Michael Seewer is originally from northern Ohio. The Seewer family settled in Fairborn because of its close proximity to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. My father's work was in the military and the Federal Civil Service. Other than time in Germany with family and the college experience, I have lived in the surrounding area all my life. Having both enormous joy in reading and intellectual curiosity about the past led me to a thirty-one year career of teaching history and literature. In the process I acquired both a M.A. and Ph.D. degree in history. Sadly, I prematurely had to depart a position I loved and filled with care for my students because of my severe genetic hearing disability.

I have been a Presbyterian my entire life. Experiencing excellent role models in my mother with her Christian compassion for others, my father who was both a deacon and an elder, and significant pastor mentors. I have been a member of First Presbyterian Church in Fairborn for sixty-four years. Ordained as a Ruling Elder, I have served in this capacity for almost forty years. During this period, I have been a member of the session at Fairborn for eighteen years, chairing numerous committees, including Mission, Christian Education, Worship, Personnel, and others. I also chaired a Pastor Nominating Committee. Currently I am a member of the Nominations Committee at the local congregation.

At the Presbytery of the Miami Valley, I initially was a member of the Committee on Certified Christian Educators for six years, helping teachers reach their goals in the denomination. For the last fourteen years, I have been a member of, or working with, the Committee on Ministry. In this capacity, I have been a liaison to various congregations, including moderating sessions for periods of time when needed, assisting pastoral searches, and serving on two Administrative Commissions, providing a leadership role in one. I pray that, with God's help, I can prove worthy of the position to which I have been presently called. I am indeed appreciative of those who feel I am qualified to serve the Presbytery of the Miami Valley as Vice Moderator. I shall strive to do my very best. God bless and watch over all the congregations of this fine presbytery.

The Pathways to Home Ownership Project assists Dayton area families displaced from tornado-damaged rental housing in becoming first-time homeowners.

The Pathways to Home Ownership Project has been supported by the Presbytery of the Miami Valley through financial gifts and volunteer labor.

The Week of Compassion, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), has worked to establish a host site and site leadership to assist in the renovation of two Tornado Survivor Pathway to Home Ownership homes (Smith and Natchez). This is a fantastic project that is helping tornado impacted renters become first-time homeowners.  Pathways is using properties donated by the tornado impacted jurisdictions, volunteer teams, and donated/grant funds to build houses for tornado survivors that were renters at the time of the tornadoes.

Volunteers are needed for the weeks beginning June 20 and 27 and July 4, 11, 18, and 25. Teams can stay at the host site or commute if they're local.

Congregations around the presbytery with questions about volunteering are encouraged to reach out to Raiza Spratt at 206-657-6372.

Registration information may be obtained by emailing volunteer@weekofcompassion.org .

A hybrid 225th General Assembly in June and July

The 225th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will meet June 18 – July 9 and will be held both in-person and online.

The in-person portion of the assembly will be held in Louisville, KY, site of the PC(USA) national offices. The assembly’s 13 committees will hold in-person meetings over a two-week period, with plenaries and worship being held online.

Position Opening: Organizer of Synod Communities of Color

At its Assembly on May 23, 2022, the Synod of the Covenant approved a job description for a new contract position: Organizer of Synod Communities of Color.

Please call Synod Executive Chip Hardwick at 309-530-4578 or email him at chip@synodofthecovenant.org to ask questions, recommend candidates, or to apply with a cover letter and resume.

A gift to the Pentecost Offering helps the church encourage, develop, and support its young people, and also address the needs of at-risk children. 40% of the Pentecost offering can be retained by individual congregations wanting to make an impact in the lives of young people within their own community. The remaining 60% is used to support children-at-risk, youth, and young adults through ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

The Pentecost Offering is usually received on the day of Pentecost, this year on June 5.

The Presbyterian Women in the Synod of the Covenant Gathering will be held July 29-30 in Dearborn, MI.

You are invited to join your PW sisters from around the Synod with a theme of Hope Renewed – New Visions Imagined. See the registration flyer to learn what is planned for you.

Registration is open for 2022 Summer Camp at Kirkmont Center, Zanesfield.

Twelve camping experiences for all ages are available from June 5 through August 12.

Camps include Quilt Camp I and II, Beginners Camp, PYC Camp, PYC Jr. Camp, Camp Kirkmont l-IV, Camp Rejoice, You and Me Camp, and Alumni Camp.

Connect with others from around the Presbytery of the Miami Valley for a time of prayer.

On the first Wednesday of the month at noon we will gather, via Zoom, for a time of prayer. This guided time of prayer will allow us to pray for one another, our neighbors, and our world. Those participating will have a chance to share their particular joys and concerns, celebrations, and challenges.

To receive the Zoom link to join in prayer with others in the presbytery:

Email PMV Executive Presbyter Terry Kukuk at ep@miamipresbytery.org .

Stewardship Kaleidoscope September 26-28

Registration is opened for Stewardship Kaleidoscope, an annual conference offering outstanding plenary speakers, informative workshop leaders, provocative worship experiences and unparalleled networking opportunities for all who are passionate about stewardship and generosity.

Scheduled from September 26-28, the in-person program of this year’s hybrid conference will be held in Savannah, Georgia.

Drawing leaders from across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and other ecumenical partners, Stewardship Kaleidoscope is designed to ignite generosity in faith-based communities, give practical tools for cultivating generosity in congregations, expand the leadership capacity of those who lead stewardship initiatives, and cultivate adaptive approaches for funding Christ’s mission.

Featured speakers this year will be best-selling author A.J. Jacobs, the Rev. Dawn Hyde, Dr. Michael Bos, the Rev. Kathryn Johnston and others.