District News

2025 District Ministry Shares

Posted on by Nordbrock
Photo of a collection plate in a church.

Dear Greater Southwest District,

I write with a spirit of thanksgiving as I witness what God is doing through you to bless your neighbors near and far.

Here are the Greater Southwest District Ministry Shares for 2025, which will be lower this year. I recognize that you are doing your best to grow in love. I hope you can use the lower District Ministry Shares to invest in ministry, pay more of your Conference Ministry Shares, and offer blessings.

The District budget for 2025 reflects gifts that have been given by LifeSpring United Methodist Church prior to their closing, intended to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. These gifts include grants that are available for faith formation, Christian camping, and Vacation Bible School. Grant applications will be available by January of 2025.

Let us remember that Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. We abide in Christ, who shows us how to love and connects us to one another. May the joy of Christ be in you, that your joy may be complete.

Peace,
Rev. Dean N. Prentiss
Greater Southwest District Superintendent

ABAR Study Hall

Posted on by Nordbrock

The Michigan Conference overwhelmingly passed legislation at the annual conference gathering in 2021 for Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism (ABAR) Education & Training. The curriculum, with its seven modules, is available at abar.michiganumc.org.

All persons serving under appointment or assignment in the Michigan Conference are required to complete a module each year. At least one module must be completed by December 31, 2024. A second module must be completed by December 31, 2025.

District Superintendent Dean Prentiss states, “ABAR work is essential to our shared life in Christ. This work gives us the tools and awareness to develop mindful relationships and helps us address bias and racism in the world, in the church, and in our lives. It takes work to build the Beloved Community. I believe this must be one of our priorities in the district.”

For those needing a dedicated time and space to begin an ABAR module or would like to work collectively with your colleagues, we are offering an ABAR Study Hall on Wednesday, November 20 from 9:00-12:00 OR 1:00-4:00 at the Wesley Foundation of Kalamazoo. Lunch will be available from 12:00-1:00.

Rev. Dr. April Gutierrez and Rev. Matt Weiler will be available to provide login assistance, tech support, and answer questions you may have. You can choose to work independently or in groups.

This is not a training session, but is intended to provide space to bring your computer, engage with the material online, and connect with others. It’s casual and meaningful. And what better place to study than at the Wesley Foundation!

REGISTER HERE

 

UWF District Annual

Posted on by Nordbrock

The 6th Annual Greater Southwest District United Women in Faith Celebration will be at Washington Heights UMC in Battle Creek. Registration and refreshments begin at 9:15am.

Pastor Monique French will speak about how WHUMC is helping this transitioning neighborhood create affordable housing for its residents.

Cost is $15 per person and includes lunch. Childcare is available.

Download Registration Form 

SPRC Meetings & Church Conferences

Posted on by Nordbrock

District Superintendent Dean Prentiss has divided the District churches into 12 groups he is calling “Branches.”  Check out the Google map

Each Branch will gather in-person on a Sunday afternoon for Church Conferences. Half will be at 2:00 and half at 4:00, with everyone gathering at 3:00 for Dean’s message.

All SPRC meetings will be held on ZOOM the Saturday before your Church Conference. Pastors are invited to attend.

Forms are located at michiganumc.org/resources/forms.

2024 SPRC Schedule

2024 SPRC Letter

2024 Branch Conference Schedule

2024 Church Conference Forms Checklist

For those in their first year of an appointment:
Good Beginnings-SPRC
Good Beginnings-Pastor

DS Installation

Posted on by Nordbrock

SAVE THE DATE! The Installation Service for District Superintendent Dean Prentiss will be held:

Sunday, September 22, 2024
2:00 pm
Westwood United Methodist Church (538 Nichols Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49006)

Children of all ages are invited to this special time of celebration and fun!

Meet the new District Superintendent

Posted on by Nordbrock

To all who are part of the Greater Southwest District, I joyfully send to you greetings and blessings this day. I am looking forward to getting to know you and celebrating the amazing ways you are responding to the love of Jesus Christ. What a journey this will be, as we travel the road of faith together.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Dean. I was born and raised in Troy, Michigan. I am the youngest of nine children. My mom (Phyllis, 88 years old) and dad (Hugh, 93 years old) live in Wyoming, Michigan in the house next to the church I have served for thirteen years, Wesley Park UMC.

My son’s name is Will (William Manuel Alexander Parada Salvador Prentiss). Will is an amazing person. He turned 19 on June 27. Will was born in Guatemala, where Adrianne and I moved for five months to complete his adoption. When I had to return home, members of Williamston UMC flew down to help. Will is deaf and on the autism spectrum. He has a great sense of humor, an incredible connection to God’s Spirit, and an intuitive way to sense what others do not sense. Adrianne and I are no longer married, but are deeply committed to raising Will. This requires some understanding and even flexibility by all on the District as we work on the best ways to keep Will safe and cared for. I will be staying in my home in Grand Rapids, which will help Will during this time of transition. While this may limit my availability for evening meetings, I will be in the office, visiting as many churches as I can each week, and will be reachable by phone, text, and online to be present with you.

I find joy in simple things. I love a good story. I bring my glove to baseball games with the eternal hope that a foul ball might come my way (I caught two on August 5 several years ago at Comerica Park). I don’t have a TV but do my best to stay connected and informed. I try to close the exercise rings on my watch as often as I can. I thank God for grace, forgiveness, and for opportunities to grow in love each day. Luke 10:27 is one of my favorite verses.

I care about you. Dwayne and Mandana, along with Bishop Bard and the Cabinet, have helped me and are entrusting me with this beautiful privilege of prayerfully being United Methodists in the Greater Southwest District together. Let us love God with heart, soul, strength, and mind, and our neighbor as ourselves.

Peace,
Dean

1-1 with the District Superintendent

Posted on by Nordbrock

Rev. Dean Prentiss, our new District Superintendent, has set aside time in July and August for annual 1-1 conversations with those appointed and assigned in the District.

Some are by Zoom and others will be in person in the District Office.

Check your email for the link to schedule your 1-1.

Please complete your reflections on the 2024 1-1 Questions and email them to the District Office no later than a week prior to our time together.

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Greater Southwest District