“Did You Lose Power?”

A weekend of a January snowstorm included Sunday morning worship. Although attendance was less than usual, the worship setting filled with determined, eager persons prepared to tackle the challenges of obstructions to travel and cold temperatures. One question prevailed: “Did you lose power?” By the close of worship, as congregants departed, a lay leader in the day’s worship experience received that question from a friend graciously. Without hesitation, I interrupted. “He is filled with power!” I realized what I had done. I had redirected a sincere question of neighboring care. I had given an extraordinary response to an ordinary question. I interjected quickly a commendation of how the Spirit used the individual on that morning. The conversation conveniently returned to personal accounts of outages and broken tree limbs. As churches face challenges and weather storms, we together seek refuge and encouragement. The winds of God’s Spirit swirl around us. We seek to garner its strength and its comfort. The power of the Spirit prevails throughout Scripture. It is a consistent attribute to getting things done according to God’s purpose and intention. Perhaps, I admit, the loss of spiritual power is not the reality. It is my allowance. I permit the strength and comfort of the Spirit to become overshadowed. Anxiety and stress promote a spirit of loneliness and despair. The resilience of the church gives witness to the “Win” of power born of the Spirit. I encourage us in our revealing the power of the Spirit. There is a follow-up question to today’s title. It is: “When Did You Re-Gain Power?” Alleluia! Amen. It becomes an extraordinary response. Watch out for me on these snow-filled days!

The Rev. Dr. Wally Mayton

Presbytery Council Moderator

Parish Associate, Midland-Memorial

All of the information you need to enter your congregations 2023 Annual Statistics is now available on our website. Letters were mailed on January 4th to all Clerks of Session. A copy of that letter is also on the Annual Statistics page of our website. The deadline for entering information is February 15th. If you have any questions please contact Staci Percy at spercy@presbylh.org.

Presbytery's no longer automatically receive printed Minister Membership Cards. We have to request them individually.

If you would like a Minister Member Card for 2024, please email Staci Percy at spercy@presbylh.org no later than January 31, 2024.

The IRS announced the standard mileage rates for 2024. They are as follows:

Business/Ministry 67 cents

Charitable 14 cents

These may also be found on the Documents and Forms page of our website under the Financial Information heading. Other financial information updated for 2024 may also be found there.

Our office hours have changed slightly with the new year. The office will be physically closed on Tuesdays, but staff will work remotely. The other days remain the same.

New Office Hours as of January:

Mondays 9am-4:30pm

Tuesdays Office in physically closed, staff will work remotely

Wednesdays 9am-4:30pm

Thursdays 9am-4:30pm

Fridays Office Closed

A Vital Gift from Our Board of Pensions for Members of Lake Huron Presbytery

Last summer, the Board of Pensions of the PC (USA) began the Clergy Wellness Support Program. This initiative provides ministers with grants up to $5,000 to foster renewal and wholeness. The grants can be taken every six years.

The Clergy Program at the Davidson Centre for the Professions is one of seven preapproved programs of the Clergy Wellness Program.

Since 2004, more than 1,200 clergy have participated in this on-site intensive wellness program —The Clergy Program. This program in Davidson, North Carolina has strengthened lives and revitalized careers, especially for those in transition and stress. This grant from our Board of Pensions will cover the full cost of this program and all related travel expenses for pastors earning under an $80,000 salary.

We caregivers tend to give care for everyone, except ourselves. This onsite Clergy Program includes intensive wellness work with certified counselors, spiritual directors, consultants, life coaches, nutritionists, financial counselors, and personal fitness trainers. It is a great week of self-care and a way to obtain tools for personal/professional resilience. General information is found at www.davcp.com. This is an independent, ecumenical, HIPAA compliant service, and a validated ministry of our church.

We are asking you to let members of your Presbytery know about our Clergy Program and the other preapproved programs of our Board of Pensions. Please edit this note as you wish and let your members know of this vital opportunity. You may wish to do so through:

• Personal emails to members of your Presbytery,
• A Newsletter,
• Statement during a Presbytery meeting, and/or
• Any avenue you see best.

You members can register, or ask questions, by contacting our new Director Suzanne Schilling at suzanneschilling@davcp.com