We are in the season of Eastertide, when we celebrate the joy of the Resurrection and discover more fully what it means to be God’s Easter people. And yet the news is full of reminders of what a broken, wounded, fearful world we live in. In our global neighborhood, so many people are hungry and malnourished. People in developed countries consume more of the earth’s resources than can be sustained, and developing countries are consuming at alarmingly increasing rates to add to the web of environmental crisis. Closer to home, people are worried about their jobs or worried about finding a job, or fearful of losing their homes. More and more people need to rely on food banks and other services just to get by.

In the midst of all this, what does the Resurrection mean? What difference does it make? The gospel stories make it clear that it took Jesus’ first disciples awhile to figure it out. In the Eastertide stories, we find Jesus seeking them out. While they are gathered as a community, the risen Jesus continues to teach them and send them out to serve in his name. “Feed my lambs,” Jesus says. “Tend my sheep…Feed my sheep.”

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he commissioned them to proclaim the gospel of repentance and forgiveness in his name to all nations. “You are witnesses,” Jesus said. He told them to stay in the city until they were “clothed in power from on high.”

In Eastertide, we are called to live as if we truly believe that Jesus has overcome sin and death, as if we trust in his gift of abundant, eternal life. We are called to pray, “Thy kingdom come, O God, on earth as it is in heaven,” and to live as if we mean it, as we prayerfully and intentionally live more and more fully into God’s kingdom.

As part of a connectional congregation, we carry out Christ’s mission in a variety of ways. Our gifts to the Networks Project help to prevent malaria in Africa and elsewhere. Our gifts to the Presbyterian Women Birthday Offering will help to build a strong future for the Congo by supplying needed materials and training for schools there and also help to rebuild and expand the services of the Lakeview Presbyterian Church Weekday School, in New Orleans, which was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. Our 2 Cents a Meal hunger offering will help to alleviate hunger and food insecurity in our metro Detroit area and beyond. And that’s just during the month of May!

Littlefield is a small, older congregation, and that can be discouraging. As we meet on Saturday, May 3 at our mini- retreat, we can remind one another that we are Easter people. As we talk and pray together and seek God’s will for the coming years, we can be encouraged by God’s promises. The power of the God of love, justice and peace can bring hope and new life, abundant life, out of seemingly hopeless situations. Through our faith in the risen Christ, we have the promise of new life in his name.

Alleluia!

INTERFAITH RELATIONS - William G. Gepford, American-Arab Relations
“Growing up with Diversity”

As a youth growing up in a Midwestern city, I was taught early some of the positives and negatives of living in a diverse community.

My sister and I were raised by grandmother and auntie, though our parents lived close by. They engaged an African American woman to do the household chores, so they both could work to pay the bills. I learned much talking with Beatrice about her race and learned the difficult history that is often associated with much of America’s black community.

The janitor of our apartment complex was half African American and half Chinese, the latter from the immigrants who came to this country at the turn of the last century to help build our system of railways. When I asked his name, he said, “Just call me ‘Fields.’”

The neighborhood in which I lived was mostly Catholic, and I was told that Catholics and Protestants were never to intermarry, as that was tantamount to SIN. It was difficult to understand as people I knew from both groups were quite respectable. By the time I entered high school I was sure that I knew just about all there was to know about diversity. But my education continued.

While in the Navy, in the 1940’s I was stationed on bases in the South that were segregated. Upon discharge from the military I finished college and later entered seminary where I had a Japanese American roommate who later became a candidate for moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA. Upon graduation from seminary, my diversity education literally exploded. My wife and I were accepted by our denomination and sent to Lebanon as education missionaries. Not only were we to begin a life-long journey into the history, faith, language and culture of the Middle East, but we were to learn much about ourselves. A colleague said that in order to survive, one must have an unshakable depth of belief inside, but be open and respectful to others who are different.

Our country has recently been blessed with a “forgiveness, healing and hope” visit from Pope Benedict XVI. He prayed for an end to hatred, and said on several occasions that faith must play a role in public life (if your enemy is hungry, feed him), a statement on the sacredness of the whole human family, if ever there was one. He also said, “The purpose of dialogue is to build consensus around the truth,” not an ideology or political platform. Are those negotiating peace in our world today, listening?

At the same period of time, the Dalai Lama came into our midst and, to the surprise of many, said, “Keep your traditions, and don’t convert.” What anyone does, of course, is of a deeply personal nature. But, regardless of our religious convictions, if we ignore the compassion that Buddhism teaches, the world will be worse for that neglect.

God is not limited by religion or culture, as some might think and I was taught as a child growing up. Jesus said, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me?” (John 14:9) Philip was chastised because he had lost sight of the presence of God in all relationships.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

May 4
First Lesson-Acts 1:6-14
Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
Epistle Lesson-1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
Gospel Lesson-John 17:1-11

May 11
First Lesson-Numbers 11:24-30
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Epistle Lesson-1 Corinthians 12:3b-12 or Acts 2:1-21
Gospel Lesson-John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39

May 18
O. T. Lesson-Genesis 1:1-2:4a
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
Epistle Lesson-1 Peter 2:2-10
Gospel Lesson-John 14:1-14

May 25
Old Testament Lesson-Isaiah 49:8-16a
Psalm 131
Epistle Lesson-1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Gospel Lesson-Matthew 6:24-34

PRAYER MINISTRY

LITTLEFIELD MINI-RETREAT

Saturday, May 3
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
A mini-retreat has been scheduled for Littlefield leaders, members, and friends of the congregation. The Rev. Karen Carl, who is the Presbytery of Detroit Church Transformation consultant, will facilitate a discussion of various options for Littlefield Presbyterian Church as we move into the future. If you are a member of session, the board of deacons, a committee member, or a church member/friend who cares about the future mission and ministry of Littlefield Church, this is for you. Please call the church office if you plan on attending.

TAIZE WORSHIP SERVICE

Our next Service is Tuesday, May 6, @ 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. All people regardless of faith background and age are welcome. You are invited to dress comfortably and casually. Invite a friend!

2008 NETWORKERS MOTHER'S DAY CARDS

Your help is needed again this spring to support the NetWorkers Mother's Day Project. For a donation to the PCUSA's International Health Ministries malaria prevention projects in Africa, you may take Mother's Day cards to send to your friends and family members. These cards feature photos of African mothers and their children who have been helped by receiving mosquito nets to protect them from contracting malaria. The cards will be available in the library during coffee hour on May 4, or by contacting the church office. Mother's Day is May 11.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

The Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Detroit (PWPD) Gathering will meet this month on Wednesday, May 7 from 9:45 a.m. thru lunch at Northbrook Presbyterian Church in Beverly Hills. This month we are honored to welcome our Churchwide Moderator of Presbyterian Women as our speaker, Ms. Catrellia Hunter. Ms. Hunter has served the Presbyterian Church in many capacities, at every level. We will be installing our PWPD leaders, recognizing the Honorary Life Memberships and commissioning of members attending the 2008 Synod Gathering. We are also welcoming honored guest, Patsy Gaines. She is a dramatist, past moderator of the Presbytery of Cincinnati, past moderator of the Synod of the Covenant, and past moderator of Presbyterian Women of the Synod. Lunch is $6.00. If you would like to attend please make your reservations before May 2.

PRESBYTERY OF DETROIT HUNGER MINISTRY PROGRAM FOOD PANTRY NEEDS OUR HELP

There is an urgent need for donations to the Food Pantry. Littlefield will be collecting food items throughout the month of May and early June to be delivered to Westminster Church on June 15 by PW members. Each time you do your weekly shopping, please pick up a few extra items, bring them to the church library, and place them on the shelves and in the baskets for our collection.

Particularly desirable items are canned goods such as soups, meat, vegetables, fruits and pasta, dry cereals, oatmeal, rice, dried fruit, boxed macaroni and cheese, Hamburger Helper, and peanut butter. If you prefer to donate money, checks can be made payable to Presbytery of Detroit. Please specify Hunger Program ECO #410220 on the memo line.

CD's of WORSHIP SERVICES

Did you miss a Sunday at Littlefield? CD's are now being recorded of Sunday worship services. If you would like a copy, please contact your deacon or the church office.

LITTLEFIELD ANGELS

Fran Hayes, or Pastor Hayes, is our Angel of cards and emails. Fran prints cards that are signed by those present at Sunday services; these cards are then sent to those in need of uplifting of the heart and soul. Many cards have been sent, received and appreciated!

Fran takes the time to keep us informed by email of those requesting our prayers. Our prayers add a little sunshine to those in need as they know the power of prayers and that many are praying! Fran, we appreciate your time and energy keeping us informed.

Thanks, Angel Fran, not only for keeping us informed and keeping prayers abounding, but for all you do - you are a blessing to Littlefield. Angel Seeker

THE PRESBYTERY OF DETROIT NEWS

There are many events over the next month in the Presbytery of Detroit. Listed below is just an example of those events. Please go to http://www.pbydetroit.org to print a reservation form or call our church office.

MULTICULTURAL TRAINING
Do you want to be a competent leader in a changing world? May 15-17, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eric Law will be at Southfield Presbyterian Church. The cost is $50, payable to Presbytery of Detroit by May 1. This cost covers: materials, snacks and lunch everyday plus dinner on Friday night.

Eric is teaching three full days of the Kaleidoscope Course. This course includes the following fundamental skills for building inclusive community: what is culture and why differences; the impacts of these differences on leadership; theological reflection on multicultural leadership; developing a spirituality for leadership in a diverse, changing world; and others. Anyone who is involved in small group ministries or committees, committee chairpersons, educators, and anyone who wants to get a hands-on experience in putting this knowledge to practice needs to attend!

For those who cannot attend the above program, there will be an afternoon program on Sunday, May 18, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham. The cost is $15 which includes dinner. This program is specifically designed for Sessions and Committees. Please RSVP by May 12 to the Presbytery Office (866-345-8600).

IN HONOR OF EARTH DAY 2008

Do you want to slow the flow of junk mail coming to your home? The suggestions below are taken from an article in one of the church newsletters that we receive every month. There are five “to-dos” from an article by Mary Forsell as printed in a recent edition of USA Weekend magazine (March 7-9, 2008).

1. Get off the lists. Go to the Mail Preference Service registry of the Direct Marketing Association (dmachoice.org) and click on “Remove my name from those lists.” Online Registration is free (or $1 through the mail) and is good for three years. This move alone should cut down on 80 percent of unsolicited mail within four months.

2. Don’t fill out registration forms for new products (unless you want recall alerts), says Tom Watson of the National Waste Prevention Coalition. “They’re used for mailing lists,” he says. And never sign up for the contests and sweepstakes, Watson adds.

3. Squash pre-approved credit offers. To register, call the toll-free number 888-567-8688 or go to optoutprescreen.com; both methods cover you for five years. You also can opt out permanently by phone or by mail using a form on the website. “Not only will you nix the offers, but you’ll be reducing your chances of identity theft,” says Beth Givens of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.

4. Remain anonymous. Supermarket loyalty cards can generate unsolicited mail, so sign up for cards using a pseudonym like Jane or Joe Shopper; with no address, to preserve anonymity.

5. Stay vigilant. Buying online is the main culprit for catalog overload, says Tim Sanchez of the consumer group New American Dream. Opt out at catalogchoice.org.

Junk Mail Statistics
* More than 100 million trees’ worth of bulk mail arrives in American mail boxes each year - that’s the equivalent of deforesting the entire Rocky Mountain National Park every four months. (New American Dream calculation from Conservatree and U.S. Forest Service)

* The production and disposal of direct mail consumes more energy than 3 million cars. (New American Dream calculation from U.S. Department of Energy and the Paper Task Force)

* One study says Americans throw away 44% of bulk mail unopened, yet still spend 8 months per lifetime opening bulk mail. (Consumer Research Institute)

* In 2005, 5.8 million tons of catalogs and other direct mailings ended up in the U.S. municipal solid waste stream - enough to fill over 450,000 garbage trucks. Parked bumper to bumper these garbage trucks would extend from Atlanta to Albuquerque. Less than 36% of this ad mail was recycled. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

* U.S. companies sent 35 billion pieces of direct postal mail in 1980, 64 billion pieces in 1990, 90 billion pieces in 2000, and 100 billion pieces in 2005. That’s more than 300 pieces of bulk mail for every man, woman and child! (U.S. Postal Service)