Bi-Weekly Brief

May 6, 2026

We Lift Up In Prayer


Ordination and Commissioning Anniversaries:



Rev. Katrina Pekich-Bundy (5/1) - 15 Years - Pastor of Alma-First

Rev. Ed Borycz (5/12) - Honorably Retired

Rev. Kim Strunz (5/16) - 5 Years - Member-At-Large

Rev. Dale Swihart (5/16) - Honorably Retired

Rev. Dr. Daniel Ahn (5/18) - Honorably Retired and Pastor Emeritus of Saginaw-Michigan Nanum

Rev. Bruce Cunningham (5/18) - Honorably Retired

Rev. Roger Browne (6/1) - 60 Years - Honorably Retired

Rev. Dr. Robert Emrich (6/7) - Honorably Retired

Rev. Paul Ytterock (6/8) - Associate Pastor of Flint-First

Rev. Wesley Smith (6/9) - Member-At-Large serving as Chaplain at Henry Ford Health in Grand Blanc

Rev. Sue Hand (6/12) - Pastor of Tawas-Tawas Area

Rev. Ron Grimes (6/13) - Honorably Retired

Rev. Brooke Pickrell (6/15) - Member-At-Large

Rev. Cassie Todd (6/19) - 15 Years - Member-At-Large serving as Associate Pastor of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Grand Blanc

Rev. Dr. Joseph Novak (6/24) - Pastor of Flint-First and Pastor To Pastor for the Presbytery

Rev. Ken Parker (6/24) - Honorably Retired

Rev. Robert Taylor (6/29) - Honorably Retired


Additional contact information for anyone on this list

may be obtained by replying to this email.


What Is The Presbytery

One of the items that came out of the initial discussions of the Listening and Discovery Team established by Council was an interest in sharing information about "What Is The Presbytery?". The Rev. Robbie Carnes (Pastor of Fenton-First, member of COMMP and member of the Listening and Discovery Team) has composed a series of articles that have been featured in the last few Bi-Weekly Briefs. (Previous Bi-Weekly Briefs may be viewed here.)


This is the last of the four part series.


What Is The Presbytery?

Part 4: What shall we say about the Presbytery?


So what shall we say about the Presbytery, its mission, and its function? Like any institution, we run the risk of mission creep and irrelevancy if we don’t balance the theological, practical and aspirational goals of the Presbytery. For the past few Bi-Weekly Briefs we have looked at these three aspects that make up the Presbytery’s mission.


To ignore the practical aspects of the Presbytery is ridiculous. Too much of the way that we govern ourselves depends on the function of a larger body doing specific things. To downplay the theological and aspirational claim for the Presbytery is equally silly and would result in levels of unnecessary bureaucracy without much connection or meaning. When we begin to feel the ‘hoops’ that we need to jump through for Presbytery work, we are focusing too much on the practical and not allowing our perspective to be enhanced by the theological. When we find ourselves fearing the future or feeling stuck in current ministry rhythms couldn’t we find some inspiration in the aspirational parts of the Presbytery’s calling? As we implement practical mechanisms in the life of the Presbytery we should be doing it theologically, led by the Spirit, practicing in the temporary what we will be doing eternally.


A constructivist view of the Presbytery would hold that the mission of the Presbytery (within boundaries established by the Book of Order) is ultimately focused on nurturing the ability of its local churches to be ‘effective witnesses to God’s new creation in Jesus Christ’ to their neighborhood and the broader community. Therefore, the Presbytery is never an end unto itself, but active and vital organization of regional churches that are assisting each other toward a more effective witness to the Gospel.  


The Presbytery exists so that the local church can do what it is called to do: witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, through worship, communal life, compassionate service to the world, and discipling others. The Presbytery was designed to support and build up the local mission calling of each church. The Presbytery is structured to be community of faith in order to provide for and nurture the communities of faith that make up the Presbytery of Lake Huron. 


What would it mean to you if our Presbytery did that?

St. Andrews Offers Items for Sale/Donation

List of oak chancel furniture items from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church of Davison that need rehoming during their moving process. Please email their office at office@standrewsdavison.org or call (810) 653-6824 and leave a message, they will get back to you in an orderly fashion. Items can be purchased via donation offering. The responsibility of moving arrangements are on the purchaser.



  • Pulpit (Can be disassembled)
  • Communion table
  • 2 Pastor Chairs
  • 1 Center Honor Chair
  • 1 Baptismal Fountain
  • 2 Flower Tables
  • 2 Kneeling Benches

Synod of the Covenant

Survery Regarding AI

Our Synod has received a $94,000 grant to explore the perils and possibilities of Artificial Intelligence for ministry and the Christian life. They need your help to shape the offerings. Please complete the survey by TODAY (May 6); it should take between ten and fifteen minutes.


If you have any questions, please contact Chip Hardwick, Synod Executive, at: chip@synodofthecovenant.org.

Synod of the Covenant Presbyterian Women Annual Gathering


Theme for 2026 is: Unity and Love in the Body of Christ


Scripture inspiration is: Psalm 133:1


July 24-25, 2026


Southminister Presbyterian Church in Dayton, Ohio


Any questions? Contact Anita Betts, 517-993-7000 or busybeemom50@yahoo.com

Midland-Memorial Invites All

To Their Events:

We Are a Virtual Office

The Presbytery Office is a virtual office. Our business hours are still Monday through Thursday. Please note that all staff members are part time and hours vary from person to person. Click the link below for contact information for each of us. (Our email and phone numbers remain the same.)

 

All mail should still be sent to our post box. You can continue to pay for things (per capita, calendars, etc.) via check. If you prefer, you may also pay online.

Presbytery of Lake Huron | www.presbylh.org

Presbytery of Lake Huron | P.O. Box 6129 | Saginaw, MI 48608 US