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We Lift Up In Prayer...
Ongoing:
Elder Liz Long, Commissioned Ruling Elder of Ithaca-Lafayette who recently fell and broke two ribs.
All of our churches currently in transition.
Mission Co-Workers:
The Rev. Cathy Chang
and family
who are serving in the Philippines.
Michael and Rachel Ludwig
,
our Mission Co-Workers
who are serving in Niger.
For those Teaching Elders (Ministers of Word and Sacrament) and Commissioned Ruling Elders (CREs) who are celebrating Ordination or Commissioning Anniversaries in June and July:
The Rev. David Blackburn (7/1) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Annie Duncan (7/27) - Temporary Supply of Swartz Creek-Mundy
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Independence Day is a day to give thanks for the rights and freedoms we enjoy in the United States. Ours was the first constitutional republic and has served as a model for the world in the 243 years since we established "a new nation, based on liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all... are created equal."
While it is well-known in Presbyterian circles, most in our nation do not appreciate the Presbyterian roots of our democracy. The only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence was John Witherspoon of New Jersey. From 1768-1794, Witherspoon was president of the College of New Jersey, which later became Princeton University. Among the courses he taught was Moral Philosophy, a required course which explored the theological and philosophical foundations of civil government, drawing heavily on John Calvin and Calvinist-influenced Scottish philosophers.
Among Witherspoon's most notable students was James Madison, widely regarded as the chief architect of the U.S. constitution. The checks and balances in our system of government derive directly from Calvin's doctrine of total depravity - that is, that the tendency towards sin and self-interest is universal and therefore needs to be held in check through systems of accountability. Likewise, Calvin's distrust of popular opinion lent itself to a representative system in which persons of high moral repute were to be selected to make decisions on behalf of the people. Whether or not our Congress fits that description is subject to debate, but the principle is the same: governance is not by popular will but by the decisions of persons entrusted by the people. This is the same principle at work in our sessions and higher councils of the Presbyterian Church.
Calvin's understanding of human depravity is balanced by his humanistic affirmation that human beings, created in the image of God, have an inherent goodness and value that should be protected by civil law. The notion of "inalienable rights" enshrined in our Declaration of Independence, and the freedoms protected by the Constitution are informed by this notion.
While our nation has been inconsistent in its application of these principles and values, it is important to remind ourselves that our society and its government regard them as having absolute importance. It is also important to recognize that the foundations of our government regard these as essential liberties that apply to all persons, regardless of nationality, citizenship, race, gender, sexual orientation, or religious belief. It is especially important that the government ensure these "blessings of liberty" not only to those who have wealth, power, or status but especially for those who lack such benefits.
When we encounter incidents where people are denied basic freedoms, are treated inhumanely, or are denied equality under the law it is incumbent upon all of us - not just those directly affected - to speak out and demand change. This is not just our civic duty, it is an expression of our faith as Reformed Christians.
This Independence Day, may we not just give thanks for the blessings of liberty we enjoy; let us also raise our voice on behalf of those who are denied them here and around the world.
Dan Saperstein, E
xecutive Presbyter
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The Presbytery Office will place a bulk order for the 2019-2020 Presbyterian Planning Calendar for individuals and churches.
Pre-orders are now being taken.
Cost per calendar is $9.00 and all orders must be pre-paid with payment needed by July 26, 2019. Unfortunately, there are no cancellations after that date.
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Presbytery Wide Confirmation Retreat
What: Junior and Senior High Youth Confirmation and Spiritual Retreat
When: September 20-21
More details will be in the July 10th Bi-Weekly Brief but for now mark your calendars, you don't want to miss this!
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Swartz Creek-Mundy Celebrates 175 Years of Ministry
The congregation and leadership of Swartz Creek-Mundy are honored to invite all to a "Celebration of Memories" on
Sunday, July 28th at 3:00pm at the church which is located at 3506 W. Grand Blanc Road, Swartz Creek, MI 48473.
Guest speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Dan Saperstein. Executive Presbyter. A reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall to greet past and present acquaintances immediately following the service.
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The June 4 Presbytery meeting in Saginaw focused on becoming a Matthew 25 church - "as you did it to the least of these my brothers and sisters," Jesus says, "you have done it to me." We were urged to engage our neighbors in the community, and invite them to share in our mission. I and others gladly participated in the post-assembly mission project at Rosier Park, where we met and shared pizza with local residents.
The next day was our time to tend to Chapel Lane Presbyterian Church's community garden. While we were harvesting veggies, three young adults obviously out on a fitness walk passed by the garden. As I watched the three walk by I asked,
"Hi! You are obviously out for a fitness jaunt - would you like some fresh spinach or lettuce? We just picked some!"
They stopped and after a brief "hi" started to walk away. One replied, "I really like spinach.'
"Here you go!" I said, handing him a big bag full.
"I've notice the garden," he said. "What are you doing here?"
I explained that the garden was begun last year and its purpose is to provide healthy food, and to teach others how to garden and to preserve the food they grow. We have beds available to those who want to have their own bed as well as community beds, which grow food for the food truck that visits weekly. We grow food for anyone who wants fresh healthy veggies. We charge nothing. It is our gift to our neighbors.
"Cool!"
"If you come by any Wednesday afternoon or Saturday morning there is always someone here. You are welcome to help out and we would be happy to teach you how to garden if you are interested."
"Oh! I would like to learn how to garden!'
I did not invite them to Sunday service. I did not invite them to join the church. But inspired by the Presbytery meeting, three people were reached with the generosity and compassion of Christ and invited to join in our mission. This is one small example of a church connecting with its neighbors in ways that build relationships and further God's mission in the world.
Ruling Elder Susan Gaul, Chapel Lane Presbyterian Church, Midland
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Lake Huron Presbyterian Women News
Plans for the 2019 Lake Huron Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering are ongoing. We are excited to have a representative from Women at Risk, International (WAR,Int) to be our presenter at the gathering on October 19, 2019. The gathering will begin at 9:30 AM with registration at First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. In addition to the WAR presentation the day will include LHPW Mission Fair, business meeting, worship and lunch. The theme for the gathering is "Hope, Making It Possible by Donating Our Time, Talent, and Treasure".
The mission of WAR is to give voice to the silenced cries of women and children around the world by creating circles of protection and dignity around brokenness. Hurting women find a safe place to turn their stories of crisis into stories of hope.
WAR, Int'l offers these at-risk individuals the opportunity to live life with dignity. WAR is known for their fight against human trafficking. It also addresses fourteen different risk issues that women and children face today in over thirty countries including the USA. For more information about WAR take a look at their website,
https://warinternational.org/
.
Look forward to seeing what Presbyterian Women are doing throughout Lake Huron Presbytery. You will see during the mission fair. The mission fair and WAR party will be from 11:35 until 12:30. The WAR party will give you an opportunity to purchase WAR, Int'l products. When you purchase their products you are purchasing safety for vulnerable women and children.
Chris Wolf has agreed to lead the worship service which be immediately after lunch. Communion will be served during the worship service. An offering will be collected to be donated to a local mission to be determined by the host church.
Click here for the the registration form. Please return on or before October 1, 2019.
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PCUSA Ghana Mission Network Meeting is June 27-June 30th, 2019 at Erie, PA. Josh Heikkila, Co-Mission Worker for Ghana and contact person in West Africa will be present. All are welcome!
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Saginaw Strings, a community outreach program of
Saginaw-First, is offering two Strings Summer Day Camps during the week of July 15. The daily classes will be held at the church, located at 121 S. Harrison St., in Old Town Saginaw. There will be a celebration concert on Friday, July 19, at 6:30 pm.
Morning classes (9:30 to 12:00)
SUMMER STRINGS SAFARI
is a
5-day
summer camp for advanced beginners. Students will join the Saginaw Strings Tour Guides for a SAFARI through the wild jungles of MUSICA (aka Kenya) where we will explore the exotic wonders of music making.
Afternoon classes (1:30 to 3:30)
QUINTESSENTIAL QUARTETS
is a 5-day summer camp f
or advanced ensemble youth who presently participate in orchestras. Repertoire for these small groups will include traditional string music as well as pop selections. Instruction will focus on developing leadership skills within a small group.
The teachers are Nancy Powers, Ruth Ann Robinson, Mary Demand, Nellie Schrantz, and Lydia Cappaert. This is the fourth year of offering day camp for string players.
Tuition for the week is $120. Generous tuition assistance is available thanks to the support of: A String Instrumental Program Fund, funded by BWIA-Michigan, Inc., and managed by Saginaw Community Foundation, and the Robert W. & Eileen E. Hess Memorial Fund.
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Flint-Trinity United
has an o
pening f
or a Part-Time Music Director, to train and lead choirs during worship services and other special events; to coordinate all musical ministries. Evidence of some formal training in music. Ability to demonstrate skill in piano and organ. Requires a willingness to work with an intergenerational, diverse group of committed Christians. Please s
end resumes to:
trinityunitedpc@yahoo.com
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The presbytery is offering training to church officers and members to prepare for the four emergencies you are most likely to encounter at home or at church.
The training dates are:
Saturday September 14 at Korean Presbyterian, 5560 McCarty Rd., Saginaw 989.792.8280
or
Saturday September 21 at St. Andrews 8192 Davison Rd.,
Davison 810.653.6824
You will learn how to perform CPR on someone who is not breathing, how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on someone who is having a heart attack, how to respond to someone who is choking and how to properly use a fire extinguisher. You may register for one of the four class times offered. There will be morning and afternoon CPR/AED/Choking sessions with lunch and fire extinguisher training for the entire group in between. Please note that the CPR/AED/Choking sessions are limited to 18 people per class to ensure adequate equipment and trainer interaction.
The classes are offered on a first-come first-serve basis at a cost of $22.50 per person.
Due to the need to have confirmed participants, payment of $22.50 per person including lunch is due within 5 business days of registration. Once you register, you will receive an invoice via email from Rose Onan with the amount due.
We cannot issue refunds for cancellations after August 31st.
Morning Session
8:45-9:00 AM Registration
9:00-11:30 AM Friends and Family Adult CPR and AED Infant, Child and Adult choking
(max 18 people)
11:45-12:30 PM Lunch
12:45-2:00 PM Fire Extinguisher Training - a video followed by participants actually using a fire extinguisher to put a small controlled fire
2:00 PM Departure
Afternoon Session
11:15-11:45 AM Registration
11:45-12:30 PM Lunch
12:45-2:00 PM Fire Extinguisher Training - a video followed by participants actually using a fire extinguisher to put a small controlled fire
2:00-4:30 PM Friends and Family Adult CPR and AED Infant, Child and Adult choking
(max 18 people)
4:30 PM Departure
If paying by check, make them payable to Presbytery of Lake Huron and mail to:
Presbytery of Lake Huron,
PO Box 6129, Saginaw, Michigan 48608-6129. If paying with a credit card please call the Presbytery Office after you have registered online.
Multiple people may be paid with one payment method but a separate registration is required for each participant.
Note: CPR and AED training will provide participants with the skills to assist someone who is not breathing and to effectively use and AED or help someone who is choking. This training will not qualify participants to receive an American Red Cross CPR certification.
For additional information on how to prepare your church, please visit the Emergency Preparedness page on our website.
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Connect With Other Churches In The Lake Huron Presbytery
There are so many wonderful things going on in all of our congregations. Several of our churches have set up Facebook pages to help spread the good news not only to their members but to all who may be interested. Liking other church Facebook pages is a great way to connect with others in the presbytery and to share ideas with each other. Here are some of the churches that have Facebook pages:
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'Like' Us On Facebook
The presbytery has a Facebook page and would like you to join us. Get updates and information faster. Connect with others to share ideas and to post information about events happening in your congregation. Join us today!
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| Staci Percy Communications Manager/Recording Clerk P.O. Box 6129 Saginaw, MI 48608-6129 spercy@presbylh.org 989-799-7481 x2 |
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About the
Bi-Weekly Brief
Hundreds of elders, educators, and church leaders read the Presbytery of Lake Huron's email sent out every other week.
You can reissue or modify this content for your own church bulletin or newsletter, without crediting the Bi-Weekly Brief, but please credit any organizations, photographers, etc, that we credited.
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Commission on Ministry
June 26
11:00 am
Personnel Team
July 1
10:00 am
Office Closed in Observance of Independence Day
July 4
Mission Coordination Committee
July 8
1:30 pm
Presbytery Council
July 10
10:00 am
Planning, Vision, Equipping Team
July 11
12:30 pm
Commission on Preparation for Ministry
July 17
10:00 am
Personnel Team
July 22
10:00 am
Presbyterian Women
July 25
10:00 am
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Details on these meetings can be found on the presbytery's website on the calendar.
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NOTE: The Presbytery of Lake Huron retains permission to modify submissions for clarity and length. Inclusion of an item in the Bi-Weekly Brief means that we think it's interesting and/or important, and does not constitute an endorsement of its point of view or its journalistic accuracy.
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