District News

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].

All SPRC/Charge Conferences will be held via Zoom.  Zoom links will be emailed to clergy and SPRC Chairpersons a few days prior to your assigned date.  SPRC meeting will begin at the start time listed and charge conference will begin 45 minutes after the start time of the SPRC meeting.  EXAMPLE:  If your assigned start time is 10:00 am, SPRC meets first with the following participants:  DS, Pastor(s)/Deacon(s), SPRC members. 

At 10:45 am, charge conference will convene with the following participants:  DS, Pastor(s)/Deacon(s), leadership team/ad council/governance team.

Forms can be found at this link and can be completed at any time:  https://michiganumc.org/resources/clergy/resources/forms/   Compensation forms are still being finalized but should be available soon.  Please refer to the link above occasionally to retrieve those forms.  All completed forms are due in the drop box (link will be sent at a later date) 10 days prior to your SPRC/CC date.  Completed and signed original documents will be postal mailed to the district office in red and blue folders that I will postal mail to churches in August.

Schedule >>>
Conference forms >>>
District Leadership roster >>> (Excel) / (pdf)
Instructions >>>
Master Checklist >>> (color) / (b&w)

Uncertain times present an opportunity for “redeeming the season,” says Bishop David Bard. He adds, “Redeeming the season remembers that we are involved in a long work.”

BISHOP DAVID BARD
Michigan Area

A favorite Bible study method for me involves comparing various English translations and renditions of a passage of Scripture. Doing so reminds me that the Scriptures we read were not originally written in English, that language is complex and translation a creative activity, and that language is rich with nuance so that exploring various shades of meaning opens these texts to me in wonderfully new ways.

Read more >>>

The REACH Summit on Oct. 24 is the beginning of a year-long relationship of ongoing support through a REACH Network Group or coaching. Serious about change? Register now.

Computers need them. So do smartphones. Churches do, too. Updates help people and operating systems boost functionality without slowing down. That’s how the Rev. Andy Lee of Commerce United Methodist Church describes the REACH Movement, which includes the upcoming REACH Summit.

The REACH Movement was launched to help churches grow and multiply in a rapidly changing world.

Read more >>>

Emergency Response Training for Michigan/NCJ Volunteers

ERT Training for volunteers looking to organize/lead/ participate in a team for disaster response/recovery efforts . (Michigan/North Central Jurisdiction )

Cornerstone UMC
1675 84th Street
Caledonia MI

October 24

8:30 am Registration
9:00 am – 5:00 pm Class

Cost : $35 (pay by check on site – Michigan Conference ERT Training)

Materials/lunch included in cost  
Pre-Register by October 16 via email to Jody Pratt : [email protected]

The General Commission on Religion and Race invites you to engage in 30 days of anti-racism. Share your journey using #30DaysAntiRacism. Encourage others to join you.

Campus minister Morgan Stafford has committed himself to live an anti-racist faith and life. “As a white man, I have learned that I’ve benefitted from racism, while people of color have been harmed. I believe that white Christians must take the lead to confront and dismantle racism. It’s our job.” Click here to journey with Morgan Stafford on Facebook.

Read more >>>

View the new Heritage District zone details here >>>

Heritage District Connectional Church grants are available to assist local congregations in program ministries or projects. 

For additional information and to download the application:
click here for Word document
click here for PDF document

CARES Act Individual Provisions from David S. Bell on Vimeo.

The Michigan Conference has created webinars on a variety of subjects related to online worship, and more are being added regularly.

They include:

• Your Tech Questions
• Online Funerals and Memorial Services
• Shelter in Place – Church Questions
• Online Church – Worship Planning
• Online Ministry with Children & Youth
• Holy Week Online Worship Planning
• The “Why” and “How” of Giving in COVID-19
• Holy Week Resources for Children and Youth
  Hands on Holy Week Webinar Resource
• Pastoral Care at a Distance   
• How the Church Can Help in Times of Crisis 
  How Church Can Help Resource

Get all the links here >>>