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| Lake Michigan Newsletter | November 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 -
Communications Survey Feedback
One of the goals in Lake Michigan Presbytery's Ministry Plan is "Enhanced two-way processes between the Presbytery, its churches, and other denominations." That means better communication! The Leadership Team formed a Communications Task Force, which conducted a communications survey earlier this year. 243 persons completed the online survey. Here's the link to the online survey results - Click here
The survey confirms a couple of things. We are doing a lot better at communicating. A few years ago our main contact was with pastors and clerks of session and a quarterly bulletin insert. Today we have 766 subscribers receiving a bi-weekly e-bulletin, which goes directly to subscriber's email address. 41% of our last issue was To continue on John's Blog - click |
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From the Office -
RECORDING CLERK NEEDED
The Stated Clerk has been assisted at stated meetings by a Recording Clerk who keeps the details of the meeting and writes the draft minutes. With the retirement of Kurt Kremlick that position is open for 2012. It has a small stipend and travel to meetings is reimbursed. With the planned retirement of Janet Magennis as Stated Clerk at the end of 2012, this could be a time of exploration for someone who is interested in becoming the next Stated Clerk. Computer capability is critical and required and the emailing of documents is routine. A knowledge of parliamentary procedure is helpful as well as excellent written and verbal communication.
If interested, please send inquiries to Bill Fuerstenau, moderator of Staff Services, wjf55@acd.net,
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See - Church Happenings -
ARTSBRIDGE!! - Benton Harbor First Pesbyterian - to see poster click here
Alternative Christmas Fair - Portage Westminster - to see poster click here
50th Year Jubilee - Battle Creek Pennfield Presbyterian
Don Gordon's 50 Year Celebration - "Kirking of the Tartans"
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November Pastor Birthdays
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 Rev Don Gordon's 50 years in Ministry
"Kirking of the Tartan"
In celebration, recognition, and honor of Rev. Don Gordon's 50 years in ministry and his upcoming retirement on Dec. 31, 2011, the congregation of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Grand Rapids, cordially invites you to attend a Kirking of the Tartan service of worship on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. With great joy, we will gather to worship our good and gracious God, remember our Scottish heritage, and celebate Don's faithful service to God and God's people! Please join us for this unique worship service ~ complete with bagpipes, blessings, and benediction!
For more information on "Kirking of the Tartan" - 
http://www.scottishtartans.org/ or http://churchmousec.wordpress.com/2010/05/16/the-custom-of-kirking-of-the-tartan/ |
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Summer Youth Institute
Every summer Pittsburgh Theological Seminary hosts the Summer Youth Institute for rising high school seniors (current juniors). This summer the participants will attend and discuss the General Assembly as it meets in Pittsburgh. This unique opportunity includes small group discussions, meeting with seminary students and professors, meeting national church leaders, worship (both at the seminary and at GA), studying scripture and theology, thinking about faith and life, and time for recreation and fun.
SYI is from June 27 to July 8, 2012. The only cost to participants is travel to and from Pittsburgh. The applications deadline in February 20, 2012 but space is limited so applying soon is a good idea. Information and the application is at www.pts.edu/syi. |
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APCE Registration Deadline
The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators is holding their Annual Event in Grand Rapids on February 1 to 4, 2012. The early deadline for registration is December 2. After this date the cost is $50 more. "God's Surprising Wonders" is a great event for educators, pastors, and lay people. John Bell from the Iona Community is doing a pre-conference workshop on January 31. Information and registration are at www.apcenet.org. |
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For all information Click here |
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ARTSBRIDGE!!
Benton Harbor First
ARTSBRIDGE!! The First Presbyterian Church in Benton Harbor invites you to celebrate the gifts in our neighborhood. We are hosting free monthly concerts featuring talent from our city and lifting up art from our burgeoning 'Arts District.' Join with us as we create space for the diversity in our community to come together around jazz, gospel music, classical music, good dramatic readings and local glassworks. Click here for details about date, time, etc. |
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A Pilgrimage to Iona
Plans for a pilgrimage to the Iona Abbey are coming together. We will stay in the ancient Abbey for a week sharing routines of life together, as well as conversations of faith and worship at least twice per day. The Iona Abbey is an ancient center of faith and life, and the locus of contemporary renewal for the Christian church. Following six days on the island, we expect to tour Scotland for four days before returning home. We will leave the evening of May 10, 2012 and return May 22. The cost will be around $2500 - though we continue trying to make it more reasonable. We may explore earlier options to return home for those individuals who may prefer a more limited cost and time frame. If you are interested, please contact Seth Weeldreyer (seth.weeldreyer@kalamazoofirstpres.org / 269.344.0119), as soon as possible. |
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2011 Michigan Festival of Sacred Music
Where cultural connections are made
It's just one month away.
The Michigan Festival of Sacred Music is 10 days full of sonic wonder from the new music of MusicAEterna, to a hymn fest led by Richard Webster to a collaboration by a member of the Indigo Girls and her father.
As group festival-goers have come to love, Tapestry, offers a piece that celebrates the power of individual acts of compassion through the retelling of a Tibetan folktale.
An exploration of Indian Ragas, traditional American hymns and the music of the Romanian Jewish worship service of the '30s are all part of the 2011 Michigan Festival of Sacred Music.
And that's just a sample of what's coming up. Please, check out our website for tickets and details on each upcoming event throughout the festival. http://www.mfsm.us/
From Nov. 10 through Nov. 20 at various Kalamazoo venues.
The Michigan Festival of Sacred Music, celebrating the music of many faiths. |
New in the Resource Center
- Christianity and World Religions--Wrestling with Questions People Ask by Adam Hamilton--Six session DVD (580.26) Click here
- A Clear View of the Birth of Jesus by Kenneth Bailey--four session DVD, perfect for Advent (140.18-5) Click here
- A Man of Galilee--A Story of Father Elias Chacour--DVD (775.05) Click here
- Building Peace on Desktops--the Story of the Mar Elias Educational Institutions--DVD (775.06) Click here
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GREENWOOD CONNECTION -
Aaah, just imagine, to get away from it all and relax at a cottage on a lake. To sip your morning coffee while watching the sun rise up over the water. To read a good book while sitting in the sun, or shade  with the sounds of the lake in the background. To fish, swim or boat to your hearts content. But, where do you go to do such activities if you're not fortunate enough to own such a cottage? The answer is simple.
On the property of Camp Greenwood, nestled in the woods at the bottom of the hill, beyond the cabins sits a quaint little cottage. It's cozy with its tong and groove pine walls and simple features. It's the Hayes Point cottage. The cottage is small, with only one bedroom, small bath, and apartment like kitchen yet large enough to allow you to really relax and enjoy yourself and your surroundings. Its location is so secluded that you don't realize there is a bustling summer camp just up the hill.
It is the perfect place for a few days away to rejuvenate the energy within you. The quaintness and simplicity of the cottage allows you to focus on more impo rtant details, whether this is personal relaxation or spiritual retreat and growth.
Hayes Point cottage is available for rent spring through fall for the very reasonable price of $60 per night. Call Greg Hoekman, Greenwood camp director, at 616-754-7258 to book your rejuvenation experience now.
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Youth Events -
For complete information or to download a flyer click here - www.lakemichiganpresbytery.org/youth Confirmation 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. |
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Per Capita - 2012
General Assembly per capita $ 6.63
Synod of the Covenant per capita $ 3.25
Presbytery of Lake Michigan per capita $14.50
Total $24.38 |
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Congregational Awards
Is your congregation or a congregation in your presbytery doing innovative ministry? Each year Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA awards congregations for innovative ministry. Since 1991, 94 churches in 28 states have received these awards. Each of the eight awards carries a $1,000 prize to support the congregation in its ministry. For more information and to apply for one of the UPSem Congregational Leadership Awards, you may download the brochure and application or request an application by sending an e-mail to April Swofford at aswofford@upsem.edu or call 1-800-229-2990, ext 231. The application and instructions are only available electronically. The deadline for the 2011 Awards is FEBRUARY 15, 2011. |
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Stewardship Conference
"Gratitude and Generosity--Living the Faith" is the theme for the Presbyterian Stewardship Conference in Charlotte, NC on March 12 to 14, 2012. Plenary speakers are Cilf Christopher and Michael Jinkins. Information and registration at www.stewardshipkaleidoscope.org. |
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Communication Corner
Did you know Google can do more than just search? It's a calculator, weather channel and can even tell who what websites link to your church website. Read this article for more great tips about Google. Click here
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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.
- 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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