Notes from April 14th Meeting

Pontiac Members Meeting
100 Chippewa Rd., Pontiac, MI 48341
April 14, 2024

 In attendance: Denise East, Deloris East, Stan Davis, Marlene Cowan, Richard Anderson, Evan Sangster, Sharna Rager, Charnele Trout, Keith & Danielle Lillywhite, John & Dana Bishop, Nathan Gray, Bishop Edwards, Bishop Monday, President Dance, Jim & Sallie Shipley, Kelly Sanchez, Matt Leavitt, Elder & Sister Goates, Elders Omorogbe, Elliott, Sykes & Smith

Richard Anderson prayed
President Sanchez on video
Discussion may be historic and shape future of church in Pontiac area; three questions to discuss:

  1. What would a marvelous work and a wonder look like in Pontiac?
  2. What would it take to see a marvelous work and a wonder in Pontiac?
  3. What would you be willing to do to participate in bringing about the marvelous work and a wonder in Pontiac?

Pontiac members input:

  • People in Pontiac have lost a lot of hope. They feel lost and forgotten.
  • Pontiac is a downtrodden, depressed city.
  • Many members spoke to the needs of the youth and the consensus was that we have to move forward for the youth. They need a safe place where they can gather for fun and learning. They want their kids to be around other members and socialize. We need activities for the youth and a place for the kids to come play, socialize, and learn. They need to teach the gospel and have fun. The youth are the prime consideration.
  • We need a place in Pontiac where people can gather together to worship and be safe. We need more sociality here.
  • We need a building larger than the house at 100 Chippewa Road where people can gather for activities. We need another ward building.
  • People don’t have transportation.
  • To draw people in we need energetic speakers and lots of enthusiasm. If we build it, they will come.

Missionary input:

  • When we choose to come together, we can make a marvelous work and a wonder happen. We need a building, and the youth are vital to growth.
  • Fellowship is really important to this discussion.
  • Moving forward with a unit in Pontiac will be a huge risk. We need to have the faith to accomplish this.
  • People here haven’t heard of the church before - that’s not a good thing. The name and building need to be recognized
  • Church building here in Pontiac will increase missionary work as a local building will give the church greater credibility
  • Get outreach with youth activities

Stake and ward leadership input:

  • Can we get the members in Pontiac to support a branch? We’ve been commanded to gather. A place to gather in Pontiac will greatly strengthen the church (and members) here in Pontiac.
  • We’ll need RS and Primary presidencies; this group will be the foundation.
  • This is a kickoff meeting to see what we can do
  • Pontiac members would come to the unit here, not to the Rochester building
  • We want to be involved in the community and to be recognized for who we truly are

Timing – how soon are we thinking about creating a separate unit and getting a place to meet?

  • President Dance replied that the stake is thinking about starting with something like what’s happening in Lexington. The Church rents a building in Lexington two Sundays a month and they hold sacrament meeting for the members in that area. They only have the building on weekends. Here in Pontiac we may want to go in a separate direction.

What does it take to become a branch? How close are we to meeting criteria for branch?

  • We need to come together to find out who’s actively coming to church
  • It’s good to feel passion and zeal in this room. Good to hear that we want it for the youth. Some people aren’t going to make it to church if we keep doing things as they are. Rarely ever a perfect solution that fits everyone’s feelings. Some recognition that isn’t going to sit everyone’s preconceived notion. We may have to sacrifice. Lake Orion Ward is willing to make some adjustments (Bishop Monday).
  • Outside families can be assigned to help with branches (President Dance).
  • The stripling warriors had Helaman to lead them. We need strong leaders
  • (Bishop Monday).
  • Some of us in the room will be key players with key responsibilities.
  • A seed of faith is being planted.
  • There are naming issues here as we already have a Pontiac Branch (Spanish).

Where’s a good place to have a building?

  • Anywhere in Pontiac
  • Many old schools are vacant, and the city is trying to sell them. There was a lot of support for getting an old school
  • Room to grow
  • A gym
  • A central location in Pontiac would be good.
  • We need decent facilities and good parking.
  • Transportation concerns
  • Many people don’t have transportation & a bus would be helpful.
  • A central location would allow people who are driving that way to pick up people who need rides.
  • It’s difficult for a family to provide rides and get to church on time.

Building Considerations:

  • Rent something short term to see how the momentum continues.
  • It needs to be the right size building. Do short term rental that gives sufficient space with room to grow; best to start small
  • Use another church building & use 100 Chippewa House for weekday meetings
  • President Dance would love a full-time rented building

Suggestions for buildings

  1. A chapel near the Oak Hill Cemetery (near John & Dana Bishop’s house)
  2. www.religiousrealestate.com/451wkennett - an operating church that wants to share space (Bishop Edwards)
  3. The Reicher Building downtown – Could we possibly sublet it for a short-term solution? The Church already has a good working relationship with La Familia (Bro. Leavitt)
  4. The Unity Building where the Pontiac Branch once met doesn’t appear used (Bro. Shipley)
  5. The Methodist Church we once rented in downtown Pontiac also appears unused (Bro. Shipley)
  6. The 7th Day Adventist Church if we want a Sunday-only building (Bro. Shipley)
  7. Contact the city about unused commercial buildings (Sis. Rager) – a concern – could they tell us about the issues in the buildings?
  8. Lots of empty churches around here (Sis. Rager).
  9. A Church for sale off Orchard Lake & Johnson (Elder Goates).

Next steps

  • Determine who’s in, who’s out, and who’s on the fence.
  • We need a committee.
  • We need feedback and another meeting.
  • Elder & Sister Goates will work on communication (we gathered phone numbers and email addresses)
  • Send suggestions about a meeting place to President Dance


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