West Michigan Conference Weekly News.  Church Office: Please print and post for your members without email. Email content for Weekly News here no later than 5:00PM on the Friday prior to publication.  Story ideas and comments may  be emailed to Markd@wmcumc.org.  Events and classifieds may be directed to valeriemcelestin@gmail.com.
A HAPI summer for CCYM

Young people from the West Michigan Conference will be traveling to Haiti again this summer. Their task is to assist with the building of a maternity clinic for HAPI. Registrations for the trip are now open. ... READ MORE


Connecting is hard work

Albion District Lay Leader, Max Waagner, calls us to follow the example of John Wesley, a pioneer in caring for persons in need. "Are you willing and able to graduate from 'doing the least' to 'doing the most?'" he asks. ... READ MORE
One Great Hour of Sharing
March 10. Keep the lights on at UMCOR...order your free offering resources for this offering that supports the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) so that it may respond immediately and effectively to emergencies around the world. READ MORE

Encountering creation at camp
In the past one hundred years the radius of play for a typical child has shrunk from over five miles to less than five hundred feet. The shrinking radius of play means we are denying our children the transforming experience of encountering God's creation..... READ MORE 

Healthy approach to downsizing
Is it possible to make staff cuts in a way that build up the body rather than cause injury and pain?" This month's Parish Paper offers seven steps that lead to healthy transition. ... READ MORE from 'Parish Papers' pdf
 

Churches should stop begging
Rev. Clif Christopher, author of “Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate,” believes most churches ask for money in completely the wrong way. Instead of showing the value of donating to the church’s ministry, they give a “doom and gloom” picture of the budget.... That’s all wrong, according to Christopher. READ MORE

Do ashes and valentines mix?
Have you discussed your Valentine's plans with your sweetheart yet? For you liturgical nerds who are more likely to know the moveable date of Ash Wednesday than the fixed one of St. Valentine's Day, let me clue you in: it's February 14. As in, the day AFTER Ash Wednesday this year. ... READ MORE
Mapping the mission highway
John Wesley said, "The world is our parish." For the past 40 years the Six Lanes of the Advance has helped West Michigan congregations reach out to neighbors near and far.... READ MORE

Sandy: Road to recovery
West Michigan Disaster Response Coordinator, Jeremy Wicks, is planning a trip to aid in relief and recovery from Hurricane Sandy, April 29-May 4. If interested, email Jeremy . ... READ MORE
2013 Conference Merit Scholarship
The Conference Merit Scholarship assists undergraduate United Methodist students attending UM-related colleges. Funding for the scholarship comes through a rebate from the Student Day offering. The application deadline is June 1, 2013. Download pdf information and application. Email to: Kathleen Kline-Hudson, Scholarship Chair, kathleenk@co.livingston.mi.us. Questions? Call (517) 548-5758.

February webinars train disciples
The General Board of Discipleship offers free webinars in February on a variety of leadership topics. Here's what is ahead ... READ MORE 

Engaging Adults in Service
Feb 19, 2013. REGISTER.

Gifts That Keep On Giving
Feb 21, 2013. REGISTER.

Including Children in Worship

Feb 20, 2013. REGISTER.

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