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Craft show nets $491,000 for mission It started as a bazaar 31 years ago and has grown into a juried arts and crafts show with over 280 exhibitors from eight states. What takes an event out of the church’s fellowship hall to fill the county fairgrounds? A couple of women with a dream, that’s what! READ MORE
Jesus did not say, "Please..." By Max Waagner, Lay Leader, Albion District
During this past year; my first as Lay Leader for the Albion District, I have committed to visiting each of the seventy plus churches in our district and I have heard this phrase over and over and repeated it a number of times myself. When we view in the Holy Bible what is referred to as the Great Commission, in Matthew 28 v. 19-20, we hear these words to the apostles: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
You will note that there is no “please” written in these instructions.... READ MORE |
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ChecklistITEMS OF IMPORTANCE COMING UP | 
One Great Hour of Sharing With this offering, The United Methodist Church rebuilds lives and communities around the world by helping the United Methodist Committee on Relief keep its promise that 100% of your designated gift goes to specific causes. Click here for congregational resources.
Breaking Barriers: An African-American Family & the Methodist Story Illustrates the African American experience within United Methodism and the important roles that faith, church, and family play in molding the character of numerous individuals in the denomination. Available on Amazon
YouthBytes share Gospel with teens This week's feature from the Michigan Area Resource Center (MARC) takes aim at teen boredom with church. READ MORE
Small group studies for Lent Click here for resources available through the Michigan Area Resource Center. Click here to renew your subscription. New to MARC, or haven’t had a membership in 5 years? Join for ½ price for 2012! Questions? Contact Betsy Weems, Director, at (888) 217-1905, or marc@wmcumc.org. | 
North Central Jurisdiction Disaster Response Academy March 14 – 17, 2012 North Central Jurisdiction Academy. Koinonia Retreat Center, 7768 Pilger Ave NW, South Haven, MN 55832 Register online. Go to www.umvimncj.org Disaster Response subpage for information on course options, registration and course schedule. Questions? Contact Lorna Jost, UMVIM-NCJ Coordinator, umvim-ncj@brookings.net. READ MORE | 
Have a story to share? Please email us! Deadline for new material is Friday. Have a comment to share? Please email us! We would like to hear from you!
SURVEY SAYS... Thank you to those who responded to our question of offering brief or full versions of the Weekly News articles in your email. By a wide margin, you told us you preferred shorter articles with links. If there are other ways we can improve this publication for you, please let us know! ~Mark Doyal, Director of Communications markd@wmcumc.org.
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Ubuntu receives $10,000 gift On Jan. 21 the Albion District made a major gift to the Africa University Ubuntu project. READ MORE
Peace Sermon and ‘Peacemaker’ of the Year Now is the time to consider the peacemakers in our midst who have been exemplary in their ministries of justice and peace in the past year. Please submit both peace sermons and nominations for peacemaker electronically to Ellen Brubaker, Chair, WMC Board of Church and Society, johnellen5@comcast.net. Please submit entries as soon as possible but no later than April 1. READ MORE
Corporate world answers all wrong for the church By Christopher P. Momany, Special Contributor, United Methodist Reporter The church's present obsession with success guarantees its eventual irrelevance. ... The fixation on outcomes, metrics and measurement distorts our theology and gives it a very conditional quality. In an attempt to grow the church, we risk losing the truth our world craves. By losing ourselves in unconditional love, the meaning of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection, we will find a church bursting with people and grace.... READ MORE
Clark Retirement Community Collaborates to Provide Hospice Services Clark Retirement Community will collaborate with Porter Hills Retirement Community and St. Ann’s Home to offer hospice services to residents and constituents of these three faith based organizations: “Emmanuel Hospice.” READ MORE White Pines UMC participated in an Advent Conspiracy. The effort raised enough money to bring four food trucks to their neighborhood. Fifty members producing 20,000 pounds of food. That's a gift on a loaves-and-fishes scale! ... 2012 Annual Conference Ministry Fair - REGISTER Are you a UM-affiliated agency? Reserve your table at the 2012 AC Ministry Fair, Saturday, June 9, from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Download form and email to Valerie Mossman-Celestin valeriem@wmcumc.org no later than February 24.AOn January 8 Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton announced that the new Superintendent for the Grand Rapids District is William E. Haggard. Bill currently serves Lansing Mt. Hope UMC. He will begin his assignment on July 1, 2012. ... RRRRRRReeehttp://bit.ly/BHaggard | 
How does the legislative process work? Click here for the 8 steps!
Prepare for General Conference. Visit the General Conference webpage on the WMC website. Additional information can be found on the General Conference web site. | 
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