NORTH MICHIGAN WESLEYAN DISTRICT ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS INFORMATION

WESLEYAN WOMEN'S RETREAT INFORMATION:

Marilyn Hontz will be the speaker for this year's Wesleyan Women's Retreat. Marilyn has written a book on prayer titled "Time For God". She is an inspirational speaker who has been featured on Focus on the Family.

The dates for the retreat are April 25th - 26th. It will be held at the Holiday Inn in Big Rapids. Call 1-800-999-9069 to reserve a room. Room rate is $89 plus tax.

Registration brochures will be mailed to churches in January.

Extra Books for your library - Looking for a variety of books for your church library? Coleman has extras. Call Jan at 989-465-6580

LIGHTHOUSE LEADERSHIP EVENTS

Pastor Kyle Brown of Grand Rapids Berkley Hills, Pastor Phil Struckmeyer of Lowell Impact, and Pastor Jim Bowen of Belding Encounter did fabulous presentations on community connections. Already some of our North Michigan district churches are planning new ways to impact their communities. The enthusiasm for ministry, excitement for reaching lost people and vision casting by these men were evident.

Thanks to the host church's pastor, staff and people: Central Montcalm, Fremont, Midland and Traverse City College Terrace . More than 220 people attended from 30 district churches.

The next Lighthouse Leadership Event is with Dr. Dick Wynn and will take place on May 3. You will hear about Lifetime Leadership skills that influence your ability to serve God in maximum ways.

District Wesleyan Bible Bowl Event

The District Wesleyan Bible Bowl (WBB) competition was held at Merrill Wesleyan on March 29, 2008. Every participant was a winner by "hiding God's Word in their heart"! Merrill A team took home the Championship. Bayview team was 2nd, Merrill B team 3rd and Fremont Team 4th. Individual quizzer places are:

1st place - Nathan Morrison of Merrill
2nd place - Shaine Evans of Merrill
3rd place - Necole Reno of Traverse City Bayview
4th place - Justin Tinkham of Fremont
5th place - Jessica Taylor of Merrill

Mark Brumels is an awesome District WBB director. Approximately 100 people participated, coached, cheered or served as WBB staff for competition.

Congratulations to the Youth WBB teams of Bayview, Fremont and Merrill.

Your church could field a WBB team and learn scriptures that "will not return void", an eternal reward!

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.

New number for Family Camp Registrar Ken Wyman is 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 Centry by using the facilities as much as possible starting in May through October.

District Budget Emphasis

We are down to the last few weeks of the Conference Year. This is the time to make sure that fulfilling district obligations will take place. The reality is that our Michigan economy is taking a toll on local church finances, and transferred to district budget payments. Thank you for your commitment to making sure that your budget assessment is paid in full.