E-Tidings December 2005
Dr. Stephen &
Marilyn Anthony
District Superintendent 		Rev. Larry
& Kathy Betz
Assistant to the District Superintendent
Dominic & Jasmin Pace (pictured with daughter Hannah & son Hunter)
Camp Director of Development		 Rev. Kendall &
Gail DeFord & family
Camp Director of Buildings and Grounds
Jon & Annie Croft
Camp Program Director
Andrew Frey
Office Administrator
Mrs. Reta Steely
NMI President 		Cristy & Jason VanSteenburg
District Treasurer
Rev. David Bowser
Sunday School Chairman 		Rev. Jim Pope
NYI President

E-Tidings December 2005

In this Issue: (click the title to jump to the article) News From Around our Great District

Rev. David and Eleano WermuthOn Sunday, November 17th, Dr. Stephen and Marilyn Anthony traveled to Vassar Church to spend the day with them and to conduct the pastoral review for their pastor, Rev. David Wermuth. Pastor and Eleanor are completing their 27th year of ministry to the church at Vassar. His church board has given him a unanimous 4 year extension of his call. Rev. Wermuth began his ministry in 1961 when he was appointed as pastor to the Holly Church by district superintendent Dr. W.M. McGuire. Having served for 44 years on the Eastern Michigan District under all five DS's, Rev. Wermuth has pastored at Holly, Beulah, Colling, and Vassar. Thank you, Rev. and Mrs. Wermuth for your faithfulness and Godly leadership and congratulations on the excellent review!

David Payne, husband of Rev. Karen Payne associate at Williams Lake Church, continues to need our prayers as he battles cancer.

Rev. Norman Rickey, interim pastor at Adrian First, fell at a gas station in Adrian and cracked his knee cap. He is OK and continues his responsibilities. This comes after Rev. Rickey has returned to Eastern Michigan to serve as the interim pastor at Adrian First Church. He and his wife Eloise moved to Alabama last year to be near their son, Rev. Greg Rickey who is the District Superintendent of the Alabama North District.

Dorcas Bowers, wife of retired elder Rev. Bill Bowers, underwent surgery Mt. Clemens General Hospital to remove a tumor from her spine. Test results are still pending.

Rev. P.L. Liddell, evangelist and interim pastor at Union Lake, is scheduled to have hip replacement surgery on Monday, December 12th.

Rev. David Roe has resigned as pastor of Adrian Madison Church to accept an assignment to restart a church in New Mexico. The Roe's have served at Madison since October of 2001. Christmas will be their last Sunday at Adrian Madison.

Dr. Anthony and Rev Jeff Crowder Chelsea Church of the Nazarene On the afternoon of Sunday November 13th, Dr. and Mrs. Anthony joined Rev. Jeff and Tammi Crowder for the dedication of the new Chelsea Church building. Rev. Crowder, while serving as associate pastor at Plymouth Church, sensed a call to start a new church in Chelsea. For nearly 10 years they have been meeting in the Methodist Retirement Center in the city. A couple of years ago they were able to purchase acreage outside of Chelsea on Jackson Road with frontage on the I-94 expressway just off the exit. Congratulations to Rev. Crowder and his people for this wonderful facility. Many thanks to the Plymouth Church for being instrumental in starting the Chelsea Church.

On Sunday, November 13th, Rev. Larry and Kathy Betz traveled to Morenci Church for the installation of Rev. Dennis Owens as pastor. Rev. Owens and wife Jodi join the EMD from the Kansas City District where they were pastoring.

Rev. William Thorn and his wife Sandy began their ministry at Bad Axe Church on Sunday, November 13th. The Thorns, originally from the Bedford Church, have moved back to the EMD from Kentucky where he has recently graduated from Asbury Seminary. Many thanks to Rev. Henry and Ce Kern who have served as interim pastor for the last year and a half.

Eastern Michigan to Partner with Colorado in helping Minister and Family

Rev. Gordon Gossman, former pastor of the Bad Axe Church on the Eastern Michigan District, needs our help. He has only been given months to live and would like to purchase a home for his family so they can stay in La Junta, CO where they have been pastoring. We are asking any churches or individuals that would like to make a donation to help this fine young couple to send it to:

Rev. Gordon Gossman and FamilyEastern Michigan District
Church of the Nazarene
PO Box 608
Fenton, MI 48430

Gordon went to Azusa Pacific for several years and worked for a Para-church ministry, He met Lisa through a friend who thought he should correspond with her while she was attending PLNU. They married and he felt the call to ministry. Came to Nazarene Bible College where he graduated in '96 and then pastored in Bad Axe Michigan for approximately 6 years. He came to La Junta in 2002 and has recently resigned there due to his illness. Gordon loves history and is quite a history buff on the American Presidents. Lisa has an interest in writing and has been published several times by periodicals. Gordon was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October of last year and he has been fighting it since.

Gordon & Lisa Gossman
Andrew - 12 years old
Jonathan - 10 years old
Stephen - 7 years old

Hurricane Update: New Orleans

Rev. Duane Nelson, pastor of Madison Heights Church of the Nazarene, has begun an online journal of his experiences assisting in the restructuring of the New Orleans First Church of the Nazarene. Each day, he will be posting a short update and possibly some pictures. Click below to read Rev. Nelson's journal, as well as view pictures of the work being done.

Offering a Helping Hand to New Orleans

Pics of Slidell's Compassionate Ministry to their hurting community

Kitchen work

Hurricane Update: Gulfport

Good progress continues to be made on the Gulfport Church. Currently, Hurricane clips are being installed on the steel building. This is a painstakingly slow, but necessary, process that needs to be completed prior to construction of the exterior steel walls and roof. The church has purchased a scissor lift to help expedite this process.

Brighton will have a team on site over Thanksgiving weekend to continue work on their two adopted houses.

Thank you to those churches who have scheduled to work on the project. I would like to schedule teams through the end of February and see how the work progresses up until that time. Our current schedule is:

Dec. 3 - 10 - Open
Dec. 10 - 17 - Warren Woods
Dec. 17 - 24 - Open

Dec. 24 - 31 - Lake Louise (Dec. 22 - Jan. 1) (church)
Brighton (adopted homes)
Dec. 31 - Jan. 7 - Metropolitan (and possibly Bedford)
Jan. 7 - 14 - Detroit First

Jan. 14 - 21
Jan. 21 - 28
Jan. 28 - Feb. 4
Feb. 4 - 11
Feb. 11 - 18
Feb. 18 - 25
Feb. 25 - Mar. 4

Please contact me at (586) 771-4821 if your church wishes to schedule a team. Individuals may continue to sign up through the website at http://www.emdndr.org.

Remember, just because Katrina is not in the headlines anymore, does not mean that the need has diminished. Offerings for Katrina relief may be forwarded to the District Treasurer to cover construction expenses at Gulfport Church of the Nazarene.

Thank you again for your support and generosity.

Chet Decker

www.emdndr.org

Eastern Michigan Nazarene Bible Institute Winter Term Classes

Eastern Michigan Nazarene Bible Institute announces its class offerings for the WINTER TERM - January 5 - March 27, 2006.

MONDAYS @ Detroit First Church (21260 Haggerty Rd., Northville)---------- 6:30 - 10 p.m.
Class: PAS-2013 THE PRACTICE OF CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
Insturctor: Dr. Ron Blake

MONDAYS @ Fenton District Office
Class: OTR-4013 DEVELOPTING A MISSIONAL CHURCH ---------- 6:30 - 10 p.m.
Instructor: Rev. Vince Flippo

THURSDAYS @ Flint First (G-3560 Beecher Rd., Flint) ---------- 6:30 - 10 p.m.
Class: PAS-3033 CHRISTIAN PREACHING I
Instructor: Rev. Don Ault, Jr.

THURSDAYS @ Flint First (G-3560 Beecher Rd., Flint) ---------- 6:30 - 10 p.m.
Class: BIB-3053 PAULINE EPISTLES
Instructor: Rev. Margie Bryce

The DEADLINE for registration for these classes is December 18th. To register contact the director, Don Ault via e-mail: dnault@tband.net or phone: 989-665-2635

Missions_Update

Merry Christmas from the Missions Board

Merry Christmas from the Missions Board

A Letter from Uganda Missionaries Dan and Melody Anderson

Things are a bit unsettled in Uganda and we request your prayer.

Uganda Missionaries Dan and Melody Anderson

Uganda will be having general elections next February and all of the months leading up to it will be tough. President Museveni has not yet officially made himself a candidate, but the constitution has been changed to allow for more than only two terms as president. The opposition candidate was arrested on Monday on various charges which caused some ruckus in the capital, Kampala, and has spread to other parts of the country including Jinja, where we live. We think things are settling down regarding this for now.

The northern part of Uganda continues with the ongoing situation of rebels attacking villages, abducting children and forcing them into their army. Many displaced people are living in camps or spending the nights sleeping on the streets near to the barracks or in a trading center for protection.

Hitting closer to us personally has been a letter (copies) left at the gates or in the compounds of three missionaries here in Jinja. The letters have the tone of 'missionaries go home'. (We did not receive the letter.)

All of the authorities have been notified and the Jinja missionary community of more than 50 has discussed the situation and prayed together. We are all requesting prayer from our sending churches.

Thank you for taking Uganda before the Throne of God in prayer.

Your missionaries,

Dan and Melody Anderson

Flint Eastside Mission Update
Flint Eastside Mission Logo

Christmas At the Eastside Mission

Our Christmas dinner and outreach is on Saturday, December 17 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Volunteers may come between 10 and 10:30 a.m. Any other questions may go to Barb Burdine at (810) 767-5312. After that event, the Mission is closed until the beginning of the new year: Monday, January 2.

Reminder: please remember the needs of the Mission for your year-end giving. Any donations may be sent to Flint Eastside Mission, 1829 Delaware Ave, Flint, MI 48506. See how a $400 donation may cost you $100. Check out the Tax-Wise giving brochure online in PDF format.

You can also donate online using PayPal!

EMD NYI

2005-2006 NYI Bible Quizzing Information

The following dates have been set aside for EMD Youth Bible Quizzing in the 2005-2006 season:
  • Dec. 10, 2005 at Plymouth
  • Jan. 14, 2006 at Richfield
  • Feb. 11, 2006 at Detroit First
  • March 24-25, 2006 TBA ( This date may have to change because of Spring Breaks and Momentum Conflicts)

For more information on NYI Bible quizzing, contact: Rev. Bob Flowers, 810-232-8081, 810-577-7721 (mobile) or reviceman@netzero.net

EMD-NYI Turkey Bowl 2005 Flag Football Tournament Results

EMD-NYI Turkey Bowl 2005 Flag Football Tournament Results

Highest Call

Highest Call is a 34 voice teen choir that travels across the district to churches once a month. They are a talented group of singers and surely something you will not want to miss!

Highest Call Appearance Schedule

January 22, 2006
Sunday pm - Plymouth Church of the Nazarene

February 12, 2006
Sunday pm - Richfield Church of the Nazarene

March 19, 2006
Sunday pm - Otter Lake Church of the Nazarene

April 30, 2006
Sunday pm - Williams Lake Church of the Nazarene

June 11, 2006
Sunday pm - Flint Central Church of the Nazarene

You can also check out www.highest-call.com for more updates and information.

Sunday School Ministries Update

Children's Ministry Workshop 2006

Children's Ministry Workshop 2006

Date: January 21, 2006
Time: 9:00-3:00 (Registration begins at 8:00)
Location: Williams Lake Church of the Nazarene
Cost: $7.00 in advance, $10 at the door

Returning for a second year, Williams Lake Church of the Nazarene is excited to offer an affordable children's ministry workshop.

Rev. Karla GreciThis year, Rev. Karla Greci (photo, left), Pastor to Children & Families at Detroit 1st Church of the Nazarene will be our keynote speaker to teach us about understanding the children and families that we minister to, inspiring them to grow in God's grace and Word, and equipping them as disciples of Jesus Christ. This will be a full-day of practical information to bring back to your church.

Pre-register by phone or mail by January 13. Make checks payable to "Williams Lake Church of the Nazarene."

Breakout Sessions Include
  • Intergenerational Worship & Ministry
  • Public School Programs
  • Health & Safety Issues in Kids Ministry
  • Crafts
  • Multi-sensory Teaching
  • And More!

Hosted by: Williams Lake Church of the Nazarene 2840 Airport Road
Waterford, MI 48329
Phone: 248-673-5911
Fax: 248-673-5810
Email: pastorericward@comcast.net
Children's Ministries Department: 248-673-5911 ext. 13

Children's Quizzing 2005 - 2006 Schedule

  • January 28, 2006 At Rochester

  • March 18, 2006 At Various Locations blue level only have quizzes on their zone to qualify for the district quiz (red quizzers automatically go to zone)

  • March 25, 2006 At Detroit First: District quiz, for all red level quizzers and for those blue level quizzers that qualified at the Zone Quiz, Is On March 25

  • June 2 & 3, 2006 At Olivet Nazarene University (For those who qualify at the district quiz)

PrimeTime Ministries Update

PrimeTime Work & Witness "Barbados Blitz 2006"

We have 52 participants, representing 14 districts; 33 local churches; 4 denominations in 13 states and 2 Canadian provinces. We have 21 "rookies" and 31 "veterans." There are: Two Mother-Son; One Father-Daughter; One Father-Mother-Daughter-Niece and Nine husband-wife combinations. We even have a retired missionary who served for a few years in Barbados! The average age of the participants is 63 years with ages ranging from 24 to 78. The 31 veterans have completed 98 W&W trips and when The Blitz is completed these teams will have a combined total of 150 W&W trips which is over 5 years of volunteer service to our Lord and missions!

Time is running out, however there is still room for YOU!

For more information go to: www.GoPrimeTime.org

Or phone: Rev. Charles A. Bledsoe at 248-684-9457

Prime Dates to Remember!

January - 2006
  • January 13 - 26: PT Barbados W&W Blitz - Team One
  • Jan 27 - Feb 9: PT Barbados W&W Blitz - Team Two
February - 2006
  • February 10 - 23: PT Barbados W&W Blitz - Team Three
April - 2006
  • 1: 1st Spring Luncheon - Flint East Nazarene
    Hostess: Cecilia Howe - Phone: 810-658-3323
  • 22: 2nd Spring Luncheon - Bedford Nazarene
    Hostess: Lyndene Olson - Phone: 734-850-0073
  • 25: EMD District NMI Convention - Brighton
    EMD Ordination Service - Brighton
  • 26: EMD District Assembly - Brighton
  • 29: 3rd Spring Luncheon - Allen Park Nazarene
    Hostess: Phyllis Reese - Phone: 734-283-3349
June - 2006
  • 3: PrimeTime Senior Summit @ ONU
    Evangelizing Senior Adults with Dr. Lyle Pointer of Nazarene Theological Seminary. Mrs. Paula Porter, who will join her husband, is a credentialed counselor dealing with various lifestyle issues.
    Pre-Registration Cost is $35.00.
    For more information call: 1-800-648-1463
July - 2006
  • 23 - 30 Family Camp at Howell
September - 2006
  • 10: Grandparents Day!
  • 12 - 15: PrimeTime Event at St. Charles, MO
    Rev. Jerry Porter, General Superintendent - Guest Speaker Embassy Suites / Convention Center.
    St. Louis, MO, was the launching point for the Lewis & Clark Westward expedition. This beautiful and historic city is the setting for our 2006 retreat. Plan to join with Hundreds of PrimeTime adults as we explore this celebrated location.
    More Information? WWW.Nazarene.org/ssm/adult/primetime