With SNAP Benefits currently on hold, the Presbyterian Hunger Program has provided information on how you can seek and/or provide help. From their recent Facebook post:

When times are hard, asking for help shouldn’t come with shame. We all deserve access to nourishing, culturally appropriate food, and the care of community.

If you or someone you know needs support, there are tools that can help you find nearby food pantries, meal programs, and other local resources:

• Visit Feeding America’s “Find Your Local Food Bank” www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank and enter your ZIP code to locate a food bank in your community.
• Use the Food Finder map to explore nearby food pantries, including addresses and hours. https://foodfinder.us
• You can also visit www.findhelp.org to search for food programs and other community resources.

Phone assistance:

• Call or text 211 to connect with a local specialist who can help you find food assistance and other support services in your area.
• National Hunger Hotline – Call 1-866-3HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) for help locating nearby meal sites, food banks, and social service programs.

Transportation issues:

• Many people experiencing hunger also face transportation barriers that make accessing grocery stores and food pantries difficult or impossible. DoorDash is rolling out an “Emergency Food Response” in reaction to the potential disruption of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. They will deliver 1 million meals for free through their “Project DASH” network of 300+ foodbanks and pantries nationwide. Learn more here: https://about.doordash.com/.../snap-shutdown-announcement

Congregational Support:

• Local or regional foundations – especially those suited to long-term sustaining of feeding programs and social services. Find possibilities in your area at https://cof.org/page/community-foundation-locator.
• Manual of Best Practices for Food Pantries from Indy Hunger Network - https://www.indyhunger.org/.../Manual-of-Best-Practices...
• Food Sovereignty for All Handbook - https://pcusa.org/resource/food-sovereignty-all

Remember, community care means none of us have to carry hunger or hardship alone.

About Presbyterian Hunger Program:

The Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) works to alleviate hunger and eliminate its root causes. As recognized by PC(USA) policies, hunger is an extremely complex phenomenon with economic, political, environmental, and social causes.

Working through relationships and partnerships in the United States and around the world, we seek to find out why people are hungry and to encourage action that will help address the underlying causes — including gender and racial injustice, systemic poverty, climate change and environmental racism, violent conflict, lack of affordable housing, and more. Because of the generous support of Presbyterians, we usually are able each year to make a real impact in communities struggling with hunger and poverty by supporting around 100 community groups in around 22 countries with just over $1 million.

Midland-Memorial invites all to their upcoming events:

Sunday, November 9

4:00 p.m.

Vespers – Kent Dennis Memorial Recital

The Saginaw Valley American Guild of Organists presents the annual Kent Dennis Memorial Recital which features several SVAGO members and young pianists who have recently started organ study. It is free, open to the public, and family-friendly. It takes place in the MPC Sanctuary, followed by a reception. Come, hear, and enjoy the beautiful music that will be presented at this recital. It will also be broadcast via live stream at https://mempres.org/live-streaming. For more info, contact Adrienne at wiley1ae@cmich.edu.

Monday, November 10

3:00–4:30 p.m.

Parkinson’s Lecture

Our Faith Community Nurse invites you to Mayton Hall for a talk with MSU speaker Kathy Steece-Collier about her Parkinson’s research findings. Contact Nurse Kellie at kellief@mempres.org or 989-898-8239 more info. Or visit MyMichigan Health at https://www.mymichigan.org/class-screenings/support-groups/parkinsons-support-group-midland/.

Sunday, December 7

2:00 & 7:00 p.m.

Vespers – Men of Music

Enjoy festive choir music under conductor Grace Marra. The free concerts meet in person in the Sanctuary and via live stream at https://mempres.org/live-streaming.

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.

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!