Haitian pastor to speak Thursday
TRAVERSE CITY -- The Rev. Chrisnel Lelievre, of Cap-Haitien, Haiti, will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday at Traverse Bay United Methodist Church, 1200 Ramsdell Road.
Lelievre is the district superintendent of Cap-Haitien Circuit of the Methodist Church of Haiti and oversees Methodist mission projects in the area.
Members of Traverse Bay United Methodist and the Grand Traverse District United Methodist Volunteer in Mission team worked on several mission projects in Haiti, which has been hit hard by hurricanes Gustav, Ike and Hannah this year.
The event is open to members of the community who would like to meet Lelievre for a time of worship and questions. For details, call the church office, 946-5323 or Michael Windover, 275-7483.
Swiss steak on dinner menu
GRAWN -- The Grawn United Methodist Women will sponsor a swiss steak dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the church, 1260 W. Silver Lake Road.
The dinner is open to the public. Cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children ages 5-12. There is no charge for children under 5. Proceeds will go toward local mission outreach. For details, call the church, 943-8353.
Best-seller is topic of conference
TRAVERSE CITY -- The Antioch Church and West Bay Covenant Church will co-sponsor a conference, "The Shack," from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 11 at West Bay Covenant Church, 12720 S. West Bay Shore Drive. The free conference is based on the best-selling book "The Shack" by William P. Young. The event will include audience dialogue. For reservations, e-mail: theshackconference@yahoo.com. For details, call Steve Rice, 944-9262.
Habitat holds information session
TRAVERSE CITY -- Habitat for Humanity-Grand Traverse Region will conduct an information open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 16 and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 18 in the Community Room at the Grand Traverse Mall.
Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian housing ministry that builds affordable homes in partnership with low-income families. Families are selected based on need, ability to make house payments of approximately $450 to $550 per month and a willingness to partner with Habitat by fulfilling 275 hours per adult of "sweat equity" by helping build their home and work on other Habitat projects.
Priority will be given to those who live and/or work in Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties. Registration is not required. Attendance is required at the presentation to be considered for a home. For details, call Nancy Kiogima, 941-4663.
Shawl ministry seeks knitters
TRAVERSE CITY -- Common Threads, a prayer shawl ministry, meets the second and fourth Friday of each month in the Arts and Crafts room at The Village at Bay Ridge, 3950 Scenic Ridge Road. The ministry is open to the public. Participants should bring skeins of yarn, size 11-13 knitting needles, or size M, N, or P crochet hooks. The next meetings are at 10 a.m. Oct. 9 and Oct. 24. For details, call 932-9455.
Bethany Christian gala fundraiser
TRAVERSE CITY -- Bethany Christian Services will sponsor its fourth annual Bethany Gala at 6 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Traverse City Golf and Country Club. Tickets are $65 per person and include a prime rib dinner and a silent and live auction. Proceeds benefit Bethany's adoption and foster care programs in Traverse City and northern Michigan.
The evening also will include performances by "Bethany children," including the children's choir from Christ United Methodist Church, a tae kwon do demonstration from Seung-Ni Academy and a "Nutcracker" selection from Dance Arts Academy. For details, sponsorships or to donate to the auction, call 995-0870.
Noted author to address pastors
TRAVERSE CITY -- Rainbow Bookstore will present its 2008 Pastors' Brunch at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 21 at New Hope Community Church in Williamsburg.
The event will offer new product presentations from Zondervan, Thomas Nelson, Tyndale and Baker Books.
Keynote speaker will be Don Piper, best-selling author, speaker, actor and syndicated columnist. His current book, "90 Minutes in Heaven: a True Story of Death and Life," currently is on the New York Times best-seller list.
Cost is $12 per person. Reservations are required by Oct. 6. For details, call 946-8800.
Entries sought for poetry contest
The Christian Poets Guild is sponsoring a special poetry contest with a $1,000 grand prize. The contest is free and open to everyone. Poems may be written on any subject using any style and can be written as love poems, nature poems or those that inspire the reader. To enter, send one poem of 21 lines or fewer to Free Poetry Contest, 1638 Dogwood Ln., Acworth, GA 30102 or enter online at www.freecontest.com. Entry deadline is Oct. 16.
Gospel sing at Grawn UM church
GRAWN -- Grawn United Methodist Church will sponsor its second annual Old Fashioned Gospel Sing at 6 p.m. Oct. 11 at the church, 1260 W. Silver Lake Road.
The concert will offer performances by three local groups, John and Carolyn Thompson and friends, Final Generation and Crossroads Gospel Band.
Groups combine for memorial concert
TRAVERSE CITY -- First Congregational Church Sanctuary Choir, NMC College Chorale and Chamber Singers, West Senior High Corale and the Grand Traverse Festival Chorus and Orchestra will join for the Mel Larimer Memorial Concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at the First Congregational Church, 6105 Center Road.
The program will include Vivaldi's "Magnificat" directed by Russ Larimer and Boccherino's "Gloria" directed by Mark Puchala.
Soloists include Hannah Brammer, soprano; Amy Baumann, alto and Trevor Kolle, tenor.
Handel's "Organ Concerto" will be performed by Sally Lewis. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Children under 6 will be admitted free of charge. For details, call 947-6698.
Kalkaska church holds steak dinner
KALKASKA -- Kalkaska United Methodist Church will sponsor their Swiss Steak Dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at the church, 2525 Beebe Road.
Swiss steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, dinner rolls, beverage and dessert will be available for $7 for adults and $5 for children ages 12 and under. Families of four or more can eat for $20. Carry-outs and delivery will be available. Tickets may be purchased from the United Methodist Men or at the door.
Turn old jewelry into tuition or cash
TRAVERSE CITY -- Gladhander is sponsoring a Gold Party from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 15 and Oct. 16 in the St. Francis Gym. They will be accepting old, unwanted or broken gold, silver and platinum jewelry which can be turned into cash or Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools tuition credit.
Local GIA-certified gemologist, jeweler and licensed precious metal buyer Judy Bryant, owner of Karat Carat, will be on hand to ensure participants receive the highest value.
For details, call Judy Bryant, 409-2659 or the Gladhander office, 941-4523.
Grant helps stock Manton food pantry
MANTON -- Manton Free Methodist Gleaners Food Pantry has received a grant of $750 from the Manton Area Rotary Club Fund. The funds are being used to support the efforts of the food pantry in supplying grocery and household items to Manton residents. Anyone living in the Manton School District who needs assistance or those who are interested in helping with the program should call the Manton Free Methodist Church, 824-3811.
Church offers Swiss steak dinner
EMPIRE -- Empire United Methodist Church will offer a Swiss Steak Dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at the church, 10050 Michigan St.
Cost is $9 per person. Parents and children can eat for a total of $18.
The event also includes a silent auction, crafts and baked goods. For details, call 326-5510.
Halloween dance at St. Rita/St. Joseph
MAPLE CITY -- The St. Rita/St. Joseph Men's Club will sponsor a Halloween Dance featuring Ken Rutkowski's Lake Towne Sound from Port Austin from 8 p.m. to midnight on Oct. 25 at parish hall, 9243 County Road 667. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10 and benefits the education department. For details, call 228-6641 or 228-5589.
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