October, 1999
Keeping Members and Friends Informed
Promoting Fellowship
Contributing to Spiritual Growth
A Fond Farewell to Marie Manson
Marie Manson will be leaving her home in Lansing and her church family here
at Central and moving to Hightstown, NJ this month, in order to be near her
daughter, Joyce, who lives in Princeton, only 12 miles away. There is a wonderful
retirement home there, Meadow Lakes, which is run by the Presbyterians, where
Marie has found a lovely apartment.
Marie and Elmer moved to Lansing in 1946 with their 2 small children, Joyce
and Fred, right after Elmer got out of the Army. He had been hired as an
architect for the Warren S. Holmes Firm who designed schools, including Sexton.
He worked there for 2 years before opening his own firm. Elmer's architectural
work can be seen all over the Lansing area, including E. Lansing Library
and our renovated sanctuary. Initially members of the First Baptist Church,
the Mansons joined Central in 1965 and soon became very active, sharing their
unique God-given gifts.
On Oct. 17 we will officially say goodbye to Marie at a Coffee Hour reception
in Fellowship Hall given in her honor.
Marie was very active in Christian Education, serving many years on the Education
Commission and teaching Jr. High and Sr. High church school. She was also
devoted to the fine arts, and developed interesting adult electives which
studied Christianity through various art forms, including most recently the
"Art is All Around You" program. Marie served on the Fine Arts Committee,
responsible for, among other things, redecorating the Conference Room and
the 1st Floor Lounge many years ago. Marie was also the person who campaigned
for restrooms for the Loft/Skylight Room area, a practical addition
much-appreciated by hundreds of people over the years. We certainly will
miss her wisdom and input and faithful generous devotion.
Marie loves to write, and she wasted no time learning how to use a computer.
(See page 4 for a sample of her creativity) She is currently writing a biography
of Elmer, who died in 1990, entitled To Grow an Architect. Marie has also
loved researching and presenting papers for the Women's Club. She enjoys
her Bridge Clubs, too. The Mansons were always enthusiastic travelers, and
they loved sailing, camping and skiing. This trip away from home and friends
is the hardest, so we want to cushion it with our love and prayers as she
finishes her packing and plans. God bless you, Marie!
By Joi Tennant
Pastor's Pen
Through the rest of this year, as we face the new millennium, we are going
to "Track the Centuries" of the Christian faith since the life, death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
While Christian history does not occupy our daily thoughts and actions, when
we live out our faith in today's world we are the inheritors of thought
processes, monumental decisions, theological inquiry, and movements of the
Holy Spirit of the past that have shaped us in ways we do not fully
comprehend.
Some have said that "there is nothing new under the Sun." This may or may
not be true, but we do know that many problems, issues and joys repeat themselves
over the years. That is why tradition is one of our greatest teachers and
why there can be so much to learn from history.
The doctrines and mysteries of our faith, such as the humanity/divinity of
Christ, the workings of the Holy Spirit, the way we worship, the inclusiveness
role of the Church, radical discipleship and martyrdom have been issues in
the Church for 2000 years and still are today.
As we study Christian history this fall through the "Tracking the Centuries"
we pray that the Holy Spirit which has guided the church through the ages
will be with us and form us to God's will.
Grace and Peace, John
Recent deaths among our church family
Francis Clegg died September 20, 1999
Francis is the father of Edith Robinson
With Sympathy:
To Curtis Hahn and family on the death of his
father, Dennis Hahn, in August 1999, after a long struggle with
cancer.
Wedding Congratulations
To Karen Stefl and Kevin Sosnowski who were married September 11
here at Central.
Central's Prayer Chain
A confidential, prayer chain ministry is available 24 hrs., 7 days a
week.
To initiate a prayer request please call one of the following prayer chain
leaders:
Daytime 8:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m.
Janet Mort at 321-2330
Karen Holoweiko at 626-6798
Pat Basgall at 485-9477
Evening 5:00 p.m. -8:00 am
Pat Bell a 482-4098
Nancy O'She at 372-6156
Our Prayer Chain Ministry is open to anyone who would like to become a
participant.
Special prayer request
By Kevin Lamiman
A special request for Central's members to pray intentionally for the ministry
and family of my brother, Jon Lamiman. Jon is a missionary with Wycliffe
Bible Translators. Currently based in the Dallas suburb of Duncanville, Texas,
Jon has worked several years on a New Testament translation of a Mexican-Indian
dialect. Early last year his son, Daniel, became very seriously
ill.
The translation project is roughly half finished, but Jon feels he cannot
risk taking his family back to Mexico to complete the effort, given Daniel's
medical needs.In addition, support from individual sponsors of his ministry
has declined somewhat, compounding the financial burden of Daniel's illness.
Jon now is seeking an opportunity to serve Wycliffe in an administrative
role in the United States.
Please take note …
Save this date!
Come to the Mardi Gras November 5th as we all honor Central's New Members
at dinner and an evening of entertainment and fun! Details will
follow.
Vision 2000.
Do you remember the Vision 2000 event in October of 1997 held at the Lansing
Center? Our church was heavily involved in that with many of our choir members
participating, many of our members attending, and with our provision of
childcare. There will be a follow-up Vision 2000 event called "Tools for
2000." This will be held on October 9th, with a session taking place in Jackson
and a session taking place in Mt. Pleasant. Dynamic speaker and theologian
Dr. Leonard Sweet will be the featured speaker.
If you are interested in attending, please call the church office or see
John Boley.
Holy Land Trip
John Boley and Dale and Carolyn Kirkby are still planning to lead a trip
to Oberammergau and the Holy Land, leaving Lansing on June 20, 2000. There
are nine people from our congregation planning to go. If you are interested
in the once in a lifetime trip, please see John, Dale or
Carolyn.
Ballet Magnificat
Lansing Trinity UMC will be hosting the Ballet Magnificat on Saturday, October
9 at 7:00 p.m. This is a world renowned Christian ballet troupe. It promises
to be a beautiful witness to the Grace of God. Tickets cost $6.00 per person
and are available from Trinity UMC.
Crop Walk
The 1999 Lansing CROP Walk will be held on October 10, 1999 at 2 p.m.
Registration is at 1:00 p.m. The walk begins and ends at Dwight Rich Middle
School. Last year we had nine walkers and raised over $1,300. We hope to
do as well this year. If you are interested in walking, or if you just want
to make a contribution by sponsoring a walker or two, please call the church
office or see John Zago.
Centralniters
The Centralniters September 18th season opening was a BIG success. There
were about 30 in attendance at the outdoor picnic at the Jessups' home in
Dimondale.
The next event is an Odyssey Travel Film Series by the Kiwanis Club of Okemos.
The program is VANCOUVER, ISLE OF WONDER, by Tom Sterling. This will be held
on October 18 at 7 p.m. in the Okemos Middle School Auditorium, corner of
Okemos Road and Kinawa Drive. Following the film, dessert will be served
at the home of Elaine and Murray Brown, 1740 Circle Pines Court, Okemos.
(5 mins. from the Middle School). Please make your reservations by Monday,
October 11, with Elaine Brown (349-4886). The helping committee is Joanne
and Ken Harvey.
Thanks to the following Rummage Sale Workers:
Margaret Woolcocks, Evelyn O'Dell, Lucille Chase, Audrey Holly, Phyllis Dell,
Jean Fitch, Marian Sprague, Anne Mort, Beth Murley, Pegg Stebbins, and Bob
Pena. Thanks also to Joel who had tables in place for us. Ginny Hane, Chairperson
and Norma Hanson, Recruiter
Worship Team
By Rev. John Boley
The worship team has met three times since July to plan worship for the fall.
At each session we look at the upcoming Sundays for a particular block of
time and do our best to creatively integrate the theme and the elements of
worship.
There seems to be much enthusiasm for this new process and it will help in
developing meaningful worship services. Meetings are at announced times,
usually on Thursdays or Fridays.
The next meeting will be on Thursday, October 28th at 9:00 a.m. All are invited
to participate.
All-Church Golf Outing
The Young Adults Fellowship group is planning an all-church golf outing on
Saturday, October 16th. Details will be announced later. Mark your calendar
now! Sign-up will be announced in church. If you have questions, call the
Kelleys (484-9109) or the McCrackens
(337-0207).
Elderberries
The Elderberries met on September 28th. Charline Eyel was the guest speaker.
She is the former employee of AARP. As of this printing the next luncheon
date is undecided. Please watch for announcements.
Quiet Moments
This month's column has been written by Marie
Manson
CONTROL:
Control can be beneficial
Control can be deadly
Control can improve life
Control can destroy life
Control can add beauty to life
Control can kill an initiative
Control can gently encourage innate ability
Control can destroy a budding talent
Control of temper can avoid unpleasant confrontations
Uncontrolled temper can make a bad situation disastrous
Flowers like phlox can overtake a garden if not controlled. The same flowers
can make a deserted farmhouse have a tender softness.
A painting, if controlled with carefully chosen details, can be beautiful.
One that if too full of detail becomes confusing.
Life can contain many segments and be harmonious, but when one chooses elements
that are counterproductive, they become a hindrance to having a wholesome
life.
In a marriage partnership, complete control by one partner leads to diminishing
the bond of love and neither party if fulfilled.
A parent using too much control in decision making does the child a disservice.
The child needs opportunities to make decisions, even when the parent thinks
it's the wrong decision. Children need opportunities to make decisions at
an early age to help prepare them for longer decisions as they grow
older.
In the movie, Sting, the father exercised complete control over his family,
including his talented son who had a great musical talent on the piano. For
several years the father was his teacher and was granted a fellowship to
study in another city. When he left home, he was unable to function in his
new life, partly because he had never learned how to make everyday decisions.
In the end he became insane, with the help of friends he did recover some
of his former skills.
Suggested Bible readings: Proverbs 22:6, 17-211; Corinthians
13:11-13
(If you would like to share a "quiet moment" with Central Journal readers,
won't you consider submitting a short manuscript? Coordinator for this monthly
feature is Leah Kay Fitch. Give her a call at (517)
394-4597.)
CHRISTMAS CARDS
Let the hallmark of your Christmas season be a Christmas card purchased to
support Partnership for Preservation. Cards are packaged in groups of 15
for $8. Beginning in September, they will be available for purchase each
Sunday during coffee hour or at the church office during business hours.
The proceeds from the sale go to Partnership for Preservation, 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.
Opportunities for Sunday Service and fellowship
UMYF
The United Methodist Youth Fellowship is a fellowship group for youth grades
sixth through twelfth. They meet on Sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. each Sunday.
Youth are encouraged to bring friends. Contact Jamie Tipton, Youth Director,
(517) 669-3259.
Acolytes/Crucifers
Children and Youth are invited to participate in Worship at Central. One
of the ways they can be involved is to light the candles and carry in the
cross. Interested young people serve on a rotating basis. Contact Jayne Roby
(517) 381-2462.
Radio/Television Broadcast
Central has had both a radio and television broadcast for many years. Volunteers
are needed to perform several tasks including being the videographer, announcer,
engineer, and courier every Sunday morning. Training is available. Contact
Jim Hane at (517) 669-3306 to volunteer.
Coffee Servers
Fellowship is an important aspect of church life. Every Sunday we serve coffee
following worship. Call Beth Murley at (517) 482-4700 to help
out.
Greeters
A warm handshake and friendly smile are wonderful ways to begin worship and
friendships. People are needed each and every Sunday. Call Marge Sleight
at (517) 482-6476.
Liturgist
Each Sunday someone is needed to read the list of joys and concerns and the
scripture during worship. Please call Lillian Rush (517)
487-9477.
Yard care volunteers needed
By Dottie Stark
The shrubs and flowers around the church are one of the first signs of an
active, caring congregation and an invitation to come to Central.
A special thank you to those who have adopted a spot: Jon & Donna Reynolds,
Mary Boudreau & Susan Grettenberger, Don Marshall, Loretta Marvin, Janet
Mort, Sue Neller, Jan Keen, Peter Hudy, Bryan Halter, and Dottie Stark. Several
of these persons could use helpers.
Weeds need to be pulled. Dead flower blooms need to be cut off. Shrubs need
to be trimmed. Ivy needs to be continually removed to preserve our church
walls. Flowers need to be watered. Trash needs to be picked up.
See Bryan Halter or Dottie Stark in Fellowship Hall to learn more about this
need and to sign up. You can also call Dottie Stark at 482-7834. Looking
forward to your sharing in yard care.
COMMON CENTS
By Ruthann Jaquette , Business and Building Manager
(This month's column was co-written with Finance Chairperson Justin
Sleight)
It is inevitable that even with all our cost-cutting measures, there will
be some increase in our expenditures for 2000. Our apportionment assignment
has been raised by $11,000.00 for next year. This is primarily due to
miscalculations, which caused this year's apportionments to be lower than
they should have been. There will likely be at least a 2% increase in utility
costs, which may be somewhat offset by repairs and maintenance to your systems
leading to increased efficiency. As we understand, from Staff Parish, there
will be no increases in salaries for next year, but we may see increases
in fringe benefit costs such as health care premiums. Since 1999 expenses
will be greater than our income, we will have a smaller or no carry over
into the 2000 budget year.
Thanks to those members who have helped very week by serving on one of the
cleaning teams, we have saved on custodial costs as well as having a cleaner
building. Thanks is also due to those members who have helped prepare and
serve meals for non-church functions, as well as those who are tending the
flowers and the church grounds. These efforts have both increased our outside
income and reduced expenses. We estimate that this amounts to approximately
$10,000.00 so far this year. If you have further questions about this report
or other financial issues, please contact me or Justin.
Trustee Notes
By Jim Mort, Chairperson
The Trustees are getting ready for our September meeting and getting back
into the fall schedule like everyone else.
As I was sitting in the Sanctuary before the service on Sunday, Royal Reed
approached me and told me of some loose glass in the stained glass arches
over the Ottawa street entrance to the church. Royal also made it a point
after the service to show me exactly where the problem was. I appreciated
that Royal took the effort to be sure that someone knew that there was a
problem. We all need to be stewards of our facilities. If you spot a problem
please let someone on the Trustees or Ruthann Jaquette, our Building Manager,
know. Please don't assume that we know about it already – sometimes
we don't!
Some changes to take note of at Central --- The small bathroom off of the
Narthex by the elevator to the sanctuary is being remodeled. The ladies rest
room by the dining room will soon have the wall damage from a steam leak
repaired. The men's locker room has had new flooring and lighting installed
as well has having the walls repainted. The women's locker room should be
renovated next year. The steps to the chapel entrance have been repaired.
Also, keep your eyes open for two new building signs that will be going up
on the outside in the next few weeks.
Remember the Trustees meetings are open for anyone to attend. We meet on
the third Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in the Church Conference Room.
Minutes from previous meetings are posted on the 2nd floor Bulletin Board.
May you be aware of God's many blessings…
Central sharing building space with two new churches
By Pat Basgall, Office Manager
Beginning this past winter, Central extended its Community Outreach to include
2 small fledgling churches:
New Life Community Church: Pastor Rick & Mrs. Delores Smith,
officiating
Tabernable of Praise Ministry: Pastor John Beatty, officiating
These churches are currently using the Mary Sabina Chapel Sunday afternoon
and evening for their weekly service.
The New Life Community Church also uses the Chapel on Monday and Wednesday
evenings for Bible Study classes.
You may hear some lively music being performed during their worship as they
use drums, cymbals, electric keyboard and guitar during worship.
Both groups are in the process of growing and planning for their own future
church buildings.
United Methodist Women
Coordinated by Pat Mort, President
What a glorious day we are having as I write this! Makes one glad to be alive
to thank the Creator God for all the wonders we are blessed with! The Lansing
District Annual at Grand Ledge UMC was a wonderful event. Central had 11
women in attendance! Grand Rapids Community House sent their senior choir
over to entertain. That spirit they embodied! Our DS, John Ellinger, spoke
on passion – a topic we can all hear and glean something from!
At our last Mission Team, Lois Myers agreed to work on the UMW Nominating
Committee! Thank you, Lois! Watch out, ladies, Lois is on the job!
Is your pledge current? We need to have all monies into Gwen by the middle
of November so she can turn them in to District. Thank Offering this year
will be taken up at October or November circle meetings!
In the second floor hallway in Temple House there is a board where all meeting
minutes are displayed. Mission Team minutes and Treasurers Report, for those
interested, are also displayed.
Henderson Settlement is the 1999-2000 mission project for Lansing District.
Watch the Central Journal for ways you can participate in this worthy cause.
Interested in a trip down there in the spring? Let Pat know.
We are accepting nominations for Special Mission Recognitions.
Know someone you've always wanted to see get one? Let the Mission Team
know.
Look for the new location of UMW books in the Library. . .they are on the
left as you enter the Library from Temple House. And they are at eye level!
There are some great titles there. Be sure and check them
out!
Remember the Mission Potluck, Wednesday, October 13. UMW is sponsoring this
event, in conjunction with the District Mission Saturation
Team.
The MUSIC CORNER
Music Notes
By B. Caryn Welter, Music Director
GLAGO AND CUMC TO HOST NOTED ORGANIST
Early music specialist, Christiaan Teeuwsen, will be in concert here at Central
on Friday, November 12, at 8:00 p.m. He will perform works by Bruhns, Buxtehude,
Boehm, J.S. Bach, Hindemith, Bales and Reger. A freewill offering will be
taken to offset expenses; Central will host a reception immediately following
the concert. Your pathway to the recital will be underscored by Ago Dean
Nixon McMillan's mini-concert on Central's carillon, one of the few in the
mid-Michigan area.
Saturday, November 13, at Central will find Dr. Teeuwsen offering workshops
that are funded by Ago and free to the participants; coffee will be available
at 9:30 a.m. Content of the 10 a.m. – noon presentation will be "Stylus
Phantasticus," defined by the Dean of Greater Lansing's American Guild of
Organists, Nixon McMillan, as "The virtuoso fantasy style of the late seventeenth
and early eighteenth centuries in north Germany when the organ was the most
colorful sound machine that the listening public could imagine. The music
for this instrument is full of gestures and surprises that are interpolated
with the developing fugal procedures and improvistory preluding." The morning
class will be followed by lunch on your own. After lunch, Teeuwsen will present
a 1:30 – 3:00 repertoire session.
Dr. Teeuwsen was born in St. Catharines, Ontario, and received his Bachelor
of Arts degree in music from Dordt College, his Master of Fine Arts degree
in organ and church music from the University of Iowa. He continued his studies
at Sweelinck Conservatory, Amsterdam, then returned to Iowa for doctoral
studies in organ. Dr.Teeuwsen is currently Assistant Professor of Music
at Redeemer College, Ancaster, Ontario, where he is a Professor of Organ
and Choral Music. He serves as organist and choir director at Centennary
United Church of Hamilton, Ontario.
The Friday evening concert, co-sponsored by Greater Lansing's Chapter of
the American Guild of Organists (which includes Lansing Area Musicians) and
Central UMC, provides our community with a rich cultural opportunity.
Please join us!
CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY: INCOME, AND TAX ADVANTAGES!
By Jon Reynolds
Safety is no laughing matter--not personally, not financially. We lock our
doors at night. We wear seatbelts, eat healthy food, and exercise all in
an effort to ensure our safety and good health. We invest in banks that are
FDIC insured to protect our financial health. The measure of how healthy
our investments are is the income they earn. Yet our need for safety and
security of our investments results in lower returns. High risk means big
profits, safe and secure investments tend to produce less income.
The Charitable Gift Annuity is one way to gain advantage in the high/low
financial scenario. In this arrangement you agree to give Central United
Methodist Church's Partnership for Preservation your money or stocks. In
turn the Partnership agrees to pay you a guaranteed rate of return determined
by your age at the time of the gift. You and your beneficiary can share equally
in the income while you both are alive or to receive income after one of
the partner's dies. Every year you receive a guaranteed amount of
money.
There are tax advantages, too. You receive an income tax deduction (for the
year you established the annuity) figured on the amount that is expected
to remain for Central United Methodist Church.
Additionally, part of your income payments are considered tax–free return
of principal until you reach life expectancy. There are still additional
tax advantages if you donate appreciated securities to fund the gift annuity.
A final advantage includes removal of the entire amount gifted to fund the
annuity from your taxable estate and not subject to estate or transfer
taxes.
You must take the initiative to prevent the state from being your beneficiary.
Dr. Wayne Barrett of the West Michigan Conference is available for those
who wish to discuss using the charitable gift annuity and other financial
instruments for pledging assets for preservation of Central Church. Call
the church or visit our web site at www.gbgm-umc.org/centumc to learn
more.
When calling is keeping together
By Rev. Frank Anderson, Ret.
Phone calls and house calls still have a valid place in our Christian ministry
to one another. The personal touch and/or contact of another human being
can be of the essence, even a symbol of life itself—for some. Modern
telecommunication cannot take the place of a friendly and comforting word
to the homebound, the grieving, the sick, the lonely, and our retired members
and friends that live in retirement facilities. No one must be forgotten
within the Central Family.
Thousands of people are searching for meaningful relationships in our society
as the newspapers clearly indicate. We, the church, are in one of the best
positions to render a friendly and kind word. But to do so, we must know
where the needs exist.
Our crystal balls are insufficient to detect where spiritual need might be
evident. Why, for that matter, some of us could indeed fall of the face of
the earth and no one would know for days or months. Bretheren—brothers
and sisters—this ought not to be.
Light up a face and you have lit a candle for the Lord. In Proverbs 20:27
it says, The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord, searching every innermost
part. How can I do this? You might ask. Well, CUMC has over 900 individual
persons that need looking after.
We are also an extended family of no small proportion and of great importance.
Showing care and concern is crucial to a congregation's vitality. It ups
the friendship quota and increases the chances of fellowship without working
for it.
Central has 51 persons on our "Homebound & Retirement List." And there
are many other people who need attention amongst our membership. (I don't
know why I say amongst, but it looks more indicative in writing). I'm convinced
we can do better in our mutual care of one another. When we think all that
has been done, then God comes along and reminds us that we have, in fact,
just begun! That's what the kingdom of God is all about in my
understanding.
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