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   On Sunday, June 15, at a breakfast during the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, Helen Morrison was one of three women who received the "Women of Faith" award given by our denomination to women who exhibit this year's theme: "Prophetic Women of Faith." Helen, Joanie Lukins from Danville, KY and Rev. Joyce Shin from Chicago were chosen by a committee of representatives from groups related to the Racial Ethnic and Women's Ministries/Presbyterian Women ministry area of the mission agency. 

    The Women of Faith Award was established in 1986 to honor female members of the PC(USA) whose lives exemplify their Christian commitment through witness, service and leadership.

   Helen was a child of the Depression and learned to depend on God for encouragement, perseverance and comfort, especially when her dad died during her preteen years. In her adult life Helen was the first to answer a call for leadership in the church whether on the local or national level always feeling God would equip her for the task.  Her vision has inspired generations with God's help to be more than they thought they could be. Helen's guiding principle in life is summed up in Gandhi's words "What good is faith without action?" Helen lives this credo.
    At 50, Helen found herself a recent college graduate and a young widow, and all within two months. She set about remaking herself, a painful and intensely personal project which grew into a full-fledged ministry as a professional life coach. Deeper yet, it instilled within Helen a vision for vibrant older adulthood and an impatience with all that keeps older adults from it. No single Presbyterian ministry has benefited more from Helen's prophetic drive than the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network (POAMN).
   Helen has contributed to our denomination's ministries on aging almost since their beginnings. While its current incarnation is the result of decades of efforts - in both the former PCUS and UPCUSA - the POAMN is now a mature network of individuals, congregations, governing bodies and retirement communities committed to the spiritual, emotional, physical and social well-being of older persons and those who care for them. Helen helped make this network what it is. Her tireless advocacy for older adults, her willingness to travel far and wide to represent and symbolize ministry to the aging, at conferences, meetings, and General Assemblies, and her indefatigable willingness to raise the needs of the aging at every table to which she has been appointed, make Helen one of the church's great women. 
   Helen continues to exhibit the two most obvious qualities of all prophets, Biblical or contemporary: a clear vision of righteousness accompanied by an unabashed willingness to share it. Helen has shared this vision at all levels of the church, and for decades - as a ruling elder for multiple terms; as a presbytery vice moderator, moderator, and staff person; as a two term member of the General Assembly Council (not to mention chairing one of the GAC Divisions and serving on several of its committees and task forces); and as a member of near countless boards and agencies including the Presbyterian Association of Homes and Services to the Aging. 
   Helen has said that her passion for working with older adults was strongly influenced by her grandmother when she was a child and "it simply grew." She was raised by a widowed mom in the south end of Dearborn, MI, that was inhabited with Eastern European immigrant families like her own. She cites this as "influential and formative" in her life. She says the older folks were respected and willing to share their wisdom and that these experiences helped her relate to different ethnic groups, serving her well throughout her career in the church.

   Congratulations, Helen, for this well-deserved award reflecting your service to Jesus Christ and the church!

                                  -Jan Holmes

wanderings...we are God's children and a very valuable resource...I am most thankful for each of you.

     

  The Grosse Ile Traveling Chorale will present its Farewell Concert on Monday, July 7, 2014 at the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church, beginning at 7 pm. The Chorale is traveling to New Zealand, departing on July 9, 2014, and returning on July 21st. Some of the members of the chorale are extending their tour to Sidney, Australia, returning to the U.S. on July 25th.
   All of the concerts are joint concerts with local choirs, arranged by John Schulthess of United World Concert Tours out of Pasadena California. The Chorale is singing with the Taupo Choral Society Choir, the Rotorua District Choir, The Henderson Choir [also known as the Waiteke Voices] and the South Aukland Chorale. In each case, the GI Chorale and the local choir will perform alone, and then join together in some combined pieces. In addition, the GI Chorale will have a Maori experience. The Maori are the native people of New Zealand.  The chorale will stay in the Maori building, sing for them, they will sing for the chorale, all will share fellowship, a meal, and the chorale will stay overnight. Most visitors to New Zealand don't have such an opportunity but United World Concert Tours has arranged it for the Chorale.
   The 28 singers of the Grosse Ile Chorale are mostly local singers from area church and community choirs, but also include a choir director friend of Dr. Parker and some out-of-state singers who have sung in the chorale on previous tours. Also traveling with the chorale are the "Friends of the Chorale", people who are relatives of the singers, and others who just like traveling.
   The repertoire for the concert includes some classical selections, folk music from New Zealand and the United States, a Broadway medley, and ends with American spirituals and Gospel music.
  The chorale has been rehearsing weekly since Easter, adding some weekend rehearsals as the tour nears. Directors are James Parker and Barbara Conroy.
   Admission to the Farewell Concert is free, but a free will donation will be accepted for partial scholarships for some choir members for future tours. 
 

The Worship, Sacraments and Music Commission is hosting a

Cost is $4/person or maximum of $15/family. Watch for details in the weekly newsletter and church bulletins.