The Arbor Vine Ann Arbor District of The United Methodist Church Rev. Mark E. Spaw, District Superintendent

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1 The Arbor Vine Ann Arbor District of The United Methodist Church Rev. Mark E. Spaw, District Superintendent October 2016 Come for good fellowship and a good meal Ann Arbor District Annual Meeting Monday, October 17, 6:30 pm, Ann Arbor Westside UMC 900 S 7th St., Ann Arbor 48103, Meal at 6:30 pm with meeting to follow A note from the District Superintendent to Clergy: Each church should be represented at this meeting. Each pastor must contact the District Office if she/he is not able to attend. REGISTRATION: To help with meal preparation it is required that all attending the meal register using the form below. Please reserve persons at $10.00 each = Meeting only (no meal, no cost) Reserve by October 14. Make checks payable to United Methodist Women Mail your check and this form to: United Methodist Women, 900 S 7th St., Ann Arbor ATTN: Beth Snyder Name(s): Telephone: Church:

2 Spaw s Paws Some thoughts from your D.S., Rev. Mark E. Spaw Fear Filled or Challenged Page 2 I hope this months Spaw s Paws finds you in a hopeful, faith filled and spirit led state of mind, heart and soul! Because I m told we are in a fear filled time in human history. I m not sure I buy that! I know many are fear filled about jobs, the economy, health care issues, family concerns and the list could continue. But I also know that many are filled with hope, led by faith and moved by the Holy Spirit! Fear is a relative phenomenon. The only thing we have to fear is fear itself-nameless, unreasoning, unjustified, terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. (Franklin D. Roosevelt ~ 3/4/33) Faith is the strongest ally in our battle against fear. Our Scriptures have a great deal to say about fear, especially the book of Psalms. Just read Psalm 23. There you will find the promises of God almighty and our grand assurance of His never ending care, mercy and grace. I like to think of this time in history as challenging. This month many begin their 2017 Stewardship Campaigns. You ll be hearing from your Stewardship speakers each Sunday as they share their faith for a challenging time. I hope you, too, will catch the spirit of giving and sharing in this challenging time. In our human history this is not the first, nor will it be the last, of challenging times. The people of God in the book of Exodus lived in a challenging, fear filled time. It was during this time that they wanted to build a Tabernacle to the glory of God. During this time of fear and challenge the people of Israel gave so generously that eventually Moses had to tell them to stop; they had given more than enough (Exodus 36:2 7) Giving to God is more a spiritual matter than a budget matter, in good times and in bad. I hope you prayerfully consider how you are going to participate in your Stewardship Campaign. Our faith communities are growing, our mission outreach has expanded, our programming for all age levels continues to be outstanding, our organizations are strong and doing vital ministries, and most important our Sunday morning celebrations are the place to praise God and grow in our faith together! We are a blessed people by God, not only materially but also with salvation, hope, grace, faith and divine love. It is impossible to pay those things back, but there are many opportunities to pay it forward, including through what we give to our church. Here is what I m sure of: Giving, at its heart, is more a spiritual matter than a budget matter. It is never quid pro quo. It is neither a payment for blessings received nor a bribe fo blessings hoped for. Faith for a challenging time has to do with gratitude for the faith handed down, for salvation given, for Gospel joy, for confidence that God s way is best. Fear filled or Challenged? Faith Now and Forever, Rev. Mark E. Spaw, D.S. P.S. I hope to be greeting you at our Annual District Meeting on Monday, October 17 at 6:30 pm at Ann Arbor Westside UMC.

3 DISTRICT NOTICES Lay Servant School October 29 and November Saline First UMC Page 3 LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES Registration for Lay Servant Ministries fall classes is now open. Whether you are a first time attendee or someone who is interested in a refresher course, there are options available to you. The dates are October 29 and November 12 from 8:30 am 3:30 pm at Saline First United Methodist Church. All churches in the district should have Lay Servant brochures that include class descriptions and complete registration information. Please note that the Refresher Class is only $25 as it meets only on November 12. For further information please contact Anne Marie Hanna, Director of Lay Servant Ministries, at HIGH FIVE QTR3 DUE The High Five Qtr3 forms are due in the District Office by October 31. Please go to to complete the form. ANN ARBOR FIRST MUSIC AND ARTS On October 8 Ann Arbor First Music and Liturgical Arts team presents Time and Space. The various music ministries will explore music reflecting the here and now, blasts from the past and the world and beyond. Hors d oeuvres begin at 3:15 pm concert begins at 4:00 pm. Contact Ann Arbor First UMC at DREAM BIG ~ YOUTH FALL RETREAT From 7:00 pm November 11 through 7:00 pm November 12 youth in grades 6 through 12, along with their adult leaders, are invited to attend the Youth Fall Retreat at Judson Collins Camp. The cost is $55 per person which includes lodging, Friday night snack and 3 meals on Saturday. Additional costs for Saturday activities are $12 for climbing wall, $10 for low ropes course and $28 for high ropes course. For additional information and to register call DEXTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FALL FEST The Fall Fest is October 16 from 3:00 pm 6:00 pm at Dexter UMC located at 7643 Huron River Drive in Dexter. There will be hay rides, bounce houses, egg toss, kiddie games with prizes, pumpkin painting and more. At 5:00 pm the Toppermost Band will perform a Beatles Tribute. All are welcome. Bring your family and friends for a free fun-filled afternoon. Contact Dexter UMC if you have questions by calling ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017 The 2017 Annual Conference Planning Team is busy planning the Annual Conference at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme, Michigan from June 1 4. Conference registration will open early in 2017 and all reservations will be made through the Michigan Area Conference and not through the Grand Traverse Resort. Please stay tuned for further details as the plans unfold. GROUNDED: FINDING GOD IN THE WORLD March 24 through March 26, 2017, First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor will host a discussion with Diana Butler Bass on her book, Grounded. Additional information is available by contacting Debbie Houghton at Debbie@fumc-a2.org.

4 ARTICLES OF INTEREST UMC #GIVING TUESDAY IS NOVEMBER 29 The General Board of Global Ministries is once again planning UMC #Giving Tuesday. On November 29 you can give online through The Advance at and 100 percent of your gift goes directly to the project of your choice. Over the past years matching funds were offered to motivate giving. Unfortunately, this hear the matching funds will not be available. Through The Advance, United Methodists can give to more than 800 United Methodist-related projects worldwide. Last year nearly 6000 donors from 27 countries donated $2.8 million through The Advance to support mission and ministries around the world. Please encourage your local church to support this special day of giving. Page 4 CAMP CHANGES LIVES The Changing Lives Campaign is entering its final months. The original goal of $450,000 is currently at $243,570. Through your support campers experience life changing opportunities of God s love while out in God s beautiful creation. In order to finish strong we are asking for help through a special offering on any Sunday, a Thanksgiving offering, a Christmas offering, etc. For donations given to the Changing Live Campaign on #Giving Tuesday, funds will be matched (matching is not available with donations made to other agencies). Rev. George Ayoub and the Changing Lives Team can be reached via at georgea@wmcumc.org BE IN THE KNOW WITH UMC.ORG United Methodist Communications offers all things United Methodist. This website offers many newsworthy articles about United Methodist Churches around the country and world. In addition, there are tabs that include Who We Are, What We Believe, How We Share and Resources. You can also ask a question or look through the resources for specific articles. Go to to check this out SPOTLIGHT INFORMATION The 2017 Spotlight forms and guidebook will be mailed to churches. If you have questions or concerns please contact Rev. Paul Perez at pperez@detroitconference.org or at OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES 1 Bonnie Frey 1 Mark & Sharon Miller 2 Deane Wyllys 3 Hyun-jun Cho 10 John & Shelly Grenfell 10 Bob Roth 12 James Cochran 13 Robert Long & Joy Barrett 14 David & Tonya Arneson 16 John Beedle-Gee 20 Doug & Karla Paterson 21 Larry & Loretta Job 22 Pamela Kummer 22 Mary Ellen Chapman 17 Megan Walther 20 Tonya Arnesen 25 Karla Paterson 26 Edward & Joyce Weiss 28 Susan Hurst 29 Naylo Hopkins 29 Mike Desotell

5 Ann Arbor District Office of the United Methodist Church 900 S. Seventh St. Suite 1 Ann Arbor MI Return Service Requested The Arbor Vine