We regularly like to give our very busy Stated Clerk a small break and have a member of Presbytery Council write an article for the Bi-Weekly Brief. For this edition we are grateful to Elder Beth Asperger, Moderator of Presbytery for her contribution.

1 John 5, especially verse 5 NIV

Original I had written a different message. However, this has been going through my mind. It is a moment I have found myself in before where you just need to do what the spirit is leading you to do.

Last weekend was our monthly movie night at church. We invite all the Youth Group kids and their families to come watch movies with popcorn, juice and cookies. We set up 4 rooms with the movies, something for everyone. 

This week the movie the adults watched was "Overcome". I won't give the story away, just use the parts that touched people. The first is when our main guy, will call him Bob, goes with his pastor to visit a church member in hospital. He can't go in the room and stumbles into a different room. We'll call this guy Tom. Tom is blind from diabetes and is dying, he had a rough life. Bob & Tom talk, a connection is made between the men. Bob tells Tom he'll pray for Him and visit again. 

It's the second meeting that is the kick to think about! When Bob visits Tom, he goes to ask questions to help himself be a better coach. Tom puts him on the spot. He asks, " Who is Bob?" Bob says I'm a coach. Tom keeps asking him, the question. Bob answered then a teacher, a father, a husband and finally a Christian. Tom asked what does that mean? Because God seemed far down your list. Then Tom asks did you really pray for me? Bob admits that no he hadn't. This is a turning point for both men. They grow in faith together.

To me this raised great questions: Who am I? Where does God really stand in my life? What do other people see of Christ in me? Do I pray for people in need or are they empty words? 

I asked our adult Sunday School class these questions. These are personal questions that only you can answer. Be honest! Because this could change your life. So.....

Who are you? 

Is God top of your list?

Do your actions back up your words?

Blessings,

Beth Ann Asperger

Moderator Lake Huron Presbytery 

EXCITING NEWS: 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.

The Mission Coordination Committee (MCC) would like to highlight some exciting mission projects that are going on within the Presbytery of Lake Huron. If you are interested in sharing about a mission outreach ministry of your church, please contact MCC Co-chair Jamie Milton (pastor@wpcbc.org).

Mission Spotlight: Westminster Community Pantry – Nourishing Bay County with Compassion and Choice

For years, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bay City ran an emergency food pantry. Pre-pack bags with shelf stable items were kept on hand and passed out through the church office when those with a need for food called or came by the church. In 2022, we served 10-15 households a month. We saw an increase in need in 2023 and averaged 24 families a month. Around this same time, the Presbytery was encouraging churches to read the book “I Was Hungry: Cultivating Common Ground to End an American Crisis” by Jeremy Everett. Church leadership, volunteers, and community partners began to have a conversation about what it would look like to expand our food insecurity ministry to help more families, and also provide fresh and frozen foods.

In June 2024, we launched the Westminster Community Pantry as a "Pantry of Choice." Instead of handing out a prepacked bag, our guests are allowed to walk through the pantry and select items that best meet their household needs, promoting dignity and reducing food waste. Through a partnership with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan we are able to stock our shelves with many low-cost items. Another local partner Hidden Harvest delivers “rescued” foods to our pantry each week for free, including fresh bread, and fruits and vegetables when they are available.

We had no idea what to expect, but knew from the increasing need in our community, that we needed to try something! Over the last year, we have gone from helping 24 families a month to almost 50 families EVERY WEEK. Our congregation has responded with continued donations and volunteer hours. Our pantry team has organized fund raisers and forged new partnerships with local businesses and organizations. Every week, our volunteers hear story after story about from our pantry guests about how great their need was, and expressions of gratitude for what we have been able to provide.

For more information or to support the pantry, visit wpcbc.org/foodpantry.

Presbyterian Planning Calendar 2025-2026

It's that time of year again when the presbytery will be placing an order for planning calendars in order to take advantage of the bulk pricing.

This 19-month calendar contains many planning aids for pastors and other church leaders. Includes lectionary for Sundays and special days, liturgical days, liturgical colors, resource information for PC(USA) programmatic emphases, updated synod, presbytery and Presbyterian Mission Agency staff directories, color foldout synod/presbytery and world maps.

Cost per calendar is $11.50 and all orders must be pre-paid. Payment is needed by July 23, 2025. Unfortunately, there are no cancellations after this date.

New Orientation: The calendar grid is now vertical instead of horizontal and will span across two pages for double the writing space for personal dates and notes.

You will be notified when the calendars have arrived (expected around mid-August) and arrangements for pick up or delivery can be made at that time. They will also be available for pick up at the September presbytery meeting.

We have been made aware that starting October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will no longer receive support updates or free software updates. 

The Presbytery Office computers will be updated in early June to Windows 11. We highly recommend reading the article in the link below for more information.

Midland-Memorial is offering a Grief Recovery Group this summer. It meets weekly on Wednesdays from June 4 to July 23 at 6:30 p.m. 

All who are experiencing any type or stage of grief – including death, job loss, divorce, health issues, caregiving, and other issues and losses – are welcome. Facilitator Nan Spence, RN, LPC, MA Th, from Catholic Family Services, leads discussions on the nature of the grief process, recognizing and validating losses, coping with anger and depression, handling holidays and anniversaries, grieving and one’s relationship with God, dealing with guilt and forgiveness, and redefining self.

This offering is free, group size is limited, and registering beforehand takes place through MPC’s office at 989.835.6759 or info@mempres.org.

*** Registration ends soon! ***

"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!

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:

• September 17 and 18 6:00 to 8:30 pm
• October 9 and 10 9:00 to 11:30 am