Sycamore Creek UMC reinvents ministry by opening its Stage One Performing Arts Center, an innovative community theater on Lansing’s northeast side.
FAITH GREEN TIMMONS
Michigan Conference Communications
This is an exciting season for the city of Lansing. Stage One, the first theater venue of its kind in the area, just opened in the Eastwood Campus of Sycamore Creek Church (UMC). Stage One Performing Arts Center is a thespian’s dream, finally offering a permanent home for actors, directors, and other itinerant artists to share their gifts with the community.
The opening of what is essentially a theater house galore also represents a new way of doing ministry. Stage One is a creative collaboration between Sycamore Creek’s multi-campus congregation, Peppermint Creek Theater Company, Ixion Ensemble, Hope Central Urban Arts after-school program, and several Lansing area small businesses.
Lead Pastor Tom Arthur has served Lansing: Sycamore Creek United Methodist Church since 2009. Established as a new church start in 2000, Sycamore Creek has grown into a three-campus ministry. Rev. Michal White, Rev. Mark Aupperlee, and Pastor Arthur work together shepherding the church’s South Lansing, Potterville, and Eastwood Campuses and share the preaching.
Pastor Arthur explained that the newly acquired and renovated space on Lake Lansing Road resulted from Sycamore Creek “adopting” the former Lansing: Asbury UMC. Thus, it represents an exciting, innovative opportunity for the church and the residents in the area.
Arthur explained that unlike a church merger or ministry collaborative, Sycamore Creek’s three campuses operate as one. The three sites share a combined leadership board, guided by a single mission: ignite authentic life in Christ, fan it into an all-consuming flame followed by intentional efforts to encourage all to be curious, creative, and compassionate. Their goal is connecting, growing, and serving everyone regardless of age, race, gender, or sexual orientation.
“A lot of people talk about doing community, but this is words put to action,” said Lansing Mayor Andy Schor during the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, September 30. This event was one piece of a full weekend celebration for Stage One and Sycamore Creek.
Josh Pompey, the regional manager for a credit union opening soon across the street, chimed in, “What they are doing will soon have my butt back in the church again, taking a seat.” He explained that hurt has kept him away from the church for decades. However, this unique grassroots venture has him ready to try out a new worship community after decades of disillusionment. He represents one of many members of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce who are celebrating this new venue and community space.
Sycamore Creek’s Stage One Performing Arts Center is a theater-style multi-use worship space equipped with extensive lighting and audio equipment, plus the latest technology for preaching, performance, or other artistic expressions. Plus, the venue’s space can be configured to accommodate up to 200 people. The church’s basement will serve as an incubator kitchen for several food startups that will also provide catering for events.
In addition to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the weekend offered several free events that were open to the community and two fundraisers. Broadway star Blaine Alden Krauss, of Hamilton fame, performed, followed by a day of curated tours to show off the ministry’s new coffee house and a black-tie gala. The festivities culminated in Sunday morning worship, a youth performance, and live music. The grand opening weekend offered something for everyone.
“Our goal is to foster diversity and inclusion in the faith community,” said Pastor Arthur. Smiles emanating from the faces of local vendors, bakers, the owner of a new tea and coffee startup, friends, parishioners, and curious area residents seemed to indicate that this new budget-friendly collaborative effort celebrating the arts is a long-awaited gift for the city of Lansing.
Editor’s note: Meet Faith Green Timmons, a new writer for Michigan Conference Communications . . .
Faith is an ordained United Methodist elder of 22 years and a former journalist. Early in her career, she reported for Detroit media outlets WDIV, WWJ (Newsradio 950 AM), and WJR (760 AM), and WBZ in Boston, and contributed to The Detroit News as a freelancer. Faith has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Wayne State University and master’s degrees from Harvard Divinity School (MDiv) and Yale Divinity School (STM). Previously, she was awarded a United Methodist Communications Stoody-West Fellowship and an Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence for her work at Family Life Radio, where she served as news director.
Last Updated on October 18, 2023