Flint District NEWS

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. 2 O February 2008

Happy New Year

Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Some of us view the New Year as a time of New Beginning, of setting new goals for ourselves and of making changes in our attitudes and behaviors. Others of us don’t see ourselves making too many radical changes in our ways of life, no major change from the previous years. Though everything in our lives is not the way we want it, yet we are basically satisfied and reasonably contented. Whether we see ourselves making many or few changes, we all have at least one goal in common. Each of us needs to strive for more growth in our spiritual journey and get closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus. The Christian life should go higher and higher each year B more growth in the Spirit, more growth in the Word, more growth in Faith and Grace, and more growth in Love and Will of God. Amen.

Here are some opportunities for Growth in the New Year:

Tools for Ministry, February 12, 2008, Court Street United Methodist Church, 225 W. Court St., Flint, MI. We encourage every church to send persons to this event.

Lay Speaker Training, March 7 and 8, 2008, Court Street United Methodist Church, 225 W. Court St., Flint, MI. This is a great opportunity for Laity to be trained for Leadership in their local churches.

Flint District Youth Basic Lay Speaking, March 7, 8, and 9, 2008, Davison United Methodist Church, 207 E. Third St., Davison, MI. Youth in the 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th grades are invited to be a part of a special Lay Speaking Weekend for Youth.

Special Annual Conference to vote for New Conference in Michigan - April 5, 2008, Lansing beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Bishop Day of Evangelism and Stewardship, Saturday, March 1, 2008 - 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Swartz Creek United Methodist Church, 7400 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek, MI. We firmly encourage and expect every church to send as many persons as possible to this very important event. Registration forms will be available at every church this month B January 2008. If your membership is below 100, we ask you to send at least three persons. If your membership is over 100, but less than 200, send at least six persons. If you have membership of 200, but less than 300, send 10 members; from 300 and above, we ask you to send at least 20 persons. We are preparing for about 400 in attendance. All pastors are expected to attend. Dr. Robert E. Bailey from Atlanta, GA will deliver the keynote message.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN MISSIONS!

ATTEND AND MEET OTHERS.

VIM FESTIVAL OF OPPORTUNITIES 2008

SET ASIDE SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2008 - 9:00 A.M.-4:30 P.M.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

1500 N. WATER STREET

OWOSSO, MICHIGAN 48867

We gather to celebrate all who have volunteered to serve, share the blessings we give and receive. We share opportunities and train those who are called to be leaders. We worship together to receive strength to continue in service to our Lord.

Featured Speaker: The worship preacher is our global VIM leader. Rev. Clint Rabb is Assistant General Secretary for Mission Volunteers, General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church.

Early Response and Leadership Training are offered: In addition 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.

For more information or to register, please contact John Walls pastorsuew@yahoo.com or 734-282-5930 home or 248-459-6850 cell.

PERSONALS

- Our sympathy to Edna Smith, Administrative Assistant for the Conference Council on Ministries, Detroit Annual Conference on the death of her daughter, Ms. Jocelyn (Renee) Taylor, on December 9, 2007.

- Our sympathy to Howard Christian (Detroit Conference United Methodist Men Vice-President) on the death of his spouse, Rosemarie Christian, on December 19, 2007

- 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.

IRS ANNOUNCES 2008 STANDARD MILEAGE RATES -

$ 50.5 cents per mile for business miles driven;

$ 19 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes;

$ 14 cents per mile driving in service of charitable organizations.

CHURCH LEADERSHIP ADDRESS LIST - 2008 - Church Leadership Address Lists were due to the District Superintendent at the time of your Church Conference. If you did not give this list to him, please send it to the District Office now. We have already been asked to send the names of Lay Members to the 2008 Annual Conference in along with their e-mail addresses. Please send an e-mail to us at Fldistumc@aol.com with this information as your Lay Members are elected. Thank you.

DISTRICT PRAYER TEAM - Thanks to all who have taken part in the monthly prayer team gatherings for the past four years. The times together have been important in the life of our Flint District. Reality is that it is increasingly difficult to schedule a time for the faithful ones who have tried to attend.

As of January 2008, we will have an email prayer chain for district concerns. Email notices will be sent out once or twice per month, as well as mailing prayer cards. Anyone wishing to be added to the email prayer chain, please contact Jackie Euper at tjeuper@tm.net.

MATT COMMUNICATION - The Michigan Christian Advocate is the primary arm of communication for the Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT). The reports will be posted on the Michigan Christian Advocate Web Site, the West Michigan Conference Web Site, and the Detroit Conference Web Site.

A MATT e-mail address has been established to receive all questions, comments and suggestions regarding MATT. It is MATT@miareaumc.org. The team wants the input of every person - please communicate with them.

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES - FEBRUARY -

Feb. 3 Dawn Dulworth

5 Tara and Russel Sutton

6 Margaret A. Kivisto

8 Jeanann Montney

9 Edmond Taveirne

12 Barbara Crumm

20 Bruce Harton

Carl and Jenny Cooke

25 Shirley Cormicle

29 Jean Amstutz

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU - To all the clergy families and friends who attended the District Christmas Party at Flint: Calvary UMC on December 7, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. The food and music were excellent. We thank Ellen Arntz for putting it together, and the music group from Fenton UMC, The Light, for their special performance.

We thank Flint: Calvary Church for hosting the party and Barbara Young and her friends for preparing the delicious meal.

Every special gift Madeir and I received was greatly and sincerely appreciated. Again, I thank you all. May the Lord continue to bless you in the New Year.

Andrew and Madeir

DORT-OAK PARK NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE NEEDS HELP - On behalf of the Dort-Oak Neighborhood House, 4601 Clio Road, Flint, Michigan 48504, we solicit your help with our food distribution program and special needs. Many of our community residents have expressed that by help from churches and individuals providing diapers, baby formula and non-perishable food, they will be assisted greatly in meeting the necessities of their household. We thank you in advance for any support you can render at this time.

-Dr. Hydrian Elliott, Director

BEACH PARTY 2008 COKESBURY VBS - The sample kit has arrived at the Flint District Office. Let Jackie Euper know if you would like to show it to your education committee or VBS director. The theme is: Beach Party - Surfing Through the Scriptures. With all of our Michigan lakes, the possibilities are endless! Call 877-382-8794 to order your materials or 800-335-0544 ext 362 to borrow the sample kit.

Two previews will be held to introduce the VBS materials:

— February 4, 2008 (Monday) - Bethel UMC, 1309 N. Ballenger Hwy., Flint, MI - 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

— February 5, 2008 (Tuesday) - Owosso: First UMC, 1500 N. Water St., Owosso, MI -5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Bonus: 20% off all orders taken at the previews.

Call Minnie Armstrong (810-234-6254) or Jackie Euper (810-233-5500 ext 362) if you plan to attend.

JANUARY 26, 2008 - BENEFIT DINNER

FOR PROJECT P.E.T.

sponsored by

Flint District United Methodist Men

6:00 P.M. at

Hope United Methodist Church

G-4467 Beecher Road, Flint, MI

SPEAKER: Mel West

Director of the P.E.T. Project

Ticket Price - $12.00

Profits to the P.E.T. Project

personal energy transport - used by people who have lost limbs due to land mines or disease

Ed Noll of Goodrich UMC and a group of men use his workshop to cut the word parts.

Units are packaged in Missouri and shipped overseas.

ALL INVITED

OUR CONNECTIONAL MINISTRY

Up-dated Flint District Calendar of Coming Events

January 18, 2008 - Soup Supper, Byron United Methodist Church, 101 S. Ann St., Byron, MI - 5:00-6:30 p.m. All the Soup you care to eat, plus cornbread, pie and beverage. Missions Fundraiser. Questions? 810-266-4976.

January 18-19, 2008 - U-NITE, Genesys Athletic Club (I-75 at exit #108), Grand Blanc - 10:30 p.m.-4:45 a.m. Please call Jackie Euper (810-233-5500, ext. 362) for information.

January 25-27, 2008 - Winter Adventure, 5th-8th grade Winter Retreat, Judson Collins Center, Onsted, MI - Warm up your heart for God and reconnect with friends from the summer. Enjoy a weekend of fun and adventure. More information at http://www.judsoncollinscenter.org/

January 26, 2008 - Pancake Breakfast, Byron United Methodist Church, 101 S. Ann St., Byron, MI - 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Hosted by the Byron UMC Mission Team. Donational cost - proceeds go to purchase school uniforms for children in Tonjibe. Questions? 810-266-4976.

January 26, 2008 - Benefit Dinner for Project P.E.T., Hope United Methodist Church, G-4467 Beecher Rd., Flint, MI - 6:00 p.m. Speaker: Mel West, Director of the P.E.T. Project. P.E.T. (personal energy transport) used by people who have lost limbs due to land mines or disease. Ed Noll of Goodrich UMC and a group of men use his workshop to cut the wood parts. Units are packaged in Missouri and shipped overseas. Ticket price is $12.00. Profits to the P.E.T. Project. Tickets available at the District Office.

February 12, 2008 - Tools For Ministry - How to Get-R-Done! Court Street UMC, 225 W. Court St., Flint, MI. Dinner 6:00 p.m., Worship 7:00 p.m., Workshops 7:45-8:45 p.m. Please check out the flyer in this newsletter or call the District Office (810-233-5500, ext. 361) for a copy of the flyer/registration information.

February 17, 2008 - Chicken Buffet Dinner, Masonic Temple Dining Room, 755 S. Saginaw St., Flint, MI. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. This Chicken Buffet Dinner is sponsored by the United Methodist Women of Court Street UMC. The proceeds are for the UMW Missions Projects. Cost $8.00 per person, $5.00 for 12 and Under. Everyone is welcome. Call Court Street UMC (810-235-4651) for tickets or purchase tickets at the door.

March 1, 2008 - Bishop’s Day on Evangelism and Stewardship - Come, Grow, Go: Enliven, Equip, & Enrich Your Church to Build God’s Kingdom. Hosted by Swartz Creek UMC, 7400 Miller Road, Swartz Creek, MI 48473. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. and the day will close at 3:30 p.m. Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Robert E. Bailey who is a much sought after speaker and teacher on stewardship and evangelism. Your event will include six exciting, interesting and challenging workshops from which to choose. Mark your calendars now! Pastors and laity, young and old, all have been called and all are welcome! Further details and registration information will be available in the New Year.

March 2, 2008 - DYC MISSION Bowl-a-Thon (NEW DATE). Please put this event on your calendar and call the District Office for a copy of the flyer.

March 7-8, 2008 - Lay Speaking Ministries Workshop, Court Street UMC, 225 W. Court St., Flint, MI. Please call the District Office (810-233-5500, ext. 361) for a copy of the flyer.

March 7, 8, and 9, 2008 - Flint District Youth Basic Lay Speaking, Davison UMC, 207 E. Third St., Davison, MI 48423. Please call Jackie Euper (810-233-5500, ext. 362) or Rev. Susan M. Youmans (810-653-5272) for information.

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.

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 5^th eligibility of who can vote.

602.5 - 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 5^th event ONLY.

FLINT DISTRICT BOARD OF MISSIONS

OFFERS CHURCH OF THE YEAR GRANT

A Church of the Year grant application is enclosed in this newsletter. 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!

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 - 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 fro 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.

FLINT DISTRICT

YOUTH BASIC LAY SPEAKING

March 7, 8, and 9, 2008

Davison United Methodist Church

207 East Third Street

Davison, MI 48423

Cost: $60 (scholarships available)

Youth in the 10^th, 11^th and 12^th grades are invited to be a part of a special Lay Speaking Weekend. Participation will include times of sharing, studying, listening, and planning/leading worship at the Davison United Methodist Church, 207 East Third St., Davison, MI on March 9, 2008.

Certified Adults will be staying at the Davison United Methodist Church with the youth for the entire weekend, and various other leaders will conduct the individual sessions. A banquet will be held at 2:00 p.m. on March 9, 2008 in which parents, pastors and friends are invited at $10 each.

Jackie Euper B 810-233-5500, ext. 362

Rev. Susan M. Youmans B 810-653-5272