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A monthly newsletter of July 2021; Volume 21, Issue 7
The Presbyterian Church of Okemos
Notes From Pastor Peggy’s Pen
The Interim Journey
At the end of July, I will have completed my one-year interim
contract with the session of this church. Next month, at the ses-
sion meeting, I imagine that the session will update the contract for
one month at a time while your PNC continues to seek your next
called and installed pastor. My plans, at this point, are to remain
with this church until the PNC has brought a candidate forward to
serve as your next called and installed pastor.
After this interim time ends, my hope is to take some time off.
However, I love interim work and the opportunity it gives me to
serve God alongside of great people just like you! You write stories on my heart and life that I
carry with me. I will share stories of my time with the Presbyterian Church of Okemos. Know
that the work you do and heart with which you do this wonderful work of ministry will inspire
others to do the same.
While I do not have, as yet, an exact date when my time will end with you, I hope that
my time has been fruitful and productive. My goal was to be your cheerleader and your en-
courager 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,
Pastor Peggy
Upcoming Memorial Services:
In the month of July, currently there are two memorial services planned:
Kent Creswell, Saturday, Saturday, July 17th 2:00 p.m.
Bob and Linda Weisflog, Friday, July 30th 1:00 p.m.
In the month of August, currently there is one memorial service planned:
Nancy Snow, Saturday, August 14th in the afternoon.
These three memorial services will be open to the public. They will also be live streamed for
those who need to watch from home. It is a pleasure to walk with this community of faith as we honor
the lives of those who went home to be with the Lord at a time when it wasn’t safe to gather in person
to pay respects. I know that every member will want to make note of these dates.
PNC—“Working on God’s Time” Keeping in Our Prayers
Through our careful, deliberate, and prayerful • Tom Bobay
consideration of candidates to-date, the Pastor Nomi- • John Duley
nating Committee is honoring and acknowledging
• Lori Dyal
that we are working on God’s time to find the pastor
whom God has called to serve as our new Head of • Bill Fritze
Staff/Senior Pastor. • Bill Given
The PNC has begun the initial interview
• Nancy Kanistanaux
stage of assessing candidates via Zoom. In prepara-
tion, we held a practice interview session coached by • Anne Kutak
Reverend Mark Ramsey, former PCO Senior Pastor • Ivan Mader
and current Executive Director of the Ministry Col- • Jim McKillips
laborative. Reverend Kristy Farber, Senior Pastor,
• Mike Morgan
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, Mercer Island,
Washington, played the role of candidate. • Nancy Ott (Kathy Richardson’s sister)
To date, we have received 44 system- • Dan Pacyna
matching Pastor Information Forms (PIFs); 18 candi- • Fred Svoboda
dates indicated interest, and we have also received
• Lois Walker
three self-referral PIFs. From this group, we selected
four pastors to interview. One chose not to accept our .
interview invitation as they are pursuing another call. If you would like to be added or removed
from the prayer list in the Grapevine, please
As a committee, we created three initial questions for
contact Anna Thiel in the office, anna at
each candidate to answer. We also learned more okemospres dot org.
about these candidates through the salient questions
that they asked of us.
Currently, we are checking interviewed candi- Update from the Presbytery Meeting
dates’ references and scheduling a longer, more-in-
depth second interview via Zoom with those candi- Along with Pastor Peggy Huston, I was one
dates who appear to be a good fit to serve as our new of PCO’s representatives at the Presbytery of Lake
pastor. Michigan quarterly meeting on June 8. The Rever-
We may receive additional PIFs in the com- end Dr. Christopher Elwood, who teaches at the
ing weeks, and we may decide to consider those can- Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary,
didates as well. spoke about the idea of community in the context
We close each PNC meeting with this prayer: of church and what it means to be reformed. He
Dear Lord, outlined how the process of decision making under
As we work together, let us be guided to do justice, the reformation is supported by scripture and pro-
and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with motes socially just decision making. One highlight
You. of the meeting was that an individual was ordained
Amen to the ministry. Another highlight was the vote to
Please know that it is also your prayers that approve the “Statement on the sin of racism” for
are lighting the way on our path to learn of God’s call adoption by every church.
for our new pastor ─ a pastor who will joyfully and Mary Schuring
prayerfully lead us to ascertain and develop the next
stage in PCO’s growth as a vibrant Christ-centered
home of faith.
2
Race & Justice Discussion Adult Christian Education & Fellowship
We know that incidents of racism and in- SUNDAYS
justice do not take the summer off, so our Race & Coffee Hour – Weekly, 11:00 a.m.
Justice discussions will continue throughout the sum- Zoom 434 304 558
mer. In July we celebrate “Independence Day” (July Writing Life’s Stories – 1st Sundays, 2:00 p.m.,
4th) and Buffalo Soldiers Day later in July. We will Zoom 848 6124 7191— next meeting is July 4th
talk about both of these in July.
MONDAYS
What does the 4th of July mean to you? What Retirees – 2nd & 4th Mondays, 11:00 a.m.
does it mean to “others?” In person and on Zoom 711 799 804 (see email or
Who were the Buffalo Soldiers? What were Friday Announcements for details)
some of their contributions to our country? July Meetings—12th & 26th
Please consider joining us on Thursday eve- TUESDAYS
nings at 7:00 pm. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Thurs- Men’s Group – Weekly, 8:00 a.m.
day on zoom ( 876 2032 3708 ). July 8th and 22nd. Zoom 894 1065 4734
Artists’ Circle – on hiatus for the summer
As always, YOUR input is wanted and val-
ued as we learn together. Please send me your WEDNESDAYS
thoughts and ideas at workman at msu dot edu. I Conversation & Contemplation Weekly, 10:00
look forward to your participation as we continue a.m. Zoom 905 709 104
these important discussions. THURSDAYS
Bible Study – Weekly, 9:30 a.m.
Needed! More Church Garden Angels Zoom 825 193 506
I (Mary Lou Hatfield) will be working in the Race & Justice Discussions – 2nd & 4th Thursdays,
church gardens throughout the summer months. Da- 7:00 p.m. July meetings 8th & 22th Zoom 876
vid Detrisac and Mary Hahn have been very active 2032 3708
in the church gardens but we need more helpers!
If you are interested in working the church Ushers & Flowers
garden, you can choose to work in the morning, af-
ternoon, evening, weekday, or weekend. Please With in-person services in full swing, we
send me your e-mail address and I will send out an e need ushers to help us through the summer months
-mail any time I'm going to be working in the church and would enjoy gifts of flowers to beautify the
gardens. That way you can join the group, get help sanctuary each week.
telling weed from flower, and always get
free gardening tips. To usher, please contact Trudy Sturk at
We try to work in the shade so that deter- tasturk at comcast dot net.
mines in which area you will work.
Thank you for any amount of time you are The on-line flower sign-up sheet will be
able to share with me. ready to go just after July 4…Look for this list on
Mary Lou Hatfield the okemospres.org website under the “Sign-up
(marylougarden at gmail dot com) Lists”. We also need a Flower Coordinator to help
arrange for flowers weekly…no green thumb is nec-
Retirees essary…simply a willingness to give a bit of time to
The Retiree Group will meet outdoors on the serve our church. If you would be willing to take on
church lawn on Monday, July 12 and on zoom Mon- this role, please please contact Steve Mayhew at
day July 26. Our topic on July 26 will be "What smayh102 at yahoo dot com.
have we learned about ourselves during the Pandem-
ic and what changes have been made in our Finally, stay tuned…we will need greeters
lives?" The zoom number is 711-799-804. See you again soon…look for more info near the end of Au-
at 11:00 am. gust.
3
PCO Poetry
This spring, the Conversation and Contempla-
tion Class spent several sessions looking at God’s
amazing creation, the earth and nature. As part of our Barbara and I want to thank you for your out-
study of nature, we were challenged with writing pouring of prayers, best wishes, cards, and words of
support following my accident. They continue to en-
short poems about aspects of nature. Starting now,
courage me during my daily rehabilitation and have
and continuing for the next couple of months, we
lightened the stresses and burdens of my journey to-
would like to share some of these poems with you.
wards recovery. We are very blessed to be a part of
We hope you will enjoy them.
such a caring faith community.
Advice From a Wave by Dorinda VanKempen
Barbara and Bill Given
Go with the flow
Don’t pull us under
Stay active
Many Thanks to PCO
Find your way back
Take only what you need The warmth, love and caring that you have
Give energy shown to me over the years extended right through
Ride High! the all-church picnic. I can't begin to thank you
enough! Kelly Locke, how were you able to
pull all that together in such a short time!?!
Kathy Richardson, the bag that you made for
me is absolutely exquisite and I truly treasure it, I
know how much time, talent and love went into it!!
Jennifer Gorden and Kelly Locke, I so appre-
ciated your kind words.
Then there is the Youth Group represented
by Andrew Mayhew, Alex Juarez and Lucas
Meland. We have watched these young people grow
The Beach by Jean Kocher and blossom into young Christians. It certainly is not
Healing, nurturing, difficult to see the Light of Christ shine through
Concerns wash away in the waves - them. Andrew, Alex and Lucas, as young men you
Returning in violent storms, have demonstrated your courage, love and gifts from
Huge rolling waves God to this congregation and community. It has been
Or the calm waters such an honor to be a part of that.
reflecting the image I will hold your words in my heart always.
Of sunlight and sky. Thank you for so many wonderful cards, notes and
gifts! I celebrate and am grateful for every minute
that I served as CE Director for PCO. Thank you for
Advice from a Petoskey Stone by Jill Schaberg that
Rest in Nature’s Beauty privilege.
Sue Schnackenberg
Celebrate Differences
Delight in Those Who are Seekers
Reveal the Layers Beneath You Dear church family,
Know that you are a Part of Something
Larger than Yourself Thank you for the cards and prayers during
my recent knee surgery. I have moved on to the re-
covery and therapy stage and am hoping to be able to
walk CROP with this wonderful church family! You
encouragement and support have been greatly appre-
ciated. Thank you!
Laurin Gierman
4
Happenings on Sunday, July 18: Administration Committee Update
The Administration Committee is working
on two different fronts to update the church. Gary
Simple Sunday Lawn Lunch Sturk is seeking proposals to upgrade the sanctuary
After worship on PCO’s lawn lighting to LED along with the outside recessed
Bring a chair or a blanket, a brown bag lights over the entrances to the building. Frank Hat-
lunch or a picnic. field and Jeff Arbour are talking with three asphalt
Everyone welcome whether or not you at- paving companies about repaving the church parking
lot and improving the drainage flow. Our hope is to
tend the service in-person
have final proposals for review for both the lighting
Add a dash of conversation, a sprinkle of and the parking lot within the next month.
laughter and mix together with other The PCO Green Team continues to progress
PCOers to keep our Re-Opening Connec- in a few different areas. The team of Scott Locke,
tion Well-Stirred! Jennifer Gordon, and Jerri Gillett have developed a
strategy to plant native plants later this year near the
entrance to the church parking lot. Also, Ewen Todd
is working with an MSU PhD candidate to plant a
Youth Group Gathering small native species prairie plot. This small 15’ X
5:00—7:00 p.m. 15’ area is at the northernmost part of the church
PCO Yard property that runs along Okemos Road. This spot
All incoming and outgoing youth are wel- has been covered with cardboard to eliminate vege-
come! tation with planting of native species scheduled to
occur in the fall. The solar energy team visited the
Bring a roasting stick for smores, a lawn
Islamic Center on June 14th to learn more about their
chair and your own drink recent solar panel project
Update from Pastor Alice
Dear Presbyterian Church of Okemos,
My next chapter of professional ministry be-
gins. Bishop David Alan Bard has appointed me as
Ministry Consultant – Courage, Compassion, Resilien-
cy for the Michigan Conference of The United Method-
ist Church. This is part time position, helping with spe-
cial projects from June 1-December 31. I will be col-
laborating with colleagues to expand coaching, conflict
and mediation, intercultural competence, and assess
and support projects of the Board of Global Ministries.
Thank you again for the gift of sabbatical
which gave me time to rest, reconnect, and transition. I
will ever be grateful for the eleven years I spent with
The Presbyterian Church of Okemos, and take with me
so many blessings and learnings. I will continue to
hold you all in prayer and gratitude and trust that the
Holy Spirit will continue to move through us all in life-
giving ways.
Peace be with you, Rev. Alice Fleming Townley
5
Registration Open for Joint VBS Event
Join us for a morning of family fun in Wonch Park where you can get the "Buzz" on why Bees are so im-
portant to God' world. Learn ways you and your family can help save the bees and in turn God's good world.
The morning will open with a fun skit about bees and a chance to listen to a local beekeeper. Then it is off
to 3 different stations featuring crafts, games, and nature & plant exploration that will teach about one of the most
busy and most productive of all God's creatures--the bee! These stations will have activities to engage all ages and
skill levels.
While the cost of this program is free we ask that your family consider making a donation to our designat-
ed charity: Heifer International. Our goal is to collect enough money to help a family begin raising bees and har-
vesting honey as their family business through Heifer’s PROMESA program.
This is a family event and thus we ask you to remain on-site with your children and youth so you can par-
ticipate and engage in the activities together. Look for an email on August 9th with more information on parking,
safety protocols, items to bring, and where to check-in on the day of the event.
To learn more or to register, please visit - http://bit.ly/beegoodregistration
This will take you to a secure registration form.
6
Father’s Day Tool Drive a Great Success
Left: Evan &
Connor Haskel
at PCO with
some of the do-
nated tools.
Right: Pastor
Peggy Huston,
Ellen Hoekstra;
Connor, Evan
& Laura
Haskel, and
Mary Schuring
all lent hands
on Sunday,
June 20.
Thank you church family! So many of you dropped off tools and funds to purchase tools and Ewen
Todd even found a friend who donated a fine lawnmower and weed trimmer. Cass Community was so grate-
ful to receive these fine donations. Special thanks to drivers David Cook, Mary Schuring, Ellen Hoekstra
and Rev. Peggy Huston who took two vehicles loaded with tools and more over to Detroit and to Laura
Haskel and her sons Connor and Evan for helping to gather the tools and load them into the transport ve-
hicles. This made Father's Day truly special for us.
Two of about two-dozen tiny homes built by CASS Community Services in Detroit, MI. Homes like these can pro-
vide a path to home ownership for whom it may not otherwise be available.
7
Thursday Morning Bible Study PCO Green Team Update
Our participation in Professor N. T. Wright’s
Native Plants at PCO
“Surprised by Hope” will continue through July and The PCO Green Team is looking for ways to
probably some of August. This series of 24 lectures preserve God’s creation. We’ve formed a native plant
was completed at the end of 2020, so it has his latest subcommittee to further that goal. The existing PCO
thinking on what Christians believe about life after ornamental plantings are beautiful and the result of
death and whether our eventual eternal life is “up much thought and care. The native plant subcommit-
there” in heaven or to live on a new earth. tee is looking to enhance the current plantings. Over
Wright quotes Revelation 21: 1-3 as an indi- the next several years, the group is planning to slowly
cation that God will return to be with us. “Then I saw amend the non-ornamental part of the PCO landscape
a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and (such as the rain garden in the front of the church)
the first earth had passed away, and there was no and convert some of the unused turf grass sections to
longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, the new Je- native plants and shrubs. Beyond the benefits at PCO,
rusalem, coming down out of heaven, from God, pre- we hope this effort inspires members and guests to
pared like a bride dressed up for her husband. I add native plants to their landscape.
heard a loud voice from the throne, and this is what Native plants have many benefits over exotic/
it said: “Look! God has come to dwell with hu- non-native plants. Native plants have been part of our
mans!” local food chain for thousands of years. They provide
nectar sources for insects and birds, food sources
Instead of God being in the Jerusalem temple (seeds for birds), act as a larval host, etc. In addition,
as he was in Solomon’s day, he allows the temple to these plants have extensive root systems (some reach-
be destroyed. In the future, he comes to be with the ing over 15 feet deep!) which sequester carbon from
resurrected people in his Kingdom as stated in Reve- the atmosphere and provides habitat for organisms in
lation 21. the soil. Once established, they need no additional
Wright feels that souls of the dead floating water, fertilizer, or insecticide. And other than fall/
on clouds meeting long-lost ones is not the image we spring clean-up, they will never need mowing which
should have. Jesus initiated the Kingdom and found- reduces carbon emissions.
ed the Church with his Spirit dwelling in us to ad- Beyond the physical projects we are under-
vance that Kingdom with righteousness, truth and taking, our committee will work to educate the con-
love. At this stage, the Kingdom is not perfect be- gregation regarding the benefits of native plants
cause God allows imperfect humans to have respon- via Grapevine articles, minute for mission, and a spot
sibility for God’s vision for the Kingdom, and we on the PCO website for links to other re-
often get it wrong. sources. Please consider joining us as we work to pre-
serve God’s creation.
Wright will amplify his rationale as we ex-
plore the Ascension, the Resurrection, heaven, and
life after death in more detail. We are currently
meeting only on Zoom from 9:30 to about 11 am, as
we do have participants in other countries, but we Resources for Seniors
may consider one or two hybrid sessions (Zoom and
in person at the Church). We did have an enjoyable PCO has received copies of “Senior Prefer-
time of fellowship when we followed the Bible ences,” a resource guide for the greater Lansing area.
Study on June 17 with a BBQ lunch at the Todd’s This guide has a host of health care, residential services,
deck. We may repeat this in the summer months. and other related health and medical services available
The link is https://msu.zoom.us/j/5147440526 and for seniors and for their families. Copies of this guide
everyone is welcome. are available in the display case just inside fellowship
hall. If you are not attending church in person but would
Ewen Todd (todde at msu dot edu) like more information about the guide, please call the
church office.
8
Mission Committee Report
July 2021
Here are some updates on some of the organizations PCO supports through its Missions programs.
Global Institute of Lansing (GIL) - https://globalinstitutelansing.org
Paula Frantz reported that GIL received a grant from the City of Lansing that will cover the cost of a
part-time teacher!! GIL is a great place to spend some volunteer hours as a tutor, teacher, substitute teacher,
event planner, other.
Haven House—https://www.havenhouseel.org
Amber Stairs, Development Director at Haven House in East Lansing, gave an excellent presentation
describing the mission and clientele of the Haven House at our June meeting. The committee decided to allo-
cate $6,000 from the PPE 2020 funds for new air conditioning units for the 12 resident rooms and staff at Ha-
ven House.
Haven House provides emergency housing and support services for one-parent and two-parent families
with children. The shelter helps families who are homeless prepare for permanent housing by developing and
promoting self-sufficiency, stability, and financial responsibility. Haven House is one of only 2 area shelters
that allows adult males. This is important since it allows fathers and adult male
children to remain part of the family while at the shelter.
Refugee Services https://stvcc.org
St. Vincent Catholic Charities—https://stvcc.org/
STVCC is expecting a return to larger numbers of refugee arrivals in 2022. The biggest challenge
currently is for housing. If you have any rental properties in Lansing, or know of anyone who does, and you
want to participate in "Welcoming the Stranger", please connect with us. Visit https://stvcc.org/rent-to-
refugees/ for more information.
Update Mission Committee Communication Plans
Nancy Frank is organizing, with the assistance of Matt Pearson and the Communication and Engage-
ment Committee, an update on the 18 local, international, private, and public organizations, groups, and caus-
es that PCO sponsors through the Mission Committee. The goal is to provide an informed and easy access to
those groups by our church members and others. Contact Nancy for more information or to assist in this pro-
ject.
A Note from Bill Given CISM Student of the Year
Dear Members of the Congregation, (Pastor Peggy and mem-
As we re-open, I (Bill Given) am asking that, bers of PCO’s Mission
once again, you consider bringing personal need Committee were on hand
items to the church for Advent House. There are for the Communities in
several labelled boxes in the church coat room Schools Michigan Leader-
where you can place them. I will check each week ship in Education dinner
and take items to Advent House. on June 8th. CISM’s Stu-
Thank you for your continuing support of dent of the Year, Braah
Advent House and their ministry to our community. Abdullah (left), was recog-
nized during the event.
PCO has supported CISM
through the pandemic
9
BOOK NOOK: by Ron Dorr
Remembering Fred Graham
On Saturday, June 19, Eastminster Presbyterian Church of East Lansing opened its doors for its first worship
service since the pandemic began. The occasion was a Service of Witness to the Resurrection of W. Fred Graham.
Fred, many of you recall, served the Presbyterian Church of Okemos as its interim pastor for 16 months in 1994-1996.
The service captured many of the qualities that endeared Fred to members of our church. A lover of good mu-
sic, he chose the hymns for the service, including “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” which often moved him to tears.
Being permitted to sing only the last hymn of the service, “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah,” was not only refreshing
and liberating; it was also an expression of communal love and solidarity.
Pastors and lay leaders stressed Fred’s character: he was kind, gentle, compassionate, playful, and humorous.
He was a “people person” who keenly missed being with other people because of the pandemic. He was a masterful
teacher and preacher: in his preaching, he often seemed to be teaching; in his teaching he seemed to be preaching.
He combined outer humor and inner seriousness so well. “He will be remembered as a kind man who tried to blend
humor and faith in whatever he did,” his obituary read.
Besides the hymns, two other highlights were a “gift” for Fred’s wife, Jean, and several delightful examples of
Fred’s humor. The pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Mason walked over to Jean and returned to her Fred’s
preaching robe, which he had left in the Mason church when he turned too ill to continue as parish associate there.
Specific examples of Fred’s humor included why he didn’t use his first name, William (“The world doesn’t need another
Billy Graham”); explaining why he didn’t sweat when he did physical labor (“I’m ordained”); complimenting an unortho-
dox shot in golf with the reservation, “I’m amazed it worked”; and teasing someone for wearing casual clothes to wor-
ship service. At our church, Fred once said of Don Treat, a theater professor: “It’s not fair for the liturgist to have a
deeper voice than the preacher.”
I especially appreciated how well Fred blurred the distinctions between preaching and teaching. He knew that
the great ends of teaching and preaching were truth and love and delight. In embodying those ends, Fred combined
expertise and credibility with authenticity and vulnerability in remarkable ways (e.g., remembering one meaning of
compassion—”bringing food”—even while forgetting one’s glasses to read the day’s sermon).
Fred Graham, I dare say, was “old school” in his preaching. Sermons consisted of three parts. He usually began
with an incident drawn from contemporary life, explained the lectionary lessons for that Sunday, and closed with appli-
cations to people’s lives. He took the Word of God seriously but added spice and originality.
Titles of sermons were often weird but revealing: “Disciples as Moles,” “Words I Wish Jesus Hadn’t Said,” and
“Manure in the Vineyard of the Lord.” In the midst of cultural collapse and a cold, cruel world, the good news is Em-
manuel: God with us. Sin is alienation, Fred acknowledged—estrangement from God, from others, from ourselves.
But it is also drying up the sap of life, getting colder, uncaring. Salvation is juicy, fresh, fervent, what makes things
grow, the “Aha!” in life. Forgiveness moves us from justice to compassion. Authority without love poisons. Mountain-
top experiences are not the main dish but the dessert of life. We must descend. Such sermonic messages were memo-
rable.
Some of the best parts he saved to the last: applying the lessons. On the 50th anniver-
sary of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s death, he asked us to be moles in our own families and communi-
ties. Three lessons of the elder prodigal son’s story were: treasure your pleasure, share more
with others, and as Presbyterians join in the dance of life. Try new ways but hold onto Re-
formed theology and Biblical roots.
Once, Fred told us, he saw a sign along a road in rural Virginia. It read: “Wesley’s body
shop Brakes repaired Good tune-ups.” And then the part that caught Fred’s eye—the bottom
of the sign—read: “Jesus saves.” If we hung a sign out for Fred, perhaps it should read: “Fred
Graham Compelling preacher Illuminating teacher Very funny God in Christ saves.”
10POLICY REPORT
By Ellen Hoekstra
Michigan’s revenues are now estimated to be $3.5 billion higher than January’s forecast because of consumer
spending of federal stimulus checks and other pandemic relief funds. The additional funds will be distributed over this
year and next. The Governor and the legislature are using these new numbers as they negotiate the budget year that
will begin on October 1.
Legislation designed to improve access to information about available psychiatric beds has been enacted. HB
4043-4044, sponsored by Rep. Mary Whiteford, will help callers to the Michigan Crisis and Access Line, is available for
people needing behavioral health or crisis response services. MiCAL is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Governor Whitmer continues to veto legislation restricting executive authority during a pandemic. One bill
would have prohibited a governor from issuing emergency orders extending response times by governmental bodies
from the Freedom of Information Act. The other would have exempted high school graduation ceremonies from
COVID-19 restrictions. The latter was vetoed a couple of days after her order was made less restrictive by ending out-
door capacity limits as well as increasing the limit for indoor gatherings to 50% capacity.
The Governor and the Department of Licensing and Regula
tory Affairs (LARA) have taken steps to address health care dispari
ties and improve equity in healthcare. LARA has adopted new ad
ministrative rules requiring implicit bias training for the over
400,000 health care professionals licensed or registered in our
state. The new requirements, which affect new applicants as well as
professionals seeking renewal, take effect June 1, 2022, to provide
time for course development and for applicants to be trained be-
fore their next renewal dates.
Federal/State/Local Response to Hunger
The US Department of Agriculture is sending $1 billion to food bank networks with the caveat that food banks
must expand their reach and change the ways they receive and distribute aid. These reforms will be based on prob-
lems exposed early in the pandemic.
At the state level, Michigan families already eligible for food assistance will
receive—for the second month—an additional payment in response to the pandemic.
Additional payments were loaded onto Bridge cards between June 12-22 as a separate
payment from what recipients received earlier in the month. Families did not need to
re-apply to receive this assistance.
At the local level, last month’s report mentioned the Micro Food pantry next
to the Okemos Public Library. Library staff have asked donors not to bring plastic cov-
ered fruit cups, as they tend to explode in hot weather. Items in high demand include
powdered infant formula and paper products. In February, Meridian Township passed
emergency regulations for these pantries that include the responsibilities for sites. So far, other Micro Food pantries
have been set up at the Haslett Public Library, Faith Lutheran Church, and Ideal Mortgage in Haslett. The Township is
willing to add more pantries—needless to say, in high traffic areas and locations at some distance from the four pan-
tries already established.
11The Presbyterian Church of Okemos
2258 Bennett Road
Okemos, MI 48864
"The church calendar for July is availa-
ble at https://okemospres.org/calendar.
To print the calendar, switch to the The Grapevine is a monthly newsletter of
preferred view and date interval, then
use the print link just to the left of The Presbyterian Church of Okemos
the tabs."
Sunday Worship 10:00 A.M.
Staff
2021 Rev. Peggy Casteel-Huston, INTERIM PASTOR
EDWARD ENNEN, SEXTON
DR. MARLENE BREWBAKER, ORGANIST
ANNA THIEL, OFFICE MANAGER
YUSUF SULTANI, TECHNOLOGY
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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