Flint District  NEWS      Detroit Conference

                                                                              The United Methodist Church

 

Theme: Faithfulness, Friendliness, Fruitfulness

 

1309 N. Ballenger Hwy., Suite 2                                               Dr. Andrew A. Allie, District Superintendent

Flint, Michigan 48504-7519                                                                Jacqueline K. Euper, Project Director

810-233-5500                                                                               Elaine Condon, Administrative Assistant

                                                          Vol. 13 - No. 4  O April 2008

 

The Resurrection Inevitable

 

According to Matthew’s Gospel, when Jesus was crucified, the Religious Leaders remembered His promise to rise again.  They did not believe Jesus’ promise, so they said, but they feared that our Lord’s Disciples would be as devious regarding the resurrection promise as they had been in the execution of the crucifixion plan.  As a way of preventing the Disciples from stealing the body from its resting place, they asked Pilate to secure the tomb against theft.  Pilate appointed soldiers to guard the tomb and secure it as best they could.  They sealed the entrance with a stone and stationed a guard.

 

Sooner or later we are going to learn that there is no human security system against truth, righteousness, and the promises of God.  Sooner or later the truth will come out.  No pack of lies bury truth forever; no amount of wrongdoing can bury goodness and righteousness forever; no earthly power can prevent God’s promises from coming forth in the fullness of time.  On the day of Pentecost the Apostle Peter declared: God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.  (Acts 2:24) The Apostle Paul said to the Romans: Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more. (Romans 6:9) Amen.

-Andrew A. Allie

 

 

 

 

THANKS A MILLION!

 

Let me express my sincere appreciation to every person, congregation and pastor who participated in the Bishop’s Day on Evangelism and Stewardship on March 1, 2008.  Great number of participants made a point to share with the leadership how valuable they found the workshops and how impressed they were with the leaders.  To everyone who served on the Planning Committee and the host church, Swartz Creek United Methodist Church, we thank God for every one of you.  May the Lord continue to bless and use you.  Again, thanks so much for attending the Bishop’s Day on Evangelism and Stewardship.

 

-Andrew A. Allie

 

 

 

 

PERSONALS

 

- Our sympathy and prayers to Rev. William R. Seitz on the death of his father, Rev. Martin G. Seitz on February 17, 2008.

 

- Our sympathy and prayers to Rev. Christine E. Wyatt on the death of her father, Mr. John Vass, on February 22, 2008.

 

- Rev. William R. Maynard, former Flint District pastor currently living in East Tawas, MI experiencing health concerns.

 

- Martha Guenin, Trustee of the Flint District Board of Missions recuperating from surgery.

 

- Dr. Donald E. Hall experiencing health problems.

 

- Joey Hruby, secretary, Davisburg UMC experiencing health problems.

 

- Prayers for those serving in the military.  Please pray for their families especially the children as they face the uncertainties in their lives.

 

- Prayers for the victims and displaced persons who are coping with the devastation caused by the tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and fires, and those who are helping them.

 

COKESBURY 2008

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

THEME: SURFIN’ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES

 

Our United Methodist Publishing House has created another fun-filled summer program for all ages at your local church.  The new children’s preview kit is available in the Flint District Office.  If you would like to borrow it to show to your VBS committee, contact Jackie Euper at 810-233-5500, ext. 362.  A blow up surfboard is also available for your week of VBS (first come-first served).

 

DISTRICT PRAYER TEAM

 

The Flint District has an email prayer chain for district concerns.  Email notices will be sent out once or twice per month, as well as mailing prayer cards.

 

If you have a prayer concern or desire to be added to the prayer chain, please contact Jackie Euper at tjeuper@tm.net.

 

ATTENTION: PASTORS

 

Please complete and return the Interpreter enrollment form so your local church leaders will receive this magazine.  The following ways are available for completing the enrollment process:

 

E-mail: csc@umcom.org

Fax: 615-742-5499

Online: http://www.umcom.org/subscriptions/ (Please contact Customer Service at 1-888-346-3862, to obtain the customer number and pass code for online enrollment.)

 

SUMMER EMPLOYMENT

AT UNITED METHODIST CAMPS

 

Many opportunities - for information, call the Detroit Conference Office at 810-233-5500 and ask for the Camp Office.

 

YOUTH NEWS

 

Many thanks to the 78 bowlers who participated in the 2008 Mission Bowl-a-Thon at Grand Blanc Lanes.  Over $2,200 was raised to send to the Liberia Annual Conference for youth ministries.  Thanks, also to those who pledged money for this special mission project.  Churches who participated were: Mt. Morris: First, Millington, Grand Blanc, Flushing and Swartz Creek.

 

The next meeting of the Flint District Youth Council will be Sunday, April 6, 2008 at Swartz Creek UMC - 2:30-4:00 p.m.  Election of officers for July-2008 - June 2009 will take place.

 

-Jackie Euper

 

ATTENTION ALL CLERGY SPOUSES: The Detroit Annual Conference Clergy Spouse’s Association has two events for you this spring:

 

1: Spring Retreat - The Unique Spiritual Pathway of a Clergy Spouse, at Lake Huron Retreat Center near Port Huron on Friday, April 11, 6:30-7:30 p.m. through Sunday, April 13 (worship at 9:30 a.m.)  Leave for home by 10:30 a.m.

 

2.  The Clergy Spouse’s Luncheon at Annual Conference, Adrian on Saturday, May 17 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Merillat Sports and Fitness Center - Thanks for the Memories - we’re going to take a trip down Clergy Spouse Memory Lane.  Watch for more information in the mail or call DCCSA President, Lois Finzer.  We hope to see ALL clergy spouses there!

 

 

FREE CAMPING/VOLUNTEER WORK DAY, MYERS LAKE CAMPGROUND

BYRON, MI

 

Sign up for a weekend (April 25-27, 2008) of free camping at Myers Lake United Methodist Campground, 10575 W. Silver Lake Road, Byron, MI.  Can’t come for the entire weekend?  Come just for the clean-up on Saturday.  Bring your group from church (UMM, UMYF, etc.) or come as a family.  Individuals also welcome.  Enjoy free camping this weekend, in exchange for volunteering to clean and ready the campground for the summer season.  Bring yard work tools (brooms, rakes, etc.).  The clean up will happen in any weather, rain or shine, but workload will vary according to the weather.  For more information, please call Myers Lake at 810-266-4511 or visit http://myerslake.com.

 

FLINT DISTRICT BOARD OF MISSIONS OFFERS CHURCH OF THE YEAR GRANT - A Church of the Year grant application has been mailed to every church.  The $6,000 grant is included in your Flint District Board of Missions and Church Extension 2008 budget.  ALL churches are eligible regardless of membership or financial status, and all requests will be carefully considered.  To be considered ALL INFORMATION REQUESTED on the form must be received by the District Office, 1309 N. Ballenger Hwy., Suite 2, Flint, MI 48504 no later than April 4, 2008.  This is a firm deadline!

 

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

 

The Detroit Annual Conference is May 16-18, 2008 at Adrian College.  All information related to the Conference can be found at the Conference website.  Just go to www.umc-detconf.org.  If your church has a change in the lay member to conference, please contact the District Office (810-233-5500, ext. 361) so the change can be made.   Thank you.

 

Faith Development News

 

Following is an inspiration article written by Kathy Lincoln at Durand First UMC who is very involved with a prayer quilt ministry.

 

Thank you very much for asking me to write this article about our Comfort Quilt Ministry.  It gives me such pleasure in organizing the sewing days, watching the ladies at work, viewing the finished product, and distributing the product.

 

For many years I have been making lap robes out of my fabric scraps; however, I didn't know where to go from there, and the pile kept getting taller.  Pastor Wayne told me of the ladies from his previous church that made comfort quilts which he took to shut-ins. Well, this got me to thinking, so I approached him and our Comfort Quilt Ministry began and continues to grow.

 

Our quilts are 48 x 54 which are just the right size for a wheelchair or just to throw over one’s lap. We do not follow any particular color scheme; the pieces (cut into 6 2 squares) are put together as they appear at the sewing station. I have done this for a variety of reasons.  I wanted to keep the tops interesting with various colors, prints, and textures; plus I wanted to use what was available and take the guesswork out of coordinating them.  The main reason for keeping them so colorful is for visual stimulation, and the various textures are good for tactile stimulation.  I guess I put myself in a wheelchair and thought how much conversation would arise from the colorful pieces. There could be pieces that are Christmas, St Patrick's Day, Valentine’s Day, children's prints, fabric from Africa or Asia (I have a friend who travels a lot), flannel, and fleece, to name a few. On the back we put a label with our church's name and the patient’s name so should it get washed in a community laundry, it would get back to its owner. All of our quilts are washable.

 

To date we have given around 35 quilts. Some have been given in memory of a member of our church, in honor of a family member in a nursing home, or to a home for mentally challenged men. Everyone is so appreciative. At one home we gave them to, they called them hugs.  Patients’ shoulders would be wrapped in the quilt for a hug as they left this life for their great reward. If they weren't to the end of their life's journey, the quilt was used for a hug from the Lord whenever they needed or wanted it. This concept brought tears to my eyes. The written thank-yous are always beautifully written from the heart.

 

Meeting about once a month, some of the ladies sew, some iron the pieces, others tie the quilts together and others cut the fabric for the sewers. We work well together, visit, and enjoy lunch. There are really two ministries involved--the actual quilts and the bonding of the ladies that make them.

 

Would I undertake this project again? You bet your life!

 

If you have a similar ministry or want to start one, would you please contact mpotter60@charter.net  Thanks and God bless you!

                                   

Bonnie Potter, on behalf of Faith Development Team

 

OUR CONNECTIONAL MINISTRY

Up-dated Flint District Calendar of Coming Events

 

March 21, 2008 - Good Friday Evening Service, Calvary UMC, 2111 Flushing Road, Flint - 7:00 p.m.  Guest Speaker: Pastor Courtney Williams from Faith UMC.  Special Guests: New Harvest Choir.  Everyone invited.

 

April 1, 2008 - Detroit Conference United Methodist Church Secretaries 2008 Spring Workshop, Chelsea UMC, 128 Park St., Chelsea, MI - 9:00 a.m. sign in, 9:30 a.m. Workshop Info at Your Fingertips - Leaders: Rev. Joy Barrett and Laurie Dahlman, West Michigan Conference Lay Leader.  2:00 p.m. Field Trip to the Chelsea Retirement Community.  Cost is $20 payable to DCUMCS postmarked by March 20, 2008 to Jennifer Gertz, PO Box 46, Hale, MI 48739.   Please call the District Office (810-233-5500, ext. 361) for a copy of the flyer.

 

April 5, 2008 - Called Special Sessions of the Detroit Annual Conference and the West Michigan Annual Conference, Lansing Center, Lansing, Mi.

 

April 12, 2008 - VIM Festival of Opportunities 2008 - First UMC, 1500 N. Water St., Owosso - 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.  Featured Speaker is Rev. Clint Rabb, Assistant General Secretary for Mission Volunteers, General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church.  There will be breakout sessions for the following topics:  Katrina Relief Opportunities - Bolivia - Liberia - Haiti - Poland (Teach UM) - Czech Republic - Mexico - Zimbabwe/Africa University - USA VIM Opportunities - VIM Opportunities in Michigan - Medical Teams - Fund Raising methods for - VIM Teams - Youth Opportunities - Stage 2 ER Training - Early Response  Training (all day) - Team Leader Training (all day).  Cost: Suggested donation of $10 will be taken to cover the cost of lunch and speaker’s expenses.  For those taking leader training, an additional cost of $25 includes the price of the training manual.  For those taking Early Response Training an additional cost of $15 will cover training materials.  Questions?  Please call 989-725-2201.

 

April 12, 2008 - Michigan Area Confirmands’ Rally, Adrian College, Adrian, MI - 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.  Please call the District Office for a copy of the flyer (810-233-5500, ext. 361).  Registrations must be postmarked by Tuesday, April 1, 2008.  No telephone registrations will be accepted.  Registration fee is $15.00 per person, which includes lunch and program costs.

 

April 17-19, 2008 - PAUMCS (Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries) - Annual Meeting - Spread Your Wings, Dayton, Ohio.  Forms, etc. may be obtained by going on-line to: http://www.paumcs.org/events.htm.  Registration deadline is March 21, 2008.  If you are interested in carpooling, please contact Pat Helmer at the Conference Office (800-334-0544 or email patriciahelmer@aol.com.)

 

May 10, 2008 - Spiritual Growth Conference for Men - Sponsored by the Flint District United Methodist Men, Lake Fenton High School Auditorium - 8:00 a.m.-2:35 p.m.  Put this date on your calendar and watch for further information.

 

August 6-10, 2008, Conference Youth Assembly (CYA), Adrian College - Adrian College -


This four-day camp experience at Adrian College is designed to build leadership for high school youth (completed 8th grade).  This event is planned and led by the youth of the Conference Council on Youth Ministries.  Price includes meals and four nights in the college dorms.  Grant money is available to your church.  The registration form is available at www.daccym.org.  Questions can be directed to Laurie Kaufman de la Garza, adult advisor of the CCYM at laurie.kdlg@sbcglobal.net , or to John Hart, YSF Adult Advisor, at jophhart@flash.net or 1894 Chatham Dr., Troy, MI 48084.

 

CALLED SPECIAL SESSIONS OF THE

DETROIT ANNUAL CONFERENCE

AND THE

WEST MICHIGAN ANNUAL CONFERENCE

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008

LANSING CENTER, LANSING, MI.

 

Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton, following consultation and concurrence by all district superintendents and the executive committee of board of ordained ministry of each conference is calling a special conference session for both the Detroit Annual Conference and the West Michigan Annual Conference to meet together on April 5, 2008 beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan.  The purpose of this conference session will be to vote on the proposed new creation of the Great Lakes Conference in response to the 2006 Annual Conference motion approved by both conferences and to vote on the appropriate resolutions necessary to facilitate the transition to a new conference.  The specific proposals for these actions are found in the materials mailed to clergy and lay members of the 2007 Annual Conferences, respectively. 

 

The Voting Items Book and all other information B current and past B can be accessed on the Conference web site ... www.umc-detconf.org.

 

 

CLARIFICATION ON APRIL 5, 2008 VOTE

TO CREATE THE GREAT LAKES ANNUAL CONFERENCE

 

Here is a Discipline paragraph that will solve most of the questions surrounding the April 5th eligibility of who can vote.  602.5 B The lay member or alternate, whoever was last seated in the annual conference, shall be seated in a special session of the annual conference when convened; provided that no local charge shall be deprived of its lay member due to death, serious illness, or cessation of membership.  Under such circumstances, another lay member may be elected by the charge conference.

 

In addition the following was received from Paul Thomas:

 

If you have an alternate selected from last year, that person should be the one going. If not, your charge conference should elect one.  My understanding of the Discipline is that we are not out to deprive a local church of its vote.  If last year’s lay member or alternate can’t get there, your church has to elect someone to represent the church for the April 5th event ONLY.

 

 

POEMS FOR ALL SEASONS

A Collection of Holiday Poems

The Reverend Samuel P. Jones, author

 

This collection of poetry is a must-have for all who seek confirmation of their holiday spirituality, sure to appeal to both the casual and more sophisticated readers.  Poems For All Seasons B A Collection of Holiday Poems presents the rhythmic expressions of the author, who transferred his life experiences and love of writing into a collection of heartfelt renditions covering every occasion from New Year’s to Christmas.

 

For additional information http://www.poemsforallseasons.com/ or http://www.lulu.com. Rev. Jones email address is samp.jones@yahoo.com.

 

 

 

SPIRITUAL GROWTH CONFERENCE

REFRESH ~ RENEW

2008 MEN’S CONFERENCE

 

SATURDAY ~ MAY 10, 2008

LAKE FENTON HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

8-9:00 a.m. Registration ~ 2:30 p.m.

 

Not You ... Then Who?  Speakers: Tyrone Gordon (via DVD) who now pastors the St. Luke Community UMC in Dallas, Texas, a church whose membership is well over 5400; Terry Prisk the founder and executive director of Contemporary Communication (CC).  This ministry focuses on the concerns of youth in our country; and Bob Keiderling, the founder and past executive director of the United Men of Faith, an organization whose mission is to serve as a bridge between man’s spiritual awakening and lasting change.  Sponsored by the Flint District United Methodist Men.  Cost $20 Adults - $10 Student.  At the Door $25 Adult - $15 Student includes coffee and donuts and a light lunch.  Contact James C. Walker or one of your local UMM Leaders.