News & Notes
David Persons Visit
Missionary David Persons will be with us for a potluck at 6 pm, Sunday, April 7. David is Dean of the Mulungwishi Theological Seminary (Faculté Mèthodiste de Théologie) at The University of Katanga at Mulungwishi. For more information about David and his ministry, visit the Missions and Outreach page of this website.
Eating with Eight
Eating wiht Eight is an opportunity to share in fellowship for the purpose of getting better acquainted. The host/hostess is to arrange the date, time, and meal with the assigned guests and also provide the home/location. The guest is to bring a planned dish to share in the meal (breakfast, lunch, brunch or dinner). Organizing will take place in March with the hope that the gatherings will be completed in April and May before summer schedules begin. To take part, contact Carol Yeomans-Phelan by March 17 by phone at (517) 629-5723 or (517) 740-2504, or by using the contact form on this website, or by completing the following form. You may drop the form off at the church office or in the offering plate.
I(we) would like to participate as a
____host(s) number______
____guest number______
Name(s)____________________
Address (for host)_____________________________________________
Phone _______________________
Email ________________________
A New Way to Give—Electronic Contributions (EFT)
Many of you have asked if it could be possible. Now it is! First United Methodist is embracing technology and offering a giving option that may be more convenient for many of you, the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Program.
Here is how it works: you authorize a specified amount of money to be transferred directly from your checking or savings account to the church account. You choose a donation frequency: semi-monthly or monthly. Indicate the amount of the contribution and how it should be divided. Then complete an authorization form that will be made available (with name, address, and bank information), mail it to the church or drop it in the offering, and we will arrange for your savings or checking account to be debited as you select.
The EFT program is fast, safe, and easy. In fact, it is less risky than checks, as it cannot be lost, stolen, or destroyed in the mail, and the rate of accuracy is high. All EFT donations will be reflected on your quarterly giving statements, and your bank statement will provide you with a record of transfer as additional proof of your donations. Of course, you can cancel your authorization of transfer or change your donation amount at any time by notifying the Financial Secretary.
This program is sponsored by the United Methodist Church and was tested by the UM General Council on Finance and Administration.
The Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) program yields very significant benefits for our church and makes life easier for you:
- The satisfaction of giving to God first
- Less work for church volunteers in processing the collection
- A more predictable income flow for better planning
- Improved cash management with less labor
- Easier personal budgeting
Of course, the traditional choices remain, we understand that the EFT giving option is not for everyone. Some may feel that the act of writing out a check or putting money in an envelope is an important element of sacrificial giving. We will continue to provide offering envelopes for everyone. All donations for missions and special projects will be received in the traditional way.
posted May 26, 2010