The Metropolitan Messenger:
November 2011, Volume 13, Issue 8
In this issue of the Metropolitan Messenger:
Pastor's Ponderings
Annual Church Conference
C.J.'s Communiqué
Hearts Strangely Warmed
Headstart Christmas Project
Haiti Mission Study
Upcoming Events
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Over the past year or so, I have found myself longing, even thirsting to re-visit some of the places of my past. As I had shared with many of you, my childhood began right here in Detroit just a few miles from Metropolitan UMC. What you may not be aware of is that during the summer that I turned 10 years old, my family moved to Canada where we lived for approximately four years. As part of this 're-visiting of my past,' I recently felt led to visit that part of Canada where my family had once lived...."
Church Conference on Sunday, November 13
Update on 11/8/11: The Church Conference has been rescheduled to Tuesday, December 13. Time TBD. Metropolitan’s Annual Church Conference will be held on Sunday, November 13 at 3:00 PM. The Staff Parish Relations Committee will meet with the District Superintendent at 2:15 PM. There will be a potluck after the worship service at 12:30 PM. Bring a dish to pass for 7-10 people. Thank you!
Discipleship & Spiritual Formation
"This year marks the 400th anniversary of the King James Version Bible. For many centuries the common people were not allowed to read scripture. Through scholarly translation while hiding behind secret doors, much of the Bible was translated into the everyday language of the people. Several of these translators were burned at the stake or declared heretics for their knowledge and translation of scripture. In the 17th century King James had the Bible translated into English and was available for all to read and soon became the 'book for all people for all ages!...'"
Spiritual Formation at Metro
Discover ongoing opportunities to grow in your faith. Events held weekly so you will not be "weakly."
Find out more. 11-11-11 Detroit Prayer Gathering
Join many other Christians from around the country to pray for Detroit. This gigantic prayer vigil will be held at Ford Field beginning at 6:30 PM and will continue for 24-hours. Come for an hour or more and participate in
The Call: Detroit.
Hearts Strangely Warmed
Hearts Strangely Warmed is Saturday, November 5 at Flint Bethel UMC. Join us for a day with Bishop Robert Schnase (of the Missouri Conference) that will help shape us into effective disciples. Using material from
Five Practices of Fruitful Living, we will receive honest, practical, and winsome guidance for our walk with Christ. By repeating and deepening certain fundamental practices, we cooperate with God in our spiritual growth. These five practices - to receive God's love, to love God in return, to grow in Christ, to serve others, and to give ourselves fully - are key in helping us grow and develop spiritually so we can settle ourselves in God and become instruments of God's grace. Following Christ will change your heart; and through you, God will change the world. You may register online or by mail. Forms and information are in the East Hall and online at
www.detroitconference.org/events/detail/1672. The cost is $25 per person and the book can also be purchased for $5.
Mission and Community Outreach
Head Start Christmas Project
The Head Start Christmas Project is United Methodist Women’s annual mission endeavor for the Detroit Public Schools. We are accepting any new, handmade sweaters, hats, and mittens at any time. Please call Sharon McCarty or Martha Martin through the church office or leave items in the Library. Be certain to include your name and a size tag on the sweaters. On Sunday, November 6 in the East Hall, we will be distributing the sweater sets to interested Metropolitan members and friends who will then make and wrap Christmas packages. The completed packages will be given to 4 and 5 year olds in the Head Start Program. This sharing of God’s love may be, for many children, their only gift at Christmas. The completed packages are due back on or before Sunday, December 4.
We look forward to your participation. Do not hesitate to participate. We provide complete instructions. Look for our large poster in the East Hall. If you have questions, please call Sharon or Martha thorugh the church office at (313) 875-7407 ext. 301. - Martha Martin
Haiti Mission Study
The Haiti Mission Study class will host Margie Van Meter, RN, MS on Wednesday, November 2nd at the Friends and Family Wednesday evening gathering.
Ms. Van Meter has visited Haiti 18 times since 2001. She is a Governing Board member for the School of Nursing of the Episcopal University of Haiti in Leogane and the Haiti Nursing Foundation (www.HNF.org). She also is a coordinator for a series of 6 seminars of the Presbyterian and Reformed Ministries International (www.primi.org). The seminars on the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit are held thru the Evangelism Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti.
Ms. Van Meter is a dear friend from Ann Arbor and everyone is welcome to hear her presentation at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, November 2. The Haiti Mission Study class is open to all and is held at 6:30 PM on Wednesdays in the Parlor. - Rev. Mary LaVerne Jackson
Good Sam Gleaners Bus Trip
On Wednesday, October 5th, a group from Metropolitan went on the Gleaners Bus Trip. We visited the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Earthworks Urban Farm, Detroit Rescue Mission, Crossroads of Michigan, and toured the Gleaner’s warehouse. It was an eye-opening tour seeing what these organizations are doing for the underprivileged and how they are teaching them to help themselves. They do everything from serving hot meals, teaching gardening/composting on their farms, providing overnight beds for the homeless, developing job skills in their restaurants and bakery, and many more services. This tour gave us a sense of what happens when Good Sam refers our clients to these organizations. We urge our Metro family to book an afternoon tour to see how God is working in this city. Tours are available on Tuesday and Wednesday’s at 1:00 PM for 2 hours. Call Vivien Green at 313.875.7407 ext. 302 to reserve your seat.
Other Opportunities
Book Club
The next Book Club meeting will be on Friday, November 11, 7:00 PM at Jeanette Harris' home. The book we will discuss is Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom. Please contact Jeanette through the church office if you plan to attend the meeting.
Upcoming Events
Annual Church Conference
Sunday, November 13, 3:00 PM
Free
Advent Poetry and Organ Recital Series
Thursday, December 1, 8, and 15, 12:30 PM
Free
Journey to Bethlehem
Friday, December 2, 6:00 PM
Free
Jazz Showcase
Tuesday, December 6, 5:00 PM
Admission/Tickets - $5.00 (Balcony) - $7.00 (Floor)
Organists of Woodward Holiday Concert
Friday, December 9, 7:00 PM
Admission/Tickets - $10.00
Moravian Lovefeast
Sunday, December 18, 7:00 PM
Free
Christmas Service
Sunday, December 25, 11:00 AM
Free
