Greenwood Discounts - Register for a camp before January 1 and receive a discount on your application.  Sign up a new Greenwood camper and receive an additional $25 discount.  Check us out at www.campgreenwood.org.

Need a Job - Camp Greenwood is taking applications from high school and college youth for staffing in 2011.  If you feel God is calling you to a ministry with kids, this may be your opportunity to heed His calling in your life.  Applications and job descriptions can be found at www.campgreenwood.org.  Deadline is January 30, 2011

Churches are struggling, trying to reinvent themselves in order to cope with the loss of finances, constant dwindling of membership and the apparent need to become missional. Many are understaffed and cannot cope with the amount of work required to make changes in worship and programming in addition to training of leadership. Conferences that can reach the masses are more desirable and more cost effective than trying to work with one church at a time. Additionally, having such a conference in Ohio provides a location that will accommodate more congregations at less cost.

The Synod of the Covenant and the Presbytery of Detroit have partnered to offer such a conference. So Save the Date!

Experts acknowledge that careers in health care are rapidly expanding globally. The industry is in need of skilled personnel that have a broad knowledge of health care administration to complement the existing practices of the clinical health care professional.

Alma College's new Health Care Administration program, which begins accepting students in 2011, answers the call.

"CEOs in the health field have expressed the need for health professionals who understand the business and administration side of the health professions," says Dr. Dale Sanders, director and assistant professor of health care administration at Alma College. "For example, the need for administration skills is especially critical for physicians in private practice. They can treat patients, but many struggle in managing daily operations.

"Alma's program recognizes the business, ethical, historical and cultural contexts of health administration," he says.

Alma College's liberal arts curriculum - along with courses in financial and managerial accounting, economics, health care finance, health service management, and strategic planning in health care - will provide a foundation for students pursuing health care administration careers, says Sanders. In addition, Alma's program will provide hands-on internship opportunities locally, regionally, nationally, and even internationally.

Entry- and middle-level health administration jobs exist with hospitals, nursing homes, physician practices, home care organizations, outpatient centers, wellness/fitness centers, medical suppliers, managed care organizations/health insurers, pharmaceutical firms, and many other related organizations, says Sanders.

Students in Alma's program are required to fulfill a senior capstone project that includes active involvement in researching and solving real-world problems related to health care administration.

Alma College is seeking program accreditation with the Association of University Programs in Health Administration, says Sanders.

The Health Care Administration program joins Biotechnology and Environmental Studies as new academic programs in integrated health at Alma College.

Angels, announce with shouts of mirth Christ who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today: Love the Lord is on the way. (The Presbyterian Hymnal #12)

People, look east: Once more, dawn is about to break upon us in the birth of the Messiah. Once more, God-with-us is about to be born in our hearts, illuminating our lives and this world with the brilliant warmth of God's peace,
justice, and hope. Love the Lord is on the way.

Eleanor Farjeon, a British children's author who penned the Advent hymn, "People, Look East," as well as "Morning Has Broken," had to have been a morning person. I imagined her skipping her way down a garden path
on a sunlit morning - until I read more about her life.

Farjeon was a shy, home-schooled child in poor health with poor eyesight who spent the majority of her days in an attic stacked with books. Apparently, her infirmities did not dampen what had to be a resilient spirit, even in the midst of the cold, harsh reality of winter: "Birds, though you long have ceased to build, guard the nest that must be filled. Even the hour when wings are frozen God for fledging time has chosen."

This year's Advent and Christmas seasons are accompanied by the cold, harsh reality of winter - literally and figuratively. A poor economy and lean job market, growing numbers of homeless and hungry families, the
continuation of wars, a rising number of suicides, threats of terror, and more.

Perhaps we, too, retreat up to the attic. There, we rummage around and find treasures, among them the carefully packed nativity set that has been passed down for generations - generations that have seen ups and downs,
comings and goings, springs and winters.

Once more, we will position that resilient crèche in a prominent place. Once more, it will remind us of a miraculous story: An angel of the Lord tells Joseph, "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they
shall name him Emmanuel, which means 'God is with us'" (Matt. 1:23).
People, look east: Once more, Love the Lord is on the way!

The peace of the Christ child be with you and yours.

Gradye Parsons
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly

The early registration deadline for the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) Annual Event is December 3.  Register on or before this date and save $50.  The Annual Event, "Walking in Balance," is on February 2 to 5, 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  This conference is widely known as one of the best continuing education events available--for educators, pastors, and this year especially, people who work in youth ministry.  The Presbyterian Youth Workers Association conference is "nested" in the APCE conference so you get both great events.  Other highlights include keynote speaker Rick Ufford-Chase, a pre-conference retreat, and over 120 workshops.  Information and registration is at www.apcenet.org.

As a reminder, the Presbytery Office will be closed December 24th to January 2nd.  Voice mail and e-mail will be checked periodically.

Staci Percy, Communications Manager/Recording Clerk will be on medical leave from December 23rd to at least January 10th.