This Church 'Hits Different!'
Sycamore Creek United Methodist Church, East Lansing, seems to be a well kept secret. Probably because not many devout persons are aware that its Eastwood Campus at 2200 Lake Lansing Rd. recently opened last fall.
Pastor Tom Arthur and his wife Sarah, along with a compassionate and supportive staff, are leaders of this new faith community.
“A lot of people haven’t given up on God or Jesus but are about to give up or already have given up on the church because of its silence about racism and its exclusion of LGBTQIA+ people,” Pastor Tom says.
According to the pastor, Sycamore Creek is a church that has moved from the suburbs into the city to start a new campus that will be an asset to the community by platforming artists, entrepreneurs and all people who are multi-culturally curious, creative and compassionate.
“We keep the best of faith and leave the rest,” says Pastor Tom. “We love Jesus AND Justice.”
So if you’re looking for a new faith community where you don’t have to check your questions or your brain at the church door and want to feel thoroughly welcomed as you are and no matter who you are (Black, brown, male, female, LGBTQIA+, etc.), then Sycamore Creek Eastwood is the church for you to check out. There are currently two other associate campuses: South Lansing, 1919 S. Penn, and Potterville, 105 N. Church St.
Last fall Pastor Tom led the adoption of the Asbury UMC (church with the big red roof) that has become Sycamore Creek Eastwood.
The sanctuary is also an arts hub Stage
The church with the 'Big Red Roof'
Never before in Lansing has a 100-200 seat affordable stage been made available to community theater groups and artists of all kinds at the Sycamore Church Eastwood campus. This is the result of a partnership between the church and theater groups: Peppermint Creek Theater, Ixion Ensemble and Hope Central Urban Arts. Stage One features community theater, jazz, dance, poets and musicians performing their art.
The church is very active in the community with many monthly events, a book club led by Sarah Arthur and small group opportunities. One of the groups is the LGBTQIA+ and Allies which meets every Tuesday, 7-8 pm at the South Lansing Campus.
According to the group description all are welcome who are LGBTQIA+ or Ally and states. “Together we will learn about the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community and how the church has harmed those who identify as members of the community. The premise that we will be working from is that all LGBTQIA+ persons should be fully accepted and included in all aspects of the ministry of the church with no limitations on them due to their gender identity or sexual orientation.” For more information contact Pastor Tom Fox of the South Lansing Sycamore Creek Church at: preacher1947@yahoo.com for more information.
A few of the over 50 events and groups include the Lansing People’s Assembly with Pastor Arthur for an organized monthly gathering led by One Love Global. The people’s assembly takes place on the 4th Tuesday, 6-8 pm, 3525 S. Martin Luther King Blvd, Suite B. and is a community-driven process for deeper civic engagement in local government decision-making in what Lansing can look like in the present and future. The Space Between Us is a discussion on how Jesus teaches us to live together when politics and religion pull us apart. The program CORE organizes opportunities to eliminate racism, both causes and effects, within the body of believers and throughout the world to create a community of Christian antiracists in Lansing.
Sycamore Kids Creek is a nursery available during Sunday church service from 10:30 am to 12 pm for kindergarten and under. Check your child in before the service and take them with you to worship. They will be dismissed right before the message. Children will only be released to the parent that checked them in. Connection Cafe is open Sunday mornings before service. Grab a coffee or tea and bring it in to the worship area. Coffee Shop Conversation is also held at Biggby’s Lake Lansing and enjoy a drink with Pastor Tom during Pastor in a Pub time at Zoobies.
For more contact info: tom@sycamorecreekchurch.org; www.sycamorecreekchurch.org and #sccmi #scceastwood #wehitdifferent
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