First Presbyterian Church of Farmington Reopening Survey
Due to recommendations of our government and PC(USA) we have not been able to have worship or church-oriented functions inside First Presbyterian of Farmington since March 10 when Governor Whitmer initiated “stay home, stay safe” orders for Michigan.
Many members have been busy these past five months bringing you worship podcasts, Facebook messages, emails, a revised FYI, Zoom Calls for worship, study and social time; calls from each other, our Circles, Children/Family Ministry, Men’s Group and Cluster groups. They have done a phenomenal job and continue to research on ways to improve our outreach. We have struggled with new ways to have weddings and funerals, to celebrate, and to mourn.
While there has been discussion about the ability for houses of worship to return to in-house worship for a while now, Session has determined we should take a conservative approach in planning our return.
Pastor Eddie, Dr. Jerry, Shari and others on our Creative Worship & Arts Team have been providing us with wonderful opportunities to worship together weekly. We are in the process of establishing new protocols and acquiring all the materials necessary for reopening. Some are in, some are delayed. Taking all this into consideration we are focusing on opening the church to in-person worship in September.
Examples of what you might expect upon return:
- No Sunday School: one abbreviated service, no coffee hour, no in-house fellowship
- No socializing, no handshakes or hugs
- Limit of 74 people in the sanctuary
- Masks required
- No singing, limited congregational prayers and responses
- No hymnals, no Bibles,
- No choir (small groups may provide music)
- No nursery
- No collection plates being passed
- Modified communion (beginning one month after we resume worship)
- Physical distancing required
As you can see, we must make some big sacrifices to safely meet while the virus is still a threat. If you haven’t already, please fill out the following survey so that we can better understand the congregation’s readiness to starting back: https://forms.gle/5FrNdSqHMdmxuCYGA.Or call the church office to have a paper copy mailed to you for your confidential response.
Survey results will be compiled in confidence by members of the Communications/Technology team and reviewed by Reopen Task Force.
3rd Annual Youth United Interfaith Summer Service Experience
On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the first week of August, Youth United held its 3rd Annual Service Experience, albeit virtually. We’ll provide more details after we’ve had a chance to catch our breaths, but here’s some highlights from our successful Zoom conference:
80+ teens participated, including 10 teen leaders of main or breakout sessions; 15+ adult leaders and additional logistical coordinators that weren’t online helped out.
Each day the main session was led by 1 or 2 youth, interviewing someone who made a difference in our community. Those teens ranged from 7th grade to 2020 high school grads, 2 Muslim, 1 Jewish, and 2 Christian — talking to 90 people! (You can watch their interviews with people who made a difference at bit.ly/YU-YouTube.) Small group breakouts discussions were also led by youth.
Each afternoon the kids did projects to serve the community and CARES of Farmington Hills.
Above is a screenshot composite of about 1/2 the group who participated via Zoom. You’ll see we had a few 1st Pres helpers too!
We thank everyone who supported us with prayers. We only had minor technical glitches and so far, the kids’ evaluations are positive and enthusiastic.
Laura Hedgecock and Karen Linnell
September FYI Deadline is Friday, August 21
Connect & Chat – Church Zoom Coffee Hour
Second Mile Center food drop off is Monday, Aug. 10
“Home Is_____” In recent months, our homes have become our shelter, our refuge, our safe place. No one is more aware of this feature than the residents of Freedom House in Detroit. FPCF’s Mission Ministry has supported Freedom House for several years. Freedom House is for many, their first home in the U.S. after escaping from a country where their lives have been endangered. It is where they find shelter, legal aid, access to medical care, and the tools they need to know how to live in their new country.This summer, Freedom House is conducting a campaign to fund two projects to support the security and privacy of their residents. One is a fence to allow the children to play outside, safely and the other is an inside partition to allow for more privacy for the residents. The goal is to raise $9,000 this summer of the $25,000 needed to complete these important projects. As you have realized, for yourself, the need for restorative space, the same need is vitally important for the clients of Freedom House.
Checks may be made out to: Freedom House, P.O. Box 9208, Detroit, MI 48209. Write “Home Is” on the memo line. If you have questions, please contact Nancy Prieskorn. Thank you.
Highlights from the July 29 Session Meeting
Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and with so many other things going on, the Session held a meeting on July 29, 2020. Highlights from this meeting include:
- The Session members voted to accept the donations for the installation of a digital sign. The majority of the donations come from an anonymous donor with the rest coming from members of the congregation.
- Following a resolution of the 2020 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to “confront and dismantle systemic racism” in church and society, the Session approved placing a “Black Lives Matter” sign or banner on the Farmington Road side of the property.
- The Session approved the purchase of equipment to add technology to be able to use Zoom in Room 208/210 and other areas to allow at home members to join in-person meetings.
- Session agreed that it is still too early to resume in-person Worship Services either inside or outside of the building. The Re-opening Task Force will continue to assess the situation and to prepare the church for in-person meetings when it is deemed safe.
The next Session Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19. 2020.
Black Lives Matter banner is up
You may notice the Black Lives Matter banner on the front lawn of our church. The banner was approved by the Session at its July 29 meeting (see prior article for meeting highlights). An article in the Presbyterian Outlook reads: “The 2020 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted overwhelmingly June 26 to approve a resolution declaring that Black lives matter; confessing that the church has been complicit in perpetuating injustice; and pledging to “confront and dismantle systemic racism” in the church and in society.”
We all grew up with the parable of the 100 sheep. Here’s a way to think of it in our time: When Jesus leaves the 99 sheep to go and search for the 1 who was missing, the 99 said “What about us… Don’t we matter?” Jesus answered, “Of course, you all matter. But you’re not the one in danger.”
As a community of faith in Farmington Hills, and as a member of PCUSA, the Mission Ministry Team feels it is important for our church to address, at least in some small way, our solidarity and support for our neighbors in this community. Understanding that signs sometimes invoke complex feelings in individuals, we hope each of you will prayerfully consider the significance of displaying this banner.
Learning More Together: Social Justice Book Discussion Group
The Social Justice Book Discussion Group will meet bi-weekly on Thursday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., beginning September 10. Please join Deb Hemmye and Colleen Tavor for a bi-weekly book discussion group to explore social justice issues.
The first book selection is Waking Up White: Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving. One reviewer states: “Waking Up White is engaging, challenging, and action-oriented! It’s a must read for anyone exploring issues of racism, power, privilege, and leadership.”
If you’re interested in joining this book discussion group, please order you book now. To register to receive the Zoom invitation, contact the church office at 248-474-6170 or [email protected].
The Gift that can keep on Giving – Your Endowment Fund!
When the Endowment Committee adopted its Investment Management and Spending Policy in 2018, the eventual goal was to provide an additional source of funds to supplement annual giving to support the mission of First Presbyterian Church of Farmington. This was defined by distributing 4.0 percent (4%) of the assets at the end of each year that the Fund’s value was at least $150,000.
This year a combination of both generous giving and diversified investment has resulted in Fund value meeting and exceeding that distribution threshold. Most recently, the Fund received a legacy gift of $13,492.92 in memory of Margaret Lockwood from her family. As a result, the second quarter value of the Fund currently exceeds $234,000. In December, the Committee will direct that 4.0 percent of the Fund’s final year-end assets be transferred to the Session for its use in support of the ministries of our church.
The Endowment Fund is not only a protected legacy of gifts for future generations but also a potential supplementary resource for the life of our church in the present. The Investment Management Policy is designed primarily to protect the major assets of the Fund at all times. The immediate benefit for the present however is a direct result of the Fund’s annual growth, enabling your Endowment Fund to truly be “A Gift That Can Keep on Giving”!
YES!! A Sign for Our Times Indeed!
The installation of our digital sign this year will soon become reality! The generous offer of an anonymous donor to pay for the sign, contingent upon support through donations of any amount from the congregation, has been fulfilled. By July 13, a total of 43 members responded and pledged $4,860 in demonstrating their appreciation for the donor’s gift.
As a result, the Session has been informed that the donor will provide $35,140 of the remainder to fund the $40,000 installation.
The Session approve acceptance of the gift so the process of installation can proceed. The donor was delighted by the response and generosity exhibited by the congregation regarding the importance the sign represented for our church, and its outreach potential to our community.
Cereal for the Summer
Please join our 5th annual Cereal for Summer Campaign and help us feed hungry children in the Presbytery of Detroit. Cereal Donations will begin Monday, July 20, 2020. Please check out this flyer for more information on how to deliver your donations to the Presbytery office.
Monday nights Yoga on the lawn
First Presbyterian’s garden lawn is open again for participants in Candlelit Slow Flow Yoga offered by Soul Stretch Christian Yoga! Join us Mondays, August 3 through September 8 at 7:00 p.m. Please be mindful when you arrive to give everyone at least 6 feet of space. You may want to wear a mask at least until you claim your spot. You are encouraged to bring a towel or blanket for under your mat.
These classes will be offered on Zoom at the same time for your convenience; many even purchase video replays to get their class in at an hour that works best in their summer days. Register at: http://soulstretch.org/register-pay/ .
Save the Date for Flu Shot Clinic
The church’s annual Flu Shot Clinic has been scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. – 12 noon. Mark your calendar now and watch for details in the September FYI.
A special thank you to Donna Marvicsin (see her at the end of this email!) for again making arrangement with the Visiting Nurses Association for the much-appreciated service.
Busch’s CARES Market is now open!
CARES in Farmington Hills is beyond excited to announce the opening of its new Bridge/SNAP store, the Busch’s CARES Market!
This new grocery store is exclusively for Bridge/SNAP card holders. Guests can shop for great deals on fresh, healthy food for their families because prices are below what they might find elsewhere. Proceeds will help fund CARES’ free food pantry. Shopping at the market means customers can help their neighbors while stretching their Bridge Card dollars further. It is a win-win for everyone!
Who can shop at the market? Anyone with a Bridge Card, including the new cards for kids’ lunches.
When is the market open? Hours are Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Arts and Archives – “Did You Know?”
The Church has two beautiful communion sets. One is in brown tones, and the other in green tones was originally from C.O.O.S. Both were made by the late potter John Glick of the Plum Tree Pottery of Farmington Hills.
Paraments, quilts and banners were made by Norrie Sanchezz (C.O.O.S.). Over the years many have been made by Farmington First women, and currently Marcia Howe has been the leader.
Other gifts to the church include both the large tall brass candlesticks (Chef Brian Ford) and the wedding candelabra (Charlotte Fallis).
