Passage to Ponder - Leviticus 19:34 (The Message)   

"When a foreigner lives with you in your land, don't take advantage of him. Treat the foreigner the same as a native. Love him like one of your own. Remember that you were once foreigners in Egypt. I am God, your God."  

I am not Presbyterian, but after 16 ½ years with First Presbyterian Church, South Bend, I feel more Presbyterian than ever.

"Administrative Personnel Association Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was established in 1976 and is a professional organization created for the purpose of providing a supportive association that promotes continuing education, individual growth, communication, and fellowship for its members. It is a group that strengthens lives both spiritually and professionally." Courses are offered at APA regional conferences in nine regions throughout the United States and at an annual national conference. Certified Church Service is listed in the Book of Order G2.1102 and APA certified members are listed in the Directory of the General Assembly.

When this organization's information came to me in 2003, I felt it would help me in many ways not only to learn more about the Presbyterian Church, its history and governing bodies, but to network with many Administrative  Assistants, Secretaries, Church Administrators and Office Managers that share the same concerns, problems, fears, anxieties, and joys! Networking I hadn't been able to do since leaving the Corporate World.

I didn't receive my first level for 4 years. Unfortunately I did not attend conferences again until 2012. I attended a Regional Conference in Louisville, KY this past May and I just came back from an August National Conference held in Charleston, SC. I am working on my Level 2 certification as a Church Administrator. I took 6 classes in 3 days. Classes I took this time were Supporting the Executive Staff, Legal Matters, Creating a Culture of Generosity, Presbyterian Foundation, Book of Confessions and Assertiveness Skills.

I very much thank the members of South Bend, First Presbyterian Church, the Session and Personnel for giving me this opportunity to learn about your history, theology and polity and how to continue to work hard to keep the office and church running smoothly as so many of my peers do.

Having just been appointed Membership Chair of the Heartland Region (IN, MI, OH, KY) for the next 3 ½ years, I will be working just as hard to invite employees of PCUSA churches and its governing bodies to join APA and become a part of a wonderful opportunity. It just makes you feel good!

Next year our Regional Conference will be in Petoskey, MI in June hoping to complete my Level 2 Certification and National Conference is in Albuquerque, NM, in October, continuing on to Level 3 and if not at National I will continue Level 3 at another Regional conference.

If you would like to learn more about this organization and the certification program I am a member of, please visit our website www.pcusa-apa.org . If you know of any church secretaries looking for new opportunities, send them my way.

Administrative Assistant,

Bonnie Tyler   

First Presbyterian Church, South Bend

574-234-4159

btyler@fpcsouthbend.org                                                                                                                 

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.

The Joshua Journey continues with its fourth retreat, to be held Saturday, October 19, at Butler Lodge of the Geneva Center. This is not an overnight retreat. All are invited to participate. The retreat and lunch are free, but reservations are necessary.  Click here for an online reservation .

Guided by Carol McDonald, the Joshua Journey is looking at our presbytery and its future through the lenses of context, size, culture, focus, function, structure, staff, and financial viability. In the first three retreats, we have looked at context, size, culture, and focus, and have begun considering our functions. At the upcoming retreat, participants will continue to prioritize our functions and consider options for structure and staffing.

For further information about the Joshua Journey process and for the work done so far, please visit the Joshua Journey website.: www.joshuajourney.org. You may also contact Steve Braden (revsbb91@gmail.com; 574-206-0494) or Frank Vardeman (frank@ourpresbytery.org; 1-800-235-5376). Thank you!

Resource Center

In Partnership with PWV

Congregational Resource Center 

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Center for Congregations

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ALBAN WEEKLY

Where to Touch the Elephant

by Peter Steinke   

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Opening Reception and Awards Presentation - Friday, Sept 27,

  5:30 - 7:00 P.M.   

Viewing dates of Exhibition -

Sept 28 - Oct 10

  2:00 to 4:00 pm (ET).

For questions, contact Sarah Betts 574-272-4222.

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Thank you for your ministry and your service... 

• September 25, 1992 - Rev. Michael Landon, Other Validated Ministry 
• September 28, 1986 - Rev. Steve Braden, First Presbyterian Church, Mishawaka  
• September 29, 1986 - Rev. Susan Guyer Birch, Honorably Retired
• September 29, 1996 - Rev. Stanley Wilson, Honorably Retired 
• September 30, 2007 - Rev. William McLean, First Presbyterian Church, Delphi
• September 30, 2007 - Rev. Anna Parkinson, First Presbyterian Church, Goshen        

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.   

Westminster John Knox Press

Office of the General Assembly

Toya Richards
Associate for Communications

Stony Point, NY