May 1, 2014

In This Issue

Older Adult Week

York Connection

Christianity and Bioethics

PWPD at GIPC

Green Team

Happy Birthday!

May Birthdays

May 1
David Figg
May 2
Judith McComish
May 3
Roy Pask
Renee Danyo
May 4
John Altstetter
May 5
Richard Geist
Garnette Bacalis
Cynthia Jenkins
Janelle Pask
May 6
Jane Esterl
Dorothy Hart
Douglas Daily
Harrison Rose
May 7
Alivia Dishon
May 8
Roger Muller
May 9
Sally Freeman
Libby Frucci
May 11
Jane Rose
Elaine Parker
May 12
Alison Swanson
Jim Hunter
Kelly Daily
May 13
Lynne Swift
May 15
Joanna Sabo
Raymond Kramer
Melissa Brick
Alexander Fleming
Aubrey Fleming
Christopher Fleming
Caroline Fleming
May 19
Madge McGoorty
May 21
Doug Swanson
Jane Westphal
Sue Quinn
May 22
Dennis McHugh
May 24
Leigh Krauss
May 25
Francis Morrison
Pamela Frucci
Chelsea Klamm
May 26
Sammi Hadad
May 27
Emily Frucci
Elliot Paik
May 28
Madalynn Lauscher
May 29
Nancy Chaszar
Deborah Mitek
May 30
Ann Balarezo
Sang Im Richardson
May 31
Andrew Ranka

Stephen
Ministry Stephen Ministry Logo

May 4
1 Peter 1:22
Now you can have real love for everyone because your souls have been cleansed from selfishness and hatred when you trust Christ to save you; so see to it that you really do love each other warmly, with all your hearts.

May 11
1 Peter 2:21
This suffering is all part of the work God has given you. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps.

Contact a pastor or Julie Gloor for more information about this ministry.

GIPC Connections

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www.gipc.org

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Check out what's happening nationally:

www.pcusa.org

Older Adult Week

Celebrate OLDER ADULT WEEK....PC(USA) STYLE

For a number of years our denomination has designated the first week in May as Older Adult Week and encourages congregations to celebrate and affirm aging for all peoples in all stages of development and at all functioning levels.

Two resources produced annually are helpful for ideas from liturgical to programmatic.: 1) Mission Yearbook of Prayer and 2) Planning Guide (available on www.poamn.org). Next May the York Connection plans to 'celebrate' the week. There is a minute for mission in the 2014 Yearbook. However, I have chosen to share with you the piece I was invited to write for the 2004 Mission Yearbook of Prayer May 2, 2004. Ten years ago..yet timeless. I wrote about Lucille.

I met Lucille in my early years of service on the Board of Directors of Presbyterian Villages of Michigan and I credit her with a lot of what I have practiced as I have become an 'older' woman. Lucille died about 5 years ago and I was honored when this piece was used in her memorial service.

"Does loving others mean we tell it like it is? Lucille McIntosh is in her early 90's. Her positive attitude overshadows her physical infirmities and she is legally blind. Like many of the residents in her retirement community she suffered the loss of family members. Yet, when asked for her "Thoughts To Live By" this is what she wrote:

"Life is a gift. It's old age is a special privilege to live in anticipation of the insights, understandings and opportunities, available only to old persons. Live and share life one consecutive step at a time with faith and courage embracing serendipity and enjoying the journey along the way."

Lucille is a gift. She served as a volunteer for thirty five years in the retirement community where she now resides. Her commitment to sharing what it means to grow old is demonstrated in many ways.

Until recently, Lucille taught adults and children about 'growing old' at her church. In her retirement setting she freely and respectfully shares suggestions with administrators, board leadership and staff so they know how things are from 'an older psersons' perspective, such as the necessity of large print on signs or the level of news items on the bulletin boards. She lives her faith and is committed to being a voice, finds creative ways to be hears, and encourages her peers to share their wisdom and insights.

While 'growing old' is different for each of us in the sharing that we find the common threads. Thanks God for people like Lucille who models her story and helps in our understanding of "Life's...old ages is a special privilege".

Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for your servants who teach us about growing old with courage by their example. Living a long life comes with challenges and necessary losses. Showing others how to live with faith and courage embracing serendipity is a gift to be shared. In the name of your son Jesus we pray. Amen.

Scripture: "Love one another..." John 13:24

Elder Helen Morrison,
GAC (General Assembly Council) Class 2004

York Connection

SPRING FLING

Do you KNOW where you live?

Grosse Ile is an historic place worth studying so the York Connection thought that a tour of our Island would be interesting and fun!

WHEN: WEDNESDAY, MAY 21ST

WHERE: Meet at the Grosse Ile Naval Base at Township Hall

TIME: 11:30 A.M.

LUNCH: GROSSE ILE YACHT CLUB

COST: $20.00 Total Package

Tour only: $5.00

Lunch only: $15.00

Clare Koester, Grosse Ile Historian, will be our guide. We will tour the Naval Base then board the Woodhaven Kiwanis Club Bus, (provided by the York Connection) for a tour around the Island, stopping at places of interest, including Westcroft Gardens, then return to the Naval Base. We will drive to the Yacht Club where a delectable selection for lunch will be offered.

Tips For Seniors

Sharing Equally
Lunchtime at McDonald's for a curious young business man became more than a quick bite to eat, when his attention was drawn to an elderly couple at the counter: he overheard them order only one meal for the two of them and request an extra drink cup. After they had received their food and were seated, the young man watched as the old gentleman carefully cut the hamburger in half. Next, he counted the fries, one-by-one, until he and his wife had equal portions. Finally, he poured half of the soft drink into the extra cup and set it in front of his wife.
The old man began to eat immediately while the woman sat, watching him, hands folded in her lap. Sensitive to their situation, the young Christian was overcome with pity for the unfortunate old pair. Convinced that they need not share a meal, he approached them and offered to purchase another. Without hesitation, the old man responded saying, "Oh, no thank you, Son... Emma and I have been married for sixty years. We share everything fifty, fifty. That's the way it has always been and that's the way it always will be." Still unsatisfied with the old man's response and unsettled by the woman's continued hesitation, the young man turned to the woman and asked if she was going to eat her meal, as well. To that the old woman thoughtfully replied, "Not yet, dear, it's Harold's turn with the teeth." Mickey D.

Christianity and Bioethics

Advances in patient care and medical technology have revolutionized the modern practice of medicine, but have also created complex ethical questions. Can the ancient Scriptures give modern Christians guidance on topics like "designer babies," genetic enhancement and cloning? What does it mean to be human? Please join Anna Kostaroff Sunday, May 4, to take part in the conversation on

"Christianity and Bioethics: Confronting the Issues." Class meets at 9:30 am. in the Fireside Room.

PWPD at GIPC

GIPC is hosting the Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Detroit (PWPD) Gathering on May 7th, 2014. Volunteers are still needed to welcome visitors and pour coffee and tea.

If you would like to help, please contact Pam Frucci or Judi Treadwell. For more information about PWPD, go to

http://presbyteryofdetroit.org/pwpd

Green Team

Come one, come all to the Spring Clean Up on Saturday, May 3, from 9 to noon. Please come prepared with rakes, tarps for hauling sticks and leaves to the compost pile, and garden tools to grab weeds that have sprouted.

Chocolate treats will be served!

The Spire is a publication of the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church, 7925 Horsemill Road, Grosse Ile, Michigan. The purpose of this newsletter is to share news and information about GIPC and our denomination.

Contributions 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