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| Lake Michigan Newsletter | November 30, 2011 |
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2012 Presbytery
Meeting Dates
Sat., Feb 11, 2012- Holt First
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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December Pastors
Birthdays
Click here |
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General Presbyter's Note -
Book Review for Discussion: "Journey in the Wilderness" by Gil Rendle
The Leadership Team of Lake Michigan Presbytery and I are reading Gil Rendle's book, "Journey in the Wilderness, New Life for Mainline Churches," Abingdon Press, 2010.I invite you to join us. My blogs this winter will center on Rendle's insights and questions, with the hope that they generate a conversation of learning together. Feel free to share your comments to these and future blogs.
In this book, Rendle joins Jill Hudson, Phyllis Tickle, and many others, who have written to describe the sea of cultural change we've been navigating
To continue on John's Blog - click
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From the Office -
In the next few months you may need these links that are on the home page of the presbytery web site:
Click here
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CALLING ATTENTION TO: The Book of Order
In G-2.0804 Terms of Call:
"The terms of call shall always meet or exceed any minimum requirement of the presbytery in effect when the call is made. The session shall review annually the minister's terms of call and shall propose for congregational action (G-1.0501) such changes as they seem appropriate, provided they meet the presbytery's minimum requirements. The call shall include participation in the benefits plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) including both pension and medical coverage, or any successor plan approved by the General Assembly."
As the session approves the budget for the next year at this time it will include the proposed and annually reviewed terms of call for each minister, and this will serve the requirement of the IRS to set this prior to the beginning of the year. Congregations can wait for the annual meeting of the congregation to receive congregational approval but payroll should begin to reflect any changes as of January 1. Remember that congregations receive the budget but do not approve it since that is a session responsibility.
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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 |
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 Christmas CD Available
Kelley Lorencin, the music director at Westlake Church in Battle Creek, has put out a new Christmas CD entitled "Midnight Clear." Copies of the CD are available at the presbytery office for $15. Please bring cash or make checks out to KM Music (not the presbytery). Contact the Westlake Church or www.kelleylorencin.com for more information. |
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Presbyterian Women
Registration for the 2012 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women begins online on December 1 at www.presbyterianwomen.org/gathering. "River of Hope" is the theme for the conference on July 18 to 22, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. Registration by mail or phone (502-429-5825) begins on January 15. |
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First Presbyterian Church Retreat Center, 20390 Waubascon Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49017. Meeting space for up to 70 people. Overnight maximum 40 (sleeping on floor). Located on 22 ½ acres of wooded, rolling terrain. It provides a unique setting for experiences in Christian living and instruction. Facilities include a conference room with additional rooms, full kitchen, restrooms, showers, central heat and air conditioning, nature trail and game/picnic area. Presbyterian churches may use the Retreat Center at reasonable charge. Detailed information and request forms may be obtained at the church office - 111 Capital Ave., NE Battle Creek, MI or by calling 269-964-3700. |
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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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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. |
New in the Resource Center
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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 24-26, 2012 (more information to follow)Alma Youth Mix, March 9-11, 2012. Visit the AYM website (www.almayouthmix.com) for updates. |
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Sexual Misconduct Training January 2012
Those who have not taken this training will be notified. Please keep in mind the following dates: Wednesday, January 4th, Monday, January 9th, Wednesday, January 11th, Monday, January 23rd, and Wednesday, January 25th. |
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PCUSA Survey - Insurance Coverage info
The 1999 survey of presbyteries reflected various amounts of insurance coverage purchased by presbyteries and revealed a significant number of presbyteries do not have minimum standards of coverage for their member churches.
After reviewing the information gathered in the 1999 survey, a Joint Insurance Committee established recommended minimum standards of property and liability insurance. These recommended minimum standards should be to continue |
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GuideStar -
If you care about nonprofits and the work they do, then you're affected by what GuideStar does-even if this is your first visit to www.guidestar.org. You see, we gather and publicize information about nonprofit organizations. Our reach is far and wide. Our database is broad and deep.
We encourage nonprofits to share information about their organizations openly and completely. Any nonprofit in our database can update its report with information about its mission, programs, leaders, goals, accomplishments, and needs-for free. We combine the information that nonprofits supply with data from several other sources. You'll find GuideStar data:
*on this Web site
*on our many client Web sites
*in computer applications used by funding entities and private companies who work with nonprofits |
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Budget time is here!
Insurance Board - Non-profit denominational insurance program
If you are examining every expense to balance the budget, why not look at one of the biggest line items - your church's property and casualty insurance?
Now may be the time to get a quote from the Insurance Board, your non-profit, denominational insurance program! We have a 26-year reputation of lowering premiums while increasing coverage, for our nearly 3,700 partner churches, presbyteries, and synods.
In Michigan, we insure a growing number of churches, three presbyteries, and the synod. Here are our recent participants: to continue
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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
Download the "Carols" Advent Devotional produced by Pleasant Hills Community Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA
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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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