The theme was, “Vital Signs of Hope,” when the West Michigan Annual Conference convened on June 4 at Calvin College. Video presentations celebrated the ministry of six vital local churches across the conference: Concord UMC, Grand Rapids : First UMC; Harrison: The Gathering; Lansing : Korean UMC; Indian River UMC; and Plainwell UMC. ... Read More >

West Michigan hires communicator

The 2008 General Conference voted that every Annual Conference or Episcopal Area shall have a Director of Communications. Rev. Benton Heisler, Director of Connectional Ministry has announced that Mark Doyal, a member of East Lansing University UMC,  has been selected as the new part-time Director of Communications for the West Michigan Conference. Doyal began these responsibilities on June 16.    ... Read More >

Pastor rides for clean water in Haiti

Last January the first UM VIM team to work with Pure Water for Haiti was from the Michigan Area. Seeing the Pure Water project as a natural extension of the Haiti Hot Lunch program the Michigan Area Haiti Task Force is supporting this effort to provide water filters for the 105 schools operated by the Methodist Church of Haiti. Now Rob Nystrom, pastor of Battle Creek Birchwood UMC, will ride his bike around Lake Michigan, July 12-26, peddling on behalf of Haitian children.... Read More >

School takes it to the next level

The Michigan Area School for Pastoral Ministry will be held Aug. 18-20 at the Lexington Lansing Hotel. This year's  theme is "Taking it to the Next Level...Preaching, Teaching and Growing Disciples." Headliners, Dr. Lillian Daniel and Dr. Ed Mathieson, will share presentations, lead worship, and enter into dialogue. A trip to the ballpark for a Lansing Lugnuts game promises good fellowship. ... Read More >

Recession calls for creative, tough choices

Throughout The United Methodist Church, officials are increasingly facing the same painful choices confronting private industry as they search for ways to keep mission vibrant amid the lingering recession. General Boards, conferences and local churches have implemented salary freezes, cut travel allowances and canceled or trimmed meetings and ministries.... Read More >

Young pastors launch prayer campaign

The United Methodist Young Clergy Network is leading a 40-day prayer campaign for renewal, hope, and clarity of call for the church. Young leaders from more than 20 annual conferences are asking God to guide them through the darkness of their times so that the witness of United Methodism will be strengthened. The Rev. Meg Lassiat  said, "Through the connections made on Facebook and Twitter... we will build community in ways that weren't previously possible."... Read More >