The Rev. Linda Graham, Temporary Supply of Davison-St. Andrews, who is recouping from surgery she had last week to remove a kidney.

The Rev. Peter Russell, Honorably Retired, who is residing at Abbey Park in Grand Blanc. His health has declined recently.

The Rev. George Gillette, who is under Hospice care at Candlestone Assisted Living in Midland.

Lucy Der-Garabedian serving in Lebanon.

Cathy Chang and family serving in the Philippines.

Michael and Rachel Ludwig serving in Niger.

The Rev. Leslie Piper (8/1) - Member-At-Large

Elder Kathleen Rowe (8/1) - Commissioned Ruling Elder of Tawas-Tawas Area

The Rev. Dr. Stephen Shugert (8/1) - Honorably Retired

The Rev. David Eshleman (8/3) - Honorably Retired

Elder Shaun Hardimon (8/11) - Commissioned Ruling Elder of Swartz Creek-Mundy

The Rev. Glenn Grant (8/15) - Pastor of Grand Blanc-Kirkridge

The Rev. Ken Hetzel (8/16) - Honorably Retired

The Rev. Ted McCulloch (8/20) - Pastor of Saginaw-First and Presbytery Stated Clerk

The Rev. Charles Marquardt (8/29) - Honorably Retired

Elder Jon Essex (9/1) - Commissioned Ruling Elder of Twining-Maple Ridge

The Rev. Ron Vredeveld (9/1) - 50 Years - Temporary Supply of Beaverton-First

The Rev. John Becker (9/17) - Honorably Retired

The Rev. Matthew Schramm (9/19) - Pastor of Midland-Memorial

The Rev. Brenna Overland (925) - 5 Years - Pastor of Bay City-First

The Rev. Jane Young (9/25) - Honorably Retired

The Rev. Timm High (9/28) - 35 Years - Member-At-Large

Yogi Berra is reported to have quipped, “It’s like déjà vu all over again.”

Just as the summer is winding down and church programs are ramping up for fall, we are facing a resurgence of the coronavirus. We’ve been here before.

As predicted, the Delta variant of the coronavirus has proved to be more virulent, more transmissible, and more dangerous than the previous strains. Currently, 93% of all new cases of Covid-19 are due to the Delta variant. It is not “just the flu.” It is as transmissible as chicken pox. Hospitalizations and deaths are spiking again, especially in areas with low vaccination rates.

What’s more, the Delta variant can, in a low percentage of cases, be carried and transmitted by asymptomatic persons who have been vaccinated. These so-called “breakthrough infections” are a game changer.

Accordingly, the CDC has revised its guidance on masking and social distancing to advise requiring masks, even among persons who have been vaccinated, at all indoor gatherings in communities with a substantial or high risk of transmission. Currently EVERY county in our presbytery, save one (Roscommon), is at substantial or high risk. Infection rates in Michigan have increased 1480% in the last month (July 8 – August 9), and numbers of available hospital beds in Covid wards are shrinking.

The best protection against Covid infection and transmission continues to be vaccination. Yet in the counties that comprise our presbytery, only 37%-50% of adults have received even a single dose of Covid vaccines.

What does this mean for churches? Our Presbyterian Covid guru, Dr. Lisa Allgood of Cincinnati Presbytery, has posted that churches are among the five most dangerous environments for Covid transmission. According to her source, Delta spreads quickly and these places [of worship] provide the perfect situation for it to spread. Usually poorly ventilated, the danger is increased because folks speak, sing, and sometimes shout. If they are carriers of the Delta coronavirus, you are likely going to catch it. If you catch it, you will bring the virus home with you. These gatherings are also less likely to have adequate physical separation and inadequate ventilation.

The Covid danger is real, especially for the unvaccinated. And while we are still well below the extreme transmission levels of December and April, we are heading in the wrong direction.

Our Presbytery Council joins me in urging those congregations that decide to resume or continue in-person gatherings, to please mask, distance, and disinfect. Limit singing and spoken congregational responses. Meet outdoors if possible. Keep services short, and avoid potlucks, buffets, and long fellowship events.

Our September Presbytery meeting at Mt. Pleasant is currently planned to be a hybrid in-person and Zoom.  Check our Website, Facebook page, and the Bi-weekly Brief for updates.

Dan Saperstein, Executive Presbyter

You are invited to celebrate the ministry of Midland-Chapel Lane on Sunday, August 15th.

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.

Please click here for more information.

I pray there are others like myself who have experienced the joy of meeting and working with the Rev. Dr. Lucy Der-Garabedian. I met her while she was here serving as the pastor of the Fairgrove Presbyterian Church (USA) and was involved with the Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Lake Huron.

Living is Beirut simply is not any post of certain safety or reliability. In a recent internet conference with “Dr. Lucy Dee”, the electricity went out, more than once. And then there is the aftermath of the Aug. 4, 2020 explosion of ammonium nitrate in the very port of Beirut- in 5 seconds 200 died, 150 became missing, 6,000 were injured, 9,000 homes were destroyed. I recommend for your reading Beirut 2020: Diary of the Collapse published on August 4, 2021.

Moderator of Mission Coordination Committee.

The latest editions of the Parish Paper are now available on our website. The topics this time are:

September Bringing The Power of Groups To Prison Ministry

October Get To Know The Neighborhood With a Community Tour

Check out these editions and many more on our Parish Paper page on our website. The presbytery's subscription includes the use by our churches at no additional cost. These make for great session education or small group discussion materials.

The Synod of the Covenant grant applications for the Matthew 25 Grants is available at https://synodofthecovenant.org/synod-ministries/grants-and-scholarships/. These grants are up to $5,000 for PCUSA churches and ministries and are due on 9/30/21. Special attention will be given to applications from communities of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (These grants replace the prior New Covenant and Racial Ethnic Grants.)

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The Synod of the Covenant is offering free boundaries training.

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.

Click here for more information and to register.

You are invited to upcoming events hosted by First Presbyterian Church of Taymouth, 12517 Morseville Rd, Birch Run

Click here for more information.

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.