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| Lake Michigan Newsletter | December 30, 2010 |
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Happy New Year!
Pastors and all members of Board of Pensions - Be sure to check out the COM Reminders for year end in this issue.
All Clerks of Session - see Janet's note for you about year end.
Also, note the dates and places for the 2011 Presbytery Meetings included in this e-bulletin. |
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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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Clerks of Session - Year End Work
As we move into 2011 there are a few items our Clerks of Session need to check off their lists in order to close down the 2010 year. Take a couple hours to track this all down and you will be prepared "decently and in order" to begin 2011.
Click here Clerks of Session - Year End Work for information. Thank you, Janet |
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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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Year End - COM REMINDERS
1. Ministers are reminded to visit www.pensions.org and to click on the "forms" link to find the relevant items that need updating in the new year, i.e. change of salary (enr-111), service termination (enr-301) etc. Treasurers and Business Administrators may update this information via "Benefits Connect". It is especially important to annually file with the Board your salary change information. Failure to do so may have serious consequences regarding your pension at the time of retirement.
2. Pastors, in the near future, will receive a request from Presbytery's Committee on Ministry to file their 2011 salary information. This request is not to be confused with the requirement of the Board of Pensions for salary information. Your cooperation in promptly returning the Presbytery request will be most appreciated by the Committee even if there are no changes in salary from 2010.
3. The IRS has set the 2011 Business mileage rate as $ .51 per mile.
For other important reminders, forms and information Click Here |
| 2011 Presbytery Meeting Dates:
Sat, 2/12/2011 - Portage Westminster
Tues, 4/12/2011 - Hastings First
Tues, 6/14/2011 - Spring Lake Presbyterian Church
Tues, 9/13/2011 - East Lansing Eastminster
Sat, 11/12/2011 - Grand Haven First |
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Resource Center Request
Start the new year by cleaning off your book shelves! Please return resources that you are no longer using to the Resource Center so they are available to others. Resources can be mailed to the presbytery office, sent with someone coming to a meeting, or returned at the next presbytery meeting on February 12. Thank you! |
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New Resources in the Resource Center
The Turnaround Church--Inspiration and Tools for Life-Sustaining Change by Mary Louise Gifford (AL30909) The story of a dying church that once again became a vibrant and exciting place of worship, hospitality, and
service.
The Worshiping Body--The Art of Leading Worship by Kimberly Bracken Long (890.40) By focusing on what worship leaders do with their bodies, eyes, ears, lips, hands, feet, and hearts, the author describes an attitude and style of worship leadership that is both firmly rooted and blessedly free.
Recovering the Sacred Center--Church Renewal from the Inside Out by Howard E. Friend, Jr. (P40127) The contemporary church hungers for renewal. We need new ideas, new paradigms, fresh understanding, and different ways of reaching out to a world in a constant state of change. The author recommends looking inward to recover the "sacred center."
Gifts of an Uncommon Life--The Practice of Contemplative Activism by Howard E. Friend, Jr. (AL31007) Written in an engaging style with fascinating stories, the author shows us ways to change our lifestyles so that we can live our lives to the fullest and become agents of God to change the world into what God wants it to be. |
Retreat for Educators and Clergy
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. |
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. |
APCE's "Walking in Balance"
The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) 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. Register on or before January 7 and save $50.
The APCE Annual Event in 2012 will be in Grand Rapids on February 1 to 4 and workshop leaders are needed. Sign up to lead a workshop by going to www.apcenet.org. Workshop leaders have their registration for the event paid. |
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Belhar Confession Workshop for Pastors and Lay Leaders Rescheduled for January 15th
Co-sponsored by McCormick Theological Seminary and the Synod of Lincoln Trails in support of presbyteries and congregations of the synod and beyond.
WHAT: Registration has Re-Opened for this Event!
WHEN: Saturday, January 15, 2011 - 9:30 - 3:00 (lunch provided)
WHERE: Elmhurst Presbyterian Church, 367 Spring Road, Elmhurst, Illinois (conveniently located near the intersections of I-290, I-294, I-88, and public transportation)
WHY: *To engage clergy and lay leaders in discussion of the content and significance of the Belhar Confession (proposed for inclusion in the PCUSA Book of Confessions); and
* To equip participants with means to facilitate discussions in their own ministry contexts.
COST: There is a nominal charge of $15 per participant to cover the cost of lunch.
For detailed information and easy online registration click here. In order to serve you better, registrations must be in by January 12th.
Clergy and lay leaders, particularly Elder Commissioners, are invited to this event -- please share this information and bring a group from your congregation.
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K Wings Faith Night
K Wings having annual Faith Night coming up on January 30. We are hoping that your church can come out and join us for a great night of fun and hockey. We are doing something special for this year, we are having a little concert featuring Please Promise, as well we will have two speakers come and talk to the youth groups. I attached a Flyer with all the info on it you will need. Even know we are doing this for the youth groups we want the whole church to come out and have some fun with us.
We are offering special ticket prices for groups of 15 or more coming to the game. $12.00 in the red section, $11.00 in the white section and $9.00 in the blue section and the best part kid between the ages of 2-12 are $6.00 anywhere. I attached a seating chart showing you where the different price levels are. Once you know that your coming to the game you can give me a call and let me know how many people you have coming and we can go ahead and block off the seats for you so that you all can get the best seats there are. The best part of it all is that you don't have to pay for the tickets till 2 weeks before the game which is Jan 16, 2011. We would really like to have you all out to enjoy this faith night with us. If you have any questions feel free to call or e-mail me anytime my contact info is on the bottom of this e-mail. Look forward to talking to you soon.
Brian King, Director of Group Sales, Kalamazoo Wings, 3600 Vanrick Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Phone: 269-226-0361 Cell: 269-271-2905 Fax:269-345-6452 bking@kwings.com
www.kwings.com . |
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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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"Mid-High Youth Mix"
Now Accepting Registrations!!
The first ever LMP Mid-High Youth Mix (grades 5-8) is scheduled for the weekend of February 25-27 at the First Prresbyterian Church of Holt.
For info and Registration Forms click here Youth Mix Forms. Checks need to be sent and made out to the Presbytery of Lake Michigan. |
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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. |
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Indianapolis ?????
Is anyone going to be in the Indianapolis area in February or later..near the Synod office.....???? First Presbyterian of Allegan has been given 100+ copies of the Blue Presbyterian Hymnal from a Presbyterian Church in Kansas. The Kansas pastor can bring them to Indianapolis in February. If so, we can save the cost of having them shipped. Please let Pastor Karen Fitz La Barge know - Home: 616-261-5885, Cell: 616-644-5122. Thank you. |
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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