Tag: Detroit: Central
A tribute to Vincent, mi amigo
![Bus ticket](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bistayi_bus_TOP.jpg)
Cheryl Bistayi shares how she learned valuable faith lessons from an unlikely friendship with a sojourner during Christmas. This is the first half of a two-part story.
Detroit church doors open for Ded
![Albanian couple at Detroit Central Church](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Ded-Free-with-Jill-and-Flora-courtesy-Paul-Perez.jpg)
“I can now breathe fresh air!” Ded Rranxburgaj declares with joy as he is able to leave Detroit Central United Methodist Church after three and a half years in sanctuary.
Deaconess serves in downtown Detroit
![Deaconess Anne Hillman assists in worship](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Detroit-Central-Ded-and-Flora.jpg)
Deaconess Anne Hillman is in ministry on the staff at Detroit Central UMC. She is one of four deaconesses currently serving in the Michigan Conference.
Ded continues in sanctuary in Detroit
![Ded Rranxburgaj in Central UMC](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Rranxburgaj-09-16-19-Mich-United-3-960.jpg)
A judge dismissed Ded Rranxburgaj’s suit against the government. The “Let Ded Stay” effort continues in the face of deportation.
They call Detroit Central UMC home
![Rev. Jill Hardt Zundel advocating for the Albanian family living at Central UMC in Detroit where she pastors.](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Rranxburgaj-03-17-2018.jpg)
When Ded and Flora walked through the doors of Central UMC in Detroit in January 2018, little did they know they would still call the church home 18 months later.
Albanian family still in sanctuary
![](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Ded-Garden.jpg)
Detroit Central United Methodist Church continues to house a family threatened with deportation. Fox 2 News out of Detroit gives a powerful update of what Ded Rranxburgaj is doing now.
MFSA office moves to Detroit
![](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/MFSA-Detroit2.jpg)
The Methodist Federation for Social Action has a new director and a new home at Central UMC in Detroit.
Marchers reach Lansing
![](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Ded-Walk-Bishop-1.png)
The nine-day march is over. The Rev. Jill Zundel and others arrived at the state capitol on May 22.
Marching for justice
![](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/March-Ded2-1.jpg)
Faith leaders including the Rev. Jill Zundel, Detroit: Central UMC, are on a nine-day march to Lansing.
Adjusting to life in a church
![](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Sanctuary-Detroit-6.jpg)
An update on the Rranxburgaj family after four weeks living inside Detroit: Central UMC.