Central Church
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Traverse City, Michigan
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Group Connections CONNECTING POINTS
Connecting Points are places on the journey for members and friends to move deeper into their relationship with God and the faith community. There are a number of points on the journey, represented by road signs, where one can connect. Each kind of Connecting Point has its own brief description. To go to a specific group click below.
The Welcome Team
 The Welcome Team greets guests to our worship services and makes follow-up visits to deliver a welcome packet. Referrals are made to the church office with the names of those who have visited the welcome center.
Tourist Information Points
Welcome Sessions for visitors are offered once per month, on the first Sunday of the month following the 11:00 a.m. service. The Pastors host a brief information sharing session for church visitors. This is an opportunity to meet the pastors, listen to an introduction to Central Church and its ministry, ask questions, and take a tour of the building.
Starting Point Groups
 Starting Point Groups are an opportunity to learn about the church and make connections with others. These easy entry groups offer guests a way to make friends and learn about opportunities to become involved in Central's Christian community. Groups meet for 2 sessions. Participants are invited, but are not obligated, to attend the next membership orientation sessions.
Junction Points
 ⇒topThese groups focus on fellowship, spiritual growth, and study. Maintaining an ongoing but flexible structure, each group identifies its own particular emphasis and direction, with assistance from church leaders if desired. Current groups include:
There are several existing groups that meet on a regular basis throughout the year. We are forming new groups so more people can benefit from this opportunity to grow in faith and friendship with others in our church family. Contact Nan Horstman or call 946-9314 or Alline Beutler or call 946-5191.
Those who have lost someone dear to them are invited to join with others who have experienced loss by sharing memories, support, and friendship. Note: Participants are welcome to join this group as they feel the need or desire. A long-term commitment is not necessary. Third Wednesdays, 4:00-5:15 p.m. in the Church lounge. Contact Muriel Peavler or call 947-1654.
Join others for conversations on being good men. Men, young and old, are invited to come for friendship, challenge, and inspiration. Thursday Evenings 7:00 - 8:15 p.m. Join Pastor Chris in the Chapel. Contact Pastor Chris Lane at 946-5191 or Bruce Falconer at 947-7785.
This is a newly forming group for women, mostly in their 50s and 60s, who desire a spiritual connection with God, place and others. Contact Kathy Mead or call 941-8211.
The group uses books, the Bible and other media studies to lead conversations about issues related and of interest to women. It provides an opportunity for women, aged 30-50, to strengthen old friendships and form new ones through fellowship, service and prayer. 1st and 3rd Thursdays during the school year, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Church library with childcare provided if requested.
Another newly forming group for women, mostly in their 60s, who explore various perspectives and ideas on their faith journeys. They meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, at 10:00 a.m. Contact Katy Ramsdell or call 943-9550.
Still being formed. Name and direction to be determined. Group plans to meet in the evening. Contact Alline Beutler.
Spend a day or weekend with other women in study and fellowship. Each is a stand-alone event. Attend any or all. All women are welcome. Contact: Arlene Morton or call 231-879-3349 or Alline Beutler or call 946-5191.
Friday - Saturday, January 27, 5:00 p.m. to January 28, 3 p.m. Reconciliation - Leaders: Rabbi Chava Bahle & Pastor Robin Long at Omens Retreat House. Spend the night or come for each day.
Friday - Saturday, April 20 - April 21. United Methodist Women Retreat at Lake Louise Camp and Retreat Center.
Thursday, July 12, 3:00 - 9:00 p.m. Recreation & Re-creation - Leader, Deb Jackson at Jacksons' Kingsley Home.
View Point groups are Bible or thematic studies for the purpose spiritual growth and equipping persons for the Christian journey. Participants will be able to make friends, explore their faith, and be exposed to different perspectives. Groups include:
The DISCIPLE Bible Study program is designed to develop strong local churches through the in-depth study of Scripture. Through DISCIPLE, people are strengthened in their faith and guided into service and ministry.
FaithLink groups meet to discuss topics of current interest provided by the United Methodist Church’s Cokesbury Publishing. The groups are open to all who want to apply their United Methodist beliefs to current faith issues and world events. They are encouraged to consider their personal views on important contemporary issues, and also to act on their beliefs. All are welcome. They are open groups. Members are not obligated to attend when conflicts arise. Attendance is very flexible. Sundays, 9:45-10:45 in Room 305. Contact Alline Beutler or call 946-5191.
All classes are listed on the Adult section of the website or in "The Journey is Central" program booklet. Contact for all view points, Alline Beutler or call 946-5191.
Activity Points
 ⇒topActivity Points are activity and fellowship based groups. Some also have a service component. Groups include:
All women are welcome; diverse age-group desired. Members read same book. Monthly, September-May, Evenings, Members’ homes and church lounge. Contact Jan Engle or call 264-9694.
1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Sept.-May, 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. in Room 301. Members bring own lunches; snack provided. Contact Doris Thibedeau or call 946-6754.
Members enjoy knitting, crocheting , quilting, and fellowship. The group has a number of ongoing service projects, including prayer shawls, as well as special and individual projects. Experienced, as well as inexperienced “stitchers” are welcome. Help and support are offered. 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to Noon in Room 305. Contacts: Gwynne Schmidtke or call 223-4859 or Lorna Lombard or call 943-8554.
Composed of about eight people, dinner groups meet four-six times a year in members' homes. The schedule or activity is determined by the group. The cooking is shared by the members.
WILD CARD DINNERS
Much like dinner groups, these dinners are held only once or twice a year and are composed each time of a different group. Contacts for both groups Sally Ellinger at 933-4026 or Renee Mittelstaedt.
Two golfing groups meet from June through August. September and October times are pick-up events. Scores are not recorded nor handicaps kept. All are welcome. Monday evenings,18 holes, various courses. Meet at church, 2:00 p.m. Contact: John Sonnemann sonnemann@charter.net, 946-6196. Friday mornings, 9 holes, 9:00 a.m. at Bay Meadows. Contact Allen Horstman ahhorstman@hotmail.com, 946-9314
Members enjoy doing needlework activities together, whether it’s counted cross-stitch, needlepoint, or knitting. Meets monthly.
Central UMC ‘s softball team, “The Mighty Methodists,” plays in the YMCA co-ed recreational league. All adult players are welcome. Games are Sundays in the Spring and Summer at the Civic Center. Contact John Meyers or call 947-2881.
Want to make connections with Central folks when you’re here in the warm months? Join this group for fellowship and fun — brunch, lunch, games, etc. Your ideas welcome.
Contact Ellen Force or call 946-3003 or Bev Crisman or call 946-8548 or Esther Harmon or call 946-5787.
This mixed-gender group selects a variety of books which participants read and discuss. Most are relatively recent titles. Contact Will Poland or call 922-0836.
Central UMC’s co-ed volleyball team plays in the Traverse City Parks and Recreation League. All players, 16 and older, are welcome. Games are Wednesday evenings Oct.-April, Eastern Elementary School. Contact Carla Roberts at 463-8233.
For women who enjoy reading and sharing their books. Not everyone necessarily reads the same book. Members exchange their books. All are welcome; most present members 60+. 4th Tuesdays, 7:00 PM, September-May, Members’ homes. Contact Phyllis Garn at 941-8534.
Members walk various, not too demanding, trails, usually 2-4 miles in length where they enjoy the area and the plants. In winter they walk at Cherryland Mall. All are welcome; most present members 60+. 4th Saturdays, 9:00 A.M. Contact Phyllis Garn at 941-8534. Serving Point groups provide opportunities for ministry and mission in the church and community. Groups include:
A group of photographers capture and process digital images of Central Church ministries. Amateur and professional photographers welcome. Contacts: Mike Allen or call 264 8053; Jacqueline Southby or call 929-1765.
Teams meet once a month to bake cookies for the hospitality time after Sunday services. All are welcome.
1st Tuesdays, 1 PM– noon, contact Jan Engle or call 254-9694 or 3rd Thursdays, 6-9 PM, contact Carla Roberts at 463-823
We know that helping people to make the connection to others who are traveling the journey of faith is so important, but sometimes difficult to do, especially in a large church. This group particularly looks for ways to help people in that process. The group meets regularly to review lists of new members and visitors, as well as inactive members, and then contacts them regarding connecting points in the church where they might want to be involved. The Team also discusses possible new opportunities for connections that might not yet exist -- new small groups for instance -- and how we create an environment that helps people to want to become a part of this journey.
Contact Nan Horstman or call 946-9314.
This group explores the role of the church in relation to the environment. Activities include anything from a film screening to a nature hike to a service project at the church or in the community. Contact: John Flesher or call 935-4003.
Central/Christ Church Community Garden - A new sub-group of Creation Stewards, this group has a garden which provides fresh produce to needy families. The garden is located at Christ UMC church at Garfield and 3 Mile, but is planted and tended by members of both congregations. Contact John Ellinger or call 933-4026 or Larry Winegar or call 271-2372.
The Education Ministries Team works to develop and implement a comprehensive Christian Education program for the church. Opportunities for leadership range from teaching Sunday School classes and weekly studies to helping with the church youth groups or volunteering in the church nursery.
Contact Ann Porter or Alline Beutler or call 946-5191.
This group seeks to help meet the wholistic health needs (spiritual, physical, emotional and mental health) of our congregation and friends. Contact Beth Whiting.
Central Church is affiliated with KIDS HOPE USA, a national program that mentors at-risk children in local elementary schools. We as a congregation are rich in people who are looking for ways to offer their skills of hope and kindness and there is an increasing need for that service in our schools. We work with children at Willow Hill Elementary School. A mentor provides one-to-one mentoring and affirmation for one child. A prayer partner makes a commitment to faithfully pray for each mentor and student. Contact Katy Ramsdell or call 943-9550; Allen Horstman or call 946-9314.
Central's Kitchen Krew is a group of volunteers who work together to provide hospitality and kitchen support for church ministries including funeral luncheons, Thursday community luncheons, Sunday morning coffee hour, Wonderful Wednesday meals and District meetings and events. Volunteers can choose which ministry teams to be a part of and usually function in an "on call" capacity. Training is provided. For more information, contact Jacquie Thomas or call 946-5191.
A fellowship and service group composed of church members and friends, mostly older, but younger men are strongly encouraged to join. Scheduled activities include:
Spring and Christmas Women’s Luncheons
Sponsoring at least two “Wonderful Wednesday” dinners
Support of church softball team
Support of many mission projects
Project “Tool Trailer”
1st Wednesdays, 8:00 a.m., Breakfast Buffet at the Elks Lodge. Contact: Bob Grigereit.
Central Church responds to God's love and the urgent call to love and care for others. Responding is as near as the hallways of our church building where people in need come for assistance, beyond to U. S. communities and on to the world as we support needs in Bolivia, Haiti, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. As Central reaches beyond its doors locally and globally, we experience God's love and share that love with others. Team members plan the missions’ budget, organize fund raisers and invite the congregation to participate in mission work.
Contact: Chuck Ellinwood or Staton Lorenz.
Chancel Choir
Our Chancel Choir is open to singers of all ages and rehearses Wednesday evenings at 7:45pm, Sunday mornings at 9:45am and sings at the 11:00am service. We are always happy to have new singers join us! Please email Tom Bara for more information.
Adult Handbell Choir
Our Adult Handbell Choir is open to any adult with an interest in ringing handbells. We rehearse every Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. and perform throughout the year. New ringers are encouraged to come join us! We are a very supportive and patient group – if you’re interested in learning to ring, or have any questions, please email Jeff Cobb.
Youth Handbell Choir
Our Youth Handbell Choir is open to students in 7th-12th grade. We rehearse every Wednesday at 5:30pm, and we perform throughout the year. If you’ve rung before, or are interested in learning how… we want you there! We have such an energetic and talented group – We hope you will come join us! If you would like more info, please contact Micha Bancroft.
Choristers
Our Choristers group is open to all singers in 3rd-6th grade. We rehearse every Sunday morning at noon, after the 11:00 service, and perform throughout the year. Our year culminates with a musical that is performed for the entire church – one of the highlights of the year! If you’d like to join us, or need more information, please contact Jeff Cobb.
“The WELL” Music Ensemble – The WELL is our casual and up-beat service in the Chapel. We are always looking for new singers and instrumentalists interested in being a part of our services at 9:00am and 11:00am. We have a wonderful core of musicians, but we'd love to expand our team. If you have questions, or would like more info, please email Jeff Cobb.
The Central Church office staff members rely on volunteers to help carry out the ministries of the church. From answering phones to stuffing envelopes, filing, sorting mail, inputting membership data, to recording attendance in worship and classes, our volunteers do it all! We are always looking for folks who can come in regularly each week, help with special projects or act as substitutes to help cover staff vacations. Training is provided. For more information, contact Kim Burch
or call 946-5191.
Reconciling Ministries is a study/action group that supports full inclusion of gays and lesbians, transsexual and bisexual individuals in the life of both Central United Methodist Church and the greater United Methodist Church. Contact Mike and Sandra McDonald or call 935-3759.
Stephen Ministry is our congregation's one-to-one care giving ministry. Contact Marlene Steider or Carol Winegar or Will Poland at 922-0836.
The organized unit of United Methodist Women is a community of women whose purpose is to know God and experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ, who develop a creative supportive fellowship, and expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. more info.
The Visitors in the Parish Team seeks to maintain personal contact with those congregants unable to attend regularly. Contact Bruce Falconer or call 947-7785.
Our Welcome Center is located just outside the narthex, in the Gathering Place. It is a wonderful resource for guests of our church as well as our church family. At the Welcome Center, team members offer brochures about our programs and activities, information on Methodism, and greet visitors and answer questions they may have regarding Central United Methodist Church. They also invite visitors to stop by before or after the service and sign our guest register, the better for us to extend a welcoming greeting. We welcome all and if you would like to be a member of this ministry contact Sheri Constantin or call 995-0447.
Board of Trustees
The Trustees are responsible for the inventory, inspection and maintenance of all church property. You don’t have to be a “handy with a hammer” to join the trustees, you just need a genuine interest in seeing our church’s property be its best.
Church Administrative Council
The Church Council plans and carries out a program of nurture, outreach and witness in our congregation. The Council is also responsible for the administrative and organizational life of the church. If you are a church member and interested in helping our church carry out current plans and envision new ones, this is a good opportunity for you.
Church and Society Committee
This committee cares for the outreach ministries of the church. Hunger, homelessness and health care issues are examples of its concern. If you have a heart for social justice and the connection between church and society, this is a place to live out your call to action.
Church Archives Committee
The Archives Committee collects and maintains the church’s historical record. If you are interested in history, creating displays, labeling documents or doing oral interviews, this is a good fit for you.
Columbarium Committee
The Columbarium Committee is charged with the administration and care of the church columbarium located next to the church chapel. Team members work with the Pastors to help families through the process of interment.
Committee on Lay Leadership
This group seeks to match and equip potential leaders for ministry in and through the church. If you are interested in helping connect people in ministry positions, this is a role for you. Typically meets four times a year.
Communications Management Team
The CMT works on creative and consistent ways to present the church’s message and ministry to the larger community. The Church Cyber Team works to maintain the church Web site. If you’re interested in developing and implementing creative marketing for the church the CMT may be a good way to use your gifts.
Cyber Team
The Cyber Team manages the day to day and long term development and maintenance of Central's Web site. We strive for the most friendly and dynamic representation of Central Church and all of its members. Consider joining us in this ever changing arena that is the World Wide Web!
Finance Committee
This group is responsible for raising, managing, and distributing the financial resources of the church. If you are interested in helping our church’s stewardship of finances, this is a ministry for you.
Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee
The SPPRC serves a key role in establishing the focus of the pastors, staff, and congregation’s ministry. By advocating for the pastors and staff and helping to interpret their roles and ministries, the SPPRC supports and nurtures the entire congregation. Members interested in working with the pastors and staff in developing a healthy congregation will appreciate this team’s work.
Wills and Memorials Committee
The Wills and Memorial Committee receives and manages bequests and memorial donations given to the church. It oversees the church endowment fund and distributes grants to fund ministry projects. Committee members work to promote endowments within the congregation. .
Worship Team
The Worship Team is charged with supporting the worship ministries of the church. While the committee does not directly plan worship services, it cares for the many important tasks that make a meaningful worship experience possible. Those interested in helping our worship experiences be the best they can be may be interested in serving on this team.
Well Design Team
This group has helped to develop and continues to guide the Well worship services. THE WELL offers an engaging new worship experience and welcomes seekers of all ages looking for a worship and time different from the traditional Sunday format. Our Well Worship Team is laying the groundwork for our new worship gathering. It’s challenging, exciting and forcing us to live by faith.
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