North Michigan District of The Wesleyan Church

Rev. Thomas K. Schmidt District Superintendent

918 Garden Avenue, Fremont, MI  49412     231.924.3284     231.924.3995 (fax)

 

2008 May 2008 DS letter

Family of North Michigan District,

            As Spring sings out the glory of God through its beauty and new beginnings, let us also be people who sing out the glory of God!  Psalm 33 declares such a time for believers.  “Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous: It is lifting for the upright to praise Him.  Sing to Him a new song: play skillfully, and shout for joy.  For the word of the Lord is right and true: He is faithful in all He does.  The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love.” (Psalm 33:1,3-5)

            The message of true living for God, the spring of eternal life, the evidence of righteous living, the strength from His unfailing love need to be the message of our daily lives.

            Spring time also makes known the existence of thistles, unwanted weeds, and relentless meandering of creeping vines.  Like these unwanted garden intruders, the things of evil can invade our devoted being if we are not paying attention to sins relentless behavior.  But thanks be unto God the Holy Spirit who is every willing and wanting to purify and keep us living righteous holy lives!  Sing joyfully to God because He is able to give us a song of eternal joy, today!

 

LIGHTHOUSE LEADERSHIP EVENTS

            Dr. Dick Wynn will be coming to North Michigan this next week.  Pastors and Laity will find this leadership event as one with tremendous help.  Lifetime leadership skills will be the emphasis of the three sessions.  Friday, Noon-2:00pm at Fremont Wesleyan is a Leadership luncheon, Friday evening 6:30-9:00pm at Midland Faith is the second session.  Saturday, 10:00am – 2:00pm is the third session at Traverse City Bayview.   Come expecting to learn some leadership fundamentals that can be passed on to others.

 

 

CAMPING YEAR PREPARATION

            This is the time to schedule work time along with planning on spending some vacation time at Whispering Pines.  Memorial weekend marks the beginning of district ministries with Trailblazer’s Retreat, Youth Camp 180 in June, Family Camp and Kid’s Camp in July, Couples Retreat on Labor Day weekend and Wesleyan Men’s Retreat in September. The new number for Family Camp Registrar Ken Wyman 231.557.5179.

            Your church or family can schedule a camping event separate from the district camping events by contacting VJ Scarbrough at 231.834.5336.  Support YOUR Whispering Pines Camp & Conference Center by using the facilities as much as possible starting in May through Oct.

            50/50 Camp Club - Whispering Pines Camp and Conference Center participation in keeping the campgrounds in good condition and providing funds for new projects comes through a minimum donation of $100 per year.  The Annual 50/50 Camp club banquet will be July 5, 2008 at the campgrounds dining facility.  A great meal, a great time, a great cause for a great place, your Whispering Pines Wesleyan Camp and Conference Center.  Send your $100 or more to Rev. Joe Ruder, 229 S. Riverside, Hart, MI  49420-1077. 

 

CHURCH PLANTING

            Rev. Roger & Brenda Freed are looking to be church planters in Traverse City this summer with a ministry called “The Harbor”.  Pray with them and other area churches to be effective in reaching the thousands of unchurched people in the Grand Traverse area.

Rev. Vern & Velda LeFeber are working with a group of people to have a vital ministry in White Cloud. This dream has been a desire and hope of Dallas and Terry Dowling, residents of White Cloud.  The church plant will be a partnership with the Missionary Church.

Rev. Brian & Wendy Sheets have sensed God’s call upon their lives to reach people in the Charlevoix area.  Relocating in Charlevoix a few months ago, they have made contacts with many unreached people and are seeking God’s direction for this new ministry. 

Financial support of these ministries can be sent to Mr. Fred Engel, Evangelism and Church Growth Treasurer, 521 Pearl Court, Crystal, MI 48818.

               

Page 2 May 2008 DS newsletter

DISTRICT BUDGET EMPHASIS

            We are down to the last few days of the Conference Year.  Thanks to each church that made a genuine effort to pay district and general budgets in full.  For those that are still working on paying them in full, you have until May 10 to send your payments to Rev. Jack Steenbergh.

 

MINISTRY MOMENTUM

¸  Traverse City newest church will be called “The Harbor” with Rev. Roger and Brenda Freed returning to

     North Michigan District as the launch pastor.  Approval of the church plant was granted by the General

     Department of Evangelism and Church Growth, DBA and District Church Multiplication Team.

¸  New ministry developments in Charlevoix (Brian & Wendy Sheets) and White Cloud (Vern & Velda LeFeber)

¸  Response to Lighthouse Leadership Events with Dr. Dick Wynn in Fremont, Midland and Traverse City

¸  Settlement of the Karen people from Burma to Sault Ste Marie area and the Soo church as they minister     

     to these relocated persecuted people.

¸  Crystal Lake Community looking to expand their building.

¸  Tremendous ministry outreach with the Power Team at Greenville Community

 

PRAYER EMPHASIS

¸  Family of Rev. H. J. Koteskey who passed away on April 10, 2008.

¸  Clyda Hubbard recovering from open heart surgery on March 24 and is recouperating at her

     daughters in Bay City

¸  Traverse City Church Plant “The Harbor” will soon be starting

¸  Charlevoix ministry with Brian & Wendy Sheets

¸  Vern & Velda LeFeber and the White Cloud Ministry team.

¸  Midland Trinity as Pastor Dave & Joann Willett are retiring and in pastoral search

¸  Health of pastors and families in our district.  Health cost was extremely high the past three months  

¸  United Stewardship, Education and District Budget’s paid.  Local church and district financial situations as

     economy is experiencing difficulties

 

DS TOM’S UPCOMING SCHEDULE

April 24 – Michigan Missionary Church District Conference in Livonia

April 25-26 – District Women’s Retreat

April 26 – Whispering Pines Camp & Conference Center Workday

April 27 – Remus Trinity pastor vote – D. Charles & Connie Bellinger

April 27 – Solon Center Local Church Conference

May 2 – Lighthouse Leadership Luncheon – Fremont  Noon-2:00pm

May 2 – Lighthouse Leadership Event at Midland Faith 6:30-9:00pm

May 3 – Lighthouse Leadership Event at Traverse City Bayview 10:00am-2:00pm

May 3 - Whispering Pines Camp & Conference Center Workday

May 4 – Bellaire – Steve & Lori Eccles

May 6 – Youth Camp 180 Bd mtg in Cadillac

May 6 – Sterling LCC

May 11 – Ferry – Glenn & Sandy Hinterman

May 18 – Sheridan Bible – Lois Glass

May 19-20 – Pastor Prayer & Fast at Whispering Pines Wesleyan Camp & Conference Center

May 20 – LDJ Leaders meeting

May 21- 27 - Graduation in Bartlesville, OK  & Vacation time

May 23-26 – Trailblazers Retreat

June 1 – Crysal Lake Community – Dave & Cindy Kingsbury

 

Peace, praise and proclamation of our Lord and Savior!  Glory to Jesus!

 

DS Tom

 

“TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH GOD’S LIGHT IN NORTH MICHIGAN