We give our very busy Stated Clerk a small break by having a member of Presbytery Council write an article on a regular basis. We are grateful to the Rev. Jamie Milton, Pastor of Bay City-Westminster and the Moderator of the Mission Coordination Committee, for his contribution to this edition.

Spring is here…mostly. While the warm weather is still a bit elusive, the signs of spring are around us. Yes, the trees are budding, the flowers blooming, and the robins are singing. For me, I know it is spring, when the dandelions show up. I have never been a fan of the dandelion. I have always thought of it as a weed, a pest, a blemish on an otherwise beautiful green lawn. They multiply like crazy, and I actually read that if you cut the root and don’t dig all of it up, both pieces continue to grow and you have just made things worse for yourself.

Everywhere you look, there are dandelions; one day sunshine yellow, the next cloudy white with those fun parachute seeds that blow in the wind and of course, make more dandelions. I think that old saying should be changed to “Only three things are certain in life: death, taxes and dandelions!”

As Earth Day approaches, I began thinking about what I might be able to learn from a dandelion. They too, are a part of God’s creation, and if I am stuck with them, I might as well learn something. Dandelions are persistent, no matter how hard you may try, you’ll never get rid of all of them. They certainly know how to multiply, each flower turns to hundreds of seeds, quickly turning a field yellow and white. Outside of their annoyance in your yard, dandelions are quite harmless and can be useful. They are edible and can provide a variety of nutrients for your diet. They are also great for your local honeybees!

While I may never be the dandelion’s biggest fan, after a little research and reflection, I have come to appreciate them as a part of God’s amazing creation. The more I learn about how the world works, the more I come to see God’s touch in every aspect of creation. So, take your allergy pill, get outside, enjoy the budding tulips, the blossoming trees, and yes, those little golden dandelions, and give thanks to God for God’s beautiful creation!

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Jamie Milton

Pastor of Bay City-Westminster

Presbytery Council Member/Moderator of Mission Coordination Committee

On Saturday, May 4th, Birch Run-Taymouth will be sponsoring a Women at Risk pop-up boutique from 10 - 1. This supports the organization that protects vulnerable women. WAR provides safe places to heal from abuse, trafficking, exploitation, and more. Their passion is to empower survivors to live and work with dignity and hope. WAR programs and partnerships span the globe, reaching over 40 countries, including the United States. Each month, additional projects and partnerships are formed, increasing the ability to offer the rescued and at-risk a "hand-up" instead of a handout. The pop-up boutique always has a variety of items: jewelry, scarves, blown glass ornaments, and children’s items and more. Join us as we support this great organization. Every $300 in sales supports a woman in a safehouse for one month.

“Hidden in Plain Sight”

Is there hope in despair? As the body of Christ, what are our hidden resources that will allow us to continue to spread the good news?

Join us as our guest, Mark Elsdon, helps us think through these questions and more.

Mark Elsdon, a Presbyterian minister, is the Executive Director of Pres House at UW Madison. Mark is the author of We Aren’t Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry and the editor of Gone for Good: Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition. Mark is also a co-founder of Rooted Good Good Futures Accelerator| Make Good With Rooted Good

First Presbyterian Church

1250 Watson Road

Mt. Pleasant MI 48858

(989) 773-9609

Monday, May 6, 2024

6-7:30PM

To sign up either use the link or the QR code below.

Ruling Elders

G-2.0104 of the Book of Order tells us that God gives ruling elders suitable gifts for the particular service to which they are called. But, how are ruling elders also using their gifts beyond the walls of the congregation - in the service to the larger church, as well as the world, within their community, at their workplaces, and at home? The eighth in a set of articles that focuses on ruling elders as they serve has been posted for your reading and use. 

Throughout 2024, monthly articles will alternate between these real life glimpses into the varied ways that ruling elders are serving within congregations and ministries throughout the country and a deep dive into the ways ruling elders discern and measure the life of a congregation through the ministry of members.