Revisioning our revisions

(Taken from the October Newsletter)
In conjunction with our fall presbytery meeting, a leadership conference was offered for the commissioners of the Mackinac Presbytery. The event included a keynote speaker who focused on the state of many churches and how to maintain a healthy mission and focus. In general, he indicated that churches are typically in one of three places: (1) on the way up with lots of hope and plans, (2) stable, status quo – after your vision has been mostly accomplished and you are enjoying the fruits of your labor, (3) on the decline – when the vision is no longer working and you are scrambling to identify why you are experiencing difficulty within the congregation.

As he presented, many churches nodded in agreement whenever he spoke about a particular time in a church’s life. Some are in the dreaming stage, while others are struggling through a period of decline. I found myself proudly thinking our congregation was in the second phase of stability…until he warned us against living in this period. He cautioned churches to fear this stagnation and make sure we are constantly examining our mission in the community, not just when things are in need of a change, but at all times. The church is a mission, not an institution. We are constantly being sent, not settling in one place with one vision.

As stated at our September congregational meeting, we have experienced a wonderful year and a half of major growth spiritually and physically, with a variety of new ministries, events, and enthusiasm in all areas of congregational life. It would be very easy for us to relax at this point and take pride in what has been accomplished through the Holy Spirit at Church in the Hills. However, the Church is never called to relax in our call to serve, love one another, and share the gospel. We can be proud of the work accomplished in this place, but we must always see that as further inspiration to continue our mission with even more fervor. We need to keep asking ourselves – what else can we do?

Seek opportunities for this congregation to be an expression of God’s love in our community. Dream big and let your visions be constantly adapting to the needs of God’s children everywhere.

Peace and grace to you and yours,

Pastor Andrew

Congregational Meeting after worship on September 21

While the political conventions of the past two weeks are interesting to observe, they are nothing compared to a Presbyterian Church's annual congregational meeting. I hope everyone can make it to the meeting after worship on the 21st. We will be discussing voting options for affiliate members, nominations for our four elder and two deacon positions, and presenting the budget for 2009. This is definitely a meeting to attend. I hope you can make it!

2008 Rubber Ducky 5k Results

Great Run!!

Way to go runners! It was a beautiful morning for a run and I'm thoroughly pleased with all the results. It seemed like everyone enjoyed themselves in this inaugural Rubber Ducky 5k, sponsored by Church in the Hills. Thank you to all our runners for their participation, but especially thank you to our amazing volunteers who helped with timing, set-up, registration, pictures, cheering, and supporting. It went smoothly and will become a great tradition for the Rubber Ducky festival and the Church in the Hills congregational life.

Here are the results. Pictures will be added throughout the week. If you would like to submit any pictures, please e-mail me at rubberducky5k@hotmail.com.

Thanks again and we'll see you next year!

Peace and grace,

Pastor Andrew Pomerville


Overall Rubber Ducky 5K Results

Name Time Sex Age Group Group Place

1.) Jordan Becker (male winner) 18:59 M 14-20 1
2.) Paul Gelderbloom 19:33 M 51-60 1
3.) Steve Zagacki 20:32 M 31-40 1
4.) Rodney Lofquist 20:48 M 51-60 2
5.) Chris Tredwy 21:52 M 21-30 1
6.) Emily Kwekel (female winner) 21:59 F 14-20 1
7.) Luke Hawley 22:39 M 14-20 2
8.) David Witt 22:50 M 0-13 1
9.) Jim Betcher 23:09 M 41-50 1
10.) MacKenzie Small 23:21 F 0-13 1
11.) Rita Betchel 23:36 F 41-50 1
12.) Hannah Keyser 23:40 F 0-13 2
13.) Scott Smith 24:03 M 41-50 2
14.) Matt Wilson 24:13 M 31-40 2
15.) Kurt Dingman 24:25 M 41-50 3
16.) Mike Wilson 25:22 M 61-70 1
17.) Kayla Cragg 25:51 F 0-13 3
18.) Kevin Cragg 25:51 M 41-50 4
19.) Don Hoyt 26:05 M 21-30 2
20.) Amy Chafer 26:40 F 31-40 1
21.) Sue Thomas 27:04 F 51-60 1
22.) Kathy Patton 27:34 F 41-50 2
23.) Katie Odon 28:07 F 14-20 2
24.) Michael Kaufmen 28:12 M 51-60 3
25.) Richard Lessard 28:17 M 61-70 2
26.) Carla Busch 29:20 F 31-40 2
27.) Marilyn Copland 29:52 F 51-60 2
28.) Becky Redmer 30:19 F 31-40 3
29.) Gabe Hawley 30:23 M 0-13 2
30.) Tammy Jackson 30:26 F 41-50 3
31.) Wilhelmina Witt 34:12 F 14-20 3
32.) Robyn Miller 34:53 F 21-30 1
33.) Stephanie Kerman-Small 38:29 F 41-50 4
34.) Nancy Philippart 38:29 F 51-60 3
35.) Jeff Braden 38:41 M 61-70 2
36.) Brenda Spires 38:42 F 31-40 4
37.) Zann Wilson 40:54 M 51-60 4
38.) Janelle Spires 42:39 F 14-20 4
39.) Amber Marshall 42:39 F 14-20 5
40.) Anne Wendling 43:30 F 41-50 5
41.) Louise Thompson 44:37 F 61-70 1
42.) Dan Kozan 44:51 M 31-40 3
43.) Liz Hull 46:54 F 31-40 5
44.) Kelly Bailey 46:55 F 31-40 6
45.) Beth Lacy 46:55 F 41-50 6
46.) Lisa Rames 46:55 F 41-50 7
47.) Emilia Arguello 53:03 F 21-30 2
48.) Mindy Ortquist 53:03 F 41-50 8
49.) Olga Cairns 1:28:26 F 61-70 2
50.) Eugene Selden 1:28:27 M 71-80 1
51.) Jerry Walsworth 1:28:27 M 61-70 3

Two days to rubber ducky 5k!!!

We're almost there! I'll be posting results from the race on Saturday.

If you're interested in walking or running, there are still plenty of spots available!

Almost, not yet - the baseball version

In not heeding the words of my own sermon from the day before, I was impatient on Monday night and couldn't hold out long enough to see the Traverse City Beach Bums win on a walk-off in the bottom of the 11th.

Church in the Hills sent a group of 35 to see the game at the beautiful stadium there in Traverse City. It was a great outing for the church and I think everyone really enjoyed themselves. However, when we went to bonus baseball in the 10th, you could tell it was tough for everyone to stick it out. My own family, with the two year old and 6 week old, had had enough. We tried to wait and we almost made it, but we just couldn't stick around for the whole thing. We left the B-bums on the field in the top of the 11th and missed the excitement of the finish.

As much as I love baseball, I find myself less patient these days than I think I should be. I give up on the Tigers too soon and too often, miss the potential come from behind victories. I get down on the team when they fall behind and assume they should always be up, every game, every inning.

I'm worried that my faith goes in the same direction at time. When things around me are good, I savor it. However, I often don't have the same patience and consistency during the struggles. I get down on myself and my lack of understanding. I fear about what is to come. I don't focus on the long-term picture and the ways good might come out of a situation.

I'm not wishing to be a Pollyanna who only sees the good in the world. What I do ask is for all of your support in facing spiritual, emotional, and physical difficulties in the same way God is faithful to us - with love and peace. We need to serve one another in this way by expressing the calming presence of the Holy Spirit. Show love and patience to each other. Encourage one another to stick it out in the trying extra innings, regardless of how tired, frustrated, and confused we might be. Have hope that there is always resolution.

Take care and have a great week,

Pastor Andrew Pomerville

Rubber Ducky 5K Update

The 5K (3.1 mi) run/walk on August 16, starting and ending here at the church, is coming along quite nicely. We're getting set-up to have a wonderful run that morning. Please check the link on the right to view the details on the race.

We just confirmed that the Bellaire Royalty will be presenting the awards that morning after the race! Please consider running or walking in this event through the beautiful hills surrounding Church in the Hills.

Take care and have a blessed week!

Pastor Andrew

2 Services!

Happy July!

What a delight to worship twice on Sunday here at Church in the Hills. After all the talking and planning for two services, we finally celebrated two services of worship this past Sunday at 8:30 and 10:00. While the structure was the same, I was pleased to see the different aspects of each time that helped provide a unique expereince for the congregations. The early service had a very intimate feel, especially during communion.

I want to encourage everyone to try each service in order to find the best way for you to worship God in this beautiful place.

Have a great week! Posts will be flowing more regularly now that I am back in the office. Take care,

Pastor Andrew