Bi-Weekly Brief news & updates
|
|
|
|
Our churches currently in pastoral transition.
Our Mission Co-Workers:
|
|
|
Upcoming Ordination and Commissioning Anniversaries:
The Rev. David Blackburn (7/1) - 50 Years - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Jim Neumann (7/1) - 40 Years - Honorably Retired Elder Shaun Hardimon (8/11) - Commissioned Ruling Elder of Swartz Creek-Mundy The Rev. Ken Hetzel (8/16) - 35 Years - Honorably Retired The Rev. Charles Marquardt (8/29) - 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.
|
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
As many of you know, I took a recent trip to the Civil War battlefields of Vicksburg, Shiloh, and Franklin – all in Mississippi and Tennessee. There was so much for a history geek like me to see. If you ever need to be bored for a while, I can show you my pictures taken from all the battlefields.
Yet a most memorable moments came in stopping for lunch in Como, Mississippi. Como is s a little Southern town with one Main Street down the center, with brick buildings on one side and train tracks on the other. There was an old wooden plank sidewalk, covered by a wooden porch overhang.
And there in the middle of Como was the “Windy City Grille.” All the menu items had a Chicago name to them. For example, I ate the “Al Capone” Italian Beef sandwich. Hard to believe I could find a slice (pun intended) of Chicago in the middle of a little town in the middle of Mississippi.
How often in life, do we come up on the Como, Mississippis of life and find Christ has appeared? We’re not expecting to find Christ or even looking for him. But right there, in our lives, appears Jesus Christ.
We all have moments where it feels like God appears in our lives when we least expect it. To me, it’s a great reminder that if I can find a piece of Chicago in Como, Mississippi, then imagine the places and times where Christ can appear in my life.
So this summer, be ready for the surprising moments where we create a memory. And most of all, be ready for Christ to come into our lives.
Yours In Christ,
Ted McCulloch, Stated Clerk
|
|
|
Special Called Meeting of Presbytery on July 13th |
|
|
|
|
A special Presbytery meeting has been called for Wednesday, July 13 at 11:00am. The meeting will be a hybrid meeting with in-person gathering at Saginaw-First Presbyterian Church, 121 S. Harrison Street, Saginaw MI 48602. Other commissioners may attend virtually by Zoom.
The purpose of the meeting is for the Stated Clerk to fulfill the responsibility of D-11.0700 to read the decision of the Permanent Judicial Commission to the Presbytery, regarding a disciplinary case. This is the case the Presbytery requested the Synod to assume original jurisdiction over at the June 8, 2021 Presbytery meeting.
Whether you plan to attend in-person or by Zoom, you must register for the meeting at:
|
|
|
|
|
What does it mean to fulfill the role of pastor? The Book of Order, in answering this question, offers us this aspirational statement:
[Pastors] shall in all things be committed to teaching the faith in word and deed and equipping the saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12) (Book of Order, G-2.0501).
Daunting, isn’t it? How do we do this in the midst of all of the conflicting pressures of life in the congregation? How do we become the pastors we aspire to be?
In September the presbytery is offering a retreat for pastors to join in reflection and dialogue to gain individual clarity around the challenge to fulfill the pastoral role. Along with times for recreation, worship, and fellowship, pastors will have time to reflect on the difference voices that guide and direct them in their efforts to fulfill this role.
Please set aside this time, September 13-15, that is an effort to guide our presbytery to greater witness and service.
|
|
|
Come Meet With Cathy Chang and Family |
|
|
|
|
Meet the Chang Lopez Family – Come and hear stories about God’s mission and their mission service as a family, with Cathy, Juan and Aurelie. In 2015, they were commissioned into mission service. Since then and still emerging from the pandemic, this is the first time that they will be together in Michigan and making formal presentations with churches.
We are excited to announce that Cathy and her family will be at the Presbytery Office on Tuesday, July 12th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm for a presentation of their experiences and work. There will also be an opportunity for Q & A and socializing.
Light refreshments will be served.
We look forward to seeing you!
|
|
|
Interested in Community Organizing? |
|
|
|
|
Broad Based Community Organizing is essential for faith communities. Learn how this sacred practice can connect congregations to the local community and transform the church, the community, and the individual.
This webinar is FREE and happens Jul 28, 2022 02:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
The webinar features our very own Rev. Katrina Pekich-Bundy. Katrina is the head minister of First Presbyterian Church of Alma, MI and the Associate Protestant Chaplain at Alma College. A graduate of Alma College and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, she is a trained community organizer that has worked with racial justice groups and mental health initiatives and food insecurity. She has published articles and pieces in Presbyterian Outlook, Presbyterians Today, and Christian Century. She is married with two children and two dogs.
The two other leaders are:
Known for her candid personal stories, Shani E. McIlwain weaves her “messy” moments of life into practical teaching lessons for others. She is a sought-after speaker, pulpit supply preacher, retreat leader, Vice Moderator of National Capital Presbytery, and Ruling Elder at Faith Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Washington, DC. She serves on the NEXT Church strategy team, works as a group facilitator and an executive coach, leading individuals and groups in faithful and transparent conversations about dismantling racism and white supremacy.
Chris Dela Cruz is the Associate Pastor of Youth, Young Adults, and Community Engagement at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Portland, OR. His background includes newspaper journalism, youth and college ministry, and community organizing in New York City, where he organized with Queens Power (IAF). He is an adjunct professor with Warner Pacific University and on the strategy team of Next Church. He currently organizes with multiple local metro Portland area coalitions, including the BIPOC Faith Leaders Council for Black Lives in PNW, Leaven Community Land and Housing Coalition, IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice), Portland Jobs with Justice, and the Together Lab organizing cohort.
|
|
|
Memorial Service For Shirley Scovill |
|
|
|
|
A memorial service for Shirlee Scovill will be held on Friday, July 22nd at 11:00am at Saginaw-Countryside Trinity. The church is located at: 4690 Weiss Street, Saginaw. Lunch will be served following the service.
Shirlee passed to the larger life in February. She was a very active member of the former Saginaw-Warren Avenue, including acting as Clerk of Session for many years. Her husband Roger is the current Treasurer of the presbytery.
All are invited to celebrate the life of Shirlee. Click here to read her obituary. |
|
|
|
|
A braille hymnal is available free to any church who would like it. The hymnal consists of several binders.
Please contact Staci Percy at spercy@presbylh.org if you are interested or would like more information.
We thank the congregation of Kinde-First for the donation.
|
|
|
Training Opportunities From The Synod |
|
|
|
|
The Synod’s overarching theme for 2022 is “In our Synod, we’ll try anything to equip leaders who attend to God’s creative, emerging future.” Working toward this goal, we are offering the following equipping opportunities this year, beyond our monthly workshops to equip preachers, which you can explore here. This year we are again working with LeaderWise and also expanding our partnerships.
A couple of the opportunities are:
Adaptive Leadership for Church Leaders, Beginning August 4
This workshop introduces church leaders to adaptive leadership and asks them to work on a challenge in their system. We will gather the first Thursday of the month from August through November (9:00 to 3:00), and participants will put the concepts into practice in between large group gatherings. Excellent for church Sessions or presbytery teams to join together, it will also be helpful for individuals looking for learning, feedback, accountability, and support. Click here to learn more or to register: https://synodofthecovenant.org/leadership-development-workshops/#adaptive-leadership-workshops-and-practicum.
Advanced Boundaries Training, September 13-14
For pastors and other church leaders who’ve taken LeaderWise’s boundaries training in the past year, this advanced boundaries training offers leaders the opportunity to reflect on their experiences since the first training, and to delve deeper into topics covered in the training, as well as discuss topics such as triangulation, gender, leaving/retiring well, and other topics not previously covered.
|
|
|
Free Bibles and Other Items |
|
|
|
|
We are looking for the right home for several assets of Midland - Chapel Lane Presbyterian Church (CLPC). We are sharing this opportunity first to our brothers and sisters of Lake Huron Presbytery. We are available the week of June 6 -10, 2022 to meet at CLPC by appointment.
There are 84 Bibles, 5 student Bibles, 3 Whirl Children’s stories, 11 Voice Reader, 6 Study Bibles other Christian Education Materials.
|
|
|
|
|
July 22, noon | Erin Whitfield (soprano); Collin Whitfield (piano, organ)
August 19, noon | Glenncora | Jean Marie Learman, Katherine Morris, Nellie Osantowski (celtic musicians)
September 23, noon | Carl Angelo (piano)
October 21, noon | Tyler Kivel (piano)
November 18, noon | Concerto for Three Harpsichords, BWV 1063 | Stefano Massera, William Jean Randall, Nicholas Schmelter (harpsichords); Chamber Orchestra
December 16, noon | Madalyn McHugh (musician, singer, actor)
January 20, noon | Wendy Wan-Hsing Chu (piano)
February 17, noon | Music for Flute and Classical Guitar | Townes Osborn Miller (flute); Brett Hoag (classical guitar)
March 24, noon | Sarah Simko (organ)
April 21, noon | Sarah Overdier Hudson (singer-songwriter)
May 7, 3:00 p.m. | Frank B. Campbell Memorial Organ Recital | Nicholas Schmelter (organ)
With our Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ and 1904 Steinway piano as well as hearts embracing hospitality, sharing music with the community is a vital mission of First Presbyterian Church. The Friends of Music outreach responds to a regional need for high-quality musical opportunities, drawing unique audiences to downtown Caro. Events occur beyond the congregation’s operating budget due to private and corporate patronage.
Nicholas Schmelter, Director of Worship and Congregational Life, is pleased to receive questions about the Friends of Music series by phone (989.673.6630) or e-mail (fpc1.schme@hotmail.com
|
|
|
Pre-Order Your 2022-2023 Planning Calendars |
|
|
|
|
Presbyterian Planning Calendar 2022-2023
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 28, 2022. 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.
|
|
|
|
|
The Sandusky and Yale-First congregations invite you to join them on a mission trip to the Christian Appalachian Project in Paintsville, KY October 23-29 2022. Cost of the trip is $540.
Click here to view the Christian Appalachian Project's website.
Contact Pastor Mark Garavaglia, Commissioned Ruling Elder of Sandusky and Yale-First at 810-404-9565 or garavaglia69@gmail.com for more information. |
|
|
Resource Center Re-Sizing |
|
|
|
|
Recently, the Presbytery Council approved re-sizing our Presbytery Resource Center. In part, it is to provide space for the Michigan Nanum Church for their resources and materials as they make greater use of that room. The reality is that our Resource Center is almost never used and many of the materials are out of date.
To that end, the Resource Center will be relocated to the bookcases on the Presbytery office side of the building by the entrance. In order to reduce the number of resources that will be kept in that smaller space, we will do the following:
If there are any resources that you or your church wish to have, please stop by the Presbytery Office during normal business hours (currently Monday-Thursday 9:00am-4:30pm). This will be on a “first come, first serve” basis. Please bring boxes with you. We will do this from now to the end of September.
At the end of September, we will review the remaining resources and transfer some to the bookcases by the Presbytery entrance. Any resources left after that will not be kept.
We are pleased that the space of the original Resource Center is needed and can be used fully. If you have any questions, please contact the Presbytery Office.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
