World Food Day in Our Presbytery

We wanted to look at what’s happening in our Presbytery around food, because World Food Day is coming up on October 16. We found a few things to provoke you on your own journey. #WorldFoodDay 2025 calls for global collaboration to build a peaceful, sustainable and food-secure world. A quick survey of this hashtag tells you about events, awareness, and action to encourage us to be working for a food-secure world. But the most basic steps suggested for everyone are: 1) Choose Diverse Food 2) Share With Your Community 3) Eat Local and Seasonal

Our recent mission survey in the Presbytery found the most common mission engagement we seem to share is some kind of ministry for those who are food insecure. But the more we learn about this, the more we see that these efforts are sorely needed and can be foundational to how we impact our communities with the love of Christ. “Food Deserts” are one concept that can epitomize the difficulties that some in our region have in accessing the basic necessities. A Food Desert is defined as a low-income census tract living more than one mile (urban areas) or 10 miles (rural areas) from the nearest grocery store. Above is a map of these areas from the counties of our Presbytery, which is eye opening!

This challenges us to think about what more we can do to help our neighbors in these areas. Best practices and innovative ideas can be referenced from the Michigan Food Environment Scan document found at: https://mihealthfund.org/news/publications/michigan-food-environment-scan

Striking ideas include a kid’s cooking class that got healthy meals in the hands of families at the same time as empowering kids, as well as Backpack Buddies programs, and the call to build-up local farmers as a critical resource.

In our Presbytery, we’ve long collected a “Two Coins A Meal” offering to remind us to set aside money from our own food budgets to provide for those in greater need. 25% of this offering is designed to stay with local congregations, 25% is sent by our Presbytery to the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and 50% goes to an international church partner for anti-hunger efforts. This year we’re aiming to help the church in Niger Republic drill a well at a rural school they just started, and outfit it for irrigation of small gardens to provide students with nutritious food during the dry season. Videos and resources can be found on our Presbytery website or a short sample video about this year's offering can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/SrIymxrXcuY?si=kpnERCQp72DsS1TM

Are you exhausted? Exhausted from (gestures wildly) everything? Then we have a wonderful opportunity for renewal and learning! Join us in Grand Rapids next month at the NEXT Church National Gathering.

Council has approved a $200 grant for the first 20 people from the presbytery who would like to attend NEXT Church! This is for the full registration fee option only and you MUST use a code at registration. Email Staci Percy at spercy@presbylh.org to obtain the code PRIOR to registering. This code is for anyone from the presbytery who would like to attend: Clergy, CREs, Ruling Elders, congregational leaders, etc.

We are excited to announce a NEXT Church National Gathering taking place in Grand Rapids, Michigan from November 11-14, 2025. We will gather at Westminster Presbyterian Church, thanks to the generosity and hospitality of their congregation and staff. During the gathering, leaders from all across the Church will learn alongside those asking similar questions, naming the very real/pressing challenges, and hoping to uncover strategies to bring about wholeness as we do the work ahead. Our time together will create the space to cultivate individual and communal transformation.

There are five different Pathways to chose when registering. Please review these and be sure to select which one when you are registering.

There is one hotel nearby where special rates are available for the event. You will need to make your reservation through the conference website to get the reduced rate. Please reserve a room as soon as possible as space is limited. (There are other hotels in Grand Rapids but only one with the conference rates.)

Find Hope and Healing in Fenton-First's Grief Share Group. Led by the compassionate Hannah Hall, this 13-week journey of discovery and support begins on Thursday evenings, starting October 30th at 6pm, in the Youth Room.

In this safe and welcoming space, you'll find comfort, guidance, and a deeper understanding of the grieving process. Together, let's navigate the ups and downs of grief and find a brighter tomorrow!

Register now online at: https://www.griefshare.org/groups/277883

For more information, please reach out to the church office at 810-629-7801.

This is open to the public so please feel free to share.

Presbyterian Women Invites You To Join Them For a “Mini” Prayer Retreat and Preview of the PW Horizon’s Bible Study “Finding Resilience, Joy, & Our Identity in Jesus Christ”

When: Saturday, October 11, 2025

Where: Saginaw-Countryside Trinity 4690 Weiss St  Saginaw

What Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm

Fish Fry Is Back!

Saginaw-Second are holding their semi-annual Fish Fry on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The fish dinner includes all-you-care-to-eat fried Alaskan pollock, potatoes, coleslaw, bread, beverage, and dessert.

The fish fries, held one Friday during Lent and one in October are the church’s largest fundraisers and help fund various church projects such as; landscaping, many maintenance projects of the church building and grounds, sponsorship of Boy Scout Troop 321, and various other projects. This alleviates pressure from the budget and allows for more local, national, and international mission giving. These fish fries have been a tradition since the 1950s!

The cost of the all-you-care-to-eat, dine-in experience is $15.00, children 5-12 are $7.00, children younger than 5 years old are free. Take out is $15.00.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Church office at (989) 792-1023.

Session Minutes Review

The annual records review will take place on the following dates this fall. You are welcome to attend any one which works for you. The review can include minutes and records through August of 2025.

Monday, October 13th at the Presbytery Office

Registration is required; will be individual meetings with the Stated Clerk. (Only one spot is still available.)

Saturday, October 18th at 9:00am at Flushing

Registration is not required. Event will start at 9am and will be done as a group.

Monday, October 27th at the Presbytery Office Registration is required; will be individual meetings with the Stated Clerk.(All spots are filled.)

Saturday, November 1st at 9:00am at Elkton-Chandler. 

Registration is not required. Event will start at 9am and will be done as a group.

Be sure to bring your Session Minutes and Records books along with a filled out review from.

October 13th and 27th events only: If you plan to have your books read at the Presbytery Office on October 13^th or October 27th you MUST pre-register. These are being done in 20-minute blocks of individual time with the Stated Clerk.

Click below to register for the October 13th or 27th reading at the Presbytery Office. Additional details regarding this are included on the registration page. 

Registration is not required for the October 18th reading at Flushing or the November 1st reading at the Thumb area church. Both events begin at 9:00am and will be a group event.

The Cultivating the Gift of Preaching Initiative (CGPI) is currently focused on recruiting mentors to lead cohort groups of emerging “lay” preachers from across the Synod of the Covenant. Serving as a CGPI mentor is an 18-month commitment that begins, this program year, in June 2026 and concludes in November 2027. Mentors should expect to give 15-20 hours per month for preparation and meeting with their mentees. During this time, they will meet online monthly with their cohort group of 6-8 to emerging preachers, attend the annual preaching conference in Alma Conference each June (in 2026 the conference is June 3-8), and meet with your cohort groups in person twice (tentatively in January and November of 2027).

Mentors are paid $12,000 over six quarterly payments. In addition, all travel, lodging, and food expenses are reimbursed, and mentors are provided the assigned books and other resources.

Please click the button below for for details including: Finding out if you qualify and how to apply.

The The Presbytery of the Western Reserve is seeking a half-time Interim Presbytery Leader. 

For details, please click the button below.

EXCITING NEWS! The presbytery recently launched a redesigned website. Because there will inevitably be some minor glitches and tweaks to be made, we encourage you to take time to explore the new site and if you notice anything that is incorrect or not working properly, please let Staci know at spercy@presbylh.org.

Some suggested pages to review:

• Our Churches
• Ways to find a listing:
• Click on the church name to find additional information including directions and contact information.
• Filter the list by regions by clicking on the dropdown menu under the map
• Click on a pin on the map to see that church
• Registrations
• This will be where you register for Presbytery Meetings, Records Review, Misconduct Training, etc.
• Info and Resources
• Here you will find various documents and links
• Pulpit Supply

We hope that you will enjoy the new look and that it will be easier to navigate.

Coming This Fall: Bless This Mic!

Over the next few weeks, we’re hitting the road with cameras, mics, and BIG questions—and we want to come to you!

Introducing Bless This Mic, a brand-new weekly video & audio podcast hosted by our Pastors To Pastors, Brenna Overland and Joseph Novak, launching this fall! Each episode will spotlight one of our own—a local ministry leader (yes, that means YOU!)—and the vibrant, Spirit-led work happening in your congregation. Think casual interview meets creative storytelling, with a splash of laughter and real talk about what fuels your call.

We’re going on location to your church, capturing your story in your own space—because what you do matters, and it’s time others got to see and hear it! 

Are we nervous? A little. Are we excited? 1000%.

Want in? Here's how to join the fun:

1. Sign up using the link below—grab a Monday or Thursday slot over the next few months. It’s a 2-hour block (mostly for setup), but your actual interview will be ~30 minutes.
2. We'll confirm everything after you book.
3. Dress comfortably—we’ll be filming, but this isn’t Sunday morning. Just be you!
4. Expect good conversation, some laughs, and a small gift to thank you for sharing your story. (Okay fine, it's not a puppy... but it's still good.)

Let’s shine a light on the faithful, creative, courageous ministry happening all across our presbytery—one voice at a time.

Sign up now and let’s bless this mic—together!