Contents:
Mallory's Musings
Letter from Katie Peterson
Mission to and from GCCP
GCCP Activities
Youth News
Fellowship and Events in the Seven Churches of
the GCCP
Mallory's Musings
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“The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the
sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it
goes.” John 3:8a (NRSV)
The following story came to me from a friend who found it on “Uncle
Arthur’s Online.”
“Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast.
He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant
to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms
that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings
and crops. As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he
received a steady stream of refusals.
Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the
farmer. ‘Are you a good farmhand?’ the farmer asked
him. ‘Well, I can sleep when the wind blows,’ answered
the little man. Although puzzled by the answer, the farmer, desperate
for help, hired him. The little man worked well around the farm,
busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man’s
work.
Then one night the wind howled loudly from offshore. Jumping out
of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the
hired hand’s sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and
yelled, ‘Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before
they blow away!’ The little man rolled over in bed and said
firmly, ‘No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows.’
Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the
spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his
amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered
with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in
the coop, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured.
Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away. The farmer understood
what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep
while the wind blew.”
Jesus told Nicodemus that the wind (Spirit) blows where it chooses.
When the Spirit blows toward you, are you frightened by what it
may mean for you? The ‘winds of change’ blow us, and
we may become frightened or challenged. Both are very disquieting
for us. When the Spirit blows, we are really challenged or frightened
by the unknown of where it will take us. We can be secure when we
are anchored in the Word of God, attentive to regular worship, and
steadfast in prayer. Can you sleep when the Wind blows? I pray you
will be seen in church this Sunday.
Pax,
Paul J. Mallory PO Box 268, Grand Marais,
MI 49839 (906) 494-2653
thevicar@jamadots.com
Letter from Katie Peterson
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God is Great! Spring is finally coming to the UP! As I am writing
this, the snow is almost out of my yard. The trees are budding and
the flowers are starting to bloom. God’s great creation is
beautiful to watch as the seasons change. As the seasons change
in the year, our lives and ministry is also changing. We are preparing
for another great summer of VIM teams and projects, schools are
coming to a close for the summer and students are preparing for
their transitions. Let us not forget through our transitions –
the most important reason of living – putting Christ first
in our lives each day.
Thank you for your prayers, cards, and support for myself and my
family in the recent loss of my grandfather, Leicester Fosmire.
He celebrated 90 wonderful years of life with us here on earth,
and is celebrating life with his eternal Father in Heaven.
We celebrate that two of our youth - Chelsea Blankenship and Joshua
Mullin have recently completed their Youth Lay Leadership Training
at Gladstone Memorial UMC. Thank you to GCCP and Marquette District
for making it possible for them to attend!
There are 6 Volunteer in Mission teams preparing to come to God’s
Country Cooperative Parish this summer. We will be hosting close
to 150 volunteers from all over the place to assist us in serving
our neighbors with home repairs and yard cleanup. We would like
to thank Newberry and Paradise UMCs for both making 100 pasties
– so that we can share these with our VIM teams and local
volunteers!
Thank you to all of our supporting churches and individuals who
have sent items and are continuing to donate sweatpants and socks
to our local elementary schools. These are well appreciated by our
students and schools – to help each student to have something
dry to put on when needed.
Look for Christ in all that you do – each and everyday!
Shalom,
Katie Peterson, Deaconess, Church and Community Worker
Mission To And From GCCP
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From
the GCCP Mission Committee |
“Mission
is our Mission" |
For
participation in any way to the NIM and/or VIM Program contact: |
Katie
Peterson |
|
ktpete@gmail.com |
P.O.
Box 67 |
|
GBG#982942 - CCW |
Paradise,
MI 49768 |
|
MJ1110 – GCCP
Advance# |
Tel.
(906) 492-3680 |
|
|
VIM TEAMS RETURN TO GOD'S COUNTRY COOPERATIVE PARISH
NIM - NEIGHBORS IN MISSION
Located in the East Central part of the Marquette District, between
the shores of Lakes Michigan and Superior lies God’s Country
Cooperative Parish. Made up of seven communities of faith, the Cooperative
serves in mission to the elderly, infirmed and impoverished families
and individuals of the area. After a year of planning by Deaconess
Katie Peterson and the project directors, GCCP was able to welcome
Volunteers in Mission Teams from five different churches from the
Detroit Annual Conference. After a year’s absence due to staff
changes, the Parish hosted forty-eight VIM volunteers. These volunteers,
along with GCCP’s own Neighbors in Mission (NIM) Teams, were
able to complete seventeen different projects for families and agencies
becoming ‘doers of the word and not hearers only.’
The people of the seven churches that make up God’s Country
Cooperative Parish look forward to continued shared ministry with
the VIM volunteers and the Ministry Jubilee partners of the Detroit
Annual Conference.
For those who are ‘connected’ go to the GCCP web page,
www.gbgm-umc.org/gccp to view pictures of our ministries and see
what is ongoing in God’s Country Cooperative Parish where
‘mission is our mission.’ If you would be interested
in learning more about GCCP or having a representative come and
share with your congregation, please contact the Church and Community
Worker at 906-492-3680.
For participation in any way to the NIM and/or VIM Program contact:
Katie Peterson
YARN NEEDED FOR LOVE MISSION
We are continually creating baby blankets, caps, and prayer shawls
for mission giving. Those who are knitting and crocheting would
love to receive yarn as a donation for their projects. If you are
cleaning out you closets or would like to have a yarn drive at your
next women’s meeting or would like to purchase some yarn,
any kind, you may deliver it or mail it to Joan Lynn. He address
is P.O. Box 95, Naubinway, MI, 49762 – or call her at (906)
477-6299. These items go to the local hospitals for new babies,
and the prayers shawls are gifted to shut-ins, cancer patients,
those who are grieving, on anyone who might need a “prayer
hug.” Thanks for your continued support to our mission.
GCCP Activities
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MUSIC, ART, & DRAMA (MAD) CAMP 2008
“Tell
Me the Stories of Jesus”
Held at the Newberry UM
Church
August 11-15, 2008
9:00 – 1:00
Have your children or
visiting grandchildren ever looked for an organized, inexpensive,
camp to attend during the summer?
Be sure to invite neighbor children as well!!!
A connection to the United Methodist Church (or any church) is not
required.
This could be just the thing you are looking for.
Children will be singing and gaining confidence in a loving, creative
environment as they try their hands at drama in a non-threatening
circle of friends. In addition, campers will participate in art
projects as they create props and settings for a short musical play.
There will also be an opportunity for campers to bring and use their
musical instruments throughout the week. (At least a year’s
experience is required for this part of the program.) Competition
is not part of this experience. Fun and fellowship is!!!
This is the third MAD Camp and is now being made available to children
and youth ages 5-16. This year there will be an extended “Interns”
program for youth. Campers will have an opportunity to work with
professional educators, as they spend their mornings in an ecumenical,
faith-based environment. The campers will meet from 9:00-1:00 as
they prepare a musical, “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus,”
written by Brianna Zrinsky, a young woman from the Chicago Area.
This musical utilizes many songs, including several written by our
previous clinician, John Horman.
The approximately 30 minute musical will be presented by the campers
at the Newberry United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. on Friday,
August, 15th. Families, friends and neighbors are invited to attend.
There is a fee of $20.00 per camper to cover the cost of the campers’
supplies throughout the week, (Scholarships are available on a need
basis) and family discounts will be considered for multiple children.
This cost includes the music that will be used and the t-shirts
the campers will receive. Children are asked to bring a sack lunch
Monday-Thursday (beverage will be provided). Camp expenses are being
supplemented by a grant from the Marquette District UMC and private
donations from several friends of the camp, as well as from various
GCCP churches. We thank the Newberry UMC in advance for the use
of their building . as well as volunteers from throughout the GCCP.
“Volunteers make it happen!” We are looking forward
to a great time!
You may register for the camp by mailing the form
to camp director and dean, Mrs. Jan Barrett. Feel free to copy and
share. Question? Jan Barrett (906) 586-3901 jan_barrett47@hotmail.com
LOUISIANA MISSION TRIP
Newberry and Engadine UMCs sent a team to the Gulf Coast region
to lend a hand in the ongoing process of rebuilding homes and lives
devastated in 2005 by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The team departed
Friday, Feb.29 and traveled 1,450 miles to Abbeville, LA (75 miles
southwest of Baton Rouge) where they worked from March 3-7 under
the supervision of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
and the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. Team
members will made the trip at their own expense; however, some funding
was available to assist those who wanted to be a part of this effort,
but might had difficulty with the estimated per-person cost of $300.
For more information, contact Mike Clark (477-6254), Jo Martin (293-6005)
or Lisa Den Boer (293-4156).
MIDWINTER MADNESS
On February 23, 2008, GCCP members and friends gathered at Newberry
UMC for a party to chase away the midwinter blues. There was a light
lunch and birthday cakes at each table followed by games and conversation.
This was not a fundraiser…just FUN!!!
Programs to Assist with the GCCP Finances
A GCCP COOKBOOK
Watch for the new GCCP cookbook that will be made
available at all churches this summer. This is a great opportunity
for you to provide a treasure gift for any occasion for friends,
neighbors and relatives near and far. They are being sold for $10
each. Consider selling these at your church events. We will be happy
to mail far and wide!
To order or with questions, contact: Jan Barrett 906-586-3901, jan_barrett47@hotmail.com
GCCP TEE SHIRTS FOR SALE
You may purchase a GCCP tee shirt for yourself or as a gift for
a family member of friend.
They are $15.00 for short sleeve or $27.00 for long sleeve.
Contact Katie Peterson (906-492-3680 or ktpete@gmail.com)
USING "GOODSEARCH.COM" TO SURF THE INTERNET HELPS US
OUT FOR FREE!
You can now SHOP through this site, and the parish receives a %
of the sale. It’s easy!
An update!!! Since May 2007, we have had 2456 searches made and
have earned around $49.00 ($6.87 has come from the “shopping”
link). What if God’s Country Cooperative Parish earned a penny
every time you surfed the Internet? Well, now we can! GoodSearch.com
is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny
per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just
as you would any search engine, and Yahoo powers it! So you get
great results. Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter
God’s Country Cooperative Parish as the charity you want to
support. Just 500 of us searching four times a day will raise about
$7300 in a year without anyone spending a dime! Please, be sure
to spread the word! Imagine how much we could earn if all of us
signed up and searched the Internet through GoodSearch! Saving the
address as a favorite makes this an easy way to participate and
give to the parish.
“CROSS AND FLAME” UMC MAGNETS FOR SALE
We are currently selling UMC magnets for $5 in order to support
the mission projects of the GCCP. You may want to purchase a large
number of these and sell them at conferences or large meetings.
These may be purchased from any pastor or the CCW, Katie
Peterson (906-492-3680 or Ktpete_6@yahoo.com). Thanks for
your prayers and support!
TURN GARBAGE INTO GOLD!
(And be kind to the environment)
In an effort to help cut GCCP office expenses, you can donate your
used HP, Lexmark, or Brother ink cartridges from your printers.
These may be redeemed for paper for the GCCP office or other office
supplies. If you are not near and would like to participate, you
may turn them into most office supply stores and they will give
you a “Gift card” or coupon.
These may then be sent to the GCCP office at Newberry UMC for redemption.
(906-293-5711)
GORDON FOOD SERVICE "FUN FUNDS CARDS"ordon Food Service
“Fun Funds Cards”
Last, but certainly not least, Gordon Food Service is continuing
to partner with us to help raise money for missions. Every time
you show your “Fun Funds Card” when shopping at Gordon’s,
we get up to 10% back. If you do not have a “Fun Funds Card,”
you can apply at any Gordon’s store. Be sure to include on
the form that God’s Country Cooperative Parish is the agency
you wish to support. Anyone can participate in giving to the GCCP
from any community, whether you are connected to the church or not.
This would be a great way for people who live far and wide to share
with the GCCP ministry.
Youth News
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YOUTH GIVE THANKS
I, Chelsea Blankinship, a high school senior, greatly appreciate
your support for my YOUTH LAY SPEAKING WEEKEND in Gladstone. I took
the basic course on lay speaking, making me a local church lay speaker.
I intend to go on to certified lay speaking. I learned a lot and
had fun playing in Gladstone Memorial's gym.
I, Josh Mullin, a seventh grader, really appreciate the people who
helped me get there and the teachers who were there. I especially
thank my mom for all the support she has given me. I would like
to go again in two years for the advanced class, so I can keep on
doing this throughout the years.
It was a great experience and I hope to start a district youth event.
Thanks so much. Thank you also for helping us with our meals and
transportation to Gladstone and back. In Christ, Chelsea Blankinship
and Josh Mullin (NUMC, PUMC, GCCP)
MISSION TRIP
The youth will be going on a mission trip to the Houghton/Calumet
area from June 9-13, 2008. They are collecting cans/bottles ongoing
as their spring fundraiser this summer to raise money for their
trip. If anyone is interested in going on this mission trip - please
contact Katie Peterson. Youth have to have completed 7th-12th grade
to participate.
Fellowship and Events in the Seven Churches
of the GCCP top
ENGADINE UMC
ALL-STARS CLUB
February 13th was the kick-off for the Engadine UMC exciting new
All-Stars Club. The education committee had dreamed of an after-school
program for children for several months. Three adults committed
to lead; phone callers, snack providers and prayer support were
recruited. All-Star curriculum material was ordered. Flyers were
sent home with children and posters displayed at churches and around
the community. The fellowship hall was decorated. But would the
children come?
When February 13th arrived thirteen excited third through sixth
graders walked from the school to the church fellowship hall for
an exciting hour and a half session packed with snack munching,
Bible Stories, music, and a craft. The event was designed to be
fun and help school age students learn more about Jesus, while having
a great time together. Participating students were asked for additional
ideas, and they quickly created a list.
The group meets every other week, and attendance has grown slightly.
The popular active participation video Wii game has been added.
Additional activities have included sledding, a hot dog roast, and
a rowdy but educational game called “Bible Book Upset”.
The students helped with table waiting and food serving at the March
Free Community Meal. The session time speeds by with students and
adults having great fun together. The club is winding down as the
school year ends, but there is plenty of enthusiasm for next fall.
We thank Katie Petersen for her encouragement and curriculum suggestions.
Jesus considers all of his children All-stars. Our new club is one
more avenue for us to spread His love with our communities’
children.
SURF'S UP!!! SUMMER BIBLE SCHOOL
Bible School for Newberry and Engadine will be
held at Engadine UMC on July 21st-25th. They will meet from 10:00
a.m. to 12:00 noon (tentatively). The is no charge for this event
and all community children are invited. No church affiliation is
necessary. For more information contact Susan Fosdick@ 477-6766.
May Fellowship: The Engadine United Methodist Women
had their annual May Fellowship event on May 2. They started with
brunch and followed with a program presented by Phyllis French about
the Diane Peppler Center, a shelter in the Sault for abused women
and children. All women of the cooperative and surrounding communities
were invited to attend. The participants brought a short poem or
tribute to mothers or women to share at this event.
Community Meal Engadine continues to serve over
100 guests at their community meal on the last Wednesday of every
month at the Township Hall. The meal is served from 4:30 –
6:30. There is no cost for this meal.
Fourth of July in Naubinway Engadine UMC will again
provide brats and hot dogs for sale at the Naubinway Pavilion on
the Fourth of July from before the parade until about 3:00. They
will also have available wonderful baked items and Rada Knives for
sale at very reasonable prices!
District Speaker and GCCP invited On June 12th
at 6:oo p.m., the Engadine UMW are inviting all the GCCP ladies
for a supper. Gladys Tamlyn from the District UMW will be our guest
speaker. Food will be provided by the Engadine UMW.
GERMFASK UMC
Germfask UMC Centennial
July 20, 2008
JOIN US AS WE REMEMBER THE PAST AND LOOK INTO THE FUTURE!
| 9:30 a.m. Gathering, coffee and rolls –
greet old friends and meet new ones in front of the church. |
| 10:30 a.m. Worship will be in the sanctuary
with music and word. |
Sermon offered by Marquette District DS Rev. Grant
Lobb.
|
| 12:30 p.m. Gather at the Community Center
behind the church and share a catered dinner with the |
congregation of St. Therese RC Church who are also celebrating
their 100th anniversary this
|
summer! There will be shared stories and songs with an
opportunity to visit with those
whom you have known over the years.
|
| Please spread the news of the centennial celebration with
any others who might be interested. |
Y’all come!!! |
Please return the registration
forms by July 1. Call Jan Barrett, 906-586-3901, with questions.
Germfask UMW has summer plans made. The entire
church is involved and they invite others from far and wide to participate.
Women’s Day Tea, May 10th , beginning at
1:00 p.m.– Women and children are invited to partake in tea,
cookies and fancy sandwiches. In addition, there is a penny auction
that raises camping funds for our youth.
A Community Yard sale finds the folks of GUMC cleaning
out their closets, basements, garages, and sheds as they look forward
to participating in the GUMC Yard Sale, June 14th - 9:00 a.m.
The Annual Strawberry Festival takes place on July
9th, from 12:00 noon til 4:00 p.m. at the Community Center. Strawberries,
ice cream, and whipped cream are piled high to cool off those attending.
A bake sale is also held at this time so that you will not have
to heat up your homes during the summer months.
The Germfask UMW would like to begin building a Reading
Program library. If anyone has books they have purchased
from the Reading Lists from the past five years we would appreciate
your donating them. We would be happy to send you a receipt for
tax purposes.
Contact Jan Barrett 906-586-3901 or email jan_barrett47@hotmail.com
GRAND MARAIS UMC
BAKE SALE ON MEMORIAL DAY
The members of the Grand Marais UMC are once again sharing their
talents in the kitchen at their annual Memorial bake sale. Doors
open at 12 noon. The first in line gets the best pick. The sale
is usually over in an hour or two.
The Chat Room is still holding weekly gatherings
on Fridays 1-3, at the church for any able to get out. Anyone is
invited to attend for good conversation and great snacks! The snowbirds
who are beginning to return add their adventures to the group!
On February 16th the people of Grand Marais UMC participated in
the annual dog sled race excitement as they sold
small bags of cookies from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to the racers and their
supporters, as well as those watching the activities in Grand Marais.
The cookies sold for $1 a package.
HULBERT-TAHQUAMENON UMC
BIBLE SCHOOL – 2008
With the success of the 2007 Bible School, the Hulbert/Tahquamenon
church is already making plans for the next Vacation Bible School.
This will take place from July 7th – 11th from 1:00p.m. –
4:00 p.m.
MCMILLAN UMC
A Rummage and Bake Sale will be held at the Columbus
Town Hall on May 31st at
McMillan from 9:00 – 2:00. They invite anyone to donate items
and come to find treasures
for your homes or cabins. Soup, sandwiches and pie will be available
for purchase for lunch as well.
NEWBERRY UMC
NEWBERRY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PLANS CELEBRATION OF 125
YEARS IN MINISTRY
The Newberry United Methodist Church is proud to announce
a weekend of events to celebrate their 125 years in ministry. The
weekend will also focus on a reunion for present/past members and
friends, as well as clergy who have served NUMC. The celebration
will take place the weekend of July 4th. Activities will include
entering a float in the parade on the 4th, a Saturday barbeque,
and a special church service on Sunday morning, at 9 a.m., followed
by brunch. Everyone is welcome! Please plan to attend one or all
of the events. There will be lots of time for fellowship and reminiscing
with old friends and for making new ones.
Details will be published at a later date.
You may also call the church office at 906-293-5711 if you have
questions.
Free Community Meals
Newberry continues to offer Free Community Meals. They strive to
serve tasty, nutritional meals with a kind smile and words and with
God’s love. At “specialty meals” like Christmas,
Thanksgiving and St. Patrick’s Day, there may be as many as
170 meals served. A record number of meals (185!) was served this
October. These include both sit down and take out dinners. They
serve from 4:00-6:00, and plenty of parking is available. A ramp
inside the north door and an elevator chair make the dining area
and rest rooms available to all. All are invited to join us for
our once a month get-togethers. Call the church (906) 293-5711,
for specific dates.
Time to Plan for PB&J
The Newberry UMC Missions Committee is planning, again
this year, to provide lunch supplies to families in our community!
Please plan to help by donating peanut butter, jelly and boxes
of macaroni and cheese. These items can be brought to the Newberry
UMC “pantry” in the Fellowship Hall – they will
be needed by the first week in June, so please start watching for
bargains now!
You can help by making financial contributions, as well. There
will be a special offering in both June and July to collect donations
to help pay for the perishable supplies, bread and milk.
You also can help by spreading the word among families of children
who qualified for free or reduced-cost lunches this school year.
Parents need only call the church office at 293-5711 to indicate
how many children are in the family and to provide contact telephone
number. Parents are not asked to provide their names or any financial
information.
Finally, you can help by volunteering for any of the Fridays for
two to four hours. We will need folks from June 6th through August
29th. Please call the church office to sign up for this local mission
opportunity!
PARADISE UMC
Surf’s Up! Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is coming quickly for the Paradise UMC. It
will be held July 20 through July 24, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This
year we are using the Cokesbury VBS – “Beach Party-Surfin’
Through the Scripture.”
Young Youth
Our Young Youth program will continue through the summer. We have
plans of doing mission work right here in Paradise. This program
is for “Tweens” – those going into the 5th grade
through 8th grade. We had a lot of fun through the winter months
so are looking forward to continuing.
Abuse Prevention Training will be held at the Paradise
UMC on Wednesday, May 7 at 12:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to work with
children and/or youth and has not had the training should participate.
It will take approximately three hours. Katie Peterson, Church and
Community Worker for the GCCP will be leading the training. Childcare
will be provided.
Annual Birder’s Pasty Dinner
In April the “Birders” flock back to Paradise for the
annual migration of birds and the program at the Whitefish Point
Bird Observatory. It was a perfect opportunity for the Paradise
UMC to show off their famous pasties! The Birder’s was held
on April 25th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Paradise Blueberry Festival
Here is another opportunity to try the famous pasties made by the
Paradise UMC! There are two pasty dinners for those attending the
Blueberry Festival, which is held August 15th, 16th and 17th. The
first dinner is held on Friday, August 15 and the second on Saturday,
August 16. (Times to be announced.) There is also a bake sale going
on at the church both Friday and Saturday where you can get just
about any kind of baked goods with blueberries in them!
Monday Night Bible Study
Each Monday night at 6:30 p.m. several members of the Paradise Community
get together at the church for Bible study.
