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We Give Thanks
By Harry Jewell
Our Father in Heaven,
We give thanks for the pleasure
Of gathering together for this occasion.
We give thanks for this food
Prepared by loving hands.
We give thanks for life,
The freedom to enjoy it all
And all other blessings.
As we partake of this food,
We pray for health and strength
To carry on and try to live as You would have us.
This we ask in the name of Christ,
Our Heavenly Father.
-- From About.com
The Presbytery Staff wishes everyone a safe, blessed and very happy Thanksgiving.
--- Louise, Andrea, Ted, Valerie, Staci and Rose
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 In Our Prayers
In honor of Thanksgiving tomorrow, we pray and give thanks for all of the people (elders and clergy) who serve on our various committees.
Elder Gerry Jackson (Holly) who is recouping from neck surgery last week.
The family and loved ones of Elder Janis Beach and the congregation of Flint-Trinity United on her passing on November 19. Click here to read her obituary.
Rosebush, Elder Charles Moerdyk, Commissioned Ruling Elder
Saginaw-Countryside Trinity, The Rev. Ken Parker, Pastor
Saginaw-First, The Rev. Dr. Robert Emrich, Pastor
Saginaw-Korean, The Rev. Dr. Daniel Ahn, Pastor
Saginaw-Second, The Rev. James Neumann, Pastor
Saginaw-Warren Avenue, The Rev. Thomas Cundiff, Pastor; The Rev. Dr. Rodney Shoemaker, Parish Associate
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 |
Long-Time Elder Passes Away
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 Elder Janis Beach Passes Away
Elder Janis Beach passed to the larger life on November 19th. She served as the Treasurer for nearly 20 years for Flint-Trinity United as well as Flint-Bethany. We are very grateful for her many years of dedicated and faithful service. She will be greatly missed by her family and the congregation of Flint-Trinity United. Click here to view her obituary.
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Presbytery Meeting Information
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 December Presbytery Meeting Information Available
The docket and all other information needed for the December 6th Stated Presbytery Meeting at Midland-Memorial can be found on the Presbytery Meetings page of our website.
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 Farewell to the Rev. Dr. Daniel Ahn
The Rev. Dr. Daniel Ahn is retiring as Pastor of the Korean Presbyterian Church of Saginaw. The congregation invites all to come say farewell to Dr. Ahn on Sunday, December 4th at 4:00pm at the church. The church is located at 5560 McCarty Rd (the same building as the Presbytery Office). |
 Cookie Walk
The Presbyterian Women of Beaverton-First are hosting their annual Cookie Walk on Friday, December 9th from 9:00am to 2:00pm at the church. They are located at 201 South Ross (M-18) in Beaverton. Fill a medium box for $6 and a large box for $8. Cinnamon rolls and breads will also be available. Visit their Elf Cafe where they will be serving coffee, cinnamon rolls, chicken noodle soup and chili. For more information please contact the church office at 989-435-7086.
Click here for a printable flier.
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 Advent Service
The congregation of Bay City-Westminster invites all to attend a very special Advent service on Wednesday, December 14th at 7:00pm at their church. They will present Andrew Peterson's "Behold The Lamb of God: The True Tall Tale of the Coming of Christ".
The church is located at 103 E. Midland Street in Bay City.
Click here for a printable flier.
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COLA Volunteers Still Needed
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 Seeking COLA Volunteers
Volunteers Needed to Serve on The Committee on Local Arrangements (COLA) for the 221st General Assembly to Be Held in Detroit in 2014
The 221st General Assembly is being held in Detroit in 2014. The Presbytery of Detroit has sought partners among the presbyteries in the Synod of the Covenant to do the work involved in the ministry of hospitality for a General Assembly. If you have attended a General Assembly, you will remember all of the local volunteers present to answer questions, carry out a wide variety of tasks and host a variety of activities. The Coordinating Team of the Presbytery of Lake Huron at its November 9th meeting approved the request from the Presbytery of Detroit to financially support the cost of hosting a General Assembly with $5,000. From the Presbyteries who contribute to the cost of hosting the GA, the Presbytery of Detroit is inviting one or two people to serve on their Committee On Local Arrangements. We are inviting two people from the Presbytery of Lake Huron to serve on COLA. This includes participating in the administrative leadership from greeting people at the airport, to a reception for the new moderator and much more. There are two documents attached describing in more detail the responsibilities. Hospitality is critical to a good General Assembly experience for commissioners and observers. Are there people within your congregation who could serve well on the Committee On Local Arrangements? Please note: An orientation meeting and dinner originally scheduled for November 29 has been cancelled so the deadline for finding volunteers has been extended to December 11th. If more than two persons step forward to serve on the COLA the Coordinating Team will select two. Names need to be submitted to Rose Onan by December 11. Her email address is ronan@presbylh.org. Please include the member's church name and contact information. |
Synod Transitional Stated Clerk Installed
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 Welcome To The Rev. David Bartley
The Synod Assembly welcomed and installed a new transitional stated clerk on November 4. The Rev. David Bartley has been a past moderator of the synod and presently serves as president of the board of trustees. He is pastor of Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Toledo and is a member of the Maumee Valley Presbytery. David has also served at the Freeport and Nottingham Presbyterian Churches in Muskingum Valley and the Bellaire Presbyterian Church in the Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery. He grew up in Urbana, Ohio and is a graduate of Muskingum College (1974) and McCormick Theological Seminary (1977). He is married to Kathy Bartley, a first grade teacher in the Toledo Public Schools and they have three adult sons. Michael and his wife Amanda live in Newport News, Virginia, Scott and his wife Monika live in Allen, Texas and Jeff lives in San Diego, California. David and Kathy have one grandchild, Noah, who lives with his parents in Texas and another one expected to arrive in Virginia this summer. David has served on several synod committees including, Operations, Budget and Finance, Staff Services (2001-2003) and the Nominating Committee. He has also served on a wide variety of presbytery committees including the Permanent Judicial Commission. David enjoys his work with Church Camp Staffs for 29 summers and has been a director and/or co-director for 21 of those summers. He has served on senior citizens community boards, a clothes closet board, a CAP for the Toledo Refining Company, coached little league, volunteered with his church at the Family Promise of Greater Toledo Interfaith Hospitality Network and been apart of local ecumenical church groups and a a Apheresis Donor with the Red Cross. We look forward to David's ministry with the church and this Synod. |
 Thank You From The Rev. Dr. George Baird
I want to thank the synod for the clock that was given to me on my retirement, and for the inscription that was placed on it. I am grateful for both the gift and the inscribed words. It has been a very special privilege to serve as the stated clerk of the synod for these last nine years. I am so grateful that I was called to this position, and so grateful for all the people I came to know and with whom I was privileged to work. You all have been a special part of my life, and you will always have a special place in my heart. May God continue to bless the Synod of the Covenant, and to bless each one of you in whatever way you continue to serve. George W. Baird |
 Camp Greenwood 2012 Information
It's not too early to start planning your trip to Camp Greenwood in 2012.
They are asking all of our churches to please start including information in your bulletins and newsletters about opportunities for groups, families and individuals for 2012.
CAMP GREENWOOD - located just northeast of Grand Rapids, MI is excited to provide another year in 2012 of exciting camp offerings. Sign up for the Earliest Bird price by January 14 and save. We are happy to present: - 2 Grandparent/grandchild camps
- 5 Elementary age camps
- 4 Junior High age camps
- 4 Senior High age camps
- 2 Adult Special Needs camps
- SERVE Week for junior and senior high youth and leaders
SERVE Testimonies - NEW - Horse camp - August 4-9,2012
Some scholarships are available.
Check us out at www.campgreenwood.org.
2012 Camp Brochure
2012 Camper Registration
NEED A JOB? - consider working at Camp Greenwood, located just northeast of Grand Rapids, MI, is hiring summer support staff and camp counselors. Camp Greenwood has applications on line at www.campgreenwood.org . Interviews start the first of February. Listen to God's call!
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APCE Comes To Grand Rapids in 2012
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 APCE Annual Conference To Be Held in Grand Rapids
"God's miracles are staggering, God's wonders are surprising. God's kingdom lasts and lasts, God's sovereign rule goes on forever." --Daniel 4:3 (The Message)
The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) will hold their annual event in Grand Rapids, MI February 1-4, 2012. "God's Surprising Wonders" is the theme of the event and features many distinguished presenters, including:
- Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
- Rev. Dr. Carol Bechtel
- Rev. Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes
- Ms. Shari LeMonnier
The Rev. Susan Davis Krummel will preach during the opening worship and the Rev. Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes will preach during the closing worship.
Complete details can be found by clicking here.
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 Resource Center Freebies
An inventory of the Resource Center was recently completed. As a result, we have numerous items that will be available for free at the December 6th presbytery meeting. Be sure to stop by the Resource Center table at the presbytery meeting to see what you may want to take home with you!
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Communications As a Ministry
 Communications in your church isn't just the newsletter, bulletin or website. It's the most vital role in your church. Communications is about stewardship, discipleship, evangelism, and education. It's about "formation", no just "information".
Effective communication is required of every church leader, and it's his or her job to support those who do the work. Linda Valentine, Executive Director of the General Assembly Council, recently said that in these uncertain times, "...the church is still doing great things. We would forget that if you didn't tell those stories."
Karen L. Schmidt, Deputy Executive Director for Communications and Funds Development for PC (USA), recently led a workshop at the Big Tent Conference on communications as a ministry. She hopes that communicators will have a personal transformation when it comes to how they view their job. "Reframe how you might think of what you do in terms of communications."
The word "communicator" encompasses a broad spectrum of jobs, but it's hard to figure out who fits into this category. Who does the bulletin? Who puts together or keeps up the website? Who writes the articles? Who gets the newsletter out? Who is the editor, copier, folder? Who works with the printers? Who takes the pictures, does the layout, reads the copy? Who coordinates it all? These are your communicators. They are part of your church's most important ministry. God has given them the gifts they have, and it is their calling to use those gifts as a ministry, to tell His story in the world.
Communication is vital to the growth of the church, the spiritual growth of people, and ultimately the survival of Christianity. The storytelling that we do ripples out. Spreading news can lead to engagement and participation. Telling a story can be inspirational to others and that inspiration can change lives.
Communication isn't just reporting the information. It's turning the routine into riveting. Don't just list meeting dates - tell everyone what those committees are doing. Show your readers how your church is making an impact in the community, or even throughout the world. When small groups take up an offering for a cause, don't just mention the offering - tell people what the money goes to, who it helps, and how it affects those who participate. We as communicators are one of the most important resources in growing God's church deep and wide.
Communicators should also act as a "choir director." Most people don't realize that there are people who are sitting in the pews that would like to contribute their talents, but they don't have the time to contribute every day. They may be able to create the stories because they are experiencing it, and would like to contribute, even if it's only once or every once in a while. It is the job of the communicator to seek out the people, and encourage them to take part in the communications.
Communication is a ministry. It's vital to the life and growth of the church. Once communicators see themselves as part of this ministry, rather than just "doing the newsletter/website/bulletin," it becomes more than a job, it becomes a calling.
Read article online.
Read more articles from the Presbyterian Communicators Network |
 Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary To Offer Full Scholarships By 2015
In what many are calling an historic decision, the Board of Trustees of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary has approved a new strategic plan that has as its core the provision of full scholarships for all students in the school's master's degree programs. "As a result of this bold decision, Louisville Seminary is poised to make not only a difference in the future of this school and in theological education, but also a difference for the future of the church," said Pamela G. Kidd, Chair of the Board of Trustees, following the trustees' unanimous and enthusiastic vote. Identified as the Seminary's "Covenant for the Future," the new strategic plan is built upon the Seminary's commitment to theological education that is informed by Presbyterian and Reformed traditions and is aligned with its core mission of educating men and women to participate in the redemptive ministry of Jesus Christ in an increasingly pluralistic world. "The ends of theological education are not on the Seminary campus," said Seminary President Michael Jinkins. "The ends, the ultimate purpose and meaning of everything we teach, are out there in the world. That is where Louisville Seminary's vision is cast. Our strategic plan seeks to address the needs of the church today and the unknown needs of tomorrow, and to respond to those needs with adventurous leadership." Continue reading...
Visit the LPTS website
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Undergraduate Scholarships Available
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 Scholarships Available For Presbyterian Undergraduates
The National Presbyterian College Scholarship Program (NPCS) offers need-based scholarship assistance to full-time students entering their first year of college at one of the colleges/universities related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Learn more about this and other undergraduate opportunities for financial aid or download an NPCS application.
This scholarship includes those attending LHPs own Alma College.
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$1000 Prize Available To Congregations
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 $1000 Prize Available For Innovative Congregations
Is your congregation or a congregation in your presbytery doing innovative ministry? Each year Union Presbyterian Seminary awards congregations for innovative ministry. Since 1991, 94 churches in 28 states have received these awards. Each of the eight awards carries a $1,000 prize to support the congregation in its ministry. For more information and to apply for one of the UPSem Congregational Leadership Awards, you may download the brochure and application or request an application by sending an e-mail to April Swofford at aswofford@upsem.edu or call 1-800-229-2990, ext 231. The application and instructions are only available electronically. The deadline for the 2011 Awards is February 15, 2011.
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Presbyterian News Service
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 Connect With Other Churches In The Lake Huron Presbytery
There are so many wonderful things going on in all of our congregations. Several of our churches have set up Facebook pages to help spread the good news not only to their members but to all who may be interested. Liking other church Facebook pages is a great way to connect with others in the presbytery and to share ideas with each other. Here are some of the churches that have Facebook pages:
Alma-First
Bay City-Westminster
Caro-First
Deckerville-First
Flint-First
Lapeer-First
Linden
Midland-Memorial
Saginaw-Second
Saginaw-Warren Avenue
Sandusky
Vassar-First
Others have group pages that you have to request to join. Those include:
Holly
Mt. Pleasant-First
If your congregation has a page and it is not listed here, please contact Staci Percy at spercy@presbylh.org. |
 'Like' Us On Facebook
The presbytery has a Facebook page and would like you to join us. Get updates and information faster. Connect with others to share ideas and to post information about events happening in your congregation. Join us today! |
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Staci Percy
Communications Manager/Recording Clerk
spercy@presbylh.org
989-799-7481 x2
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Upcoming Meetings
and Events
(All meetings are at the Presbytery Office unless otherwise noted)
Presbytery Office Closed For Thanksgiving November 24-25 Farewell to the Rev. Dr. Daniel Ahn December 4 4:00pm Saginaw-Korean (same building as the presbytery office) Personnel Team December 5 10:30am Presbytery Meeting December 6 9:30am Midland-Memorial CRE/CLP Class December 10 9:30am Committee on Preparation For Ministry December 14 1:30pm Presbytery Office Closed December 26-30 | |
Details on these meetings can be found on the presbytery's website on the calendar.
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