Passage to Ponder -   Philippians 2:5-8

As I write for this "God Calls" edition, I realize anew that God does indeed "call" and it is always in unexpected ways.

India. I had never even dreamed of going

Rev. Marcia Smith-Wood in India

to India, but when the opportunity came, I listened to an unexpected Inner Voice that said, "Go". I am not the same person who left here Feb. 11th. Having been immersed for 2 1/2 weeks in the beauty and complexity, wounds and healing, courage and challenges of India, I have been transformed by a pilgrimage of 'radical acceptance', compassion, wonder, and hope. God was in it all, every day. God still is in it all.

I went with The Rev. Deanna Brown, a Church of the Brethren pastor who lived in India for a year, and who has been called to a ministry of leading groups of U.S. women to connect with women of India. Eleven of us went to India's two southern most states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Our goal was to sit as equals with Indian women and to listen deeply and respectfully to each other's stories, learning from each other and building bridges of the heart across our very different cultures.

It was summer there, very hot (90 degrees plus and high humidity). After a 19 hour flight from O'Hare, we landed in Kochi (Cochin), a city of 1 1/2 million. There we met with Beena Sebastian, an Indian Christian, whose nice, safe middle class professional life was shattered one night about 20 years ago when she answered a late night knock on her family's door. There stood a terribly battered 

woman who said, "Someone said you could help me." In the years since then, Beena has become a powerful voice for women, empowering them and advocating for them in a culture that has oppressed women for centuries. This strong, truth-telling and compassionate woman is both adored and hated. Although India is beginning to change, she started what is still the only battered women and children's shelter in this city of 1 1/2 million: "Shanti Pavon". At her shelter we met abused women with their children; young girls who had been sex trafficked but had found a safe, new life there because of Beena's courageous interventions; and elderly homeless women who had been cast out by their families. We were honored one evening to visit them. They were so excited to welcome us! The children performed wonderfully choreographed dances (imagine Bollywood performed by smiling 10 year olds!) Then 3 high school girls in flowing dresses performed a more traditional and complex dance. It was later I learned that 2 of those beautiful, intelligent and smiling girls were orphans who had been sex trafficked by relatives, but they had the courage to contact Beena for help. Beena's interventions gave them this new home and hope for a new life. Despite their wounds, they all have found a place of love and hope, healing and new life. I asked myself, 'What does Christ's radical love dare to look like in your life back home, Marcia?'

Later in the week, we traveled across the mountains to the west to the state of Tamil Nadu, where Deanna's close friends, Tamar and Bruce from St. Olaf College days, have started a self-help craft industry called "Blue Mango Trust" (see their website.) Creating sewn purses and stuffed toys, as well as beautifully beaded jewelry, Blue Mango employs women of the surrounding villages. Some are widows (who in their culture are considered bad karma, have no power and are not even allowed to travel), some are disabled, some are young mothers (a free childcare has been created for them on the grounds). From poverty, these women now have new dignity, self-worth, a marketable skill, money to send their children to school, as well as becoming a caring and supportive community for each other. Lives transformed. We got to sit in a large circle with them on at least two occasions, both Indian women and we U.S. women introducing ourselves and sharing our stories. All of our lives were transformed that day as we made heart connections with each other.

India! So much more happened to us... the Gandhi museum in Maderai... meals of amazing Indian foods... the crazy street traffic... the support and laughter as we U.S. women bonded... the heat... the beauty... the gracious hearts of the Indian people. I will never forget the people of India: their eyes, their smiles, their courage, their stories, their beauty. It is a mystery, but we are all truly connected on this holy journey of life, with all its pain and suffering, with all its healing love and faith. I cannot lose hope, for God is in it all. And God calls us to be in it all too, wherever we live. Wherever we love. Right here in Indiana, dear brothers and sisters. You are being called to be God's light and healing love, right here. How is God calling you today where you live? 

Gracious Father, we come to you from so many areas in your world in grateful reflection. Know we continue to seek your guidance to do your work. Challenge us to strive for a deeper relationship with you in your unending direction. 

We give you thanks and praise O God for Rossville Presbyterian Church as they have faithfully served your church since 1834 sharing the good news and reaching out to those in need.

It is in your holy name we give you thanks and praise saying, Amen.

Thank you for your ministry and your service...

• March 15, 1992 - Rev. Jack Volkers, Honorably Retired
• March 16, 1997 - Rev. Bill Kleymann, Community Presbyterian Church Rochester
• March 19, 2000 - Rev. Carolyn Leeb, Valparaiso University Faculty
• March 19, 1988 - Rev. Floyd Wynn, Honorably Retired

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 vicki@ourpresbytery.org.   

The Triennium is held July 16-20 this year, and we hope to get a good-sized group of kids going. A number of kids from several churches have already registered and the process is just getting started. The Triennium is open to entering freshmen and just graduated seniors. Also, there are some opportunities for adults to attend and learn about youth ministry, as well as space for chaperones.

The cost for the Triennium is $469, which is usually split three ways between the individual, church and presbytery. These costs include all room and board at a dormitory on the Purdue campus. All scholarship needs will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis by the registrars.

A lot of this information is available online at presbyterianyoutriennium.org where you can also register.

Registrars, the contact people, for our presbytery are Anna Parkinson, who you can email at pastorparkinson.fpcgoshen@gmail.com, and David Lawrence dlawrence0425@gmail.com. 

ATTENTION:

Teaching & Commissioned Ruling Elders

The Pastoral Leadership Care Committee has additional opportunities for a relaxing time away. A parishioner of our presbytery has made these occasions possible for acceptance by a Teaching or Commissioned Ruling Elder.

The following opportunities are available:

• Mountain Run at Boyne; Boyne Falls, MI 
• Check-in 5/12/13 -- Check-out 5/17/12
• Mountain Loft;  Gatlinburg, TN 
• Check-in 5/12/13 -- Check-out 5/17/12
• The Suites at Hershey; Hershey, PA 
• Check-in 5/19/13 -- Check-out 5/24/13
• Westgate Historic; Williamsburg VA 
• Check-in 7/7/13 -- Check-out 7/14/13

Again this will be by a first come, first served process. The recipient would be responsible for transportation, etc., with no expense for the use of accommodations.

Please contact Gladys at gladys@ourpresbytery.org to confirm your interest, availability, and additional specifics.

Blessings of peace,

John Ritchie, Pastoral Leadership Care Committee Moderator

2013 SUMMER CAMP

The Geneva Center Ministry Team and the

Presbytery are pleased to announce that the Rev. John Ritchie will be the Summer Camp Director for 2013.   "This year's summer camps at Geneva Center will provide campers a Spirit-filled opportunity to experience God's creation and the love of Jesus in a way that makes ALL THINGS NEW." 

Please click the following link to download the camp brochure and application.

NW Church Professionals Luncheon

Assembly

Council

Wednesday, March 20

Visioning Ministry Team

Congregational Visit

Thursday, March 21

Transformation Ministry Team

Commission on Ministry Leadership