The
fact that I have been a member of this church for
about thirty-five years makes my list of stories
pretty lengthy.
Having shared many joys and some sorrows
with this church family it is hard to “single”
out a time when others reached out to me making me
feel at home…so I will relate one of the most
recent.
Last
year when I was vacationing in
Florida
and fell breaking my leg, having surgery and going
into rehab there for about six weeks, I received
so many cards and telephone calls from members of
this congregation, it was unbelievable!
With all the attention I was getting the
nurses thought I was some kind of celebrity!
I could feel the prayers and sincere
concern, making my recovery a lot easier.
After
retiring, several years ago I moved from
Novi
and thinking I should find a church closer to my
new home, I visited several churches in the area.
In doing so, I came to realize that I am
right where God wants me to be…among a loving
and caring congregation at
Novi
United
Methodist
Church
.
Chris
McQuiston
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….
Bright eyed, petrified yet confident in my faith
in God, I arrived at the
Novi
congregation in the summer of 1997.
…. I
was delighted to see the mission commitment of
such a small band of God’s people seeking to
reach beyond themselves into the urban centers as
well as across oceans in Christ’s name.
Arriving at age 33 to lead a congregation
through its challenges and into a new chapter of
its history, I was aware of the concerns of some
members who doubted my abilities.
Yet never did I hear a discouraging word
about my leadership.
Were there questions about where we were
going and how we would get there?
Absolutely, but they were questions that
communicated commitment and dedication to the
cause of Christ in this congregation.
Lifelong Methodists and Evangelical United
Brethrens joined with new Christians and converts
to work out their salvation with one another in
Disciple Bible Studies, book studies, council
meetings, street cleaning, and in hospital rooms.
Discussing our faith as it impacts our
culture and individual lives was the highlight of
my memory in
Novi
. We
had lively worship as well as contemplative
services all seeking to open our hearts to God’s
Spirit so that we might make decisions for change
both corporately and personally.
When I reflect on the ministry of Novi, a
wave of faces floods my memory, each person brings
the salty flavor of God’s Spirit.
Some are still in
Novi
leading and supporting the ministry of Christ.
Others are serving in other congregations
both near and far away.
Still others are enjoying the eternal song
of God’s love in the next “great adventure”
which Jesus promised us following this life on
earth.
…. It takes more faith in God to serve in
struggling places with a counter-cultural message.
Yet I believe that is precisely what Jesus taught
us to be in the world.
When living is easy, we forget our need for
God. Jesus
asks us to live in a way that is less comfortable
for the sake of others.
The resiliency of the
Novi
congregation taught me those challenging lessons
of Jesus in ways that I am still processing today.
We live in the already but not yet of
God’s Kin’dom.
There is no arrival in this life.
There is only the journey which is most
often painful, difficult, satisfying, and Godly
when we live in the challenge of following Jesus,
the one who made friends with public sinners and
social outcasts.
I am shaped by the relationships made during
my years among the Novi United Methodists.
The love and support as well as the
guidance and correction I received were gifts of
God given through their hearts and lives.
Thank you is all I can offer and my promise
to pay it forward to those with whom I share the
journey in these days.
Thanks be to God!
Rev.
Louise R. Ott
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What
Novi
United
Methodist
Church
Adds to My Life
I
had a plan! Together with my wife, Gloria, my High
School sweetheart, I planned that we would finish
our education, start a family, buy a home, travel,
and live “happily ever after”. It was a good
plan. But it wasn’t what God had in mind for me.
As you all know, a series of health crises in my
life have both tested and strengthened my faith.
At age 23, in a startling wake-up call, I
was faced with the shocking realities of cancer.
I cried out to God, “Why are you
bothering me with this? I have done nothing to
deserve it and I’m too young!" That began the
struggle. Since then a have had three different
cancers requiring six surgeries, years of
chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and endless
other medical test/procedures.
There
were several times I was at a physical and mental
low in my life. I questioned the value of living
if life was going to be this difficult and
painful. But,
I heard a voice saying something along the lines
– “Your
life has a purpose. You have not yet done what you
came here to do."
After that I wondered what purpose God had
for my life.
I
had divided my life into compartments: School,
Work, Family, Health, Recreation, Religion, etc..
Sometimes when one part of my life (health) was
not going well, I consoled myself with another
part that is going well (work, perhaps). Then
there are those moments when everything seems to
be fine, yet there still was the nagging feeling
that something is wrong. Why do I feel empty? What
is missing? Could
these nagging thoughts be related to my spiritual
wellbeing? Is it possible that my spiritual
dimension was experiencing pain?
Gloria
and I decided we needed to search for a faith
community and we found
Novi
United
Methodist
Church
. I
often wonder what motivates us to attend NUMC?
I believe we attend for the most human of
reasons. Family
history has its place.
If you were raised in a family who attended
church, continuing to do so is only natural.
Gloria was raised in the Methodist church.
As I grew-up, church attendance was valued,
but inconsistent.
Friendship
brings me to NUMC, too.
It's the desire
for friends -- good friends, caring friends,
friends who share your values. I believe God means
for the church to be a place to build long-term
caring relationships, to be a community
in every sense of that word.
Personal
growth is a factor.
I continue to learn about myself. As I
passed
through various stages and issues in my life, I
find it increasingly important to include God in
my personal exploration.
The
need for significance
is a strong motivator, too. Something inside me
wants to make a difference, to do something
meaningful, lasting, to be part of a cause bigger
than myself. Church is a perfect context for this
type of fulfillment, since, at their best,
churches change communities for good --one person
at a time. I am amazed how often I see individuals
at NUMC who are asking, "What do I have to give
here?" rather than just "What can I get?" Refreshing, isn't it!
Finally,
I attend NUMC in order to come to
know God, to honor him through worship and by
my very presence in his house. I come to church
because I am searching, and I find I can search
for God in this context better than others.
That's
pretty much the list. NUMC is a major part of my
life because that is where I can hear the word of
God explained and applied to my life, see how God
works in people's lives, and experience the
friendship of a loving faith community.
Terry
Smith
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What
attracted me to NUMC
I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior when I was 16
or 17 years old. However, at that age I
really didn't completely comprehend what that
really meant. I grew up in northwest Detroit
and attended Ward memorial Presbyterian
Church. I found out just a few years ago
that Bill Smart also went to Ward.
Upon completion of active military duty in 1969, I
had to find a new church home. I believe it
was i the mid 1990's that Ward memorial built a
new church in Livonia. So my first choice
was Ward Church in Livonia which I attended for
about two months or so. The size of their
congregation was between 400-500 so, during church
services you felt like part of a herd of
cattle. After trying it for a while I
realized this wasn't for me. I started
shopping for a new church and my first stop was
Novi UMC. I tried it, liked it and have been
coming here ever since.
One of the things that attracted me was the
friendliness of the people. I know it sounds
corny, but they really do make you feel like
family. Another reason was the music.
It was a good blend of some of the old favorite
hymns as well as some of the current day ones.
I like the direction our church is going and
hopefully this will continue. One recent
addition that I like is the "peace
vigil". It gives the community an idea
of some of the things we do and is also a possible
way to attract new members.
Paul
E. Root
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What
the church has meant to me
The
Methodist church (in several different
congregations over the years) has been a source
for spiritual and emotional growth. I am
basically a shy person, and it has alwasys been a
place that helps get me "out of my
shell".
In
a number of cases, I (often with Kaye) have
stepped out and done things that I would never
have considered without the church’s
“umbrella”.
From starting a “food store” to sell
items for donation to the local food bank (in
Durham
,
NC
), to simple things like “clean up Saturday”,
the Men’s yard sale, etc, it has given me the
challenge and opportunity to step beyond my own
needs.
In
a quiet way, it has also challenged my
preconceptions and attitudes towards people
different from me, whether the poor, people of
other sexual preferences, or just different
cultures. Seeing
people in worship, or at Cass luncheons, had
turned an abstract image of “those People”
into faces, and often names.
I
think I’m a better person for my association
with the
Methodist
Church
…and God isn’t done with me yet!
Dewayne
Ferris
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What
NUMC Has Meant to Me
For the last 45 years this church has meant
many things to me.
It was a place to bring my children to
learn more about Jesus and for me to teach Sunday
school. As
teenagers they had youth group and I had many good
friends that shared my values.
My daughter Sue was married in the original
E.U.B. Sanctuary and Don was married in what is
now Fellowship hall.
Such wonderful memories.
Then came the midlife crisis.
My life became so busy and I attended so
infrequently that Paul Root would greet me and ask
if I was a first time visitor.
My church had become the Crystal Cathedral
on Sunday morning TV.
When our aging parents had passed on and I
retired from my accounts receivable job something
was missing in my life.
That something was the
Novi
United
Methodist
Church
.
Pastor Louise was the minister and I signed
up for her disciple class.
It was wonderful to be studying the Bible
and meeting all the young women in the class.
And then there was Rotary luncheons where I
became acquainted with church members closer to my
age. No
longer was there a void in my life.
I had returned home.
Ruth
Waldenmayer
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Coming
Home
I grew up in a church that seemed
judgmental and restrictive.
The words “We didn’t see you at church
Wednesday night,” seemed to imply that our whole
family had one foot on a banana peel and the other
in the yawning abyss of hell.
I longed for a caring church that would
support my spiritual growth without shaming me.
My childhood church kicked people out who
did not meet their very narrow standards.
I longed for a church with diversity, where
all were welcome wherever they might be on their
spiritual journey.
In my childhood Sunday School, I was
discouraged from questioning the teacher’s
scriptural interpretations.
I longed for a church which encouraged me
to have such an intimate relationship with God
that I could invite God to help me understand
scripture and where questioning is allowed and
encouraged.
As an adult, I attended a big church where
few people knew my name.
I longed for a warm, loving faith family
where we all knew and cared about each other.
People have asked me why my husband Howard
and I drive all the way from White Lake to Novi
United Methodist.
Its because I found what I was looking for
in this church, and so much more.
I found a pastor, June Smith, who speaks
honestly and passionately about her faith in God
and who encourages me to deepen my faith and
understanding.
Pastor June is someone who consistently
supports me when I am facing challenges, whether
material or spiritual.
She reminds me that God is there loving and
guiding me no matter what.
I found a faith family who is welcoming,
open to diversity and who passionately engages in
ministry and outreach.
This church is full of people who share
their gifts, their music, creativity, financial
and organizational abilities, physical labor and
spirituality.
There are so many different ways to serve
and to be connected in this church that there is
something for everyone no matter what gifts and
skills they bring.
Some of the ministries that make this
church unique and dear to me are the outreach
opportunities.
The loving, enthusiastic workers who show
up to serve food at Cass Community, muck out
flooded homes in Biloxi, Mississippi inspire me.
The music lifts my heart and becomes prayer
for me.
The children and young people here touch a
place in me where my own inner child lives.
How many churches can you imagine where
people would be willing to stand next to a busy
street in the freezing cold, the rain or the muggy
heat and pray for peace?
This church does it, rain or shine the
first Sunday of every month with our Peace Vigil.
How many churches can you imagine that
would provide Christmas gifts for over fifty needy
children even when the members own jobs and
finances are uncertain?
Novi United Methodist does just that every
Christmas for children of the Whitmer School in
Pontiac.
The school social worker told us that we
were the only church that has not cut our giving
down and in fact most churches have eliminated
Whitmer entirely.
Not only did this church provide what was
requested, but gave more abundantly including hand
knit hats, mittens and gift cards for shoes and
groceries.
This church also has many opportunities for
fun and connectedness, including movie night, a
chili cook-off, an auction with entertainment,
euchre night and so much more.
I love the events that allow me to connect
with my church family socially, emotionally and
spiritually.
Most of all, I love the many different
opportunities to grow closer to God and to deepen
my faith.
Church services, Christian education, the
labyrinth, which is a walking prayer, the healing
prayer team, liturgical dance, drama, Christian
meditation, and Companions in Christ are only a
few of these God centered experiences.
The love and faith of the people of Novi
United Methodist as we journey with God is an
unfolding miracle for me.
Although my husband and I are facing many
of the same financial struggles as the rest of
Michigan, we feel called to support Miracle Sunday
with an extra gift because God blesses us so
abundantly through all of you, our brothers and
sisters in Christ.
When people ask why we drive all the way
from White Lake to this church, I can answer
simply “for the love.”
“I can feel the brush of angels’ wings,
I see glory on each face.
Surely the Presence of the Lord is in this
place.”
Heather
Kahn
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Greetings From Your
Daughter
To my Novi UMC family:
Everyone has heard the old saying “it
takes a village to raise a child.” In my case,
however, it wasn’t a village that raised me, but
rather the congregation of a modest church located
on 10 Mile between Novi and Meadowbrook Roads. I
grew up at Novi United Methodist Church, and this
place is my home.
As cliché as it sounds, I can honestly say
that I cannot imagine how my life would be without
Novi UMC. I have been attending services here
since – literally – before I could remember.
When my parents first moved to Novi, they towed me
along as a 6-month-old baby to several different
churches in the area while searching for a place
to worship. They have often told me the story
about how they felt immediately welcomed by the
NUMC congregation and how members, who were
complete strangers at the time, offered to hold me
so that my parents could take communion. Since
that time, this church family has always nurtured
and embraced me.
Throughout the years, my spiritual
development has been strengthened and expanded by
this congregation. It was here that I was learned
“the basics” of Christianity in Sunday School
and Junior Church, that I served on numerous
eye-opening mission trips with the Youth Group,
that I was encouraged to become a part of the
Detroit Annual Conference Council on Youth
Ministries, and that I have been honored to attend
Annual Conference twice as a representative of
this church.
This past summer, I was offered the
opportunity to take an internship with a
conference program called the Young Leaders
Initiative. For eight weeks, I lived in an
intentional Christian Community
with 11 other college-aged interns, and we were
all assigned to work at different non-profit
social service agencies throughout the city of
Detroit. Through this program, I learned about the
many problems that are facing Detroit and cities
similar to it, and I became passionate about
working with those in need and fighting for social
justice.
Currently, I am a student at Central
Michigan University and am pursuing a double major
in both Spanish and Family Studies. After
graduation, my hope is to continue working with
ministries in inner-city settings, and perhaps to
attend graduate school to pursue a Masters of
Social Work degree. As for the near future, I am
looking forward to studying abroad in Chile in the
fall to complete requirements for my Spanish
major.
Although I know that I may become homesick
while living on the flip-side of the world, I am
so blessed to know that I will always have the
support of my Novi United Methodist Church family.
I am beyond thankful for all of the encouragement
and opportunities that this congregation has given
me. Every time that I return home from school, I
continue to see the ways in which the spirit of
Christ is working through the members of this
church. Even in times of trouble, this
congregation continues to love, support,
encourage, and challenge one another in the very
same way that I have felt loved, supported,
encouraged and challenged for the past 20 years.
I pray that God will always continue
to bless this place with His presence.
Thank you, Novi UMC, for everything.
Your sister in Christ,
Kristen
Kosmider
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