Greetings, Sisters and Brothers!

It is my privilege to greet you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!  Can you believe that He has called us into His service and we have responded with obedience and faithful service?  At least I pray that is true in your life and mine.  I am grateful that my parents, grandparents, and some family before that, were led to the Church of the Nazarene.  In the old country, they tell me, we were Swedish Lutherans.  When my people moved to America, apparently, the Lutheran Church here was not like they remembered in the old country.  For different reasons they landed, eventually, in the Church of the Nazarene and it stuck.  It became my heritage. 

When God called me to be a pastor in my church I answered that call with excitement and enthusiasm, as much enthusiasm that is possible for me.  Carla says that I am pretty laid back.  I remember my first church in Austin, Texas.  When Carla and I arrived there were about 20 people in that little church, but we were anxious to get started.  I can remember getting ready for my first district assembly.  I had no clue how to fill out my pastor's report so I called my dad and he walked me through it.  I can actually remember being excited for my first district assembly.  I could not wait to report for my little church and those faithful people.  As I look back on all that, I can honestly say that it never crossed my mind that I had an option not to participate in just about everything that came along.  In other words, I got with the program and, for the most part, liked it.  I paid my budgets and it was not always easy.  I went to district events many of which I just felt were not optional and no DS had to tell me that.  That is how I saw my dad live throughout his time as a pastor.  We just simply were part of the program.  It is what it meant to be a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene and I signed up for it, knowing what was expected.  This church is our heritage.  This District is our responsibility.  Your church is a gift from God.  That's right, even your church.  Handle with care!!!

For some reason the giving for the District Unified Budget is lagging way behind this year. I am wondering why.  We are struggling to keep up with our commitments to our auxiliaries and we are way behind.  The district advisory board finance committee met this week and is proposing more cuts to present to the DAB.  This new, lower, budget will be dealt with in the next DAB meeting and something will be presented for your consideration in the district assembly.  We are now cutting some of our fixed costs in the district office.  There is nothing else to do under the current circumstances.  The DAB finance committee wrestled with these issues and, I believe, has come up with a multiple-pronged plan.  I think we will make progress with this plan.  However, if everyone looked at participation as a responsibility rather than a tax, we would not be in this situation.  I understand that some of our churches are doing the best they can under some heavy local financial burdens, but, there is no excuse for the level of participation in other cases.  After all, this is what you signed up for.  Is participation possible even where you live and serve?  O, brother!  Do I even need to say it?  Okay, here goes!!  With GOD all things are possible!

After communicating with you like I have, I need to remind you that I love you all and thank God for you.  I had the privilege of being with Pastor Jim Hauser and the Lakeland Area Ministries people on Sunday.  It was a rather small group but the worship service was a blessing to me and the regular ministry that group does for the community through their clothing distribution is amazing for their size.  Thank you, Pastor Jim, for your faithfulness to God, His people and the people in your community.  Oh yeah, just a small side note.  Pastor Jim's budgets are paid up to date.  Thanks, again, Pastor Jim, for participating.  God used you to encourage me this past week. 

Father, encourage the most discouraged pastor that is reading this right now.  Help my sister or brother to know that you are with them always.  Help them to know that I am praying for them.  Help them to seek you with all their hearts.  Pour out your Spirit on them where they serve today  AMEN!!

Sincerely and prayerfully,

Chuck Sunberg

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SAVE THE DATE

• District NMI Convention-June 14, 2014 at Canton First

• Celebration of Praise Service-June 15, 2014 at Canton First-6:00 p.m.

• District Assembly and Ordination-June 16, 2014 at Canton First

Click here for a copy of this Flyer 

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 QUICK LINKS  

 UPDATED DISTRICT CALENDAR 

Greentown 

90TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 

The Greentown Church of the Nazarene will celebrate our 90th anniversary on Sunday morning, March 30th @ 10:00 AM. Former pastor, Rev. Ed Spangler will be our guest speaker. Special music will be provided by different groups and individuals.  

A carry in dinner will be served at noon, following by an Open House from 1:00 - 3:00 PM. Please join us in our celebration. The church is located at 10031 Cleveland Avenue NW, Greentown.

REGIONAL BLAST - JUNE 12-14

  PLEASE SEND MEDICAL RELEASE FORMS AND PAYMENT TO Molly NO LATER THAN APRIL 15TH

(one check per church payable to EO NYI)  

Need forms?  Go to http://www.eastohionyi.com/  or http://www.mvnu.edu/blast/  

• Go to www.mvnu.edu/blast TO UPDATE YOUR CHURCH.  Follow these instructions. 

1. "Online registration" -> "church registration" -> "EO"
2. DELETE ANYONE NOT ATTENDING REGIONAL
3. UNCHECK any categories in which participants did not qualify for regionals
4. ADD MEALS and HOUSING option
5. VERIFY GRADE and T-SHIRT SIZE
6. ADD ANY SPECTATORS NOT ALREADY LISTED

• MAIL Medical Release Forms and Money to Molly (first come first served for on-campus housing based on timing I receive ALL of your churches forms and money).

• FEES:
  • Participant: $40     Spectator: $30     Adult Sponsor: $20
  • On Campus Housing: $20/participant & spectator $10/adult
  • Meals: $35
  • All fees are non-refundable after May 1 and non-transferable after June 1.
     

• Familiarize yourself and your students with BLAST rules and event specific rules/requirements found in the "Handbook" which can also be downloaded at:  www.mvnu.edu/blast

Additionally, 5K, Math, Tennis and Archery are events that do not require district qualification. Participants who expressed interest in these events at district BLAST will be listed with the regional qualifiers; however, any others may sign up by April 15th.

On-campus housing is VERY limited and will be assigned solely at my discretion.  I will do my best to (1) stick to "first come first serve" - so please update your church ASAP; (2) not split churches between on-campus and off-campus housing. Should you desire or need to stay off campus, a list of available hotels is included in the BLAST Handbook.

Finally, please make sure you send at least one adult for every six students staying on campus. Thank you for your continued help and support. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,                                                                               

Molly Davis

CANAAN ACRES

CHRISTIAN CAMP

PRESENTS:

"A FISHERMAN'S WEEKEND"

May 23-25, 2014 

WHO:   PARENT AND CHILDREN AGES 10 -14      

       (A LEGAL GUARDIAN MUST ACCOMPANY CHILD)

WHAT: LEARN ABOUT MANY ASPECTS OF "FISHING", WATER SAFETY, AND MORE

WHEN: MAY 23-25, 2014     (MEMORIAL WEEKEND BUT NOT MEMORIAL DAY)

                     FRIDAY EVENING : 4-6PM REGISTRATION ; SUNDAY - 5PM DEPART

WHERE: CANAAN ACRES CHRISTIAN CAMP IN LOUISVILLE

COST: $135 PER PERSON, LIMITED TO THE FIRST 25 KIDS PLUS A PARENT, WHICH INCLUDES

1. LODGING, MEALS, SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE

2. ALL EQUIPMENT NECESSARY TO FOR USE. (POLE IS PROVIDED FOR USE)

3. ALL EQUIPMENT NECESSARY FOR TEACHING AND FISHING

4. TAKE HOME TACKLE BOX with LOTS OF "FISHIN STUFF" INSIDE

5. MANY OTHER PRIZES ALONG THE WAY  

CONTACT: CANAAN ACRES CHRISTIAN CAMP FOR QUESTIONS (330-875-1660)

or PASTOR JOHN LEE: 330-733-1545. LEAVE MESSAGE AND PHONE NUMBER AND YOU WILL BE CONTACTED.

Click here for a Word flyer 

Click here for a PDF flyer 

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Welcome to the 2013-14 MVNU Lecture/Artist Series!  

Join us this year as we explore a variety of exciting and thought-provoking speakers and events.  

We encourage you to provide feedback on any of the following performances or about things you'd like to see in the future. 

The following events are FREE and open to the public. 

• Duo Orfeo
  Wednesday, March 26, 7:15 p.m., R. R. Hodges Chapel Auditorium
http://duoorfeo.com


• Ray Blunt
  Wednesday, April 2, 10:20 a.m., R. R. Hodges Chapel Auditorium & Wednesday, April 2, 7:15 p.m., R. R. Hodges Chapel Auditorium
http://crossedlives.org/author

 

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is once again hosting Leadercast, an outstanding leadership development event. Leadercast will be broadcast on MVNU's Mount Vernon campus LIVE from Atlanta on Friday, May 9, from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

If you are looking for an affordable and effective leadership resource for yourself, your staff or volunteers, you won't find a better opportunity than the 2014 Leadercast.

We also hope you'll share this exciting opportunity with your congregation. We've created several downloadable promotional resources especially for churches. You can find these and other information at mvnu.edu/leadercast.

Space is limited, so make plans today to attend the 2014 Leadercast on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

SPEAKERS INCLUDE: 

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