May,
2000
Keeping Members and Friends Informed
Promoting Fellowship
Contributing to Spiritual Growth
Happy 150th Anniversary, CUMC!
By Betty Corbishley, Member since 1930
Happy 150th Anniversary, CUMC! Although in 1850, we were not CUMC but a newly
established "class" in what was the growing area of the Town of Michigan.
The first leader in that year was Reverend Reisin Sapp whose annual salary
was $136 but who was also Chaplain of the State Legislature. Services were
held in the old State Capitol building, then located at the SW corner of
Washington and Allegan Streets.
It was not until 1861 that the Central Methodist Episcopal Class was given
a "certificate of organization." Two years later, our first church was
constructed at the NW corner of Washington and Ottawa Streets.
The lot where our current building stands was purchased in 1882 for $2000
and pledges were taken to begin building. The architect chosen for the building
was Elijah Myers, also architect of the State Capitol; Ionia sandstone was
chosen for the exterior and red oak for the interior. As of 1890, the cost
of the building plus pews, lighting, stained glass windows and "water motor
for the organ" was approximately $42,000. The cornerstone was laid in 1889.
The Michigan Historical Commission has described our building as being the
finest example of a Richardsonian Romanesque church in the lower peninsula
outside of Detroit.
Remember the parsonage where our parking lot is now? It was a beautiful home
with a wrap-around porch; the first mortgage in 1904 was $5000; a second
in 1938 for repair and updating was $7600; it was torn down in
1970.
Before the Temple House was built, the Board of Trustees gave approval for
social dinners and teas, which were held in what we now call the Goodell
Library.
Richard Scott, an official with Reo Motor Company, and his wife were most
generous to Central. Their gift of the Temple House, whose cornerstone was
laid in 1922, was used by all the downtown churches and the community at
large. Early figures indicate as many as 9000 people used it monthly. There
were movies on Friday nights – it had permanent seats in the large hall.
In the original plans, there was to be a small dormitory on the 4th floor
for young men stranded in the city in need of lodging.
In the caretakers apartment Beulah Irons lived for 15 years. She helped with
weddings, teas and receptions as part of her duties; she gave great service
to the church. Les and Muriel Edmonds, who later occupied the apartment,
served as church custodians for another 18 years.
Another of the gifts of the Scotts' was the Mary Sabina Chapel in memory
of their mothers. It was dedicated in 1942; the architects were Lee and Kenneth
Black; the artists came from Italy.
The gifts, mostly memorials to the church have been great and many. For each
of our organs – our current one is the Jaeckel – we have received
generous donations.
Our 112 year old Sanctuary has received major renovations several times and
many items have been given to enhance it; prayer desks, communion table,
kneeling benches, communion rails, baptismal font, crosses; there have been
paintings, memorial windows, sound equipment, the carillon, the elevator,
the Coors' Prie-dieu, the Morrison fountain, funds for the Delamater organ
recitals; the lists are lengthy and wonderful.
We have had celebrations for our anniversaries of the 25th and the 50th.
For the 100th anniversary of our current building in 1989, Dr. Jeoffery Moore
wrote and published a history booklet "Reaching for the Peak" from which
much of this material was taken.
Names we have had!
Central Methodist Episcopal Church 1850 to 1939
Central Methodist Church 1939 to 1968
Central United Methodist Church 1968 to present
Yes Central … Happy Anniversary!
Member Deaths
Dean
Abbey………………………......April 10,
2000
Allura
Custer……………………....…April 13,
2000
Baptisms
James Carter.………..……….….…..March
26, 2000
Marcia Carter………………….…....March 26,
2000
Births
Joshua Rolland Ide…………………....April 1,
2000
To Shayne and Jane Ide.
Kristen Kaye Carter………….……...April 11, 2000
To Chris and Marcy Carter
PASTOR'S PEN
As you are reading this edition of the Central Journal, Easter Sunday will
be a couple of weeks in the past, ancient history in our fast paced world.
But we pray that its refreshment and renewal live on, just as Christ lives
on.
On Easter Sunday, after almost everyone had gone home, I went into the sanctuary
to see if anything needed to be done to put the sanctuary back together,
or at least to close it up for the day. The lights were off. The lilies were
gone. A few stray bulletins were scattered. Music stands, handbell tables,
glass plates for the lilies were no longer neat and tidy. The carpet looked
like several hundred people had tramples on it. On the whole the sanctuary
was in pleasant disarray.
But the fragrance of the lilies remained, and I could almost hear the sounds
of the choir singing the "Hallelujah Chorus."
I sat for a moment and thought, grateful for the peace and quiet. My heart
was still quickened from the joyousness of Easter morning; the kids and their
life, the choir and its music and dedication, the genuine fellowship in
Fellowship Hall, the organ and its power and majesty, the congregation and
its expectancy, and the Holy Spirit and her presence.
And I was grateful for our sanctuary, which had truly acted as such –
a holy and safe haven for a glorious worship service.
So now our role as Christian disciples is to let the truth of Easter wash
over us – calling us to greater thanksgiving, service, forgiveness and
praise. Easter Sunday truly is a day of resurrection, let it be so for each
one of us.
He is Risen! He is risen,
indeed!
--John
PLEASE TAKE NOTE
Bishop's Installation Service
As many of you know, Bishop Donald Ott, our Bishop for the last eight years,
will be retiring and returning to Wisconsin as of August 31st.
We will receive a new Bishop for the Michigan Area, who will be elected at
Jurisdictional Conference in July, to begin service on September 1st. Central
has been asked to host the installation service on Sunday, September 24,
2000 at 3:00 p.m. We have done this in the past and it is a wonderful honor
and opportunity. We will learn more soon, but in the meantime, we will want
to make everything right.
Be a Tourist in Your Own Town
Central has been named as one of the official stops on the "Be a Tourist
in Your Own Town" tour being held on Saturday June 3rd. This is a very exciting
event with the possibility of several hundreds to thousands of people touring
through our building. Plans are underway for guided tours and other activities
as well. If you are interested in helping with this event please stop by
the display in Fellowship Hall starting April 30th.
The church building is going to need a thorough cleaning prior to the event.
Starting Sunday, April 30th, there will be signup sheets for various work
periods late in May and the first two days of June for this project. Please
sign up during a coffee hour or by calling the church office at 485-9477
to help for at least a couple of hours.
Family Camp
Your last chance to register for Family Camp is fast approaching. Don't miss
this opportunity to feast and fellowship with Creator and Community! We will
gather on July 14th at Lakeview Campground near Six Lakes and we will scatter
on the 16th filled with joy and sunshine. Lakeview is a short drive (approx.
1 1/2 hours), so come for a day if you can't commit to the weekend. For more
information contact Karen Holoweiko in church or at
home.
Changes in the Library
You have no doubt noted some changes in the Library. These changes are being
done by a Library Task Force consisting of several members and staff, now
being chaired by Ed Spink. Anyone desiring can serve on this task force.
The vision is for a more attractive, open, usable, up-to-date library and
gathering space.
The Directories are in!
At long last, our Pictorial Directories are in. Stop by Fellowship Hall or
call the Church Office to receive one. Be sure to check your name off the
list. One copy per household please.
Mid Michigan Opera Performance
On May 5th and 6th Mushroom Pizza & Telephone Opera is being presented
by the Opera Company of Mid Michigan, Terry Morris, Director at 7:30 p.m.
in Fellowship Hall. The cost to Central members is $6 per person. See poster
on bulletin board outside the library for more
details.
THANK YOU
To all of you,
Thank you for all you do for Electia Bolley, my mother. She appreciates it
all. She would love to be in church with you, but that is really impossible.
At 100 years old, she does pretty well, but as she says," I'm not as spry
as I used to be." Her daughter, Jeanne.
To our many friends at Central:
We wish to express our heartfelt thanks for the support and caring extended
to our family during Sam's illness and at the time of our sorrow. Your visits
to the hospital and your prayers helped to confirm our faith and provided
personal consolation during this difficult time. We will always remember
the many visits from Rev. Boley and Rev. Anderson and their comforting prayers
with Sam and our family. A special thank you to Rev. John for responding
to our many calls at all hours to steady us during those critical times.
Your thoughtful kindness is greatly appreciated. Joy Adcock and
Family
Documenting Methodist Heritage
By Francis F. Anderson
Methodism has an exciting past, and hopefully, an equally exciting future!
The genealogy of our Methodist Spiritual Journey is worthy of our attention
in this Eastertide. Sunday April 23rd, was Easter Day and also Heritage Sunday
for UMC's.
In our travels, Win and I have been to the initial meeting places of both
our Caribbean Methodists in Antigua, W.I.; the British Methodists in Epworth,
England, plus the Lovely Lane Chapel UMC in Baltimore, MD, where the first
Methodist Conference was held in 1784, in the new USA.
More recently, we worshiped at the Old Church (Methodist) in Oxford, Georgia.
This building was erected in 1841 for Emory College students. African-American
stone masons and carpenters, ancestors of today's Oxford's residents, helped
to build the Greek revival building. It stands today fully renovated as part
of the 1975 National Register of Historic Places. The all-white structure
(in and out) is awesome to see and enter.
As we worshiped, we were transported back in time. For here the Bishop, James
O. Andrew and his wife served. Slaves and owners sat separately, as did men
and women. But next door, a young black woman named "Kitty", lived as a slave
for the Bishop and his wife.
This situation precipitated the major division of Methodists in 1844, into
the M.E, Church South, and the M.E. Church North. This racial distinction
lasted until 1939. And now today, all has changed! Brothers and sisters of
all racial origin and both genders give testimony to a loving Savior Jesus
Christ our Lord. Equally.
Emory Oxford College grew into Atlanta's Emory University where 16,000 students
and seminarians attend today. We find this exciting to know and to be a marvelous
Heritage to be proud of as living Christian (United) Methodists.
This heritage is an important part of our faith, and a special gift from
God. "To him lie the glory, great things he has done." Consider your calling
and embrace our Methodist Heritage.
Written April 19, 2000, "Holy Week" Ft. Lauderdale,
FL
Offering of Letters 2000
By Carolyn Schuurmans
Our Bread for the World Offering of Letters this year will be on Mother's
Day, May 14th. That special day is appropriate because this year's goal -
"A Fair Share - Working to End Hunger" will make food stamps available to
more families, and the majority of food stamp recipients are
children.
You can lend a hand by signing two or three letters to your Senators and
Representatives on May 14th, or writing your own letter. Look for our table
in Fellowship Hall on that day (Sunday) if you need help.
Does writing letters help?
YES!!! Last year, Congress, in response to public wishes, embraced the
international initiative to provide debt relief for the world's poorest countries
and approved a portion of the needed funding. Congress is responsive to measures
that direct benefits to hungry and poor people. Next year Bread for the World
will push for additional funding and to make sure that the benefits of debt
relief really get to poor people.
BFW alternates years between hunger issues abroad and hunger issues at
home.
The Hunger Relief Act
This bipartisan bill is designed to help end hunger, especially among working
families, by strengthening the Food Stamp program and increasing funding
to emergency food providers. The Bill would cost $2.5 billion over five years.
It would allow low-income people to own a reliable car and still receive
needed food stamps. Currently, families who are eligible for food stamps
cannot own a car worth more than $4,650 - a level which has been raised only
$150 since 1977. Low income people need to be able to own a reliable car,
often essential for transportation to work, and still receive food stamps.
The Bill would also allow low-income people who pay more than 50% of their
income for housing to receive the food stamps they need.
The Bill would also allow legal immigrants to receive food stamps on the
same basis as citizens' need. Currently, only children, the elderly, and
disabled immigrants who were in the USA before 1996 are eligible for food
stamps. More than 700,000 legal immigrants, many of whom work in low wage
jobs and pay taxes are barred from participation.
The second solution proposed to end hunger is to raise the minimum wage $1.00
over a two year period to $6.15 per hour. The number of full-time year-round
workers with incomes below the poverty line rose by nearly 500,000 in 1998.
Parents have to choose between feeding their children and paying the rent,
or keeping up with the electricity or doctor bills.
The proposed hourly wage would provide an extra $2,000 a year for full-time
workers, enough to buy about six months worth of groceries for a family of
four.
Did You Know!
"Food stamps are available to families whose income is less than $1,809 per
month for a family of four. In 1998 the poverty line for an average of four
was $16,700 per year. The average recipient receives $71 per person in food
stamps each month to help with the grocery bills. One full time worker earning
minimum wage earns $10,712 annually - falling $348 below the poverty line
for a family of two and nearly $6,000 below the poverty line for a family
of four."
Earth Day 2000
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Become an "Energy Stewardship Congregation"
Examine your congregation's and your own individual energy consumption. Your
church can make a commitment to use less energy and to make your building
more energy efficient. For more information call 1-800-288-1346.
At home and at church:
Tune-up your heating and air conditioning systems
Invest in office computer equipment that is labeled Energy Star
Install programmable thermostats and sensors on lighting
Buy the most efficient model furnaces and air conditioners and correctly
"size" them to your needs
Walk, bike, and use public transportation whenever possible.
Encourage your elected officials to endorse a "Clean Energy Agenda" which
would include: clean power, clean cars ,clean air, and clean investments
For more information on the "Clean Energy Agenda" go to the Web of Creation
at www.webofcreation.org/NCC/Clean
EnergyAgenda.html
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
By Pat Mort, President
Here's hoping your Easter observances were rich with meaning, friends, family
and total knowledge from the top of your head to the soles of your feet that
Jesus loves you now and forever!
Lenten Lunch
The Lenten Lunch this year was fantastic! Mable Morrison Circle did their
usual outstanding job with the organization, set up, and the meal. Thanks,
ladies! Marilyn VanStratt did the deviled eggs. Marilyn, they were beautiful!
Thank you, Marilyn. Arline Roe lined up our program, Major Mary Corliss of
the Salvation Army, and our music, the University United Methodist Brass
Ensemble, both of whom were inspirational. Thank you, Arline, for bringing
both the Major and the Ensemble to us. Wally VanStratt did our programs.
Thanks, Wally. Judy Grove Circle put the devotion and offering time together.
Thank you, ladies. A GIGANTIC thank you to the Red Apron Brigade! As always,
guys, you're the best! And for those who participated in the Call to Prayer
and Self-Denial offering, a big thank you. Your generosity directly impacts
the lives of women, youth and children. If you did not have an opportunity
to contribute to the offering and would still like to do so, you may turn
your offering in to either your May Circle meeting or to Gwen
Bodine.
Cookie Dough Sale
Our Cookie Dough Sale was a great success! We sold nearly 190 tubs of cookie
dough! Due to ordering by "case" we had 207 tubs delivered so there may still
be some extras if you'd like to buy some to stock up! We clear $3.25 per
tub. If we sell all 207 – and we will! – we will clear $672.72!
That is a tremendous help to our current budget! Ladies, give yourselves
a big hand! Our goal in UMW is to do all we can, in all the ways we can,
to all the world we can to forward the work and love begun by Jesus Christ.
If you find yourselves in need of extra dough give Pat a call to see if there's
any left.
Bake Sale
This is being written before our first attempt at a Sunday Bake/Bakeless
Sale. I'm trusting it went off well. People found all sorts of good things
to buy or they were moved by the Spirit to contribute generously for something
they didn't want to take home and eat! Our Bake Sales are traditionally held
at City Hall but that is becoming increasingly difficult to do. We are hoping
this forum will help both the mission work of UMW and fill a void in baking
in the homes of Central's
family.
Meditation Room
Judy Grove Circle, with the okay of the Trustees, is working this month on
clearing out the Costume and UMW Rooms on the Fellowship Hall Balcony. When
we are done, we are going to open the sliding glass wall between them and
move the Meditation Room up from it's present location off the Chapel. This
space will be available for meetings, Bible Studies, and UMW work space.
A calendar will be available to sign up to use the room. We hope to make
a huge dent in the cleaning process on May 8. Judy Grove members and all
other interested persons – come at 7 p.m. prepared to clean, sort, toss
and organize! In other words, wear your working clothes – we'll get
a great deal accomplished! Got cleaning supplies? Might as well bring those,
too. Better to have too many than not enough!
Calendar of Events
A 2000-2001 Calendar of UMW events is available in the UMW box in the First
Floor Lounge. Feel free to take a copy. Circle Leaders, if you would like
some for your meetings please pick them up.
FROM THE TRUSTEES
By Jim Mort, Chairperson
Christ the Lord has risen. He is risen indeed. I hope that you had a blessed
Easter celebrating the risen Christ. The redecorating project for rooms 23
and 27 are all but finished. Oops – these rooms are no longer rooms
23 and 27. Instead, room 23 is now the Conference Room and room 27 is the
second floor Lounge. Regardless of their names, these rooms look great as
a result of the redecorating. Come on in and check it out.
The Trustees have been playing detective. No, we are not looking for a criminal.
We have been investigating the possibility of air conditioning the sanctuary.
The high temperature in the sanctuary in the summer months has always been
a problem and it was always assumed that it was not feasible to have the
sanctuary air-conditioned. After consulting with Dard, the company that does
a lot of the work on our heating system, we commissioned an engineering study
from Capital Consultants to find out whether it was feasible to air-condition
the sanctuary or if the idea was just full of "hot air".
The study has been completed and Capital Consultants made a presentation
on the results to the Trustees. It is possible to air-condition the sanctuary
and the study laid out two proposals for doing so. We are still trying to
get some questions answered regarding what the true cost of operation would
be under these proposals etc. We are also considering how this project could
be paid for. As we get more knowledgeable about this project, we intend to
conduct some informational sessions on Sunday mornings for anyone who would
be interested in finding out more.
If you have any thoughts or questions about this, please let one of us know.
The current members of the board of Trustees are: Dick Bates, Susan
Grettenberger, Charlie Jennett, Mary Ellen Maas, Dick Murley, Jim Mort, Dick
Murley and Jim Stark.
Come on and join us sometime. 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.
Partners for Preservation
Preservation - an interesting word - what does it mean? Depending on the
context of its use it can mean anything from preserving yourself to preservation
of the vast resources of this nation. At CUMC the word has come to express
our concern for the place in which we worship. Partnership for Preservation
organized to develop 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. The bottom line of this campaign
is financing the day to day structure and infrastructure needs of the facility
for the future.
Sunday, May 21, will be "Come As They Were" Sunday when church membership
will be asked to wear some article of clothing to depict the 100 plus year
history of our church. Sunday morning coffee will offer refreshments with
a historic flare.
During the morning Sunday School hour, Barbara Krueger, renowned expert on
historic preservation will be presenting a discussion on the importance of
preservation from a historic perspective.
Central's place in history is noted on several historic registers. The church's
stained glass windows appear on the national registry are irreplaceable treasure.
The building's architect and its architectural features is notable in many
respects.
A key thrust of the Partnership for Preservation effort has been to seek
grant monies available to assist in an effort to preserve CUMC. Barbara Krueger's
presentation will kick off the Partnership's efforts. The congregation is
invited to "Come As They Were" learn more about the effort to preserve Central
and its history.
New members at Central
The following people have recently joined Central Church. Please give them
a warm welcome. Thanks to writer Margie Sleight and photographer Dave Bass
for contributing to this column.
Jean Ingersoll was received into membership by reaffirmation of faith. She
did, as a small girl, come to Central, and her family is still in Lansing.
She attended college at MSU and gained a degree in merchandising management.
On a new job, she has just now started working for Jacobsons in Jackson as
an assistant buyer, which is most pleasing to her. She is engaged to Paul
Coonrod and they plan to be married at Central on April 28, 2001. She loves
to ski - all types, snow and water. Refinishing furniture is a hobby she
has probably stemming from her fondness for antiques. Her travels to Europe,
hopefully to be repeated, help satisfy her love of travel and gaining knowledge
of art, architecture, and history. To have her in our Central family is a
happy happening. Welcome Jean!
With baptism and affirmation of faith, Marcy and Chris Carter came into Central
as new members. Marcy was raised in Cadillac, coming to Lansing in her later
teens. She earned an associate degree from LCC and worked as a development
coordinator for a real estate developer. From a former marriage, she brings
a daughter Pam, 13, who is a student at Pattengill and is herself among those
in the UMYF group. Marcy likes to bowl and read, but recently now she and
Chris have become parents of Kristen Kaye, Central's Littlest Angel born
on April 11th. Family activities will be different for awhile. Chris was
graduated from Bath High School and works with his father as a mechanical
contractor. His training has helped him in remodeling their own home. He
is a relative of the Forgrave family, so has found open arms already in Cenrtral.
He enjoys playing the piano and singing, and at this early date has already
joined Central's choir. We warmly welcome this fine family into Central's
membership.
Doug and Mary Bowers both come into Central on reaffirmation of faith. Doug
attended Plymouth Congregational Church in his youth. He worked at the Delta
Engineering plant of General Motors, retiring in November of '99. He is an
aficionado of NASCAR racing and follows it on TV. Both he and Mary have 'speeded"
into work and service at Central already. Mary serves at the reception desk.
Doug helps with Fellowship Lunch. Both are on cleaning crews, soon were greeters,
and attend services and study sessions regularly. Mary was raised in Lansing
too. She went to the old East Michigan Avenue Methodist Church and as a young
girl helped in Sunday school classes and nursery. In high school, she and
Pat Bell were friends. Mary was employed for twenty years at Sears and became
manager of the jewelry department there. She is glad to get back to a bit
of sewing and likes to read. She has joined Rebekah/Ruth Circle and has been
an usher at services. She and Doug have three grown children, two married,
and are grandparents to four youngsters. We are most happy this twosome has
chosen Central as their church home and are serving so faithfully
already.
Education
By Janet Mort, Program Director
New Education Director
Please welcome our new Director of Christian Education, Ms. Pamala Phillips,
who began work on Tuesday, April 25th. Pamala, originally from South Bend,
Indiana has recently moved here from Peoria, Illinois. Pamala's background
is in radiology, hospital administration and healthcare marketing, but her
heart is in the church. She comes from the Episcopal Church and has a passion
for programming for children and youth. She has a degree in Psychology and
is finishing a M. Ed. in Educational Leadership. She is excited about doing
full time what she has done much of "on the side.". Look for our interview
article in next month's Journal.
New Wineskins Study … "Mission in the 21st Century"
On April 30th, Central will begin a new class study focusing on how missions
need to change to meet the needs of the 21st century. Join us as our guest
Facilitator guides us through the New Wineskins Study. Special guests, Lynn
and Kay DeMoss will join us May 7th. Come join us during the Sunday School
hour in the Conference Room from April 30th to May 28th.
All Church Picnic
Please join us at noon on Sunday, June 11th at the Potter Park Zoo Picnic
Area for a time of fun and fellowship to honor our teachers and let them
know how much we appreciate their service. We are providing the meat and
beverages and ask all except the teachers to bring a side dish or dessert
to share. Hope to see you there.
The Jesus I Never Knew
We will resume study of The Jesus I Never Knew in the second floor lounge
beginning April 30th.
Names needed
Names of college graduates are needed for recognition during our May Graduation
Service. Please call the church office with the name to be
recognized.
Vacation Bible School
It's not too early to be thinking about VBS (June 26-30). We are planning
a very exciting expanded program this year including children from Potter-park
and Harvest House. If you can volunteer for 1 or 2 days or all week we'd
love to have you join our team. Please stop and talk to one of the team members
in Fellowship Hall starting April 30th and see where you can plug
in.
Fellowship Opportunities at
Central
CentralNiters
Our next event will be Saturday, April 29th at 6 p.m with "Dinner at Lafayette
Square." After dinner we will visit the MSU Planetarium for the 8 p.m. show.
Call the Poyet's at 337-7148 for reservations.
Central's Collage
Join in our next event - a Gallery Walk. After Sunday school on May 7th,
we will have a light lunch at the church, and will then go on a gallery walk
in Lansing's Old Town area. Five art galleries will have special exhibitions
that day, including drawings, photography, woodwork, quilts, and mixed media
of figurative sculpture and visual art. So, come and enjoy Old Town's "First
Sunday Gallery Walk." Please RSVP to Faye and Bill McCracken at 337-0207
by May 3rd.
Young Adult Fellowship
On Saturday, May 6th at 7:00 p.m. we will meet at the home of Denise and
Dennis Kelly, 1220 Prospect Street, Lansing. We will watch a thought provoking
movie followed by discussion. Lot's of popcorn too! Come and join us. RSVP
Bob Pena at 482-7358.
Elderberrys
The next meeting of the Elderberrys will be on the Tuesday May 9th beginning
in the Church Dining Room at 10:30 a.m.
Music Notes
By B. Karen Welter, Music Director
Best Wishes, Miss Michelle
As you graduate from Cooley Law School and move back to your home area in
Georgia, you will leave lasting reminders of your presence here at Central
over these past two years. You are a class act. Your presence, intellect,
creativity, and talent have served us well as we've continued with the ongoing
process of developing a viable, meaningful music program that meets the needs
of most of the kids, most of the time. Your sensitivity to the children and
your obvious love for them has touched their hearts in very special ways.
Unbelievable flexibility and versatility have been ever-present and served
this congregation well. The program you've created will long be the hallmark
of a premier music program for the kids. Thank you, and may God richly bless
you in your new endeavors.
As you take a look at your calendars, please consider these
opportunities.
Central Bell Ringers are beginning to work on music for September. We'd like
to have a few more ringers, and invite you to join us.
The Chancel Choir is beginning preparations for a delightful Spring cantata,
scheduled for the June 4th communion service. It's title is "Gospel Mass."
and it's quite different from anything else we've recently done. If you'd
like a short-term opportunity to participate with the group, consider this
the perfect time to join us on Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
As was published earlier this year, May 14 (Mother's Day) marks a day when
we'll recognize all the choir groups and carillonists. May 21 is the last
day for Sunday School, for Children's choirs and the Youth Musical Group
gatherings.
SOCIAL CONCERNS
Upcoming activities worthy of your consideration:
The Annual Paint Blitz
Sponsored by the Lansing Neighborhood Council, will be held on June 3rd.
Once again, a dedicated group of volunteers from Central United Methodist
will help paint a home for an elderly or disabled person. This year, the
Paint Blitz is being funded solely through local donations (in the past,
a grant helped fund the project) so unfortunately, The Paint Blitz may be
somewhat limited by finances. You can help in several ways.
Call Mary Boudreau at 372-4146 to participate in Central's
team.
Volunteers are needed for either a half day or an entire day.
Painters/scrapers/cleaners of any skill level are appreciated. It costs
approximately $750 for each house painted.
Contact Cheryl Risner at the Lansing Neighborhood Council, 372-6290 to learn
how your business or group can sponsor house paint financially.
Offer your prayers for another safe, successful event.
Habitat for Humanity
This year, Habitat for Humanity is sponsoring a First Ladies Build. This
event features women volunteers building a house in two weeks for a low-income
family. If you are interested in this great event, please call the local
Habitat for Humanity office, or Mary Boudreau, who intends to help with this
great project.
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