Category Archives: Announcements and Stuff

SHOUT OUTS from Pastor Terri

Charge Conference
Our Annual Church Conference is scheduled for Sunday, November 8^th at 2:30.  It will be held in North Muskegon at Community UMC,  1614 Ruddiman Dr, North Muskegon, MI 49445

All of you who have forms or reports that need to be filled out, should have them back to Pastor Terri NO LATER THAN 10/20!  We will need to submit them to the District office on dates BEFORE the Conference.  We also need to make up booklets for you to have beforehand so that you can look them over and know what you will be voting on.

There are several other churches having their conference at the same time.  Our District Superintendent (Rev. John Kasper) will be leading the votes with little to no discussion.  If you have a question, you should bring it to the Pastor or other leadership in our church BEFORE the conference so we can clear up any questions or explanations before the conference begins.  If all the forms are turned in on time, we hope to have the booklets available for you on Sunday, Nov. 1, which will give you a week to look it over. 

This Conference is important. Reports will be submitted and our leadership will be elected.  You will also get to meet our District Superintendent, Rev. John Kosner as well as many other United Methodist peers who worship in our area.  Everyone is invited to attend and be a part of this!  Please mark your calendars.

 SPECIAL NOTE – if you are a member of the SPRC Committee, you will be meeting separately via ZOOM with our DS on Monday, Nov. 2 at 8 pm.  If you have any questions about this, see Art Grumm.

SPECIAL NOTE #2 – The Nomination Committee is looking to fill several leadership positions.  If you are interested in getting involved, please see Pastor Terri, Dave Grossman, Konnie Grant or Edie Bogart. Thanks!

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study
Our Adult Bible Study has been going well.  We meet every Sunday at 9:30. We are studying a book by Adam Hamilton titled: Simon Peter, the Flawed by Faithful Disciple.  

There are still a couple of books available if you want to join us.  If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Terri.

All Saints Sunday
November 1^st is All Saints Sunday.  We will be having a special Worship that day to celebrate all those from our church who passed away since November of last year.  There will also be an opportunity for us to honor those who you loved who passed during that time who may not have been a part of this congregation.  There will be a form for you to fill out so your loved ones’ names can be spoken during this service.  Please fill it out and put it in Pastor’s mail box or send her an email with the information at tlcummins5@aol.com

Mission for September
We will continue our campaign for Gardens of Hope for Haiti by taking a special offering on Sunday, September 20. The core purpose for the Michigan Conference of the UMC in this partnership initiative is to support and foster long-term resilience, sustainable agriculture, education, healthcare initiatives, and community growth for families. For more information, please visit the michiganumc.org website. Thanks for your support.

Women of Faith
On August 14th our church hosted the 83rd annual Strawberry Social. Thank you to our entire church family for being a part of this event. We especially thank those who volunteered to work that evening. We could not have a successful event without having your help. 

It might sound crazy but please mark your calendars for the 2nd Friday of August 2027. It is our plan to have the 84th annual Strawberry Social and we would love to see you there.

SHOUT OUTS from Pastor Terri

Charge Conference
Our Annual Church Conference is scheduled for Sunday, November 8th at 2:30. We’ll let you know soon where it will be held.

To prepare, some of you will have forms to fill out. Some of you will be approached with an opportunity to lead. But all of you are asked to pray for our church as we document our last year and prepare for the coming year.

This Conference is important. Reports will be submitted and our leadership will be elected. You will also get to meet our District Superintendent, Rev. John Kosner, as well as many other United Methodist peers who worship in our area. Everyone is invited to attend and be a part of this! Please mark your calendars.

Church Calendar
There is a church calendar up on the bulletin board. If you have a meeting or an event coming up, please be sure that you put it on that calendar so that everyone is aware.

 UPCOMING: Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study
Our Adult Bible Study returns on Sunday, September 13 at 9:30. We will be studying a book by Adam Hamilton titled: Simon Peter, the Flawed but Faithful Disciple.

I will be ordering books on or about September 3rd. If you are planning to attend, or would just like a book, please sign-up so that I can order enough books. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Terri.n for September
We will continue our campaign for Gardens of Hope for Haiti by taking a special offering on Sunday, September 20. The core purpose for the Michigan Conference of the UMC in this partnership initiative is to support and foster long-term resilience, sustainable agriculture, education, healthcare initiatives, and community growth for families. For more information, please visit the michiganumc.org website. Thanks for your support.

MISSIONS

The Ladder – We will  continue collecting for the Ladder in Shelby through the end of August. Please see the table set up in the fellowship hall for the list of needed items . The website is: info@theladdercommunity.com
if you would like to see all the wonderful programs this vital mission has to offer their community. Thank You for your support.

Step Up
Transforming Lives / Empowering Change / Housing Young Adults

2026 ANNUAL PICNIC – September 12
12:00 P.M. –  3:00 P.M.
FOOD BEGINS AT NOON

Join us for food, cake, and fellowship as we celebrate 10 years since opening our first house!

Mullally Park Pavillion
11850 Horton Rd.
Muskegon, MI 49445

Church Calendar
There is a church calendar up on the bulletin board. If you have a meeting or an event coming up, please be sure that you put it on that calendar so that everyone (especially your newpastor) is aware. I’ll be checking that calendar every Sunday, so please be sure to update it. I need to know what days the church is in use for funeral scheduling, etc. Thank you for understanding.

Communication Update
I have put some of my business cards with my communication contact info on the table in the fellowship hall. Please take one. My preferred ‘non-emergency’ contact is via email, and I check my email often throughout the day. However, if you have an emergency, please call (or text)! Also, Pastor Gary left me some contact information for many of you, but I am finding that some of it is outdated. I am putting a sheet on the table for you to put YOUR current communication/contact info on. Please take a moment to fill it out so that I can contact you as needed.

UPCOMING: Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study
Our Adult Bible Study returns on Sunday, September 13, at 9:30. We will be studying a book by Adam Hamilton titled: Simon Peter, the Flawed but Faithful Disciple. “He was not rich or educated, but was familiar with hard work. He was quick-tempered and impetuous but possessed a passion that would change the world. He left everything to follow his teacher yet struggled with doubt and fear.” There will be a sign-up sheet on the table soon. If you are planning to attend, please sign up so that we can order enough books. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Terri.

MISSIONS

Thank you all once again for a wonderful pot luck luncheon on June 14th, as we welcomed West Michigan Adult and Teen challenge!! I can’t speak enough about the generosity of this church as we also raised $267 above our set donation to this invaluable outreach program. GOD IS GOOD!

For July we will have a donation table in the fellowship hall to help fill the needs of The Ladder in Shelby. There will be literature and information about the items requested on the designated back table. They offer meals, Adult, Family, and Youth activities, along with fitness programs to the Oceana Community all in the hopes of sharing their Love for Jesus through this outreach facility. Please plan to have your donations completed by the last Sunday in July. Thank you again for all the love and support you offer to our friends in Christ.

2026 ANNUAL
CONFERENCE REPORT

Annual Conference was held in Traverse City again this year. I found it uplifting, educational, touching, spiritual, and exhausting. Following are a few of my “take-aways:”

• Theme this year was Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously.
  
  
• Bishop Bard’s opening worship service sermon “Confessions of an Accidental Methodist” invited us to explore growth in grace and love, which lies at the heart of the Wesleyan way of following Jesus. As usual, he did not disappoint and kept us laughing and crying along with every other emotion in between.
  
• The General Board of Global Ministries announced that the Michigan Conference led the denomination in giving in 2025, with gifts totaling $1,274,931 which supported nineteen missionaries and helped with feeding and migration ministries, disaster response, and multiethnic ministry.
  
  
• Because we need to balance ministry needs with current financial capacity, we approved a resolution which called for reducing the number of districts from seven to four, effective July 1, 2026. The current and proposed 2027 budgets will fund five superintendents, one for each district and a fifth conference superintendent will collaborate with and resource the four district superintendents. Our new District name will be Central Shores District.

• One year after approving the $215,000 Gardens of Hope campaign for ministry in Haiti it was reported that we were able to send $110,000. This money was used for such things as vocational courses, provided healthcare to three hundred patients, offered fifteen scholarships, held three clinics, and many other crucial uses. One hundred, fifty-one Michigan congregations out of 500+ congregations have participated. We voted to extend the campaign another year in hopes of reaching our goal because as Rob Nystrom stated, “loving boldly sometimes takes a little longer.” There will be two different bike rides to raise money for this campaign, if anyone is interested. They also are taking individual donations if you wish to contribute. (CUMC has sent $350 from our general fund for this mission this year.)

• Membership in the Michigan Conference is down 46% largely due to churches closing or disaffiliation.

• The clergy for the Michigan Conference have been involved in Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism Education and Training for the past two years and will be continuing education and training in the future. It was well received by the Conference and decided that program would be made available to local church leadership and laity of the Michigan Conference.

• During the legislative sessions we voted on thirteen different resolutions. Some of them were a quick, unanimous vote while others took much discussion, but all was done politely and respectfully. I have copies of the resolutions if anyone would like to see them.

• The Finance Committee reported they were able to balance the budget for 2027 and it will remain the same as it was in 2026 – $8,032,538, which I find encouraging.

These are just a few things that made it into my notes from the conference. If you would like to watch a video or read any other reports given, please see me or Pastor Gary. We would be happy to share.

As in past years, I thank CUMC for sending me to our conference. I hope I have served you well in my voting and have represented our church in a way that honors your trust in me. I was proud to do so. As in years past, I

took part in the business of the UMC but I also grew personally.

Thank You!

Pastor Gary, Reba, and Konnie

MISSIONS
Sunday, June 14, we will be blessed to welcome West Michigan Adult and Teen Challenge once again for worship. Following worship, we will gather with them for a church potluck. Meat/drink will be provided. Please plan to bring your favorite dish to share. We will be presenting to them a gift from our mission budget. Should you like to give an additional gift, there will be designated envelopes in the pew that can be placed in our regular offering. I know they greatly appreciate you supporting God’s work in their lives. – Kelly

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
Our Adult Sunday School will meet on Sunday, May 3rd, 10th, and 17^th. We are currently looking at Stories of the Bible from a “Childs Perspective” using children’s bible books and music. All are welcome. You can come and go depending on your schedule.

MISSIONS
Our mission emphasis for May is the Step-Up Program in Muskegon. On Sunday, May 3^rd we will have a Chili Dinner following worship hosted by the Mission Committee. On Sunday, June 14^th we will be blessed by having Adult and Teen Challenge with us once again for worship. Following worship, we will gather with them for a church Potluck, and will be presenting to them a gift from our Mission Budget. Should you like to give an additional gift to them, there will be designated envelopes in the pew that can be placed in our regular offering.

TRUSTEES
The Trustees very much appreciated the large turn out from the Claybanks Family on Thursday, April 23^rd for our “Annual Outdoor Clean-up and Hotdog Roast.” Many hands made the work lighter and the fellowship around the fire was warm and toasty on a beautiful evening.

The Trustees are currently evaluating the appropriate replacement to our sanctuary sound board that decided to “Give up” on us Sunday, April 19^th. They produced a temporary fix for us so that we will have a sound system during our worship times.

SPECIAL  SPIRITUAL ART PRESENTATION
Carol Royalty has arranged for Alan VanDuinen to bring and present his artwork using horseshoe nails and other craft materials. Alan will be with us on Sunday, May 17^th during our coffee hour. Among his pieces is a depiction of the Fourteen Stations of The Cross. Plan to stay, see, and listen to Alan as he shares his spiritual gifts with us through his unique art.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
We will resume Adult Sunday School on Sunday, April 19th for five weeks with Biblical Stories of the Bible as seen through our children’s eyes. The format we used last fall is coming back by popular demand. We will use Children’s Bible Story Books to present some of the well-known and some lesser-known stories presented to us in Scripture. This is a fun experience and a way to learn in more detail the stories in the Bible as seen through the ears and eyes of young people. We can be young again!

MISSIONS
Many boxes of baby needs were delivered to the Trinity Baby Pantry during Holy Week. The items were well received and will be used to support families with very young children. Our missional work for babies is a needed response in our community.

TRUSTEES/SPRING CLEAN-UP
The Trustees have designated Thursday, April 23^rd as Spring Clean-up. We will start at 4:00 pm with a Hot Dog Cook-Out following our work session. Thursday, April 30^th is our back-up should the weather get in the way. Please bring rakes, shovels and other outdoor tools for the work planned. Additional details for the work party will be shared during announcement on Sunday, April 19^th.