Central Journal
September, 1998
................Keeping membership and friends informed
................Promoting fellowship
................Contributing to spiritual growth
You Are Always Welcome
Central United Methodist Church is not perfect, but it seeks perfection in
its care and concern for every person who desires the fellowship and love
of a Christian congregation. We are not exclusive, but inclusive. Our circle
of love is large enough to include all. We invite you to be a part of it.
Date change .....Our Annual Church Conference will be held here
at the church on Wednesday, October 21, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. (This is a change
from the previous date of September 22
New staff members on board
Dr. Tom Hodgman - Chancel Choir Director
By Caryn B. Welter, Music Director
Please welcome Dr. Tom Hodgman to his new position at Central. Tom and his
wife, Dr. Colleen Conway, recently moved their daughter, Sara, and two cats
from New Jersey to Lansing. Tom's credentials are incredibly impressive;
his background of church membership is extensive and diverse; his attitude
is one of warmth and optimism. He enjoys a keen sense of humor and believes
that successful choir rehearsals are fun. Tom and Colleen are excited about
becoming a part of Central's church family.
Tom plans to be Mr. Mom (or is that Dr. Mom?) to their happy nine-month-old
daughter for at least one year. In accordance with their mutual plan, this
allows his wife to meet the demands of her new position as assistant professor
of instrumental music education at Michigan State University.
Dr. Hodgman's range of academic endeavors is wide. A graduate of the Eastman
School of Music, Tom also engaged in many professional development activities
at Westminster Choir College. He recently left a full-time college position
at New Jersey City University; he has served as Chorus Master of the Opera
Theater of Rochester, Assistant Conductor of the Eastman-Rochester Symphony
Chorus, Guest Conductor of the Finger Lakes Symphony Orchestra, and Assistant
Conductor of the Los Angeles Cambridge Singers.
This able individual has served in virtually every imaginable capacity as
a church musician, coming most recently from The Presbyterian Church at Tenafly
in Tenafly, New Jersey. Most of Tom's sixteen years as a church musician
have been with volunteer choirs that performed a wide variety of music, ranging
from the classics to contemporary styles.
Tom enthusiastically anticipates the opportunity to work with Central's Choir
and is eager to combine his talents and skills with those of Choir members
in order to further enhance and enrich worship experiences.
Tom replaces former Chancel Choir Director Frank McKowen who retired in
July.
Pat Basgall - Office Manager
By Jim Hane
Please welcome Patricia (Pat) Basgall to her new position as Central's Office
Manager. Pat began her new job August 17th.Pat brings to her new job the
high capability and organizational skills gained from many years of work
experience, most recently as Operations Manager/Acquisition Team with General
Parts, a national wholesale automotive parts distributor. Her formal education
extends from St. Xavier College and Barton Junior College in Chicago, to
Delta College and Lansing Community College in Michigan.
Pat, who resides in Grand Ledge, is a seventeen year member of First United
Methodist Church-Grand Ledge, where she has been involved in many areas of
the church: UMW, usher, greeter, reader, Sunday School, and a number of
commissions. At one time, she served as Secretary for her church's Administrative
Council. Need a notarized document? Pat has been a Licensed Notary Public
since 1979.
As a very personable individual, Pat enjoys working with all types of people. She welcomes the opportunity to meet and work with Central members and friends. Stop by her office soon on the first floor of Temple House to say hello and to give her a warm Central welcome. Pat replaces Office Manager Beverly Dodge, who resigned in July.
Don Sober -Assistant Custodian
Please welcome Don Sober as he begins a full-time job as Central's Assistant Custodian. Half of Don's time is being spent assisting Walley in general custodial work, the remaining half in doing Trustee approved work projects.He grew up in Lansing, has four children, and aspires to being a Building Contractor. He occupies the job formerly filled by Joel Gillison, who left Centeral this summer.
Pastor's Pen
Getting things started isn't easy
By Rev. Francis F. Anderson, Ret.
The year was 1890. The horseless carriage had made its appearance already,
much to the astonishment of the general public. A young enterprising man
born of Irish parents, was obsessed with the idea of internal combustion
engines. He designed one from scrap, and in the kitchen, managed to get a
gasoline motor to start as his wife assisted by holding the fuel supply so
that gravity would feed into the machine he contrived. It then roared into
operation and Henry Ford had started a new thing.
Getting Central United Methodist Church to come alive (any church for that
matter) in early Fall is like trying to start a new or old motor. You need
help, fuel, a place to work, an engine, and above all the determination to
succeed. The analogy is obviously clear. We are the helpers, God provides
the fuel, power and energy. We have a great place to be about God's work,
and if we put our minds together through the Spirit of Jesus, we can do anything
we (CUMC) make up our minds to do. With God all things are possible.
Now the fact is, several commissions are without full leadership, such as
the Global Ministries and the Christian Education Commissions, plus a few
more spots. God's work cannot go ahead by itself. We must sense the need
and task before us. Just to get started is all we have to do in some
cases—and then ministries will happen everywhere we want hem to.
WE—Central Church—have all the resources and power to start afresh
and get moving, even if only a little bit at first! Every family unit is
a human powerhouse of energy that under God, when energized, is able. Let's
hope and pray that the new season upon us will move in amazing ways to advance
the cause of Jesus Christ.
"Rise up, ye saints of God! Have done with lesser things. Give heart and
mind and soul and strength to serve the King of kings."
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 am - 5 p.m. Janet Mort 321-2330 or Karen Holoweiko
626-798. Evening 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 am Elizabeth Gibbs 882-2635 or Nancy O'Shea
372-6156.
This Prayer Chain is an ongoing ministry of Central United Methodist Church
and is open to anyone who would like to become a participant.
"COMMON CENTS"
By Ruthanne Jaquette, Business and Building
Manager
It has been a fairly quiet financial front this summer, which from my perspective
is good. Central has not experienced its usual slump, which I believe is
an indication that we are on the road to financial health. As summer ends
and fall approaches, we look forward to next year.Fall Campaign The Finance
Committee is beginning to plan for the fall stewardship campaign. This year
we will be conducting the campaign later than usual, running it in November
and December. It will be a two year campaign Look for more details to
follow.Advance Special Offering Did you know that 1998 marks the 50th anniversary
for the Advance special offering program of the United Methodist Church?
In the summer issue of the Journal, I wrote briefly about this program and
promised additional information this month.
If you subscribe to the Michigan Christian Advocate, you may have noticed,
in the issue before last, some startling statistics about the financial
participation of the West Michigan Conference, of which Central UMC is a
part.
For 1997, the West Michigan Conference was the highest giving conference
in the entire United Methodist denomination. Our conference gave over $1.62
Million. Further, the per capita giving average for the Conference was $19.29,
compared to the denominational average of $2.29. The North Indiana Conference
was the second highest, with a per capita giving of $8.58.
For your information, Advance special offerings are used by the UMC in a
variety of giving areas, termed "lanes".
Following is a brief description of each lane and some specific ministries
related to each lane.
Lane One: Missionary support
Our conference currently supports over 18 missionary singles, couples and
families across the world.
Lane Two: World projects
Our conference currently supports 32 world service projects such as Africa
University, the Russia Initiative, and the Child Survival program.
Lane Three: National projects
Our conference currently supports 19 national service projects, many of which
may sound familiar; Parish Partners, Henderson Settlement, and Red Bird
Mission.
Lane Four Hunger and Relief, and UMCOR projects
For us in the West Michigan Conference, we are no strangers to world hunger
relief. Year after year, the WMC has led in per capita giving, but in 1997
we also led in total dollars given as well; CROP Walk, Blanket Sunday, Haiti
Hot Lunch, Heifer project, One Great Hour of Sharing , are just a few of
the many hunger relief projects supported by WMC.
Lane Five: Racial, Ethnic and Minority Ministries
The conference supports 19 ethnic and minority ministries. Closest to us
is the Potter Park Outreach right here in Lansing
Lane Six: Conference Projects
The WMC supports several conference projects that are particularly familiar
here at Central: Bronson Methodist Hospital, Clark Retirement Community,
Harvest House, United Methodist Community House, Wesley Foundation, and Habitat
for Humanity, to name a few.
I hope this brief synopsis gives you just a glimpse of what The Advance is
all about, and will hopefully change our attitudes from "oh it's just another
special offering" to a deeper understanding and appreciation for the ministries
of the United Methodist Church.
Vision Program Update
By Karen Holoweiko
'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'… Mark
11:17
And so we pray and we pray that we might honor our responsibility as a House
of Prayer.
Several of the Visioning team members met on July 15 and August 12 during
the summer hiatus to pray for the vision of the members of Central Church.
With no objective other than to sit at the feet of Christ and listen, we
braved the sweltering heat to gather together as brothers and sisters for
a time of praise, worship and prayer.
We were all blessed by the experience and look forward to gathering again
this fall for purposeful banter and hard work.
All are invited to participate in the Visioning Process at Central. Please
check future Sunday bulletins and the Journal for meeting times and places.
Announcements
Childcare Opportunities
Denise Fabbri announces that child care will be available this fall during Commission/Ad Council meetings, Thursday evenings, and during Sunday morning Chancel Choir practice beginning September 10th.
Disciple Classes
Classes begin again in September and there's still room for you. Please carefully
consider this opportunity and if interested call Dave DeVinney or Joi
Tennant.
Fall Crop Walk
It's that time again! Central member Gary Patterson is looking for walkers
and those willing to support them. The Lansing Walk is scheduled to being
at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 11th. Registration will start September 13th
in Fellowship Hall. In the meantime, if you have questions or want to sign
up early, give Gary a call at 517 394-3738.
Central Golf Outing
Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 26th. Central's Young Couples
Group is sponsoring an all church 9 hole 4 person Team Golf Scramble at Four
Winds Golf Course. Tee off times will start at 9:00 a.m.
Everyone is invited, regardless of golfing ability. There will be lunch together
after golfing. Approximate cost for golf, lunch and prizes is $15. For more
information, check with Karen Stefl and/or Kevin Sosnowski at a Sunday Coffee
Hour table beginning August 30th.
New Videos Available
The church library has many video tapes available to be checked out, including children's stories, biographies of athletes, and inspirational videos. Arline Roe and Marge Sleight recently gave the library : Crusader Road to Jerusalem, and Great People of the Bible and How They Lived. Also new is Veggie Tales, and a children story about Josua titled Josh and the Big Wall.
Food Bank
Central's Food Bank is in need of large paper grocery bags and egg cartons.
Please help by contacting Dave Schuurmans or the church office.
Drop a Card?
Gladys Gilson reports that Ray Light, a former member of Central, is now
home bound after being in Veterans Hospital. His current address is 1012
Maple Circle, Hastings, MI 49058.
Chuck Wagon Supper
Mark your calendar for Friday evening, October 16th. The Evangelism/Nurture Commission is sponsoring a Chuck Wagon Supper at the Circle C Ranch! in the church dining room. The Circle C stands for our "brand name" says Beth Murley. Join in an evening of fun and fellowship in honor of new church members and to be entertained by a Western Serenade. More information next month!
CentralNiters
Ruth Holmes reports that the next get-together of the CentralNiters will
be Friday, September 18th for a 6:30 p.m. potluck dinner at the Dimondale
home of Mary and Dave Jessup. On October 16th, the group is planning to join
the all-church Chuck Wagon Dinner in the church dining room. See above
announcement for details.
Hospice Bereavement Programs
Passages Grief Support Group for the Newly Bereaved
1st and 3rd Thursday of the month 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Calvary United Methodist Church, 1919 S. Pennsylvania, Lansing. This is a
self-help group for bereaved who have experienced a loss through death. The
focus is on sharing grief experiences. For further information, call: David
Selleck at Ingham Hospice, 346-4750 or Kayla Tipton or Kathryn Baughman at
The Hospice of Lansing, 882-4500
Bereavement Support Luncheons for the Bereaved
2nd Wednesday of the month 12:30 p.m. Delhi Cafe, 4625 Willoughby Road, Holt. Please call The Hospice of Lansing, 882-4500 by noon on the day prior to the luncheon for a reservation.
Grief Recovery Program
A six week grief education and support program by The Hospice of Lansing. Monday evenings, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. This program is open to bereaved persons who have experienced a loss through death, regardless of when the loss occurred, whom it involved or the suddenness of its occurrence. In-depth information concerning the grief process will be presented. September 14, 21, 28 and October 5, 12, 19. Pennway Church of God, 1101 E. Cavanaugh, Lansing, MI 8910. Registration requested. Please call The Hospice of Lansing at 882-4500. The program is limited to fifteen participants.
Quiet Moments
Wallace VanStratt, a long time Central member, contributes this month's column.
Thanks Wally for sharing a quiet moment with our readers.
"My wife delights in telling friends about my after breakfast newspaper reading
habits. As she observes, the cat sits on a chair next to me. Like two of
a kind, our eyes close. My head begins to nod. I counter by saying that my
feline friend is just catnapping, and who can say otherwise? Cats don't tell
us anything unless they feel like it.
However, after noting the murders, rapes, and political sculduggery in the
morning paper, I am having a quiet moment of cogitating. Among other things,
I think about what a great state Michigan is, from the Porcupine Mountains
to the Lake Michigan shoreline to the Detroit skyline.
I love the feel of spring air mingling with the smell of damp earth and lilacs.
I like the sounds of summer, the ditty of the passing ice cream truck, and
sails whipped by a thunderstorm. A summer breeze carries a romantic tune
from a distant stereo. Fall crisp air reminds me of burning leaves, the taste
of cider and of matchless color. I love both a winter snow storm and a working
fireplace.
All year long I revel in the opportunity to love and to be loved by my friends
at Central United Methodist Church. My head nods, an overt response for each
time I agree with some pleasant thought.
And who can say otherwise? Certainly the cat can't. God could, if he was
interested, or I suppose the spousal observer could!"
Suggested Bible Readings for September.Isaiah 26:3Philippians 4: 6-9 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, (517) 394-4597.
Church Women United
Monday, September 14
Pilgrim Congregational Church,125 S. Pennsylvania
10:00 a.m. Board Meeting, and sack lunch
1:00 p.m. Program: Helen Hokenson, former state president of CWU
Helen has been active in the Michigan Ecumenical Forum
Monday, October 12
Trinity UMC, Lansing. 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Program: Operation Mission: Indonesia and Refugees and Global Migration
(For child care during these programs call Carolyn Schuurmans at 321-0569)
Young Couples Group
(single, married, engaged or dating)
August 30th (Sunday): Picnic at Potter Park
Meet at 12:30 p.m. and eat at 1:00. Look for the tables with the red balloons.
Please bring a dish to pass. Afterwards, you can visit the zoo or go canoeing.
There is a parking fee of $1 and a fee for the zoo and canoes.
September 26th (Saturday): Golf Outing
We will be sponsoring an all church golf outing.(See page 4) and watch the Sunday bulletin for more details.
October 24th (Saturday): Uncle John's Cider Mill
We will meet at 1:00 p.m. at the church and car pool to the cider mill. You
will need money if you would like to purchase a pumpkin and other items.
November 13th (Friday): Harvest Party (details later)
December: Christmas Caroling (details later)
Question? Feel free to contact Dennis & Denise Kelley at 484-9109 or
Bill & Faye McCracken at 337-0207.
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