Congratulations Madam Moderator!
Rev. Christine Barnes (Brooklyn) was installed as the Moderator of the Synod of the Covenant at the November Assembly. Learn more about the ministries of the Synod by clicking here.
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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.
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Focus on Shepherding
Keep a look out for the latest issue of the Congregational Connection, a bulletin insert produced by the Presbytery to educate congregation member know about the ministry of the Presbytery. This quarter features the Shepherding Ministry. Shepherding works with Parish Nurses, Presbyterian Women, The Encouragement Group, Presbyterian Pilgrimage, and other groups. Learn more about shepherding at our website.
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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College Scholarships Available
The National Presbyterian College Scholarship Program (NPCS), administered through Financial Aid for Studies, a
ministry of the Office of Vocation,
offers need-based scholarship assistance to full-time students entering their
first year of college at one of the participating colleges related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Applicants must be confirmed members
of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and carry a 3.0 cumulative grade point
average from high school. Applications for the 2010-2011 academic year are due
Jan. 31, 2010. Learn more about this and other undergraduate opportunities for financial aid or download an NPCS application.
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Capital Grant Opportunity
The Synod of the Covenant expects to have funds available for capital improvements for smaller congregations. Grant applications must
meet the following requirements:
- annual budget below $250,000
- communities less than 50,000
- weekly worship attendance
under 150 persons
- project request limited to
$4,500
- church must match grant request
by at least 50%
If you are interested in applying for these funds, download an application ( Word or PDF)
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Sermon Contest
AlmaCollege is hosting
a sermon contest in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the
birth of John Calvin. The contest is open to Presbyterian Church (USA) clergy,
commissioned lay pastors and seminarians, either employed or retired, who live
within the bounds of the Synod of the Covenant. The entry deadline is December 31, 2009, so there
is still plenty of time to participate in this contest. Sermons may touch on
any aspect of Calvin's thought. For complete details, see http://www.alma.edu/student_life/chaplain/calvinser.
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Christmas Joy Offering ...
celebrates God's love. Presbyterians
have long given an offering at Christmas in celebration of God's love
shown in the gift of Jesus. Half of the offering supports students at
the church's historic racial ethnic schools who are listening for God's
call, and the other half helps the Board of Pensions' assistance
programs meet unexpected financial needs of those who have spent their
lives following that call. Encourage your session to set an ambitious
goal for the offering. A new video, What Child Is This?, highlights this year's theme. The video and other free resources are available online. For information, contact Alan Krome by email or at (888) 728-7228, x5168. |
Historic merger planned for 2010
The
World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) is a fellowship of 75
million Reformed Christians in 214 churches in 107 countries. Its
member churches are Congregational, Presbyterian, Reformed and United
churches with roots in the 16th-century Reformation led by John Calvin,
John Knox and others. WARC has a small secretariat in Geneva,
Switzerland. An historic merger between the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC) is scheduled for June 2010 when the two organizations meet to form the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) at a uniting General Council to be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Visit www.reformedchurches.org for the latest information.
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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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Meditations with Calvin
There were always two kinds [of Deacons] in the ancient Church, the ones deputed to receive, dispense, and hold goods for the poor, not only daily alms, but also possessions, rents, and pensions; the other to tend and care for the sick and administer allowances to the poor. This custom we follow now. (Draft Ecclesiastical Ordinances, 1541)
Read more about the John Calvin's Jubilee
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Comings and Goings
- Rev. Janet Van Lear is retiring as of Dec. 31, 2009
- Dr. Donna Rick will be a CLP for Spring Lake
- Rev. Johnson Mwara will be Pastor of the Gloval Hosanna Fellowship, a ministry endorsed by and associated with John Knox in GR.
Greenwood is now accepting applications for 2010 employment for support staff and counselors.
Click here to look for an opportunity for you!
Happenings
What's happening in your congregation?
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Communication Corner:
Monday Nov 16, 12:30 - Brown Bag learning opportunities. We will be looking at Open Office as a FREE alternative to Microsoft Word & Excel. Open Office also has the capability of creating PDF files (free).Pack your lunch and head to the Presbytery office. Can't make it to the office? Join us online! Login to www.dimdim.com and click on "Join the meeting" the meeting room name is presbylakemi.
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Communication Teams:
Pray for and look for someone to share your communication skills with. Train a volunteer or other staff member and multiply your communication gifts! (taken from "The Heart of Church Communications, by Yvon Prehn)
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FREE Christmas Communication Ideas from Yvon Prehn "A
collection of Christmas communication files including articles to
motivate your outreach, a church bulletin insert to motivate your
congregation, ideas for advent booklets and Christmas letters. Finally,
a complete file of one of my favorite Christmas outreach pieces "Hark
the Herald Angels Sing, but why?" You have my permission to copy and
reproduce any of these or modify and use them in any way you'd like!" Click here to download.
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 Are you on Facebook? Join our Group!
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