Stephen Ministry of Care May Be Calling You….A consortium of churches in Washtenaw County has come together to offer training to those who feel called to serve as a Stephen Minister and are approved by their individual congregations. Classes will be held on Thursday nights from January to May at St. Francis Catholic Church. First Pres’ Stephen Ministry Leader Team will be helping to teach and lead the candidates for Stephen Minister if any of our members take part.

“Ten Ways to have A Better Conversation,” A TED Talk with Celeste Headlee - Celeste Headlee has worked as a radio host for decades, and she knows the ingredients of a great conversation: Honesty, brevity, clarity and a healthy amount of listening. In this insightful talk, she shares 10 useful rules for having better conversations. “Go out, talk to people, listen to people,” she says. “And, most importantly, be prepared to be amazed.” It’s a short video presentation, followed up with a group discussion. This is a Stephen Ministry Continuing Education Class. Everyone is invited. Questions?

University Sunday is September 16. We look forward to hosting Dr. Gerald McKenny, a biotechnology ethicist from Notre Dame and a Princeton Theological Seminary graduate, who will preach at the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services. Afterwards, Dr. McKenny will join a gathering of UM students and staff for a luncheon in the Social Hall, connecting First Pres with current campus life. See details and sign up below!

Join the staff for a half-hour morning worship at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 5, in Monteith Hall. This brief service will give us a chance to worship God and lift up prayers to the Lord for our children and their teachers as they return to school the previous day, in Michigan. We will sing together, pray together, and hear a brief reflection as we unite our hearts and give the 2018 -19 school year to God. Those who come will be given the first name of a First Pres child, youth, or school teacher to pray for this year. All are welcome. For more information, contact Rev.

All are invited to attend a special Adult Education class on Sunday, August 26, a lecture by First Pres member Jennifer Day, "From Backdoor to Front Door: A history of degradation and the restoration of the Great Lakes.” Jennifer serves as Great Lakes Regional Coordinator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Join us at 11 in the Social Hall. This class is open to all, and is being held in preparation for the Mature Ministries trip to the Dossin Museum on Belle Isle and the Grosse Point Yacht Club on August 30. For more information, contact Rev.

All middle school students (rising sixth through ninth graders) are invited to participate in four days of mission and service in the Detroit metro area Monday, August 20 – Thursday, August 23, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily. Cost is $40. We will partner with such ministries as The Heidelberg Project, Howell Nature Center, and Second Mile Center. We’ll celebrate the end of the week with a group trip to Jump Island in Brighton. Contact Essie Koenig-Reinke at essie@firstpresbyterian.org with questions or to sign up.

During the summer we will send out weekly emails featuring one of our members as a way to better get to know one another. If you would like to receive these emails, please opt in below:

Sign up for the Meet the Members Email

Good News in Niger: Stories of Transformation and the Global Church - Rev. Michael Ludwig, our Presbyterian Mission CoWorker from Niger, will visit First Pres on Sunday, June 17. They will be introduced at the 9:30 a.m. worship, and then Michael will speak about his work in Niger at 11:00 a.m. in Monteith Hall. A casual luncheon ($5 each) will follow at 12:15 p.m. in the Founders and Curtis Rooms. There will be further time for sharing stories, faith and a place for questions and answers.

Please join the Nicaragua Mission Team on Sunday, June 3, at 11:00 a.m. in Monteith Hall when we share our experiences and stories from our recent trip to Quebrada Honda. Learn what happens when graduate students and retirees travel together to provide lights and electrical outlets in three classrooms. Learn how partnership and relationships are the foundation of successful mission work in a developing country. Learn how lives can be transformed during and after a trip.

Hilltoppers will discuss gun violence as they host Dr. Jim Peggs on Thursday, June 14. Dr. Peggs will present “Gun Violence and Injury Prevention: The Physician’s Role.” He will discuss practical ways that doctors and other health professionals can reduce the risk of gun-violence among their patients, particularly children, depressed patients, and those exposed to intimate partner violence. Lunch is just $5. Reserve your spot by RSVPing to the Church Office at 734-662-4466, or email Rev.