1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

PORTAGE
LAKE
UNITED
CHURCH
NEWS
United Church of Christ & Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
1400 E. Houghton Avenue; Houghton, MI 49931-1208
(906) 482-5224 • [email protected] • www.pluc.org
May 2015
What’s Happening @ PLUC
Consistory Highlights
submitted by Liz Evensen, Clerk
April 8, 2015:

Terry Bazin, Angel Mission CoDirector, requested and received approval to
submit Angel Mission’s monthly financial
reports the third week of each month,
regardless of the timing of the monthly
Consistory meeting. The reports will reflect
the current monthly bank statements.
Consistory anticipates reviewing Angel
Mission’s April Financial Report at its May
meeting.
MONEY:

Helping Hands Fund is $103. Beth
Smock noted that Helping Hands received
two requests for assistance last month and is
getting low. She intends to ask for donations
again, this month, for the second time.

The Financial Secretary reported that
all receipts appear slightly above the first
quarter budget, with Unpledged and
Building Use donations substantially above
budget.

The Treasurer reported that overall;
everything seems to be ‘on-track’.
OPERATIONS:

The snow shoveler is staying in
Houghton this summer and will be able to
continue as our yard worker.

Rev. Quivik reviewed a letter from the
Presbytery on same-sex marriages.
Presbyteries voting on this amendment are
running roughly two-to-one in favor of
revamping the marriage section in the Book
of Order, already surpassing the majority of
86 required for its passage. The change will
become officially effective on June 21,
2015. This amendment aligns with the Book
of Order and has already been approved by
General Assembly. The General Assembly
has authorized pastors and congregations to
solemnize marriages of couples who have
received legal marriage licenses in states
that grant such licenses to same-sex couples.

The decision allows each congregation
to determine its action on this amendment.
Rev. Quivik noted that she supports samesex marriages, and your Clerk stated that
PLUC has supported this position for a long
time.

Consistory suggested purchasing a
hard copy of the Book of Order, one that
includes the new wording on the marriage
amendment. Smock checked out this
suggestion and realized we have to wait for
the 2016 Book of Order to include the new
wording.

It was brought to Consistory’s
attention that, for Communion, we do not
offer a bread substitute. Your Clerk has
since purchased gluten-free crackers that
can be used in place of bread at
Communion. Please make the Office
Manager aware if you would prefer the
gluten-free crackers for Communion.

Consistory approved Rev. Quivik’s
request to be away from the office, May 1214.

Consistory asked the Clerk to write a
letter to PLUC’s members, asking if they
would once again contribute towards their
Per Capita expense. This is a great help to
the budget.

The Clerk reported on correspondence
that Consistory asked her to do in March: 1)
Calumet Senior Center – Moore, a Self
Development of People (SDOP) committee
member called to assure Consistory that the
Calumet Senior Center has been visited and
it met all expectations. Moore re-iterated
that this is OGHS donations at work. 2)
Sharing PLUC’s building – Both UCC and
Presbytery have given their approval but the
Presbytery will require a lease and the lease
agreement must be approved by the
Presbytery. 3) Communion Elements –
Researching past records, it was determined
that when the UCC/Presbyterian USA
churches merged to form PLUC, both
churches had similar communion customs
and it appeared that no further action was
taken. According to the Book of Order, the
session (Consistory) determines what form
of the fruit of the vine is to be used.
Currently PLUC offers only juice. No action
was taken.

Dianne Sprague will be attending the
NWA/WI Annual Conference on April 11 in
Nekoosa, WI.

Fund Drive. Last fall, Consistory
approved a Fund Drive for April 2015 to
encourage members/friends in making a
one-time donation for offsetting the church
deficit. Since then, several concerns have
surfaced. Consistory voted to cancel the
Fund Drive and re-evaluate this option when
a permanent minister is in place, and we can
focus on a ‘new’ life for our church.

Sherry Middlemis-Brown reported that
the Pastor Search committee has conducted
two phone interviews; no decision was made
to invite either candidate for a visit. The
committee has received two more resumes
to review, one in particular looks promising.
The committee continues their search to find
a match for PLUC…Consistory thanked the
committee.

A preliminary report has been received
from the engineer working on the redesign
of our church roof. Though the trusses are
the primary cause for the sagging roof, the
aesthetics also need to be considered. This is
a work in progress.

Spring Clean-Up was deferred to the
May Agenda.

There is still concern about the furnace
and warmth of the building. This concern is
being directed to the Building & Grounds
committee.

Christian Formation hosted a
successful Easter Breakfast; approximately
25 enjoyed the quiches and complimentary
cuisine.

Fellowship Guild will have their
annual Rummage Sale, this year on May 16.
Karen Hubbard will coordinate the event
and she encourages everyone to contribute
their almost new ‘about-to-be thrown away’
treasures!

A memorial reception is being planned
by the Bereavement committee for longtime member Elvis Scott on May 11 at
11AM. PLUC’s former minister, Rev. Sam
Oliver will lead the service and he will be
assisted by Rev. Melinda Quivik.

The Publicity committee had a
‘brainstorming’ meeting and came away
with a lot of good ideas to make PLUC more
visible in the community. Consistory
approved $100 for the committee to ‘kickstart’ its plans. Members/Friends can look
for an updated brochure and sandwich
doodle board, to begin the process!
“If at first you don’t succeed, do it like your
mother told you.”
—Author unknown
The complete April 8, 2015 Minutes will be
available, following approval at the May 20,
2015 meeting.
Rummage Sale Schedule
submitted by Karen Hubbard
April Financial Report
Information received from Financial Secretary
Received in April
Pledged
Un-pledged
Loose Plate
$4,146.00
650.00
165.52
In Other News
Easter Celebration
May 12-15: Items can be put in the choir
room.
Friday, May 15 at 5:00 PM: Set up tables
and transfer donations from choir room.
Start sorting and pricing. Finish at 8:00 PM.
Saturday, May 16 at 9:00 AM- 12:00
noon: Sell items. Bag sale at 11:30 AM.
Saturday, May 16 at 12:00 noon: Take
down tables and pack up leftovers for Angel
Mission.
One definition of rummage: To poke
around in all corners looking for something.
submitted by Lois Jambekar
E
aster was special at Portage Lake
United this year. It was a cool and
sunny day that seemed to put
everyone in a happy mood. The Easter
celebration began with breakfast which was
held at 9:45. Two dozen people enjoyed
eating the delicious breakfast of various
types of quiches, egg casseroles, fruited
oatmeal, a colorful and tasty fresh fruit
salad, various types of sweet muffins, and
orange and tomato juice. The tables were
decorated with Easter baskets filled with
Easter bunnies on each table that were
surrounded with colorful plastic eggs filled
with jelly beans and Easter candy.
Everyone seemed to enjoy the food and
fellowship. When the meal was over as is a
custom at our church many people worked
together to clean up, and all was set by the
time the Easter church service began at
11:00 a.m. The Christian Formation
committee would like to thank all the people
who contributed food for the meal and
helped clean up after the meal.
A Note From Shelly
I
want to thank all of you who sent
emails, letters, and cards on the death
of Andrew. It was wonderful to be
remembered by so many of you, and a great
comfort to know that his quiet, gentle
presence was so appreciated. You may
remember that when we returned to
Houghton in 2001, I was ready to be off to
another ministry somewhere.
Andrew wanted to remain in Houghton,
and I am so glad we did. PLUC was a major
part of our lives in the years we were at
home there. Thank you for all you
contributed to the rich ten years on our
return.
Beth's Buzz
I
was very excited the other day. It has
been a long winter, and like everyone
else, I am ready for it to be over. The
other day, while working at Walmart, I was
taking out a pallet of empty milk crates. As I
was coming back into the building, I saw a
bird out of the corner of my eye. At first, I
thought it was a goose, but then I saw it was
alone. Upon a closer look, I saw the long,
skinny legs, long neck, and beak. I had seen
either my first blue heron or sandhill crane
of the year (not sure which one). Must be
spring.
Mother's Dictionary
Dumbwaiter: One who asks if the kids
would care to order dessert.
Feedback: The inevitable result when
your baby doesn't appreciate the strained
carrots.
Grandparents: The people who think
your children are wonderful even though
they're sure you're not raising them right.
Sterilize: What you do to your first baby's
pacifier by boiling it and to your last baby's
pacifier by blowing on it.
Whodunit: None of the kids that live in
your house..
Editor's note: I saw this picture on line and
could not refuse it.
May 10, 2015
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
During these seven weeks of the Easter season –– when we hear each Sunday from the Gospel
readings about the many times Jesus appeared to the disciples and others –– we have the
opportunity to ask ourselves and to meditate on what it means for us. What does Jesus’ being
raised from the dead have to do with Portage Lake United Church?
The answer has everything to do with where we are and who we are as a Christian congregation
concerned with the needs of our church, our community, and the world.
WHERE WE ARE: On a map, we are situated in the Keweenaw, a place of great beauty and
fragility. We live in communities that include a wide range of people. We worship next to a great
university that welcomes people of many colors and faiths to study and to teach. Because we
enjoy (and endure) a climate shaped by a great lake, we are acutely aware of the well-being of
Earth and our neighbors. How shall we express our care for this place and its people?
WHO WE ARE: We are a people called to live with hope, knowing that what looks impossible is
not impossible. As Christians, we have been given life abundant: the abilities, resources, and
reason to stretch ourselves –– even to go out on a limb –– to make good things happen. Each one
of us has needed gifts. How will your gifts contribute to expressing hope?
As this congregation looks ahead to the coming months and years, the Resurrection reminds us to
take courage in God’s Word from 1 John 3:2 ––
“Beloved, we are God’s children now;
what we will be has not yet been revealed.”
May you grow in peace and courage.
Pastor Melinda Quivik