The Grapevine
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The Grapevine A monthly newsletter of The Presbyterian Church of Okemos April, 2020; Volume 20, Issue 4 Some Thoughts on Faith Wine, American hot dogs, coffee from Brazil, tea from India. A golden delicious apple from Washington fell to The other day, I turned off CNN and walked outside the floor, and Dr. King picked it up and took a bite. He in my neighborhood. Having spent the day working at a could feel the heat of summer in the taste of that apple; computer screen and on the phone, I put on my winter could smell the apple blossoms from the tree on which coat, expecting a blast of cold March air. Outside, the apple grew; could imagine the people who tended the however, the sky was bright and blue, the temperature orchard. mild. I saw old men shooting baskets and young women walking their dogs. People were standing in their The noise woke his wife and she walked into the driveways laughing and talking. Children were running disaster that was their kitchen. She saw what her and riding scooters, skateboards, and bikes. The philosopher husband had done, and she groaned and teenager down the street was practicing his lacrosse rolled her eyes and asked him, “Are you all right.” “I’m skills. In another driveway, a man was washing cars. It better than alright. I’ve never felt better. I’ve had a felt like I had entered another world, another time, and revelation. There is a whole universe in our refrigerator! I was a stranger walking in a strange land. Can you see it? Before we walk out the door every day, we are beholden to more than half the world. Can you As the world simmers and seethes through this see how connected we all are? Not a word has to be said. pandemic, as media places us—virtually—in the front Take a bite; taste and see that Lord is good!” lines of the medical crisis, it is easy to succumb to fear and despair. It is good to seek out signs of joy and hope It is likely that we will not be able to gather face to to counter balance the dire reality of disease and face on Easter Sunday. There will be no trumpets, no death—not because we seek to put our heads in the Hallelujah Chorus, no lilies, no feast of the Eucharist. sand—but because, as Christians, we don’t believe that Ours will be worship from the empty tomb. But that death and disease is God’s last word to us. empty tomb is the beginning of the good news that has changed the world. John Calvin comes to mind—dour John Calvin—who feared that he talked so much about the presence of I have spent most of my life watching, not to see God’s grace that no one could hear him anymore. I think beyond the world, but to see the great mystery that is of Brian Doyle who didn’t get to live to sixty years of life. right before my eyes. I am convinced that the scene of Lying in a hospital bed, dying from a brain tumor, he miracle is among us. God’s Word, a phrase, a story, falls addressed his last prayer to God: “Dear Coherent Mercy. on rich or stony ground and flourishes as it can. We are Thanks. Best life ever.” invited to attend to the ordinary as if we were visited by a revelation. The tomb is not empty— Or Martin Luther King’s it is full of God’s love for us, just “refrigerator revelation.” Twenty- waiting for us to discover that love. five years old, a husband, father, and new pastor of the Dexter My neighborhood transformed for a Avenue Baptist Church in few minutes on a March afternoon. It Montgomery, Alabama, Dr. King was a revelation. When the world was was still working to finish his supposed to be trembling in fear, dissertation. One night—weary, people were walking around, being feeling guilty—he pushed back resurrected by exercise and from his desk, stretched out his conversation, and acts of charity. It back and decided to get a was a visual prayer, a peaceable midnight snack. kingdom. These are among the many gifts God gives to us. Exercise these gifts in this and As he stood before the food in the refrigerator, a every season. whole world opened up to him. Dr. King saw Florida grapefruit, an orange from California, a Mexican tortilla, Grace and peace, and a Hawaiian pineapple. Now, he was more curious than hungry, so he started pulling items out of the refrigerator and placing them on the table and floor: Rob Tibetan rice, German sauerkraut, Italian cheese, French JOYS & CONCERNS Please hold in your prayers: We celebrate Bob and Cherie Brittain The baptism of Elizabeth Case Walder, daughter Ivan Mader of Maggie and Ryan Walder, granddaughter of Kent Creswell Tom and Jill Schaberg, who was baptized on March 15; George and Edna Fleming The baptism of John Cumbow; Pat Francis, mother of Cathy McCarthy Adoption finalization of Ava and Cadence to Corey & Sarah Kwiliinski; Esther Gierman The birth of Claire Ryan, born to Don & Emily Carolyn Henderson Hoevel on January 20. Grand parents are Barb David Hoekstra & Morrie Hoevel. Jack Horstman, Laurie’s husband Dave Jones We extend sympathy to: David Layhe Tanya Stokes on the death of her stepfather, Wally MacLean Steve Holder. Mickey Martin Rev. Timothy Chon on the death of his father. Clyde and Harriet McDaniel Mike Morgan During the Governor’s Shelter-in-Place Doug Paterson order, we are asking all church members Sky Tribell who have keys to the building, please Everyone caring-giving, struggling, responding refrain from entering the building. We want and planning for Covid 19 related activities. our environment to stay a safe place for all Transition Updates who must enter the building to do the necessary work of the church. Thank you. The Transition Committee has been hard at work in preparation for Rob’s retirement on May 3. We have been reviewing Pastoral Information Forms (or PIFs), and are beginning to interview a Greetings from Alpena to my church friends. number of excellent candidates for the position of A year ago I moved here because of health Interim Pastor. It continues to be our goal to have reasons to be close to my daughter Susan and her an Interim in place as shortly after Rob’s family. departure as possible. Based on what we have seen Life has a different tempo here. I live in an so far, we are confident that we will be able to apartment for senior citizens. This last month I got recommend an excellent Interim to Session who the flu twice and the measles to top it off! will help to guide our congregation through the Quarantine has a new meaning for me. Barb & next stage of our transition. Dennis Hansen visit here every so often as she has We do expect that there will be a gap of some an uncle living in one of the apartments. weeks between May 3 and the arrival of the Sundays are not the same, but I do feel I have Interim pastor. We are delighted that the contact through the newsletter. It sounds like you Committee on Ministry affirms Session’s desire to have big changes coming also. have Rev. Alice Townley shift to a full-time role as If you get up here or around Lake Huron, stop Pastor and Acting Head of Staff. The Personnel by. It is the place where the big M from U of M is Committee is working with the Committee on dominant. All the medical officers are connected to Ministry on a contract for this gap period. the U of M Hospital. I will provide more information as we are able. Hope your change goes smoothly. Emily Conroy-Krutz Always a Presbyterian Supporter! Bobbi DuByne 2 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES Online Coffee Hour During this period of staying home and staying safe, join an online Coffee Hour on Sundays at 11am. Gather your own snacks and tune in. Rev. Alice Townley will welcome everyone and share a few announcements, and then break into small discussion groups for discussion questions. This week the guiding questions will be based on St. Ignatius’ Examen: “What are you thankful for this week? What is hard?” The groups will close in prayer. To join, download a free Zoom account on your computer, phone or tablet, and then at 11:00am or just before, type in the Zoom meeting ID: 434-304-558. You can also join by dialing 312-626-6799 and giving the Zoom meeting number. Or following this link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/434304558 Available CE Opportunities Intergenerational Connections through Zoom The Christian Education Committee is During this time of physical inviting the church family to make distancing, we recognize now more connections with our children and youth than ever the need to stay close. The in the new Pen Pal Program. We will Christian Education team has been connect children and adults who are working to bring us together, virtually! We interested in sharing a letter, card, picture, email note are using Zoom technology to provide the or photo with each other. Please send me your name following opportunities: and contact information if you are interested in being a HS Sunday School part of this program. We look forward to this new Confirmation Class endeavor with you. Youth Group twice weekly Conversation and Contemplation Artist Circle Artist Way All are welcome to join this group on Zoom every Bible Study Tuesday afternoon from 1-3pm.