NEED MORE INFORMATION?

GET IT ONLINE at www.westmichiganconference.org, News and Events in Our Conference!

March 3, 2010

NEWS
Disabilities Committee needs your help at annual conference
Grants Available to make your church more accessible

EVENTS

“Gazing with Soft Eyes”
BEADISCIPLE.COM

Petoskey UMC's 1st annual Arts & Crafts Show

Justice for Earth Days

RETHINK MISSION: REFLECTION & ACTION

MISSION NOTES

Urban Volunteer Experience

VIM TEAMs seeking participants
Lithuania Mission Trip – Participants wanted

CLASSIFIEDS

Executive Director, UM Metropolitan Ministry of Greater Grand Rapids
Nursery Supervisor

Musician

We are hoping to better serve churches through our web ministry, so we invite your feedback and suggestions. To reach the web team, email webteam@wmcumc.org

NEWS

Disabilities Committee needs your help at annual conference
We provide transportation for those with handicapping conditions between dorms, dining halls and conference site. We have rented golf carts in the past, but they are expensive and are not the most effective means of transportation.  We can avoid this cost and do a better job of transportation with your help!

We need cars and mini vans with drivers to provide transportation.  Would you be willing to let us use your vehicle, drive a vehicle, or use your own car to drive people around during annual conference?  Your help is needed and will be greatly appreciated! 
 

Grants Available to make your church more accessible

The conference Disabilities Committee has a small amount of money available to help you make your church more accessible to persons with handicapping conditions.  Want to build a ramp, put in an elevator, or make a bathroom more accessible?  How about hearing help for those facing hearing loss, or large print hymnals for those with visual problems?  If you have a project and would benefit from a small grant toward that project, we can help.  Grant request forms are available from the conference web site or by contacting Rev. Curtis Jensen at hillsdaleumc@sbcglobal.net or 527-437-3681

EVENTS

“Gazing with Soft Eyes”
Local artist Jean Flower will exhibit her latest art collection, “Gazing with Soft Eyes,” an icon exhibit, at First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo. The exhibit will open Sunday, March 14, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the church parlor. The artist will present a mini-lecture and a time of Q&A from 9:30 – 10 a.m. The exhibit will also be open Wednesday, March 17 through Friday, March 19 from 1-4 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m. “Gazing at an icon is more than seeing or looking. It is a means of glimpsing a window to heaven, a reminder of the divine presence that we cannot see. Icons are mirrors of our true natures, our true selves,” says the artist. This is a free exhibit and is open to the public. A Chartres labyrinth will be available for personal prayer as well as an opportunity to cerate your own Mandala Wednesday, March 17, 10 a.m. – noon and 7-9 p.m. The church is located at 212 S. Park Street, Kalamaz oo at the corner of Park and Academy Streets. Free parking is available at the back entrance.

BEADISCIPLE.COM

Visit beadisciple.com for spring class offerings in

Multimedia Technology in Worship for the Church Volunteer 101 – March 15-26, 2010
Preparing Conference Journals  – March 8-26, 2010

How to Become a Disciple Online Facilitator  – April 12-23, 2010

Petoskey UMC's 1st annual Arts & Crafts Show

What can you get for a buck? Admission to the Petoskey Arts & Crafts Show! They still have several booths available if anyone knows of a crafter who would like to rent some space. March 27, 9:00 – 4:00 p.m. Contact: Sue Herrington, cell #231-838-2842.

Jamaica Mission Team will be selling food at the event. Click here for flyer or here for booth application.

 
Justice for Earth Days

SAVE THE DATE - PLAN TO ATTEND - KEEP MAKING PEACE, APRIL 17, 2010 CENTRAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, LANSING, 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

The theme this year is justice for our planet. Join presenters:

Tyler Edgar, Associate Director of the Climate and Energy Campaign, National Council of Churches, who attended the UN climate negotiations in Copenhagen

Lana Pollack, former MI State Senator and President of the MI Environmental Council, emphasizing what we in Michigan need to do as advocates for ecological justice

Julie Lyons Bricker, Director of MI interfaith Power and Light, a non-profit whose mission is to assist MI congregations in reducing energy usage and implementing sustainable practices

Michael Way, VP of Material Management and Facilities Services, Bronson Healthcare, of Bronson Hospital, award winning hospital as a "green facility"

Fred Keller, CEO of Cascade Engineering, on Sustainability in the Church, Equity, Poverty and Business - green business is possible!

Panel Discussion and Inspiration Heading Home

Don't miss this packed program full of information and steps for action as persons of faith join others seeking to fulfill the ministry as steward of God's earth. Brochures will be available soon. Register early. Make checks payable to Keep Making Peace Seminar and mail to: John Boley, Registrar, 400 S. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858. For more information: John boley (989) 773-6934 or jboley@mtpfumc.org.

RETHINK MISSION: REFLECTION & ACTION

Scarritt Bennett Center, Nashville, TN
October 15-17, 2010

Keynote speaker: Dr. Dana Robert, Professor of World Christianity and History of Mission at Boston University

This self-funded Conference is organized by a coalition of missionaries and mission related personnel, primarily United Methodists with a passion for God’s mission. The planning committee consists of leaders of the missionary organizations, professors of mission and representatives of mission boards and Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville, Tennessee, the historic site for training missionaries and Christian education workers. The program design will include scope for interdenominational and ecumenical discussions drawing on the rich resources of the Edinburgh 2010 missionary conference. Participants of the official Edinburgh 2010 conference will lead off the sessions and selected study themes will be highlighted during the three day together. Time will be included for designing action plans to see ways to engage the churches anew. All are welcome in the Rethinking Mission: Reflection and Action Conference.

Goals:
1. Share insights from 100 years of mission history
2. Understand the context of mission today
3. Identify possibilities for mission engagement for 21st Century
4. Develop a course of action to re-engage the church in mission

For information: norma.kehrberg@gmail.com  (Coordinator)
For registration: rlvreeland@sbcglobal.net  (Registrar)

MISSION NOTES

Urban Volunteer Experience

Calling West Michigan Conference Churches!!! Are you looking for an urban volunteer experience during the summer? Harbor Harvest Urban Ministries is the place. Come for one day or an entire week, visit the beautiful beaches and see your conference ministry shares at work. www.hhum.comcastbiz.net or www.facebook.com/HHUMCommTeam. 269-369-926-4214

VIM TEAMs seeking participants
 

NICARAGUA : Departure is June 26, 2010 with return July 4, 2010.  The UMVIM team will work with Fundacion El Samaritano (FES) missionaries in the Managua, Nicaragua barrio of Nejapa. FES participates in educational and medical ministries.  The team will perform upkeep work at FES facilities, and perform people to people ministry with women cancer and maternity patients, pediatric patients, Christian school children and residents of the Nejapa community. There will be an introduction to the Nicaragua Methodist Evangelical Church.  Time for worship, shopping and sightseeing will be included.  Cost is $300 + round trip air transportation costs. For information and application form, please contact jack.reif@zoomtown.com, team leader, or phone 513-831-5550. 

RUSSIA: June 15-36, 2010  Peter Priest priest@rose-hulman.edu, leads this unique, relational team and is working directly with UM Pastor Igor Pechersky in Rostov-na-Donu and with Rev. Bruce Hargrave who is on the board of the Russian UMC Seminary in Moscow. You can make a difference in somebody's life! You have a story that can give someone hope and direction. Please share your story with hurting people in the New Russia and come with us to Russia!      (A brief description is at http://www.umcmemorial.com then click on Ministries tab).  

Lithuania Mission Trip – Participants wanted

Cornerstone Church is sponsoring a mission trip to Lithuania, September 25 – October 5, 2010.  There are spots left to fill on this team. The trip cost is approximately $2500 per person. It’s a basic construction and outreach trip for a country who is living at 15% unempoyment.  If you can swing a hammer or roll a paint brush, and have a heart to serve, you’d be welcome on this team! Contact Broderick at Broderick.norkus@gmail.com

Some of the things we will do:

·         Basic construction repairs to Pagalbos Centras in Paceriausktes

·         Repair assistance to individual homes in greatest need

·         Distribute packets to local residents

·         Provide an evening of food, festivity and worship for local residents

·         Worship on Sundays at Birzai Church

·         Lodge in the homes of members from the Birzai Church

CLASSIFIEDS

Position Announcement: Executive Director, United Methodist Metropolitan Ministry of Greater Grand Rapids

United Methodist Metro Ministry of Grand Rapids seeks an Executive Director, either laity or clergy, to lead us in our mission of “inspiring and equipping United Methodists to serve Christ in transforming the Greater Grand Rapids area” beginning July 1, 2010. The Executive Director will have a passion for urban ministry and exhibit skills and abilities in developing, nurturing and growing Communities of Shalom sites in the metropolitan area, partnering with the Grand Rapids District around strategic issues related to urban ministry and congregations, building relationships among United Methodist congregations, and consulting with urban congregations when desired. This position may be part-time to full-time depending on the experience, gifts and interests of the person selected. Compensation and benefits will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Questions about the position and/or a resume with cover letter telling how you would lead us in fulfilling our mission may be addressed to The Rev. Greg Martin, Metro Search Chair, c/o Aldersgate UMC, 4301 Ambrose Ave., NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 or aumcpastor@gmail.com.

Please visit our website for more information about our ministry and related documents, www.grmetroministry.org. An updated job description will be posted on March 1. Applications will be accepted until March 17 or until the position is filled.

Nursery Supervisor

Help Wanted. Country Chapel UMC is seeking a Nursery Supervisor for Sunday Services.  Experience with children preferred.  Country Chapel UMC, Dowling.  269-721-8077 or office@mei.net

Musician

Washington Heights United Methodist Church is accepting resumes for the position of substitute musician. Interested persons would accompany the choir during choir rehearsal and accompany the congregation during the morning worship service two weeks per month. Qualifications: Must be able to play contemporary worship music, hymns and provide leadership to the choir. Salary$ 125.00-150.00 per week. Resumes can be submitted via e-mail to Rev. Sandra Douglas at hhum@juno.com or 153 N. Wood St. Battle Creek, MI. 49037

Valerie Mossman-Celestin