July/August, 2000
Keeping Members and Friends Informed
Promoting Fellowship
Contributing to Spiritual
Growth
Informational Forum Planned …. trying for a new twist on the
basics
From Pamala Phillips, Christian Education Department and Caryn Welter, Music
Department
Taught Sunday School in the past? Teach Sunday School now? Never taught Sunday
School? Ever thought you might like to? If any of the above pertains to you,
or makes you wonder, please consider attending an informational forum on
Saturday morning, August 5, from 9:30 – 11:30 am.
We, and we do mean "WE"…., the Education Commission, a special task
force on Sunday morning programming for music & education, the Music
Department, Kate DePriest, and the Education Department, have been praying,
brainstorming, scratching our heads, and praying some more. The result is
a "new twist on the basics." Basics that have been tried and proven via many
years of Sunday School and Sunday School teachers.
In business school, we were taught that "Packaging" is everything. We have
looked at the basic elements of "Sunday School", for adults and children,
and came up with some "re-packaging" ideas. We would like to share them with
you and all interested parties. The more ideas and energy we can incorporate
the better.
The programming and scheduling package for the 2000-2001 Sunday School has
opportunities for traditional Sunday School Teacher roles, as well as a host
of flexible, supplemental roles.
Please plan to be here Saturday morning, August 5, at 9:30. We'll bring the
coffee, cappuccino, bagels and donuts.
If you're already committed for August 5, or out of town, please call. We
can always find an alternative method or date to get your ideas and
input.
Whether or not you can or will attend, you can begin to pray even now for
our Christian Education and Music Ministries. We are eagerly anticipating
the coming school year, the opportunities, the possibilities, and an outpouring
of God's richest blessings on the people of Central United Methodist
Church.
RSVP Christian Education
Attendance Report
May 28 140
June 4 237
June 11 227
June 18 187
June 25 158
Member Death
Ruburta L. Davies ….. June 24,
2000
Marriage
Julie Westerfield to James Rowland ….. May 27,
2000
Focus on Evangelism
Can we walk in Jesus footsteps?
By Frank Anderson
There is an old classic book that I will not give up called, In His Steps,
by Sheldon. Often we read about experiences people have had in going to The
Holy Land. I am different. For this is about that very thing, but BEFORE
I go. It is my good fortune to be among those going on the "Holy Land and
Alpine Adventure" Tour that our pastor, Rev. John Boley, is hosting June
19 to July 4. It is important to me because this is my first, and no doubt
only time, I will have gone. Israel is a scary land to go to today. Yet I
am going. Why?
Dare I think I can walk where Jesus walked? It seems that thousands think
so. In this so-called Millennium Year, a special significance is attached
to such a tour. How can going to a foreign land have a deep meaning? Well,
this is a pilgrimage in my life. Muslims consider a trip to Mecca a once
in a lifetime experience. So we as Christians feel going to Jerusalem today
is similar. If Jesus Christ were nothing but a figment of my religious
imagination, then I would cancel out immediately. Yet I am going.
No, I do not feel or sense that I will automatically become a better Christian
by this trip. It may have no affect on me at all. Will I meet the historical
Jesus at some of the shrines or feel that I am on holy ground? Perhaps. I
hope so. Shall I dip my toe in the River Jordan and feel the Holy Spirit
working still? Will I believe all I hear by the guides? Not necessarily.
Yet I am going.
I will probably not even see any footprints in the sand. I once saw footprints
of a dinosaur that were allegedly 200,000 years old. Jesus lived only 2000
years ago. Or did he? Hmmm. No, I do not go to find proof for my faith or
to substantiate my beliefs. I am going because the opportunity presented
itself, and I want to know why thousand and thousands of people are and have
gone on the same pilgrimage. So I am going!
"I want to walk as a child of the Light, I want to follow Jesus. God set
the stars to give light to the world. The star of my life is Jesus…"
UMH No. 206 verse 1.
NEWS NOTES
Celebration of Ministry
There will be a celebration of the ministry of Bishop Donald and Jan Ott
on Saturday, August 19, 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Marquette,
MI and again on Sunday, August 20, at 3 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist
Church, Lansing. All are invited.
School of Christian Mission 2000
The annual Mission for our West Michigan Conference will be at Calvin College,
Grand Rapids, July 20-23. A fine group of leaders is secured and good music
will be enjoyed by all. Studies include Paul's Letters to the
Corinthians--Children of Africa--and, God's People in an Urban Culture. There'll
be a cultural evening of international music and focus groups. If you want
to attend the 1-day school or make the 3-day school, register as early as
possible. Deposit required. See Carolyn Schuurmans, Dottie Stark, or Frank
Anderson for more details. It is open to all persons. Reserve the date and
plan to go.
Sunday Van Ministry
Volunteers are needed
Would you be interested in helping with the Sunday Van Ministry? Several
very dedicated members have volunteered to provide to members, friends or
visitors transportation to and from Church Services. These dedicated individuals
have each committed to this ministry by driving the church van one Sunday
each month.
We are currently in need of someone willing to drive one (1) Sunday a month.
If you like meeting new people and have been looking for a way to serve your
church, please call: Lee Mort at 327-9994 or our church office manager, Pat
Basgall at 485-9477.
Coffee fellowship workers needed
Thanks to the volunteers who signed up to help with the Coffee Fellowship
Time in July, August and September. Workers are still needed for the following
Sundays to set up, serve and provide cookies. Please call the church office
or Beth Murley 482-4700.
August 6 1 helper
September 3 3 helpers
September 10 1 helper
September 17 3 helpers
Host an exchange student
If you have room in your hearts and in your home, the SHARE! High School
Exchange Program is seeking families in this area to host exchange students
from many different countries during the upcoming school year. The students
will arrive in early August 2000 and will stay with the host family for one
semester or one school year. They are in need of caring American families
to provide a bed, meals, as well as friendship, understanding, and a genuine
desire to share the American way of life with a youngster from overseas.
The exchange students, who are between the ages of 15 and 18, speak English,
are covered by medical insurance, and have spending money for their personal
expenses.
It may seem early to be making plans for the next school year, however, there
are already students who are eagerly awaiting news of their host family so
they can begin writing to them. Now is the best time to select an exchange
student to ensure there will be a place in the local school.
The SHARE! High School Exchange Program is sponsored by Education Resource
Development Trust (ERDT), a non-profit educational foundation. Families are
able to review student applications and select the student they feel will
best match their own interests. For more information call Delores Bowers
at 1-800-835-8760.
Church Wide Garage Sale
The Church Finance Committee is planning a garage sale on October 7th. Please
continue to save all that "good stuff" in working order: small appliances,
sporting goods, children's clothing, toys, games, tools of all types, antiques,
small furniture items such as tables and chairs. They plan to have 3 sites
holding the sale at the same time on October 7. Stay tuned for more information
and keep saving that "good stuff."
Radio Broadcast
If you would like to sponsor a morning radio broadcast of our Sunday Service
from the Sanctuary please call the church office.
SUMMER MUSIC NOTES
By B. Caryn Welter, Director of Music
Welcome Kate!-
Kate DePriest has begun her responsibilities as Director of Children's and
Youth Choirs here at Central. She's been involved in many meetings, as we've
worked with various teams to design the configuration of next year's
music/education plan.
A fifth-year senior at Michigan State University in its Music Education program,
she is a member of the MSU Chorale and of the Practicum Choir, the forum
within which Master's and Ph.D. candidates have an opportunity to conduct.
She is a regular with the Sweet Adelines, widely known vocalists who recently
traveled to Ohio and entered regional competition. Within the group, she
also sings with a quartet known as the Generation Gap.
Kate loves kids and looks eagerly forward to working with our Central children.
She was given an opportunity to meet most of them when her predecessor, "Miss
Michelle," invited her to the last get-together of this program year. While
a student last year at Colorado State University, Kate worked with the Centennial
Children's Choir in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Kate and her husband, Kirk, have been married two years and share many common
interests. In their last church, they served together as members of the worship
team. Most of you have heard Kate's beautiful singing voice; she is also
a pianist, and Kirk is a guitarist. Their seven-month-old puppy, Baylee,
is a cute Yorkshire Terrier who's turned their home into a really fun
place!!
We warmly welcome you, Kate.
Looking ahead to the new year
Be sure to take a look at this month's Journal cover story. It encompasses
grand plans for folks who are involved in Central's music program for
children.
It's exciting to consider what the future may bring as we view the wonderful
cooperative effort between education folks and music folks, with a resulting
face for the new year that looks happy and full of promise. These past several
weeks have been busy, as our new Director of Christian Education, Pamala
Phillips, has met with countless people. She's chaired the task force, whose
assignment was to examine and respond to ideas from all fronts, then offer
up a plan for melding the music/education efforts through Sunday a.m. blocks
of time, beginning in September.
Incorporated into the plan are ideas we've gathered over time from parents
of Central's kids. It includes opportunities for diverse facets of music
as it relates to fellowship, worship, education, movement, liturgical dance,
instrumentation, and drama. It integrates all into a "seamless" series of
meaningful activities wherein there is no longer redundancy but, rather,
a series of common, purposive goals whose aim is to foster the development
of Christian attitudes and opportunities for our children.
May you look forward as much as Pamala, Kate, and I to these new
beginnings.
Chancel Choir Director's Position
On Thursday, June 22, the Search Committee met and interviewed four candidates
whose credentials are great. The fifth applicant was scheduled for a June
24 interview, then a decision will be announced.
The interviewing committee is comprised of six members, three from the
Staff-Parish Relations Committee and three from the Music Committee. Serving
in this capacity are Pat Bell, Joyce Brendahl, Kathy Prout, Dave Schuurmans
(for whom Dick Murley substituted while Dave was out of town), Mary Roush,
and Stephanie Westerfield. Applicants have all auditioned into MSU's choral
music program for graduate students. They are from five different states:
Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Texas and Washington. At the time of the Journal's
next issue, we'll have an announcement about the finalist.
About the Jaeckel Organ…
You may remember that we were scheduled to meet with Dan Jaeckel on March
13 to work through matters that interfered with the optimal functioning of
our beautiful instrument. At the time of the meeting, Mr. Jaeckel was most
cooperative and helpful. We set forth our respective responsibilities and
a timeline for accomplishing them.
As a follow-up, Dan sent a two-person team here in May. They worked diligently
over a four-day period and accomplished many tasks.
For those of you who are familiar with the instrument's workings, an abbreviated
listing follows of what they did:
Examined and adjusted the stabilizer tracker system
Examined, replaced and releathered pallets
Adjusted the pallet spring tension
Adjusted some leather pouches
Enlarge holes in squares where pulldown trackers attach
Relocated some plywood bracing
Examined tracker hangers
Examined/adjusted trackers
Adjusted mechanical couplers
Examined the pedalboard
Reviewed/adjusted the Swell shades and linkages
Eliminated noise caused by the Positif tremulant
Restored pipe voicing
Repaired the console clock
Turned some of the reed pipes
Should we experience ongoing problems with some aspects of the instrument's
performance, Dan and one of the team members will return to make additional
adjustments.
If there's further news, I'll keep you posted.
Caryn
THANK YOU
To Central United Methodist Church
The Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau extends its sincere
appreciation to you and your staff for your involvement with Be A Tourist
in Your Own Town event. Thanks to you, it was a great success reaching thousands
of residents. Greater Lansing shined with hospitality as we showcased the
fine attractions we have to offer. We heard many positive comments from our
"tourists." Nice weather, large crowds and your contribution made this year
the best one yet! Thank you for your support! Patricia Clark, Director of
Tourism.
P.S. A Personal thank you to all who made this day a great success for Central:
Peter Hudy, C. Jon Holmes, Dale Kirkby and Ruthann Jaquette.
To Central UMC
Thank you--I can't express how much we appreciate the wonderful storage cabinets
that your church has donated to our art department. Central UMC's generosity
will be felt for years to come. Eric Stevenson, Laingsburg Elementary
Schools.
TRUSTEE NOTES
By Jim Mort, Chairperson, Board of Trustees
The Trustees are growing! No, we haven't gained weight but we have added
a new member. Dave Mills is the latest addition to the Board of Trustees.
Welcome 'a-board' the Trustees, Dave. There has also been a change at the
helm of the Trustees. Dick Bates and Susan Grettenberger will be co-chair
persons of the Board of Trustees. I have served as the chair for the last
1-½ years and it was time for a change. Thanks to Dick and Susan for
taking on their new roles.
I'm sure that many of you have noticed how nice the yard and plantings have
looked around the building this spring and early summer. A big THANK YOU
to Dottie Stark and her crew of volunteers for taking on the daunting task
of keeping the grounds beautiful and succeeding admirably at the task. The
people who are involved in keeping the garden spots around the building beautiful
are: our custodians Joel and Kerry (who are taking care of the lawn), Bryan
Halter, Donna Reynolds, Jon Reynolds, Sue Grettenberger, Mary Boudreau, Dottie
Stark, Dave DeVinney, Loretta Marvin, Jan Mort, Sue Neller, Jan Keen, and
Peter Hudy. The next time you see any of these green-thumbed people working
outside (or wherever you see them!) be sure to let them know you appreciate
what they have been doing to keep Central looking good!
I would like to start an informal contest. Let's see who can find the most
improvements around Central in the last year. Make a list of all of the
improvements you can find and get your list to me by the Sunday after Labor
Day. Any improvements from September 1, 1999 through August 30, 2000 are
eligible. I'll announce the winner in the Central Journal and have the winning
list posted for all to see.
Come on and join us sometime. The Trustees will be breaking for the months
of July and August but will start meeting again in September. We meet on
the third Tuesday of the month, at 6:00 p.m. in the conference room. Minutes
from previous meetings are posted in the hallway outside of the conference
room. May the Lord bless you and keep
you…Jim
United Methodist Women
By Pat Mort, President
QUILT SHOW UPDATE
Central's UMW Quilt Show, tentatively entitled "Bits and Pieces", held in
conjunction with the Downtown Neighborhood Association Home Tour, on Sunday,
September 17, is fast approaching! Ann Mather has scheduled a planning meeting
at her home on July 6 at 7pm. Ann Snyder and Mary Nesman have kindly volunteered
to help with our show.
We need to know how many quilts will be available for showing on September
17. It would also be helpful to know the size of each quilt – wall hanging,
twin, full, queen or king, and if it is an antique. This will help us with
planning the best display for the quilts in the sanctuary.
We need help September 17 for displaying the quilts. Please contact Ann Mather
or Pat Mort if you can help or have quilts you'd like to display.
This is the first time we've tried something like this – it will be
interesting to see how it goes! If you have quilts, or know someone who has
quilts, or if you love quilts, this is the show for you. Come on down –
and bring your friends and neighbors to our beautiful
sanctuary!
RADA CUTLERY
We have some long paring knives, short paring knives and peelers for sale.
Please contact Arline Roe if you are in need of any. As always, all proceeds
go to Missions!
UMW BULLETIN BOARD
Please look for the UMW Board in the Library in the future. We have found
it difficult to put items up on the new boards in the coat room and have
them remain up! It has been very frustrating for Dottie Stark and others
who hang important UMW information items up and find them down the next time
they visit the Church. So, we are trying something new and moving our information
onto one of the large free-standing boards with "UMW" in big letters into
the Library. We tried having a free-standing board in Fellowship Hall but
"lost" it. So, the saga of the permanent placement of UMW information
continues!
Check it out next time you're visiting the Church – can you find the
Board?!
UPCOMING UMW DATES
July 20-23
School of Christian Mission
Calvin College, Grand Rapids
September 17
Quilt Show and Tea
(in conjunction with Downtown
Home Tour)
Central's Sanctuary, afternoon
September 21
Lansing District Annual
Hastings UMC, 9-3 p.m.
October 16-17
School of the North,
Gaylord UMC
October 20-21
Conference Annual
Lansing First UMC
November 3
World Community Day
Church Women United
Date Change
UMW Christmas Party
Location to be announced
A message to the friends of Marie Wright.
May 18, 2000
Dear Family and Friends,
It is time for an update on mother, Marie Wright, whom we have loved dearly
and held close in our hearts and prayers. The recent weeks have seen significant
changes in her declining state of health. With the assistance of Hospice,
she is cared for in the manner she had wanted. The Hospice concept is wonderful
and that, along with the wonderful care she receives at Sayre Christian Village
Nursing Home, gives me the peace of mind knowing I have provided her with
the best that is available. Without a crystal ball, the length of time that
remains for her is uncertain.
She has no concept of time, no recollection of our visits, nor of anything
having to do with her past. She is totally unaware of our change of residence.
God has truly blessed her with a protective shield from reality.
As you have done so beautifully all these days, please continue to keep her
in your hearts and prayers. My sincere thanks and appreciation to each of
you.
Our new address: Jack and Judy DePriester, 100 Outlook Ledge, Landrum, SC
29356 Telephone: (864 848-4986
Postscript ...
(Additional info regarding May's cover story on Central's 150th
Birthday).
"Our own Betty Ward's grandfather, William Henry Brundage, was a charter
member of the "second" Methodist Church – our predecessor, on the corner
of Ottawa and Washington. His obituary stated that he was a trustee and a
class leader." —E. Corbishley
Fellowship Activities at Central
Young Adult weekend planned
August 4-6 at Houghton Lake. Come and have a relaxed weekend. Join us for
a BBQ, sitting by the fire and just enjoying the fellowship. All young adults
who are interested in having a relaxed, yet fun-filled weekend, please give
Kimber Wilson a call to reserve a space and to receive more information.
485-1268.
Elderberrys take summer off
By F. F. Anderson
Our older adult ministries, known as Elderberrys, have had a satisfying year.
Every month has been something different. We have been furnished with luncheons
from the Meals on Wheels program for a modest donation of only $2.00, and
the food has been quite good. Volunteers of our group do set ups, servings
and clean up afterwards.
At our last meeting MicKayla Bass presented the ins and outs of ladies attire
during Civil War days which was enjoyed by us all. Thank you again, MicKayla.
Though we are loosely organized, we will reassemble in the fall on Tuesday,
September 12. Those interested, keep the date in mind. And we are open to
program suggestions. We get together at 10 a.m. The Presbyterian Church allows
us to park in their lot, and we shuttle folks back and forth to
Central.
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