Bi-Weekly Brief news & updates
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Our churches currently in pastoral transition.
Our Mission Co-Workers:
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Upcoming Ordination and Commissioning Anniversaries:
The Rev. David Blackburn (7/1) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Jim Offrink (7/25) - 50 Years - Honorably Retired The Rev. Dr. Noel Snyder (7/31) - 10 Years - Member-At-Large Elder Shaun Hardimon (8/11) - Commissioned Ruling Elder of Swartz Creek-Mundy 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.
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New Guidance From Council on Reopening |
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To the Sessions and Members of Lake Huron Presbytery:
As new government guidelines take effect July 1 eliminating most masking, distancing, and public assembly restrictions, the Presbytery Council would like to offer our best guidance as to how churches should safely resume in-person worship and other gatherings. The advice reflects CDC guidelines and borrows from the insights of our colleague Dr. Lisa Allgood, a research immunologist and General Presbyter of Cincinnati Presbytery.
Meeting recommendations:
- Fully vaccinated people (more than 2 weeks since the last dose of vaccine) can stay unmasked for most public gatherings, especially outdoors.
- If a business or church requires masks, that overrides the CDC guidance. Any entity may require masks, even when CDC/state requirements do not.
- Masks must be worn for all people – vaccinated or not – on public transportation and in transportation hubs (train and bus stations, airport concourses). Most medical facilities are also continuing to require masks at all times.
- However – fully vaccinated people who are immunocompromised in any way – on cancer or transplant treatment, steroid treatment, have an autoimmune disease or other immunocompromising condition – may be less protected by the vaccine and should still be masked at all times.
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IMPORTANTLY – the CDC guidelines for unvaccinated people have not changed. They are still required to wear masks and stay at least six feet away from others in most circumstances, but they can go outside with members of their household or gather with family and friends who are fully vaccinated outdoors without masks. Within the church, unvaccinated people (including unvaccinated children) should still be asked to wear masks while in indoors worship.
Variants:
- The Delta variant is now predominant in every state. This variant is 60% more highly infectious and more highly virulent (causing disease) than any other variant to date. The vaccines are generally effective, but at a lower rate. Importantly, this variant has been shown to cause more significant disease in the young.
- This variant is also showing breakthrough infection for fully vaccinated people at a slightly higher rate, especially for those who have only had one shot.
- COVID rates have doubled in the US over the past two weeks due to the Delta variant (from 9.9% to 20.6%). It was at 2.7% of cases across the US in May. At that rate we will soon (within weeks) become like the UK, which is now reporting 99% of all cases are due to the Delta variant.
- This variant is particularly concerning for young unvaccinated, which causes them to get significantly sicker significantly more quickly as well as making it more likely they will require hospitalization.
Vaccines:
- These vaccines have received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA and ARE safe and effective. They are also our best weapon, both short and long term, against the pandemic.
- According to CDC, at this point, just over 54% of persons 12 and over in the country are fully vaccinated and 63.3% have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Full vaccination covers the Delta variant at about 88% of efficacy; that falls to 33% with only one dose.
- Vaccines continue to be in development for younger children (6 months-11 years), but are not yet ready for FDA review. It’s possible they could be approved as early as this coming fall.
What does this mean for church?
- Decisions remain up to Session, but Session remains responsible for enforcing any decision.
- The Head of Staff can put requirements in place for office staff if distancing is difficult and staff are unvaccinated.
- Fellowship can be done safely – but strongly consider limiting it to a brief coffee and cookies, outside if at all possible. Consider a socially distanced “bring your own” picnic outside – a great way to fellowship and a great way to show your neighbors the community is gathering!
- Singing for vaccinated people without masks is OK, but unvaccinated people should be masked – and if they are part of a choir, probably the whole choir should stay masked. Choirs are still discouraged if a significant number are unvaccinated, and should still be minimal and distanced as much as possible.
- To AC or not to AC? It is getting hot. If you can’t open windows, do the best you can… if unvaccinated people are masked the entire time, AC should be OK. If you know you have unvaccinated people who aren’t wearing masks, you’re putting them and others at risk.
We are not done with COVID – not by a long shot. The epidemiologic community is watching to see if the Delta variant evolves further, and if a variant of concern is beginning to emerge that is evading the current vaccines.
In Christ,
The Presbytery Council
Please click here for a printable version of this and for other COVID related information and resources.
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The Statistical Minutes of the General Assembly is the annual compilation of reports from sessions and councils of the church on membership, giving, and other data. In many ways, numbers alone cannot tell the whole story of any particular congregation or council – a church might have lost members by starting a controversial but transformational ministry, for example, or a session might not clean its rolls regularly and have less vitality than its numbers suggest.
For the recently released 2020 report, the impact of the COVID shutdown on congregational activity makes those numbers especially difficult to interpret. For example, the 2020 statistics for our presbytery shows that our 46 congregations collectively received only 72 new members, down almost 50% from 2019. Of course, if you aren’t meeting in person, it is difficult to assimilate new members, even if your online worship has attracted many new faces.
Nevertheless, taken in aggregate, the statistics are useful for tracking trends, and suggesting directions for the future. For example, the 2020 statistics for our presbytery show:
- Total membership continued to decline, by 5.26% over 2019 – to 6082. This is slightly less than the 5.63% and 6.03% declines registered in 2019 and 2018, respectively.
- Nevertheless, two congregations – Marlette First and Midland Memorial – registered membership increases in 2020!
- The median church size in our presbytery has declined from 82 to 69, meaning half of our congregations have a membership of 69 or less.
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29 of our 46 churches have a membership of less than 100, ordinarily seen as the threshold for sustaining full-time ministry.
- Total annual income dropped 4.90%, roughly consistent with membership loss. This is actually amazingly strong given that most churches did not meet in person for nine months of the year.
There is an ongoing conversation about the validity of these statistical measures. Are membership and giving the best indicators of congregational and denominational vitality? What does “membership” mean when younger generations no longer identify with institutions in the ways their parents and grandparents do? What do giving amounts mean? Are they supporting buildings and staff salaries or funding mission? Some “wealthy” congregations do less hands-on mission than many “poor” congregations.
A related issue is the impact of membership decline on per capita assessments. The cost of maintaining our General Assembly, synod, and presbytery administration is largely shared on a per-member basis. A decline in members without an equivalent decline in administrative budgets increases the cost-per-member assessed on congregations at a time when they have fewer resources themselves. This has a direct impact on our own presbytery as we approach budgeting for 2022.
When looking at statistics, however, it is easy to overlook that behind every number is a person, a disciple, a faithful member of a congregation who is committed to their church and to its mission for Jesus Christ. While the overall trend may cause concern, it should not detract from the generosity, faithfulness, and service of each of our 6082 members. Thank you for your faithful discipleship!
For those who might want to view the entire 2020 statistical report, it can be found here.
Faithfully,
Dan Saperstein, Executive Presbyter
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2021-2022 Presbyterian Planning Calendars Orders |
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Presbyterian Planning Calendar 2021-2022
This 16‐month calendar (September, 2021-December, 2022) 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 $10.00 and all orders must be pre-paid. Payment is needed by July 28, 2021. 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.
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Position Summary:
To develop the church’s Christian Education programs and serve as administrator of the programs under the direction of the Christian Education Committee, Session and Head of Staff.
Terms of Employment:
Hourly position based on approximately 20 hours per week.
Vacation as per Personnel Policy Manual
Principal Responsibilities and Duties:
Develop and supervise Sunday School programs
Develop and/or assist the Adult Sunday School program
Oversee Vacation Bible School and nursery
Act as staff resource/liaison for Christian Education Committee
Participate in continuing professional growth and development
Attend staff meetings and Session meetings as required
Other responsibilities as requested by Head of Staff
Participate in weekly Livestream Worship for all Christian Education Activities
Compensation:
Based on qualifications
To apply send letter of interest and resumé to:
Administration Committee
Second Presbyterian Church
2665 Midland Rd.
Saginaw, MI 486032021
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NOTE: Clergy and CREs who are currently serving a congregation(s), as a reminder, you are required to attend Boundaries Training every three years during your employment within the presbytery. If you have not completed this training in the previous two years, please plan to attend the November session.
This boundaries training focuses on strategies to foster mental health, emotional resiliency, and well-being. While the essentials will still be covered, the best prevention is to encourage church leaders to take steps to manage their stress in order to maintain balance and perspective when temptation arises.
The Synod of the Covenant is sponsoring 3 Zoom boundaries trainings over the course of 2021. Each training will be 5 hours online via zoom, 2.5 hours each day for 2 consecutive days. Sign up for whichever one fits best into your schedule. (5 CEUs will be granted upon completion of the program.)
There is no cost for this training; participating presbyteries and the Synod are fully providing this experience for you.
August 18 and 19, 2021
6:00 – 8:30 pm Eastern each day
Registration Deadline 8/5/21
This session primarily for volunteer church leaders (e.g., ruling elders, youth/children ministry volunteers, personnel committee members, deacons, etc.)
November 9 and 10, 2021
10:00 am – 12:30 pm Eastern each day
Registration Deadline 10/27/21
This session primarily tor Pastors/Teaching Elders/Commissioned Ruling Elders
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Mission Engagement Resources |
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Here is a short preview of what you can find in the Quarterly Resource Preview from the PC(USA) and our Mission Engagement Advisor, the Rev. Chris Roseland. There is a lot more information online that may be very useful to helping you reach your mission goals.
Ordinary Time — which comprises all the days in the liturgical calendar not marked by a specific season — is “a time for us to discover that in Christ, our lives are filled with grace, forgiveness and hope,” writes noted Presbyterian author the Rev. Kathleen Long Bostrom. “We live as people of faith, ‘new creations in Christ,’ not just on Christmas and Easter, but also during the times in between where most of life takes place.” I hope that you will agree that the wealth of programmatic offerings and resources below prove that Ordinary Time this year is nothing less than extra-ordinary!
Special Offerings and the Presbyterian Giving Catalog:
When Presbyterians work together, we accomplish great things — and we think that impact is worth singing about! This summer, we’re celebrating in a whole new way, and we hope you and your congregation will join us.
“Summer of Song: A Concert Series,” brought to you by the Presbyterian Giving Catalog, was created as a way to thank Giving Catalog supporters for their generosity. Music has been missed by so many during the pandemic, with church choirs quieted and live music venues closed. This new series will celebrate the ways song brings us together as people of faith.
The first concert kicks off on June 21, followed by concerts on July 21 and Aug. 21. Click here to learn more.
Peace & Global Witness Offering: It’s not too early to encourage your constituents to sign up for the Peace & Global Witness Offering A Season of Peace daily devotionals beginning Sept. 5 and culminating on Oct. 3, World Communion Sunday. This year’s focus will be on the Various Forms of Peacemaking, such as the spoken/written word, song and music, visual arts and actions/advocacy/service.
Matthew 25:
What does Matthew 25 say about feeding the hungry? The next online Matthew 25 event looks at the economic exploitation of people through systems that perpetuate their impoverished status. On Wednesday, June 23, at 2 p.m. (EDT), you can hear examples from churches and mid councils on how to address this crisis in your community. Register today. If you are unable to attend the program or you wish to view — or review — the recording at a later date, click here.
New resources from the Office of Theology and Worship will help those engaged in the work of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Matthew 25 invitation make a stronger connection between the three foci of the vision and the biblical passage. The two resources are “ God with Us in Jesus: A Matthew 25 Bible Study” and a companion piece, “ Bringing Matthew 25 into Focus.” The English, Spanish and Korean versions of “Bringing Matthew 25 Into Focus” and “God with Us in Jesus” are available here.
The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation recently released a resource guide for their books related to Matthew 25. Even if your group has not officially signed on to be a Matthew 25 organization, the resources in this digital guide allow you to work toward the faithful initiatives of building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism and eradicating systemic poverty.
Click here to watch a recording of the entire March 24 national Matthew 25 webinar on housing.
Click here to read the entire Quarterly Resource Preview.
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The latest editions of the Parish Paper are now available on our website. As a reminder these may be used by all of our congregations free of charge under the presbytery's subscription. Topics this time are:
July Is Drive-In Church a Good Idea?
August Building Lasting Strength Through Community Development
Click here to download these or any of the issues from the previous decade.
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