April Newsletter Issue 54

April 22, 2026 Issue 54

Registration Deadline, Thursday, April 30th

Virtual Stated Meeting

Thursday, May 14, 2026

at 7pm Eastern

Everyone is welcome to attend and participate in the business of the presbytery.

We are hoping to see you there!

Advance registration is required for admittance to the meeting.

Deadlines are approaching:

Actionable Items, Reports, and Docket Time Requests Deadline:

5pm EDT, Thursday, April 23, 2026

Registration Deadline:

5pm EDT, Thursday, April 30, 2026

We hope you all register to join us!

Even if you are unable to attend, please complete the registration form

by selecting the radio button:

"No, I will need to be excused"

Registration Form

Meeting documents will be available the week of the meeting on the website under

"Our Meetings"

The Zoom Link will go out 24-48 hours prior to the meeting.

From the desk of Brenda Ransom,

Presbytery Point Board President

"It has saddened our camp board, staff, volunteers and friends to hear of the final closing of Camp Michigamme..."

Please click the button below to go to the presbytery website and view the letter to

the Methodist Church and updated information links regarding Presbytery Point Camp.

PPC Links and Info

Let's Talk VBS ...

"Dear brothers and sisters in Christ-

This month as the snow melts and the sun makes a more regular appearance many of us who work with youth start to think about Vacation Bible School. For some the task is daunting, for others the journey to and through the week are full of joy. First Presbyterian of Kingsford has a longstanding tradition of VBS with over 100 volunteers and 150 youth each year participating. For one week every June the halls are full of music, laughter, wonder and learning about God for both young and old. We have built a strong program over the years and would love to share tips and materials with any churches that would like help with their VBS program, or would like to get one started. If you would like to partner in any way for VBS please reach out to Sonia at soniadfpc@gmail.com."

Yours in His service,

Sonia Donnelly

First Presbyterian Church Kingsford MI

Congratulations to our Newly Certified Earth Care Congregation ...

First Presbyterian Church of Marquette

The First Presbyterian Church of Marquette joins The Presbyterian Church of Traverse City as a certified Earth Care Congregation in the Presbytery of Mackinac.

"Since 2010, this PC(USA) program certifies and celebrates environmental ministry across 4 major areas of a congregation’s life: worship, education, facilities, and outreach in the community. This program currently has 4.5% of all PC(USA) congregations and continues to grow each year."

"FPC Marquette, is just one of the 373 congregations in 42 states that chose to dedicate themselves to intentional care of God’s earth this year, ... (and) is one of 24 congregations that are certifying for the first time in 2026. This denominational program for churches has lasted longer and been more successful than some other models we’ve seen and (it is) the individual churches that deserve all the credit for the success of the program. Our Earth Care Congregations are vital parts of their communities and inspirational witnesses to caring for God’s creation and we are so grateful for their presence in the world,” says Jessica Maudlin, Associate for Sustainable Living and Earth Care Concerns for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

For more information on the Earth Care Congregations program visit www.pcusa.org/earthcarecongregations

Well done, FPC of Marquette!

Schedule and Registration

Synod of the Covenant Presbyterian Women Annual Gathering

Theme is: Unity and Love in the Body of Christ.

Scripture is: Psalm 133:1

July 24-25, 2026

Southminster Presbyterian Church, Centerville/Dayton, Ohio

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

Boundary and Ethics Training 2026

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.

If you attended one of the recent trainings, please be on the lookout for an email and certificate from Emily Franson: efranson@lakemichiganpresbytery.org

Be sure to keep a copy for yourself and your church and forward the email with certificate to Alana at the presbytery office admin@presbymac.org for our records.

There are five (5) more opportunities in 2026 to comply with the Book of Order. The next one is:

• May 17 — 1:00–5:00 PM, Sunday Afternoon

For other dates in 2026, please click below:

Boundaries Training Info & Dates

LINKS & REMINDERS:

From the admin's desk ...

Once more ... WITH FEELING

... the presbytery website is a great First Source of information including:

~ Documents, dates, and reports from the presbytery stated meetings,

such as budgets and financials ...

Where should you look?

Homepage top banner "Our Meetings"

~ Contact information, location, and liaisons without going into the password protected Online Directory ...

Where should you look?

Homepage top banner "About Us"

~ Presbytery Per Capita breakdown, Forms, Manuals, Newsletters ...

Where should you look?

Homepage bottom "Presbytery Resources"

A new link added to our website homepage under "Presbytery Forms" is "Financial Review Guide for Churches" from PC(USA) Resources.

www.presbymac.org

Treasurers, you may want to check out the webinar referenced on the PC(USA) Resources page under financial review guide for treasurers.

If anyone is interested in receiving the presbytery newsletter, please direct them to "Presbytery Resources", where they may 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

Additional Information

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."

From Chip's Desk ...

"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 May 6; it should take between ten and fifteen minutes.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T3QBQDB

If you’re willing to put a QR code for the survey in the bulletin so that your whole congregation can complete it, please contact Chip Hardwick, Synod Exec, at chip@synodofthecovenant.org.

He’d be glad to answer other questions too.

Thanks very much! Let me know if you have any questions.

God bless you this Eastertide!

Chip

-------------------

Rev. Charles B. Hardwick, Ph.D.

Executive, The Synod of the Covenant

Presbyterian Church (USA)"