Click on links below to read newsletters from some of our congregation that send their publications to the presbytery office electronically. (If your church newsletter is not linked here, contact the presbytery office to ask how you can be included)

 

Alpena

Bellaire 

Beulah 

Escanaba 

Gaylord

Harbor Springs

Houghton

Marquette 

Petoskey

Rogers City 

Sault Ste. Marie

 

The Three Lakes Lay Academy has classes starting again this winter.  I want to encourage anyone interested in attending and inviting others to go with them, and are willing to read, listen, share and expand their knowledge on a wide variety of topics.  This winter the sessions will focus on

 
 WINTER  January 12 - March 15, 2012

1. Intro to the Bible - 10 weeks       Thursdays, 6:30 pm - 8 pm                     

An overview of the Bible that seeks to explore the historical and literary contexts as well as the common threads that run through the fabric of Scripture.

Rev. Ron Bown, former pastor of Pickford Presbyterian Church

Rev. Jeremy Winter, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, St. Ignace

        

1. Church Story - 10 weeks              Thursdays, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm    

An overview of the church's story leading up to the Reformation with a concentration of study on the Reformation that birthed the Lutheran and Presbyterian Churches.

Rev. Dave Van Dam,  retired Presbyterian pastor

Rev. Jeremy Winter,  pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, St. Ignace      

             The first class begins at 4pm, light dinner break at 5:30, worship at 6 pm and second class 6:30 to 8pm.  You can take both classes or just one.  Cost is $10 for each class.  These classes are held at Zion Lutheran, St. Ignace beginning January 12, 2012 and continuing to March 15, 2012

 

To register send a note by email or mail to:

David Van Dam                                                  Jeremy Winter

1720 E. Mitchell Rd.                                            999 S. State St.

Petoskey, MI 49770                                            St. Ignace, MI 49781

davidvandam68@gmail.com                                jwinter001@gmail.com

231-439-5069                                                    906-643-7870  

 

The Board of Pensions dues for 2012 will increase to 32.25%.  For future planning and budgeting purposes, the 2013 rate will be 33%.  Information for Treasurers and Business Administrators can be found at the Board of Pensions web site. 

Mackinac Presbytery has five members of the Administrative Personnel Association (PCUSA) within the boundaries of the Heartland Region.  They are Cynthia Donahey (Harbor Springs), Addie Marceau (Marquette), Cindy Overby (Bellaire), Debra Harrand (Beulah, and Lindy Bearss (Presbytery Office).  In November Debra and Lindy attended the national conference in Las Vegas.  Below is the article Debra wrote to her session about her attendance at this conference.  Any staff working within the PCUSA are eligible to join this wonderful organization of church workers.

 

"I just wanted to say THANK YOU to all of you for the opportunity to attend the Administrative Personnel Association conference in Las Vegas.  After taking the classes on Conflict Management and Personnel Issues (needed for Level I) and listening to some of the dysfunction in other churches I must honestly say St. Andrews really doesn't have any issue as far as not running effectively through the office.  You are a strong congregation of people who love and respect one another and God!!  Even in the midst of change, people are happy and committees meet and everything seems to be moving along as it should.  The team of 4 pastors have been awesome and include me in part of their weekly meeting, which is very helpful as it keeps us all in the loop as to what's going on for the week. 

 

I had an all day class on Polity I.  The instructors were very good and the knowledge I gained from this class has truly given me the vision of how the Presbyterian Church runs. I am very glad I took it!  I also had an all day class on Theology using the Book of Confessions and the Book of Order. Not being a Presbyterian, these classes certainly helped me understand the structure of your church and it all makes sense to me now!

Debra Harrand

 

Our daily devotions were given by our spiritual director, Sara Burke, who is with The Presbytery of Elizabeth in New Jersey.  She was in Pittsburgh last year and is a really neat lady! We were served communion at one of the noon services and to share that with over 130 women from all over the US was touching.   The APA brought in the "Amazing Grace Ministry" from the Nevada Presbytery, which is a non-profit organization feeding the hungry to give a presentation.

 

The APA is a great support group and wonderful organization.  I am fortunate to have Lindy Bearss as President of the Heartland Region and she also works for the Presbytery in Petoskey.  She and I spent the entire free day together on Sunday before my red eye flight back home and it was great getting to know her better.   To assure you, the APA Conference is not a free for all...it is a well structured and organized week of learning and spiritual growth. 

 

Again, thank you so much for the opportunity to attend and I am confident that the things I learned will be beneficial to my understanding your church better and, therefore, only helps me function within the office better for you."

 

Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons and Lindy

Debra Harrand, Office Administrator

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Beulah 

 

At this conference, Lindy was also appointed by the National President to serve a two year term as National Communications Chair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lives Transformed: A new calling Winning coach, teacher, and leader is herself led to a new calling through the For Such a Time as This a pastoral residency program. Read her story → Seeking partner presbyteries For Such a Time as This-small-church, pastoral residency program Applications due January 31 Visit us online or email us your questions Fair trade: going beyond charity Can fair trade be more than a niche market? Learn why some Presbyterians believe the answer is yes. Read more → Behind the products From Palestine to Haiti to Nepal, meet the people you are helping through Christ by practicing and supporting fair trade. Read more → Timely gifts Through the Christmas Joy Offering, Presbyterians assist people in their hour of greatest promise and in their hour of greatest need. Read more → Read more articles and subscribe to Presbyterians Today.   "In despair, one can find hope..." Following the 2010 earthquake, Presbyterians responded by donating millions to help Haitians in need. Now, witness the incredible impact of your gifts on the people in one devastated town.   Presbyterian mission in Northern Ireland Meet Doug and Elaine Baker-mission co-workers with a focus on peacemaking, reconciliation, and Young Adult Volunteers and read why they say they're in it "for the long haul."   Connect with mission every day! In 2012--make a commitment to learn what Presbyterians are doing to engage in mission around the world. Order your 2012 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study.   Ironman evangelism New Worshiping Community connects athletes and fans to Presbyterian Mission. Read more →   "Sanctify Them in the Truth" The passage of Amendment 10A changes the language of our ordination standards.  The office of Theology and Worship produced this resource and this video which consider the theological and ecclesial issues raised by this new constitutional language, on the gifts and requirements for ordained service. Best practices: Presbytery of Northern Kansas Accessibility is "key" for Northern Kansas' presbytery. The presbytery's website was recently revamped to make it easier to navigate and includes a "rotating news" section along with updates on joys and concerns. All reports and minutes from presbytery meetings; pastoral leadership agreements; registration forms for events; and more are available on the site so congregations can easily get to them and feel connected. Also, the presbytery is using a site forum to discuss changes and questions in relation to NFOG. See how else they're using the site. We want to hear from YOU! In what ways is your presbytery or synod working to grow Christ's church in new ways? Email me your stories.   Igniting the church through Cross Cultural Ministries The challenge to all Presbyterians is learning how to share the gospel in an increasingly diverse culture.  Visit our new website and find resources to train and equip leaders at all levels of the church in developing cross cultural ministries.   Young women's leadership development YWLD provides resources to young adult women who are considering leadership opportunities in the church. If you are - or know of - a local ministry interested in partnering with YWLD to host a regional event, please email Lydia Kim. Scholarships available for Presbyterian undergraduates The National Presbyterian College Scholarship Program (NPCS) offers need-based scholarship assistance to full-time students entering their first year of college at one of the colleges related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Learn more about this and other undergraduate opportunities for financial aid or download an NPCS application. Important dates, conferences, and events January 16-20 Disciple-Making Church Conference Learn how your congregation can become a disciple-making church To attend: Register now or read more about the conference Location: St. Pete Beach, Fla. February 1-4, 2012 Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) Annual Event Experience dynamic seminars, plenary, workshops, and worship Theme: God's Surprising Wonders To attend: Read more about the event and register now Location: Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Convention Center, Grand Rapids, Michigan April 26-29 2012 National Multicultural Conference Training in multicultural church growth by experienced church professionals Special guest: Joel Barker, acclaimed futurist and filmmaker Theme: "God's Door is Open: Who Are We to Stand in the Way?" Location: Charlotte, N.C. Click for more details and watch for our conference registration booklet July 18-22 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women Join thousands of women for worship, community building, and education Theme: River of Hope Registration opens online December 1; order your free booklet now