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| Lake Michigan Newsletter | November 30, 2010 |
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Lake Michigan Presbytery receives two New Covenant grants from the Synod of the Covenant
Partnership for a Racism Free Community, Westminster Church,Grand Rapids, MI- $10,000 - Westminster will use the grant funds to hire David May Consulting to conduct a series of faith-based Institute for Healing Racism. Rev. David May is a past associate director of GRACE and one of the founders of the Racial Justice Institute.
Refuge High School Equivalency Project, Presbyterian Church of Okemos - $5,000 - To support and enroll as many refuges as possible in an online program while providing volunteer tutors to help them through each of the six core subjects and four elective courses of the program, adapting lessons in consideration of participants' low English proficiency background.
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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
I was moved by Margaret Haney's sermon at the Synod Assembly of the Synod of the Covenant, November 6, 2010. Margaret has served as the interim Synod Executive. Through this sermon Margaret shares a vision for the Synod and the church today struggling with its barrenness, its fidelity to its Traditions, and struggle with change, transitioning with openness to the new thing that God is doing. Margaret finds in the characters and themes of the Advent story a rich vision for the church today. Margaret has given me permission to share her sermon, "Just Say Yes". It is posted on my blog at http://jbestblog.blogspot.com/
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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Note from Janet Magennis, Stated Clerk
UPDATE: Annual Statistics Report will be downloadable from the website on Wednesday, December 1, 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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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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Palestinian crafts will be sold at Kalamazoo First on Sunday, 5 November.
Olivewood carvings, including crèches, will be sold at the Holiday Bazaar at Kalamazoo First on Sunday, 5 December, from 9:30-10:30 before the worship service and from 11:30 to 12:30 following worship. The income from the sale of these crafts will be sent to the Baraka Presbyterian Church in Bethlehem for distribution to the Palestinian olivewood craftsmen who made the carvings. Fair traded virgin olive oil from Palestine will also be sold, with the proceeds going to Palestinian olive growers. Other items for sale to benefit Palestinians will be the Steadfast Hope brochure with a DVD on Middle East peace issues and the "Colors from Palestine" 2011 calendar that sheds light on the art and cultural life of Palestine. The address of Kalamazoo First Presbyterian Church is 321 West South Street, Kalamazoo MI 49007. |
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Ghana Partnership Committee Report
Rev. Alphonse Kwadzo-Kuma, moderator of the Ho-East Presbytery, Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, arrived safely home in Ghana on Tuesday, 22 November. His five-week visit to our presbytery was very successful, thanks to the enthusiastic support for his visit by many throughout the presbytery. He spent roughly a week in each each of the Benton Harbor, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Lansing areas, as well as several one-day visits elsewhere in our presbytery. The next mission trip from our presbytery to visit partners in Ghana is being planned for June 2011. Details of the trip will be available early in 2011. For more information, contact either Rev. Karen Haak <kaahaak@gmail.com> or John Petro <john.petro@wmich.edu>. |
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Nominating Committee Report
To view report click on NOM Report November 2010 |
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2011 Transformation/Small Church Ministry Conference
Churches are struggling, trying to reinvent themselves in order to cope with the loss of finances, constant dwindling of membership and the apparent need to become missional. Many are understaffed and cannot cope with the amount of work required to make changes in worship and programming in addition to training of leadership. Conferences that can reach the masses are more desirable and more cost effective than trying to work with one church at a time. Additionally, having such a conference in Ohio provides a location that will accommodate more congregations at less cost.
The Synod of the Covenant and the Presbytery of Detroit have partnered to offer such a conference. So Save the Date! Thursday, May 5 thru Saturday, May 7, 2011, Holiday Inn - French Quarter, 10630 Fremont Pike, Perrysburg, OH 43551 |
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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
Leading From the Second Chair--Serving Your Church, Fulfilling Your Role, and Realizing Your Dream by Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson (440.07) Offers invaluable resources to leaders who serve in second chair roles, enabling them to be more productive, proactive, and fulfilled.
Getting Involved With God--Rediscovering the Old Testament by Ellen F. Davis (141.02) With sound scholarship, Davis teaches a spiritually engaging method of reading Scripture that helps to cultivate habits of the heart that lead to a rich relationship with God.
OMG--A Youth Ministry Handbook edited by Kenda Creasy Dean (280.24) This handbook is a kaleidoscope of thoughts and ideas on the challenges and possibilities in doing youth ministry in today's culture.
Ready, Set, Teach--Training and Supporting Volunteers in Christian Education by Delia Halverson (250.36) A new guide for Christian education that includes models of teaching, workshops, and handouts. |
Early Registration Deadline - APCE
The early registration deadline for the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) Annual Event is December 3. Register on or before this date and save $50.
The Annual Event, "Walking in Balance," is on February 2 to 5, 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This conference is widely known as one of the best continuing education events available--for educators, pastors, and this year especially, people who work in youth ministry. The Presbyterian Youth Workers Association conference is "nested" in the APCE conference so you get both great events. Other highlights include keynote speaker Rick Ufford-Chase, a pre-conference retreat, and over 120 workshops. Information and registration is at www.apcenet.org |
Nicaragua - January 8-15, 2011
NOTE: Although the deadline was Nov. 22nd, we encourage anyone interested to quickly get their application in!!!
The Presbyterian Hunger Program is leading a delegation to Nicaragua, and you are invited! January 8-15, 2011
Participants will experience the benefits of Fair Trade first-hand when they visit coffee and sewing cooperatives. The delegation is perfect for anyone involved in a congregation, college or camp that uses Fair Trade coffee, tea or T-shirts. It's also great for anyone who has hosted a holiday bazaar with Fair Trade products, or simply wants to learn more.
Delegates will:
· Meet Fair Trade farmers and artisans
· Pick coffee and stay in homes of farming families
· Meet the women who sew Sweat-Free Ts· Build community with fellow Presbyterians
· Learn about Nicaragua, Fair Trade and more!
See more details and download the application. Applications are due November 22.
Please consider joining us, and pass the word to others who may be interested.
Yours in faith, Melanie Hardison. Enough for Everyone, (800) 728-7228 x5626 |
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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GREENWOOD DISCOUNTS - Register for a camp before January 1 and receive a discount on your application. Sign up a new Greenwood camper and receive an additional $25 discount. Check us out at www.campgreenwood.org. |
NEED A JOB! -
Camp Greenwood is taking applications from high school and college youth for staffing in 2011. If you feel God is calling you to a ministry with kids, this may be your opportunity to heed His calling in your life. Applications and job descriptions can be found at www.campgreenwood.org . Deadline is January 30, 2011 |
Camp Greenwood SERV Weeks
Junior and Senior High SERV Weeks - "Being the Hands of Jesus to Others"
Leaders: A mission trip where all you have to do is sign people up!
Starting Sunday, June 19 - 25 is our junior high SERV Week and July 10 - 16 is our senior high SERV Week. The Sunday evening starts with a mass meeting to include praise, worship and a motivational speaker, setting the tone for the week. Projects will include small construction, Servant-Evangelism, street ministry to homeless and runaway kids, working at a soup kitchen, Salvation Army, a food bank, brightening the day of elderly people and various other ministries located in Kent County. Our goal is to provide a ministry of touching people by touching their lives. When you return from your SERVsite, your stay at Camp Greenwood will include free time to use our sail boats, kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, pontoon boat and fishing craft. Use your free time to enjoy archery, volleyball, soccer, hike the many trails on our property, 3 story floating iceberg or just rest To learn more click SERVweeks!!! |
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 - Why Google Docs?
The Presbytery makes frequent use of Google Docs for two reasons.
1. Google Docs are free and flexible. The user can download the document in her/his desired format (PDF, Word, Open Office, etc).
2. More importantly, it is easier and quicker for staff to update and distribute documents for presbytery consumption.
By "easier" we mean, the process to get the document online for presbytery consumption. When we use Google Docs, the staff edits the document online and it is immediately available for the presbytery. By "quicker" we mean preparing a document for the web. Previously the following steps were involved to update or add documents to the website:
a. The original document would be edited using MS Word (new or older versions), Word Perfect, or Open Office - depending on personal preference.
b. Office staff would then have to convert the content to Open Office. Open Office is the preferred word processor of the office staff; it is free and it has the ability to import other document formats.
c. Office staff would have to reformat the document because formatting is not standard across word processing platforms.
d. Office staff would then export the document into both .doc and .pdf formats.
e. Office staff would replace existing version(s) of the documents on the website.
Think of the time savings when a frequently updated document like the Pulpit Supply goes through the non-google docs process. Easier + quicker = cheaper. The disadvantage of Google Docs is people are unfamiliar with it. This is a matter of learning something new. Please have patience and if you have any questions or concerns, contact jane@lakemichiganpresbytery.org |
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Board of Pensions News - Coverage terminations
Effective January 1, 2011, healthcare reform legislation prohibits the Board of Pensions from processing coverage terminations from the Medical Plan retroactively. In order to support the administration of our plan in response to this legislation, the Board of Pensions has made a decision to end all plan benefits on the last day of the month that the Board receives a service termination form from the employer.
Therefore, effective January 1, 2011, churches and employing organizations will be required to submit a service termination form to the Board in advance of or immediately upon the actual service termination date to avoid the payment of dues for Benefits Plan coverage beyond the end of the month in which a member's employment terminates.
To report a service termination, an authorized representative of the church or employing organization must complete and sign the appropriate form:
Traditional Program -
Service Termination form (ENR-301)
Affiliated Benefits Program - Termination/Service/Salary Change form (ENR-103)
More information will be provided through Pensions.org. If you have questions, please contact the Board at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN).
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Opportunities
There are several ministry opportunities in Lake Michigan Presbytery which are NOT posted on the Congregational Leadership Connection site:
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.
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