E-Tidings Volume 2, Issue 7 September 2002
In this Issue:- From the District Superintendent
- News From Around Our Great District
- New Life Church Purchases Van
- Flint Eastside Mission Sends Kids Back to School in Style
- Labor Day Celebration a Huge Success
- Sunday School Convention Coming up September 14th
- District Women's Retreat Information Available
- Northpointe Church Puppets visit Eastside Mission
- Michigan Nazarene Right to Life Charity Shoot
- Legends of Gospel Music Come to Detroit First Church
- Mad About "US" Comes to Warren Woods Church
- EMD Lay Retreat Information Available
- About E-Tidings
From the District Superintendent:
First the images of planes plowing into buildings and then the almost surreal sight of those same buildings collapsing. Our world and our lives were changed that fateful Tuesday one year ago. But buildings weren't the only things that collapsed on 9/11. Our economy has been shaken, our security has been undermined, and if you've passed through an airport lately, you know that it is no longer business as usual. This year has highlighted the need for faith and trust in God in a person's life. It had become all too easy to trust in a strong economy and our own resources. The "good life" came crashing down along with the twin towers and the void that remains cannot be filled with any human means. Our nation's and our world's only hope is God and His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus had just told His disciples of the events that would accompany the end times. They must have been rattled and shaken, but He calmed their hearts as He does ours today with a promise; "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Luke 21:33 NIV.
As we remember 9/11 along with the victims and their families, let's also remember where our hope and security must be placed.
News From Around Our Great District
- Rev. Daryl Blank pastor at East Flint has resigned to accept a call to the Goodletsville Church of the Nazarene on the Tennessee District. His last Sunday at East Flint will be September 15.
- Congratulations to Rev. Chris & Cora Baker, youth pastor at Williams Lake Church, on the birth of their son. Jonas Allen Baker was born August 15 and weighed in at 7 lbs and 10 ozs and is 20 inches long.
- Congratulations also to Rev. Steve & Sharon Barkey, youth pastor at Warren Woods on the birth of their daughter Brooke Alysse Barkey. Brooke was born August 20th and weighs in at 7 lbs and 5 ozs and is 20 inches long.
- Congratulations to Jason and Michelle (Blake) Crum on their marriage. Jason is the son of Rev. Larry and Ruth Crum, pastor at Rochester Church. Jason is also the youth pastor at Union Lake Church.
- Linda Dickenson, wife of evangelist Rev. Paul Dickenson is in the hospital in Troy with cancer. Paul has indicated that he is clearing his evangelistic slate to stay home with her during these days. He is available for fill in both preaching and singing at local churches. His number is 586-751-7076.
- Rev. Eriks Mezsets reports that his church was in charge of launching the local festival Celebrate Oxford with devotions and prayer for the workers. They also were responsible for operating the moonwalk attraction at the Kid Central portion of Celebrate Oxford.
- Rev. Tom Harvey, pastor at South Flint reports they have had an excellent summer with increases in every area.
- Rev. Mike Morris, pastor of Crossroads Church baptized over 20 individuals on Sunday August 11th.
- Speaking of Rev. Morris, he has been appointed coordinator of the Small Church Institute for the denomination by the office of Clergy Services at headquarters.
- West Flint Church under the leadership of Dr. David Bowser had a very successful community outreach Car Cruise. Over 55 cars were shown to a packed crowd. Many from the community as well as friends of the church participated.
- Swartz Creek Church teens recently went on a work and witness trip to Cheboygan, MI.
New Life Church Purchases Van
New Life Church (which is part of the Flint Eastside Mission) has purchased a used van to transport teens, children, and adults to services and activities. It is a 2000 Chevrolet 15 passenger van they were able to purchase for $13,500. They have received a short term loan to pay for this vehicle. Anyone wishing to help with this inner city ministry may send a tax deductible contribution to New Life Church of the Nazarene, 3934 Herrick, Flint, MI 48532. Mark your contribution "Van Payoff".
Flint Eastside Mission Sends Kids Back to School in Style
On August 30, the Flint Eastside Mission held its Back-to-School Carnival. This event is an annual tradition and the purpose is two-fold. First, the kids had the opportunity to win school supplies such as pencils, pens, notebooks, binders, crayons, scissors, rulers, glue and even backpacks. The second was to give them the chance to have some serious fun! Among the activities in which the the children could participate were hoops, choose a duck, putt-putt golf and more. There were puppet shows and plenty of carnival treats like popcorn and snow cones, as well as burgers and hotdogs with all the fixings. Free hairstyles were provided from area beauticians. Over 300 children benefited from this event which was organized by Barb & Bill Burdine of the Eastside Compassionate Mission. Area churches were represented by enthusiastic teens, adults and kids from
Crossroads Church, East Flint Church,
Richfield Church and Northpointe Church in Oxford who volunteered to help run the carnival.
Sunday School Convention Coming up September 14th
Dr. Bud Reedy, Pastor of Stillmeadow Church of the Nazarene will be this years speaker for our convention. Stillmeadow is on the Washington District and has grown rapidly under Bud's dynamic pastoral leadership. Presently the church is running nearly 1000 in worship and is using innovative ministries to impact their community. He has served as a member of the NYI Ministries Staff at our International Headquarters and as a Trustee to Eastern Nazarene College. This years Convention is planned to be a "roll your sleeves up and work" event. The workshops will last 30 minutes each and will be fast paced, we are planning for "round table discussions" where leaders can share ideas with other leaders, and we are planning times of worship and inspiration with others from the Eastern Michigan District Family. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Dr. David W. Bowser at 810-732-0480 or e-mail Dr. Bowser at dwbowser@aol.com.Registration is $10 for adults if postmarked by September 9 and $15 if postmarked after September 9. Please make checks payable to EMD Sunday School Ministries and forward them to Mrs. Vicki Teed, 2254 South Dye Road, Flint, Michigan 48532. Registration begins at 9:00 AM on Saturday. The Convention will close promptly at 3:00 PM on Saturday