June, 2000
Keeping Members and Friends Informed
Promoting Fellowship
Contributing to Spiritual
Growth
Be A Tourist In Your Own Town
By Ruthann Jaquette, Building/Business Manager
In 1889, Central UMC opened its doors on the corner of Capitol and Ottawa
for worship in its newly constructed building. On Saturday, June 3, 2000
we will once again be opening our doors to the City of Lansing, this time
for tours as part of the "Be A Tourist In Your Town" event sponsored by the
Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Central is only one stop of many buildings and attraction in the greater Lansing area being featured on the tours. We invite you to join us and "Be A Tourist In Your Own Town."
For more information regarding the schedule of events for that day you may
contact the Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau at
487-0077
Congratulations to Central's Graduates
High School Graduates:
Kimberly Knechtel -- Waverly High School
Toan Nguyen - Sexton High School
Marceline Randall -- Eastern Lansing High School
T. Allen Towsley - Eaton Rapids High School
University Graduates:
Steven D. Hane - University of Michigan
Doctor of Dental Surgery
Nathan Mather - University of Michigan
Master's Degree in Engineering:
Edward B. Smith - Ferris State University
Summer Office Hours
June 2 thru Sept 1--Mon-Thu - 8 to 4:30; Fridays - 8 to-3
The building will be open for prescheduled
events
Marriage
Jessica Fosburg and Nathan Lindsay - May 13, 2000
Member Deaths
Clarence Mitchell - May 20, 2000
Virginia Leeman - April 29, 2000
QUIET MOMENTS
Springtime Observations
By Marie Manson
Editor note: Marie, a loving member of Central now living in an apartment
complex in New Jersey, sent us following essay with the thought that it might
be shared with our readers. She also wrote, "Give my regards to all my friends
and I will always remember the warm send off I received."
We residents of Meadow Lake have been blessed by a pair of swans who have
been raising a family. For weeks, we enjoyed watching the pair sitting on
their eggs. Finally the cygnets have hatched and of course, are watched with
delight by all of us. They now spend their days in a small pond across the
perimeter road, so we see relatively little of them. But the night I write
about was very special.
In the gathering twilight of a recent evening, we watched entranced as the
swans floated toward us on the glistening carpet of water, with their five
cygnets between them, for all the world like the King and Queen presenting
their royal offspring to us, the assembled courtiers.
As the dusk deepened, they moved slowly and majestically closer. We could
see that four of the cygnets had climbed on the back of the mother swan,
while the fifth was paddling valiantly, trying to keep up with the family.
As they moved closer, our view was somewhat obscured by the rapidly budding
shrubs, but the drama continued, with the parents carefully guiding their
babies under the mother's wing to the safety of the night.
One member of our group of observers was a grieving husband. At the end of
a day for them, and the end of an era for him, there was a kind of peace
and security portrayed by our family of swans, a sense of community and
continuity of life shared by all of us.
Perhaps the story of this simple little drama will be a part of his healing,
as it symbolized for all of us the promise of the
everlasting.
Psalm 91:4 - He will cover you with his feathers, under his wings you
will find refuge.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE
Reserve Time on Your Calendar
Friday, October 27, on your calendars for the NEW MEMBER DINNER
Evangelism/Nurture Committee.
Farewell to Bishop and Mrs. Ott
On Saturday, August 19, 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Marquette
and on Sunday, August 20, at 3 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, Lansing
there will be a celebration of the ministry of Bishop Donald and Jan Ott.
Also, on Sunday, September 24 at 3 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church,
Lansing there will be a service of welcome and installation service for our
new bishop.
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 need
to attend the 1-day school or make the 3-day school, register as early as
possible. Deposit required. See Carolyn Schuurmans or Frank Anderson for
more details. It is open to all persons. Reserve the date and plan to
go.
Volunteers needed for Coffee Hour
For the months of July, August and September to provide cookies and prepare
beverages for Fellowship Hour. You may sign up in Fellowship Hall on Sunday,
June 4 and Sunday, June 11. Some of the regular volunteers are not available
during these months so please consider volunteering for this task. No experience
is necessary.
Reminder
Michigan Christian Advocate subscriptions are due now. Please give Leora
Stutes your check for $10 made out to the Michigan Christian
Advocate.
Clothing contributions no longer needed
Due to unfortunate and frustrating situations that have arisen, Jean Fowler
will no longer be providing clothing for the participants in the Thursday
Fellowship Lunch. Thank you to all who have so thoughtfully contributed clothing,
but those items now need to be taken to a local charity rather than be brought
to Central.
The Elderberrys
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The next meeting of the Elderberrys will be meeting on
Tuesday, June 13, promptly at 10:30 a.m. in the Church Dining Room. There
will be a program followed by a well-balanced wholesome dinner at noon. The
program will be given by Mickaya Bass titled, "Proper Attire for Young Ladies
During the Civil War Era." Give us a try. You'll like what you see and
hear!
Please R.S.V.P. no later than June 9 by calling the church office at 485-9477
or Bob Jenkins at 321-4060.
Please continuing saving
Dottie Stark reports that the United Methodist Community House in Grand Rapids
is extremely grateful to their "tabbing" and "label" friends for all the
donations.
Proceeds from the sale of the aluminum tabs, by weight, are supplying them
with money to replace carpeting and equipment needed in the senior and child
care areas. Labels are also used toward "purchasing" needed
equipment.
Please continue saving by placing your tabs and labels in the box near the
north library entrance (across from the men's restroom). The labels can be
inserted in the Ziploc bag attached to the rear of the box. Only the front
section of the labels is used.
Also, our Church is benefiting from your Knapps Restaurant receipts, as they
can be credited toward equipment purchases. These receipts should go on the
UMW shelf of the wooden cabinet in the first floor lounge.
Thanks for saving. This is good ecology and good economy.
Employment Opportunity
The West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church is searching
for the following personnel:
A part-time conference adjunct staff person for research and planning in
restorative justice (formerly called prison ministries).
A full-time conference staff person to serve as a ministry
consultant.
Volunteers to go to the Mexico Medical Mission in Iglesia Le Buena Fe, a
non-denominational church in the city of Nuevo Progresso. This is a medical
clinic. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, translators and a limited
number of helping hands are needed for this mission team. The people in the
area are able to obtain social welfare to help with medical care, but they
must travel many miles to receive this care with no assurance of being
helped.
Contact the church office as soon as possible for more details. There are
short deadlines!
Church Committees
In a note addressed to all Pastors of the West Michigan Conference, dated
February 2000, each church was requested to complete a "Local Church Annual
Administrative Checklist".
One of the items on this checklist addresses the requirements regarding Reports
and Records. It states " An annual report on the care of church records and
historical materials shall be provided to the Charge Conference". Minutes
and Records of church council, boards, committees and other bodies are to
be kept on file and placed in the local church archives for future use and
referral.
We would like to remind all Committee Chairpersons and Secretaries that a
copy of your committee meeting minutes should be given to Pat Basgall, the
Office Manager, to be filed as a permanent record.
Your help in assisting us to meet this requirement is greatly
appreciated.
THANK YOU
Friends,
I wish to take this opportunity to thank all who have helped us get through
this transition time while I served as part-time interim Education Director.
I couldn't have done it without so many of you pitching in and understanding
when some things fell through the cracks. Thank you also to those who kept
me lifted up in prayer. I know you are going to love Pamala, and I look forward
to working with her as a volunteer once again.
Janet Mort
Central Family,
A heartfelt thanks to all for the warm welcomes. The kind and loving way
in which I have been received by so many of you has touched my heart, and
it is an affirmation of God's guidance in leading me to Central.
Pamala Phillips
A Red Rose to.Clyde Maas for trimming of the shrubbery in the church
yards.
Central's Outreach … From A to Z
By Pat Basgall, Office Manager
Over the past many months this column has been devoted to giving you information
about the usage Central experiences as part of our downtown community
outreach.
It seems that the list is endless and almost impossible to make totally
comprehensive. In addition to our church business and fellowship activities
and all the various groups that I have enumerated in the past, we provide
rooms to the following groups either on a regular or one time a year
basis.
These groups provide revenue to the Church through donations or a prearranged
fee.
Alcoholics Anonymous
ACEC/Michigan
AIDS Memorial CandlelightService and HIV Aids Resource Center
American Cancer Society
Boy Scouts
Citizens for Better Care
Caterers
Contra Dancers
Debtors Anonymous
Emmaus Walk
Greenville, UMC youth group
Happy Elephant Day Care
Health Department
Lansing Lyric Opera
Lansing By Night Theatrical group
Lansing Christian Schools
Legislative Christian Students Day
Great Lakes Christian College
Matinee Musicale
Lansing District Metro Union
Michigan Coalition against Domestic Sexual violence
Michigan Fair Budget Action Coalition
Michigan Federation of Teachers
Michigan School Food Service
Mid-South Substance Abuse Commission
Orpheus Men's Choir
Michigan Peace Team
Project Team Work
Steiner Chorale
Student Statesmanship Institute
Tawas City Youth Choir
University Reform Church Youth Group
Gretchen Gleason Voice and Drama Studio
West Michigan Conference
Youth for Understanding
Weddings
This list is constantly changing and growing. As your Office Manager, I am
always thrilled when people compliment us about our ministry to the City
of Lansing. So many people enjoy the atmosphere and history of our Church.
All groups are screened in advance to make sure that their focus is appropriate
for the church setting.
If you ever have any questions about groups using the church for their functions,
please don't hesitate to speak to me. I have learned quite a bit over these
past 2 years about how so many people contribute to our society through their
varied efforts.
Summer Campers
Let's support our Central campers by sending letters. The following is a
current camper list with camp addresses.
Mini Camp - Aug 6-8
(at Camp Kiniwind)
Kelsey Cooper
David Jaquette
Austin Jaquette
Grand Traverse
Elementary Camp - July 16-22
(at Lake Michigan Camp)
Caroline MacLaren
Suzanne MacLaren
Tyler Jaquette
Simon Holoweiko
Seth Holoweiko
Emily Forgrave
John Forgrave
Abby Cooper
Katie Klein
Grand Traverse Jr. High Camp
June 18-24
(at Lake Michigan Camp)
Ian Boley
Grand Traverse Sr. High Camp
July 16-22
(at Lake Michigan Camp)
Rob Boley
Summer Games Camp
June 18-24
(at Lake Louise Camp)
Effrem Jackson
Paul Jackson
Antonio Jordan
Camp Kinawind
08889 Thumb Lake Road
Boyne Falls, MI 49713
Lake Michigan Camp
5807 N Ridge Road
Pentwater, MI 49449
Lake Louise Camp
11037 Thumb Lake Road
Boyne Falls, MI 49713
United Methodist Women
By Pat Mort, President
It's been a busy spring for United Methodist Women here at Central! It's
been a good spring, also. We have pulled together and with the help of Central
and friends outside Central, we've been able to help reach many of our financial
goals for the first quarter. As we all know, summer is not a time when people
may think of paying pledges, especially when UMW does not always meet during
the summer. The strides we've made in the past months will make the summer
a little easier for all of us!
Mission Team will be meeting in June - June 6, to be exact. If you have anything
you would like to bring up to the Team, please contact one of us - or come
to the meeting! That's June 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Centennial
Room.
Quilt Show planned
Contrail's UMW, in conjunction with the Downtown Neighborhood Association
Home Tour, will host a quilt show and tea on Sunday, September 17. Put this
on your calendar now. The tea will be held in the Second Floor Lounge and
the quilts will be displayed in the sanctuary. The cost for this event will
be $2. Mission Team will be discussing this at our June Meeting.
This is a wonderful opportunity to invite the community into Central. We
will need volunteers to help with the tea and serve in the Sanctuary to help
our guests view the quilts. Ann Mather has graciously agreed to help with
this event. If you have any questions, would like to volunteer or have quilts
you would like to display, please contact Ann or Pat Mort.
Bake Sale & Cookie Dough Sale a Success
Holding a bake sale on a Sunday was something not done at Central for quite
awhile. So, when UMW proposed doing one in April we weren't quite sure what
would happen. At last count, UMW earned over $300 from the April Bake Sale.
Thank you, Central, for being so generous! The Missions work of UMW is grateful
for your support.
We also earned $676 from our cookie dough sale! Thank you to one and all
who purchased cookie dough from UMW. We hope you're enjoying the cookies
(the dough makes up into wonderful bar cookies, also).
Call To Prayer
When Mission Team does the budget each year we put down an amount for Call
to Prayer and World Thank Offering, hoping we'll be able to gather in that
amount but realizing we will send out whatever amount we collect. This year's
Call to Prayer collection was $561 - twice what we'd hoped to collect. Thank
you one and all for you kindness towards the women, youth, children and families
this in-gathering goes to. We also collected $100.61 from the fun calendars
we did in March and April. There is still time to contribute towards any
of these offerings, either through you Circle treasurer or directly to Gwen
Bodine.
Church Women United
Notes from Carolyn Schuurmans
Board Meeting and Program
Friday, June 2nd at 10"00 a.m.
Program at 1:00 p.m.:
Joanne Fredahl speaking on
"The Farm Workers Ministry"
St. Therese Catholic Church
102 Randolph Street
Lansing, Michigan
Church World Services Offers Trip November 6-10 to New Winsor,
Maryland
Have a hands-on experience volunteering at the SERRV International Gift Shop
and Warehouse and Service Center where Church World Service blankets and
kits are collected, packed and shipped for use around the world, including
the U.S. Learn more about hunger and related justice issues. Enjoy the sights
of Washington D.C. and evening entertainment.
The cost of $350 includes:
Round trip bus transportation
Four nights lodging (double occupancy) at Brethern Service Center
All meals, except during travel
Sightseeing tour
Dinner in D.C. & theater tickets
For more information call Pam at 484-7144 or Carolyn Schuurmans at
321-0569
EDUCATION NEWS
By Pamala Phillips, Education Director
Summer 2000 Vacation Bible School -- A Place to Find God's Plan for You!
June 26 - 30, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Central United Methodist Church will experience a galactic transformation
of interplanetary proportion, becoming - The SonZone, Discovery Center. A
place for children of all ages to find God's Plan for their
life.
Travel with Professor M and his assistants, through time and space,
re-discovering Creation, the Garden of Eden, and the life of Christ - past,
present, and future.
There will be fun, food, games and storytellers, mad scientists, laboratory
experiments and special guests throughout the week. Lunch, snacks, and good
times will be provided.
Children of all ages are welcome. The program is designed especially for
children in pre-school through grade six.
Mark you calendar now, and plan to attend. Bring a friend and find God's
Plan for you.
Teacher Appreciation
As the 1999-2000 Sunday School Year ends, it is right and necessary to
acknowledge some very special people. They have given selflessly of themselves,
their time, and their love, on behalf of the children in our church. We are
truly grateful and ask God to richly bless and reward each of our Sunday
School Teachers and Children's Church leaders.
Diane Boley
Denise Kelley
Colleen Weinfeld
Kathy MacLaren
Terri Brooks
Mike Cooper
Dave Stinson
Dennis Kelley
Mary Boudreau
Leigh Ann Maxwell
Janet Mort
Ruthann Jaquette
Margo Parker
Julie Cooper
Anne Forgrave
Sue Hepfer
Karen Holoweiko
There will be an All Church Picnic honoring these special people on Sunday,
June 11, at 12 noon at Potter Park Zoo. Meat, beverages, and rolls will be
provided. Please bring a side dish, salad or dessert, plates, cups, and utensils.
We have reserved a pavilion.
A Special Note:
Janet Mort's endless enthusiasm, and tireless efforts have been, and are,
a genuine gift from God. Janet has acted in the interim between Christian
Education Directors with uncommon zeal, joy, and ability. She certainly made
a smooth and seamless transition possible for all of us, and has been invaluable
to Pamala already.
YOUTH NEWS
By Jamie Tipton, Youth Ministries
Ichthus 2000
Five adults and eleven youth traveled to Kentucky for the annual Ichthus
Music Festival, April 26-30, 2000. We had beautiful weather, wonderful
fellowship, and meaningful moments. We saw God's love in the people and heard
it through the music. This spiritual weekend gave each of us something special
to take with us until next year. Special thanks to all the adult chaperones
and to Dale and Carolyn Kirkby who graciously let us use their
trailer.
Bowling Night
On Mothers Day, seven youth and their parents participated in this venture
at Royal Scott on Sunday, May 14. We bowled some good games and some not
so good games. The night was full of fun and fellowship. We can't wait for
the Father's Day event! Get ready Dads!
Be a Tourist In Your Own Town
The youth group, will be selling refreshments as a fundraiser on June 3.
Please mark this date on your calendar.
The World of Missions
By Rev. Frank Anderson, Retired
Jesus said to "go into all the world and preach the gospel." We often think
of Missions as a congregation, something we do for God. But Bill Bauer, a
retired missionary and leader of our study on New Wineskins Faithful Mission
in the 21st Century, has a differing view. He suggested that Missions is
something God is doing through us, as a congregation. Here the emphasis is
on Him, and not us. I like this position.
Over time, I receive several missionary newsletters from active UMC personnel
who gain some support from our apportionments.
I recently received a letter from Red Bird Mission in Beverly, Kentucky,
from Mark & Rebecca Smallwood. They have served in the Mission School
for over 12 years. He teaches choral & bank music and she teaches in
Christian education. The couple adopted a second child of Korean descent
named Leah. Their first child is Nate age 3. In addition, Rebecca's mother
is case manager for the Mission's Outreach Services. Central UMC has covenanted
to give partial support to the couple.
Nancy Lightfoot works in Ivory Coast West Africa translating portions of
the Bible, with local assistants, into the local dialects. One such New Testament
is in Klao. Nancy coordinates her work with the United Bible
Societies.
David & Cheryl Jane Range are UMC missionaries in Limerick, Ireland.
They are both clergy and serve two British Methodist Churches under hard
conditions. They have two boys, Micah and Ben. David & Lorene Persons
(who visited CUMC) teach in an African Seminary at Mulungwishi in the Democratic
Republic of Congo.
Larry & Laura Hills, whom many know, retired as lay missionaries in the
DR of Congo, and now live in Penney Farms, Florida.
Retired are the Ted Townsends. Walter & Susan Henry are mission personnel
in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. There are over 600 full-time mission people with
our General Board Global Ministries UMC.
We must revel in the spirit to understand the wide scope and intense work
of Methodist Missions. For we, too, are all appointed to participate in God's
gigantic work of Christian missions today.
A Central UMC Heritage Note
Did you know that in 1940, a Central UMC "Bandage Group," was formed and
after many years evolved into a major volunteer group at Sparrow
Hospital?
On May 18, 2000, this group, now known as Division IV was honored by the
Women's Hospital Association for sixty years of service to the Lansing
community.
The group today devotes their time to making seasonal favors for the patient
trays, knotting infant caps and booties, and putting together surgical packs
and other assembly projects. Last year 4,750 tray favors were made, and over
2,269 assorted packs were assembled. Division IV volunteers now meet on the
St. Lawrence campus on the last Tuesday of the month.
Current Co-Chairs of the group are Joan Carter and Dorothy Forgrave. Many
others from Central are members.
Special Music for Communion Sunday
The Chancel Choir will weave Robert Ray's "Gospel Mass" into the June 4th
setting for holy communion. The work is rhythmic, melodic, and impassioned,
and will touch your heart in a very special way. - Caryn
Welter
Youth Work Project Planned
By Jamie Tipton, Director of Youth Ministries
The youth work project is right around the corner. Central United Methodist
Church has 19 people going to represent us in Arizona on the Fort Defiance
Navajo Reservation. Our group is more than excited, but we are still working
on raising the funds needed. Stock Sales is the newest of our fundraising
ventures. We will be selling "shares" in the Arizona Work Project. One "share"
will cost $10 and will entitle you to "share" in the life-changing experience
this will have on Central's Youth. You will be entitled to "share" a meal
with the participants when they return. The participants will "share" pictures,
stories, and experiences. The sale will begin June 4 in Fellowship Hall.
If you are interested in supporting Central's Youth, call the church office
(517) 485-9477 ext. 40. (Jamie's mailbox) or talk to Pamala Phillips, Christian
Education Director.
Partners for Preservation Report
Several members of the congregation dressed in period costume for the May
21st Sunday Worship Service. Our bulletin on May 21, 2000 included a copy
of a bulletin from this church in 1924. A handful of members in the congregation
raised their hands acknowledging they were in attendance at Central in 1924!
After the worship service, the delectable delights served during the Fellowship
Hour were lemonade, coffee, molasses cookies, sugar cookies, ginger bread
cake (with whipped cream) and Boston brown bread!
During the Sunday School hour, Barbara Krueger, renowned expert on historic
preservation, made a presentation and led a discussion on the importance
of preservation from a historic perspective.
The Central Journal is a monthly publication of Central United Methodist
Church, Lansing, MI. 48933. The deadline for the next (July/August) issue
is June 23, at 5 p.m.
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