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| Lake Michigan Newsletter | January 15, 2011 |
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Note from John
Greetings,
As we begin this new year there is good news and bad news. Lamentations first: our hearts are heavy with the tragic violence in Tuscan, Arizona. As a nation we mourn and wonder at the senselessness of it. We hear and read viewpoints and commentaries and watch the memorial service from afar. President Obama got it right, the force for unity is stronger than the force for evil." You and I know what force that is. In what I call "the Other Lord's Prayer," Jesus prays for our unity, "Holy Father...may they be one, as we are one." (John 17:11) I thank God for the good news of the gospel and for our unity in Jesus Christ. I write more on my blog http://jbestblog.blogspot.com/ of our Presbyterian witness in a time of ranker in our civil discourse.
For the rest of John's letter 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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Elder/Deacon Workshop Update
Participants at the Elder / Deacon workshop generously shared the Best Practices used in their congregations. All of the Best Practices have been recorded and appear on the Presbytery Website, click here. The Administration Ministry Team thanks the Elders and Deacons for this valuable information. |
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"Does God Know What Will Happen Before It Happens?"
Youth Groups
Congregational Ministries Publishing is offering free resources for youth groups to use in response to the recent shootings in Arizona. The session, which is from Faith Questions, is titled: "Does God Know What Will Happen Before It Happens?
(And If So, Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?)"
Download these resources:
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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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Year End - COM REMINDERS continued
4. This item from the Board of Pensions has been posted previously but not
widely distributed:
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 Affiliated Benefits Program -
Termination/Service/Salary Change Form
More information will be provided through Pensions.org. If you have
questions, please contact the Board at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN).
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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Shared Mission
The Administration Ministry Team is pleased to report that nearly every congregation in the Presbytery fulfilled their Shared Mission Commitment in 2010. We all know the budgetary constrains each congregation is faced with in the current economy and the Administration Team is grateful for this level of support. Thank you! Shared Mission funds are critically important to the mission work at the Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly. 66% of the funds committed by congregations in the Presbytery remain in the Presbytery while 7% are committed to Synod of the Covenant who conducts important mission work within the boundaries of the 11 Presbyteries making up the Synod. The final 27% is our commitment to the worldwide mission work done by our Denomination. |
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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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"2011 Citizen of the Year"
Randy Treacher, member of Westminster in Jackson, and studying to be a Presbyterian Commissioned Lay Pastor, is the second person active in our Presbytery to be selected as Jackson's "Citizen of the Year." It all started for Randy at age 18 when he won a seat on the Vandercook Lake School Board and was the youngest person in Jackson County to hold a school board position at the time. He held that spot for 25 years and went on to spend 30 years serving the community through a number of roles within Jackson County government. Please click to see complete story "2011 Citizen of the Year" . |
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2011 Children's Mission Yearbooks
We have just discovered that the 2011 Children's Mission Yearbooks are not going to be printed. They will not be available this year. In regards to the refund for the children's mission year book, we can refund or put the money toward planning calendars or books of order for next year. Please let us know what you prefer. |
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New Resources in the Resource Center
Tribal Church--Ministering to the Missing Generation by Carol Howard Merritt (AL31803) A valuable book for anyone concerned about the future of the church. Merritt helps us to understand the young people who are coming to our churches (or not coming!) and how we can better respond to their quest for faith, meaning, life, and love.
Reframing Hope--Vital Ministry to a New Generation by Carol Howard Merritt (AL31802) We often wonder about the future of the church. Merritt assures us that the mainline church has been and will be a significant factor in whatever is next for the Protestant church in America. She expresses eloquently the blessings of keeping the treasures of the inherited church as we move toward new ways of being the church.
A Door Set Open--Grounding Change in Mission and Hope by Peter Steinke (AL31705) Steinke invites the reader to walk into a timely conversation for the church today. This "door" hinges on three important discussions--mission grounded in the Kingdom of God, a future built on hope, and the value of applying family systems principles to faith communities.
Greenhouse of Hope--Congregations Growing Young Leaders who will Change the World by Dori Grinenko Baker, editor (AL31804) This collection of essays by young church folk is a primer on how to recover the vitality and fidelity of the church. Their voices inspire us to cultivate meaningful, intergenerational connections with young adults. The book provides vital tools, probing questions, and significant resources to grow hope in your own community. |
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. |
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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K Wings Faith Night
K Wings having annual Faith Night coming up on January 30. Click here for Flyer with all the info on it you will need. Also, to view click seating chart showing you where the different price levels are. Contact: 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 or www.kwings.com . |
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LET'S GO TO "BIG TENT"!
June 30 - July 2 2011 This summer in Indianapolis the second BIG TENT event of our denomination. Many committees and entities of the denomination will meet at the same time and there are many opportunities to attend major events, share in workshops and seminars, celebrate our mission work, and, most of all, to worship together. The first Big Tent in Atlanta two years ago was wonderful and with Indianapolis just a few hours away this is our chance to be involved.
We will provide more information as it is available. This is not a General Assembly type of gathering, with no voting or discussion of heavy issues. This is a few days of learning, worship, celebration and networking. Drive on down to Indy this June for a good old Presbyterian gathering
For up-to-date information click Big Tent |
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Confirmation Retreat
When: March 25-26, 2011
Where: Camp Greenwood
The Youth Strategy Team is pleased to announce Sara Arthur as the Speaker for the Presbytery Confirmation Retreat at Camp Greenwood March 25-26, 2011.
Sara is a youth pastor and nationally recognized author. Her area of expertise is leading youth in exploring their faith through stories. She lives in Holt, MI. with her husband and their infant son.
The Confirmation Retreat theme is "exploring the Trinity through the story of our lives."
Further information and registration forms will be available soon.
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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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 Snow-Fest is Coming!!!
February 18-20, 2011
First Presbyterian Church, Cadillac
Click Here for More Information |
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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 made out to the Presbytery of Lake Michigan. |
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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 - Places to Reach the Unchurched
Are most of your friends churched? Do find yourself swapping fliers, invitations and announcements with the same friends and family who go to other churches? If you feel you have no idea where to find people without church homes, here's a list to consider:
- At your house. Sometimes, we fail to realize the members of our own family who do not attend or belong to a body of believers.
- Volunteer projects. If you regularly volunteer in the community, look around and invite other volunteers who you are building a relationship with.
- Running errands. Have you ever asked your hair stylist, barber or accountant to join you in worship?
- Neighborhood gatherings. When you attend the socials or association meetings for your community, why not share invite cards or fliers from the church.
- Co-workers. Does everyone at your job have a church home?
- New members. Often new members are a wonderful source for reaching others who are unchurched. Sometimes their friends are also not churched.
- Next door to the church. When was the last time you placed a flier or invitation in the door of the church's neighbors?
- Parents of your children's friends. Extend invites to all the friends of your children. If the soccer league is having a holiday social, share invites.
- Groups that use the facility. Do civic groups use your church building? Invite their members.
- Where you go. Gyms, libraries, sporting events are all great places.
Source: Lynette Hawkins, http://awesomeinsight.com/?page_id=2969 |
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Opportunities
Paid Positions
There are two ministry opportunities in Lake Michigan Presbytery which are NOT posted on the Congregational Leadership Connection site yet. If you are interested,
or know of someone interested in knowing more about these positions, please contact John Best, General Presbyter .
Please send hard copy resume and contact information to: Search Committee for Campus Ministry Director, The Peoples Church, 200 West Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823
Any interested musicians may contact Pastor Doug Nettleton at the church 269.965.8018.
(Click on title for complete information). Contact: Athorburn65@gmail.com or 1st Presbyterian Church, Attn: Minister of Music and Youth, 120 Pine Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079 |
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