E-Tidings February 2006
News
Jon and Andrea Croft have accepted the Youth Leaders position at Howell Nazarene. Jon and Andrea are recent graduates of ONU, Jon with a degree in Psychology and Andrea in Spanish and Art Education. Together they are teaming up as leaders for Howell's youth ministry. Jon also works at the District Center as Program Director.
Rev. Gordon Gossman passed away early the morning of February 1, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Gordon is a former pastor of Bad Axe Church of the Nazarene. Please be in prayer for his wife, Lisa, and 3 boys (Andrew, Jonathan, and Stephen) during this time.
Congratulations to Rev. Randy Hartman and his wife Jacquie of Monroe Church on the unanimous extension of their call for 4 more years.
Rev. Jay Bush, youth pastor at Metropolitan Church, has resigned to accept an associate pastor position at Springfield First Church of the Nazarene in Illinois, with Rev. Fred Prince.
Detroit First Church has called as their new Pastor to Youth and Families, Rev. Eric Skelton. Eric and his wife Angela with their daughter Erin will begin their ministry at First Church on February 12th.. Pastor Skelton is a graduate of Olivet Nazarene University and has served as a Youth Pastor since 2003, most recently at Salem Grace Church of the Nazarene in Salem, Illinois.
Rev. Dennis Owens, pastor of Morenci Church, has announced that the church has called Rev. Tom Ewen as associate pastor with specific responsibilities with Youth. He and his family will be coming from the Lansing South Church.
Beginning with the new church year March 1, Andrew Frey our District Office Administrator, will take over responsibilities as the District Web Master. Andrew has Web design and maintenance experience having operated his own company specializing in this area. He will be taking over from Mr. Jason Justice who has been our Web Master and E-Tidings Editor since their inception in September 2001. Jason has continued to do an outstanding job for the district throughout his time. The move is being made to bring this function in-house and to allow the District to elevate Andrew's responsibilities. Andrew can be reached at emdoffice@emdnaz.org.
Clio Community Church of the Nazarene, under the leadership of Pastor Scott Salo, recently purchased 11 acres of land on Clio Road for a future building. Since the purchase agreement was signed some month's ago, we have learned that this property was once part of the farm where our own Rev. Milton Bunker's mother lived. It was known as the Butler Farm.
Notice to all District Licensed Ministers
The ONLY meeting of the District Credential and Studies Boards will be on Monday February 27, 2006. The Boards will conduct their meetings at Flint Central Church. The appointment times will begin at 9 AM and go through late afternoon and evening if necessary. All District Licensed Ministers & individuals applying for their 1st district license must call the district office (810-750-4080) to schedule an appointment time.
If you have any questions please call the district office.
Thank you in advance for your help in this very important matter.
Larry V. Betz
EMD Secretary
Junior Celebrate Life Information at emdnaz.org
Junior Celebrate Life information is coming March 4th, 2006 at Richfield Church. Information is available on the District Web site. Simply go to www.emdnaz.org/celebratelife for rules, event categories and forms.
This year we also strongly encourage all parents or guardians of participants in Junior Celebrate Life to register their children online. It is quick and simple! If you have questions about Celebrate Life, see your church's Children's pastor or director.
NMI Convention & District Assembly Schedule
The schedule for NMI Convention and District Assembly to be held at the Brighton Church will be as follows:
NMI Convention: Tuesday, April 25 8:30am - 9pm (Lunch in house - supper on own)
District Assembly: Wednesday, April 26, 8:30 am to 5pm - business, 7 - 9pm Ordination Service (Lunch in house - supper on own)
Prayer requests:
- Our sympathy is extended to Rev. Jane Ream, pastor at Living Waters Church in Ann Arbor. Jane's mother passed away in Kansas. She was 90 years old. In addition, her spiritual mother, Marie Ream of Adrian First Church, also passed away.
- David Payne, husband of Rev. Karen Payne at Williams Lake, as he battles cancer.
- Several churches that are on Work & Witness trips
Miracle in Africa
We are praising the Lord for wonderful news from an unnamed country on the Africa Region. According to JESUS Film Coordinator Terry Barker, a JESUS film team has reported "miraculous" numbers of people attending film showings and seeking to know Christ. It is the very first time that the film and projection equipment has been taken into this particular area. Please continue to pray for the JESUS film ministry.
Crisis Care Kits
CCK's will be collected in completely packed banana boxes only. Meaning 6 completed kits in each banana box. A charge of $5 will be collected at the semi- truck that will be parked in the back of the parking lot of Breighton Church of the Nazarene where the NMI Convention will be held this year. Collection starts at 8:00AM and will close at 9:00AM on Arpil 25, 2006. You must remember to send in the $12 for each box to KC so they can afford in turn to send them to needy areas. Thank you.
This offer will save you bundles of money trying to ship kits to Maryland. We have our own driver and truck from EMD who will deliver them. District council hopes that this will be a yearly event and that you take advantage of this opportunity to minister to others more economically manner for all of us. Start collecting Crisis Care Kits and School Pal kits to be collected on NMI Convention morning. See you there.
Questions?
Ask Reta: rsteelynmi@sbcglobal.net
2006 NYI Scholarship Information Now available
The 2006 NYI Scholarship Cover Letter and Application are now available on the youth section of EMDNAZ.org.
2005-2006 NYI Bible Quizzing Information
The following dates have been set aside for EMD Youth Bible Quizzing in the 2005-2006 season:- 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
Dundee Community Church of the Nazarene Co-Sponsoring "Battle Cry For A Generation" Kickoff Event
How do you stop the trends of an increasing divorce rate, sex-drenched entertainment coming from Hollywood and the removal of traditional Christian symbols from the public square? A group of Dundee churches is trying to answer that question by bringing the message of Jesus Christ to local teenagers and their parents. The churches are co-sponsoring a kickoff event for the Teen Mania "Battle Cry" event coming to Ford Field in April. The kickoff will begin February 18, 6:00 p.m. at the Dundee Assembly of God Church, 13790 South Custer Road. The event is sponsored by the Dundee Community Church of the Nazarene, Dundee Assembly of God and River of Live Community Church.
"Churches are losing teenagers to the corrosive culture in which we live," said Robert Lalonde, youth leader of the Dundee Community Church of the Nazarene. " If the present trends continue, fewer than 10% of the next generation will have a functioning relationship with Jesus Christ. Battle Cry is a call to Christians of all denominations to work together to rescue a generation that is being pulled down by the culture in which we live."
The event will feature Dominic Russo, a Detroit-based evangelist who works with large groups of teens throughout the United States, Central America and South America. For additional information, go to www.dominicrusso.org.
Battle Cry meetings (http://www.battlecry.com) are stadium events held this year in Detroit, Philadelphia and San Francisco where adults and teenagers will be challenged to take a stand for their faith and help lead the 33 million American teens who are part of the millennial generation to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.
"Over the past 40 years we have seen church membership decline, the divorce rate climb, television and radio programming has become more vulgar and teen violence explode onto the national scene," said Lalonde. "If we want to stop this trend, we need to begin right now. And the February 18 kickoff is a great place to begin pulling our kids back from the precipice. We encourage anyone who is concerned about this to attend."
For additional information on the Feb 18 event, call Robert Lalonde at (734) 529-9927. The kickoff event is free and interested teens and adults are encouraged to attend.
EMD Teen Selected for Youth in Mission
Each year, the Church of the Nazarene sends over one hundred college and university students to minister cross culturally in areas of North America and around the world through the dynamic ministry of Youth in Mission. We have been blessed this year with 100 students!
The Easter Michigan District would like to congratulate Ranea Surbrook of Plymouth on being selected to be a part of the Youth in Mission ministry this summer. Ranea will be serving in Thailand.
2006 NYI Scholarship Information
Night to Remember 2006
Attention all Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors from the Eastern Michigan District!
"Night to Remember" in the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island has been a tradition of Michigan Nazarene Youth for over fourty years. Again, this year, the Michigan District, Eastern Michigan District and Northern Michigan Districts are combining for an unforgettable event.
The event dates are Monday and Tuesday, May 29 & 30, 2006. (many come up a night early however on Sunday, May 28, and stay in Mackinaw City). Cost is $147 per person due by April 7, 2006. (Late payments are $162 and accepted only until April 21). Send payments to Jason Bjerke at 53386 Venus Drive, Shelby, MI 48316.
For more information, visit www.nntr.org.
Night To Remember 2006 Documents
2006 Summer Camps Information
2006 Summer Camps Brochure - 2086K PDF
Saturday at Olivet for Youth Workers
Dear Youth Pastor/Worker:
We are anticipating a wonderful Saturday at Olivet event this February 25th, and look forward to hosting you and your 8th - 10th graders. We want to Thank You in advance for making this a part of your youth calendar. The schedule of events is as follows:
9:30 - 10:15 a.m.
Registration (Leslie Parrott Convocation Athletic Center Lobby)
10:15 - 11:15 a.m.
Concert (Wisner Auditorium)
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Campus Tours/Planetarium Show
12:15 - 1:30 p.m.
Lunch (Ludwig Center)
1:45 - 2:30 p.m.
Campus Tours/Planetarium Show
3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Men's Basketball Game (McHie Arena, Leslie Parrott Convocation Athletic
Center)
For pre-registration or more information call 800-648-1463 or visit the Olivet website at www.olivet.edu
See you Saturday the 25th.
Warren W. Rogers III
Director of Nazarene Admissions
Olivet Nazarene University
Other Olivet dates...
Red Carpet Days - September 29 and 30 (concurrent with Family Weekend)
Homecoming weekend is November 9 - 12.
MOMENTUM
Things are starting to roll for MOMENTUM 06 and Regional Celebrate Life 06. We are hoping to build on our second place finish last year at Regional CL and take that step to first. Our athletics will be what pushes us to the top. More information about Momentum is available on the Momentum page at emdnaz.org
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
February 12, 2006Sunday 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.
Children's Quizzing 2005 - 2006 Schedule
- 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)
After 30 months of planning, promoting and praying EMD's PrimeTime Ministries, Work & Witness, Barbados Blitz 2006 is upon us! On Friday, January 13th (No, this is not a typo) Rev. Robert McFarlane (Allen Park) will lead the first of three teams on our denomination's History-Making, PrimeTime Ministry Work and Witness Blitz. The excitement among the participants is on the level of a youth group's first trip to Cedar Point! Below is some interesting information compiled from the registrations:
EMD Participants:
Rev. Robert McFarlane - Allen Park
Rev. Charles & Susan Bledsoe - Union Lake
Tim Brown - Ridgeway
Ken Moore - Ridgeway
Judy Lucas - Fowlerville
Earl & Priscilla Mann - Highland
Fontella Lyke - Monroe
Lorna Carter - Monroe
Dr. Jerry Porter, General Superintendent, and his wife Toni, will be joining our Barbados Blitz on January 28 - 30. Their presence will be a great encouragement to our Barbados Blitz 2006 adventure as well as our Bajan Nazarenes.
Team One has nine members who were also on our denomination's first District sponsored, PrimeTime Ministry, Work & Witness trip to leave the USA. We went to Florianopolis, Brazil in October 2003.
Team Two has Dr. David Brown and his wife Catherine & Professor Patsy Livingston, retired professors from Point Loma Nazarene University.
Team Two is lead by Doug Krassow, a lay staff person responsible for their local PrimeTime Ministry at the Roxana (IL) First Nazarene Church.
Team Three is lead by Rev. Tami Wilson who is pastor of the Frankclay (MO) Nazarene Church and the Missouri District PrimeTime Ministry Director. Rev. Wilson is the first woman to lead a PrimeTime Ministry Work and Witness team.
Please pray for our PT, W&W Barbados Blitz 2006. We strive to glorify God as we offer PrimeTimers opportunities to maintain continual growth through ministries tailored to PrimeTimer lifestyles.
For more information please go to our website: www.GoPrimeTime.org You may subscribe to receive a free email notice each time the website is updated. While in Barbados each team will be posting articles and photos to this website. You will want to be notified after each posting so you may follow all the action!
Spring Luncheon Schedule
| April 1 | Flint East Church Cecilia Howe, Hostess 10070 Clark Davidson, MI 48423 Phone: 810-658-3323 |
| April 22 | Bedford Church Lyndene Olson, Hostess 470 Fife Street Temperance, MI 48182 Phone: 734-850-0073 |
| April 29 | Allen Park Church Sandy Frahm, Hostess 5815 Miller Road Dearborn, MI 48126 Phone: 313-582-8243 |
All Luncheons begin at 12:00 Noon. Cost is $12.00 per person. Special speaker is Rev. P. L. Liddell
Promotion Packets will be mailed to each church so be watching for your packet. Plan to attend and to bring an unchurched friend. Stay Informed! Stay Connected! Stay Active!
ONU PrimeTime Historic Tour
May 8 - 12, 2006 Branson, Missouri. Departure is from the ONU campus. The cost is $550.00 per person and a $150.00 nonrefundable deposit is required. For more information or to pay with a credit card please phone: 815-928-5562.
PrimeTime Summit
June 3, 2006 Our General PrimeTime Ministry office, in cooperation with Olivet Nazarene University is presenting the second Senior Summit on the campus of ONU. The purpose of this summit is to address the critical issues of equipping PrimeTime leaders.
Dr. Lyle Pointer, Professor of Evangelism at the Nazarene Theological Seminary, will be the keynote speaker. His inspirational messages and workshops will focus on evangelizing PrimeTimers.
Paula Pointer, a professional counselor will also be conducting seminars of PrimeTimer interests.
Cost is $35.00 if paid by April 30 and $45.00 if paid after April 30.
Plan to attend so your leadership and evangelism skill can be sharpened for a more effective ministry to the least evangelized group in America.
PrimeTime Retreat
September 12 - 15, 2006 St. Charles Missouri.
Located just half an hour from St. Louis, you will be able to enjoy many attractions that bring thousands of visitors to this area every year. Beautiful St. Charles boasts the beginning of the Lewis and Clark expedition.Rev. Derl Keefer, PrimeTime Ministries coordinator and retreat director states: "We are anticipating a wonderful time in St. Charles. We are excited to have General Superintendent, Dr. Jerry Porter as our retreat speaker. I know Dr. Porter will bring significant and inspiring messages during this retreat."
Make plans now to attend! Watch for the retreat costs and registration details in the PrimeTime newsletter and on the web at: www.Nazarene.org/ssm/adult/primetime
To request a brochure call: 800-221-6317 or email: PrimeTime@Nazarene.org
District Events and Beyond
April 25, 2006 District NMI Convention at Brighton
April 26, 2006 District Assembly at Brighton
July 23 - 30, 2006 District Camp Meeting at Howell
September 10, 2006 Grandparents Day!
January / February 2007 General PT Event Mexican Riviera Cruise
September / October 2007 General PT Event Charlotte, NC
September / October 2008 General PT Event - Kansas City, MO: Celebrating Nazarenes 100th Anniversary
June 2009 - General Conventions and Assembly Orlando, Florida