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| September, 2012 | Vol 3, Issue 7 |
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Bridging the Gap
A Publication of Mackinac Presbytery |
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| Greetings! |
Please visit our web site, www.presbymac.org for more information about the Presbytery of Mackinac.
Save The Dates!
The Presbytery of Mackinac will hold its next Stated Meeting on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church in Escanaba, MI. Please visit our web site for more information.
September 7-8 College Camp Out at Presbytery Point
September 21-27 Work Camp at Presbytery Point
September 22 10:00 am (Eastern) Presbytery Point Board of Directors meeting at Presbytery Point Camp
September 27-29 Fall Color Mission Retreat at Presbytery Point
September 29 10:00 am - noon (Eastern) Strategic Planning Information Gathering Session at Presbytery Point Camp
October 6 10:00 am - noon (Eastern) Strategic Planning Information Gathering Session at First Presbyterian Church, Rudyard
October 11-13 Prayer Retreat at Presbytery Point
October 20 10:00 am (Eastern) Presbytery Point Board of Directors meeting at Presbytery Point Camp
November 3 10:00 am - noon (Eastern) Strategic Planning Information Gathering Session at First Presbyterian Church, Boyne City
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| Pat's Corner |
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Rev. Pat Megregian |
It is September and the results of General Assembly are beginning to be integrated into the life of the church as we plan for 2013 and beyond. There are as many interpretations of what we accomplished at GA as there were commissioners, staff and visitors.
My impression was as one EP put it, "The General Assembly of "No means no", but yes to ministry and mission."
I would like to thank Santa Barbara Presbytery for this brief summary of what happened. Over 800+ commissioners gathered to vote on issues and changes that were considered necessary for the life of the Church. It was an assembly that dealt with some very significant political, social, theological, justice and systemic issues that face us in our life together. In things that were considered divisive, they voted "NO".
- The mid-council commission report, a two year effort to discern an adaptive change to presbytery structures, possible non-geographic presbytery experiments and elimination of synods, was voted, no, no and no. A task fore will continue to evaluate Synods but with no power.
- Divestment from companies doing business in Israel. The GA voted "NO". Instead it instructed the General Assembly Mission Council to more actively pursue the instruction of the 2006 and 2008 assemblies to invest in businesses and projects that build peace and partnership with Palestinians and Israelis. "NO" to divestment, "YES" to investment.
- Marriage and Civil Unions for GLBTQ persons. The assembly voted "NO", "NO" and "NO" to even enter into any kind of opinion. Several alternative proposals came before the GA:
- A minority report to affirm the strength of the confessions to determine polity out comes..."NO"
- A minority report to engage in a four year study sponsored by the PMA Theology and Worship Agency...voted "NO"
- Change the directory for worship to redefine marriage as between two people...voted "NO"
- Authoritative Interpretation regarding pastoral discretion and freedom of conscience to perform Gay and Lesbian weddings in states where they are legal...voted "NO" The GA did vote to encourage the churches and presbyteries to engage in ongoing discussion and asked the presbyteries to send their responses to 2014 GA.
- A different way to fund the mission of the church through a redesign of the national seasonal offerings....voted "NO"
BUT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WAS ALSO THE ASSEMBLY OF "YES"
- Voted "YES" for new missionaries sent overseas and nationally. Mission both internationally and locally has a priority in our worshipping communities and a major focus for the presbytery.
- Voted "YES" to 1001 new worshipping communities.. If your church is interested in planting a new community, there are resources available!
- Voted "YES" for collegiate ministry expansion. We have several campus ministry projects that support ecumenical ministry. Do we as reformed Christian Presbyterians have anything unique to say to college students? As a presbytery, we need to take a new look at our ministry opportunities.
- Said "YES" to having a couple years of not having to fight over anything. It gives us all a breathing space to concentrate on ministry and mission in our presbyteries. I can say that your EP/GP's gave a sigh of relief.
- Said "YES" to changing the name of the General Assembly Mission Council GMAC, to PRESBYTERIAN MISSION AGENCY. (PMA). We've been looking for a new name for our Coordinating Council that doesn't use council in its name and shifts its purpose to include vision and leadership....perhaps, Mackinac Mission Agency?
Let us continue to live to our highest calling: "Phil 2:1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." |
| FAITH COMMUNITIES COALITION ON FOSTER CARE |
In everything do unto others as you would have them do to you" Matt. 7:12 The Golden Rule--found in most faith traditions
Care about children? Of course you do! You are invited to join some of us here in Northern Michigan as we discover ways in which we can make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable of God's children-those in foster care. There are at any time between 13,000 and 15,000 children in Foster Care in the State of Michigan.
Perhaps you have noticed the way in which their plight is coming to the atte ntion of everyone-there was a front page headline recently in the Petoskey News-Review. There was even a recent article in People magazine. The Holy Spirit is working hard to bring these children to our attention so we might show them the love and light of Christ! We hope you can join us in this new endeavor! If you are interested in being a part of this effort, either as an individual or as a church, we invite you to join us at:
First Presbyterian Church of Gaylord
513 Charles Brink Rd., Gaylord, MI 49734
Thursday, September 20, 2012
2-4 p.m.
Please R.S.V.P. to Jennifer Saad @jennifer.saad@sbcglobal.net
or
Kate Huddelson @ karenhuddelson@att.net
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| Hurricane Isaac | |
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Dear friends,
Seven years ago this week, Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf of Mexico, destroying homes, devastating the economy, and claiming the lives of many. Because of your generous gifts to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and One Great Hour of Sharing, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has truly been able to help these communities heal and rebuild from that disaster, as well as from the Gulf oil spill in 2010.
Now communities like Plaquemines Parish, profoundly impacted by both Katrina and the oil spill, are in great need once again as a result of Hurricane Isaac. We respond in faith and affirmation that God's might is greater than any storm.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) stands ready to immediately respond to needs identified by mid councils in the affected areas. Trained National Response Team members are being deployed to provide a ministry of presence and help with assessments and other identified needs. Cleanup buckets and Gift of the Heart kits are being assembled for the cleanup and recovery process. Your generosity will make a big difference in the effectiveness of our response.
How You Can Help
We ask that you stand in the GAP for those who are being affected by this devastating storm:
GIVE. Isaac has both national and international impact; we ask that you prayerfully consider giving online to DR000148. You can give $10 now by texting PDA to 20222.
ACT. Volunteer work teams may be needed to help with cleanup efforts. Contact Eden at the PDA Call Center, (866) 732-6121, to let her know of your team's skills and availability. You can also download and share this bulletin insert with others to inform them of the needs brought about by this situation.
PRAY. Please pray for those who have already been impacted by the storm and those who will face coastal and inland flooding. Pray for affected families and those who will help with emergency, relief, and recovery efforts. Pray that the hope of Christ will be evident in our response.
Read more about how PDA is responding and download a bulletin insert for use in Sunday services → | | | | | | | |
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| Stand in the GAP for Syria |
Recently, you may have received an email from Special Offerings regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria. If not, we'd like to take a second to update you on the current work that Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is currently doing with great support from your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing.
At this time, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC)-equivalent to our Red Cross-estimates that approximately 1.5 million people have been displaced since the beginning of the Syria crisis in March 2011. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is supporting our mission partner, the National Evangelical (Presbyterian) Synod of Syria and Lebanon, and is working with our ecumenical partner, ACT (Action by Churches Together) Alliance, to help meet the needs of displaced families.
If you would like more information on this developing situation, please visit the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance website. If you'd like to give a little extra to this cause specifically, you can give $10 by texting PDA to 20222 on your mobile phone.
On a side note, we think it's important to clarify that in addition to promoting the Offerings, we are also responsible for spreading the word when a special situation arises for one of the Offerings-supported ministries, so you may occasionally see an email from us that isn't directly related to promoting the Offerings.
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Stories of IMPACT: If you would like to submit a story on how your church is either utilizing Special Offerings funds or even promoting the offerings themselves, please email us at specialofferings@pcusa.org, because we would love to include it in a future newsletter! |
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| Prayer Cards |  Most of the nearly 200 mission co-workers who serve in more than 50 countries around the world have prayer cards you can order for free. Use them to learn about their ministries and the global partners with whom they serve, and pray for them regularly. Order your free copies of the mission co-worker prayer cards and make the P.L.E.D.G.E. Pray each day with and for mission co-workers, for our global partners, and the people they serve. Learn about mission co-workers' ministry Encourage people to become long-term mission workers Discern where and how you can better serve God by serving others in mission work Give your time, love, energy, gifts, and financial contributions Engage in faithful and effective mission along with mission co-workers who are advocating for justice, sharing the good news of God's love in Jesus Christ, and seeking reconciliation in the world. Get your prayer cards by contacting Nicole Gerkins at nicole.gerkins@pcusa.org. |
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Check the Presbytery calendar on our web site, www.presbymac.org, for upcoming dates for Coordinating Council, Presbytery meetings and committee meetings.
Sincerely,
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