Bi-Weekly Brief news & updates
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Upcoming Ordination and Commissioning Anniversaries:
Rev. Bruce Cunningham (5/18) - Honorably Retired
Rev. Michael Loenshal (6/18) - 45 Years - Honorably Retired
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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Once a month we are giving our very busy Stated Clerk a small break by having a member of Presbytery Council write an article. This month we are grateful to Elder Joyce Hetzler of Bay City-First for her contribution.
This Easter Season I’ve given thought to the many surprises we see in the Easter story: the stone being rolled away, the empty tomb, the women startling the disciples with the news, and Jesus’ appearance along the road.
God has surprised us over and over again in the Bible starting in the first chapter with the unimaginable creation of heaven and earth. He shows up in the quiet of the night, in a barn, to a carpenter, and to each of us.
His surprises are never-ending. He blankets the planet with daffodils, tulips, lilies of the valley, flowering trees and shrubs. As I sit here listening to the birds’ songs, I marvel at how they know their way back from their winter homes and wonder how the beautiful swan couple I see on the lake each morning on my walk know that it is a safe place. What would life be like without surprises? No joy in sports contests because we’d know the winner. There’d be no adventure, or exploration, or discovery because all would be known. There’d be no new knowledge or discoveries or stories.
I wonder what moments of resurrection have passed without my recognizing them and what joyful surprises are still to come.
Yours in Christ,
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On Saturday, June 3rd, the Stated Clerk, Ted McCulloch, will hold a training for elders interested in serving communion in their congregations when Presbyterian clergy is not available. Training will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Saginaw, 121 S. Harrison, Saginaw MI 48602. We will start at 10 AM and will conclude by 12 PM. NOTE: Training is limited to no more than 3 elders per congregation. Registration is
required.
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Pre-Order Your 2023-2024 Planning Calendars |
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Presbyterian Planning Calendar 2023-2024
It's that time of year again when the presbytery will be placing an order for planning calendars in order to take advantage of the bulk pricing.
This 19-month calendar contains many planning aids for pastors and other church leaders. Includes lectionary for Sundays and special days, liturgical days, liturgical colors, resource information for PC(USA) programmatic emphases, updated synod, presbytery and Presbyterian Mission Agency staff directories, color foldout synod/presbytery and world maps.
Cost per calendar is $10.50 and all orders must be pre-paid. Payment is needed by July 27, 2023. Unfortunately, there are no cancellations after this date.
You will be notified when the calendars have arrived (expected around mid-August) and arrangements for pick up or delivery can be made at that time. They will also be available for pick up at the September presbytery meeting at Saginaw-Countryside.
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From The Mission Coordination Committee |
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The Mission Coordinating Committee promised a "minute for mission" video that all congregations can use to gather support for our Two Coins A Meal Offering. This is part of our effort to support local hunger initiatives, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Grain Banks for our church partners in Niger. Please watch this 3-minute video and consider sharing it with your congregation!
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Thank-you to all who support the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan!
DID YOU KNOW … that more than half the food we distribute is FRESH Nutrition?! While self-stable pantry staples will always be part of what we distribute, we know that fresh nutrition is important for a well-balanced, healthy diet. We work with manufacturers and farmers in Michigan and beyond to provide more produce, dairy products, meats and other proteins to our neighbors in need. In 2022, we distributed 17 Million pounds of fresh food through our hunger relief network. When you make a donation to the Food Bank, your gift helps provide more fresh nutrition to people in eastern Michigan who face food insecurity. Help us fight hunger at FBEM.org.
Brochures from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan can be found on the Mission Coordination Committee page of our website. Please feel free to print them or add them to your website and/or newsletters.
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Presbyterian Women Gathering |
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The Presbyterian Women in the Synod of the Covenant annual gathering will take place at First Presbyterian Church of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio on August 4-5, 2023. The theme is "Shining The Light On The PW Purpose."
Deadline for registration: July 10, 2023. Fees: $50 for any portion of event. After July 10, registration fee is $75 for entire event. Once registered, you may cancel your reservation before July 21 and receive a 50% refund or better yet, find someone to take your registration instead. No refund after July 21. Registration closes July 21, 2023.
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Free Choir Music
Kinde-First has a bunch of choir music that they'd love to gift to a new home. Some is SSA, most SATB. Contact Cathy Hoeft for more information - 989-874-8118 or tazlhoeft@yahoo.com. |
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Grants and Scholarships Available |
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Synod Offering Higher Education Scholarships for Christian Leaders
Scholarship grants are available to students for full and part-time study toward the first baccalaureate degree or certification at colleges, universities, and vocational schools, or first master’s degree in theology. Applicants will be asked to describe the ways or organizations for whom they provide Christian leadership, especially those that help churches or ministries to thrive, address structural racism, and/or engage issues of poverty (which are three of the Synod’s most important goals).
Scholarship applications must be completed by May 31, 2023.
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Summer Office Hours Start Soon |
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