Annual Yard Sale and Bake Sale

Our Annual Yard Sale will be held this year on May 2nd and 3rd, starting at 8 am.  

The UMW will be having a bake sale in conjunction with the yard sale.

Donated goods are requested from all, especially furniture and electronics.

All UMM are needed to help both at the sale and for set up at 6pm on April 29 and 30 and May 1.

back to top

New easy fund raiser using everyday internet searches

We now have a new way of raising money for NUMC that is easy, free, and does not require any additional work by anyone. There is a search engine called Good Search that gives one-half of its earnings to charitable organizations such as ours. They make their money through advertising, and pass along one-half of it to the organizations chosen by the searcher. That works out to about a penny per search. They keep track of the number of searches and send us a check at the end of the year. If you use a  computer, you probably do lots of searches. You probably have mostly used Google and like it. But by switching to Good Search, we get paid for searching. They use the Yahoo search engine, which is also highly rated, so you will still find what you want.

It is easy. Just go to www.goodsearch.com. You will see a box to select your charitable organization. Type in Novi and several organizations with novi in their name will appear. Click on Novi United Methodist Church to select it, then do your search as usual using their search box on the same page. Please allow the cookies and the next time you go to goodsearch.com, Novi United Methodist Church will already be selected for you, saving a step.

After you have selected us, you can, if you wish, click on the button that says "amount raised" to see how much we have earned to date.

Many of us when we search do so from within our internet explorer or firefox browsers, using the built in search boxes. You can easily add goodsearch to the search engine choices in your browser, and even set goodsearch as the default browser. Just go to http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbars.aspx for easy instructions. You can just add goodsearch to the browser's search choices or you can download a search toolbar.

Which ever way you choose, to search from their site, or to search from within your browser, we will get the money, as long as you have allowed the cookies. Do your first search from their site to set the cookie, and from the first cookie on, we will get paid no matter which way you use goodsearch.

I have already tried it and added it to my browsers. It really is easy, the money earned shows up on their site immediately.

There will also be a link to goodsearch on our website umcnovi.com so you will have many ways of accessing goodsearch.  It will be under the News & Events tab under Fund Raisers.

We need all the funds we can get. This is free and easy. Please use it whenever you search. We get paid for all text searches, but not for image searches.

If you have any problems with it or have any questions about it, please contact Howard Kahn.

Give it a try now.  Just click the logo below.

back to top

United Methodist Bishops Urge Immediate Withdrawal of Troops from Iraq

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. – Bishops of The United Methodist Church today called for the United States and its coalition partners to begin an immediate withdrawal of all troops from Iraq.

In addition to calling for the immediate safe and full withdrawal of troops and no additional deployment of troops to Iraq, their resolution urges the United States and its partners to:

• Declare there will be no permanent military bases in Iraq.
• Increase support for military veterans of the Iraq war and all wars.
• Initiate and support a plan for reconstruction in Iraq, giving a high priority to humanitarian, social and educational needs of the Iraqi people.

The resolution is directed to U.S. President George W. Bush, the U.S. Congress, and leaders of the coalition.

“Every day that the war continues, more soldiers and innocent civilians are killed with no end in sight to the violence, bloodshed and carnage,” the bishops said in their resolution. They cited the deaths of more than 3,800 United States soldiers, 300 from other coalition countries, more than 28,000 wounded and the deaths of more than 76,000 Iraqi civilians.

The bishops made the call during their semi-annual meeting at a church retreat center in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains. The bishops represent more than 11 million United Methodists in the United States, Africa, Europe, and the Philippines. About 125 active and retired bishops from around the globe attended the meeting.

In calling for the immediate withdrawal, the bishops said their position is based on the denomination’s position that “war is incompatible with the teachings and examples of Christ,” and Jesus Christ’s call for “his followers to be peacemakers.”

This is the latest in a series of steps the denomination’s leaders have taken to question the Iraq war. During their Nov. 2005 meeting, the bishops approved a resolution urging President Bush, who is United Methodist, to create timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

The bishops called on United Methodists throughout the world to “be peacemakers by word and deed,” by conducting regular prayer vigils for congregations and communities; to care for all impacted by the war, including combatants and non-combatants by honoring the dead, healing the wounded, and calling for an end to the war.

back to top

Handbell Choir

Handbell Choir Underway:  Handbell Choir has reorganized.  Join us and become a bell ringer for Christ.  We’re having great fun on Thursday nights @ 6:30 in the Choir Room.  You do not need prior bell experience.  Information is available from Sharon Kosmider @ 248-474-1508.

  back to top

PEACE Ministry Forming

To all my PEACE loving friends at Novi United Methodist Church .

A new ministry is about to begin, and we don’t have to wait for the next sign up day to start it.

It is a ministry of PEACE.

The vision is of a PEACE vigil, promoting PEACE, publicly in front of our church, once a month.

This will be a vigil FOR PEACE.  It will not be a vigil or a protest against anything.  It will not be anti-war, or anti-military, or anti-our president, or anti-any country, or anti-any people, or anti-any belief system.

 It will simply be FOR PEACE.

 Those who wish to show that they are FOR PEACE will simply join me once a month in promoting PEACE.

 We will stand silently.  There will be no shouting or chanting of slogans.

There will be no waving of hands or signs or any interference with traffic.

We can hold signs.  But only signs that say PEACE or PRAY FOR PEACE will be acceptable.

We will stand on the church lawn at the curb of Ten Mile Road , holding the signs for passersby to see.

 This is a vigil to be done in a positive way, so only PEACE will be focused on.  We will not focus on anything negative, which is why we will not express anti-anything.

We may pray together for PEACE.

If anyone stops and asks us what we stand for, we will reply that we are for PEACE.  We will not discuss any personal political views, or make comments on any war, people, politicians, events, or conditions.  We are simply FOR PEACE.  They may join us if they wish to abide by our way of being, as outlined here.

 I believe that prayer and positive thoughts have an effect.  We are a small group, even if everyone in our church joins us.  But our being FOR PEACE may influence others, who may influence others, who may influence others………

 I would like the vigils to be done regularly, but not so often that they are burdensome.  I believe that once a month is sustainable.

I would like to feel our connection with our own teacher of PEACE, our Jesus, so I would like the monthly vigils to be on the first Sunday of every month.  That will coincide with our communion service.  As we take communion, we affirm our connection with Jesus, and all he taught and stood for.  I believe that PEACE is a very important part of his message to us.  Let us honor his teaching of love for ALL of our neighbors by expressing our desire for PEACE in the world.

 PEACE cannot come too soon.  Let us begin at the very next first Sunday, which is September 2.

We will begin at 12 noon , and stand vigil until 1 pm .  This time will allow those who attend adult Sunday school to continue to do so, and our lunches will just be an hour later than usual.  If you can’t stay the full hour, join us for whatever time you can give.  If you can’t stand, bring a lawn chair, or let me know, and I’ll get a chair for you.

 Please join this VIGIL FOR PEACE.   Please bring your own sign, keeping to the guidelines stated above.  But if you don’t have a sign, simply stand with us.

As the numbers grow, people will be bringing their own signs to the vigil, so I want to remind everyone that the signs should say only "Peace" or "Pray for Peace".  As this is being done in a totally positive manner, I do not want to draw attention to any divisions between people, whether to groups we do not belong to, would not belong to, or even those we DO belong to.  A positive peace ministry is all inclusive and does not point out the divisions between "them" and "us", even though we are very happy to be "us".  So please do not put any designs or symbols on the signs that represent any particular group.  Something simple like a heart or a peace dove or flowers are fairly universal symbols and so leave no one out.  But even wonderful symbols that we love, such as the cross or the American flag or the Methodist cross & flame, represent only some people, not all people.  So please do not use such symbols on the signs.  I hope that you will be understanding of this request.

Please let me know if I can expect you by sending me an email at howardlkahn@hotmail.com or calling me at 248-225-7706.  If you can’t make it every time, then be there some of the times.  And when you can’t be there in person, please join us in prayer from wherever you are.

 One hour, once a month.

Heather & I will be there.  Will you?

How much is PEACE worth to you? 

 In PEACE and LOVE,

Howard Kahn  

Click for Pictures

A flyer advertising the PEACE Vigil and inviting people to join us is available as a pdf file.  Contact Howard Kahn for a copy.

back to top

Art and Craft Show June 21, 2008

The show will be held at NUMC on Saturday, June 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The craft show will be held at NUMC, both inside and out on the lawn.

Many crafters have already been signed up, but there is still space for more.

Display spaces cost $25 for outside and $40 for inside.

For information and an application, email:  Pam Davis at edleecr@yahoo.com or contact the church office.

back to top

The Church We Built In Africa Is Complete

Over the past two years, collections were taken and sent to Liberia, Africa, where they were used to build a new church for the local congregation.

Previously, the church was a mud brick structure that melted away each year during the rainy season and had to be re-built over and over again.  Our donations allowed them to build a new church with permanent materials.  The local congregation provided all the labor and built it themselves.  There are no roads for miles, so the heavy building materials, including cement blocks and bags of concrete, were carried on their backs for many hours along a trail through the surrounding jungle.

Jorgba UMC is Novi UMC's sister church.  This immense project was made possible through the generosity of the Novi UMC congregation and our former Pastor, Rev. Jackie Holdsworth, and her husband, retired Pastor, Rev. John Kershaw.     Click for Pictures

back to top

Winter Hats Ministry

Winter Hats Ministry:  This ministry is ongoing and donations of yarn are always welcome.  There is a basket in the Narthex to deposit your yarn donations.  If you would like to participate in this ministry or want more information, please see Kaye Ferris.  

It's that time of year again and more hats are needed.  We have already filled our need for medium and small hats so please concentrate on large and extra large hats. The hope this year is to supply both our Pontiac friends at Witmer as well as Cass. We have a large fresh supply of yarn available to choose from. Any looms not in use need to be returned as they belong to our church and there may be others waiting to use them. Please leave them in the completed hat basket and they'll be picked up from there. Questions can be directed to Kaye Ferris at 248 478-1452.

back to top

Healing Ministries

The ministry of healing is an integral part of Christianity. For those wishing to partake of that ministry, laying-on of hands will be offered during all communion services. You may stand or kneel at the rail or sit in the chair while those trained in the healing ministry pray for your healing and wholeness in body, mind, emotions, spirit, and relationships. Private healing prayer is available by speaking to one of the healing prayer team.  

Training will be provided for anyone wishing to learn this healing method.  New ministry members are always welcomed.  For further information about the Healing Prayer Team, contact Howard & Heather Kahn at (248) 360-6447.

back to top

Chancel Choir

Anyone is welcome and you do not have to be a trained singer.  Just a love of the Lord's music and a desire to have fun.  

Paula Grisell-Goldstein directs the Children's Choir this year and it is being integrated into our Sunday School program so that the kids rehearse during "Spirit Zone" time.  Your child is welcome to participate in this.   

Click for Pictures

back to top

Opportunities For Ministry

Those who lead in worship have already been told earlier about the sign-up sheets in the Narthex.  There are numerous opportunities for you to help, and church social events are there as well.  Be sure to check the table each week so you do not miss any of the important events in our church life.

if you signed up for Liturgist, Greeters, Ushers or Acolytes, during the recent Ministry Team Sign-Up, the sign up sheets for specific dates are on the round table in the Narthex.  Please sign up for the Sundays you can serve.  If you have questions, Laree Bell is in charge of Greeters; Maggie Pollock, Ushers; Sharon Kosmider, Acolytes and Mike Goldstein, Liturgists.

back to top