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E-Tidings - September 2006In this Issue:
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From the District Superintendent: Imagine my surprise when the District Advisory Board informed me that they were extending a one month sabbatical to me for the month of October!! WOW!!! Marilyn and I have never had a sabbatical leave nor did I ever even think about one. However, now that I am officially staring one in the face I am really excited. Our plans are not fully complete, but I do know a few things that will happen - my cell phone will be off, my email will go unanswered and we will not be home. As I think about what the Advisory Board has done for me, I am reminded that October is traditionally designated as Pastor Appreciation Month. Again this year I am calling on every church board to plan some significant way in which the church can honor their pastor and family and show their appreciation. For current ideas, please visit the Focus on the Family web site at www.parsonage.org/cam. In addition, I am reminded that our church MANUAL recommends that churches consider a Sabbatical leave for their senior pastor when they have completed 7 years of service at the local church. The MANUAL states in paragraph 129.10 under the heading The Business of the Church Board: 129.10. In order to encourage a healthy pastoral ministry and the lifelong learning of the pastor, the church board, in consultation with the district superintendent, should provide a sabbatical leave for the pastor following each seventh consecutive year of service in one congregation. The timing and duration of the sabbatical shall be determined in consultation with the pastor, church board and district superintendent. It is strongly urged that the pastor's salary continue in full and the church board provide for pulpit supply during the sabbatical period. I'm not exactly sure what the Sabbatical will do for me, but I do know the overwhelming sense of gratitude I have in my heart for the men and women that were conscientious and considerate enough to, on their own, give me this time off for restoration of body and spirit. Even before I go, I am looking forward to returning with a new sense of vision for the future and energy to lead this great district. My desire is to be the best possible superintendent that I can be. Thank you, Eastern Michigan District and Advisory Board - I will see you in November. "And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat." Mark 6:31 (KJV) Dr. Stephen T. Anthony |
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News From Around the DistrictErma Woods, wife of retired pastor Rev. Jim Woods passed away at Genesys Hospital on Friday, Sept. 8th as a result of kidney failure. Rev. Woods pastored on the EMD for over 30 years (Ypsilanti/Merritt Rd., Metropolitan, South Flint). There will be a Memorial Service on Monday, Sept. 18th at 2pm at Flint First Church. Mark Pennington, who serves on our District Advisory Board, underwent back surgery on August 24th to repair damage which has been causing Mark severe pain. There were some complications and Mark had to undergoe a second surgery on September 7th. Rev. Marvin Gerbig, pastor of Deer Park Church, recently lost his sister-in-law, Sonya, who had been fighting throat cancer for several years. The funeral was August 28th. Rev. Jim Cendrowski has accepted a call to Midland Valley Church of the Nazarene in Clearwater, SC as Youth Pastor. His last Sunday at East Flint Church was September 10th. Rev. Lori Wood has resigned her position at Warren Woods Church to move back to Columbus, OH to help care for her parents. Her last Sunday at Warren Woods Church was August 13th. Rev. Karla Greci has resigned her position at Detroit First Church to move back to the Dayton, OH area. Her last Sunday at Detroit First Church was August 27th. Brighton Church has hired Marissa Phelps as Children's Pastor and Linda Caswell as Adult Education Director. Southwest Church has hired Ralph Cawthra as Pastor to Children and Families. Rev. Scott Salo and the Clio Church baptized 10 people at the Holloway Reservoir on August 13th.
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Prayer Requests:Rev. Jim Woods and the family in the loss of his wife Erma. Mark Pennington as he recovers from back surgery. Also pray that this latest surgery has corrected the problem and that Mark will soon be pain free. Rev. Marv Gerbig and the family in the loss of his sister-in-law, Sonya. |
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South Flint Church Worships with Love Mercy MinistriesSouth Flint Church, led by their pastor Rev. Don Frey, took the entire church congregation down to Love Mercy Ministries in Detroit on Sunday night, August 27th and shared a service with Pastor Vera Davis and her congregation. They took special music, puppets, and shared an encouraging message from God's Word. It was an awesome time of blessing and encouragement for all who attended. As a step of faith, South Flint has committed to support this wonderful church on a monthly basis. Pastor Frey wanted his congregation to see first hand what God is doing and how they can better pray and bless this body of believers. The Love Mercy Ministries congregation prepared a wonderful meal. Pastor Frey observed, "We shall not soon forget their hospitality and love." Other congregations are encouraged to get involved and do something like this. Their new sanctuary is almost done, but they still need funds for carpeting, chairs, and the finishing touches, as well as help with labor. There are great days ahead for Love Mercy Ministries and you can have a part. Call Pastor Vera Davis at 313-459-7630. |
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Monroe Youth Mission Trip to GuatemalaThe Monroe Church youth group (consisting of 30 teens and 10 adults) returned July 5th from an incredible mission trip to Guatemala. Scott and Emily Armstrong were host missionairies and organized a tremendous mission trip. The group stayed at the Guatemala City seminary. Days began at 6:30am and didn't end until 10:00pm in the areas the group worked. Teresa Hayford reports that "Our trip was spirit-filled from the beginning to the end." Here are a few highlights from the trip:
PRAISE THE LORD!!! |
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Richfield Nazarene Academy Golf OutingDo you Golf? Richfield Nazarene Academy is in desperate need of teams for their upcoming Golf Outing. The event takes place at the Goodrich Country Club on Saturday, September 23rd at 9:00 am. Continental breakfast provided and hot dogs, chips and pop following. Registration forms can be found on Richfield's website. http://www.richfieldnaz.com/golf_outing_signup.php $75 per person includes 18 holes with cart. Range balls included. All proceeds to benefit Richfield Nazarene Academy. For more info, the school can be contacted at 810-658-7919. |
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Annual Pastor and Spouse Retreat
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Prime Time at Olivet - Tuesday, September 26, 2006An outstanding day of entertainment, encouragement and inspiration at Olivet Nazarene University for senior adults Featuring special guests:
and a special performance by Orpheus Choir. Only $22 per person (includes continental breakfast, lunch and special gift from ONU) Call 1-800-648-1463 to guarantee your reservation!
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The Good $ense Solution SeminarBringing Hope and Financial Transformation to Your Congregation Who is this for? Church leaders who want to teach and train their members to understand and integrate biblical principles into their financial lives. What is this about? This two-hour seminar will explain how the negative pull of the culture is impacting the finances of both individuals and churches. You'll then learn how you can use Good $ense resources to effectively teach and train your people to honor God with their resources, lead generous lives and experience spiritual and financial freedom and joy . Why should I go? To learn how to help your congregation understand and integrate biblical financial principles into their lives resulting in God-honoring lifestyles, increased generosity and fully funded ministries. Who should attend? Pastors, staff and volunteer leaders involved with church stewardship and finances - and anyone else who is passionate about stewardship! Where do we find one? The Good $ense Solution Seminar will be offered at Warren Woods Church of the Nazarene, located at 14300 E. 13 Mile Rd in Warren, Michigan on Friday, October 20th from 8:30-10:30 am. The person to contact at Warren Woods for more information is Mike Clancy. Mike has been teaching the Good $ense Course at Warren Woods for two years and has witnessed GREAT stories of families turning their lives around through the principals taught by this course. Mike can be reached at 586-255-2338. What does it cost? One person $49; 2 - 5 people from the same church $29/person. (Spouses of attendees and WCA churches that have previously purchased Good $ense resources are admitted free but must register by phone - 800 570-9812) Attending churches receive stewardship resources valued at $90! |
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Olivetians Available for SchedulingThe Olivetians have captivated audiences of all ages with music that is refreshing and spirit-contagious, bringing together the best of traditional and contemporary sounds. The Eastern Michigan District is proud to claim two of the members as our own: Jessica Moulding (daughter of Rev. Bob and Joetta Moulding) from New Covenant Church and Chelsea McKay from Warren Woods Church To schedule The Olivetians for your church or youth event, call Brenda Mohr at 815-928-5480, or e-mail the office at bmohr@olivet.edu. |
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Summer 2007 Camp Schedule
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Flint Eastside Mission Update
Bill Burdine, Mission Founder August was a very busy month with a full week of VBS (averaging 115 kids!) with the finale being the Back-to-School Bash on August 25th. 762 backpacks were collected across the Eastern Michigan District! For more details, look for our quarterly newsletter "Mission...POSSIBLE!" If you are not currently signed up for this newsletter, please visit www.flinteastsidemission.org. Also on a side note: this time of year is the financial "slump" for the Mission. Please be in prayer about how you can help! Remember, Christ used a few loaves and fishes to feed 5,000 . . . and He can use your gift to feed lots too! God bless! Sammi Justice 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 email prayer chain! |
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 Family Day of MissionsFlint Central Church
Attendance of at least one person from your church is required for Top Priority Award. EMD and MI TEAM DaySaturday, February 24, 2007 - Perry, MI More information coming soon! Questions?Ask Reta: rsteelynmi@sbcglobal.net |
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NYC 2007 - Water Fire WindWho 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
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Highest Call Schedule
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. |
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BACK TO SUNDAY SCHOOL DID YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK? The one thing homework taught us was that a time of accountability was coming. We could not put it off indefinitely. We would have to face the teacher at class time. We would have to take the consequences of our actions or inactions. Judgment was coming! Some of us leaders have lost our sense of responsibility and accountability. Maybe we should go back to the days of homework and punishment. Or maybe we should just act like the responsible leaders we are and do the simple tasks for which we are accountable. Incredibly, thirteen churches did not report their July 2006 statistics by the deadline we have for reporting our number to the denominational Sunday School Ministry leaders. Nearly twenty percent of our Eastern Michigan District churches did not report. One of the finest districts in the Church of the Nazarene had twenty percent of the churches with a big NR next to their name! Unbelievable! And the sad thing is, it is so simple to report. There are several ways to report. You can enter your numbers directly on our EMD website (www.emdnaz.org) by going to the "Stats" page and following the instructions. Or you can email your report to Andrew Frey in the EMD Office at emdoffice@emdnaz.org. Or you can telephone your report to Andrew by calling 810-750-4080. Or you can fax your report to Andrew by dialing 810-750-4082. You could even email me at gaslusher@tvli.net, or call me at 734-395-9157, or fax me at 734-498-2368. Choose any one of these options. You should make your report within 5 days of the last Sunday in the month. If you have not reported yet for August by the time you are reading this, you are late. This Fall, why don't we determine that we will be a 100% reporting district? We can do it. If we are able to do something great for God, then we are able to do something simple for His church. One hundred percent - it's not that hard. Yours for Sunday School, |
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Children's Quizzing Schedule for 2006-2007
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PrimeTime Work & WitnessAlbuquerque, New Mexico
We met with the pastor, Dr. Julian Gunn and some of the congregation to discuss potential, PrimeTimer appropriate projects. This Native American congregation loves the Lord and wants to develop ministries to share Christ's love with their family, friends and neighbors. To assist them in their vision we will be involved in some general repairs and painting.
Keep you eyes open for more details as they become available. Begin praying about joining the of the team for a life-changing experience you will never forget. PrimeTime Work and Witness - BrazilRev. 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/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. District Events and Beyond
For more information concerning PrimeTime events mentioned abbove, contact: |
