ORCHARD HARVESTER Monthly Newsletter of Orchard United Methodist Church
October 2014
COLOR ME FAITHFUL by Rev. Suzanne Goodwin
P olling results are inconclusive regarding the favorite-month status of October, but one thing is sure:
October is a palette of treats for the senses. The cool snap in the air makes it impossible to deny
that summer is truly over and it’s time to put away those shorts. On the other hand, the smell and taste
of hot apple cider, the sound of the marching band warming up for that football
game, and the incredible beauty of the brilliant autumn colors against a deep
blue sky are enough to remind you that God is an artist who loves us beyond
measure!
This is a God I want to get to know better, and I hope you do too! This month
there are so many opportunities to draw closer to God, grow in faith, and get
more deeply connected to others who are seeking to do the same. Several of
our offerings are brand new such as our new Current Events in the Café;
Samson – a biweekly devotion for men of all ages; and October FunFest – a full-
congregation celebration of the harvest! And, of course, there are plenty of
traditional favorites such as Pumpkin Patch, the return of South Oakland
Shelter, and the continuation of many classes and studies.
Look inside for more information about all these offerings and more. Make plans
to join us and get connected. And don’t forget to invite a friend!
IN THIS ISSUE
All Saints’ Day ............ 8
Bible Basics ................ 4
College Students ........ 2
Color Me Faithful ........ 1
Current Events ........... 4
Drive Thru Nativity ..... 8
E-Connections ............ 3
In the Life of Orchard . 7
Mark Your Calendar .... 8
MOO Events ............... 4
October FunFest ......... 6
October Opportunities 4
Orchard in Mission ...... 5
Orphan Train .............. 1
Prayer Concerns ......... 7
Pumpkin Patch ........... 6
Rev. Carol’s Letter ...... 3
Social Media ............... 8
SOS ........................... 5
Spotlight Orchard ....... 2
Transitions ................. 2
ORPHAN TRAIN A Special Presentation
J oin us for an informative father-son
presentation on the orphan trains that transported children to the Midwest during the Depression when their parents couldn't afford to keep them. For more information on this subject, check out The Orphan Train: A Novel by Christine Baker Kline, which captures
the harsh realities of this Depression-era practice. Invite your friends to join us for this fascinating presentation.
Thursday, October 23 beginning at 11:30 a.m. Contact JoAnn Cline at (248) 553-3686 for more information on this presentation and our active
seniors group, the Funtastiks.
Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.
William Cullen Bryant
Page 2
SPOTLIGHT ORCHARD
Each month we highlight a group, a friend, or member of Orchard to see how they are finding ways
to shine God’s light out in the world. Contact Deanna Kohl if you have a suggestion for a future Spotlight candidate!
DR. MARY FRANZEN CLARK
E veryone knows Dr. Mary Clark. She’s the
polished, beautifully put-together woman who
serves as the Chair of our Adult Education
Committee and the President of the Dr.
Tom Clark Fan Club (!). She exudes an
intelligent and competent
professionalism that some might find
intimidating until you have an
opportunity to meet her, and discover
that she has a deep well of faith and a
love for God that is her true source of
beauty.
Dr. Mary and her husband, Tom, are
both doctors of psychology—at the
forefront of their fields of expertise.
Together, in 1983, they formed Alpha
Psychological Services with the intent of
providing professional excellence in
therapy and counseling in a practice
where faith is the basis of their value system.
Mary has always been a person of faith, but when
challenged in grad school by an atheist professor to
respond to the question, “What do you live by and
why?” Mary went back to the gospels with the intent
to read them as a biography. This experience led
her to a profound rediscovery of the amazing person
of Jesus, and in so doing, solidified her commitment
to walk with him throughout her life. She will tell
you that following Jesus is an adventure
and the “most exciting thing.”
You might not have realized that Dr.
Mary is an adventuress! Just ask her
about her travels and how many of our
national parks she has visited. You also
might not know that Dr. Mary has a
passion for cooking and entertaining.
She is known for her soup ministry
which allows her to indulge that passion
for creating in the kitchen and for
visiting with the people with whom she
shares it. While you might know that
she is an expert in the field of
psychology, you might not know that
she is extremely gifted in sharing her
faith and inviting others to discover theirs through
the classes she leads on Sunday mornings.
Orchard is a place of connection through which
God’s blessings often flow in surprising ways. Meet
Dr. Mary and may God bless your connection with
her!
“God’s word is amazing and wonderful, uplifting and grounding.
The more we learn to love it, the more it becomes our rock of faith.” Dr. Mary
TRANSITIONS After careful deliberation, Julie Updyke, who has been serving as our Director of Children’s Ministry, has decided to resign her post. Julie’s life is action-packed with her three young
sons, and the adventures that seem to follow them everywhere (broken arms, flooding basements...). Julie remains a valued and active member of our congregation and ministry team, but will begin transitioning out of her official role later this month. Please
join us in thanking her for her passion and service to our children’s ministry!
COLLEGE STUDENT ADDRESSES
Did you know that in addition to our Exam Week Care Packages, Orchard also sends a monthly Harvester to each of our beloved college students? Please make sure that we have your student’s current address by contacting Deanna Kohl in the office
at (248) 626-3620 or [email protected].
The Updykes—Ben, Julie, Linus, Henry, & Oscar.
SHINING GOD’S LIGHT INTO THE WORLD!
TENDING
THE ORCHARD
O ne of my favorite Sunday
afternoon activities (after
Lions’ football ) is
reading Mitch Albom’s column
in the Detroit Free Press. Last
Sunday, his title caught my
attention: “When sorry seems
to be the hardest word.”
Sorry has always been a
powerful word with the
potential to open hearts to
reconciliation, the extension
of grace, and even forgiveness. Maybe that’s part of
the reason why corporations, politicians, and even
policemen in Ferguson, Missouri have started to use it
more often.
Some people struggle to say “I am sorry” in the midst
of their everyday lives. A person’s willingness to take
responsibility for their own choices and actions is not
always their first response. The urge to “CYA” or
point the finger at someone else is pretty strong in
most people. Yes, the blame game is alive and well in
America.
Seeking forgiveness is a major part of the Jewish
high holidays that many of our neighbors are
celebrating. Last week it was Rosh Hashanah, the
Jewish new year. As part of a special meal, they ate a
piece of apple dipped in honey to symbolize their
desire for a sweet new year. Rosh Hashanah also
marks the beginning of Ten Days of Repentance
which culminates on Yom Kippur, October 3rd, the
day of atonement.
As Mitch Albom wrote:
It is a lesser-known but integral part of
the Jewish high holidays, going on right
now, in which people atone for their sins
not only with God, but with one another.
They must show remorse to everyone in
their circle. Not just the people they know
they wronged. Everyone.
”Will you forgive me if I’ve done or said
anything this year that has hurt you?”
That’s how it’s supposed to go. Every
friend. Every neighbor. Every colleague.
We Protestants know a bit about celebrating the
new year and making resolutions that we try to
keep for at least one day or two. But Mitch
Albom is talking about something different…
something more profound. Maybe we ought to
take a little direction from our Jewish neighbors as
they are getting ready for Yom Kippur, the day of
atonement. The question for us is not, “who needs
our forgiveness,” but “who do we need to ask for
forgiveness.”
At Orchard, we often think of repentance in terms
of making things right with God. Atonement is
making right those relationships that we have
broken. I suspect that most of us have one or two
of them.
The phrase “I’m sorry” from a contrite heart can
breathe hope and life into damaged relationships.
Extending yourself, receiving forgiveness, sets you
free to enter into a new day—a new year— with
hope and possibilities.
Our Jewish neighbors have it right. Let us join
them in reaching out. Grace given and grace
received. Who knows how it might change this
troubled world we live in.
Blessings,
Page 3
ORCHARD’S E-CONNECTIONS
Orchard has many ways for people to connect through the internet, including Facebook, Twitter, and our
own webpage which is chock-full of information about our church and upcoming events.
Caring Connection is our email distribution which keeps parishioners up to date on
prayer concerns. In order to keep from overwhelming people with daily emails,
we will make every effort to update this list twice a week with exceptions made
for serious and time-sensitive concerns.
Midweek Connection will be sent once a week and will provide reminders about
what’s happening this week at Orchard.
Please contact DyAnn ([email protected]) or call the church office (248-626-3620) if you wish to
receive these emails.
CURRENT EVENTS IN THE CAFÉ Second Mondays at 7:00 pm beginning October 13th
J oin us for a cup of coffee and some Christian dialog on the events of the day
that challenge our faith. This once-a-month class led by Dave Albery begins
on Monday, October 13th at 7:00 in the Café. Bring your Bible and any news
items you’d like to share.
BIBLE BASICS Tuesday, October 28th at 7:00 pm
Does the Bible baffle you? Have you ever tried to read it and been
stumped before you made it through the first book? Join us for a fun
evening of Bible basics (led by Rev. Suzanne) and learn a little bit
about how to navigate this foundation of our faith!
Page 4
OCTOBER OPPORTUNITIES Check out these calendar-friendly periodic and special programming opportunities
SAMSON – A BIWEEKLY DEVOTION FOR MEN Beginning Thursday, October 7th at 7:00 pm
This four-week devotion series for men will meet
every other week and will use the story of Samson
as a platform for discussing places of opportunity
for men to grow in their faith. Nick Bonsky is taking
the lead on this study which will meet in the parlor
beginning on Thursday, October 9th at 7:00. For
more information, contact Nick by calling
(586) 944-3292 or at [email protected].
DARE TO BE UNCOMMON—A MEN’S RETREAT October 10th—12th
Be part of the gang going to Oscoda on the
weekend of October 10-12. Plans are in the works
for canoeing and kayaking on the Au Sable River,
golfing, and lively discussions centered around the
Tony Dungy book Dare to Be Uncommon. Contact
Doug Rick at [email protected] or by calling
(248) 478-4065.
Men of Orchard (MOO) are sponsoring two events in October
Saturday, October 4th
Led by local United Methodist Churches, in partnership with Gleaners Food Bank and other local sponsors, Hands4Detroit is a one-day
opportunity for service and community building. Serving both Detroit and Pontiac with over 40 sites, we will rake, clean, garden, replace
and build as we nurture new and old relationships with our neighbors
across the Metro-Detroit and Pontiac area. Join our Junior and Senior High youth – we truly need your Hands 4 Detroit! Sign up to volunteer at www.hands4detroit.org.
Thank your for filling the donation basket full of needed items for the people in these cities. If you would still like to donate, please have your items in by Friday, October 3rd.
Sunday, October 5th
Christians all over the world will
celebrate World Communion
Sunday. Included with this
newsletter is an envelope for
this special offering taken
throughout the United Methodist
Church on that day.
This year your generous gifts
will support World Communion
Scholarships, Ethnic Scholarship
and Ethnic In-Service Training
programs, and will help equip
racial and ethnic students in the
United States, as well as international students,
to help transform their churches and communities.
Please remember to bring your envelope in on that
Sunday, or mail it into the church office, attention
Suzanne Reddy.
Page 5
ORCHARD IN MISSION
...faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove… James 2:18
ORCHARD HOSTS GUESTS FROM SOS October 26th- November 2nd
O rchard will again host guests from the South Oakland Shelter (SOS) program from Sunday evening,
October 26 - Sunday morning, November 2. SOS is a non-profit agency based in Lathrup Village
focused on providing shelter, food, career building, counseling and housing assistance to men, women, and
children. It is a transitional program designed for those trying to improve by removing themselves from the
cycle of homelessness. Orchard participates in this valuable mission by hosting about 30 guests every
night. Our guests stay in the church overnight, receive dinner, breakfast and a packed lunch for the next
day, and are driven to jobs or to the SOS office every morning and taken back to the church in the
evening. We will need about 200 volunteers to help during the week with daily activities such as driving,
preparing meals and hosting at the church, as well as one time activities such as setup, laundry, Saturday
breakfast and cleanup.
There are several ways to volunteer this year — sign up at the SOS display in the narthex; scan the QR
code below; or contact Sara Ganser for the link to Sign-Up Genius for SOS volunteers. Sara can be reached
at (248) 910-7656 or [email protected].
Volunteer today to share Orchard’s
hospitality and to connect to the best parts of yourself!
Page 6
There will be something for everyone at the October FunFest
on Saturday, October 18th! Watch your email for our new Midweek Connection
with more details and remember to check your Sunday bulletin!
PUMPKINS & MISSION
O rchard has a unique reputation for linking pumpkins and mission. People in the community know us
as the “Pumpkin Church.” But people in a variety of places all over the eastern half of the country
know our youth as a group of students who swoop in for a week and provide a concentrated dose of
home rehab and repair, as well as a liberal sprinkling of Christian love and
concern for neighbors unknown.
Even as our youth (approximately 42 of them) are making plans to provide
service in a Native American community in June, pumpkins are being
harvested to arrive here at Orchard on Thursday, October 9th. Every
pumpkin we sell helps us to enable our students to learn about our
neighbors in need, to grow in their faith, and experience the intrinsic
blessing of serving others.
We invite you to join us for the festive unloading at 4:00 on October 9th.
Bring gloves and a wheel barrow if you have one. We’ll supply the donuts
and cider!
We also encourage you to sign up to tend a shift in the patch sometime
during the month of October. You’ll find it’s nice to be out in the crisp
autumn air and an opportunity to meet people in the community and share
a little bit about Orchard’s passion for mission and ministry.
Finally, please help us to spread the word that the best pumpkins in town
are available here at Orchard – special pumpkins that help our youth to be
the hands and love of Jesus in a community that needs to receive them.
Pumpkin Patch is open daily from October 10 through October 31 Sign up in the church office, or on the church website, go to the Youth page, then Fusion (Sr. High)
Page 7
IN THE LIFE
OF ORCHARD
Connecting people to God… to each other… and to the best parts of themselves!
In the life of Orchard, we believe in the power of prayer.
Join us in intercession, thanksgiving, celebration, and remembrance.
WE PRAY FOR…
Cathy Albery’s friend, Beverly Galligan Sherman The family of Lesley Bonsky’s friend, Eileen Cicone Frances Childress Nancy Haight Melissa Hall’s friend, Loretta Mandel Tracey Hammaren’s friends, Laura Desilets and her father and Elizabeth Schuch and her husband Marcia Harmon’s cousin, Alan Raines Vivian Henderhan’s cousin,
John Gustina Sheri Hick’s mother-in-law, Jane Hicks The Hubbs’ family friend, Morgan Martin Davis Rev. Carol Johns Kara (Lamson) Kenny Anthony Kosiba Esther Kulhavi’s mother, Trinity Moreno Debbie Lamson’s neighbor, Renetta Lynne Lehmann’s friends,
Susan and Stephanie Kall Jim Lowe’s friend, Robert The family of Hilary Mahon’s friend, Bob Love Barbara and Bob Mark’s grandson, Nick Mark Missie McSweeney’s sister, Millie Speed Todd Morell’s brother-in-law, Doug Flo Nauman
Karen Porter’s father, Cecil Collins Marianne Rinker’s mother, Ann Graham Michelle Rosenblum’s aunt, Fritzi Rott, and her brother, Paul Rappaport Ronald Rucker’s friends, Ruth Siepney and Felix Guy
Rob Rudnick’s father, Robert Rudnick Brad Snider and family Melissa and Mike Stafiej Susan Stone’s friend, Sandra Stone John Trenkle’s friends, the Wittlingers Mary Ann Trenkle Barb Van Haren’s friend, Joyce Paul Wagner’s mother, and relatives Rosalie and Harry Kelly Betsy Watson The family of John Young’s friend, Kenny Krausman
WE REMEMBER…
Sue and Bill Young’s son-in-law, Tom Carr (August 26, 2014) Gary Van Haren’s uncle, Dennis Millgard (August 30, 2014) Sara Moore’s sister-in-law, Patricia Moore (August 31, 2014)Barney Coon (September 2, 2014) Mari Anne Wilks’ grandfather,
Herb Judd (September 13, 2014) Mary Oliphint’s sister, Margaret Rosenbalm (September 16, 2014) David Ballentine (September 26, 2014) Verlin Tate (September 27, 2014)
WE ARE THANKFUL FOR...
Bob and I wish to thank our Orchard family for the love and support expressed in so many AMAZING ways during our recent nuptials. We were thrilled to see so many familiar faces celebrating our much-anticipated wedding day with us, and to know that
others, who could not be there in person, were upholding us in prayer. Words seem far too inadequate to fully express our appreciation for EVERYTHING that was done to provide us with a perfect day we will NEVER forget! To be surrounded by such love, from both family and friends, gives us a wonderful start for the rest of this journey. DyAnn and Bob
During this difficult time of hearing a
cancer diagnosis words cannot express how much I appreciate the support of our Orchard family. The cards, phone calls, and prayers have been overwhelming. They have meant more than you will ever know and I can only say how very thankful I am. Sue Darold
The Rev. Paul Webster (left), Missionary at
Mujila Falls Agricultural Centre in Zambia, and
his colleague, Andre Kanjimana (right), helped
lead worship on September 21. Cathy Albery (center) is our Missions Chairperson.
Moments from our Worship in the Park
on September 7, 2014
Alex Hamilton says,
“That’s one BIG flower!”
Orchard United Methodist Church
30450 Farmington Road
Farmington Hills MI 48334-1939
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
The Orchard Harvester is the newsletter of Orchard United Methodist Church. The November 2014 Harvester deadline is October 20th.
E-mail articles may be directed to Deanna Kohl at [email protected]
Pastors: Rev. Carol J. Johns and Rev. Suzanne K. Goodwin Worship Services @ 9:00 & 11:00 am with Christian Education @ 10:00 am
Phone 248 626-3620 Fax 248 626-6836 Web Site: www.orchardumc.org
Non-Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Farmington, MI
PERMIT No. 216
Page 8
Find us, like us, share with us, and share us with others on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
CONNECT US WITH TODAY!
Return to Bethlehem Drive –Thru Living Nativity
Sunday evening, December 14th
Start saving those clean, rinsed out, and no caps milk
jugs!
Talk to Suzanne Kosiba (248) 661-2461 and Julie Wright
(248) 473-8433 about how you can get involved.
Think about all the friends you’re going to invite and start
talking! :)
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
ALL SAINT’S SUNDAY
November 2, 2014 is All Saints’ Sunday, when
we will remember those in our church and family
members who have died since October 15, 2013.
Please bring a photo of your loved one with your
name, relative’s name, relationship, and date of
death. Please have your photos to the church office
by October 30th. If you have any questions, contact
Linda Hall (248-626-3620, ext. 35).