As a self-confessed Lord of the Rings nerd, a recent article in the Presbyterian Outlook caught my attention. The article was about Samwise Gamgee and the cultivation of curiosity. It is a very interesting read that has much to offer about the power of curiosity and the growth that can lead to. In the Lord of the Rings story, Samwise is the faithful companion to Frodo who is taking the great and evil ring of power to destroy it in Mordor. The ring is dangerous because it can corrupt anyone as well as give power that is also impossible to resist. The article mentions how the author of the Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien, once wrote that he, himself, considered Sam to be the hero of the story and not Frodo. Even though Frodo is the one who ultimately destroys the ring.

And that made me think… as we go through the season of Lent, we often focus on Jesus, of course, and his journey to Jerusalem and the cross. Or we look at the disciples and what they went through and the trials they faced. The disciples are often portrayed as the heroes – the “Frodos” if you will, who overcome challenges to carry out Jesus’ mission. But who might be the “Samwise Gamgee” of the Lenten story? Who might be the hero needed to walk with us through the temptations and challenges of faith? In other words, who might be the unknown hero of the story of our faith?

When we read the stories of the Lenten season, might we look for the little noticed or overlooked people in them? Maybe we can take time to see these stories from a different perspective – perhaps one of the women mentioned or the servants that come in and out of several of them. Might we, like Sam, be curious about everything Jesus is doing and saying in this season and seek to share it with and include all who are curious about Jesus. Who knows what we might find if we try to see our faith through the eyes of another.

Yours In Christ,

The Rev. Ted McCulloch

Stated Clerk

July 28-31 2025, the Presbyterian Church (USA) will welcome thousands of its high school age youth and their adult youth workers to Louisville, Kentucky for Presbyterian Youth Triennium 2025. Four days of worship, recreation, bible study, outreach, and faith formation all around the theme of “As If We Were Dreaming”.

The presbytery is in need of a volunteer to be the registrar for the event ASAP. Please check out the link below for more information. If interested, please email Staci Percy at spercy@presbylh.org.

Saginaw-Second is excited to once again be holding its semi-annual Fish Fry on Friday, April 11, 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 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.

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.



Registration will open in April 2025.

"Rooted in Faith"

Women in the Presbyterian Church have a special opportunity this summer June 27-28 to attend a "Gathering" of women from around the Synod. Many of you may remember the Rev. Dr. Rhashell Hunter - she will be our guest speaker. She has written next year's Bible Study.

Come for some time away

Come for some great fellowship

Come for some Spiritual Renewal

See the link below for a flier with more details.

We are encouraged to make your hotel reservation soon (lots of activities in Battle Creek this summer)

Hope to see you there!

Dear Siblings in Christ in the Presbytery of Lake Huron!

Thank you for giving me some space to share with you about the Synod of the Covenant's Cultivating the Gift of Preaching Initiative (CGPI)!

CGPI is a new ministry in the Synod (launched in 2024) focused on training lay preachers. It is funded by a $1.25m Lilly Compelling Preaching Grant. The goal of CGPI is to strengthen the witness of the Church to the good news of Jesus Christ, by identifying, training, and providing ongoing support to emerging preachers.

Something new that I am delighted to report is that we were able to adapt the terms of the grant, with the blessing of the Lilly Foundation, to open CGPI up to CREs!! So, if you are a CRE who wants to further develop your preaching skills, please apply!

Grace and peace to you all,

Matt Bruce

CGPI Program Director

Click the link below for details.

Midland-Memorial is proud and blessed to offer scholarships for youth and adults looking into higher education. Each scholarship has different requirements and benefits. All grants will be paid only to accredited colleges and universities for pursuit of an academic degree. The memorial scholarships are administered by the Scholarship Committee of the Memorials and Special Gifts Committee or by the Youth Ministry Team in consultation with the associate pastors.

MPC is extremely grateful to the families, volunteers, and institutions that support and encourage the education of our church family and community as they are the heart and future of Memorial Presbyterian Church and our world. These awards go a tremendous way towards encouraging the pursuit of dreams and careers. Gratitude is expressed to the respective families who make these awards possible.

For further information on any of these scholarships, please contact the church at 989-835-6759.

The deadline to apply for most of these is April 11, 2025.

The Presbyterian Peace Network for Korea (PPNK) is arranging a mission trip to South Korea from October 21 to October 30, 2025. Attached you will find a copy of the brochure about the Korea Peace Journey, a document with details of the trip, and a registration form. The registration period has just begun and will continue through April 30.

This mission trip is open to Presbyterians and others who are interested in Korea and are concerned about the prospects for peace there and around the world. The participants taking part in this journey will be building connections with peacemakers in the Presbyterian and other churches and groups in South Korea. The journey is not primarily for Korean-Americans, but for people in your presbytery who want to promote peace.

PPNK is a mission network related to the PCUSA, whose primary mission is to educate and advocate for peace on the Korean peninsula. This trip intends to involve a broader group of Presbyterians in this mission.

Rev. Earl Arnold, Secretary

Presbyterian Peace Network for Korea

Saginaw-First invites all to their 2024-2025 35th Anniversary Season Concert Series. All events are free and there are several opportunities throughout the year.

Click the link below for details.

The Synod of the Covenant has several dates for Boundary Training in 2025.

NOTE: Space in each session is very limited and is shared with all of the presbyteries in the Synod. Please sign up ASAP to reserve a spot. There is no cost to you.

Registration is up and available now for Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training, provided by LeaderWise. This is our Boundaries Training offering for 2025 and complies with G-3.0106. Here is the registration link for you to share with your presbyteries: Synod of the Covenant — LeaderWise. 

The dates are as follows:

• May 12 and 13 9;00 to 11:30 am
• May 19 and 20 6:00 to 8:30 pm
• September 17 and 18 6:00 to 8:30 pm
• October 9 and 10 9:00 to 11:30 am