The annual convocation of the Michigan Area UMC Historical Society takes place April 18 in Mt. Pleasant. Come celebrate Roots and Branches of Michigan’s Methodist churches.
DIANA MILLER
President, Michigan Area UMC Historical Society
Do you know how old your church is? Do you realize your church is part of the historic development of the United Methodist Church in the Michigan Area? No matter when it was founded, it is important to be aware and celebrate the ministry that has brought you and us to where we are.
Our next Roots and Branches Convocation will be Saturday, April 18 at the Clark Library at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant from 10 am – 3 pm with lunch included. The theme will be “Learning from Past Separations: The Methodist Protestant Church.” The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Melanie Young, pastor of Ovid United Methodist Church and past Chairperson of the former West Michigan Commission on Archives and History.
Other topics will be
- “The Story of Rev. Anna Howard Shaw: First Woman Ordained by the Michigan Protestant Church” presented by SMU Student Intern Joyce Vanderlip serving at Fenton UMC.
- “The Identifiable Methodist Protestant Church still in Michigan” presented by William McNitt, former archivist at the Bentley Historical Library and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor.
The Annual Meeting of the Society will also take place during this gathering.
During the convocation, certificates will be presented to those churches that are celebrating anniversaries in 25-year increments: 100 years/1920; 125 years/1895; 150 years/1870; 175 years/1845; 200 years/1820. Those churches who are celebrating one of these anniversaries this year are asked to notify MAUMCHS by April 9 in order for certificates to be prepared. Click here for the form. Please contact Diana Miller at [email protected] or call 989-426-2644 with questions or to receive an application if you are unable to print the form.
Clergy and laity from across The Michigan Area, especially historians of churches and others interested in preserving church history, will want to attend. Representatives of churches being recognized are especially encouraged to be present at this convocation. Click here for the registration form.
The Area Historical Society officers are Diana Spitnale Miller, President; Sharon Scott, Secretary; and Della Wilder, Treasurer. The Area Society continues to expand membership. We hope you come to the convocation and annual meeting to learn more.
Last Updated on September 20, 2022