Central

Journal . . . electronic edition

                                                                                                          January, 2005

Keeping Members and Friends Informed

                                      Promoting Fellowship                                                                                       
                                                         Contributing to Spiritual Growth

Lift High the Cross, The love of Christ Proclaim,
till all the world adore his sacred name.
David DeVinney

I’m reminded of the story of a Central member, who, as a young girl, lived on the west side of town and would walk to this church for evening activities. The lighted cross gave her comfort and guided her as she made her way across town.

This is the reason for the cross, newly installed on the bell tower after a 30 year absence: It is to remind us of Christ’s atonement and love for us; to give us comfort and to guide our steps. It is a call to the bustling world to pause, be renewed and remember the Truth of the cross. Without the cross, the world is only what it seems at the moment; what is heard, seen, touched. True life is greater, higher, wider, deeper than that. True life is that which fulfills, satisfies and gives. It is the sacrifice of Jesus the Christ which restores our relationship with God and, no less, our relationship with each other and ourselves.

Tom McLellan and family donated the cross in memory of Tom’s mother Joyce McLellan. Don McLellan, Tom’s father, still a member, remembers walking up Ottawa Street as a boy to attend church here. Bornor Restoration of Lansing constructed and installed the cross while also making other repairs to our roof. The builder of the cross donated his time to clad the cross in copper sheeting. The copper will oxidize naturally over time, turning brown like an old penny in a few months and then, after several years, will take on the characteristic green patina of the aged copper around it.

Lyrics by George William Kitchin and Michael Robert Newbolt, 1916.

Stewardship – What’s that all about?
Bob Wangen, chair, Stewardship

I want to begin by telling everyone, “Thank you for all of your financial support to the church during the last Stewardship Campaign.” Once again Central’s congregation has responded to the call to support the church with their prayers, presence, service, and GIFTS. At the time that I write this we have received pledges of over $290,000 of our goal of $315,000. On that note, if you have not yet pledged or wish to increase your pledge, your support is still appreciated.

The point of this message is that stewardship is not a once a year event in the life of the church. Stewardship is an ongoing process of support of our ministry. At our baptism we pledged to support the church with our prayers, presence gifts, and service. This stewardship can be expressed through

· attendance at Sunday worship, regular giving through your pledge;
· additional giving to special causes and appeals;
· praying for our ministry, participating in prayer chains, offering special prayers for those in need, overseas, in the Open Door Ministry; and
· participating in the various committees and commissions of the church.

Every year the Lay Leadership Committee calls on members of the church to serve on a committee or commission and often they are told, “I don’t have the time, I don’t have the skills, etc.” I remember a volunteer in the Chief Okemos Boy Scout Council telling a group, “We don’t need experts, we just need people who care!” All of us are busy people, but we always seem to be able to make the time to do the things we enjoy or are important to us. What is more important than serving your church? And we don’t need experts, just people who care!

How can we all b e good and faithful servants? It’s very simple – give freely of yourself. I am reminded of a scene from the TV show, ER. Dr. Mark Green is dying from cancer and one of the last things he says to his daughter is, “Be generous.” We should all be generous, give freely of ourselves. Being a Christian is giving to others in selfless service, serving our God, serving our neighbors, serving those in need – of our prayers, presence, gifts, and service.
Education
Joi Tennant, Christian Education Director

January 9 begins two new adult electives

It is our goal in Christian Education to create a well-rounded selection of classes for enlarging our understanding of the Bible, living as Christians in the world and growing spiritually. Sharing our faith ideas together in Sunday School or a small group is real spiritual exercise that gets us thinking about God and life and coming closer together as a faith community no matter what the topic. It’s a new year; an opportunity to consider what new paths God may be inviting us to explore and calling us to another level of spiritual maturity perhaps a little farther away from our comfort zones.

Beginning January 9 after Coffee Hour and continuing for five weeks, Pat Mort is leading the study, Concerning Prayer in the Second Floor Lounge. Her article about this study is elsewhere in the Central Journal. Books will be available in class January 9.

From Christ to Constantine is the new video series being offered Sunday mornings beginning January 9 at 11:10 a.m. for 6 weeks in the Chapel. This study will take you to actual locations to show what the early church was like, how it spread and the persecution it endured. Actors dramatize leading figures and events. Each video is 25-30 minutes long. Discussion will follow. Please feel free to come to this class whenever you can.

The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith by Marcus Borg is the new book study being led by Keith Pohl, one of our retired pastors, beginning the evening of January 9. This is a great opportunity to begin attending this popular Sunday evening class, which meets from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the second floor Conference Room. Call Keith for further information at 224-0389.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS TEAM MEETING
Sunday, January 9, 5-7:30 p.m.

Gather with us to view an inspiring DVD, Sunday School is for Life. We will share our ideas, frustrations, vision, and faith and create new energy for the new year ahead. Supper will be served at 5 p.m. in the First Floor Lounge. Then we will spend the remainder of our time in the library alternately viewing the DVD and discussing together. If you think of yourself as a teacher of any age, if only part time, or if you wish you could teach at Central we encourage you to join with us for this important revitalizing event. Please tell Joi if you will be able to attend.

Confirmation Class in the making

We will offer a confirmation class for all interested youth, grades 7 through 12, sometime in the near future. Parents or caring friend, we need to hear from you if your teen is ready for this experience. We will be considering days, months, and hours that will best suit your schedules. Because confirmation is a serious commitment, it is important that those who want to be a part of this class will be aware of the requirements of regular attendance. Please call Joi at church or at home, 989-224-8159, to indicate your interest.

Memo: RAINBOW ROOM

The Rainbow Room is our early childhood Sunday School area, which actually is two rooms together. This is a wonderful place, especially because it is used during the week by the Early Childhood Development preschool and is full of great play opportunities. These rooms are carefully prepared for the daily school activities; and for us to maintain a happy relationship of sharing this space with the ECD preschool, we must not violate our agreement by using this room at any time other than Sunday School. The Grove All-Purpose Room in Fellowship Hall has a play area that you may use when needed.
MusicNotes
Caryn Welter, Music Director

Dearest Readers,

As we begin the freshness of a New Year and examine the role of music in our worship lives, I'd like us to reflect back on our individual music histories. For many, music began in the arms of family members, through lullabies softly crooned by the singers and lovingly repeated. For me, I recall Mom playing the piano during my nap times. Early on, we joined choral groups, in Sunday School and in choirs. Later, lots of folks sang in school, then college settings. Music accompanied graduations, weddings, baptisms, and funerals--a whole cadre of special events. Always, undergirding all this, music was a significant component of our worship experiences. It was felt and understood at all different levels, and with different "ears," according to the listener's own worship history and in keeping with the context of a service. As we recall our own music histories, let us be reminded of the power music has to enhance worship in a very special and meaningful way -- through praise, through prayer, through reflection – the power to set our sights on God, to soften our hearts, to feed our souls, and to undergird the very essence of what our lives of service are all about.

SPECIAL EVENTS which involve the Chancel Choir are:

February 9 - Ash Wednesday services
March 24 - Holy Thursday services with St. Paul's Episcopal Church
March 25 - Good Friday presentation at Central of Faure Requiem
April 24 - Massed Choir Festival - 4:00 p.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church
May 22 - Celebration of Music in Worship - Central UMC

This brings a SINCERE NOTE OF APPRECIATION for the many folks who shared their talents during Advent, at the Christmas Eve service, for Christmas and Christmastide. Your generous dedication to fine music is invaluable to Central's worship program.

THANK YOU, AS WELL, goes to all those who washed choir robes in order to save money. Thank you, too, to Eleanor Moore who faithfully serves as the music librarian. Last, but certainly not least, heartfelt thanks go to Mary and Rich Roush who took on and accomplished the diligent task of reorganizing all the robes.

MAY GOD'S RICHEST BLESSINGS BE YOURS IN THIS NEW YEAR.

LOOKING AHEAD, a tentative schedule follows of in-worship participation for Wesley Choristers and Youth Fine Arts children:

January 2 - (The two groups will not meet today.)
January 9 - Youth Sunday - Youth sing
January 16 - Wesley Choristers sing
January 30 - (Special group here from Detroit)
February 6 - Youth singFebruary 13 - Wesley Choristers sings
March 20 - (Palm Sunday) - Wesley Choristers and Youth sing
March 27 - (Easter Sunday) Wesley Choristers and Youth do not rehearse today.
April 10 - Youth singApril 17 - Wesley Choristers Sing
May 8 - (Mothers' Day/Renaissance Sunday--A Miracle for Central) Mothers' Day) Wesley Choristers and Youth sing
May 22 - Celebration of Music in Worship - Wesley Choristers and Youth sing

Dear Central Family,

I would like to thank everyone who prayed and supported me when I was teaching English in Bolivia. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I am so glad that I was able to be a part of the great work that the Hudy-Velasco family are doing. I loved learning a new culture and seeing a very different way of life. I can’t say I always liked living that way of life but I did learn to really appreciate my life here in the United States. But now I am in the same situation I was in, in May, looking for an elementary teaching position but hopefully it will be a paid position and they will speak English. This experience has helped me grow spiritually and emotionally. So once again thank you very much. If anyone would like to learn more about my trip or would like to teach English in Bolivia please contact me.

God Bless You,

Elisabeth Wangen

Open Door Ministry gives thanks

For the past year, many people have given of their time, talents and resources to the ministry of the Open Door, here at Central UMC. We wish to thank all the volunteers that have helped cook, serve, fill food orders, transport food and guests, extend hospitality, act as board members, donate clothing, bake cookies, provide Easter baskets, sponsor a child or family for Christmas, sponsor a food or clothing drive, visit, listen, talk, offer the right hand of fellowship and more and more. John Wesley said that it is in visiting the poor that we become transformed into instruments of Divine mercy and justice.

With the help of these “instruments of Divine mercy and justice”, we have been able to offer assistance to many who have come through the Open Door, looking for a little help, a listening ear, a word of encouragement, food for their stomach and for their soul and a Light for their path.

May the God who nurtures and blesses each of us, each day, give us wisdom and strength for the daily challenge of this ministry.

Thank you all for the honor and privilege of being in ministry with you.

Shalom,
Cris Bobier
Concerning Prayer Sunday Morning Class
Pat Mort

I did a study at School of Christian Mission that excited me so much I want to share it with the people of Central.

Concerning Prayer looks at different forms of prayer, why we pray and allows us a chance to explore different prayer traditions. We’ll look at some prayer "masters", what makes them masters, just what prayer is and why we feel the need to pray.

The main book for this class is Concerning Prayer by Mary Kathryn Pearce. We will also use other resources plus consider our own experiences and needs.

A copy of Concerning Prayer is available at the front desk if you would like to check it out. The text is $5 and there are 10 here now. If you’d like to purchase one, please contact me. Additional copies can be ordered.

I hope you’ll come to Concerning Prayer – to explore your own prayer life, share experiences with others and see where on your faith journey this leads you. We will meet in the Second Floor Lounge, where there’s comfortable chairs and a table.
Among Friends

Remember...At press time...

Lee Moore
Celia Lounsbury
Virginia Tennant
Muriel Kirby
Maxine Jones
Sally Swiss
Joe Casper
Mary Jacobs
Nona Bartley
Lillian Rush at Sparrow hospital
Lee Ann Stutes
Nancy Arnold
Charles Jacobs
Nancy Johnson
Katie Walker
Sally Swiss at home
Capt. Scott Wangen deployed in Iraq
Margaret Ebersole hospice care
Ralph Gibbs
Margaret Holmes
Dorothy Wickham
Art Boot
Jamie Zimmer
Louella Browand
C. Jon Holmes in hospital
John Zago at home

Please keep these individuals in your prayers.
Youth News
Jamie Tipton, Youth Director

The youth are continuing to be faithful servants. They went door to door for Thanksgiving and collected hundreds of food items to be donated and used by the church. They even got a frozen turkey!

We need your support! The youth will be going on a Winter Weekend Spiritual Growth Retreat at Wesley Woods - but we need to raise funds to make that happen. We have decided to do a pop can drive. Please bring in your pop cans and give them to a youth during Coffee Hour in Fellowship Hall. Every can counts!

Tentative S3 Schedule:

January 2 - No Youth group
January 7 - "Talking with God" - Prayer
January 16 - Parents Meeting at 4:30 p.m., regarding the Winter Retreat - $20.00 deposit due
Game Night
January 23 - Loft Service Project - Painting Our Mural
January 30 - Loft Service Project / Part 2 - Painting Mural
February 6 - "Sharing Our Faith" - Our Actions
February 13 - Preparing for Weekend Retreat Group Building
February 18 - 20th Winter Retreat at Wesley Woods
February 27th Diversity Awareness
LIBRARY TREASURES FOR GRANDCHILDREN
Joi Tennant, Christian Education Director

Have you ever considered the possibility you have for influencing your young grandchildren in your faith when they visit your home? It can be as simple as choosing three or four good books from our church library. My experience has been that young children are always happy to have a new book read to them. I’ve also discovered that they are quite interested in Jesus and God – more than you may realize – and are curious to learn more. We have some excellent books to choose from. These that I’ve chosen are well-written, true to our Methodist theology and have good illustrations. You will find them displayed this month on a table in the library. If you keep this list for future reference, you can ask for these any time.

· Psalms for a Child’s Heart, Crawford – 8 Psalms wisely interpreted for children
· How They Lived in Bible Times, Jones and Deverell – Very interesting illustrated look of all aspects of Old and New Testament life. Helps clarify Bible understandings.
· Growing Up in Bible Times – another version of the above subject, also well done.
· Parables of Jesus, Caswell – simple texts and beautiful illustrations
· Parable of the Good Samaritan, Caswell – another good interpretation for children
· The Easter Story, Heyer – Beautiful text and illustrations
· Benjamin’s Box, Carlson – a unique, memorable telling of the Easter story from a young observer’s point of view, with great pictures.
· Living the Nativity, Haidle – The story of the first dramatic reenactment in 1223 AD of Christ’s birth by St. Francis of Assisi, with very realistic illustrations.
· Caspar and the Star, Bosca – The story of the 3 wise men cleverly re-told with neat illustrations.
· God and Joseph and Me, Carlyle – A neat story about a cat that illustrates God’s love.
· Grandma Stepped on Fred, Carlyle – A story about giving and receiving forgiveness.
· Beautiful Bones and Butterflies, Carlyle – A story explaining the concept of conversion.
· Family Story Bible, Milton – This is so well written and so delightful to read for any age. Good selection of stories. I’m glad we have 2 copies in our library.
Silver Bells open house a success!
Claudia McLelland, trustee

Thank-you to all of the volunteers who worked at the Silver Bells Open House. It was truly a multi-generational event. Our proceeds were the same as last year, even with the lower attendance. A special thank you to Alicia Ingram for her organizational skills and hard work. It was a positive and wonderful event that demonstrates how our church can work together. Thank you.
Help sponsor Central’s broadcast ministry
Mary Boudreau, Chair, Evangelism Commission

We are planning the future of the Radio Ministry of Central United Methodist Church. As you know, this ministry provides both a way for Central members and friends to worship even when travel, illness, or schedule conflicts keep us from attending in person, as well as an opportunity to reach out to the general community. This ministry has a wonderful history, and we are asking your help in continuing this important work.

It costs $230 to sponsor an individual broadcast. Many people have used this opportunity to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, holiday or other celebration. Many of us have all of the possessions we need, and this gift really "keeps on giving" back to the community. When the radio broadcast is fully sponsored, we can use contributions for other ministries, such as the fellowship lunch, mission programs or paying apportionments.

Please consider supporting this ministry in 2005, by sponsoring a radio broadcast either as an individual, family, or a group of people. You may also sponsor part of a broadcast, or you can help provide evangelism by sponsoring an advertisement in a publication. Your help is needed to keep the church growing.

Thank you for all you can do to help. God bless you and Happy New year.
Elderberrys begin 2005 with renewal and a Mini-Seminar on spirituality
Frank Anderson, Coordinator

Older Adult Ministries celebrates God's Gift of Long Life which is an indescribable blessing. Celebrate with us as you are able! December was a joyous occasion of recognizing Christmas and heeding the Birth of Christ for a troubled world. Thank you to Caryn Welter for her beautiful notes on the piano.

In January, we will have a Mini-Seminar on the topic, "Spirituality for Later Years". Mrs. Louise Thomas of Grand Rapids, Coordinator for our Conference Committee on Older Adult Ministries, will be our Presenter for an inviting program. We come together on Tuesday, January 11, at 10:30 a.m. in the Church Dining Room with the well known and appreciated menu of Meals on Wheels of the Tri-County Office on Aging. Only $2 donation. If the weather controls our plans, we will be prepared with an alternate program, so plan to be there!

Nothing of interest or excitement can happen for us unless we provide the means and move forward. God will bless us in combined efforts. As has been said elsewhere, "The dog is not dead yet." Come on, you elderly people! Show the church who you are and what you can do. Praise Him for all the wonderful works of his power and love. Come to ELDERBERRYS!
Fellowship Coffee Hour
Alice Pifer, Fellowship Coffee Hour

The new year has arrived and I’m sure everyone needs time to recover from all the Holiday activities, including myself. But Fellowship Coffee Hour continues to “perk” away, so to speak.

So if your energy level isn’t completely wasted and your schedule permits, please sign up to work coffee hour in January or February. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Also, the bulletin board is back in the Fellowship Hall and the sign-up sheets are available. You can also call me at 694-0686, and I will add your name to the schedule.
Mark Your Calendars:

2nd Annual Believers' Ball
February 12, 2005 7 –11 p.m. Fellowship Hall

If you would like to help, please contact Jamie Tipton or Denise Kelley.

Formal attire is requested. There will be refreshments. Ticket prices are $8.00 per person/ $15.00 per couple Youth 15 and under are $4.00 per person 5 and under are free.

Tickets will go on sale after the new year. If you have questions please contact Denise/Dennis Kelley, Jamie Tipton or e-mail us at CUMCFocus@aol.com.

Come ready to dance the night away! Hope to see you there!
Restoring Historic Central – Update
Larry Beckon, Chair, Restoration Task Force

As reported in earlier issues of the Central Journal, a Restoration Task Force is working to select an architect who will serve as a consultant to identify and define the projects that need to be carried out to meet the immediate and longer term needs of our church buildings. Our ministry to the community will be enhanced by restoring and renewing our buildings as we continue to renew and restore ourselves. The task force is maintaining communications with the Administrative Council, the Board of Trustees, and the Finance Committee in this restoration effort.

Letters were sent to 13 firms asking for an indication of interest in being hired to assess the conditions of Central’s church buildings and to develop a list of recommended priorities for restoring our historic church buildings. It is expected the selected firm will submit a report in April. The report will include a list of recommended restoration that should be carried out, estimated costs for the work and recommended sequencing of the needed work. Restoration work will be completed as funds become available.

Responses were received from nine firms. Task Force members were favorably impressed with the responses. There are many firms who have extensive experience and expertise in assessing the condition of church buildings, and in developing recommendations. The Restoration Task Force carefully evaluated the responses from each of the nine firms and selected four firms to interview. Each of these four firms were individually interviewed in two hour sessions during the period of December 6-9. As this report to you is being written, task force members are analyzing the responses from each of the four firms. The task force will soon determine which firm, or firms, will be called back for a final interview. It is expected the final firm will be identified in early January. The Board of Trustees will do the formal hiring of the consultant.

After an architect is hired, plans will be developed to seek input from the congregation.


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