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| Lake Michigan Newsletter | October 15, 2011 |
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2012 Presbytery
Meeting Dates
Sat., Feb 11, 2012
Sat., April 14, 2012
Tues., June 12, 2012
Tues., Sept 11, 2012
Tues., Nov 13, 2012 |
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Give and Take -
Hard Hats - Lyons-Muir Church, Phone 989-855-2247
Choir Robes - First Presbyterian Church, Battle Creek, MI. |
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General Presbyter's Note -
Several of our new pastors and I just spend some time recently with Graham Standish, the author of "Becoming a Blessed Congregation" and "Humble Leadership." He is a gifted pastor, author and teacher. Our Mediation Team is contracting to bring Graham to Lake Michigan Presbytery in November of 2012 (that's next year, NOT next month)! He has much to offer us, and I recommend his books to you in the meantime.
In one of his seminars, Standish used the following quotation of David Steindl-Rast, from "Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer," about faith, which resonated with me. Perhaps it will with you as well.
"To have faith does not primarily mean believing something, but rather believing in someone. Faith is trust. It takes courage to trust. The opposite of faith is not disbelief, but distrust, fear. Fear makes us cling to anything within reach. Fear clings even to beliefs. Thus, beliefs can even get in the way of faith. In genuine faith we hold our beliefs firmly, but lightly. We trust in God, not in our particular understanding of God. That is why people of deep faith are one at heart, even though their beliefs may differ widely. When beliefs become more important than faith, even small differences create insurmountable barriers."
Fear and distrust abound these days in the culture AND in the church! Faith is the remedy, and the Someone who we trust, who is our solid rock, our true north, and in whom we are united in baptism and given our core identity is the holy Trinity!
John
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From the Office -
DEADLINE - Reservations for November 12th Presbytery Meeting must be made by October 27th at 4:00 p.m.
Update your profile for the new directory - deadline Nov. 1st.
Doorbell - We now have a doorbell at the Presbytry Office. If you should come during office hours and the door is locked, PLEASE ring the doorbell. |
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See - Church Happenings -
Bazaar - First Presbyterian Dimondale .
50th Year Jubilee - Battle Creek Pennfield Presbyterian
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Nicaragua visitors to Lake Michigan Presbytery, September 13-16, 2011
Following a brief stay in the Niles area, and attending the Lake Michigan Presbytery meeting in East Lansing, three members of the group from Nueva Guinea, Nicaragua came to the Kalamazoo area. Hosted by Rev. Linda MacDonald and the John & Helen Coates families, Pastor Boanerges Antonio Flores, Bryan Jose Somaribba, and Luis Antonio Pinida were toured through the community and churches of this area.
Various sites (and host persons) were Portage Westminster (Jerry Duggin/ Bible study group), Lake Michigan Presbytery office, First Presbyterian Martha's circle (Carol Parfitt) and Celebrate the Vision (Pat Stromsta), MRC vocational rehab center, El Sol school (Kelly Alvarez), North Presbyterian Togetherness Group, Tiller's International farm (Dick Rossenberg), ISSAC community organizing, and Migrant Workers in Van Buren County (Guiermo Martinez).
Beyond those mentioned above, my deepest appreciation to these who assisted in various ways: Linda MacDonald, for being the backbone of our hosting group; Laurie Tupper, Al Garcia, and Scott Wilson for transportation and various supportive help.
This visit was a routine part of the Mission Partnership of CEPAD/Nueva Guinea and the Lake Michigan Presbytery, September 9-21, 2011.
Larry Boutelle, point guy for the Kalamazoo area hosting team. |
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IN CONCERT!!! - Ken Medema, Nov. 19th - Holland - To Benefit The Ministering to Ministers Foundation. Click here for brochure. For group tickets or other information contact Kurt W. Freund, Encouragement Project Coordinator, Lake Michigan Presbytery, 2550 Forest Hill Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, 616-940-0818, fax 940-2824, kurt@mfandf.com |
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Labyrinth - Battle Creek Pennfield
As a part of Pennfield Presbyterian Church's year-long celebration of our fiftieth anniversary, our congregation decided to establish an outdoor labyrinth as a meditative space in the area we call our Celebrat ion Garden. It seemed like an ideal complement to the already simple beauty of the church grounds and a perfect symbol of our congregation's focus on being stewards of God's creation, even as we look back to our beginnings 50 years ago.
So, what exactly is a labyrinth? It is an ancient geometric pattern, found in many cultures, extending back into pre-history. A labyrinth is not a maze. It is a direct (though curving) path into the Center and back out again. Some people walk the path simply to relax. Others use it as a form of walking meditation. The early Christian Church used labyrinths as a read more |
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Parish Paper - See link below
November 2011 - Should We Unleash the Power of Congregational Planning
December 2011 - How Do We Successfully Launch a New Project |
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Register for the 2012 Disciple-Making Church Conference
January 16-20, 2012 - Tradewinds Sandpiper Resort - St. Pete Beach, Florida 
Escape the chill of winter and join us in St. Pete Beach for a period of spiritual renewal, faith-sharing and learning how your congregation can become a disciple-making church.
You can expect to engage practices of discipleship in the context of prayer and worship. We will also explore what it means for churches to grow disciples of Jesus Christ and how leaders can be more fully immersed in spiritual formation.
Conference leadership will be provided by Tod Bolsinger, Graham Standish,
Pam Driesell and staff from the Evangelism Office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Registration Fees: There is no registration fee for those staying at the TradeWinds.
Housing (includes group meals): $129/private or double - Per night includes tax, resort fee and parking (must be made through the Evangelism Office)
Commuters (includes group meals): FL Resident: $250 Non-FL Resident: $375
Deadline to register is December 1, 2012 - Space is limited -
Questions? Contact Sherry Britton, (800) 728-7228 x5247
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New in the Resource Center
- Finding Our Story -- Narrative Leadership and Congregational Change (AL31313-01)
- Living Our Story -- Narrative Leadership and Congregational Culture (AL 31313-02)
- Teaching Our Story -- Narrative Leadership and Pastoral Formation (AL31313-03)
Edited by Larry A. Golemon and published by the Alban Institute
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Scholarship - APCE Annual Event
A regional scholarship is available for someone attending an APCE Annual Event for the first time and pays for the registration and a one year membership ($396). The application can be found at www.apcenet.org.
Retired church educators who have been members of APCE for at least 10 years are eligible for a scholarship of up to $1000. Contact Eileen Best (ebest@lakemichiganpresbytery.org) for more information.
Applications can be mailed to Charlotte McGowan, 3559 Birch Tree Path, Cleveland Heights, OH 44121 and must be received by November 15. |
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Serve Week for Teens at Camp Greenwood
Anne Ulrich from the Saline Presbyterian Church recently attended a Serve week for teens at Camp Greenwood and shared her thoughts on the experience.
I enjoyed Camp Greenwood immensely. It was very easy to facilitate - just show up with the kids and the mission work was already scheduled for us. The kids also had a good amount of down time to bond with the kids from other towns/states and to decompress from each day of serving. The kids had a blast and after working all day it was great to relax on the lake, or on a hike, through fellowship with the excellent camp counselors, etc. But not too much time for fun - the focus was kept on serving and why we were serving through many opportunities for prayer and a Church service each night.
I believe in the importance of Camp Greenwood so much that I enrolled my kids, Owen(8) and Lucy(5) in a two night mini camp next June! It will necessitate two days off work to drop off and pick them up and it will be worth it! I would definitely strongly recommend returning to Camp Greenwood on the next Serve Week - I believe it is next June - either with the Jr. High or Sr. High kids or both. I would love to attend as well if the need arises.
Ann Ulrich
Saline Presbyterian Church
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The Pursuit of Joy
 New Orleans, Louisiana.
And it starts...
After a week of orientation in NY, I returned "home" to New
Orleans yesterday full of enthusiasm and thought. This year is going to be a journey of discovery. Not only for me, but hopefully for you as well. What are we discovering? I believe we are discovering happiness joy.
Here's where this can be confusing.
Joy does not always equal happiness.
For me, when I had committed to mission work for a year I had initially considered myself happy. Why? Because this is where my heart is. This is where God is leading me. I finally had an answer as to what direction my life was heading. I was happy.
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Youth Events -
For complete information or to download a flyer click here - www.lakemichiganpresbytery.org/youth Urban Plunge - October 28-30, 2011 - Camp Greenwood - Watch here for updatesConfirmation Retreat, January 20 & 21, 2012. If interested in attending, contact Lynn Barger Elliott ( lbe2504@comcast.net) ASAP Mid High Youth Mix at FPC, Hastings, February 2012 (dates to be announced).Alma Youth Mix, March 9-11, 2012. Visit the AYM website (www.almayouthmix.com) for updates. |
Communication Corner - 
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New Study: "The Approved Presbyterian New Form of Government"
Dear Presbyterian Leaders,
The new form of government in the PC(USA) has generated a lot of discussion and some confusion. Our new study, "The Approved Presbyterian New Form of Government," provides an overview of the the new form of government and highlights what has changed and what has not. It is ideal for use at your church or session meeting. To order
This study replaces our previous study, "New Form of Government: A Look Inside." If you purchased this previous study, then you will automatically have access to our new study. After logging into your account on The Presbyterian Leader.com, click on "My Account" to view your purchases and download the new study.
Keep watching The Presbyterian Leader for more resources about adjusting to the new Form of Government and other changes occurring in our denomination.
Peace, The Presbyterian Leader Team |
The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church
Annual open enrollment for optional programs is scheduled. The Board will hold an annual open enrollment from October 1 to November 18, 2011, for Optional Dental Program coverage and Supplemental Death Benefits Program coverage. |
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Opportunities 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.
- Director Christian Education - Benton Harbor Fairplain - details
- Children's Music Ministry Director - Holt - Details
- Designated Pastor Postion at First Presbyterian Church in Dimondale - more
Volunteer Positions - click here |
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New Orleans, Louisiana.
