Presbytery of Lake Huron
Bi-Weekly Brief 
 
"The mission of the Presbytery of Lake Huron is to partner with congregations, helping people to know, grow, share and serve as disciples of Jesus Christ." 
 

June 21, 2017 



God of grace and giver of life,
today may we be ever mindful of all the ways
in which you bring deliverance to us,
and may we learn to live in ways
that honor the dignity of all of your people.

Amen.


From today's Mission Yearbook entry
  
We Pray For 

We Lift Up In Prayer...  

Ongoing:
Warren Ronk, son of Elder Peggy Ronk, Commissioned Ruling Elder of Breckenridge-Emerson who experiencing a significant health issue. 

The Rev. Dr. Tom Schacher, Pastor of Midland-Memorial and his family and congregation  as they deal with his recent diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease.

Pam Brackbill and the Rev. Tom Brackbill, Pastor of Alma-First as they deal with all that encompasses Pam's diagnosis of Younger Onset Alzheimer's Disease. Pam is under the care of Masonic Pathways. 

Mission Co-Workers:
The Rev. Cathy Chang and family who are serving in the Philippines.

Michael and Rachel Ludwig , our Mission Co-Workers who are serving in Niger.

    
   
 

 

For those Teaching Elders (Ministers of Word and Sacrament) and Commissioned Ruling Elders (CREs) who are celebrating Ordination or Commissioning Anniversaries in June and July:

The Rev. Dr. George Baird (6/21) - 60 years - Honorably Retired
The Rev. David Blackburn (7/1) - 45 years - Honorably Retired
The Rev. James Browne (6/24) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Roger Browne (6/1) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Lindsey Carnes (7/29) - 10 years - Co-Pastor of Fenton-First
The Rev. Robert Carnes (7/29) - 10 years - Co-Pastor of Fenton-First
The Rev. Bert Clark (6/5) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Annie Duncan (7/27) - Temporary Supply of Swartz Creek-Mundy
The Rev. Dr. Robert Emrich (6/7) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Fred Gates (6/3) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Dr. Sharlyn Gates (6/16) - Pastor of Holly
The Rev. Ronald Grimes (6/13) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Robert Lakey (6/8) - 65 years - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Robert Leas (6/30) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Michael Loenshal (6/18) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Dr. Rhonda Myers (7/28) - Pastor of Midland-Chapel Lane
The Rev. James Neumann (7/1) - 35 years - Pastor of Saginaw-Second
The Rev. Donald Neuville (6/19) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Dr. Joseph Novak (6/24) - 5 years - Pastor of Flint-First
The Rev. James Offrink (7/25) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Philomena Ofori-Nipaah (6/2) - 5 years - Temporary Supply of Fairgrove
The Rev. Kenneth Parker (6/24) - Pastor of Saginaw-Countryside Trinity
The Rev. Teresa Peterson (6/3) - 20 years - Pastor of Flushing
The Rev. Peter Russell (6/29) - 55 years - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Dr. Tom Schacher (7/17) - Pastor of Midland-Memorial
The Rev. Dr. Noel Snyder (7/31) - Member-At-Large
The Rev. Robert Taylor (6/29) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. James Williams (6/1) - Temporary Supply of Saginaw-Warren Avenue
The Rev. Paul Ytterock (6/8) - Associate Pastor of Flint-First
  
Presbytery Office
Dan Saperstein
From the Lions' Den

"'Sticky' Mission"

When Presbyterians think of mission, they usually think of people, programs, and practices performed by others, which their church supports financially. We regard "missionaries" as a unique class of Christians called to leave their communities and go elsewhere to do God's work. Those who read this column regularly know that this is no longer sufficient. The mission field is no longer "out there"; it is right at our doorstep. Missionaries are no longer a special class of Christian; we are all missionaries serving in an alien culture.

This shift is having an effect on our practice of mission that is both necessary and inevitable. It is no longer sufficient for mission to be something for which churches write checks for someone else to perform. It is something that we must do ourselves, not only because the need is at our doorsteps, but because the credibility of our faith and witness demands it.

We have already seen some changes in the past few decades. When I entered ordained ministry thirty-four years ago, 90% of denominational mission giving was undesignated, meaning that it was given to the church to use according to denominational mission priorities. Now, 90% of denominational mission giving is designated - that is, to support people and programs identified by the giver - and far more is spent on "hands-on" mission activities. The giving patterns of Gen-Xers and Millennials show little interest in supporting institutions; they have a definite preference for participatory mission in which they have direct connection with the beneficiaries.

Similarly, younger generations are not excited by a list of causes that churches support with their money but aren't engaged in with their lives. Our presbytery Vision Task Force recently conducted a survey of mission conducted by congregations (see it here). It is an impressive list of local and global missions that our churches support. But the majority fit the old model of mission - programs performed by others to which we write a check. They are worthy programs and we are generous people, but they do not persuade younger inquirers of the genuineness of our commitment, because, in their language, we have no "skin in the game."

Halford Luccock, the chaplain at Yale University in a previous generation, wrote a stewardship piece that said one's checkbook was the true measure of one's faith. In other words, we can tell our priorities by what we give, and to whom. That is no longer true. The true measure of one's faith priorities is no longer the checks we write (some people write no checks at all!), but the time we spend, the people we touch, and the difference it makes. Giving is important, but it is no longer sufficient to demonstrate our faith.

At this week's New Visions of Stewardship workshop (see related article), I am leading a section on "'Sticky' Mission: Developing Missional Stewardship." It is my belief that churches need to shift from "Teflon" mission - mission which leaves no lasting effect on the church - to "Velcro" mission - mission that picks up people and changes the church by developing relationships with those we serve. In my next column I will explore examples of this "sticky" mission. Or, you can come to my workshop Saturday!
   
Faithfully,

Dan Saperstein,  Executive Presbyter
 
Newspaper - Top Border
New Editions of the Parish Paper

The latest editions of the Parish Paper are now available for your use. They are FREE for our churches and members to use and are always a great resource. Perfect for session or small group training. Topics are:

July: How Can We Help Immigrants?
August: What Promotes Hope?

Click here to download these and nearly seven years worth of editions.
 
Important Training Event
Stephen Keizer,
The Presbyterian Foundation
New Visions of Stewardship: A Workshop for Ruling Elders and Other Leaders

*** THIS WEEKEND ***

How do we encourage greater financial support for our church's ministry and mission?

How has the shift to a check-less and cash-less society changed the Sunday offering?

How can we integrate financial stewardship with a larger vision of faithfulness and mission?

New Visions of Stewardship - a presbytery-wide workshop on stewardship and mission for the 21st century - seeks to address these questions and more. The workshop will be held Saturday, June 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Flint. We will welcome the Rev. Stephen Keizer of the Presbyterian Foundation as our keynoter. In addition, workshops will be offered on timely topics such as "Introducing E-giving," "Stewardship Strategies for the Small Church," "Growing Missional Stewardship," and more.

The cost of registration is only $10 per person, which includes lunch, and a free copy of the book Not Your Parents' Offering Plate to the first 100 registrants.

Online and phone in registration is now closed.
However, you may still register at the event.
Please bring cash or check for the registration fee(s).

Click here for a printable flyer.
Communications Corner
Headlines of Interest
   
Here are links to articles that we hope you will enjoy and perhaps spend some time discussing them with others. Click on the title to read the entire article.
   
 
This is a generation starving for community. 
When it comes to the next generation, I'm sure of two things:  1) We aren't too effective today at reaching (or keeping) the next generation.  2) The Gospel still works powerfully in any generation.  How do we share Christ effectively to a generation not impressed by the Church today? Here are five ideas. .. continue reading.
 
There have been many times while working on my house, when I was seriously in the middle of fixing something, that I realized I'd made foundational errors that would not allow me to complete the task.  The church has a serious task in front of us: to share the love of Christ to our communities and fellowship opportunities for our congregation.  Many churches today trust their communication systems while they're seriously flawed because of two serious errors that must be fixed before they can complete their communication task . .. continue reading .
 
How does leadership look different as the baton is passed to the next generation? Here are three millennial leadership attitudes and how these could benefit your ministry. .. continue reading .
 
 
NOTE: The articles listed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of or intended to be an endorsement by the Presbytery of Lake Huron but are shared to encourage discussion of various topics.
Connections
Desk
Connect With Other Churches In The Lake Huron Presbytery

There are so many wonderful things going on in all of our congregations.  Several of our churches have set up Facebook pages to help spread the good news not only to their members but to all who may be interested.  Liking other church Facebook pages is a great way to connect with others in the presbytery and to share ideas with each other.  Here are some of the churches that have Facebook pages:

Fairgrove ***NEW***
Tawas
Vassar-First
Yale-First

If your congregation has a page and it is not listed here, please contact Staci Percy at spercy@presbylh.org

FB2
'Like' Us On Facebook

The presbytery has a Facebook page and would like you to join us.  Get updates and information faster. Connect with others to share ideas and to post information about events happening in your congregation.  Join us today! 

Contact Information

Staci Percy

Communications Manager/Recording Clerk

spercy@presbylh.org 

989-799-7481 x2

In This Edition
In Our Prayers
From The Lions' Den
Parish Paper
Stewardship Workshop
Get Talkin'
Connect With LHP Churches
Join Us On Facebook


Who We Are
 
 
 
 
 
About the
Bi-Weekly Brief

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Worship Planning Team
June 21
1:00 pm


Stewardship Workshop
June 24
9:00 am


Personnel Team
June 26
10:00 am


Office Closed in Observance of Independence Day
July 4


Coordinating Team
July 12
10:00 am


Vision Task Force
July 12
2:00 pm


Commission on Preparation for Ministry
July 19
10:00 am


Personnel Team
July 24
10:00 am


Commission on Ministry - Outreach and Administration Team
July 26
11:00 am

 

Details on these meetings can be found on the presbytery's website on the calendar.