The United Methodist Church of Alanson, Michigan, invites you to worship with us on Sundays at 9 a.m., under the wisdom and guidance of Pastor Kathryn Cadarette.
Pastor Kathy is an ordained minister and has been guiding the Alanson and Harbor Springs United Methodist Church members since July 2003. We are all blessed to have her in our lives.
Pastor Kathy lives with her husband, Pastor Dave (of Hilltop Mennonite Fellowship in Petoskey, Michigan), in northern Michigan. The Cadarettes have three children and seven grandchildren.
Upcoming Events
Choir practice normally meets at 7 p.m. on Thursdays unless otherwise notified.
FLASH!!! For anyone who cannot attend services, whether because of the weather, being out of town, illness, etc., we have added the above buttons called "Sermons" and "Bulletins" where PK's sermons will be posted for you to read and the weekly bulletins are also shared. We hope you feel even more connected with your chuch family by these additions! You may need to add the free reader to your computer to open the bulletins, which you can get at www.adobe.com
Be sure and check out the two videos of the combined choirs under the "Videos of Activities" button above, as well as photos of 'The Hanging of the Greens' under the new "Christmas '09" link...all taken on November 22, 2009.
Happy Thanksgiving! No choir or bible study during this week.
Miscellaneous holiday items: The Poinsettia sign-up sheet is in the Narthex. Bring an ornament to hang on our the 'family tree' in honor of your family.
The Alanson United Methodist Church will celebrate the 1st Sunday of Advent on November 29th at 9 a.m. Pastor Kathy Cadarette's sermon is "A Candle of Hope" with scripture from Luke 21 and a responsive reading of Psalm 25. Myriam Goodwin will be the guest pianist. Liturgist, John Neeley, will be lighting the first candle of the Advent wreath. Children's Sunday School will be offered downstairs following the children's message.
The combined choir will practice with Gig Stewart on Wednesday, December 2, at 6 p.m. in Harbor Springs. Please plan to get there by 5:30 with a dish to share for a quick potluck before practice.
The New Hope UMC will have its Bazaar on Saturday, December 5, from 9-noon.
Also on December 5, from 10-4, is the craft and bake sale at the Alanson school, with proceeds going to local missions. Please plan to bake something for our sale!
December 5 is one busy day! The confirmation class kids will be going on a shopping trip to Traverse City, leaving the Harbor Church at 9 a.m. Lunch will be provided. Youth should bring money for gift buying for their family members.
Dress rehearsal for the Children's Drama will be at 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 10, at the Harbor Church. Kids will have a fitting for their costumes and practice their reading parts. Then, be at the December 13 Sunday worship to see the play in action!
Christmas Eve services will be held at 5 p.m. on December 24. Our friends from Hilltop will be joining us this year and is always enjoyable.
The Red Cross is asking for blanket donations again this year for Project Connect. New or gently used blankets are acceptable and will be collected now through the end of January. Last year over 727 people attended Project Connect, so the need is great and your donation of a blanket is greatly needed and appreciated!
For those of you who are planning your 2010 summer, Vacation Bible School will be from August 2-6. Our 2nd Annual Camp Petosega weekend will be the last weekend of July.
[Check back here often for updates, as events are always unfolding!
(Below photo: Pastor Kathy with her puppy, Ruthie, and her best sidekick, Haley!
Past Week(s) in Review
Be sure and check out the new Bulletin and Sermon buttons for additional information! If you have problems, let PK or Robin know. You may need the "free" adobe reader, which you can find at www.adobe.com
On November 22, we had 50 members in attendance, who were in for quite a treat with the great voices of the combined choirs. Be sure and check out the videos elsewhere on this site.
About 24 people showed up for a potluck and to Hang the Greens in the afternoon. Great food and great fellowship were in abundance, and the little church on the hill is now looking very festive. Thanks to all who participated.
Prayer concerns this week: Several friends and family of our church for health issues (especially Pastor Kathy's sister, Shannon, Pete and Ann R., Robin's friend, Bob, and Dorothy S.); as well as job losses and traveling mercies; for the volunteers helping out the Red Cross, UMCOR, and especially our service personnel; and for all those in need that you privately ask for addtional prayers for.
Below is a photo of candles lit in honor by the church family on All Saints Sunday (11/1/09):
The hours and contact information for the Alanson United Methodist Church is:
The church secretary, Mary Spanburg, is available on Mondays, 9 to noon, and on Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9 to 3. The church office is closed on Fridays. Mary can be reached at the Harbor Springs' church office at (231) 526-2414.
The Alanson United Methodist Church is located at 7330 Chicago Street, Alanson, Michigan 49706, across the street from the Littlefield School (a block off of U.S. 31). Just turn up the hill at the sole village light and you'll find us on the left-hand side of the road! The direct telephone number to the church is (231) 548-5709. Mail for Alanson members may be sent c/o the Harbor Springs UMC at 343 East Main Street, Harbor Springs, Michigan 49740. Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey has emergency contact information for Pastor Kathy if the need arises.
All faiths are invited to share worship and communion with us. The Alanson United Methodist Church offers worship services at 9 a.m. on Sundays. A Children's Message and Sunday School coincides with Sunday worship services. An Adult Study Group meets casually after services in the church hall, at approximately 10:15 a.m. Communion is offered on the first Sunday of the month. A special offering for UMCOR is collected on the last Sunday of the month. Beautiful instrumental and organ and piano music are provided by Marion Kuebler and accompanied by Marga Eickholt on cello, and we are often graced with wonderful choir voices from our membership under the tutelage of Marion.
Special services and events occasionally take place, and weddings, baptisms, etc., can be scheduled through the church secretary. The hall is available for rent. We currently host the Women's Resource Center playgroup on Wednesdays.
Vacation Bible School is held during the summer, yet many other activities (hayrides, shopping sprees, etc.) are held throughout the year for our young parishoners and their friends.
Some history of the Alanson United Methodist Church...
The United Methodist Church of Alanson was founded in 1889, and we look forward to celebrating our 120-year anniversary soon! In the 1940s, the congregation joined with the then-Presbyterian Church, moving into the latter's building where it continues to worship. This building is 125 years old this year, and while the original church remains intact, an addition and improvements to the building have been made over the years, resulting in a beautiful worship area, plus a full kitchen and hall area (available for a donation for parties), as well as two bathrooms. Access to the church is handicap accessible. The average worship attendance is 46. Services are given in English.
Many members of the church have experienced and shared many of their life's highs and lows with the church. We support our members and their families and friends, and we have a prayer call chain when times of extra prayers and support are needed by anyone.
Donations of non-perishable foods and paper products to benefit the Nehemiah Project Hospitality House (a homeless shelter), located in Petoskey, Michigan, are collected and delivered by church members. Please feel free to occasionally bring items to drop in the box when you come to worship.
The Alanson United Methodist Church is part of the West Michigan Conference, and information about the Conference can be found at http://www.westmichiganconference.org/ Additional information about the United Methodist Church and its principles can also be found at www.umc.org
Also, feel free to visit the Harbor Springs United Methodist Church website at http://umcharborsprings.weebly.com to see what's taking place at our sister church.
Last update: 11/25/09, by RLB