Holy Faith Weekly Update - July 7, 2026 | | |
Noticing the Beauty of Creation
We are here to witness creation and abet it. We are here to notice each thing so that each thing gets noticed.Together we notice not only each mountain shadow and each stone on the beach, but, especially we notice the beautiful faces and complex natures of each other. We are here to bring to consciousness the beauty and power that are around us and to praise the people who are here with us. We witness our generation and our times. We watch the weather. Otherwise creation would be playing to an empty house.
-- Annie Dillard
| | Please Take A Brief Survey Seeking your Input about adding a second outdoor worship service to our schedule this summer, along with a few additional questions. Click HERE to complete an online survey. Otherwise, paper copies will be available Sunday, July 12. | | |
Holy Faith Raises $5,000 for Immigrant Support at the June 14
Matthew 25 Celebration
| | | | |
Thanks to the generosity of our community, Holy Faith raised $5,000 to support immigrants in need at the Sunday, June 14th Matthew 25 Celebration.
A portion of the funds will go through the ELCA Synod to support the Sakai family, who fled threats of violence in Venezuela and will soon travel to Colombia in hopes of joining family in Spain. The Voices for Justice Group will continue to share updates on the Sakai family's journey as they seek a permanent safe place to call home.
Another portion will fund commissary accounts for people detained at the Northlake Detention Center in Baldwin, where access to basic necessities—including phone calls to attorneys—depends on available funds.
Thank you to everyone who contributed!
Looking for ways to help directly? Stay tuned. Through diocesan partnerships, there may be future opportunities to visit detainees in Baldwin.
| | 3-Week Book Discussion on Theo of Golden, Seeing Light in Chaotic Times - Wednesdays, Beginning July 1st | | | | |
Wednesdays • July 8 & 15, 6:30–8:00 PM
Join for a gentle, reflective book circle exploring Theo of Golden and its timely invitation to notice goodness, practice kindness, and trust the quiet resilience of the human spirit. In a season when the world feels noisy and unsettled, this story helps us remember what steadies us and what connects us.
Each week we will gather for conversation, shared wisdom, and simple practices that help us see the “golden” moments in our own lives. Contact Bernie Beach to learn more: bbeach0427@gmail.com
All are welcome. Bring your reflections, your questions, and your hope.
| | Join a Sunday Forum Conversation in the Nave, Part 2 | | | | |
Christians are meant to be peacemakers. At America's 250th birthday, neighbors with different political beliefs can seem unreachable. Could part of the problem be mutual misunderstanding?
Join Chris Martin after worship to continue the discussion about four "loaded" political words (capitalism, socialism, liberal, and conservative) and how we can use them to connect rather than divide.
You do not need to have attended last Sunday to join in this Sunday.
| | |
“THE CHOSEN” Watch Party is RECONVENING THIS FALL!!
Season 5: “The Last Supper”
| | | | |
After an unplanned, extended delay, we are reconvening our watch parties for “The Chosen,” the first-ever multi-season series based on the life of Jesus through the perspective of his first followers.
We have made it through the first 4 seasons and been inspired by the lively discussions that have taken place during our watch parties, including our Zoom participants from near & far!
We plan to resume with Season 5 “The Last Supper” … this September. More details to come.
Click HERE to view flyer.
| | Help Stuff the Bus: Shop for and Contribute New School Supplies for Saline Children | | | | |
During the month of July, Holy Faith will collect school supplies. Gratefully accepting (everything new):
Backpacks
Clorox wipes
Highlighters
Dry erase markers
Sharpies
These supplies go to Saline Area Social Service to distribute to students in need in the Saline school district. Collection bins are located under the bulletin board.
Want to cheer on the SASS staff and volunteers as the school bus rolls into Holy Faith on its pickup route? Mark your calendar for the morning of Thursday, August 6th! (Time TBD)
This drive is sponsored by Saline Area Social Service.
| | Write Letters of an Encouragement to an Incarcerated Neighbor | | | | Michael Kitto is incarcerated in Toledo, Ohio, and has been since 2022. One of the few things that brings him hope is receiving mail. Bernie Beach has brought a large supply of blank note cards and offers these, along with stamped, addressed envelopes for anyone who wishes to send a message of encouragement. Knowing these notes come from people in his community would mean a great deal to him. | | | | |
Offer your thanks and praise by putting flowers on the altar in thanksgiving for a blessing in your life, or in memory of a loved one. A $50 donation is requested, which provides flowers for two Sundays in a row. Sign up on the bulletin board, or by emailing Lisa Reifert your dates and dedication to: lisareifert76@gmail.com.
Kindly make your donation by placing it in the offering plate (“altar flowers” marked on the envelope and/or on the memo line of your check), or online by scanning the QR code at left.
| | Come to Lunch Bunch This Monday, July 13th, 11:30 am | | | | The next Lunch Bunch is Monday, July 13, 2026 at Carrigan's Cafe, 101 S Ann Arbor Street, in downtown Saline. We pay for our own meals, and everyone from Holy Faith gets a big table to enjoy good conversation and camaraderie. Looking forward to seeing you! | | Family Style Service: August 30th | | | | This is a joyful and highly participatory worship service for all ages and stages. We will also bless students and teachers as they return to school. | | Volunteer to Play the Bell Tree at Holy Faith | | | | The bell tree is a fun, accessible way for anyone to participate in worship — no experience needed! Open Sundays include any Sunday in July or August. Contact church musician Joy Morin to choose your date and get penciled in! | | Time Away for Rest and Renewal: A Message from Pastor Andrea | | | | |
After this Sunday, I begin a four-week vacation. Stepping away is a gift, a chance to gain perspective and recharge for the season of ministry ahead. Worship and ministry will continue here, with 4 guest clergy to provide a change of perspective for you as well.
In the case of a pastoral emergency, please call the Church Office: 734-429-2991.
PLT President Lisa Reifert will be the contact person for other areas of parish leadership. I hope you have a restorative summer as well, and I look forward to seeing you in August.
| | |
Pastoral & Spiritual Care
In case of illness, hospitalization, a death in the family, or to request
a clergy visit, please call the Church Office at 734-429-2991.
| | | | |
Isaiah 40:29: “The Lord gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
Holy Faith is a community of prayer, and we maintain a list to offer prayers for healing and wholeness for
members of our parish.
Please pray for:
Those Who Are Sick, In Need, or Grieving:
Tish, Cathy, Kathy, Jordan, David, Marlana, Diane, Janisse, Kirsten, Brenda, Craig, Mary Jo N, Kris, Wayne, Katie, Jenny, Bristol, Carol P, Theresa E, Carol T, Teri, Jake, Carolyn, Keith, Don, Patti, Diane V, Joyce, Ruth, Margaret, Liam, Debbie, Dave, Jesse, Cassidy, Lisa D, Tracy, Stuart, Melanie, Hadley, Reece, Bonnie, Holly, and Wyck, that God’s love enfold them.
Kris Determan, who is recovering from a fall and is undergoing extensive rehabilitation. Kris welcomes notes of encouragement c/o Arbor Care Assisted Living, 2169 Independence Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
To add names to the parish prayer list for the current calendar month, email office@holy-faith-church.org Names are kept on the list for a month but can be added again upon request.
For those celebrating July Birthdays:
Cory Belote, Ruth Boenke, Suzanne Buchalski, Jim Mangi, Dan McGraw, Margaret McIvor, and Margaret Murphy, that they may grow in God’s grace and wisdom.
If we have missed your birthday, please let Holy Faith’s Office Manager, Laurie Tikkanen, know: office@holy-faith-church.org
| | | | | |
The Holy Faith office is staffed by Office Manager Laurie Tikkanen or Office Volunteer Ann Mayers on Thursdays, 12- 2 PM, or by appointment with Laurie.
Laurie is available to assist you Monday-Friday by phone at (734) 429-2991 or by email at office@holy-faith-church.org.
| | Notice Anything in the Building or on the Grounds that Needs Fixing? | | | | Light bulb out? Drippy faucet? Please jot it down in the Buildings & Grounds Notebook on the bulletin board shelf. Buildings & Grounds Team Leader Bill Knight checks it regularly and works to address reported needs. | | | | |
For your convenience, Holy Faith's website now has links to multiple information sources. These include:
Because of personal contact information, the Members Only section is password protected. Only Holy Faith members can access this page. Please contact the office for the password.
We invite all parishioners and friends to keep us aware of changes and/or updates they may need.
| | | | |
Holy Faith Church
6299 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd
Saline, Michigan 48176
(734) 429-2991
www.holyfaithsaline.org
| | | | | |
