CJ's Communiqué for September 2011

September is always an exciting month because it is back to school time and we experience a fresh joy of “new beginnings.” Summer has been great fun and full of activity, but many of us desire a return to routine of work, study, and church. Others (like me) tend to grieve the loss of summer and have a difficult time transitioning back to a schedule that demands planning, meetings, and time constraints.

What about time for God? This past August, I attended the Global Summit Leadership Conference sponsored by the Willow Creek Association of Barrington, IL. I was challenged, convicted, inspired, and hopeful for ministry in the Church. Bill Hybels (Sr. Pastor of Willowcreek Church) emphasized that growing in Christ as a disciple is not the pastor’s job for the parishioners, it involves each individual disciple taking action personally to develop a plan of growth and spiritual formation. No one can do it for you. YOU must choose to practice spiritual disciplines such as scripture reading, prayer, church attendance, worship, and outreach! YOU have a choice. What will you do to make it “happen?”

Here are some questions to ask as you start the September “new beginnings”:

1. Do you want to grow closer to Christ?
2. Do you want to have more knowledge of Jesus?
3. Do you want to be a person who changes your world?

If you answered yes to these questions, then you begin a journey that can take you on a path of eternal joy, but you must make the commitment to “go after it.” Holiness is a pursuit and requires diligence and action. Please consider your September “new beginnings” a journey of spiritual formation. For more information on how to get started, contact any of the Pastors and we will be glad to give you some guidelines.
 

Sunday School: Children’s Sunday School returns September 4.

Sunday School Welcome Back Party: September 11. If you would like to help plan and prepare a celebration of Sunday school contact Rev. Miles. We want to continue to be growing in discipleship and make biblical learning a priority. Adult classes –please help celebrate with decorations and providing a welcoming presence outside your classroom door. Thank you!

9/11 Wake-up Call for God’s People – Sunday, September 11 at 7pm. Be part of the worldwide church on your own computer to watch Anne Graham Lotz and Joel Rosenberg with music by Selah to remember 9/11 and hear God’s message for the Church. For more info go to: www.annegrahamlotz.com to register and connect to the Internet simulcast.

9/18 –Homecoming Sunday and blessing The New Loving School. Moms in Touch International (MITI) have designated September 18th as prayer for your schools Sunday. As part of our connectional ministry with The New Loving School, we have invited teachers to come to our worship as our honored guests. We will offer prayer for them and invite them for dinner. Let us support our community schools with radical hospitality through prayer and fellowship.

9/20: HIGH 5 ALIVE: 4-6 pm for kids ages 6-11: A follow up from the summer day camp will include activity time after school with games in the gym, computer learning, tutoring and group sharing. This is our opportunity for ongoing ministry to the kids in Metro’s community. Volunteers are needed. If you wish to volunteer or help, please contact Rev. Miles.
 

Kids’ Corner: Children’s Sabbath coming October 9. We want this to be an intergenerational service. If you want to participate in the service contact Rev. Miles or Andrew Galuska for more information.

Journey to Bethlehem (J2B) Planning Meeting: Sunday October 9 at 12:30pm in the Methodist Union Office. We need your ideas, help, and preparation for this exciting event in December. All are welcome to join us in the fun and start of the Advent season.

Emmaus Community Fall Walks are coming. Men’s Walk –October 13th to the 16th and the Women’s Walk is November 3rd to the 6th at Aldersgate UMC in Redford. Let us come together and support our community of faith through loving actions and attendance. Do we want to do a Metro Emmaus preparation? For more information and updates go to the Southeast Michigan Emmaus website at: www.emsem.org.
 

Have a New Teenager by Friday by Dr. Kevin Leman: a good read for families entering the teen years or if you already have teens in your home. Dr. Leman offers practical tips on making the teen years the best time with your kids and providing helpful solutions for teens facing the insurmountable pressures of today. If you know a family or you want to read it, contact Rev. Miles.

Also by Dr. Kevin Leman, Have a New Husband by Friday, Have a New Kid by Friday, Have a New You by Friday, and The Birth Order Book.

In serving together,
Rev. Cathee Miles
Minister of Discipleship & Spiritual Formation