Meditations with Calvin
If we have faith in the Scriptures - which expressly proclaim that in
Christ the grace and gentleness of the Lord have fully appeared, the
riches of his mercy have been poured out, and the reconciliation of God
and men fulfilled - let us not doubt that the Heavenly Father's
clemency flows forth to us much more abundantly. (4.1.26.)
Read more about the John Calvin's Jubilee
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Presbytery Staff News:
I want to thank all those who have
been supporting me in prayer and offering tangible signs of
encouragement as I undergo radiation treatment for a recurrence of
prostate cancer. Your cards, emails, telephone calls, hugs, prayer
support letters, and a beautiful prayer shawl all remind me that I am
held in your thoughts and prayers and in the loving arms of God! Thank
you! I have just about completed my second week of treatments and so
far so good with very minimal side effects. I am told these are
cumulative. I am trying to model self care. Thank you in your support
of that.
Nancy Maleitzke, for whom we have been praying since mid
March, and who has been on medical leave, will return to work, Monday,
November 2nd. Praise be to God! She has been battling lymphoma and is
now able to return part time in the position of Office Assistant, 21
hours a week. We will be flexible with her hours, but she intends to
work Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. When she answers the phone,
please give her a warm welcome back, and lift up a prayer of
thanksgiving to God.
Eileen Best, who has been filling in as a temporary office
assistant, will continue as our Resource Center Director. She will be
working seven hours a week and will be in the office on Tuesdays and
Thursday mornings when possible, and may be reached by email: ebest@lakemichiganpresbytery.org.
Janet Magennis, our stated clerk, is scheduled for knee
replacement surgery on November 10th. This is the second one for
Janet, so she knows what to expect. Following our November 7th
Presbytery Meeting, she will be tending to this planned surgery and
convalescing through the holidays. If you have a clerk question or
need please contact the office and we will let you know when she is
ready to start fielding your questions again. In the meantime, Kurt Kremlick will be filling in as deputy clerk. Kurt is a veteran of this surgery and understands her journey well.
All of which is to say, we who serve in ministry, like everyone else, are "treasure in clay jars," as the Apostle Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians 4:7. We are "earthen vessels" as the old
RSV put it. We know that but forget sometimes. We like to think that church leaders/ministers are above all
this. We are much more comfortable being the minister care givers than the receivers of care.
Alas, we are human, too! And in need of God's tender mercies and
awesome healing power like everyone else. Yet Paul reasons differently. The weakness of our human condition also serves "so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power (if manifest through ministry) belongs to God and does not come from us."
On behalf of the staff, the walking wounded and the healthy, we are
grateful for your prayers and ministering to us, even as we endeavor to
minister to and with you. To God be the glory.
Faithfully,
John Best
General Presbyter
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Budget Time...
The Story Behind Per Capita Per Capita is the primary way that Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly meet ordinary expenses. It also pays expenses for Book of Order committees like the Committee on Ministry and the Committee for Preparation for Ministry.
Unlike churches, we do not take up offerings to pay our electric bills, postage, or salaries.This all comes from per capita which is based on a per member figure that does not discriminate between large and small churches.We all share the expenses equally.
For 2010, we are proposing that per capita per member for the Presbytery remain the same at $13.75.Total per capita including Synod ($3.18)and GA ($6.15)would be $23.08.
Click here to view the Narrative Budget
The Story Behind Shared Mission
Giving Shared Mission Giving supports the ministries of the
Presbytery. These funds help support
Camp Greenwood, the Presbytery resource
center, our ministries to the
Higher Education Agency, covenant partners ministering to others in their
communities, Presbytery youth events, the list goes on and on and includes the
work of the various ministry teams. As with any organization, a portion of shared mission giving
goes to administrative costs. This year
we project 19% of shared mission dollars will go to this area. This will cover a portion of presbytery staff
time and office expenses. (The average
cost for charities in this area is around 30% according to charitynavigator.org
.) We have decreased the estimate of shared mission giving in
2010 to $542,000 down from $600,000 projected for 2009. In
order to meet our budget we are also proposing changing the way shared mission
giving is divided to: 60% Presbytery, 35% GA, 5% synod. Click here to view the detailed budget proposal
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Lectionary Discussion
The Shepherding Ministry Team is
considering starting an online discussion group based on the lectionary
readings for each Sunday. An initial article would be posted by noon on
Tuesday of each week and then those participating in the discussion could post
entries anytime during the week. The purpose of this group will be to "encourage
the sharing of ideas and deepen the understanding of the Scripture readings for
each Sunday." If you are interested in participating in this group
please e-mail Paul Tomlinson at the Cadillac church at presbypastor55@sbcglobla.net The discussion will start Tuesday, November 24 for
the first Sunday of Advent.
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Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) Conference
January 27 to 30, 2010 in NashvilleAwake My SoulMichael Lindvall--Keynote speakerHighlights include-- -
Inspirational worship with a variety of musical styles
- Challenging speakers
- Over 130 workshops from which to choose
- Two "In Depth Seminars" with Amy Jill Levine and Rodney Sadler
- A concert with Amy Grant
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Marketplace and Spirituality Center
- Presbyterian Youth Workers Association Pre-conference (Jan. 26-27) and many workshops on Youth Ministry
- Scholarship for full registration for a first time attender (Deadline Nov. 10)
Who should go? - Professional Church Educators
- Christian Education volunteers
- Pastors
- Youth Ministers and youth group leaders
- Directors of Music
More information and registration at www.apcenet.org. Registration booklets are also available at the Presbytery office.
Questions? Contact Eileen Best at ebest@lakemichiganpresbytery.org.
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Percept
The Presbytery of Lake Michigan along with the Synod of the Covenant have entered into a contract with Percept allowing all churches in our presbytery to have access to the Percept demongraphic data. Create your church login at www.link2lead.com (churches may have up to 20 different accounts!). Does your church have elder members who need rides to the church? Percept
can take your member addresses and give you a map of who lives where to
facilitate giving elder or younger members of your church a ride!
Organize book clubs by where people live. Know the neighborhoods where
your members live to support charities and business in those areas. See
an area where you might grow your membership. Click on MemberView and follow the directions. This is just one of the many free features available to you through your link2lead (Percept) account. The Presbytery is looking for individuals willing to be trained in Percept to help congregations with the system. If you are interested in supporting our congregations in this way, please contact Rich Lichti or Jane McGookey.A brown bag learning lunch is planned for Dec 16, 1:30 where we will
discuss Percept and how to access some of the basics that available to
you. LImit 15 particpants, click here to register.
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Shaping a Life of Significance for Retirement
Led by Rev. Jerry Haas & Jack Hansen
Saturday, January 23, 2010
9am-4pm
$65 paid registration by 12/23/09; $75 after 12/23/09
We often hear that aging is not for the faint of heart,
usually accompanied by muttered laments about the challenges of the
"golden" years. While there is truth in this, it isn't the
full story. As we move toward, and into, our retirement years we are also given
a unique opportunity to grow spiritually and intellectually; to weave together
the threads of a lifetime, to discover a pattern of meaning and
purpose. Join us for a vibrant day-long exploration of the personal
potential contained in preparing for and living into these years. This program
is designed for those contemplating or approaching a transition from full-time
work to partial or full retirement, those already retired, as well as those in
professional careers-such as pastors, counselors, healthcare
professionals, financial planners, etc.-who seek to serve a growing
population of retired persons. Learn more about this and other educational opportunities at Transformations.
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CONNECTIONAL and CONNECTED!
Thanks to technology we have the ability to not only be a
connectional denomination, but also to be connected! The staff of the
Presbytery of Lake Michigan wants to ensure that members in every
congregation are included when we send out news about the things you need to know. We especially want
to reach out to the leaders in the congregations -- pastors, elders and
deacons, key office personnel, Christian Educators, Clerks of Session and Treasurers often
need to receive directed communications. Please say "YES" when invited
to be on our "Constant Contact" lists! Our lists are private, never
shared, and you will notice with "Constant Contact" that there is no
lengthy list of other email addresses when you receive something from
the presbytery.
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About Us
Presbytery of Lake Michigan is a middle governing body of the Presbyterian Church (USA) serving over 70 churches . If you wish to have something included in the newsletter, please read our Electronic Communication Policy then use our online form. Deadline for this newsletter is the 12th and 27th of each month.
Presbytery of Lake Michigan
1511 Helen Avenue
Portage, Michigan 49002
888.271.6567
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Register NOW! if you would like to guarantee a lunch at the
Stated Meeting of Presbytery of Lake Michigan Sat, Nov 7, 2009, 9:30 a.m. Holland First Meeting materials posted at the Presbytery Packet web page, please print and bring to the meeting.
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Honor the ministry of Presbyterian military chaplains on
Veterans Day,
 November 11. This annual observance celebrating our
veterans' service to our country is also a fitting time to honor and
support our PC(USA) military chaplains, who provide a vital ministry to
and with those who currently serve in the military. Please encourage generous giving to the Presbyterian Council for Chaplains and Military Personnel (PCCMP), which offers assistance and critical support to military
chaplains, personnel and their families. Look for a related feature in
the December 2009 issue of Presbyterians Today.
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 Evangelism & Church Growth
is expanding its offering of free webinars. Register for our next congregational transformation webinar on November 3 at 2 p.m. EDT. Visit the Evangelism and Church Growth and PresbyGrow Web sites on webinars being offered in evangelism, discipleship, church growth and transformation. And if you'd like to download video copies of our stories on congregations growing Christ's Church Deep and Wide click on Evangelism or Servanthood.
Use in worship or small group discussion and visit Evangelism &
Church Growth for discipleship and diversity stories that will be
finished by the end of October. |
Opportunities
Greenwood is now accepting applications for 2010 employment for support staff and counselors.
Click here to look for an opportunity for you!
Happenings
Clothing Swap + Fall Festival = Great Community Event!
Sunday, November 8 - 5 p.m.
Jazz Worship - First Presbyterian Church, 200 Cutler Street, Allegan, MI 49010 Informal
worship with music provided by Pastor Charles Schanz's (Bethany Gobles)
aka River City Slim. Public welcome. 269-673-4631 for more
information. Click here for upcoming dates.
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Presbyterian Heritage tour of GA and SC lowcountry, April 5-9,
2010
Decatur,
GA-Columbia Theological Seminary's Center for Lifelong Learning is offering a
tour of the Georgia and South Carolina lowcountry from April 5-9, 2010. Leading
the tour is Erskine Clarke, professor emeritus of American religious history
and author of the award-winning book Dwelling
Place: A Plantation Epic. Registration and tour deposit are
due November 20, 2009. Click for information.
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Communication Corner:
Brown Bag learning opportunities! Pack your lunch and head to the
Presbytery office for one or all of the following training sessions/discussions.
- Monday Nov 16, 12:30-1:30 OpenOffice - can't afford to upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft Office? Learn how the FREE OpenOffice can help!
- Wednesday Dec 16, 12:30-1:30 Percept - each church now has access to Percept demographic reports. Come learn how you can use this tool.
- Monday Jan 11, 12:30-1:30 Wordpress - great tool for small church websites and blogs. Let's build a site together.
Due to the limitation of the conference room at the office we will limit these sessions to 15 persons. Register now!
 Are you on Facebook? Join our Group!
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