Central
Journal . . . electronic edition
July/August, 2003
Keeping Members and Friends Informed
Promoting
Fellowship
Contributing to Spiritual
Growth
NEWS FROM THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
“A pretty intense four days…”
Patricia Bell, Lay Member to Annual Conference
I recently returned from the West Michigan Annual Conference as a lay member from our Lansing District.
The theme for this year was All My Relatives: Reconciling the Body of Christ Through God's Abundance. This included a Sunday Service of Acts of Repentance and Reconciliation, repenting of our racism, with special emphasis on our African-American and Native American sisters and brothers, several of whom participated in all services.
During legislation, we vote on items within the conference that deal with anything from clergy health care and compensation to issues on social justice, the environment, prayer focus, children’s advocacy, a study on homosexuality and more.
Every four years on the year before General Conference, each Annual Conference elects delegates for the General Conference (G.C.) and North Central Jurisdictional Conference (N.C.J.C.). It took laity about 6 ballots to elect our delegates, and clergy about 14 ballots to elect theirs. You will notice some familiar names among the delegates elected. G.C. clergy: the Revs. Benton Heisler, Russell McReynolds, Laurie Haller, Lynn Pier-Fitzgerald; N.C.J.C. clergy Susan Hagans, Joy Moore, Brad Kolajainen, and John Boley. Alternates: Les Lougden and John Ross Thompson. G.C. laity: Cris Bobier, David Wiltse, Joel Pier-Fitzgerald (youth), Laurie Dahlman; N.C.J.C. laity: Patsy Coffman, Julia Deemer, Sandra Douglas, Steven Lett.
There are also daily worship services; numerous reports from various groups like Global Ministries, Board of Church and Society, Bishops Initiative on Children and Poverty and UMW; a memorial service and a program for clergy retirees and spouses. Three of the highlights are the Ordination of Elders in full Connection — our own Kathy Kursch was ordained Elder and is appointed to two local churches; the Commissioning of new Candidates for Ministry; and the Youth Report which includes a hilarious take off on the often silly things that go on during legislation, and the youth had no mercy on anyone, including the Bishop!
All through the Conference each year, there are people monitoring the balance of participation regarding gender, race, age, persons with disabilities, etc., and they give a daily report on how we are doing. It keeps us moving on to perfection in honoring everyone.
A pretty intense four days – it was fascinating and enjoyable. I had an opportunity to spend time with clergy friends and lay members I don't get to see often enough. There is much more than I can cover here, so look for both June issues of the Michigan Christian Advocate.
more good news…
Rev. Dr. Russell McReynolds
ACTS OF REPENTANCE at Annual Conference
Many of us have waited several years for members of the United Methodist Church, a predominantly white denomination, to formally apologize for the mistreatment of African Americans and other ethnic groups, including Native Americans. The West Michigan Annual Conference (WMC), held on Calvin College campus, Grand Rapids, last week, was the place for doing the Acts of Repentance; a historical moment. It was the first demonstration of public apology for racism within the bounds of our Annual Conference. It was long over–do. The 2002 General Conference in Cleveland was the first Acts of Repentance ever done on behalf of the United Methodist Church.
The need goes back to Richard Allen, Absalom Jones and other African Americans, who were pulled from the front, and out of St. George Methodist Church, Philadelphia, in 1794. By 1816, Richard Allen and others organized the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME). The first church to be organized in Philadelphia was named Mother Bethel AME Church and it is still there. The real demon was racism. There was no confession or public apology for the sin of racism. In 1820 the African Methodist Episcopal Church Zion (AMEZ) was organized in New York for similar reasons – racism and mistreatment of people of color within the Methodist Episcopal Church. Again, no Acts of Repentance.
The Methodist Episcopal Church nevertheless continued to struggle over issues of race and slavery and in 1844 divided and became the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church South. You would think that all the Blacks would have left the Methodist Episcopal Church and Methodist Episcopal Church South by now and joined the AME or AMEZ Churches. It’s a mystery, but many stayed and accepted the imposed seating arrangements. So following the Emancipation Proclamation in 1870, Blacks within the Methodist Episcopal Church South, left or were escorted out to organize the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church (CME). After 1954, “Colored“ was changed to “Christian”. There was still no Acts of Repentance for this clear evidence of racism.
Another significant decision was the bringing back together of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The merger was accomplished through the creation of the Central Jurisdiction in 1939. This was the separation of races in the church impacting those Blacks who remained. It was a policy of segregation within the Church. It was painful. No one saw a need to repent. Segregation in the Methodist Church continued until a merger took place between the Evangelical United Brethren (EUBS) and the Methodist Church in 1968, at which point the Central Jurisdiction was abolished. It was a victory for righteousness. But there was still no apology.
Many thought to do anything comparable to Acts of Repentance for the racism within the Church would bring up bad history. So ignore the history. Act like it didn’t happen. Of course, denial does not work in our
personal lives or in our corporate lives. We must repent of our evil ways - personal and institutional - for racial healing to take place.
So it was a powerful decision on the part of the WMC to have its Acts of Repentance to bring about racial healing between African Americans, Native Americans and Whites. Bishop Vashti McKenzie, the first woman to be elected a bishop in the AME Church, brought a powerful sermon to help do Acts of Repentance. So at the session of Annual Conference there was public confession and repentance for the cruelty of racism. We were also pleased to have our brothers and sisters from the AME, CME, AMEZ, Native Americans and African Americans who stayed in the UMC, present, along with Whites, to experience the Acts of Repentance and witness to our commitment to do better in our practice of the Faith.
Education
Bob Roth, Minister of Christian Formation
Immediate Reminder!
Please spread the word that Sunday, June 29 at 11:00 a.m., is our Pancake Brunch. This is a great opportunity to help raise money to send our kids to camp. Invite a friend.
Vacation Bible School Thank–you
The children played hard, sang loudly, and, at times, listened well to the stories of the faith. The leaders and helpers planned well, worked hard, and, at times, had a lot of fun. Now with our 2003 installment of Vacation Bible School ended, we are all better people for having been a part of it.
With the theme, Lighthouse Kids; Shining God’s Light, we learned through the four daily themes that God’s light attracts, guides, arrives and shines. In those same days, we were called to respond, trust, rejoice and reflect (God’s light).
We give deep thanks and appreciation to all who helped…
Our Education chair, Julie Cooper; Our song leader (and T-shirt wizard), Kathy MacLaren; Our crafts leaders, LeAnn Riddle and Julie Cooper; Our supplies coordinator, Pam Jennett; Our “beam leaders”, Mary Bowers, Leon and Cheer Martin, Jamie Zimmer and JoAnne Harvey; Our drama and Bible story leaders from Potter Park UMC, Cris Bobier, with Syndahl and Jonathan; Our meals coordinators, Leora Stutes, Loraine Metzger and Win Anderson (others helped, too!); Our youth helpers, Sam Holoweiko, Simon Holoweiko, Caroline MacLaren, Abby Cooper and Ashley Grettenberger; (And yes, I was the mission leader.)
Many thanks also to Denise and Dennis Kelley, Mary Bowers and Lois Myers for sharing lots of cool lighthouse stuff for our decorations; and to our building manager, Tom Towsley, for all the extra “challenges” presented by Vacation Bible School week!
Summer Planning
One of the planning projects during the summer involves setting the course (courses!) for the fall adult electives. Please speak with Adult Coordinator, Pat Bell, or me if you have new ideas, desire to teach or co–teach or want to put in a good word for continuing one of the classes we had this past year.
Mark Your Calendar Now…
For RALLY DAY on September 7 when we begin again with fall education programming, including Sunday School for all ages, Youth Groups and Adult Studies. Youth families, watch your mail for an August get–together.
News for Youth
See separate youth mailing in the summer for an August get-together.
With our rousing trip to Oldsmobile Park on June 22 for a Lansing Lugnuts game (with pics now on the youth bulletin board), our 2002 - 2003 year of Youth Ministry came to a fun-filled conclusion. We want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU!!! to three wonderful youth counselors who “graduated” from the youth program at the end of the year.
Dennis Kelley served faithfully as a youth counselor in the UMYF groups for seven years and has felt the call to work in some other areas in the life of the church. Youth counselor Jeff Roth and counselor/youth coordinator Pam Roth are in the process of moving to Lowell as Jeff has taken a new job (a promotion!) in Grand Rapids. Many thanks to Dennis, Jeff and Pam.
Acolytes, Crucifers needed
Pat Mort
Interested in being an acolyte or crucifer beginning in the fall? Please let Pat Mort know (484–2356) as training will be held in late summer/early fall. Acolytes are usually elementary/middle school age and Crucifers are often high school aged. However, if there are others interested in finding out more about these opportunities, don't hesitate to ask.
MusicNotes
Caryn Welter, Music Director
Thanks to these people for their participation in Central's summer music program...
June 15 …... Doug Lounsbury
June 22 …... Dennis Kelley
June 29 …... Bob Pena
July 6 …….. Janet Geissler
July 13 …… Portia Cole
July 20 …… Bryce Berry
July 27 …… Jessica Allen
August 3 …. Carolyn and Dale Kirkby
August 10 ... Portia Cole
August 17 ... Bill Tennant, Sr.
August 24 ... Kathy and Suzanne MacLaren
August 31 ... Dave Schuurmans
Thank you, as well, to Bruce and Shirley Goodrich for making it all possible.
Have a great summer, everyone.
Lindsay Kesselman . . .
is our incoming Director of Youth and Children’s Music Activities. She brings a wealth of experiences to the position, and eagerly anticipates her ministry here, beginning in September.
Wedding Hostesses needed
Pat Mort
Central’s physical beauty and location make it a favorite spot for weddings. Members, family members and those who belong to other churches outside the city use our facilities. With every wedding there are details handled at the rehearsal and before and during the ceremony by the wedding hostess.
Hostesses work with the entire bridal party, assuring the “little things“ aren’t forgotten, helping everyone be in the right place at the right time, alerting the organist and pastor to unforeseen delays and situations. This means the hostess has to be at both the rehearsal and at the church the day of the wedding from the time the bride arrives to get ready until after the service ends.
If this sounds like a ministry you’d be interested in helping with, please contact either Pat Basgall, in the church office or Pat Mort at 484-2356. Thank you.
Schools of Christian Mission
Drive-in day - July 19
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Grand Rapids
Crowne Plaza Hotel
$25 if registered by June 30
Please call Carolyn Schuurmans (321–0569) if you would like to
attend.
Topics:
Mexico and Creating Interfaith Community
Spiritual Growth study:
An African–American Methodist Journey
Men’s Bible Study on recess
David DeVinney
The Tuesday morning Men’s Bible Study is on recess until September 2. This will be a great time to join this group of men as we learn together. Plan to meet with us in the fall.
Full shelves for summer reading
Win Anderson, Library Task Force
Since the beginning of this year, our church library has received 50 books. Some used books were given by our members and friends, a few were given as memorials, and the rest were purchased by the Library Task Force.
Fiction, Children, Bible, Autobiography, Christian Life, Literature, Books About the Bible, Meditation, UMW and Reference are the categories these acquired books represent. Included are seven large print books.
A sampling of the new titles are:
The King of Torts, by John Grisham
The Other Side of Welcome, by Sue Ellen Johnson
Yes, Lord, I have Sinned but I have Several Excellent Excuses, by James A. Moore
Understanding the Dead Sea Scrolls, by Hershel Shanks
The Magic School Bus, by Cole and Degan
Murder at Ford’s Theater, by Margaret Truman
The Cat Who Brought Down the House, by Lilian Braun
With so many interesting, informative and ‘good reads’ available, we encourage the congregation to take full advantage of the library’s full shelves. Summer can be a wonderful time to relax with a good book. Books can be checked out and returned any Sunday morning.
Come, select your books soon!
“In the Heart of Central”
JoAnne Harvey
Beginning in July, Church and Society Commission will sponsor a bulletin board available to all Central members in the hall between the Temple House and Library.
We hope to lift up those who are “In the Heart of Central” and the bulletin board will be encircled with a red heart. It will show names and pictures of those for whose bodily and spiritual welfare we have concerns. It will include names and pictures of members and their children in military service. If you have names and pictures for the board leave them in the Church and Society mailbox in the first floor lounge. If you want the pictures returned, please indicate so.
Anyone whose well-being is a concern can be pictured and named on our board by relatives or friends; shut-ins, the hospitalized, those for whom we rejoice as well as grieve. It is not necessary to include a picture if one is not available. Please help us make this an ongoing service for Central members.
GO – SEE – DO
Carolyn Schuurmans
Midwest Mission Tour
coming up – October 13–18
The West Michigan Conference Hunger Committee of the United Methodist Church is organizing a trip to Indiana, Illinois, and Arkansas from October 13–18, 2003. It is primarily geared to United Methodists, however, there will also be plenty of interest for other denominations.
The tour will begin in Elkhart, Indiana, with a visit to the Church World Service Office. A lunch visit will be at the Midwest Heifer Regional Center in Goshen. Then it will be on to Perryville, Arkansas, and a full day of activities with the Heifer Project on October 15. On Friday, October 17, participants will volunteer at the Mid–West Mission Distribution Center (a ministry of the United Methodist Church and a small scale version of what is in New Windsor, Maryland) in Chatham, Illinois, near Springfield. That evening a Church World Service Disaster Response Consultant will talk to the tour group about domestic disaster work. Saturday morning will include a tour of several Lincoln historic sites, then homeward bound.
The cost is $475 which includes transportation, lodging, all meals, and activity fees. Transportation will be with Hartzler Transportation, Inc. Priority seating will be given to West Michigan United Methodists, but will open to all others after August 8.
Please call Carolyn Schuurmans, 321–0569, if you would like to join us.
Among Friends
Remember…
Special prayers for:
Lucy Akpabio - at home
Ruth Graham - Burcham Hills
Martha Haskins - at home
Bob Jenkins - at home
Natalie Lamphere - at home
Revena McLaughlin - at home
Ruth Norton - Jackson, near her daughter
Doris Parks - Ingham County Medical Care Facility
Homer Taylor - Timberwinds
Allison Thomas - Burcham Hills
Congratulations…
Justin and Margorie Sleight celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary June 23
Thank you...
What a beautiful morning to Walk/Run with Determination on June 14. I wish to express my thanks to Bob Wangen for planning the Run, to Jan Keen for walking with me at 7:45 a.m. before the runners were on the route and to the many church members who sponsored me by making a donation to the church budget. Let's all plan ahead to WALK or RUN next June as we support our church. ----Dottie Stark
Cemetery Spaces for Sale
Charlie Bell, Board of Trustees
Plan ahead, reserve early, single occupancy or blocks of two and four. Central is selling a number of cemetery spaces, vaults and memorials received over time as gifts. Before we advertise to the public, we are offering them to Central members at a discounted price.
Located in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, 4444 West Grand River, there are four spaces in the Last Supper Garden; four spaces in the Masonic Garden; two in the Apostles Garden and one in the Victory Garden. Also available are four vaults and two companion memorials.
Here is an opportunity to make a difficult purchase and feel good about it. Contact Pat Basgall Monday through Thursday at the church office, 485–9477.
Older adults: Asset or Liability?
Rev. F. F. Anderson, Ret.
There are older adult ministries at most every level of the U.M.C. We read in the May 5 issue of the Michigan Christian Advocate, page 8, “In the United States, 35 million adults—12.5 percent of the population—are 65 or older, and that number will more than double in the next three decades.” In the UMC, nearly half – 48.4 % – of the membership is already over 65…“Furthermore,” the article says, “the number of old folks in our Church has out–run the increase of the aged in the nation. In demographic terms, this phenomenon is not about to change or disappear!”
On the basis of percentage, half of our leaders ought to be over 65, too! Hmmm. That's an interesting idea. So, why are not MORE of our members in ELDERBERRYS, the illustrious group of older adults in Central? Here is why: We are deniers. Our age is seen as a liability, rather than as an asset. Attitudes matter.
There was a National UMC Symposium held in Nashville, TN., regarding, “devoting more energy to ministry with vital older adults”. Our representative to the National Committee on Older Adult Ministries is Louise Thomas of Kentwood, MI. I want to suggest that we older adults have much to offer to the church at hand. “To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill; O may it all my powers engage to do my Master's will!” (Charles Wesley). Let us not be deceived to think that there is a cutoff time for our leading active and productive lives--especially for our God.
Church Women United
Potluck 6 p.m.-September 8 at CUMC
Carolyn Schuurmans
We hope lots of Central women will come to enjoy fellowship with women from other denominations.
Program begins at 6:45 p.m. with Linda Loeffler speaking about M1child, a medical insurance program for Michigan children.
This meeting is the first evening program we have held, and we are hoping working women will attend and become acquainted with Church Women United.
Run with Determination Race Results
Bob Wangen
On Saturday, June 14, we conducted the Third Annual "Run With Determination." The weather was beautiful, the course scenic, and the fellowship wonderful. I want to thank those businesses that sponsored the event:
>Kirkby Associates - Kitchens and Interiors >Great Lakes Training and Consulting >Mantissa Industries >D. A. Rainsberger Company >Beaners (on Ottawa near the church) >Forgrave Business Forms >Mainstay Funds >McDaniels Kitchen and Bath
I also want to recognize the members of the church who served as volunteers on the run. Without their assistance this event would not have been possible:
>Pat Wangen (and Bob - Ed) >Jan and Ed Keen >Joe and Nancy O'Shea
>Loraine Metzger >John and Penny Zago >Larry and Deb Lynn
>Jon and Donna Reynolds >Mary Boudreau >Bob Pena
>Doug and Mary Bowers >David DeVinney
Anyone who wishes to view the results of the “Run With Determination“ may do so by clicking here Run Results.
With Gratitude and Great Expectations
Jamie Zimmer, Chair, Administrative Council
Much gratitude and appreciation goes to all of the dedicated people who work so hard year round to make Central the outstanding church that it is. Dedicated literally means to be wholly committed and that surely describes the wonderful people of this congregation who serve the Lord through our church in sacrificial ways. The world makes great demands on our time and resources, and yet, you serve and give with glad hearts.
Some say that they come to church primarily for what they get out of the services, but the irony is that we only really get by giving. We receive courage, inspiration and blessing only by interacting with each other, sometimes in total agreement, sometimes in strong disagreement. But we shave off the rough edges of our faith, as my grandmother used to say (she really said that we're all “cracked pots”), by working alongside others in their faith journeys. I am a better person when I listen to you and learn from you.
Many Central members are meeting through the summer to plan for an exciting year of celebration beginning in September. Our spiritual renewal continues to be extremely important as we dream new dreams, plan carefully for the future, and celebrate with true Christian love for one another. We are looking to the future with great expectations.
May your hearts be blessed and renewed this summer as we prepare for an exciting year.
SAVE THIS DATE: September 21, 2003 – Second Chance Celebration Potluck
Special guests • Fun and Fellowship • Great food • Inspiration
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