call of God
to become a missionary. Peter shared this experience of answering God's call
as he spoke to the congregation with an inspiring message on Sunday, January
14. Central also had two opportunities to see slides and learn about the
new life ahead for the Hudy family when we gathered for a potluck on the
5th of Jan. and again at the 2nd Sunday Brunch after worship on the
14th.
The courage, determination and commitment communicated by the Hudys while
in their missionary training have been contagious. Our church family has
become increasingly supportive and enthusiastic, desiring to participate
in the Hudy adventure and to be "in mission" with them. A Love Gift in the
amount of $ was gathered and presented to them on Sunday, along with another
large monetary gift from the Emmaus Community. (Estela and Peter had both
taken part in the retreat experience of the Emmaus Walk.) The Mission Commission
will be determining an annual support amount that we can pledge toward their
work. Also, there is much interest in forming a work project to go to Rio
Colorado, perhaps in the year ahead. Many ways to help will be forthcoming
as we continue to be in communication with Peter and Estela.
On the 14th, at the close of the worship time, we gathered around the Hudy
family, crowding together all over the front of the sanctuary to lay our
hands of blessing on them and pray for their protection and the power of
the Holy Spirit upon their work. We will continue to hold them close in prayer
and thought as they go as our representatives, sharing the love of God in
a faraway place.
Ash Wednesday Service
The annual Ash Wednesday service of area United Methodist Churches will be
held on Wednesday, February 28th at 7:30 p.m. at University United Methodist
Church. This has become a well attended and important service in the life
of Lansing UM Churches. Plan to come!
ACTS OF KINDNESS TOUCH LIVES
Elsewhere in this edition of the Central Journal are two letters written
by two women shortly before they died. One is from Maria Orta Hands, our
Kitchen Manager, who dictated this letter to me in the hospital a few days
before she died on Christmas day. The other is from Martha Horton, who wrote
this letter of thanks a few weeks before her unexpected death. Both are poignant
in their thanks for the church and what it did for them. Please read these
letters.
They are both profound. Maria's letter thanks the church for taking her in
and helping her through her health issues. More importantly, it thanks the
church for helping her keep trust in people. Maria's life had been such that
she had cause to be cynical and skeptical about people and their motivations.
What a witness - to be able to proclaim that the church is responsible for
helping someone restore trust in people.
Martha's letter thanks the Youth Group for shoveling her driveway and walk
during one of their shovel and run events. Our elderly people, still trying
to live in their own homes, of course have difficulty with many of the basics
of living. Although the church cannot solve all problems, when the people
of the church, youth and others alike, engage in acts of kindness and caring,
the world is a better place and people are being served.
Maria knew that her death was imminent. Martha probably didn't. Either way,
when the church acts like the church, the Kingdom of God is served. Let's
keep up the good work, remain faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, and never
underestimate the cosmic importance of genuine acts of
caring.
CENTRAL HAS AMBULATORY AIDS
As Minister of Visitation, I am concerned that our congregation knows and
realizes that our Church owns two wheelchairs for use in the building by
anyone needing them. As of recent, we also were given two walkers through
the courtesy of the late Margaret Fast family. It is my hope that it becomes
widely known that CUMC is a totally accessible church for all persons. The
excellent new elevator just north of the Capitol Street entrance removes
all stress and strain encountered on stairways, when used. How wonderful
it is that we can offer these aids.
Submitted by Rev. Frank Anderson.
Requesting Pastoral Information or Personal Needs
From time to time, church members and friends of Central Church have special
needs and desires for ministries that we are only too happy to offer, if
we are informed. For example: When sickness or injury comes, please call
the office at 485-9477. Let us be advised of your request. This will mean
so much to us all. Occasionally, you might desire to have Holy Communion
served to you in your home or at the hospital bed. Kindly let your wishes
be known by calling the church office. Arrangements can be made to suit you.
Thank you for sharing ministry.
Rev. John Boley & Rev. Francis Anderson
Concealed Weapon Petition
If you were opposed to the concealed weapons bill which passed recently,
you may sign a petition to put it to a public vote in November. Petitions
are available in Fellowship Hall following the worship service. Please sign
the petition for the county where you are registered to vote. The petition
will also be available in the Shalom Peace Center at any time.
Submittedf by Carolyn Schuurmans
Partnership for Preservation
Please mark your calendar for our next May Day celebration on Saturday, May
5, 2001. Time and details will be announced at a later
date.
Thanks
Central staff extends a warm and sincere thank you to Pat Bell and members
of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee for facilitating the hanging of beautiful
Christmas stockings on the Committee's tree and for allowing parishioners
to write notes to us. The messages were inspiring, assuring, and affirming.
They will forever be etched in our hears and minds, owing especially to the
generous, loving spirit in which each was written.
This brings heartfelt thanks from each and every one of us for the generous
love offerings you gifts us at Christmas time. You underscored the season
in such a thoughtful way and richly highlighted, once again, how fortunate
we all are to be part of what makes things "tick" at Central. Your kindness
touched our hearts in a very special way.
From Central Staff
Welcome New Members
Marilyn Peterson came from Louisville, KY. She attended MSU where she studied
and graduated with a zoology degree. For 20 years she worked for the State
of Michigan House of Representatives in their fiscal agency. Her 8-year-old
son, Peter, goes to Verlinden Elementary School. They shair their home and
are busy with a big dog, three cats, a hermit crab and some fish. When both
time and opportune place allow, her favorite pastime is reading on the beach.
Welcome!
Lucy Akpabio was born in Nigeria where her mother and five brothers still
live. She plans to visit them in February. She lived in England and studied
at the University of Bristol. Her husband died while there. Coming to America,
she lived in California while daughter, Marjorie, attended UCLA. Marjorie
came to Michigan and gained her M.D. at MSU Medical School, and Lucy lived
with them in East Lansing, being a fond grandmother.
Lucy came to Lansing three years ago and is attending Davenport University
taking Computer Science and Management. She's been coming to Central about
a year and a half, and we are glad that she has joined us as part of our
family now.
Earl and Martha Shirtum are her sponsors.
Bill Adcock, born and raised in Lansing, attended Central and was in Sunday
School here as a child. He was in the first graduating class from the then
new Waverly High School. (Helped choose school colors of black and gold).
He was college trained at LCC and MSU, graduating with a degree in Architectural
Drawing. He has been a part of the family building company for 25
years.
Suzi Adcock. She and Bill were married in Mary Sabina Chapel ten years ago.
She was raised in New Jersey and because of a French major in high school,
attended college in France, earning a degree in Physical Therapy. Serving
as a therapist at Sparrow Hospital for 15 years, she also does French translating
there when needed.
Central warmly welcomes them into the family. Ken and Joanne Harvey are the
sponsors for Bill and Suzi.
Leslie Frame has Sunfield as her childhood home, and she graduated from Lakewood
High School. MSU is her Alma Mater. She majored in Criminal Justice. She
works for Capital Area Services with job training and placement for the jobless.
She was raised a Methodist, and she and her husband, John, were married ten
years ago by Rev. Jim Gysel at Central. Cyrus Jon is their nine-month-old
son, a joy for them. Besides parenting, they enjoy gardening, cooking, canning,
and she likes quilting, too. It's a joy for us to have her in our church
family. Art and Martha Boot are happy to be her
sponsors.
Fellowship Opportunities
Centralniters
All Centralniters, friends and guests, are invited to a Valentines Sunday
Brunch at Pistachio's Restaurant, 2827 E. Grand River, East Lansing, on Sunday,
February 18, at 12:30 p.m. The fare will be buffet style at a cost of about
$16 per person ($11 for seniors), including tax and tip. Please phone
reservations to Walt and Laveda Poyet at 337-7148, no later than February
16.
Our March meeting is to be "Green Potluck" at the home of Lee & Nancy
Dibble, with Irish music, at 6:30 p.m. on St. Patrick's
Day
Elderberrys Have Unbirthday Party
A special "Unbirthday Party in Honor of the Late Ray Ruppert" is planned
for Tuesday morning, February 13, at 10:30 a.m. for our older adult ministry,
Elderberrys. We are folks born before WWII just to give an idea of who we
are! Reservations with your date of birth are needed on sign-up sheets, or
given to Pamala Phillips, or the Church Office, by Monday, February 12 please.
A luncheon will be served at no cost, and we have great entertainment by
the Accordion Lady, Elaine Doxsie, of Mulliken. We plan to have a great time!
Parking and shuttle from the Presbyterian Church lot. (For more details contact
Frank Anderson, Ann Snyder, Pam Jennett, or Arline
Roe).
Monthly Report
Date and Attendance
Sunday, October 22 207
Sunday, October 29 216
Sunday, November 5 227
Sunday, November 12 216
Sunday, November 19 215
Church and Society Thanks You
By Joyce Joranko, co-chairperson
During the fall and winter the Church and Society Commission has been involved
in several issues and endeavors and would like to express our appreciation
for your support.
Proposal 1 which would allow for vouches for private school tuition was defeated.
The United Methodist Church, who has always been an advocate for public
education, opposed this initiative. We encouraged a no vote.
Support for the financial component for Thursday Fellowship Luncheons was
our request of you in November and December. Thank you for your generous
contribution.
On December 3, along with others in the Capitol Churches Coalition, we were
invited to have cookies and coffee at the First Baptist Church. We had a
good representation, and it was a warm time of fellowship with out neighbors.
Again, thank you for your support.
On a different note, you may be aware that Church and Society has been concerned
with global climate change and the effects it might have. I would like to
encourage you to read the articles written by Ada Kidd for the Michigan Christian
Advocate. Not only is she giving us pertinent information on environmental
concerns, but also several of her latest articles point out contaminates
related to cancer and asthma incidence. She generally is specific as to what
we can do to affect change.
Library Update
A new book for juniors authored by a former Central UMC Member, Toads in
Tank Suits is the story of a young girl, Julie, who changes from her success
in speed swimming for the challenge of synchronized swimming. Her dad is
her amateur coach and chief encourager.
At thirteen, Julie is paired off for duo competition with Sandy, already
a national solo swim champion. Their water ballet routines are fun and
fabulous.
This true adventure, written from personal knowledge of the author, is filled
with fun experiences, self-disciplines, months of training, and a hint of
romance.
The author, Frances L. Jones, was the Director of Health Education at the
Lansing YWCA from 1948-53. She organized and coached the Lansing Ripplettes
Club, 1949; "Sea Sprites", 1953-65; the Penguin Club in 1968, MSU Synchro
summer sports schools 1972-76, and conducted clinics from 1954-74 in the
midwest, east and south. She pioneered in the development of national and
international synchronized swimming events, coached young athletes for over
30 years, served on many national committees, and was chairperson of U.S.
Synchro as well as an official at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los
Angeles.
Frances and her husband, Stanley Jones, were active members at Central from
1949 until 1964, when they moved near Detroit. Congratulations to Frances
upon publishing this refreshing book for youth!
Toads in Tank Suits can be checked out at the library desk any Sunday morning.
Dip into this exciting book!
(Frances is a life member of the Swim Hall of
Fame.)
Shalom Center for Justice and Peace
November opening celebration--the first gathering of the Lansing District
Shalom Center--had the soulful sound of a jazz sax rendition of "Amazing
Grace". "For the Beauty of the Earth" was interpreted through the creative
movement of a dancer.
District Superintendent John Ellinger challenged the audience to "create
a situation in every [district] church where there is a fertile ground for
peace and justice ministries."
Many thanks to the people of Lansing Central Church who attended to the details
of refreshments and arrangements for the Celebration and who are so gracious
in sharing their facilities. The C nter is off to a great start toward building
a network for justice, peace and social change.
Stop by the Shalom Center (in the old Centennial Room off Fellowship Hall)
to see the new books. There are many ways you may be of help, for example,
the Center wants:
Writers on articles that address concerns consistent with the Social Principles
of the UMC,
Reviews of books that speak to justice and peace issues,
People willing to write their legislators about social justice issues from
time to time,
Volunteers to work on mailings,
Donations for the Shalom Center (checks payable to West Michigan Conference
Treasurer" and earmarked "Shalom Center."
An upcoming event sponsored by the Shalom Center is an April Symposium on
Michigan Jails, Prisons, and the Culture of Violence." Watch for more
details.
Music Notes
By Caryn Welter, Director of Music
Through my long history as a church musician, I've attended several
jurisdictional and national convocations of The Fellowship of United Methodists
in Music and Worship Arts. In 1999 and again in 2000, I was given 1999 and
again in 2000, I was blessed to have the opportunity to attend convocations
of The Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts. The first
one was in Nashville, Tennessee, and the second was in Indianola, Iowa.
The workshops draw top clinicians from around the nation who reflect upon
timely church issues of the day, as they relate to ministering, preaching,
music and the arts, trying to address them in scholarly and creative ways.
The forum allows for much discussion and sharing of philosophical leanings,
but also allows participants to gather a broad spectrum of practical ideas
for immediate practice. Ideally, churches send a team of individuals to these
kinds of training sessions. All too often, though, money limits the participation
that's possible. This means that one or two people are trying to "cover"
all strands of the program.
The format typically includes morning and evening worship services, which
can serve as a model for special services back at home. These worship settings
are awe-inspiring in their richness and beauty. The leaders make full use
of every technique in their respective histories to guide the congregation
through a series of purposeful, well-placed, meaningful activities whose
aim is to bring the congregation into a spirit of unity, while promoting
both individuality and commonality as we worship our God.
The classes are diverse and afford many opportunities. There are organ technique,
organ repertoire, and service-playing components. There are classes each
day which address how-to questions for children's choir and youth choir
directors. There are beginning and advanced bell ringing and directing courses.
There are segments that teach choral conducting strategies and techniques,
and some that introduce minor or major works. Midday there is an opportunity
for pastors, musicians, dancers, and artists to come together and discuss
philosophical points, hear worthwhile speakers, and present new views on
"old" topics. There are two music-reading sessions each day, at which musicians
can participate with choristers whose collective voices are truly amazing.
Much of the music that's been sung or played during worship here at Central,
both last year and this year, has come directly from my experiences in those
convocation settings. Early bird organists are specially blessed because,
typically, convocations are held in university setting at which there is
at least one church whose organ is notable. As long as organists are willing
to be out of the sanctuary by 8:00 a.m., we can sign up to practice in the
mornings. This has given me the opportunity to play many fine
instruments.
As you might well imagine, participation in these types of offerings is
remarkably inspiring and restorative. It allows church leaders a time for
networking with each other and for gathering a vast wealth of information
and materials for possible implementation back in their home churches. For
these kinds of opportunities, I am most
grateful.
UMW
We have new Conference and District Presidents for UMW. Patsy Coffman of
St. Johns has accepted the Conference Presidency and Leta Guild of Grace
UMC here in Lansing is our new District President. Julia Deemer, our former
Conference President, has accepted a national position with Women's Division.
Laura Sager, our former District President, has accepted the position of
District Vice-President. Please remember these women, and all our officers,
I your prayers.
Gwen Bodine, our "treasured" Treasurer, is still recovering from her broken
kneecap and the infection and surgeries that followed. Your cards and prayers
are always welcome and much appreciated.
Mission Team will be meeting Tuesday, February 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Centennial
Room. All are welcome. If you have anything you would like the Team to know,
please feel free to come to the meeting, leaving the information in the UMW
box, or contact a member of the Team. Our meetings are open to all.
If you would like to work more closely with the Mission Team or UMW in general,
there are several opportunities for service available. Please contact Pat
Mort, Arline Roe or Linda Towsley for more information.
Why do United Methodist Women do the things we do? Why do we
care?
John Wesley taught "the World is our Parish". Here 's the World in terms
we can easily understand:
If we could shrink the earth's population to a village or precisely 100 people,
with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look something
like the following. There would be:
57 Asians
21 Europeans
14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south
8 Africans
52 would be female
48 would be male
70 would be non-Christian
30 would be Christian
89 would be heterosexual
11 would be homosexual
6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth, and all 6 would be from the United States
80 would live in substandard housing
70 would be unable to read
50 would suffer from malnutrition
1 would be near death
1 would be near birth
1 (year, only 1) would have a college education
1 would own a computer
When one considers our world from such a compressed perspective, the need
for acceptance, understanding and education becomes glaringly
apparent.
Why do we do what we do? Because we can. Come join
us.
CHURCH WOMEN UNITED
February 5 (first Monday) at 1:00 p.m. at Presbyterian Church, 743 N. MLK
Blvd. at Oakland. Speaker: Dr. Dale Carnegie, Principal, Sexton High School,
"Innovative Education". Everyone welcome. Fellowship time following
program.
Interfaith Day
This is the 31st annual meeting of Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox and Jewish
faiths. It is a program unique to the Lansing area. The theme this year is
"Thresholds of Faith—Birth and Death". Speakers will be Rev. Penny Barnett
from Plymouth Congregational Church, Father Alan Wakefield, Father Mark Sestema
from Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, and Rabbi E. B. (Bunny) Freedman,
Director of Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network in Southfield. There will
be an additional talk on the Sikh Faith by Pashaura Singh, from the University
of Michigan.
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 27
Time: 9 a.m. registration; 2:30 p.m. closing
Cost: $7.00 Tickets may be purchased from Marge Sleight or by calling Grace
Hunt (484-6506). Checks may be sent to her at 518 Allen Street, Lansing
48912.
Place: Congregation Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, 1924 Coolidge Road, East Lansing.
There is limited space at the synagogue, so don't wait until the last minute
to get tickets!
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