March 2020
the Visitor Our Vision Statement
a publication of Flushing United Methodist Church
Preparing servants who make a difference in their community and the world by knowing Christ, following Christ and sharing Christ.
Church Staff Lead Pastor JJ Mannschreck Office Manager Rose Dessinger Director of Music Christie Dover Christian Ed. Director Melissa Whalen Youth Leader Tramell Ferguson Custodian Marlene Cooper Play Place Director Lisa Luther Play Place Sandy Abueita Sarah Covert Hanna Nettleton Patricia Wisenbaugh
Sunday Worship
8:45 am Traditional Service 11:15 am Contemporary Worship
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Published the last Wednesday of the month (810)659-5172 Editor: Rose Dessinger 413 E Main St, Flushing MI 48433 www.flushingumc.org e-mail: flumc@sbcglobal.net Pastor JJ’s email: pastor@flushingumc.org cell #: (248) 219-8598
Greetings from the desk of the Pastor! If January seemed long, I felt like February flew past in the blink of an eye. As usual, our church is buzzing with activity – and I have so much to share with you this month! FIRST, let’s talk about my upcoming baby. As many of you already know my wife is pregnant with our third child – and she is due at the end of March. Much of my busy schedule of late has been putting preparations in place so this church won’t miss a beat while I’m out on Paternity leave. I will be taking a few weeks off to spend time with our new baby – but never fear, we have excellent things in place for while I’m gone! We will have fantastic preachers like the Rev. Terry Euper, and the legendary Pastor Maurice Horne (don’t tell him I called him that), not to mention our very own District Superintendent John Hice will be making an appearance as well. I will be back to preach on Easter, and my little family may make an appearance randomly throughout the leave, but what an exciting Easter season! Second, I wanted to update you all on our various Christian Education movements. Our Spring Life Group Semester is up and running, with six classes meeting weekly. One of my favorite stories with Life Groups comes from our new Men’s Group: Dave Lewis and John Henson are leading a group, and even though they only had 2 people sign up in the beginning, they decided to meet anyways. A few weeks in they now have 9 guys coming each week. A leap of faith! Next I wanted to keep you updated on some staff “shuffling” that has happened recently. The SPRC committee and I made the decision to hire a new Christian Education Director – and so we decided to promote Melissa Whalen from the Nursery to that role. THEN we extended an offer to a new candidate, Lisa Luther, who will become our new Nursery Coordinator. If you get a chance – please welcome Lisa Luther to our staff, and congratulate Melissa on her promotion. We are thrilled to have them both and believe they will take our Children’s ministry to the next level. Finally, I wanted to share a small piece about this season of Lent. Beginning with Ash Wednesday, Lent is a season of preparation.
Our world can be so distracting and busy – and so we seek to intentionally carve out some time to spend with the God who created us. When I was growing up in the church, Ash Wednesday was always surrounded by the same question: What’re you giving up? For hundreds of years there have been traditions of fasting and giving something up to focus on our growth in God during the season of lent – but when I was a kid, it always seemed to have the same formula. We would give something up, and then spend 5 weeks complaining about how much we miss it – and then we would talk about how much we couldn’t wait until Lent was over so we could eat Chocolate again, or drink soda again or whatever it was. And so for a long time, I walked away from the practice of giving something up for lent. It seemed fake, I felt like I was missing the point – and I was! In the last few years, I have felt a desire to limit the amount of technology in my life. As a millennial pastor, I do the majority of my ministry on my phone or computer. I counsel people through twitter. I plan events and post updates on Facebook. I create announcements and share them on Instagram. I am plugged in all the time to a hundred different sources. Even when I’m not working, I spend a LOT of time looking at my phone. So two years ago I decided to try cutting back on some things. And the commitment to cut something out of my life had to be paired with a commitment to add something that would grow my relationship with God. Don’t give up chocolate if you’re just going to whine about it all season. The purpose of fasting is not “to see if I can do it.” The purpose of fasting is to grow closer to God. I have, in just the last few years, witnessed INCREDIBLE growth in my spiritual life when I cut something out and used that new free time to spend with God. I grew closer to friends and family, and most importantly my prayer life doubled. This year I’m almost EAGER to give something up so I can have an opportunity to grow. I pray you find a way, whatever it may be, to prepare yourself in the Lenten season for the greatest story ever told – the Easter Story. But until then, I’ll see you on Sunday!
Lenten Calendar Psalm Sunday - April 5th : East Winds District Superintendent, John Hice will be here. Maundy Thursday - April 9th : There will be no service here but we encourage everyone to join Asbury UMC at 6 PM for a Taize Worship service or Calvary UMC for a Seder meal. Good Friday - April 10th : Pastor Greg Timmons from Calvary UMC will be here to give a Good Friday service at 7 PM. Easter - April 12th : Pastor JJ returns for both Easter services.
Safe Sanctuary Training
March 10th & March 17th at 7:00 PM Did you miss the training last fall? We are providing 2 more opportunities to get your training completed. It is required for anyone who is working with children, youth or vulnerable adults. So if you volunteer in the nursery, with children, youth or Family Promise and didn’t attend the fall training please attend on of these training sessions. See Pastor JJ for more information.
Men’s Breakfast
Saturday, March 14, 2020 ~ 8:30 am @ Kathy's Restaurant All MEN are invited join us for breakfast along with Hope UMC’s UM Men. The speaker this month is David Leineke.
Helping Hands From changing a light bulb to building a ramp, this ministry seeks to provide a “helping hand� by assisting with minor home maintenance tasks for members of the congregation who have become in need. Call Nick Bodis (734) 673-1248 for help.
Cereal
Paper Towels & Shampoo
March 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 7 8 9 9 10 11 13
Name Luke Everett Lydia Goodale Bill Martin Tyler Casteel Jamie Kitts Sheila Reid Hall Barry Pratt Sue Ridge Becky Stamm Laurel Allyn Duane Hiller Bruce Arthurs Kevin Meredith Brodye Buning Laragene Triplett Bill Weber Art Alexander Amy Schwartz
March 16 16 17 18 18 18 19 22 22 23 23 26 27 27 28 28 29 31
Name Dianne Buell Al Jones Sylvia Newcomb Beth Anderson Helen Hodges Jaylen Wildman Abigail McCarty Beth Hill Joe Metz Nancy Duby Berneda Reed Muriel Schack Bill Dessinger Sandra Kitts Rhonda Arthurs Melissa Whalen Megan Allyn Kim Brown
Finance Snapshot through January 2020 Amount received YTD: $26,936 January: General: $26,926 Capitol: $2,485 2020 Apportionments: $47,397 Paid to date: $3,950 We are STILL 100% current on this years apportionments!
March 1st @ 12:30pm. This is the last opportunity to until June to come to enjoy pizza and ask Pastor JJ anything and everything. It's just a regular opportunity to get together with the congregation and get to know one another better.
Cash gifts may be made out to Flushing UMC with “Baby Shower� put on the memo line.
Sunday Worship 8:45 am & 11:15 am
IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER
If you are 70 ½ years old and own an IRA (Individual Retirement Account), you know that annually you must take a RMD (required minimum distribution). But did you know that the tax law allows you to annually gift up to $100,000 directly from your IRA to your church? The gift is tax exempt and qualifies toward your RMD. Plus, this is an easy way to further the mission of the church. Consider an IRA Charitable Rollover to the Flushing United Methodist Church Endowment Fund in your tax planning strategy for 2020 and beyond.
ALONE It was alone the Savior prayed In dark Gethsemane; Alone He drained the bitter cup, And suffered there for me. It was alone the savior stood, In Pilate’s judgement hall; Alone the crown of thorns He wore, Forsaken thus by all. Alone upon the cross He hung That others He might save; Forsaken then by God and man, Alone His life He gave. Alone, alone. Can you reject such matchless love? Can you His claim disown? Come, give your all in gratitude Nor leave Him thus alone. Alone, alone, He bore it all alone. He gave Himself to save His own; He suffered bled and died Author Unknown
Diving Deeper Into the Protocol [Reminder: The Protocol is a plan proposed in early January that outlines a separation where the Traditionalist Churches who want to keep the Book of Discipline the same as it has been on the issue of LGBTQ Inclusion will leave to make a new denomination, and the remaining churches of the UMC will work quickly to change the Book of Discipline to become inclusive.] False claims make big headlines. Mainstream media likes something grabby and eye-catching – whether it’s accurate or not. This is what we have found when it comes to the big news networks reporting on the work of the church. IF you are diving deeper in the conversation centered around the Protocol – I pray that you are patient, that you are wise and that you are discerning in all things. Most of the time we have to read several sources and read them carefully to get the real story. (To be honest, this is good advice for regular politics as well). So as we move forward, let me give you this advice: read carefully, ask lots of questions, be quick to listen and slow to anger. Last month I got a few phone calls from concerned congregation members because they had seen in the news that Michigan Annual conference had called an emergency meeting in MARCH! They were worried, because the meeting is not supposed to be until MAY! So let me clear that up to begin with: The March 7, 2020 Annual Conference Technically, if you want to submit legislation for General Conference (the world-wide gathering of UMC) – the deadline was back in September. After that deadline, nothing else can be submitted to General Conference. HOWEVER, the team that created the Protocol did not finish their work in time. They finished in Mid-December. SO, the only way the Protocol can properly be submitted to General Conference is if an ANNUAL Conference holds a special meeting to send the legislation on to General Conference. Several Annual Conferences around the world decided to do exactly that. The meeting on March 7 is NOT the annual conference where we vote on the possible split in our church.
It is simply the hoop we have to jump through to properly send the legislation up to General Conference. There will be only one topic of discussion: Do we want to send the Protocol to General Conference? We cannot change it, edit it, or alter it in any way – we can ONLY pass it on exactly as it is. There will be discussion and prayer – but it will be over in one quick afternoon. To give you an idea of how super fun legislative hoops are: The original Protocol was 9 pages long, but when they translated it into the “legalise” necessary to make it official – it was 33 pages long. (And it was not a very interesting read.) All of that is to say, that while I want you to be informed – this is not something to worry yourself about. The real party starts in May. Let’s review the Timeline 1. May 5- 15 – General Conference in Minneapolis. (Global meeting) THIS is where the Protocol will be discussed. They are trying to make it so that the Protocol is the FIRST thing discussed, so that then we know how to go about the rest of the General Conference. 2. May 27-31 – Annual Conference (All UM Churches in Michigan) IF the Protocol is passed WITHOUT any changes, then the churches in Michigan will decide as a conference whether to stay or to join the New Traditionalist Denomination. 3. Fall 2020 – Charge Conference (Just FLUSHING UMC members) IF the Protocol passes, AND IF the annual conference decides to stay in the Post-Separation UMC and change the rules to be inclusive – THEN our local church will have a vote on whether we would like to stay or join the New Methodist Denomination. One final piece to ponder – IF all those potential votes become a reality, one of the decisions in front of us will be HOW we want that vote to go. The protocol outlines that the Ad Board will decide whether it takes a simple majority (51%) OR a 2/3 majority to stay in the United Methodist Church. It will be up to our Ad Board members to vote on that framework. And remember, no matter what comes – our mission is the same: to grow closer to God in order to transform the world. Pastor JJ
Our Church Family
Aware of a concern or joy in our family? Please notify the church, so we can share them with you. Only first names will be published in prayer concerns.
Please remember in your hearts and prayers: Marty, who had a minor stroke Pam, on her cancer tests A cousin, with breast cancer Roy, had a grand mall seizure and has brain cancer + Brother-in-law awaiting biopsy + + + +
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Sister, Sara battling cancer Vivian recovering from surgery Terry, who is still recovering Prayers for Leah and Tylor Sandy, on the passing of her dad Prayers for Kevin and Dan
To the friends and family on the loss of our long time member, Marshall Knight. May these families be uplifted by our prayers.
The Cross The Cross, the Cross, The blood-stained Cross; The hallowed Cross I see! Reminding me of Precious Blood, That once was shed for me. Oh, the Blood, the Precious Blood, That Jesus shed for me; Upon that Cross, the Crimson Blood, Just now by faith I see. Author Unknown
Worship Servants Greeters 8:45 am Mar 1 - Alta Parsons Mar 8 - Jim & Liz Fonger Mar 15 –Jim & Velma Graham Mar 22 –Bruce & Sylvia Hathaway Mar 29 –John & Marcia Henson Coffee Hosts 8:45 am Mar 1 - Bill & Sue Martin Mar 8 - Dave Lewis, Jerry Todd Mar 15 –Ruth Brown, Bonnie Farrow Mar 22 – Mar 29 –Duane & Dawn Hiller Ushers 8:45 am Mar 1 - Dave Lewis, Jerry Todd Mar 8 - Bill & Rose Dessinger Mar 15 –Jerry & Carol Dick Mar 22 –John & Marcia Henson Mar 29 –Harry & Ellen Hulet Scripture Readers 8:45 am Mar 1 - Melissa Whalen Mar 8 - Sue Durling Mar 15 –Carol Dick Mar 22 –Dave Lewis Mar 29 –Laragene Triplett
Greeters 11:15 am Mar 1 - Blair & Tracey Booth Mar 8 - Teresa Casteel, Cathy Riley Mar 15 –Denise Johnson, Tom Lawrence Mar 22 –Marlene Cooper, Denise Sands Mar 29 –Becky Stamm, Jeff Welch Coffee Hosts 11:15 am Mar 1 - Jan & Nick Bodis Mar 8 - Tammy Workman Mar 15 –Denise Trantham Mar 22 –Teresa Casteel, Becky Stamm Mar 29 –Bob Halbedel, Kris Supernaw Ushers 11:15 am Mar 1 - Bob Halbedel, Kris Supernaw Mar 8 - Denise Sands, Jeff Welch Mar 15 –Kris Burns, Cathy Riley Mar 22 –Tom Lawrence, Denise Trantham Mar 29 –Greg & Anne Winarski
Deadline: March 20, 2020
Feb 2 - 187 Feb 9 - 164 Feb 16 - 166 Feb 23 - 151
February 26, 2020– Issue #2
the Visitor
FLUSHING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 413 E MAIN ST FLUSHING MI 48433-2029
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