Presbytery of Wabash Valley
Office Hours: 8 - 4 Monday - Friday
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March 12, 2014
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God Calls
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Passage to Ponder... Exodus 17:8 (NIV) But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?"
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Taking action for fair food: 'If you want peace, work for justice'
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from Linda Valentine, Presbyterian Mission Agency
As we are called to live each day in right relationship with God, one another, and the whole of God's creation, the work of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) stands as an inspiring and successful model for corporate social responsibility, community organizing, sustainable food, antislavery, and human rights initiatives. I was privileged-along with Sara Lisherness, Andrew Kang Bartlett, and Margaret Mwale from Compassion, Peace, and Justice ministries-to witness the CIW's passion and dedication firsthand during a recent visit to Immokalee, Florida. Painted on a wall outside of their office building is the familiar charge "Si quieres paz, lucha por la justicia . . . If you want peace, work for justice." And-in partnership with the CIW for 12 years-that is what we, as God's people, strive to do. The PC(USA) was an early partner of the CIW, whose vision and commitment have brought together farmworkers, growers, corporations, and consumers in common purpose to ensure human freedom and dignity as God intends. Thanks to their efforts, 12 fast-food, food-service, and supermarket retailers-including YUM! Brands, McDonald's, Aramark, Trader Joe's, and, most recently, Walmart-now participate in the CIW's Fair Food Program, paying at least an extra penny per pound of tomatoes to their growers to increase workers' wages, and purchasing only from those growers who uphold the Fair Food Code of Conduct. The code establishes broad rights and principles that address endemic problems faced by field workers, such as sexual harassment, forced labor, and wage theft. The primary purpose of our most recent visit was to reaffirm our long-standing relationship with the CIW and to meet with several partner organizations, including representatives of Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida, the Fair Foods Standards Council, and staff and members from the congregations of Peace River Presbytery. CIW farmworkers testified to how the Campaign for Fair Food has resulted in better working conditions for them. Representatives of a grower told us that retention of workers has improved, as has their safety. Peace River Presbytery's farmworker outreach ministry, Misi�n Peniel, serves meals to 600-1,000 farmworkers every Friday, and pastor Miguel Estrada ministers tirelessly in the community. There is more to be done. The vast majority of Florida growers are now implementing needed changes, which are overseen by a third-party monitor and affect about 80,000 farmworkers a year. "Because remaining holdout retailers still provide a market for produce tainted by exploitation," said Andrew Kang Bartlett, associate for National Hunger Concerns in the Presbyterian Hunger Program, "we must continue our support of the campaign until all major retailers join the Fair Food Program." Wendy's and supermarket retailer Publix have resisted joining the Campaign for Fair Food. So, the CIW's 10-city, 10-day "Now is the Time" Tour (March 5-15) will travel to raise awareness and to visit those companies. We invite Presbyterians to take part in the tour's scheduled activities throughout the Southeast. We are blessed in the United States to have available to us an abundance of food, yet it is no blessing for all if it comes by the exploitation of some. In a time of growing wealth inequality, and of political and social divisiveness, the CIW is strategically working toward-and achieving-that true abundance, which is always just and extended to all.
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Save the Dates
2014 COUNCIL March 18 April 29 June 24 July 15 August 26 October 21 December 9
2014 ASSEMBLY
May 20 (Wabash Ave PC, Crawfordsville)
September 12-13 Retreat
November 18
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Evangelism and Church Growth conference (ECG2014) - Go. Disciple. Live. August 11-14, 2014 TradeWinds Resort St. Pete Beach, Florida.
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Ministry Quick Links
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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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God, we give you thanks and praise for all you have sacrificed for us and how you love us unconditionally. We pray for those who suffer in silence because they do not know you or do not trust in you fully. Nourish and sustain them; give them patience to be still and know that you are God. Give strength and guidance to those who share your word and your love.
We hold Rev. Maria Rutland, Minister Member at Large, in prayer as she provides support to her ill parents.
Please continue to pray for Barbara Vinson, Candidate, as she seeks answers for her health issues.
Please continue your prayers for Rev. Jack Hess, Honorably Retired, as he seeks medical attention daily for a sever wound.
It is with thanks Frank & Heidi Vardeman give for all of your thoughts and prayers as Frank recovers from yesterday's knee surgery.
We pray for and with Deer Creek United Presbyterian Church who has faithfully served the community and have followed you, O' Lord since 1842.
Passionately we pray in your Holy name. Amen.
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CELEBRATION of ORDINATION
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- March 13, 2005 - Rev. Robert Leach, Minister Member at Large
- March 15, 1992 - Rev. Jack Volkers, Honorably Retired
- March 16, 1997 - Rev. Bill Kleymann, Community Presbyterian Church, Rochester
- March 19, 2000 - Rev. Carolyn Leeb, Minister Member at Large
- March 19, 1967 - Rev. Floyd Wynn, Honorably Retired
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]. |
A 90-minute webinar
on Tuesday, March 18 2 pm ET (11 a.m. PT)
Thomas Long is considered by many to be one of the greatest preachers and teachers of preachers in America today.
He is the Bandy Professor of Preaching at Candler Theological Seminary. The author of many books on preaching, commentaries on books of the Bible and pastoral care.
This webinar will help you to:
- Jump-start planning for this year's Easter sermon
- Recast the message of the power of the Resurrection;
- Explore the possibilities for sermons in some of the classic Easter biblical texts, including those in this year's lectionary;
- Raise your questions to Tom.
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FORGIVENESS...A Lenten Study
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Marjorie J. Thompson, the author of the best-selling book Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life, takes a close look at our understanding of forgiveness in a new Lenten study.
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Education for Transitional Ministry
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The Art of Transitional Ministry - Week I Highlands Retreat Center, Allenspark, CO April 28 - May 2, 2014 We live in a time of great transition in our churches and culture. Transitional Ministry Education is intended for those presently engaged in or inquiring about the nature of transitional ministry. This includes Temporary Transitional Ministry positions; which may include interim ministry, designated ministry, other temporary ministry or Installed Transitional Ministry which includes all other parish ministry positions. Committee on Ministry members and presbytery staff persons with responsibility for congregations in this time of transition will also find the education helpful. For more information click here for the brochure and registration form. |
MARRIAGE STUDY CONVERSATIONS
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The 220th General Assembly proposed that Presbyteries and congregations of the denomination make a study in pursuit of discernment about the broader cultural definitions of marriage as related to our Reformed Theology. To that end, two study guides evolved to course through discussions of the topic. A group of former and current Commissioners to the GA are interested in assessing the interest of those in our congregations who would attend a 2-3 hour session which would involve conversation and a theological grounding of the topic. Dependent upon interest level we may offer more than one session to make it geographically convenient for attendance. A proposed time for this (these) session(s) would be in early to mid May.
Please contact the Presbytery office, 574-223-5678 or email [email protected] if you or any in your congregations are interested.
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Where is your General Presbyter
Rev. Frank Vardeman
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Wednesday, March 12 - Sunday, March 16
- Out of Office Thursday, March 13 - Stewardship Ministry Team Friday, March 14 - Joshua Journey II Team Monday, March 17 - First Presbyterian Church Highland Tuesday, March 18 - Presbytery Office - Council Wednesday, March 19 - Ecumenical Meeting with Indiana Disciples of Christ
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, March 13
10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-To-Meeting)
Friday, March 14
10 am - Joshua Journey II Team - The Presbyterian Church of La Porte (map)Tuesday, March 18
10 am - Council
Thursday, March 20
10 am - Commission on Ministry Leaders (Conference Call)
9 am - Transformation Ministry Team Wednesday, March 26Noon - Lafayette Pastors Gathering Lafayette Brewing Company (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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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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