November 2022 News and Information

Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, Nov. 6

The first Sunday in November is when Daylight Saving Time ends, so we’ll “fall back” one hour and return to Standard Time on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at 2 a.m. Remember to set your clocks BACK one hour before you go to bed on Saturday, Nov. 5, or you’ll be an hour early for church on Sunday, Nov. 6!

All Saints Day celebrated Sunday November 6

On Sunday, Nov. 6, we will observe All Saints Day during worship. All Saints’ Day is a universal festival of the church. This festival day directs our attention to the richness of Christian history and the varied experiences of the grace of God by lifting up the lives of the saints. All Saints Day celebrates all the people of God, living and who have moved to “More Life,” who together form the mystical body of Christ.
Below are the names of the members and friends of First Presbyterian Church of Farmington who have been baptized, confirmed or have “Moved from this Life to More Life” during the past 12 months. At this service we will remember them in our prayers, and we give thanks for their lives.

Baptized (Future Generation):

Harper Mae Goltz Jordan Zachary Goltz
Rose Pouncy Everly Grace Schwartz
Theodore McCullough Segnitz

Moved from this Life to More Life (Past Generation)

Dale C. Adams Charlotte Virginia Fallis
Janet Carolyn Sell

December 2022 FYI Deadline: Friday, November 18

October 2022 Session Meeting Highlights

A regular meeting of the Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Farmington (FPCF) was held on October 19, 2022.

The meeting began with introductions between Session members and Pastor Kaibel, who has been assigned to be FPCF’s Session Moderator in the absence of a full-time Pastor. Rev. Michelle James, Committee on Ministry (COM) Representative, gave an update on the Pastoral Transition Process. The next step is to begin preparations for the Transitional (Interim) Pastor search.

Session approved engaging Worklife Consulting to conduct a 2-1/2-day Leadership Development Process for the formal and informal leaders in the congregation. This is a next step following the CAT survey and recommendations.

The Nurture Ministry reported that a schedule is in place for speakers and pulpit supply through the end of the year. They also reported they will be handing out Halloween candy to residents in the Normandy Hills Subdivision on Halloween from the church driveway.

The Session Treasurer will be resigning from their position effective December 31, 2022. A search is underway for a replacement Treasurer.

The next Session meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 7:00 p.m.

Financial Update – Third Quarter, 2022

Financial reports for the third quarter are complete.

Q: How did the third quarter go, from a financial perspective?
A: The overall totals for the third quarter alone show our expenses exceeded our revenue. Year-to-date totals show the same deficit spending—expenses exceeded revenue. Income does slow down during the summer months (third quarter); therefore, we encourage everyone to keep their pledging payments up to date.

Q: Does that affect our operations for the rest of the year?
A: We anticipate our expenses will continue to outstrip revenue as winter descends. We know heating costs will go up this winter and (just as like our personal budgets) other expenses/supplies are increasing in cost. This makes planning next year’s budget very difficult.

With our Stewardship Campaign underway, we ask you to prayerfully consider increasing your pledge for 2023, to continue our beautiful music program, worship services, our community outreach programs, special events, and our fellowship time together.

Scout Troop 179 – A Longstanding Community Outreach Program

Here are just a few facts about the Scout Groups meeting in our building.

• In 2021, they served about 160 community youth (boys & girls) in Pack 179, Troop 179 & Crew 179 -all of which are sponsored and chartered by the church.
• These groups performed nearly 2,000 service hours during the year in Southeast Michigan at First Presbyterian Church, C.A.R.E.S., Tollgate MSU Farm, Cole Canoe Base, Heritage Park, Oak Hill Cemetery, Killarney Lutheran Camp, Utley Cemetery, Island Lake State Park, Proud Lake State Park, and Pontiac Cat Rescue.
• During 2021, Troop 179 produced 13 Eagle Scouts who planned and led their peers in an additional 1,300 service hours in our community, including First Presbyterian Church of Farmington, C.A.R.E.S., Heritage Park and Woodcreek Elementary Nature Trail.
• By providing meeting space and some support to these organizations, the equivalent of a year and a half of full time (40 hours a week) service work has been performed, and more importantly, our youth has learned to give back to their community.

There is great work happening with and through these young people who come through our doors to their scout meetings; your Stewardship dollars help that happen. We know there are challenges ahead as we search for our next pastor. We know there will be budgetary challenges also. Together we can do this. It is a time for prayer and practice of our Christian beliefs. We thank you in advance for your support. Please feel free to contact any of our committee members if you have any questions.

Stewardship 2023 – God’s Garden

First come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses . . .
for the garden of your daily living.
Plant Three Rows of Peas:
Peace of mind.
Peace of heart.
Peace of soul.

Plant Four Rows of Squash:
Squash gossip.
Squash indifference.
Squash grumbling.
Squash selfishness.

Plant Four Rows of Lettuce:
Lettuce be faithful.
Lettuce be kind.
Lettuce be patient.
Lettuce really love one another.

No Garden Is Without Turnips:
Turnip for meetings.
Turnip for service.
Turnip to help one another.

To Conclude Our Garden, We Must Have Thyme:
Thyme for each other.
Thyme for family.
Thyme for friends.

Water freely with patience and cultivate with love.
There is much fruit in your garden because you reap what you sow.

(This poem was brought to Deborah Circle by Ardis Scott for our devotions and shared by Georgia Roed.)

Farewell to Pastor Eddie and Pam Jusino

On Sunday, October 16, FPCF bid Eddie and Pam Jusino farewell as they move on to wherever God calls them next. The church was filled with well-wishers and several had heartwarming memories to share. Chris Ely prepared a slide show to share even more memories set up near a large poster of the church with plenty of white space for the congregation to write their farewells. A big thank you to Chris Davis who kept us organized and all the volunteers who made it happen. Many thanks to Eddie Matteson for the delicious dishes he tirelessly prepared and members of the congregation who provided delicious desserts. Before sitting down to a delicious meal, we held a congregational meeting to vote to dissolve the pastor relationship with Eddie and approve a severance package.

Godspeed, Eddie and Pam, and we wish God’s blessings on wherever you go in the future. Thank you for being there for us. We’ll miss you!

Getting to Know You

Hello, my name is Carly Vivio and I’m excited to be your new Office Assistant! I’m thrilled to be part of the First Presbyterian team and have enjoyed meeting and working with all of you. I am looking forward to continuing to meet the remainder of you whom I have not met yet in person.

Originally from Livonia, I graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a Master of Arts in Special Education. My first four years of my career, I spent teaching special education grades K-5. After teaching for four years in public education, I followed my dreams to work with children with Autism. I then went on to complete my Behavior Analyst Certification at Wayne State University and practicum. I have had experience working in a clinical setting with children with Autism and working for Arizona State University, co-teaching in the graduate program for behavior analysis.

During my new career I married my husband, Angelo in 2014 and we had many life changes; we moved to Farmington Hills and welcomed our first child, Stella in 2018 and then a short year and a half later we were blessed with a second child, Henry, in 2019. Both of my children attend preschool here at FPP and love all of their teachers and friends! We also have a senior mini dachshund, named Schnitzel.

Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women

Each year Presbyterian Women confers an Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) upon an outstanding individual in recognition of faithful service in one or more areas of the church’s work. Each life member receives a pin and certificate and recognition during the worship service. A reception is held after church to meet and greet the honoree.

On Sunday, November 13 we will again bestow this award. Presbyterian Women hope that you can be present in-person or will watch the live-stream and offer your congratulations to this outstanding and worthy individual. We hope many of our past Honorary Membership Recipients will be able to attend worship that day to also be recognized and participate in the laying on of hands.

Thank you, and please join us!  ~Deborah Draper, PW Moderator

New Membership Class – Saturday, November 19

Many of you have expressed an interest in joining First Presbyterian Church of Farmington (FPCF) as a member. We’re pleased that you are interested in becoming a part of the Church of the Open Hands family and want to know how to make it official by joining this Body of Christ.

We are excited to announce that a New Membership Orientation Class will be held on Saturday, November 19, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon in Room 208/210. You’ll have an opportunity to hear the FPCF story and tell us yours.

Please contact the church office by Thursday, November 17, if you plan to attend (248-474-6170 or [email protected]). If you are unable to attend this new membership session, we’ll be planning another one soon.

October Garden News

Another 16 pounds of produce was harvested in October from our church garden for delivery to the Pontiac Food Pantry. In addition, Tom Neal received extra produce from the Farmington Farmers Market along with 2 bags of apples. Thank you to all the volunteers who contributed their time, sweat, and sometimes even produce from their own gardens to this labor of love all summer long – planting, watering, weeding, harvesting, delivering, etc. What a beautiful outreach of the Church of the Open Hands!

The Wired Word – Applying the Bible to the Headlines – Join us!

Consider joining our Adult Discussion Class as we apply the Bible to stories in the headlines. It makes for some lively, interesting, and insightful discussions among friends. The class is led by Tom Neal and Rev. Craig Aue. We meet on Sunday mornings from 9:00 – 10:00 am. You can attend in person in Room 208/210 or by Zoom. Contact Tom Neal at [email protected] for more details and the Zoom link. Many of us join early just to chat and catch up. Please join us! All are welcome!

Christmas Gathering is Monday, December 5

Dessert, Music and a Play

After two years without a Christmas play due to COVID-19, Presbyterian Players are back! Hear what the barnyard animals have to say about what’s going on in the stable.

“I Carry the King,” a drama by Karen Jones, will be performed in the sanctuary on Monday, December 5. Starting at 7:00 pm, we’ll have holiday refreshments in fellowship hall. Around 7:30, we’ll move into the sanctuary for music and the play. All are welcome. Tickets are $5.00. They’ll be on sale at the welcome center table in the narthex before and after worship on November 20 and 27 and Dec 4.

Tickets are also available through Eventbrite via this link: https://i-carry-the-king.eventbrite.com/

Giving Opportunities

Troop 179 Wreath Sale – November 20

Calvin Malisow at Scout Troop 179’s 2021 Wreath Sale

The Scouts of Troop 179 are selling wreaths for the holidays. They will be for sale Sunday, November 20, before and after Church. The small wreath is $27, the medium wreath is $37, 25 feet of roping is $30, and stands are $6 each.

If you would like one, but cannot be at Church on Sunday, please contact Katie Malisow. We will happily deliver!

Second Mile Center Christmas Giving Opportunity

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!

From Sunday, November 13 through Monday, December 12, we will be collecting hats, mittens, underwear, and socks (no scarves, please) for needy children right here in our own community. (These items are distributed through Neighborhood House and the GoodFellows).

We will also collect these same items for adults: hats, mittens or gloves, underwear, socks. (And the adults can use scarves). There is an ever-present need for all three items during the cold, winter months. Adult items will be shared with Calvin East Presbyterian Church, Neighborhood House, and GoodFellows,

Your new items should be placed on or below the dowel tree in the Narthex starting Sunday, November 13. 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, PW Vice Moderator for Justice and Peace.

Congregational Concerns and Thanks

Thank you, Stephen Ministers!

Stephen Ministry has been a part of our church for many years, starting with Paul and Ruby Sutton. After they stepped down as leaders, there was a short pause in the ministry. In 2005, it started back up again under the leadership of Karen Noble, Mary Buchan and Helen Thomas.

In 2009, there was new leadership with Jim Graves and Lois Caito participating in a weeklong leadership training and joining the ministry. There have been many classes of Stephen Ministers consisting of members of our congregation who each committed to 55 hours of training, participation in ongoing education and have been faithful to their commitment to their care receivers. Over the years, some of our Stephen Ministers and Leaders have moved, some have retired, and some have moved to More Life.

There has been an effort to find new leadership during the past two years. These efforts have not been successful. Also, during the last two years, we have had fewer people choose to have a Stephen Minister. So, it has been decided, that it is time for another pause in this ministry.

Our Stephen Ministers have sent out many grief booklets during the years, and they have spent time with others, offered a listening ear and been a reminder that God is always with us and loves us. Thank you to the wonderful people who have been faithful to this ministry – Helen Thomas (20-plus years), Charlene Diehl (17 years), Jim Hubble (17 years), Carolee Caylor (17 years), Alice Williams (13 years), Lois Caito (13 years) and Pam Jusino (5 years).

Thank you for the love you have shown to others!

Fellowship, Friendship, and Fun

On Sunday afternoon, October 23, a few of us got together for fellowship, friendship, and fun. The snacks were great, and there were even prizes for the winners of Bingo and other games.
It was so much fun; we hope you’ll join us for another game time/pizza night in January.

Caregiving Clusters

You may know that the Deacons oversee a group of Cluster Leaders, each of whom touches base with a small group of members, usually about six or seven. They may call, send a card, note, or email occasionally to make sure everyone knows they are thought about and valued. Now that we have some wonderful new members, we find we are in need of a couple more Cluster Leaders. If this is something you think you could do from the comfort of your home, please let us know this week. Contact Mary Carson, Sue Andrews, or Sue Carlson to volunteer for this important ministry.

Calling All Ringers and Singers

Have you had a burning desire to ring a handbell or sing somewhere other than just in the shower? Well, we have a place for you, and no experience is necessary! On Thursday evenings the Handbell choir and Chancel choir meet for their weekly rehearsals for Sunday Worship services. For our first year, the handbell choir did an outstanding job of ringing for the church (and we had a lot of fun doing it). They will meet at 6:00-7:00 p.m. And the anchor of the church, our Chancel choir, meets from 7:30-9:00 p.m.. Hope to see you there!

COVID 19 or Flu Symptoms

The Fall season has arrived, so please be extra mindful of any symptoms that may be associated with sickness. Fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, congestion, and fatigue are some of the early symptoms associated with many viruses spread in the community. Please be extra cautious and stay home if you are feeling under the weather or feeling any of the symptoms mentioned above.

Editors: Colleen Tavor and Karen (Stewart) Spica