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Welcome
to the
Detroit East District!
The Detroit
East District of the United Methodist Church is made up of 48 United
Methodist churches and over 18,000 members, which covers the eastern
half of the metropolitan Detroit area.
The Detroit
East District is one of seven districts in the Detroit Conference of
the United Methodist Church, an area that includes the eastern half of
Michigan's Lower Peninsula, as well as the entire Upper
Peninsula.
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April 14, 2008
DETROIT EAST DISTRICT
LIBERIA VOLUNTEER IN MISSION TEAM
Left to Right: Ang
Hart (Warren: First UMC), Kenneth Dowell (Beverly Hills UMC), Rev.
Mel Leach (Fraser: Christ UMC), Amanda Graham (Eastpointe: Immanuel), Rev. Duane Miller
(District Superintendent)
Departing: Saturday, April 19, 2008 for Liberia West Africa
Returning: Saturday, May 3, 2008
Project: Complete
construction of a district parsonage (only the second modern district parsonage
in all of Liberia). Our contribution for cost of parsonage: $20,000.00
PLEASE KEEP THE TEAM IN YOUR PRAYERS
Detroit East District is about to
embrace our covenant relationship with our sister districts in Liberia in a
face-to-face expression. Our mission
team consists of Amanda Graham from Eastpointe: Immanuel UMC; Angie Hart from
Warren: First UMC; Ken Dowell from Beverly Hills UMC; Rev. Mel Leach, pastor of
Fraser: Christ UMC; and our District Superintendent, Rev. Duane Miller. They are departing to the Monrovia and Kakata-Farmington River
Districts on Saturday, April 19th.
The main focus will be to complete the building of a district parsonage
in the Kakata- Farmington River District for Rev. J. Albert Barchue so his wife
and children can live with him on the district.
Since this is a Detroit East District
mission project, it takes the cooperation of all the churches in our district to make this a reality. Churches and individuals have contributed
about $15,000 so far toward our goal of $20,000 which we need to complete the
parsonage. Our district has contributed
an additional $2,000 ($1,000 from last year and $1,000 from this year’s budget)
which will help cover some of the team expenses while the team is in Liberia. The cost for each team member was $2,400.00
for airfare, $131 for a visa, and about $350 for shots and anti-malaria
pills. Some had to purchase passports
for the first time. We also have to pay
for ground transportation, meals, laundry, and lodging while we are there – about
$70 per day x 12 days x 5 persons = $4,200 for the team.
We need each church to pray for this
mission. We would ask for your prayers
for our team and for their work, as well as for the leaders in Liberia. List this in your church prayer concerns
until they return on May 3rd.
The team will be taking bibles, reading
glasses, baseball type caps, and other gifts from our district.
Thanks for your support for this special ministry of love
and care. ^Top
of Page^
Prayer Request for Haiti and Mission
Teams
A serious
demonstration has erupted in Haiti due to food prices gone out of control.
People of hungry. A small bag of rice that cost $20 two weeks ago now costs
$35. Fuel prices has been $7-9 per gallon. Schools are closed.
UMCOR has contacted Rev. Paul Doherty to discuss how they can assist.
Additional funds will be sent through the Methodist Church of Haiti.
Arrangements are being made for a meeting with President Raphael of the
Methodist Church of Haiti, Rev. Doherty and UMCOR in New York next week. Please pray
for the people of Haiti. Pray for those who are in positions to alleviate the
suffering that their hearts and will might be touched to immediate action. Please pray
for Rev. David Morton's team. They are safe in Les Cayes, but they are unable
at this time to fly to the capital of Port-au-Prince and make their connecting
flight to the United States. No report if American Airlines has canceled
flights or not. Prayer also for Virginia Bell at the Port-au-Prince Methodist
Guest House.
It is difficult to comprehend the choice between slow starvation of
yourself and your children--or taking to the streets to riot, steal and even to
do harm to those you perceive as "taking a ride on your back." The
people of Haiti need and deserve another option!
The vote on the proposed
union of the Detroit and West Michigan
Conferences held April 5th did not pass . Details at Michigan Christian Advocate website
Reflections on
April 5th from your District Superintendent
World Malaria Day, April 25th
Throughout April, in anticipation of World Malaria Day on
April 25, web-connected humanitarians can play a new interactive game at
www.nothingbutnets.net, learning about net
distribution and virtually delivering as many nets as possible before the sun
goes down. Each time someone plays the game, a generous sponsor will
donate $10 for a lifesaving insecticide-treated bed net. From April 11, 2008 edition of
Newscope. ^Top
of Page^
Now online: The new Detroit East News (March 31, 2008)
Listen to the messages from ES2, The Bishop's Day on Evangelism and Stewardship (March 1, 2008):
Opening Worship, "Greetings/Message" by Bishop Jonathan Keaton audio text
Opening Worship, "Stewardship: Payday, Not Mayday!" by Rev. Duane E. Miller audio
Closing Worship, "Becoming an Acts 2 Church" by Bishop Richard J. Wills, Jr. audio (Introduction: Rev. Duane E. Miller, Scripture Reading: John Hart, Dist. Lay Leader)
POSITION
ANNOUNCEMENT
Director
Judson Collins Center
Onsted, Michigan
The Detroit Conference United Methodist Church is seeking an experienced, dynamic leader as
director of Judson
Collins Center. Responsibilities include
overseeing the entire operation of the camp, including summer program
development and implementation, developing relationships and partnerships with
local churches, providing hospitality and program for retreat guests, and
overseeing property, facilities and food service. Desired skills include mature Christian
faith, creative and visionary leadership, knowledge of and commitment to the
United
Methodist Church, and relevant experience in camp
and retreat ministry, ability to take the camp to the next level. Special consideration will be given to
those who are in or have completed the UMC Camp/Retreat Ministry certification
process. Benefits include salary, housing on site, health insurance, continuing
education, meals when camp is in session, and pension. Judson Collins is located in the
beautiful Irish Hills of southern Michigan and is ACA accredited. EOE.
For application, complete job
description and additional information, please go to www.umccamps.org. Send letter of interest,
application and resume to: Position Search, Edna Smith, 1309 N. Ballenger Hwy., Suite 1,
Flint, MI 48504. Position is open until filled.
"Ten Provocative Questions for the United Methodist Church", Inspired by the 2007 State of the Church Report (PDF), by Lovett H. Weems, Jr., Lewis Center for Church Leadership, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC PDF reader required (free)
 Visit the United Methodist Union of Greater Detroit website and see all that the Union is involved in
and the many ways they are empowering our congregations to be in
mission
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37203-0029,
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