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Lake Michigan Newsletter
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June 2, 2010
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Greetings!
As we approach the 219th GA in Minneapolis, MN
July 3-10, I invite you to join Presbyterians across the church in
prayer for the Commissioners and Delegates as they prepare. The
Association of Executive Presbyters is observing 40 days of prayer as we
prepare. I also encourage you to engage and follow along. New technology
allows you to login to the PCUSA 219th GA website call PCbiz. Go to http://www.pcusa.org/ga219/mgb.htm You can read and follow there the business of the Assembly, include
watch web-cam of plenary meetings and worship. Also, the Presbyterian
Outlook, an independent and I think fairly balanced church news magazine
is sponsoring five Pre-GA Briefings/Webinars, the five Tuesdays in
June at 2 p.m. The fee is $9.95 per webinar, but free for all
General Assembly Commissioners and Delegates. Five topics of special
interest will be addressed:
June 1: Israel - Palestine with Ron Shive (Pro) and John Wimberly
(Con)
June 8: New Form of Government with Dan Williams (Pro) and Gale
Watkins (Con)
June 15: Ordination Standards (Fidelity/Chastity) with
Tricia Dykers-Koenig (change) and Jerry Andrews (retain)
June 22: Christian Marriage - Civil Unions with Jim Szeyller (Pro) and
Bill Teng ( Con)
June 29: Christians .... and Jews ... and Muslims
with Jay rock, Charles Wiley and Joe Small
Please
make use of these opportunities made possible by new technology to
engage the larger church. Register at pres-outlook.org or by calling 800/446-6008.
John Best
General Presbyter
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This email newsletter is produced by the Presbytery of Lake Michigan.
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. Sincerely, Your Presbytery Staff
888.271.6567
news@lakemichiganpresbytery.org
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Wednesday, June 2: Websites & Blogs, a
foundation & overview
TIME: Wednesdays 2 pm
Eastern Standard Time.
In this webinar, we'll
answer these questions: why do websites and blogs, the most important
issues you need to consider, what you need to have in place before you
begin or revise them.
Some of the biggest misconceptions about
websites and blogs for churches and ministries will be listed and
discussed. What are the different ways to create websites; pros and cons
of doing it yourself, with a team, hiring a company, paid vs.
volunteers and the expected costs will be compared. We'll also look at
the difference between a website and a blog and why you might want more
than one for your church.
To sign up for this webinar, click
here: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/414182083
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 Building a Labyrinth- Covenant Gathering!
July 4, 4:00 pm to July 9, 11:00 am A labyrinth is a created defined sacred space- a
place that is not to be challenged or disrespected by any who enter it
regardless of their religious affiliation. Specifically it is an artful
expression of walking meditation.
Join the Rev Ted
Jones and Mary McGrath in helping
Covenant Gathering leave a labyrinth legacy for all who come to
Michindoh seeking spiritual renewal. You will also learn the joys and
depths of labyrinth meditation and learn skills you might use to create
and teach a labyrinth at your own home or church. Register now! |
Introducing
our new Stewardship Program
Building Hope
Be Sure To
Be There At The Unveiling!
June 8 Presbytery Meeting
Fairplain
Church, Benton Harbor Building Hope is a new stewardship program
created by the
Administrative
Ministry Team. It's a multi-media, multi-faceted approach designed
to be used with a wide variety of groups and a wide variety of ages.
Included are worship resources, bulletin inserts, bible studies, DVDs
and more. It helps us focus on our role in building hope founded
on God's love and grace.
Each segment of the program
(6), we actively commit to building hope
in the lives of others as we learn how our gifts to the larger mission
of the church builds hope in lives across our globe. DVD segments
explore our individual commitment, the commitment of our congregations,
presbytery, synod and general assembly. Our stories together build
an altar of praise and thanksgiving to God.
The program will be introduced
to the presbytery at the June 8 meeting,
and we will have an opportunity to experience it together. Each
congregation in the presbytery will receive a complete copy of the
program
and DVD. Please contact the Rev. Dr. Patricia Ramsden at firsprespastor@qtm.net or call her at First Presbyterian,
Buchanan 269-695-6151.
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This week Presbyterian Leader launched a study on the theme of the 219th General
Assembly, " Rivers of Living Water." Author Matthew Skinner
observes that if Presbyterians were to embrace the General Assembly as a
kind of spiritual festival, then Jesus' words in John 7:37-38 might
well raise our expectations accordingly. Important church business is
accomplished at the General Assembly, but the context for this work is
worship, celebration, remembrance, and hope for the future. This
in-depth study gives readers a deeper understanding of the spirit of
this year's assembly and encourages us to bring renewed expectations to
the event, creating a more rewarding experience. Remember that all 219th General Assembly (2010) materials are FREE to
all visitors of the site. All you have to do is create a free account and then download the desired
material. We'll keep you posted as new resources are developed. These
materials provide just a small sampling of the benefits you'll enjoy
with a subscription to the Presbyterian Leader.com. |
 World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC)
From June 15 through June 17, 2010, world leaders in Reformed
thinking will
gather in Grand Rapids, Michigan for a global conference, "Reformed
Mission
in an Age of World Christianity."
The conference, co-sponsored by Calvin College and the International
Association for the Promotion of Christian Higher Education (IAPCHE), is
designed to strengthen the intersection between Reformed Christian faith
expressions and global movements in world Christianity. The goal is to
learn
how Reformed Christian faith and work can effectively support the hopes
and
address the challenges encountered across a variety of contemporary
cultures.
The conference has already attracted registrants from 42 countries.
Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary, will deliver the
conference keynote address at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 15, 2010, in the
Prince
Conference Center. The conference will also include a number of breakout
sectionals, which will weave together four core themes: living roots for
living
water; translation across borders; the covenantal community and roles at
the
table of the church. They will focus on Christian understanding and
action in
the church as well as social and natural environments. Sectional leaders
will
include educational, ministry and public leaders from around the world.
For
example, one of the sectional leaders, Augusto de la Torre, is a former
head of
the Central Bank of Ecuador and now chief economist for World Bank in
Latin
America and the Caribbean.
Read more...
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Church Software
In May, a request went to all the churches regarding what software
they use for membership and finances. We received a pretty good
response. A majority of the churches use Church Windows and Quickbooks.
The presbytery has negoitiated with both companies to get a group
discount of about 20 percent to purchase the software and for
Quickbooks, 20 percent for support, as well. Please contact the
presbytery office for more information if your church would like to take
advantage of these discounts. |
 Malawi Mission Network
This year's mission network annual conference will be held from August
12th through 15th in South Bend, IN. This conference will be very informative and
enjoyable for any individuals or congregations interested in mission in
Malawi. Many outstanding speakers and organizations will be represented
including Hunter Farrell, head of World Missions for our denomination
and the ambassador of Malawi. If interested, you can learn more about the conference
including registration and cost information at www.malawinetwork.org.
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 Happenings
The First Presbyterian Church of Niles, Mi is
excited to present
God Rock 2010 on Saturday, August 28 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
featuring
the Christian rock group - Affix (for more about Affix
please see them on Facebook). God Rock 2010 will be held on the
lawn of the First Presbyterian Church and is FREE to the community.
Everyone
in the Presbytery, young and old, is invited! Come join us for an
evening
of great music, fun activities and Christian fellowship. For more
information, please call 269-683-7600. ---------------
KALAMAZOO NORTH CHURCH ANNUAL ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION #146
SUNDAY, JUNE 13. WEATHER PERMITTING WE WILL PROBABLY BE OUTSIDE AS WE HAVE IN THE
PAST. A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO INVITE FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO JOIN US
F012 WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP. THE MRC DRUMMERS WILL BE ATTENDING THIS YEAR AND WE HOPE TO HAVE SOME OTHER GUESTS
AS WELL. PLAN TO ATTEND AND BRING A FRIEND. ---------------
Dick and Susan Cushnie are planning a 16 day religious pilgrimage to the Holy; departure date of March 16, 2011 and a return date
of March 31, 2011. Click here for more information.
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 Spiritual Directors: An Invitation for You
Thanks
to the encouragement and initiative of the Shepherding
Ministry, five spiritual directors gathered on May 11 at the Presbytery
office to meet each other and reflect on what they might bring to the
Presbytery. We hope you will join us at the June 8 meeting of
Presbytery for a continuation of our beginning conversation over lunch.
The meeting room will be announced. Please be thinking about whether
you would find it helpful to gather with other spiritual directors, what
vision you might have for this group, and what you might need from the
Presbytery....and please bring your calendars should we decide to meet
again. For more information, contact Mary Van Andel maryvanandel@comcast.net |
 Covenant Partner Breaks Ground
Presbyterian Villages of Michigan (PVM)
hosted a Ground Breaking Ceremony
at the Village of Sage Grove on Thursday, May 27th. on Sage Street south
of Stonebrook Avenue in the City of Kalamazoo. The
Village is PVM's 25th senior living
community in the state of Michigan. We are
pleased to become part of the Kalamazoo community and to offer
this wonderful new opportunity for quality senior living." said Roger
Myers, president and CEO of Presbyterian Villages of Michigan. "It
reflects the core of our mission and vision to be a trusted
resource to seniors of all faiths throughout Michigan." According
to a study of housing needs from Community Research Services LLC, the
area chosen for this project will experience a 17.9% increase in the
number of seniors age 62 and older by 2013. County-wide,
the numbers for this age group will increase by 25.5%. Read more |
 Pastor Care Program
Click
here to learn about the 2010-2011 Pastor Care Specialist Program
held in Western Michigan at Western Theological Seminary in partnership
with the Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeastern Michigan.
This certificate program is designed for pastors and lay pastoral
caregivers who desire to enhance their pastoral care and counseling
skills for ministry within the parish context. |
In Memoriam:
The Rev. Dr. Simon Devries
joined the church
triumphant
Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010
Simon, a member of
Lake Michigan Presbytery, was born on April 20, 1921. He studied at
Calvin College, Calvin Seminary and earned masters and Ph.d. at Union
Theological Seminary in New York City. He taught Hebrew and Old
Testament Studies at Hope College and Western Theological Seminary
briefly and then for 30 years at Methodist Theological Seminary in
Ohio. He and Betty, his spouse of 66 years, moved to Grand Rapids upon
his retirement and worshiped at the Central Reformed Church in Grand
Rapids. Betty's mailing address is 2500 Breton Woods SE, Unit 2028 Grand Rapids, MI 49512.
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 Updated Directory
Do you need a phone number or email address of someone involved in presbytery? Can't locate your printed directory? Fear not! All current contact information is available at the website. Here's how to find it: - Go to www.lakemichiganpresbytery.org
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Click on Members
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Scroll down and click on 'Find Contact Info'
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Login
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 Clerk Announcements
TREASURE HUNT for CLERKS OF SESSION.... We ask for each congregation to undertake a Treasure Hunt of
Historic Documents. The Stated Clerk REQUIRES a copy of your
congregation's Articles of Incorporation in the file we
maintain on each congregation. Our presbytery attorney, Ken Tiews, and I
have met some issues regarding these recently, and since the State
of Michigan requires it and the Book of Order aupports it, we need to
have them on file. A photocopy is sufficient, but please MAIL it to the presbytery
office to my attention and clearly identify yourself and your
congregation. Reminder: there are nearly 40 First Presbyterian churches
in the Presbytery of Lake Michigan - so always tell me which city. If
you cannot find your Articles of Incorporation we can help you in a
search of State of Michigan records. CLERK'S REVIEW FOR 2009 MINUTES Many have asked about the schedule for review of Session
minutes. There has been a delay in this activity this year as we prepare
the GA commissioners and tend to another matter. Also, I have
realigned the eight clusters we had before to coincide with the three
Committee on Ministry regions. We will also take a few minutes to
familiarize the Clerks of Session with the presbytery website and our
new Clerks page. This electronic announcement will be followed with a
letter in every church file at the June meeting and the schedule should
be complete at that time. NORTHERN REGION Jenison Parkwood
June 19 10 am SOUTHEASTERN REGION Schoolcraft TO
BE ANNOUNCED EASTERN REGION Host needed
TO BE ANNOUNCED I am seeking a location for the Eastern cluster that is close to a
main highway. Clerks may attend whichever gathering is
convenient to your schedule. Additionally, there will be a
review following the September stated meeting at Grand Rapids
John Knox on September 14th to catch up with any we have not
reviewed. FINALLY........CONGRATULATIONS As we finalized the request for the Clerk's Annual Questionnaire to
be filed online I really appreciate that so many of you were able to
comply. We started with almost 20 not electronically filed and ended
with only two congregations not filing. In the future this annual
requirement should only be filed electronically. The denomination
emails a copy to the presbytery. Always keep a hard copy of any annual
reporting that is filed for your congregation. Those reports contain
valuable information for PNC needs. |
 Living Waters for the World
July
2010 session of Clean Water U will be held Tuesday, July 6 -
Saturday, July 10 at Hopewell Conference Center.
We
began scheduling summer sessions so that teachers and others who have
been unable to attend training in the spring or fall have a
training option. And now, we're
offering another new twist - this session has been shifted a day
earlier than our typical schedule, thus allowing clergy to attend our
training without having to be away from their churches on Sunday.
Please
pass the word, and encourage those interested to begin registering now,
as sessions can fill quickly.
If a
summer session appeals to you, and the July session is not an option,
please join us in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains, just south of
Yosemite, for our August session scheduled for Sunday, August 15
- Thursday, August 19 at Calvin Crest.
To register for a session of Clean Water U, click here.
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Newsletters and Resources
Parish Paper Link2Lead Great Lakes APCE
Synod of the Covenant
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This week Presbyterian Leader launched a study on the theme of the 219th General
Assembly, "