• By RJ Walters, Editor •
Special offerings at the 2011 West Michigan Annual Conference will highlight the “Four Areas of Ministry Focus” of the 2008 General Conference — global health, ministry with the poor, developing leaders and church growth.
On Wednesday, June 1, an offering will be taken to support the Open Door Free Store in Concord and the Intersection Free Store in Evart.
The “‘free store” concept came to life for the West Michigan Conference at the 2010 annual conference, when leaders of the Church for All People in Ohio shared the secrets behind their thriving United Methodist Free Store.
In December, Concord United Methodist Church opened its own small-town iteration of the idea and, in February, the Intersection Free Store opened under the guidance of Sears United Methodist Church, Brooks Corner United Methodist Church, and Barryton Faith United Methodist Church.
The Open Door Free Store offers clothes, toys, home furnishings, and more free of charge, while the Intersection Free Store focuses primarily on clothing.
“I’ve had people say, ‘you’re going to give (people) a number on items, right? They can’t just have anything,’” said the Rev. Melany Chalker, pastor of Concord UMC. “It’s audacious generosity; yes they can.”
Thursday’s special offering will be shared between the five Wesley Foundations in the conference.
Wesley Foundations date back to 1913 and are campus ministries sponsored in full or in part by the United Methodist Church on a non-church owned and operated campus.
Donations will support the programming and staffing of the Wesley Foundations at the following colleges: Central Michigan University, Ferris State University, Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, and Western Michigan University.
On Friday there will be two opportunities to provide financial assistance to special ministries.
In the morning an offering will be taken for the Grand Rapids United Methodist Community House.
The Community House is a major provider of family services, educational programs, and basic needs for the residents of inner city Grand Rapids.
The Community House has an accredited Child Development Center for infants through pre-kindergarten children, and they offer a wide range of parenting services and programs. The Shalom Senior Center offers senior citizens help with transportation, meals, advocacy, healthcare, and more.
Friday evening’s Ordination and Commissioning Service will celebrate the installation of new church leaders, but will also offer a chance to provide more people with the same opportunity.
An offering will be taken for the Ministerial Education Fund (MEF), one of the seven apportioned funds of the church.
Since 1968, the MEF has provided scholarships for thousands of men and women seeking to become pastoral leaders as they attend training at the 13 UMC seminaries around the country.
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