We lift up the following congregations and their pastoral leadership: 

We encourage everyone to send a card or e-mail or make a phone call to those listed.  Sometimes a small gesture creates a big smile.

Contact information for anyone on this list may be obtained by calling the presbytery office at 800-621-6905 or 989-799-7482

Would you believe it?  On August 28th, the Tawas Area Presbyterian Church will celebrate their 20th year of ministry.  A special worship service will be held at 10:00am and any Presbyterians in the area would be warmly welcomed to join the celebration.  The stewardship of many Lake Huron churches helped make this new church development a reality, and we're still giving thanks for all the support.

Another successful week of health fairs has taken place in Lake Huron Presbytery. A six-person team of college students from the Synod of the Covenant arrived on July 6 and carried out four days of fairs with the assistance of volunteers from local churches as well as the Korean Presbyterian Church in Southfield.  

Migrant fairs were held at Imlay City and Reese Elementary Schools, and urban fairs were held at Flint-First and Flint-Trinity United. Thank you to all those who contributed over 600 health kits, as well as hosting sites and providing lodging and meals for the team. Kits not used at the fairs are being distributed to migrant ministries and men's and women's shelters throughout the presbytery.

Please click here to see a short slideshow of pictures from this year's health fairs. 

First Presbyterian Church of Taymouth set new records with their "Bible Building Blocks" VBS.  From July 24-27, 44 young people sang, hammered, played, painted, snacked, learned, and just plain had a great time!  Each night had its own theme: The wise man built his house upon the rock, Noah's Ark, Tower of Babel, and the walls of Jericho, which of course came crashing down!  Parents were on hand to help with the building of special crafts and the senior youth group helped out with games.  The young people did not want this VBS to ever end!!

On Wednesday, September 28, 2011 he is offering two events at Alma College that are open to the public.

• An afternoon workshop, 2-4 pm in Jones Auditorium for community and religious leaders on "Working for Change"
• An evening lecture, 8 pm in the Heritage Center for the general public on "Journey to Leadership"

Please consider attending and invite your congregation to do the same.

These two FREE* events are both sponsored by the Pastoral Care Team of Maumee Valley Presbytery and are being held at the Weber Center in Adrian, MI 

"Growing into Tomorrow Today" - Pre-Retirement Planning. Suggested for all clergy regardless of age.

August 23-24, 2011; Register online.

"Post Retirement Seminar" This holistic retirement planning seminar is designed for clergy and lay Benefits Plan retirees, their spouses, and surviving spouses. August 25, 2011; Register online.

Registration open through July 29, 2011 (May take late registrations if space is still available.)

For additional info: Contact Jim Splitt (co-pastor First Presbyterian Church, Adrian) 517-265-2168 jsfirstpres@tc3net.com

* Lodging and meals are additional  

When participating in sports and competitive games, many youth are more focused on winning than they are enjoying the activity or their ability to play. This week's new youth study from The Thoughtful Christian, " Be a Good Sport! Beyond Winning and Losing," focuses on how we can use the gift of a healthy body for competitive sports while still honoring God with our attitudes and words on and off the playing field. Youth will discuss what it means to be a good sport and how God's presence in sports can help them keep a healthy perspective when they compete. While the study mostly focuses on physical sports activities, suggestions are given for groups comprised of youth mostly involved in nonphysical competitive activities.

Click here to go to The Thoughtful Christian website. 

The best way to go green - and save!

Presbyterians Today's Digital Subscription Plan is a great way to live out your congregation's commitment to the environment.

And best of all, the savings are substantial!  You can pay as little as $1.95 for each subscription - 92 percent off the regular print edition cost!  Pricing is based on your membership size.

Introducing Presbyterians Today's Digital Subscription Plan for Congregations.

Save up to 92 percent off the print edition cost!

Now you can connect your entire congregation to Presbyterians Today's Digital Edition at huge savings.

As each issue is published, we'll email you a link that you can publish on your website, print in your bulletin or newsletter, or email to your members. (If you prefer, we'll be happy to send an email notification to all your members as part of your subscription.)

Your entire congregation then will have full and immediate access to the current issue AND a year's worth of past issues. No password or registration is required. We've made it quick and easy.

Stories of faith and impact - with a focus on today's issues 

The stories that you'll find in Presbyterians Today inspire, equip, and connect Presbyterians who are passionate about the church's global mission and ministry. Some of this year's engaging features explore immigration, Haiti one year after the earthquake, poverty issues, human trafficking, women in leadership, technology in the church, interfaith dialogue, stewardship and discipleship, fair trade, and young adult and collegiate ministry.

Packed with useful information, references, and online links, every issue of Presbyterians Today is a template and handbook to engage your congregation in the Christ-filled work of evangelism, diversity, discipleship, and servanthood.

Whether your members choose to read Presbyterians Today online or download it, they'll appreciate our "live links." One click of the mouse will take them to the web pages, featured resources, and advertisers' sites - and even let them instantly send email to many of the addresses we publish. It's also easy to print out or forward a page or an article any time they'd like. Plus, every issue is searchable, making it easy to find an article or topic of interest.

Subscribe today 

Sign up today for instant access for your entire congregation to the current issue of Presbyterians Today and a year's worth of past issues.

New Covenant Grants 

One-time grants in amounts up to $10,000 are available to congregations, institutions and organizations within the bounds of the synod that have formal established ties to the synod.

Projects must fit within the three mission priorities of the synod:

• Church Transformation and Development
• Multicultural and Justice Ministries
• Ministries in Higher Education

Source of Funds: General/undesignated Mission Giving to the Synod

Additional information and guidelines may be found on the application form.

Due Date: October 1 

Program Grants For Racial Ethnic Congregations 

For racial ethnic and multicultural Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations within the bounds of the Synod of the Covenant

Source of Funds: Annual mission giving to the Synod Guidelines

• Grants are for one year
• May apply for a second year
• Demonstrated financial need

Due Date: October 1

How to apply 

Racial Ethnic Scholarships

For college, university and seminary students who are . . .

• Minority persons
• Members of a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregation within the bounds of the Synod of the Covenant
• In good academic standing

Source of Funds: Annual mission giving to the Synod Guidelines

• Scholarships are for one year
• May apply for a second year
• Demonstrated financial need

The Princeton Review selected Alma College as one of 153 institutions it recommends as "Best in the Midwest" for 2012.

http://www.princetonreview.com/best-regional-colleges.aspx

An education services company, the Princeton Review annually rates institutions on academic rigor, admissions selectivity, quality of campus life and financial aid. It divided the country into four regions and identified 629 colleges as academically excellent institutions of higher learning.

Ratings are calculated from student survey results and institutional data. The survey asks students 80 questions about the schools' academics, administration, campus life and student body.

The 12-state Midwest region comprises Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Fiske Guide Selects Alma College

Alma College also is included in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2012. Compiled by former New York Times education editor Edward Fiske, the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2012 examines the student body, academic quality, social life, financial aid, campus setting, housing and extracurricular activities of more than 300 colleges and universities.

"It is always gratifying when external organizations recognize the quality of Alma's academic programs and the commitment our faculty and staff have to personal attention, active learning, service and leadership," says Mike Silverthorn, director of communications at Alma College.