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Lake Michigan Newsletter
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July 1, 2010
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Greetings!
Have You Thought
About . . .
Using the summer to update communication
tools? Church websites are a starting place for people who visit
congregations for the first time. All ages are on the internet and they
look for information about the pastor, the church's beliefs, classes
for children, adults and families, and how your congregation is working
for God beyond the church walls. A Pew Internet study indicates 81% of
ages 30-49 and 70% of ages 50-64 are on the internet. Is your website
current? Do you maintain an active email database of members, friends and visitors? Think how your church currently communicates and what may
need to change.
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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, |
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Reflections on World Communion of Reformed Churches
Spread out across the lawn was an
amazing sight. Passing through buffet lines or seated on the grass were
clusters of people. The clothes were diverse and colorful. The breeze
tossed around the buzz of hundreds of simultaneous conversations. It
could have been a diplomatic reception at the United Nations or the
White House for all its variety. But it was a gathering of Christians
on the campus of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI; Christians who
follow the Reformed/Protestant branches of the faith to be precise.
Click here to read more reflections on this historic event.
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General Assembly Commissioners
The following people have been elected by the presbytery to
represent you at the 219th General Assembly in Minneapolis, MN beginning
July 3rd. They have a very large task before them and have already
spent countless hours preparing in order to best represent the
Presbytery of Lake Michigan. Click here to read what these wonderful members have volunteered to do
on our behalf -
Clergy
Commissioners:
Rev. Tim Marvil, Pastor at Homer Rev. Tony Patrick, Associate at Lansing First Rev. Ericka Parkinson-Kilbourne, Associate at Richland
Elder
Commissioners:
John Cox, Elder from Marshall Dru Wrasse, Elder from Buchanan Ruth Brown, Elder from Hillsdale
Youth Advisory
Delegate (YAD):
Kenny Sparks is our Young Adult Advisory Delegate. He is a
sophomore at Alma College and is from Kalamazoo First. |
How New
Technology Helps a General Assembly
Advances in technology and social media are helping to reshape how a
General Assembly meeting is done-from the stewardship of resources
(fewer trees hewn for paper!) to the immediacy of the assembly
proceedings and actions. Here are some examples.
PC-biz
PC-biz is the name for the electronic system
where commissioners, advisory delegates, and all others will read and
follow the business for the 219th General Assembly (2010), whether
onsite in Minneapolis during the assembly or from another location where
they can access the Internet (http://pc-biz.org). Included among the advantages
provided by PC-biz are easy online access to assembly information, less
shuffling of papers (historically, a stack at least six inches high),
and business in real time in both committee and plenary sessions.
Web Streaming
Visitors to the homepage of the Web
site for the 219th General Assembly (2010) (www.pcusa.org/ga219) during the assembly (July
3-10) may watch the plenary sessions of the highest governing body of
the PC(USA) as they happen. One of the highlights will be the election
of the Moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010) on the first
evening of the assembly.
Official GA 219 Blog and Twitter
Plans call for a
daily blog on the 219th General Assembly Web site during the assembly
meeting. The blog will be shared on a rotating basis by an assembly
commissioner and an advisory delegate from each category: young adult,
theological student, ecumenical, and missionary. The bloggers will share
their experiences and insights of serving in their respective roles.
The Office of the General Assembly (OGA) will also share breaking news
and other announcements before and during the assembly through Twitter.
The feed will be on the homepage of the 219th General Assembly Web site (www.pcusa.org/ga219) under the username presbyGA.
It may also be found at www.twitter.com/presbyGA.
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The Presbyterian Leader
The final special edition (FREE) General Assembly Leader Reader focuses on a
divisive issue: technology and social media at General Assembly. Some
are excited that there will be GA "tweets," others fear it will be
distracting. "The Benefits and Challenges of New Technology for the
219th General Assembly (2010)" offers an analysis on how new
technologies will benefit and challenge this year's General Assembly
meeting.
This new offer, along with the previous four special General
Assembly Leader Readers, are available for download here.
General Assembly Devotions (NOW AVAILABLE!)
These nine devotions provide prayer and reflection on one
of the lectionary readings for each day of the 219th General Assembly
(2010). These short, timely devotions are written by a variety of
Presbyterian leaders from across the country. The commissioners and
delegates will use them each day, and we encourage you to use them as
well, wherever you are! |
Covenant Mission Exchange The
Synod of
the Covenant is pleased to announce it's latest ministry support tool.
Starting July 1, 2010 any project, program, charity, ministry
and/or organization that is associated with a Presbytery
within the Synod of the Covenant can register at the Covenant
Mission Exchange, www.covenantmissionexchange.org.
Covenant
Mission
Exchange is a website that connects donors with missions based on
interests and giving needs (time, money, items). Learn more and view our
video by visiting our About Us web page.
Registration is
simple. Go to www.covenantmissionexchange.org/register
and complete the required information. The Synod will contact your home
presbytery to seek confirmation of your mission. Once confirmation is
received your mission profile page will be
available for donors to view.
September 1 is
the date the exchange will officially start
receiving donations to the missions listed at the site. This should give
your presbytery enough time to acknowledge your mission.
Join the CMX email list to receive official notifications
from the exchange. Information will include updates on registered
missions,
donation information and suggestions on promoting your mission! Click
here to sign up!
If you have questions about the exchange, contact Jane McGookey, jane@synodofthecovenant.org
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Mission Yearbook Orders
2011 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study
"Grow Christ's Church Deep and Wide"
based on
Matt. 28:18-20
and Mark 9:35
Discover what's happening in your world. Make a difference every day.
Learn what is carried
out in your name throughout the world by your church and its ecumenical
partners. For over
116 years the Mission Yearbook has led the way, bringing the
Presbyterian family together daily.
Join with them. Learn about and pray for those in situations of joy or
need and those who come
alongside them to minister in Christ's name. And now, a new generation
of Presbyterians is
learning and sharing its stories with the Children's Mission Yearbook.
Order your 2011 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study at the
discounted price of $8.20 per copy
that includes shipping to the Presbytery office. Books will be available
for pickup at the
November 13 Presbytery meeting at Grand Rapids Westminster.
Churches ordering 100 or more should order directly through
Presbyterian Distribution
Service (must be prepaid and ordered by September 1). You will receive
the same discount, and
the books will be shipped directly to your church.
Children's Yearbooks usually are delivered sometime in December.
You will be notified when
they arrive and can either pick them up at the Presbytery office or at
the next Presbytery
meeting. If you want ten or more copies, please order them directly from
Presbyterian
Distribution Service, 1.800.524.2612.
Mission Yearbook $8.20 ($8.50 PayPal)
Children's Mission Yearbooks $6.50 ($6.80, PayPal)Place your order by going to www.lakemichiganpresbytery.org/myb
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| 2011 Presbytery Meeting Dates
The Leadership Team has approved dates for stated meetings in
2011:
Saturday February 12, 2011
Tuesday April 12, 2011
Tuesday June 14, 2011
Tuesday September 13, 2011
Saturday November 12, 2011
Host congregations are
needed, so please extend an invitation to the presbytery. Contact the office for more information, office@lakemichiganpresbytery.org
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pcusa.org gets an extreme
makeover
A complete overhaul of the denomination's web
presence has resulted in a new look, feel and functionality for the
site, which will have its formal premiere on Saturday, July 3, during
the General Assembly Mission Council's presentation at the 219th General
Assembly (2010). The fresh new design is coupled with a new content
management system, which serves up content in more dynamic and flexible
pages that are geared to help users quickly find relevant and helpful
information. New tools to aid conversation around each story have also
been incorporated, offering the site as a place to share ideas about
ministry and mission as well as to find and share resources to inspire
and equip congregations for the church's work.
The home page is
designed to serve as a gateway to the church, with stories of
Presbyterians and our love for the church, an introduction to the
PC(USA) for first-time visitors, helpful links to popular pages from all
of the national offices, and new tools for finding events, news and
information, resources, and products available for purchase in the
church store. Because it's been ten years since the denomination's last
major web design project, we hope that you will plan to log on after
July 3 for the ultimate Presbyterian web experience! |
T-Shirt Design Contest
A T-shirt
design contest being sponsored by the Presbyterian Committee on the
Self-Development of People (SDOP). The contest is open to students from
ninth grade through college for students attending a
Presbyterian-related college. The winner will receive a $2,000
scholarship.
SDOP, which
is supported by the church's "One Great Hour of Sharing" offering,
provides grants to communities to address the causes and consequences of
poverty and oppression. The contest is part of SDOP's 40th
anniversary celebration. The T-shirt design should depict SDOP's mission
of "People Investing in People."
Information is on the SDOP website www.pcusa.org/sdop includes a flyer, an application form and a FAQ
sheet with dimensions for the digital image that must be submitted and
where to send a digital photo, scan or electronic file of the design. The
deadline is August 31, 2010. Please share
this information with anyone you know who might be interested. For
additional information or questions please e-mail sdopscholarship@pcusa.org. |
Prepare
for Evangelism Sunday
Your congregation will soon be receiving a postcard
advertising Evangelism Sunday. Last year, we encouraged congregations to
worship outside of their usual context, in order that they may
(literally) take the Good News out in the neighborhood.
This year, we have designed Evangelism Sunday to be
just one component of a series of events leading up and following this
worship service. We are encouraging congregations to participate in a
"Day of Service" on Saturday, September 25. Get further
information and to download the resources. Grow Christ's
Church Deep and Wide Watch the video story Shared
Christmas Evangelism that shows Christ being made know through a
church engaging their community with God's love. Consider using this as
a video resource to help introduce/kick off the Evangelism Sunday
campaign. |
Opportunities
First Presbyterian Church, Muskegon is seeking applicants for a Director
of Christian Education position and also a Director of Youth Ministries
position. These are part time positions but applicants qualified in
both are encouraged to apply for both jobs for full time employment.
Email info@fpcmuskegon.org
for detail information.
Interim Accompanist at First Presbyterian Church, Holt, MI,
with potential for full time permanent employment. Seeking an
accomplished pianist to accompany adult choir during the weekly practice
sessions (one evening per week) and Sunday worship services.First
Presbyterian Church, 2021 Aurelius Road,
Holt, MI 48842 or email: sally@fpc-holt.org Pertinent credentials may be
mailed to church or faxed to 517-694-1009. Part-time Administrative Assistant Needed Pine Island Church of Kalamazoo expects to have an opening for a
part-time administrative assistant beginning in
August of this year. The position is for 12 hours per week, with
a flexible schedule. To obtain a job description, or to send a resume, contact evelyndiephouse@gmail.com. There are several ministry opportunities in Lake Michigan Presbytery
which are NOT posted on the Congregational Leadership Connection site: - Designated Pastor (2 year) Mt. Hope
Presbyterian Church, Part time (part time, 20-25 hours per week) 72
members, vision for a
multicultural ministry, Burmese Immigrate congregation nesting.
- Interim
Pastor, First Presbyterian Church,
Coldwater, 210 members, traditional worship
Please
contact John Best, General Presbyter ASAP if you are interested or know
of someone interested in
knowing more about these positions. Synod of the Covenant is looking for an Transitional Synod Executive. Click here for details.Click here to see all opportunities available in the Presbytery. |
In the News
A revival - An old Old Town church is reborn
with a new congregation,
Lansing Pulse, June 30,
You could say it all
started in 1863. That's when Lansing Methodist leader James Turner sold a
piece of land to 14 Presbyterians with the condition that they sort of
act as missionaries in north Lansing and spread "gospel preaching."
Now, 147 years later,
Lansing's North Presbyterian Church, seated on the corner of Grand River
and Washington Avenues in Old Town, is ground zero for an ecumenical
saga plotted on a theme of multiculturalism and diversity. And it's
mostly thanks to a 37-year-old former railroad worker and a 41-year-old
Korean-American former commercial art professor at the Pratt Institute. Click here to read the entire article |
CLERKS OF SESSION!
MINUTES REVIEW
PROGRESS IS SLOW THIS YEAR
We had 13 churches attend at Jenison Parkwood and another 10 attend at Schoolcraft
First for the first two of three planned gatherings for review of Session Minutes from
2009. That equals less than one-third so far. For the gathering in Okemos on July 24th -
10 am - should I anticipate seeing 47 churches attending?
There will be a "last chance gathering" after the presbytery meeting at John Knox
Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids in September and that will be the final opportunity
for completing this annual requirement. If the Clerk of Session cannot attend either at
Okemos or Grand Rapids, then someone else from the Session should be delegated
to bring the books and registers and be ready to participate in the peer review.
The CHECKLIST must be filled out ahead of time. Do not forget to also bring the
register since this is linked to Session minutes for its details. The gatherings take at
least an hour. If you need a checklist you can download it in Word or PDF from the
presbytery website. It is easy to search the Clerk's Page under "POLICIES" on the home
page at www.lakemichiganpresbytery.org
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Sabbatical Grant Opportunities
The Louisville Institute is pleased to
announce it's 17th annual competition for Sabbatical Grants
for Pastoral Leaders. Last year 39 grants were awarded to applicants from a
pool numbering nearly 400, and we anticipate a strong set of applicants
again for this year's competition, which closes on September 1. In
addition to our sabbatical grants, we also offer Pastoral Study Project
grants; applications for those grants are due August 15.Though we do not
lack for applicants, we seek to broaden our applicant pool beyond the
"usual suspects" that already know about the Institute. Details of our grant application process and
eligibility requirements are available on our website, www.louisville-institute.org.
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