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| Lake Michigan Newsletter | November 15, 2010 |
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Elders Deacons Training Highlights
HIGHLIGHTS - JOAN GRAY'S SPEECH AND SEMINAR
OCTOBER 23, 2010, WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
Today's Churches face the same issues as businesses do. For summary of results from meeting click here. To view pictures from the meeting click here .
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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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Note from John
I hope you read through this e-bulletin. There is a lot of important news and information here. Please share it with members of your church and encourage them to subscribe. Secondly, we are operating more and more electronically. See notices below on Annual Statistical Reports and Our Presbytery Directory. Both will by prepared on-line this year. Read about them below. Furthermore, there are many links here in that lead you to reports and resources. Please avail yourself of them.
Some of you have inquired about my report to presbytery at the November 13th meeting with interest on the statistics mentioned. The statistics I used are from the PCUSA 2009 Statistical Report of Congregations. Follow this link to my blog, where I have posted my report: http://jbestblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/report-to-presbytery-november-2010.html
The Presbyterian Leader.com is a new medium of the support for us from the PC(USA). If you haven't already subscribed, I commend it to you. This service provides a wide range of leadership resources for congregational leaders. One free resource is a monthly essay on ministry. I commend to you this month's essay "Prayer and the Mysterious Movement of the Spirit" by Betty Meadows, president of the Assoc. of Executive Presbyters. She reflects on the changing nature of the church and on how prayer has transformed Mid-Kentucky Presbytery. I can't provide a link here, but do look for this essay at www.presbyterianleader.com.
Grace and Peace,
John Best |
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ALERT - UPDATE YOUR PROFILE
Please update your profile on the website by signing in as a member and checking your page. Your profile must be updated before NOVEMBER 22 when we will start working on the printed directory. The information in your profile is what will print in the directory. |
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BUILDING HOPE
Building Hope: Join others to see what the excitement is about Building Hope: At Edwardsburg, Pastor Scott Scheel reported that their congregation had used all the material from the curriculum to the worship services with great success and that after every session of the DVD the congregation replied silent for several minutes in awe of the work being done |
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November 13th Presbytery Meeting Offering collected was $981.00 for Children's Assessment Center of Grand Rapids MI. |
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MISSING MINISTERS
The Committee on Ministry is seeking information about the whereabouts of two retired ministers who live outside the bounds of the Presbytery - Charles W. Riddle and Robert S. McComb. The Committee would also appreciate information about Deanne VanLare, a retiree survivor. Any information about these individuals would be most appreciated and should be sent to Rev. Kurt Kremlick, COM Secretary, at Kremlick@juno.com or 269-388-9728 Any help or background about these individuals would be most appreciated. |
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Congregational Connection - Reminder!
Please display the Shepherding Ministry Team Congregational Connection poster. The poster and bulletin insert were distributed at the Nov presbytery meeting. If you did not pick yours up, please contact the presbytery office. A power point can be downloaded from the presbytery website. |
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New Resources in the Resource Center
"Read and Share Bible DVDs"--Four DVDs for young children with three minute Bible stories and one 30 minute DVD on the life and miracles of Jesus.
"Living the Questions" is DVD with 20 minute presentations by noted theologians and scholars on 21 topics on the themes of journey, reconciliation, and transformation.
"Union Sunday Presents Revelation" is a 12 part DVD study of Revelation by Dr. Brian Blount, president of Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA.
"Singing the Unsung" is a DVD featuring John Bell of the Iona Community, sharing the importance of congregational singing and teaching songs from around the world. |
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National Native American Month - Where are you?
As a proud Native American I have been called to chair the committee for Native Americans Consulting Committee which is part of the Cabinet on Ethnic Church Affairs within the Multicultural, Racial Ethnic & Justice Ministries Committee of the Synod of the Covenant of the Presbyterian Church USA.
What does that mean? As Presbyterians we are aware of the many cultures that make up our fold. We are also aware and acknowledge the special needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ; that is why these committees and caucuses have been formed; to give voice to them and to open dialogue that their needs be represented and understood.
As the only Native American Family within my church this calling gives me the need to search for others that are in neighboring churches so that we may supper with one another, meet and greet, and address our special needs or concerns as Native Americans within the Presbyterian Church USA.
I am eager to meet fellow tribal members to share stories and get to know your heritage and the things we have in common not only in our Native American culture but in our calling in the service to the church and our creator.
Please contact: Connie L. Davis-Stokes, Moderator, Native American Ministry Committee, Synod of the Covenant, 20451 Lauder St., Detroit, MI 48235. Phone 313-341-4148. Email nowata@quixnet.net . |
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Ghana Partnership Committee Announcement
Rev. Alphonse Kwadzo-Kuma, Chairman of the Ho-East Presbytery, Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana has been visiting churchesa in Benton Harbor, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo. He will spend the next week in the Lansing area before returning to Ghana on Monday, 22 November.
Highlights of his visit will be celebrated on Sunday, 21 November, East Lansing Eastminster
For more information about Rev. Kwadzo-Kuma and his full schedule of activities during his visit to Michigan, click here lakemichiganpresbytery.org/ghana. Times are available on this schedule for him to make additional visits to congregations in the presbytery. In particular, he would be pleased to meet with small groups of individuals interested in our presbytery's partnership with the Ho-East Presbytery and in our planned trip to Ghana in June 2011.
For more information about Rev. Kwadzo-Kuma visit to our presbytery, please contact John Petro, (269-342-6817), john.petro@wmich.edu . |
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Note from Janet Magennis, Stated Clerk
Annual Statistics Report will be downloadable from the website on Thursday, November 4, 2010. All churches received their user name and password in last week's letter.
Clerk's Annual Questionnaire will also be posted to our website on November 15th. This required report must also be reported online. Directions are on the website. |
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Synod Commissioner Report
Synod Assembly, November 5-6, 2010
Synod Offices in Maumee, OH
At its November assembly, the Synod of the Covenant elected the Rev. Raafat Zaki, as its new Transitional Synod Executive. "Rev. Zaki was licensed for ministry first by the Presbyterian Church in Sudan, completed several internships and field education in Sudan and Egypt, and was ordained a Minister of the Word and Sacrament by the PCUSA. He served in three pastoral capacities in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio; served two offices with the General Assembly, as Associate with the Churchwide Personnel Services, and as Area Coordinator with the Worldwide Ministries. He then served with Habitat for Humanity International as the Director of Global Faith Engagement and Church Relations, and most recently as the Stated Clerk and Associate Executive with the Synod of the Sun, PCUSA."*
Rev. Zaki offered the sermon at the evening assembly worship setting the tone for the work that lay ahead. The synod is pleased to welcome Rev. Zaki and looks forward to ministry together.
The assembly elected William (Bill) Sorensen as its vice-moderator. Bill is the elder commissioner from Lake Michigan Presbytery. The clergy commissioner, Rev. Christine Barnes, completed her term as moderator of the synod at this assembly. The assembly heard a report from Karen Nottelmann, Coordinator of the Mission to the USA program. For the full report please click Synod Commissioner . |
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Jazz Worship Service Concerts!!!
Benefit Concert Series - Allegan First Presbyterian
Come and enjoy our Jazz Worship Service Concerts!!! Free will offering will be given to local non profits in the community. Concerts start at 5pm and are held at the church 200 Cutler St., Allegan - 5:00 p.m.
November 14th, 2010 Shari Kane and Big Dave Steele
December 12th, Keith Hall Trio
January 9th - Root Doctor
February 13 - Tad Robinson
To download promotional poster, click here
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Registration Open for APCE
The online registration for the Annual Event of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) is now open. Go to www.apcenet.org. The conference, "Walking in Balance" will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on February 2 to 5, 2011. Rick Ufford-Chase is the keynote speaker and there are 120 workshops choices. The Presbyterian Youth Workers Association is meeting jointly with APCE so there are many workshops on youth ministry. An optional overnight at Ghost Ranch after the event is available.
In February of 2012, the conference will be held in Grand Rapids. Information is also on the website about applying to lead workshops for this conference. The theme is "Surprising Wonders" and leaders are needed for workshops on many topics. Workshop leaders have their registration costs paid for the conference. Contact Eileen Best (ebest@lakemichiganpresbytery.org) for more information. |
Being Reformed
Being Reformed is the new adult curriculum from "We Beleive." This series of six session mini-courses is written by well-known scholars of the reformed faith and can be adapted to many sitiuations. Four new studies have just been published--
Wisdom from the Early Church
Stewardship of Creation
A Brief Statement of Faith
Recognizing God's Grace
Each study has a leader and participant guide. Five additional studies are also available. Copies are available to preview from the Resource Center.
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June 30 - July 2, 2011
Choose from Clergy Women's Leadership Institute, Evangelism and Church Development Conference, Healthy Ministry Conference, National Elders Conference, National Multicultural Church Conference, Peacemaking Conference, Presbyterian Communicators Network National Conference, Racial Ethnic and Immigrants Convocation, World Mission Conference ... or don't choose any one conference and design your own schedule.
Registration fee: $285 / Hotel rate: $99 per night
More details coming soon. Registration will open in February.
Click here to watch a video summary of the first Big Tent Event held in Atlanta in June 2009.
Click here to watch a video from the PC(USA) about the 2009 event
For more information:
Kerry Rice
G.A. Meeting Services
(800) 728-7228, x5412
Indianapolis, Indiana | J.W. Marriott |
Youth Events -
- SnowFest - February 18-20, 2011; First Presbyterian Church, Cadillac; Contact: Don Phillips (presbyeducator@sbcglobal.net This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
- Alma Youth Mix - March 11-13, 2011. Visit the Youth Mix website (http://www.almayouthmix.com) for more information.
- Junior High SERVE Week - June 19 - 24, 2011. Camp Greenwood. The speaker will be Jonathan Kraker, Youth Pastor at Centerpointe Church in Kalamazoo with music provided by Bryan Kelly, Youth Pastor at 3rd CRC in Kalamazoo. Check out the early bird price of $225 by January 1. For further information check us out at Camp Greenwood
- Senior High SERVE Week - July 11 - 16, 2011. Camp Greenwood. The speaker will be Jonathan Kraker, Youth Pastor at Centerpointe Church in Kalamazoo with music provided by Bryan Kelly, Youth Pastor at 3rd CRC in Kalamazoo. Check out the early bird price of $225 by January 1. For further information check us out at Camp Greenwood
For more information or to download a flyer click here - www.lakemichiganpresbytery.org/youth
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Montreat 2011 - ??
Does anyone know of any other Mighigan area youth groups that plan to go to Montreat in 2011? We at First Pres Lansing are looking for another youth group to join and share in our travel. Please contact Harv, Brian or Kathy at First Pres Lansing, 517 482 0668, or email Harv at hewhit@comcast.net. Thanks, and God Bless |
Communication Corner -
Does your committee have difficulty setting meeting dates due to busy schedules? There are at least two online tools to help with scheduling. Check out doodle.com and whenisgood.net to see which might help your committee with scheduling challenges.
Interested in using social media to gain more visibility for your ministry? Create a page for free at facebook.com. Look on the main page under the green signup box. Facebook pages allow people to "Like" your page. When someone clicks the "Like" button all their friends are notified of your action. The average member on Facebook has 130 friends. Just think if only 10 members of your church clicked your 'like' button, potentially 1300 people could learn about your ministry!
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Board of Pensions
This issue of The Board Bulletin covers discussion and decisions by the directors of The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) at their October 23 meeting in Ft. Myers, FL. Highlights include:
- Board reports on Balanced Investment Portfolio returns. The Board of Pensions reported a positive 6.7% return for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The Pension Plan is fully funded.
- Routine vision exams to be covered. Both active members and retirees will have access to routine vision exam coverage through the Medical Plan and the Medicare Supplement Plan, respectively. Administrative and service provider details differ by plan.
- Changes in monthly subscription dues approved for Medical Continuation and Medicare Supplement. The claims experience of and forecasts for the Medical Continuation Program and Medicare Supplement Plan necessitated dues actions.
- Healthcare reform continues to bring incremental changes to Benefits Plan. In response to new legal requirements, the Board addresses "grandfathered" status of its healthcare plans, among other requirements.
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Opportunities
There are several ministry opportunities in Lake Michigan Presbytery which are NOT posted on the Congregational Leadership Connection site:
- Interim Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Coldwater
Please contact John Best, General Presbyter ASAP if you are interested or know of someone interested in knowing more about these positions.
Click here to see all opportunities available in the Presbytery.
Adult Choral Director
Pennfield Presbyterian Church, located at 7979 St Mary's Lk Rd / M-66, has
an immediate need for an organist/pianist and Adult Choral Director. The
church is a mature congregation that enjoys a balance of traditional hymns
and contemporary Praise and Worship choruses. The job would be 10 hours a
week to include a weekly choir rehearsal and 10:00AM Sunday AM services each
week. Any interested musicians may contact Pastor Doug Nettleton at the
church 269.965.8018.
Choir Robes -  The choir at First Presbyterian Church in Grand Haven, MI recently purchased new robes.
Our original robes are for sale....$100 for 47 of them, all laundered and packed in boxes. Please contact Barb Reed, choir member 616-502-7551 bobbie48@charter.net |
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