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." 
 
July 24, 2019 
We Pray For 
We Lift Up In Prayer...
 
New:
The Rev. Peter Russell who is currently staying at  Wellbridge of Grand Blanc while he undergoes physical therapy.

Ongoing:
Elder Liz Long, Commissioned Ruling Elder of Ithaca-Lafayette who recently fell and broke two ribs.

All of our churches currently in transition.

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 July and August:

The Rev. David Blackburn (7/1) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Jim Neumann (7/1) - Pastor of Saginaw-Second
The Rev. Linda Williams (7/1) - Parish Associate of Bay City-Westminster
The Rev. Tom Schacher (7/17) - 25 years - Member-At-Large
The Rev. Jim Offrink (7/25) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Annie Duncan (7/27) - Temporary Supply of Swartz Creek-Mundy
The Rev. Robert Carnes (7/29) - Co-Pastor of Fenton-First
The Rev. Lindsey Carnes (7/29) - Co-Pastor of Fenton-First
The Rev. Noel Snyder (7/31) - Member-At-Large
The Rev. Leslie Piper (8/1) - Interim Pastor of Bay City-First
Elder Kathleen Rowe (8/1) - Commissioned Ruling Elder of Tawas-Tawas Area
The Rev. Dr. Stephen Shugert (8/1) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. David Eshleman (8/3) - 50 years - Honorably Retired
Elder Shaun Hardimon (8/11) - Commissioned Ruling Elder of Swartz Creek-Mundy
The Rev. Glenn Grant (8/15) - Pastor of Grand Blanc-Kirkridge
The Rev. Ken Hetzel (8/16) - Honorably Retired
The Rev. Ted McCulloch (8/20) - 30 years - Pastor of Saginaw-First and Presbytery Stated Clerk
The Rev. Charles Marquardt (8/29) - 20 years - Honorably Retired

Presbytery Office
Dan Saperstein
From The Lions' Den

Is Your Church "Essential"?

For three years I have been articulating a broad vision for the churches of our presbytery to become "inside-out, upside-down, and sticky" congregations in mission. The principles behind that shorthand description are not original to me - they have a long and rich theological history both within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and beyond. The first chapter of the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity found in the Book of Order says the same thing in different words.

It is not surprising then that other presbyteries are following similar visions for their congregations. Our brothers and sisters in Muskingum Valley Presbytery in southeast Ohio have recently produced a plan for becoming "essential" congregations. The report, which can be found on line here, begins:

When communities think about your church, would they mourn if you did not exist? How much value do you add to lives? Does your congregation wakeup passionate about your mission? Do your employees dread the day they will stop working with you? As a church leader, you want to increase impact, change lives and make the world a better place with the love of Christ. You want to be ESSENTIAL to your communities.

The report then identifies five key actions that churches can easily do to become "essential" to their communities: celebrate success, listen to your community, partner with community groups, nurture volunteers, and help your employees on their journey.

Celebrating success means more than just having coffee and cake at fellowship hour. It means celebrating good things in the community as well as the church: "Celebrate kids doing well in school, nurses who provide exceptional care to patients and businesses that add value to your community." It is a way of honoring and respecting neighbors and recognizing the image of God reflected in the world.

Listening to your community is how we show empathy as a congregation. "To do this, schedule time each week to meet people in your community with no other purpose than to listen with empathy. Visitor civil servants, schools, other other community centers, and be fully present." Becoming an inside-out congregation begins with listening to our neighbors.

Partnering with community groups means supporting other non-profits and service agencies in their work: "Simply go and ask what and when their next big event is, and then ask them how you can help to turn their dream into a success. Let them set the agenda and goals. This is their work, not yours. Simply offer your hands & volunteers, then show up and do what they ask you to do." Your church will become known as a difference maker!

Nurturing volunteers recognizes that serving our communities can be tiring and sometimes thankless work. In order to sustain community ministry churches need to provide personal support to those on the front lines. "Develop a leadership or mentoring program that will help them at home, work and church; help them discover their spiritual gifts; or provide a safe place to bring their children." Always give more to your volunteers than you take.

Finally, help your employees on their journey. "Often churches underpay their employees. Yet, your employees are amazing people who are dedicated, caring and talented. One way to add value to your employees' lives is to help them navigate their current struggles at work, in their career and at home." The essence of inside-out community ministry isn't program but people. Often the people most taken for granted are those who have committed their life's work to the success of your ministry. Help them find joy and success in their work.

Congratulations to our friends in Muskingum Valley for following this vision, and thanks for sharing it with the rest of the church!

  
Faithfully, 

Dan Saperstein, E xecutive Presbyter
Planning Calendars

The Presbytery Office will place a bulk order for the 2019-2020 Presbyterian Planning Calendar for individuals and churches. Pre-orders end on Friday.
 
Cost per calendar is $9.00 and all orders must be pre-paid with payment needed by July 26, 2019. Unfortunately, there are no cancellations after that date.

Click here to place your order.  
Boundary Training

As the summer moves along, keep  Wednesday, September 18, on your calendars. Once again Boundary Training will be provided. The training will take place at  Kalamazoo-First. The Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence, the Stated Clerk of Lake Michigan Presbytery, will lead the training.

This training is required for all pastors and CREs.  If you did not attend either of the last two year's training events this is the final opportunity to attend. Again, this is a requirement for service, so it's important to attend. If you are new to the presbytery you must complete training within three years.
Save The Date
Flint Documentary

The " Flint" documentary by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance will be premiering on September 12 at the beautiful and newly restored Capital Theater. Details in upcoming Bi-Weekly Briefs.
Confirmation Retreat
Presbytery Wide Confirmation Retreat

What: Junior and Senior High Youth Confirmation and Spiritual Retreat
When: September 20-21
Where: Bay Shore Camp in Sebewaing

All junior and senior high youth in the presbytery are invited to a confirmation retreat September 20th and 21st at the Bay Shore Camp in Sebewaing. The Presbytery has provided a grant to cover half of the expenses so that the cost per participant is only $35 for an overnight stay, meals, instructional materials and recreation.

We will have at least two adult chaperones, the Revs. Philomena Ofori-Nipaah and Scott Kroener. We may need additional chaperones if we have more attendees than anticipated so please consider volunteering if needed. There is no charge for chaperones but a background check will be required. The fee for which will be covered by the presbytery. 

Registration closes on September 3, 2019 and payment is due by September 10th. Once you register you will receive an invoice from Rose Onan within one business day. Payment may be made via check or credit card.

Click here to register.
You're Invited
Swartz Creek-Mundy Celebrates 175 Years of Ministry

The congregation and leadership of Swartz Creek-Mundy are honored to invite all to a "Celebration of Memories" on Sunday, July 28th at 3:00pm at the church which is located at 3506 W. Grand Blanc Road, Swartz Creek, MI 48473.

Guest speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Dan Saperstein. Executive Presbyter. A reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall to greet past and present acquaintances immediately following the service.
Presbytery Training
Learn How To Save a Life

The presbytery is offering training to church officers and members to prepare for the four emergencies you are most likely to encounter at home or at church.   The training dates are:

Saturday September 14 at Korean Presbyterian, 5560 McCarty Rd., Saginaw  989.792.8280

or

Saturday September 21 at St. Andrews 8192 Davison Rd.,  Davison  810.653.6824
 
You will learn how to perform CPR on someone who is not breathing, how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on someone who is having a heart attack, how to respond to someone who is choking and how to properly use a fire extinguisher. You may register for one of the four class times offered. There will be morning and afternoon CPR/AED/Choking sessions with lunch and fire extinguisher training for the entire group in between. Please note that the CPR/AED/Choking sessions are limited to 18 people per class to ensure adequate equipment and trainer interaction.   The classes are offered on a first-come first-serve basis at a cost of $22.50 per person.
 
Due to the need to have confirmed participants, payment of $22.50 per person including lunch is due within 5 business days of registration. Once you register, you will receive an invoice via email from Rose Onan with the amount due.
 
We cannot issue refunds for cancellations after August 31st.
 
Morning Session
8:45-9:00 AM     Registration
9:00-11:30 AM   Friends and Family Adult CPR and AED Infant, Child and Adult choking   (max 18 people)                    
11:45-12:30 PM  Lunch
12:45-2:00 PM    Fire Extinguisher Training - a video followed by participants actually using a fire extinguisher to put a small controlled fire
2:00 PM              Departure
 
Afternoon Session
11:15-11:45 AM  Registration
11:45-12:30 PM  Lunch
12:45-2:00 PM    Fire Extinguisher Training - a video followed by participants actually using a fire extinguisher to put a small controlled fire
2:00-4:30 PM      Friends and Family Adult CPR and AED Infant, Child and Adult choking   (max 18 people)
4:30 PM              Departure
  
If paying by check, make them payable to Presbytery of Lake Huron and mail to:   Presbytery of Lake Huron,   PO Box 6129, Saginaw, Michigan 48608-6129. If paying with a credit card please call the Presbytery Office after you have registered online.

Multiple people may be paid with one payment method but a separate registration is required for each participant.
 
Note: CPR and AED training will provide participants with the skills to assist someone who is not breathing and to effectively use and AED or help someone who is choking. This training will not qualify participants to receive an American Red Cross CPR certification.

Click here to register.

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For additional information on how to prepare your church, please visit the Emergency Preparedness page on our website.

Connections
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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:


Camp Westminster

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

'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

P.O. Box 6129

Saginaw, MI 48608-6129

spercy@presbylh.org 

989-799-7481 x2

In This Edition
In Our Prayers
From The Lions' Den
Planning Calendars
Boundary Training
Flint Documentary
Confirmation Retreat
You're Invited
Save a Life
Connect With LHP Churches


Who We Are
   
 
 
About the
Bi-Weekly Brief

Hundreds of elders, educators, and church leaders read the Presbytery of Lake Huron's email sent out every other week. 

You can reissue or modify this content for your own church bulletin or newsletter, without crediting the Bi-Weekly Brief, but please credit any organizations, photographers, etc, that we credited.
 
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Presbyterian Women
July 25
10:00 am


Personnel Team
July 29
10:00 am


Mission Coordinating Team
August 12
1:30 pm


Presbytery Council
August 14
10:00 am


Investment Committee
August 15
1:30 pm


Commission on Preparation for Ministry
August 21
10:00 am


Personnel Team
August 26
10:00 am


Commission on Ministry
August 28
11:00 am




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