Metro Update

The Rev. Julie Dix has been selected to lead Grand Rapids Metropolitan Ministry beginning July 1, 2010. Dix, an ordained Deacon with more than 15 years experience in ministry in the West Michigan Conference, seeks to build and nurture life-giving bridges between the church and the metropolitan community. She brings strong pastoral gifts, deeply grounded in spiritual formation, along with a concern for struggling urban congregations to her new role. A resident of the City of Grand Rapids, Dix has served the community previously as Chaplain of the Clark Retirement Community and Chaplain of Spectrum Health, Blodgett Hospital. She also served on the pastoral staffs of First United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids, and for the last five years, First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo.

A major focus of her work in the initial stages will be to support and assist Metro churches in launching and establishing Communities of Shalom in neighborhoods around the city. Currently, four sites, incorporating ten congregations and community ministries are undergoing extensive training and planning. In addition, she will work closely with Grand Rapids District Superintendent Laurie Haller and the Urban Ministry Taskforce in consulting with urban congregations to build vital ministry in the city. According to Greg Martin, Metro Ministry’s Vice President and Chair of the Search Committee, “Julie Dix is a natural for this position. Given her history of involvement in the City, her knowledge of congregations and pastors, the trust level that exists with colleagues, and her dynamic vision for shalom and true partnerships with the marginalized, she will truly live out the calling of a Deacon to be a bridge, linking the church and the metropolitan area. The Metro Board is very excited by the opportunities her leadership will create.”

In addition to her pastoral roles, Dix also chairs the Order of Deacons for the West Michigan Conference. She succeeds Susan Hansen who retires after nine years of distinguished service to Metro Ministry.

United Methodist Metro Ministry of Grand Rapids seeks an Executive Director, either laity or clergy, to lead us in our mission of “inspiring and equipping United Methodists to serve Christ in transforming the Greater Grand Rapids area” beginning July 1, 2010. The Executive Director will have a passion for urban ministry and exhibit skills and abilities in developing, nurturing and growing Communities of Shalom sites in the metropolitan area, partnering with the Grand Rapids District around strategic issues related to urban ministry and congregations, building relationships among United Methodist congregations, and consulting with urban congregations when desired. This position may be part-time to full-time depending on the experience, gifts and interests of the person selected. Compensation and benefits will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Below are links to job description and information about Metro Ministry that will be helpful to those interested in applying for the position:

Job Description
Annual Report
2011 Application for Funding

Questions about the position and/or a resume with cover letter telling how you would lead us in fulfilling our mission may be addressed to The Rev. Greg Martin, Aldersgate UMC, 4301 Ambrose Ave., NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 or aumcpastor@gmail.com.

Labels: Grand Rapids Metro Ministry

We just published our annual report to the Grand Rapids District Conference. Please feel free to download the report for review. If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact us.

The West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church recently contracted with PRECEPT to provide a demographic study of the central southeast side of Grand Rapids and Kentwood. PERCEPT is recognized as one of the leading strategic information companies in the country and has completed demographic studies for many denominations nationally, integrating data about the religious attitudes, preferences and behavior of the American people. We are very excited to have this new information to help us develop more effective ministry within these local communities.

Below are the components of the study that you can download and review. This information will certainly be a valuable resource for Grand Rapids Metro Ministry and other West Michigan Conference ministries in the future.

Grand Rapids (49503) Demographic Study - Part 1
Grand Rapids (49503) Demographic Study - Part 2
Grand Rapids (49503) Maps - Part 1
Grand Rapids (49503) Maps - Part 2

Kentwood (49512) Demographic Study - Part 1
Kentwood (49512) Demographic Study - Part 2
Kentwood (49512) Maps - Part 1
Kentwood (49512) Maps - Part 2

PERCEPT SourceBook provides additional support and resource material designed to assist you in better understanding and utilizing information and planning resources provided by PERCEPT. Most of your questions regarding some aspect of the PERCEPT Information System will likely be answered in SourceBook.

Labels: Grand Rapids Metro Ministry

Grand Rapids Metro Ministry is launching an endowment fund to honor the Rev. Ronald M. Fassett, who died in Grand Rapids on All Saints Day, November 1, 2008. Ron became Executive Director of Grand Rapids Metro Ministry in 1983 and served until his retirement in 1994. During his time with Metro, Ron helped develop three ethnic congregations: Hispanic, Vietnamese and Native American. Ron organized GRUMP United Methodist softball teams (now the ecumenical Fellowship Softball League based at Wyoming Park UMC) and GRASP, Grand Rapids Area Service Project, now located in Olivet UMC and directed by Mike Marshall. The Fund will be held at the West Michigan Conference Treasurer’s Office and administered by the Trustees of Metro Ministry to benefit West Michigan Conference racial/ethnic ministries and service projects, in accordance with Mary Lou Fassett’s wishes.

Please consider making donations to this important endowment ministry. Learn more about the The Ron Fassett Fund for Justice.

Labels: Grand Rapids Metro Ministry