E-Tidings March 2006
In this Issue:- From the District Superintendent
- NMI Convention/District Assembly Schedule
- District News
- Children's Ministry Workshop
- VBS Training Event
- District Campground Update
- Flint Eastside Mission Update
- NYI Momentum
- Summer Camps Information
- NYI Night to Remember
- Highest Call
- Children's Quizzing Schedule & Results
- PrimeTime Ministries Update
From the District Superintendent:
Twenty Seven years ago at the old Flint Central Church, Marilyn and I knelt at the altar while General Superintendent, Dr. Charles Strickland, laid his hands on my head and ordained me a minister in the Church of the Nazarene. What a great moment in my life. It was confirmation by the church of my call to preach and a lifetime of service. Many District Assemblies and Ordination Services have come and gone in the years since that night 27 years ago, but I always eagerly look forward to Assembly and particularly the Ordination Service.
This year, our District Ministerial Credentialing Boards have approved 11 ministers to be ordained as either an Elder or a Deacon in the Church of the Nazarene. In addition, over 20 will be receiving their first District Ministers License. Can't you just begin to imagine the places the Gospel is going to be proclaimed and the 10,000's of lives that are going to be impacted because of these Godly men and women that are giving their gifts and talents along with their futures to Christ for service. What a great privilege it is to participate in this event and in the lives of the ones God has called.
I want to personally invite our Eastern Michigan District Family to these wonderful days of Mission and Ministry to be held at Brighton Church. Please join me in praying not just for the business to be completed, but that God would move among us and these meetings would be anointed by His Holy Spirit.
Dr. Stephen T. Anthony
NMI Convention & District Assembly 2006 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
8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
District Assembly:
Wednesday, April 26
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Business Session)
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Ordination Service)
Brighton Church of the Nazarene
7669 Brighton Rd., Brighton, MI
Dr. Nina Gunter
General Superintendent
Dr. Nina G. Gunter is a general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene with an office at the International Center of the denomination in Kansas City, Missouri. She was elected at the 26th General Assembly in Indianapolis, Indiana, in June 2005, the first woman to be honored with the highest office in the church. At the time of her election, she was serving as general director of Nazarene Missions International (NMI), a position she had held since 1986. During her tenure, she initiated many missions programs, and the annual giving to missions increased from approximately $30 million to $62 million. She is a respected leader, motivational speaker, and inspiring visionary.
More News
Hundreds of children from many of our churches gathered Saturday at the District Junior Celebrate Life held at Richfield Church
where they used their talents to glorify God in this annual event. Thanks to Rev. Janet Benjamin for her good work in organizing this event.
Rev. Don Rucker, pastor at Flint First, has resigned to accept a position as Director of an Extension Campus of Azusa Pacific University. Don and Darla's last Sunday will be March 19th.
Rev. Terry Clees, pastor at Ann Arbor First, has resigned to accept an appointment as pastor at Adrian Madison Church. Terry and Catherine will begin their ministry in Adrian on April 2nd.
Rev. Glen Gardner has received a unanimous 4 year renewal of his call at Flint Central Church. Congratulations to Glenn and Kayla as their ministry at Central continues.
The Boards of Ministerial Credentials and Studies met with dozens of candidates for ordination and licenses. They have approved 11 Candidates for Ordination and over 20 first time license candidates.
Rev. Paul McNett, pastor at Caro Church, had successful back surgery on Friday and is now at home recuperating.
Rev. David Gerber, pastor at Lake Louise, is scheduled for back surgery on March 15th at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital.
Prayer Requests:
- David Payne, husband of Rev. Karen Payne at Williams Lake, as he battles cancer.
- Rev. David Gerber - Back surgery on March 15th
- Several churches that are on Work & Witness trips
Children's Ministry Workship
WHAT: Children's Workshop
WHEN: Saturday, April 22, 2006 from 10:00am-1:00pm
WHERE: Detroit First Church of the Nazarene
21260 Haggerty Rd, Northville, MI 48167
WHO: All Children's Directors, Children's Pastors and Pastors
WHY: To share ideas, meet other directors, and be encouraged
OTHER DETAILS: Please register by April 18, 2006 to Rev. Chris Bednarczyk
Home: (734) 287-2740 or Allen Park Church of the Nazarene: (313) 383-7610
COST: $3.00 per person, Lunch will be provided
VBS Training Event
District Campground Update
Campground Updates Name and Logo
As you know last year at campmeeting we started a write-in campaign to name our camp. For many of you it will always be "The Campground", but to all of those outside our district who use our campground throughout the year our new name is "Water's Edge Camp & Conference Center." I would like to thank all of you who submitted ideas, it was very helpful for the camp board to have so many names to choose from. You will begin to see the new name and logo on all of our promotional material and when you call our office. Please be assured that it is still your campground, just with a new name. We are excited about this new phase in the history of our camp and are looking forward to our continued service as a ministry of the EMD Church on the Nazarene.
50 Years of Nazarene Camping
"The District Center has the potential of becoming one of the most beautiful summer camps in Michigan." - Dr. W.M. McGuire, 1956
This was the charge given to the people of the Eastern Michigan District by then District Superintendent Dr. D.W. McGuire. Those words still ring true on our campgrounds today. This summer we will celebrate our 50th annual family camp meeting. Many things have changed since that first "Camp Meeting Under the Stars" fifty years ago. Back then, the only building was the dining hall. The Tabernacle was a large canvas tent. Everything else was a plan and a dream. We have seen those dreams come to fruition over the past fifty years, and yet there are still more dreams to come. Join us this summer as we look back at the last fifty years and look ahead to the next fifty.
In the words of Dr. McGuire, "This is only the beginning of a great service for God."
Flint Eastside Mission Update
Bill Burdine, Mission Founder
Sammi Justice, Director of Publicity
The first two months of 2006 have seen some changes at the East Side Mission. Rev. Margie Bryce resigned as the Director of Marketing and Development to focus on teaching as local colleges. Sammi Justice assumed the roll of Director of Publicity, while Jason Justice remained the Webmaster for www.FlintEastsideMission.org.
Though change often brings upheaval and chaos, with God's help, this transition has been a smooth one. The Mission served the Flint East Side in the following ways:
January:
- 1,857 lunches
- 157 special Saturday lunches
- 875 men, women and children were served from the food pantry
- 1,945 lunches
- 117 special Saturday lunches
- 826 men, women and children were served from the food pantry
It's amazing to sit back and watch God work in the lives of not only those receiving help from the Mission, but those volunteering at the mission. What a blessing to do God's work! If you would be interested in helping at the Mission individually or by bringing a group, please contact us! You may do so by calling the Mission Monday - Thursday, 9am -1pm at 810-767-5312, or by e-mailing Pastor Bill and Barb at ESMission@aol.com.
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.
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
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
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.
2005-2006 NYI Bible Quizzing Information
The following dates have been set aside for EMD Youth Bible Quizzing in the 2005-2006 season:- March 24-25, 2006 (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
2006 Summer Camps Information
2006 Summer Camps Brochure - 2086K PDF
2006 NYI Scholarship Information Now available
The 2006 NYI Scholarship Cover Letter and Application are now available on the youth section of EMDNAZ.org.
Olivet Dates
Red Carpet Days - September 29 and 30 (concurrent with Family Weekend)
Homecoming weekend is November 9 - 12.
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
March 19, 2006Sunday 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 2006 Schedule
- View Results of 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)
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 in Charlotte, NC
September/October 2008 - General PT Event - Kansas City, MO "Celebrating Nazarenes 100th Anniversary"
June 2009 - General Conventions and Assembly in Orlando, Florida