E-Tidings July 2006

E-Tidings July 2006

In this Issue: News From Around our Great District

From the District Superintendent:

The following is from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

"The camp meeting is a phenomenon of American frontier Christianity. The movement of thousands of persons to what had previously been trackless wilderness in the 18th century in America had led to something of a religious vacuum. Not only were there few authorized houses of worship, there were even fewer ordained ministers to fill their pulpits. The "camp meeting" was an innovative response to this situation. Word of mouth told that there was to be a religious meeting at a certain location. Due to the primitive means of transportation, if this meeting was to be more than a few miles' distance from those attending, it would necessitate their leaving home for its entire duration, or as long as they desired to remain, and camping out at or near its site, as usually there were neither adequate accommodations or the funds necessary to obtain them. At a large camp meeting, many came from over a large area, some out of sincere religious devotion or interest, others out of curiosity and a desire for a break from the arduous frontier routine, although many in this latter group often became sincere converts as well."

A lot has changed since those early days of Campmeeting; people now arrive in modern vehicles with air conditioning rather than by foot or covered wagon. The accommodations are a lot different as well. Most will be staying in either motel type rooms, private homes or nicely appointed travel trailers or motor homes complete with microwave ovens and color televisions (some with a satellite dish).

However, some things have not changed. People still come to the Eastern Michigan Campmeeting from as far away as Florida, San Francisco and everywhere in between to stay for the duration of the camp. They come with a desire to have a break from the routine and live in an atmosphere where God can deal with their heart. Many can point back to a time at the Campmeeting altar where they settled the greatest issues of their life and put their faith in Christ. For 50 years the EMD Campmeeting has been a spiritual highlight for our district. This year we are expecting it to once again be a time of great spiritual renewal in the lives of our people.

I want to invite each of you to Campmeeting 2006 being held July 23-30th at the Eastern Michigan District Campground near Howell, Michigan.

For more information please visit www.emdnaz.org.

See you at the Campmeeting!

Steve Anthony
District Superintendent

Upcoming Camp Dates

Primary Camp: July 5-7, 2006

Middler Camp: July 9-14, 2006

Pre-Teen Camp: July 16-21, 2006

Campmeeting: July 23-30, 2006

  • Evangelists - Rev. Jimmy Dell and Dr. James Mellish
  • Worship Leader - Bryan Arner
  • Bible Teacher - Rev. Claude Nicholas

News From Around the District

David Payne, husband of Rev. Karen Payne, Associate Pastor at Williams Lake Church, passed away on June 22nd after a long battle with cancer.
Pastor Janet Raeburn has notified the District Office that she is pregnant! She and baby are doing well with a due date of October 16th. Pastors Steve and Janet Raeburn are full-time Children Evangelists on the EMD.
Rev. Don Frey took 19 people into membership (12 by profession of faith) at South Flint Church on June 11th.
Rev. Ben Walls of Brighton Church recently had his 4 year pastoral review. With a very positive review, the church board has extended Pastor Walls' call through May of 2010. Pastor Walls has served at Brighton Church since 1988.
Bad Axe vanRev. Bill Thorn and the Bad Axe Church are excited to have been able to purchase a church van recently. The van is currently being used to transport their "New Life" class to church.
Rev. Charles Bledsoe, part-time Associate at Union Lake Church has resigned. His last Sunday was June 11th.
Rev. Don Stroud, Senior Pastor at Filion Church, will undergoe total knee replacement surgery later this month.
Work has begun on the installation of air conditioning units for the Tabernacle on the District campground.
Rev. Robert McFarlane, Senior Pastor at Allen Park Church, has received clearance from his doctors to return to the pulpit following heart bypass surgery.
Rev. Wayne Alger, Senior Pastor at Mount Morris Church, reports that they have just completed a re-roofing project. With help from several others, as well as financial support from an area Nazarene Church, repairs were made to the decking and a new metal roof was installed.
Rev. Eunice Johnson, elder and mother of Rev. Barb Stewart of Bethel Church, is in CCU (Cardiac Care Unit) in critical care. Her surgery went well but they cannot keep her blood pressure under 200. Rev. Johnson along with her husband Rev. R.C. Johnson pastored several churches on the Eastern Michigan District including Howell and Bethel.

Prayer Requests:

  • The family of David Payne

  • Pastor Janet Raeburn (and baby) during her pregnancy as the summer months are very busy for the Raeburns

  • The many Vacation Bible Schools taking place across the District during the summer months

  • Our District Children Camps this month

  • Our upcoming Campmeeting on July 23-30

2006 Softball Tournaments

The 2006 District Softball Tournaments will be held on July 21-22 for men, and July 29 for co-ed teams and legends (men 40 & over) at the District Center in Howell.

  • All proceeds go to our Campmeeting fund
  • ASA Rules (specific tournament rules will accompany schedules)
  • Game schedule will be sent after pairings are determined
  • Tournament fees are $150.00 per team, payable to Eastern Michigan District
  • Rosters and tournament fees are due July 9th

Send rosters and fees to:

Eastern Michigan District
P.O. Box 608
Fenton, MI 48430

Email rosters to: emdoffice@emdnaz.org
Fax rosters to: 810-750-4082


2006 Gibson-Haines Golf Tournament

The 2006 District Gibson-Haines Golf Tournament will take place on
Saturday, July 22, 2006 at:

Hunter's Ridge Golf Course
8101 Byron Rd.
Howell, MI 48855

Registration begins at 7:00am. Shotgun start at 8:00am.

Cost is $70 per golfer/$280 per team of four.

Registration deadline is July 17, 2006.

Complete registration form and mail to:

Brighton Nazarene Church
c/o Lisa Bowman
7669 Brighton Rd.
Brighton, MI 48116

Please include the total greens fees and make check payable to
"Eastern Michigan District"

Fees include:

  • Donation to the Olivet Scholarship
  • The greens fees
  • Riding Carts
  • Coffee and Donuts
  • Lunch
  • Prizes
  • Great fun and fellowship

Click here for Registration Form (PDF)


The Search for Significance Seminar

Flint Central Church and Deer Park Church are co-sponsoring a seminar with speaker and author Dr. Robert McGee. Dr. McGee is the author of the best-selling book The Search for Signicance.

This special event will take place at Flint Central Church on Saturday, July 15th
from 9am - 12 noon (free breakfast at 8am).

The cost is $20 per person or $30 per couple.


SoloCon Great Lakes 2006

SoloCon Great Lakes 2006 - "Never Alone"
September 1-4, 2006 at Camp Michindoh

Keynote Speaker: Dr. David Graves
Worship Leaders: Kyle and Carrie Gerrild

For more information, contact Teri Dilts, Director at 734-981-5414 or solocongrtlakes@yahoo.com.


District Campground Update

Independence Day Celebration

Come celebrate our Nation's birthday with us at YOUR campground! Make this Independence Day memorable by participating in a Disc Golf Tournament or walking through the RV park and judging the "Most Patriotic RV" contest.

For the children there will be carnival games, and we will have our inflatable bouncy house and slide open. There will be face painting and all the popcorn, sno-cones, and cotton candy they can handle!

Click here for more info

Upcoming Camp Dates

Primary Camp: July 5-7, 2006

Middler Camp: July 9-14, 2006

Pre-Teen Camp: July 16-21, 2006

Campmeeting: July 23-30, 2006

  • Evangelists - Rev. Jimmy Dell and Dr. James Mellish
  • Worship Leader - Bryan Arner
  • Bible Teacher - Rev. Claude Nicholas

Flint Eastside Mission Update

Bill Burdine, Mission Founder
Sammi Justice, Director of Publicity

Just two quick notes for this issue! Please note that the Mission will be CLOSED for the month of July, opening up again on August 1. Please hold any donations until then.

Also, we still need school supplies (i.e.: pens, pencils, erasers, scissors, paper, folders, binders, crayons, markers, glue, etc), and BACKPACKS! We need at least 500 backpacks! If each church can sponsor 10 backpacks, we'll have our goal and then some! PLEASE HELP! Our Back-to-School fun fair will be August 25th.

Thanks so much for your continued support and prayers for Eastside Mission! Have a great summer!

Sammi Justice
Director of Publicity

Please visit our web site to read current and past newsletters, to sign up for the quarterly newsletter, or to sign up for Pastor Bill's e-mail prayer chain!

www.FlintEastsideMission.org


Missions_Update

Wednesday, July 26 - NMI District Council will show appreciation to all local NMI Presidents and spouses and all Pastors and spouses with ice cream and all the toppings right after the evening service of camp meeting with Jim Mellish.

Saturday, September 16 from 8:30am till 12:30pm - It's the return of "Family Day of Missions" at Flint Central. Mary Johnson from Mexico and Bob and Frances Collins from Brazil will be our guests. Pastors going on the district Work and Witness trip will have a planning and informational meeting with the Collins also. Big plans for the children with director Eric Ward. On hands involvement is happening with the youth director Marshall Ruddle. Don't miss it! Be there!

February 24, 2007 - EMD and MI TEAM Day - Perry, MI (8:30am - 3:30pm)

Questions?   Ask Reta: rsteelynmi@sbcglobal.net


EMD NYI
NYC 2007

NYC 2007 - Water  Fire  Wind

Who is eligible? Anyone who is graduating high school in 2007 through 2011.

How much does it cost? $450.00 plus hotel, travel & sponsor cost.

When & Where is it? July 10-15, 2007, St. Louis, Missouri

Who will be there? 10,000 high school students from across Canada and the USA. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Visit www.waterfirewind.com to register or for more info!
 

Olivet Dates

  • September 29-30, 2006 - Red Carpet Days (concurrent with Family Weekend)
  • November 9-12, 2006 - Homecoming Weekend


Sunday School Ministries Update

I found the following article in the June 2006 "One on One" E-Newsletter from Dr. Lyle Pointer at Evangelism Ministries in Kansas City. Reaching out to touch someone is still the critical issue in the Sunday School. You can subscribe to the "One on One" E-Newsletter by contacting BMclaughlin@nazarene.org.

Quality Produces Quantity

Surprisingly many church leaders, both professional and laity, remain convinced that a quality program produces a growing number of people. (To the contrary, my suspicion is that quantity may require quality). Let's look at this assumption:

  • The Sunday Schools in Nazarene churches have the best educated teachers we have ever had.

  • We have the most capable speakers and facilitators now.

  • Never has the curricula been better than what is marketed to the church world. The curricula are supported by audio-visual aids, creative teaching methods, and in-depth resources.

  • We worship and study in the best buildings we have ever owned. Many churches have updated and remodeled the furnishings so that the place we learn is the finest we have ever had.

  • Our leaders are the best trained ever in our history.

Why then has Sunday School been declining?

  • We have been counting on quality to produce increasing numbers.

  • Years ago most of our Sunday School teachers were uneducated.

  • The buildings were schools, dance halls, theaters, store fronts, basements, or homes.

  • The overhead projector had not been invented. Flannel graphs were the hot, new innovation.

  • Curricula were printed in black ink.

  • Teaching methodology was assumed to be lecture.

Why did the Sunday School grow?

The Sunday School teacher visited the unchurched. Relationship-building is still the basis upon which Sunday Schools grow.

If new people are to know of the quality of ministry, someone has to tell them somehow and some way. Sunday School increases because people invite people.

For Sunday School,
Gary A. Slusher


PrimeTime Ministries Update

EMD PrimeNews Is Now Online!

You may now view, download and print a copy of Prime News, so you may distribute this informative and interesting newsletter to PrimeTimers in your church and community. The most recent four issues are posted for your enjoyment.

The web address is: www.NazPrimeTime.com

You may also review our denomination's PrimeTime Ministry Newsletter. Over 12 issues of "PrimeTime" are posted for you to read, download and print.

This address is: www.nazarene.org/ssm/p_newsletter.html

Nazarene Sunday School's Adult Ministries has launched a new Adult Ministry Online Magazine entitled Adult Ministries Connection. Read the first issue today!

The address to this new resource is: www.amc.nazarene.org

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

  • July 23-30, 2006 - District Camp Meeting at Howell

  • September 10, 2006 - Grandparents Day!

  • Jan-Feb 2007 - General PT Event, Mexican Riviera Cruise

  • October 2007 - EMD PrimeTime Ministry Work and Witness Adventure!
    Apache Avenue Church of the Nazarene [Albuquerque, New Mexico]

  • September / October 2008 - General PT Event [Kansas City, MO]
    "Celebrating Nazarenes 100th Anniversary"

  • October / November 2008 - EMD PrimeTime Work & Witness Adventure, Brazil

  • June 2009 - General Conventions and Assembly [Orlando, Florida]

For more information concerning PrimeTime events mentioned you may contact:
Rev. Charles A. Bledsoe
Email: Director@GoPrimeTime.org
Phone: 248-684-9457