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

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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. We share in  Mom's Night conversation and experiencing God's love for  and many more in the works! creativity. All levels of experience are welcome including those who color. Give this a try. Please follow our Facebook page, check our website, or the weekly "What's Happening" email for opportunities and the Zoom meeting ID to connect with others at church. You may contact the teachers or church staff for the Zoom information, as well. Carl Lira has graciously Women's Connection meetings for the remainder added information about Zoom to the church's of this program year were scheduled for April 26 and website, so if this is new technology for you, take May 17. Please watch church bulletins for updates or a look there for some guidance. If needed, we will more information. offer a few tutorials on Zoom use, to help those Contact is Shirley Rumminger at who may not have used this technology [email protected] or 655-4123. before. Please reach out to Laurin Gierman ([email protected]) if this is of interest to you. We are keeping you close at heart!

Youth Group Since we are all locked in we will continue having meetings on Monday and Friday at 1pm in Discord. Hopefully we will be moving to Zoom within the week. then we can use both depending on the circumstances. We have a variety of plans already. Mission projects, sending cards to the shut ins, reading or putting on puppet shows for kids on line, working on a 2020 book, and even fun watching a movie together virtually with Netflix Party. We are experiencing God's love and the comfort of the community of faith virtually.

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Double Up Food Bucks Several years ago, funding arose to give those who receive bridge cards (food stamps) assistance to purchase fresh produce. This type of food, while promoting greater health and better eating habits, is often more expensive, and more difficult to obtain. Funding was secured to make available fresh produce at literally half the regular price. The Meridian Township Farmers market was very interested in offering this program to the community but had no way to administer it as the funding was for the food only and not the administration of it. John Duley among others led a group of volunteers from local area churches to provide this administrative help to make sure that our community was served. The Presbyterian Church of Okemos has committed to provide volunteers on the first two Saturdays of the month this summer beginning in May 2020. We need volunteers at the market to record the sales in this program which will enable low-income families to buy fresh food at half price. The work requires a three (3) hour shift from 8-11:00, and 11 - 2:00; and consists of sitting at a table in the Township offices and recording these sales. It can be done by those of all ages and skills- all that is needed is time and a will- ingness to serve. Training is provided and can be scheduled with a partner. We need your help – this is a very rewarding personal experience and our clients are very appreciative. Contact Tom Schaberg 881-9679 or [email protected]

Public Policy Report  Increased funding for the foundation allowance (the March 17 was the state legislature’s last “regular” day basic funding districts receive) enough to reduce the of session. Although both chambers have scheduled a gap between maximum and minimum funded single day each week to meet between now and mid-April, districts to $34. Typically, the lowest funded they may choose to cancel those session days unless some districts are in rural areas with relatively little urgent priority emerges. As everyone now knows, commercial or industrial property. Governor Whitmer has declared a state of emergency and  $60 million in additional funding for “at risk” has taken multiple steps in response to the COVID-19 students, which would increase this line item to crisis, including: $582 million.  Expansion of unemployment benefits  Retaining $31.3 million in mental behavioral health  Prohibition of evictions until midnight, April 17 funding that was new to the K-12 budget this year.  Approval for small business grants and loans  Increased funding for English Language Learners by $60 per eligible student, a total increase of $16  Orders for the Michigan National Guard to assist in million. getting out COVID-19 supplies  An increase of 5000 children eligible for full-day  An on-line map for families to find locations for food preschool. for children while schools are closed In other state issues:  Authorization of remote participation in public Governor Whitmer has signed a “Pay as you Stay” bill, hearings and relief from monthly meeting which will allow governmental units to reduce requirements for school boards delinquent property taxes owed by homeowners that  Expansion of telemedicine qualify for poverty exemptions. Enrollees would  Various closures of entities and restrictions on have all interest, penalties and fees eliminated. gatherings Michigan’s recidivism rate has dropped to an all-time  Requesting a waiver for Michigan to extend re- low and is among ten states with the lowest determination of food assistance eligibility so staff recidivism rates, according to the Department of can process the numbers of new applications. Corrections director. Recidivism is measured by the  Resources for members with questions about percentage of offenders who return to prison for new COVID-19 include calling a hotline between 8-5 crimes or parole violations. DOC Director Heidi seven days a week—1-888-535-6136—or emailing Washington attributes Michigan’s low rate to the [email protected] 24/7. practice of providing prisoners with education, ************ skills, and job training in high-demand field. The legislature had been working on the state’s SB 594 (Sen. Wayne Schmidt) is a bill supported by budget for 2020/2021 as well as approving funding for the Communities in Schools Michigan and other state’s response to COVID-19. Still up in the air are many programs that provide “wrap around” services to decisions regarding K-12 education during this crisis. students struggling in schools. The legislation A number of state budgets—more than you might would establish voluntary “best practices” think-- provide funding to meet the kinds of needs which standards for integrated student supports, the new the Mission Committee follows. For this month, we will term for “wrap around” services, and has had a look at needs that are addressed in the executive proposal hearing before the Senate Education Committee. for the K-12 budget bill, which includes:

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BOOK NOOK: : AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns A concert at the Michigan State University country by a cosmic cowboy [Gram Parsons], and in doing Auditorium on Friday, May 11, 1973, was the first time so stumbled upon a song written by an eccentric that country musician “ever saw rock and vagabond [Townes Van Zandt], who spent his days trying roll and bluegrass and honky tonk and folk music and to write the perfect song, and some of his nights crashing gospel music collide. And [] was dead with friends at [Susanna and Guy Clark’s] home where center of every bit of it, like sparks were flying off of her. the focus was on art, not commercial success.” . . . She absolutely brought something new and fresh to Holding these tensions and traditions together was the table. , a “walking contradiction” to many. ”He ”And I remember thinking,” Stuart continued, “It can could hold two opposing thoughts at the same time and all exist under the umbrella of country music.” That believe in both of them with the same degree of passion wide “umbrella” and “something new and fresh” come and power,” said Rosanne Cash. “My dad was the across vividly in Country Music: An Illustrated History, physical embodiment of folk music, gospel, Delta , a big, brilliant book based on the PBS documentary film Appalachia, searing folk poetry. There is everything in by Ken Burns and David Duncan in September, 2019. him.” On the same show he could sing, “I shot a man in The 537-page book is lavishly illustrated with Reno just to watch him die” and “Were you there when photographs, lyrics, ads, letters, and notes. It begins they crucified my Lord?” The same man who produced with Fiddlin’ John Carson in 1923, gives major attention 10 albums of gospel songs could resonate with prisoners to the 1960s, and ends with the death of Johnny Cash in at Folsom Prison. Convicts “took him in because he 2003. Indeed, Cash is the centerpiece. Country music is accepted them; he appreciated them. He had that magic “so rich and so vast,” Cash’s daughter, Rosanne, once onstage that connected with the people in the audience.” said. “It’s not a religion that you have to stick to this Besides identifying with his audience, Cash did well doctrine. There are multitudes. We contain multitudes.” what other country singers and songwriters did: told Chapter six, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” focusing stories well, illumined the mind, touched the heart, on 1968-1973, shows how Duncan and Burns capture the reached the soul, combined the past, present, and future, multitudes and the grounded roots. “A young poet and mixed the right melody with direct and simple lyrics, and troubadour [] would reject the path his endured. Here are several other songs and singers whom parents had chosen for him, and in Nashville find I have slighted but who evoked vivid moments in salvation in his art, bringing to country music an honesty Country Music: and lyrics rarely heard before; while another gifted songwriter from Texas []  The Carter Family, “Keep on the Sunny Side”; would reluctantly decide that his DeFord Bailey on the harmonica; music simply didn’t fit in Music City.  Jimmie Rodgers, ”Mule Skinner Blues”; , “A restless rebel who had been “Blue Moon of Kentucky”; expelled from the Mother Church of  , “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “I Country Music [Johnny Cash] Saw the Light,” “Your Cheatin’ Heart”; would triumphantly return to its  , “A White Sport Coat and a Pink stage—then welcome others Carnation”; , “Crazy”; from every style of music  Ray Charles, “I Can’t Stop Loving You”; Charley [Johnny’s gospel-loving mother, Pride, “Kiss an Angel Good Morning”; Louis Armstrong, Stevie Wonder, Joni Michell, Roger Miller, Merle  , “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “Don’t Come Haggard, Pete Seeger, James Taylor, Home a-Drinkin’ with Lovin’ on Your Mind”; Odetta, Ian and Sylvia, the Who, Bob Dylan] to join him”  , “Stand By Your Man”; in his television show. “Two remarkable singers [Tammy  , “I Will Always Love You”; Kris Wynette and ], pursued and beset by their Kristofferson, “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” own inner demons, would turn their troubles into songs— “Help Me Make It through the Night”; and find for a time some peace with each other.  Merle Haggard, “Hungry Eyes,” “Okie from “And just when one of the most traditional forms of Muskogee”; country music [bluegrass] seemed to have been left  Willie Nelson and , Wanted: The behind by the rush of change, it would resurface and find Outlaws; a way to bring the generations together, answering in its own way the question posed in the old Carter Family  Kathy Mattea and Jon Vezner, “Where’ve You Been”; song, ‘Will the Circle Be Unbroken.’”  , “Go Rest High on That Mountain”; In 1983, the bittersweet ballad, “Pancho and Lefty,”  Johnny Cash, “I Walk the Line,” “Ring of Fire,” “The would show the meandering and gathering together of Ballad of Ira Hayes,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “A Boy one particular song, eventually becoming a pop hit and Named Sue,” “I Still Miss Someone,” “Hurt.” selling over a million records. “Two of country music’s “Country music has something for everybody,” Marty legendary songwriters—the musical ‘outlaw’ from Texas Stuart concludes, “and it’s inside the songs. It’s inside [Willie Nelson] and ‘the Poet of the Common Man’ from the lives of the characters. It’s really colorful in here. I the hardscrabble streets of Bakersfield [Merle Haggard] invite you in.” —had listened to an album recorded by a former hippie —Ron Dorr singer [Emmylou Harris], who had been converted to 5

The Presbyterian Church of Okemos 2258 Bennett Rd Okemos, MI 48864-3233

2020

The Grapevine is a monthly newsletter of

The Presbyterian Church of Okemos

Sunday Worship 10:00 A.M.

April 9, Maundy Thursday Worship, 7:00 P.M. STAFF Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/198418171 Rev. Dr. Robert T. Carlson, Jr., PASTOR Meeting ID: 198 418 171 Rev. Alice Fleming Townley, ASSISTANT PASTOR Sue Schnackenberg, April 10, Good Friday Worship, 12:00 Noon DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRIES Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/459252351 Laurie Horstman, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Meeting ID: 459 252 351 Edward Ennen, SEXTON

April 12, EASTER SUNDAY, 10:00 A.M. OFFICE HOURS “The Empty Tomb” Matthew 28:1-10, Psalm 8 Tuesday - Thursday: 9:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M. Rev. Dr. Rob Carlson Friday: 9:00 A.M.-Noon Facebook users will find a scheduled event in the Contact us at: post feed. We will also stream to the PCO website Phone: 517-349-9536 https://okemospres.org for those who are not Face- https://twitter.com/okemospres book members. Look for the announcement in the https://www.facebook.com/OkemosPresbyterian/ PCO Event Blog listing that will be posted by Satur- Website: https://okemospres.org day morning. Both Facebook and the PCO site will Email: [email protected] have a frame in place where you can be sure that you are watching the correct content where the live stream will appear. 6