May - Clarkston United Methodist Church

C LARKSTON U NITED M ETHODIST C HURCH
C HIMES
Date Mailed: 04/26/16
Core Values:
Committed to Christ Worship That Makes a Difference Making Disciples
Biblical Hospitality Transformational Mission
may Issue
Vacation Bible School 2016
June 20-24 9am to Noon
Registration begins on Sunday, May 8th at the Crossroads after each worship
service. If your child has completed 4-year old preschool, or Kindergarten-5th grade,
register him/her for VBS. The cost is $15/child and a case of water. Registration ends
on June 8th
We Are Collecting VBS Donations: Cases of water (small bottles), pre-packaged
Rice Krispie Treats, granola bars, cheese sticks, Oyster crackers, Gummi Worms,
mini marshmallows, cases of individually wrapped bags of pretzels, Froot Loops,
Cheerios, Kix, Chex cereal, bananas, clementines, grapes, apples and carrots. You
may drop off donations in the main office or the basket in the Sunday school hallway.
VBS Volunteers Needed: If you would like to help with VBS, please take a
volunteer form from the Sunday school bulletin board, complete, and return to
Shannon Majiors or Hallie Guzal ASAP.
VBS Volunteer Orientation is Saturday, June 13th from 9-10am. If you are helping
with VBS, please mark your calendars for this important informational meeting. A
light breakfast will be provided.
Page 2
A P ASTORAL W ORD
May 2016
The merry month of May is upon us. In these coming 31 days of celebration and
impact, the month of May promises to be one to experience and remember.
We will begin on May 1 with recognition of our confirmation class that will move
us to a special church conference to take our final vote authorizing construction.
All members of the church are invited to share in this historic day and be part of the
conversation and decision.
The rest of the month will feature a Sunday morning conversation on the identity
and mission that God has given to us at this time in our history. We will celebrate
Mothers and High School graduates. Mission plans for the summer and Vacation
Bible school are being finalized.
It is a season of celebrating warmth and sun. It is a time of preparation for the
summer to come. At a recent visit to my parents, my father showed me the
ground he had tilled for planting in anticipation of the growing season to come. At
90, he is still tilling and expecting a harvest. I drove home and realized so am I.
Don’t miss the month of May in your church family. It will be a rich time of
blessing. Come and share with us in the merry month of May.
In Christ,
Pastor Rick
Page 3
Worship
May will be an exciting month in worship! We will welcome
our 2016 confirmation class, honor those who mother & mentor,
celebrate our high school graduates & pentecost, gear up for
mission, baptize and practice Biblical hospitality through holy
communion. Come and be a part of all that is happening in the
exciting month of May!
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F AMILY M INISTRY - C HILDREN
May Sunday School and Angels schedule- There will not
be Sunday School May 29th(Memorial Day Weekend) we
welcome you to attend service as a family. Angels in Training –
Our last day of the 2015-2016 year will be May 22nd with a party to celebrate all of
their accomplishments.
Camp Day, May 22nd- Jon Lawrence form Myers Lake UMC Campground will
be in Children’s Church to share his passion for United Methodist summer camping
experiences.
Bonfire and Smore’s_ Join us Friday May 20th at 7pm to
enjoy a sweet treat and fellowship around the campfire.
Invite friends and neighbors to join you, the more the
merrier! Bring a folding chair or blanket.
Family Mission Trip- Family Mission Trip---Mark your calendar for July
29th-31st as we will serve together on our 5th Annual Family Mission Trip in the
Byron area, and camp at Myers Lake Campground. We will arrive Friday night
after dinner and set up our camp site. We will work at the Methodist camp ground
itself, as well as the surrounding Byron area. The cost is $135 per family which
includes camp site fees, all food, drinks, snacks and materials for work projects. A
$85 deposit is due by May 22nd, and the final $50 payment is due by June 19th.
Please see our website or Hallie Guzal for a camp registration form.
Looking ahead . . . Summer Sunday school teachers are needed. If you are able
to help teach Sunday school at our second service this summer beginning June 19th
please contact Shannon Majiros [email protected]
VBS Registration begins May 8th! VBS is June 20-24th. Cost is $15/child and
a case of water (which we will donate to Flint). Registration will be at the
crossroads on Sundays and in the main office throughout the week--through June
5th.
VBS Volunteers- If you are interested in volunteering your time and energy to
support this awesome ministry of the church we would love to have you!! The
week of June 20-June 24th 9:00-noon, we have an opportunity for you in a variety
of areas: crafts, classrooms, games and skits. You may return the return the tear off
portion below or contact Shannon Majiors [email protected] or Hallie
Guzal [email protected]
Page 5
VBS Donations are needed: Cases of water (small bottles), pre-packaged Rice
Krispie Treats, granola bars, Oyster crackers, Gummi Worms, Swedish Fish, mini
marshmallows, boxes of Goldfish or Cheez-Its, pretzels, Cheerios, Kix, Chex cereal,
Froot Loops, dried fruit, large packages of M&Ms, bananas, clementines, apples and
carrots. You may drop off donations in the main office.
---------------------------------------------------------------------—————
VBS Volunteers Needed June 20-24:
Name ___________________________________
Phone # ___________________ E-mail__________________________
OPTION #1
____ Be a Classroom Leader
OR
____Be a Classroom Helper
preferred age level: (please circle) nursery
3 yr. olds
4 yr. olds
kindergarten
1st grade 2nd grade 3rd grade 4th grade 5th grade
Option #2
Lead or Help with: _____Crafts
_____Games _____Performer (skits) Put
this form in the offering plate or turn into Shannon Majiros or Hallie Guzal.
F AMILY M INISTRY - FUEL
Youth Breakfast Club continues for 7- 12th graders in the youth lounge on
Sundays at 9 & 11am. Come hang out with friends and enjoy breakfast while you
watch the sermon on the TV and have a discussion afterwards. There will be no
YBC May 1st for Confirmation Sunday or May 30th for Memorial Day.
Please enjoy service with your family. YBC’s ends June 12th for the summer.
Sunday Night FUEL YOUTH GROUP continues for all 6th-8th graders. Youth
are encouraged to bring friends! The upcoming topics are:
May 1st- Sports Galore Night
May 8th –No youth group Happy Mother’s Day
May 15th- Body/Soul and Mind Wesley lesson
May 22- End of the year party /Deposit due for FUEL Summer
Mission Trip
CUMC GAMES GALORE –May 1st 6-8pm
Your youth won’t want to miss this event at CUMC. Our youth groups along with
the youth group from Saint Daniels’ Church in Clarkston will be coming together
for a night of crazy fun games and of course great snacks! Games include life size
Continued on next page
Page 6
Jenga, human bowling, blow up Wrecking Ball, Nine Square in the Air, spoons
and more! A sign up genius has been sent out to help supply food and
assistance. Please sign up to help out if you are able!
7th- 8TH GRADE LOCK-IS MAY 20-21st
It’s almost that time of the year for our 7 &8th grade lock-in. We will have
representatives from the high school youth group and confirmation class come
and talk to the youth about their next steps in their faith journey. We will also
have a lot of fun events so please mark your calendars.
VBS Youth Volunteer’s needed June 20-24th
6th graders and above we would love to have you as VBS volunteer’s this summer!
Please contact Hallie Guzal at [email protected] to volunteer!
FUEL SUMMER MISSION TRIP, JUNE 26-JUNE 30
FUEL Summer Mission Trip 2016 will begin by traveling to Redford, Michigan
to work at the Aldersgate/Brightmoor Initiative. Our Middle school youth will
paint boards for abandoned homes, work with children of the area in the
Superhero’s Academy, assist with Garden work, team building games as well as
work in the Free Store. We will end the week by assisting Adult Righteous
Mission at the Hope Warming Center in Pontiac, MI. Youth will begin with an
overnight Sunday evening at the Aldersgate Church and continue the week with
daily mission trips. Participants can attend all week or chose the days they are
able to attend. Cost for the week is $75. Commitment and ½ payment due May
22. Final Payment due June 12th.
F AMILY M INISTRY - H IGH S CHOOL Y OUTH
Youth Group in May
May 1 Games Galore with St. Daniel’s youth group at CUMC
May 8 Happy Mother’s Day—No Youth Group
May 15 Farewell to Seniors—Youth Group Offsite TBD
May 22 End of Year Party and Reflection
High School Seniors---Graduation Sunday is May 15 at
CUMC! If you have not already received a letter about
graduation Sunday, please contact me at once
([email protected]). Breakfast is at 9:30 for seniors
and their families, followed by a graduation service at the 11am
worship service. We need to know if you are attending and
how many family members will join you for breakfast, and we need pictures of
you (send electronically) –all by May 1st!
Continued on next page
Page 7
Righteous Mission forms and payments are due. Please return your
registration forms and make sure you have all payments ($250) submitted. If you
would like a financial scholarship for this trip, please see Annette Siminski. This
mission trip to Church 4 All People on July 9-15th will be transformational!
May 1 is Confirmation Sunday. Please join us at 11am for our confirmation
ceremony during worship. Let us celebrate these new members of CUMC.
Costa Rica
Did you know that 10 High School Seniors and 4 Adults
are planning a mission trip to Rice and Beans Ministry in
Costa Rica? They will be serving June 18-25,
2016. These youth, who have been active in our
church’s youth ministry and mission, will spend a week
distributing food, doing construction work, working
with kids, and gaining an understanding of poverty and
transformational ministry. Thank you to all who have already contributed to
their fundraising efforts. Please keep your eyes open for upcoming ways to
support the team. Please keep them in prayer as they prepare for their trip:
William Ballew
CJ Poirier
MacGregor Schaffer
Tucker Zelinsky
Tom Pytel
Diana Bullen
Drew Prasil
Carter Slunick Eileen Bullen
Ray Winkleman
Ryan Crue
Sammi Pytel
Nick Sprague
Kathy Hardy
Flamingo Flockings have begun! As part of our Costa Rica mission trip
fundraising efforts, we are flocking with flamingos. If you would like to “flock”
someone, please complete the pink flocking form located at the crossroads, in the
main office, and in Annette Siminski’s office, and leave it in Annette’s mailbox or
with Cheryl Kelly with your donation. Thanks for your support!
Thank you to all who attended the Ford Choir concert and donated to our Costa
Rica mission trip. Your support and generosity are overwhelming!
Confirmation Sunday—May 1 at 11:00am
Thank you to our kitchen committee for serving our confirmation breakfast, and to
all the high school youth parents who provided breakfast casseroles! Thank you to
all of our Journey Companions who were wonderful mentors to our kids this
whole year. Thank you to our confirmands for taking this journey. They are a
blessing. We are blessed for the opportunity to work with them!
Annette Siminski
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Page 9
M ISSIONS U PDATES
Adult Righteous Mission 2016 June 27 – July 1 -- Save the Date!
Hope Hospitality and Warming Center Pontiac, Michigan
It is with great joy, your ARM Coordinating Team announces that we will again be
serving at the Hope Hospitality and Warming Center in Pontiac. Remember,
ARM is a schedule friendly mission opportunity where you can work one to five
days! Also, we are looking for more Team Leaders to help develop the work plans
for a wide array of projects, including: Installing fence, updating bathrooms,
building a second pavilion, cooking, gardening, landscaping, painting, organizing
& cleaning, praying, teaching, and Connecting People to God.
There is a role for everyone who would like to participate! And, back by popular
demand, Kid's Camp, set for Wednesday, June 29th, so CUMC parents of young
children can participate as well.
We certainly hope you will join us! Save the Date! And watch for additional
information as our plans to serve progress.
Registration and complete details are now available on the CUMC website under
Missions. Questions? Email: [email protected]
MISSION OPPORTUNITY!
THE NORTHWEST DETROIT FLOOD RECOVERY PROJECT
On August 11, 2014, record rains of 6 inches caused $1.1billion in damage to
130,000 homeowners and businesses in the tri-county areas in and around Detroit.
Basements were flooded, motorists were stranded and building foundations caved
in. More than 80 percent did not have flood or sewer backup insurance. It was
designated a federal disaster in late September 2014. Partnered with UMCOR,
progress is being made. There is still great need for volunteer help!
Clarkston UMC will take a team of 6 or more to work on projects (not mucking
out) from 9am – 3pm, Saturday, May 14. This team will leave the church at 8am
for a designated site on the northwest side of Detroit. We welcome anyone who is
willing to serve! Sign up on the Missions Bulletin Board by May 8.
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SPRC U PDATES
Staff Pastor Relations Committee (SPRC) would like to introduce Shannon
Majiros and Hallie Guzal as the newest staff members. Both Shannon and Hallie
will be working in the Family Ministries program area.
Shannon is the Coordinator of Children’s Education; managing Sunday School and
children’s educational programming. Shannon and her husband Nathan have been
married over 16 years and they have two girls, Delaney and Emily. She has lived
in Michigan for almost 6 years, and has attended CUMC since they moved here.
Shannon grew up in upstate New York, attended college in Virginia receiving a
Bachelors in Family and Child Development from Virginia Tech and later a
Master’s in Library Science from Wayne State. She has taught Sunday school and
helped with Angels in Training. In their free time Shannon and her family love to
be out on their boat and travel.
Hallie is the Coordinator of Family Ministries; managing fellowship, education
and family strengthening ministries outside of the normal Sunday School program.
Hallie was born, raised and married a Methodist. She has been an active member
of CUMC for many years including volunteering as a Sunday school teacher,
nursery helper and Angel In Trainings coordinator to name a few. Hallie and her
husband Ryan have been married for 17 years and have three children Owen, Ben
and Ella. Her family has a love of this church and programs; and is so excited to
assist in the growth of our family ministry. Her family loves to cheer on the
Spartans of MSU and during the summer months, enjoys concerts at DTE and
winter months skiing at Pine Knob, both right in their backyard!
Both Shannon and Hallie bring a wealth of experience, education and most
importantly passion to continuing Clarkston United Methodist Church’s mission
of Connecting People to People and People to God.
( pictured here—left to
right. Hallie Guzal &
Shannon Majiros.)
Page 11
Music
A very special thank you to Bob and Gail Curtiss for helping connect us with
the Ford Motor Company Chorus. On April 17th, we hosted a benefit concert
for our H.S. Senior’s Costa Rica mission trip that was very successful. We raised
enough money to purchase 147 canvas bags that will be filled with food
staples. These bags will be hand delivered door to door in financially challenged
areas by our H.S. Seniors. The seniors will give people this gift and offer
prayers. Thank you to all who organized, listened, donated, brought
refreshments, and participated through singing. We hope you were blessed!
BELL CHOIRS
All three of our wonderful bell choirs have finished up for the spring and are to
be warmly congratulated! The Angelus Bells (elementary), Celebration Ringers
(Youth), and Jubilation Ringes (adults) had a fabulous year of improving their
musicianship and making worship very special through their beautiful
music. Congratulations to Judy Mellen who directors all three groups and to all
the musicians for a wonderful year. We look forward to hearing the beautiful
sound of the bells again in the fall!
YOUTH CHOIR
The youth choir is finishing out their spring with a special trip to sing for the
residents living in two local care facilities. On Saturday, May 7th the choir will
sing at Inn On Cass Lake in Waterford and then travel back to Clarkston to sing
at Autumn Ridge. The choir will perform repertoire that they have been
working on since September of last fall as well as some fun skits and finally a sing
along with the audience. Congratulations to the Youth Choir on a very
successful year of making music for God and God’s people. We look forward to
seeing what exciting things next year will bring for the Youth Choir.
W ORSHIP H OURS
9:00am, 11:00am
CUMC WEEKLY SCHEDULE
SUNDAY
9:00 —10:00am
9:00—10:00am
9-10am
10-11am
10:10– 10:50am
10:10– 10:50am
11:00—12:00pm
11:00—12:00pm
11-12pm
6-7:30pm
MONDAY
1:00—2:30pm
4pm– 5:30pm
6:00—7:00pm
7:00—9:00pm
7:00-8:30pm
TUESDAY
9:30-12PM
Worship Service
Sunday School
Youth Breakfast Club (Youth Lge)
Angels In Training (201-205)
Parlor Class (Parlor)
Parent’s Circle (Adult Classroom)
Worship Service
Sunday School
Youth Breakfast Club (Yth Lounge
Fuel & HS Youth Groups (FH)
Knitting from the Heart (Par)
Gentle Yoga (Par)
Tai Chi (FH)
AA Meeting (Yth Clr)
Cub Scout Pack 126 (Lib)
Sunday
T
1 Confirmation
Sunday
Confirmation
Breakfast
9:30am
No Breakfast Club
Parenting Teens 6pm
2
3
8
9
10
Caring Hearts Bible Study
(Par)
Tuesday Morning Study (Parlor)
9:30-11am
WEDNESDAY
7:00—8:30am Optimist Club (FH)
9:15—11:15am Covenant Group (Lib)
5pm
Prayer Group (Sanc)
5-6pm
Wed. Night Youth Dinner
(Youth Lounge/Classroom)
6-6:45pm
Youth Choir (ends May 4th)
6:30-8:30pm
Companion Group (Library)
6:45-7:30pm
Celebration Ringers (ends May 6)
7:30-9pm
Jubilation Ringers (Music Rm)
THURSDAY
7:30—9:00am Clarkston Coffee Club (FH)
6:30—7:30pm Men’s Bible Study (Lib)
6:45— 8:30pm DivorceCare (Par)
7:30—8:30 pm Chancel Choir (Music Rm)
FRIDAY
7:00—8:00am
Men’s Bible Study
7:00—9:00pm
AA Meeting
Monday
Mothers Day
VBS Registration
Bible Sunday
Breakfast 9am
No Youth Groups
Trustee Meeting
7pm
SPRC Mtg 7pm Trans
Lupus Support Grp
7:30pm
15 Graduation 16
Food Pantry Pickup
Sunday
10am
VBS Registration
Graduation Breakfast Food Pantry Pickup
7pm
9:30am
Parenting Teens 6pm Ed I Mtg.—7:30pm
22
29
23
VBS Registration
VBS Mtg 11am
UMM Breakfast
7:30pm
Autumn Ridge
Service 2pm
B
Rummage Sale
Dropoff
30 Memorial
Rummage Sale Day
Dropoff
Church Closed
No Sunday School
17
M
C
24
31
Tuesday
Blood Drive 127:30pm
Grief Support
6:30pm
Wednesday
4
Suzanne Wesley
9am
Building Cmt 6pm
Getting Ahead 6pm
Ed II Mtg 6:30pm
Starduster Band
7:15pm
Thursday
5
Friday
6
7
Lifetouch Photo shoot 2-8:30pm
Grief Support
6:30pm
sitioning Parents
(Par)
11
Memorial Cmt.
8:45am
Getting Ahead 6pm
UMM Mtg 7pm
CUMC Men’s Mtg
7:30pm
12
13
French Horn Recital.
4pm
Lifetouch Photo shoot 2-8:30pm
Grief Support
6:30pm
Missions Mtg 7pm
CUMC Bookclub
7pm
Rummage Sale
Dropoff
Grief Support
6:30pm
Rummage Sale
Dropoff
Rummage setup
Grief Support
6:30pm
18
19
25
26
Getting Ahead 6pm
Stardusters Band
7:15pm
Rummage Sale
Dropoff
UMW Brd Mtg
8:30am
Getting Ahead 6pm
Hospitality Mtg.
1pm
Saturday
8am Homeplate
UMM
Esther’s Children
Friendship Tea
11:30am
Lifetouch 9:30-2pm
14
French Horn Recital.
1pm
Parents’ Night Out
5pm
Lifetouch 9:30-2pm
20
21
27
28
50 and over potluck
11:30pm
FUEL Lockin—Youth
Lounge 6pm begins
Bonfire & Smores
Night 7pm
Rummage Sale
Rummage Sale
Dropoff
Dropoff
Staff Programming Kerrick Rehearsal 5pm
Mtg. (Par) 9am
FUEL Lockin—
Youth Lounge 8am
ends
Spring Clean Up
10am-4pm
Rummage Sale
Dropoff
Kerrick Wedding
4pm
View the most recent version of
the CUMC calendar at our
website:
www.clarkstonumc.org
Page 14
UMW
United Methodist Women
UMW Circles – Following is information on the
UMW Circles for their May meetings.
The May meeting of Alethea Rose will be held on Wednesday May 18th
at the Independence Oaks County Park on Sashabaw Road. We will meet at 6
pm at the Twin Chimney Pavilion for a salad and dessert potluck. Following
that there will be the opportunity to hike around the lake. Please bring a salad
or dessert to share and a drink for yourself. Table service will be
provided. Come and meet new and old friends while enjoying God's great
outdoors. In case of bad weather, rain date will be May 19th. For more
information contact Mary O'Rourke at [email protected] or 248-6209491
Susanna Wesley Circle will meet in the Fellowship Hall Wednesday, May
4 (9:30 am for set-up and 10:00 for business meeting). The girls from “G”
cottage at Children’s Village will join us for a potluck lunch, devotions by
Deacon Laura and music with the organ. Our contributions for the pantry
will be condiments (catsup, mustard, mayo, relish etc.) Please call Paula at
248-625-5797 if you have any questions.
UMW North Central Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting – Grand Rapids
– June 24 – 26. Contact Suzanne Tinka for further information. E-Mail:
[email protected]; Phone: (248) 625-3405.
UMW Mission u Studies this year are:
The Bible and Human Sexuality: Claiming God’s Good Gift. Study Leader –
Rev. Faith Fowler
Latin America: People and Faith.
Study Leader – Sonya Luna
Climate Justice: a Call to Hope and
Action. Study Leader - Rev.
Becky Wilson
For information on the above
listed events or to register for any
of them, please call Suzanne Tinka
at (248) 625-3405 or E-mail:
[email protected].
Page 15
UMM
CLARKSTON
United Methodist Men
CUMC Men's Bible Study
Thursday evening, 6:30pm-7:30pm - Library (Jeff Smolek)
Friday morning, 7:00am-8:00am Parlor (Bob Hoff)
CUMC Men's Softball Team begins in May
THINK SPRING - Men, are you looking for a fun way to get exercise while
making connections with others? Looking for a great father-son bonding
opportunity? Then, consider joining the CUMC Men's Softball team. The team is
open to all Men from high school to 100. The season is from May-August. The
team is forming now. Contact with questions or interest: Nathan Majiros
([email protected], 248-613-1893).
MAY 1st (Sun) - CUMC Men's HUNGER RELIEF SUNDAY - Sunday May
1st we will be asking each Man coming to church to donate $1 to support Hunger
Relief (Society of St. Andrews).
We will need help manning the black buckets at each entrance to the Sanctuary &
Balcony after each service. If you can please help hold a bucket after service at
one of the entrances of the sanctuary that would be great! please reply to Jay Bleim
248 625-0875 or 248 875-4112 or [email protected] - thx!
May 7 (Sat) - Home Plate 2016 - Comerica Park 9:30am Program &
1:30pm Tigers -vs- Rangers - interested in going Please call Nathan
Majiros 248 613-1893 for tickets!
May 11 (Wed) 7:30pm - CUMC MEN's MEETING The CUMC Men's
monthly committee meeting consists of the current CUMC Men's Officers and
Men's Committee members that serves as a leadership team working in partnership
with the pastor(s). All men of the church are welcome to join the meeting @
7:30pm in FH Adult Classroom.
May 21 (Sat) 10am - CHURCH SPRING CLEAN UP DAY 2016 We are
looking for volunteers from CUMC to help beautify the church grounds on
Saturday May 21st from 10am-2pm.
We have a Big List this year so we could use many Volunteers Please! We will be
turning Flower Beds, Trimming Bushes, getting the Grounds ready for Summer
and other various projects. Lunch will be provided! For more information please
contact Bill Ballew (248) 830-8523 or [email protected] - thank you!
May 22 (Sun) 7:30am - CUMC MEN's BREAKFAST - FH All Men of the Church are invited to the CUMC Men's Breakfast on Sunday May
15th from 7:30-8:45, if you have to leave early that's no problem!
Our Special Guests will be PASTOR KENT CLARK & THE MEN OF GRACE.
Page 16
A DULT E DUCATION
During the month of May I invite you to consider three options for your spiritual
growth for June, July and August.
Labyrinth A spiritual prayer tool The labyrinth is a metaphor for our spiritual
journey. Life takes twist and turns, and unlike a maze we think there are dead ends;
however, through prayer there is always a way forward with God. The walk is all about
inviting God into your life, letting go with God, experiencing illumination that leads to
union with God. We will meet at the McLaren Garden of Healing.
Monthly morning and evening classes at 7 am and 8 pm, as well as the opportunity to
walk the labyrinth on your own at anytime. Guidelines for your labyrinth experience
will be available on the Adult Education bulletin board outside the church office. Sign
up sheets for these 1 time class times are on the Adult Ed. Bulletin Board by church
office.
Class times: Tuesday, June 7 @ 7 am and Thursday, June 9 @ 8 pm
Tuesday, July 12 @ 7 am and Thursday, July 14 @ 8 pm
Tuesday, August 9 @ 7 am and Thursday, August 11 @ 8pm
Questions that you have about life, the church, your faith. Noon, Tuesday,
June, 7, July 12, and August 9, I would invite you to come to church with your brown
bag lunch along with your life questions. Questions that you just have not had the
opportunity to ask a pastor. When we do this kind of thing with youth we call it “stump
the pastor.” This will be informal and I hope a helpful and enjoyable way of learning
together.
Hunger of the Heart—a spiritual growth opportunity. 6:30 pm on Thursday,
June 9, July 14, and August 11. The author of this wonderful Upper Room Book asks
the reader to consider questions like: “Do you feel that there should be something
more to life than what you’re experiencing?” “Do you wonder what you can do to make
your relationship with God more satisfying?” I am excited about this class and hope to
have you sign up for this three part course. You can pick the book up for free in the
church office starting June 1st.
Last call for the Wesley Heritage Trip to England with Rev. Hal Weemhoff
November 8-16. The trip will take us to Birmingham, Coventry, Epworth, Stratford,
Oxford, Bristol, Bath, The Cotswolds, Glouster, and the highlights of Wesley’s
London. We are trying to pull our group together, so that we can talk together about
our final plans. Please call Rev. Hal @ 313-418-2748 if you would like to part of this
faith journey.
Please call me for more information, clarification, and ideas for Adult Education @313
-418-2748. I am most interested in talking with folks about what they would like to see
offered in adult education at Clarkston UMC as well as about personal faith journeys.
Page 17
L AY L EADER R EFLECTIONS
May 2016
“the connection”
The United Methodist Church is active worldwide as “the connection.”
In the 18th century John Wesley, our founder, began an organized system for
communication and accountability so that the vision of mission and ministry could
be accomplished. That organization, our United Methodist denomination,
continues today under a connectional structure that is detailed in the UMC Book
of Discipline. The General Conference is the primary legislative body that meets
quadrennially and consists of five U.S. Jurisdictional Conferences which have
about a dozen annual conferences each, and seven Central Conferences located in
Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Philippines. Michigan’s two conferences, the
Detroit Annual Conference (DAC) and the West Michigan Conference are in the
process of combining into the Michigan Conference. The DAC has 6 districts with
CUMC being one of 75 churches within the Crossroads District.
The General Conference is of critical importance as its 864 international
delegates, half clergy and half laity, struggle with decisions concerning today’s
issues in setting official policy in concert with God’s word and in updating the
Book of Discipline.
The totally exciting part of all this is that Deacon Laura Speiran is
honored to be an alternate delegate this year. She is the first deacon delegate from
our conference to attend! This is an opportunity to observe the proceedings as
well as to bring awareness to the Deacon role in the church, which she likens to a
bridge between the church and those outside. Her delegate duty is to educate
herself and attend meetings in preparation for the issues under discussion. Moral,
social, economic and public policy issues include hot-topics of homosexual
inclusion and gun violence. Obviously, different regions and countries have
different views. The challenges are immense! Her additional work as a delegate
to our Jurisdictional Conference in July (where four new bishops will be elected)
and as Chair of the Order of Deacons is a valuable asset.
Laura relishes these challenges and the joy of meeting and working with
other spiritual souls from across the globe. She cares deeply about the church and
its message and is inspired to do all she can with this opportunity. She will be in
Portland, OR, from May 10-20 to work toward God’s call to unity. Laura is our
“connection” and we send her off with prayers that her gifts of compassion, justice
and hope will be a light to the General Conference and the future of the UMC. I
encourage you to follow the news as the Conference unfolds at www.umc.org.
I love the Methodist “connectional” way, which emboldens us to
accomplish more for Christ together than could be done independently!
Brenda DuPree—Lay Leader
Page 18
A NNOUNCEMENTS
50 and OVER is a vibrant group that enjoys the fun and fellowship of monthly mid
-day social gatherings. We meet for potluck lunches, programs and field trips. You
are enthusiastically welcomed and encouraged to attend any time! We usually meet
on the third Friday of the month. Watch the Bulletin, Chimes and Bulletin Board
for detailed information and sign up on the Bulletin Board to attend. Contact for
questions: Lou and Brenda DuPree, [email protected], 248-625-5141.

May 20, 2016, Friday, Noon in the Parlor
SNOWBIRDS Return – Join us for a church update by Pastor Rick and
Pastor Hal – programs, staffing, building project plans. Find out what you
missed! Potluck lunch in Parlor at noon, bring a dish to pass, your place
setting and friends for an informative and entertaining program!

June 15, 2016, Wednesday noon, Place TBD
Watch Bulletin Board and Sunday Bulletins for further plans.
Midwest Mission Distribution Center
CUMC’s 12th annual mission trip to the MMDC in Chatham, IL, will bring 11
enthusiastic workers to pack kits and flood buckets, sew, build desks, etc.! We ask
for your prayers as we share Christ’s love, serving May 1 – May 6. Missioners are
Skip Mellen, Jeff Martin, Kathryn Wilkinson, Sandy Gellish, Tim and Sharon
Sherrow, Kay and Jim Bryson, Ray Winkelman, Lou and Brenda DuPree.
The Parenting Teenagers Course for those parenting 11-18 year olds.
Please join us on Sunday evenings 6-7:30pm. Each 90 minute session will be a
combination of talks and discussing parenting issues with other parents. The study
books are $5 each. May 1, May 15 Time: 6-7:30pm Hosted By: Rebecca and
Bill Clemens- [email protected] Facilitator: Anne Evans
Congratulations to the 2016 CUMC Scholarship recipients. The Frank
Russell Memorial Scholarship—Shelby Ettinger. The Glenn Cobeil Memorial
Scholarship—William Ballew. CUMC Scholarships—Diana Bullen, Samantha
Pytel, and Carter Slunick
New 2016 Color CUMC Directory!
We are getting ready to create a new photo directory here at CUMC and we need
you to make it complete! By participating you will receive a free printed directory.
Sign up at our website at www.clarkstonumc.org ( look for lifetouch logo at
bottom of page) or look for signup tables in the Narthex after church each Sunday.
If you would like some assistance please contact the church office and ask for
Cheryl, our church secretary. Please sign up today as our directory wouldn’t be
complete without you. Thank you.
Page 19
Caregivers’ Support Group meets on the Second Tuesday at 7:00 pm. Caring for a
loved one can be a big responsibility and sometimes an overwhelming one. Join us for
support, fellowship and practical advice from others who are on the same
journey. This was formerly known as the Transitioning Aging Parents group, but now
includes all caregivers, whether you are caring for a parent, spouse, adult child, or
other loved one. Please join us on May 10th. If you need support in the meantime,
please contact Rev. Laura Speiran, facilitator.
Send your kid to Camp!
The United Methodist Church has several camps throughout
the state that provide kids with a wonderful week of Christian
Community, faith development and lots of fun. Every year
the UMW sponsors any child or youth going to a Christian
Camp with a campership. Contact Collen Godfrey if your
child or youth is going to camp! Check out
lakelouisecommunity.org for Lake Louise Camps and
umccamps.org for Detroit Conference Camps.
Join us for Gentle Yoga on Mondays at 4 pm in the Parlor. The next 10 week
session starts April 4th and goes through June 13th (no class on Memorial Day), cost is
$75. Or you may prefer drop in visits at any time, cost $10. Only equipment
required is yoga mat or beach towel. Steve Guth of Yoga Oasis is instructor. For
questions contact Mary O'Rourke at [email protected] or 248-620-9491.
Martha’s Helping Hands is a program at our church that delivers meals for shortterm situations such as recovery from surgery, hospitalization, etc. Would you be
willing to make all or part of a meal and deliver it? Or would you be willing just to do
a delivery if someone else can make a meal? Please sign up on the bulletin board
across from the main office. Thank you to Michele Poirier for heading up this
important but behind the scenes ministry!
The American Cancer Society's Clarkston Relay For Life is coming May
16 at Clintonwood Park. CUMC is again sponsoring a team of walkers. Captain this
year will be Mary Gladstone-Highland 248-625-1611 or
[email protected] Donations may also be made
online for the CUMC team members or the church team.
If you are a cancer survivor please register on
the acsrelayforlife.org web site for the survivors lap which
is held on Saturday morning. There is also a t-shirt and a
celebration in honor of survivors. Thank you for all your
help and support.
Page 20
A NNOUNCEMENTS C ONTINUED
Blood Drive at CUMC in Fellowship Hall
Save the date, Tuesday, May 3rd 1-7pm
To schedule an appointment please call Phyllis Choops 248-623-9425
or go to www.redcrossblood.org, use sponsor code clarkstonumc.
Annual Friendship Tea Saturday, May 7th, 2016 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. A
Downton Abbey inspired event to be held in our Fellowship Hall. This year we
are offering an opportunity to decorate a table for the event! Use your creativity,
your own centerpiece, dishes, special tea cups, etc. Choose a theme and have fun!
Sign up with Leslie Vaughn, 625-8240 or Pam Ruth 248421-7699. Event cost is $35.00 each, girls 10 and under
$30.00. Please share with your friends and fill a table for 8
guests for $250! Either mail a check payable to ESTHERS
Children to Leslie Vaughn, 6251 Pinewood Dr.,
Clarkston, MI 48346, or pay online with a card fee of $2.00 per ticket
at www.estherschildren.org. (Look for the Events tab.)
Volunteer opportunities available to help set up on May 6th, bake, prepare trays
of food to serve, and clean up on May 7th. Do you work with a youth group that
wants volun
teer time?
Have you lost a loved one? Please join us for an educational series on grief,
beginning Tuesday, April 26th, and running for 6 weeks, ending on May 31st. 6:308pm on the Music Rm. We will address the questions, what is grief? What are
the myths of grief? What is the difference between grief and depression? And
more. Facilitated by Gina Shuster, MSW, of Heartland
Hospice. Questions? Contact Rev. Laura.
Page 21
The Annual Church Rummage Sale is
coming June 4 so start saving your stuff.
Donations will be accepted in the Fellowship Hall
starting on May 23 and continuing through June 1
during normal church hours. Set up will start on
May 31 and continue through Friday, June 3.
Look for work sign up sheets on the UMW
bulletin board in early May. Any help during the
week or the day of the sale is appreciated.
Saturday sale hours are 9-4 with lunch provided for the workers. Large item
donations must be okayed by Holly first. We accept children's clothing in good
condition, but not adult clothing. Contact Holly Stowers at [email protected]
for more information.
Mark your calendar for the
Wojo’s Greenhouse Fundraiser!
Tuesday, May 24 and
Thursday, June 9
10% of what you spend comes back to the church!
Prayer List
Need prayer? Please use prayer request card in pews, contact Suzanne Tinka for
prayer chain (confidential email group) at 248-625-3405 or email
[email protected]. Prayer Group meets Wednesdays from 5-6
pm to pray over the immediate and ongoing concerns. All are welcome!
Immediate Concerns:
Christine Page, Martin Pennington, Marie Roy, Beverly and
James Zink, Family of David Zittel
Our Sympathy Goes to:
Molly McCallum and Kelly Carter and family on the death of
their mother and grandmother, Nancy Shorts, on April 23rd
Donna and Dave Couture and family on the death of her
brother, Ted Johnson, on April 16th
In Hospice Care: Lisa Ballinger, Jean Koskela, Lila Miller
Special Prayer Focus: General Conference of the UMC, taking place May 10-20, in
Portland, OR
Page 22
Clarkston United Methodist Church-Ongoing Prayer List
Those in need of healing:
Kathie Adams, Fred Alexander, Jan Altermatt, Brant Anderson, Sandy Balone, Beck, Blaze
Beeson & Family, Debby Berry, Emma Jean Berquist, Mollie Bexell, Jennifer Blakely, Rick
Brandon, Brian, Don Brose Sr., Lucy Brown, Emily Buchanon, Erica & Trevor Cale, Joan
Carr, Joel Carter, Betty Case, Linda Clark, Baby Collin, Laura Coomer-Larson, Daniel
Corbett, Cameron Corder, Sam and Virginia Corner, Brian Couture, Crystal, Bob Cuipak,
Joe “Cus” Cusumano, Dan, Susan Dault, Sandra Dean, Sarah Decker, Jon Dickey, Carol
Doeringer, Sharon Dollens, Amy Deramus, Linda and Jim Duddles, Ann Dutton, Ian Dyer,
Family of Mike Eldridge, Judy Ettinger, Kathy Fairburn, Megan Gaines, Michele Garcia, Rob
Giddings, Janet Glascock, Bob Greene, Alexie Gruenberg, Patti Grider, Bethany
Haltermann, Nancy Hanna, Michelle Henry, Denny Hill, Juliana Hirn, Abby Hixson, Tom
Hoff, Dave Hoskins, Don Hotop, Karen Hryciuk, Connor Jackson, Denny Johnson, Mary
Lou Johnson, Chris Johnston, Ruth Ellsworth Jones, Victoria Justice, Mike Kindermann, Ken
Klimek, Casey Knott, Grace Kovatch, Nita Kozak, Jane Kriebel, Lynne Kristi, Fritz Kruger,
Lauren, Tabatha Lawrence, Elsa Lopez, Lori,Tom Lowell, Jan Lucich, Anne Lutz, Kelley
Martin, Reagan Elizabeth Massey, Terry Matzke, Connor Maxfield, Gary McCowan, Dick
McKibben, Aidan McMillan, Susanne McVinnie, Heather Merritt, Mary Milakovich, Krista
Miller, Robert Montgomery, Marilyn Mueller, Colleen Murphy, Mary Muscat, Ed Nagel,
Rev. Barbara Nolin, Cheryl Noll, Martha Nordquist, Teresa Oen, Darren Ogden, Rebekah
Oman, Joyce Opalko, Pat Ouellette, Marcia Outlaw, Gordan Palmer, Mike Perry, Karen
Phelps, Joseph Poirer, Anita Prokop, Denny Pursell, Jay Reinke, Joe Rohovsky, Fred
Rohrbach, Leslie Rucker, John Schell, Noah Schindler, Jo Schrader, Sally Seaman, Jane
Sessions, Carol and Stu Smith, Matt Smolek, Yvonne Sleight, Cherie Smith, Raymond
Stutzman, Diane Sutherland, Arlyce Tague, Christopher Taylor, Jim Terrill, Lorraine
Theuer, Gary Thompson, Bill and Angie Thon & family, Jameson Timberlake, Donovan
Tolbert, Nancy Vance, Joan Veale, John and Sue Violante, Joyce VonKorff, Jay Wager, Jim
Walker, Laura Walker, Jerry Wasker, Chris Weemhoff, Brian & Lezley Wells, Dan Whiting,
Noah Wills & family, Wendy Wisniewski, Shawna Wisser, Anne Wohlford, David Wood,
Bob Wozniak, Alice Wright, Bob Wyatt, and Andy Zag.
Life’s Important Issues:
Althouse Family, Brian Barthelmes, Yvonne Brown, Wayne and Jean Burkeen, Carrie
Cathryn and family, Betty Cole, David, Dorothea Flagg & Family, Cameron Fortinberry,
Blake Harlowe, Bernita Hawes, Maranda Houston, Jeremy Johnston, Vineese Kasari, Andrea
Klimek, Jim Morrison, Ott Family, Wayne Parks, Dallas Peterman, Carolyn Place, Amy
Pursell, Rob Reichner and family, Heather Robinson, Russ, Nick Schultz, Carol Ann
Simmons, and Charles & Patricia Sutherland.
Homebound:
Doris & Bob Beattie, Golda Cecil, Rev. Jon Clapp, Jim & Kay Coates, Marie Dolby, Eva
Hofert, Marilyn Guzzo, Patricia Kerrick, Harold and Florence Konzen, Jean Macklem,
Charlotte Maybee, Freda Meyland, Bill Samson, Leona Stelmach, Jan Sutton, Robert Wickell
Serving Our Country
Maggie Adams, Robert Baird, Aron Bland, Joe Bondy, Madeline Bondy, Josh Brewer, Scott
Brewer, Becky Bucar, Tommy Bullen, Sean Coppinger, Shawn Flanigan, Charlie Fulton,
Michael Galbraith, Jim Goerss, Joshua Goerss, Ansel Gruenberg, Ariel Gruenberg, Luke
Harris, Courtney Koskela, Tommy Lewis, Matt Murphy, John Nickerson, Eric Nordquist,
Lisa Pasternak, Robert Patton, Christian Pinter, Wendy Pinter, Kyle Seaman, Robby
Sedorchuk, Eric Speiran, Ben Tartell, John Wawruck, Dennis Wisser, Justin Wisser, and
Gabriel Zapata
Following God’s Call: Kelsey Merz
Page 23
C HURCH S TAFF
Main Number: 248-625-1611
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.clarkstonumc.org
Richard Dake, Senior Pastor
Laura Speiran, Minster of Congregational Care
Hal Weemhoff, Minister of Adult Education
ext. 223
ext. 222
ext. 226
Kim Bishop, Adult Choir Director
Gwen Burns, Finance Assistant
Jeremy Dean, Director of Facilities/Caretaker
Michele Ettinger, Coordinator of Middle School Youth
Kevin Finley, Caretaker
Mary Gladstone-Highland, Community Outreach Director
Collen Godfrey, Executive Director of Ministries
Hallie Guzal, Coordinator of Family Ministries
Cheryl Kelly, Administrative Assistant
Fred Krause, Weekend Custodian
Shannon Majiros, Coordinator of Children’s Ministries
Jack McCarrick, Evening Caretaker
Judy Mellen, Handbell Choirs Director
Kathy Walker, Director of Finance
Michele Poirier, Childcare Coordinator
Karen Girard, Cherub Choir Director
Annette Siminski, Director of Youth & Family Ministries
Angie Scheu, Director of Worship
Holly Stowers, Office Volunteer
Leslie Wills, Principal Organist
Chimes Schedule
Submission deadlines
Mail date
May Issue/ Tue April 19
Tue Apr 26
June Issue/ Tue May 24
Tue May 31
July Issue/ Tue June 21
Tue June 28
ext. 221
ext. 234
ext. 235
ext. 234
ext. 250
ext. 224
ext. 227
ext. 232
ext. 252
ext. 253
ext. 221
ext. 232
ext. 251
ext. 233
ext. 228
ext. 220
ext. 229
Spring is here!
CUMC Mission Statement:
“To vitally connect people to people and
people to God.”
V ISIT O UR W EBSITE:
C L AR K ST ONUM C. ORG
6600 Waldon Rd.
Clarkston, MI
48346
248-625-1611
Clarkston United
Methodist Church
U.S. Postage
Non-Profit
PAID
Clarkston, MI
Permit No. 10