Next steps as doors close on MARC
6/4/2012
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WMC) -- On June 1, the Rev. Benton Heisler, Director of Connectional Ministry, announced that the Michigan Area Resource Center (MARC) will be discontinued, effective September 1, 2012. "The Conference Leadership Team made this prayerful decision May 9, 2012 after several months of reflections and intentional efforts on multiple occasions to increase participation and funding across the Michigan Area of the UMC," Heisler said. "A lack of sufficient usage by congregations, for any number of reasons, and reductions in funding, has led us to this decision.
There are some archive materials that will remain in the Conference Center and some materials that will be reserved for use by Conference Staff and District Offices.
The West Michigan Conference Treasurer’s Office will be sending participating churches a refund for the final third of 2012.
MARC members may request up to 10 items from the MARC to keep as their congregation’s materials. They will simply need to pay a flat fee of $20 for the shipping. Requests will be received beginning July 1st.
After July 15, MARC members may send a second request for up to another 15 items. Again you will need to pay a flat fee of $20 for the shipping of these items.
Items will be provided on a first come first served basis. Items may be reviewed on the MARC Web site or email Betsy Weems, MARC Director, and arrange a time you can come and visit the office at 11 Fuller, Grand Rapids.
The only requirement for receiving these items is a willingness to have the church’s name and contact information be compiled in a spreadsheet of the resources and posted on the Conference website. This will allow other congregations to contact you directly, and at your discretion, share these resources with others.
"As a participating congregation you have helped provide these resources and we are pleased that we can return some of them to you," Heisler said.