Meet our past contributors...
We have been blessed to have so many people share their gifts with us during the course of this journey. Here is a little information about those who have contributed to make this possible. Their past devotions are still available in the Archives that are available on the right hand side of the Devotions page.
|
Serving: Williamston UMC
Bio: Sari Brown is a preacher, poet, and priestess of song who lives in the gap between cultures, where she cultivates beauty and curates dreams. She began her calling to create spaces of spiritual growth and social transformation as a singer/songwriter, and has since answered the call to ordained ministry. She has lived in Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Brazil, where she has been a missionary, anthropologist, theology student, pastoral intern, English teacher and amateur enthusiast of Andean culinary arts and folkloric dance forms. She has been living in her home state of Michigan since 2016, where she is currently a provisional elder in the United Methodist Church. She is currently passionate about accompanying the community of immigrant dairy farm workers where she serves, helping her churches cultivate spiritual disciplines that lead to social engagement, and taking walks in nature with her delightful canine companion, Brisa. |
|
Serving: Trinity Sebawing UMC and Bay Port UMC
Bio: Heather Nowak is a preacher, mom, poet, and adventurer. She currently serves at Pinconning and Garfield UMC as a local licensed pastor. She graduated from Rochester University with a degree in Organizational Leadership and now is working on a Masters of Divinity at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. She is the mom to four incredible daughters and loves to explore nature through cycling, hiking, and kayaking. She also has an affinity for cute dresses and shoes. She is passionate about making God’s love visible and inviting others to join in this kin-dom venture. |
|
Serving: Freeland UMC
Bio: I am currently serving in my first full time appointment at Freeland UMC located in the Central Bay District, where I was appointed in July 2017. Prior to that appointment, I was appointed to Poseyville United Methodist Church just down the road from Freeland UMC half time while I completed my M-Div from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. In my spare time I enjoy outdoor activities - biking, camping, kayaking, hammocking and hiking. I've enjoyed taking advantage of the nicer weather during this social distancing on my bike to do driveway visits with parishioners who live in my neighborhood. As a pastor, I am passionate about creating opportunities for people all ages and abilities to connect with our loving God. |
|
Serving: Birmingham First UMC as Deacon of High School and Young Adult Ministry
Bio: Sarah is a sassy, justice-minded Deacon in our conference. Deacons are called to connect the church and the world. Sarah's specialization is youth and young adult ministry. Prior to serving at Birmingham: First, she was the director at Motown Mission as director, and Livonia: Newburg in the area of youth/young adults & communications. An expert at using spreadsheets, growing tomatoes, distracting a toddler, and organizing a junk drawer, Sarah is a Michigan native. She attended seminary at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio and Eastern Michigan University for undergrad. She lives in a Birmingham First parsonage with her partner, daughter, and detested Beagle. |
|
Serving: Burt UMC and Birch Run UMC
Bio: Laura is a Puerto Rican born in Illinois. She went to Kindergarten, and started first grade in Chicago, when her parents decided to go back to the Island. Therefore, she grows up in Puerto Rico, went to Public Schools from 1-12 grades, and pursues a Bachelor Degree in Tourism at the Sacred Heart University in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Almost nineteen years ago, she moved from Puerto Rico to Tennessee. In TN she worked about four years at a call center for a car insurance company, in Brentwood. From there, she started working for the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD), of The United Methodist Church (UMC) in Nashville; for close to six years. During that time, with a three years grant (2008-2011) she was deployed from TN Conference of the UMC to build a Hispanic Ministry at West Nashville (which is still going). In August of 2011, she went back to College, and completed a BA at Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, TN with a Major in Pre-Seminary; and almost completed a Minor in General Psychology. Then, she moved back to Nashville, where she completed a Masters of Divinity at Vanderbilt University. The Senior Seminar Project (thesis), and her short research was in Feminization of Poverty. She was able to design a holistic program in handcrafting and micro businesses to move women from poverty to self- sustainability. The Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns at GBOD grant her $10,000 to test her women’s program: WHEN, Women Holistically Empowered and Nurtured. The Pilot Project was successfully launched at her local church in Antioch. It ran for only eight month, positively impacting 23 participants in such a short period of time. After that, she accepted a full time appointment as Licensed Local Pastor, and moved to the city of Grand Rapids, MI in July of 2018. Currently, she is the Pastor at La Nueva Esperanza UMC, located in the Boston Square area in the south east of Grand Rapids. Along with a committed group of volunteers from the local church, she was able to start six small community outreach programs for the Latino Population in Kent County, Michigan. In the midst of the Corona virus pandemic, Laura is starting a new two point charge appointment in Burt and Birch Run, Michigan. Thanks be to God! |
|
Serving: Caledonia UMC
Bio: Elizabeth Hurd is a Provisional Elder in the Michigan Conference, serving at Caledonia UMC in Caledonia, MI. She's from Port Huron, MI and grew up in Port Huron First UMC. She loves hiking with her dog, Lucy, going to any of the Great Lakes, any form of comedy, and camp ministry. |
|
Serving: Martin UMC and Shelbyville UMC
Bio: Hailing from Northern Michigan Corey joins us with a heart for justice. A graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary in DC, Corey has been involved in a small collection of podcasts and has recently taken up the art of blacksmithing in an effort to live out that prophetic call towards the people beating their swords into plowshares. |
|
Serving: Orchard United Methodist Church-Farmington Hills
Bio: Nick Bonsky is a pastor who loves to laugh, but never hesitates to push a conversation deeper. This combination is likely because of his time as a youth leader, and later youth pastor to Jr. High and High School groups for the previous 15 years of his life. Nick is in his first appointment as a commissioned Elder at Orchard UMC where his primary focus has been on Youth Ministries as well as Men's Ministry in the church. Nick attended seminary at Methodist Theological School in Ohio, and completed his undergraduate degree at Western Michigan University. Nick has a passion for technology, and any chance he has to share this passion with someone else he will, enthusiastically. In his free time, Nick co-hosts a pop culture podcasts with his friends, and enjoys going on a nice leisurely jog when the weather allows it. Nick lives in Farmington Hills with his wife, Lesley, his son, Elijah, and their black lab, Lucy. |
