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January 15, 2009
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Presbytery E-Bulletin
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See the end of this newsletter for suggested responses on Haitian earthquake from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance PC(USA).
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General Presbyter's New Year Reflections
Many of you know that I like
to sing a John Bell song, "Glory and gratitude and praise."
These are what we have to offer God. Similarly, I begin this new
year and new decade with three sentiments:
gratitude, joy and challenge!
I am grateful for my recent
respite after eight weeks of daily radiation treatments. I was
reminded again and again of God's love through your many expressions
of support. Your support came sometimes in the form of rebuke
such as an email that said, "If you are reading this, you are working.
Stop it!" I made sure to not hit the reply button on that
one. Such permission giving helped me to let go of the guilt of
not doing. In a performance based culture and profession, clergy
often struggle with "inactivity." What a gift we have in Christ
and in Christ's body, the church, to be valued and loved not for what
we do, but for just being-claimed, redeemed, loved by God. Gratitude
is the right place to begin a day, a week, a year, a decade.
I am joyful for a couple of
reasons. In both cases, joy is the sister of relief, and the brother
of trust. Specifically, my oncologist told me on Friday that my
post treatment blood test numbers were really, really good! Better
than expected! See you in three months! Yes joyful relief
and trust affirmed. Praise God! I also have been watching
our Presbytery treasurer, Larry Nelson's face as he works to close
Presbytery's financial books for 2009. I observe a smile of
his face. He's given me no number yet, but assures me it will
be a healthy position number! Praise God! Again joyful relief
after two brutal years and trust affirmed. We could not sustain
the financial deficit we experienced in 2008. Instead it looks
like we will recoup much of that loss! I am proud of our Presbytery
leaders who did not panic, kept their cool, managed what was in our
control, and trusted God and each other. I am grateful for the
dedication and sacrificial giving of many members and Sessions!
I am also feeling pretty challenged.
I bet you are, too! Our Presbytery foci are to grow our congregations
and to support our church staffs to do so. Read more
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New Communities of Faith
The nominating committee is looking for two persons to serve on the New Communities of Faith Committee. If you are interested or know someone who might be, please contact Fred Graham, grahamw@msu.edu.
Youth Advisory Delegate openings The
PLM Nominating Committee is seeking a youth (age 24 or under) who would
enjoy serving as our presbytery's Synod Youth Advisory Delegate, Class
2010. Synod Assembly meets three times in 2010-Saturday, 13 April;
Thursday, 12 August; and Saturday, 6 November; plus a one-hour
preliminary session the evening before each of these dates. Synod Youth
Advisory Delegates receive all materials that Synod Commissioners
receive and are expected to attend at least one of the Synod
Assemblies. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.
The
PLM Nominating Committee is also seeking a youth who would be willing
to be elected as alternate Youth Advisory Delegate for the 219th
General Assembly in Minneapolis, 3-10 July 2010. Danielle Harik,
Kalamazoo First, resigned from serving as our presbytery's GA Youth
Advisory Delegate next July due to a conflict with her graduate program
of study. Kenny Sparks, Kalamazoo First, who was originally elected as
alternate GA Youth Advisory Delegate, will now serve as our
presbytery's Youth Advisory Delegate to the 219th GA.
If you have questions or possible names of candidates for either of these two positions, please contact John Petro john.petro@wmich.edu, phone 269.342.6817. |
Get a free trial subscription to The Presbyterian LeaderThe
Presbyterian Publishing Company, in partnership with the Office of
Middle Governing Body Relations (a joint office of the General Assembly
Mission Council and the Office of the General Assembly), has announced
it will provide free trial subscriptions (a $99 value) to the Presbyterian Leader
online resource center for all moderators and middle governing body
staff. Urge your presbytery or synod staff to take advantage of this
great opportunity. The Presbyterian Leader offers downloadable studies,
essays on church leadership, and other great resources. See complete details.
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Youth Ministry Leadership Academy II February 5-6, 2010,
Camp Greenwood "Equipping our Youth Leaders" Who should attend YMLA II? Youth
(with adult leadership) who possess leadership skills- especially in
the areas of worship leadership, video filming and presentation, drama
and organization. What will the YMLA II participants learn? Youth
participants will explore styles of leadership and then plan together a
day of service for the "Youth on a Mission" service blitz and related
video presentation for the Presbytery meeting. Registration: Please register by February 1.
Checks are payable to the Presbytery of Lake Michigan. Mail payment and
all registration forms to Brian Koon, 1121 Boulder Court, Lansing, MI.
48917. Click here for more information
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September 29 - October 27, 2010
Middle East
If your congregation has an interest in the Middle East, you might want to learn more about the 2010 MISSION TO THE U.S.A. PROGRAM.
The
Synod of the Covenant is inviting twelve (12) church leaders from the
Middle East to spend four weeks as staff members of particular
congregations. As participants in our Mission to the U.S.A. Program,
these ecumenical partners will preach, teach and become a part of a
host congregation, celebrating our oneness in Christ as they share
their stories of faith and teach us about life in the Middle East and
the ongoing issues and conflicts there.
Mission
partners are not just guests or visitors. They come here as
missionaries to us. In our abundance, we usually think about what we
have to give to others. Mission to the USA gives us an opportunity to
think about what we might receive from those who live out their faith
amid war, political tension, and/or crisis in their daily lives.
The goals of the Mission to the USA Program are to:
Educate members of participating churches about another part of the world and the challenges facing Christians there, Provide a fresh perspective on the gospel of Jesus Christ Help U.S. Christians acquire a deepened understanding of the global nature of Christ's church Challenge U.S. Christians to greater faithfulness our own country.
Any church in the synod is welcome to apply. Download the application, deadline April 1.
Click here to learn more about the program.
For more information contact the program coordinator:
Karen Nottelmann
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 Pilgrimage #13
Now is the time to plan on
attending Michigan Presbyterian Pilgrimage weekend #13 at Camp Henry,
north of Newaygo. The Spring Retreat begins Thursday, April 29
with dinner at 5 pm and ends Sunday afternoon, May 2.
You may be looking for an opportunity
to pause and give time to yourself, your God, and your faith.
Presbyterian Pilgrimage provides just this chance --- in a wonderful
setting with warm, loving folks from churches in Western Michigan.
There will be talks by lay and clergy, small group discussion, singing
praise songs, chapel times and lots of good food. You will love
the community:
"Pilgrimage weekend was a time for reflection and renewal and reflection of my spiritual life. God's love and grace were
so evident. The Pilgrimage was full of songs and praise
and prayer. The outpouring of Christian love from new friends
made me excited to help on the very next weekend."
Julie Trasky, Eastminster Presbyterian Church
For information, specifics,
costs, and applications visit mppilgrimage.org or preferably call Greg
Smith, Lay Rector for the weekend at 616 765-3142 or George Davidson,
Outreach at 616 656-2782
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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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APCE Annual Event
Nine Church Educators from our
presbytery, and John Best, our General Presbyter, will be attending
the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators conference in
Nashville on January 27 to 30. The theme of the conference is "Awake
My Soul" and it will be attended by over 1000 educators and pastors.
At the conference, Eileen Best, our presbytery Resource Center
Director, will be installed as president and serve for one year.
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Walter Brueggemann
coming to Journey, Center for the Church's Learning at Western Theological Seminary on March 4-5, 2010.
Register online by clicking on Journey at www.westernsem.edu.
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Reminder
Per Capita due January 19, 2010 and the Declaration of Intent for Shared Mission due January 19, 2010.
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Stewardship Conference
Funding Mission Today and Tomorrow
March 15 - 17, 2010, Indianapolis, Indiana Hilton Indianapolis Downtown
Are you looking for more ways to share the theological and spiritual meaning of stewardship? Are you looking for new ideas for stewardship campaigns? Do you want to infuse the discipline of stewardship with joy and reverence?
For more information visit
www.stewardshipkaleidoscope.org
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OpportunitiesThe First Presbyterian Church
in Allegan is seeking a part-time (20 hours per week) designated pastor
to equip and motivate us to transform our historic and traditional church
to live in today's unpredictable world. A small but devoted
congregation awaits an enthusiastic and imaginative strategic thinker
with a positive outlook; someone who will be willing to work cooperatively
with Presbytery and with nearby churches-Presbyterian and some in
Allegan. This person should be communicative, compassionate, and generous
in friendship. Email communications will be useful as we find
new ways to work with someone not always on site. We need someone
to lead us as we strive to fulfill our recently adopted mission:
Rejoice in God's love; Reflect God's grace; Respond to God's will.
If interested, contact General Presbyter John Best, jbest@lakemichiganpresbytery.orgClick here for more opportunities.
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Church Happenings
Allegan First has received a grant from Presbyterian Historical Society! Presbyterian Women at GR Westminster will hold their annual Mid-Winter Day of Dedication on Saturday, February 6. They will assemble the
Valentine bags for women's shelters and complete Gifts of the Heart for
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Click here to read about more Happenings in our congregations! Tell us what is happening in yours!
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Communication Corner: Click here to view the online advertisement for the First Presbyterian Church of Cadillac. It appears in the online edition of the Cadillac News - The ad appeared within any local news or sports article. ------
Monday Feb 15, 1pm - Improving Your Committee's Communication Brown Bag - come learn about free conference calling & web conferencing as well as learning how an online group can help make your committee communication better!
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Church Communication Teams - take some time to look around a bookstore, look at current magazines for designs and layouts. Check out type face, colors, illustrations. Think about your target audience and examine trends in advertising for this group.
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 Are you on Facebook? Join our Group!
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PC(USA) responds to Haitian earthquake
As
the whole world knows by now, a powerful earthquake hit Haiti on Jan.
12, resulting in catastrophic damage and thousands of deaths in an
already very vulnerable country. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has
long had ties to Haiti and is responding to the disaster in several
ways. We ask for your support: please give, act and pray.
GIVE
Presbyterian
Disaster Assistance (PDA) is rushing $100,000 from the One Great Hour
of Sharing special offering and designated funds to provide immediate
emergency relief. These funds will be sent through our ecumenical and
local partners in Haiti. On Jan. 14, a PDA staff worker from Central
America will join an international team to establish sanitary water
systems in Haiti and assess the initial damage.
While
immediate assistance and relief are critical right now, this will be a
very long recovery effort and funds are needed to help in both the
long-term and short-term.
Gifts are gratefully accepted online through the PDA Web site.
Funds can be given to support the overall work of PDA or specifically
to support work in Haiti (account number "Haiti - DR000064").
PresbyTel, at (800) 872-3283, is accepting credit card donations by
phone from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern). Donors can also send checks to:
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, P.O. 643700, Pittsburgh, PA
15624-3700.
ACT
Congregations
and individuals can put together baby kits and hygiene kits to be
distributed through our ecumenical partner, Church World Service. See
details online. For church bulletin inserts, videos and other tools, see the resource section of the PDA Web site.
PRAY
The people of Haiti and those trying to assist them need your prayers. A prayer adapted from the Book of Common Worship can be found on the PC(USA) Web site, but all prayers are welcomed.
PC(USA) People in the Quake Zone
Presbyterian
World Mission has accounted for mission workers in Haiti. The security
team has reported that Sharyn Babe and her husband, Rodney, have been
located. Sharyn was injured and is receiving medical attention. Mark
Hare and his wife, Jenny, have been contacted and are safe. Rob and
Donna Martsolf, former mission workers, have been heard from and are
safe at a hotel.
Mission
groups from at least three congregations were in the region during the
quake. The groups - from First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, Ga.,
from Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church, Lawrenceville, N.J., and from
Warrenton Presbyterian Church in Warrenton, Va. - are all accounted for
and safe.
For additional information and updates, see Presbyterian News Service and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Web sites.
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