E-Tidings June 2003
From the District Superintendent
Missionary Convention and District Assembly are more than just business sessions. They are times of inspiration, prayer and excitement as we hear what God is doing on our District and around the world. This year's convention and assembly have been streamlined to one day each with such changes including meals being served in house to save on traffic and restaurant hassles and use of multi media for reports and presentations. Dr. Paul Cunningham will be our presiding General Superintendent. Highlights will include the ordination of 6 elders into ministry, the organization of a new church and launching of several more new church plants. Everyone is invited to attend either or both days. Below is the information about times and places.Stephen T. Anthony,
Eastern Michigan District Superintendent
In this issue:
- News from Around Our Great District
- Prayer Needs
- Longtime District Treasurer Retires
- Emdnaz.org/camp is the Place for Summer Camp Registration and Info
- Once again, Night To Remember Lives Up to Its Name
- Caravan Awards Presented at Detroit First
- Email Leads to New Assignment for District Pastor
- Port Huron Church Invites Alumni to 75th Anniversary
- New Pastor at East Flint Church
- Teri Dilts Honored for Contributions in Many Areas of Service
- NYI Convention Elects Leaders
- About E-Tidings
News from Around Our Great District
- Remember the upcoming dates for NMI Convention and District Assembly to be held at Warren Woods. Both will be one day events this year. NMI Convention will be held on Tuesday, July 8th and District Assembly on Wednesday, July 9th. All pastor and associates along with lay delegates are expected to attend all sessions. Please contact me if there is something that will prevent you attending both of these days.
- On May 25th, Dr. Anthony attended the Flat Rock Church with Rev. Michael Bright. God is greatly blessing his ministry at Flat Rock. Following the service Dr. Anthony met with his board and they have asked that his appointment be extended for the next year.
- The church board of Flint Central Church along with Dr. Anthony conducted the regular pastoral review of Pastor Gavin Raath. They have unanimously extended his call for four more years. During the six years since Dr. Raath came as pastor, the church has grown from Sunday morning attendance of around 600 to this year reaching an average of 1300.
- Construction has begun on the first building for Flushing Church. Congratulations to Pastor Daryl Harvey and his congregation.
- Williams Lake Church has called Rev. Eric Ward as Children's Pastor. Eric is a recent graduate of Olivet and the son of the Revs. Darold and Patty Ward. He replaces Rev. Pat Sexton who has retired from Children's Ministry. Eric and Debbie Bentley of Madison Heights Church are planning a June 21st wedding. Sunday, May 25 was Rev. "Aunt" Pat Sexton's last as Children's Pastor at Williams Lake Church.
- Nancy Crampton, pastor's wife at Bad Axe, is available for speaking engagements for Ladies Groups. Prior to the Cramptons coming to Bad Axe, she was an officer with the Salvation Army. She can be reached at 989-269-8496.
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Congratulations to Rev. Fred and Linda Hall, pastor at Plymouth Church, on the birth of their first (and second) grand child. Their daughter, Christa and husband Ed Spencer of Columbus, Ohio gave birth on May 23rd to twins Paige Christine (5lbs 6 ozs) and Ethan Edward (4 lbs 14ozs). (see picture left) - Rev. Alan Duce has resigned as pastor of Monroe Church. He and wife Jan have accepted positions as professors at Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs. Their last Sunday will be June 29th.
- Rev. Art Crawford, pastor of Beulah Church has resigned. His last Sunday will be May 25th.
- Last Sunday, Dr. Anthony filled in for Rev. Don Rucker of Flint First Church. Don has been in KC doing work on his doctorate at Nazarene Seminary. Flint First is doing very well under his leadership.
- Rev. Martin Hodge, pastor at Silver Lake Church reports exciting things happening. In the past month they have had 90 or more 3 different times. They have received 15 new members and baptized 8. They are also looking forward to helping plant a church in the coming year.
- This Sunday, June 15 will be the dedication service for the new Monroe Church building. Everyone is invited to join the congregation at 3 P.M. The church is located next to the Monroe Fair Grounds on Highway 50 west of Monroe.
- Rev. Tom Humpreys, pastor at Ann Arbor First Church wiill be leaving following District Assembly to accept a position as assistant pastor of the Korean Church that has been meeting in the Ann Arbor First building.
Prayer needs
Please pray for the following:- Dr. Neil Strait, DS of the Michigan District, continues to undergo treatment for cancer.
- Pam Jaymes, pastors wife at Howell Church, had surgery the week of May 19.
- Rev. Dave Ballard, associate pastor at Port Huron First Church, was hospitalized in Mercy Hospital with problems from his recent surgery. Also Jan Ballard's mother is hospitalized with heart problems in another Port Huron Hospital.
- Rev. Bill Bixler, Associate Pastor at Port Huron First, is home following a recent hospitalization.
- Churches seeking pastors - Ann Arbor First, Beulah, Detroit First, Monroe
Longtime District Treasurer Retires
As we come to the close of this year, it also means the retirement of our District Treasurer, Mrs. Jean Ewers. Jean began her service to the EMD over 20 years ago when Dr. Don Gibson was the DS. She served for many years as secretary to the DS and finally as our Treasurer and administrator of the District Health Plan. Jean has been a very valuable part of our district and will be greatly missed. We wish her and Jim the best in these year's of their lives. If you would like to drop her a note, please send it to her as follows:Jean Ewers, 4208 Aster Blvd.
Howell, MI 48843
517-546-0824
jeanewer@juno.com
As we say farewell, we also welcome our new District Treasurer, Mrs. Cristy VanSteenburg. Cristy will begin on June 1, but has been working closely with Jean over the last two months to make the transition go smoothly.
Once again, Night To Remember Lives Up to Its Name
Dr Anthony and Marilyn accompanied our young people to Mackinaw Island for the annual "Night to Remember". Dr Anthony said "I was so proud of our teens. They are a great group and deserve our respect and support." "Night to Remember" is a prom alternative and is a great bargain. It is for High School Juniors and Seniors and is held each year on Memorial Day and Tuesday following. Thanks to Rev. Steve Barkey and his team for another successful event.Caravan Awards Presented at Detroit First
On Wednesday May 28, the Caravan Awards Ceremony at Detroit First Church were held. They had over 200 Caravaners and leaders this year. One of the highlights of the evening was the awarding of the Phineas Bresee Award to three young ladies. Congratulations to Director Tina Moore on a very successful year!
New Pastor at East Flint Church
On Sunday, June 1st, Dr. Anthony installed Rev. Ron Sharpe (see picture left) as pastor of East Flint Church. Ron has returned to Eastern Michigan following a 9 year pastorate at Muskegon. Ron and Leslie have purchased a home in Davison and will be moving in this week.Email Leads to New Assignment for District Pastor
Several weeks ago Dr. Anthony sent out an e-mail regarding an opening to pastor in St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. That little note has turned into a call for Rev. Paul and Kathy Alger. They have accepted a unanimous call to the Christiansted Church. The church is a congregation of between 40-60 with a school of 72 students in pre-K through 8th grade. They will begin this new assignment in August!Port Huron Church Invites Alumni to 75th Anniversary
Port Huron, MI, Church of the Nazarene, Oct 11-12, 2003. Former pastors, staff, members, and friends are invited to attend or send greetings. For more information contact the church office at 1923 Garfield, Port Huron, MI 48060; phone 810-982-9110 or e-mail pastor@phfirstnaz.org.
Teri Dilts Honored for Contributions in Many Areas of Service
Congratulations to Teri Dilts on receiving the Timothy Award at the District NYI Convention on May 31st.(see picture right) Teri has served on the NYI Council for many years and is stepping down to devote her time and energy as Director of Great Lakes SoloCon. She also serves on the District NMI Council and is co-director of Highest Call. On Sunday, June 1st, her church, Plymouth Church, surprised Teri with the Distinguished Service Award for her many years of service there.NYI Convention Elects Leaders
At this year's District Nazarene Youth International Convention, the following were elected to serve for the coming year:- Rev. Greg Boisture - President
- Rev. Dan Black - Vice President
- Mr. David Horton - Treasurer
- Mrs. Sue Price - Secretary
- Ashley Geiger - Senior Youth Rep.
- Derek Jerome - Senior Youth Rep.
- Zac Caldwell - Early Youth Rep.
- Allyse Moore - Early Youth Rep.
Top 10 Churches for May 2003 Morning Worship Attendance
- Flint Central 1388
- Richfield 876
- Warren Woods 779
- Detroit First 527
- Howell 506
- Brighton 431
- Adrian First 381
- Williams Lake 354
- Plymouth 345
- Flint West 328
Top 10 Churches for Increased Attendance for May*
- Richfield (+156)
- Flint Central (+133)
- Warren Woods (+128)
- Flushing Community (+93)
- Caro (+33)
- Southwest (+27)
- Monroe (+26)
- Adrian First (+23)
- Bedford (+23)
- Fenton (+22)
*Difference between May 2003 and May 2002.