Holy Week Services
Reminder: Spring Forward on March 12
Daylight Savings Times begins Sunday, March 12th at 2:00 a.m. Set your clocks forward.
April 2023 FYI Deadline:
Friday, March 17
News from the Transitional Pastor Nominating Committee (TPNC)
The TPNC along with Rev. Michelle James, Presbytery Liaison, attended the Annual Meeting and Town Hall held on February 5, and provided updates to the congregation on where we are in our search for a Transitional Pastor. Since then, the extensive paperwork has been completed and approved by Session. Rev. Michelle will now take the paperwork to the Committee on Ministry (COM) for approval within the next couple of weeks. The TPNC can then began receiving information on possible candidates and setting up interviews. The TPNC is currently working on a list of interview questions. The paperwork approved by Session included: the position description for Transitional Pastor, FPCF church profile, the job posting announcement for Transitional Pastor, and the MIF (Ministry Information Form).
A big thank-you to Pat Plamondon who reviewed and updated the documents to make sure they were compliant with HR guidelines. Thank you also to Matt Mataya and Bob VanHamme who also helped with review.
We ask that the congregation continue to pray that God is already preparing our hearts and the heart of our next Transitional Pastor and that our paths cross soon.
Link to 2022 Annual Report
If you missed receiving a copy of the 2022 Annual Report, the report is available via this link: https://tinyurl.com/FPCF2023AnnualReport. It was emailed to members who signed up through the church website to electronically receive the FYI newsletter, the annual report and other important church information. (To sign up for the newsletter and electronic communications, click here.)
A limited number of print copies of the 2022 Annual Report were printed. Let the church know if you’d like a copy and we’ll arrange to get one to you.
February 2023 Session Highlights
A regular meeting of the Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Farmington (FPCF) was held on February 15, 2023.
The Transitional Pastor Search Committee (TPSC) gave an update and presented the Transitional Pastor Position Description, Posting Announcement, FPCF Profile and Ministry Information Form (MIF) for review. The documents were approved by Session with the exception of two items, which will be completed and submitted to Session for approval. Then the documents will be presented to the Committee on Ministry their review and approval. Once approved, the position will be ready to be posted.
Session approved the baptism of Nova Rene Beaver during the Worship Service on Sunday, March 12, 2023, by Rev. Craig Aue. Nova is the great granddaughter of Tom and Cathy Neal.
Ministry & Committee Reports:
- Officer Nominations are coming in slowly. There are three Elders leaving in 2024 who will need to be replaced.
- The office hours will be temporarily changed while Carly Vivio is on vacation (February 17-24) and Amanda Schreiber is filling in. It is advised to call the office before going in to see if the building is open and to send emails with any questions or communications.
- A “Help Wanted” display is in the works looking for volunteers for several areas (Treasurer, Ushers, Office, etc.).
- A training session is scheduled for Sunday, March 12 on the AED equipment.
- There are significant repairs being made to the organ.
- The Annual Congregational Meeting held on Sunday, February 5 and the following Town Hall were well attended.
- The second Leadership Development Workshop was held on February 4 and well received. There were (28) people in attendance and topics covered were: a scripture study about conscious and unconscious filters; leading in a “Liminal Season” and its associated opportunities, threats and misleading assumptions; traditional and new leadership stances; leadership voices about open minds, open hearts and open wills; and starting to think about the current church mission statement.
- The third, and last, leadership development workshop has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 1.
Candles Along The Way
By Victoria Day Najjar
“May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13.
When Sally Kirsten gave her excellent talk on God Moments, we learned how Sally looked for “candles along the way.” This beautiful metaphor is instructive to Christians who seek in their daily lives to feel the presence of God and his ambassador, the Holy Spirit. Waiting for these breathless moments takes patience. We never know when the candle will be lit along the path of our life.
Experiencing the gift of communion with the Holy Spirit, our hearts and souls are transported to another dimension. This dimension is the exquisite realm of the Lord. The messages of the Holy Spirit are soundless but powerful and clear. The messages are the proof that we are not alone or forgotten, that God is near and we are loved.
Read now, A Moment with the Holy Spirit by Jennifer Kelly.
I’ve had many moments, through the gift of music, that have undoubtedly been led by the Holy Spirit. Most recently, during the time of my aunt’s passing, my cousin and I were going through the apartment to take a memento for remembrance. My aunt was a professional musician herself and had tons of music. We didn’t have time to go through it all. As we were tossing things around, this piece fell out at our feet. My cousin picked up the music opened it and started to sing. I quickly realized it was “The Gift of Love”, which my aunt sang at my wedding 20 years ago. We both were overwhelmed with the Spirit and sang it, in harmony, filling the empty apartment with the “Gift of Love”. We both felt the Holy Spirit was blessing us, letting us know that my aunt was safe with Him and her loved ones who went before her.
A moment with Alvine Cooper
I was 11 when I first saw the future with God. It was the summer of 1941 which had been exciting and busy in our family because we traveled over the road to Kelly Field in Texas to proudly watch my brother, Carlyle, awarded his Army Air Force Wings and Bars as a B-17 bomber pilot in the class of 41-D. Then back to his wedding in June, followed by he and Ruth departing to Hickam Field, Hawaii, for duty. We all had hope that the war rumbles would not reach them.
My dad and I were best buddies ever since he took me to Mass on Sundays—I still love it sung in Latin– and tucked me in my safe bed for sleep. One bedtime that summer opened my eyes and heart to the future when my dad sat on the side of the bed and cried and said, “I will never see my son again.” I didn’t know of God’s powerful message until 1942 when my dad died and Carlyle was killed in action in the South Pacific War. That is when I began decade to decade to understand the God of Hope and the power of the Holy Spirit which lights our path on our life journey. Thanks be to God.
We thank Jennifer and Alvine for sharing their Moment with the Holy Spirit with us. If you would like to share your moment with the Holy Spirit, please contact Vicki Najjar ([email protected]).
Please pay your 2023 Per Capita Apportionment
The Presbyterian Church is a “connectional” church where we interact through the Presbytery of Detroit, the Synod of the Covenant and the General Assembly. These councils are funded by the “Per Capita” on each of our active members. For 2023, the Per Capita amount is $36.00. We ask that you contribute $36.00 for each member of your household confirmation age and above to help offset this amount. Checks may be made payable to the First Presbyterian Church of Farmington; please note “Per Capita” on the memo line.
Final Leadership Development Workshop Rescheduled
The third and final Leadership Development Workshop originally scheduled for Saturday, March 4, 2023, has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 1, 2023. The location will remain the same. Please plan to arrive at the church between 9:00-9:15 a.m. for a bit of fellowship time before we settle down to start at 9:30 a.m. The workshop is scheduled to end at 2:30 p.m. Another reminder will go out closer to the event.
Presbyterian Women (PW) Invitation
If you are a woman in our congregation who is part of our Presbyterian Women organization, we are so glad you are.
If not, we would like to extend a cordial invitation for you to try us out. We think you might enjoy the warm fellowship, lively bible study, and opportunities (but not requirements) to get a little more involved in the life of our congregation. PW participants have made supportive and enduring friendships with our Circle sisters, and we’d like to get to know you better.
There are currently three active PW Circles: Deborah, ACTS, and Phoenix, and all of whom welcome guests and new members. Deborah (a Circle especially in need of new members due to having lost some dedicated women over the last couple of years) will meet Thursday March 9 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 207. ACTS will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 14 in the Garden Room/Parlor. Phoenix will meet Tuesday, March 21 at 10:30 a.m. in the Garden Room/Parlor. Just come! No obligation.
For more details, contact Circle leaders Anne Fuller (Deborah), Marcia VanHamme (ACTS) or Nancy Cook (Phoenix). Or call Deborah Draper, Sally Kirsten or Sue Carlson for general questions about PW.
Help Wanted!
First Presbyterian needs your help! We need volunteers to help with many activities as we move through this transitional period seeking a new pastor, easing back on COVID rules and reinstating our normal activities.
We are looking for a few good men and a few good women to help with tasks that are crucial to the running of the church — be it within worship itself, or other functions that benefit us all. Volunteers for one-time only events or volunteers for weekly or monthly events.
These are tasks with which you are already familiar.
Could you help with:
- Ushering on a regular basis or an occasional basis?
- Serving as Liturgist during the worship service?
- See the Worship Ministry Team: Karen Spica, Jim Tubbs, Sue Andrews, Deborah Draper, Marc Hemmye or Kari Gorman
Could you help with:
- Being a Greeter regularly or occasionally?
- Setting up or cleaning up after the Fellowship Time?
- See the Nurture Ministry Team: Karl Cressman, Nancy Cook, MJ Floreno
Could you help with:
- Counting the collection plate donations weekly?
- Helping with occasional mailings?
- Helping in the church office with a regular task or with special tasks?
- See Operations Ministry Team: Sally Kirsten, Dorothy Tait
Could you help with:
- Sexton duties—opening & closing the building on Sundays?
- See the Property Committee: Chris Davis, Ron Prieskorn
Are you willing to serve as an Elder or a Deacon?
- See the Nominating Committee: Sally Kirsten, Colleen Tavor
WOW! Look at all the ways you can help First Pres!
Your help is welcome whether on a regular basis or occasionally.
You will make new friends and feel good about helping YOUR CHURCH.
Answer God’s call and grow your faith.
WE NEED YOU!
From Your Friendly Operations Committee
Nominating Committee Continues its Work
The Nominating Committee began its search for the next class of Elders and Deacons in January. This year, more than ever, new church leaders are needed to help guide us through the transition between pastors.
We want to follow last year’s protocol of asking our members to nominate congregation members (seeking the nominee’s permission) or nominating yourself, if you feel called to serve.
Please consider lay leaders, who can discern God’s voice and see where God is at work in our church and our community, and to lead us into the future God is creating for us and through us. To help you recognize spiritual gifts in yourself and others, the Nominating Committee would like to encourage you to please read and reflect on the following Scripture passages: Romans 12:9-21 and 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11.
Nomination forms and descriptions of the roles of Elder and Deacon will be available in the Narthex and in the church office. Or they may be sent to you electronically, if requested. If you have questions, you may contact Nominating Committee Co-Chairs Sally Kirsten or Colleen Tavor.
Learn to Save a Life
Automatic External Defibrilators (AEDs) are tools with the ability to save a life … but they’re only effective if people know how to use them. You’ll have a chance to learn on Sunday, March 12 at 11:30 a.m., when we’ll get a 90-minute course on the use of the AED and related live-saving techniques. The class will meet in Room 208-210. (Please note: completion of this class does not certify a participant in CPR or any other first aid technique, but rather gets you familiar with the device and how to use it when seconds count.) You can sign up with the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E45ABA928A3F85-first. There’s a limit of 15 participants to the class. Questions? Contact Chris Davis.
Safe Water for Marion Medical Mission in Africa
Our profound appreciation for members of First Presbyterian Church of Farmington who joined The Men’s Group in the mission to provide funding for simple, but safe water wells in Africa. In 2022, four wells were funded by the Men’s Group, by Mission, and by private, caring individuals, serving over 300 individuals in an area unfortunately renown for water borne diseases and child mortality.
Surrounded by the wonderful Great Lakes, we take this for granted, and that’s what motivated us to help this worthy organization – The Marion Medical Mission. This is just one village that we helped. The picture will be posted on the church bulletin board along with the other three villages that we all funded.
The Men’s Group is launching the effort again this year and has already had contributions towards that mission. Wells are installed later in the year, but the funding now helps with site identification, preparation, and sourcing of materials.
The Well Program not only provides safe drinking water but also the necessary knowledge, skills and tools to manage and maintain the protected water sources, so that safe drinking water continues in future years. Where wells have been built, waterborne diseases are eliminated. Sub-saharan Africa has the highest under 5 mortality rate in the world. Safe drinking water means the difference between life and death.
More on MMM can be found on their website: MMMWATER.ORG. They are a 4-star 501C3 nonprofit. If you feel the same drive to help this cause, please contact Rob Kirsten who will coordinate the effort. (You can trust Rob–he is under constant supervision by Sally).
What Is MISSION Collecting Now?
March brings us the third and final month of our health and hygiene collection. During the 1st Quarter of 2023 we have had the plastic bin out to collect products.
Knowing that people are having a very difficult time stretching their budgets to cover living costs and knowing that many necessary items cannot be purchased with a Bridge card, your Mission group will be accepting donations of regular-sized hygiene items through the end of March. We are using this extended period of three months so that you may look for items on sale or use coupons to help with cost effectiveness.
Any non-expired hygiene item is accepted but items most in need include body wash, shampoo, deodorant, shaving lotion, diapers (large sizes), pull-ups, body lotion, etc. Look for the plastic bin labeled: 1st Quarter Mission Collection through the end of March. Thank you for supporting Mission and helping those in need!
In April we will begin our 2nd quarter collection. Watch for details in the April FYI. (Hint: Does Snap! Crackle! Pop! ring a bell?)
Pasta Month
Also, March is PASTA month for our monthly “suggested” item of the month for CARES. (In February, we collected healthy drinks such as: Boost, Ensure, juices, shelf stable milk products, coffee, tea, etc.) There were some “supply chain issues” with the pasta items CARES usually stocks. If every FPCF member brought in one package of pasta during March, it would be enough for ½ of the households CARES serves! Thank you for all the ways you take care of your neighbor!A New Church Partnership
First Presbyterian Church of Farmington is the new home of Detroit Chin Baptist Church. The congregation entered into a long-term agreement with First Pres and is using the Sanctuary, Knox Fellowship Hall and various classrooms on Friday and Sunday evenings from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. Detroit Chin was founded by several refugees from Myanmar and was previously using rented space at another Farmington-area church before setting its sights on First Pres. Please welcome our new guests and partners to the Church of The Open Hands. Learn more about Detroit Chin on its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/dcbc2021).
Room Reservations at FPCF
We are pleased that there is a lot of activity at FPCF, but that means if you need a room for your activity, it is important that you request a room reservation in plenty of time and not assume that it will be available.
If you would like to reserve a room at FPCF:
- Contact the office
- Provide the date, time, duration of meeting and which room you desire
- Copy Chris Ely on the message so he will know to adjust heating or AC
We are thankful that our building is being put to good use!
nd Karen (Stewart) Spica
Mission Ministry Support of CARES All Year
Cost for food CARES buys for their pantry is increasing for them just as it is for your own grocery cart while the number of guests they serve is growing daily. Your Mission Ministry Team invites you to participate with us in a yearlong project to help CARES feed our hungry neighbors.
We will have the plastic CARES bin out and available (in the Narthex or the Mission Cove) for all of 2023. At the beginning of each month, we will publish in the bulletin a “suggested item” that would be particularly appreciated at CARES. You may challenge yourself to participate each month, once a quarter or as the spirit moves you.
Please know any contributions (even those not on the suggested list) are appreciated.
**Remember, CARES cannot use any food that has expired, so please check the date. Thank you for joining us in this new endeavor!
The Social Justice Book Club is Starting a New Book!
The Social Justice Book Club started up again in January with a new book – The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones. The #1 NY Times best seller is comprised of 18 essays and 36 poems. The essays show how the inheritance of 1619, the arrival of the first enslaved people to Virginia, reaches into every part of contemporary American society, from politics, music, diet, traffic, and citizenship to capitalism, religion, and our democracy itself.
Please join us for this significant reading. Contact Deb Hemmye or Colleen Tavor for more information. We meet via Zoom on the last Monday of each month. Next meeting: Monday, March 2 at 7:00 pm.
The JOY Study Group Will Study the Gospel of Mark
The JOY study group, Jesus, Others and You, began a 10-week session on the Gospel of Mark in January. We meet on Tuesday evenings via Zoom, from 7:00 p.m. to about 8:15 p.m. each week. We are using a study guide written by N. T. Wright, a well-known Biblical scholar. Each week we prepare for the discussion with about 1 hour of self-study ahead of the gathering. The study guide provides a set of thoughtful questions to understand the text and the context in our time.
Give this a try! If you are new to Bible study, or would like to return to Bible study, this is a great entry point. Mark is thought to be the first gospel written and is known for moving quickly through many aspects of Jesus’ life and His interactions with many different people. There is much to discover in these pages together!
The study guides are $12 or less, and Sharon Cressman can order you a book if you let us know you would like to participate. If you have any questions, please contact: Karl Cressman.
The Wired Word
An Adult Curriculum – Join our Bible study Sundays at 9:00 a.m. An advance copy of the weekly lesson is sent to each of the class members and friends requesting a copy. The class meets in Room 208/210. Every week there is a new topic selected by The Wired Word staff based on current events and ideas. These meaningful discussions are a great way to share and get to know church members. Sign up by sending your name and email to Tom Neal.
Bell Choir seminar taught bell maintenance, ringing techniques
Bell expert Sue Berry recently provided an educational and social time for our devoted Choral Hand Bell Choir. We learned how to take bells apart, replace springs, check the tensions, put bells back together and shine them. That took from 9:00 until noon. We now know how to repair the bells ourselves so they won’t have to be sent back to the company. We broke for a delicious and plentiful lunch – soups, salads, homemade bread and brownies. The afternoon session was spent learning various techniques of playing. Everyone felt like it was time well spent, enjoying each other’s company and helping our neighbors.
If you have a burning desire to ring a handbell, we have a place for you, and no experience is necessary! On Thursday evenings, the Choral Bell Handbell Choir meets from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in Room 209. All are welcome!
Thank You’s
Fort Street – “Your contributions helped us enormously over the past year. In 2022 we went through a visioning process and came out with better clarity on our values, goals, and mission: Opening Hearts and Doors Together in Faith. The Open Door program continued to move from helping exclusively with short-term needs – clothes, food, a bus pass, or a hotel for the night – to long-term work in getting our guests into housing, making sure they are receiving proper benefits from the state, and providing both physical and emotional health resources…It is our prayer that we would live lives of thanksgiving and generosity through this community of faith.”
CARES – “We thank you for your generous support and thank you for seeing our vision through your eyes. The CARES organization gratefully acknowledges your generous donation and support. Please know the contribution will be used to further our mission to meet the needs of our community. As we continue to expand and build our Campus of Hope here on the grounds of CARES, we welcome everyone to come and tour CARES in Farmington Hills so that you can begin to experience our vision and our dream.”
Lighthouse – “Thank you for your generous donation. The ongoing impact of the pandemic alongside inflation costs has continued to impact the most vulnerable neighbors in our community. With costs continuing to rise, more and more families are having to make difficult choices about what to do with limited funds. We are seeing the need increase and are doing everything we can to meet it. However, our ability to offer life-changing programs only exists because of charitable, caring people like you. Your donation will help us provide food, emergency shelter, housing assistance, and so much more to families and individuals in need. With your help, we are becoming a beacon of hope for more families in our community. On behalf of the Lighthouse MI family and all those we serve, thank you for your generous support.”
Church-Wide Prayer
A powerful tool in a church is not necessarily a program, a special service, a booklet or a flashy presentation. It’s a group of people who live what they say they believe. It’s worshiping Jesus, loving each other and caring for the community. In other words, a healthy church.
The following prayer has been suggested to be used as a church-wide prayer for groups, committees, meetings, or any gathering of church members. The Session is suggesting that First Presbyterian Church of Farmington members and friends unite in prayer often as we review, reflect and revitalize our church life. There is power when a church gathers together to pray.
Dear Lord,
We ask for your blessings on the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Farmington. We ask that you expand our opportunities to minister to our neighbors, both known and unknown, and to spread the good news of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. We ask that your hand be on us as we go forth on the path that you would have us be on, that you protect us and keep us from evil and that we, in turn, do no harm to anyone. Bless us, Lord, bless us indeed! Help us to remember that nothing can happen here without you and without our willing hearts and our open hands. Guide us through this time of reflection and revitalization of our church. We thank you for your loving presence with us each day. Amen.
Adapted for First Presbyterian Church of Farmington from a prayer used by Orchard Lake Methodist Church provided by Ginny Hubble
Editors: Colleen Tavor and Karen Spica
