E-Tidings Volume 1, Issue 4 December 2001
May the Christ of Bethlehem be alive in your your heart during this Christmas season and throughout the New Year. The staff and Advisory Board of the Eastern Michigan District wish you our best during this Holiday Season.Dr. Stephen and Marilyn Anthony, District Superintendent
Rev. Mike and Karen Morris, Church Extension Director
Rev. Clarence and Rosalie Moorhouse, Nehemiah Project
Rev.Jerry and Karon Schalau, Campground Management
Bob and Kathy Golm, Camp Caretaker
Margie and Bill Dooley, District Office Secretary
Jean and Jim Ewers, District Treasurer
Rev. Larry Betz, District Secretary and Advisory Board
Rev. Wayne Brown, Advisory Board
Rev. John Carr, Advisory Board
Rev. Fred Prince, Advisory Board
Rev. Rob Prince, Advisory Board
Arlene Chenoweth, Advisory Board
Dr. John Dickey, Advisory Board
Gordon Horton, Advisory Board
Mark Pennington, Advisory Board
Gene Smith, Advisory Board
News From Around Our Great District
Successful reviews were held for Rev. Don Rucker at Flint First Church and for Rev. Bob McFarlane at Allen Park. Congratulations to both of these men on 4 year extensions of their calls.Brighton Church has hired Jamie Stamm as Children's Minister.
Sunday, December 23rd will be the last Sunday at Bad Axe for Rev. Gordon Gossman. The Gossmans are moving to LaJunta, Colorado.
We have closed on the purchase of the new district office. We are now beginning to remodel this new facility in Fenton. Rev. Clarence Moorhouse from our Nehemiah Project is leading the renovation effort. If you would be able to lend a hand, please contact Dr. Anthony by phone or e-mail.
Every church should have received a packet regarding contributions to the Eastside Missions feeding program. Pastors, would you please be so kind as to promote this in your service this Sunday and next. This is a great program that gives a generous tax donation to those who contribute.
The District Office will be closed from Friday, December 21st at noon until Wednesday, January 2nd at 9AM.
It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Dr. David Bowser, senior pastor at West Flint Church, as the new District Chairman of Sunday School Ministries. His appointment is according to the MANUAl of the Church of the Nazarene. The appointment comes following the resignation of Rev. Daryl Blank from this position.
Our sympathy is extended to Mandy Hodge whose mother passed earlier this month. Services were held in Midland.
Jerry Schalau's mother, Erma Dale, passed away on December 20th. Funeral services will be Monday, Dec. 24th at 11:00 at Meuir Brothers Funeral Home . The funeral home is just south of the Lapeer Nazarene Church in Lapeer on M-24. The viewing will be Sunday from 1-8pm at the funeral home. Burial is at the Attica Cemetery and a luncheon will be served at the hall across from the cemetery. Rev. David Wermuth will be officiating at the service.
Rev. Gordon Gossman, pastor of the Bad Axe Church, has resigned to accept a call to the LaJunta, Colorado First Church of the Nazarene. His last Sunday in Bad Axe will be December 23.
Rev. Bob Moulding reports that the Ann Arbor Honey Creek Church has a signed purchase agreement on 12 acres of land approximately 3 miles south of the church in Lodi Township. The present location is being squeezed out by commercial development and they hope to relocate when a substantial offer is made on their existing location. A Meijer Store has gone in across the street and a Lowe's is scheduled to be built next to their church.
Rev. Larry Dahlberg, pastor of the Sandusky Church, is the winner of our Big Buck Contest. Larry bagged a 12-point buck on Friday following the opening of the season.
Warren Woods Church has hired Kelly Ruddle as their new school administrator to replace Rev. Greg Chenoweth who will be going to
Colling Church Seeks Help With Piano Expense
Colling Church of the Nazarene is looking for a grand piano to purchase for their sanctuary. Colling has had a grand piano fund established for years and last spring committed to try to raise the funds needed to purchase a grand piano by this Christmas of this year. While they have not met their goal, the Colling church has raised a significant amount toward the cost. (The cost of the caliber of piano they wish to purchase is estimated at $24,000.) They are asking anyone in the district who thinks they may be able to help with this endeavor to contact board member Alex Harrison at harrhome@avci.net.Crossroads Children Receive Letter from President Bush
A special letter was received by
the children at Crossroads Church of
the Nazarene. On September 16, the
Sunday following the terrorist attacks,
the children wanted to do something
special to help the country. They wrote
letters and drew pictures to encourage
President G. W. Bush. Among the
messages from the children were "We're
praying for you!," We know you'll do what's
right!" and "God bless you!" Their teacher, Jason Justice collected the pictures
and letters and sent them to the White House. On Sunday, December 9th, a
letter of response sent to the Crossroads church office and signed by G.W.
Bush was presented to Jason and the children during morning worship. "The
kids wanted to do something to help in some way. I think this has been a good
experience for us. We'll be hanging this up on the wall in our Children's
sanctuary!" Jason said.
Message from the Eastside Mission
Thank you Eastern Michigan District from
Flint's Eastside Mission. You helped us with your
offerings, donations and the work you did preparing
the house and much more. Because of you and the
60 volunteers we were able to do the following. 395+
men, women and children ate full course ham dinners. 250 children sat on Santa's lap and had there picture taken. They and there parents then received over 1,000 stuffed animals, tree ornaments and candy around Santa. 108 turkeys with apples and baked goods were handed
out.
Over in the new house 1,500 gifts were distributed to men, women and children. Most of these gifts were given to children. Unbeknownst to us a local country
radio station,B95, who had contributed gifts to us also announced what was going on. As you might know we have over 400 infants on our roles and it was
amazing to see so many babies in the crowd.
Your missionary hearts made it possible so YOUR Mission could minister to the multitude of needy people on Flint's Eastside. So we represent them as
we thank you again. AND ALL BECAUSE OF JESUS.
Love,
Barb and Bill Burdine
A Message from the PrimeTime Ministry Director
We are living in an incredible era! The people living in America today are more open to the Gospel than at any other time I have experienced. God is mentioned in political speeches, television and radio programs, newspapers and magazines, and even in our schools! With this openness to "God" we sons and daughters of God, have the glorious opportunity to share the Good News of Christ to these open hearts around us.I am Rev. Charles Bledsoe, your newly appointed Eastern Michigan District's, PrimeTime Ministry Director. I am currently serving as the local PrimeTime Ministry Director at the Union Lake Nazarene Church. My wife, Susan, and I have pastored and/or been in staff ministry for 25 years, serving on the West Virginia South, Central
As you may already know, Jim Ewers served for 9 years as our District PrimeTime Ministry Director. His service and dedication to the mature adults on our district built a solid base upon which this ministry can continue to grow. Our challenge now is to continue to build our District PrimeTime Ministry, so we can develop a ministry "To, Through, and By" middle & mature adults who are 50+, and their spouses.
I am currently building a database of Names and E-mail addresses of those interested in PrimeTime news and events. Please click on the link below, and send your: Name, Address, Phone #, and E-mail address to me.
Your Co-laborer In Christ,
Rev. Charles A Bledsoe
392 Meadows Circle
Wixom, MI 48393
Home Phone: 248-684-9457