Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Called to Action



The Joy of being Home

Michigan Wild Flowers in the Woods
I have had a wonderful variety of things to do since I arrived back in Michigan.  Each day is filled with important events and my to-do list is never done.  Connecting with friends and family is an ongoing joy.  I have had the chance to meet my new neighbors.  

I love the people in my subdivision.  So many “neighborly” people willing to help each other.

I have had the chance to host family, friends.  I even hosted a couple baseball players who were here in TC as they worked their way up in the baseball world.  That was really fun!  







Watching a Curling tournament was a new experience for me. I am still not sure what is going on!





House and Yard

Now, yard work season has started here.  Yard work is not my favorite thing to do, but seeing it done is a relief.  To be honest, I look forward to rainy days in the summer so I can stay inside and read.


TC Christ United Methodist Church

Pastor Dianne Doten Morrison continues to plan meaningful worship for us.  Vespers during Holy Week are always a significant experience.  Easter’s celebrations are a highlight for me.   I am so glad we are Easter People! 


Native American Sunday was especially interesting.  Pastor’s message was meaningful and our Tribal Blessing Ceremony was fun.  





An exchange student, Shareen, completed a school assignment by setting up a display about our Native American heritage as well as providing native food.





TC Christ is reaching out to the community in some exciting ways.  


Rod Snow, a ventriloquist and chalk artist present at Christ TC.


I worked with others doing some yard work getting the church yard ready for our Garden Party.  










This is your invitation to a Garden Party Event 

at TC Christ UMC 


I hope everyone who lives close will plan to join in the fun next Saturday!

If you are coming in from a distance, let me know.  I am answering my call to hospitality, using my extra bedrooms,  









West Michigan Conference Annual Meeting

I am reading as much as possible!  It is reading with a purpose, however.  I have been reading getting ready for West Michigan Annual Conference meeting.  Important issues for our United Methodist Church are going to be voted on during the conference in Grand Rapids.


One important item, which I hope passes, is the call for United Methodists to Divest from funds that are making money from the pain and suffering of the Palestinian People.  

www.kairosresponse.org






United Methodist Women (UMW)

My new volunteer position as Social Action Coordinator for the United Methodist Women of the Michigan Conference fills my mind and heart.  I am thankful for the opportunity to be on the leadership team.  God is building my skills in many ways through the interactions with the UMW’s of West Michigan.

I attended UMW Leadership Development Days in North Carolina.  What a joy it was to witness the dedication of my United Methodist Sisters in Christ.  Ask me about my mute and un-mute lesson.

Being a part of the UMW’s Lunch Bunch at Central United Methodist Church has been a big part of the community spirit I need.  It was fun to work together getting ready for the rummage sale; it yielded funds for missions. 






Linda, the Grand Traverse District Social Action Coordinator, facilitated a wonderful social action day in Ludington.  We were presented with information about mental health and learned ways we might be able to help.

Piccola, of the Petoskey Unit created an informational display about the Grand Traverse District of United Methodist Women.




Justice For Our Neighbors 


I took the on line training and have started volunteering for Justice for Our Neighbors.  This organization reaches out with legal help for those refugees and immigrants.  
I have answered God’s call to be involved in showing love to refugees in their need.  










I am volunteering for Justice for our Neighbors in Traverse City, Michigan.  Sue and Alline helped establish the clinic at Central UMC.

It will be interesting to see where God may use the skills provided me come next winter.  I sure hope it is in a warm area.  


My Schedule

I will be making some trips in Michigan to make presentations about my mission and Social Justice actions.  I am going out of state for the UMW National Seminar, Jesus-Justice-Joy.  I have a trip to Ethiopia planned for August. 

PRAY FOR PEACE WITH JUSTICE