Presbytery of Wabash Valley
Summer Office Hours:
8 - 4 Monday - Thursday
8 - 12 Friday
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July 2, 2014
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 God
Calls
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Geneva Center Summer Campers
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Passage to Ponder... Leviticus 19:9-10
When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the Lord your God.
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The Cost of Connectionalismby Rev. David Lawrence, Elkhart First Presbyterian Church
We are members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and we choose to maintain that affiliation for a variety of reasons. The strongest element in this relationship is a shared theology that anchors us, binds us, and pushes us forward. Closely tied to that theology is a common conception of how individual churches connect to make up the denomination. We believe that our connections better fulfill Christ's Commandment and Commission. We also believe that our connections facilitate God's work in the world.
It is these connections that form our denomination. I have been teaching our communicants about our denomination and the connectional structures that support the PC(USA): the grouping of individual churches, which form presbyteries that, in turn constitute synod. So, a connectional theology breeds a polity which requires an administrative structure.
The reality of our connectionalism is that there are associated costs. The work of the larger church requires that we give of our time and effort to make decisions, staff committees, and do the work of bodies outside the individual church. For example, I attend presbytery meetings, chair a committee of presbytery, and participate in a national committee.
As with any administrative structure there are monetary costs in addition to the time and effort we give. We fund these costs and participate in the mission of the denomination by paying what is calls per capita. This is an assessment based on membership that each church is asked to pay and each presbytery is required to pay into the denomination. The payment of our per capita is a means by which we participate in the mission and ministry of the larger church.
These are not membership dues, but the cost of our theological connectionalism. Our theology brings us to understand our responsibility to participate in the individual church, in the presbytery and in the other governing bodies of the denomination. Furthermore, our theology suggests that we financially support this structure by paying our per capita. Computed by the presbytery, our per capita is $38.78 per communicant member.
These funds not only support the administrative structure, they also are used to fund the ordination exam system, the call system, our lobbying group in Washington, and the Presbyterian Historical Society just to name a few.
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 Help Support Young Adult Volunteers, A Program of Presbyterian World Mission, Presbyterian Mission Agency Sara La Lone of First Presbyterian Church Elkhart and a 2014 Geneva Center Summer Camp Counselor will be serving as a Young Adult Volunteer to Peru. Why I Want to Serve as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV)... I have always been passionate about working with others to serve God and I am excited for this opportunity to mission with partner churches and communities in Peru. I hope to grow spiritually as well as intellectually and culturally through this experience. Because I am taking a year off in between my sophomore and junior year, I also hope to use this time as a vocational discernment process in which I can discover what I am truly passionate about in a work setting now and for the future to continue my studies when I return to the University of Evansville in the fall of 2015. Serving as a YAV will be an important part of my faith journey by allowing me to fully put my trust in God and be open minded about different cultures and viewpoints. How Can You Support Me? - Your Prayers: Pray for me and for the people with whom I will live and serve this year.
- Your Interest in My Year of Service: Follow my experience by reading my blog (http://saralalone.wordpress.com) Ask me to speak at your church when I return.
- Your Financial Gifts: Although the cost for a year's appointment as an International Young Adult Volunteer varies by site location, each volunteer is required to raise $4,000 toward his/her own support. Supplemental funding is provided through the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), including a percentage of the annual Pentecost Offering.
I need to raise $4,000 to support the program by January 1, 2015. You can give a tax-deductible contribution as a one-time gift or in installments over the course of my year of service. You may give through your church by writing "YAV Sara La Lone" on the memo line. The church office can then forward to the Presbytery of Wabash Valley who will send it on to Presbyterian Mission. You may give online at www.pcusa.org/yav with the link "support a YAV" and include my name in the comments section or go directly to http://www.presbyterianmission.org/donate/E210810. Overview about the Young Adult Volunteer Program of the PC (USA) The Young Adult Volunteer Program is an opportunity for persons between the ages of 19 and 30 to explore their call to the work of Jesus Christ. This one-year program offers participants the experience of both mission service and mission learning. Each program site shares common components, which enhance the experience, i.e., orientation, service, prayer and Bible study, leadership development, and an end-of-term retreat. While sharing these program elements, each site uniquely challenges the participants to explore their relationship to God, to the church, and their ministry in a broken world. Participants are challenged by the practices of intentional community living, simple lifestyle, and devotion to prayer and service. Each site's unique form of service provides an opportunity for learning about the mission of today's church in the world. For More Information go to the website www.pcusa.org/yav or Sara can be contacted at saralalone17@frontier.com and (574)840-4043. |
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Save the Dates
2014 COUNCIL
July 15
August 19
October 21
December 9
2014 ASSEMBLY
September 12-13 Retreat
November 18
2014 RECORDS REVIEW
Saturday, August 23 - Ligonier PC
Saturday, September 6 - Lafayette Elston PC
Friday, September 12- Geneva Center
Boundaries and Ethics Training
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Saturday, October 4, 2014
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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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Thank you, Lord, for your mercy and forgiveness. Help us to hear your word and to follow you today. Numb our ears to the persistent call of idols like vanity, consumerism, power, and pride. Enable us to lead lives tempered by the awareness of others' needs and propelled by your love.
- From Common Prayer
Please hold those listed below in your prayers as they travel on Mission Trips:
- Members of Auburn Presbyterian Church to Mexico - July 10-17
- Sr Hi of First Presbyterian Churches Valparaiso and Highland to the Dominican Republic - July 12-19
- Members of Range Line Community Presbyterian Church, Hebron - Benton Harbor, Michigan - July 14
- First Presbyterian Church, Crown Point Youth to St Louis - July 20 -26
- Our Mission Co-Workers
Please hold in prayer those list below:
- Rev. Steven and Susie Mullin, Honorably Retired, as they mourn the loss of Steve's father, William J. Mullin
- All those effected by the storms this week
- Candidate Ken Crews, Valparaiso First Presbyterian Church, graduated from McCormick Theological Seminary and will see where God leads him
- 4th of July Celebration safety
We pray for and with Meadow Lake Presbyterian Church, Wolcott who has faithfully served the community and followed you O' Lord since 1876.
In In the name of Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen!
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- July 6,1986 - Rev. Tom Albaum, First Presbyterian Church, Monticello
- July 8, 1984 - Rev. Steven Mullin, Honorably Retired
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.
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 GA Commissioners Available to Speak at your Gathering If your congregation would like to hear more about the 221st General Assembly please contact the presbytery office at 574-223-5678 or vicki@ourpresbytery.org to arrange a visit from one of your four GA Commissioners. |
Building Relationships and Understanding Across Borders
Mexican Coordinator Chosen As An International Peacemaker
As a response to an increasingly conflict-ridden and fragmented world, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program created the International Peacemakers Program. International Peacemakers are leaders from global partners who come to the US to share their experiences as peacemakers. We are pleased that our own Jocabed Gallegos will be serving as in International Peacemaker to give voice to the important work of peacemaking and reconciliation along the Mexico/US border. From September 19-October 12, Jocabed will join church leaders from Syria, Russia, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Malawi, Palestine, the Phillipines, South Sudan and the Caribbean in speaking in churches throughout the US to share how God is working through the church to bring about a more just, loving and peace-filled world. Click here to meet the other peacemakers.
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 Resource Grants Information Luncheons The Center for Congregations invites northwest Indiana congregations to an information luncheon to learn about our Resource Grants program. During this luncheon session, you will enjoy a delicious meal and conversation about the services the Center offers Indiana congregations, such as resource consulting, education opportunities and our Resource Grants program.
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (Eastern time)
Wednesday, July 9, 2014 in South Bend
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 A new vision for dementia care
FREE seminars that just may change your life!
A Community of Stories
Saturday, July 12
The Crossroads of Wonder
Saturday, August 9
Spiritually Alive
Saturday, September 20
Dementia Reimagined: Taking Brain Health to Deeper and Broader Levels
Saturday, October 25
Building Dementia Aware Communities
Saturday, November 15
Register by phone or online
Phone: (800) 338-9440 Website: www.findingjoyinthejourney.infoLocation: Peabody Memorial Chapel, Peabody Retirement Community 400 West Seventh Street North Manchester, IN 46962 |
Where is your General Presbyter
Rev. Frank Vardeman
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Thursday, July 3
- Presbytery Office
- Pastoral Visit
Monday, July 7 - Tuesday, July 8
- Vacation
To inquire or invite Rev. Frank Vardeman, General Presbyter, to visit your church, please feel free to contact Gladys - 574-223-5678 or gladys@ourpresbytery.org.
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Upcoming Events and Meetings
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Wednesday, July 2nd
6:30 pm - Carroll County Churches Gathering - Flora Presbyterian Church (map)
Thursday, July 3
CANCELLED - Orientation for AC of Winona Lake - First Presbyterian Church Goshen (map)
Friday, July 4Presbytery Office Closed for 4th of July Thursday, July 1010 am - Joshua Journey II Team Tuesday, July 1510 am - Council Thursday, July 1710 am - Commission on Ministry (Go-to-Meeting) All meetings & events 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. |
Presbytery Office would like to lift up your ministry stories...
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Every week, we publish this eNewsletter...also available online! The Church Relations Coordinator accepts articles for entry and is actively seeking new and original content sharing how your congregation is engaged in ministry. We would especially like to share photo's and stories of your confirmands, new members, VBS, and other special ministries that are occurring in your congregation and community. Please forward your stories and photos, due each Friday. |
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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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