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Summer Opens Us to the Next Great Thing

July 31, 2018 By Chris Lane 5 Comments

I am more aware this year than ever that our summer in northern Michigan is a precious and fleeting gift, to be savored at all cost. Neighbors in my neighborhood who hardly greet each other are quick to make conversation on the street about the beauty of these warm verdant days. Church programming slows down… Read More »

Filed Under: Pastors Blog

Close to Heart

June 19, 2018 By Dale Ostema 10 Comments

Friends, Things have been quieter around my house lately. My Debbie has been in New Hampshire the last month-and-a-half caring for her father who is recovering from illness and surgery. Deb and I will be married 35 years this month. As with all couples who have been together that long, we’ve lived and loved through… Read More »

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Finding God at the Jail

May 30, 2018 By Chris Lane 7 Comments

It was a few years back when our church took a long hard look at our connections to our community neighbors within the few blocks radius of our building, and saw we could be doing a better job. We needed to become more “externally focused” with our vision to love and serve the neighbor. This… Read More »

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Refocus: The Neighborhood

April 26, 2018 By Dale Ostema 5 Comments

Thoughts by Pastor Dale I got new glasses the other day. I can see better or more specifically, I can focus better. I imagine I’ll need to do this again in a few years. Even so, I’m grateful for eyes to see God’s wonder around me. Refocusing is a part of life. Every now and… Read More »

Filed Under: Pastors Blog Tagged With: 2018, Dale, neighborhood, preaching not for sissies, refocus, servanthood, transform

Can Life Come From Death?

March 28, 2018 By Chris Lane 9 Comments

Jane & I traveled to southern Florida recently to see family, and to let our pasty skin see the light of day, for a change. We knew we would be only a few miles from the Florida community where Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School stands, and where the community would be holding a vigil of… Read More »

Filed Under: Pastors Blog Tagged With: 2018, Chris, florida, generations, guns, lane

A Way Forward

February 19, 2018 By Dale Ostema 12 Comments

A Way Forward Friends and Family in Christ, While vital expressions of mission are happening here at Central UMC and in the World-Wide United Methodist Church, major changes are coming to our denomination. For decades United Methodists have disagreed regarding the acceptance and inclusion of gay persons in the United Methodist Church.  Since 1972 our… Read More »

Filed Under: Pastors Blog Tagged With: conference, connection, conversations, Dale, justice, Ostema, prayers

Servanthood is like Medicine

January 28, 2018 By Chris Lane 6 Comments

Hello all! For my blog this time, I have the privilege of interviewing Connor Miller from our church. I caught up with Connor who is quite busy in his young career, but makes a priority of being in service to others. Here is our conversation – CHRIS: Hi Connor, I’ve appreciated getting to know you… Read More »

Filed Under: Pastors Blog Tagged With: Chris, interview, lane, Miller, servanthood

Praying to Dog

December 26, 2017 By Dale Ostema 9 Comments

Dear Friends, No the title to this month’s blog is not a misprint. Nor did my dyslexia cause me to switch my “G” and “D.” I did something strange the other day and I can’t tell you how good it felt. I’m the kind of person who prays short prayers throughout the day. But I… Read More »

Filed Under: Pastors Blog Tagged With: 2018, Dale, dog, Ostema, praying

Healing Is Our Business

November 30, 2017 By Chris Lane 3 Comments

I believe when we are at our best as the Church is when we are in the business of healing the world. No doubt, it is messy work to better our world, & with few signs the work is ever done. But to labor for healing & reconciliation in the broken places of people’s lives… Read More »

Filed Under: Pastors Blog Tagged With: 2017, Chris, healing, lane

SOARing to New Heights

October 28, 2017 By Dale Ostema 4 Comments

Recently Central Church hosted a gathering of leaders to envision new vitality for our congregation. It was a fun and interactive morning of looking at Central’s Strengths, Opportunities and Aspirations. A few of the strengths named by the 50 people in attendance included: Welcoming Inclusive Passionate Sense of Mission Many opportunities to serve Outreaching Dynamic… Read More »

Filed Under: Pastors Blog Tagged With: 2017, Dale, heights, Ostema, soar

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