CONGRATULATIONS

ONU senior Katie Brashaw, daughter of Rev. Paul and Jan Brashaw (New Lothrop) was crowned queen at the 2007 Centennial Homecoming this past Thursday.  We’re proud of you, Katie!

LANSING WOODVIEW

Rev. Mark (Jennifer) Walker just accepted the call as senior pastor of the Lansing Woodview Church of the Nazarene.  Mark and Jennifer served as senior pastor at Eau Claire, Wisconsin COTN.  They will begin their ministry in Lansing before Christmas.  Jennifer is the daughter of Rev. Bob and Marilyn Anderson of Three Rivers.  Please join us in welcoming the Walkers to the Michigan District.

GRAND RAPIDS NORTHEAST COMMUNITY

Rev. Eric (Kim) Muldoon has resigned as pastor of Grand Rapids Northeast Community (formerly Fuller Avenue) effective December 2, 2007.  Please keep the Muldoons and the congregation in your prayers as they go through this transition.

CHRISTMAS GALA

Just a reminder that the Monday evening, December 3^rd Christmas Gala at Jackson First is fast approaching.  Payment with names of those attending must be postmarked by November 15 and sent to the district office to reserve your space (catering requirements).  We will be unable to receive reservations or payment after November 15.  Please see attached invitation for your reference.

HOLINESS TODAY

Be sure to forward your <LOCAL CHURCH REPORT> postcard to the district office immediately after completing your local Holiness Today campaign (refer to materials sent to your church directly from Kansas City).  Thank you.

WINTER DAY BREAK

Save the date of Tuesday, January 22, 2008 for a day with colleagues at Owosso First Church of the Nazarene for a very special day led by Bob Anderson and Tim Smith as we accent prayer.

HOLLAND

Rev. Robert (Evelyn) Porter, senior elder, went to be with the Lord this past Sunday, October 28, 2007 at the age of 86.  The Porters served the Lord faithfully for over 50 years in the Church of the Nazarene in Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee prior to retirement in Holland, Michigan.  Rev. Porter was a powerful prayer warrior and a kind and gentle supporter of those in the pulpit where he worshipped upon his retirement. He will be greatly missed.  Mrs. Porter remains at Resthaven, W. 40^th Street, Holland, Michigan  49423.  The viewing is this evening (Tuesday) at Dykstra Funeral Home on 32^nd Street (1 block east of Business 31) in Holland from 7-9 pm and from 10 – 11 am Wednesday morning, October 31 prior to the funeral at 11:00 am at Holland Church of the Nazarene, 2104 South Shore Drive (616) 566-0397.  Thank you for remembering the Porter family in your prayers during these difficult days.

THE LAKES COMMUNITY

Jim (Rev. Judy) Wigren lost his mother very unexpectedly yesterday (Monday) afternoon.  Jim’s parents were assisting them with packing for their move to Wisconsin when she was found.  Funeral arrangements are pending.  Please pray for Jim and Judy as they go through this deep unforeseen loss in the midst of their transition.

HILLSDALE

Chris Elliott, son of Rev. Mark & Tonia Elliott, was taken to Spectrum emergency last night in serious condition. Intestinal surgery will take place sometime today. The Elliotts are asking their fellow pastors to keep Chris in prayer today.

CHARLOTTE

Nancy Sprang, member of Jackson First and daughter of Rev. Glen & Karen Neal, had surgery two weeks ago, but is seriously ill from internal bleeding, fever, etc. from possible damage done during the procedure.  Thank you for praying for Nancy’s complete healing.

WILLIAMSTON (Parsonage)

Sam Stone <williamston-cotn@att.net> wrote:

“A neighbor removed the branches of the tree that hit the parsonage however the main part of the tree still needs to be removed.  If there is someone you know of who would like to have the wood (a lopsided maple tree) and would remove it, it would be greatly appreciated.  As they burn the wood in their fire place, I am sure that it will be a fragrant offering to our Lord and Savior for the blessings He has bestowed upon us during this ordeal.” (Sam Stone)

REVISED D.S. SCHEDULE

August 2007

05         Open

12         NMD Camp Meeting

19         Saginaw 1^st

26         Reserved

September 2007

02         DSLDP-San Antonio

09         Lansing Kendon Drive, 70^th

16         St. Joseph

23         Canton, OH 1st

30         South Haven

October 2007

07         High Pointe-Byron Center

14         Anchor of Hope

            p.m. Wigren Farewell

21         a.m. Kalamazoo 1^st with Missionary Jim Williams

      3:00 p.m. Jackson East New Start launch

28         Durand Homecoming

            7:00 p.m. Albion

November 2007

04         ONU Homecoming

11         Lansing South, 75^th

18         Muskegon 1^st

25         Flex Sunday

December 2007

02         GR West International

09         Chapman Memorial

16         Hastings

23         Reserved

30         Reserved

January 2008

06         Corunna

13         Eaton Rapids

20         Portland

27         Spring Arbor

February 2008

03         Okemos

10         DS Retreat-Houston

17         Mason 1^st

24         Charlotte

March 2008

02         St. Johns

09         St. Louis

16         Lansing Woodview

23         Sumner Center

30         Laingsburg

April 2008

06         Mt. Vernon Lakeholm Faith Promise

13         Alma 50th

20         Nashville

27         Owosso1^st

May 2008  

04         Lansing Central

11         Midland Nease Memorial

18         Lansing 1st

25         Mt. Pleasant Faith Indian

June 2008

01         Lowell

08         Holland

15         Mason West Columbia

22         Battle Creek Hope

29         Flex Sunday

Please join us in welcoming the following new church start, clergy and staff to the Michigan District -

NEW CHURCH PLANT

EAST JACKSON CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE (To be launched this Sunday, October 21 – 3:00 pm)

Rev. Ralph (Rhonda) Edwards (transferring from Jackson First)

5549 Ann Arbor Road

Jackson, MI  49201

(517) 748-9201 Church

ejaxnaz@comcast.net

NEW SENIOR PASTOR

MIDLAND NEASE MEMORIAL (first Sunday September 30)

Rev. Tony Garcia resigned effective September 2, 2007

Rev. Dennis (Kolene) Dubbendorf (transferring from Bradenton, Florida)

40 N. Orlo Road

Midland, MI  48640

(989) 835-8665 Home

Dube2134@juno.com

NEW ASSOCIATE PASTORS

OWOSSO FIRST new Worship Arts Pastor effective August 19

Rev. Murphy (Michelle) Gill (transferring from Seymour, Indiana)

1119 South Ball Street

Owosso, MI  49967

(989) 277-6533 Home

ocnmurphy@michonline.net

OWOSSO FIRST new Student Life Pastor effective October 1

Rev. Craig Moore (transferring from Parkersburg, West Virginia)

918 S. Ball Street

Owosso, MI  49967

(989) 413-4822 Cell

ocncraig@michonline.net

HIGH POINTE COMMUNITY new Youth & Families Pastor effective May 21

Mark (Tona) Ambrose (transferring from Belleville, Illinois)

524 Firestone Dr. SE

Byron Center, MI  49315

(616) 554-3198 Home

(616) 806-6028 Cell

mark@high-pointe.org

SAGINAW VALLEY

Associate Andrew Bird resigned effective September 1, 2007

Heather Eastin, new Worship Pastor effective September 15

MVNU grad transferred from Fish Creek Worship Center COTN - Stow, Ohio

5131 Maxson Drive, Apt S-7

Saginaw, MI  48603

(989) 928-2152 Home

heastin@svcnaz.org

Renatta Heuer, new part-time Children’s Pastor effective October 1

PLNU grad transferred from Hawaii

5339 Brookway

Bay City, MI  48706

(989) 671-2152 Home

rheuer@svcnaz.org

NEW SENIOR ELDER

Rev. Roland Dunlop, former district superintendent

11419 East Street

Vicksburg, MI  49097

(269) 649-1562 Home

(260) 224-4750 Cell

NEW DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF

Mrs. Cindy Barker (Lansing First)

District Office Assistant effective October 1

Unanimous approval by DAB on 9/20/07

7.5 hours per week / flexible schedule

CHURCHES IN TRANSITION

BATTLE CREEK FIRST (Don Wilkins’ last Sunday - November 18)

BATTLE CREEK HOPE (in pastoral search)

KALAMAZOO FIRST (Doug McVay, transitional interim pastor)

LANSING KENDON DRIVE (Tom Luttrell transferred to Courts of Holt Willoughby Road rehab center October 15 for extended period recovering from a serious stroke)

LANSING WOODVIEW (in pastoral search)

MOUNT PLEASANT FIRST (in pastoral search)

DATE CHANGE

Winter Day Break 2008 originally scheduled for January 8 has been changed

New date:  Tuesday, January 22, 2007 at Owosso First COTN

CHRISTMAS GALA

Monday, December 3 (Jackson First)

Invitations and RSVP cards are being mailed this week

Please see linked flyer (pdf format)