United Methodist Student Day

Dear Friends,

      On this United Methodist Student Sunday we give thanks for those who have been called into professional ministry from First UMC of Brighton. Ministry in the name of Jesus Christ comes in many forms. Countless people from First UMC have served in areas of mission and ministry over the years. A few have made ministry their career or are currently pursuing God’s call.

      Members of our church have been employed by Appalachia Service Project. Jessy Stark is a missioner for His House Ministry.

      Margaret Kivisto was sent from this church to be the pastor of Linden UMC and Argentine UMC in 2004. In 2008, Beth Titus was ordained an elder and now serves at Calvary UMC in Ann Arbor. Loretta Job was ordained a Deacon in 2010. Bob Miller, who is now the pastor at Plainfield UMC and Trinity UMC in Fowlerville was commissioned as a provisional elder in 2012.

      In addition to past members of our congregation who are now serving as clergy, we have a number of people who are in the process of preparation to be clergy. Sue Pethoud is a candidate for Deacon. She has finished her seminary work and now serves at Cass Community Social Services. Bryan Kilpatrick attends seminary at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Dan Phillips, a student at MSU, is a candidate for ministry and will enter seminary next year.

      Most recently, Suzy Hutchison became a declared candidate for ministry.

      Here at First UMC we celebrate a “culture of call”. We work to be a place where individuals can explore how God is calling them to live out a life of faith. Could God be calling you to specialized ministry or to serving a church as a pastor? If you have questions or are curious about where the call might lead, talk to me, Pastor John, Deacon Loretta or Suzy.

Blessings,

Pastor Sherry