eTidings - October 2006
In this Issue:- From the Desk of Rev. Larry Betz
- News From Around the District
- Prayer Requests
- Good $ense Solution Seminar
- Hands of Hope
- Helping Hands Healing Hearts Partners with EMD NMI
- News from Olivet Nazarene University
- Summer 2007 Camp Schedule
- Flint Eastside Mission Update
- TEAM Day 2007
- NYC 2007
- NYI Quizzing Schedule
- Highest Call Schedule
- SS Ministries Update
- Children's Quizzing Schedule
- PrimeTime Ministries Update
From the Desk of Rev. Larry Betz,
Assistant to the District Superintendent
Last Friday, October 13th, Lt. Colonel Herb Heavner of the Michigan National Guard was promoted to full "bird" Colonel. Colonel Heavner is a member of the ministerial team here on the Eastern Michigan District. Colonel Heavner serves the guard as a Nazarene Chaplain. It was my privilege to attend the promotion ceremony representing our district superintendent, Dr. Stephen Anthony and the entire EMD family. There were a number of generals present for the ceremony, and Colonel Heavner made sure that I met each one. It was encouraging to hear the good reports telling of the vital role our chaplains are playing in the lives of those who are serving our country during this time of war. I went away from the armory that day with a renewed sense of gratitude for those who serve Christ and the Church of the Nazarene in the Chaplaincy.
We have four elders on our district that serve as Chaplains: Colonel Heavner and Major Dennis Krumlauf serve in the military, Rev. David Tobey serves in Hospice, and Rev. James VanderSchuur serves as a hospital Chaplain. During this month of Pastor Appreciation, wouldn't it be wonderful if Nazarenes all across the district would take a moment to pray for these men and send each one a card with a note of encouragement? I know they would be blessed to hear from their district family. I've included the mailing addresses for our chaplains below.
Rev. Larry Betz
Assistant to the District Superintendent
Colonel Herb Heavner Rev. David Tobey |
Major Dennis Krumlauf Rev. James VanderSchuur |
News From Across the District
Rev. Bob Cattane, pastor of Flint New Life Church, reports that the use of a church van has been donated by another church in the area, allowing the church to pick up a lot of kids from the neighborhood. Pastor Cattane says, "Today we had 12 kids attending children's church. Amber is doing a great job with them. To save the best for last, today 5 of the 12 raised their hands and recited the prayer to invite Jesus into their hearts!" Praise the Lord!
Rev. Don Frey, pastor of South Flint Church, reports that he had the privilege of baptizing 9 men, women, and children on October 1st during the AM service!
Rev. Harold Harris, retired elder on the EMD, passed away on October 9th at 9:30am. During his ministry, Rev. Harris pastored several churches on the EMD including Flushing, Pontiac Zion, Richfield and Howell. Rev. Harris was a member of Howell Church.
Prayer Requests
The family of Rev. Harold Harris and especially his wife, Doris.
Our District Superintendent, Dr. Stephen Anthony and his wife Marilyn as they are on sabbatical until the second week of November. We pray this will be a time of rest, refreshment, and refocus.
The Good $ense Solution Seminar
Bringing 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!
Hands of Hope
During the recent 50th Anniversary Celebration of Tecumseh Church of the Nazarene, a Work & Witness Trip to Lenawee County was conducted with 13 projects being completed and over 1,000 man hours of labor volunteered. The projects consisted of 2 wheelchair ramps being built (partnering with Dept. of Aging for materials) and 2 porches, decks, a house painted, yards and gutters cleansed, trees pruned, and windows washed.
With this start, Tecumseh Church has decided to establish a Compassionate Ministry Center called Hands of Hope. They have already received clients from Meals on Wheels, Dept. of Aging, Tecumseh City Hall and Police Dept., as well as calls by individuals after hearing of this ministry.
For more information about Hands of Hope, contact Tecumseh Church at (517) 423-4960.
Helping Hands Healing Hearts Partners with EMD NMI
On September 16, 2006, Helping Hands Healing Hearts embarked on its very first effort in worldwide humanitarian relief by partnering with Eastern Michigan District of the Church of the Nazarene. On September 16th, Helping Hands Healing Hearts (H4) received 822 Crisis Care Kits (CCK's) and 380 school packs and arranged to ship them to Fawn Grove, Maryland. Fawn Grove, MD is where NCM, Inc. is packing a shipping container bound for the Ukraine.
This project is central to the mission statement of H4 as a networking organization. In this particular effort, by partnering with the Eastern Michigan District of the Church of the Nazarene and NCM, Inc., H4 orchestrated a win-win-win situation.
It is a win for the Nazarenes of Eastern Michigan in that normally they would have to ship a banana box filled with six Crisis Care Kits to Fawn Grove, MD at a cost of $12.00 per box plus sending an additional $20.00 per box to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries to pay for overseas shipping. That is a total cost of $32.00 per box. This cost multiplied by the 137 boxes shipped equals a $4,384.00 savings to the Michigan Nazarenes. This doesn't even include the cost of shipping the school packs!
It is a win for NCM, Inc. who has a contract with the United States government to send nine shipping containers of humanitarian supplies to the Ukraine by June of 2007. The shipment of the CCK's from Michigan is a great help in filling a container and meeting their shipment goal.
It is a win for Helping Hands Healing Hearts in that it is doing exactly what was envisioned in its mission statement; partnering with like-minded organizations to the benefit everyone involved and connecting resources here to the humanitarian need of our world.
Crisis Care Kits are in great demand wherever there is a disaster. They contain the basic necessities of soap, shampoo, hand towels, tissue, nail clippers, and a comb for one person. School Packs are the basic school requirements for two children and include paper, pencils, pencil sharpener, ruler, and a protractor.
Helping Hands Healing Hearts is a non-profit corporation dedicated to networking resources to meet humanitarian needs around the world. For more information about H4 and how it can partner with you, call Chet Decker at (586) 871-0225.
News from Olivet Nazarene University
For more information about Olivet Nazarene University, please visit www.olivet.edu.
Summer 2007 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 20-29 (Sunday to Sunday)
Senior High Camp, Jul 30-Aug 3 (Monday to Friday)
Visit the new Water's Edge Campground website at www.watersedgecamp.org.
Flint Eastside Mission Update
Bill and Barb Burdine, Mission Founders
The month of September was busy as usual at Eastside Mission. 262 individuals were fed through our food pantry. 2,485 meals were served by way of the lunch program. Thanks to everyone who has volunteered their time at the Mission. We'd love to see you back again!
Please keep in mind that if you'd like to have someone from Eastside come to your church or small group to speak about what all goes on at the Mission, we'd love to come! You can call the Mission at (810) 767-5312, email Pastor Bill/Barb Burdine at esmission@aol.com, or Sammi Justice (Director of Publicity) at sammi@sammson.com for further information.
As we move into the fall months of 2006, we get to a part of the year that is full of dichotomies. Some of us have much to celebrate with the coming Fall and Holidays, while other have very little. As the cooler months come, some of us drag out coats that keep us warm and dry, while others wonder how they will make it through another cold Michigan winter. Let this season of transition be a time to search your heart and ask God what He'd have you give to the Eastside Mission. It could be monetary, food for the pantry or for the holiday meals that will soon be on our calendars, or a new item that can be given to a man, woman or child for Christmas. It's never too soon to think of those things, and most importantly - NEVER TOO LATE!
God bless!
Sammi Justice
Director of Publicity
District NMI Update
Reta Steely, District Missions President
TEAM DAY 2007
Saturday, February 24, 2007 - Perry, MI
Gather with men, women and children from both the Michigan and Eastern Michigan Districts on Saturday, February 24, 2007, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Perry High School in Perry, MI. This special jointly sponsored TEAM DAY will include plenary sessions featuring the music of the Olivetians from Olivet Nazarene University and an exciting message of hope from our keynote speaker, Dr. Tom White, Executive Director of The Voice of the Martyrs, Inc. In addition, there will be workshops on Sunday School Ministries, Youth Ministries, Missions, Church Administration, and Leadership tracks.
Be watching the the district website for more information coming soon!
Questions? Ask Reta: rsteelynmi@sbcglobal.net
District NYI Update
Rev. Jim Pope, District NYI President
NYC 2007 - Water, Fire, Wind
Who 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!
- NYC Flyer (PDF)
- NYC Letter from Dave Mills (PDF)
- NYC FAQs (PDF)
Visit www.waterfirewind.com to register or for more info!
- November 9-12, 2006 - Homecoming Weekend
NYI Quizzing Schedule
- October 20-21, Quiz Fest at College Church at ONU
- November 11 (Acts 1-12) at Southwest Church
- November 18, MI Invitational at Kalamazoo, MI
- December 1-2, St. Louis All Star Quiz
- December 9 (Acts 1-16) at South Flint Church
- January 13 (Acts 1-20), West Flint Invitational
- February 10 (Acts 1-24) at Detroit First
- February 17, Sterling Invitational at Sterling, IL
- March 10, Indy West Side Invitational at Indianapolis, IN
- March 30-31, District Finals (Acts 1-28), Location TBD
The cost per quizzer this year will be $5 per District quiz event.
If you have any questions about quizzing or the above information, please contact:
Rev. Bob Flowers
810-235-1145
cell: 810-577-7721
Email: reviceman@netzero.net
Highest Call Schedule
Sat, October 21, 2006 - Afternoon and evening rehearsal
Sun, October 22, 2006 - Clio Community Church of the Nazarene - 11:00 am
Sun, October 22, 2006 - Swartz Creek Church of the Nazarene - 6:00 pm
Sun, November 19, 2006 - TBD
Sun, January 21, 2007 - Rochester Church of the Nazarene - 6:00 pm
Sat, February 10, 2007 - Allen Park Church of the Nazarene (Valentine's Banquet) - 6:00 pm
Sun, March 25, 2007 - Southwest Church of the Nazarene - 6:00 pm
Momentum - To be announced
Sun, April 29, 2007 - TBD
Thurs-Sat, May 10-12, 2007 - Olivet Nazarene University/Celebrate Life
Sun, June 3, 2007 - Troy Church of the Nazarene - 6:00 pm
Senior High Camp - To be arranged
Campmeeting - To be arranged
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.
District Sunday School Ministries Update
Rev. Gary Slusher, District Sunday School Director
TEAM DAY 2007
Mobilizing Michigan for Ministry
Your Eastern Michigan District leadership team is partnering with our friends on the Michigan District to produce the first jointly sponsored TEAM DAY scheduled for Saturday, February 24, 2007, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Included in this special training day are plenary sessions featuring the music of the Olivetians from Olivet Nazarene University and the exciting message of hope from our keynote speaker, Dr. Tom White, Executive Director of The Voice of the Martyrs, Inc. In addition to that, we have workshops in Sunday School Ministries, Youth Ministries, Missions, Church Administration, and Leadership tracks. We have added a limited seating offering for technology ministries in the church, hands on training in computer labs. And we are offering extremely exciting interactive, hands-on, participatory workshops for Children's Ministry leaders and workers that will feature actual ministry productions for children. Children's ministries will be available for all children ages birth through 6th grade at a very reasonable cost.
All of this takes place in Perry, Michigan at the Perry High School. Children's Ministries will occur at the Perry Church of the Nazarene, just a few miles from the High School. A TEAM DAY 2007 website will be up very shortly. You can link to it by accessing either the EMD website, www.emdnaz.org, or the Michigan District website, www.minaz.org. This year, registrations can be done completely online including payment by major credit cards. Registration cost is very reasonable, $20.00 per adult and $5.00 per child if registered online by February 1, 2007 (or postmarked by February 1, 2007 if sending in the regular mail). After February 1, 2007 you will pay an additional $5.00 per person, adults and children. The registration includes participation in plenary sessions and workshops, as well as lunch and snacks.
Our purpose is To Equip, Inform, and Inspire. I know that you will place this powerful training opportunity on your calendar and that you will promote it in your local church. This promises to be an extraordinary day for ministry training for the lay and clergy leaders on two great districts in Michigan. I am planning to see you at TEAM DAY 2007 at 8:00 AM on Saturday, February 24, 2007.
One other note - Some of our churches have not gotten into the rhythm of reporting. In September we had twenty-one EMD churches that did not report. Pastors and Sunday School Superintendents, please make this a priority on the final Sunday of the month. You can do it. We are counting on you!
Yours for Sunday School,
Gary A. Slusher, Chairman
Children's Quizzing Schedule
- October 28 (Acts 1-5) at Plymouth Church
- December 9 (Acts 1-10) at Flint Central Church
- January 27 (Acts 1-15) at Howell Church
- March 24, District Quiz (Acts 1-20) at Detroit First Church
- June 2, Regional Quiz (Acts 1-20) at Olivet Nazarene University
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/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
- November 2-11, 2006 - PrimeTime Cruise, Journeys of Paul to Greece and Turkey
Contact: Darrell Rotz, Cruise Coordinator
Phone: 951-694-6256
Email: DarrellRotz@msn.com - February 19-21, 2007 - M7 Conference, Kansas City, MO
For More Information go to: www.m7conference.org
- 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