May 1, 2016

In This Issue

Pentecost Offering

York Connection

Bible Migrant Mission

Family Fun Night Children's Activities

Wanted: Spire Editor

PWPD

BIRTHDAYS

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

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Stephen

Ministry

May 1
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.

May 8
1 Peter 4:11
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do as of the ability which God giveth.

Contact Grace Iglehart for more information about this ministry.

Pentecost Offering

During the month of May, we receive the Pentecost Offering, a portion of which is kept at GIPC to use for local projects. Your giving to the Pentecost Offering helps to guide and nurture the growing faith of young people, bring God's transforming love to children at risk, and provide opportunities for young adults to become spiritual leaders, all in the name of Jesus Christ. Special offering envelopes may be found in the pew racks in the sanctuary. Please note Pentecost offering on the memo line of your donation.
   Brad Rito, a young man who grew up and was confirmed in our GIPC congregation, is working in the Young Adult Volunteer Program, which is supported by the Pentecost Offering. Recently Helen Morrison, a member of the committee, communicated with Brad, and shares the following information with us:
   Last August Brad Rito was accepted into the Young Adult Volunteer Program (YAV) which took him to New Orleans for a year. These past months found him living with seven other young people in a small home. As he said, "Admittedly toes do get stepped on...but there is so much love and desire to see others grow that any hurt feelings are by far outweighed by the love and compassion we have for one another."
   One of Brad's biggest surprises was 'finding a young woman whom I adore' at orientation. And 'the biggest surprise is how much I've learned." Brad's goal was to finish his ordination process and get on with it...so one might say the YAV Program is helping him move beyond that. He is also learning about the culture in the south and the effects of Katrina a decade later.
   Brad's work site placement is in Touro Infirmary's Pastoral Care department. It is nice to hear Brad is learning about self-love/self-care. It will be helpful as he continues the discernment process of just where, with God's help, he finds a place to practice his pastoral role.
   As for fundraising, Brad is happy to say he surpassed the minimum needed for his year in New Orleans. However, contributions of prayers, letters, etc. are most welcome. His email is: brito@pts.edu
   Our congregation supports all four Special Offerings of the PCUSA which are: One Great Hours of Sharing, Pentecost, Peacemaking & Christmas Joy. The Young Adult Volunteer Program, is supported by this Offering nationally. We are pleased to hear that Brad is benefitting by his participation.
           - For the Mission & Stewardship Committee,
                                                            Helen Morrison

York Connection

Tips For Seniors

You can always find something to be thankful for, if you simply look for it: have you ever considered how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt?             - Runamuck
   In the midst of their daily checker game, a group of nursing home residents began discussing their many ailments: "My arms are so achy I can hardly move this checker," complained the first fellow. "That's nothing, Bill, my cataracts have gotten so bad, the checkers appear fuzzy to me," said the fellow with the five-o'clock shadow, across from him. Demonstrating as she spoke, a woman who was observing the game added, "I can't move my head like this, because of the arthritis in my neck..." In a booming voice, sufficient to awaken the dead, a haggard old woman in a wheelchair suddenly exclaimed, "my blood pressure pills make me so dizzy, I can't even stand up!" Seemingly un-phased by this sudden outburst, the first gentleman paused as he contemplated his next move. Then, in a barely audible voice he muttered, "Well, I guess that's the price we pay for getting older, folks."
   After a long moment of silence, while the others considered Bill's last remark, the sweet little Canadian woman from Room 105 made a valiant attempt to steer the conversation in a more positive direction. "Thank God we can still drive, eh?"

   Dementia Educational Series II. York Connection and the Inter-Faith Council encourage all adults to attend the next session of free programs presented by the HOPE Dementia Ministry LLC. A spiral-bound information booklet containing information covered during the presentation is available for $5.
SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2016
9:00-11:30 am.
Session 9: Caregiver Burnout
-- 70% of caregivers are family
-- 50% of caregivers may die before the person with dementia
-- What are the red flags that indicate the caregiver needs a break?
   Hosted by: St. Constance Parish
     21555 Kinyon, Taylor 48180
     Contact: Pat Holland at (313) 291-4050 or pat_holland@comcast.net

Bible Migrant Mission

   The Bible Migrant Mission was established in the early 1950's by churches in Ionia, Michigan and my father, August Contreras from Curtis Gospel Chapel in Detroit, Michigan.
The purpose was and is to deliver the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Migrant workers, who come from many places in the United States and other countries to work on the farms in Ionia, and other counties up north. Closer to Downriver I have found additional farms in Monroe, Washtenaw, Macomb, and surrounding counties.
   We deliver bibles, gospel tracts, pocket calendars, clothing, shoes, caps and hats, kitchen items, sporting items, new blankets, new underclothes, new socks and other things they can use. The people travel by vehicle, so they are limited to small items. The camps consist mostly of men but there are some women in the camps. We provide youth bibles for the children.
    The season runs from June to late October. We start with the camps closer to Downriver and by late October we are on the farms further up North. Almost all of the farms work ten or twelve hours a day, seven days a week and the only break they get is during lunch, usually from 11:00 or 12:00 for an hour. The best day to go is usually Sunday, although I have gone on Saturday but often they are away running errands.
   I NEED ASSISTANCE TO PURCHASE ITEMS DURING THE WEEK.
1.Shopping:
Walmart - Any day to purchase blankets or throws, new underclothes, washcloths, etc.
The Salvation Army on Eureka on Friday. They have a 5 for $5.00 special on certain color codes on clothing.
The Goodwill store in Woodhaven on Saturday. They have certain items for .99 cents.
2. Sorting the items and loading the vehicle(s) for the scheduled next trip.
3. Assistance - One or two males (many of the farm workers are men) to travel with me on the trips and assist in the distribution of items to the workers.
   Please contact Ron Contreras if you can help or need more information.
                                 - In His name,
                Ronald D. Contreras, Bible migrant mission

Family Fun Night

We designed and decorated flower pots and planted flowers or cat grass. The kids then created a treat: Dirt Pops, which were giant marshmallows rolled in crushed Oreos, with a gummi worm as garnish. This party was lots of fun for all ages, and unintentionally coincided nicely with Earth Day.

Much appreciation for the help of many volunteers: the dirt keepers, seed facilitators, worm wranglers, Oreo smashers (thanks goes to Sophia Bolton and Jackson Blum for this, I believe) and most especially to retiring elder, Sara Speer, for whom this was a final FFN as active elder. She will be missed as elder, but we're so thankful for her continued wisdom as a valued member of the Children's Nurture Commission.
-Cyndi Jenkins, CNC Elder

Sunday Morning in the "Theater"

yummy popcorn!

Wanted: Spire Editor

Are you interested is serving your church in a somewhat unique way and on your own time? Do you have better-than-average computers skills, an interest in journalism with ability for writing, editing and proof-reading? The Communications Commission needs a volunteer to post GIPC's twice-a- month Spire Newsletter online. For more information please contact spire@gipc.org or the Communications Committee at comm-com@gipc.org

p.s. Please submit all material for The Spire to spire@gipc.org only! Thanks!

PWPD

   For the first time, the women of the South Lyons Presbyterian Church are hosting a gathering of PWPD on Saturday, May 7th, from 10:45 to just after lunch. Installation of officers for 2016-8 will be included in the program. Sharing her thoughts for the morning's devotions is our own Grace Iglehart. Anyone who would want to attend the gathering should call Pam Frucci at 734- 671-0170 for a ride. Reservations are necessary.

   The new Bible study for 2016-7 is called: Who Is Jesus?---What a Difference a Lens Makes. Mary/Martha Circle meets for fellowship and Bible study the third Tuesday of the month from September to May with capable study leaders taking each of the nine chapters in the book. The books are only $8 and I will be ordering books for the upcoming Bible study by May 18. Anyone interested in joining Mary/Martha Circle for Bible study are welcome to join GIPC's longest lasting circle.

   I've been asked by Rev. Barb McRae to join her and Rev. Kevin Johnson in a three-person Work Group sanctioned by the Presbytery of Detroit to address gun violence prevention. Our first planning meeting is May 6th at Calvary Presbyterian Church and we will be doing a presentation from 2-3:30 pm. before the Presbytery of Detroit meeting on June 14th in Port Huron.

Pamela A. Frucci, liaison
Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Detroit

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.

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