April 2019 First UMC is a welcoming, accepting, caring and diverse Christian community committed to teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people through faith-based worship, exciting programs and outreach ministry. Ponderings from your Pastor Dear Friends, April showers bring May flowers, the winter has past and spring will soon begin. Spring is one of my favorite times of year because to me spring means, new beginnings, fresh starts. We can see this in the crocuses that are poking their heads through the ground, and the robins returning and building new nests. I think, too, for the church the old is gone and the new is coming; but, unlike the robin's nest, we will not know what it will look like yet. As many of you already know, the United Methodist Churches General Conference was held in February and voted to maintain decade old polity of the exclusion of the LGBTQI persons from being clergy in the church. Moreover, they added through legislation increased punitive actions against said clergy who are already ordained, and those clergy who support these brothers and sisters through performances of their marriages. I find these actions too much to bear, and along with over 2000 other clergy have signed a non-compliance letter to oppose this legislation. Rev. Alicea, Rev. Dan Hart (your newly appointed pastor beginning July 1, 2019) and I stand in solidarity with others to support the LGBTQI community and those who wish to become clergy, are already clergy or wish to be married by clergy. This means a new beginning for me as I step out in faith and offer myself and my beliefs for the new church that I hope will be birthed. Please know, that I will support our church in love and action as we move forward in faith. None of us know what this means for us in the church, or for our church. However, we will continue to be in love with God, serving the people of Mount Clemens, with Open hearts, Open doors and Open minds. Please know, it matters not where you sit with this belief as our church is working through its decade old issues with new light and a new grace, and all are welcome at the table. Things have not really changed except for a few of us, who have decided to speak out and state our beliefs with a certainty in uncertain times. May God grant us grace that in pain, we find comfort; in sorrow, hope, and in death, resurrection. I am truly blessed to be your Pastor, Pastor Maureen
Transcript
April 2019 First UMC is a welcoming, accepting, caring and diverse Christian community committed to teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people through faith-based worship, exciting programs and outreach ministry.
Ponderings from your Pastor
Dear Friends,
April showers bring May flowers, the winter has past and spring will soon begin. Spring is one of my favorite times of year because to me spring means, new beginnings, fresh starts. We can see this in the crocuses that are poking their heads through the ground, and the robins returning and building new nests. I think, too, for the church the old is gone and the new is coming; but, unlike the robin's nest, we will not know what it will look like yet.
As many of you already know, the United Methodist Churches General Conference was held in February and voted to maintain decade old polity of the exclusion of the LGBTQI persons from being clergy in the church. Moreover, they added through legislation increased punitive actions against said clergy who are already ordained, and those clergy who support these brothers and sisters through performances of their marriages. I find these actions too much to bear, and along with over 2000 other clergy have signed a non-compliance letter to oppose this legislation. Rev. Alicea, Rev. Dan Hart (your newly appointed pastor beginning July 1, 2019) and I stand in solidarity with others to support the LGBTQI community and those who wish to become clergy, are already clergy or wish to be married by clergy. This means a new beginning for me as I step out in faith and offer myself and my beliefs for the new church that I hope will be birthed.
Please know, that I will support our church in love and action as we move forward in faith. None of us know what this means for us in the church, or for our church. However, we will continue to be in love with God, serving the people of Mount Clemens, with Open hearts, Open doors and Open minds.
Please know, it matters not where you sit with this belief as our church is working through its decade old issues with new light and a new grace, and all are welcome at the table. Things have not really changed except for a few of us, who have decided to speak out and state our beliefs with a certainty in uncertain times. May God grant us grace that in pain, we find comfort; in sorrow, hope, and in death, resurrection.
Summer Camp Registration is open and can all be accomplished online!!!
Camp is a wonderful way to meet God in the great outdoors, meet other Christian children and youth, participate in new and exciting adventures, and experience awesome worship around a campfire. There are camps for all ages from 5 years old and up!! Summers are busy with sports camps, band camps, and family vacations but only United Methodist Camping offers a week long, in-depth spiritual formation opportunity. Consider United Methodist Camping for your child or youth this summer!! Information is on the bulletin board in Wesley Hall. Camp Scholarships are available not only through United Methodist Camping but also from this congregation. See Rev. Alicea for more details.
Camp Registration Websites are:
Michigan Area United Methodist Camping: www.umcamping.org
Lake Louise: www.lakelouisecommunity.org
Bay Shore Camp: www.bayshorecamp.org
Christian Athletic Camp: www.christianathleticcamp.com
Motown Mission UpdateBetween camps and family vacations, this summer is turning out to be very busy for our youth. So much so, we are unable to have enough youth to go to Motown Missions. However, we will be working with Darrell Miller to assist in some mission projects this summer. We also will be working to redecorate and furnish the youth room. Funds that you have given to the youth group will be used to help with these summer projects.
Combined Youth GroupThe next combined Youth Group will take place at Roseville Trinity Church on May 19 at 6:00pm. We will leave the church at 5:45. We will need 1 parent driver to drive and chaperone.
New Youth Group ScheduleBeginning Sunday April 7, the Youth Group will pilot a new schedule. We will follow this schedule until the end of the school year. Parents and Youth will meet in August to evaluate and decide if this schedule is better. Here is the new monthly schedule: 1st Sunday – Sunday School 11:30-12:15, Youth Group 12:15-1:30, 2nd Sunday – Crescendo Ringers 11:30-12:15, Youth Group 12:15-1:30, 3rd Sunday – Combined Youth Group. Time TBA. There is NO COMBINED YOUTH GROUP on Easter Sunday April 21, 4th Sunday – Crescendo Ringers 11:30-12:15, No Youth Group, 5th Sunday – No Youth Group Activities.
Children’s Worship Children’s Worship is still in need of Assistants. The sign-up sheet is on the Library Window. Please help our children learn to worship by helping in Children’s Worship.
Easter CarnivalThe Easter Carnival planning has begun. We have enough volunteers to make the event happen, but could use a few more. Please sign up today. There will be a short volunteer organizing meeting on Sunday April 7 at 9:15 in Wesley Hall. If you have signed up to help, please plan to attend.
Messy Church has been cancelled for the foreseeable future. Although this program was support by some, it just wasn’t enough to sustain the program. We will continue to think of ways to meet the needs of families not only in the congregation but also within the community.
April AnniversariesLloyd Job 04/02Camden Parker 04/02Patrick Young 04/02William Cormicle 04/04Emily Minarik 04/04Kathryn Sommers 04/04Robert Richardson 04/05Desiree Grigsby 04/06Patricia Hill 04/06Marge Knapp 04/07Gerald Pagett 04/10Robert Prevost 04/10Christopher French 04/11Mike Mowatt 04/11Shawn Maertens 04/12Madelyn Benson 04/13Alyssa Semrau 04/13Susan Galatioto 04/15Jason Parker 04/16Ray Buchanan 04/17Willliam Kimble 04/17David Knapp 04/18Christopher Trombley 04/19Everest Lefurgey 04/21Myrna Born 04/24Mike Evans 04/24Richard Paul 04/24Marsha Lynch 04/25Rusty Northrop 04/25Gary Palmer 04/25Delwyn Thomas 04/26Derald Van Camp 04/29Bill Wiza 04/29Mike Evans Jr. 04/30
Christopher & Marge Bonner 04/14Mike & Kim Evans 04/29
I would like to thank everyone for your cards and prayers, after my resent shoulder surgery.Al Clary
Mount Clemens School ProjectThank you everyone for your continual support of the Mount Clemens School Project. We, as partners in Education, have made a difference in the lives of many kids. Keep up the good work!! A list of needs is posted above the drop box in Wesley Hall.
To my church family,Thank you for the newsletters and prayers. God has been good to me.Patsy Weagel
The Clarion
Amount Received
April 2019
$7,277.00$4,835.00
Attendance, Gifts and Tithes for the month of March, 2019
Needed Attendance
103$6,500.00
$6,500.00
$6,500.00
$6,500.00
97 112 116
March 3
March 10 March 17 March 24March 31
$6,835.00
Ministry & Fellowship Updates
$5,834.00$4,775.00
$6,500.00 127
Sunday Supper & ScripturesSunday Supper & Scriptures will resume on Sunday April 14, at the Parsonage. We will finish up our study in Acts and discuss which book of the Bible we will study next. This Bible study is open to all who seek to know more about the Bible and how it applies to us in the 21st century. Location switches between Rev. Maureen’s and Rev. Alicea’s home. Find Sunday Supper and Scriptures on Facebook to learn more.
UPCOMING WESLEYAN ACTIVITIES
The Wesleyans will be attending the MACOMBERS EXTRAVAGANZA on Saturday, April 27, at Macomb Community College. Nancy Hathaway has requested the you contact her before April 15 for tickets. If you have been to this musical show by the students you know it is worth a return visit, and if you have not it is worth a try.
On Sunday, May 5th, we will be attending a concert by the Motor City Choral at3 PM at the Utica Methodist Church. It is a concert of songs from your favorite movies. There is no charge but a donation is appreciated.
It’s Pasty Time!!On Tuesday, April 30 at 6 pm, we will be cutting vegetables for the upcoming Pasty Bake. On May 1 and 2, we will be making and baking around 1,100 pasties, so we need all hands on deck to help in this important ministry fundraiser. Sign-up sheets are on the window across from the Library. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our Pasty Chairs: Linda Willneff or Marge Knapp
The book club will meet on April 9th, at 10:00 am to discuss EIGHT HUNDRED GRAPES,by Laura Dave.
Our Church Family
Our Friends and Family
Our Homebound
Myrna Born, Marilyn Jean Borow, Dawn Brass, Shirley Champion, Irene Cloud, Polly Darling, Marjie Eckhout, Karen Loos, Murray Shelson, Fred Thielk, Rosalie Tinkham, Patsy Weagel, Gladys Wiggins, Bernie Weideman
Brianna Akers, Michaela Baker, Emily Beebe, Hannah Berg, Annica Brocker, Nathan Buchanan, Leah Clifton, Nathan Clifton, Matthew Durham, Draven Forbes, Jaryd Forbes, Jordan Gould, Josh Gould, Kyle Hill, Nina Hill, Ashley Krynski, Stephanie Lyskawa, Tighe Maclean, Nick Nielsen, Jordan Olszewski, Sydney Olszewski, Hope Reyna, Mitchell Salisbury, Kyle Sieben, Amy Beth Simon, Jordan Spratt, Tina Tinkham, Jake Williams, Morgan Wiza
57 Southbound Gratiot Avenue Mount Clemens, MI 48043
Ray Slivensky, Carol Dorsey, Kathy Vahovick, Wesley BallardGrieving: Melanie Sugierski's grandmother, Berneice Ritter
Linda McLatcher: ChairTim Howlett: Finance ChairHarry Kosmala: Business ManagerJulie Strayer: Pastor Parish ChairAndrea Kruse: Co-Chair Pastor ParishBill Wiza: Chair of TrusteesTom Baber: Co-Chair of TrusteesLinda L. Johnston: Lay LeaderLois Hill: Lay Member to Annual Conference Linda Strait: SecretaryRev. Maureen Baker: Lay Nominations Chair Rev. Alicea Williams: Children and Youth Ministry
2019First UMC
Leadership Team
Lois Vale, Joe Falkner, Eloise Johnston, Karen Cinsoski
