A monthly newsletter of The Presbyterian Church of Okemos

September 2021; Volume 21, Issue 9

Notes From Pastor Peggy’s Pen

The Interim Journey

On the last Sunday of September, I will have completed my interim time with the Pres-byterian Church of Okemos. As I said on Sunday, August 22nd, hopefully the session will be calling soon for a special congregational meeting as the PNC makes a recommendation for your next called and installed pastor. I know that my leaving puts a sense of urgency on the call pro-cess, however, rest assured that the Committee on Ministry, if needed, will supply another ‘temporary interim’ to fill the role of head of staff. AGAIN, this is if needed. The interim work with the church is complete. I want to remind you of the tasks that interim pastors are called to do including:

• Making sure that the previous retired or resigned clergy are clear of the church and are not interfering with the current ministry of the church. I appreciated both Rev. Dr. Rob Carlson and the Rev. Alice Fleming Townley for stepping aside. Both remain in the area, so it continues to be important that congregational members relate to them as friends and not as clergy. The Rev. Dr. Rob Carlson will likely and should be named at some point, Pastor Emeritus; however, the timing of this decision will be between your next called and installed and the Session of PCO.

• Completion of a review of all your current systems to be sure that they work efficiently and effectively. In my year, a set of by-laws was written and approved by the congregation. An Operations Manual was also created and approved by the Session. The Endowment Committee has created new by-laws along with rules for the Me-morial Funds. Session reorganized itself so that the power and authority lie within their hands. Your Head of Staff provides spiritual guidance and wisdom to the Session, but the Session has the authority and responsibility to rule. Each member of the Session has a committee and hears the reports of other committees. Elder training was provided. I worked with every committee so that more volunteers are on these committees. Together we worked on the process for stewardship, budget planning, education, and mission. Several staffing changes oc-curred to put in place the future vision this church thought was best a few years back.

• Sometimes interims step on toes. We don’t do this to be mean, but as the interim we have the responsibility to speak to and address areas where the current process either is blocking fruitful ministry or could block the future pastor from fulfilling their role. Interims work together with the leadership to put good process in place and point out areas that need growth. (Examples: how do performance evaluations happen on staff and clergy, im-provements to technology and communication, how session functions, all things that should be driven by healthy and clear process)

• Provide the pastoral leadership including preaching, leading of worship, celebration of special seasons. It is a great time for interim pastors to use their creativity to show the congregation other ideas for the seasons of the liturgical year and creativity in worship. I hope that I have given you some ideas for the future.

• Educate and speak to any areas of conflict and help identify the source. While conflict will always be a part of any ministry, your ability to communicate, listen and keep your purpose in mind should help you reach a consen-sus and keep the gospel moving forward.

• Provide pastoral care to the members of the congregation which includes officiating funerals and caring for the sick. I also provided counseling in the form of friendship and a listening ear.

• Provide leadership for the congregational self-study.

• Keeping the congregation encouraged and serving God doing mission and ministry. During an interim the min-istry should not go into a holding pattern.

• Helping to educate the congregation and leadership concerning relationship with the larger church and under-standing your place in it.

Cont. on page 2

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For five months, the Pastor Nominating Com-mittee has been working diligently and prayerfully to discern whom God has called to be PCO’s new Senior Pastor/Head of Staff. We have pored over and consid-ered more than 50 Pastor Information Forms (PIFs), held five Zoom interviews, conducted reference checks, and met with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Board of Pensions Senior Consultant to discuss Terms of Call. In August, we interviewed our two leading candidates in two separate three-day on-site inter-views, involving area tours, meal sharing, and casual and in-depth conversations. Each candidate conducted an informal Bible Study class and led a worship service for the PNC. Our next steps are to quickly discern if one of these two candidates has been called by God to be PCO’s new pastor and, if so, offer the position to that candidate. If they accept the position, we will send their PIF to Session for approval; negotiate the Terms of Call; and invite the candidate to return to PCO with their spouse and preach to the congregation through a hybrid in-person/Zoom setting so that the congrega-tion can then vote whether or not to accept the candi-date. Think of momentous times of opportunity in your life: starting kindergarten, finding your life part-ner, moving to a new house or new state; asking that dreamy person to the prom, or riding a two-wheeler for the very first time! This is indeed one of PCO’s most momentous times! As a congregation, we are indeed “One in the Spirit,” walking hand-in-hand, working side-by-side”

on this prayer-filled journey of faith-filled steps─a journey that will bring PCO untold blessings of growth, adventure, and deep joy!

Update from the PNC - One in the Spirit Keeping in Our Prayers

• Karen Beltz (sister of Bob Boldrey)

• Tom Bobay

• Anne Kutak

• Ivan Mader

• Jim McKillips

• Mike Morgan

• Dan Pacyna

• Fred Svoboda

We extend sympathy to the family of Dan Pacyna, who passed away on August 7. Cards can be sent to his wife, Cheryl, at 3780 Ashbrook, Holt, MI 48842. If you would like to be added or removed from the prayer list in the Grapevine, please contact Anna Thiel in the office, anna at okemospres dot org.

Cont. from page 1

• Finally, interim pastors should model for the congregation what healthy pastoral leadership should look like. While we are not perfect and we have clay feet too, our goal is to model spirituality, prayer, grace, for-giveness, admitting and owning our own shortcomings and to ask for help when we need it.

While my time with you will end the last Sunday of September, I hope that my time has been fruitful and pro-

ductive. My goal was to be your cheerleader and your encourager while you remained steadfast in faith and ministry.

While I do not know who your next called and installed pastor will be, I know that they have been faithfully prayed

for and you are in great anticipation of their arrival.

Remember what the Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:7 – we are people who “walk by faith and not by

sight”. This truly has been a faith walk with you.

Enjoying the journey with you,

Rev. Peggy Casteel-Huston

Upcoming Memorial Service

For David Layhe, Saturday, September 11th at 10:00 a.m. Luncheon will follow in Parish Hall. This memorial service will be open to the public and livestreamed for those who need to watch from home.

Weekly Rehearsals for the PCO

Bell Choir begin Monday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m.

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Why I’ve Returned to In-Person Worship

Below are some of your fellow church mem-

bers’ thoughts on why they returned to the PCO

sanctuary on Sunday mornings.

• Sitting in-person in the sanctuary fill us both with hope and peace. To be “One in the Spir-it” together in community in our sanctuary is a very precious, faith-inspiring, faith-fulfilling gift.—Richard and Katie Norton

If you’ve returned to in-person worship, please let the church office know why.

Administration Committee Update

Thank you so much for all the well wishes, bell tribute, party, flowers, and cake to celebrate my 80th birthday! My family and all of you(also family) make me know I am loved and cared for! Thank you so very much, Irene Shutt

Dear Church family, Thank you for always loving Dad. You are all so pre-cious and loving, giving and caring. Your spirit and faith gave him strength and me comfort and helped complete him. I will be forever grateful for your kind-ness. Judy Gardi

Several property improvements have been com-

pleted or will be shortly. Dave Rumminger and Ed-

ward Ennen painted the three offices off the main hall-

way and Dave coordinated the selection of Williams

Carpet from four vendors to replace the carpeting in

those three offices as well as the primary office where

Anna works. The carpeting is scheduled for replace-

ment on Thursday, September 2nd. Gary Sturk installed

a handrail on the west wall of the sanctuary to assist

people walking up the steps to the pulpit. Gary also

repaired the latch on the entrance to Fellowship Hall

which was not locking securely.

Frank Hatfield, Carl Lira, and Jeff Arbour

worked with three vendors to procure responsive pro-

posals to repave the parking lot. A decision was made

to hire McKearney Asphalt and Sealing Inc to perform

the work. Weather permitting the parking lot should

be repaved by the end of September or early October

Green Team Update

The Solar Energy Subcommittee of the Green

Team is in the early stages of looking at possible op-

portunities to implement solar technology at PCO.

This will involve some extensive research with a con-

sultant/vendor to develop potential configurations,

identify cost savings, potential locations of solar pan-

els, governmental restrictions, among other items. In

parallel our team will also investigate various financ-

ing options that would allow the church to leverage

the 26% federal tax credit on solar projects.

Since we are in the early stages of this analysis

our team welcomes any comments, questions, sugges-

tions, concerns, etc. as we begin to head down this

path. Please feel free to forward any thoughts you

might have to any of the subcommittee members in-

cluding Ewen Todd, Bill Given, Kent Workman, Jeff

Krutz and Jeff Arbour.

Floods, Droughts and Wildfires: How Climate Change is Affecting Our Weather

Dr. Nathan Moore, Association Professor at MSU

Tuesday, September 21 at 7 p.m.

Zoom: 871 4329 5167: Passcode 48823

Retirees September Meetings:

In person at PCO—Monday, Sept. 13—11 a.m. On Zoom—Monday, Sept. 27—11 a.m.

Zoom # - 711-799-804

To all the people who have sent me cards while I’ve been in Texas recuperating, thank you. I’m doing wonderfully with physical therapy and not us-ing any walking aids. Recovery has been painless. A big thank you to the people who provided meals before I left for Texas. They were wonderful, tasty and such a relief from my own cooking and hav-ing to navigate the kitchen in pain. I will return after I’ve completed the physical therapy my surgeon has prescribed. I’ve started choir at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church so I should be in practice and ready to sing when I get back to Michigan. I look forward to seeing all of you at church. Nancy Kanistanaux

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PCO member, Judi Harris, who is the Director of Refugee Services at St. Vincent Catholic Charities

(STVCC), was recently deployed to Ft. Lee, Virginia to help with the processing of Afghan special immigra-

tions. She spent many long hours helping two cohorts of six families through medical clearances (including

COVID tests), immigration, flight booking and other paperwork. After processing, the families were all

flown out to their final destinations all over the USA. Most families will go wherever they may have family

or friends to connect them. Some have been slated to come to Lansing.

Judi describes the program as exhausting and emotional and she was honored to have been able to

serve this remarkable group. The operation is continuing as the US continues to rescue people out of Af-

ghanistan. Judi may return in September if needed. STVCC is also quickly preparing for other Afghan new

arrivals who will be coming as part of the “airlift” that we have been hearing about on the news. Housing

continues to be the main limiting factor in the number of Afghans STVCC can accept, but STVCC is hoping

to be able to resettle at least a couple of hundred. Any leads on housing availability from PCO members can

be sent to Housing Specialist Emanuel Dukes at dukese at stvcc dot org (standard email set-up applies)

Meanwhile, STVCC, the new Afghan Association of Michigan, AFAR (including PCO) and others

staged a “Lansing Loves Afghans” prayer vigil/rally last Saturday, August 21, starting at First Presbyterian

Church and walking to the Capitol. The event was very well attended with around 100 participants, about

half of whom were Afghans. (Please see photos on page 5)

This community continues to be incredibly supportive and welcoming of the stranger.

Responding to the Crisis in Afghanistan

Mission Committee

Below are some upcoming Mission-related updates about events in our area and abroad United Nations’ International Day of Peace is September 21st. PeaceQuest of Greater Lansing, of which PCO is a contributing member, organizes community-wide activi-ties in the Greater Lansing area to celebrate the UN’s International Day of Peace. PeaceQuest brings folks together for fun and interesting activities with friends, family, and community while focusing on ways to promote peace, re-solve conflicts, learn about other faiths and cultures, and encourage mutual understanding. See the events scheduled for September at https://peacequestgreaterlansing.org/events-schedule/ Cass Field Trip – Saturday October 9th In July we collected and delivered a wide variety of tools for the Tiny Home Owners in Cass. On Saturday October 9th we’ll take a short drive to Detroit to assist in the organization of all the tool collected by numerous con-gregations. All are welcomed! Join us! These projects are always enjoyable, educational, and appreciated!! Simbolei Update – Andrea Kaitany Life has been busy for Andrea and Richard in Kenya. Below is a summary of the current situation from An-drea. We expect to have a Minute for Mission from Kenya soon.

After deciding to postpone the main school opening until April, we have been focusing on getting the 7000+ library books out of the container and labeled and plotting out our financial way forward.

The five generous scholarships will be held for students entering in April so we do not know who will re-ceive them. That will be determined in March, 2022.

We continue to communicate with local primary schools and Richard has started some free coaching for neighborhood girls who would like to pursue US scholarships but do not have access to a coach or training camp.

We are also working on farm development with the dairy cows and garden to prepare to offer a varied diet for students.

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Crisis in Afghanistan is Personal for PCO

PCO Technology Coordinator Yusuf Sultani (bottom center)

addresses the crowd at a prayer vigil held on Saturday, August

21 in Lansing. A former refugee from Afghanistan himself,

Yusuf was instrumental in organizing the recent event.

PCO members Stephanie Nawyn, David Horner, Ewen Todd

and Kent Workman and Pastor Peggy took part in the August

21 march and prayer vigil in support of Afghans from First

Presbyterian Church of Lansing to the Michigan State Capitol.

Thanks go to Jennifer Gordon, Eunice Creswell, Jayne Zuhlke,

and Kathy Richardson for helping to make the signs.

From the PC(USA) website,

A hymn by Rev. Carolyn Winfrey

Gillette,

Set to the tune of “Away in a Manger”

We pray for Afghanistan’s people today: for those who are fleeing— who know they can’t stay, for those who face terror by day and by night, for those who can’t leave and whose dreams can’t take flight. We pray for the people who fear what’s in store, for dreamers and poets who grieve a closed door. for those who are hiding so no one will see the people they are— or who they hope to be. We pray for girls facing a world they don’t know, who still long to read and to learn and to grow. We pray for young women who live with the fear their bodies, their voices, may soon disappear. We pray for young children whose first lullabies were bombs and explosions and wounded ones’ cries— and for those who served there, who see how it ends, who ponder their service, who grieve for lost friends. We weep for the places where war leads to war. We pray for your hand there to heal and restore! Bless all who seek justice and peace as your way. We pray for Afghanistan’s people today.

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Join the PCO Stream Team

Volunteer David (Hoekstra) Allende, PCO Technology Coordinator Yusuf Sultani and volunteer Skye Tribell operate

the livestreaming equipment on a recent Sunday morning.

The PCO Stream Team delivers the worship service to our YouTube livestream each week, allowing people from the local community and around the country to join us in worship each Sunday morning. Thanks to the Endow-ment Fund, PCO now has a two mounted cameras, a camera control board, a switcher to select the view being streamed, a new sound board to adjust audio and a workstation to add slides over the video. The old sound desk has been replaced by a custom booth. PCO needs more volunteers to work with the Technology Coordinator Yusuf Sul-tani to deliver the service each week. Volunteers sign-up online and rotate different positions. Volunteers say operat-ing the equipment is fun, and serves an important purpose! Contact Matt Pearson (communications at okemospres dot org) or by phone to learn more, or talk to one of the current volunteers! Along with those pictured above, current vol-unteers include Sean Clark, Jeff Conroy-Krutz, Lou Cravotta, Mary Hahn, Alex Juarez, Carl Lira, Andrew Mayhew, Steve Mayhew, Doug Paterson, Matt Pearson, David Rainone, Kathy Richardson, David Rumminger and Mary Schuring.

Requests from the Worship & Music Committee

Liturgists It has been six months since we started the weekly liturgist commitment by members as Pastor Peggy re-quested, and on behalf of the Worship and Music Committee, I want to thank all those who participated up to now and are committed for further opportunities. She suggests that we continue having lay liturgists throughout 2021 and into the next year, even though she will have departed, and we will have our new pastor. Any who are interested, par-ticularly those who have not done it before including youth, can get in touch with Ewen Todd at todde at msu dot edu or 517 -347-4270. Lay preachers During the interim period when Pastor Peggy leaves and the new called and installed pastor is with us, we will have a series of Sundays when we have guest preachers. The Worship and Music Committee has a list of possible guest preachers who can also participate in the Coffee Hour, but there may be gaps or cancellations and we would like to call on our own members to substitute, perhaps at short notice. There may also be opportunities after our new pas-tor is with us. If you are interested or know someone we could approach, please contact Steve Mayhew, Chair of Wor-ship and Music Committee at smayh102 at yahoo dot com and 517-881-7485.

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Rally Day is Sunday, September 12 Adult Christian Education & Fellowship

SUNDAYS

Coffee Hour – Weekly, 11:00 a.m.

Zoom 434 304 558

Writing Life’s Stories – 1st Sundays, 2:00 p.m.,

Zoom 848 6124 7191— next meeting is Septem-

ber 5th

MONDAYS

Retirees – 2nd & 4th Mondays, 11:00 a.m.

In person and on Zoom 711 799 804 (see email or

Friday Announcements for details)

September meetings—13th & 27th

TUESDAYS

Men’s Group – Weekly, 8:00 a.m.

Zoom 894 1065 4734

Artists’ Circle – Restarting September 14 at 1

p.m. Watch Announcements to see if meetings will

be in church or on Zoom, 893 7817 7202

WEDNESDAYS

Conversation & Contemplation Weekly, 10:00

a.m. Zoom 905 709 104

THURSDAYS

Bible Study – Weekly, 9:30 a.m.

Zoom https://msu.zoom.us/j/5147440526

Race & Justice Discussions – 2nd & 4th Thurs-

days, 7:00 p.m., September meetings 9th & 23rd

Women’s Connection

We are still taking a break during Covid con-

ditions but will be back as soon as we are able to re-

connect with others in the church by gathering around

the table, sharing lunch, and making friends. That

meeting is long overdue, and hopefully our women

are looking forward to it. Please watch future Grape-

vines and bulletins for announcements. In the mean-

time, God bless you and keep you safe.

If you would like to discuss or have ques-

tions, contact Shirley Rumminger.

Kick off the 2021-22 Sunday School year on

Rally Day, scheduled for Sunday, September 12.

Parents and students are invited to remain in the

sanctuary following worship for opening Rally Day

remarks. Children and youth will then be dismissed

to visit their classrooms with their teachers. Par-

ents may take part in a brief meeting in the sanctu-

ary.

THE ENTIRE CHURCH is invited to re-

group in the church yard at 11:45 a.m. for a picnic.

Please bring a sack lunch, your own drink, and a

chair or a blanket. The Parish Life committee is

providing individual ice cream cups for dessert.

If you have any questions, please refer them

to PCO’s Elder for Christian Education, Children &

Youth, David Cook by phone 518-410-7907 or by

email at cookdv at Verizon dot net (standard email

setup) You may also want to review the congrega-

tional letter dated August 16 regarding plans for

children and youth during the 2021-22 school year.

If you did not receive this letter in the mail,

please let Anna in the office know either by tele-

phone at 517- 349-9536 or anna at okemospres dot

org (standard email setup).

A Big “Thank You” to our 2021-22

Sunday School Teachers!

Preschool: Barbara Fretwell-Cooke

Lower Elementary: Eunice Creswell & Sandy

Detrisac

Upper Elementary: Christine Meland & Tanya

Stokes

Middle School: Kathi Cook

High School: Roy Meland & John Juarez

Substitutes: Jennifer Gordon & Linda Cravotta

Orientation for Sunday School teachers

Saturday, September 4 from 9 a.m.—noon at

PCO.

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We are now at the stage in the course entitled “Surprised by Hope” where we explore the mystery of where Jesus is now and what he does after his Resur-rection and Ascension. Without acceptance of the doc-trine of the Ascension, and that Jesus rules the world from heaven, the church fills the gap to be ruler of the Kingdom, sometimes in the past with inappropriate policies and actions.

In Luke 22, Jesus tells Caiaphas that from now on (after his death, resurrection, ascension, the coming of the spirit, the expansion of the church) he will see that Jesus is ruler “seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”

If he rules from heaven, is he far away (the image of Jesus feet disappearing into a cloud)? If not, how do we know that? And how does he return? Wright says that heaven and earth are joined through the presence of Jesus but what does this mean?

In Acts 1, the disciples imagined an earthly kingdom with Israel as the model for all nations (“restore the kingdom to Israel”). From a Christian perspective, we see this differently but still the ques-tions remain. There are bible passages that are point-ers or signposts to help us, but there continues to be an uncertainty for many that can only be filled by faith that what he said will come true. The questions at this stage in the course for us to ponder are:

Absorb • Describe what you learned about where Jesus is now. • The ascension shows that the risen Lord Jesus is in charge and ruling from heaven. How do you understand this picture? • What was dis-cussed regarding the Lord Jesus returning again by coming down from a long distance away?

Reflect• Offer your reflections on Prof. Wright’s teaching that we have inherited an idea that God is a long way away spatially. • What is the signif-icance of the joining of heaven and earth in the person of Jesus by the Spirit? • How would you compare the spatial use of words like ‘up’ and ‘down’ in present day terms?

Practice • What does the ascension of Jesus mean for Christian discipleship in general, or your ministry in particular? • How does the fact that Jesus is not far away offer hope for today? • Read Acts 1:6-11 and journal any new ideas you discover.

See Scripture at top of right column

Thursday Morning Bible Study -

Where is Jesus? Acts 1:6-11 Kingdom New Testament

6 So when the apostles came together, they put this question to Jesus. “Master,” they said, “is this the time when you are going to restore the kingdom to Isra-el?” 7 “It’s not your business to know about times and dates,” he replied. “The father has placed all that under his own direct authority. 8 What will happen, though, is that you will receive power when the holy spirit comes upon you. Then you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judaea and Samaria, and to the very ends of the earth.” 9 As Jesus said this, he was lifted up while they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 They were gazing into heaven as he disappeared. Then, lo and behold, two men appeared, dressed in white, standing beside them. 11 “Galileans,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you saw him go into heaven.”

Cont. from left column

CROP Walk Update

Church World Hunger’s CROP Walk will

again be a "walk season". Save some time to walk

anytime between October 1-10. Walk on your own,

with a friend or with your church family. Sign up

online or pick up an envelope from the church in a

couple weeks. Contributions to CROP support the

many activities of the Church World Service both in

Lansing and elsewhere.

Church World Service,

original sponsor of CROP

walks, has been helping the

hungry since 1946!

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A Message from the Gradys

To our friends at Okemos Presbyterian Church, It is a bittersweet time in our lives – we sold

our house in East Lansing in preparation for moving permanently up to Lake Ann, MI (about 20 minutes from both Interlochen and Traverse City) where we’ve shared a cottage with another family for the past 22 years. We’ve had great fun sharing the cottage but as our families have started to expand it became clear one cottage would not fit both families and we are now building a second home right next door.

By the time you’re reading this, we have most likely started our nomadic life for the next few months. While we have many exciting things happening in our future, one of the saddest things about moving from this area is losing our physical connection to the Pres-byterian Church of Okemos. We joined the church around 1990 and it quickly became a big part of our lives – Shawn taught Sunday School, Terri sang in the choir and served as Elder and currently serves as Dea-con.

Our kids grew up in the church and we have many fond memories of church youth group skiing ad-ventures at Crystal Mountain, snow tubing at Lake Ann Camp and all the rooms of the Lake Ann cottage being filled with sleeping bags! We loved Memorial Day Family Camp where we watched our younger children being shepherded by the older ones, and then our kids doing the same as they grew into the role of caregivers.

And woven throughout, let’s not forget about the MUSIC! Marlene, Irene and our children’s and adult choir directors have created such a wonderful music program that fills the Chancel, Bell and chil-dren’s choir members, the congregation and our entire community with such lovely and joyful music every single week.

While we were lucky to have had just a few pastors during our time at the church, each one filling us with spiritual inspiration, it’s the COMMUNITY of this church that has filled our souls. This church cares about one another, the local community and the world. We’re not sure we’ll be able to find another group of people who are so committed to serving EVERYONE like this church does.

This church was able to pivot on a dime when faced with the departure of 2 pastors in the middle of a pandemic, but it’s the PEOPLE and the TALENTS that made it happen as smoothly as it did. You’re going to be a hard act to follow. Luckily for us, the pandemic forced our church into becoming an organization that can offer outreach throughout the world via the magic of the internet so we will be able to tune in and still maintain our connection to PCO until such time as we are able to find a church in northern Michigan to call home.

Cont. in lower right column

Cont. from left column It’s with great sadness that we say goodbye, but

we are just a hop skip and a jump away and we will be living near Traverse City where people love to vaca-tion, so PLEASE let us know if you are in the area. We will be happy to show you around, take you on a boat ride, hike the dunes or just enjoy coffee on the deck.

Love to all of you – we will be watching from afar, enjoying all the new and exciting things that are bound to come as you transition into a new life with a new pastor! We wish you all the best!

Love, Shawn & Terri

Responsibly Recycling Plastic Bags

“NO plastic bags should ever go into the regular recycling bins! “ This information comes from Iris Waste Diversion Specialists, Inc.; & Granger, Waste Services Granger states that 80% of our recycled ma-terials are used by companies in Michigan to make other products. The other 20% is used by companies in the Midwest. These plastics are often used by companies who make plastic lumber, plastic park equipment, etc. The biggest problem in their sorting pro-cess is plastic bags which really screw up the equipment that separates the various materi-als. Even though some companies specify plastic bags are for recycling, recovery facilities like Granger, uni-versally do not want plastic bags tearing up their ma-chinery, putting employees at risk and causing dis-ruption in processing. Residents are encouraged to keep recyclables loose, not bagged, because the equipment and staff do not have time to rip bags open and additionally, any-thing in black garbage bags are pulled off immediate-ly and destined for the landfill because they do not want any potential hazardous affecting employees. Since there is no longer a contract with China to dispose of plastic bags from grocery stores, they may be burnt or put in landfill, which is more reason to keep the focus on reDUCE & reUSE rather than recycle. More information can be found at https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/ Meijer now accepts the plastic bags listed below in their recycling bins. The bags need to be clean and dry! They go into bin where we have been putting our plastic grocery bags. 1) grocery bags 2) case over wrap 3) product wrap 4) newspaper sleeves 5) dry cleaning bags 6) salt and pepper bags 7) ice bags 8) packaging air pil-lows 9) LDPE/HDPE films 10) storage bags 11)cereal liners 12) bread bags. For more info, contact Dorindavankempen at Hotmail dot com (standard email setup) or 517-332-6902.

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BOOK NOOK: by Ron Dorr

The Letter of James

“How do we grow spiritually, especially as older adults?” I asked recently in a conversation. “Read the letter of

James in the Bible and practice what its author preached,” Bill Ruddock recommended.

Several things in James’s letter impress me: the questions he asks, the tensions he addresses, the mini-theses

and specific evidence he offers, the practical wisdom he provides, and the literary imagination he relies on. The letter

reads like a series of sermonettes.

James’s questions are often radical, or deep-rooted: “Your life, what is it?” (James 4:14) “Who is wise and un-

derstanding among you?” (3:13) “So who are you to judge your neighbor?” (4:12) Some questions are quite pointed:

“What causes wars, and what causes fighting among you?” (4:1) Why do you favor the rich over the poor? What is

faith without works? Other questions are rhetorical: “Can a fig tree yield olives or a grapevine figs,” or salt water

yield fresh water? (3:12) Most of these inquiries are designed to consider the way his listeners and readers have lived

in light of the law of liberty and the commandment to love one’s neighbor as oneself.

The tensions are keen. Wisdom from God contends with the wisdom of the world. People praise God but also

curse God. The tongue is an instrument of evil, poisoning relationships. Welcoming wealthy worshipers into the as-

sembly and assigning the poor to lesser places violates God’s impartiality. “A doer that acts,” not a hearer who forgets,

“shall be blessed in his doing.” (1:25) To James, one’s faith is to be demonstrated in loving action. Even Paul, who

stressed justification by faith, combined the two in his letter to the Galatians: “The only thing that counts is faith ac-

tive in love” (Gal. 5:6).

In a strongly worded question, James reveals his purpose and one of his theses: “Do you want to be shown,

you senseless person, that faith apart from works is barren?” (2:20) For specific evidence, he uses Abraham, Rahab, and

Elijah. Abraham is willing to sacrifice his son. The prostitute, Rahab, hides the Hebrew spies and helps them escape

from their enemies (second chapter of Joshua). Elijah prays successfully for no rain and then for rain. Feeding the

hungry, visiting the sick, clothing the naked—such works of mercy reinforce James’s notion of pure and undefiled reli-

gion: “coming to the aid of widows and orphans when they are in need, and keeping oneself uncontaminated by this

world.” (1:27)

Like the twelfth chapter of Romans, the letter of James is filled with practical advice. Imperatives abound.

Bridle your tongue. Do not boast, brag, swear, or slander anyone. Do not discriminate between the rich and the poor.

Pray earnestly and frequently. “Confess your sins to each other.” (5:16) Avoid “bitter jealousy and selfish ambi-

tion.” (3:14) Indeed, in Marcus Borg’s words, “James echoes more sayings of Jesus than any document in the New Tes-

tament other than the gospels themselves” (e. g., James 4:12 and Matthew 7:1, James 5:12 and Matthew 5:37).

James adds literary imagination to the practical advice. Metaphors, similes,

and analogies abound. Personification occasionally appears: “Desires conceive and

give birth to sin, and when that sin is fully grown, it too has a child—death.” (1:15)

Parallelism, opposition, and balanced sentences are noteworthy. “Be quick to hear,

slow to speak, slow to anger.“ (1:19) “Friendship with the world is enmity with

God.” (4:4) “Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you.” (4:8) Such sophisti-

cation in Greek language and grammar tells me that the author of this letter was not

the brother of Jesus but a well-educated Christian Jew writing between 80-100 A. D.,

“a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1:1)

Because James does not rely on justification by faith alone, believes that faith

without works is dead, and focuses on one’s conduct in life—not on Christ crucified

and resurrected, Martin Luther considered the letter “an epistle of straw.” In con-

trast, Marcus Borg considers it “a fiery and passionate letter.” I side with Borg. 20th Century Icon: James, the

Brother of Our Lord

11

September 2021 Policy Report By Ellen Hoekstra

For many low-income people, a major concern during the pandemic has been fear of eviction following the expiration of the national CDC moratorium on evictions at the end of July. Since that date, the CDC has issued another moratorium based on locales with high COVID transmission. Some question whether this narrower policy, slated to expire on October 3, can survive legal challenges.

Like a number of other states, Michigan has offered a statewide program that pays 90% of rent due to land-lords who waive late fees and commit to allowing tenants to stay in their residences. Michigan’s program, called COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CENA) has allowed 97% of tenants to retain their housing according to research from the state, the University of Michigan, and a legal services nonprofit.

In other state news:

• The legislature was scheduled for only a couple of session days in August and will not return to its regular schedule until after Labor Day.

• The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has issued pandemic guidance for school districts when they re-open—strongly recommending but not requiring masks, promoting vaccinations, and encouraging contact tracing.

• The State Board of Education (SBE) discussed pandemic-related measures for schools at its recent meeting. How-ever, unlike some other states, Michigan’s SBE does not have the legal authority to issue mandates on health measures. That authority rests in the hands of the head of the Department of Health and Human Services and her boss, the Governor.

• The Governor has announced an additional payment in August to the 1.25 million Michiganders receiving food assistance. The amount received is based on household size and will not require re-application.

• Legislation has been signed into law to extend drivers’ license and vehicle registration renewals in response to the pandemic-related backlog at the Secretary of State’s offices.

• Muskegon Heights School District has been released from receivership. No districts in Michigan are now under receivership.

Thanks again to everyone who donated tools for Cass Community Social Services, which plans to create a “tool library” for residents in their famous Tiny Homes. On Saturday, October 9, the Mission Committee is planning a one-day mission trip to Cass to begin the work of organizing the tools donated by our church and many others. We hope you will join the volunteers. Volunteers will meet at PCO promptly at 9 a.m. and carpool to Cass. We will work on our task, with a break for lunch, until about 4 p.m., after which we will clean up and return to PCO. The trip takes slightly more than an hour each way. Speaking of lunch, we are seeking donations of sandwiches, water, fruit, and cookies. Barbara Scott is head-ing up this effort for our estimated 12-18 volunteers. A signup sheet is available on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall, and we plan to do a MealTrain as well. Alternatively, you can simply call Barbara to let her know which of these items you can bring or to ask questions. Please deliver food for the Cass trip to the church by 8:45 on October 9. Items dropped off earlier can be left in the kitchen storage room or refrigerator, clearly marked “Cass” to preclude uninten-tional poaching. Adults and youth are both welcome. Cass prefers youth volunteers to be at least 10 years old. Sign up forms will be available in the literature rack near the church’s entrance and electronically. While we are at Cass, we plan to offer an opportunity to see the Tiny Homes and Cass’s Freight Farm—a hydroponic garden inside a ship-ping container. The Freight Farm will provide fresh vegetables year round and is an exciting new development. These trips to Cass are always rewarding, a chance to help our neighbors just an hour away. If you have questions about this mission trip, please contact either Ellen Hoekstra or Mary Schuring.

Volunteer Opportunity on October 9

12

The Presbyterian Church of Okemos

2258 Bennett Road

Okemos, MI 48864

2021

The Grapevine is a monthly newsletter of

The Presbyterian Church of Okemos

Sunday Worship 10:00 A.M.

Staff

Rev. Peggy Casteel-Huston, INTERIM PASTOR

EDWARD ENNEN, SEXTON

DR. MARLENE BREWBAKER, ORGANIST

COLLEEN CHESTER, CHOIR DIRECTOR

IRENE SHUTT, BELL CHOIR DIRECTOR

ANNA THIEL, OFFICE MANAGER

YUSUF SULTANI, TECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR

Phone: 517-349-9536

https://twitter.com/okemospres

https://www.facebook.com/OkemosPresbyterian/

Website: https://okemospres.org

Email: office@okemospres.org

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