God's Country Cooperative Parish Winter Newsletter

Contents:
Mallory's Musings
Letter from Katie Peterson
Mission To and From the GCCP
Fellowship and Events
Youth News
Community Church News
Outreach Ministry

Mallory's Musings top
There is an old spiritual in The United Methodist Hymnal titled “Tis the Old Ship of Zion.” The refrain for this spiritual is: “’Tis the old ship of Zion, ‘tis the old ship of Zion, ‘tis the old ship of Zion, get on board, get on board.” I think this old spiritual in some ways answers in part the question I ‘mused’ about the last time I wrote. And that question was, “What is the church?”

At the recent “Hope with Grace” event in Lansing hosted by Bishop Keaton we participated in a litany that carries on the ‘ship’ idea. It is adapted from Paul Kaak in New Directions for Small Group Ministry. And I am going to share it with you here:

“The Church is a Rescue Ship!
The Church is not a Cruise Ship!
On a Cruise Ship, people expect to be served.
On a Rescue Ship people expect to serve.
On a Cruise Ship the staff takes care of the passengers.
On a Rescue Ship those on board take care of one another.
On a Cruise Ship gratification comes from comfort and the beautiful scenery.
On a Rescue Ship gratification comes from participating in the mission.
On a Cruise Ship relationships are superficial.
On a Rescue Ship relationships are close-knit and meaningful.
On a Cruise Ship not much is expected of the passengers.
On a Rescue Ship every person matters and participates in the mission.
On a Cruise Ship the energy is put into those who are “on board.”
On a Rescue Ship the energy is put into those who are “out there.”
On a Cruise Ship the Captain responds to the people’s request.
On a Rescue Ship the people respond to the captain’s direction.
On a Cruise Ship you hear “I like this” or “I don’t like that.”
On a Rescue Ship you hear “How can I help?”
On a Cruise Ship the thrill comes for the food and service.
On a Rescue Ship the thrill comes from accomplishing the mission!”

I believe we of God’s Country Cooperative Parish are a ‘rescue ship’ following the directions of our Captain, Jesus Christ. Congratulations to those of you who have responded to your call and have joined the crew and have become leaders in your local ‘rescue ships.’ For the rest “get on board, get on board.”

Pax,

Paul

Letter from Katie Peterson top

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

How great is your God? My God shows me many blessings each and every day. This year I have had the wonderful opportunity to see God working through Christians and non-church goers alike. Just last month, Joe and Sara had to leave everything behind and restart their living conditions with their young children under three. Within two weeks, Joe and Sara had a home, with everything in it – including a washer and a dryer. They both have also found jobs. God has richly blessed this family. Thank you for your prayers and donations to make Joe and Sara’s home a blessed one.

During the winter of 2006, Mr. H. was diagnosed with lung cancer, which caused his physical condition to decline over the next 6 months. He was no longer able to care for his three aging horses, tend the hay fields, nor was he able to shovel a path off his deck and to the driveway. Mrs. H. does not have enough strength either to keep a path cleared to get them out of the house in order to go to their numerous doctors’ appointments. They both love to sit out on their deck and enjoy the beautiful country view and weather surrounding them. Mrs. H. asked after struggling to shovel them a path out of the home all winter, if God’s Country Cooperative Parish could enclose their deck, with the material that Mr. H. had plans for but was not able to complete. This summer, both St. Luke’s Essexville and Wisner VIM teams were able to make this request a reality for Mr. and Mrs. H. They can still now sit on the deck and enjoy their view, including the wildlife, but without the wind and the snow getting in their way. Thank you for your prayers and support for families like Mr. and Mrs. H.!

Thank you for your continued prayers, donations, and support to help us to serve in missions in our 250 square miles. We are continuing to accept used and new sweatpants (XS-M children’s) and children’s underwear for our elementary school offices.

I am excited to be sharing God’s love and the joy of missions with many churches and groups from all over Michigan, and beyond, during this whole year. Rev. Paul J. Mallory or I would love to come share the life of God’s Country Cooperative Parish with your church or group.

Our Ministry Jubilee number for churches within Detroit Conference is 1110.

Thank you to everyone who is supporting me as your Deaconess and Church and Community Worker. If you would like to be in covenant with me through the General Board of Global Ministries, my advance number is 982942.

Go and serve the Lord with gladness and thanksgiving today and everyday!

Shalom,

Katie Peterson, Deaconess, Church and Community Worker

Mission To and From the GCCP top

“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

SHOEBOX MINISTRY IS AT THE HEART OF THE GCCP
The churches in the GCCP gather in their own buildings to pack Christmas boxes for children and youth throughout the world. These boxes carry small clothing items, school supplies, toys, toiletries, and hard candy to people in far-off places. The members of the churches donate the items, and the funds to mail them are also gifts from GCCP church congregations. Donations for this ministry can be sent to any of the churches throughout the year. Non-perishable items may be saved for the boxes next year. (No liquids of any kind, including shampoo or hand lotion, can be sent.)

STREETLIGHTS IN GWINN
In Gwinn, K.I.Sawyer, the streetlights have been turned out.
You or your organization can donate $15 a month or $180 a year to have a streetlight turned on.

YOUTH MISSION TRIP
The youth are beginning the planning for their summer mission trip. This coming summer they will be traveling to the west end of the peninsula to the Houghton and/or Calumet areas. More TBA in the next newsletter.

VIM TEAMS RETURN TO GCCP AND NIM CONTINUES TO SERVE
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.’

One of the projects was for a lady in her 60s with very bad knees. Before the completion of the project on her home she would have to crawl up and down four concrete steps to exit and enter her home. She now has a deck with a wheel chair ramp, and is able to more easily access her home and the outdoors. Her joy was a very heart warming experience.

There are many stories like the one above about the individuals, families, and groups who were assisted by the VIM and NIM volunteers. Over the summer these teams were able to replace five roves, paint two homes, enclose a deck, refinish two floors, stain two decks, and do several minor home repairs. Thank you and God’s blessings to all of the volunteers and churches, through their generous gifts, that helped make this summer successful in spreading God’s love to many people. 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.

St. Luke’s Essexville UMC VIM team
God’s Country Cooperative Parish was delighted to host St. Luke’s Essexville VIM team here this summer. They completed a roof project, built a wooden walkway and replaced pieces of metal roofing on a home. They also started to frame in a deck for a family. It was a pleasure to get to know all of these wonderful servants of God.

Wisner UMC Volunteers in Mission Team finishes our summer mission projects out for 2007. They shared God’s love in missions through their hands by building a wheelchair ramp, roofing a garage, and completing a deck enclosure. Thank you to Ike Darling, Carl DeVries, Katie Labron, and Tom Norman for locally leading these projects to completion.

This summer we were able to complete seventeen VIM / NIM projects throughout our communities in God’s Country Cooperative Parish.

More Success stories from this summer:

Joe is a 5th grader who enjoys being the ballboy for the jr./sr. high school soccer team. One night after practice, he was walking through my yard to go to his aunt’s home. Joe knocked on my door – “to hang out” for a minute. After Joe had a glass of Coke, he looked at me and said that he wanted to tell all who had worked on his home how much he appreciated what we did for his mom and family. Joe’s mom had no clue that he had even stopped by. We were able to help make Joe’s home more livable for the long winters here in the UP. Thank you to all of the volunteers to make Joe’s family see the light of Christ!

Jane was not able to attend preschool because of lack of transportation. Jane participated in Vacation Bible School for the first time this summer. She came not only once … but twice! Jane begged her mother at the end of the first VBS to be able to go the 2nd one! She is now going to kindergarten and will soon be going to Kids Club! Jane is sharing her love for Christ with all of those with whom she comes in contact. Thank you for helping children like Jane so that she was able to go to VBS and Kids Club!

Fellowship and Events top
GCCP ANNUAL PICNIC - A NEW LOOK
The annual picnic of the GCCP was held on Sunday, September 9th at the Seney Recreational Park on Rte. 28 in Seney. The Township officials were most gracious in welcoming us into their facility. We enjoyed sharing a wonderful OLD FASHIONED FAITH POTLUCK! All agreed that this was a great way to visit with friends from the GCCP without dipping onto our financial “pot.” Hunter Buckingham, from Germfask, shared his delightful talent with us in song. We hope to hear more from this amazing young man! We are looking forward to another summer gathering and would invite folks to share their ideas of places where we might meet.

GCCP WOMEN'S RETREAT - PEARLS OF LIFE
Twenty-six women gathered on August 11, 2007, at Engadine UMC for a refreshing retreat sponsored by the GCCP and led by Rev. Mary Laub, from the Escanaba First UMC.
This Personal Spiritual Journey was based on the book, Pearls of Life, from the Internet (www.wreathoflife.com) - Interview with Martin Lonnebo.

As the women added beads of various colors and sizes to a nylon stretch string, Mary spoke of the significance of the colors and the prayer focuses for each bead. These bracelets are being worn as a prayer focus.
The following were the pearls focuses:
God Pearl
Pearls of Silence
I-Pearl
Baptism Pearl
Desert Pearl
Serenity Pearl
Love Pearl
Mystery Pearl
Night Pearl
Resurrection Pearl
Some of the notes that we took from Mary’s talk were:

“What others think of you is none of your business.”
“Forgive yourself
The things you’ve done.
When God forgives,
His love we’ve won.”
“Never give what you are unwilling to receive.”
“We need to be both Martha, the doer and Mary
the ‘be– er’.”
“We need to walk balanced.”
“Body, mind, spirit, voice…it takes the whole person…”

This was a wonderful day of retreat in the “busy-ness” of our summer lives, and we look forward to this being a repeated event next summer.

MUSIC, ART & DRAMA (MAD) CAMP 2007 - ANGEL BAND COMES TO THE GCCP
From August 13-17, 2007, nineteen children from the ages of 5-13 gathered at the Newberry United Methodist Church from 9:00 – 1:00 for the second MAD Camp. Eleven of the nineteen were repeat campers from last year! This camp is now an official part of the GCCP (God’s Country Cooperative Parish) of the United Methodist Church. It was introduced in this area last year by McMillan resident, Jan Barrett, and has become a new tradition here in the eastern UP. Funding for this camp was provided by a private benefactor, the Marquette District United Methodist Church, in the form of a grant for emerging ministries, local UM congregations, a free will offering at the Friday program, and from a small camp fee from the campers.

Children are offered a program of the fine arts that gives them an opportunity for participating in the fine arts and gaining self-confidence in a loving, creative environment as they try their hands at musical drama in a non-threatening circle of friends. In addition, campers participate in art projects as they create props and settings for a short musical play. Campers are also encouraged to bring musical instruments to use throughout the week. Staff members, other than the clinician, are volunteers from the GCCP Churches, as well as parents and friends of the children. It is truly a community effort. The camp was fortunate this year to have Mrs. Barrett’s two daughters with the staff this year. Both Larkin Barrett and Kendra B. Gohr are band instructors from the Chicago area. Larkin served as the art director, and Kendra, a euphonium performance major from Penn State, provided a solo on Friday, as well as a bassoon /euphonium duet with camper Patrick Miszewski, from downstate Michigan. All staff members participated in a variety of ways. The leadership team working with the co-directors, John Horman and Jan Barrett, this year were: Gary Barrett, Larkin Barrett, Christine Casselman, Ardis Cischke, Earl Cischke, Diane Gilman, Kendra Barrett Gohr, Linda Grant, Susan Fosdick, Elnore Smith, Kathy Werner, Jennifer Wing, and Rose Zeller.

This second MAD Camp was been made available to children and youth who had completed K – 8th grade in this area. Campers had an opportunity to work with professional educators, including the well known composer and clinician, John Horman, a retired school music teacher and long time church music coordinator and director in Maryland, as they spent their mornings in an ecumenical, faith based environment.
Family and friends gathered for the twenty-minute musical and a brief service presented by the campers at the Newberry United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 17th. Christmas was evident on the faces of the campers and their guest alike as “Glorias” were sung. Art projects of angels decorated the tree and sparkling stars glowed in the night sky. The campers had also created musical instruments, with which they accompanied themselves on a couple of the songs. An “angel lunch” was served following the program, with angel hair pasta and sauce and angel food cake with “heavenly” strawberries!

Children participating this year were: KarlieBergman, MaddyBergman, Rebekah Bergman, Samuel Bergman, Hunter Buckingham, Emma Casselman, Lillee Casselman, Rebecca Cischke, Hannah French, Allison Grant, Patrick Miszewski, Sydnie Petoskey, Kamae Rodriguez, Destyni Schmuckal, Takoda Spears, Nicole Sypniewski, Mary Tinker, Fiona Wing, Sabrina Wing, and the littlest angels: Owen Gohr and Nicholas Wing. (Bold type indicates second year campers).

Youth News top
Keep watching for new and exciting things happening with the GCCP youth program.

Community Church News top

MCMILLAN NEWS

Fish fries in McMillan are a regular event for the UMW. It is always fun for members of the GCCP from the other six churches to meet and visit with friends from across the miles.

Annual Hunters’ Dinner
On November 14th,beginning at 4:00p.m., the Hunters are welcomed to the area once again with a scrumptious McMillan UMC dinner. At the Columbus Town Hall, in McMillan, across from the church, plates can be filled with roast turkey, roast beef, potatoes, vegetables and all the trimmings. The cost for the meal is $8.00. The crowning touch is a variety of home baked pies (sugar sensitive folks are provided for as well.)

Winter Activities
During Advent, in addition to a combined study with Germfask UMC, there will be a candlelight service to celebrate our Lord’s birth. Time and date TBA.

The Bible Study group will continue to meet throughout the winter months on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m., led by Shirley Schlereth. Anyone is invited to attend in the Fellowship Hall of the McMillan UMC.

ENGADINE NEWS

Hunter’s Supper – November - 16 4:30-8:00p.m.
Those who hunt the white tail deer and those who hunt great church suppers will want to mark their calendar for Friday, November 16. The Garfield Township Hall (located on M-117) will be the place for an all-you-can-eat dinner of Swiss steak, Ham, Mashed Potatoes with gravy, Vegetables, Salads, Homemade Dinner Rolls and a huge selection of Homemade Desserts served up by the Engadine United Methodist Church. Serving times will be from 4:30 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. The price is $8.00 for adults. For additional information please phone Ruth at 477-6838or Caroll at 477-6163.

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.

Trunk or Treat
In conjunction with the Community Meal, Halloween is celebrated with a Trunk or Treat costume party. Grownups had as much fun , or more, than the children as trick-or-treaters traveled from one car to another gathering goodies. Caramel apples created by the Community meal guests were the dessert for the night.

A Christmas Gift – A Live Nativity
On Saturday, December 21, the Engadine United Methodist Church will share a musical live nativity. It will be held outside a bed and breakfast farmhouse north of Engadine, W14142 Sandtown Road. We invite people from all the GCCP churches to join our journey to Bethlehem at 5:30pm or at 7:00pm.

Visitors will walk to Nazareth to view the appearance of angels to Mary and Joseph and then continue the journey on foot or by wagon to search for a room, hear the angels proclaim the glad tidings, meet shepherds with live sheep and finally arrive at the stable. The live nativity is a touching way to share our Christian story with children. Cookies and hot drinks will be served back at the farmhouse.

NEWBERRY NEWS

Newberry UMC Offers Mystery Theater Click here for more information.

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.

Newberry UMW
The Newberry UMW meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 11:00a.m. Everyone is asked to bring a sandwich to share. Anyone is invited to participate. The UMW Christmas Tea and Cookie Sale will be held December 1st from 2:00- 4:00. A program and sing along will bring the spirit of Christmas to the participants.

"LOVE TO PRAY" by Alvin VanderGriend is a 40-Day Devotional for Deepening your prayer life. A class featuring the devotional and study was facilitated by Mary Parker-Meisner at the Newberry United Methodist Church in Sept and November.

Letter to NUMC from Henderson Settlement
The Henderson Settlement Outreach Ministry would like to thank your program for its wonderful generosity. The kids clothing will be distributed to our needy families through our Mother/Infant Health Outreach Worker program. We have nearly 100 families that can utilize our baby pantry twice a month for baby clothes, food and furniture. Donations are always appreciated. Thank you again and please keep our Ministry in your thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Frankie Blackburn, Outreach Director
Caring Tree at Newberry UMC

Newberry UMC will have a “Caring Tree” on December 2nd the first Sunday of Advent.
Every family will be invited to bring a Christmas tree ornament (to give away) tagged with the names of all the members of the family. We will put those ornaments on the ‘Caring Tree” in the narthex as we arrive for worship. After the service, each family will take another family’s ornament from the tree to put on their own Christmas tree. Throughout Advent we are asking each family to pray for the individuals whose names are on the ornament they picked. In this way we will be connecting all our families in prayer during Advent.

GERMFASK NEWS

Germfask UMC Centennial
July 20, 2008
Plans for the 100th birthday celebration are being made. They are inviting all in the parish to come to the 9:30 gathering with coffee and rolls, worship at 10:30, with Marquette District Superintendent, Rev. Grant Lobb serving as guest preacher. A dinner will follow worship at the Community Center. Watch for registration forms in your churches and in the spring GCCP Newsletter.
They will also be collecting information about the past 100 years from folks here in the UP and in other parts of the country. If you have any information to share, please contact: Kathy Werner @ 906-291-0963.

A Note From Hunter Buckingham
I want to thank everyone from the GCCP for all the support and faith you had in me during my competition in Las Vegas. I finished in the top 20 out of 200 contestants. Without your help this would not have been possible. –Thanks again, Hunter Buckingham

Offering Comfort in Iraq
In response to the many servicemen and women currently serving in the war, the Germfask congregation has “adopted” a soldier from Rapid River. They will be sending letters and goodie boxes throughout the year which he will enjoy and pass on to man of his fellow servicemen. A few words may comfort many in this way.

PARADISE NEWS

Bible Study
Adult Bible Study on Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. They are studying the Old Testament in an eight-week course. All are invited.

Blueberry Festival
The annual Blueberry Festival in Paradise was August 17-19! The Paradise UMC served a pasty dinner on Friday, August 17 and Saturday, August 18. All were well fed and had a great time! Proceeds from this event goes to camp scholarships for children.

Kid’s Club
The Paradise UMC started their 4th year of Kid’s Club on October 3rd. We have a total of 23 children attending this year!!!! They range from Preschool through 5th graders. And they are truly awesome kids!!!

On November 3rd the Kid’s Club children from 1st through 5th grade were part of the Marquette District Double Header in Escanaba. They sang 3 songs during the opening worship service. In addition they stayed at the Best Western the night before and enjoyed the swimming pool, pizza and some wonderful Christian fellowship! There was a total of 15 children and 8 adults that were able to participate in the great trip.

D.R.E.A.M. Team
Our D.R.E.A.M. Team is at the Whitefish Township Community School each Thursday night to provide snacks and drinks to the kids while they wait to begin their sports practices! This is a great presence for the church. The kids really look forward to the treats and are very grateful.

Christmas Family Night
A Christmas Family night is being planned at the Paradise UMC on December 9, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. The children will sing their favorite songs for their families and provide a short skit about Christmas. There will be plenty of fellowship with treats and crafts for everyone afterwards. This will be our 3rd Christmas Family Night.

Christmas Caroling
Members of the Paradise UMC will be Christmas caroling on December 16. The time will be announced. The participants have lots of fun doing this as well as the community members who benefit from it.

GRAND MARAIS NEWS

Grand Marais UMC was the setting for a celebration for longtime member, Margaret Kasco, who turned 90 on October 26th. The church invited the entire township to the party. One observer said it seemed the entire town turned out for the cake made by a family member, and to wish Margaret “Happy Birthday!” She is clearly loved and well known in the Grand Marais Community.

They are looking toward to winter months when many “snowbirds” head south. All wish them a safe trip and are looking forward to their spring return.

Grand Marais UMC members regularly travel to their sister church, McMillan, to enjoy the winter fish fries. They have been inviting other Grand Marais citizens to join them, and this outing is becoming well known and well attended.

Ed. Note: Maybe this is an idea others of us in the GCCP might try! Invite a friend to an activity in the parish! Way to go Grand Marais UMC!

An Ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve service will be hosted by the G.M. Mennonite Church on Wed., Nov. 21st at 7:00 p.m. (Pastor Steve Post).

Ecumenical ADVENT Services will again be held each Wed. during Advent, beginning on Wed. Dec. 5 (?) at 7:p.m. hosted by the G.M. Methodist Church (Pastor Paul Mallory)

On the second Wed. of Advent - Dec 12 - a "Service of Carols and Candles" will be held at 7:00 p.m., hosted by the G.M. Lutheran Church (Pastor Robert Gardner). This is always a lovely service, with a group from each participating Church presenting a musical selection of "special" seasonal pieces, or two - as well as selections by a Male Quartet (with their pianist) from the Newberry U.M. Church.

Christmas Eve Services will be at: The G.M. Mennonite Church - at 7:00 p.m. and a Candle Light Service in the G.M. Methodist Church at 11:00 pm.

The invitation to ALL of these Ecumenical services is made to anyone wishing to attend, and is usually quite well attended by residents and guests.

HULBERT/TAHQUAMENON NEWS

Hulbert Tahquamenon Church is pleased to have a regular attendance of between 13 and 15.

As the Mission of the Year Church, Hulbert Taquamenon led the participants at the opening worship service at the Double Header in Escanaba on Nov. 3rd. Children from Hulbert joined children from Paradise in sharing music during the service.

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.

Outreach Ministry top
CHURCHES IN NEED REACH OUT TO NEIGHBORS IN NEED AROUND THE WORLD
A thank you note to the Newberry UMC Ladies for the quilts and baby blankets sent to the Henderson Settlement in Frakes, KY.

Dear Friends,
The Henderson Settlement Outreach ministry would like to thank you for your wonderful generosity. Your donations are greatly appreciated. The clothing and quilts will be distributed to our needy families. They will be greatly appreciated. We honestly could not do what we do if it were not for people like you. Thank you again for your donations and please keep our Ministry in you thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,
Jackie Blackburn
Outreach Director

Many of the congregations have made health kits for United Methodist Committee on Relief and for the children in Haiti. This Christmas they are also packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.

GREETING CARD MINISTRY
Your previously received greeting cards can be donated to our churches. These cards are recreated into new greeting cards that can be purchased for 50 cents a piece. Please send your cards or financial donations towards this ministry to the GCCP office.