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Detroit Conference Connection - May 9, 2012
Detroit Conference Connection - May 9, 2012
Editor's note: The 2012 Detroit Annual Conference session begins on Thursday, May 17, and will conclude on Sunday, May 20. During that time, there will not be a Detroit Conference Connection. Please check the conference website, Facebook page, or Twitter feed regularly for news and information related to the Annual Conference session. You can also visit www.detroitconference.org to see all the news and information regarding the Annual Conference session. The Connection will resume on Wednesday, May 23.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2012
The 44th annual session of the Detroit Conference is just a week away! The 2012 session of the Detroit Annual Conference will take place on Thursday-Sunday, May 17-20, 2012, on the campus of Adrian College in Adrian, Mich. You can visit www.detroitconference.org/annualconference for the most updated information.Here is the latest news and information you need before coming to Adrian College:
Registration for annual conference
The online registration option for the 2012 annual conference session is now closed. Registration for annual conference will take place ONLY on the campus of Adrian College from 3:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16, and beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 17. Those anticipating registering onsite should download and fill out a registration form to expedite the process.
Clergy choir being formed for Service of Ordination and Commissioning
A choir made up of active and retired clergy (including deacons, elders, and local pastors) is being formed for the Service of Ordination and Commissioning, which will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 20. Clergy interested in singing with the choir as asked to bring their robes and a red stole to wear during the service. The Rev. David Gladstone will be directing the choir.
Interested in singing in the conference choir or serving as a under during worship?
A limited number of slots are still available to be a member of the conference choir during the annual conference worship services. If you are interested, please contact George Jonte at geopau226@yahoo.com. Anyone interested in serving as an usher during the worship services may also contact George. In addition, if you are interested in being a part of the conference brass ensemble, please contact Brian Kelley at bkelley@umc-sc.org.
Ushers for Dawson Auditorium needed
Ushers are needed to help with the distribution of materials during the plenary sessions in Dawson Auditorium. If you would like to serve as an usher for the plenary session, please contact Phyllis Prentiss, head usher, at 248-740-8587 or phyllisprentiss@gmail.com.
#dac12
#dac12 is the hashtag for Twitter users to include on any tweets regarding the annual conference session.
Live streaming of annual conference session
All worship services and plenary sessions will be streamed live on detroitconference.org. GNTV will be the audio and visual provider for the annual conference session.
Road construction in and around Adrian
The Michigan Department of Transportation will have road construction projects going on during the conference weekend. M-52, which runs through the restaurant district, will be under construction, and M-50 between Dundee and Tecumseh will also see construction. For specific information, please visit michigan.gov/drive.
Voting items for 2012 annual conference session online
The voting items for the 2012 annual conference session, including the resolutions to be considered by the conference, are available at www.detroitconference.org/annualconference. As a reminder, voting items are not mailed to conference members. Each conference member is responsible for downloading and/or printing their own materials, or seeking assistance from their local church to access the materials.
Special collections to take place to benefit Haiti, Liberia, children at conference session
Click here to view all of the special collection opportunities that will occur during the 2012 annual conference session. Offerings will go to Haiti, Liberia, and more.
Camp T-Shirt Day at Annual Conference!
You are invited to wear a shirt from one of our camps or retreat centers on at Annual Conference Saturday, May 19. Shirts will also be available for sale at the Hospitality Tent on the grounds of Adrian College.
Hospitality Tent at Annual Conference
Be sure to stop by the Outdoor and Retreat Ministries Hospitality Tent at Annual Conference this year. They will again be offering fair trade coffee, cold drinks, and a variety of snacks, healthy and otherwise. They will also be selling coffee travel mugs and BPA-free water bottles that you can carry and use throughout the week. Proceeds from the hospitality tent go to support the Campership Fund, helping needy kids attend church camp. Drop by and support the ministry that our camps do with the young people and churches of our conference!
Health Screenings to take place at annual conference session
As part of its wellness initiatives, the conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits will offer a health screening during the 2012 annual conference session. The screening will be conducted by Personal Health Partners (formerly ProCheck for Health). PHP provides health screening opportunities for a number of annual conferences. FULL STORY
Adrian College concealed weapons policy
According to the Adrian College campus policy on concealed weapons, no weapons are allowed on campus (including buildings, parking lots, etc.) unless you are a licensed police officer or have the special requirements on your CPL listing that you are able to carry a weapon on school campuses. Adrian College Safety must verify these documents and make a copy for their records.
CONFERENCE NEWS
For the latest news from the Detroit Conference, please visit www.detroitconference.org/news.
Burning Questions - Guaranteed appointments and General Conference
The Rev. Dr. William Dobbs, clergy assistant to the bishop in the Michigan Area, writes about the removal of guaranteed appointments and what happens in the office while General Conference is underway in his latest Burning Questions blog. READ BLOG
General Conference Wrap-up
Rich Peck of the United Methodist News Service recaps the events and highlights of the recent 10-day General Conference session. READ STORY
D.S. Speaks - Conflict and transformational challenges
In the latest D.S. Speaks blog, the Rev. Dr. Robert Hundley, superintendent of the Lansing District in the West Michigan Conference, writes about conflict in the church. READ BLOG
May Parish Paper Available
The May issue of The Parish Paper - Ideas and Insights for Active Congregations is now available for downloading on the conference Web site. The edition addresses the topic - "How to Turn Active Bystanders into Disciples."
The Parish Paper is a monthly resource for clergy and lay leaders to use to help their local churches engage in dynamic and fruitful ministry. This resource is now being provided to the churches of the conference free of charge by the Conference Commission on Communications. Each monthly issue of The Parish Paper provides ideas, insights, research-findings, and practical methods that strengthen the effectiveness of congregations in accomplishing God’s purposes through their various ministries.
To download the May issue of The Parish Paper, please visit www.detroitconference.org/parishpaper.
Sutton appointed to lead Crossroads District
Michigan Area Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton has announced that the Rev. Dr. Tara Sutton has been appointed to serve as the superintendent for the Crossroads District, effective July 1, 2012. Sutton, the senior pastor at Flint: Bethel UMC, is replacing the Rev. Dr. Andrew Allie, who has been the Crossroads District superintendent in a temporary capacity since April 1. FULL STORY
TIDBITS AND OTHER INFORMATION YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW …
Catch the Fireworks with Cass!
Catch the Target Fireworks with Cass on June 25th at 6:00 p.m. at Coach Insignia (the 71 and 72nd floors of the Renaissance Center). Ford Motor Company Fund is the presenting sponsor. Contact Judy Harnish at 313.883.2277 for more information on sponsorships or tickets to the evening.
Your Passion and Skills Are Needed
The Standing Committee on Nominations is looking for people with passion and skills to serve on a variety of agencies. Look at the “Report of the Standing Committee on Nominations, 2012” to see where vacancies exist and check on the description of the agency to determine if your passion and skills can contribute to the agency’s success. The Standing Committee on Nominations will act on all referrals at Annual Conference.
Keep Summertime attendance up!
Summertime worship events and services are the focus of the latest in a series of articles relating to copyright compliance. READ STORY
Peace with Justice Sunday is June 3
Peace with Justice Sunday is just weeks away. Be sure to order your free offering resources for this June 3 offering that supports ministries that advocate for peace and justice. Up to 50 percent of the offering is retained by the Detroit Annual Conference to support local peace and justice programs.
Your gifts support programs like Conway Cradle Care (CCC), which helps teen mothers complete their education. This program supports their academic and emotional needs as well as the developmental needs of their children. Currently, 44 students are served through the daycare and mentoring programs, and 15 children attend the daycare. CCC believes that by providing mentoring for the teens and a safe, quality, state-certified, low-cost childcare for their infants and toddlers, they give teen parents a better chance of completing high school and going on to advanced education.
True peace with justice will be celebrated when all people have access to adequate jobs, housing, education, food, health care, income support and clean water. Your gifts to Peace with Justice Sunday help bring us all closer to this goal.
Read more Peace with Justice stories.
Order and Download Offering Resources Today
Order your free offering resources today. Offering inserts, poster, worship resources, stories and video are all available to download or order at www.umcgiving.org/PWJS.
If you are unable to celebrate this offering on June 3, you can observe this Special Sunday on any day of the year.
Give Online Anytime
You can give online to Peace with Justice Sunday at anytime. Give Now.
Read more Peace with Justice stories.
Order and Download Offering Resources Today
Order your free offering resources today. Offering inserts, poster, worship resources, stories and video are all available to download or order at www.umcgiving.org/PWJS.
If you are unable to celebrate this offering on June 3, you can observe this Special Sunday on any day of the year.
Give Online Anytime
You can give online to Peace with Justice Sunday at anytime. Give Now.
Engage Your Congregation with a MARC Study!
Click here for the May/June 2012 edition of MARC News, with tried and true light resources to keep your church body connected this summer! Reserve a study for your youth program, a women’s study, or a mixed age group, and enjoy the benefits of MARC, your Michigan Area Resource Center. Questions? Contact Betsy Weems at 888-217-1905, marc@wmcumc.org, or visit the website at www.marc-web.org.
Need hymnals?
Troy: First UMC has 300 hymnals they no longer use and would like to put them to good use. If you are in need of hymnals, please contact the church.
APPOINTMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Michigan Area Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton has announced the following appointments for the Detroit Conference:
- Matt Osbourne to Algonac and Marine City UMCs (Blue Water District) as a district superintendent assignment (DSA), effective July 1, 2012. This is his first appointment.
- Tara Sutton to Crossroads District Superintendent, effective July 1, 2012. She is presently serving Flint: Bethel UMC (Crossroads District).
- Margaret West to Ishpeming: Salisbury UMC (Marquette District) as a district superintendent assignment (DSA), effective July 1, 2012. She is presently retired.
- Larry Wik to Lake Orion UMC (Blue Water District), effective July 1, 2012. He is presently serving Manchester UMC (Ann Arbor District).
- Monica William to Northville: First UMC (Ann Arbor District) as associate pastor (less than full-time 1/2), effective July 1, 2012. She is presently serving Birmingham: First UMC (Detroit Renaissance District) as an associate pastor (less than full time 1/2).
- Don Wojewski to Jeddo and Buel UMCS (Blue Water District), effective July 1, 2012. He is presently serving Standish: Community UMC and Saganing Indian Church (Saginaw Bay District).
- Chong (Joy) Won to Dearborn Heights: Stephens and Warren Valley UMCs (Detroit Renaissance District), effective July 1. She is presently serving Algonac and Marine City UMCs (Blue Water District).
To view appointment updates, please visit www.detroitconference.org/appointments.
DEATH NOTICES
The following death notices were received by the Conference Office this week. To view all of the death notices, please visit www.detroitconference.org/obituaries.
- Rev. Margo Dexter, Deacon (Detroit Annual Conference) at Farmington: Orchard United Methodist Church, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2012.
- Rev. Willard King (Retired Detroit Conference Clergy, 1998) passed away on Sunday, April 29, 2012.
- Mrs. Jeannette B. Safran (surviving spouse of Rev. John Safran, Detroit Annual Conference Clergy) died on Monday, April 16, 2012.
- Rev. Carol S. Walborn (Retired Local Pastor, Detroit Annual Conference) died on Thursday, May 3, 2012.
UPCOMING EVENTS
To view the conference calendar and submit events, please visit www.detroitconference.org/events. For events happening in local churches across the conference, please visit http://www.detroitconference.org/events/index?mode=church. Local churches may submit events through the Church Dashboard at www.detroitconference.org/churchdashboard.
May 17-20 - 2012 Annual Conference session - Adrian, Mich.
May 28- Memorial Day (Conference office closed)
May 30-June 2 - West Michigan Annual Conference session - Grand Rapids, Mich.
June 2 - Fifth Annual Hispanic/Latino Ministry Celebration - Adrian: First UMC
June 2 - New Beginnings: Staff Pastor-Parish Relations Committee Members - Fenton UMC
June 3 - Peace With Justice Sunday
June 5 - New Beginnings: Pastors, Administrative Assistants/Secretaries, and Program Staff - Fenton UMC
CONNECTIONAL NEWS
From UMCOR - World Fair Trade Day, May 12
World Fair Trade Day is May 12. Take time to learn how you can ensure that others are receiving a fair wage for their products. This bulletin insert tells the story of one woman who was helped through UMCOR’s fair trade partner, Prosperity Candle.
Complete Works of Charles Wesley Released
The Center for Studies in the Wesleyan Tradition at the Duke Divinity School has announced that with the publication of the transcription of “MS Acts,” it has completed a project to make publicly available in a single setting every known poem or hymn of Charles Wesley. The complete collection of verse by Charles Wesley that survives in original manuscripts is available online, either individually by work or in a convenient zipped file of the entire collection. The center had previously posted transcriptions of all known verse that Charles Wesley (or his brother John) published during his life. This collection is also available online. “Combined, these two collections comprise every poem or hymn known that can be traced with some confidence to the pen of Charles Wesley,” said Randy L. Maddox, William Kellon Quick Professor of Wesleyan and Methodist Studies.. “They are the equivalent of around a 15-volume printed edition of his works.” READ STORY
"Its a Miracle" - Free VBS program from the Society of St. Andrew
This year, the Society of St. Andrew introduces “It’s A Miracle!” as our Vacation Bible School mission program. Each day of VBS, your students will be introduced to one of Jesus’ miracles; from feeding the multitudes to cleansing the lepers. Included in your VBS packet are student sheets containing a short scripture story, facts about hunger and the SoSA ministry, Go Green statistics, mission adventure opportunities, and a pencil activity. We also include song suggestions, craft ideas, and yummy snack choices for each day of your VBS that compliment the “Miracle of the day!” All of the pages are reproducible, so you can make as many copies as you have students. This year, make the Society of St. Andrew’s Potato Project your VBS mission. Our complete VBS program is free of charge and there’s no obligation.
You can order your packet by emailing The Rev. Jennifer Vestal Moore at Church@EndHunger.org or call (800-333-4597.) You can also Order or Download online.
The Society of St. Andrew Potato and Produce Project and Gleaning Network salvage potatoes and other fruits and vegetables that are perfectly good and nutritious, but can’t be sold because of market factors. Instead of letting God’s good food go to waste, Society of St. Andrew volunteers glean these fruits and vegetables. The potatoes are shipped in tractor-trailer loads throughout the nation at a cost of just a little over 5¢ a pound! All of the fruits and vegetables we glean are given free of charge to feeding agencies. It’s a simple and effective way to obey Jesus’ command to feed the hungry, while also being good stewards of our nation’s abundance, and good caretakers of God’s creation.
Worship & Music Resources for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and The United Methodist Church offers a generous number of worship and music resources for its observance, including an official Korean-English bilingual hymnal. Here is a link to a list of resources from The UM Hymnal, The Faith We Sing, The Upper Room Worship Book, Worship & Song and The Book of Worship.
Prayers & Worship Resources for Armed Forces Week
May 12-20 is Armed Forces Week, and Armed Forces Day is May 19. Click here for resources to use from the General Board of Discipleship.
United Methodist News Service stories
Click here to view the latest stories from the United Methodist News service.
CLASSIFIEDS/JOB OPPORTUNITIES
To view and submit classifieds, please visit www.detroitconference.org/classifieds. Local churches may enter a classified through the Church Dashboard at www.detroitconference.org/churchdashboard.
VOLUNTEER-IN-MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
Visit www.detroitconference.org/volunteeropportunities to view and submit mission trips originating from the churches of the Detroit Conference. All local churches taking VIM trips are encouraged to enter their trips on the conference website.
About the Detroit Conference Connection
The Detroit Conference Connection is the weekly e-newsletter of the Detroit Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. Subscribe to the Detroit Conference Connection. Every local church is encouraged to have their leaders subscribe to the Connection so that they can receive the latest news from the conference and general church. To subscribe to the Connection, please visit www.detroitconference.org/site/stayconnected. To submit news items for the Detroit Conference Connection, please send stories to Paul Thomas, Director of Communications.
Detroit Conference Social Media Links
Detroit Conference on facebook: www.facebook.com/detroitconference
Detroit Conference on Twitter: www.twitter.com/umcdetroitconf