Etidings February 2003

E-Tidings Volume 3, Issue 2 February 2003

In this Issue:
  • From the District Superintendent
  • News From Around Our Great District
  • Ladies Day at Olivet Coming Up April 5th
  • 2003 Family Day of Missions
  • Thanks From the Flint Eastside Mission for a Great Christmas
  • Detroit First to Host Dove Award Nominee Dean-o in Concert For Kids
  • Youth News from District NYI Director, Greg Boisture
  • 2003 Camp Dates
  • 2003 Camp Meeting Rates and Policy for Gibson Center District Center Caretaker
  • District Center Seeking Safe
  • District Center Caretaker Position Open
  • Leonard Sweet to Speak at West Flint Nazarene
  • Top 10 Churches for AM Worship Attendance in January 2003
  • T op 10 Churches for Increase in AM Worship Attendance
  • About E-Tidings

From the District Superintendent:

        Flying from Florida to Flint, I picked up the "In Flight" magazine put out by the airline on which I was traveling. Amidst all of the ads touting the best deals on credit cards and rental cars was an article that caught my attention. It was entitled "Beware the Signs of Brand Malaise". Writer Alf Nucifora addressed the signs and symptoms of corporations that are dying. He mentioned K-mart and others that used to rule the retail market and now are either out of business or near extinction.

        Six signs and symptoms, according to Nucifora , preceded their demise.
  1. Staff turns nasty - Employees obsessed about their own well-being, lose faith in the company and turn surly, uncaring and cynical.
  2. Company turns inward - Customer service turns lousy and established customer relationships begin to fray or come apart.
  3. Stale Prevails - Innovation and freshness disappear from the business strategy and the quick fix becomes operating necessity.
  4. Confusion Reigns - Inevitably the dying brand has walked away from its original mission in life.
  5. Where's the benefit? - The consumer changed but the brand failed to notice. The message remained rooted in a belief about the customer that is at best behind the times, and at worst, obsolete.
  6. Stand for something - Everyone knows what the company/brand stands for. No exceptions, no dispensations, no corners cut.
        With the Church of the Nazarene nearing our 100th anniversary, we must continually address the issue of our existence. The church was founded to spread the Good News of Full Salvation. The doctrine of entire sanctification was so compelling to our founders and early church leaders that it grew a church from coast to coast and around the world. We must be careful on the one side that we not get so caught up in growth of the church that we lose our message and purpose. On the other hand, we must not be so tied to traditions, that the very people that we are sent to bring to Christ, find us irrelevant. Christ died to not just save and sanctify the generation He lived in, but our generation as well. His message is continually contemporary.

        Even though I am a card carrying AARP member, I want to be part of an alive, thriving church. One that keeps me challenged as it continually changes in method to reach the lost with the unchanging message.

Steve Anthony

News From Around Our Great District

  • The board of Lake Louise Church has unanimously extended Pastor Dave Gerber's call for 4 more years. Congratulations Dave and Ruth!
  • Lapeer Church has vote to call Rev. Andrew Jolly as pastor and he has accepted. Andrew and wife Lisa are currently pastoring the Merritt Road Church on our District. He will begin his ministry in Lapeer on March 9th.
  • Rev. Dennis and Diane WegnerRev. Dennis and Diane Wegner (photo right) have been filling in as interim pastor at Troy Church since last November. They have given excellent leadership and the congregation voted unanimously to call them as their senior pastor. They have accepted.
  • Rev. Ed Kile, pastor of Millington Church,  is recovering from a blood clot in his lung. 
  • Rev. Alan and Ann Stokes have arrived from Minnesota to director our camp. Rev. Stokes is also available for pulpit supply.
  • Eastern Michigan District will be hosting a Church Planters Assessment for the denomination in March. It will be held at the Gibson Center on our campground.
  • Matt Gordon, youth pastor at Caro Church, has resigned.
  • Chelsea Church has voted to sell their parsonage and give Pastor Jeff Crowder a housing allowance in order to purchase their own home.
  • Pray for Rev. Mike Morris as he directs his first SCI Conference to be held at the M3 Conference in Nashville.

2003 Family Day of Missions

EMD Nazarene Missions International
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2003
Time: 9:00 am - 12:15 pm
Make it a family outing! Come and be inspired by the unique, humorous and witty personality of Wes Eby from NMI office in charge of Mission Education. Gain ideas and be challenged to do more and be changed by the ministry of our Youth of Highest Call. Experience the full drama presentation by Brighton Church of Bridge of Blood which is a true story of Jim Eliot who took Christ to the Aucas. Children will enjoy mission puppets, stories, songs, crafts and snacks with Diane Vandershuur and team. Teens will gather for games and listen to our own Greg Chenoweth as he shares from his year teaching in Korean Bible College. Then join the last portion to witness the drama with the adults. Nursery will be provided for infants and toddlers.  

Ladies Day at Olivet Coming Up April 5th

Saturday, April 5, 2003 from 9am to 3 pm CST
Chalfant Hall at Olivet Nazarene University

Featuring the inspiration of Dr. Gary M. Sivewright and the music of Mary Lewis Motivational speaker and author Dr. Gary M. Sivewright speaks to thousands every year at conventions, conferences, camps, retreats and revivals and is a frequent contributor to Holiness Today magazine. Currently  the vice president for campus ministries, chaplain and professor at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Gary previously served as editor of the Junior High Curriculum for Nazarene Youth International, as editor of two teen magazines and as director of Nazarene Youth International. Mary Lewis, an accomplished singer, pianist and clarinetist, is a published composer and writer and has recorded three albums. Registration fee is $30 through March 10. For further information, see your women's ministries director or call (815)939-5221.

Thanks From the Flint Eastside Mission for a Great Christmas

"Our Christmas Outreach was the biggest ever as 105 volunteers help us served 391 ham dinners and hand out over 1400 gifts, stuffed animals and turkeys. Santa took care of the stuffed animals and as the children sat on his lap pictures were taken and parents received ornaments off the Christmas tree. They received a turkey, provided by the Flint Box Makers Co., as they left the Mission. We also provided 50 free Christmas trees later that day. Channel 12 visited the Mission that day and aired their tape during the 6pm news. How wonderful it was to see each volunteer take a special interest in our friends of the Eastside.

It is so important to them to be accepted and made to feel loved. This was all done by 105 wonderful men, women and children who gave of their time to make that day a very special day for us all.

The Food Pantry serviced 890 individuals in December while 897 ate hot lunches not counting our Christmas Dinner crowd. Diapers and Formula were distributed to 93 infants in the month and as always many availed themselves to the clothing, household items, furniture and appliances ministry. 50+ heads of hair were cut free and 20 eyeglasses were provided."

Dean-O

Detroit First to Host Dove Award Nominee Dean-o in Concert For Kids

Detroit First Church is proud to announce a concert for children and their families coming in June. Dean-O is a Dove award nominee for his album "Soul Surfin'". His music is very dynamic and engaging, along with being full of scripture and life-changing lyrics! Everyone at NAZJAM this summer loved him, from 4 year olds to adults! This is a concert that won't disappoint!!

Detroit First Church of the Nazarene
Saturday, June 7 6:30 pm - Doors open at 6:00
Tickets $3-advance/$4-door *special group rate of 25 or more in advance $2/each. Tickets go on sale April 1. Call (248) 348-7600 for tickets or information

Youth News from District NYI Director, Greg Boisture

The District NYI merit scholarship will be in your youth leaders mail soon.  You will be able to download the information from the District Web site.  Check the web site soon to download your copy.  This scholarship is for students that will be graduating from High school this spring.  It is valued at $500 to any Nazarene College or University.  Although Olivet Nazarene University will match the scholarship making it worth $1000.  This is a great opportunity to get some much needed money for college.  There will be 4 awarded.  So be sure to get the information as soon as you can. 

"Night To Remember" is always a good way to spend the weekend of Memorial Day.  Packets of information will be out soon.  Encourage the teens in your youth group to participate in this event at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.  This is a Prom alternative, which means that instead of going to Prom at their school they would join us at "Night To Remember" and dress up in their prom clothes and enjoy an evening of great food and wholesome entertainment.  Watch for your packets in the mail for further details.

Celebrate Life Basketball TryoutsDistrict Celebrate Life '03 was a great success! It took place on February 1st at Warren Woods from 8 AM to 5 PM.  Doug and Kandra Hewett led the teens and leaders through a magnificent day.  Everyone had a lot of fun and are anticipating their trip to Olivet for the Regional competition, May 15-17.

District Scholarships for Eastern Michigan District graduating seniors will be sent out to the churches soon.  You will also be able to download an application from www.emdnaz.org website in the next few weeks.  This merit scholarship is good for $500 to any Nazarene College or University, but is worth $1000 at Olivet Nazarene University (because they match the $500).  There will be four scholarships awarded by merit and one awarded to the top quizzer.  Keep an eye out for the information packets coming in the mail early February. 

EMD youth Quizzing has been a great success this year.  Scott Meikle from Detroit First is the Quiz Director and doing a fabulous job.  The quizzers are learning scripture and enjoying friendly competition and great fellowship.  District Finals is March 14-15th at Warren Woods.  Come out and support your quiz team from your church, it's a ton of fun. 

Nazarene Youth Conference Meeting of the Century.  There will be a meeting for all participants of NYC '03, March 8th, 2003 at West Flint Church of the Nazarene from 10 AM - 1 PM, lunch will be provided for all participants.  This is an important meeting and every one is expected to be there.  A lot of important information will be provided at this time, but most importantly we are going to begin building unity within the group and you will not want to miss this.  NYC is going to be held in Houston, Texas July 22nd - 27th, 2003. This trip will be a life change experience for all of the participants involved.  We are sorry to announce that there will be no new registrations accepted.  Although there is a waiting list if room becomes available.  This is a costly trip.  If you would like to sponsor a student or feel like you would want help a student participate in this event with any amount, please contact Greg Boisture @ (586) 598-8555.  

Is your youth group having a party that you would like to have a little Karaoke?  Well, the NYI department owns a Karaoke Machine that you can rent for $30.  All you need is a TV.  Contact Jeremy Selvidge at (810) 653-6218 for rental information.

Top 10 Churches for AM Worship Attendance in December 2002

Remember: For complete statistics for every church and every month since Sept 2001, visit www.emdnaz.org and click on stats.
  1. Flint Central (1329)
  2. Richfield (760)
  3. Warren Woods (750)
  4. Detroit First (528)
  5. Howell (464)
  6. Brighton (421)
  7. Flint East (393)
  8. Adrian First (358)
  9. Williams Lake (358)
  10. Plymouth (322)
Top 10 Churches for Increase in AM Worship Attendance *
  1. Flint Central (+151)
  2. Morenci (+78)
  3. Flushing Community (+59)
  4. Richfield (+48)
  5. Bedford (+34)
  6. Williams Lake (+29)
  7. Detroit New Hope (+25)
  8. Millington (+23)
  9. Imlay City (+23)
  10. Adrian First (+22)
*(Comparison of January 2002 to January 2003)