Bi-Weekly Brief news & updates
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Upcoming Ordination and Commissioning Anniversaries:
Elder Liz Long (3/5) - 10 Years - Commissioned Ruling Elder of Ithaca-Lafayette The Rev. Hakbae Moon (3/19) - 20 Years - Pastor of Flint-Unity Elder Jon Baker (4/26) - Commissioned Ruling Elder of Rosebush Rev. Hoon Koo Lee (4/28) - Member-At-Large
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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There is a wonderful and challenging book that has been shared with a number of our congregations, church leaders, and committee members. The title is Part Time is Plenty and in it, the author argues that part-time ministry is plenty for many, many churches. That part-time ministry can actually be a healthy and vital option for many congregations. If you have not read it already, I would encourage you to do so – even if your congregation has full-time clergy.
In the introduction, there is a purported quote from the writer Toni Morrison: “If you find a book you really want to read but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” If we applied that to our churches, it is quite the challenge. What if we have a vision, an idea, even a suggestion of something we want our church to be but isn’t… we should bring it forward.
That’s one of the things that constantly amazes me. Their best ideas, the most energizing new ministries almost always start with someone saying, “I know we don’t do this but what if we…” and there comes the idea. Every congregation, of every size, has people that might have that one inspiration that their congregation or even the Presbytery needs. It is not just full-time clergy or staff that have these ideas. It’s not just the so-called “professionals.”
We need the thoughts and the input and the time from the people of our congregations. Traditionally, we call them “the people in the pews” only we need them to be the people not just in the pews but in the life and actions of our congregations. When that happens, we will thrive whether we have a full-time pastor or a part-time pastor or however our particular congregations does ministry. That’s what each of us can do. So what’s our next idea?
Yours in Christ,
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Waiting at Manila airport for TSS participants, with UCCP Pastor Roceni Bakian.
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Lenten greetings from the Philippines!
How is the weather? If it’s anything like it was seven years ago, snow, snow and more snow, is all we remember. Believe it or not, it was March 2016 when our family piled a portion of our worldly belongings into a church van and headed to the Detroit airport. And what a journey of mission service it has been!
Last February, with the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, we hosted a Travel Study Seminar in the Philippines and Hong Kong, to learn more about the root causes and current challenges of forced migration and labor trafficking. Thankfully there was a participant from Michigan through this Presbytery, with Sheryl Hnizda of Memorial Presbyterian Church in Midland.
Click here to read more about our experiences. As the leader for this TSS, I also wrote more for family’s quarterly newsletter. Click here to read the newsletter.
Thank you, and thanks be to God: our family is grateful for our connections through mission service, with your prayers, financial gifts, and invitations to both virtual and in-person visits.
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Niger Student Hosting Center Update
The students in Torodi surprised the EERN leaders late last month by moving in to the new hostel rooms, even though they were rushing to get them painted. The leaders of our partner church are so thankful to God and to our Presbytery for the support to buy the land, drill the bore hole, connect to electricity, build a wall around the property, and build the rooms for boys, girls, and pastor's family. In the picture above, the 12 boys already occupying the new space gathered to express their gratitude for what they called very big support to them. Watch this video for a tour of the compound (and this video shows the bore-hole water system on the street in action). The availability and number of latrines was also a big hit for the students!
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Reclaiming Our Calling:
Deacons & Ruling Elders
and the Care of Souls
Recuperamos nuestro llamado: diáconos, diaconisas y ancianos/as gobernantes y el cuidado de las almas
소명 회복하기: 집사와 사역장로, 그리고 영혼의 돌봄
A Leader Formation Webinar
for Ruling Elders and Deacons
April 27, 2023; 7-8:30 pm (eastern)
Are you seeking a more vibrant ministry of pastoral care that does not solely rely on the pastor? Have you ever wondered what to say when visiting someone who is navigating cancer or a chronic illness? Do you find yourself struggling between how to validate people's emotions and how to assure them of the promises of God? Join us as we explore the care of souls in a congregational context and the role that ruling elders and deacons play in that important work.
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Second Presbyterian Church of Saginaw, located at 2665 Midland Road, is excited to once again be holding its semi-annual Fish Fry on Friday, March 17, 2023, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The fish dinner includes all-you-care-to-eat fried Alaskan pollock, potatoes, coleslaw, bread, beverage, and dessert.
The fish fries, held one Friday during Lent and October are the church’s largest fundraisers and help fund various church projects such as; landscaping, many maintenance projects of the church building and grounds, sponsorship of Boy Scout Troop 321, and various other projects. This alleviates pressure from the budget and allows for more local, national, and international mission giving. These fish fries have been a tradition since the 1950s!
The cost of the all-you-care-to-eat, dine-in experience is $15.00, children 5-12 are $7.00, children younger than 5 years old are free. Take out is $14.00.
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Happenings in the Synod of the Covenant |
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SAVE THE DATE!
PW in the Synod of the Covenant Gathering
August 4 – 5, 2023
First Presbyterian Church Findlay, Ohio
Shining the Light on the PW Purpose
Matthew 5: 16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Key Note Speaker
Cheri Harper – PW Mission Associate
Sacred Encounters 2023 – 2024 Bible Study
Registration - $50
More information will be available in future Bi-Weekly Briefs.
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Leadership Development Workshops - 2023 Offerings
The Synod’s overarching theme is “In our Synod, we’ll try anything to equip leaders who attend to God’s creative, emerging future.” Working toward this goal, we offer regular equipping opportunities, beyond our monthly workshops to equip preachers. We are grateful for each of our partners in providing these ministries.
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