Bi-Weekly Brief news & updates
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Our churches currently in pastoral transition.
Our Mission Co-Workers:
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Upcoming Ordination and Commissioning Anniversaries:
The Rev. David Blackburn (7/1) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Jim Offrink (7/25) - 50 Years - Honorably Retired The Rev. Dr. Noel Snyder (7/31) - 10 Years - Member-At-Large Elder Shaun Hardimon (8/11) - Commissioned Ruling Elder of Swartz Creek-Mundy The Rev. Charles Marquardt (8/29) - Honorably Retired
Elder Jon Essex (9/1) - Commissioned Ruling Elder of Twining-Maple Ridge The Rev. Timm High (9/28) - 35 Years - Member-At-Large
We ask that you consider including these requests each week in your bulletin and/or newsletter.
We also encourage everyone to send a card or e-mail or make a phone call to those listed. Sometimes a small gesture creates a big smile.
Contact information for anyone on this list may be obtained by calling the presbytery office at 989-799-7481 or replying to this email.
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The Presbytery of Lake Huron has identified itself as a “Matthew 25” presbytery. This is a commitment to encourage our churches and members to engage in mission that aligns with the story of the Great Judgment told by Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46, in which the King judges the nations as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He blesses those who served “the least of these my brothers and sisters” because in doing so they unknowingly served the King himself.
The story defies any attempt to be calculating in our goodness. The goats were those who expected their servile goodness to the king to be rewarded; the sheep aided those with no social prestige and expected nothing in return.
Ironically, as soon as we adopt the attitude that charity is racking up brownie points with God, we stumble. If we seek our own security, even spiritual security, we have lost our souls. But if we freely surrender our self-concern and give ourselves merely out love for God and neighbor, we find we are saved.
What is true for us as individuals is also true for us as a church. George Barna is a social scientist who studied what makes for healthy churches. He observed, “Churches usually die from the inside out. Death is largely due to an inward focus, rather than an outward concern. Churches that grow focused on addressing the needs of the “have nots” in the world... whether what they did not have was a relationship with Jesus Christ, physical health, emotional wholeness or other desired aspects. Growing churches were not content to let missions support simply relate to the giving of money.”
Soon after the first millennium, in 1001 A. D., the church was inwardly focused. This was the Great Schism as East and West fought over such things as the dating of Easter and the style of the monk’s tonsure. It was a low point in the life of the church. At that time, in the city of Assisi in Italy a man named Francis, the son of a wealthy cloth merchant, received a vision. One day as he was riding, he met a leper, loathsome and repulsive in the ugliness of his disease. Strangely, the aristocrat felt a strong impulse to dismount from his horse and fling his arm around this wretched man. Responding to the impulse, he was shocked as the cowl fell back from the leper's face. He saw not the face of a leper, but the face of Christ.
At that moment, Francis of Assisi stood in the middle of the city, removed his fine clothes, and walked out of town as a companion of the poor. The movement became so popular that an order of nuns arose – the Sisters of the Poor – under the leadership of Claire and Francis. The movement revitalized the church. When we focus upon “the least of these my brothers and sisters,” we show that Christ rules in our hearts.
Mother Teresa, who devoted her life to serving the poor in Calcutta, once said, “At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in.’ Hungry not only for bread-- but hungry for love; Naked not only for clothing—but naked of human respect and dignity. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks—but homeless because of rejection.”
Being a Matthew 25 church or presbytery is more than merely affirming the importance of dismantling structural racism, eradicating systemic poverty, or building congregational vitality. It is a transformation of our spiritual orientation from inward to outward, from ambitiously upward to compassionately downward, from Teflon charity to sticky mission, and doing so not because we will get some reward, but because we see Christ in every person, no matter how humble.
Faithfully,
Dan Saperstein, Executive Presbyter
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Synod of the Covenant Scholarship Winners |
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The Synod of the Covenant Announces Higher Education Scholarship Winners
The Synod of the Covenant is delighted to announce that it has awarded almost $40,000 in scholarships to 56 students from 10 presbyteries and 29 churches. These awards, ranging from $500 to $1,000, go to the winners of the Higher Education Scholarships for Christian Leaders.
The Presbytery of Lake Huron is proud of our students who were recipients this year. They are:
Adam Dixon
Daniel Dixon
Heidi Ritchie
Anna Clare Miller
Lily Brown
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Celebrating The Ministry of Midland-Chapel Lane |
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The celebration begins at 3:00pm with social time, the service will begin at 4:00pm and dinner will be served 5:30pm. The entire event is free and open to all, but reservations are required for dinner by August 7th.
This will be a wonderful opportunity to join together, as members, friends, greeting each other and reminiscing, leading us to conclude that while our faith journey at Chapel Lane will always be a highlight in our lives, it will continue in our new church homes.
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You Are Invited To Events at Birch Run-Taymouth |
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Aug 28, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Start you engines an mark your calendar for an afternoon of fun.
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Quilt Show
Sep 18, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
We have a lot of talented quilters in our community, this is our opportunity to show their talent. We'll be having displays from local quilters in our community, as well as local businesses.
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September Presbytery Meeting Date Change |
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Please note that the date of the September stated meeting of presbytery has been moved up one week to Tuesday, September 14th.
The September meeting of the Presbytery, to be held on September 14 will feature three prominent leaders of the national church.
The Co-moderators of the General Assembly, the Rev. Gregory Bentley and elder Elona Street-Stewart will bring greetings and lead the equipping time. The preacher of the day will be the Rev. Alonzo Johnson, director of the General Assembly Office on Self-Development of People.
The meeting will focus on the Doctrine of Discovery especially as it relates to our ongoing relationship with the Saginaw Chippewa tribe based in Mt. Pleasant. The Presbytery was a sponsor of the Michigan Indian Industrial Boarding School in Mt. Pleasant. Boarding schools have been the sites of recently discovered mass graves of indigenous children, though none has yet been identified at the Mt. Pleasant location. In addition, the Presbytery sponsored a Self-Development of People grant in the 1980s that created a youth center for the tribe, that later evolved into what is now the tribal casino.
You will not want to miss the meeting in Mt. Pleasant on September 14. It will be conducted both in-person and online.
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Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering |
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The Presbyterian Women of the Synod of the Covenant will meet via Zoom on Saturday, September 18th.
This year's theme is: What My Grandmothers Taught Me
Please click here for more information including how to register for this free event. |
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Follow The Adventures of the Chung Family |
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The Rev. Isaac Chung is a former member of Lake Huron Presbytery having served as Associate Pastor of Bay City-Westminster. Isaac and his family are about to embark on a major adventure.
Hey There Friends!
We have some big and exciting news for our family we want to share with you all!! We are moving to Central Asia next year! If you want to “Follow” our journey across the globe and/or learn about what God is doing in Central Asia or just catch up with us, please connect with us by subscribing to our Newsletter we are launching.
Hoping to connect soon with you!
In Christ's Service,
Isaac Chung, Pastor
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NOTE: Clergy and CREs who are currently serving a congregation(s), as a reminder, you are required to attend Boundaries Training every three years during your employment within the presbytery. If you have not completed this training in the previous two years, please plan to attend the November session.
This boundaries training focuses on strategies to foster mental health, emotional resiliency, and well-being. While the essentials will still be covered, the best prevention is to encourage church leaders to take steps to manage their stress in order to maintain balance and perspective when temptation arises.
The Synod of the Covenant is sponsoring 3 Zoom boundaries trainings over the course of 2021. Each training will be 5 hours online via zoom, 2.5 hours each day for 2 consecutive days. Sign up for whichever one fits best into your schedule. (5 CEUs will be granted upon completion of the program.)
There is no cost for this training; participating presbyteries and the Synod are fully providing this experience for you.
August 18 and 19, 2021
6:00 – 8:30 pm Eastern each day
Registration Deadline 8/5/21
This session primarily for volunteer church leaders (e.g., ruling elders, youth/children ministry volunteers, personnel committee members, deacons, etc.)
November 9 and 10, 2021
10:00 am – 12:30 pm Eastern each day
Registration Deadline 10/27/21
This session primarily tor Pastors/Teaching Elders/Commissioned Ruling Elders
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2021-2022 Presbyterian Planning Calendars Orders |
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Presbyterian Planning Calendar 2021-2022
This 16‐month calendar (September, 2021-December, 2022) contains many planning aids for pastors and other church leaders. Includes lectionary for Sundays and special days, liturgical days, liturgical colors, resource information for PC(USA) programmatic emphases, updated synod, presbytery and Presbyterian Mission Agency staff directories, color foldout synod/presbytery and world maps.
Cost per calendar is $10.00 and all orders must be pre-paid. Payment is needed by July 28, 2021. Unfortunately, there are no cancellations after this date.
You will be notified when the calendars have arrived (expected around mid-August) and arrangements for pick up or delivery can be made at that time.
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Position Summary:
To develop the church’s Christian Education programs and serve as administrator of the programs under the direction of the Christian Education Committee, Session and Head of Staff.
Terms of Employment:
Hourly position based on approximately 20 hours per week.
Vacation as per Personnel Policy Manual
Principal Responsibilities and Duties:
Develop and supervise Sunday School programs
Develop and/or assist the Adult Sunday School program
Oversee Vacation Bible School and nursery
Act as staff resource/liaison for Christian Education Committee
Participate in continuing professional growth and development
Attend staff meetings and Session meetings as required
Other responsibilities as requested by Head of Staff
Participate in weekly Livestream Worship for all Christian Education Activities
Compensation:
Based on qualifications
To apply send letter of interest and resumé to:
Administration Committee
Second Presbyterian Church
2665 Midland Rd.
Saginaw, MI 486032021
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