Bi-Weekly Brief news & updates
December 1, 2021
We Lift Up In Prayer
The Rev. Peter Russell, Honorably Retired, who is residing at Abbey Park in Grand Blanc.

The Rev. George Gillette, who is under Hospice care at Candlestone Assisted Living in Midland.

Our churches currently in pastoral transition.

Our Mission Co-Workers:
Lucy Der-Garabedian serving in Lebanon.
Cathy Chang and family serving in the Philippines.
Michael and Rachel Ludwig serving in Niger.
Upcoming Ordination and Commissioning Anniversaries:
Rev. Joy Smith (12/3) - Member-At-Large
Rev. Brant Piper (12/15) - 30 Years - Honorably Retired
Rev. Lucy Der-Garabedian (12/19) - Mission Co-Worker serving in Lebanon
Rev. Rich Lawther (1/4) - 45 Years - Honorably Retired
Rev. Dr. Rhashell Hunter (1/8) - Member-At-Large
Rev. Scott Kroener (1/19) - 35 Years - Pastor of Birch Run-Taymouth
Rev. Elizabeth Stillwell (1/22) - Member-At-Large

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.
From the Lions’ Den
Dan Saperstein

Dan Saperstein is out of town this week so we do not have a Lions' Den article to share.
Presbytery Meeting
All of the information regarding the December 7th stated meeting of presbytery is now available on the Presbytery Meetings page of our website.

Please note that while this is hybrid meeting, ALL attendees must register via the Zoom link on our site regardless of whether you plan to attend online or in person.

There is a significant amount of important information in the cover letter about how this meeting will run. Please read it carefully prior to the meeting.
Cookie Walk
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.
Concerts at Bay City-First
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

Click here for a printable flier.
Synod Virtual Christmas Service
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!