Milford Presbyterian Church 238 North Main Street, Milford, Michigan 48381 www.milfordpc.org THE MILFORD messenger From the Pastor SUMMER 2020 I am grateful for your patience as we well as unison speaking, which though not in the Youth Room. have worked to determine the safest together account for most of the Some other churches are already means and timing for the reopening elements of our worship apart from open. Why are we taking our time? of the church building for worship the sermon. The service will be much and other activities. After the shorter in duration—probably about The bottom line here is that if we are thorough and thoughtful work of our 25-30 minutes. We will limit the going to invite people into our COVID-19 Task Force, the session has seating capacity in the sanctuary to building for worship, we should only decided how to proceed based upon 40 and provide (socially distanced) do so if we are reasonably confident the Task Force’s recommendations. I overflow seating in the Chapel and/ that we are not putting them—or want to share the outline of our or Café. Depending on attendance, our staff and volunteers—at plans with you here. we may offer two services in order to unnecessary risk. accommodate everyone safely. When will we reopen? Even over the course of the six There will not be gathering time weeks that the Task Force conducted We will begin in-person worship inside the building before or after its work, we were learning new when Oakland County has moved to worship; attendees will enter things about the novel coronavirus, Phase 5 in the MI Safe Start starting about 15 minutes prior to and not many of them good. Most economic engagement plan. Phase 5 the beginning of worship, and will be notably, there is increasing evidence is the “Containing” phase, which is dismissed by row at the end of that the virus spreads by aerosolized characterized not only by worship and asked to proceed droplets—droplets that hang (and consistently low infection rates, but directly to the exits. Irrespective of drift) in the air for up to a few also the ability to quickly identify and state mandate, masks must be worn hours—which makes indoor spaces contain outbreaks of the virus. We by everyone inside the building at all particularly dangerous (especially are currently in Phase 4, and cases in times. those with inadequate ventilation). our county have been on the rise for Our sanctuary has virtually no air the last four weeks as of this writing, Once we reach Phase 5, we will exchange, which means that we so it is unclear at this time when we begin exploring options for Sunday simply recirculate the same air while can expect to transition to Phase 5. school for children grade 5 and we worship. younger. At the outset, however, What will worship look like? there will be no programs for We are also keenly aware of the fact Worship will be quite different for a children, and the nursery will remain that a majority of our members are while. Perhaps the most jarring closed until Phase 6 (“Post- over the age of 65, which means a change will be the absence of both Pandemic”). Our Youth Group may CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 choral and congregational singing, as begin meeting again in Phase 5, ...CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE The Milford Messenger majority of our members are at high risk of adverse doing our very best to care for our church family, to keep outcomes if infected. Yes, it is up to each individual to us connected, and to maintain the vital ministry of the make their own choices and take their own risks, but we church on the corner. also feel a moral obligation (a) to help keep our church If you have comments, questions, or concerns, please do family safe and (b) to do our part to keep the virus from not hesitate to contact me directly, or you can contact gaining a foothold in our community. the session via Ron Johnson, our Clerk of Session Can I see the report? ([email protected]). Yes, and I hope you’ll take the time to read it. Find it We are all eager for a return to gathering together in our at report.milfordpc.org. If you would like us to send you building for worship, and I sincerely hope that we will be a hard copy in the mail, please email Lisa Nathan able to do so very soon. In the meantime, I am grateful ([email protected]) or call the office and leave a for your patience and for your continued support. voicemail. In Christ, There seems to be only one certainty these days, and that is that life is not going back to normal anytime soon. The Task Force, the session, and the church staff are all WORSHIP INFORMATION Worship is live online every Sunday at 10:00 am. Get connected to worship by visiting live.milfordpc.org If you need assistance, please contact the church office and we will help you! From the Treasurer April—June 2020 April—June 2019 TOTAL INCOME $92,771 $94,098 OPERATING EXPENSES $80,510 $99,570 NET OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) $12,261 ($5,472) Due to the “closed doors” of the Church the expenses are significantly reduced compared to prior years. Through the generosity of the Church’s congregation the receipts have remained fairly consistent with prior years. The Church has taken advantage of the “CARES Act” in terms of “free” money from the Federal government. Those funds are not reflected in the operations of the Church. The Act also provides a limited incentive for charitable contributions. A new deduction in the amount of $300 is allowed “above the line” as an adjustment to adjusted gross income. That means you have a deduction whether or not you itemize deductions. Summer 2020 | Page 2 Music The Milford Messenger Despite the challenges and limitations now felt by not Presbyterian Church Virtual Choir)... nearly 20 MPC being able to make music “the way we used to”, we voices will join one another to sing an anthem together- have managed to find a way to sustain our music all while being isolated at home and separated from one ministry remotely through instruments and song. Rick another… thank you, technology! continues to contribute his impressive keyboard skills weekly to our live-stream services. Marilyn has recently We will continue to worship our loving and begun working with our handbell ringers to bring ringing compassionate God through music-making. We will back into our sanctuary- did you know it’s possible to glorify him through uploads and recordings and sound- ring nearly 20 handbells while all ringers are wearing checks. We will give Him our best whenever we sing masks and while standing at least six feet away from praises. We will find gratitude amidst the frustrating their neighboring handbell ringer? limitations and frustrations of trying to create communal music while being physically apart from one another. Thanks to the many of you who have submitted special Our hearts will be grateful. “You alone are my heart’s music solo recordings for inclusion in our services. The desire, and I long to worship you.” choir library has recently received a bit of an (overdue) update to its inventory/collection. MPC has received Marcus special music contributions by many of our talented members. You may have heard various voices singing the refrain As the Deer in recent services. In the near future, we will premiere the MPCVC (Milford Youth In early March the Youth Group met in Fellowship Hall to In addition to weekly virtual Zoom gatherings, our Youth work on a new stage wall graphic. With the guidance and Group has stayed connected through more than 80 daily support of Mike York, the Youth had worked together to or weekly questions. The intention is that one day, when design and create a unique visual image to enhance the it’s safe to meet again in person, our Youth Group will Fellowship Hall space. The group painted the stage wall recognize this unique time in our world by rewarding our background. The outline for the new design was applied. special community’s connection through raffle drawings Then the world seemed to suddenly “stop”. There was and celebration. Please continue to pray for our MPC Spring Break. Then the closure of the rest of the school Youth as they navigate a formidable time in their lives all year. And suddenly, there was no more in-person Youth while the world navigates a formidable time in history. Group at MPC. But we continued our fellowship with weekly Zoom meetings.. And for several weeks I want to give special thanks to Tyler Innis for his throughout the Spring, over a dozen MPC Youth Group dedication in recently representing the Detroit Presbytery members worked together to design, create and as a Young Adult Advisory Delegate at this year’s General participate in a Youth Takeover Service in June. And in Assembly. Tyler, I’m proud of you for your commitment early June we recognized and celebrated several HS to this experience. MPC is a better community because graduating Youth who have called MPC their home at you are a part of us. some point. Marcus Summer 2020 | Page 3 A Look Back The Milford Messenger Won’t... You Be.....My Neighbor?? speculator mansions. Congregation Café and Bar just opened this year in the Probably a lot of our congregation can say they either lived former St.