- Blogs
- Central Conference Communications Initiative
- Denominational Communication Resources
- E-Newsletter Archives
- Interpreter Magazine
- Michigan Area Reporter
- Obituaries
- The Parish Paper
- Tuesdays @ 10 am Central Webinar Series
- UMC Korean Language Resources
- UMC Spanish Language Resources
- Videos
- News
- Photo Galleries
- United Methodist News
- UMTV
- UM Reporter
- Michigan Christian Advocate
Detroit Conference Connection - Dec. 23, 2009
Please note: There will not be an edition of the Detroit Conference Connection on Dec. 30. The next edition of the Connection will be January 9, 2010.
In this edition of the connection:
Latest News
RJ Walters Named Editor of New Michigan Area Newspaper
The Michigan Area Communications Task Force announced today (Wednesday, Dec. 23) that RJ Walters has been named the editor of the new Michigan Area newspaper, which will begin production in early 2010. Walters will officially begin his duties on January 4, 2010. Read more
CFA Takes Action As Financial Uncertainties Continue for Conference
With continuing uncertainties in the financial support of the 2009 Detroit Conference budget, the conference Council on Finance and Administration has decided to hold off any decisions relating to salary increases for all conference personnel until further notice, according to the Rev. Carol Johns, chairperson of the conference's financial agency. In addition, the CFA is planning to introduce a resolution to the 2010 annual conference calling for the reduction of the conference's districts from seven to six. Read more
Send a Net. Save a Life. See a Game.
From now through January 31, 2010, Nothing But Nets supporters can donate $10 or more and get two complimentary tickets to an NBA game, subject to availability and participating teams. Read more
Detroit: Cass Community UMC Transforms into Santa's Workshop
Cass Community Social Services, a ministry of Detroit: Cass Community UMC, allowed more than 200 needy parents from across Metro Detroit to prepare for Christmas through its Christmas Store. Read more
Mom turns disappointment into dollars for Student Day
Andrew Giancola of Tarpon Springs, Fla., received scholarships from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in 2007 and 2008. This year, when his sister Lindsey was preparing to go to college, she applied also. However, she received a different response. Lack of funding prevented Lindsey from getting a scholarship. Read more
New Appointments
Michigan Area Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton announced the following appointments recently:
James A. Payne - from Watrousville UMC (Saginaw Bay District) to Sterling/Alger/Garfield UMCs (Saginaw Bay District), effective March 1, 2010.
Jon W. Gougeon - from Sterling/Alger/Garfield UMCs (Saginaw Bay District) to Reese UMC (Saginaw Bay District), effective March 1, 2010.
For a complete listing of appointment changes, and to stay updated on appointment changes as they are announced, please visit www.detroitconference.org/appointments.
Other News
Human Relations Day - January 17, 2010
Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010, is Human Relations Day, one of the six church-wide special Sundays in The United Methodist Church. Special Sundays are placed on the calendar to “make clear the calling of the church as the people of God, and to give persons the opportunity to contribute offerings to special programs.” (The Book of Discipline 2008, para. 262.)
Human Relations Day calls the Church to recognize the right of all God’s children in realizing their potential as human beings in relationship with each other. The purpose of the day is to further the development of better human relations, according to the Book of Discipline (par. 263.1). Offerings collected during Human Relations Day go towards strengthening outreach to communities in the United States and Puerto Rico and encouraging social justice work with at-risk youth.
For more information and resources about Human Relations Day, please visit UMCgiving.org.
Please note that all UMC special Sundays can be celebrated at any time throughout the year if there is a conflict with your church calendar.
Samaritan Counseling Center's Winter/Spring 2010 Programs
The Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeastern Michigan's Winter/Spring 2010 programs can be viewed by clicking here. Included in this brochure is information about the 2010 Clergy Day, which will take place on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at Hope Lutheran Church in Farmington Hills, Mich. The guest speaker for Clergy Day will be Diana Butler Bass, noted author and speaker. She will speak on Memory, Mission and Reform.
Christmas Message from General Board of Global Ministries
Click here to view a Christmas message from Bishop Joel N. Martinez, interim general secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries.
Volunteer Opportunities
Flood Recovery in East Central Iowa
The Linn Area Long Term Recovery Coalition (LALTRC) and Block by Block are working on rebuilding homes in flood affected neighborhoods. With the winter weather and the holidays upon us the flow of volunteers has come to a halt. LALTRC and Block by Block have 20 families they are trying to get into their homes by the end of the year.
LALTRC and Block by Block are putting out a call for volunteers who have carpentry skills to assist with the projects in 20 homes. “The road to recovery has been long and we are just days away from completing projects in several homes. Our goal is to get these families into their homes for the holidays” says Steve Schmitz, Director of the Linn Area Long Term Recovery Coalition.
Volunteers will be working Monday through Thursday the week of Christmas and the week of New Years. “With your help, we can create new beginnings for families in 2010” says Melisa Bracht-Wagner, Volunteer Coordinator for Block by Block.
If you have carpentry skills and you are interested in giving a day or several days to help this effort contact the East Central Iowa Volunteer Center at (319) 540-4810.