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| Lake Michigan Newsletter | January 30, 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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Did You Know.......
One of the most powerful tools for finding information on the presbytery's web site is the search box, located at the top right-hand side of the screen when you are at the web site. It is a partial search, so you don't even have to enter a full name. For example, if you want to find the Church Indebtedness Report, you can enter debt, and you will get 4 items to choose from. For the Declaration of Intent you can enter intent and get 11 items to choose from. When in doubt, SEARCH! |
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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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EVERYTHING you ever wanted to know about Per Capita .... click here |
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Interim Associate Presbyter
The Staff Services Committee of Presbytery is beginning a search within the Presbytery for an Interim Associate Presbyter. This will be a part-time position (25 hours per week) for up to two years. Elders and Clergy members of Presbytery are eligible to apply.
Indication of interest and PIF or Resume must be submitted by Friday, February 18, 2011. The Position Description is available through Leslie Kuesh at the Presbytery Office. Please submit your material to Bill Fuerstenau, Convenor of the Staff Services Committee.
E-Mail: wjf55@acd.net Phone: 517-796-1545
Address: 513 West Michigan Avenue, Jackson, Michigan, 49201
If you have questions about this position, please contact John Best, General Presbyter,
or Bill Fuerstenau |
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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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Introducing - Creation Care Enabler
The Presbytery of Lake Michigan, through the Outreach Ministry Committee, has created a volunteer position, Creation Care Enabler, who is called to serve presbyteries as educators, motivators and facilitators of action to protect God's Creation. The CCE will assist congregations and other groups within the church to gain ............to continue click here |
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ecoSuggestions
Creation Care Suggestion: Download the bulletin insert, "Eco-palms: A Healthier Harvest" www.pcusa.org/palms
in preparation for Palm Sunday.
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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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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. |
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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 |
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.
First Presbyterian Church in Mason, Michiganis seeking a 1/2 to 3/4 time Director of Spiritual Growth. Email resumes to spiritualgrowth@masonpresbyterian.org. Questions: call the church at 517-676-9333.
Bob Pumfery, Spiritual Care coordinator of Wings of Hope Hospice is retiring and we are seeking a new chaplain. The person in this position will serve our terminally ill patients spiritual needs throughout Allegan County and surrounding communities. Visits will be made primarily in patients homes or wherever they live, such as an Assisted Living Facility or Nursing Home.
Campus Ministry Director (click title for complete information)
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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