Welcome Family and Children Ministry Coordinator Kim Kucharski
Session is happy to announce that Kim Kucharski joined the church staff effective May 1 as our Family and Children Ministry Coordinator. This newly defined part-time role (15 hours per week) provides spirited, creative and compassionate leadership over ministry activities for children from infancy through eighth grade and their families.
The Coordinator works in partnership with parents, church staff, the Nurture and Worship Ministry Teams, and adult and youth volunteers. The Coordinator guides these partners to create a sense of community among children, parents and older generations by providing a warm, welcoming, inclusive and affirming environment for fellowship events and activities that are designed to provide mutual support and opportunities to grow in faith. The Coordinator also provides leadership in the transformative use of creative arts & music, enabling faith formation and relationship building in ways that spark imaginations and ignite passions, capturing the interest of children and their families including those who are not regular participants in the life of the church.
For more on the philosophy for our Family and Children Ministry and for Kim’s biography, please see page 3.
Congratulations to Laura Hedgecock, our newest PW Honorary Member
Each year we honor a woman who generously gives of herself serving this church by awarding a Lifetime Membership in Presbyterian Women. This year’s recipient, Laura Hedgecock, shares her boundless energy and faith here and throughout the world. PW Moderator Nancy Cook presented the award to Laura and during a laying on of hands ceremony she was congratulated by a group of previous recipients of the Lifetime Membership in Presbyterian Women Award (including a few men who also are past honorees).
Laura’s contributions to the church are too numerous to list here but include past PW moderator, webmaster, Communications Committee chair, co-chair of Youth United, SOS volunteer and Mission Ministry Team member! She is a member of A.C.T.S. Circle, and over the past 25 years she has been an elder twice. And she’s a past president/chairperson of the Farmington Presbyterian Preschool Thanks for all you do, Laura.
Spring Clean Up and Garden Prep Day
Mark your calendar for Saturday morning, May 4 from 9 a.m. to Noon! Come, bring a rake and help spruce up the church grounds. Help ready our vegetable gardens for spring planting. This is a great opportunity to make some new church friends! Many hands make for light work! Hope to see you there so you can join us as we pridefully prepare our church for the warmer weather.
Congregational Meeting is Sunday, May 5
Session has called a congregational meeting of members for the purpose of electing Elders to the Session and Deacons to the Board of Deacons and at-large members of the Nominating Committee. Please plan to attend on May 5, immediately after worship; the meeting will be followed by our traditional Hospitality Time in Knox Hall.
June FYI Deadline is Thursday, May 16.
Upcoming Events and Mission Opportunities
View printable May 2019 calendar
Last call to support the 2019 CROP Hunger Walk!
The 34th Annual Farmington Area CROP Hunger Walk is Sunday, May 5. Join us for a beautiful walk through downtown Farmington starting at 1:30 p.m. from the First United Methodist Church of Farmington on Grand River in downtown Farmington! You can help end hunger and poverty around the block and around the world by cheering on our walkers and supporting the Farmington/Farmington Hills/West Bloomfield CROP Hunger Walk.
Donations can be made online at www.crophungerwalk.org by first registering your information and then Searching the Find Campaign, Walk or Team for “FirstPresFarmington” (in the upper right corner).
First Pres walkers Don Schwartz (left), Pastor Eddie Jusino and Pam Jusino provide encouragement to a fellow walker during the 2018 CROP Hunger Walk.
Our team will also be collecting donations in the church narthex on May 5.
Toastmasters hosts Open House on May 8
Are you aware that First Pres is the proud host of a Toastmaster Club? For more than a year the Great Lakes Real Orators (GLRO) Toastmasters Club meets every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. in Room 208/210. They invite all to join them for an Open House on Wednesday, May 8 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. in Knox Hall. This is a great opportunity to learn how Toastmasters can help improve your public speaking and build leadership skills. Our own Laura Hedgecock is a member and would be happy to tell you all about the benefits of the Club. RSVP to Roni at 313- 434-1551 or Marci at 248-252-4828.
Farmington Chorus Concert returns to First Pres on May 11!
The Farmington Community Chorus, under the direction of Director Steven SeGrave and Accompanist Jennifer Gale, performs its annual Spring Concert, “A Broadway Revue,” in our sanctuary on Friday, May 10 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 11 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door or $12 in advance.
Don’t miss our May 19 Cluster “Meet & Greet”
Everyone! Please plan on attending our Spring “Meet & Greet” on Sunday, May 19 after worship. This will be an opportunity to get to know the members of your flock. We have some new Cluster Leaders and have made some changes to some of our groups. It will be a fun time to visit with some old friends as well as make some new friends!! Join us during Hospitality time on May 19! Please join us!! All ages welcome.
Spiritual Hands Art Ministry Program is May 20
All are invited to a special event, “Sharing Faith Through Artistry,” on Monday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. Our presenter will be Mary Hilger, an author, illustrator, and art educator from Indiana. Mary will do a live faith-based chalk presentation. Come see her chalk swirl across the canvas! Mary writes that in 2002 after asking God how she could serve him better with the gift he had given her, she “accepted the call to be an instrument to bring people closer to the Lord through my art ministry.” She believes that the Holy Spirit has guided her hand in her drawing. Her ministry has spread to churches around the U.S. and Canada, Africa, India, France, and Italy.
Mary, who happens to be Paul McVey’s cousin, is a recent widow with six daughters. She has written a book, “Finding Beauty in Ashes,” subtitled “Angels Sent in Our Darkest Hour” about the sudden loss of her husband. Mary’s book and art prints will be available for purchase at the Gathering.
Presbyterian Women is your host for the program, dessert and coffee, and the installation of new PW officers. Tickets ($3.00) will be available at the welcome table in May. Contact Deborah Draper, Martha Countegan or the church office for more information.
Worship Service Emergency Drill June 2
The Safety / Security team will be running its annual emergency drill at the end of worship June 2. During the final hymn, the church’s fire alarm will be activated. All individuals in the building will exit to the designated rendezvous point — the fire pit on the southwest corner of the parking lot. The drill will allow us to test the improved sound and visual alert system in the sanctuary. (Those choosing not to participate should leave worship before the final hymn.) Questions? Call Chris Davis.
Save the date for our Craft Show & Bake Sale
Our 4th Annual Craft Show and Bake Sale it will be on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. in Knox Hall. We are known for being the church with open hands and what a wonderful outreach to the community it is to invite them to be crafters at our show! We already have four returning crafters but there’s room for many more. Space size is 8’ X 8’ and the event is open to all members of the church and community.
Please spread the word! For applications or more information, contact Deborah Draper or the church office.
Congregational Matters
Our Philosophy for Family and Children Ministry
As we nurture our children and their families, we prepare the soil of kid’s hearts so that seeds of faith can grow, nurturing an early relationship with the Living Christ through creative arts including dance/movement, music, singing, drama, poetry, painting and other age-appropriate mediums whereby children/youth experience God and learn about their/our faith. We help children find God in all things and use creative expression to access God’s ongoing Revelation and presence.
We’re shifting the focus from rote learning of facts about Church history or the story of Jesus toward artistic expression that allows children to hear, feel, explore and express each Biblical scene. We are proud to welcome Kim Kucharski to our team as Family and Children Ministry Coordinator.
Introducing Family and Children Ministry Coordinator Kim Kucharski
Kim Kucharski graduated from the University of Michigan with an Elementary Education degree. She has worked with children of all ages, most recently focused on preschoolers.
Kim has been a member of the Farmington Presbyterian Preschool’s program since 2006, first as a teacher and now as Co-Director. She will continue in that part-time role while adding her new part-time role as our church’s Family and Children Ministry Coordinator. Kim previously served as the Director of Family Ministries at the First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak.
Kim and her husband Steve have two children: Taylor (age 23, a U of M grad) and Ben (21, attending MSU). In her spare time, Kim enjoys singing, reading, traveling and hiking. Kim and Steve are grateful for the welcoming community at the Church of the Open Hands. They look forward to getting to know everyone as Kim settles into her new staff role.
Arts and Archives – “Did You Know?”
The beautiful stained-glass windows in the sanctuary were made possible by gifts from the congregation. They were designed, manufactured and installed by Omnibus Design, the art studio established by Richard E Hanley of Okemos, Michigan.
The chancel window was made in sections, designed so that each flowed to the next, creating a panorama of Christian symbolism, with a Celtic Cross in the center.
The six small windows on the east side of the sanctuary represent the six days of creation and the six on the west side depict people of the Old Testament.
The small, very old stained glass “Crown Window” is mounted in a window in “Mission Cove.” It was purchased for the church by members Jerry and Lila Ellsworth from a country village antique shop while traveling in Europe in the 1970’s. The window is believed to be from the late 1700’s. Originally one of a pair, the other has been lost.
Rebuilding Together volunteers beautify local home
Congratulations to our team for successfully completing work on a nearby house as part of this annual effort to help low-income homeowners in the Farmington Hills area update their homes.
Congregation members and friends came together and fixed, washed, painted, made electrical changes and trimmed bushes at a home in Farmington Hills. It is amazing what team work can accomplish for neighbors in need! The homeowner was very pleased with all our help and folks seemed to have fun too! Thanks all for a job well done and making a difference in our community!
Library resource aids Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers
Stephen Ministers recently looked at a new book in our library titled Seasons of Caring: Meditations for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers. This collection of meditations is intended to inspire and uplift caregivers who are dealing with loved ones whose lives have been altered by this terrible disease. It is a product of a national interfaith network of clergy, laity and faith organizations advocating for better care, improved treatment and a cure for dementia. We found it to be a book that was easy to read and contained a diverse collection of personal stories, poems, prayers, Scripture and encouraging words. The book is available for check out in our church library on the second floor next to the church office. Our hope is that it may be a blessing to you or to someone you know.
Second Mile Center Update
Presbyterian Women has received several thank you notes from both Ruth Azar and the children of Second Mile Center expressing their appreciation for the donations from our congregation. They mentioned the food for the holiday baskets (a van full), monetary donations, and the Christmas gift bags for specific children at the Center.
They prayerfully request help with their mobile health fair, to be held Tuesday, June 25 at the Center. At this event, hygiene kits are given to everyone who completes the screening. These are very popular with the participants. If you would like to donate a kit (which should go in an XL size clear plastic bag), the requested contents are:
- Toothbrush Toothpaste (at least 6.4 oz)
- Dental floss Bar of soap (bath size)
- Wash cloth Deodorant
- Shampoo (15 oz.) Chap stick
- Conditioner (15 oz.)
In addition, volunteers are requested for the Health Fair. The shifts are 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (set-up), 12:30 – 4:00 p.m. and 3:30 – 7:00 p.m. (Fair shifts) and 7:00 – 8:00 pm. (Clean-up shift). Contact Ruth Azar at [email protected] to volunteer, or see Colleen Tavor, Sally Kirsten or Sue Carlson.
Second Mile is also planning a “Summer Dreams” program of Vacation Bible School, free lunch five days a week, art, dance, recreation, wood burning and other crafts. The Center needs over $20,000 to hold a seven-week program. Help by praying, volunteering, and funding the dreams of children. Ruth Azar writes, “The Lord is our hope and we praise God for all of you, your gifts, talents, and prayers.”
Pictorial Directory App available for all Smart Phones
We can now offer access to the 2018 Pictorial Directory — including family photos and updated directory — through a special App just for First Pres members and friends. This App now works on iOS (Apple devices) and android phones. The App will allow you to send emails, text and make phone calls directly from the directory listing, as well as map to a specific address. Send an email to the church office at [email protected] to request the instruction sheet and your personal access code. A pdf version of the pictorial directory (including church activities pages, family photos and updated directory listings) also is available from the church office.
Check out the church’s Facebook Page!
For those of you who use Facebook, if you have not “liked” our church page, please start by looking up First Presbyterian Church of Farmington and clicking the “like” icon. Once you have “liked” the page you will receive interesting church news including notice of upcoming events. We need as many people as possible to “like” our page AND for those who are on Facebook to “like” and “share” events and happenings at the church on our timeline. Sharing is a great way to spread the good news about First Pres!
Like, share, comment, and follow us on Facebook at http://FB.me/FirstPresbyterianChurchOfFarmington/armington.
April Session Meeting Highlights
At its April 24, 2019 meeting, the Session:
- Authorized the hiring of Kim Kucharski as the Family and Children’s Coordinator with a start date of May 1, 2019.
- Changed the May Session meeting to May 22, 2019 since Pastor Eddie will be out of town on the earlier date.
- Agreed to use funds from the Memorials and Tributes Fund to paint Knox Fellowship Hall.
- Asked the Operations Ministry to establish a committee to determine the best way to finance large capital projects such as repaving the parking lot or replacing the building roof.
Financial Update
Below is the budgeted year-to-date actual financial information for our church through March 31, 2019:
Total income received: $132,073.36
Total expenses: $117,854.43
Year to-date balance: $14,218.93
We keep in our prayers
Names withheld from the online version of our newsletter.
We hold in our prayers, those who are sick. We also hold in prayer those impacted by the government shutdown, recent storms, natural disasters, gun violence and terrorism, as well as those who put themselves in harm’s way to assist them. We pray for the grieving, and remember members who are homebound, in nursing homes, and assisted living and those serving in the military or as first responders.
The Bests are coming!
Thank You and Congratulations Messages
A Special Note of Appreciation: Thank you to all the church members and friends who offered our family their kind condolences, sympathy and prayers during the difficult times following the loss of our dear husband, father and grandfather, Bill Kinney. Without all your loving support and caring concerns, our terrible loss would have been unbearable. Your kind thoughts and prayers continue to help sustain us as we heal. ~Mary Kinney and family
Thanks to Lydia Circle from an Angel Tree Parent: For the last several years, Lydia Circle has participated in Angel Tree, A Program of Prison Fellowship. Lydia members and others purchased and delivered Christmas gifts to children of incarcerated parents. The parents had filled out forms with information about the children and suggestions for gifts. Free Children’s bibles were also made available. Some parents have written back to Lydia members. Recently this note arrived from Keith, a dad in Texas: “First I pray that God will bless the church and everybody that helped make it possible for our children to receive Christmas gifts from us incarcerated parents. I thank you all personally for putting a smile on my baby girl’s face at Christmas. It’s already hard not being there to see her grow up. I would like to ask that your church pray for me and my family please. And to Lydia Circle, thank you for the card letting me know that my daughter would receive a gift from me! Thank you all, and may God bless you!”
Announcements
Where’s Pastor Eddie? Just a reminder that Pastor Eddie will be visiting family in Puerto Rico as well as visiting and worshiping with the Iglesia Presbiteriana de Levittown from May 6-16.
For pastoral emergencies in his absence, please contact Pastor Craig Aue, Pastoral Care Intern Josh Archey or the church office.
Holiday Office Closure: The church office and building will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day.
