eTidings January 2007

eTidings - March 2007

In this Issue:

From the District Superintendent

District Assembly and NMI Convention are just a little over a month away and what a great time we anticipate having at Detroit First Church. This will be my 30th Eastern Michigan District Assembly and Convention since I arrived on the district as a rookie pastor out of Nazarene Bible College in 1977 and I have enjoyed everyone of them. Some would try to argue that the need for a NMI Convention and Assembly no longer exist. I believe that these may be more important today than ever. Below are The Top Ten reasons Convention and Assembly are important today:

  1. To see the big picture of our church and ministries around the world
  2. Catch the vision of ministry beyond our local setting
  3. Fellowship and interaction with others in the work of the Lord
  4. Rejoice in the successes of others
  5. Encourage those who are discouraged
  6. Hear the heartbeat of our leaders
  7. Catch the vision of our leaders
  8. Be accountable to our leaders and peers
  9. Selection of our leaders
  10. Ordination and Licensing of our Ministers

This year we will be doing something brand new. NMI Convention will begin on Sunday evening, April 22 at 6PM at Detroit First Church of the Nazarene and Ordination will kick off District Assembly on Monday, April 23 at 7PM. Our entire district is invited to join us in these two exciting services as well as the business sessions during the day on Monday & Tuesday, April 23 & 24.

See you there

Stephen T. Anthony
District Superintendent

( For more information on District Assembly & NMI Convention visit www.emdnaz.org or read on...)

NMI Convention and District Assembly

NMI Convention and District Assembly held at:

Detroit First Church of the Nazarene
21260 Haggerty Rd.
Northville, MI 48167

Phone: 248-348-7600

Information on Hotels, Restaurants, and Map to Church visit: www.dfcnazarene.org

Dr. Nina GunterNMI Convention

Sunday, April 22 – 6PM
Monday, April 23 8:30 AM to 5 PM

More on NMI Convention in this issue...

District Assembly

Dr. Nina Gunter - General Superintendent

Monday, April 23 – 7PM
Ministry Celebration & Ordination Service

Tuesday, April 24 – 8:30 AM to 5PM
Business Session
(Lunch will be served at the church for all delegates and guests)

District NMI Update
Reta Steely, District Missions President

N.M.I. CONVENTION
HELD AT DETROIT FIRST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE

On Sunday, April 22, 2007 at Detroit First Church, beginning sharply 5:55 PM, we are gathering for the Theme Presentation of THE CROSS –Seize it! Share it! Bring it home.

Our missionaries this year are Nikolaj and Lydia Sawatzky of Switzerland. (Bio included in the latest NMI Newsletter)

Along with the evening events we will announce the Award winning churches of Top Priority, Priority One and Award of Excellence. We will be favored by special musical talents, the stick ministry of Detroit First, and the Theme presentation BRING IT HOME! by General Superintendent Dr. Nina Gunter.

Encourage everyone to come and hear what God is doing with your eternal investments of Alabaster offering, Crisis Care Kits, and World Evangelism funds. Hear for yourself how God is moving among nations that were resistant to His word. However, because you prayed, doors of opportunity are opening beyond our greatest imagination and people are seeking our Savior as their own.

Car pool or bring a bus load. God is moving among the nations. Come hear the good news. Don’t be late.

SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:
In house meals offered at Convention $7.00
Jesus film ministry up date at convention
Crisis Care kits collected at convention
NPH will fill supply orders at 8:30 AM meeting

FILL-A-PEW NIGHT APRIL 22

I challenge local presidents to bring at least 10 (ten) people from your church and arrive early enough to claim a pew as your own.
Can you imagine how your church could be challenged at a missionary service that would spill over into your own church services and even the community?

During the early part of the Theme Presentation on April 22 the presidents will be called to stand and be counted . If presidents have been able to fill—a—pew with 10 or more from their own church. They will receive an eatable long stem rose and applause for their effort. Just possibly, as a bonus, it might improve the mission vision of your attenders . In the long run, this will improve your mission ministry at your local church and community. To God be the Glory!

Reta Steely

Read more about the NMI Convention and other Missions Stories in the NMI Newsletter on Emdnaz.org.

In Memory of Mrs. Doris M. Harris

Doris M. Harris (wife of Rev. Harold Harris) died on Sunday, March 18, 2007.

Viewing will be at McDonald's Funeral Home in Howell, MI. on Thurs., March 22, 2007 from 1:00-4:30 and from 6:00 - 8:00.

Funeral services will be held at Howell Church of the Nazarene on Friday, March 23 at 11:00 am.

Flint Eastside Mission Update
Bill and Barb Burdine, Mission Founders

I'll keep this brief, only because the quarterly newsletter for Eastside Mission "Mission...Possible!" has just been sent out. If you're not currently receiving it, and would like to, please let us know! You can sign up for the newsletter at www.flinteastsidemission.org.

Currently, we're gearing up for Easter! What a wonderful time of year to celebrate all that Christ has done for us. We are so blessed. How can we ever repay all that has been bestowed on us? We can't. Plain and simple. But we CAN strive to have the servant's heart that Christ taught us. How better to attain that than by supporting the Eastside Mission?

There will be a fund raising dinner at Asbury United Methodist Church on Thursday, March 22. The church is located on Davison Road in Flint across from Brown's Funeral Home. Tickets can be purchased for $7 by contacting the Mission or at the door. All proceeds go to the cost of our annual Easter dinner.

The Easter dinner will be held on Saturday, April 7. We need HAMS, EASTER BASTKETS, and CANDY!! If you are interested in helping with the meal, please be at the Mission by 10:30am. Dinner will be served from 11am - 12:30pm.

Finally, the Mission is going to need to replace our boiler in the not-so-distant future. Recently, an estimate was obtained that is $10,250 (this would include all venting, wiring, installation, etc). If you would like to give specifically to this fund, please note "boiler" on the check!

God Bless!
Sammi Justice
Director of Publicity

www.FlintEastsideMission.org

Williams Lake Church Presents: The Victor

For the 12th year, Williams Lake Church of the Nazarene in Waterford is presenting the powerful Easter drama, The Victor. Information about this year's performances of the Victor is available in the announcement flyer. We encourage you to attend this event and invite friends, both Christian and non-Christian. It will change their lives! Please note that due to the large audiences from previous years, the Victor will be held this year at:

The Kettering Performing Arts Center
2800 Kettering Drive
Waterford, MI

Dates/Times:
  • Good Friday, April 6th at 7:00 pm
  • Saturday, April 7th at 7:00 pm

Tickets are FREE!

Download flyer

 

Summer Camp Schedule

  • Junior High Camp, Jun 25-29 (Monday to Friday)

  • Primary Camp, Jul 1-3 (Sunday to Tuesday)

  • Middler Camp, Jul 8-13 (Sunday to Friday)

  • Pre-Teen Camp, Jul 15-20 (Sunday to Friday)

  • Campmeeting, Jul 22-29 (Sunday to Sunday)

  • Senior High Camp, Jul 30-Aug 3 (Monday to Friday)

Child/Youth Summer Camp Forms and Information

District NYI Update

District NYI Council for 2007-2008

Ex-Officio - Dr. Stephen Anthony
President & Administrative Coordinator - Eric Skelton
Ministry Coordinator - Annie Croft
Events Coordinator - Jeff Tschetter
Training and Resource Coordinator - Josh Allen
Financial Coordinator - Cristy VanSteenburg
Bible Quizzing - Robert Flowers
Fall Retreat - John MacDonald
Momentum Coordinator - See Events Coordinator
ONU Celebrate Life Coordinators - Doug and Kandra Hewett
Highest Call Coordinators - Kandra Hewett & Teri Dilts
Campmeeting Coordinators - Jason Crum & Marshall Ruddle
Scholarship Coordinator - Jeff Tschetter
Night to Remember Coordinator - Jason Bjerke
Early Youth Representative - Drew Corbin
Early Youth Representative - Taylor Dickey
Early Youth Representative - Karalyn Hewett
Senior Youth Representative - Kelli Brown
Senior Youth Representative - Laurissa Corbin
Senior Youth Representative - Nicole Soulia
Invited to attend all meetings - Full Time Youth Pastors

Night to Remember

Night to Remember 2007

May 28-29th is our prom alternative Night to Remember.  For over 40 years now, every Memorial Day, Nazarene youth grades 10-12 from the state of Michigan have enjoyed a distinctly elegant and distinctly Christian evening together at the world-renowned Grand Hotel of Mackinac Island, Michigan. The event continues to serve its intended purpose – to provide a legitimate, first-class alternative to the public high school prom. Of those who have attended the Night To Remember event, we have yet to hear someone say that they enjoyed a prom more than this event. The Night To Remember includes round trip Ferry from Mackinaw City, one night’s lodging at the Grand Hotel, Monday dinner and Tuesday breakfast at the Hotel, and an evening of Christian Entertainment. Tuesday is “on your own” for you to explore the island with your friends. Each year our attendance is between 150-225. Our course, being with your friends in this environment is a great time and the best part of the experience! We hope you’ll set aside Memorial Day of the coming year to enjoy a Night To Remember! (Web site: http://www.nntr.org)

2007 NYI Scholarships

In keeping with our district's tradition of both honoring and helping exemplary students, we will again be offering scholarships for qualifying students to attending a Nazarene college or university this coming fall.

The District NYI will award up to five scholarships to graduating seniors attending a Nazarene college or university in the fall, in the amount of $500 ($250 per semester). A great thing about this is that Olivet Nazarene University will match this scholarship for its students, making it worth a $1,000.

One of the five awards is predetermined by District Quizzing competition. If the top district quizzer is not a senior, their scholarship will be band rolled and dispersed upon graduation from high school.

The scholarships are awarded based on the information provided on the application below. A scholarship committee votes for honorees, using a scoring system for each category.

All applications must be post-marked no later than April 2nd, 2007 and include their senior picture.

The honorees will be notified via email and will be announced on the district website on June 4th, 2007.

YOU are vital to this process and play a key role in encouraging your youth that may be eligible. There is a very good chance that your teen(s) may receive this award. Please remind them that this is a merit scholarship, and financial need will not be a factor. Please help by doing the following:

  1. Copy and distribute the application to all graduating seniors planning OR considering a Nazarene College or University.

  2. Post Scholarship information (and application) on your youth bulletin board.

  3. Post the information in your Sunday bulletin so parents are aware of the opportunity as well.

  4. Any questions? Please feel free to contact me at jeff@plymouthnazarene.org or 734-453-1525.

NYC 2007 - Water, Fire, Wind

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

NYC 2007

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!

Highest Call Schedule
  • Sun, March 25 - Southwest Church of the Nazarene at 6:00 pm
  • Sun, April 29 - TBD
  • Thurs-Sat, May 10-12 - Olivet Nazarene University/Celebrate Life
  • Sun, June 3 - Troy Church of the Nazarene at 6:00 pm
  • Mon-Fri, Jul 30-Aug 3 - Senior High Camp
  • Sun-Sun, July 20-29 - Campmeeting

For more information or to schedule, please contact either Kandra Hewett at 734-981-1291 or Teri Dilts at 734-981-5414.

You can check out www.highest-call.com for more updates and information.

Prime Time Ministries Update
Rev. Charles Bledsoe, District Prime Time Ministries Director

Prime Time Work and Witness - Brazil

Rev. Robert McFarlane, Sr., Pastor at Allen Park (MI) Nazarene Church, has agreed to lead a PT W & W trip to Brazil in October, 2008. Pastor Bob has been in contact with Rev. Steve and Brenda Heap and they are selecting potential projects and dates for this exciting missions opportunity for PT'ers.

Watch for details on our GoPrimeTime.org website and in future emails. For more information, email Pastor Bob at BrotherBigBob@Juno.com

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/ministries/ssm/adult/primetime/connections/display.aspx.

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.

District Events and Beyond

  • Spring Luncheon Schedule:
    April 14, 2007 - Tecumseh Nazarene
    April 21, 2007 - Warren Woods
    April 28, 2007 - South Flint

  • October 9-12, 2007 - General PrimeTime Event, Pigeon Ford, Tennessee

  • Oct 26 - Nov 8, 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 to Brazil

  • June 2009 - General Conventions and Assembly, Orlando, Florida
    Our Denomination's First Ever General Assembly Biker's Rally!
    Watch for more details!

For more information concerning PrimeTime events mentioned above, contact:

Rev. Charles A. Bledsoe
Email: Director@GoPrimeTime.org
Phone: 248-684-9457