The Michigan Conference is requesting support for After the Storm and Midwest Mission in response to recent ice storms in parts of Michigan.
District News
Lay Equalization Members to Annual Conference Needed
Annual Conference 2025 is May 30-June 1. Would you like to attend AC 2025 as an Equalization Member representing the Northern Skies District? Please complete and return the application HERE. Please note: there will be a $50 fee at registration for all Equalization Members. You will be notified when the application process is complete. Questions? Please contact the District Office: [email protected].
Message From Camp Michigamme
We are excited to announce our theme for the upcoming summer. This summer, we are returning to the foundational elements of faith and prayer.
Available for Purchase from the District Office
It can be said that where people came to the U.P. to work, there the Methodist church was to bring the gospel!
The book starts with Methodism in the U.P. that began in the early 1830s and was primarily to the Indian Communities in Sault Ste Marie and Keweenaw Bay. It covers a brief history of the trials and hardships they had to go through in those early days. Shortly after that, with the mining and lumbering booms, the book covers the different forms of Methodism that arrived with with those industries; i.e. the different ethnic churches that sprang up. We had English speaking, Finnish speaking, Swedish speaking, Norwegian-Danish, and some German. Also a short history of different conferences like the Free Methodist, Methodist Protestant, and Methodist Episcopal which then morphed int the United Methodist, and now of course the Global Methodist has evolved.
Most of the remaining book covers all the “ghost” and current Methodist churches that ever existed in each of the 15 counties with a short history of each that could be found. Historical pictures that were available are shown along with colored photos of current active churches in the U.P. There are roughly 330 Methodist appointments or congregations that no longer exist in the U.P.
The reader will discover U.P. towns that they never knew existed!
The cost of the book is $22 and includes shipping, pick up is not available. To purchase the book mail a check payable to Northern Skies District to 927 W. Fair Ave., Marquette, MI 49855, and include the address you want it sent to.
United Women in Faith Mission U Events
JOIN US FOR MISSION U IN 2025
Thursdays: 6:30-9:00 p.m.
January 9, 16, 23, 30, 2025
Couldn’t attend the Mission u in July? Now is your chance to participate virtually on your own or gather a small group of people from your church as we discuss the 2024 theme of ‘Welcome Home’. Together, we will explore how we can know God as an intimate friend who welcomes us while we discover what it means to live in the kin-dom of God and how this helps us develop practices for healthier communities. This inspiring study will be led by Steve Taylor, an active Home Missioner from the North Carolina Conference. Enroll yourself or a small group of up to five people for $30 plus the cost of your book. Registration deadline is January 3. For more information or to register, visit this link or contact Mission u Registrar Sally Messner at [email protected]. This class has been approved by the Michigan Conference Lay Servant Ministries Team as a renewal class for Certified Lay Speakers and Certified Lay Ministers.
MISSION U WEEKEND FOR ALL AGES
July 17-19, 2025
First UMC of Mt. Pleasant
“Hope as Resurrection People” is the 2025 theme and we will explore the hope that emerged with a small community of followers after the resurrection of Jesus that changed the world. Out of so much confusion and fear following the crucifixion of Jesus, grew a “Resurrection People” steepled in hope who began living out their faith in powerful ways. Plan now to attend and watch for registration to open next spring.
Bishop Announces Listening Tour
Bishop David Bard announced a listening tour to meet with United Methodists as he begins his final term as resident bishop of the Michigan Conference. The tour will start in Marquette on November 23. This is the first of four stops, concluding on January 11 in Grandville. The sessions will not be live-streamed or recorded.
Ways to Support UMC Hurricane Relief
Two powerful hurricanes have devastated the southeastern United States in a short time. Here are ways you can join our United Methodist response to these disasters.
Ministry Shares
2024 Ministry Shares can be found by clicking HERE.
2025 Ministry Shares >>>
Grants & Loans are Available!
Emerging Ministries Grant provides seed money for new ministries which will be on going (as opposed to one-time) projects. An Emerging Ministries Project can receive support for up to three years. Possible uses might include program and or material resources, staff funding, administrative expenses. Maximum grant available per project shall be $1500. This grant is funded through the Northern Skies District Conference. Download a grant application.
Creative Ministry Grant provides incentive to encourage new creative ministries of outreach and program development which might otherwise not be possible because of local budgetary consideration. This grant is funded by the Northern Skies District Conference. Download a grant application.
Capital Improvement/Project Grant is available to assist churches in completing capital projects or improvements that are beyond the reach of the local church. The amount of the grant will be determined by the District Leadership Team. This grant is funded by the Northern Skies District Conference. Download a grant application.
Loans from District Leadership Team:
One of the functions of the Northern Skies District Leadership Team is “to operate as a lending agency for the financing of church property” (By-laws: article III, section 3). Presently the board has a maximum loan request cap of $20,000. The board wants to be in ministry to all United Methodist churches in the Northern Skies District and to help meet needs and emergencies. Download a loan application.
Update Your Information
We don’t want you to miss anything!
Please be sure to make your local church leadership changes in Brick River, the Michigan Conference official database. Both district and conference staff use Brick River to email important information to your local church leaders. Need a tutorial how to update? Here is the link to the tutorial.
https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dashboard-Training-Text-1.pdf
Questions about updating your local church dashboard in Brick River? Please contact Pamela Stewart, Database Manager [email protected].