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In the Life of Our Congregation | |
Attendance
December 16 255
December 19
(Lessons& Carols) 191
December 23 279
December 24
(Christmas Eve Services) 471
December 30
(one service) 114
January 6 215
Visitors
Amalia Lozano, Gail Gallagher, Janet Balstad, Kessering family, Robyn and Jeff Houghton, Gary and Mary Houghton, Charlene and Jack Tinsley, Isabelle and Louis Jankowski, Abhilash Pandya, Aria Thakore, Keena Pandya, Maya Pandya, Katrina, Ashe and Kavina Pandya, Marge Wray, Arlene Earl
Birth
Abby Hope Hardimon adopted by Michele & Shaun, granddaughter to Loren & Sharon Scribner
Concerns
Diane Ledbetter, John Ryan
Deaths
Former member Eugene Mauch; father of Dave Martin
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| Stephen Ministry |  | |
January 20
Isaiah 62:3
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
January 27
Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord, and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Stephen Ministry
December
GIPC is a Stephen Ministry congregation. Contact a pastor or Julie Gloor for more information about this ministry.
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| GIPC Connections | Our Website:
www.gipc.org
GIPC Church Calendar
Visit us on Facebook!
Follow Us on Twitter: GIPresbyChurch
Subscribe to our sermon podcast on iTunes: "Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church Sermons"
Check out what's happening nationally: www.pcusa.org
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Window Shades in Fellowship Hall
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New window shades have been installed in Fellowship Hall.
The first picture shows the glare from the late afternoon sun. The picture below shows the same windows with the shades in place. As you can see, they do a great job of blocking the light.
These shades will darken the the room during graphic presentations as well as providing privacy for various events such as ChristNet. The shades were included in the original plans for the Fellowship Hall, but were removed due to financial constraints.
We wish to thank the anonymous donors who provided the funding for this project.
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York Connection
Tips For Seniors
I saw a TV ad today that touted the benefits of a Reverse mortgage. The ad claimed homeowners 62 and older could borrow money against the value of their homes and not pay it back until they move out or die. These loans have long been fraught with problems and Federal and state regulators have documented many instances of abuse. Lenders have aggressively pitched reverse mortgages to seniors who couldn't afford the associated fees, property taxes or maintenance costs. Others have wooed seniors with the promise that these loans are "free money" that can be used to finance long-coveted cruises, without clearly explaining the risks involved. There have been instances of widows facing eviction because an unscrupulous lender convinced them to record only their husband's name on the deed.
According to the Consumer Protection Bureau, the rate of default of reverse mortgages is nearly 9.4% of all loans. This is a 2% increase from a decade earlier. Federal data and recent Consumer Protection Bureau reports show an increasing number of borrowers have put their nest eggs at risk by taking out reverse mortgages at a younger age and in a lump sum. To be safe, seek professional advice when considering one of these instruments.
Tax Changes
On January 1, 2013, both the Senate and House passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA). The bill includes a number of provisions that will be favorable for philanthropy and charitable giving.
Charitable IRA Roll-Over
IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions - The new law allows IRA owners age 70½ and older to make a "Qualified Charitable Distribution" - which is excluded from income tax - up to $100,000 each year to a qualified charity. This action allows owners to convert otherwise taxable "Required Minimum Distributions" into non-taxable "Qualified Charitable Distributions". The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 provides donors with several gift options:
* Convert your December 2012 Minimum Required Distribution into a 2012 Qualified Charitable Distribution. Here's how: Many individuals had hoped to make a qualified charitable distribution in 2012, but, being unsure which IRA related law would be passed by Congress, chose in December of 2012 to only receive their IRA required minimum distribution. Now however, if these individuals transfer those funds to a charity during January of 2013, they will not report the IRA distribution as 2012 income. Instead, the December 2012 required minimum distribution is converted to a 2012 qualified charitable distribution.
* You can also turn a January 2013 Qualified Charitable Distribution into a 2012 Qualified Charitable Distribution. Here's how: Individuals who did not make a qualified charitable distribution in 2012 can still do so during January of 2013. Gifts must be sent from the donor's IRA custodian directly to a qualified charity. The qualified charitable distribution limit is $100,000. This donation qualifies as a 2012 direct IRA donation and is not subject to 2012 income tax.
* You may now make a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA anytime in 2013: Here's how: Individuals may make a qualified charitable distribution to a charity at any time in 2013. The donation must be sent directly from the IRA custodian to a qualified charity. The IRA qualified charitable distribution limit is $100,000.
Estate Tax Exemption
The new law maintains the unified $5 million exemption level for gift, estate and generation-skipping-transfer (GST). It also provides a maximum federal estate tax rate increase of 40% (up from 35%) for estates that exceed the exemption in 2013.
Want to know whether your state has an estate tax? Kiplinger.com is an outstanding web resource for planning issues. Click here to learn more about your state's different taxes: income, estate, and rate, including estate and/or inheritance taxes.
Library Update
"York Connection" library books are now located on the counter to the left of the fireplace.There are computer and internet guides for Seniors. There is also information about caregiving, ageing, Alzheimer's and mental health problems. Other titles deal with death, grieving, and end of life issues.Take a few moments to browse and if you find something of interest, feel free to sign the check out card and take home the information you choose. Books are due back two weeks after they are checked out. |
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Adult Nurture Classes and Events 2013
Sunday Morning Education Hour
9:30-10:20 am. Fireside Room
Psalms ~ taught by Anna and Ed Kostaroff, this Bible study will probe the book of hymns used in the early Christian church to look for inspiration, comfort and guidance in today's busy lifestyles.
January 6-February 10
Wednesday Evening Adult Class
6:30 - 8:00 pm. Fireside Room
Survey of World Religions -
This lecture series on Wednesday nights will educate us about other faith systems and give us an opportunity to
foster understanding among the diverse faith groups with whom we share this planet. Below are dates, Religion, and class leaders:
January 9 Baha'i Ms. Mary Krezczkowski
January 16 Hinduism Ms. Padma Kuppa
January 23 Islam Ms. Najah Bazzy
January 30 Judaism Ms. Jackie Bean and Dr. Michael Schulman
February 6 Buddhism Mr. Bill Secrest
February 13 Ash Wednesday No Class
February 20 Native American Spirituality Dr. Kay McGowan
February 27 Sikh Ms. Raman Singh
2013 GIPC Annual Men's Retreat
Friday, January 25th -Saturday, January 26th
Place: Weber's Inn, Ann Arbor, MI
Arrival: 5:00 pm. on Friday; Departure: Noon on Saturday
Cost: Single $140, Double $90; meals are included.
The Very Rev. Philip M. Dinwiddie, Rector of St. James Episcopal Church on Grosse Ile, will lead a discussion on "Faith For Troubling Times".
Won't you join us for an exciting time during this
year's retreats? Please sign up at the Crossroads.
2013 Women's Retreat
February 22-23, 2013
Weber's Inn, Ann Arbor
Our special speaker, the Rev. Marion Hayes-Weller from Kreutz Presbyterian Church in PA describes our time with her:
"Forgive us our Debts" Why trying to be perfect just isn't going to work
If we are basically good people, who occasionally make mistakes, doesn't death on the cross of the Son of God seem a little extreme? If we are basically sinful people, who occasionally get it right, is the death on the cross of the Son of God enough to change the world? We will talk, play, and sing our way to make sense of the death of Jesus in our world and in ourlives in this 21st century look at atonement with a sense of humor and wonder.
Worship will focus on the story of the good Samaritan from different perspectives through dramatic monologue, and we will sing, and sing . . .
We anticipate a warm and wonderful get-away. Don't delay! Sign up at the Crossroads.
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GIPC Activities
Wednesday Night Family Dinners: 6 pm, $4 per person or $15 per family maximum. Menu for January 9: Sloppy Tacos. Sign up at the Crossroads or call the church office (734) 676-8811 to make a reservation. If you find you can attend at the last minute come on over without a reservation.
Children's Choirs: for children K-grade 5, 6:30 to 7:15 pm on Wednesdays. All kids are welcome to make a joyful noise through ringing bells and singing.
Crocheted sleeping mats: We will casually in fellowship hall from 4-6 pm. to work on plastic mats for the homeless. If you would like to learn how to do this or would like to help, bring scissors, plastic grocery bags, and/or a 9mm crochet hook and show up! We need people to cut bags as well as to crochet.
Middlers WIRED!: for Grades 6-8, is a special opportunity for middle school students to gather for fun, fellowship, study and service. Every Wednesday, we begin with dinner at 6:00 pm in Fellowship Hall and at 6:30 pm. we will move to the Middler Hideaway for our evening activity. The cost for dinner is $4 and confidential scholarships are available by speaking with Grace Iglehart. |
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Thank You
Dear Church Family,
Your meaningful messages sent in notes and cards and your prayers for healing all felt like angel touches. And that is indeed a wonderful feeling. Thank you for your caring concern - it is deeply appreciated.
With love,
Diane Ledbetter
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Inter-Faith Council ~ ChristNet
Our island churches are always ready to give a helping hand and it was evident again this year during Christmas week. Your enthusiasm and generosity was greatly appreciated by Inter-Faith Council as well as our 30 guests. On Christmas Day members from all churches on Grosse Ile gave of themselves by serving dinner and just being here to help
make it a special day.
Thank you for the giving of your time and gifts to help our ChristNet guests have a memorable time with us.
Jo-Anne Gronlund
Grosse Ile Inter-Faith Council of Churches |
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 The Spire is a publication of the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church, 7925 Horsemill Road, Grosse Ile, Michigan.
Contributions to this newsletter are invited and encouraged. The Communications Commission reserves the right to accept or reject submissions and to edit to fit available space or for style and consistency.
Material is due six business days before the first or the fifteenth of the month. Emailed submissions should be sent to spire@gipc.org.
Please contact the church office or a member of the Communications Commission if you have any questions. Communications Commission: Sue Ashley, Marta Kramer, Ray Kramer, Carl Krohn, Nancy Morrison |
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