The Rev. Christina Jensen, Pastor of Cass City-Fraser, Elkton-Chandler and Kinde-First, whose father, Phil Jensen passed to the larger life on July 26, 2022. Services were held earlier this week. Click here to read his obituary.

The Rev. Peter Russell, Honorably Retired, who is residing at Abbey Park in Grand Blanc.

Lucy Der-Garabedian serving in Lebanon.

Cathy Chang and family serving in the Philippines.

Rev. Leslie Piper (8/1) - Honorably Retired

Elder Kathleen Rowe (8/1) - Commissioned Ruling Elder of Tawas-Tawas Area and Vice Moderator of Presbytery

Rev. Dr. Stephen Shugert (8/1) - Honorably Retired

Rev. David Eshelman (8/1) - Honorably Retired

Elder Shaun Hardimon (8/11) - Commissioned Ruling Elder of Swartz Creek-Mundy

Rev. Glenn Grant (8/15) - Pastor of Grand Blanc-Kirkridge and Moderator of Presbytery

Rev. Ken Hetzel (8/16) - 35 Years - Honorably Retired

Rev. Ted McCulloch (8/20) - Pastor of Saginaw-First and Stated Clerk of Presbytery

Rev. Charles Marquardt (8/29) - Honorably Retired

Elder Jon Essex (9/1) - Commissioned Ruling Elder of Twining-Maple Ridge

Rev. Ron Vredeveld (9/1) - Temporary Supply of Beaverton-First

Rev. John Becker (9/17) - 50 Years - Honorably Retired, Pastor Emeritus of Vassar-First

Rev. Matt Schramm (9/19) - Pastor of Midland-Memorial

Rev. Hal Shafer (9/22) - 20 Years - Pastor of Lapeer-First

Rev. Brenna Overland (9/25) - Pastor of Bay City-First

Rev. Jane Young (9/25) - Temporary Supply of Saginaw-Countryside Trinity

Rev. Timm High (9/28) - Honorably Retired

Yours in Christ,

Ted McCulloch, Stated Clerk

One of our requirements is for each clergy person and CRE to take part in boundary training at least once every three years. This year’s boundary training is scheduled for November 16 and 17. We will continue to use the Leaderwise program offered through the Synod of the Covenant. It is a virtual event, taking place from 6 to 8:30 PM each of those two days.

To register, go to synodofthecovenant.org/leadership-development-workshops/ and scroll down to the Introduction to Boundaries and click on the registration link.

If you are not sure if you need to take boundaries training, the Stated Clerk will be mailing out specific invitations to those who need to complete it this year during September. Or you can contact Ted or Staci at the Presbytery office to check your completion.

Also, if you have taken another form of boundary training, either in another Presbytery or through a different organization, please share that information with Ted so that our records can be kept current.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Minutes Review: There will be three chances for Clerks of Sessions to have their minutes and registers reviewed. The review can include minutes and records through August of 2022.

The dates for the reviews have been set as follows:

Monday, October 24 at 10 AM at the Presbytery Office

Saturday, October 29 at 10 AM at Flint-First Presbyterian Church with Clerk of Session training to follow (see below)

Saturday, November 12 at 10 AM (location to be determined)

The Stated Clerk is looking for hosts for the November review in the northern part of the Presbytery.

As in recent years, the Clerk can also review emailed minutes. Just email the relevant minutes to Ted and he’ll review them. Checklists for the minutes and registers along with final information on reviews will be mailed out shortly after Labor Day.

Clerk of Session Training: Clerk of Session training will be provided on Saturday, October 29 from 11 AM until no later than 1 PM. This will be held at Flint-First Presbyterian Church. While beneficial to all Clerks, it will be especially helpful to any relatively new Clerk of Session. More details to come in the Bi-Weekly Brief.

Bring a beverage of your choice to share, and a book that you think might help others (it doesn't have to be ministry based). We are looking forward to a great time! See you soon at St. Francis Retreat Center in Dewitt!

Click here to register on our website.

All are welcome to attend Caro-First's new monthly Music and the Spoken Word gatherings beginning in September 2022. These events include sacred music masterworks performed on the congregation's Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ, texts for reflection, an aesthetic environment for contemplation, and spoken prayers. Music and the Spoken Word begins at 6:30 p.m. and is scheduled for the following Wednesdays: September 7, October 5, November 2, and December 7. 

Click here for a printable flyer.

Rummage Sale: HUGE Community Rummage Sale hosted by Birch Run-First Presbyterian Church of Taymouth at 12517 Morseville Road, Birch Run. The sale will take place on Wednesday, September 28th from 9am to 5pm, Thursday, September 29th, from 9am to 5pm, and on Friday, September 30th from 9am to 1pm. Donations are accepted from September 25th through the 27th. *No items before the 25th please. For more information, please call (989) 624-9473.

Click here for a printable flyer.

Car Show: Vintage Car, Truck, and Tractor Show at Birch Run-First Presbyterian Church of Taymouth, 12517 Morseville Road, Birch Run. Our 2nd Annual show will take place on Saturday, September 24th, from 10am to 2pm. Registration begins at 9am. Entry fee is a free will donation. Awards are given based on spectator voting. New this year- Food Trucks and Craft Vendor Marketplace. For more information, please call (989) 624-9473.  

Click here for a printable flyer.

Would a $5000 grant strengthen your church in its ministries to build congregational vitality and/or to dismantle structural racism and/or eradicate systemic poverty? If so, apply by September 30 for the Matthew 25 Grants from the Synod of the Covenant. 

Click here for more information and to apply.