Turning Thanks Into Gratitude

As we approach Thanksgiving, Christ the King, and the Advent season, it will serve us well to consider the difference between thanks-giving and gratitude. Thanks is an emotional response to something we like. When someone does you a favor or gives you a gift, you say “Thank you!” They may respond with “You’re welcome,” and you are done with it. The Hebrew people were instructed on how to give a thank offering in response to the annual harvest. We celebrate Thanksgiving for much the same reason, but too often the ‘thanks-giving” is reduced to a word or two before we indulge I an overly large meal and watch parades and football. Then we are done until next year.

Gratitude is an attitude; a way of living. It involves a constant appreciation for all of life. It means living as though our faith means something every day. It requires caring for others who have come into your life, even when you don’t know them. It means enjoying the scenery when traffic slows you down, instead of getting frustrated because you are late.

Since moving into our new home, we have been enjoying watching the deer in our back yard; seeing the fawns go from wobbly legs to jumping and running. We can give thanks for that, and we do. However, it was not easy to be thankful for the deer getting into our vegetable garden. Gratitude is appreciating the God’s creatures like the same food we do. Gratitude is being glad the harvest was enough to fill our freezer and the deer’s stomachs, as well as supply neighbor’s and friends with fresh vegetables. Gratitude is the result of knowing that God provides for all creatures and being joyful with that.

Can we work at turning the emotion of thanks into gratitude, not just on November 23^rd, but throughout the coming

season?

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Glenn Grant

Moderator of Presbytery

P.S.I am grateful for all of you, our churches, and three years serving as vice-moderator, then moderator of this presbytery. Thank you!

Elders Needed

As the Nominating Committee continues their work, they could use your help in fulfilling two different positions. For both these positions, we are looking for Elders who would be suitable for these responsibilities. If you have suggestions, please send suggestions to the chair of the Nominating Committee, the Rev. Linda Graham at lindalgraham@gmail.com.

Vice-Moderator of Presbytery: This is a two year responsibility. The first year as Vice-Moderator, which is mostly helping with the business at the four Presbytery meetings and planning those meetings. After the first year, the Vice-Moderator normally becomes the Moderator of Presbytery.

General Assembly Elder Commissioner: The Presbytery of Lake Huron in entitled to send one Clergy Commissioner and one Elder Commissioner to General Assembly. Currently, we are looking for suggestions for someone to attend as our Elder Commissioner. As a commissioner, you would be part of a committee that would work by Zoom only between June 25-27. Commissioners would then attend the full General Assembly between July 29-July 4. The in-person full Assembly will be meeting in Salt Lake City, Utha. All expenses, including travel and lodging, are taken care of by the General Assembly with Presbytery support for any odds-and-ends pieces. If you are an elder and are interested or know someone who is, please suggest the names to Rev. Linda Graham, the chair of the Presbytery Nominating Committee.

The next stated meeting of presbytery will be on December 5th at Midland-Memorial. A separate email will be sent on November 27th with more details and will include the link to register.

The Presbytery Office will be closed on the following days:

Thanksgiving: November 22-24

Christmas: December 22-January 3

The staff wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday season.



Just a reminder since it is that time of year...the Presbytery Office will be closed when the Saginaw Township Schools are closed due to the weather. Our main voice mail and Facebook page will also indicate when we are closed.

Saginaw Strings at Saginaw-First

Saginaw Strings will proudly feature its 43 students from five classes in the 2023 Fall Celebration Concert. The concert will begin with the Intermediate Strings Ensemble (ISE), under the direction of Ruth Ann Olorunlowo. ISE will perform Longfield’s arrangement of The Blessing, made popular by the Celtic Women, as well as Halferty’s arrangement of The Royal March of the Lion (from Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals).

The concert will be held at Saginaw-First on Saturday, November 18th at 11:00am. A suggested donation of $2 will be accepted at the door the day of the concert, beginning at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call/text the Saginaw Strings Office at 989.780-0178. 

Luncheon Advent Concerts At Bay City-First

Each Wednesday in Advent, Bay City-First is hosting a concert at 12:15pm. Lunch is available to purchase.

The first concert is scheduled for November 29th.

Worship at Alma College

Join Alma College students, staff, and faculty in a beautiful Lessons & Carols worship service on December 3rd at 7 pm. You're welcome to bring yourself, your families, and your congregation. If you'd like to participate in the service, please contact Rev. Alissa Davis no later than November 22nd.

Invitation to Innovation: Matthew 25 Summit

Is your congregation trying to get out of a rut? Is it practicing the things that stir up its vitality? Are you searching for practical ways to work against poverty and racism around us? Think about what strategic leaders from your congregation could attend the PCUSA's Matthew 25 Summit, focusing on the "Invitation to Innovation." This is a three-day (two lunches, two dinners) conference, featuring innovative speakers, practical workshops from healthy ministries, and a chance to explore together how we grow into these transformative practices. It will happen mid-week from January 16-18 in Atlanta, GA. Our presbytery's Mission Coordinating Committee wants to help support any congregations want to send members. Please reach out to the co-chair Rev. Jamie Milton for more information, and visit the Summit website for the list of great workshops (e.g. Missional/Spiritual practices to end poverty, Vitally partnering with immigrant communities, Traction in a rural context).

Did You Know?

Child Hunger in Eastern Michigan:

Approximately 57,000 children in Eastern Michigan experience regular hunger, especially when school meals are unavailable. The Food Bank conducts year-round programs to address this issue.

Summer Meal Distribution:

During the summer, the Food Bank distributed 79,000 meals to 70 sites, including 16 mobile locations, directly benefiting neighborhoods. Nutrition bags are provided on Fridays to support weekends.

School Year Initiatives:

In collaboration with 200+ schools, the Food Bank implements weekend Backpack Programs and food pantries during the school year. These initiatives ensure children have consistent access to meals and snacks, assisting families with limited budgets and those relying on school lunches.

UAW Strike Impact:

Inflation has adversely affected individuals participating in the UAW strike. Collaboration with United Way of Genesee County and United Way of Saginaw County to assemble 25-pound packages containing essential food and personal care items. Aimed at providing crucial support to striking GM employees and those affected by the strike's ripple effect in various communities. Volunteers from UAW Local 651 and Local 659 actively contributed to this collaborative effort.Top of Form

Join us this Holiday Season Warming Hearts and Plates Holiday Campaign:

Join The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in making a difference this holiday season. Teaming up with the Big John's Steak and Onion Foundation to combat hunger during winter. Big John's is generously matching up to $100,000 in donations, doubling the impact of your contribution. Genisys Credit Union is participating in #GivingTuesday, further matching donations to amplify the impact. Every dollar donated helps provide nourishing meals to those in need. Be part of this heartwarming initiative by visiting FBEM.org/donate and contribute to making the holiday season special for everyone.

From our Synod Executive, the Rev. Dr. Chip Hardwick

The Synod is currently accepting resumes for two part-time staff positions.

Director, Cultivating the Gift of Preaching Initiative

This position will oversee the ministry to identify, train, and support 140 new preachers throughout the Synod from 2024-2028, as a result of our new Lilly Grant. It is half-time and includes full board of pensions benefits. Interested parties should contact chip@synodofthecovenant.org or 309-530-4578. Candidates will be considered beginning 12/1/23, with a projected start date of early 2024. For more information, please visit Equipping Preachers | Synod Of The Covenant (synodofthecovenant.org). 

Commissioned Ruling Elder/Commissioned Pastor Coordinator

The purpose of the CRE Coordinator is to work with and among the Synod’s presbyteries to identify (encourage ruling elders into this expanded ministry), train (build skills), and support (spiritually nurture) CREs to live out their call to serve churches. It is ten hours/week. Interested parties should contact chip@synodofthecovenant.org or 309-530-4578. Candidates will be considered beginning 12/1/23, with a projected start date of early 2024.