Saint Elizabeth Episcopal Church, Higgins Lake, Michigan

SAINT ELIZABETH'S HIGGINS LAKE

Saint Elizabeth's is a small but growing Episcopal congregation noted for friendliness and a concern for service to those in need. Activities are housed in the Church's interconnected buildings---sanctuary, parish hall and a connecting structure which houses office space, church school classrooms, a lounge and library.

It is the Episcopal Church that serves Roscommon County in north central lower Michigan. It is an area noted for year around outdoor activities---fishing, hunting, hiking, horseback riding, golfing, camping, boating, and swimming in the warmer months, as well as cross country and downhill skiing, ice skating, ice fishing, sledding and snowmobiling in the winter.

In addition it is a popular retirement area. The county has three large lakes and many smaller ones. Higgins Lake, covering 9,600 acres and reaching a depth of 14I feet, is a crystal pure, spring fed glacial lake which has been referred to
by the National Geographic as one of the most beautiful in the world. An even larger lake, noted for recreation and excellent fishing, is only a few miles south of Higgins Lake. It is Houghton Lake, with 20,044 acres and 30 miles of shoreline.

In addition to the lakes, there are three beautiful streams in the county that provide excellent trout fishing and scenic canoeing and kayaking. They are the headwaters for the AuSable, Muskegon and Tittabawassee rivers.

Members of Sl. Elizabeth's live throughout the county; some near the rivers, some on or near the lakes, some in wooded locations.

CARING FOR THE SPIRITUAL, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING OF THE CONGREGATION

Regular worship centered on the Eucharist and Preaching, prayer in worship and in all communal settings, adult Bible study and an exceptional teaching and sharing program for youth (Sundays and through participation in the Diocesan youth camping experience) undergird this aspect of the church experience.
Meals and food are taken to people from the congregation who are in need---and some receive direct cash support. Lay Eucharistic Visitors take communion to shut-ins. Cards are sent out for birthdays and anniversaries and cards or letters are sent to any who may have been missing from church.

We financially support the costs of a number of children at the Diocesan Summer Youth Camp (Camp Chickigami) and a number of our members are volunteer leaders at the camp.

Our program of music is important, too. We have a small but dedicated choir and capable and loyal organist/choir director.