December 2025 Community Connections

News and information from First Presbyterian Church of Farmington

What’s New

Come hear what a certain shepherd, who was there, has to say . . .

January “Community  Connections”  Deadline: Dec. 19, 2025

Upcoming Events and Mission Opportunities

Youth United Offers Pop-Up Service Opp on MLK Day

Youth United’s leadership team is excited to share something new and different for 2026.
On MLK Day — Monday, January 19, 2026 — we’re offering a Pop-up Service Opportunity at CARES of Farmington Hills.
Teens in 6th grade–12th grade will:

• Meet at 3:30 p.m.
• Pack meals kits for the clients of CARES of Farmington Hills.
• Go home at 5:30 p.m.
• Receive two service hours.

Please share this news (and the registration link below) with any teens you know who’d like to make a difference. CARES is serving more local families than ever. It will feel good to give them a hand.

Volunteer Registration (https://tinyurl.com/youthunited26)
Adults wanting to help can use this link too. Your early registration helps us plan and purchase supplies.

You can view our flyer with more information at https://tinyurl.com/yu2026MLK-flyer. If you have any questions, please email us @ [email protected]. Thanks!
Laura Hedgecock and Karen Linnell and the Interfaith Leadership Team

Euchre, Anyone? and Everyone!

Join us for an afternoon of euchre on the first Friday of each month in the church Library (except April). We play for fun, not competition! (Mostly…).

Please jot these dates down on your calendars and sign-up TODAY! See the signup sheet on the kiosk in the foyer (next to the door to the garden). We will teach you if you haven’t played before.

DATES: January 2, February 6, March 6, April 10, May 1, and June 5
TIME: 2 to 4 p.m. in the Church Library
Please see Nancy Prieskorn if you have any questions.

Congregational News

Candles Along the Way – Sharing Our God Moments

In God’s Timing
By Donna Marvicsin

When I was in my early 40’s, I realized that after 20 years in nursing, I was feeling burned out. I loved my job, caring for children, but I honestly could not envision another 20 years. I worked with children diagnosed with a chronic condition so every day someone would cry, a child or a parent. It was draining. I told someone that my perfect job would be to work with children part time and also teach the next generation of nurses.

So I went back to school part time, worked part time and raised three young children. It was crazy. Seven years later I had my PhD in Nursing. And I learned that an academic career was very different, pressure to write grants, get funding, get published. Not my passion at all. My poor husband, I told him “Thank you for your support over the past seven years, but I don’t think I want to work at a university.”

I graduated in May and a few months later Pastor Sue started a mid-week Wednesday evening service for people who would go up north on the weekends but still wanted to be connected in the summer months. I decided to attend, just sitting there wondering what to do next. Kristy Martyn, a member at the time, happened to be there that night also. We were visiting after service. She was teaching at the University of Michigan School of Nursing and there was a new Dean. They had created a new position, a Clinical Professor Track, where faculty would practice 1-2 days per week and teach. The exact role that I had dreamed of seven years earlier. Kristy thought of me and wanted me to meet the Dean.

This was totally a God Moment. I was not looking for a job at that time. I was tired and disillusioned. God called me to the church that night; called Kristy to be there too. And I started a wonderful 15-year career in teaching and nursing. I still get tears in my eyes if I think about that Wednesday night in God’s house and the gift I was given.

Fall Craft Show a Great Success!

We had another wonderful and exciting craft show Nov. 8 – 9th. We had 60 crafters and this was the first time we had crafters upstairs. Those upstairs were very happy and want to come back in the Spring and be upstairs. Everyone, shoppers and crafters alike, said the church was very welcoming. Our lunch and bake sale were a big hit.

Please come to church Sunday, Dec 7th to find out how much we raised for our Music Ministry. Thank you to all the volunteers and especially to Leslie Moyna who did the computer advertising.

Consecration Sunday Luncheon

The Consecration Luncheon was held on Sunday, November 2, 2025, with 74 people in attendance. The delicious meal was prepared with love by members of the congregation. It really did take a village to put all the pieces together, led by Kari Gorman. All Saints Day was also remembered on November 3.

Colleen Tavor honored with PW Lifetime Membership

This award is given annually to celebrate a recipient for faithful service in one or more areas of our church’s ministries. In Colleen’s case, “more” is definitely the right word. She has served on the Mission Committee, Comm/Tech, Stewardship, and the PW Coordinating Team. Together with Karen Spica, she is editor of this monthly newsletter, Community Connections. Through the Revitalization Committee, she worked with others to refurbish the narthex and create family-friendly spaces. She also keeps the TV screen in the narthex updated. She helps with the quarterly Days of Prayer (Pray-a-Thons) and co-hosts the Social Justice Book Club. Colleen is part of the weekly prayer group that prays for the future of our church.

A little background about our recipient:

Colleen grew up on a dairy farm in the Upper Peninsula until moving to Lansing in the eighth grade. She graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Psychology and later earned an M.A. in Psychology at the University of Richmond (VA), the place where she became a Christian. She felt a strong pull to move to Israel, and after working on a kibbutz there, she held various interesting jobs for 15 years and got married. After her husband passed away, she returned to Michigan to be nearer to her family. She moved to Farmington and while working went back to school and earned an M.A. in Counseling at Oakland University. She’s been a licensed counselor for 20 years and continues her private practice online and at her office recently relocated to Farmington. She shares her condo with a beloved cat.

Colleen Tavor with her fellow PW Lifetime Membership honorees

Congregational Information and Concerns

Session Meeting Highlights – November 19, 2025

The FPCF Session met on November 19, 2025. Rick Fuller was voted in as the replacement Treasurer and gave an overview of the YTD Treasurer’s Report, Budget and Restricted Accounts. Good news is that the 2026 Operating and the New Organ Pledges are coming in and both are nearing their campaign goals.

The Clerk reported there were 82 people in attendance at the November 12, 2025, Communion Worship Service.

Highlights of motions passed:

1. The 2026 Per Capita will be $41.00 per congregation member. This increase is a result of the Presbytery’s request.
2. The December 28, 2025, Worship Service will be a Carol Sing/Holiday Sweater Sunday.

The various ministries and committees gave updates on their activities and plans. Session members will be meeting for a monthly book discussion on the “Anatomy of a Revived Church” book starting November 11, 2025.

The next session meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.

Dorothy Tait
Clerk of Session

Pastoral Nominating Committee (PNC) Update

The PNC has been faithfully meeting every Tuesday this year for the past 10 months. Karl is the secretary and has numbered our Minutes; we are at meeting #39. During our two-hour meetings we have carefully reviewed 74 resumes of pastors who are in the syste+m, looking for an opportunity but had not specifically applied to our call. Of these:

• 40 were determined to be “not a good fit”, for a variety of reasons such as we were not impressed with their narratives, or their interest was in a specific area such as pastoral care.
• 23 were invited for an initial casual zoom conversation and declined or withdrew. When they decline our invitation, we are not given the reason why. In some cases, it seems that these are usually pastors from out of town, such as the west coast or the south. We assume that a northern midwestern state was just not what they were looking for at this time.

We have seven current invitations to meet in the system, and we are waiting for a response. We have four new matches that we are currently reviewing. The CLC system continues to send us candidates to review.

The good news is that we remain hopeful, that the Holy Spirit has a plan and we pray every week that we will find a pastor who will be excited to join our church in this mutual journey of faith. The challenge is we are also aware there is a great need for pastors, both locally and nationally, and that there is real competition for us.

During our initial conversations with possible candidates, we proudly offer praise and thanksgiving for you, the congregation. How, we have not had a pastor in a very long time, but we as a church continue to thrive due to the strength of the congregation. Please know that your work is noticed, and your patience and resilience is appreciated. We are grateful for your continued prayers.

Yours in Christ,
Your PNC: Lois Caito, Donna Marvicsin, Karl Cressman, Becca deSloover, MJ Floreno, Tom Neal and Bill Vincent

Stewardship

It is still not too late to turn in your pledges for 2026. Your timely pledges help us to allocate funds more realistically and confidently as we build our 2026 budget. We appreciate your generosity and servant heart as we move into 2026 and our next chapter as the “First Pres” family of God!

Important year-end information regarding contributions

Please be aware that the last bank deposit for contributions for the tax year 2025 will be made on Monday, December 29, 2025. This means contributions must be received in the church office by Monday, Dec. 28, 2022. Any monies received in the mail after these dates will not be counted or deposited until after the end of the year and will be counted as 2026 contributions. Please note these dates so that you will know in advance how to plan your year-end giving.

Individual Offering Envelopes Will No Longer Be Supplied

As the demand for individual offering envelopes no longer meets the minimum order requirement, envelopes will not be ordered for 2026, a cost saving of $250. Leftover boxes of envelopes from previous years are available, please contact the office if interested. The use of monthly electronic withdrawals (ACH) is also encouraged, which is easy to use.

Final call for 2025 invoices, reimbursements and vouchers

A reminder that the deadline for submitting 2025 invoices, reimbursements and vouchers to the treasurer is Friday, December 12^th. This will ensure that payment is made in the 2025 budget year.

Job Opportunity

If you, or someone you know, is looking for a part-time position, 20 hours per week, First Presbyterian Church Farmington is looking for a part-time Office Administrative Assistant.

Mondays – Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; $20.00 Per Hour; Microsoft Office knowledge is required.

Contact Bob Van Hamme for more info.

Christmas Joy Offering

• Retired clergy and church workers who have served faithfully.
• Leadership development for future leaders in ministry.

You can give in two ways:

• Use the Christmas Joy envelopes available in the pews.
• Mail your offering to the church office, clearly marked for Christmas Joy.

Your generosity helps sustain and grow the mission of the church. Thank you for making a difference!

Mission Committee Donations

SNAP benefits have been in the news a lot lately. SNAP is the current name for food stamps. Our congregation along with COOS and Covenant, have always generously supported agencies that alleviate hunger, especially in our local community. The Mission Committee has used our 2025 budgeted money that was not already earmarked and sent a $250 check to the three local agencies that provide hunger relief: C.A.R.E.S., Neighborhood House and Salvation Army. Additional information is provided on the board. If this is an issue you personally feel passionate about, you can make an individual donation. QR codes and envelopes are provided for your convenience. They are located on the project board that has been set up in the middle of the church narthex. Donations will not go through the church books. Donations are entirely individual.

JOY! Advent Study (Dec 2, 9, 16)

The JOY Study group invites all of you to join us! Beginning November 18, the JOY Book Study will be reading An Unlikely Advent by Rachal Billups (the book costs about $10.50). This four-week Advent study focuses on the experiences of four sets of often overlooked characters in the Nativity story. Contact Sharon Cressman if you would like Zoom details (and Zoom coaching if needed).

Gift Bags For Second Mile Children

Presbyterian Women is organizing Christmas gift bags for the children who attend the Second Mile Center in Detroit. The gift bags are large bags that will include items like shirts & pants, socks & underwear, hats & gloves, a toy from the child’s wish list, and a book. The cost per gift bag is on average $100. This is a great opportunity for friends or a small group to contribute together and put together a gift bag. The names of the children and their requests are usually received from Ruth Azar, the director of SMC, at Thanksgiving, and the bags need to be received by the second week of December.

If you or a group would like to sponsor a Second Mile child by providing a gift bag or help by donating money in any amount (ex: $25 gift card to Target or Amazon) to be included in a bag, please contact Sue Carlson.

First Presbyterian Mitten Tree

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Cold weather is here, and the forecast says it will be an “arctic winter.” Hats and mittens are going to be a must for school children. Therefore, it is time for Presbyterian Women’s annual Hat and Mitten Tree collection!

Through December 14 we will be collecting hats, mittens, underwear, and socks for needy families right here in our own community. These items will be donated to Heartfelt Families of Farmington and Second Mile Center of Detroit.

Your new items should be placed on or below the tree in the Narthex Please leave the price tags on the items. Thank you in advance for your generosity. If you have questions, feel free to contact Dale Hawkins at (248) 478-6283.

Universal Church Directory (UCD) App

If you want a complete list of congregation members, consider getting this application installed on your smart phone. Go to the app store and download the free UCD app. When you try to use the app, it will ask for your unique identifier. To get your family’s unique identifier, email a note to Tom Neal and he will send it to you.

If you are not listed in the UCD, send Tom an email so he can arrange for you to be included.

The app is updated regularly so is great for showing photos of members, current phone numbers, addresses and emails and also gives you the ability to call, text and see address location on a GPS map directly from the app.

Also please contact the church office to report changes to your listing in the church directory.

Sunday Flowers

Please remember to take your beautiful flowers home with you immediately following the church service, if that is your intention: Otherwise, they will be donated to homebound church members on your behalf. Thank you!

Join us for Coffee and Treats after In-Person Worship

Please join us after worship each Sunday for our fellowship time in Knox hall. Take a moment to enjoy fresh coffee, delicious treats, and most importantly, the company of your church family. Whether you’re a longtime member or first-time visitor, these informal gatherings provide a wonderful opportunity to connect, share stories, and strengthen our community bonds. Stay for five minutes or fifty — all are welcome at the table!

If you can’t join us in person, watch our livestream.

You can watch our services live at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5DRjYOmh4Y.

You can always access it from the front page of our website, https://Farmington-Pres.org, as well. Leave us a note in the YouTube chat and don’t forget to like the video. This helps us reach new people who might enjoy our services.

Don’t forget to check out of our Facebook page

Your comments and shares on Facebook (FB) help us share the Good News of Jesus AND all the good that is happening at First Pres. Please take the time to leave a short comment on our FB posts, then share to your FB feed.

Updated Church Office Hours

Amanda May Schreiber, our administrative assistant, will be in the office on Monday mornings 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Wednesdays 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., and working from home on Thursdays and Fridays. Please email any bulletin requests, or with any questions or concerns outside of these shortened office hours and staff will contact you back as soon as possible. The church email is [email protected].

Clerk of Session, Dorothy Tait will be covering on Wednesdays as well. The office will continue to be closed most Fridays. During this time of transition, you may wish to call or email ahead to make sure staff will be available to assist you if you need to stop by the office.

We Keep in Our Prayers

Thank Yous

QR Code for Donations!

If you ever forget to go to the ATM, or simply don’t carry cash on you, we’ve decided to include the church QR code for a more streamlined donation process. To donate, just scan the QR code and follow the prompts!

2025 Church Holiday Schedule

The church office will be closed on these dates in observance of the designated holidays.

Regularly Scheduled Committees and Activities at FPCF

Church Calendar

You can access the up-to-date church calendar on the FPCF website at:
https://farmington-pres.org/.

FPCF hosts Soul Stretch Christian Yoga Special Advent Series

Cantata Academy Chorale Presents A Holiday Concert Series

2025 Christmas Poinsettias

Please make checks payable to First Presbyterian Church and mark it for poinsettias or Christmas flowers. For last-minute orders, please contact the office at 248 474-6170 and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Please PRINT the following information so that it will be published accurately.
NAME:  _______________________________________________ PHONE No: (______) ____________
Number of red poinsettias:  _______          Number of white poinsettias:  _______

____  Please deliver my plant(s) to one of our homebound members.

Amount due to First Presbyterian Church:   $ ___________       Payment Enclosed:  Yes ____     No ____

From: _______________________________________________________________________________
In honor of: __________________________________________________________________________
In memory of: ________________________________________________________________________