http://www.westmichiganconference.org/newsnothing provideden-usWed, 2 Mar 2011 14:43:00 ESTWed, 2 Mar 2011 14:43:00 ESThttp://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2056http://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2056The Upper Room and BeADisciple.com will be joining forces this spring to bring two online study opportunities to Christian leaders during the Lenten season. The United Methodist Men are joining in withA Spiritual Journey for Men, designed as an eight-week study for men who want to move forward in their spiritual lives by participating in an online covenant community.It is built around eight weekly topics using Derek Maulrsquo;s book GET REAL: A Spiritual Journey for Men as primary content. ParMon, 28 Feb 2011 23:10:00 ESThttp://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2055http://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2055by RJWalters Grand Rapids District Purple crayons and big dreams are the spirit of Bishoprsquo;s Day 2011 at Grand Rapids FUMC on March 12, from 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Purple crayons represent the ldquo;Imaginerdquo; theme and Pittsburgh Area bishop Thomas J. Bickerton will talk plenty about big dreams, especially in regards to how hersquo;s helped tackle the malaria epidemic all over the world the past couple of years. He is the lead bishop and spokesperson for the United Methodist GloMon, 28 Feb 2011 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2047http://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2047In November 2010, the Council of Bishops actively endorsed the New Yearrsquo;s Resolution Campaign 2011 calling for humane immigration reform.In these first months of this new year of 2011, you and your local church are invited to participate... lt;lt;Read moregt;gt;Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2048http://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2048Take advantage of ministry opportunities to reach people from Hispanic/Latino cultures.Get the DVD, Pentecost Journey: A Planning Guide for Non-Hispanic/Latino Congregation. The resource from GBODrsquo;s Path1|New Church Starts Division helps churches develop comprehensive ministry plans that honor the uniqueness of the Hispanic/Latino cultures while considering the intercultural context of ministry in the United States. To order, click here. Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2049http://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2049The General Board of Church amp; Society has issued a call for United Methodists to have an ldquo;Alcohol Free Lent.rdquo; The call is inspired by Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, N.C., whose members responded to their own ldquo;Alcohol Free Lentrdquo; challenge several years ago. The congregation created a ldquo;Spirit Fundrdquo; to which members could contribute the equivalent cost of ldquo;spiritsrdquo; that they did not drink during Lent. Dr. James Howell, a member of GBCSFri, 25 Feb 2011 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2050http://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2050West Michigan is one of 15 annual conferences that paid 100% of their general church apportionments last year. Faithful members found ways to fund ministry even in a tough economy....lt;lt;Read moregt;gt;Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2051http://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2051The West Michigan Annual Conference Town and Country Committee is once again offering scholarships to students enrolled in seminary or Course of Study. The application can be found on the conference website under ldquo;Resourcesrdquo; or download here. As with many organizations, our funding this year is somewhat less than at times in the past. You are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible. Scholarship decisions will be made at our March 14 meeting.Please email your compleFri, 25 Feb 2011 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2053http://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2053Despite the way the weather looks, summer really is on the way!And it is definitely time to plan for summer camp! The 2011 West Michigan Conference Camping booklet has been mailed to all campers and all churches in the Conference. Check it out - we have a great lineup of camps for all ages ndash; some old favorites and some new ones as well. Donrsquo;t have a booklet yet Go to www.westmichiganconference.org and click the Camping tab. Yoursquo;ll find all camps arranged by age group. Itrsquo;sFri, 25 Feb 2011 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2054http://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2054The Michigan Area Haiti task force is again sponsoring a lsquo;Haiti Containerrsquo; to 2011 Annual Conference. In collaboration to the needs expressed by The Methodist Church of Haiti, MAHTF is requesting the purchase of UMCOR medicine kits and / or medical supplies. Birthing kits are also encouraged. Health, school and layette kits will also be accepted but MAHTF requests priority be placed on medical supplies. A detailed list of medical supplies, web site link to the birthing kit and packFri, 25 Feb 2011 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2038http://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2038This multi-media presentation by the United Methodist News Service spotlights the challenges rural churches face as they move from survival to revival. Two-thirds of the United Methodist congregations in the United States are rural. Learn how these churches are keeping faith alive. Access the series here. lt;lt;Read moregt;gt;Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2039http://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2039Whenever a church planter brings together the first few people who begin praying, visioning and working toward the creation of a new church, the church has already begun. GBODrsquo;s Path1|New Church Starts Division has studied many new churches and found that seven key seasons influence their success. Learn more about those seasons at: www.path1.org/fornewchurch.php. Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2040http://www.westmichiganconference.org/news/detail/2040We are pleased to announce that the West Michigan Conference has subscribed to Missioninsite.com (MI), a comprehensive demographic provider.With MI every congregation and Agency in the Conference now has access to current demographic information. lt;lt;Read moregt;gt; If you have questions you may contact our Conference Coordinator of this ministry, Jim Noggle at 616-361-8503 or email therev@northlawnumc.org. Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST