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   . . . join us Tuesday morning, April 15th, for a special outing. We are going to Dearborn to see two spectacular IMAX productions, "Jerusalem" and "Lewis and Clark." The Henry Ford is offering us a bargain price of $16 a person, which allows us to see the breathtaking vistas of both the holiest of cities and the most courageous of explorations.
We will carpool from GIPC, leaving at 9:00 am. The movies begin at 10:00 am and each lasts 45 minutes. You can sign up at the Crossroads or contact Ilona Macek to reserve your spot. We have a specific number of seats and you are asked to sign up by March 30th. 

   The IMAX is the largest movie screen in Michigan, the perfect vehicle for showing these National Geographic films. We hope you'll join us for what promises to be a rewarding, illuminating experience.

 The Rev. Earl Palmer

Friday, April 4

6 pm. Potluck Dinner

Program: 7-9 pm.

Saturday, April 5

8:30 am. Continental Breakfast

Program: 9 am.-1pm.

Sunday, April 6

Rev. Palmer will preach at the 8:15 and 10:30 am. Services.

At 9:30-10:15 am. Rev. Palmer will reflect on and answer questions about "Reading the Bible in One Year".

   You will not want to miss our Theologian in Residence this year. The Rev. Earl Palmer, a renowned expert on C.S. Lewis, will be speaking on the life and writings of one of the most influential writers and Christian apologists of the 20th century. C.S. Lewis has engaged the minds and hearts of adults and children with his series on "Narnia" and books like Mere Christianity defending the Christian faith. Together we will learn more about this Oxford Don and be challenged to grow in our own faith. 

  For Reservations: Sign up at the Crossroads or call Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church at 734-676-8811 or email jholmes@gipc.org  

(Babysitting is available upon request.)

          . . . contributed by Kathleen Rankin, GIPC Elder and member of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Team (PDA)

   Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is one of the beneficiaries of gifts to the One Great Hour of Sharing special offering. PDA responds in this country and overseas to bring the love and compassion of Jesus Christ to hurting peoples.  
   When PDA National Response Team (NRT) members respond to a disaster situation, they are never sure exactly what they will find or what they will be called to do. Since NRT members respond at the request of presbyteries in affected areas, one of the first contacts is with the presbytery executive. The executive is able to brief the responders about the nature and extent of the disaster and about early response efforts. This is also a time to learn about affected congregations and communities. Often the executive will have specific suggestions about how the NRT members can be of help, such as meeting with pastors and congregations or contacting other responding agencies to coordinate activities. NRT members may also be asked to speak at presbytery meetings or assess potential hospitality sites for volunteer work teams. And, of course, we worship at local churches to demonstrate the unity and support of the whole church.
   At different times, I have been able to sit with members of a community impacted by a tornado and hear their stories of how they experienced and survived the storm. I've listened as pastors and staff persons explored how they might best serve the disaster survivors and sustain their congregations. I've participated in workshops on emotional and spiritual care and compassion fatigue for survivors and responders. 

 Always, our mission is to serve Jesus Christ and support the

presbyteries in helping communities recover from both natural and human-caused disasters.
   The inclination is to move quickly to solve the needs of the surviving individuals and communities. However, experience and reality have shown that recovery is slow. The steps, while orderly, are slow, and many types of responses are necessary. PDA, through the National Response Team, provides some of those responses . . . for early

emotional and spiritual support, for emergency financial grants, for long term recovery planning, and for volunteer hospitality sites.

 Bulletin inserts describe other programs which benefit from the One Great Hour of Sharing  offering. Please give generously to this special offering. Envelopes are available in the pew racks and at the Crossroads.

   Any women of GIPC who want to find out more about the upcoming Bible study for 2014-5 may get a preview by attending the Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Detroit gathering on Wednesday, April 2nd, at the First Presbyterian Church in Dearborn. The overview of "Reconciling Paul: A Contemporary Study of 2 Corinthians," next year's Bible study by Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty, will be given by the Rev. Fran Hayes of Littlefield-Dearborn.

   The gathering begins with a hymn sing at 9:45 a.m. followed by a business meeting and the program. Lunch is only $8. Let Pam Frucci know if you would like to join about 100 other Presbyterian Women in this excellent way of getting to know each other better and being better informed.

 GIPC to Host PWPD May 7th Gathering

   Although our church doesn't have an organized Presbyterian Women's organization, I have been faithfully attending PWPD gatherings as the liaison from our church since 1993. Since I serve as chair of the PWPD's Justice & Peace Committee, I attend the monthly Coordinating Team meetings of all the officers and committee heads of the PWPD. The Gathering Coordinator has the big job of lining up host churches for the coming year and was looking for a church last year to host the May 7th gathering. After getting approval from the session, I offered GIPC as the site. 
   Mary/Martha Circle is currently the only organized PW group in our church and our numbers aren't that large. We're hoping to get help with hosting from other women of the church. It would involve greeting visiting PWs, handling registrations, pouring coffee or tea, and generally making off-Island guests feel welcome. Our Mary/Martha Circle leader is Judi Treadwell, who has offered to make a family-favorite chicken salad, and other members are bringing cakes for dessert. (The luncheons are usually kept to a price of $8.)
   If you would like to help host this gathering of PWPDs from the metropolitan Detroit area, please contact Judi or myself.