January, 2001
Keeping Members and Friends Informed
Promoting Fellowship
Contributing
to Spiritual Growth
New Communion Service Planned
Come celebrate communion with us in a new format on Sunday, February 4. The
actual service of communion will be the central focus.
Pastor John will prepare a children's sermon, but the remainder of our worship
time will be devoted to a new expanded, more participatory celebration of
Holy Communion. Our service will be a mixture of traditional and more
contemporary ideas, ritual and music. A complete, detailed written instruction
will be in the pews so that it will be easy to follow along. Our goal is
to create an atmosphere that invites everyone to more fully realize the presence
of God participating with us as we spend time celebrating the significance
of this sacrament to our lives.
Bill and Joi Tennant,
Co-chairpersons of Administrative Council
Fellowship Opportunities
Young Adults or Young-at-Heart-Adults
On January 13, 2001 we will be going to Burchfield Park (formerly Grand River
Park) in Holt for an afternoon of sledding. We will gather at Tom and Linda
Towsleys at 12:00 noon. Their address is 11964 Jarvis, Dimondale (1 1/2 miles
from park). Afterwards we will go back to the Towsleys to enjoy sloppy joes,
fun and warmth. For more information, contact Denise & Dennis Kelley
at 484-9109. Hope to see you
there!
Elderberrys
Elderberrys were unable to meet on Tuesday, December 12, due to the inclement
weather. We will postpone the skit on "Gramma's Attic" to a later time. However,
we shall gather together on Tuesday morning, January 9, 2001, at 10 a.m.
for a program to be announced. Luncheon in the church dining room for a $2
donation. The details are important and will interest everyone I'm
sure.
Rev. Francis Anderson
Home Communion Available
The Minister of Visitation wishes to make known that we can offer Holy Communion
for persons in Retirement Homes or Shut-Ins. Simply phone the church office
(484-9477), give your name, address and phone number, and suggest a day and
time when a minister might come and serve you the Sacrament. This is a good
way to begin the new year and sustain yourself as a member of the church's
family.
Rev. Francis Anderson
Let the hallmark of every Christmas Season be a Christmas Card purchased
to support our Partnership for Preservation program
Cards are packaged in groups of 15 for $8.00. They are available for purchase
each Sunday during coffee hour or at the church office during office
hours.
The proceeds from the sale go to Partnership for Preservation, a fund dedicated
to maintaining and preserving the structural integrity of Central United
Methodist Church and Temple House for the purpose of providing a location
for religious, cultural, recreational and community service to the City of
Lansing.
Visit our web site at www.gbgm-umc.org/centumc to learn more about the card
and Partnership for Preservation, and to see what the card actually looks
like.
UMW Calendar for 2001
January 6, 9 – 11:30 am
Epiphany Breakfast
Lansing Christ UMC
Speaker Joan Kelsey
April 20-21
Spring Retreat
Wesley Woods
"Discovering your Spiritual Gifts"
Leader: Joyce Showerman
April 21 – 25 (Wash., D.C.)
UMW Seminar
"Living as a Have in a
World of Have Nots"
July 18 – 20
School of Christian
Mission at Holt UMC
July 21
SCM Drive-In Day at
Holt UMC
September 19, 3 – 8 p.m.
Lansing District Annual
"It's a Small World"
Mt. Hope UMC
Speaker: Cris Bobier
October 20
Conference Annual
Chapel Hill UMC
Portage, MI
NEW CLASS STARTING ON "PRAYER"
What did Jesus teach about prayer? This will be the focus on the next adult
Sunday School class, being taught by Joi Tennant, for 14 Sundays at 11 a.m.
beginning January 7 in the 2nd floor lounge. The book, Talking with My Father,
by Ray C. Stedman, will be used. In this book each of the 12 chapters deals
with a separate scripture passage in which Jesus is praying or talking about
prayer. Stedman is an expert Bible teacher whose style is comfortable,
down-to-earth and at the same time both insightful and refreshing in its
honest questioning. Books will be available in class to either borrow or
buy (approx. $7)
Education Notes
By Pamala Phillips, Director of Education and Youth Leader
Children's Sermons – January thru March
I am preparing/scheduling Children's Sermons January through March. To date
I have used names of those on previous/recent schedules prior to my arrival
at Central last April. I want all of you to know that if you are interested
and have not been asked, it's because I don't know of your interest/willingness.
SO, if you would like to do a Children's Sermon, let me know when you are
available, and we will schedule it.
2nd Sunday "Brunch"
Hey! Don't forget this opportunity to have a quick, delicious, all-you-can-eat
meal with your church family every second Sunday of every month at 12:15
p.m.
The menu for Sunday, November 12, was tender, delicious ham, augratin potatoes,
broccoli-carrot-cauliflower medley, and a wonderful green salad served with
hard rolls and several first-class desserts. As always, there was also a
tray of peanut better and jelly sandwiches. The ice tea and coffee were
especially good.
NO tipping, NO waiting, GREAT company, pleasant servers; and all for $10/person
or $25/family.
Come and get acquainted with someone new to you, or grab a friendly conversation
with a dear friend. We were all done and out the door soon after 1:00! Need
a ride home? We can arrange for that—let us know.
At the December brunch we honored Ruthann Jaquette for her work with our
church as bookkeeper and business manager.
The January brunch will be an opportunity to see the Hudy's slide presentation
and wish them well as they leave for their mission assignment in
Bolivia.
Another new class starting in January
On January 3 we will be sharing in a worship service to begin a new season
of study options. One of those options is the FaithQuest Bible Study. Kayla
Tipton and Pat Bell will be leading as "Learning Leaders" in this
study.
FaithQuest is a multipurpose Bible study that offers a number of new concepts
for viewing scripture. These concepts act as lenses that provide new perspectives
on the Bible.
FaithQuest challenges participants to envision a new kind of church that
is centered in Christ and informed by the Bible.
FaithQuest is divided into four sections.
1. "A New Way of Thinking About Jesus Christ" focuses on the Gospel of Luke.
2. "A New Way of Thinking About the Church" focuses on the Book of Acts.
3. "A New Way of Thinking About the World" is a study of the Epistle to the Ephesians, moving us into a global awareness of what it means to be the church, and helps clarify our mission for the 21st century.
4. "A New Way of Thinking About the Christian Life" reflects on some of the
main teachings of John Wesley.
This is designed as an 18-week study with daily reading and questions. It
will meet on Wednesday evenings for about 2 1/2 hours. They intend to be
as flexible as possible to accommodate a multitude of schedules. The study
does require a commitment on your part. It invites participants to examine
their own spirituality and their call to be effective Christian leaders within
the United Methodist Church. Please pray about this and come to the prayer
service on the 3rd of January.
United Methodist Women
By Pat Mort, President
Community House Appeal
We received a letter from Patsy Coffman, our Conference President, asking
for additional funds for Community House in Grand Rapids. Community House
does great work in their neighborhood and beyond. Families, seniors, students,
single parents, marginalized persons, and teens all benefit from the services
offered at Community House.
Central has always had Community House in its budget as a line item. This
Christmas we collected toys and books for their children. Community House,
or "The Methodist" , as some of its neighbors refer to it, is in danger of
losing funding, something that may cause the doors to close. Please take
a few moments to consider what this will mean to the people served: No pre-school
program. No after-school program. No senior program. No lunch program. No
activities for teens. Fewer opportunities to spread the love of God to those
Jesus entreats us to serve.
If you find this a cause which you feel passionate about and would like to
send a contribution to Community House, please make out your checks to UMW,
give them to Gwen Bodine and earmark them "Community House." Thank
you.
Mission Team is taking a "vacation" this month. If you have a concern you
feel should be brought up to our members, please contact Gwen Bodine, Linda
Towsley or Pat Mort
An Update on Two of Central's Youth
Sara Grove: An update courtesy of the Albion Alumni Paper by Pat
Mort
At Center Stage, the Baltimore area's premier regional theatre, Sara Grove,
'95 Albion graduate, is an associate for Theater for a New Generation. Funded
through a $1.4 million grant, the educational outreach program aims specifically
to increase the number of people aged 14-30 attending Center Stage performances
and to involve them in a broad range of theater experiences. Grove organizes
student matinees, plans workshops with artists and artisans, coordinates
a playwrights-in-residency program and a Young Playwrights Festival, assists
with student productions and works with visiting school groups. As she put
it, "Our program invites students to explore their own artistry and imagination
as audience members, writers, creative thinkers and performers...The students
have made my time in Baltimore extremely productive in fostering real creative
growth, and I have to say, I love my job!" Before joining Center Stage last
fall, Sara taught school in Michigan for four years.
A Bill Tennant, Jr. Update from Joi Tennant
A lot of you have asked about Bill, so I decided it would be of interest
to the whole church family to know just what's happening in his
life.
Bill moved to Portland, Oregon the first week in August, traveling like a
sardine in his car with all of his most important possessions packed around
him. After he arrived there he learned of a job that had not even been officially
posted, and within 5 days he was employed. His official title is "Classical
Product Manager" of Allegro Corporation, a large CD distribution company
which is headquartered in Portland. This job uses all of Bill's classical
music expertise and has challenged him to quickly learn the ropes of big
business. He creates monthly sales rep. catalog spread sheets, communications
with sales reps, produces CDs, makes lots of big decisions, entertains big
shots, etc. He says he is never bored, and, like so many jobs these days,
he could easily put in 12-hour days, but he refuses to do that because there
are just too many good things to do in Portland.
Bill loves Portland. He found a good place to live in a nice neighborhood
within walking distance of his bank, a huge new organic grocery store, and
other conveniences. He can't get used to the thrill of seeing Mt. Hood on
his way to work, or Mt. St. Helen so close by. So far the weather has been
great, but everyone warns him that the rainy season is coming and will dampen
his spirits.
Bill could not make it home for Christmas this year. He is hoping to be able
to come home in August for a visit.
If you are interested in writing to Bill, his address is:
William Tennant
P. O. Box 14382
Portland, OR 97293-0382
e-maill address: wdt7@hotmail.com
TELLING IT LIKE IT IS FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
Bob Wangen, Chairperson
At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Christ, and it is truly a time of
celebration and hope. I wish I could speak solely of celebration, but
unfortunately I must bring good and bad news.
The good news is that the Stewardship Campaign is almost concluded. Some
of our members have made new or increased pledges demonstrating their commitment
to our ministry. To you, we say thank you for your generous
support.
In our stewardship campaign letter, we mentioned our budget for the current
year was a deficit budget. At this point, the budget for 2001 is again a
deficit budget, with our expenses exceeding our income. For those who say
we must live within our means, I will tell you we are not frivolous in our
spending. But, as opposed to the current year, we will not have surplus to
fall back on in 2001.
This year 176 families, representing 287 members of our church, have pledged
to support our ministry. That means that over 200 members of our church do
not pledge or give anything. We cannot afford to begin 2001 with the budget
as it is today. If only 60 more families were to pledge $1000 per year ($20
each week), we could fully fund our ministry.
In his Directions for Singing, John Wesley tells us to sing with courage
and spirituality. We ask you to support the work of your church in the same
manner.
Central Church needs your help! If you wish to make a pledge, contact the
church office to get a pledge form.
If you want to check on the status of your pledge, call or e-mail Bob at
669-8433 or wangenrb@grtlaketng.com.
The Finance Committee is available to answer any and all of your questions
in regards to the church's financial policy and status. The finance committee
meets on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m., and the meetings are
open to all church members.
My friends and fellow members of this great church, God sent his Son into
the world and created us in His image to be the instruments of Christ. Let
us serve the Lord through our prayers, presence, gifts and
service.
Missions
By Joi Tennant
Hudy Happenings
The days will soon be accomplished when our church will "deliver" our very
own new-born missionary family to their assignment at Rio Colorado Technical
School in the rain forest of Bolivia. There Peter will administrate the school
and "keep the computers going, the generator functioning, and the buildings
from falling down." Estela will develop her own mission projects there as
she sees the need. Benjamin and Jonatan will learn a whole new way of
life.
You will have two opportunities to see and hear the presentation they have
prepared (with slides) which will orient us to their assignment. You are
invited to attend either or both times. The first will be a potluck on Friday,
January 5, at 6:15 p.m. The Hudy's are inviting folks from other churches
to attend at this time, as well as our own congregation. The second will
be in conjunction with the Second Sunday Brunch on January 14 at 12:15 p.m.
We hope many of our church family will show their support for the Hudys by
attending.
During the church service on the 14th, we will have our official send-off
ceremony for Peter, Estela, Benjamin and Jonatan.
Please call the church (485-9477) to make potluck and/or dinner reservations,
if possible, at least 24 hours prior to the
meal.
Pastor's Pen
As we all know, the Church of Jesus Christ is a living, breathing thing which
grows and evolves in dynamic ways as guided by the Holy Spirit. It interacts
with human freedom and initiative in ways that are mysterious, but add to
the dynamism. The Good News is that the church will exist until the end of
time, regardless of human sin and error.
One of the tensions that we live with in this divine dynamic is the tension
between orthodox theology – the time honored teachings relating to God,
Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Church – and new thought and innovation
based on human reason and experience. We live in a constant process of pushing
out on the boundaries of the theological box and pulling back to the core
of theological correctness based in orthodoxy. This is a good and healthy
process and keeps our faith alive.
This winter and spring, in the messages I bring you on Sundays, we will engage
in this process by examining orthodoxy and expansion at the same time. We
will do this using the Apostle's Creed as the framework. Each Sunday we will
take a different clause of the Apostle's Creed and develop it, looking at
orthodox teaching and the current tensions that challenge that teaching.
We will unabashedly proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ while still leaving
room for freedom of thought within the larger theological box. Through it
all, it is our prayer that our faith, individual and collective, will be
strengthened and enlightened.
- John
Ode to My Spell Chequer
Eye halve a spelling chequer.
It came with my pea sea.
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strike a key and type a word
And weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid
It nose bee fore two long
And Eye can put the error rite
Its rare lea ever wrong.
Eye have run this poem threw it
I am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect awl the weigh
My chequer tolled me sew.
A prayer for a new beginning…
Touch me, O Lord, with the spirit of truth that I may be honest about my
sins and failures. Forgive me for treating your cove-nant lightly and at
times ignoring it completely. Enable me to truly seek and know forgiveness
for all the hurts I have caused, for harboring ill will and for any hardness
of heart I may have. Please renew a right spirit within me that I may today
begin to be more Christ-like and that my life may reveal Christ's love and
light. In his name. Amen
Click here to return to previous page, or to
A Central Place.