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.
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 Branch Conference Schedule
2024 Church Conference Forms Checklist
For those in their first year of an appointment:
Good Beginnings-SPRC
Good Beginnings-Pastor
District Lay Leader, Lori Roof, introduces ways lay people in local churches can serve at the District and Conference levels.
Feeling called to serve? Fill out the District Leadership Application.
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!
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
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.
My name is Cesar Garcia-Rodriguez, I am appointed to the new Latinx Church Plant of the Greater Southwest District. Working in the mission of The United Methodist Church is the most exciting work and purpose of life; to be witness of the transformation that the grace of God brings to our community as we visited the migrant camps and the Hispanic families who are already established in Van Buren County.
One of the most impactful moments of this past year, was when leading a Spanish Bible study at the parsonage, God working in the unity of the families, by studying about the grace of God working in every person and how to bring families together; even through games and a dinner we could experience the Holy Spirit restoring the bonds of parents and children.
And the ministry is just beginning; we are so excited to announce that this summer even more things are going to happen with the Hispanic Ministry in our district.
Miriam Peralta De Garcia is appointed to work full-time along with me in the new Latinx Church. Thanks to the support of the Michigan Conference and generous donors, this will be possible starting the first of July; along with the establishment of the Hispanic Community Center in the facilities of Paw Paw United Methodist Church who has opened their doors to host this ministry.
Through this Center we will be offering classes and services to the Spanish-speaking community. We are currently in need of equipment: such as 15 padded folding chairs, a whiteboard, and office supplies (white paper, printer ink, pencils, tape, etc.).
This summer once again, we are working closely with the Van Buren Intermediate School District’s Migrant/Multilingual office, which offers a summer program to migrant children. This year again we will support them with 300 reusable plastic water bottles that they need during the summer school hours.
Along with that, we continue the partnership with the Department of Labor of Michigan State, Migrant Agricultural office to support the Bienvenidos Event, which welcomes migrant seasonal workers and their families. Several agencies come together to offer services; we are going to put together a welcoming kit, which includes hygiene products for the entire family: shampoo, soap, deodorants, sunscreen, etc.
If you or your church wants to support or donate to the community center, the summer program, or the welcoming kits, please contact me (269-569-4962 or [email protected]) or send a check to the district office.
Get ready for the annual United Methodist Day at the Kalamazoo Growlers!
Sunday, July 21 @ 1:35 pm
Tickets include a reserved seat and hat for just $14.
Come and meet the new District Superintendent!
Courses are free – order your own book and bring a sack lunch.
You must attend all sessions to earn credit for the course.
Registration deadline is one week prior to the first session.
Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century
Saturdays, May 4 & 11 | 9am-3pm | Parchment UMC
Led by Carla Gillespie
Required book: Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century by Richard H. Gentzler, Jr.
Are you inspired to learn new ways of helping your congregation develop an intentional and comprehensive ministry that is by, with, and for Boomers, Gen X’ers, and others in their golden years? These are the older adults who often play leading roles in our congregations. This course explores innovative and practical ways of helping congregations develop outstanding ministry with members of our Baby Boomer Generation and beyond. It offers a rich learning experience that includes knowing more about the aging process and the developmental stages of midlife and older adulthood and how we can best shape our ministry.
We are currently seeking people who want to respond to God’s call in their life by helping to set the vision for the continuing United Methodist Church in the Greater Southwest District. Ask your pastor for details or contact your District Superintendent for more information. We are looking for leaders for the following roles within the District:
Board of Church Location and Building: We are seeking persons acquainted with real estate sales, the work of trustees and general knowledge of parsonages. This committee approves sales of church property and reviews proposed building plans.
Finance: We are in critical need of a District Treasurer. This person would be responsible for monthly bank reconciliation and keeping track of fund balances. This position could be a paid position, but it is very part-time.
District Director of Lay Servant Ministry: This person would work in cooperation with the rest of the Lay Servant Ministry Team to schedule Lay Speaking/Lay Servant opportunities in the Greater Southwest District and to communicate with local churches about the availability of online training opportunities.
District Leadership Team: We are seeking persons with an interest in connectional mission and ministry and a desire to equip and engage the people called United Methodist in Southwest Michigan so that every church offers a foretaste of the Kingdom of God. Responsibilities of this team will include planning District Training Days, reviewing and approving applications for ENGAGE and Fresh Expressions Grants, and setting a vision for the continuing United Methodist Church in the Greater Southwest District.
