Confirmation Class of 2020
Do you know someone who is in the 8th or 9th grade (or older) looking to take the confirmation journey? The Detroit Presbytery is sponsoring a confirmation class for local Presbyterian churches. Classes will meet one Sunday afternoon a month for seven months at the First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham. Kim Kucharski, our youth and family ministry coordinator, will attend along with you. Join together to learn about God’s story and connect our stories to what God is doing in the world today. Contact Kim Kucharski with questions at [email protected] or 248 496-2693.
It’s Harvest Time
Time to bring in those tomatoes and other fresh garden produce so we can donate them to C.A.R.E.S. food pantry. Or stop by our award-winning Farmers Market in Farmington to buy produce to donate. We will have a bin by the front door for donations. Thank you for your generosity.
93rd Annual Used Book Sale – Sept 7
The book donations you brought to church over the summer will morph into scholarships for young women from proceeds of the AAUW Book Sale!
The sale will be Friday, Sept. 6 from 5:30-8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 8 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (Bag Day, $5/bag) at the Southfield Parks & Rec Center, 26000 Evergreen Rd, Southfield. There is also a preview sale on Friday from 2-5 p.m. with a $15 admission fee. Tri-county area teachers are invited to pick out up to $75 of books FREE for their classrooms on Saturday from 1-5 pm (bring your school ID). Now that you’ve cleaned out your bookshelves, it’s time to fill them up again! Thank you for your support!
Arts and Archives – “Did You Know?”
You have been reading the “Did You Know?” column for the past few months. Now you have the opportunity to see these many items during our “Docent Tours” throughout the church building and gardens. For those who attended last year, you will find updated information on many of the artifacts as well as “new finds.” Plan on staying for our extended fellowship hour and docent tours after worship on Sunday, Sept 15. Please save the date. We hope to see you there.
Join the fun at First Pres Tailgate
It’s time to show your school spirit at the first First Pres Tailgate following worship on Sunday, Sept. 22.
Wear your school attire or favorite team’s colors to a fun, festive, indoor celebration in Knox Hall. Preliminary lunch menu is hot dogs, potato salad, cole slaw and cupcakes.
Get ready to show off your pride!
October FYI Deadline is Thursday, Sept. 19
Upcoming Events and Mission Opportunities
Click here for printable calendar
PRESBYTERY IS COMING – This is a big deal!
Our church will be hosting the Presbytery of Detroit in September. On Tuesday, Sept. 24 to be exact from 2 p.m. through the evening. It’s a chance to showcase our beautiful facility and provide FPCF hospitality befitting The Church of the Open Hands!
It has been many years since we have hosted a Presbytery meeting. It will take many hands to make this happen. There are many tasks for which we need your help. Some are simple; some take a little more time and effort, but they are still easy to do:
- Have you ever wanted to be a traffic cop?We need three (3) people to direct our guests onto our lot and into parking spaces.(This is a Tuesday afternoon task:4 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
- We must provide someone to act as timekeeper for the Presbytery’s Clerk of Session during the meeting. (Looking for two names here: one person and a second back-up and/or relief person).
- Three people (3) to handle registration, checking everyone in (starting at 2 p.m. through dinnertime).Filled
- Two (2) people to collect meal payments from the guests (starting 2 p.m. through dinnertime).
- 4 or 5 Hosts, answering questions, giving directions and welcoming our guests (starting at 2 p.m. until 7 p.m.; you can work in shifts as you are able.)
- 4 or 5 people to set up chairs and tables in the Narthex and Knox Hall (to be done Sunday after worship or on Monday during the day).
- 4 people to set the tables for the dinner; again, this can be done Sunday or Monday.
- 3 or 4 people to serve beverages to our guests during dinner (6 p.m. – 7 p.m.).
- Can you help clean up after the event? We need 5+ people to put things back in shape.(This does NOT include washing dishes J.)
If you can help in one or more ways, please sign the Presbytery Task List in the Narthex or contact Sally Kirsten. Many hands make light work!
Deacons Wellness Seminar focuses on Medicare
Join us for lunch and learning after church on Sunday, Sept. 29 in Knox Fellowship Hall. This year’s topic is Medicare. What does Medicare cover and what doesn’t it cover? How is Medicare Advantage different from other Medicare plans? Am I eligible for special help? What about dental and vision coverage? What is the difference between observation and hospital admittance and how does that relate to my Medicare coverage? Can Medicare Part D save me money?
Former First Pres member and volunteer for Michigan’s Area Agency on Aging Julie Cohen will give a short “Medicare 101” presentation, and then take questions from the audience so you can make an informed decision during open enrollment, Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2019.
If you plan to attend one of the monthly Medicare sign-up sessions (also led by Julie Cohen) at the Farmington Community Library, this is your opportunity to get your questions answered before you sign on the dotted line. Lunch will be provided by the Deacons immediately after worship and Julie will start her presentation at noon.
Flu Shot Clinic on Sept. 29
The Visiting Nurses Association will be providing trivalent high dose and quadrivalent flu and pneumonia shots for our church this fall for people over age 65 or those with a chronic illness. The clinic will be held on Sunday, Sept. 29 from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in Knox Fellowship Hall.
The VNA will bill traditional Medicare Part B, HAP (except Cigna HAP), BCBS, BCN and Priority Health. Otherwise the cost last year was $50 for the trivalent high dose flu shot, $33 for the quadrivalent flu shot and $95 for pneumonia shots (watch the bulletin for 2019 rates).. The nurses are required to see your Medicare card and your driver’s license or state ID card in order to bill Medicare or your insurance. Payment options are insurance, cash or check.
Candlelit Slow Flow Yoga Starts Sept 9
Soul Stretch Yoga begins a new session at First Pres Farmington on Monday evenings from 7:00-8:00 p.m. starting Sept. 9. Refocus your week during this beautiful slow-flow hour. Get centered with the day’s devotion and enjoy the connection of mind, body and spirit to your Creator. This therapeutic style of yoga takes joints through all range of motion, leaving you feeling mentally, physically and spiritually prepared to take on anything the week might throw at you. Come and try your first class here for free! For details and to register, http://soulstretch.org/classes/#candlelit-slow-flow2.
Michigan Black Presbyterian Caucus 50th Anniversary Luncheon – Oct 12
The Michigan Black Presbyterian Caucus presents “We’ve Come This Far By Faith,” 50th Anniversary Luncheon featuring PC (USA) Stated Clerk Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson as the keynote speaker. The luncheon will take place at Westminster Church, 17567 Hubbell Avenue, Detroit 48235, on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, from 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children ages 5-12 years old.
Craft Show & Bake Sale is coming soon
Our 4th Annual Craft Show and Bake Sale is fast approaching. Mark your calendar for Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. in Knox Hall.
In 11 short weeks Knox Hall will be filled with crafters. We still have room for more exhibitors so please ask your friends to participate. Space size is 8’ X 8’ and the event is open to all members of the church and community. We will also have a table for those who create but don’t have a huge inventory. Another draw is our bake sale. Now that Fall is approaching, we could use jelly, jams, salsa, spice & soup mixes of all types. Volunteers are needed to help during the day for 2-hour shifts. Each year gets better!
For applications or more information, contact Deborah Draper at 248-579- 6053. We are known for being the church with open hands — what a wonderful outreach to the community it is to invite them to be crafters at our show and to shop the wonderful handcrafted merchandise we’ll have for sale! Please spread the word!
Congregational News
Dorothy Tait is new Clerk of Session & Corporation Secretary
Dorothy Tait and her husband, Dan Piontek, started coming to this church in 1999 after they moved to the Farmington area. In 2000, they were blessed by the adoption of three children, Patryck, Krystofer and Patrycia from Poland. They were pleased with how the children fit into our church’s LOGOS program and other youth activities. Dorothy and Dan participated in the Parent’s Group and then joined the church in 2002.
Over the years, Dorothy has been involved in different areas including serving on Session and coordinating the Annual CROP Walk. As a Session member, she served on the Parish Life/Fellowship Committee which included planning the Fall Festivals, Hanging of the Greens, Easter Brunches and Sunday Morning Coffee Hours as well as overseeing the kitchen and supplies. In addition, she has also volunteered time and donations to youth activities, communion bread baking, SOS, and other areas as needed.
Dorothy retired last year after working 41 years at Comerica Bank and has been helping out in the Church office. Work that she has been doing with our new Elexio data management system is a good match with some of the Clerk responsibilities. Dorothy’s hobbies are traveling and spending time with her family, including with her nearly 2-month-old grandson! Dorothy begins her responsibilities as Clerk on October 1, 2019. Please welcome her to her new role.
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry is a Christian lay caring ministry for those in need. It is a vital part of our congregation’s mission. Stephen Ministry is looking for one or two people who would like to become Stephen Leaders. Stephen Leaders support Stephen Ministers as they provide one-to-one care to people who are going through a crisis or a life transition. Stephen Leaders meet with potential care receivers and assign each one to a Stephen Minister. Stephen Leaders also provide continuing education to the group. If you would like more information about Stephen Leaders, please see Helen Thomas or Lois Caito.
Introducing Great Lakes Real Orators Toastmaster Club – Open House September 18
Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, the organization’s membership is more than 357,00 in more than 16,600 clubs in 143 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders.
The Toastmasters mission statement is: “We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater and personal growth, self-confidence.”
Great Lakes Real Orators Toastmaster Club was chartered June 15, 2004. Since that time, we have provided Toastmasters International educational resources to the metropolitan community for 15 years. Since 2018, we’ve held our meetings at the First Presbyterian Church of Farmington(Room 208/210) from 9 a.m.-10 a.m. every Wednesday.
First Presbyterian Church of Farmington’s Congregation is cordially invited to visit our club meetings and to attend our open house meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 18. We are proud to offer the First Presbyterian Church family an opportunity to strengthen their communication, leadership skills, self-confidence through Toastmasters.
Order your hymnal wreath
Lighted Christmas wreaths made from our old blue Presbyterian Hymnals may be ordered on three Sundays this month — Sept. 15, 22 and 29. Check out the table in the Narthex for samples.
August Session Meeting Highlights
At its August 21, 2019 meeting, the Session:
- Accepted Joshua Archey’s resignation from his Pastoral Care Intern position effective Aug. 31, 2019 to allow him to start his internship at Crossroads Presbyterian Church. The new internship is a step toward completion of his course of study to become a Commissioned Ruling Elder.
- Changed Holy Communion to the second Sunday in September (8th) instead of the first Sunday (1st) to avoid Labor Day weekend and to coincide with the Fall Fest homecoming celebration.
- Invited Rev. Dr. Patricia Coleman-Burns, Pastor at FAME (First African Methodist Episcopal) Church, to preach on World Communion Sunday, Oct. 6, and invited her congregation to join us in worship.
- Accepted the resignation of Sharon Cressman as Clerk of Session and Secretary of the Corporation, effective Sept. 30, 2019.
- Elected Dorothy Tait to serve as Clerk of Session and Secretary of the Corporation, effective Oct. 1, 2019.
Financial update
Below is the budgeted year-to-date financial information for our church through July 31, 2019:
Budgeted income received: $229,101.08
Budgeted expenses: $267,913.12
Year-to-date balance: ($38,812.04)
Holiday and regular office hours reminder
The church office and building will be closed on Monday, September 2 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. On Sept 3, the office resumes its regular hours of 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday.
Congregational Matters
We keep in our prayers
Out of privacy concerns for our members, we withhold the names of those in our prayers from the web version of our newsletter. We pray for those who are sick or suffering, members who are homebound, in nursing homes, and assisted living, and those serving in the military or as first responders.
News on Members and Friends
Kudos to Irene Sharpe: Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society, will recognize Irene at their national convention in Columbus, Ohio, on October 10-12, during a 50th anniversary reception honoring the first women who were initiated 50 years ago.
Although Tau Beta Pi honor society (founded in 1885) never discriminated on the basis of race or religion, it honored only males with membership. Female students who were scholastically eligible were not invited. In 1936 the society began to award “badges” to exceptional female engineering students, and in 1969, seven years after Irene had earned her “badge”, she was invited to join Tau Beta Pi receiving the traditional “Bent” pin insignia. (The official Bent is a key in the shape of the bend of a trestle, the load bearing part of a bridge.) Women engineers today accept their equal status to men as an entitlement, but we are reminded again that it was not always that way.
Congratulations, Irene, for being a persistent voice for women in the STEM careers.
To my church family: Thank you so very much for the prayers, cards, calls, visits and goodies. Unless you have been “out of commission” you cannot realize how important all those things are. They truly make a difference and I feel very blessed to have benefitted from them. Thank you all. ~ Love, Ruth Vandoorne
Special thanks: Please take a moment to look at our Narthex bulletin board recognizing and thanking those who have assisted in freshening the gardens and painting in the building, upstairs and downstairs. Be sure to thank them for their many hours of work helping to beautify our campus!
Joyful wishes to Donna & Gary Marvicsin on their recent birth of their first grandchild, Maya Marvicsin. Maya’s parents are David and Stephanie.
And best wishes to Karen Linnell on the birth of her granddaughter Palmer Mae Rose Linnell. Karen’s son Matt Linnell and his wife Christine are the proud parents.
Congratulations to Nubici Fosi, RN: Nubici Fosi has successfully completed her training and examinations and is now a registered nurse.
News from our Partners
Samaritan Counseling Center News
Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeastern Michigan (SCC) is offering a Preparation for Marriage Workshop. Led by experienced leaders, it provides opportunities for couples to identify and explore both strengths and areas of potential difficulties in their relationship. Couples will consider the complexity of marriage, recognize what each individual brings to this relationship, and clarify the expectations both have as they enter into this commitment.
DATE: Saturday, September 21, 2019
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
LOCATION: First United Methodist Church of Birmingham, 1589 W. Maple Road, Birmingham, MI 48009
FEE: $225 per couple. A $125 deposit is required at registration. Private sessions can be arranged at any time throughout the year for an additional $50 fee.
To register, contact SCC’s main office at (248) 474-4701 or visit SCC’s website at www.sccmich.org.
Fundraiser with Boon Supply (formerly Mixed Bag Designs):
If you would like to support Samaritan Counseling Center and also benefit yourself, we are holding the perfect fundraiser! We have partnered with Boon Supply (formerly Mixed Bag Designs), who is generously offering to donate 40% of all sales made through this fundraiser to Samaritan Counseling Center. To see Boon Supply’s wonderful selection of sustainable products, from clever items for the home to on-trend reusable bags for any purpose, go to their website at www.boonsupply.com, enter code #953260 and click on Samaritan Counseling Center.
