At a Big Tent workshop, Ruling Elder Diana Barber reminded ruling elders that their constitutional responsibilities stay with them whether they're serving on session or not.

 

Danny Bolin

Ruling Elder Diana Barber, associate executive for leadership at the Synod of Lakes and Prairies and a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, well remembers her ordination, which occurred in 1980.

 

"I gave myself a Bible to commemorate the occasion," she told the National Elders Conference at Big Tent Aug. 2.  

 

Barber reminded ruling elders that their constitutional responsibilities stay with them whether they're serving on session or not. "The responsibility goes with ordination, not the function of the moment," she said. "Serving on session is only one role of a ruling elder."

 

Barber divided ruling elders' ongoing responsibilities following their service on session into two categories: within and beyond their congregation. 

"The most important thing we can do is figure out how we stay connected to what's going on in church," she said. At Barber's church, ruling elders and deacons who are not currently serving meet twice each year for dinner as a "company of leaders."  

 

"I think it's wise," she said, "to keep the system going and information flowing - even if your first desire is to go away for a while."  

 

Other duties within the congregation include being alert to issues in the pews, mentoring confirmands and new members, and counseling both active and inactive members.

 

"We have inactive members - and active members - who aren't fully living out their vocation as believers," she said. "Because we aren't burdened with monthly meetings, we can have a role in counseling those members."

 

There are plenty of opportunities beyond the congregation, including service as a commissioner to presbytery, synod or General Assembly; serving on a board or commission of one or more of those bodies; and representing the congregation in community and ecumenical positions.

 

But no matter how far afield service to the church takes you, there's no place like home.  

 

"Our congregation is always the place that grounds us," she said. "It's home." 

 

Big Tent, Aug. 1-3, was a celebration of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission and ministry organized around the theme "Putting God's First Things First." It was composed of 10 national Presbyterian conferences, more than 160 workshops and special events to mark the 30th anniversary of the formation of the PC(USA) and the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Presbyterian Center here. 

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SOUTH BEND, SUNNYSIDE PRESBYTERIAN

Dear God, thank you as you once more bring another year full circle, through the planting, growing, ripening to harvest time this present autumn. We thank you as we marvel your ways with  the weather that has made this possible. May we be able to share with our neighbors in need. Help us to realize to live according to your grace, that we shall also reap a harvest in the autumn of our lifetime.    

 

Please hold Rev. Bill Kleymann, Community presbyterian Church, Rochester in prayer as he deals with health concerns.   

 

Please hold Bonnie Kern, Presbytery of Wabash Valley IT Consultant, in prayer as they mourn the loss of Bonnie's sister, Margaret MacDougal. 

 

We continue to pray for the safety of our mission co-workers and the people of Egypt during such unsettled times. 

 

We give thanks for Covenant Federated Church, Kentland as they have faithfully served your church and ministered to their community since 1963.  

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.   

 

The Family Crisis Shelter, located in Crawfordsville, Indiana, seeks applicants for its position of Executive Director.  The Executive Director is responsible for the daily operations and management of the Shelter, including personnel, programming, financial, maintenance, public relations, and other administrative functions.  The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and keeps them apprised of all Shelter matters. The Executive Director is engaged with residents on a daily basis and is responsible for fostering feelings of safety, security, and stability for residents and consumers.

 

To apply for this position:  Please send cover letter, resume, and contact information of three professional references to:  Family Crisis Shelter, Attn: Bradley Weaver, Board President, electronically to bweaver@familycrisisshelter.org or to P.O. Box 254, Crawfordsville, IN  47933.  Review of applications will begin immediately, and continue until the position is filled.

 

For further information: https://sites.google.com/a/familycrisisshelter.org/jobs/

  

 

Thursday-Saturday, October 3-5 - COM/CPM Immersion & Empowerment Event

Sunday, October 6 - Congregational Visit

Monday, October 7 - Joshua Journey Task Force to Geneva Center 

Wednesday, October 9 - Northwest Church Professionals Gathering 

Thursday, October 10 - Stewardship Ministry Team 

Commission on Ministry/Commission on Preparation for Ministry Immersion &
Empowerment (map)

Friday, October 6
PRESBYTERY OFFICE CLOSED

Monday, October 7
1 pm Joshua Journey Task Force to Geneva Center - Mishawaka, First PC (map)

Wednesday, October 9
1 pm - Northwest Church Professional Gathering - Highland, First PC (map)

Thursday, October 10
10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team - (Go-to-meeting) 

Saturday, October 12
Tuesday, October 15
10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry
10 am - Geneva Center Ministry Team

Thursday, October 17
10 am - Commission on Ministry Leadership Team (Conference Call)
5:30 pm - University Church Board Meeting West 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.