It's SPRING!
   Before you know it we'll be tidying up the church grounds and planting flowers.
   The annual spring cleanup will be scheduled soon. Won't you help us to spruce up our yard? Depending on conditions, we'll meet for an hour or two on a Saturday morning in late April or early May to pick up sticks and leaves.
   Adopt-A-Plot is a way to keep our church grounds looking their "Sunday Best" all summer long. The planted areas around the church are divided into manageable-sized plots and people sign up to care for one.  Light weeding can be completed on your time, usually just an hour every couple of weeks. The Adopt-A-Plot sign up and spring cleanup schedule will be available in a few weeks. Questions? Call Leigh Krauss  at 734 671-5355.

  

PREVIEW OF 2016-7 BIBLE STUDY
   Usually the Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Detroit's gatherings are on the first Wednesday of the month, but the last two gatherings of PWPD fall on a Saturday morning.

   On April 9th from 9:30 to 11:30, the PW of Calvary Church in Detroit is hosting a gathering that will close before lunch.  The women are providing coffee and donuts for those attending the program which is a preview of the upcoming 2016-7 Bible study "Who Is Jesus?"  Leading the devotions at the business meeting prior to the program is our GIPC's former associate minister Katie Doyle-Hohf. Katie is on leave now having recently given birth to a daughter who joins their son Adam. Anyone interested in attending, please call Pam Frucci at 734 671-0170 for a ride. No reservations are necessary since the gathering doesn't include a lunch.

  

   For many of us, Clean Water is a gift we take for granted. Yet our neighbors are witness to a tragedy.  A contribution of $2500 was sent to the Community Foundation of Greater Flint from the Mission & Stewardship Committee for the Flint children. The response to the flintkids.org is greatly appreciated. Gifts to this fund will be used for critical interventions today and well into the future.
        Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha of Hurley Medical Center & Michigan State University, founding donor of this fund has been at the forefront of this water crisis issue. The creation of this fund will further ensure that the children in Flint are afforded the resources and interventions to overcome this population-wide exposure to lead. 
      The fund will be used for supporting outcomes including: Immediate response, Optimal child and health development,  Early childhood development, Educational & Student Support Services, Continuous access to a pediatric medical home, Access to infant & child behavioral health services,  Nutrition education, Healthy food access, Safe & healthy home environments, Integrated social services & Research. Gifts can be made to the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. Note it's for: Flint Child Health & Development Fund.  Mail to: 600 S. Saginaw St. Suite 200, Flint, MI 48502; or www.flintkids.org.  A committee of community members with representation from residents, Hurley Children's Hospital, Mott Children's Health Center, Greater Flint Health Coalition, United Way of Genesee County and The Community Foundation of Greater Flint will be the advisory group for the grants. They will continue to pursue state and federal funding.
     Oh yes, our church's gift was doubled as it was matched so it became $5000. The Mission & Stewardship Committee thought you'd appreciate knowing we had taken this action on your behalf. Thanks for your continued prayers and our mission efforts in our community and the world.