Lenten Reflections from the Shepherd

May these 40 days of Lenten prayer, listening, and reflection draw you closer to God. Journeying with you in faith this Lent.

~ The Staff of Presbytery of Mackinac

Seeking Presbytery Point Director

Presbytery Point Camp is seeking a Camp Director.

If you are interested, please click the button below to go to the presbytery website and view information links regarding the camp director job posting and description.

Links to other PPC offerings and opportunities may be viewed as well.

An Invitation from

Matt Aragon Bruce

"Dear Siblings in Christ,

The Cultivating the Gift of Preaching Initiative (CGPI) is now recruiting participants to be part of our third year of training emerging lay preachers! The application can be found on the Synod’s webpage (https://www.synodofthecovenant.org/apply-for-cgpi)

CGPI is a ministry in the Synod 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.

We welcome applications from any member of a PC(USA) congregation withing the bounds of the Synod off the Covenant who has a call to preach. We also welcome applications from CREs who desire more formation in preaching."

"Applications are due by April 15th, but we will continue to process applications on a rolling basis as long as there are open slots

If you have any questions, please contact the CGPI program director, Matt Aragon Bruce at matt@synodofthecovenant.org / 609-712-4258." 

Boundary and Ethics Training 2026

"Dear Siblings in Christ,

The Synod of the Covenant is pleased to share that Boundary and Ethics Training sessions are available throughout 2026 that meet the requirements of the PCUSA Book of Order and is appropriate for both teaching elders and ruling elders.

As a reminder, the PC(USA) Constitution in the Book of Order mandates that all councils — including sessions— adopt and implement sexual misconduct policies “which shall include requirements for training which includes the topics of sexual misconduct and child sexual abuse prevention . . . at least every 36 months.” (G-3.0106)"

These scheduled boundary and ethics trainings are being sponsored by the Synod of the Covenant at no cost to participants (pastors, elders, and staff) in our 11 presbyteries.  

A participant needs to attend one entire session in order to comply with the Book of Order requirement.

The next session is:

• Saturday, March 21, 2026 10:00 AM–2:00 PM

REGISTER HERE

For other dates in 2026, please click below:

Shepherd's Corner ...

with Ruling Elder Ted Fines

Excerpts from Ted's February 2026 letter:

"Renewed Resolve for 2026: Building a Stronger Presbytery Together

“See, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” — Isaiah 43:19

As we look toward 2026, the Presbytery of Mackinac stands at an important crossroads. Across northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, our congregations continue to serve faithfully in communities shaped by resilience, distance, and deep-rooted faith. We enter this new year aware of both the blessings we carry and the challenges we have faced—and with a shared resolve to grow stronger together.

This season of discernment is not abstract. It is deeply personal. Even as I, as your Shepherd, deal with my own health challenges, I want you to hear this clearly: I will continue to serve as your Shepherd as long as God allows. With humility and trust, I place my life, my health, and this call in God’s hands—and I remain confident that together, we will persevere.

A Shared Commitment for the Year Ahead



Our resolve for 2026 is not about returning to what once was. It is about becoming who

God is calling us to be now—a presbytery rooted in faith, strengthened by trust, and

committed to Christ’s mission."

Click here to read Ted's February 2026 letter in its entirety. 

LINKS & REMINDERS:

From the admin's desk ...

Reminder to all Clerks of Session and Treasurers:

The 2026 forms are available on the website. Please utilize the updated forms for TOC and remittances.

Looking for any of the following?

~ 2026 Mission Pledge Form

~ 2026 Combined Remittance Form

~ 2026 Per Capita Figures

~ 2026 Minimum Terms of Call

~ 2026 COM Liaisons List

Key resources are available at the bottom of our homepage at

www.presbymac.org

under "Presbytery Resources"



If anyone is interested in receiving the presbytery newsletter, please go to our website and scroll down to "Presbytery Resources", click on any of the archived newsletter issues, and select "Join Our Email List".

Questions, comments, thoughts ... email admin@presbymac.org

... my laptop is always open!

With Christ's peace & joy, Alana

Stephen Ministries 50th Anniversary

and Learning Events

"These events, which are open to anyone, feature a number of presentations to equip and inspire participants for making their part of the world a more caring place."

"The following press release tells more about Stephen Ministries’ 50^th anniversary and this tour across the US."

"You can also visit our online media page for additional resources, ..."

"If you’d like additional information, feel free to contact me at (314) 428-2600 or by email at isaac.akers@stephenministries.org."

In Christ,

Isaac B. Akers

Program Staff

Stephen Ministries

2045 Innerbelt Business Center Drive

St. Louis, Missouri 63114

(314) 428-2600

Can You Help Harbor Springs?

"We are looking for 1 or 2 of these notebook style Accompanist/Organist Hymnal. We have 2 that are in very poor condition with missing pages and many ripped holes."

These are no longer in print. Click on each picture above for a better look.

If you can assist or have a suggestion, please contact:

Meg Brodie-Ideker

meg@ideker.com

231-881-6662 (mobile)

Information Explosion!

~ Synod of the Covenant:

1) The Presbytery of the Western Reserve is seeking a Part-Time Transitional General Presbyter

Job Posting & Info

2) The Presbytery of Detroit is seeking a full-time Co-Presbytery Executive

Church Leadership Connection

3) The Synod of the Covenant is seeking a paid, 10-hour/week Controller

Controller – Bloomfield Heights – Michigan – Great Lakes Call Finder

Subscribe to their newsletter at

www.synodofthecovenant.org/contact

Visit their Website: synodofthecovenant.org/

Like them on Facebook: @SynodoftheCovenant

Follow the Synod's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjl5_XKhcyQQwkFK1P591EA

********************

Submit items of interest to Alana at

admin@presbymac.org

We will endeavor to post it in an upcoming newsletter.

Please Note: We do not solicit funds for individual churches.