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Presbytery of Lake Huron
Bi-Weekly Brief
January 6, 2010
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An Epiphany Prayer
 Lord Jesus
may your light shine our way,
as once it guided the steps of the magi:
that we too may be led into your presence
and worship you,
the Child of Mary,
the Word of the Father,
the King of nations,
the Saviour of mankind;
to whom be glory for ever.
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UPCOMING MEETINGS
Trustees
January 7
Presbytery Office
9:30am
Worship Team
January 7
Presbytery Office
1:00pm
Coordinating Team
January 12
Presbytery Office
10:00am
Health Fairs Group
January 15
Presbytery Office
10:00am
CLP Class
January 16
Presbytery Office
9:00am
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 18
Presbytery Office Closed
Nominating Team
January 25
Presbytery Office
10:00am
Committee on Ministry
January 26
Presbytery Office
12:00pm
Presbytery Meeting
February 2
Bay City-Westminster
9:30am
Coordinating Team
February 12
Presbytery Office
10:00am
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NEWS FROM THE PC(USA)
The Rev. Dr. Nancy Young to serve as coordinator for Racial
Ethnic and Women's Leadership Development and Racial Ethnic Schools and
Colleges
LOUISVILLE - The Rev. Dr. Rhashell D. Hunter,
director of Racial Ethnic and Women's Ministries/Presbyterian Women for
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), announced today that the Rev. Dr. Nancy Young,
a PC(USA) minister serving as associate pastor of worship, liturgy and
music at Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Midland, Mich., has accepted
the call to join the General Assembly Mission Council as coordinator
for Racial Ethnic and Women's Leadership Development /Racial Ethnic
Schools and Colleges, effective Jan. 25, 2010.
As
coordinator, Young will help set vision, manage ministries and
supervise staff in the Women's and Racial Ethnic Leadership Development
offices of the Racial Ethnic and Women's Ministries/Presbyterian Women
ministry area.
"I am excited that Nancy will...continue reading.
Gifts that keep giving
Indiana church promoted alternative gifts this Christmas, matched donations
Christmas is the season of giving, and in that spirit, Corydon Presbyterian Church in southern Indiana encouraged members to extend that giving outside their own families.
In fact, the church offered an incentive to make alternative giving a little more attractive.
With alternative giving, rather than buying a material gift, a donation is given to a charity in the recipient's name.
The
Mission Committee set aside $1,000 and offered to match alternative
Christmas gifts to the charity of the giver's choice up to $50. The
program was announced the week before Thanksgiving and continued until
the funds were used up. Mission Committee secretary Karolyn Mangeot credited her husband, Richard, with the idea. "Another
local foundation was having a matching program and that gave me the
idea for us," said Richard Mangeot. "The church is always interested in
getting members involved and helping them to see where their money goes. Keep reading.
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For Your Prayers
For Congregations in Pastoral Leadership Transition Breckenridge-Emerson, Holly, Ithaca-First, Midland-Chapel Lane and Sandusky.
The Rev. Roger Browne, former pastor of Bay City-Memorial, on his recent retirement and upcoming move to Florida.
The Rev. David Young and the Rev. Dr. Nancy Young, Midland-Chapel Lane and Midland-Trinity Lutheran, on their upcoming move to Louisville when Nancy begins her new call as Coordinator for Women Leadership Development and
Racial Ethnic Schools and Colleges in the Racial Ethnic and Women Ministries/PW
Ministry Area.
The Rev. Dr. Randy Cullen, former pastor of Holly Presbyterian, who left at the end of the year to join his wife, Karen in Baltimore.
Marquietta Davis, Presbytery Staff, who left at the end of the year due to staffing changes.
Contact information for anyone on this list may be obtained by calling
the presbytery office at 800-621-6905 or 989-799-7481.
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Presbytery News and Information
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| Staff and Telephone Changes 
The Presbytery Office telephones
are now set to automated answering. The menu is as follows (and is included
in the telephone greeting).
Operator ext. 0
Louise Brokaw ext. 1
Staci Percy ext. 2
Andrea Drapp ext.3
Doug Tracy ext. 4
Valerie Fargo ext. 5
At any time during the greeting
you can press "0" to reach the administrative assistant or press any
other extension to reach a specific staff person or to leave a message.
We have a temporary employee assisting in the presbytery office. Her name is
Vanessa Scott. She will be the one you speak to when you call the
office and select the option of speaking with the operator. |
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Annual Statistics Packages Mailed
Annual Statistical Report information packets were sent to each Clerk of Session on January 4th.Forms and links to online reporting sites are available on the new Annual Statistics page of our website. There is also a link to this new page on our home page.
The deadline to return the information will be February
23rd.As a reminder, these reports
only need to be approved by the session and not the congregation. |
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Applications Being Accepted
The Presbytery of Lake
Huron is taking applications for the Stated Clerk's position through January 15th.
Please visit www.presbylh.org for more information and details on how to
apply. |
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2010 Mileage Rated Announced
The
IRS announced the standard mileage rates effective January 1, 2010.
They are:
Business:
50 cents
Medical and Moving: 16.5 cents
Charitable:
14 cents
This information is also on our website on the Documents page under IRS
Mileage Rate Info.
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New Resources and VBS Kits Available
 The Resource Center has several new items that are available for your use. To see what is new, just click here. Each month the Resource Center Coordinator, Valerie Fargo, will compile a list of new resources and it will be posted on the Resource Center page of our website.
To search our catalog from the comfort of your home or office, just click here.
When you find items that you would like to borrow, call the presbytery
office at 800-621-6905 or 989-799-7481 to make arrangements for picking
them up.
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also have two VBS kits from 2009 that are available to any congregation
that would like one. They are Cokesbury's Discovery Canyon and Groups'
Crocodile Dock. These are both preview kits.
The 2010 preview kits are expected to arrive soon.
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The Story Behind the Moderator's Cross
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the Rev. Ken Hetzel (Croswell-First) finished his term as Moderator of
the Presbytery of Lake Huron, he presented a wooden cross necklace to
the incoming Moderator, Elder CJ Merriman (Lapeer-First). Like so many things, there
is a wonderful story behind it. In Ken's words, here is the story:
The Moderator's Cross is a stylized Vining Cross, a cross
set within vines growing up around it. It alludes to the Biblical passage, "I am
the vine you are the branches... Apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5).
The vine also represents the new or true Israel, the church, which receives its
lift from Christ Jesus. A further thought might be the vine represents new
growth, the new life each believer participates within.
The cross itself is a modified Budded Cross, in which the
flower bud on each end of the cross suggests the young Christian growing to
flower through the vine. The "bud" on each end of the cross
resembles a crown, suggesting the crown of Glory of the Christ, and also
the crows of glory given each disciple of Christ.
It was presented to the Presbytery Moderator to be a symbol
of the ministry and work of the Presbytery. It is now passed from Moderator to
Moderator at their installation. It can be worn at any and all functions over
which the moderator presides.
The Cross is cut by hand by jig-saw by a farmer
artisan living in the greater Croswell community. The artist carves many
different cut-out designs, most of which are personally designed or adapted. He
is frequently at summer craft shows in the Thumb area selling his designs. He
is an active member of the Missionary Church, and all monies derived from his
work are used to support his many missions trips. As a carpenter or builder he
has journeyed with construction teams to South America, Africa and recently to
Nepal. He reports that most of the team's work is building homes for
missionaries and secondarily constructing small church-utility buildings.
The Rev. David Young (Midland-Chapel Lane), 2009 Moderator of Lake Huron Presbytery, passes the cross to the Rev. Melissa DeRosia (Caro-First), 2010 Moderator of Lake Huron Presbytery during the installation service as part of the December 1, 2009 stated meeting.
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Events, Seminars and More
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A.P.C.E. Annual Event 2010
Jan. 27 - 30, 2010
Nashville, Tennessee
The
annual event of The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators will
be held January 27-30, 2010 in Nashville, TN. For detailed information
and to register, please visit their website.
Special guest, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, Sheryl Crow will stop by the event this year.
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Youth Triennium Registration Ends Soon
Youth Triennium 2010 will be held July 20-24, at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.
Since this is open only to high school youth every three years, this
is generally a once-in-a-lifetime event for young people.
Information may be found on our website on the Documents page. The deadline for registering is February 1st. But don't wait to save your spot - register today!
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Moving Back Into The Neighborhood
February 6th
$10 payable by check at the door
First Presbyterian Church of Dearborn
600 N. Brady Rd.
Dearborn, MI 48124
313-274-1313
The Presbytery of Detroit is hosting a one-day workshop featuring the Rev. Dr. Alan J. Roxburgh. All presbytery and congregational leaders are encouraged to attend this event. The focus of this seminar is: Navigating the Changing Waters of Leadership.
| An overview of the seminar from Dr. Roxburgh's website:
We believe mission-shaped life in local churches is about moving back into the neighborhood and connecting again with the places and people where we live and work. If we are to take Luke 10: 1-12
seriously and as the basis for the ways we shape local church life
across North America then we need to learn the skills of entering and
dwelling in and among the people of the neighborhoods where we live and
work.
This one-day workshop provides local churches and denominational leaders with easy to understand concepts, tools and resources for this journey back into the neighborhood.
It will assist people understand how to read what is happening in a
community, the types of people who shape its make up, where they have
come from, the images shaping their lives and the desires that form
them at this moment. Rather than relying on demographic
resources purchased from an agency this workshop trains people to do
their own work of discovering a neighborhood and determining the ways
in which a local church might shape its ministries and mission. This is
an essential resource for any church or group wanting to discover again
how to enter and love its community for the kingdom. The Workshop and Workbook provided covers the four following sections: - Why Look at a Community or Neighborhood? Understanding the call of the gospel, the role of complexity, diveristy and transitions and change on our ministry.
- Guidelines for Listening. Structure and guidelines to create a process of listening to maximize your effectiveness in listening deeply to your context.
- Doing the Work.
The work of listening will involve community interviews, churches and
their ministries, religious organizations profile summaries and looking
at census data.
- Developing and Presenting a Report. Step by step instructions on how to compile all your work of listening into a report.
For a printable brochure, please visit the Upcoming Events page of our website. To register, click here.
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Rick Ufford-Chase to Lead Peacemaking Weekend
February 5-7, 2010
Memorial Presbyterian Church
1310 Ashman St.
Midland. MI
Former PC(USA) Moderator Rick Ufford-Chase to Lead 2010 Peacemaking Weekend
"Living Faithfully in a
Culture of Violence"
will form the framework for the special Peacemaking Weekend, February 5-7 at Memorial
Presbyterian Church in Midland. Members
of the Presbytery are cordially invited to share in the variety of activities
for adults and youth being planned under the dynamic leadership of Rick
Ufford-Chase, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church
(USA) from 2004 to 2006.
Mr.
Ufford-Chase is Executive Director of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, co-director
of Stony Point Center in New York and co-founder of the Community of Living Traditions,
a Muslim, Jewish and Christian residential community committed to the study and
practice of nonviolence. Prior to his move to New York, he spent twenty years
working on the U.S./Mexico border in support of refugees and migrants.
Friday, the weekend program will be launched with a pot-luck dinner at 5:30 p.m. followed
by a keynote by Mr. Ufford-Chase titled "Troubled
Waters: Faithfulness in a Time of Fear" (based on Luke 6) exploring
violence in the media, gun violence and the war on terror, and challenges to
the Church of Jesus Christ.
Saturday, 10 a.m.- 12 noon, Mr. Ufford-Chase
will lead a workshop, "Bread on the
Waters: Creating a Relevant Peace
Witness for our Time." This interactive
session will conclude with a "Simple Meal," and like all weekend events is open
to the community and congregations of the Presbytery. Saturday
events will conclude with a program and pizza supper for youth from 4:30 - 6:30
p.m.
Sunday, the week-end will conclude with Mr.
Ufford-Chase preaching at 8, 9 and 10:45 a.m. services followed by a pot-luck lunch
and dialogue at 12:30 p.m.
Reservations for Friday and Saturday events can be made by calling
the church (989)835-6759. Child care will be available upon request.
For a printable flier, please visit the Upcoming Events page of the presbytery's website. For directions to the church click here.
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Funding Mission Today and Tomorrow
 March 15 - 17
Indianapolis, Indiana
Hilton Indianapolis Downtown
Are you looking for more ways to share the theological and spiritual meaning of stewardship? Are you looking for new ideas for stewardship campaigns? Do you want to infuse the discipline of stewardship with joy and reverence
If so, then register now for this inspiring Presbyterian Stewardship Conference! Visit www.stewardshipkaleidoscope.org for more details and to register for the event. To download a brochure, click here.
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Camp Greenwood Accepting Applications for Summer Employment
Summer Jobs - Camp
Greenwood is now accepting applications for employment at the camp for the
summer. College students are needed to serve as camp counselors
starting June 1 to August 7. High school youth are requested to
apply as support staff starting June 12 to August 7. Applications and job
descriptions can be found online at www.campgreenwood.org. See you this
summer!!!
Camp Greenwood now also has many camps listed on their website. Including two SERVE weeks for high school youth. Please visit their website to register for some great camps and to get ideas on what your youth can participate in this summer.
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Take Time Out for a Personal
Sabbath Retreat
A few precious days out of touch, out of reach.
A blessed retreat from everyday distractions.
· Memorial Day Weekend: room
- $165 plus tax; meals - $71.75 per person. Your package includes three
nights in Assembly Inn and seven meals in the Galax Dining Room, including
the famous "Kirkin' O' the Tartan" buffet following Sunday worship.
· Labor Day Weekend: room
- $165 plus tax; meals - $65 per person. Your package includes three
nights and seven meals.
· Week-After-Easter (week of April 6): room
- $55 per night plus tax; meals -$28.50 per person per day plus tax. We'll help
you customize your own special mid-week Sabbath plan.
· Mid-Week Spring Break (weeks of April 26 and May
17): room - $55 per night plus tax; meals -$28.50 per person per day
plus tax. Length of stay and meal plans are flexible.
Contact Aletha Roper at 800.572.2257, ext. 311 for more information or to book your
personal Sabbath retreat. Click here to visit their website. |
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Princeton Theological Seminary Institute for Youth Ministry Hosts Forum
 April 26 - 28
Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton, NJ
Hope. It's a catchphrase on
our bumper stickers. It's a buzzword on the lips of our leaders. It's
the youth sitting in our churches and the futures we dream for them,
but still we ask: what is Hope? We see the word everywhere from ad
campaigns to refrigerator magnets, but in an era of constant war,
unending poverty, and pervasive indifference, we want to know: where
can we find Hope? This year, the Princeton
Forums on Youth Ministry will explore the radical theological and
missional significance of Hope. We will learn from expert theologians,
outstanding practitioners, and our conversations with each other as we
explore the practical implications of Hope for our youth ministries. We
will walk together in times of prayer, praise, and proclamation as we
seek to discover the Hope in the midst of our own lives.
The hope in the world, ubiquitous though it might
seem, may be running out, but we do not despair. Because it's also the
journey of the cross. It's the mystery of the empty tomb. It's the God
who stands in the gap of a broken world and holds us in a divine
embrace as we pray, "Our Hope, Lord, is in you."
The Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry offers theological education relevant to ministry with youth. At the forum you will
Hear cutting edge lectures Study scripture with biblical scholars and pastors Experience inspiring worship Learn ways to strengthen and deepen your ministry Reflect, rest, and recharge Connect with others in youth ministry
Registration is open.
Click here for more info.
Click here to register for the spring Forum.
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PC(USA) Resources and Materials
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Celebrate Gifts of Women Sunday on March 7th
 Planning and promotional materials for Celebrate Gifts of Women Sunday
are now available for FREE download or purchase
from Presbyterian Distribution Service. Celebrate the Gifts of Women Sunday
honors women who contribute their gifts to the church and community and lifts
up issues of women's rights. March
7, 2010, the day before International Women's Day, is Celebrate the Gifts of Women Sunday. This
year's theme is "Women Keeping the Message Alive." Your congregation or women's
groups may, however, use this resource on any date that you choose to celebrate
women.
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Picture is Let's Think Peace by Huong
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2010 Lenten Devotional Guide
 Praying through Lent with Heart, Soul, Mind and Body
Walk with Jesus from Ash Wednesday through
Easter Sunday, and experience many ways to pray to God and love our
neighbors as ourselves. This popular devotional resource, produced by Presbyterians Today
magazine, contains Scripture readings and meditations for each day of
Lent. An excellent resource for churches, families and individuals.
Prayers for the whole family
Each day's devotion includes a written prayer or prayerful exercise for
the day. Some prayers are quiet and contemplative. Some are active and
engaged. Most are ideal for families, children, church prayer groups.
Kristine A. Haig,
author of this year's devotional guide, is co-pastor of First
Presbyterian Church in Morgantown, W.Va., and writer of the former
"Spiritual Fitness" column in Presbyterians Today.
Order copies for your congregation now while supplies last and to guarantee delivery before Lent (Feb. 17).
TO ORDER by phone: Call (800) 524-2612.
· 1-9 copies: $3 each
· 10-99 copies: $1.50 each
· 100-249 copies: $1.25 each
· 250 or more copies: $1 each
(plus shipping and handling)
Item # 12-116-09-012
Click here to order online.
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Alma College News and Events
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Auction, Service, 'The Meeting' Highlight MLK Week at Alma College
 A dramatic presentation of a fictional meeting between Martin Luther
King Jr. and Malcolm X that builds on the theme "What Will Your Give?"
will highlight Alma College's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Jan. 17 through 21.
Workshops on social change, community service activities and a charity
silent auction also will take place during MLK Week at Alma College.
The critically acclaimed play "The Meeting" is presented at 8 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 18 in the Remick Heritage Center. The MLK Week keynote
event is free and open to the public.
"'The Meeting' is an emotional, clever and intense confrontation
between these two men, their commitment to human rights, and the times
in which they lived," says assistant professor Laura Von Wallmenich.
"Our theme comes from the play, in which Dr. King and Malcolm X address
the question: What will you give to advance civil rights?
"It's also an appropriate question for our students. What do we as
individuals choose to give to advance social justice, especially at a
time when many communities are facing economic hardships?" she says.
Presented by the professional theatre group Pin Points, the play
explores what might have happened had Dr. King, a Baptist minister who
practiced non-violent advocacy, and Malcolm X, a Muslim minister who
believed in "freedom by any means necessary," had met before they were
assassinated just three years apart.
Click here to continue reading and for details on time and dates of additional events.
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Alma Youth Mix Happening This Spring
March 19 - 21, 2010
Alma College
The Alma Youth Mix is a Senior High youth event sponsored by Alma
College, Lake Michigan Prebytery, and Lake Huron Presbytery. It is held
on the Alma College campus in central Michigan.
The
Alma Youth Mix is held annually to provide a Spiritual event for youth
and to provide a fun time to meet Senior High youth from other Churches
in the Area. We provide a Keynoter, Small Group activities, Music,
Freetime, Dance and plenty of excellent food.
The
event begins on Friday at 8:00 and ends Sunday at 12:30. We sleep on
the floors of the gym and the weightrooms and eat at the Hamilton
Commons Cafeteria. There is time for fellowship, spiritual growth,
playing and relaxing.
For detailed information, please visit their website
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Contact Info
Staci Percy
Communications Manager/Recording Clerk Presbytery of Lake Huron P.O. Box 6129 Saginaw, MI 48608-6129 989-799-7481 or 800-621-6905 www.presbylh.org
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Presbytery of Lake Huron
"Rediscovering
our mutual partnership in Jesus Christ"
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