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Passage to Ponder - Luke 23:38 (NIV)
"There was a written notice above him which read: 'This is the King of the Jews.'"
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The Presbytery of Wabash Valley creates, connects and nurtures congregations and other ministries to fulfill Christ's mission. |
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God Calls
Presbytery of Wabash Valley PWV Office Hours Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4 pm March 27, 2013 |
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Greetings to you in this Holy Week.
Two weeks ago, some 20 youth and adult leaders gathered at Geneva Center for a Presbytery-wide Confirmation Retreat. This Annual Retreat, sponsored by the Presbytery, is one of the concrete ways that our presbytery intentionally helps our congregations form the faith in the rising generation. What follows is one pastor's reflection of how that retreat changed lives in his congregation. I invite you to read it and to reflect upon it as we prepare to celebrate Easter.
Blessings and Prayers for Peace,
Frank Vardeman
General Presbyter
Presbytery of Wabash Valley
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Credo; I believe
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Credo; I believe: At the presbytery's confirmation retreat March 15-17 at Geneva Center, confirmands were given
 time, after studying and discussing the catechism Belonging to God, to write their own statement of faith. Creeds are statements of what the church believes. A personal faith statement reflects how the Church's beliefs reside within an individual heart and soul. Sammie Amidon's and Sam Van Nuys' statements of faith follow:
"I believe that God, the Creator of everything, is a supreme being who resides in Heaven. I believe His son, Jesus, is a tour guide on the path of life. I believe that the Holy Spirit entered my soul and changed me for good. I believe in the word of the Bible, the holy book which helps me understand my faith and grow closer to God. I believe that the church is important because it is a place of help, learning, devotion, and friendship. Without the church, I would not be as close to God, nor as happy or fulfilled in my life. I believe that no one is alone, truly, when He is walking by your side. He is with me now, and I will enjoy spending eternity with Him still guiding me." Sammie Amidon, age 13
Confirmands were also offered the choice to write a faith statement or, if they wanted to take a more artistic route; to compose a poem or song. Sam Van Nuys chose that route, expounding on one of his answers from a fill-in-the-blank exercise: God is like... "a forest that gives life": "God is like a forest; mysterious, free, and gives the gift of life. Jesus is like a tree, deep within the forest, to provide shade and shelter. The Holy Spirit is like the grass; gentle and covering the dirt of our sin. The Bible is like the oldest tree in the woods. It knows the whole story of what has happened. The Church is like a river, bringing many creatures to behold and live in God's mighty forest." Sam Van Nuys, age 12
Sammie will be baptized and Sam will be confirmed on Easter Sunday at Wabash Avenue Presbyterian Church in Crawfordsville. The Wabash Avenue congregation thanks the Presbytery for its help in forming the faith in the rising generation. If you would like your congregation's children to have an experience similar to Sammie's or Sam's, then attending a Geneva Center church camp this summer is the next opportunity to do just that. |
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SAVE THE DATES |
2013 COUNCIL
April 23, 2013
June 25, 2013
July 23, 2013
August 27, 2013
October 22, 2013
December 10, 2013
2013 ASSEMBLY
May 21, 2013
September 13-14, 2013
November 19, 2013 |
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Quick Links
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SAVE THE DATE
Friday, September 13 &
Saturday, September 14
"More Than Being Polite;
Hospitality for the 21st Century"
Geneva Center
Keynote Speaker -
Dr. Rodger Nishioka
Watch for Details and Registration Information
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Information is available online at presbyterianyoutriennium.org
where you can register.
Registrars for PWV are
Anna Parkinson,
pastorparkinson.fpcgoshen@gmail.com
and
David Lawrence
dlawrence0425@gmail.com
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Lombard Mennonite Peace Center
offering continuing education
Mediation Skills Training Institute
for Church Leaders
&
Here I Stand: Leading Change Through Self-Differentiation
&
Clergy Clinic in Family
Emotional Process
More Information
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Seasons of Faith
Covenant Gathering 2013
June 30 - July 5
Michindoh Conference Center
Hillsdale, Michigan
Find more information at www.covenantgathering.com
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Resource Center In Partnership with PWV Congregational Resource Center ****** ALBAN WEEKLY
TEN ASSUMPTIONS OF APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY
by Mark Lau Branson
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Join the God Calls eNews Mailing List
a convenient way to stay in touch with the
Presbytery of Wabash Valley
by going to
http://www.ourpresbytery.org/
and sign-up under
"Join our eNewsletter List"
enter the email address you would like to receive God Calls in each week...
click GO and follow the instructions.
View God Calls Weekly eNews
Past Issues
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Prayers of the Presbytery
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Lord God we thank you for being with us each day as you dwell within us with your Holy Spirit. We remain grateful acknowledging you are the King of Kings, We continue to be grateful realizing the extraordinary gift of your death for each of us.
We ask your healing touch for those who need medical attention. We ask that you be with all those who are lonely, or hungry or in need of your grace.
We give thanks and praise O God for Community Presbyterian Church Rochester as they have faithfully served your church since 1840 sharing the good news and reaching out to those in need.
We pray in your Holy name, Amen.
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Celebration of Ordination
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- Correction - March 19, 1967 - Rev. Floyd Wynn, Honorably Retired
- April 1, 2001 - Rev. Justin Schlesinger-Devlin, Pastor Memorial Presbyterian Church Dayton
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.
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Ministerial Excellence
"SHOW ME THE COIN"
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Addressing Financial Issues Facing Our Churches
A gift to all Indiana Presbyteries from the Ministerial Excellence Fund
No cost to attend and expenses will be reimbursed,
including Friday hotel if needed
Friday, April 26, 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 27, 9:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
Zionsville Presbyterian Church
4775 West 116th Street, Indianapolis, IN
All are invited, especially pastors, church treasurers, finance committee members, and anyone interested in stewardship and other financial concerns in the church. We encourage congregations to send several people per church.
To register, go to www.showmethecoin.eventbrite.com
Questions? Contact Martha McDonald, indymcmc@gmail.com or 317-357-5123.
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RECORD REVIEW DATES AND LOCATIONS SET
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Saturday dates for Clerks' Training and Review of Minutes and Rolls:
- April 13th at 9:30 a.m. EDT hosted by The Wabash Presbyterian Church, 123 West Hill St, Wabash 46992-3015 (260-563-8881)
- April 20th at 9:30 a.m. EDT hosted by Central Presbyterian Church, 31 N Seventh St, Lafayette 47901-1423 (765-742-8481)
- May 4th at 9:30 a.m. CDT hosted by Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 140 W Hwy 30, Schererville 46375 (219-865-2686)
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One Great Hour of Sharing
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Alleviating hunger and eliminating its causes
"Congregational Based Community Organizing (CBCO) is another component of our work. CBCO is a strategy for rebuilding communities, revitalizing congregations and developing individuals into effective leaders and change agents. Read More
Impact Through Seeds: Watch a brief video of how PHP's work with the MPP to bring seeds to Haiti is making a profound difference.
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The big Tent event schedule for August 1-3, 2013 is a gathering of Presbyterians to Louisville's Kentucky International Convention Center from around the U.S.A. and elsewhere for fellowship, prayer, praise, worship. Held in years alternate to the General Assembly, for any one who desires to participate, it is a similar outpouring of faith without the politics, motions and amendments, committee meetings and "business" of the Church.
There are extensive workshops or "study groups" in Compassion, Peace and Justice; Evangelism and Church Growth; Healthy Ministry, National Elders Conference; Presbyterian Communicators Network; Racial, Ethnic and Immigrants Convocation; National Multicultural Church Conference, Theology, Worship, Education; Seminary Support Network and World Mission Conference. Although it is expected for attendees to concentrate on the area of their interest and concern, it is possible to mix and match sessions. There are also a number of specialty pre-conferences and meetings. The Theme is "Placing God's First Things First". Cost is very reasonable at Adult fees of $295, including Thursday and Friday dinners. Young adults and children have reduced fees.
For more details (lodging included) and Registration log on to www.pcusa.org/bigtent or phone 800-728-7228 extension 2417 and ask for The Big Tent Registration Guide and Quick Review Calendar or contact your GA Ruling Elder Commissioner Andrew Betts, Sunnyside Presbyterian Church, South Bend or at 574-272-4222
Deadline for Registration approaches soon. Louisville may be the geographically closest opportunity we may have to attend a Big Tent meeting since they are held at various places throughout the U.S in other years.
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GENEVA CENTER
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2013 SUMMER CAMP
"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.
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| The Assembly began engaging in the visioning process--The Joshua Journey-- to examine the mission and structure of presbytery and its role in supporting congregations in ministry in today's world. We looked at the four decades of our presbytery, then talked and recorded at tables our thoughts about what is best to carry forward, and what is best left behind.
If you missed it--
- Check out the video at joshuajourney.org by Steve Braden and Carol McDonald that introduces how we will do this work
- In the left column on that page click on links to The Purpose, The Process, and Resources for more information. Dates of the retreats are posted there.
- Elected presbytery leaders should have already received an invitation to register for the overnight retreats. The first one is now scheduled for May 10-11, 6 pm to 5 pm EDT at Geneva Center. If you have not already registered, leaders are urged to respond through your invitation email so the Visioning Planning Team knows you are coming. There is no cost to you, and sharing your presbytery experience and input is vital to the visioning process. If you lost access to your invitation, email Steve Braden at revsbb91@gmail.com or call the office at 574-223-5678
- If you are interested in participating in at least 3 retreats and have not yet received an invitation, please reply to Steve Braden at revsbb91@gmail.com
We need a committed core of presbytery people from our congregations to discern a Focus for the presbytery's future ministry - a focus which reflects our context, our size, and our culture. We also seek to identify and suggest to the presbytery appropriate functions, structure, leadership, and financial resources to undergird and support the presbytery's Focus. With God's grace and guidance, the result will be a presbytery that is more missional, more flexible, more focused on supporting congregations, more efficient, and more effective. |
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National Tartan Day
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from Andrew Betts, Sunnyside Presbyterian Church, South Bend
Acknowledging our roots, it is appropriate for Presbyterian churches to celebrate National Tartan Day on Sunday, April 7-one day following April 6, the anniversary for signing of Declaration of Arbroath in 1320 declaring independence for Scotland from England (think Robert the Bruce and Bravehart). Recommended is for church members to wear something tartan and/or "bless" the tartans with a short prayer. Bagpipers are optional!. For more info, contact Elder Andrew Mackay Betts, Sunnyside, member of Scottish North American Conference.
Just for fun--11 million Americans claim their roots to Scotland making it the 8th largest ethnic group. There are planned massive celebrations--particularly week long in New York where their parade will have hundreds of pipers. Main speaker at a gathering called "From Scotland with Love" is Arun Ghandi, grandson of Mahatma who will bless the new World Peace Tartan. Chicago will have many events; Colorado celebrates various places state wide as does California and of course many celebrations in Georgia, Florida and Carolinas which are "polluted" with Scots. The declaration referred to above is the model for much of the U. S. Declaration of Independence. The contribution of Scots world wide in medicine, law, politics, poetry, furniture design, shipbuilding, industrialization, inventions etc. is incredible for such a small country--the only one in the world which is 100% literate. There are more Nobel prize winners among this ethnic group except Jewish. Peace!
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Where is your General Presbyter
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Thursday, March 28
Pastoral Visit
Maundy Thursday Worship
Friday, March 29
Good Friday Worship
Sunday, March 31
Easter Morning Worship
Monday, April 1
Indiana Executive Presbyters, Indianapolis
Thursday, April 4
Commission on Ministry
Sunday, April 7
Congregational Visit
Tuesday, April 9
Lilly Meeting
Wednesday-Saturday, April 10-13
Midwest Executives in St. Louis
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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Severe Weather Policy
The PWV office abides by the Rochester Community School Corporation's weather delay and/or cancellation decision. Voice mail at the office will include the status of meetings scheduled. To confirm meeting status don't hesitate to call 574-223-5678.
Friday, March 29
Good Friday - Presbytery Office Closed
Sunday, March 31
Easter Blessings
Thursday, April 4
10 am - Commission on Ministry
Friday & Saturday, April 5-6
POSTPONED-Joshua Journey Gathering
Wednesday, April 10
Northwest Church Professionals Luncheon Valparaiso First PC (map)
Thursday, April 11
10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-To-Meeting)
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.
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PWV & Geneva Center Staff Contact Information
Presbytery Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 to 4:00 pm
Financial Consultant ~ Elder Eric Herzog ~ 574-223-5678 ext 105
Geneva Center Manager ~ Cathy Adley ~ 574-223-6915 ext 200
Geneva Center Maintenance Director ~ Jeff Winegardener ~ 574-223-6915 ext 204 |
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