Central
Journal . . . electronic edition
May,
2006
Keeping Members and Friends Informed
Promoting
Fellowship
Contributing to Spiritual
Growth
Members and friends:
The question is raised often enough, "Why do we have to support Ministry
Shares (or Conference Apportionments)?", to give motivation for a pastoral
response. First, I must make a confession. We, as an Administrative Council,
made the decision to designate only $17,000 toward our Ministry Shares of
$54,000, to balance the budget of $420,000 for 2006. It seemed to be our
only choice at the time. I feel bad and sad for our church to solve a budget
problem at the cost of sacrificing our Ministry Shares. Of course, I was
comforted with the proviso of a commitment to do all we can to pay our Ministry
Shares 100%. Thank you to our Ad Council for that spirit and positive
attitude.
Second, every United Methodist Church, based on ability and commitment, is
expected to pay its fair share toward the Ministry Shares. Central UMC, with
both pride and humility, has a long history of faithfulness in the full and
timely payments of our Ministry Shares. Besides that, through our Missions
Commission, we have gone the second mile in supporting missionaries and several
other ministries.
Third, Ministry Shares is an effective way to connect with 37,000 other United
Methodist Churches to financially address the ministry needs of the larger
church community. There is no need to be the lone ranger, but we can be a
connectional church in responding to world problems and issues. Our gifts,
combined with all other churches' resources, can advance the cause of
Christ.
Fourth, Ministry Shares was never meant to be given exclusively from either
our abundance or left over money. Actually, it is intended to be given off
the top of our money receipts each month. It is not because we are rich that
we give to Ministry Shares. I know this sounds illogical, but we are to give
from our poverty. Giving is recognizing God as the source. It is sacrificial
and faith driven. We have to trust in the faithfulness of Stewardship of
God's resources. Therefore, our responsibility is to provide every opportunity
for God's people to give. We all need to go the second mile in giving so
that God gets the glory. Stewardship people are right, giving is a faith
issue, not a money issue.
So, we need to receive an additional $50,000 to do effective ministry and
eliminate an operational deficit. We need every member and friend to give
beyond their pledge, starting now. So join with me and others who look for
ways to give more to and through our church, to enable ministry to happen
locally and beyond.
--Russell
From the Library Task Force
Ed Spink
Test your knowledge about the Bible and have fun at the same time with The
Whimsical Quizzical Bible Trivial Book by J. Stephen Lang. "Over 4,500 questions
about the Bible and its impact on the world" are divided into twelve sections.
This topical approach includes, The Bible Turned Loose on the World, The
Bible on the American Map, The Bible for (Most) Celebrities, Money Matters,
What's My Name and Music, Music, Music. Each section begins with a short
Bible I.Q. quiz and is followed with several lists of questions and answers
organized around specific topics related to that section.
For the trivia fan or serious Bible reader, the book is for browsing –
one page or one section at a time. For ease of use, the answers to the questions
are on the back of each page.
The breadth of the questions demonstrates how deeply the Bible has influenced
art, theater, music, language, naming places and people and worship. An excellent
way to stretch your mind and have some fun.
Church Women United
Carolyn Schuurmans
Friday, May 5, is My Friendship Day at Holt United Methodist Church, 321
N. Aurelius (corner of Aurelius and Cedar). It begins with Bible Study at
11 a.m., followed by potluck luncheon at noon. The program begins at 1 p.m.
The subject is Signs of Growth. Everyone is welcome!
Shoes, Rainwear, Tents, Jeans, T-shirts
These used or new items are needed all summer for our Open Door Ministry
guests. You may leave your donations in the hall by Cris Bobier's office.
Thank you so much for participating in our ministry to the poor in the downtown
area.
A grateful man, George Washington had this to say about his mother:
"All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral,
intellectual and physical education I received from
her."
EDUCATION
Joi Tennant, Christian Education Director
Senior Sunday, June 11
They're all grown up and ready to step out into the world; and we want to
send them off with our love and blessings. We have six graduating high school
seniors this year:
Amanda Caulkett (Dan and Gail)
Megan DeShetler (Mark and Kathy Graham)
Antonio Grettenberger (Mary and Susan)
Sam Holoweiko (Jeff and Karen)
Ivan Parker (Jim and Margo)
John Stotts (Mary Hilliard)
We will honor them during our worship service June 14. Then we will have
an all-church potluck brunch immediately after church (10:45), with the seniors
and their families as our guests. Please bring any kind of brunch-type food
contributions for our meal. Remember, big kids are hungry people! We will
furnish the egg casserole and beverages. Please bring your own table service.
India & Pakistan Class --too good to pass up!
It's never too late to join the folks who are gaining new insights every
Sunday in this year's mission study about India and Pakistan. Patsy Coffman,
as always, packs each hour of her 6-week class with brand new perspectives
and understandings. Head to the Dining Room at 11:05 so there will be time
to cover each topic. While other classes will have ended for the year, this
class will continue through May 28.
Sunday School takes a summer vacation.
Beginning May 28 there will be no Children's Church or Sunday School classes
through the summer. A nursery will be available each Sunday from 9:15 to
10:45 for babies and toddlers, staffed by volunteers. Children ages three
to ten may go to the nursery after the Children's Sermon if they have trouble
sitting through the entire church service. Remember, we do have the worship
activity packets for children at the back of the sanctuary. We recommend
that the children wait to work on them when the sermon starts. We will return
to our regular Sunday School and worship schedule September 10. It is a blessing
to have devoted Sunday School teachers throughout the school year! They have
earned a break.
Nancy Hanks Lincoln was still a young woman when she died. Her little
boy, Abraham, was only nine. Still, Nancy had taught Abraham so well that
he never forgot her guidance. He often said of his mother: "All that I am
or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother. I remember my mother's prayers and
they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life."
Youth News
Michelle Weinfield
The Contemporary Worship service will be held on May 21 at 7 p.m. We encourage
everyone to come.
On May 5, Jamie Tipton is hosting a stamping party for girls and their moms.
It will be held at the church at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to
come!
ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Vacation Bible School
Aslan is On the Move--A journey to the Land of Narnia--June 26-30
They have invited us to attend! Call to enroll your children:
482-9454
A mother is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary.
—Dorothy Canfield Fisher
Central Bikers
Many people at Central enjoy bicycle riding. A number of us are doing several
"tours" this summer, including the T-shirt ride (June 10) , Liferide (June
17 and 18), and Dalmac (Labor Day). If you enjoy biking and would like to
train together, please call or email Mary Boudreau at 372-4146 or email at
boudrea1@msu.edu.
Music notes
Caryn Welter, Music Director
Thank you, musicians, for your participation in the Good Friday service which
was held at Christ Community Church (formerly First Baptist Church). In my
view, it was one of the richest I'd ever experienced. It combined prayer,
preaching, music, mime, story-telling, and pictures in a powerful presentation
of the pertinent events.
A huge thank-you goes to all those participants who made the Easter service
so special. The preaching, flowers, vocalists, handbells, and other
instrumentalists all lent a magical touch to worship. A special thanks goes
to Jim Tennant, world-class cellist, who was here to visit his mother, Virginia
Tennant, and graciously blessed us with his musical gifts. His rendition
of Gabriel Faure's "Elegy" was glorious.
Please accept this invitation to sing / ring with us during this last stretch
of the program year. All that's required is a willing heart and the desire
to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord". Take a look at the rehearsal schedule
and see what works for you: All on Sundays, in the third floor rehearsal
room:
Preschoolers –10:45 –11:00 a.m.
Wesley Choristers –11:00 –11:35 a.m.
Youth Fine Arts Group –11:40 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Then, on Thursdays:
Central Bell Ringers –5:30 –6:15 p.m.
Spirit Singers – 6:30 – 7:15 p.m.
Chancel Choir – 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 21, marks a Celebration of Music in Worship. All of our groups
will participate, bringing together a varied combination of musical aspects.
This will be the last day of involvement in the program year for the
Preschoolers, Wesley Choristers, Youth Fine Arts Group, Spirit Singers, and
Central Bell Ringers. Won't you bring some friends to worship with you on
that day? We could re-visit the wonderful numbers that were brought about
by Easter!
Looking ahead to Fall, the church at large will be invited to sing with the
choirs in a Broadway production, to be held in mid-September. Rehearsals
will begin in mid-August. The Journal's June edition will have more
information.
Tentative schedule for participation of children and youth in worship:
April 30 – Wesley Choristers
May 14 – Wesley Choristers and Youth Fine Arts Group
May 21 – Preschoolers, Wesley Choristers, and Youth Fine Arts
Group
To all those who organized, shopped, provided food, served, and cleaned up
for the Holy Thursday dinner and service at St. Paul's Episcopal Church,
you are very much appreciated. Please accept our heartfelt thanks. The dinner
was tasty, generous, and nicely presented.
Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase,
just take the first step.
—Martin Luther King
Jr.
Orpheus at Sea
Monday, May 15, 7 p.m. at Central United Methodist
Church!
Admission: $5 -- A Vocal Voyage with the Orpheus Male Chorus and the St.
Mary's Choir of Williamston, Directed by Gayle Pohl.
Central's Sewing Group
Members of the Sewing Group include:
Norma Hanson – Leader
Fran Valenti, Sida Garnett, Dottie Stark, Jean Fowler and Lucille
Chase
Report for 2005
Membership 6
Average attendance 4
Number of meetings 45
Balance on hand 1/1/05 $41.11, plus Income $17.26 – late Expenditures
476.21.
Balance 12/30/05 ($6.84)
Meetings every Thursday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sack lunch
Work and visit while making clothes for infants and youth, sizes 1 to
10.
"One time I sewed the back of an elastic waist to the bottom of a pant leg.
I knew it was time to take a break!"
United Methodist Women
Pat Mort, President
June UMW Picnic
Mark June 6, 6:15 p.m., and come picnic with UMW. This event is open to all
women of the church. While we haven't decided on a site, we do know we'll
have a great time with good food and fellowship. UMW will provide drinks,
tableware and desserts - birthday cakes! (And maybe ice cream - yum-m-m.)
Our theme is birthdays ~ so who knows what mischief we'll get into!
May Mission Team is May 18 at 10 a.m.
Four of us from Central will attend the UMW Assembly in Anaheim, CA., at
the beginning of May. Lois Jenkins, Denise Kelley, Linda Towsley and Pat
Mort will attend workshops, talk with missionaries (including our own David
Draggoo), see how UMW makes a difference around the world and experience
vital worship and Bible studies. Please pray for us and the other attendees
from around the world who will swell the population of Anaheim during the
beginning of May. This opportunity is one we look forward to each four years.
Linda and Lois have attended each Assembly since 1978. Pat has attended since
the early 80's and this will be Denise's second Assembly. Ask us about it
~ it's an experience to cherish!
Among Friends
Remember...
At press time…
Central family members in Iraq
Barbara Lansing – at home
Betty Ward – St. Lawrence Rehab
Dan Bolden– at home
Gladys Gilson – at home
LaVinnia Roberts – at home
Muriel Kirby – Burcham Rehab
Gwen Bodine – Courts of Holt Rehab
Carol Wilkins – Ingham County Ext. Care Rehab
Penny Zago – at home
Mary Yard – hospice at home
Ed Keen – at home
Deanne Spoon – at home
Lillian Rush – at home
Thank you...
... and blessings to all of you who have been so thoughtful during my small
surgery. Central people are surely the best!
Jamie Zimmer
The saintly nun of Calcutta, Mother Teresa, thought she knew why the
world is upside-down. She thought it had to do with families that were out
of sync, lacking togetherness, harmony and the extension of real love for
one another. She said, "It is easier to offer food to the hungry than to
answer the lonely suffering of someone who lacks love right in one's own
family."
She went on to say, "The world today is upside down because there is so very
little love in the home and in family life. We have no time for each other.
Everybody is in such a terrible rush, and so anxious …and in the home
begins the disruption of the peace of the world."
Our National Day of Prayer
The first Thursday of May each year is designated as a day for the people
of our country to pray. Yes, there is separation of state and church in America,
but religious people in our nation would never vote for the separation of
America from God. This country surely will remain, "one nation under God."
Therefore we are right to set aside a day for national prayer — a day
when we can beseech God's guidance regarding our nation's policies and actions,
and pray for the general welfare of all citizens, especially for the helpless
and those suffering injustices.
Central's Adult Softball Team is to start the 2006 season
Ed Keen
You are invited to be a part of this team of men and women. All regular season
games will be played on Tuesday evenings starting at 6:30 PM. All game dates
are double headers. The other league members are Lansing area Methodist Churches.
Games will be played at Sharp Park in Delta Township, Lake Lansing North
Park near Haslett and William Burchfield Park south of Holt.
If you can play only part of the season, such as early May to mid–June
or July to August, that's okay. The only qualifications for team membership
are that you are age 13 or older, have some softball/baseball experience,
and are willing to enjoy the game and be part of the team. All players get
to bat and play in the field every game.
There is no individual player fee. Jerseys are supplied by the Church. You
can sign up using the sign up sheet in Fellowship Hall or by sending an e-mail
to Ed Keen at: fastedd3@comcast.net. If you need more information you can
call Ed Keen at 321–4967.
The first game is May 16 (location to be set). The remaining season schedule
will be published soon. The season-end tournament is scheduled for August
11-12. Practice sessions will be announced.
Bread for the World Offering of Letters – May 21 -
"One Spirit,
One Will, Zero Poverty"
Carolyn Schuurmans
Celebrating 32 years of seeking justice, Bread for the World (BFW) is a Christian
voice for ending hunger. We help hungry people by lobbying our nation's leaders
on legislation that addresses hunger in our communities and around the world.
BFW
is supported by more than 45 denominations and church agencies which generate
thousands of letters. The Offering of Letters has won significant victories
for hunger legislation. "One Spirit, One Will, Zero Poverty" provides the
opportunity to use our spirit and our will to liberate our brothers and sisters
from the kind of crippling poverty that keeps 2 billion people living on
less than $2/day. Our national leaders and leaders from other nations have
made promises to meet Millennium Development Goals to reduce poverty, hunger,
and to fight Aids by getting drugs to everyone who needs them. Right now,
the United States Government spends less than one half of one percent from
our federal budget on poverty-focused development aid. We can and must do
better. Look for Letters in Fellowship Hall on May 21 and do your part to
help make changes for the better. There will also be homemade rolls for sale
for a donation to Bread for the World.
Scholarships for college
Pat Wangen, Chair, Loans & Grants Committee
The Loans and Grants Committee has scholarship money, available to graduating
high school students as well as current college students and ministerial
candidates. Forms are available at the church office for both initial
(first-time) applications and renewal applications. The deadline for applications
to the church office is May 15.
Students must be an active member of our congregation and ministerial candidates
must be an active member of a Lansing District United Methodist
Church.
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