Central

Journal . . . electronic edition

                                                                                                          October, 2002

Keeping Members and Friends Informed

                                      Promoting Fellowship                                                                                       
                                                         Contributing to Spiritual Growth

From Susan Gretenberger and the Board of Trustees of Central United Methodist to the congregation of our church, apostles of Christ Jesus by the will of God:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are writing you to beg your prayerful consideration of the stewardship of our church, in the light of all our gracious God has gifted to each of us through His wisdom and mercy. We are charged by you with the ministry of maintaining and improving the physical structures for God’s ministry to those in our midst, both members of the congregation and others who seek God’s grace within our place of worship. Throughout this summer, we sought to be faithful to that charge, as we worked diligently with our neighboring churches and the government of the state to fairly exchange property. We have been successful in this effort, the fruits of the labor being clearly seen in the work going on around our church.

Now the time has come for us to humbly make you aware of the need to fund this project, that future generations not be burdened. The improved parking situation we have secured will be our gift to the next generations of Christians conducting ministry from this place, an example of stewardship, even as we have received such gifts of stewardship from others: Mary Sabina Chapel, the elevator, the Temple House, the sanctuary building and its stained glass, and many other gifts.

So then, the trustees are beginning to seek funds for the costs of this project. This is also a time for considering your stewardship to the annual budget of the church’s ministry. Remember as you pray about what gift you might make, that the church, to be effective, needs your gifts in both areas, if possible. The annual ministry is an ongoing need. This is rightly a gift from personal ongoing income. The parking project is an asset. This could rightly be a gift from personal assets.

At present, we estimate that Central’s total cost for actual purchase (transacted through the lease to purchase for $1 after 22 years) will be about $45,000. Other costs include replacing the garage with a permanent storage shed and other surface area repairs that are needed outside, while contractors are on site and can do them more economically. We estimate those expenses at about $40,000. We hope to raise at least $65,000 at this time.

So, brothers and sisters in Christ, we beseech you in the name of our risen Lord, to consider what gift you might give to this ministry we have been given. Consider a gift of $500 or $1000, if you are able. Some of you are able to give considerably more. Others of you may feel unable to make a gift at this time, or give a small gift. Feel no shame, nor guilt. Only pray that you may know what God requires of you.

Pray for us, brethren, as we continue this work to which we have been called. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
A note from the Pastor

Friends:

I am pleased to say that I am not only chasing after physical food, including potlucks. But, I was fed spiritually by my participation in two recent experiences - a retreat at Wesley Woods Camp for the Board of Ordained Ministry this past week, and the School for Pastoral Ministry, held in Lansing the week of August 20. I almost made the decision not to attend these two events. What a mistake that would have been! Both experiences demonstrated how much I need my friends and colleagues for fun and fellowship. Seeing them was refreshing. I didn’t realize it, however, until I was on site.

I wonder how I'd do without them. My roommate and I, for example, talked each other to sleep. Others made commitments to get up the next morning and walk together for physical fitness reasons. But it was more than that. It was actually feeding and encouraging each other. I am so glad I went and participated. I was truly fed.

More locally: I have tried with energy to get back into running. There is only my stomach to prove my effort. Bob Wangen invited me to run 3.1 miles on Thursday. It was temptation. I yielded and almost died. As a result of my sacrifice, I am now ready to get back into the fellowship of running. So I continue to be fed and thankful.
Greet our new staff
David DeVinney

Long term Central congregate, Tom Towsley, has joined the church staff as Facilities Manager. Tom brings enthusiasm and dedication to this new position and has responsibility for the entire building department.

Pat Basgall has returned to Central to bring order to the operation of the office and our many programs.

David McReynolds, son of Russell McReynolds, has joined the staff as a Building Attendant. David will attend Lansing Community College and resides in the church apartment. You will see David at the desk and doing tasks around the church.

Carolyn Turner, our bookkeeper, has left to pursue personal goals. We will miss her cheerfulness and her readiness to help. We wish her the best.
Education
Bob Roth, Interim Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministries

Sunday Christian Education Program

Kindergarten – Fifth Grade

Following Children’s Time until 10:45 a.m.:

Music Activities, K – 3rd Graders

Crafts, 4th – 5th Graders

§ 10:45 – 11:15 Children join adults for coffee hour.

§ 11:00 – 12:15 Sunday School, K – 3rd Graders (Colleen Weinfeld, teacher)

§ 11:15 – 11:40 Music Activities, 4th – 5th Graders (Randi Bolding, leader)

§ 11:45 – 12:15 Sunday School, 4th – 5th Graders (Dave Stinson, teacher)

(Coffee Hour – Fellowship Hall, following morning worship through 11:15.)

Middle School and High School

§ 11:00 – 11:40 Middle School Class meets in the Skylight Room, 3rd floor. (Mike Cooper & Jeff Holoweiko, teachers)

§ 11:00 – 11:40 High School Class meets in the Loft, 3rd floor. (Julie Cooper, teacher)

§ 11:40 – 12:15 Middle School and High School Music Activities, Loft.

Adult Sunday School

11:00 – 12:15 Adult Sunday School:

§ “From Genesis To Revelation”: Dale Kirkby & Leon Martin

(Second floor conference room, fall begins with 1st & 2nd Samuel.)

§ “Spiritual Formation And Social Witness”:

Russell McReynolds & Bob Roth. (Second floor lounge, see new electives box)

§ “Coffee House Discussion Group,” (First floor lounge), Anne Forgrave & Kathy MacLaren, facilitators.

§ A class on John Shelby Spong’s autobiography will be taught by Keith Pohl on Sunday afternoons. (See new electives box.)

§ Beginning October 6: Joi Tennant will teach an adult class, topic to be decided. (Prayer? Spiritual life? Video series? Stay tuned.)

Mid-Week Adult Opportunities

§ 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m.: Men’s Bible Study (questions: Dave Schuurmans)

§ Tuesdays: Well Women’s Bible Study (questions: Karen Holoweiko)


New Adult Sunday Electives
Spiritual Formation and Social Witness

11:00 a.m. Sunday, Six –Seven Weeks

Based on the book by Joyce Hollyday, Then Shall Your Light Rise: Spiritual Formation And Social Witness (Pathways in Spiritual Formation, Upper Room Books), Dr. Russell McReynolds and the Rev. Bob Roth will co-teach this elective in the second floor lounge.

One reviewer writes, “Many churches struggle with a sense of purpose, of mission, of reason behind the community. Hollyday’s work would provide churches with a basis to understand their external actions if they would study her book. She speaks a prophetic word, which we should hear.”

Bishop John Shelby Spong’s Autobiography:
Here I Stand
5:00 p.m. Sunday. With occasional breaks, the class will last four months.

This class will be taught by the Rev. Keith Pohl with assistance from Dr. David Kidd, using the evocative biography of John Shelby Spong as a resource.

Bishop Desmond Tutu describes Bishop Spong’s autobiography as “the poignant account of someone who loves the church deeply and has frequently been misunderstood.”

This class will prepare interested adults for the November 9 – 10 visit of Bishop Spong to the East Lansing University United Methodist Church (an event open to the public) and give them time to process his visit and ideas for weeks following.

Music Notes
Caryn Welter

The choirs are already integrated…
….into weekly worship. The Chancel Choir has sung every Sunday; the Spirit Singers have sung three times. The children and youth have participated once. As we look ahead, these dates can already go on your calendars for Children's Choir, Wesley Choristers, and the Youth Fine Arts group:

Sunday, October 13 – All three groups will do a combined piece. Members should be in the third-floor choir rehearsal room at 9:50 a.m.

Sunday, October 27 – Children's Choir and Wesley Choristers folks will play instruments with Spirit Singers. Members will meet in the third-floor choir rehearsal room at 9:50 a.m.

Watch this space next month for exciting news!

Sincere thanks go to …
….those singers who were available to join the massed choir for worship at Plymouth Congregational Church on September 11. The time required two rehearsals and participating took a large chunk out of your week. Your ministry was timely and meaningful.


Musical dates for this church year

October 12, Saturday

Karaoke Night – Fun and fellowship are the aims of the Young Adult group of very dedicated people who have spearheaded this exciting idea. They hope you will participate. Proceeds from the event will go to the Central Bell Ringers' ministry.

January 19, 2003 Sunday

Downtown Churches' Ecumenical Service, First Presbyterian Church at 4 p.m. Our adult choirs plan to participate. Please note the site change.

March 9, Sunday

Downtown Churches' Choral Festival of Music for the Liturgical Year, First Presbyterian Church at 3 p.m. Our adult choirs plan to participate.

There will be two rehearsals for the Festival in the First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary, Thursday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 9 at 1:45 p.m.

Please mark your calendars to reserve these dates!

9/11 Prayer Vigil

One came in tattered blue jeans and flip/flops, another in a suit with brief case in hand. One went straight to the alter and knelt in prayer. One sat quietly in the back, tightly clutching a bouquet of flowers.

Many shed tears as they sat in silence. Some came as hosts or hostesses, others as visitors. When there was talk, I heard words like "healing, cleansing and comforting". All came with a need, and, I pray, felt the healing comfort that can only come from our Lord.

C. S. Lewis once said "I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God, it changes me".

Thanks be to God for the open doors of Mary Sabina Chapel. Thanks be to God for the open hearts and minds of all who joined together in prayer. Thanks be to God for the lives changed every day by the power of the one we pray to.
ROCK THE CROP WALK
Carolyn Schuurmans

October 13

A new way to participate in the CROP WALK is to be a CROP Rocker! If you are not up to walking the route, join the fun of being a CROP Rocker. Get that ol' rocking chair out and Rock! Walkers and Rockers can pick up a sponsor envelope in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, September 29 (or October 13).

UnitedMethodist Women
Pat Mort, president

Come one! Come all!
Central Showcase, Sunday, October 27!

Learn about Central in a whole new way. Check out programs, church school, opportunities, and ministries. Share in one of our famous Central potlucks. Enjoy the talents of Central families and friends.

Mark Sunday, October 27, as your opportunity to shine!

We’ll share in our potluck luncheon at 12:30 in the Dining Room and finish with the Talent Showcase in Fellowship Hall. Calling dancers, singers, storytellers, pianists, clarinetists and dulcimer players.

Do you weave, do ceramics or pottery? Lip sync? Write poetry?

Come, share your gifts with us. We’d love to see you! To register for space or a spot in the

Talent Showcase, please contact Pat Mort at 484-2356, or leave word at the Church Office 485-9477.

Come one! Come all! Experience the bounty that is Central!!

MeditationRoomMeditationRoomMeditationRoomMeditationRoom

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Max and Judy Grove Meditation Room is not moving to the space we had hoped to use on the balcony in Fellowship Hall. The space on the balcony was needed for another purpose at this time. We are very sorry for the inconvenience and hope you will make use of the existing Meditation Room off the Mary Sabina Chapel. UMW hopes the space we were granted on the balcony by Trustees for this purpose will become available in the future, and we will be able to report the opening of the larger Max and Judy Grove Meditation Room soon. Thank you for your patience during this “detour” in our plans.
Calendar of Events

October______________________

1 Mission Team

12 Conference Annual at Petoskey

(Registration forms on the UMW Board in Fellowship Hall.)

27 Central Showcase29 November Mission Team

(due to Election Day)

November_____________________

5 NO Mission Team

December_____________________

3 Christmas by Candlelight

January_______________________

7 Epiphany Breakfast (place TBA) 7 Mission Team

(weather permitting)

February______________________

4 Mission Team

March________________________

4 Mission Team

April_________________________

1 Mission Team (no foolin'!)

   Lenten Lunch

May__________________________

6 Mission Team

Hospitality help

We’re looking for people willing to help with funeral luncheons and receptions – with food, serving, set up and clean up. Please look for sign up sheets on the UMW Board in Fellowship Hall and at the Central Showcase October 27.
New Books!


Be sure and check out the new UMW Books in the Church Library. The UMW shelf is on the east wall in the computer alcove. Among our new books is the biography of Barbara Jordan.
BOOK SALE IN OUR LIBRARY
Win Anderson, Library Task Force

Sundays, beginning October 13, used books will be available in the library for your selection. Sale is by donation with all proceeds to be used to purchase new books and media. Come browse and make your selections. There will be books to catch the interest of all ages:

Biographies, fiction, inspirational, mystery, poetry, reference, young adults, children and more. Plan to stock up for your reading pleasure.

Libraries are the second defense of freedom. Reading is the first.
adopt a spot

Thank you for volunteering! There are now only two spots left to adopt for weeding and cleaning in the church yard:

1. First area south of Capitol Avenue entrance.

2. Border area on north side of Capitol Avenue entrance, from the sidewalk to the dogwood tree.

Call Dottie Stark, 482-7834, to find out more.

CORRECTION:

Bob and Lois Jenkins have been married 55 years, not 64 as was reported in the September issue of the Central Journal. Duane and Ruth Perry celebrated their 55th Anniversary, not their 54th. The editors regret these errors.
October art show

Paintings by artist Sally Swiss will be on display at a one person art show at the East Lansing Public Library on Abbot Rd. during the entire month of October.

The artist's reception is Sunday, October 6 from 1 – 4 P.M. Paintings are for sale and the show is free.
United Nations Day dinner here
Carolyn Schuurmans

The annual United Nations Day dinner will be held at Central UMC Fellowship Hall, Thursday, October 24, at 6 p.m. An exceptionally dynamic speaker from Pittsburgh, Lou Piconi, National Chairperson of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, will bring the keynote address.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is a partnership between UNICEF and Rotary International for the worldwide eradication of polio. This partnership is the sole recipient of the proceeds from “Trick or Treat for UNICEF” effort for 2002 and 2003. For more information and tickets ($21), call Dave Schuurmans at 321-0569.
October 27 Worship

Peace with Justice Sunday: Special offering for The Shalom Center!
Help serve

Your help is needed Friday, October 4 to help serve lunch to 200 people attending a legislative luncheon in Fellowship Hall. Please call Justin Sleight, 482-6476.
MISSION STUDY TRIP TO VIETNAM;
LOCAL PARTICIPANT SEEKS SUPPORT
Francis F. Anderson

Subsequent to our Mission Study last spring on New Life in the Mekong Delta, our church visited the Vietnamese Congregation at Potter Park and met with Pastor Vinh Tran.

He is leading a new Mission Study Trip to Vietnam this month (October 2002), and Chris Bobier, Director of Outreach at Potter Park UMC and Conference Lay Leader, will be a participant. She is asking Central UMC for some financial support for herself. Therefore, we will place offering envelopes in the Sunday morning bulletin soon that may be used for your gift to this West Michigan Conference Project. That will help Chris and the Lansing Vietnamese Ministry. Thank you.
CHURCH WOMEN UNITED

Operation Mission

Monday, October 14

10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

First UMC (Waverly at Delta River Drive)

Learn about the ecumenical studies for this year.

Topics are "Mexico" and "Restorative Justice"

Please call Carolyn Schuurmans at 321-0569 for tickets ($7).

Are you registered for your privilege to vote on November 5? Deadline to register, October 7.
A reminder from Carolyn Schuurmans
Among Friends

Thank You…

I wish to extend sincere thanks to all who sent cards during my recent hospital trip. Your prayers and visits are so appreciated. Special thanks to Rev. Boley, Rev. Anderson, and the Thursday Fellowship Lunch team.

Marcia Detloff

Remember…At press time:
Betty Corbishley – At Sparrow Hospital

Ruth Norton – With daughter's family

Evelyn Reed – At home

Rev. Dale Spoor – At home

Margaret Holmes – At home

Jeanette Colwell – Burcham

Transitions...
Joyce McLellan passed away September 7.

Dorothy Headley passed away September 8. A memorial service will be held at Central October 4 at 11 a.m.

Lulavene Purves passed away September 20.

Angela Smeltzer and Keith Easterday were married September 28.

Founder of Habitat for Humanity to speak at Trinity UMC
Carolyn Schuurmans

Millard Fuller, Founder of Habitat for Humanity, will speak at Trinity UMC Friday, October 11, at 8 p.m.--7533 W. St. Joseph St. at Canal Road.

Special Music by the Earl Nelson Singers. Free will offering.
Elderberrys come together
Francis Anderson

Our ministry for older adults was compelled to cancel September's meeting, but we are fortunate to have the ladies group, "Four Women of Note", coming on Tuesday, October 8, to entertain us. So we will meet in the Dining Room at 10:30 a.m. for program and luncheon on that new day. Re-make your reservation by a sign-in starting Sept. 29, in Fellowship Hall. Thanks for your cooperation. Please keep the date ..Oct 8...open!
Church & Society Commission sponsors Fall presentations during the church school hour.

THE MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT

October 20 - Retired Pastor Don Strobe: "Is Israel Real?"

November 3 - A representative from The Islamic Center of East Lansing will share the

Palestinian perspective of the conflict.

November 17 - Michael Rubner, President, Shaarey Zedek Congregation, East Lansing,

will share his views of the conflict.

November 24, December 2 and December 9 - TBA.

Kayla Tipton, Church & Society Commission

CUMC and UMW Garage Sale

Friday and Saturday, October 4 and 5 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
2301 Wellesley Dr. near Dwight Rich School

Bring saleable items to donate Wednesday, October 2. Help is needed – call Dottie Stark for information, 482-7834.
Youth News you can use…
>>>more details on what follows in the youth newsletter>>>

October 4, Friday at 7 p.m. until Saturday at 10 a.m.

Middle School Group CAMPING at Potter Park. Permission

Slips with further details will be available on and after September 29.

October 6, Senior Highs only: 5 – 7 p.m.

“Popular Songs” (please bring a song or CD to discuss)

(no Middle School Group this night because of camping overnight)

October 13, (note different times for two youth groups)

Middle School, 5 – 7 p.m., church parking lot: “Blessing of the Animals"

High School, 4:30 – 9 p.m. HAYRIDE at Sundance Stables, Grand Ledge

October 20, both groups: 5 – 7

A visit to “Funtyme” for a fun time together.

Please bring money for fast food..

October 27, both groups: 5 – 7 p.m.

Middle School: “Racial Attitudes” (Rev. McReynolds and Rev. Roth)

High School: Basketball and Board Games fun night.

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