Passage to Ponder -   Psalm 28:6-7 

 

"Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplications!  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him." 

  LabCrossThe Presbytery of Wabash Valley creates, connects and nurtures congregations and other ministries to fulfill Christ's mission.

God Calls
Presbytery of Wabash Valley
PWV Office Hours
 Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4 pm
February 27, 2013
PLEASE RE-REGISTER FOR
MARCH 5, 2013 ASSEMBLY
Dear Friends,

Based on the forecast for much of the Presbytery for Tuesday, and out of concern for everyone's safety and well being, it was determined that it would be wise to postpone the Presbytery Assembly to March 5th in hopes that we will have better weather and safer travel conditions for all attending.  We made the decision to postpone late Monday morning rather than waiting till Tuesday morning in order to get the word out to everyone in plenty of time.  I offer my sincere apology to anyone who missed this communication and attempted to make it to Geneva Center. 
 
It is unfortunate every time we have to make this kind of decision because people lead very busy lives and have already committed themselves to coming on a certain date and may not be able to attend on the new date due to a prior commitment. However we hope you will be able to attend the Presbytery Assembly on March 5th.  Because of the change in the date we have to shift some items around on the docket to accommodate as many people's schedule as possible and to make it work to the best of our ability.  We will still have all of the same items of business to fit into the meeting; we will just have to rearrange the order a little bit.  Please look for a revised docket to be posted later this week or early next week.  Because we still have a whole host of important business to address we hope you will be able to join us.  

Please also re-register for the event.  Because of the change in date and the likelihood that some will now not be able to attend it is important that folks please take the time to re-register for the assembly so that we can get an accurate count on the number of people to expect and the Geneva Center Staff can make appropriate plans for providing hospitality. If you registered previously with payment please DO NOT pay again.  
  
Again I apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.  I will look forward to seeing you on the 5th and pray God's blessing upon you. 
  
Grace and peace, 
Kevin A. Bowers
Bethany Presbyterian Church Pastor
PWV Moderator 
  
SIMPLE IDEAS

by Rev. Gretchen Seidler-Gibbs

Gretchen Seidler-gibbs 

 

 

 

  

  
In a group discussion on the Bible study, Proverbs and Parables, one person commented that sometimes we "over think" things. I believe we do this often; we take a simple idea and make it very complicated. We try to over think what God is trying to teach us.
  
Isn't it strange how a 50 dollar bill seems like a large amount when you donate it to the church, but such a small amount when you go shopping? Isn't it strange how two hours seem so long when you're at church, and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie? Isn't it strange that you can't find a thing to say when you're praying, but you have not trouble thinking what to say when you're talking with a friend? Isn't it strange how difficult and boring it is to read a chapter of the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel?  Isn't strange how everyone wants front row tickets to concerts or games, but they do whatever is possible to sit in the last pew of the sanctuary?  Isn't it strange how we need to know about an event for church two or three weeks in advance so we can include it on our calendars, but we can adjust our schedule for other events at the last minute? (This is a simple definition of Christian Stewardship.)
  
Also, as we have been studying Proverbs, I have seen how important it is to be in God's Word.  The study reminds us that "a path is a metaphor for the choices we make in life."  If we are not learning God's teachings, how can we know which path to take?  By sticking close to God, the choices we have don't always seem as overwhelming; we sometimes know which path to take.
  
I appreciate being on the journey with all of you - you walk with me, you help me to learn and you help me to grow deeper in relationship with God.
  
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" - Jeremiah 29:11
In This Issue
Assembly Deferred to 3/5/2013
Simple Ideas of Stewardship
Prayers of the Presbytery
Celebration of Ordination
Poverty in America
2013 PWV Confirmation Retreat
Living Waters for the World
Stewardship Kaleidoscope
Where is Frank
PWV Calendar of Events

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SAVE THE DATES
2013 COUNCIL
March 19, 2013
April 23, 2013
June 25, 2013
July 23, 2013
August 27, 2013
October 22, 2013
December 10, 2013
  
2013 ASSEMBLY
POSTPONED February 26, 2013 
to TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2015
  
May 21, 2013
September 13-14, 2013
November 19, 2013
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Committee (MDRC)

 

2013 Mission Program Grant
Applications & Resource Material - 
1001 New Worshiping Community
"Seed" Grant,
First-Level New Church Grant,
Presbytery Grant for Congregational
Transformation,
& the 2013 Proposal Submission &
Review Dates. 
 
These resources & information are available for download by clicking

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2013 Snow Scene
Photo taken by Cathy Adley, Geneva Center Manager
Prayers of the Presbytery

LabCross

Lord, we thank you for the importance of Lent as once again we find our way to seek your presence in our journey. May we also remember Jesus' passion and suffering for us,  we need your grace to help us not lose sight of the reason Jesus suffered and died. 

 

Prayers are requested for the family of Carey Rutland father of Maria Rutland, Minister Member at Large, as they go to be at his bedside.

 

We give you thanks and praise O God for Immanuel Presbyterian Church Schererville as they have faithfully served your church since July 7, 1870 sharing the good news and reaching out to those in need.

In His name we pray. Amen.

Celebration of Ordination

LabCross

Thank you for your ministry and your service...

  • March 2, 1986 - Rev. David Wood, Pastor First Presbyterian Church Crown Point

If you have been omitted or your information is incorrect please accept my apology. Help to update your records by sending your current information to [email protected].   

POVERTY IN AMERICA
It's not what you think.
  
The Line documents the stories of people across the country living at or below the poverty line. They have goals. They have children. They work hard. They are people like you and me. Across America, millions are struggling every day to make it above The Line.
 
2013 Presbytery Confirmation Retreat Information 
Confirmation Dove 
The 2013 Wabash Valley Presbytery Confirmation retreat will be at Geneva Center from Friday evening March 15 through lunch Sunday March 17.  Congregations are encouraged to bring their confirmands to learn the basics of the faith and the Presbyterian tradition as part of the confirmation process by which they may confirm their baptismal promises to acknowledge and serve Jesus Christ as Lord.  Cost of the retreat will be $125 per attendee.  At least one adult from the confirmands' home congregation must be present for the entire retreat to chaperone each church's group of confirmands.  
2013 Living Waters 

Dear Church Leaders,

 

Several years ago, realizing that millions of children are dying every year from
preventable waterborne diseases, the United Nations designated March 22 as World Water Day, to be observed globally in an effort to increase awareness of the world's growing water crisis.

Living Waters for the World invites you to join with us as we celebrate 20 years of clean water ministry by participating in an observance of this day during worship. Many churches have chosen March 17, however your observance can take place on any Sunday this spring.

Living Waters for the World has prepared a full set of worship resources (liturgies, sermons, children's talks) and educational materials that can be used or adapted to suit your needs.  Of particular note is the hymn Once a Woman Seeking Water, written for LWW by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette.  Listen to it here
.

 

All resources are downloadable by clicking here.

 

Stewardship Kaleidoscope  
 
2013 Stewardship Kaleidoscope
Click Grafic for more information
Frank Vardeman
  
Where is your
General Presbyter
Rev. Frank Vardeman
Thursday, February 28
  • Pastoral Visit
  • Congregational Visit
  • Friday, March 1
  • Visioning Ministry Team
  • Tuesday, March 5
  • Presbytery Assembly
  • Wednesday, March 6
  • Meeting with Stated Clerk
  • Thursday, March 7
  • Commission on Ministry
  • Carroll County Churches 
  • CALENDAR OF EVENTS
    Severe Weather Policy

    The PWV office abides by the Rochester Community School Corporation's weather delay and/or cancellation decision. Voicemail at the office will include the status of meetings scheduled. To confirm meeting status don't hesitate to call 574-223-5678.

     

    Friday, March 1

    10 am - Visioning Ministry Team (Go-to-Meeting)

      

    Tuesday, March 5

    10 am - Assembly  (Please Re-Register)

     

    Wednesday, March 6

    Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team

     

    Thursday, March 7

    10 am - Commission on Ministry

     6 pm - Carroll County Churches Gathering - Rockfield Presbyterian Church (map) 

    Tuesday, March 12

    10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry

    10 am - Geneva Center Ministry Team

     

    Wednesday, March 13

    NOON - Northwest Church Professionals Luncheon Merrillville, First PC (map)

     

    Thursday, March 14

    10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-to-meeting)

     

    Friday, March 15 - Sunday, March 17

    Confirmation Retreat

     

    All meetings posted on the PWV Calendar are eastern time (ET) unless noted otherwise. Please visit http://www.ourpresbytery.org/calendar.htm for more information or call 574-223-5678 with questions or comments.
    PWV & Geneva Center Staff Contact Information
    Presbytery Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 to 4:00 pm

    General Presbyter ~ Rev. Frank Vardeman  ~ 574-223-5678 ext 101
    Stated Clerk ~ Elder Linda L. Long ~ 219-926-7098
    Office Manager ~ Gladys Sargent ~ 574-223-5678 ext 102
    Church Relations Coordinator ~ Elder Vicki Dreibelbis ~ 574-223-5678 ext 100
    Financial Consultant ~ Elder Eric Herzog ~ 574-223-5678 ext 105
    IT Consultant ~ Bonnie Kern ~ 574-223-5678 ext 109
    Geneva Center Manager ~ Cathy Adley ~ 574-223-6915 ext 200
    Geneva Center Maintenance Director ~ Jeff Winegardener ~ 574-223-6915 ext 204 

    Presbytery of Wabash Valley