Bi-Weekly Brief news & updates
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Jeanette Gillette, whose husband, the Rev. George Gillette, passed to eternal life last week. See below for more information.
Our churches currently in pastoral transition.
Our Mission Co-Workers:
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Upcoming Ordination and Commissioning Anniversaries:
Rev. Brant Piper (12/15) - 30 Years - Honorably Retired
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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This is the last installment of “From the Lions’ Den” I will write for the Bi-weekly Brief. Last Tuesday, the Presbytery voted 46-5 to approve a covenant of closure that will dissolve my ministry relationship as Executive Presbyter on December 31. I willingly negotiated the covenant and accept its terms for my resignation.
The reason for the dissolution is “irreconcilable differences” stemming from a loss of confidence among Presbytery leaders in my continued service. They attribute this loss of confidence to circumstances that are the subject of a disciplinary accusation that is under investigation. I have denied any wrongdoing, but my insistence that my rights as an accused party be honored have led some to complain that I “lack repentance and humility.”
I can say with a clear conscience that I believe I have acted responsibly, respectfully, and faithfully within our policies and polity. Both the Personnel Committee and the Presbytery Council had affirmed that I did not violate our policies or polity. Nevertheless, the filing of a disciplinary accusation created a situation in which rumors, misinformation, and what I believe to be baseless allegations were allowed to proliferate while the required confidential investigation was being conducted.
I fully expect that when the disciplinary process has run its course I will be cleared of any wrongdoing. That cannot, however, undo the damage to relationships within the Presbytery and its staff that has already occurred. Nor will it necessarily change the minds of those who have already judged me based on partial information and their own assumptions. I grieve the relationships that have been ruptured and the trust that has been lost.
But it is clear to me that my ability to lead this presbytery effectively has been irreparably damaged. I accept that my behavior, however benign or well-intended, nevertheless contributed to this breakdown of trust and loss of confidence in my leadership.
Most of all I grieve the loss of all that remained to be accomplished in ministry together. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to ministers and congregations alike. But it has also created a great opportunity for congregations that have vision and are willing to change to become more vital, connected, and impactful in their ministry and mission. I would have liked to help guide our Presbytery and its congregations in this time of adaptive change.
Although I will continue to remain a member of Lake Huron Presbytery, in keeping with our separation ethics policy I will be unable to participate in Presbytery events or perform ministerial functions within the bounds of the Presbytery for 12 months, without the prior authorization of the Commission on Ministry and Ministry Preparation. I will miss you and continue to pray for you during this time. I thank God for all the good work we have been able to accomplish together, for the relationships that will endure, and for the privilege of serving you.
At this time, I do not know what the future will hold for me or my ministry. I am unable to move on to a new ministry in our denomination while the disciplinary process is still unresolved. Personal commitments will keep me in the area. So please pray for me as I will pray for you.
Acts 15 tells how even Paul and Barnabas – two faithful and effective apostles of Christ – came to a separation of their ways over what were to them irreconcilable differences. Nevertheless, God used that separation to lead Barnabas to bring the gospel to Cyprus (where it continues to this day), and Paul to strengthen the church’s witness even in Rome. However irreconcilable our differences, I trust God will use both me and the Presbytery of Lake Huron for faithful service wherever and however the Spirit leads.
The seasons of Advent and Christmas are about the hope of new beginnings. I pray that this time of new beginnings for me and the Presbytery will bring healing and hope. May the peace and blessings of Christ be yours in abundance now and always.
Faithfully,
Dan Saperstein, Executive Presbyter
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The Rev. George Gillette passed to eternal life on December 8th at Candlestone Assisted Living in Midland. His wife Jeannette remains at Candlestone. George had been in declining health for several years, but was previously a very active presbyter, as well as a pastor for multiple churches in Lake Huron Presbytery. He celebrated 70 years of ordained ministry this April. He will be missed. There are no arrangements determined at this time, but there will be a memorial service at a future time. We lift up his family and loved ones in thought and prayer.
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In the early hours of December 11th, several tornadoes ripped through multiple U.S. states, resulting in extensive damage and significant loss of life.
PDA is in touch with affected presbyteries to coordinate resources and assistance. To register interest in volunteering for rebuilding efforts when they are ready, email PDA.CallCenter@pcusa.org
If you would like to make a donation, you may do so on the presbytery's website. 100% of the amount donated goes to PDA for assistance with the tornado recovery. Click here to go the payments page of our website. |
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From Our Presbytery Moderator |
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From our newly installed Moderator of Presbytery, the Rev. Glenn Grant.
Restoring Hope
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. - Philippians 4: 6
What would it be like if we really went through life without worry? This one verse is part of the readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent. It reminds us that we are to make our concerns known to God. At this time, we all have many concerns and worries: as individuals, as congregations, as a Presbytery, and as a society. Advent is a time of preparation for Immanuel – God with us! It is a season that anticipates the entry of hope into our lives in the form of an infant.
As moderator, I am asking all of you to join me in focusing on the theme of Hope for the coming year.
“The Matthew 25 Initiative was designed to bring about what an initiative brochure calls ‘radical and fearless discipleship’ among congregations and mid councils by engaging in three targeted missions: building congregational vitality, dismantling systemic poverty and eradicating structural racism.” – from Presbyterian Outlook This is all about restoring hope: hope for the future of struggling congregations, hope that there will be “enough” food or money to make it to the next paycheck, hope for an equal chance regardless of skin color or ethnicity.
At our Presbytery meetings for 2022 we will be focusing on the following themes:
March – Restoring Congregational Hope: Surviving after Covid-19 isn’t enough. Thriving is something all of our congregations (and by extension, our Presbytery) should wish for, but what will that require?
June – Restoring Community Hope: Our communities have been torn apart by political divisions and a win-lose mindset, especially around the issues of personal freedom, violence, and race. This has led to a sense of hopelessness for our community leaders. How can we, as the body of Christ, work to restore hope in our communities?
September – Restoring Individual’s Hope: Personal feelings hopelessness, as a result of Covid, or another cause (such as unequal justice, or loss of livelihood), leads to depression, making unhealthy decisions, and a variety of other problems that inhibit a person’s ability to be all God intends. Can a church made up of hopeless individuals truly exemplify the hope we have in Christ?
December – Living Incarnational Hope: A friend recently made the statement, “If you have to tell me you are a Christian, you are not!” How do we live incarnational hope? As an individual? A congregation? A Presbytery?
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Synod Virtual Christmas Service |
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The Synod of the Covenant and the Michigan Black Presbyterian Caucus are joining together to offer a virtual service for the first Sunday of Christmas, 12/26/21. Synod Interim Executive Chip Hardwick will offer the sermon, based on the lectionary passages for that Sunday. The service will be available for viewing on YouTube or for download by mid-December. Links will be available on the Synod website.
The overarching theme of the Synod for 2022 is ‘In our Synod, we’ll try anything to equip leaders to attend to God’s creative, emerging future.’ It is the hope of the Michigan Black Presbyterian Caucus and the Synod that providing this service will give a mini Sabbath to your tech leaders, musicians, and preachers, readying them for all the challenges and joys which will come while serving Jesus Christ in 2022.
Please contact Chip Hardwick with any questions. If you are interested in participating in the service in some way, please email chip@synodofthecovenant.org by 12/1/21. God bless you this Advent and Christmas!
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Birch Run-Taymouth is hosting their annual Christmas Cookie Walk, Bake Sale and Christmas Marketplace on Saturday, December 18th from 9:00am to Noon. Cookies are $8 for a large container and $5 for a small container.
The church is located at: 12517 Morseville Road, Birch Run
Masks are required.
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Concerts at Bay City-First |
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Bay City-First is hosting Advent mini-concerts on Wednesday, December 1st, 8th and 15th from 12:15-12:45.
The church is located at: 805 Center Avenue, Bay City
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The first two installments of 2022 of the Parish Paper are now available on our website. The topics are:
January Planning The Future By Appreciating The Past
February Prepare For Community Engagement Through Study
As always, these are short but great reads, and perfect for session training or small group discussions. Click here to view these or any of the previous editions over the years. |
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