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God Calls
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Presbytery of Wabash Valley
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8 - 4
| November 6, 2013 |
Passage to Ponder Philippians 4:5
"Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near."
(from Transformation Ministry Team 2013 Monthly Bible Reading and Reflection)
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Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus the Christ! I pray this communication finds you well and I give thanks for your continued work and service in name of our Lord Jesus the Christ. I especially give thanks for the ways you have served Christ through the work of the PWV this past year in which I have served as this Presbytery's Moderator.
Our final Assembly Meeting for the year is only two weeks away. On Tuesday November 19th we will gather at Geneva Center at 10:00 EST to discern God's will together regarding the important matters that will be before us. I pray that you will participate in this important work and be open to the movement and direction of God's Holy Spirit
Some of the business before us will include:
- Installing new officers and thanking The Rev. Dr. Laura Reason for her three years of service,
- Hearing the latest report on and engaging in the Joshua Journey Process
- Receiving a variety of updates and information from the various councils and commissions of the Presbytery
- Viewing a video update from Joshua and Rebecca
- Dedicating the Presbytery's new Presbyterian Hymnals
- Worshiping, studying scriptures and enjoying fellowship with each other.
- In addition, the Pastoral Care Committee will continue to nurture us as we recognize those who are retiring from or joining our Presbytery.
Please remember our policy that documents and items for action will be submitted for distribution to the Stated Clerk 7 days ahead of the Assembly. Any items submitted after that deadline will be considered at the current Assembly only upon approval of the body.
This past year has flown by and I want to thank you all; it has been a privilege to serve as the Moderator for the Assembly. I am continually encouraged each time we live out our connectional nature as Presbyterians. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the larger church in this way. I look forward to seeing you at the November Assembly!
Grace and peace,
Kevin A. Bowers
Assembly Moderator
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Taken it to the Street
by Rev. David Lawrence, Elkhart First Presbyterian Church
Last month Bill Hybels of Chicago's Willow Creek church proclaimed that the local church was the hope of the world. For the local church to live into that vision requires some work as we reach out, unite and become a presence in our neighborhoods growing disciples. Needless to say, this is work that cannot happen if we let the walls of the church define us. Limited by self-imposed boundaries we cannot be the hope of the world or the church that Christ calls us to be.
First Presbyterian-Elkhart offers an example of how the local church can be a more active part of the community with a model which can be used in almost any location. Specifically, the church uses a mission project called Take it to the Street as an opportunity to be the church in the world. This annual event involves the congregation and multiple social service agencies in Elkhart working together for mutual benefit. Take it to the Street has turned into an opportunity for us to build stronger ties with service agencies, those they serve and within our congregation.
One Sunday in October for the past several years the congregation at Elkhart has gathered for a short worship followed by a light lunch. Following lunch, the Mission Committee appoints a site supervisor and a number of people needed to complete a project and off we go. This year over a hundred people, member and non-members, served eight agencies which involved painting, landscaping, feeding meals and stuffing newsletters to name a few of the various activities.
Jesus was asked when he was seen hungry and hurting to which he replied just as we do for the least of these we do for him. If the church is to live into the vision of itself as the hope of the world, those are the words that need to guide us.
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Prayers of the Presbytery
Our Father we thank you for the many ways you touch us in the gentleness of your love. We ask that you guide us that we may follow your example in sharing that gentleness with those near and far.
Continued prayers are requested for Geneva Center Ministry Team Member Elder Carrie Munson of Deer Creek Presbyterian Church and family, in support of her father Bill Sisson as he recovers from a heart attack.
We ask for continued prayers and support of our Mission co-workers as they spread the gospel to the world.
May your loving guidance continue to be with Hobart Presbyterian Church as they so faithfully serve their community and you.
May we hold in prayers those with health concerns and/or in recovery that are only known to you.
In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.
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PRESBYTERY ASSEMBLY November 19, 2013
Geneva Center 10:00 am - 3:00 pm (EST) More Information and Registration
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Save the Dates
2013 COUNCIL December 10
2013 ASSEMBLY November 19
2014 COUNCIL January 21 March 25 April 29 June 24 July 15 August 26 October 21
2014 ASSEMBLY February 25 May 20 (Wabash Ave. PC, Crawfordsville) September 12-13 November 18
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Ministry Quick Links
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Celebration of Ordination
Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- November 13, 2007 - CRE Timothy Reyna, First Presbyterian Church Portage
If you have been omitted or your information in incorrect please accept my apology. Help to update your records by sending your current information to [email protected].
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Thank you for your service!
Veteran's Day Monday, November 11
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Smock Foundation Funding Opportunities Available
The Smock Foundation has been providing assistance for individuals of the Presbyterian faith and residents of the State of Indiana for many years. From time to time, the Foundation has instituted programs as funds allowed. Due to financial blessings this year, the Foundation's Advisory Committee has decided to create a pool of up to $300,000 for the funding of projects and/or programs for Seniors at Presbyterian churches in Indiana. This will be a competitive process, as they anticipate not being able to fund all the requests that meet the requirements.
In addition, they are accepting grant requests for Deacon's Funds for each of the individual churches. This opportunity is for the funding of 2013 grants.
Churches should send a separate request for each grant and the grants do not have to be submitted together. The Deacon's fund request may be sent immediately and followed up with the capital/programs grant request.
The Smock Advisory Committee will be meeting in early December to make decisions. This second deadline for application is November 25th. Requests received by that date will be reviewed at the December meeting. The earlier the grant can be submitted, the better.
Any questions regarding these grants should be directed to Jennifer King (Vice President & Sr. Trust & Fiduciary Specialist) at 260-461-6458.
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2014 Confirmation Retreat a great way to support your church's own confirmation program
Friday, January 17 - Sunday, January 19
at Geneva Center
The weekend is filled with interactive discussions and hands-on workshops that engage youth as they learn foundational reformed theological beliefs of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and learn what it means to be a member of a connectional church. Time is also set aside for fellowship, games and a Saturday evening movie! Please mark your calendars and plan on attending this wonderful way to kick off or supplement the confirmation program of your church.For more information please call Justin Schlesinger-Devlin at 765-296-3199 or email him at [email protected].
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Living Waters for the World's nine country networks gather for first time
Living Waters for the World (LWW) convened its first International Networks Conference here Oct. 28. Gathering at the Evangelical Presbyterian Seminary of the National Presbyterian Church of Guatemala, 47 representatives from 10 countries came together to share ideas and solve issues around access to clean water.
Continue Reading
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Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has more than 1.9 million members in more than 10,000 congregations and worshiping communities answering Christ's call to mission and ministry throughout the United States and the world.
Six agencies comprise PC(USA):
- The Office of the General Assembly,
- The Board of Pensions,
- The Presbyterian Mission Agency,
- The Presbyterian Foundation,
- The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation and
- The Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program
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Where is your General Presbyter Rev. Frank Vardeman
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Thursday, November 7 - Presbytery Office
- Commission on Ministry
Saturday, November 9 - Joshua Journey Gathering
Community Presbyterian Church Rochester
Tuesday, November 12 - Staff Meeting - Presbytery Office
Wednesday, November 13 - Northwest Church Professionals Gathering Westminster Presbyterian Church Munster
Thursday, November 14 - Presbytery office
- Stewardship Ministry Team
Saturday, November 16 - Boundaries and Ethics Training
Monday, November 18 - Presbytery Office
- Retiree Ministers Luncheon
Tuesday, November 19 - Presbytery Assembly
To inquire or invite Rev. Frank to visit your church, please feel free to contact Gladys - 574-223-5678 or [email protected].
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Upcoming Events and Meetings
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Thursday, November 7
10 am - Commission on Ministry
6:30 pm - Carroll County Churches Gathering - Cutler Presbyterian Church (map)
Saturday, November 9
9:30 am - Joshua Journey Gathering Community Presbyterian Church Rochester (map)
Tuesday, November 12
10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry
10 am - Staff Meeting
Wednesday, November 13
NOON (CT) 1 pm (ET) - Northwest Church Professionals Gathering - Westminster PC Munster (map)
Thursday, November 14
10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team (go-to-meeting)
Saturday, November 16
10 am - Boundaries and Ethics Training
Monday, November 18
12:30 pm - Honorably Retired Ministers and Guest Luncheon
Tuesday, November 19
10 am - Assembly
Thursday, November 21
10 am - Commission on Ministry Leaders (conference call)
10 am - Transformation Ministry 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.
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Presbytery of Wabash Valley & Geneva Center Contact InformationFinancial Consultant ~ 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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The Presbytery of Wabash Valley creates, connects and nurtures congregations and other ministries to fulfill Christ's mission.
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