Caledonia United Methodist ChurchCaledonia United Methodist ChurchCaledonia United Methodist ChurchCaledonia United Methodist Church 250 Vine Street, Caledonia, MI 49316

(616) 891-8669 ~ www.caledoniaumc.org

May 2018May 2018May 2018May 2018 VisionVisionVisionVision

Mission Statement

Caledonia United Methodist Church will:

Serve our community in the name of Jesus Christ by spreading the Good News of God’s unlimited love and forgiveness;

Strengthen faith through Christian education for people of all ages;

Connect in Christian fellowship with our family, our community, and the world.

Celebrate the Lord in His Gift of Music

Sunday May 20th

, 2018 at 10:00am

Join us for the final music performances of the Handbell & Handchime Choir and Chancel Choir

before we take a summer break.

Let everything that has breath PRAISE the Lord! Psalm 150:6

God Sightings and Mountain Top ExperiencesGod Sightings and Mountain Top ExperiencesGod Sightings and Mountain Top ExperiencesGod Sightings and Mountain Top Experiences Where have you seen God at work today? … this week? … this month? … year?

God loves us and is ac�ve in our lives. Do we no�ce? Do we give thanks?

As we approached Holy Week and our Easter Celebra�ons there were lots of

moving parts that needed to be cared for – ways to welcome guests, opportuni�es to

reach out to the community, equipment that needed maintenance, music to be

coordinated, tech support to enhance our worship. Each �me something was needed

it was provided for with li&le or no stress – for me that is definitely God at work.

Several �mes this spring we will be hearing about God appearing on Mt. Sinai.

Throughout the Bible God o,en appears on mountains

covered by a cloud: “When morning dawned on the

third day, there was thunder, lightning, and a thick

cloud on the mountain, and a very loud blast of a horn.

All the people in the camp shook with fear. Moses

brought the people out of the camp to meet God and

they took their place at the foot of the mountain.” ~ Exodus 19: 16-17

Since Easter we have experienced some worship together… and some in our

own homes during a snow / ice storm! For the remainder of the Easter Season

(though Pentecost on May 20th

) we will wrap up our series “Does God change God’s

Mind?” (May 6th

); reflect on how crazy Jesus’ love for us is (May 13th

); and celebrate

Music / Gradua�on Sunday (May 20th

). A,er Pentecost we will look for signs of New

Life; explore the 10 Commandments; and learn more about how to live out Christ’s

Love.

I’d love to hear about your God SightingsGod SightingsGod SightingsGod Sightings and Mountain Top Experiencesand Mountain Top Experiencesand Mountain Top Experiencesand Mountain Top Experiences – please

email (pastor.jodie@caledoniaumc.org) or call me (891-8669)!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor JodiePastor JodiePastor JodiePastor Jodie

Graduation Sunday

will be May 20th

during our 10:00am

worship service.

This year we are

pleased to honor the

following graduates:

Caitlyn Bailey ~ Ferris State University Ashley Cross ~ Lansing Community College

Micah Cho ~ South Dakota State University

Micah Cho, grandson of Bob and Sharon Weaver, will graduate from

South Dakota State University on May 5, 2018 with a BS degree in

Agriculture Communica�ons and a minor in Journalism.

He will spend the summer working at Crop Produc�on Services and in the

fall he will intern at WKTV. Micah is looking forward to being back in Caledonia, but says that

SDSU and Brookings, SD have become a part of his soul.

A farewell service and recep�on for re�ring Grand Rapids District Superintendent, Bill Haggard

is Sunday, May 6 from 3-5pm at Georgetown UMC (2766 Baldwin St., Jenison, 49428).

All GR District clergy and laity are invited and encouraged to a&end the special service and

recep�on being planned by the GR District Superintendency Commi&ee. Please join the

celebra�on to thank Bill for his 6 years as DS on the Grand Rapids District! There will be cake!

Ques�ons? Please contact Liz in the GR District Office

at 616.459.4503 ext. 1211 or lbode@michiganumc.org.

Andrew Brown ~ Caledonia High School

Andrew Brown is gradua�ng from Caledonia High School with Honors

with a 3.8 GPA. He has been ac�ve in the Caledonia Bands and has been

sec�on leader of percussion for the last 3 years. He is also a member of

Strike Percussion Ensemble as well as Travel Strike. Andrew has been

ac�vely dona�ng blood throughout high school and par�cipated in the

Donor for Life Leadership Program.

He is enrolled in the Honors Program at Grand Valley State University where he has earned the

Award for Excellence and Faculty Scholarships. He plans to study Biochemical Engineering. He

has many great memories of the years he was involved with the youth programs at CUMC.

Acolyte

6 ~ Andrew Cherpes

13 ~ Brody Benjamin

20 ~ Tzila Handley

27 ~ Sarah Kirk

Ushers

6 ~ Rich & Dianna Overmire

13 ~ Jim & Jayne Porritt

20 ~ John & Sandy Robinson

27 ~ Bruce & Chris Hayden

Liturgist

6 ~ Jean Soest

13 ~ Betty Bourn

20 ~ Thom Kohl

27 ~ Jean Soest

Coffee Hour

6 ~

13 ~

20 ~ Sunday School Program

27 ~

Counters

6 ~ Jon & Jean VanDenBeldt

13 ~ Jim & Jayne Porritt

& Vicki Young

20 ~ Joan Pierce

27 ~ Jim & Ruth Klingensmith

Sunday School

6 ~ Steve Kepsel

13 ~ Nancy Duiven

20 ~ Music Sunday

27 ~ Memorial Day Weekend

Hospitality

6 ~ Jon & Jean VanDenBeldt

13 ~ Pauline Brower & Jean Soest

20 ~ Mark & Sharon Burkart

27 ~ Mark & Barb Freeman

Worship Technician

6 ~ Erin Benjamin

13 ~ John Robinson

20 ~ Dave DeVos

27 ~ Thom Kohl

Nursery

6 ~ Nancy Duiven

13 ~ Nancy Kinney

20 ~

27 ~ Shirley Besteman

Happy Birthday

3 ~ Harvey Cowham 4 ~ Fred Doele ~ Jeff Hammond 5 ~ Justin Makarewicz ~ Jerry Schuur 7 ~ Ron Bailey 10 ~ Dylan Coffman 12 ~ John Sorstokke 19 ~ Rita Arendson 20 ~ Jodie Flessner 22 ~ Bruce Hayden 23 ~ Suzanne Knight 24 ~ Deb Oldfield 28 ~ Ron Shook

Worship Leaders

If you don’t see your name on our birthday and anniversary list, please let us know so you can be included!

Birthdays and Anniversaries

11 ~ Gary & Betsy Huerth 18 ~ Jeff & Tamara Hammond 19 ~ Ray & Christy Jedlowski ~ David & Suzanne Knight 25 ~ Dennis & Laura Homminga ~ Dan & Sue Burd 29 ~ Kraig & Christine Spear

Happy Anniversary

Trustee of the Month

Fred Bradley

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

6:00 pm

Bell Choir

7:00 pm

Chancel Choir

2

9:30 am

Staff Meeting

6:00 pm

Wild & Free

Student Ministry

3

National Day

of Prayer

10:00 am

UM Women

6:30 pm

Scout Planning

4 5

6

10:00 am

Worship

11:15 am

GCCP Mission Trip Meeting

11:15 am

“UMC Social

Principles” Study

12:00 pm

Brann’s Fundraiser

7

4:30 pm

Nominations Committee

7:00 pm

Boy Scouts

8

10:00 am

Pieceful Quilters

6:00 pm

Bell Choir

7:00 pm

Chancel Choir

9

9:30 am

Staff Meeting

6:00 pm

Wild & Free

Student Ministry

10

6:30 pm

Finance

Committee

11

12

8:00 am

Trustees

13

10:00 am

Worship

14

6:30 pm

Garden Team

7:00 pm

Boy Scouts

15

6:00 pm

Bell Choir

7:00 pm

Chancel Choir

16

9:30 am

Staff Meeting

6:00 pm

Wild & Free

Student Ministry

17

18

19

9:00 am

Craft Sale

10:00 am

Choir Practice

20

Music Sunday

10:00 am

Worship

12:00 am

Pizza Hut

Fundraiser

21

7:00 pm

Boy Scouts

22

10:00 am

Pieceful Quilters

23

9:30 am

Staff Meeting

6:00 pm

Wild & Free

Student Ministry

24

7:00 pm

Book Club

25 26

27

10:00 am

Worship

11:15 am

Adult Sunday

School

28

Memorial Day

7:00 pm

SPRC

29

9:00 am - Noon

2nd Best Sale

Set-Up

30

9:00 am - Noon

2nd Best Sale

Set-up

9:30 am

Staff Meeting

6:00 pm

Wild & Free

Student Ministry

31

9:00 am - Noon

2nd Best Sale

Set-Up

May 30 - June 3 Pastor Jodie will

be out of the office attending the

Michigan Area Annual Conference.

Ministry Through Mortar / Building Commi�ee

2018 Annual Update

THE NUMBERS:

Church Parking Lots on Vine Street were rebuilt in November 2016 at a cost

of $76,500 – as of April 2018 we owe a balance of $4,588.56!

The Building Fund for Kra, Property in 2017 was $369,700

in 2018 it has grown to $410,452.

FACILITIES PROJECTS:

In 2016 – 2017 we completed updates to our Nursery, Youth Room, and

Kra, Ave. Sign. We also added a Storage Room.

In 2018 we plan to update the Youth Office and Main Sunday School Room,

all within our opera�ng budget.

Our near future goals are to update the Sanctuary Electrical and Ligh�ng Systems.

All are welcome for a Na)onal Day of Prayer Service Thursday, May 3rd

at 6:30pm at The Curley Cone (12850 W. M179 Hwy, Wayland).

This one hour event includes corporate prayers for our Na�on and Region

centered around the theme of Unity with worship woven throughout. Come

early or stay a,er the service for dinner and dessert with family or friends.

Please join us - prayer changes things!

Karla VanO&eren,

Director of Prayer and Healing

Gun Lake Community Church

Children's Sunday School is held each week, downstairs, immediately following children's

moments up in the Sanctuary. This year our gradua�on Sunday will be May 20th

, when

high school and college graduates are honored and children comple�ng kindergarten and

5th

grade will be presented with bibles from the church. There will be NO Sunday School

on May 20th

(gradua�on Sunday) or on May 27th

(Memorial Day weekend), but it will

resume again for June 3rd

and June 10th

.

June 10th

will be the comple�on of Sunday School for the summer. During the summer,

children are urged to engage in our Worship service. Ac�vity bags, hanging in the back of

the sanctuary, will be available for use by the children during the service.

Sunday School will resume once again in September and teaching volunteers would be

greatly appreciated. No talents are necessary for this and all

lessons, materials and projects are provided. If you would be

interested in joining our teaching team this fall, please contact

either Erin Benjamin, in the office, or Nancy Duiven at 891-1404.

Haden Bovee is in 7th grade at Thornapple Kellogg Middle School in Middleville.

He participates in Band, Choir and Musicals. Some of his other hobbies are video games, piano and music composition.

Haden’s favorites include: Color: Red Food or special treat: Cheeseburger Animal: Cat Subject in school: Math Thing about church: The choir

Take a moment to say “hello” and let him know how great it is to have him in the

church choir next time you see Haden at church or out in the community!

Troop 202 is refreshing our camp cooking knowledge this month. During our

Monday mee�ngs, we are learning how to properly use cooking equipment,

especially stoves that use gas. We learned about the different types of camp-

ing stoves and how to avoid dangers like spraying gas, explosions or burns.

Troop 202 also joined with Venturing Crew 2202 to go camping in March. Boy Scout Venturing

Crews are open to high school girls and boys who seek high adventure

ac�vi�es. Scouts can remain in venturing un�l they are 21 years old. Our

Venturing Crew is only a couple of years old, but already has a very strong

enrollment of both boys and girls. Both groups traveled to the DeVos Venture Base at Camp

Gerber located in the Manistee Na�onal Forest. The DeVos Venture Base was built using a

monetary gi, donated by the DeVos Family. It consists of beau�ful, clean cabins complete with

bunks, bathrooms, showers and kitchene&es. Scouts who wish to sleep outdoors under the big

sky can choose to pitch a tent or hammock in the open space around the cabins. We set up our

food sta�ons and stoves near the big pavilion in the center, which also has picnic tables for us

to sit on.

Finally, a BIG congratula�ons to our newest Eagle Scouts:

Hans Chelesvig, Ryan Benjamin and Alex Benjamin.

Good work Scouts!

Women In Step will meet at noon on Wednesday, May 31st at the American Legion in Caledonia.

Circles loves kids – can you lead and inspire them?

We’re seeking a lead teacher for Monday evenings 5-8 pm.

We’ll provide curriculum, materials, two dependable

volunteer assistants, and 9 children ages 7-11. You’ll provide engaging and inspiring leader-

ship that builds strong rela�onships. $35/night, plus free meal with the Circles community.

Contact Cathy Odom at codom@circlesgr.org for more info and an applica�on.

Criminal background check required; must be at least 18 years old.

The UMW will meet on Thursday, May 3rd, at 10:00 am in the church Fellowship Hall.

Learn about The Listening Post

The Listening Post is a place for compassionate, non judgmental listening. It is a safe

place for students to share unhurried conversa�on, a place to be heard and accepted.

There are Listening Posts at GVSU and at GRCC. This is a coopera�ve ministry between

The Wesley Fellowship at GVSU and True North Campus Ministry (Presbyterian Church

USA) in Grand Rapids, along with volunteers from local congrega�ons. “Listeners” work

as part of a team with training and a flexible �me commitment.

Would you like to know more? You are invited to join this

year’s volunteers as they reflect on their experiences over this

academic year. A&ending does not commit you to volunteer.

May 1 at noon at Westminster Presbyterian Church

47 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids

The featured books for this month in the Children’s Library are:

“Everest the Contest” “My Mama and Me”

by Gordon Korman by Crystal Bowman &

Tert McKinley

Partners in Prayer

Adam Shaw is a missionary with the General Board of Global

Ministries of The United Methodist Church serving as an Interna)onal

Linkages Coordinator assigned to the Save Our Schools, Protect

Indigenous Life project based in Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines.

The Save our Schools, Protect Indigenous Life project seeks to ensure

the con�nued enjoyment by indigenous children of their right to

culturally-appropriate educa�on in a sustained and stable

environment conducive to learning in their ancestral domain. As

Interna�onal Linkages Coordinator Adam plays a key role in telling the story of the rural

Filipino communi�es that have built and sustained local schools by helping to build

and strengthen an interna�onal support network for those schools.

In 2014, Adam was commissioned as a Mission Advocate for Young

Adult Mission Service, serving as a link between the mission agency

and annual conferences, districts, and congrega�ons to promote

mission service as a voca�onal choice for young adults he is from

the East Ohio Annual Conference. He is the son of the Rev. Thomas

and Susan Shaw, who were United Methodist missionaries, first in

Tunisia and then in Germany from 1994 through 2003.

Adam says of his faith journey: "I grew up in the church; my parents were both missionaries,

so I tagged along every Sunday to the church that my dad was working with at the �me.

My faith did not get its own feet un�l I was in middle school and was bap�zed. My faith

grew slowly, stagnated even, un�l my junior year in college when I rediscovered the essence

of Chris�anity and faith."

Follow me: beyondwest.wordpress.com

Addi)onal Informa)on:

Make an online dona�on to: Adam Shaw #3021347

Missionary Support Code: 3021347

Caledonia United Methodist Church 250 Vine Street

Caledonia, MI 49316

Women in Step will have their annual

2nd

Best Sale on Friday, June 1st

and Saturday, June 2nd

in the Fellowship Hall.

Please bring your items to the church star�ng Tuesday,

Wednesday, and Thursday of that week, from 9am to noon.

If you have heavy items to be picked up,

please call Jayne Porri& or Judy Kidder.