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Passage to Ponder - John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
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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 April 17, 2013 |
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Greetings!
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As I write this, more information is coming out about the terrorist attack during the Boston Marathon. There have been a number of horrific images on television but the two that have haunted me most are that of an eight-year old boy who was instantly killed by the explosion. His name was Martin Richard. The boy's mother and 6-year-old 
sister were
badly injured while his brother and father, also
watching the race, were not hurt. The first picture is one with Richard in his school classroom holding up a sign he had just made. It simply says "No More Hurting People" and then beneath it is the word "Peace" with a heart on both sides and a peace sign just below that.
The second picture is that of young Richard just
coming out of church with his Sunday best on.
Displaying an angelic smile, he is holding a small  banner he made, probably during his Sunday School class.
Across the top of it is his name and beneath it are the various symbols of our faith- the cross, Christ as the Alpha and Omega, a heart symbolizing his love, the bread and the grapes of the sacraments, and a dove
representing the Holy Spirit. How ironic that someone so young and yet so sensitive to the importance of love and peace in the world should become a victim to that which he opposed. But then isn't that what generally happens to those like Richard who would willingly take a stand for such principles, that they often become victims to the
hatred and hostility of our world. As St. John says,
God's light comes into the world but sadly, the world tries to extinguish it because men love darkness more than light because their deeds are evil.
Such was not only the case of Jesus and Richard but of persons like Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and Archbishop Oscar Romero who was assassinated in El Salvador while saying Mass in 1980. My prayer is that as we think of the horrible atrocity that took place this past week, we will think EVEN MORE of Richard and what it was that inspired someone as young as he was to believe more in the power of love and peace in the first place. We must never allow the horribleness of this act to fill our hearts with a corresponding sense of hatred towards those who perpetrated it for that would then make us no better than they are. Rather, may it drive us to our knees to ask God for the strength to work even harder at advancing his
love and his peace in a broken world, to strive with greater urgency in making his kingdom come, "on earth, even as it is in heaven."
Peace.
Pastor Dave Wood
First Presbyterian Church, Crown Point
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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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Seeking Pastoral Residents
Applications are available to those seeking to be pastoral residents in For Such a Time as This , a program designed to renew and grow small churches. Visit the website or email us for more information.
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Information is available online at presbyterianyoutriennium.org
where you can register
or contact
PWV Registrars Anna Parkinson,
pastorparkinson.fpcgoshen@gmail.com
and David Lawrence
dlawrence0425@gmail.com
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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
****** Resource Center In Partnership with PWV Congregational Resource Center ****** Make stewardship easier for your members The Presbyterian Foundation makes it possible for your church to offer online giving. It is a secure and simple system and your church receives the services of a trusted partner. Learn more ******
ALBAN WEEKLY
A Better Starting Point
by Bob Sitze
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View God Calls Weekly eNews
Past Issues
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CONGREGATIONAL EVENTS OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC
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Community Presbyterian Church Rochester
"Joy Un-Speak-a-Bell!"
Handbell Soloist Kristine Stout
4 PM on Sunday, April 21
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Celebration of Ordination
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- April 24, 1981 - Rev. Rudy Gourdine, Honorably Retired, Parish Associate at Elkhart First Presbyterian Church
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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Prayers of the Presbytery
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Lord, we don't know who was behind the tragedies in Boston, but we do know that they were human. And we know we are to pray for our enemies. In Jesus we see humanities true identity as ones who are to be agents of life, not death. Despite humanity's sacred identity, evil often reveals itself through humanity. We must return to what we were created to be. May those behind this event return to who they were created to be. We pray specifically that those involved in this violence return to their shared humanity as they confront the violence brought on fellow humans as a result of their actions. We pray that we don't lose ours in the midst of it all. May we become the peacemakers; agents of restoration and reconciliation. We pray for a collective grieving that fuels our ability to live with compassion, generosity, and wholeness. We plead for your justice to reign as we promote your Kingdom through our words and deeds.
O God, we ask your healing and recovery from a recent stroke, for Elder Linda Fox, South Bend First Presbyterian Church and past Commission on Ministry member. Please hold in prayer husband Bill and the congregation she serves so faithfully. Please hold Linda Long, Stated Clerk and family in prayer as her younger brother-in-law undergoes cancer surgery today. We ask prayers for family members of Bob & Rev. Ann Williams, Honorably Retired, as they mourn the loss of Bob's son Dan Williams. Lord God, we give thanks and praise for First Presbyterian Church Plymouth as they have faithfully served your church since September 9, 1962 sharing the good news and reaching out to those in need. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, amen. |
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A Resource Responding to Acts of Violence
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Faithful Living in a Time of Violence and Terrorism - A very helpful resource with a study guide (free download PDF on PCUSA web site) as Christians seek to respond to the tragic news from Boston. Quote at the front of the resource: "The ultimate response of Christian people to terrorism is the response of the angel to the first two Marys' fear on discovering the stone rolled back from the tomb: "Do not be afraid." (Matthew 28:5)
YouTube video of Noel Paul Stookey (of "Peter, Paul & Mary") and the Northfield Mount Herman School Choir singing this hymn "O God, Our World Cannot Express".
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Two Dates Left to Attend a Records Review Near You!
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Saturday dates for Clerks' Training and Review of Minutes and Rolls:
- April 20th at 9:30 a.m. EDT hosted by Central Presbyterian Church, 31 N Seventh St Lafayette 47901-1423 (765-742-8481)
- Located in the Education Building Room 200 (2nd Floor east side)
- May 4th at 9:30 a.m. CDT hosted by Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 140 W Hwy 30, Schererville 46375 (219-865-2686)
NOTE: Now that most congregations have budgets in place for this year, it is time to file the Terms of Call report for 2013. All terms of call are reported annually to the congregations of the Presbytery, i.e. the Assembly. Please send or email yours to the office addressed to COM by May 1 or let us know when to expect it. We need to prepare report of Terms of Call for the May Assembly. Thanks for your timeliness.
If you need a form, check out the new page on our Presbytery website dedicated to Clerks of Session:
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"SHOW ME THE COIN"
Don't Miss Out!
Registration will close this Friday, April 19
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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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 Congregations Invited to Events Statewide Northwest Center for Congregations Open House - Wednesday, April 17, 2013 in Crown Point, 4-7 p.m. (Central time)
Meet Center staff, check out our meeting rooms, peruse our resource library and discover how we can work together to strengthen congregations. This event is free and open to the public. Click here for details.
Ministry for the 21st Century Child
Ivy Beckwith
- Wednesday, April 24, 2013 in Crown Point, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Central time)
- Thursday, April 25, 2013 in Fort Wayne, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Eastern time)
Click here for more information and on-line registration. The Recession and Its Implications for Congregational Life
William Enright - Wednesday, May 15, 2013 in Merrillville, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Central time)
- Thursday, May 16, 2013 in Greenwood, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Eastern time)
For additional details and on-line registration, click here.
Reaching Millennials
Jennifer Fisher
- Thursday, June 6, 2013 in Evansville, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Central time)
Click here for additional information and on-line registration.
All workshops are limited to Indiana congregations. |
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Where is your General Presbyter
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Monday, April 15 - Friday, April 19
Vacation
Tuesday, April 23
Council
Wednesday, April 24
Congregational Visit
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| CALENDAR OF EVENTS & MEETINGS | |
Thursday, April 18
11 am - Commission on Ministry Leadership Team - First Presbyterian Church South Bend (map)
5:30 pm - University Church Board Meeting West Lafayette (map)
Saturday, April 20
9:30 - 11:30 am - Records Review - Central Presbyterian Church Lafayette (map)
Located in the Education Building Room 200 (2nd Floor east side)
Tuesday, April 23
10 am - Council
Thursday, April 25
10 am - Transformation Ministry Team
Friday, April 26
7:30 -9 pm - Ministerial Excellence Fund "Show Me the Coin" Zionsville Presbyterian Church (map)
Saturday, April 27
9:30 am - 4:30 pm - Ministerial Excellence Fund "Show Me the Coin" Zionsville Presbyterian Church (map)
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 regarding meetings and events or call 574-223-5678.
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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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