Central

Journal . . . electronic edition

                                                                                                          September, 2002

Keeping Members and Friends Informed

                                      Promoting Fellowship                                                                                       
                                                         Contributing to Spiritual Growth

Office Volunteers - do we need more? Get the word out!

Food Bank and Fellowship Lunch - the perfect time to let us know what we can do to help.

Sunday School for All Ages - what's on tap for the future?

Men - is this the time to start United Methodist Men back up?

Cleaning Crew - are all the slots filled?

Where are people needed to help?

People, where do you want to help?

Coffee Hour - need cookies or workers? Music - any needs for musicians? Worship Leaders and Ushers - are we covered? Central Journal and Bulletin - are there ways others can help? Video and Radio Ministry - what can we do to help?

Be clear, be sincere, be ready! Put together a display, handouts, speakers whatever will help you get the message out. Be prepared to answer questions and sign up volunteers!

Need donations? Need materials? LET US KNOW! This is the perfect time to find people to serve or find the niche you've been hoping for at Central.

We'll get started after worship. Display tables will be set up in Fellowship Hall and wherever else needed. We'll have a potluck luncheon at 12:30 and finish our Showcase with a Talent Show in Fellowship Hall.

To register for space, please contact Pat Mort at 484-2356 or leave word at the Church Office.

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

A note from the Pastor

"I feel good!” are helpful words from the soulful singer James Brown. They characterize my situation here at Central United Methodist Church, located downtown next to both the State Capitol and City Hall. It is inspirational knowing our doors are truly open to everyone-- groceries on Wednesdays and a luncheon meal on Thursdays for those who are hungry for food and fellowship. It is also joyful experiencing the Harvest House children and youth having a place for fun, fellowship and hospitality five days a week during most of the summer. I got to know them individually and collectively.

What another excellent challenge---getting to know the members and friends of the worshiping congregation. My mind is not as sharp as it was at a younger age. But my heart, increasing with capacity, is pumping with desire and motivation as I receive you Sunday after Sunday. Calling on some of you in your homes is also compelling. Keep saying your names and telling your stories.

Upon arrival and through the month of July, the loss of our custodian and administrator seemed overwhelming. What were we going to do? “Praise God!” The remaining staff and lay volunteers took on more responsibility for cleaning, maintaining the building, and doing administrative chores. New people were recruited, interviewed, selected and employed. The process of doing church is working. However, a team is continually being established and organized to do ministry. So, on Sunday morning, we are indeed able to recognize and celebrate the blessings of God.

Another joyful moment for us was this past weekend (8/16-17) when most of the present staff connected with lay leadership in a retreat on Spiritual Gifts. With leadership from Naomi Garcia of the Conference staff and Karen Holoweiko, Central leadership, we started knowing more about ourselves as gifted children of God. After doing the 200-question survey I am pleasingly shocked to surface as a “pleaser.” The experience nevertheless brings out the truth. I thought I should be more of a “director” or even a “dreamer.” My real desire is that others within the congregation and church family ought to go through the spiritual gift experience, as well. It was another chance at fun, fellowship and ministry. As a result of the experience, I really feel more connected to the Central family.

A note of thanksgiving: I am very pleased with the work of the Trustees in connecting with St. Paul’s Episcopal and First Baptist Churches, along with the State, in designing and implementing plans for a parking ramp. You have demonstrated possibilities for future approaches to mutual concerns. It took stewardship of team, talent and resources to accomplish this task. Thank you.

Sincerely yours in the Faith, Pastor Russell

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.

§ 11:15 – 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

§ 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

§ First, third and fifth Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m.: Men’s Bible Study (questions: Dave Schuurmans)

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

is Wednesday at noon. The Bulletin is printed Thursday. Thank you.

September 8!!

Invite friends and neighbors; children & youth & adults

As children and youth head back to school and young adults take on another year of college, it is also an exciting time for the education of Christian disciples in the life of the church.

How do you wish to grow intellectually and spiritually as a Christ-follower in the year ahead? How might you help out in the Christian formation of young people? Are you sure that you are too old for Sunday School? Too young to teach? Please take a few minutes to carefully read what follows, as well as the material for and about youth on a subsequent page. (Watch the education bulletin board and bulletin inserts for updates and further details.) I welcome your questions, insights, and/or desire to serve—give me a call!

Sundays, beginning

October 13

Donations will be used to purchase new books and media to continue updating our collection.

Books are available for all ages.

Ed Spink, Library Task Force

Caryn Welter, Music Director

Welcome back, church musicians…

….as you bring closure to this summer's adventures and, hopefully, times of respite. Please know that your songs of prayer and praise to God deeply enrich our worship experiences here at Central. Know how much our congregation appreciates you and your many gifts. Weekly, parishioners give warm and sincere feedback that speaks to your invaluable and ongoing musical contributions.

We welcome you section leaders back, as well:

Meghan McKown, soprano

Portia Cole, alto

Bryce Berry, tenor

Last, but certainly not least, thank you to the choral directors who help us make it all happen:

Alice Generalow, Chancel Choir Director

Randi Bolding, Director of Children's Choirs and Youth Fine Arts Group.

The Ministry of the Bells…
….has been a long and rich tradition here at Central. Consider for a moment how many people have participated in this program through the years. The numbers are great, and for each person's contribution, we are most grateful

Looking ahead to September 8: "RALLY" SUNDAY
We enthusiastically plan for renewed involvement in various church activities as they begin again in this new year. I'd encourage you to examine your schedule and see how you might best fit into Central's music program:

Thursdays

5:30 – 6:15 p.m. Spirit Singers*

6:30 - 7:15 p.m. (Central Bell Ringers not funded at this time)

7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Chancel Choir

Sundays

Children's Choir (generally, K-2) -

just after Children's Time until coffee fellowship begins

11:15-11:40 a.m. Wesley Choristers

(generally, 3rd – 5th graders)

11:40 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Youth Fine

Arts Group (middle and high school)

*At our first meeting, we'll determine whether a 6:30 meeting time is better.

Special thanks go to…
….those dedicated individuals who donated their time and talents to this summer's Special Music. Their musical offerings were a rich blessing to the faithful folks who weathered even ninety-degree temperatures to be with the community of worshippers on Sunday mornings. We are most grateful for your contributions.

A warm note of thanks, too, goes to Shirley and Bruce Goodrich for arranging this summer's roster of special musicians.


Musical dates for this church year

September 11, Wednesday

Ecumenical Remembrance Worship Service, 7 p.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church. Our adult choirs are invited to participate. Rehearsal for this service will be 7 –10 p.m. at Plymouth on Wednesday, September 4.

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.

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!.

The evening begins with potluck at 6:15 in the Dining Room.

On display, will be wonderful woven baskets, coasters, covered baskets, mats - even a man's, woman's and child's hat - from Estela Hudy's women's group. We are trying to set up a "market" for these products in the area, with the proceeds going back to the artisans. The items Bob brought back have been inventoried and the pricing converted to US dollars. These items are extremely reasonable.

We've decided to take orders for these items. They will also be on display during Fellowship Hour Sunday, September 8th.

Bob will speak about his experience in Bolivia, the ministry Peter and Estela are involved with and recruiting for future trips there.

You owe it to yourself to come, eat some wonderful food, fellowship with good friends and hear about our own dear Hudy Family, one of Central's own.

Be sure and check out the woven items on the 8th- they make wonderful additions to anyone's home, make great gifts - and the purchase will help the women in the community where Estela and Peter are working.

Please let us know you plan to attend on the 25th. A note in the offering plate or call to the church office will be a big help for our preparation.

3 Mission Team18 Lansing District Annual Eaton Rapids UMC25 Pot Luck - A Bolivian Adventure, with our tour guide, Bob Pena!

October_______________________

1 Mission Team
12 Conference Annual at Petoskey 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

§ Young people from the era of

Elizabeth I (1544) in England

§ Quaker children captured by

Indians (1763)

§ The Revolutionary War (1776)

§ The War between Texas and

Mexico (1834-1836)

§ An Irish mill girl (1847) crossing

the country on the Oregon Trail(1847)

§ A slave girl

§ A Civil War soldier

§ A Freed girl after the Civil War

§ A Black cowboy on the Chisholm

Trail (1871)

§ The forced march of the Navajos in

New Mexico (1864)

§ One of the dangerous trips to the

Idaho Territory (1883)

§ A Jewish immigrant girl traveling

to New York City (1903) helps us imagine what that must have been like.

§ We've read and seen movies about

the Titanic, but now we can read the diary of a young girl who was a passenger on the Titanic (1912).

§ Continuing through history we can

imagine how it would have been to be in a Japanese internment camp at Mirror Lake, California (1942), or to land on the beach at Normandy, France in World War II (1944).

I highly recommend these fascinating diaries that can be read with great enjoyment by everyone from 12 years through adults. YOU CAN'T READ JUST ONE!

Nona Bartley

Remember…

At press time:

Marcia Detloff – At Burcham Rehab

Ruth Norton – With daughter's family

Frank and Joyce Joranko – With son's family

Joyce McLellan – At Hospice of Lansing

Evelyn Reed – At home

Rev. Dale Spoor – At home

Norma Mitchell – At Ingham Assisted Living

Jeanette Colwell – Burcham

Congratulations . . .

Duane, Ruth Perry – 54th Wedding Anniversary

Robert, Lois Jenkins – 64th Wedding Anniversary

2. First area south of Capitol Avenue entrance.

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

Call Dottie Stark for more information, 482-7834.