Detroit Conference Connection - April 1, 2010

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CONFERENCE NEWS

Registration Deadline for Annual Conference - Thursday, April 8

The registration deadline for the 2010 Annual Conference is Thursday, April 8 (one week from today!). Registration forms postmarked after this date will be subject to a $30 late fee. Avoid the late fee and register by the deadline! Registration forms can be downloaded at www.detroitconference.org/annualconference.

April Edition of Michigan Area Reporter

The April Edition of the Michigan Area Reporter, the newspaper of the Detroit and West Michigan Conferences, is on its way to subscribers. The digital edition can be viewed by visiting www.detroitconference.org/reporter.

Individuals can subscribe to the Michigan Area Reporter for just $12 a year, and churches can purchase bundles of the Reporter for as low as $32 a year. In addition, people can subscribe to the Michigan Area Reporter and the United Methodist Reporter for the cost of $32 per year, which will provide 52 weeks of issues. For subscription information, please visit www.detroitconference.org/reporter.

Harry Denman Award Nominations For Clergy, Laity, and Youth - Deadline is Monday, April 5

The Conference Board of Discipleship is now taking nominations for the Harry Denman Award for Outstanding Evangelism. The Denman Award is given to clergy and lay members who have demonstrated outstanding work in achieving the Great Commission. This year, the Foundation For Evangelism is including a third category for youth recipients.

Please click on the following to download the nomination forms for each area:

Clergy | Laity | Youth

If there is a pastor, lay adult, or youth member (must have gone through confirmation) that you believe demonstrates most effectively Christ's call to make disciples of all nations, we are happy to hear who they are and will give them due consideration. For lay candidates, a recommendation from the pastor must be included. For clergy candidates, the recommendation must come from the pastor's district superintendent.

Please send completed forms and recommendations by Monday, April 5 to:

Rev. Raymond D. Wightman

First United Methodist Church

420 W. Main St.

Hudson, MI

The recipients will be presented their award at this year's Annual Conference.

Save the Date - Hearts Strangely Warmed - Saturday, Nov. 6

The conference Board of Discipleship will be presenting Hearts Strangely Warmed on Saturday, Nov. 6, at Swartz Creek UMC. The Rev. Michael Slaughter, lead pastor at Ginghamsburgh UMC in Tipp City, Ohio, is the featured speaker. More details will be announced in the future.

Ray Buckley to Speak at Detroit: Central UMC

Detroit: Central UMC is inviting anyone interested to join their congregation on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. to hear Ray Buckley, nationally renowned lecturer, author, and expert on Native American culture.

Currently interim Director of Native American Spirituality and Christian Study, Buckley served the United Methodist Church as a staff member of United Methodist Publishing House, Director of Native People’s Communication Office and Director of Connectional Ministries for the Alaska Missionary Conference.

Buckley has authored / illustrated five books including The Give-Away: A Christmas Story in the Native American Tradition. This story was chosen as part of a Christmas Eve CBS special produced by the National Council of Churches.

Detroit: Central is pleased to have Ray Buckley in its pulpit as part of its Bicentennial Celebration. He brings a rich background of stories, poetry and history in the Native tradition. Please make plans to join them for this special event. Special music for the service will be provided by Joe Riley, Native American musician.

For further information, please contact Debra Eaton at 313-965-5422.

Is Your Church Changing the World?

Change the World, a denomination-wide event, is taking place on Saturday-Sunday, April 24-25. All United Methodist Churches are encouraged to participate in the event to make a difference by building community locally and fighting malaria globally. If your church is interested in participating in the event, information about Change the World and the various ways to participate can be found by visiting www.detroitconference/changetheworld.

Several Detroit Conference churches have already committed to participate in the Change The World Event, and have submitted their event to be listed on the Google Earth map of all Change The World events. Please visit www.rethinkchurch.org/changetheworld to view all the events occurring within the Detroit Conference.

Quick News and Notes:

The Michigan Area Resource Center is here to help! - Looking for that perfect study to wrap up your spring programming? Or something to carry you through the summer? The Michigan Area Resource Center, your media lending library, contains thousands of materials, including DVD’s, videos, books, music and more! Anyone in the church is eligible to reserve resources from this low cost, easy to use service. Click here to see what’s new in the April MARC News. Contact Betsy at 888-217-1905, marc@wmcumc.org, or visit the MARC website at www.marc-web.org. Please note that the MARC office will be closed from April 1-12, and will reopen on April 13.

Interested in the latest news on Volunteer in Mission Teams? - Anyone interested in Volunteers in Mission trips occurring throughout the North Central Jurisdiction is encouraged to sign up for the weekly e-newsletter. Please visit www.umvimncj.org and click on the subscription option in the left hand side of the page.

Worship Resources for Churches - The General Board of Discipleship provides a number of resources to help churches in worship planning. To view the resources available, please visit www.gbod.org/worship.

Merit Scholarship Applications Available - Applications for Merit Scholarships for 2010-11 can now be downloaded on the conference Web site by clicking here. Merit Scholarships are available to students attending Adrian College, Albion College, or another United Methodist-related college or university. The applications are due by May 12, 2010. Decisions on scholarships will be made by the end of June 2010.

"Other Voices" Blog - The "Other Voices" blog is an opportunity for leaders, both clergy and lay, in the Detroit Conference that "have something to say" to engage the conference in discussion around topics that lead to creating and nurturing dynamic and fruitful congregations. Do you have something to say that will engage the conference in discussion? To submit a blog posting to be featured in "Other Voices," please e-mail Paul Thomas, Conference Director of Communications.

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 8 - Registration Deadline for 2010 Annual Conference

April 10 - Michigan Area Confirmand's Rally

April 10 - Michigan Area VIM Festival Of Opportunities

April 17 - Keep Making Peace "Justice for Earth Days"

April 18 - Native American Ministries Sunday

April 21 - Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeastern Michigan Clergy Day

April 24 - Retirement Celebration for Jan Thomas, Director of Outdoor and Retreat Ministries

April 24-25 - Change the World Event

APPOINTMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Michigan Area Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton has announced the following appointments for the Detroit Annual Conference:

Stephen Euper to New Hope UMC (Port Huron District), effective July 1, 2010. He is presently serving Ossineke UMC (Saginaw Bay District).

George H. Lewis to Howell: First UMC (Ann Arbor District), effective July 1, 2010. He is presently serving Cheboygan: St. Paul's UMC (Marquette District).

Bishop Keaton also announced the following notices of retirement for the Detroit Annual Conference. These notices of retirement has been received by the Appointive Cabinet and requires approval by the clergy session at the 2010 Detroit Annual Conference:

James R. Balfour II, effective July 1, 2010. He is presently serving St. Ignace UMC (Marquette District).

Richard B. Brown, effective August 2, 2010. He is presently serving Kingston and Clifford UMCs (Port Huron District).

Ellen F. Burns, effective July 1, 2010. She is presently serving Shabbona and Ubly UMCs and is the parish director of the DASU Parish (Port Huron District).

Mary Margaret Eckhardt, effective July 1, 2010. She is presently serving Livonia: St. Matthew's UMC (Detroit West District)

Terry A. Euper, effective July 1, 2010. He is presently serving as Clergy Assistant to the Bishop for the Michigan Area.

Roger Gedcke, effective July 1, 2010. He is presently serving Clio: Bethany UMC (Flint District)

Patricia A. Horton, effective July 1, 2010. She is presently serving Holly: Mt. Bethel UMC (Flint District).

Jean Larson, effective July 1, 2010. She is currently on leave of absence.

Mary G. Laub, effective July 1, 2010. She is presently serving Escanaba: First UMC (Marquette District).

Bradford K. Lewis, effective July 1, 2010. He is presently serving Roscommon: Good Shepherd of the North UMC (Saginaw Bay District).

Thomas P. Macaulay, effective July 1, 2010. He is presently serving as the Ann Arbor District Superintendent.

David R. McKinstry, effective July 1, 2010. He is presently serving Tecumseh UMC (Ann Arbor District).

Kenneth B. Ray, effective July 1, 2010. He is presently serving Stony Creek UMC (Ann Arbor District).

Nicholas W. Scroggins, effective July 1, 2010. He is presently serving Marquette: Grace and Skandia UMCs (Marquette District).

Isaac Shin, effective July 1, 2010. He is presently serving Ann Arbor Korean UMC (Ann Arbor District).

Stanley P. Stybert, effective July 1, 2010. He is presently serving Burton: Emmanuel UMC (Flint District).

Linda J.S. Titus, effective September 1, 2010. She is currently on leave of absence.

For updated appointment announcements, please visit www.detroitconference.org/appointments.

To subscribe to the appointments mailing list, please visit www.detroitconference.org/site/stayconnected.

CONNECTIONAL NEWS

Native American Ministries Sunday (April 18, 2010)

Without help from Native American Ministries Sunday, Ray deZafra never would have found his way to the Third Sunday Native American Fellowship. For the first time in his life, the Potawatomi Indian feels that he belongs, not just to a tribe, but also to a community of Christians. The offering on this Special Sunday educates Native American seminarians, plants Native American churches and cultivates Native American outreach to seekers like Ray.

Call (888) 346-3862 today to order envelopes and other resources so your congregation can participate in this churchwide offering. They will be sent at no cost to your church! Find more at umcgiving.org/specialsundays.

The Latest News From the United Methodist News Service

Quake survivors rise up for Haiti - United Methodists emerge from valley of death vowing to bring new life to impoverished nation.

Agency staff reductions alarm black caucus - Agency head says current downward racial/ethnic staffing trends have the church "moving backward."

Trapped Haiti workers search for way out - United Methodists pinned beneath rubble take greater risks as time starts to run out.

Mission agency head draws on global roots - Thomas Kemper hopes U.S. United Methodists gain a new appreciation of worldwide church.

Butterflies, Seder meal enrich Holy Week - Texas church expands offerings to help all ages experience the Easter message.

Debate raises questions about church’s voice - Speaking on social issues is part of United Methodists’ heritage.

Missions of mercy become tests of faith - The untold story of courage and sacrifice amid the rubble of the Haiti earthquake.

Conference boosts Sudan ministries - United Methodists raise more than $627,000 for Sudan, where religious tensions remain high.

Meharry grads match with top hospitals - Years of hard work pay off as medical students discover what the future holds.

Gender-inclusive language challenges church - Feminine, masculine, gender-neutral images together reveal “the wholeness of God.”

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Part-Time Youth Director - Brighton: First UMC

First United Methodist Church of Brighton is seeking a part-time Youth Director for our junior and senior high programs. A minimum of one year experience is required. Submit resume to terry@brightonfumc.org. Deadline for all applications is Thursday, April 15, 2010.