District News
Ways to Support UMC Hurricane Relief
Two powerful hurricanes have devastated the southeastern United States in a short time. Here are ways you can join our United Methodist response to these disasters.
Read more
Heritage District Church Conferences
Church conferences will convene in Zone groups on Saturdays and Sundays, September through November. Click here for the schedule, location, and times. All the required forms are available on the Michigan Conference website https://michiganumc.org/resources/forms/
Financial Assistance, Grants and HD Ministry Shares
The Heritage District Finance Committee, under the leadership of District Superintendent Rev. LuAnn Rourke, uses district ministry shares to offer financial assistance and grants. For questions or assistance contact Rick Gorham at [email protected]. Submit completed forms to Rick Gorham via postal mail: Rick Gorham, 13539 S. Rainbow Drive, Gregory, MI 48137, or email [email protected].
Application for Financial Assistance >>>
Application for Connectional Church Grant >>>
Heritage District Youth Ministry Discipleship Grants
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScF4rzuRhm9BcKDmYshTKD9mY9ZHZig_UhhsRdkrrVjOIl3Vg/viewform
The Heritage District is pleased to offer grants for local United Methodist Churches in Michigan in the Heritage District. This grant is intended to provide support to local churches as they re-imagine faith formation with youth. Each church may receive one grant of up to $300. Grants may be used for supplies, curriculum, Lent/Easter/Summer programming, service projects, etc. that support or enhance creative faith formation. Contact Rev. Mary Hagley [email protected] for more information.
These grants are different from the Michigan Conference Discipleship Grants, which are still available here: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/4c54bc3d/tn9-d5wGXkudUdlLT5DqAA?u=https://michiganumc.org/resources/childrens-ministry-tool-box/
Readers to Leaders
CREATING LEADERS THROUGH EDUCATION
At the 2022 Michigan Annual Conference, the body voted overwhelmingly to support the “Readers to Leaders” fundraising campaign. That goal was modified to $400,000 to reflect disaffiliation and closures of local churches. The campaign runs from September 10, 2022, to May 1, 2024 and has the goal of raising $400,000. These funds will support two ministries focused on education and we are asking local churches to create their own ministry relationship with a school in their community.
Questions can be directed to campaign co-leaders Lisa Batten, [email protected], and Jon Reynolds, [email protected].
Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism Training
All appointed clergy must complete at least one Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism Education & Training module per calendar year, beginning in 2023. Click HERE to read more and to register.
Update Your Information! Please.
Please be sure to make your local church leadership changes in Brick River, the Michigan Conference official database. Both district and conference staff use Brick River to email important information to your local church leaders. Need a tutorial how to update Here is the link to the tutorial. https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dashboard-Training-Text-1.pdf
Questions about updating your local church dashboard in Brick River? Please contact Pamela Stewart, Database Manager [email protected].
MI Conference and Heritage District Ministry Shares
Announcing 2023 Ministry Shares >>>
Your Heritage District Ministry shares support two key areas. The majority goes back to the local churches through grants and support of programs for youth, leadership and lay servant ministries. The remaining portion funds expenses necessary to maintain essential items in the district: treasurer, updating e-news and Facebook plus support for other district-wide initiatives.
2022 Heritage District Ministry Shares
2022 Michigan Conference Ministry Shares
Standing in Solidarity with Asbury UMC
The Anti-Bias Anti-Racism Working Group of The Michigan Conference stands in solidarity with Asbury United Methodist Church in Washington, DC, following the vandalism of their “Black Lives Matter” sign.
On December 12, 2020, Asbury United Methodist Church in Washington, DC, had its “Black Lives Matter” sign and display vandalized after a day of demonstrations. This sign was taken from the property of Asbury United Methodist Church. Similar signs were also taken from two other congregations in Washington, DC: Luther Place Lutheran Church and Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church. We lament this horrific assault on the people of Asbury as well as the entire faith community.
Advent Resources for Churches & Families
Below is a collective list of ideas activities for Heritage District churches/families to celebrate Advent and Christmas
Ideas and Activities
- Centerpiece or ornament that each person in the congregation receives as a visual connection to the theme for the season (“home for the holidays” “angels among us” “hope is born”)
- Delivering candy canes with messages of hope/ love/ peace/ joy
- Decorating the outside of the church instead of the inside
- “Living Nativity” with different scenes in the driveways of church members – a sort of road rally or scavenger hunt
- Hand-delivered front porch drop boxes with craft items to assemble, or pre-packaged food items
- Drive-in Christmas Eve candlelight service (using battery operated candles)
- Families / individuals video record themselves singing carols and uploaded to Facebook page
- Send Christmas Cards
- Use Sermon by Phone app to record sermons or worship services for those who cannot connect online
- Encourage youth / young adults to host Netflix watch parties
- Provide open Zoom “coffee hour” or “office hour” for people to drop in and have conversation
- Prepare devotional guides for use at home or in small groups
- Purchase Faithful Families for Advent & Christmas by Traci Smith. To purchase use link below:
http://www.traci-smith.com/faithfulfamilieschristmas/
If purchasing multiple books check bulk discounts available at Chalice Press.
*Suggestions from the Faithful Families Christmas Book
- November 29 Advent Chain page 8
- December 6 Jesus’ Family Tree page 47 (cost is $3)
Luke Genealogy family tree: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Genealogy-of-Jesus-in- pictures-According-to-Matthew-1-4752935?gclid=CjwKCAjwoc_8BRAcEiwAzJevtZ5_SNhNZDLmtWjLxH71lcVn3Fixh1qpRRYGab8uy5jYIcBRk3Fb8hoCxpQQAvD_BwE
Print out and cut up cards.
- December 13 Homemade Christmas Gifts page 36
- December 20 Christmas Card Prayers page 26
- December 21 Longest Night Prayer with Candle page 72
- December 24 Christmas Eve Candle page 78
Candles available from Dollar Tree: https://www.dollartree.com/glass-jar-candles-8/167532
Use the Michigan Conference Family Friendly Christmas Eve Service
- December 25 – January 5 12 Days of Family Time page 86
Fill out the 12 Days of Family Connection, let each member of your family choose at least one activity. Click here
More resources at the Michigan Conference Website
- https://michiganumc.org/resources/childrens-ministry-tool-box/seasonal-resources-advent/
- Free Devotional for all ages: #pictureadvent (keep checking the link above for more details)
*Resources for Faithful Families Christmas Book gathered by Rev. Mary Hagley
at Dixboro UMC. If you have questions email at [email protected].