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We Lift Up In Prayer...
New:
Ongoing:
The Rev. Dr. Sharlyn Gates, her husband Fred and the Holly congregation
as Sharlyn retires at the end of the month and moves closer to family.
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 April and May:
Elder Jon Baker (4/26) - Commissioned Ruling Elder of Rosebush
The Rev. Hoon Koo Lee (4/27) - Member-At-Large
The Rev. Alec Brooks (5/1) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Ed Borycz (5/12) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Dale Swihart (5/16) - 45 Years - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Dr. Daniel Ahn (5/18) - 40 Years - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Bruce Cunningham (5/18) - 65 Years - Honorably Retired
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Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
'Til it's gone
- Joni Mitchell
The fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris this week brought these lyrics to mind. As the flames shot through the roof of the 856-year-old structure, I was horrified at the possibility that this iconic landmark might be lost forever. I was not mourning the loss of life - providentially, the fire began after the building was closed and as of this writing there are no known fatalities - I was mourning the loss of a sacred space, a symbol of our Western civilization, a repository for transcendent art and irreplaceable relics.
The cathedral is one of the world's best known structures, so
when I first had the opportunity to visit it during a sabbatical in 2009, there was both a sense of familiarity but also newness, as images I had long admired in books and in movies stood before me in real life. It is a work of living history, not only as a building, but in the statuary and iconography of its architecture and art. If all you ever saw of France was Notre Dame, you could come away with a good understanding of the nation's history and culture.
 Each visitor has his or her favorite elements: for some it is the bells made famous by Victor Hugo's hunchback, Quasimodo; for others it is the world-famous organ for which there is a two-year waiting list for guest musicians to play; still others appreciate the architectural elements like the stone gargoyles adding both character and humor to its carved exterior. For me, however, the most compelling part of the building is the rose windows, which date to the 13th century. As the afternoon sun illumines the glass, the nave explodes in color through the great rose window on the west wall.
So I was devastated when I heard that one of the windows had been destroyed in the blaze. (As it turns out, the window was not one of the three large ones, but a smaller window off the attic on the south transept.) And Joni Mitchell's words came to mind. There are many things of holiness and beauty in the world that we take for granted, or assume will always be there. The same week that fire burned in Notre Dame three African-American churches were destroyed by arson in Louisiana. I don't have the same emotional attachment to those churches, but their members certainly do. For centuries, white settlers have desecrated traditional holy sites of Native Americans - most recently at Standing Rock in the Dakotas. And, it goes without saying that each human being is a work of God as exquisite as any cathedral, whose loss - especially by violence or neglect - is incalculable.
Notre Dame will be rebuilt. The extent of the damage, while still largely unknown, appears to be less than feared. Already, a billion dollars has been donated for its reconstruction. This is Holy Week, and we know that for every Good Friday there is an Easter resurrection coming. But there are some things which when lost do not so easily return. I think of the destruction of the world's largest living creatures - the great coral reefs of the South Pacific which are dying before our eyes from pollution and warming ocean temperatures. I think of the great endangered species like the rhinoceros and the African elephant which when made extinct through poaching will never return. I think of each person whom I love, and those who have touched my life, and those unknown to me who are precious in God's sight.
So let's listen to Joni Mitchell's warning - or at least the commandments of scripture to care for the creation and to love one another. Treasure the gifts of God while we have them, and let's do our best to preserve them for future years.
Dan Saperstein, E
xecutive Presbyter
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The latest editions of the Parish Paper are now available for your use - free of charge. The topics are:
May: Tips For Starting and Managing a Worship Band
June: Overcoming Volunteer Burnout By Building Capacity
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Presbyterian Youth Triennium
The Presbytery of Lake Huron is forming a delegation to attend Triennium. We want YOU to be a part of this life changing event! Please contact Philomena Ofori-Nipaah (
nhyira5@gmail.com) or Nikelle Johnson (
nejohnson23@gmail.com) with questions and/or to indicate your interest in attending.
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Children and Worship Training
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Part-time Church Secretary
Flint-Trinity United
has an o
pening for a part-time secretary with a minimum of three years of experience as secretary or administrative assistant. Strong computer skills required (Windows, Excel, PowerPoint; Social Media). Proficient in use of standard office equipment. Strong organizational skills. Willingness to work in an intergenerational, diverse group of committed
Christians.
Send resume to: trinityunitedpc@yahoo.com
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Birch Run-Taymouth is hosting an all you care to eat Fish Fry on Friday, April 26th. Lunch will be served from 11:00am to 1:00 pm and dinner will be served from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. Cost is $5 for children 6-12 (under 5 years is free), adult dine-in is $11 and take-out is $40. Now accepting most major credit cards.
Click here
for more details.
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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
Make checks payable to Presbytery of Lake Huron and mail to:
Presbytery of Lake Huron,
PO Box 6129, Saginaw, Michigan 48608-6129
Multiple people may be paid with one check 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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Sabbatical Support For Pastors
"Where might my congregation and I receive financial support for a pastoral sabbatical?"
Regularly, I am asked this question. I do know of some programs, but am sad to say it is not nearly enough. Three leading programs supporting sabbaticals for pastors are listed below. A signature program, the first listed below, has a deadline this week! I wonder if you know of others?
Click here to continue reading.
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Presbyterian Women In The Synod of the Covenant 2019 Gathering
July 12-13, 2019
Covenant Presbyterian Church
2070 Ridgecliff Road
Columbus, OH 43221
Speakers include:
Eugenia Gamble, author of the 2019-2020 Horizons Bible Study, Love Carved in Stone: A Fresh Look at the Ten Commandments will provide an overview of the study. In two workshops she will offer ideas and resources for study leaders.
Carol Winkler, former Moderator of Presbyterian Women in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Inc. will share the latest from Churchwide PW where she serves ex officio.
Diane Moffett, Presbyterian Mission Agency president and executive director will speak about the mission of the PC(USA) today.
Click here for a brochure with more details and registration information.
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| Other Training Opportunities |
Board of Pensions Pre-Retirement Planning Training
NOTE: The Board of Pensions always hosts very informative events but please note the second day of this is the same day as our June stated meeting of presbytery in which the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA), the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson will be our guest and will be giving the sermon. His preaching is inspiring.
The Board of Pensions will present Growing into Tomorrow ... Today, our two-day pre-retirement planning seminar at St. Francis Retreat Center, in DeWitt, MI, on Monday, June 3, 2019, to Tuesday, June 4, 2019.
Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis through the registration deadline shown below.
About the Seminar
Planning for retirement can be challenging. Attend our two-day seminar and explore the steps you can take today to plan for your best retirement tomorrow.
During the seminar, participants will
- identify key questions for discernment in planning for retirement;
- assess their finances, options for saving before retirement, and reasonable expectations for retirement living;
- discuss healthcare options available through Medicare and supplemental insurances; and
- create their next steps in life balance, relationships, housing, health, and finances.
When: June 3, 2019, to June 4, 2019; 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, both days
Where: St. Francis Retreat Center, 703 E. Main Street, DeWitt, Michigan 48820
Fees: Registration Fee: $0; Meal Fee: $56.00 per person (includes lunch and refreshments both days)
Register By: May 17, 2019
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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 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.
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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Presbytery Office Closed in Observance of Good Friday
April 19
Personnel Team
April 22
10:00 am
Commission on Ministry
April 24
11:00 am
Planning, Equipping and Vision
April 25
2:00 pm
Presbytery Council
May 8
10:00 am
Mission Coordination Committee
May 13
10:00 am
Presbyterian Women
May 16
10:00 am
Commission on Ministry
May 22
11:00 am
Presbytery Office Closed in Observance of Memorial Day
May 27
Presbytery Office Summer Hours Begin
May 28
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Details on these meetings can be found on the presbytery's website on the calendar.
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