Passage to Ponder - Philippians 3:20-21 (MSG)   

 

But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own.   He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him."


(from Transformation Ministry Team 2013 Monthly Bible Reading and Reflection)

 LabCross

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

God Calls
Presbytery of Wabash Valley
PWV Summer Office Hours
 Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 4 pm
Friday 8:00 am - NOON 
August 14, 2013
The Joshua Journey

 The Joshua Journey continues...

from Visioning Ministry Team Vice Moderator Steve Braden, Transitional Pastor  First Presbyterian Church, Mishawaka 

 

Guided by Carol McDonald, the Joshua Journey is looking at our presbytery and its future through the lenses of the Colors of Vitality: Building Blocks for Assessment, from the Mid-Council Report presented at the 2012 General Assembly. The Colors are: context, size, culture, focus, function, structure, staff, and financial viability

 

JJ August Group  

In the first two retreats, we looked at context, size, and culture, and began considering focus. At this retreat, participants worked on refining our focus statement and guiding Biblical image. We were drawn to Revelation 22:1-2:

 

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God ... On either side of the river is the tree of life ... producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations."

 

This imagery guided our "working" focus statement, which will be presented for feedback at the September assembly:

 

Nourished by the living waters of Jesus Christ, we support, equip, and connect worshipping communities and leaders to courageously extend their branches and bear new fruit of the Spirit.

 

We then began to look at the primary functions of the presbytery, under the two categories of supporting, equipping, and connecting worshipping communities, and supporting, equipping, and connecting leaders (including teaching, commissioned, and ruling elders, and also deacons, clerks, and staff). We started with a clean slate, including those functions which were identified as important in the survey. The results of this exercise are beyond the scope of this article, but will be made available at the September retreat for feedback.

 

The Joshua Journey process was originally designed to have four overnight retreats. We tried to squeeze it into three, but found that we could not make this work. Thus we plan to have two more retreats, each on a Saturday: October 19 and November 9. At one of these, we will continue our work on the remaining building blocks of function, structure, and finances; at the other, we will focus on Geneva Center.

 

Given the calendar pressures of August and several last-minute cancellations, we had only about a dozen people at this retreat. However, through hard work and the Holy Spirit, we made important progress.   A more complete report will be given at the September assembly. Watch the Joshua Journey website (http://joshuajourney.org) for further postings. And please continue to pray for the Joshua Journey process and the future of our presbytery.  

In This Issue
The Joshua Journey Continues...
Prayers of the Presbytery
Celebration of Ordination
Rossville-Cool Ties Project
Jim Dougans Commissioning Service
September Assembly Retreat
Church Financial Excellence Workshops
3b Program offered
Peacemaking Offering Tips
Where is Frank
PWV Calendar
SAVE THE DATES
2013 COUNCIL
August 27, 2013
October 22, 2013
December 10, 2013
  
2013 ASSEMBLY
September 13-14, 2013
November 19, 2013

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Quick Links
2013/2015 Book of Order
 Downloadable Link

Hard copies available from the presbytery office complete
   Order Form
and forward to presbytery office
or call 574-223-5678

 

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Association of Retired Ministers, Spouses, or Survivors and the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network Conference
October 8 -11
Atlanta

 

Register at armss.org or poamn.org

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Resource Center

In Partnership with PWV

 

Congregational Resource Center 

 

 

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Center for Congregations

 

 Positive Change for Congregations

11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Central time)
November 6 & 20 and December 4, 2013 in Valparaiso

11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Eastern time)
November 7 & 21 and December 5, 2013 in Fort Wayne
 

  

 

  

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ALBAN WEEKLY

Becoming an Affectively Competent Congregation

by William M. Kondrath

 

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The Presbytery office has  
noticed many congregations have pictorial directories available. Would you consider providing a copy to the presbytery? The copy may be given to any one of the staff members to take back to the office. Thank you!

 

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Prayers of the Presbytery

LabCross

Lord, God we give thanks for your presence and your unending love. May we be brave to face the changes that come before us. We ask for help that will allow Christ to be formed in our hearts through faith in whatever lies ahead.    

 

Prayers are requested for Rev. Jeff Deardorff, Range Line Community Presbyterian Church, Hebron, as he recovers from surgery today due to a torn rotator cuff.

 

Please continue to hold Rev. Frank Vardeman, General Presbyter in prayer, as he recovers from knee replacement surgery. Frank hopes to return to work on August 20 if healing continues to be positive. Frank and Heidi give thanks for your wonderful prayers and thoughts. 


We continue to pray for the safety of our mission co-workers. 

 

We give thanks for Lake Station Community Church as they have faithfully served your church and ministered to their community since 1926.  

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.   

Celebration of Ordination

Thank you for your ministry and your service... 

  • August 15, 1993 - Rev. Paige Cantwell, Minister Member at Large       
  • August 16, 1985 - Rev. H. Ann Williams, Honorably Retired
  • August 17, 1975 - Rev. Phil Smith, 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 [email protected].   

Cool Ties~Hugs from Home
from Rev. John Everett, Rossville Presbyterian Church

A tube of fabric filled with water absorbing crystals, soaked in water and placed around your neck, will keep you cool on a very hot day. THAT IS A COOL TIE!

Cool Ties Mission Project The Mission and Evangelism team from Rossville Presbyterian Church, led by Wrena Hufford, took on the project of sewing approximately 2000 Cool Ties with the majority going to keep our military personnel cool while protecting our freedoms.

Organizations benefiting from the Cool Ties project were; The Ships Project, Rossville's local Boy Scout Troop, Habitat for Humanity, Forward Edge International, Dayton Methodist Mission team and Oklahoma Mission team.

New relationships were stitched together as members worked together to be a blessing.
You are Cordially Invited to

  A Service for the Commissioning

Of

 Ruling Elder James V. Dougans

Jim Dougans 

as Pastor

of

First Presbyterian Church  

220 N. Cullen Street

Rensselaer, Indiana

 

August 25, 2013

2:00 pm  (ET) 

SAVE THE DATE:
Presbytery of Wabash Valley Assembly Retreat
More Than Being Polite: Hospitality in the 21st Century
Friday, September 13 - Saturday, September 14, 2013
Geneva Center
Keynote Speaker/Worship Leader
Dr. Rodger Nishioka

Dr. Rodger Nishioka
 Registration Information
Church Financial Excellence Workshops
Ministerial Excellence Fund

The Presbytery of Wabash Valley in partnership with Ministerial Excellence is offering a new workshop in August designed to provide training and resources to help you with the challenges of the work you do.

 

 

 

Church Stewardship, Church Financial Reporting and Church Management Software

 

The initial workshop will be held on August 15, 2013 from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. and will be repeated on August 22 and August 29. If you serve the church as treasurer, teaching/ruling elder, clerk of session, business administrator, etc. - we urge you to invest an afternoon to attend the workshop. The host locations ensure a short drive from any church in the presbytery and there is no fee for your attendance (workshop materials, dinner, snacks and beverages will be provided)!

 

August 15, 2013, 2:00-7:00 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church, Goshen - 215 E Lincoln Ave, Goshen, IN 46528

Please register for this workshop at: http://fpcgoshen.eventbrite.com/

 

August 22, 2013, 2:00-7:00 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church, Merrillville - 7898 Taft Street Merrillville, Indiana 46410

Please register for this workshop at: http://fpcmerrillville.eventbrite.com/ 

 

August 29, 2013, 2:00-7:00 p.m.

Bethany Presbyterian Church, Lafayette - 3305 Longlois Dr Lafayette, IN 47904

Please register for this workshop at: http://bethanypc.eventbrite.com/ 

 

Questions? - Please contact Eric Herzog, 574-223-5678 or [email protected].

 

  body - brains - belief

  The next 3 B Program training is scheduled for September 6, 7 and 8, 2013 and will be held at Epworth Forest Camp at North Webster, IN. The 3B Program continues to have rave reviews from various congregations across Wabash Valley Presbytery who have implemented the program for their older adults. We hope you are considering adding this excellent outreach program to 3b Program your church programming.  

 

Body- Brains - Belief --- all three topics are covered each time the class meets with trained instructors for fun, fellowship and faith building. This is the last time the training will be offered totally at no cost to your church - thanks to the generosity of the Smock Senior Ministries Foundation - so please pray and think seriously about sending one or two people from your congregation to this training. Contact the Smock Office (260-426-7421) and get more details from Rev. William Haworth (by August 20th). Thank you.


Dove

If you've had a difficult time promoting one or more of the Special Offerings in your church, each Special Offering has a downloadable Leader's Guide. To review and print the step-by-step guide for successfully promoting the 2013 Peacemaking Offering click here. You can also access the Impact 365 app that shares a daily story of the impact of gifts to the Special Offerings around the world.



Rev Frank Feb 2013  
Where is your General Presbyter

   Rev. Frank Vardeman 
            

Frank continues recuperating from knee surgery at home. Please contact Gladys, Linda, or Vicki for assistance.

 

Thursday, August 15 - Commission on Ministry Leadership Conference Call 

Tuesday, August 20 - Geneva Center Ministry Team 

Wednesday, August 21 - Lilly Conference Call Meeting



CALENDAR OF EVENTS & MEETINGS
Thursday, August 15
10 am - Commission on Ministry Leadership Team (Conference Call)
2 pm - Church Financial Excellence Workshop - First Presbyterian Church, Goshen (map)
5:30 pm - University Church Board Meeting West Lafayette (map)

Tuesday, August 20
10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry
10 am - Geneva Center Ministry Team
6:30 pm - Carroll County Churches Gathering - Deer Creek Presbyterian Church (map)

Thursday, August 22
2 pm (CT) - Church Financial Excellence Workshop - First Presbyterian Church, Merrillville (map)

Sunday, August 25
2 pm - Jim Dougans Commissioning Service - First Presbyterian Church, Rensselaer (map)

Tuesday, August 27
10 am - Council

Thursday, August 29
2 pm (ET) - Church Financial Excellence Workshop - Bethany Presbyterian Church, Lafayette (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.
Presbytery of Wabash Valley & Geneva Center Contact Information
Presbytery Summer Office Hours:
Monday through Thursday 8:00 to 4:00 pm
Friday 8:00 to NOON  

Board Of Pensions Liaison ~ Rev. John Ritchie ~ 260-356-8680
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