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The staff of the Parish meet every
Friday morning at the Newberry church. We coordinate our
calendars, have devotions, share what is in our hearts,
and just generally support each other – a much needed advantage
due to our isolated areas.
The Parish Council, with staff and
representatives from each church, meets every four to eight
weeks. This group manages the budget of the Cooperative
and plans Cooperative activities.
In order to help the individual churches
of the Cooperative, the Parish Council voted in February
2004 to pay for the following:
The Upper Room and Michigan Christian Advocate
Paper for bulletins or specially ordered bulletins
Toner and ink cartridges
Internet service for the church computers
Tuning of the church pianos
Plans are under way for the Volunteers
In Mission Groups for 2005. Churches of the Cooperative
are turning in requests for work to be done in their communities.
So far, the groups that are coming are:
June 12-18 North Webster UMC, North Webster, Indiana
June 19-25 Manteno UMC, Manteno, Illinois
June 26-Jul 1 Port Huron First UMC, Port Huron, MI
June 30-Jul 4 Essexville St. Luke UMC, Essexville, MI
July 3 – 9 possible opening for a VIM team
July 10-16 Wisner UMC, Wisner, MI
July 31-Aug 6 Wichita First UMC, Wichita, KS
Aug. 7-13 Trinity UMC, Chesaning, MI
2005 is the 25th anniversary of God’s
Country Cooperative Parish. Although September 8th is the
actual birthday, we are planning a celebration on June 11th
because Bishop Keaton will be in the area. The Bishop will
celebrate communion and district superintendent Doug Paterson
will give the message. A meal and fellowship will follow
the worship service. We’re hoping for a really great turn-out.
The first volume of the history of
GCCP has been written by one of the founders – Audrey Dunlap.
The book was edited and published by Don and Karen Mars
and there are now two copies in each GCCP church, plus one
each in the District Office, the GCCP office, and the Archives
at Adrian College. We also plan to give one to Bishop Keaton
when he comes for our birthday celebration on June 11th.
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