BRANCHES
A Publication of Muskegon County Cooperating Churches
Convening the Community of Faith
To serve the needs of the people of Muskegon County for over 70 years.
Vol. 33, No. 3 May-June Issue 2014
BRANCHES is published 6 times a year by
Muskegon County Cooperating Churches (MCCC) 1095 Third St., Suite 10, Muskegon, MI 49441-1976
Phone: 231-727-6000 Fax: 231-727-0841 E-mail:
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 12:30-3:30pm Friday 11:30-2:30pm
Hours may vary depending on the work load, please call first.
MCCC is a non-profit ecumenical organization serving all faith congregations in Muskegon County
We have a Facebook page for Muskegon County Cooperating Churches. If you are interested in learning more about what is happening, please “like” us on your Facebook page. Our website is also being updated with mobile pantry dates as they become available. Our website is www.cooperatingchurches.com.
If your organization is interested in funding a mobile food pantry for this year, please give us a call so we can get you scheduled. Now is the time to be thinking about the summer months as those dates get filled pretty fast. Perhaps your organization doesn’t have a place to hold a mobile pantry that is large enough, we might be able to help you with that as we have some sites that might open up if they were asked. Every date that we fill must be approved by Feeding America, so the earlier you request a date, the more likely that it will be approved.
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“Be Thou My Vision….”
Very few dreams clutter the attic of my memory. Though I have occasionally journaled dreams since reaching adulthood, no more than a half a dozen are committed to paper. Recording these nocturnal adventures has been much like my experience with photography. Often when I tried to take a picture of my daughter doing something particularly cute back in her toddler and preschool days (she’s now a college student), the moment was often irretrievably lost before I would have the camera ready. Another difficulty was that any time I would photograph blue morning glories, the print would turn out violet. With dreams merely awaking disturbs the mood enough to make recording difficult. Also, language frequently fails to fully describe the sights and sensations of that shadowy world.
I had one of my most vivid dreams on December 21, 1996. This is the gist of what I saw.
At the start, I was sitting with numerous college and church friends enjoying a meal. As we finished, several of us walked outside for some fresh air and sunshine. It turned out that we were walking out of the front entrance of my old high school. Across the street, I recognized a park which served as a “hang out” for the less reputable crowd among our fellow students. The small municipal park in this instance became the entry way to a much larger field, covered with windrows of newly cut hay. A tall white fence (much like I’ve seen surrounding junkyards) bordered three sides of the hay field. Walking into the field we saw what appeared to be a campground sheltered by mature shade trees in a distant corner. As we drew closer, we discovered no cabins, tents, campers or R.V.s as we had expected. Rather, the grove sheltered a village of people living in large industrial dumpsters set on their side. Most faced the corner diagonally. Several in the corner sat parallel to the sides of the fence, facing the other dumpsters. The atmosphere reminded by of squatters’ villages I had visited in central Mexico – people doing the best they could with what they had. The simple shelters and grounds were well swept and folks’ few worn possessions were neatly stored.
A great diversity of ethnic groups were represented among the inhabitants. Each camp site seemed to host a variety of people. The vast majority of those present were under 30 years old, though I did see some middle aged couples and some older church matriarchs in their midst. I recognized a few friends from the Muskegon area, ecumenical contacts and even a bank officer.
It was a busy place. Kids climbed trees. Some people cooked and ate together. Other’s engaged in study and discussion. Still others gathered to sing and pray. A cooperative spirit worked among them. Though no one appeared wealthy, all looked healthy and content.
Since waking from that dream I’ve had a strong sense that I was given a glimpse into the Kingdom of God. Seeing people I wouldn’t expect to see in such a place reminded me of “the wideness of God’s mercy” and the capacity of people to change. (Anyone rich or powerful in this life who I saw in the dream many have discovered that to get a camel through the “eye of a needle” one has to unload it first.) Then again, it may have been a bit of divine commentary on my limited ability to judge human character. I was left with the sense that the mission of faith communities is not merely to reach out to the outcasts of the world, but to join them.
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Clarence Jordan wrote in his introduction to The Cotton Patch Version of Paul’s Epistles…”[T]he Scriptures should be taken out of the classroom and stained glass sanctuary and put out under God’s skies where people are toiling and crying and wondering, where the mighty events of the good news first happened and where along they feel at home.” (p. 7)
This is a slightly revised version of an essay published in the Sept/Oct 1997 edition of BRANCHES. Tom Wagner is a former pastor in the Church of the Brethren (Dunker) and serves MCCC as president and archivist.
Don't forget – A few copies of Tom Wagner's book, "Work and Hope" are still available at the MCCC Office for a donation of $15 (pick up) or $17 mailed to you. Call us at 231-727-6000 for more information.
Please remember that the “BRANCHES” is published bi-monthly. If you have an event coming up in July or August, the information must be in our office by June 23rd to be published in that issue. As things crop up prior to the next issue, I will try and send them out under “Additional Opportunities” through e-mail. If you would like to receive your newsletter by e-mail, please let me know at .
LEADERSHIP LUNCH FEATURING KENI THOMAS
Keni Thomas, a powerful speaker, captivates audiences from beginning to end as he tells the incredible story of extraordinary individuals and how they fought to bring each other home. Drawing on his experiences on the battlefield, Keni inspires people to achieve greatness by stressing the importance of outstanding leadership at every level, even if the only person you are leading is yourself. Keni will be at LC Walker Arena on Tuesday, May 6 at 11:30am. Doors open at 10:30am. Tickets are on sale at startickets.com or LC Walker Arena. Call 231-726-2400 for more information and the cost of the tickets.
It’s not too late! Through the end of May, give your church family the opportunity to purchase their Unity tickets at the lowest prices available (with no service charges!). Contact them at 231-773-3361 or e-mail on how to get a Unity packet mailed to your church.
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The Office of the Muskegon County Public Defender (OMCPD) and the Muskegon County Clerk are offering an “Expungement Clinic” at the South Campus Training Building, 2nd floor (across the street from the County Courthouse) on Saturday, May 3 from 9am to 2pm. If you have a criminal convictions, and it has been more than five years since the date of your conviction, imprisonment, or release, you may be eligible to have your criminal conviction expunged. With a clean record it is easier to get a job, get a loan, adopt, get educational opportunities, volunteer, and more. If you would like more information to see if you are eligible, please contact the Muskegon County Public Defender’s Office at 231-724-6585.
Please save the following dates for the “Save Our City” program. Churches are encouraged to get involved. August 14: Registration Churches, Street Revival; August 15: Conference in One Location; August 6: Campaign Day – A Lot of Activities; August 17: Corporate Prayer, City Wide Church Revivals; August 18: Youth Summit; August 19: City Called to Pray; August 20: Youth Summit; August 21: Health Screenings; August 22: Evangelism Day; August 23: Corporate Prayer; August 24: City Wide Church Revivals. For more information, and to find out how you can help “Save Our City,” please contact Save Our City, PO Box 853, Lawrenceville, GA 30046, The First LadII – 678-541-1039. The First LadII is a former Muskegon resident working with local churches to help stop the trend of violence among our young people.
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EDIBLE LANDSCAPING WORKSHOP
Peter Bane and Keith Johnson, renowned Permaculture experts, speakers and authors, will be presenting an Edible Landscaping Workshop at the Montague United Methodist Church (MUMC) on Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4. They will be teaching us basic design principles for planning a landscape that will be beneficial to our native insects, birds and other wildlife (and also humans). The participants will be creating landscape designs for the MUMC property while learning design skills applicable to our homes or other properties. The workshop is limited to 30 participants. For more information, contact Claire Schlaff at 231-894-8908 or or Kim Burck at 231-215-3740 or .
Y’S CLUB – 2014 – 51ST ANNUAL WHITE ELEPHANT SALE
This year’s sale takes place for just two days – Friday, May 9th from 9am-7pm and Saturday, May 10th from 9am to 3pm at 640 Seminole Road in Norton Shores (Folkert Community Hub – Side Entrance). Early birds will be admitted at 8am with a $5 donation. Muskegon Y’s Club is looking for saleable merchandise. Charitable contribution receipts are available. If you cannot donate – cash and coupons are gratefully accepted at the club at 900 W. Western Ave., Muskegon, 49441. For pick-up of saleable merchandise, call 231-727-9900.
There will be a Spaghetti Dinner Benefit for Miriam Sawka (12 year old Muskegon girl fighting Ewing’s Sarcoma Cancer) on Thursday, May 15th from 5-8pm at The Salvation Army, 1221 Shonat, Muskegon. Proceeds will help Miriam and her family with additional medical and travel expenses to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital over the next year, and for items Miriam will need to keep up her schooling through the Reeths-Puffer Homebound Education Program. To reserve tickets, please call Carole Carter 231-744-4912 or Nancy Willcutt 231-755-5404.
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IT’S TIME TO RIDE!
Calling all bikers to register for the 2014 ReCycle 50 Biking for Home Event sponsored by Habitat for Humanity. Riders earn funds for the Habitat program by collecting pledges for every mile they ride. Fifty of them to be exact! Along the way they meet great people, are treated to refreshments at planned rest stops, and return to a “Thank You” lunch and award presentation. This all takes place on Saturday, May 17, 2014. Sign-up starts at 7:30am and the ride begins at 8am. The start of the trail is at the Broadway Trailhead of the Musketowa Trail. The first route is 50miles along the Musketowa Trail to Marne and back. The second route is 50 miles on public roadways starting and ending at the Broadway Trailhead of the Musketowa Trail. For more information contact the Habitat office at 231-727-6020.
GREATER MUSKEGON WOMAN’S CLUB BREAKFAST CEREMONY
The 18th Annual Women of Accomplishment Breakfast Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 17th from 9am-noon at the Greater Muskegon Woman’s Club, 280 West Webster Avenue in downtown Muskegon. This year’s keynote speaker is Sarah Rinsema-Sybenga, Executive Director, Community encompass of Muskegon and a previous “Women of Accomplishment” recipient. Reservations are required. Please call Kay at 231-798-2643 for more information. The breakfast will be catered by the Hearthstone.
RESTORING OUR CITIES (ROC)-Michigan Bike Ride
Community encompass would like you to join them on a 350 mile bike ride across Michigan that will help raise awareness and understanding of the challenges and opportunities for urban ministry in Michigan cities. By participating as a rider from Muskegon, you will raise funds that will go directory to Community enCompass. The ride begins in Detroit on June 16th and ends in Benton Harbor on June 21st. For more information check the website at www.roc-michigan.com.
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The Thirty-third Annual Charles Henry Hackley Distinguished Lecture in the Humanities – Thursday, May 8, 2014
The Friends of Hackley Public Library cordially invite you to attend a lecture by Rev. John W. Matthews, Sr. Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church of Apple Valley, Minnesota and Past President of the International Bonhoeffer Society, English Language Section on “Honoring and Perpetuating the Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer,” on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 7:30pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1006 Third Street, Muskegon. A reception will follow at the Hackley Public Library. Charles H. Hackley Commendation for Services to the Humanities Awards will be presented to: Dr. Steven S. Demos and Mr. Foley Schuler.
DREAM TEAM – PART OF THE SEAWAY RUN - June 28, 2014
Promote community inclusion by creating or joining a team made up of people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds in the year’s Mercy Health Seaway Run! Register your “Dream Team” and you will be contact with more information. This event is perfect for all levels of participants! Take your time walking the scenic course, enjoy a run at your own pace, or compete at a high level! Register at the YMCA or at www.ihaveadreamteam.com.