May 2012 Metropolitan Messenger

 

May 2012, Volume 14, Issue 5
 
 

Community BBQ
National Day of Prayer
Mission and Community Outreach
Discipleship and Spiritual Formation
Music and Fine Arts
Staff Parish Relations Committee
The People of Metropolitan
 

Mission and Community Outreach
 

On Sunday, May 6, we are hosting a large Community BBQ. We have such wonderful neighbors in the North End and Midtown Detroit communities and are excited to host a BBQ to offer a way for neighbors and this community to connect with each other. The Community BBQ has family friendly activities for people of all ages. There will be delicious food including BBQ beef ribs. There will be music, fun, games, a bounce house, health screenings, and community information available. Come join us on Sunday, May 6 from 1:30 - 4:30 PM. All are welcome.

The East Parking Lot will be available for only handicap parking on May 6th. Everyone else is asked to park in the Chandler parking lot. We are expecting to have an outstanding event and appreciate your support. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. In case of rain, the event will take place in the gym and dining room of Metropolitan Church. (There's plenty of space and plenty to do, so come and join us.) This event is sponsored by Congregation Shir Tikvah, Mercy Works, and Metropolitan United Methodist Church.
 
 

Read this month's United Methodist Women News for information about upcoming dates and events. All women of Metropolitan are members of Metropolitan's UMW. Many of the events listed are also open to anyone who desires to attend.
 

Good Sam is overflowing with clothes and we can no longer receive clothes until the fall. Please donate them to another agency or keep them until September. The following is our shopping list. These are the only items we need:

• dry breakfast cereal (non-sugary)
• cans of Soup, preferably, Progresso (no tomato and cream soups)
• cans of tuna or sardines
• small jars of hot sauce
• small bottles of mouthwash
• small cans of coffee and coffee creamer
• small jars of vaseline
• small jars of peanut butter
• cans of greens, asparagus, spinach, and sauerkraut
• packages of seasonings
• volunteers

 

Discipleship & Spiritual Formation
 

Read this month's CJ's Communique, a monthly newsletter written by Rev. Cathee Miles, Metropolitan's Minister of Discipleship and Spiritual Formation. The newsletter highlights upcoming opportunities to grow spiritually.
 

May is filled with anticipation of many spring and summer activities, but I would like to highlight the excitement of sharing in the lives of five young people who will be confirmed into membership on Mother’s Day, May 13. These five confirmands, Krista, Aaron, Richie, Christian, and Sean, met weekly for study, memorization, took tours of our building, listened to teaching, and met with mentors to prepare them for active membership within The United Methodist Church. Read more here.

 

In keeping up with the technological age and the need for prayer without traveling to the building, we are doing NDP via computer. Here is how to participate:

1. Go to http://metroumc.org/forum. Click on login on the top and then create new account. You will be sent an email with instructions. Create a password and save your account.
2. Under Forums, click on Prayer Ministry, and then click on National Day of Prayer.
3. Next, you can write a prayer and participate in the prayer conversation. Only registered users can participate and read the discussion.

 

Music and Fine Arts
 

The Metro Choir is always open to new members and anyone who is interested is encouraged to come and join us for a Thursday evening rehearsal. We meet at 7:00 PM in the choir room, until about 8:30 PM or a little after. Contact Marilyn Biery for the rehearsal schedule before you visit. Come and see if this is how you would like to participate in the vibrant life of Metropolitan United Methodist Church!

The Metropolitan Silver Band, the United Church of Canada's own brass band, will be with us in worship on Sunday, June 3. They will play an extended prelude, accompany us on the hymns, and present a special postlude. This group was founded in 1931 and has been associated with Metropolitan United Church of Toronto, Ontario since 1934. They will be touring this area over that weekend and have graciously offered to lead us in worship that day. More information on the band can be found on their website, http://www.metropolitansilverband.ca.
 

Our Interim Minister of Music is looking for musicians to play and sing for worship in the summer months. Please contact Marilyn Biery through the church office or through the contact form on our website.
 

All handbell ensembles will be concluding their weekly practices and appearances in worship at the end of this month and be on hiatus until September. Each group played for Sunday worship monthly, beginning in October, and for special services on Christmas and Easter. Epworth Bells began in September and played for Homecoming Sunday.
 
A Handbell 101 class was organized for persons interested in learning music theory and ringing techniques. It was a nine week course and began on February 1 through March 28. They continued for an additional four weeks from April 18 through May 9. Members of the class were Sago Garrett, Sammye VanDiver, Cheryl Pettway, and Nellie Brown. They accomplished their goals of learning the basics in ringing techniques and music theory. All enjoyed learning more of this unique musical art and ministry.
 
I want to express a special thank you to all members of each ensemble for their loyalty and dedication in attending rehearsals and playing for worship. They have worked hard to produce meaningful and quality music for members of the congregation. We look forward to being back in the fall.

 

Staff Parish Relations Committee
 

An announcement has been received from the Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Detroit Conference of the United Methodist Church. Rev. Jim Kellerman informs the Staff Parish Relations Committee that the Board has recommended Rev. Miles for ordination as a full deacon of the Detroit Annual Conference. Cathee’s ordination will take place in the chapel of Adrian College at 2:00 PM on Sunday, May 20, 2012. Immediately afterward, a reception will follow on the campus of Adrian College in Adrian, MI.
 
Congratulations to Rev. Cathee on this very important achievement to which she has been dedicated in prayer and Christian devotion since her arrival at Metropolitan. Rev. Miles was appointed to the Metropolitan Staff in 2008 as a Provisional Deacon by Bishop Jonathan Keaton. Since that date, and in that capacity, Rev. Cathee has served as our Minister of Discipleship and Spiritual Formation.
 
Sunday, June 3 in worship, we will have a recognition and dedication service with a reception afterwards. This is our opportunity to thank Rev. Miles for her continuing work on our Ministry Team and to offer congratulations and blessings as she moves forward in her servant ministry as a full Deacon of the United Methodist Church.
 
 

The People of Metropolitan
 

Juanita Hammond recently turned 100. We celebrated with her on March 11. Pictured is Juanita Hammond and Pastor Sherman Louis.
 

Mary Grimes, a long time member of Metropolitan, was featured on a news segment named Heart of Detroit in April for her dedicated service to Amelia Earhart School as a librarian. You can view the video segment and an article here.