Upcoming Meetings
Committee on Preparation for Ministry
February 17
Presbytery Office
1:00pm
CLP Class
February 20
Presbytery Office
9:00am
Committee on Ministry
February 23
Presbytery Office
12:00pm
Coordinating Team
March 10
Presbytery Office
10:00am
Presbyterian Women
March 11
Presbytery Office
10:00am
Alma Youth Mix
March 19-21
Alma College
CLP Class
March 20
Presbytery Office
9:00am
Committee on Ministry
March 23
Presbytery Office
12:00pm
Nominating Team
March 29
Presbytery Office
10:00am |
GOD's PEOPLE IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE
Georgia pastor on Haiti mission trip recounts quake experience
It started out as a loud rumble, as if a semi truck were driving next to our building.
Then came the shaking: solid concrete rippling like water under our feet and all around us.
As we looked at one another in pure shock, students across the walkway screamed - and suddenly we were running in a great mass, scampering down the stairs, seeking the safety of the courtyard below.
On Jan. 12 I was on the island of La Gonave in Haiti, in the bay outside Port au Prince, as part of an 11-person mission team from three churches in Greater Atlanta Presbytery, which has partnered with Haiti for more than 20 years.
We arrived on Friday, Jan. 8, and had already taught dental hygiene and administered fluoride treatments to students, and tested eyes and distributed eyeglasses to adults.
On that Tuesday afternoon, we were relaxing and looking forward to checking in with recipients of micro-loans the next day.
Just before 5:00 p.m., the earthquake struck. When it quieted, we could not see any destruction around us, and offered a prayer of thanks. We wondered whether the earthquake had been stronger elsewhere. Should we fear a tsunami?
Cellphones were out. The operational radio stations had only piecemeal information, and only after the dust cloud settled.
Two hours later, as we huddled with Haitian students...continue reading. | |
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Good and gracious Lord, in your great love
you ask us to return to you with our whole heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.
Show us the way to repentance and forgiveness.
Increase our hope.
Change our hearts.
Guide us through this holy season of Lent,
and show us the joy of the Resurrection.
In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen.
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| For Your Prayers
The Rev. Peter Russell (Honorably Retired) and wife Verna continued prayers as they await results of follow up tests after Peter's recent radiation treatments and as he continues treatment for mascular degenation that requires that he gets shots in his eyes every five weeks. Prayers also for Verna as his caretaker.
Staci Percy, Presbytery Staff I want to thank everyone who sent cards, flowers, prayers and well wishes following my recent hand surgery for carpal tunnel. I have post-postponed surgery on my left hand for now. But I wanted everyone to know that I felt your prayers and I am very grateful to have so many amazing people in my life. You are all such a blessing!
The Rev. John Becker (Vassar-First) and the Rev. Dr. Steve Shugert (Mt. Pleasant-First) and their wives as they prepare for retirement later this spring.
For Congregations in Pastoral Leadership Transition Breckenridge-Emerson, Holly, Ithaca-First, Midland-Chapel Lane and Sandusky.
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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Directions to the Presbytery Office
Due to the closure of I-675 North as of
February 22nd, if you are visiting the Presbytery Office and are coming from
the South, it is recommended that you take I-75 North to I-675 South to the
Tittabawassee Road exit. Turn west
(right), take Tittabawassee to Center Road (approx. 2.7 miles, 5 traffic
lights), turn south (left) onto Center and continue to McCarty Road, turn west
(right) on McCarty. Continue ½ mile to office which is on the north (right)
side of the road. These directions can
also be found on our homepage.
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 Scheduling Meeting Times at the Presbytery Office
As a reminder, if you plan to have a meeting at the Presbytery Office please contact Vanessa to reserve a room. Occassionally we have more than one group wanting to meet at the same time. We want to ensure that you have an appropriate meeting place when your group or committee arrives. Committee Chairs, following a meeting, if you know when you are going to meet next please let Vanessa know on your way out. She can confirm with you right then that you will have a room available when you need it. Vanessa can be reached at the Presbytery Office at 989-799-7481, extension 0 or 800-621-6905 or via e-mail. |
May 4th Presbytery Meeting Change
Due to Saginaw-Second being notified that they need to be a precinct for voting on Tuesday, May 4th the location of the presbytery meeting scheduled for that day has been changed to Saginaw-Korean American. The church is in the same building as the Presbytery Office.
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 Annual Statistics Deadline Near
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 information is February 23rd.
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Congratulations Wally
Congratulations to the Rev. Wally Mayton, of Midland-Memorial who received
the 2009 Friendship Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters in the Heart of
Michigan at its annual meeting. On completion of twelve years of service
on the Board with three years service as Board President, he was also named
Board Director Emeritus.
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Learn More About the Two Coins a Meal Program
Saturday, February 27
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. (lunch included)
Westminster Presbyterian Church 103 E. Midland Street, Bay City
Does your congregation participate in the "Two Coins a Meal" hunger ministry?
Would you like to learn more about the life-giving
programs supported by "Two Coins"?
Would you like to know more about our Presbytery's
partnership with the Presbyterian Church
in Costa Rica (IEPC)?
Then you are
cordially invited to attend.
When: Saturday, February 27,
2010, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. (lunch included)
Where: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 103 E. Midland Street, Bay City
We
are excited that the members of this summer's delegation to Costa Rica will
share special stories of their visits to a number of the feeding programs
supported by Lake Huron's "Two Coins a Meal" program. This is an opportunity to see our partnership
in action! Come share in this special
time of fellowship and take home resources to be used in your congregation.
R.S.V.P. by 2/24 to (800) 621-6905 ext 3 or
e-mail jsmcdowell@charter.net
Click here for directions to Westminster Presbyterian Church
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Board of Pensions Seminars to be held in Lansing
The following seminars have been set up by Lake Michigan Presbytery and you are invited to attend. They will all be held at First Presbyterian Church in Lansing and they are all led by Board of Pensions Education Specialists. The seating is limited to the first 30 participants who register online or by mail. The cost is nominal. Once you have registered you will be told how and whom to pay (meals and travel cost). April 12-13 Growing into Tomorrow...Today (mid- to late career clergy and lay Benefits Plan members who are not retired and your spouses or fiancés) April 14 Render unto Caesar (for clergy, church treasurers and personnel chairs - a seminar on understanding Terms of Call and clergy tax issues) April 15 Getting in Shape Fiscally (designed for clergy and lay Benefits Plan members - designed to help you get on the path to financial wellness) April 16 Post Retirement Click here to learn more and to register. If these dates are not good for you but you are interested in attending one or more of these seminars please contract Andrea Drapp at the Presbytery Office at 989-799-7481. We may be able to schedule at least two seminars to be held within our presbytery later in the year. |
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SERVE Week info for Youth and Youth Leaders
Sunday, June 20 - Saturday, June 26 $225 (all inclusive except for transportation)
INCLUDED: Complete program set-up by our staff
- Lodging in modern cabins with a bathroom
- All home cooked meals for the week
- Speaker, small group and praise and worship daily
- Four days of serving, the 5th day at a water/ride theme park
- FREE TIME: Swim, fish, boat, hike, sports, campfires & more
CAMP GREENWOOD
"Where Christ is Spoken"
13564 MacClain Road
Gowen, MI 49326
Greg Hoekman, Camp Director - Cell - 231-224-3059
Many other camp options are available as well. Please visit their website for details.
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Thank You.
Give, Act and Pray for Haiti
A Message from Randy Ackley, Coodinator, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance:
In the aftermath of the terrible earthquake in Haiti, your prayers, gifts and actions are making a difference. In a time when so many symbols of safety and security have been destroyed your support of the One Great Hour of Sharing and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) have been a tangible witness of God's presence and hope.
Working in concert with Action by Churches Together (ACT) Alliance and Church World Service, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has provided assistance toward:
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Food, water and 35,000 hygiene kits and baby kits at 15 distribution sites.
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Temporary shelters for the many people left homeless.
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Supplies and vital infrastructure support including electrical, water, sanitation and security at Hôpital Sainte Croix (Holy Cross Hospital) in Leogane, one of the few operating medical facilities in the region, and the Faculty of Nursing Science of the Episcopal University of Haiti (FSIL).
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Initial assessments and ground work for community psycho-social recovery.
Download a power-point presentation with photos of these efforts.
We cannot thank you enough for your compassion and generosity. We have been inspired by so many stories of children, youth groups, and congregations each doing their part in support of the earthquake response. The damage has been devastating, but as Presbyterian mission co-worker and PDA staff member, Carlos Cardenas, reports, despite the devastation, "Hope is alive." Thank you for bringing hope to the people of Haiti. You can find situation updates and information on how you can get involved by visiting the PDA Web site.
Yes. Our God is up to the task. Pray that we will all be up to the task.
As God's people we are called to stand in the "GAP" - GIVE. ACT. PRAY.
Give - Financial support for relief efforts can be made online and designated to DR000064. Gifts can also be made by phone at (800) 872-3283, and checks can be mailed to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.
Act - Prepare for a special worship service in your congregation using the hymn, bulletin inserts and other worship resources available from PDA. Congregations and individuals can also put together hygiene kits and baby kits to be distributed through Church World Service.
Pray - Join with others in lifting up the people of Haiti and those seeking to provide aid in this critical time. As the eyes of the world turn to Haiti, let us join our hearts in prayer.
Thank you, your gifts and prayers make a difference! |
 Midland-Memorial/Uganda Mission Partnership - We're Leaving on a Jetplane
The 2010 Mission Team from ACT-Michigan will be traveling to Uganda from February 25th - March 8th for our latest adventure and fellowship with our Ugandan partners!
The team is comprised of Rev. Dr. David J. Pierce, Ced Currin, Tim Yeurgens, Israel Pacheco-Santos, and Sue Waechter.
We have created a blog that will allow us to attempt to journal daily about our activities. We will do our best knowing that electricity and connectivity are big questions day-to-day! Assume we will add something to the blog at the end of every day (which will be about noon or 1pm EST). We suggest you save this email in your inbox and click on the link each day to hear the latest!
We covet your prayers and thank you for your generosity and support for this God-inspired partnership,
ACT-Michigan and ACT-Muko
www.actuganda.blogspot.com | |
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