Presbytery of Wabash Valley
Office Hours: 8 - 4 Monday - Friday
| January 29, 2014
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God Calls
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2014 Confirmation Retreat
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Passage to Ponder Matthew 2:9-12 (NIV)
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
(from the Presbytery of Wabash Valley 2014 Monthly Bible Study Reading and Reflection)
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No Shoes Beyond this Point
By Rev. John Van Nuys, Wabash Avenue Presbyterian Church Crawfordsville
Confession time: I was dreading the presbytery's confirmation retreat on January 17-19. It was the last thing I wanted to do. My mother had just died, and I was in no mood to put on a fake smile and "entertain " 35 teenagers for an entire weekend. As the retreat drew closer and my dread increased, so did a still, small voice that seemed to whisper repeatedly: "You will enjoy this. This will be good for you." Annoyed by that affirmation, I didn't want something that was supposed to be good for me like cod liver oil or broccoli. Turns out, the confirmation retreat wasn't like that at all. It was a whole lot better.
Due to the arctic weather, we posted a sign in Butler Lodge: No shoes beyond this point. It was a purely pragmatic edict: 45 people with 90 shoes were going to track in an intolerable amount of snow, ice, salt, and dirt. But it turned out that sign had a deeper meaning. As 35 kids worked through the catechism to A Brief Statement of Faith, talking about what it means to be a child of God in a broken world; discovering more deeply just how much God loves us all; affirming that the church is not a building, but a people who seek to live God's Easter way in a Good Friday world - as we talked about these themes and laughed and ate and hung out together, God's Spirit was powerfully present. I realized we did not have our shoes off just for the sake of the carpet. We had our shoes off in the way that Moses had his off when he stood before that burning bush: We were standing on holy ground.
To hear kids talk about their faith was a humbling, God-filled experience. To spend time with the rising generation who will be the church long after we are gone is to realize that God's future is in very good hands. To wrestle as a team with the good, hard theological questions the confirmands had was affirming. Like Jacob who wrestled with the angel through the night, I discovered that along with my grieving limp was a deep blessing, which brought its own source of light -- and hope. Even joy, too.
The presbytery's annual confirmation retreat is designed for both larger membership and smaller membership congregations. Larger churches with lots of confirmands can begin their process with a powerful, immersive exploration of the faith. Smaller churches with confirmands in the single-digits can offer their kids a group learning experience that is both informative and fun. The curriculum each year covers: Scripture, Personhood in relationship to God, Creation, The Fall/Sin, Covenant/Law, Christ/Redemption, The Holy Spirit, and the Church. As a member of the confirmation retreat planning team, I strongly encourage you to involve your congregation's confirmands in the 2015 retreat at Geneva Center. Watch for details this fall. The same holy ground will be there for your congregation's kids. I expect to leave my shoes again at the door.
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Save the Dates
2014 COUNCIL POSTPONED - January 21 to Tuesday, February 11 March 25 April 29 June 24 July 15 August 26 October 21 December 9
2014 ASSEMBLY February 25 May 20 (Wabash Ave. PC, Crawfordsville) September 12-13 November 18
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Ministry Quick Links
Congregational Leadership Awards
Awards of $1000 granted to congregations doing innovative ministry ~ Applications are due by February 15, 2014
Click for More Information****** Stewardship Kaleidoscope for elders, pastors, presbytery staff, & volunteers. March 17-19, 2014 St. Louis, MO Registration Information****** Presbyterian Outlook******
Center for Congregationshelping congregations find and use resources Grants and Initiatives Through the Center's innovative grants programs, we help provide congregations with the financial ability to tap into the resources we help them find. The Center has two types of grants programs - the Resource Grants Program and the Major Grants Initiative. Learn More...******
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Geetingsville Presbyterian Church in need of Short Term Leadership
Geetingsville Presbyterian Church would like to employ someone to work with their worship team to provide a weekly Lenten bible study. Please contact Elder Lewie Flohr at 765-258-3344 with questions and interest.
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Prayers of the Presbytery
Lord, when one of us hungers, make it our instinct to feed. When one of us hurts, make it our instinct to be of comfort. When one of us is displaced, make it our instinct to share our home. May we find our peace in the peace of the places to which you have called us.
May we continue to hold in prayer Rev. Carol McDonald, Synod Executive and Minister Member, as she mourns the loss of her husband the Rev. David McDonald. May we hold in prayer Bob Shoemaker, Dyer Presbyterian Church and Presbytery Nominating Committee Member as he and wife April struggle with health concerns. Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of Rev. David Wentroble, previous Peabody Chaplain. David was involved in a horrific, freak accident on December 20, 2013. While putting gas in his car something caused a spark and the gas pump exploded. David was burned and had been in a medically induced coma since the accident. David passed away January 21, 2014.
Word has been receive of the death on January 4 of the Rev. Frederick W. Lanan who served as the pastor of FPC-Delphi from March 27, 1966 - August 18, 1974. Our prayers go out to the family. Please remember all those who have no family, no home, little to no food; who are cold and hungry and lonely. May your loving guidance continue to be with First Presbyterian Church, Fowler as they have faithfully served their community and you since September 5, 1873. In Your precious and holy name we pray, Amen.
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Celebration of Ordination
Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- January 30, 2005 - Rev. Amy Mildenberg, Minister Member at Large
- January 31, 1970 - Rev. Michael Dunkelberger, Honorably Retired
- February 1, 2009 - Rev. Jean Sparks, Pastor First Presbyterian Church Plymouth
- February 5, 1984 - Rev. William Hudson, Pastor First Presbyterian Church Merrillville
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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A memorial service to celebrate the life of
the Reverend Dr. David List McDonald will be held on Saturday, February 15 at 11:00 am at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, IN.
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Reminder to Clerks of Sessions:
With all of our cold weather delays and postponements, don't forget to answer the Clerk's Questionnaire about your ministry and to update the statistics for your congregation at http://oga.pcusa.org/section/churchwide-ministries/stats/ . Instructions are on that landing page, as well as the link to directly enter your data. Remember-- the sooner the better because the computer system slows down as more folks try to enter data nearer the deadline. To date: 11% of our congregations have completed these tasks.
- The last day you will be able to enter statistics is Thursday, February 20, 2014.
- If you miss that date, the last day Gladys will be able to enter statistics for you is Friday, March 7, 2014.
Thank you for your faithful attention to the details of our shared ad-MINISTRY-tion!
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Unconventional Wisdom: Left Behind
by Dan Hotchkiss It was an awkward moment. I stood in a glorious stone room with the remnant of a once-large congregation, doing my best to play the neutral as I facilitated their planning conversation. We went round and round, till finally an older gent stood up and nailed me. "Do you think we can do it?" he said. "We can talk and make good plans for turning things around-but by now you know us pretty well. Do you think we can do it?" It was a good question. As I looked around the room, I saw a familiar mix of people: long-time members whose idea of progress sounded a lot like the 1950s or the 1960s; newcomers attracted by the grandeur of the building and the smallness of the congregation; and specialists (musicians, mostly, in this case) passionate to hold on to their small plots of turf. What bound them together? The building. A few conventionalities of faith and practice. A lot of family tradition, and some truly touching care for one another. And the music. Each person had, for the moment, a sufficient rationale for staying. But was there energy enough to drive a turnaround? I frankly doubted it. As congregations shrink, the members who would be the most help turning them around often are among the first to go: the energetic, outward-focused people with an urgent sense of purpose and good skills for group decision-making. Those left behind have different gifts: loyalty, consistency, steadfastness--and, too often, some bad habits like divisiveness, backbiting, and nostalgia that make it hard for them to help with a turnaround. Susan Nienaber, an Alban senior consultant who has worked in many high-conflict congregations, says, "It's very easy to leave church these days. Leaving is easy, staying can be harder, especially when conflict has driven part of the congregation out-sometimes in a way that recycles the conflict over and over again, each time causing more folks to exit."
Continue Reading
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The Art of Bible Storying
Presenter - Michael Novelli
Religious educators are invited to this luncheon workshop to explore creative ways to engage people of all ages in Bible study. Wednesday, February 5, 2014
11:00 am - 1:00 pm (CST)
Temple Beth-El
Munster, IN
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30th Ordination Celebration
for
The Rev. William L. Hudson
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Beginning at 5:00 pm (CT) Celebration Service
Dinner Reception to Follow by reservation only
First Presbyterian Church 7898 Taft St
Merrillville, IN
219-736-0707
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Celebration Luncheon
Honoring Rev. Jody Noble and Mike Noble
Sunday, February 2, 2014
following the 10:00 am worship service
Immanuel Presbyterian Church
140 W Hwy 30
Schererville, IN
This will be a time to celebrate the Rev. Jody Noble's ministry among us as our pastor and spiritual leader. It will also be a time to celebrate Mike Noble's participation with us as a Deacon and active member of the Worship Committee. It will be a time to say our goodbyes to Pastor Jody and Mike; to recognize and thank them for their commitment and service to our congregation.
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Where is your General Presbyter
Rev. Frank Vardeman
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Thursday, January 30
- Pastoral Call Indianapolis
- Synod of Lincoln Trail Conference Call
Friday, January 31
- Presbytery Office
Saturday, February 1
- Rev. Hudson 30th Ordination Anniversary Celebration
Sunday, February 2
- St. John's United Church Chesterton
To inquire or invite Rev. Frank Vardeman, General Presbyter, 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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Severe Weather Policy
The PWV office follows the Rochester Community School Corporation's weather delay and/or cancellation decision. Voice mail at the office will include the status of meetings scheduled.
To confirm meeting status don't hesitate to call 574-223-5678.
Thursday, January 30
Council POSTPONED to Tuesday, February 11
Friday, January 31CANCELLED- Joshua Journey Team (go-to-meeting) Saturday, February 14 pm - Rev. Bill Hudson 30 Anniversary of Ordination Celebration First PC Merrillville (RSVP Required) (map)Sunday, February 2
Celebration Luncheon for Rev. Noble following 10 am (CT) worship at Immanuel Presbyterian Church (map)
Tuesday, February 410 am - Geneva Center Ministry Team Wednesday, February 5
2 pm - 3rd Wave Transformation Congregations Conference Call
Thursday, February 610 am - Commission on Ministry
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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Nourished by the living waters of Jesus Christ,
we awaken, enliven and enhance worshiping communities
to courageously extend their branches
and bear new fruit in the Spirit.
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