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| Lake Michigan Newsletter | December 15, 2010 |
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Baraka B Presbyterian Church
NEWSLETTER
Bethlehem - Holy Land
The Christmas newsletter from the Baraka Presbyterian Church in Bethlehem is click here. The son of the pastor spoke at our February Presbytery meeting at Kalamazoo First.
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Note from John
"Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord."
This Advent Season has been a special one for me! You can read my blog "Advent Blessings" at http://jbestblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/adent-blessings.html
On behalf of the entire Presbytery Staff, I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
John Best
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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 Janet Magennis, Stated Clerk
DENOMINATION SITE OPEN FOR REPORTING OF ANNUAL STATISTICS
Congregations are now able to begin filing their year-end statistical reports to the denomination. It was announced last Friday that reporting could begin. However, since your year-end financials are not available yet, not all information can be reported. We should also remember that these statistical reports need to be approved by each Session. They do not need to be approved by the congregation. Also - be sure to print out and maintain a copy, and keep a record of your User Name and Password, since they do not change. |
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Looking for Young Adult Ministry.....
Many congregations are trying to figure out young adults and a ministry that reaches them. Tribal Church: Ministering to the Missing Generation is an award winning book on the subject. Alban Books announces a 30% sale on this book this week. Read more and see details at this link: http://www.alban.org/bookdetails.aspx?id=4038
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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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New Resources in the Resource Center
Reflections--Devotions for the Present Day (P43514) Beginning with Advent 2010, there is a scripture passage, meditation, and prayer for every day of the church year.
Journey to the Common Good by Walter Brueggemann (141.03) Through a reflection on the Exodus story and the challenges of our current culture, Brueggemann calls us to journey together to the common good though neighborliness, covenanting, and reconstruction.
To Be a Presbyterian--Revised Edition by Louis B. Weeks (190.32) An update of a classic overview of the life, history, tradition, and beliefs of the Presbyterian Church.
A Faith of Your Own--Naming What You Really Believe by Ronald J. Allen (880.29) A helpful guide to defining and articulating one's personal beliefs in a consistent way. Each chapter concludes with questions for individual or small group study. |
Educator Fellowship Gathering
The Educator Fellowship group will meet on Thursday, January 13 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Presbytery office in Portage. Jane McGookey, the Communications Coordinator for the presbytery will lead us in a discussion technology. Along with an update of what is new and new ways that we can use it, we will also focus on the bigger picture of the rapidly changing impact of technology in our culture and how that affects the work we do in the church. Jane would like to have questions ahead of time to know what participants are interested in discussing. Please send your questions, concerns, and comments to Jane at mcgookey@gmail.com. Lunch will be provided (with a free will offering taken). The Educator Fellowship gatherings are open to anyone who is involved in educational ministry in the church.
A retreat is planned for educators and clergy on May 5 to 6 (Thursday evening to Friday afternoon) at the St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. The retreat, "A Taste of Sabbath," will provide an opportunity for rest and reflection. Registration information will be available in January. |
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 |
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Confirmation Retreat
When: March 25-26, 2011
Where: Camp Greenwood
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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
- Middle High Youth Mix - February 25-27, First Presbyterian Church of Holt. For more information ( Middle High Youth ).
Alma Youth Mix - March 11-13, 2011. Visit the Youth Mix website (http://www.almayouthmix.com) for more information. - Confirmation Retreat - March 25-26. Camp Greenwood
- 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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Greetings from the Presbytery Youth Strategy Team!
Save the date! A Presbytery-wide Youth Mix for Middle High Age Youth is scheduled for the weekend of February 25-27 at the First Presbyterian Church in Holt. Please e-mail Rev. Kirk Miller (kirk@fpc-holt.org) for more information.
WATCH your email, and/or snailmail for registration info or click here Youth Mix Forms. |
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Urban Plunge - Opportunity!!!!
Hello, everyone.
The Presbytery Youth Strategy Team (YST) is looking for a church to host UP for next year over a weekend in late October or the first weekend in November. The last two UP's have been held at Westminster Presbyterian in Grand Rapids (2009) and Sturgis this year.
If your church is interested in hosting UP next year or have questions about hosting, please e-mail Brian Koon (b.koon@comcast.net) at your earliest convenience.
Thank you. |
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!!! |
Communication Corner -
Guidelines for Communicating Guest-Friendly
Goal: To communicate so that people who are new to this church can understand and relate to what is being said.
Remember: Outsiders are often confused and lost when we communicate with acronyms like PCUSA. These are code words to them. The key to communicating guest-friendly is to step out of your shoes and step into the shoes of people outside of your church family.
TIPS
· Avoid using insider words such as Doxology
· Avoid speaking in code with acronyms
· Remember newcomers may not know where to turn, walk in, etc.
· Place signs to all entrances.
· Communicate key areas: Sanctuary, Nursery, Restrooms, Fellowship Hall, etc.
· Always let people know the times for worship.
· Give directions to your location when placing address on flyers, etc.
· Keep the message simple.
· Check for grammar and spelling.
· Look at your lawn sign and make sure it can be seen from the road.
· Communicate what outsiders need to know
· Take your shoes off and put on the shoes of guests |
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Board of Pensions News -
As you celebrate Advent in your local communities, we bring you this season's issue of EducationTalk, the Board of Pensions electronic newsletter dedicated to encouraging Stewardship of Self. With something for everyone, featured articles include:
- top five tools for church treasurers and administrators
- online Statement of Benefits now available through Benefits Connect
- overview of 2011 Benefits Plan enhancements and changes
- Christmas Joy Offering supports Assistance Program
Blessings and peace to you this Christmas and New Year from the Member Education team!
- Note:
If you have a question about your benefits, please log in to Benefits Connect, the Board's secure Web site for personalized benefits information, or call Member Services at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN).
Helpful Year-End Resource for Ministers, Treasurers, and Administrators from the Board of Pensions
The Board of Pensions is committed to providing timely information and publications to our members, employing organizations, and the wider church community.
As a result of the 2010 Tax Tips Webinar being offered on January 5, 2011 - instead of our traditional date in early December - and the fact that all 1,200 spaces for the live event have filled*, we want to share three year-end resources that will help ensure your church or organization completes its required reporting by December 31, 2010. Our 2010 Tax Tips Year-End Items includes:
Richard Hammar's 10-step year-end checklist for designed for treasurers that is also helpful to active ministers and middle governing body leaders
two key articles from the Board's 2010 Church Treasurers and Business Administrators newsletter related to reporting salary changes in Benefits Connect and a reminder to update Retirement Savings Plan adoption agreements as needed.
As you will see, this information helps everyone - treasurers and administrators, active ministers, retired clergy serving as stated supply or interim ministers, and middle governing body leaders - to make sure the appropriate information is reported and filed in time for a good start to 2011.
*A Webinar recording will be posted to Pensions.org one week after the live event. In the interim, we will segment the audio/visual presentation for easier viewing, and add a side-by-side transcript for handicap accessibility. Watch for an announcement on Pensions.org and an email notification when it's posted. |
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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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