The Bethlehem Experience in the Marketplace at Royal Oak First

 The Bethlehem Experience in the Marketplace comes to Royal Oak First UMC on Sunday, December 5 beginning at 2 p.m. and continuing through 5 p.m.  Visitors will step back in time when God's wonderous Gift was g

iven.  This walk through drama  features live animals, music, Marketplace wares, a visit with Mary, Joseph and Jesus in the stable.  There is no admission charge.  Royal Oak First UMC is accepting an option gift of non-perishable food for those in need.  For more information, call (248) 541-4100.

Ferndale First 

The Ferndale First UMC recently held a Talent Fest Coffeehouse on Friday, October 1.  Attendees were asked to brush up on their favorite poem, song, drum so or comedy routine.  It was billed as a night to remember as they shared their many gifts for the delight and enjoyment of friends and church family.  Entertainment included popular music, sacred music and more. The informal event took place in the fellowship hall.  A free will offering and a bake sale were part of the evening.

Community Men's Breakfast

Since 1974 the men of Pigeon First UMC have been the hosts for the Community Men's Breakfast Series.  This tradition is being continued again this year beginning with the first Wednesday morning in November.  Each of the morning breakfasts include pancakes, eggs, ham, juice and coffee.  Following the 7 a.m. breakfast there is a short time of hymns, prayer and devotions offered by a pastor or layperson from the area.  The breaks eand by 8 a.m.

Is it a challenge to find a daily quiet time with God, in the midst of a busy life?  Here is an idea that the Holland First UMC thinks may get you started and keep you motivated and connected with other believers.  "For the past year and a half I have been leading a Bible study six days a week, that "meets" via e-mail," says Holland First's Kathy Herrick.  It began with a group in Florida and has now expanded to encompass folks in several states.  They each read the chapter of the day, Kathy writes some "lay" commentary, trying to focus on application to daily life, and sends it out.  Others are free to just study and reead, or add comments if they wish.  As Holland First is working to help its members find more balance in their Christian lives, Kathy began to feel the call to expand this and to set up a group from Holland First for those who wand to work on their relationship with God and a closer daily walk with Him.  Together they explore what His words say and how that impacts our daily lives. The group began with the Song of Solomon and then has moved on to Isiaih.  Futures chapters will be determined by the group.

 Trenton First UMC Celebrates           Its 165th Anniversary

Trenton First UMC is celebrating 165 years of service to God and community in downtown Trenton.  The first church building was erected in 1845 in the same location as the church stands today - at the corner of W. Jefferson and Elm.  First Church was organized in 1843, but their Methodist roots go back to 1829 when the first Methodist classes began, and the small community was served by Circuit Riders. The church celebrated its anniversary on Sunday, October 31 with a special play written by Margaret Hallenbeck.  Local actors portrayed several of the founding members of the church.

Detroit Central Hosts Visiting      UAW President, Fr. Bourgoise

Detroit Central UMC during the month of September played host to UAW president Bob King and Father Roy Bourgoise.  Read more . . .

Coleman Community Clothing Center

On Wednesday, September 22, 2010 the Coleman Community Clothing Center celebrated a second opening for its twenty first season as we moved this vital ministry to the Railway Family Center and began a collaborative mission. (The season began two weeks prior at the previous location.)
The Clothing Center began in January of 1989 in the basement of Faith United Methodist Church. . .  read more

 Vassar First UMC

A celebration honoring members of the Vassar First United Methodist Church for 50+ years of membership in the United Methodist Church (formerly Methodist or Evangelical United Brethren) was enjoyed May 16th by 90 persons. Of the 47 persons with the distinction of 50 or more years . . . read more

 Gwinn UMC

During the months of June and July the Gwinn UMC over a nine week period collected 85 bags of groceries that were then distributed to 52 families representing 171 individuals in their community.  They also filled six backpacks with school supplies which were then donated and distributed to students at the Gilbert and K.I. Sawyer elementary schools.

Fifteen youth and four adults from the Holland First UMC Senior High group spent July 31 to August 6 on a mission trip to Nashville, TN.  The team of nineteen served with a joint ministry of Youth-Works and the United Methodist Bord of Young People's Ministries.  They worked with other United Methodist churches at various ministry sites throughout the Nashville area.

Asbury UMC

Jackson's Asbury UMC is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.  As part of the celebration church members were able to view contents of the 1911 cornerstone from the Michigan Avenue building which is their current front door.  The 1911 box contained a membership list of the congregation (73 members) and several membership lists of church organizations.  There were also some newspapers and two books.  The books are a church discipline and the minutes of the 75th Annual Conference (1910) of the Michigan Episcopal Methodist Conference held in Jackson, Michigan.

North Muskegon Community UMC

The Community UMC in North Muskegon took part in its 61st annual Ice Cream Social and Barbecue on Saturday, August 8.  The event took place at the Walker Park during the North Muskegon Art Fair.

Keller-Silver Creek UMC

The Keller-Silver Creek UMC in Dowagiac participated in the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Crystal Springs Camp.  During the week-long celebration the Christian parody band, Apologetix, performed along with composer and musician, Ken Medema.  On Sunday, August 22 an old time revival was held with several choirs joining voices in the afternoon.  Speaker for the day was Pastor Neil Davis.

 Coldwater UMC

The Coldwater UMC Relay for Life team was awarded second place in fund raising during the annul walk.  During the event they had at least one person  in 23 hours of the walk; and had the team camp occupied all 24 hours of the relay.   For their efforts the team was awarded second place for fund raising this year.  The traveling trophy is being displayed at the Church until the start of Relay for Life 2011.

 Owosso First UMC

The Owosso First UMC UMW has been involved in several mission projects including one with the Vacation Bible School children.  The UMW and VBS children collected school supplies that were distributed in August at the Food Drop.  The UMW also collected personal care items for the homeless students at Lincoln School.  Shampoo, body wash, disposable razors, shaving cream, toothpaste etc, were collected and donated.  A shoe drive resulted in 25 pairs of shoes being donated and given to the Salvation Army for distribution to the children for whom they were purchased.

 Lawrence Avenue UMC

The Lawrence Avenue UMC in Charlotte held their Vacation Bible School at Peace Lutheran Church in June.  The theme of this year's Bible School was Walking with Jesus.  About 40 children participated each day and approximatley nine helpers volunteered from Lawrence Avenue UMC.  Children listened to the parable of The Sower, the story of Jesus calling out to his disciples to be fishers of men, and the story of the five loaves of bread.  The children had a great time making crafts, eating dinner together, learning new songs led by Pastor Sarah and playing games.

 Lake Orion UMC

The Lake Orion UMC hosted their fourth annual Mom 2 Mom Sale on Saturday, September 18.  The sale featured large items, children's, maternity items and a bake sale.  Sellers were charged $20 to participate.  Proceeds from the event were split between the Building Fund and General Fund.

Berrien Springs UMC

The Berrien Springs UMC is celebrating its 175th anniversary.  The celebration event took place on September 11 and 12.  The weekend began with a Swiss Steak Dinner with a program featurng pictures of the church, singng and a message by the District Superintendent.  Attendees were given a CD with the historic pictures of the church.  On Sunday morning a continental breakfast was held with the Sunday worship telling the history of the church.

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Community Thanksgiving Planned             at St. Johns First UMC

 Several St. Johns area churches and community organizations are pooling their efforts in order to make the holiday season a little brighter for area residents.  Members of the First Congregational Church Youth Group brought before the St. Johns Ministerial Association a proposal for a Community Thanksgiving Dinner.  This dinners is to be served to members of their community who might not otherwise be able to enjoy this special meal.  There will be no charge for the meal and no offering will be taken.  Dinner will be served on Thursday, November 25.  As a participating church St. Johns First UMC provide a portion of the meal.

Schoolcraft Friday Night Supper

The Schoolcraft UMC's Friday Night Suppers for Food Resource Bank has ended with a grand total of $3,260.23 being collected.  This amount is being sent to Foods Resource Bank and will help the remove village in Rio Coco Nicaragua with immediate aid to those in need and provide tools for long term development.  This donation and in the nine years the church has been involved in the Foods Resource Bank Mission Project they have sent a total of $91,386.35 to several small villages in Kenya Bamba, Guinea Kankan Nicaragua Mateare and Nicaragua Rio Coco.  This ministry is not a "hand out" ministry but a "hands up" ministry, teaching them how to feed themselves and maintaining their dignity and pride in feeding their own families.

Port Huron District Hosts                   Annual Pig Roast in CaroTo say a good time was had by all would be an understatement.  The Port Huron District #2 Pig Roast held on July 24 at the North Street UMC in Clyde Township and was hosted by Port Huron District Superintendent Joanne Bartelt. . . Read More

United Church of Ovid

The United Church of Ovid is excited to invite our whole community to join with us in welcoming Mr. Josh Oldaker (www.josholdaker.com) to the Ovid area on Sunday, October 10, 10:30am at the VFW Hall in Ovid.  Josh will be sharing songs from . . . read more

 Ferndale First UMC

The Ferndale First UMC Education Department is hosting a new program monthly to give parents a few hours to shop, go to a movie, go to dinner or just relax while their children are being tended and nurtured in a Christian atmosphere.  Parents are asked to contirbute $3 per child.  The fee covers the cost of a meal and a snack.  The Parents Night Out will be held on the second Friday of each month beginning with September 10.

Glenwood UMC

The Glenwood UMC in Wyandotte is celebrated their 80th anniversary over the weekend of September 18 and 19.. The  United Methodist Women are actively supporting the committee in charge of the anniversary.

Grand Rapids First UMC

On Saturday, September 11 the First United Methodist Church of Grand Rapids celebrated 175 years of service -- "Alive in the City, Embracing the World, Imaging the Future."  The evet was held at the church with highlights of the evening being messages from former pastors and their memoirs, a historic video and guest speaker, Laurie Haller.

Mason First UMC

The Mason First UMC took the Chamber of Commerce first place trophy for its 4th of July float.  The float designed and constructed by the Hospitality Committee and volunteers from the Children's Ministry area who helped work on the float.

Central UMC

This summer the kids in the ROCK learned about stewardship.  The youth at Central UMC in Waterford decided to do a mission project over the summer.  They raised money to purchase animals through Heifer International, an organization that cares for people and the earth.  The kids chose to host a Pancake Breakfast and Orange Juice Stand.  The breakfast was held on August 22.

Grand Ledge UMC

The GLUMDOG (Grand Ledge United Methodist Dining Out Group) enjoyed home made ice cream and a variety of desserts at the home of Jerry and Linda Keller.  Ice cream varieties were rumored to be rhubarb, peach, and possibly vanilla.  The group enjoyed sitting on the porch and patio with ice cream and fellowship.

Memorial UMC

The Memorial UMC in Gladstone hosted an All-Church Bonfire on Wednesdays throughout the month of August.  After a request from a number of church members who requested some informal gatherings where fellowship could be shared, the idea of the Bonfires emerged.  Members of the church were encouraged to bring friends and neighbors.  The event included all ages with music, story telling and more.  It was rumored that even some marshmallows and chocolate bars appeared along with a few graham crackers.

First UMC - Hancock

This year's annual mission rummage sale broke several records at First UMC in Hancock.  This Mission Committee announced that a total of $7,425 was raised during the sale.  They had more meals and more volunteers than in any of the nineteen previous years.

 First UMC - Troy

The Troy First UMC has begun a LOGOS ministry for two hours every Wednesday evening for children in Kindergarten through fifth grade.  The program incorporates a themed dinner hour with recreation and table activities, followed by the children's Christmas Pageant practice.  An adult Disciple Bible study is being offered after the dinner hour and an adult Christian Yoga class will also be offered before dinner.

First UMC - Lansing

The 80th annual First UMC Sauerkraut Supper will take place on Tuesday, October 19.  This event is a community tradition that is a must for anyone in the Lansing area.

 Good Shepherd UMC

The Good Shepherd UMC of Dearborn has chosen providing copies of the special camp and retreat  edition of the Bible for campers as a special project.  Good Shepherd is doing this as part of their Spotlight Giving Opportunities.  Currently they have $295 that has been given towards the project.  A total of 73 Bibles were purchased with the money.  the goal is to provide 100 Bibles for campers.

 First UMC - Kalamazoo

On August 18-19 volunteers at First UMC in Kalamazoo packed 400 Ziplock® bags of school supplies, enough to get all the students at Spring Valley Elementary School a good head start on much needed school supplies.  More than $865 was collected from the congregation.  Each kit cost $4.11.  The congregation also helps tutor students at Spring Valley each year.  These tutors are known as Promise Helpers.