News & Events in Our Conference

Cyclone Nargis tore through Myanmar (Burma) May 2 with unexpected fury, causing a tidal surge that swept inland that devastated Myanmar's most populated regions leaving homes and businesses flattened and families forever changed. Current reports place the death toll over 20,000, with another 40,000 missing. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is responding through partners such as Church World Service, one of the few agencies with permits to work in Myanmar . The international community is working to open up relationships between the US and Myanmar so that more assistance can be provided to survivors. The unique political situation in Myanmar poses some challenges to UMCOR's response. UMCOR continues to monitor the situation and expects to respond to help the people of Myanmar recover as opportunities become available.

How You Can Help
Please pray for the people of Myanmar who have suffered great losses. Pray also for new venues for assistance to be opened to help those in need. Financial gifts will allow UMCOR to respond immediately and with generosity when the appropriate structures are in place to receive further assistance. Financial assistance can be donated through any local United Methodist Church by designating your gift "UMCOR Advance #3019674, Myanmar Emergency." The United Methodist Church is making a difference in the world, and your continuing generosity through ministry shares and Advance gifts like this one are changing lives! Thank you, West Michigan churches!

PEACE WITH JUSTICE SUNDAY

" Serve your God with patience and passion.

  Be deliberate in enacting your faith.

  Be steadfast in celebrating the Spirit's power.

  And may peace be your way in the world." (#559, Book of Worship)

This beautiful blessing by Glen E. Rainsley declares that we must be deliberate in our faith and that in the power of the Holy Spirit we may make our way in the world as persons of peace. Each May and June the opportunity to make our way as peacemakers comes to us in the form of Peace with Justice Sunday. We are asked to pray for peace, act in faith as peacemakers and to offer our resources that peace might one day reign everywhere all the time. The Peace With Justice Sunday offering is one of the offerings that serves both the General Church and West Michigan Conference. 50 % of the offering received stays in the Annual Conference for peace related projects. There is a great deal of passion for peace in our Conference.

Where do our gifts serve? 

There are several peace centers continuing to promote efforts for peace within our districts and on some of our college campuses. In my capacity as Peace Advocate for the West Michigan Conference Board of Church and Society, I have visited the meetings of several of those centers this year. Each is serving the cause of peace with justice in unique ways. Look for their announcements of meetings and projects. Better yet, attend a meeting of the peace center in your district. Some of the Peace With Justice Offering will be used to support the work of the peace centers and the programs they offer.

There are other exciting ministries also assisted in part by the offering:

Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON) is a program offering free immigration legal services from two regional sites, First United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids, Mi., and First United Methodist Church of Holland, Mi. JFON seeks to reach out to persons who seek to flee political upheaval, illegal trafficking, and unaccompanied immigrant children. These are only a few of the situations covered by this ministry to persons who are desperate to know that someone is indeed their neighbor.

A much needed playground for children in Haiti. Haitian Artisans for Peace International is a presence for peace in their community and world, starting with their children. HAPI ‘Peace Pals' are young people ages 5-15 who are learning to become peacemakers dedicated to living in the spirit of the words May Peace Prevail on Earth. They are planning a ‘ Peace Park' and playground. The vision is to present their Peace Pole in a welcoming, peaceful and beautiful setting, while also providing an inviting, safe place for community children to gather and play.

We can accomplish so much more for Peace with Justice with your generous support of the Peace with Justice Sunday offering. We encourage with all our hearts each congregation to receive this offering. As you offer your gifts for justice and peace, you will be enacting the faith, witnessing to the way of Christ's peace and justice for the world. Please order the materials for this offering and receive the offering soon.

Ellen Brubaker, Peace Advocate, West Michigan Conference Board of Church and Society. 

Churches On the Grow

A Meaning for Pentecost

By Aaron M. Gray, Conference Director

May 11, 2008, will be Pentecost Sunday in the life of the Church. Pentecost means fiftieth and marks the outpouring of the Holy Spirit fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus. I hope I am wrong, but I imagine that our sanctuaries will not be at capacity as they may have been for Easter Sunday.

What if we captured a different meaning of Pentecost and we began to see the outpouring of God's Spirit as a result of our inviting the resurrected Christ into our life and into the flow of our work in the Church? I believe that the meaning of Pentecost addresses some very urgent concerns in the life of The United Methodist Church. Let me share just a couple of points made by the General Secretaries of The UMC in a report dated October 9, 2007.

"The United Methodist Church is aging, and our numbers are declining. In some countries, notably the United States, we are not effectively reaching youth and young adults; United Methodists under 18 account for 4.6 percent of church membership."

The list of concerns went on, but I believe we have the idea that we are not where we want to be. If we allow Pentecost to be the outpouring of God's Spirit and the awakening of God's presence already within us, we are alive not only in the Church but within our daily life. This gives a fresh meaning to Pentecost, but it is as old as, "God breathed the breath of life." (Genesis 2:7) Or, as in the words that Peter used as the Holy Spirit came on that Pentecost day, "I will pour out my Spirit on all people." (Acts 2:17)

It was in Peter's preaching and the people hearing the message that a fellowship of believers was formed. It was said to be about three thousand. Could not the same thing happen today? I hope you are in church this Sunday and, as on Easter, bring someone or invite someone, for it can be the continuation of the message of the risen Christ.

Annual Conference Haiti Trailer

In order to better serve the members of Annual Conference, we are opening up parking spaces in the Fine Arts Center parking lot by relocating the Haiti Trailer to the parking area north of the FAC lot, adjacent to the Schultze-Eldersveld Dormitory. This location has high visibiity and easy access as in the past, while increasing the availability of parking for commuters to Annual Conference. We express our thanks to Joyce Hawkins and members of the Haiti Task Force for their efforts to help us with our parking situation.

Sandra Douglas is keynoter for Racial Ethnic Local Committee and Commission on Religion & Race Annual Conference luncheon

Racial Ethnic Local Committee and Commission on Religion & Race cordially invite all participants and guests of the Annual Conference to a fellowship lunch where we will celebrate together as children of God from all different nations and ethnic origins. Just come and feel free to join us in our Kingdom fellowship.

Date: June 7 (Saturday), 2008

Time: 12:00-1:00 PM

Place: Designated area in the main cafeteria of Calvin College

Special Speaker:  Sandra Douglas

Sandra Douglas has served as Executive Director of Harbor Harvest Urban Ministries, a community outreach ministry in Benton Harbor, MI. for ten years. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker and received her Bachelor and Masters degrees from Western Michigan University. She recently completed her course work at Garret Evangelical Theological Seminary and will be commissioned a Probationary Deacon at the West Michigan Conference June 2008. Peace Temple UMC is her current ministry setting.

New Mail Prices Coming May 12, 2008

New Mail Prices Coming May 12, 2008

First-Class envelope and postcard - both go up in price by 1 cent:

42 cents - First-Class mail stamp (up to 1 oz.)

27 cents - Postcard

59 cents - First-Class mail stamp (from 1 oz. to 2 oz.)

62 cents - 1-ounce non-machinable First-Class mail letters, such as square greeting cards.

$1.00 - First-Class mail large envelope (up to 2 oz.)

72 cents - First-class mail to Canada and Mexico (up to 1 oz.)

94 cents - First-class mail to all other international destinations (up to 1 oz.)

Some additional websites to assist you with planning:

www.usps.co/prices

www.prc.gov

teachUM

The North Indiana Conference UMVIM network in conjunction with the Marquette Park UMC, Gary, IN, the teachUM steering committee of UMVIM-North Central Jurisdiction and the General Board of Global Ministries are pleased to hold a very special teachUM Fair at the Marquette Park UMC on June 14-19, 2008. Members from each of the participating groups will lead workshops on topics targeted towards volunteers from the education and teaching fields. Marquette Park has offered its facilities and volunteers to host the event and as an outreach of this Fair, event participants will conduct a Vacation Bible School for three evenings at the nearby Hispanic Community of Lake Station. The event is billed as a way to: INCREASE YOUR COMFORT LEVEL IN CROSS CULTURAL TEACHING EXPERIENCES

SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDE:

UNA JONES, Executive Secretary Mission Leaders, UMW, General Board of Global Ministries, NY:  REV. DIONISIO SALAZAR, Asst. General Secretary Hispanic/Latino Ministries, General Board of Global Ministries, NY; BETH FERRELL, RN, Mission Interpreter in Residence for the North Central Jurisdiction, IL; NANCY EUBANKS, General Board of Global Ministries Consultant for Individual Volunteers, TN; GINA RIENDEAU, North Indiana Conference Staff for Missions and current Individual Volunteer in Zambia; JOE AND CAROLYN WAGNER, directors of Operation Classroom and Operation Doctor, IN;  REV. ANTHONY DIOH, education secretary of UMC in Liberia; and BONNIE ALBERT, UMVIM Coordinator for North Indiana Conference.

Please write umvim-ncj@brookings.net for the registration form with schedule details and a flyer. Consider joining us and helping disseminate this information to persons that you think might benefit and be interested in these workshop topics.

UMVIM teaching English in Poland

A few spaces have just become available on a team that will be teaching English to Polish youth this summer, July 3 - 21. The team will be helping Polish youth improve their English skills at a camp in southern Poland. Both youth and adults can apply. Becky Jenkins will be leading her 6th team. She can be contacted at Midland First United Methodist Church, 989-835-6797 or bjenkins@fumcmid.org. Please call soon as arrangements need to be made ASAP!

Four areas provide focus for United Methodist ministry in the next four years

Do United Methodists really want to welcome the poor and downtrodden into their midst? Or do they prefer those sitting in the pews to "look just like us?" That question was posed by Bishop Felton May to delegates at General Conference during an April 24 presentation on four areas of focus that will guide the future work of the denomination's general agencies.

"Somehow, in our 40 years, poverty became acceptable to us," he told the legislative gathering. "We permitted ourselves to join the rest of the world in complacency. But here, at our 40-year anniversary, for the love of God, The United Methodist Church declares, no more!" That declaration drew applause from the delegates as May, who currently serves as the interim top executive for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, joined with the staff leaders of three other church agencies to explain the focus areas proposed to denominational leaders by the Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table, the coordinating body for United Methodist ministry at the global church level.

The four areas of focus are: 1) Engaging in ministry with the poor; 2) creating new places for new people and renewing existing congregations; 3) stamping out diseases of poverty by improving health globally; and 4) developing principled Christian leaders for the church and the world. Leaders in West Michigan are already considering how ministry agencies in our own Conference and region might gain energy and focus around these denominational priorities. Read more here.

Gallup Poll gives Methodists highest positive ratings

Methodists have the highest positive ratings of religious and spiritual groups in the United States, new research by the Gallup Panel shows. Ninety-six percent of the 1,005 persons interviewed during the March poll had either a positive or neutral view of Methodists. Four percent had an overall negative view of Methodists. The survey used the broader category of Methodists rather than United Methodists specifically.

Methodists are one of the four U.S. religious groups with strongly positive ratings. The others are Jews, Roman Catholics and Baptists. Broader groups of "evangelical Christians" and "fundamentalist Christians" did not fare as well, but still rated more positively than negatively, according to an analysis of the survey.

Methodists received the highest marks in the total positive and net positive categories of the survey of "Americans' Views of U.S. Religious and Spiritual Groups." The 45 percent net positive rating is the result of subtracting the 4 percent negative rating from the 49 percent total positive rating. Forty seven percent of the respondents gave Methodists a "neutral" rating. As a matter of comparison, Jews had a 42 percent positive rating, Baptists 35 percent, and Catholics 35 percent.

The random, demographically weighted poll was conducted March 24-27, 2008. Gallup says it has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Annual Conference Highlights 2008

Rev. Aaron M. Gray

Conference Director

It is always a meaningful and important time when the United Methodists of the West Michigan Conference gather for Annual Conference. We will convene at Calvin College in Grand Rapids on June 5-8, 2008. Under the theme of "Stirring the Waters," it will mark the 40th anniversary of the West Michigan Conference.

Highlights:

• There will be an ongoing pictorial display of each local church in the Conference. (Be sure your congregation sends a digital photo in jpeg format soon to Joe Delany at jojoe48842@yahoo.com.   

• Sixty years of the Advance, a program of the General Board of Global Ministries, will be celebrated.

• Dr. Gil Rendle, a senior consultant with The Institute for Clergy and Congregational Excellence of The Texas Methodist Foundation in Austin, TX, will motivate and inspire us to be leaders with passion and agents of change in these changing times.

• Musician, composer, storyteller, teacher, and facilitator Ken Medema, will perform on Thursday, June 5, at 7:00 pm.

• Bishop Donald Ott, episcopal leader of the Michigan Area from 1992-2000, will preach at the ordination/commissioning service, Saturday, June 7, at 7:00 pm.

• Dr. Tara Sutton, pastor of the Bethel UMC in Flint, will be our preacher at the Saturday and Sunday morning worship services that begin at 8:00 am.

• Bishop Jonathan Keaton will preach at the Memorial Service on Friday, June 6, at 7:30 pm.

You won't want to miss the 40th anniversary celebration of the West Michigan Conference! If you have not already done so, please register by calling John Kosten at 1-888-217-1905. If you register by May 5 you will avoid a $15 late fee.

"How very good and pleasant it is when Kindred live together in unity"! Psalm 133:1   

Love Links @ Annual Conference

Local Churches please plan NOW to support the Youth Service Fund with ‘Love Links' at Annual Conference. The Youth Service Fund (YSF) is our mission money to benefit the youth movement and to serve those youth in need. The West Michigan Conference is consistently a top giver. 70% stays local, 30% goes to national. Groups can apply for funding; funds are made available through fundraising efforts. One fund raiser that YSF does is selling Love Links at Annual Conference. We are also adding prayer links. Each District‘s links are hung from the balcony showing who is ahead. You can write prayer requests on these. Both types of Love links are only $1. We would really appreciate it if people would raise money in your local churches and bring it to Annual Conference. You can make checks payable to West Michigan Conference Annual Treasurer.  ~ Nicki Holland, YSF Chairperson

2008 Youth Assembly

Our youth have incredible gifts and opportunities to grow and share them through serving on / with the Conference Council on YOUTH Ministry. Sometimes they are quiet, shy, sometimes they are obviously outspoken, but ALL youth are invited to join. Please offer them the opportunity. Visit the West Michigan Conference Youth Council / Youth Assembly webpage for information on registration.

'God's Miracle Kids'

As a member of the Disability Awareness Committee, I wanted to write an article about a very special group in my own church. ‘God's Miracle Kids' is the result of a dream of Boni Van Kuiken (now deceased) in 2003 at Heritage United Methodist Church in Pierson. The program was originally designed to service the children, youth and young adults in our community. It is a program that offers religious education to these individuals geared to their level of understanding. The individuals served currently are primarily Autistic, Down's syndrome, Emotionally Impaired or Learning Disabled. The main focus was to provide education to these individuals during the regular worship service at 10:30 a.m. in the morning. This would allow the parents, if they desired, to attend worship.

Many still attend from the original group and we have seen others come and go. We have expanded the program to include the children and youth into our Wednesday evening ‘Kid's Club' program. A mother's support group also meets on a monthly basis. This group includes learning from one another, speakers, presentations and any other thing that is needed. During these meetings plans are initiated for the children i.e. outings and other activities, as well as planning fund raising events. We have also been supported and encouraged by a local certified Pediatric Recreational Therapist, Sue Sunden. It was Sue's brain child that we hosted Fabulous Fridays during the summer of 2007. These were fun Friday afternoons that offered many activities for those with special needs in our community and surrounding areas, including Sand Lake and even Grand Rapids.

We feel very blessed to have this wonderful group in our church. Disabilities or abilities are not just physical or just mental/emotional and so we have chosen to work with both. ~Carol Bunn

New Lake Michigan Camp Website

Please update your internet favorite with our new website www.LakeMichiganCamp.org and your address book with our new e-mail addresses. E-mails are:  Harvey@LakeMichiganCamp.org , Deanna@LakeMichiganCamp.org, and Info@LakeMichiganCamp.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Young People's Ministries debuts new leader development resource
2/9/2008

The General Board of Discipleship’s Young People’s Ministries will sponsor leadership development sessions for adults who work in ministry with young people. Events will be held in five locations starting February 9 and continuing through May 17, 2008. Marketed as “The ‘SOURCE,” the event is designed to enhance spiritual growth and explore new resources for ministries with youth and young adults. Participants will grow in their own leadership skills for effective ministry and discover new ways to empower youth and young adults as leaders in their immediate contexts. GBOD staffers will facilitate the Saturday sessions, which include: worship, a plenary on “Leadership: The Big Picture,” snapshot sessions on “Spirituality and Leadership,” “ Leadership for Postmodern Times,” “Leadership in Today’s Youth Culture,” “Riding the Waves of Transition: Leadership with Young Adults,” “Leadership in a Global Church” and closing worship.

The one-day gatherings and optional half-day “Living Waters” retreats, to be held on Sundays from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon, will allow participants to dig deeper and reflect more broadly on their personal spiritual journey.

The Saturday session costs $25 and includes lunch; the half-day retreat on Sunday is $10 (lunch not included). To register and find hotel options, visit www.gbod.org/thesource or contact Micki McCorkle, mmccorkle@gbod.org, 615-340-1797; or Sarah Smith, ssmith@gbod.org, 615-340-1780.

Dates and locations are listed below. *Optional half-day retreat.

February 9-10*, 2008	Grace United Methodist Church Oklahoma City, Okla.
March 1-2*, 2008	First United Methodist Church, Indianola  Des Moines, Iowa
March 29-30*, 2008	Kavanaugh Center Louisville, Ky.
April 12-13*, 2008	Foundry United Methodist Church Washington, D.C.
May 17-18*, 2008	University United Methodist Church Las Vegas, Nev.

Photography Exhibit
4/17/2008

CURRENTLY SHOWING in the First Church Art Gallery until May 31, 2008, photography by Dan Plasman, pastor of East Congregational United Church of Christ. Hours are 9:00 am - 9:00 pm Monday - Thursday, Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm and Sunday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.  Rev. Plasman has travelled widely and the photographs reflect his interest in religious topics.  Located at First United Methodist Church - 227 East Fulton St, Grand Rapids.

About the Artist: "Photography has long been a hobby of mine, and more recently I consider it a serious vocation. Creating visual images is not unlike creating sermons; both involve communicating an idea or theme, both require a perspective and vantage point, and both evoke an emotion in the hearer and observer.  

Grand Traverse District Pre-Conference Briefing
This is event is hosted by the:
Grand Traverse district
5/10/2008

"I will be there"
5/10/2008

Mother Theresa once said, "I was once asked why I do not participate in antiwar demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I will be there." 

Join in for I Will Be There, a multimedia meditation on war and peace, Saturday, May 10 at 7 PM in the sanctuary of Grandville United Methodist Church, 3140 S. Wilson .  Mary Alice Korth and pianist Ksenia Leletinka will perform music by Charles Ives, Gioacchino Rossini, Ned Rorem, Richard Rodgers, and others. These performances will be enhanced by dramatic readings from a wide spectrum of literature, given by local actors Todd Avery, Phil Korth, and Kim Krane. Together, we will journey from the initial frenzy of war through its consequences, ending with the knowledge that we can make the future better than the past. 


GR District Pre-Conference Gathering
This is event is hosted by the:
Grand Rapids district
5/14/2008
The Grand Rapids District Pre-Conference Gathering will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at Marne UMC from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.  A reservation for dinner is required.  R.S.V.P. to suel@marneumc.com    

Mothers, Daughters, Grandmothers, Sisters, Aunts, Nieces, friends . . . Women!
5/17/2008

Women's gathering May 17th at 11:30 AM at Coopersville United Methodist Church located at 105 N 68th Ave. Join us for a luncheon of homemade soup, salads, breads and dessert. Enjoy worship, fellowship and be blessed with a special teaching by our guest speaker Kathy DeGraw. Learn more about Kathy and her ministry at www.degrawministries.org. $8.00 per person $5.00 per child Payment will be collected the day of the event with any checks made out to CUMC. RSVP by May 11th by calling Angie C. at 791-6014.

Prayer Practices for Terrifically Busy People
5/17/2008

With a busy schedule, how can you connect with God in daily life? At this prayer seminar you'll learn prayer practices that you can do in 15 minutes or less, sometimes while you're doing other things. Led by Dan Schrock, pastor and spiritual director, May 17, 2008 at Hope UMC, Edwardsburg MI. Check-in at 8:30 a.m.; retreat 9:00 - noon. For more information: dan@danschrock.org, 574-533-1729. Click registration form.

Weaving the Web of Connections training to be held May 17 in Illinois
5/17/2008

United Methodist Communications and the Illinois Great Rivers Conference will co-sponsor this training. The goal is to assist local churches, districts and conference organizations in developing and maintaining an effective Web ministry using Internet technology. Participants in other "Weaving a Web" events herald it as "chock-full of information for beginner and advanced Web developers alike" and "strongly recommended for everyone in the local church interested in Web-based ministry." For more information or to register, visit training.umcom.org. Registration deadline is May 1. REGISTER NOW!

Coopersville Open House
5/18/2008

With open hearts, open minds, and open doors, the people of the Coopersville United Methodist Church invite the public to an open house on May 18, 2008 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The church purchased the prior Extreme Fitness Center building located at 105 N. 68^th Avenue, Coopersville, Michigan.  At the open house on May 18, there will be refreshments, games for the children and church members will offer tours of the facility.

FIRST ANNUAL Grand Rapids Metro Joint Worship Service
5/18/2008

Mark your calendars!  A new tradition for Metro area United Methodists will be inaugurated this spring. 

Grand Rapids area clergy, laity, and their guests, are invited to gather Sunday evening, May 18, 2008, at 5 pm, for Joint Worship followed by a prepared meal. We will worship and "feast" at Aldersgate UMC, 4301 Ambrose NE, Grand Rapids. This year's theme will be "What Does the Lord Require of You?".

The worship service is sure to inspire and challenge you. It will include special music, drama, and preaching by our Grand Rapids District Superintendent, Rev. Laurie Haller. An offering for "Peace with Justice Sunday" will be taken during the sacrament of Holy Communion.

What a great opportunity to build fellowship and faith among area United Methodists! For more information, you may contact Susan Hansen at UM Metro Ministry: 616-245-6512 or susan@grmetroministry.org. Donations will be requested at the meal to help cover food costs.  Childcare will be provided.

Universal Health Care Forum and Discussion
5/30/2008

, 1009 East Stockbridge Avenue in Kalamazoo, will be hosting a community Universal Health Care Forum and Discussion

Friday, May 30, 2008, beginning at 6:30pm:

  * Thousands of working Americans lose their health insurance every day.

  * Millions of insured Americans are one illness away from bankruptcy. 

  * Health care costs are spiraling out of control.

We can do better. Universal health care refers to the idea that every American should have access to affordable, high-quality health care. Here, you will find the information you need to understand and take action on this issue. Leading advocates of Universal Healthcare will be presenting positions on the subject and fielding questions during the open forum.

The event is open to the entire Kalamazoo and West Michigan area. Reservations are not required; however, you are requested to call the church at 269 385-­8919 to indicate your interest in attending, so enough materials can be prepared. The event is free of charge and refreshments will be served. Stockbridge Avenue United Methodist Church is located in the heart of the Edison neighborhood on Stockbridge Avenue between Race and Mill Streets in Kalamazoo , Michigan.  

The 2008 West Michigan Conference Habitat Build
6/4/2008

We need a response from you!

Michigan Christian Advocate article on the Habitat Build

We are making progress in all the tasks required to create a safe, affordable home for the Blakely family and also for a family in Haiti. Financial support, volunteer workers and in-kind donations are coming together to make this project a success.

* Donations are nearing 50% of the $77,000 needed to build these two homes.

* Volunteer manpower is coming along with just 9 days that need “adopting” and we are about   50% of the 240 workers we need for the June 4-7 building blitz.

Have you decided how your church will support this very special project? If so, that is great! Please let us know your plans so we can work with you for a great West Michigan Conference success. Please take a moment to answer the few questions below and respond to Rick Walker at rlwalker@att.net:  

Funding

We are considering the amount of our contribution to this project:

Yes__________________No___________________

We plan to send $_________to the Conference Treasurer by June 1.

We need more information;Yes____________No______________

Volunteers

We plan to provide volunteer workers:  Yes_________No_________

We need to know more about volunteer options

Yes________________No_______________________

In-kind Donations

We have professional talents in our church(plumbers, electricians, roofers, etc)

Who will consider donating their services   Yes__________No_________

We are talking to members in our church about donating building

Materials  Yes____________No________________

Information about us

Church name_______________________________

Contact name_______________________________

Email Address_______________________________

Phone number______________________________

Thank you,

Susan Hansen                           Rev. Charles Fry            Rick Walker

Metro Ministry                           Contributions                  Volunteers & In-Kind Donations

susan@grmetroministry.org        Clergyfry@aol.com           rlwalker@att.net

Kathryn Johnson speaks at 2008 Annual Conference
6/6/2008

MFSA luncheon

Kathryn Johnson, the Executive Director of the Methodist Federation for Social Action nationally, will be speaking about the justice issues emerging from General Conference, 2008, at the annual MFSA luncheon. Rev. Johnson will discuss the ways MFSA is working in the struggle for social justice in our denomination. All those who are interested are invited to sign up for the special MFSA luncheon on Thursday, June 5th, at Annual Conference."

Church and Society Dinner

Hear Kathryn Johnson speak about the Social Creed at the Church & Society Dinner Friday, June 6, at 6:00 p.m. The title of her presentation is "The United Methodist Social Creed: Past Present and Future."

Kathryn will talk about the history and development of the United Methodist Social Creed with particular focus upon the new Social Creed coming out of the 2008 General Conference. She will help us explore how to use the new creed liturgically, and how the social creed can help guide our work for peace and social justice.

Kathryn Johnson is a clergy member of the New England Annual Conference. She received her seminary degree from Boston University School of Theology after which she served with the General Board of Global Ministries in the Philippines doing human rights work. After returning to Boston, she served two local churches before moving to Washington, DC to become the Executive Director of the Church Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines. It was from this position that she moved to her current position with MFSA. 

Friends and alumni of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary
6/6/2008

Friends and alumni of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary are invited to gather for an Annual Conference luncheon on Friday, June 6. Join Ron Ringenberg, AMBS vice president, to enjoy fellowship with others who have studied at AMBS, see photos and hear reports of the latest developments on campus and find out how AMBS can support your ongoing ministry. Watch for announcements about where to gather for the AMBS update.

4th Annual Lake Michigan High Adventure Camp Classic
6/7/2008

Saturday, June 7th, 2008
Moss Ridge Golf Club, 13545 Apple Ave, Ravenna, MI

Shotgun Start - 10:30 a.m.
4 Person Scramble

$75 per person includes 18 Holes, Cart, Dinner and Golf package.

For more info and registration, please contact Brian Michael at 616-893-2150 or BMikes51@yahoo.com. All proceeds go to Lake MI Youth Camps.

No Man Left Behind--Building a Sustainable Ministry to Men
6/24/2008

Coming to Southeastern Michigan! 2 ½ days of Learning, Planning and Fellowship, July 24-26, 2008, at Dexter UMC, 7643 Huron River Dr, Dexter, MI 48130.

In the No Man Left Behind Conference, endorsed by United Methodist Men, we’ll show you the principles, practices, and components of a men’s ministry tailor-made for your church to produce changed lives, families, churches and communities over the long haul. The conference is strategic team training designated for any leader who is passionate about seeing men discipled in their church. Click here for flyer and registration or visit www.dexterumc.org. Early registration discounts and $100 per man scholarships available for teams of 3 or more. For promotional package contact Frank Schramm 734-260-0963.

JustFaith: Ecumenical Program
6/28/2008

The aim of JustFaith Ministries is to enable people of faith to develop a passion for justice and to express this passion in concrete acts of social ministry statement. The Grand Rapids Dominican Center staff is in the planning stages for hosting a workshop on JustFaith and would like to invite one or two people from your church to be part of a Workshop Planning Team. It is our hope that those on the committee will be so inspired by the workshop scheduled for Saturday June 28, 2008, 9am - 1 pm at Dominican Center that they will want to be a co-sponsor of the 30-week series at their church for their members September 2008 - May 2009. (See the attached description of the program).

If you are able and would like to be part of this Planning Team, please send the name of those attending, your contact information and church name to Nancy Brousseau, nbrousseau@dominicancenter.com, 616-643-0137, by March 28 indicating your participation in the Thursday, April 10, 2008 luncheon/planning session at Dominican Center, 2025 East Fulton St., 11:30-1:00 p.m. 

The School of Congregational Development
7/31/2008

The School of Congregational Development sponsored by the Joint Committee on Congregational Development will be offered Thursday, July 31 to Tuesday, August 5, 2008, at two dynamic congregations: St. Luke’s UMC in Orlando, FL and Cornerstone UMC, in Grand Rapids, MI. Using a satellite feed, Plenary Sessions will be simulcast to participants at both sites. An interactive website will allow participants to connect to each other.

Multiple tracks include

v      Turn-Around

v      Emerging Worship

v      Congregational Developer Think-Tank

v      …and more!

The United Methodist School of Congregational Development is an annual event aimed at helping annual conferences and congregations "grow the church" through new congregational starts and the strengthening of existing congregations. Go online at www.scdumc.org to sign up for this exciting experience or contact Registrar Deborah Carvin toll-free, 877-899-2780 Ext. 7051, or dcarvin@gbod.org.

Single Adult Retreat
8/22/2008
The West Michigan Conference Single Adult Committee will hold a Single Adult Retreat at Albright UMC Camp in Reed City, MI from August 22-24, 2008

Worship Alive!
8/25/2008

August 25, 2008, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Castleton UMC, 7160 Shadeland Ave., Indianapolis, IN.

Join editor and compiler Elise Eslinger and your colleagues in worship ministries for a singing, dancing, praying journey through the new Upper Room resource which is helping to enliven, deepen and transform worship in congregations, small groups and gatherings of all kinds.

Registration fee $60. Includes the Upper Room Worshipbook, lunch and other materials. Questions? Email Sharon White at swhite@sicumc.org or click