|
|
|
|
| Lake Michigan Newsletter | December 15, 2011 |
|
|
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 |
|
Give and Take -
Hard Hats - Available. Lyons-Muir Church, Phone 989-855-2247
Choir Robes - Available. First Presbyterian Church, Battle Creek, MI. |
|
December Pastors
Birthdays
Click here |
|
|
General Presbyter's Note -
I love the lights that brighten our homes and communities this time of year. It's so dark this time of year. In spite of the few homeowners who go a little over board for my taste, the lights brighten my spirit! Years ago, as a seminary student, I served a church nearby Colonial Williamsburg. Eileen and I attended the Great Illumination there that December. It is the rare event that attracts the locals. People go and walk the streets. Church choirs sing carols at street corners. However, to our surprise, the only lights
To continue on John's Blog - click |
|
From the Office -
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Office Closed
Please note that the Presbytery Office will be closed Monday, December 26th thru Thursday, December 29th. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 for regular hours. In case of an emergency - Please call Leslie Keusch on her cell at: 269-506-7295. Thank you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IRS 2012 Mileage Rates
Staff - .555 cents per mile
Presbytery Members - .23 cents per mile
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the next few months you may need these links that are on the home page of the presbytery web site:
Click here
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
|
See - Church Happenings -
Planning Calendar - If you might have one or two 2011-2012 Planning Calendars that you might have ordered too many and now need a home... We have received several calls asking for calendars. Let us know and we will try to connect those that have with those that need. |
|
|
|
CWS - Church World Service
What says love more than a nice, cuddly blanket when it is cold outside? As February approaches and Valentine cards and everything red and heart shaped appears on store shelves wouldn't it be nice if you could multiply that love? The good news is - you can! Plan a Church World Service Blankets+ Sunday in your church and you will be spreading the love around the globe and back again. Like the miracle of the loaves and fishes, your gifts to CWS Blankets+ multiply as they are joined with the contributions of other caring congregations, yielding a rich harvest of caring for those in need. With your $5 donation a blanket can be provided for one person and for $25 five refugee children can enjoy the warmth of a blanket.
The Sunday closest to Valentine's Day (February 12) is a perfect day to reach out to your global neighbors with the gift of love - a CWS Blanket. Consider scheduling one in your church. For more information, or to order a free congregational kit and all of the materials you will need to host a Blankets+ Sunday in your church please contact Pam at the Michigan Regional CWS office, 888-297-2767 or pfolkers@churchworldservice.org |
|
PCUSA Grants Reminder
The PCUSA Mission Development Resources Committee has funds available for both New Church Development and Congregational Transformation initiatives. Grant applications and other helpful information can be found through their web site, http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/missionprogramgrants/, The first of six annual opportunities to apply has a cut-off date of February 15th and a review date of March 15th-16th. |
|
2012 Nicaragua Trip Dates
June 8-14, 2012. More information coming soon!!! |
|
FAITH NIGHT - K-Wings Free Game and Concert
When - Sunday, February 26, 2012
Game Time - 4:00 pm
For all details - click here |
|
 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. |
|
Parish Paper
The January 2012 and February 2012 Parish Paper now available by clicking the links below:
January 2012 Parish Paper February 2012 Parish Paper |
|
 Camp Greenwood Eblast!!
"I have been going to Camp Greenwood for about 11 years and was on staff for 2 years. When I first started going I wasn't sure what to expect but as I kept going I fell in love with everything; staff, the atmosphere and most importantly God. Camp taught me a lot about God. Camp taught me a lot about myself as well." This quote shared by a alumni camper and staff member Kaylin is a perfect example of Camp Greenwood's goal.
Camp Greenwood is a Christian camp whose mission is to build a community for all ages which encourages Christian growth, models acceptance of individual differences, and nurtures friendships in the out-of-doors as a place for encountering and enjoying God's good creation. Give your youth an opportunity to gain the confidence and social skills gleaned from camping while connecting with God and all while having a blast!!!
It may be the winter months but there are still plenty of ways for the young and young at heart to enjoy God's beautiful creation. Whether it be having a winter retreat or to start planning for the summer months-- remember to take advantage of Early Bird Specials! Camp is an excellent place to connect with God, nature and have wonderful fellowship in a safe, fun and inclusive environment.
Thank you!!! Kelly Ireland |
|
Early APCE Registration Deadline Extended
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 has been extended to January 3. "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.
Many people from our presbytery are planning to attend, especially for the full day of workshops on Friday, February 3. We will gather together for lunch that day at Westminster Church in Grand Rapids. Watch for details about the lunch in January. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
New in the Resource Center
|
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. |
|
|
Sexual Misconduct Training January 2012
In its Sexual Misconduct Policy, "the Presbytery of Lake Michigan requires that the following persons shall complete a Presbytery-sponsored training workshop regarding the forms of sexual misconduct addressed in its policy: all teaching elders who are members of the Presbytery, all Christian educators, commissioned ruling elders of the Presbytery, and all employees of the Presbytery." The Presbytery held a series of regional workshops last spring. The next workshop opportunity is scheduled approximately 9:00 to 3 Wednesday, January 25 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, at 1511 Helen Ave. Portage. Rev. Doug Petersen and Rev. Laurie Hartzell will be the facilitators for this event.
Registrants will receive more details on the schedule. To register online right now click this link or go to the home page and click on Sexual Misconduct Training which can be found in the Administration Icon area - example below.
|
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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
|
|
Young Adults - keeping......
How can we keep young adults who visit our church? Click here for the answer!
|
|
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.
- Administrator - First Presbyterian Church Hastings - more info
- Program Director at Camp Greenwood - more info
- Designated Pastor Postion at First Presbyterian Church in Dimondale - more
Volunteer Positions - click here |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
