Report of the Executive Director, January 10, 2009
United Methodist Union of Greater Detroit Report of the Executive Director
To the Executive Committee, January 10, 2009
While every day brings a slew of phone calls and at least one unique challenge, I have comfortably settled in to my responsibilities. People have been both patient and helpful. Hopefully, I have been able to reciprocate in kind. Do I have a growing number of impressions about this job? Of course. But in a world where “instant experts” are always irritating and often wrong, kindly allow me to remain on the “novice side” of the learning curve for a few weeks longer.
In addition to problem-driven items on my daily agenda, I have maintained a steady diet of meetings attended, visits recorded and relationships sweetened. While putting the best foot forward for the United Methodist Union, my secondary goal has been to put the best face on the United Methodist Union. Cementing relationships is every bit as important as caulking leaks.
Concerning matters that need your attention, might require your direction, and would most assuredly benefit from your discussion, let me include the following:
Detroit: Exousia United Methodist Church 12819 E. 7 Mile Road property
We are still working to finalize our rental agreement with Pastor Dowdell and the congregation known as Glorious Grace Covenant Ministries. A signed Building Lease exists. Minor building issues have been addressed. Still others are in negotiation. Utilities have been largely transferred into the congregation’s name. But occupancy has not occurred because funds in the amount of $3,000.00 have not been forthcoming. All things in time. One hopes.
18035 Wildemere property
This home in University Park (north of 6 mile Road between Livernois and Woodward) is once again vacant. The City of Detroit disallowed the use to which this former parsonage was being put – as a temporary housing facility for five individuals and a round-the-clock manager placed by Cass Community Social Services and Rev. Faith Fowler. As of December 31, 2008, no one is living on site. But furnishings belonging to Cass remain. We have since handled a few maintenance items (including snow removal) and have taken steps to give the home a lived-in look. The question: Should we re-list the home for sale or wait until another appointment season has required its use?
Pontiac: First United Methodist Church
This congregation will vote to close January 18, 2009 with the church building and parsonage reverting to the United Methodist Union. Quit Claim Deeds will be prepared. The last few remaining members will likely relocate to Bloomfield Hills: St. Paul United Methodist Church. We have sent Scott McCarrick into both buildings (neither of which is presently occupied) to assess the situation. He has repaired (Friday, January 9, 2009) two matters at the parsonage that required immediate attention. The first involved an overheated pipe coming from the boiler which has already scorched and blackened a basement ceiling beam. The second involved water damage from a leak that cried out for a mold-preventative application. I authorized Scott to give emergency attention to both matters and hope to have costs available for you when we meet.
Detroit: Metropolitan United Methodist Church New Church Start
This issue will require a sharing of history that is too lengthy and detailed to print in this report. I will attempt to summarize the relevant material verbally. Rev. Dr. Ken Christler was a participant in this process and fully intended to comment upon it at this meeting. I have familiarized myself with the issue through conversations and face-to-face meetings with Rev. Tonya Arnesen, Rev. Dr. Eugene Blair, Rev. Carl Gladstone, Rev. Duane Miller and Rev. George Spencer.
It is a more-than-likely possibility that a pastor will be appointed (this year) to start a new congregation and would share Metropolitan’s historic building with the present congregation. Such a decision will be independent from, but related to, a wider concept known as a “Ministry Center” at 8000 Woodward Avenue. It is also clear to me that this cannot occur without our involvement. I have no requests or proposals to bring at this time. But in the interest of “avoiding surprises,” this discussion needs to be launched now, especially since it involves “multiple outcomes” from our Strategic Planning Conference in October 2008.
Respectfully submitted,
Rev. Dr. William A. Ritter, Interim Executive Director