Presbytery of Wabash Valley
Summer Office Hours:
8 - 4 Monday - Thursday
8 - 12 Friday 
July 30, 2014 

God
Calls 

Passage to Ponder... Leviticus 19:17-18

You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself.  You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself:  I am the Lord.

(from the Presbytery of Wabash Valley 2014 Monthly Bible Study  Reading and Reflection)

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance 
Working to Help Meet the Needs of Refugees and Immigrants

"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." -Leviticus 19:33-34 (The Message)

Recent months have seen a flood of Central American unaccompanied children and mothers with children, primarily from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, making their way across Mexico and into the United  States. This influx-motivated largely by violence in their home countries-has been deemed a humanitarian crisis.

The US government has appointed FEMA to coordinate the various federal agencies that are providing the necessary emergency services, including holding the children and families in detention.

As people of faith, we are called to treat foreigners as God's people who are to be welcomed. Many of our Presbyterian congregations along the border are doing just that by providing shelter, food, and clothing and helping to meet other basic humanitarian needs.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is working to provide financial support to congregations and mid councils along the border, and members of the National Response Team are helping mid councils devise strategies to meet the needs of the children and families. We are also collaborating with ecumenical and interfaith partners who have experience working with refugees and immigrants and are also responding to this growing crisis.

You too have an opportunity to respond with compassion, generosity, and the acceptance of God's call. Please stand in the GAP for the children and mothers.

What you can do

Donate now

GIVE: Your financial gifts to DR000095-Refugee Emergencies will equip Presbyterian congregations and mid councils to continue to meet needs during the initial phase. The need for assistance is not likely to end soon, and your gifts will help address other needs likely to emerge. You can give through your Presbyterian congregation, make a gift online, or mail a check to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), PO Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.

ACT: Assemble and send Gift of the Heart hygiene and school kits. Advocate to express your concern for the protection of unaccompanied children and for upholding the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA). Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the PC(USA) General Assembly, wrote a letter to President Obama, and we encourage you to send a similar letter of concern to members of Congress. Stay informed. Like us on Facebook, and visit the PDA website to learn about more ways you can actively participate.

PRAY: that the grace and love of Christ will cover the children and families who have come, that they will be treated with dignity and respect, and that their safety and protection will be ensured.


PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY

Almighty and loving God, all the riches of the world are made by you for our common use, and by nature not one of them belongs to one human being more than to another; direct us, we pray, that all things may serve all people. Remind us to share all that you have given us with all people, not just those we deem worthy.

  

We ask special prayers for:

  • The Rev. Sally Gilbert and family, member at large, as she faces another eye surgery this week.
  • The Rev. Ron Liechty and wife, Anna, former Community Rochester and First Plymouth Interim Pastor, hospital recovery following recent move from Carmel health facility to one in Plymouth.
  • The Rev. Patty Jones, First Presbyterian Church Fowler, as she cares for her mother following a recent fall and hip surgery.
We pray for and with First Presbyterian Church, Winamac who has faithfully served the community and followed you O' Lord since 1883.

 

In your name we pray, Amen!


STAY CONNECTED


In This Issue
Presbyterian Disaster Working to Help Meet Needs of Refugees
Prayers of the Presbytery
Congregational Events
Ordination Celebration
Harry Roselle Ordination/Installation
The 221st General Assembly In Brief
Wee Kirk Conference - Small Church Ministry
Presbyterian Pastoral Care Network Workshop
Administrative Personnel Association National Conference
1001 New Worshiping Communities
Please submit your ministry stories
Save the Dates

2014 COUNCIL
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
10 am to 3 pm - Thursday, October 2, 2014
10 am to 3 pm - Saturday, October 4, 2014


Ministry Quick Links

 

PRESBYTERY OF WABASH VALLEY

Pulpit Supply List

 

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August 11-14, 2014
Evangelism and Church Growth Conference (ECG2014)

Go. Disciple. Live. 

St. Pete Beach, Florida
Learn more

 

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  Synod Of Lincoln Trails

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Engage: Mission

Third part of Engage curriculum study
helps people see their neighborhood
 as a mission field
.


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Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
continues to work with affected mid-councils to assess needs

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Center for Congregations 

Helping Indiana Congregations find and use resources

 

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Alban Weekly Logo
CONGREGATIONAL EVENTS
 

The Rivers Institute Traveling Theatre of Hanover College  

is sponsoring a touring program of five short plays written, directed and acted by Hanover students at  

Community Presbyterian Church

530 Jefferson St., Rochester, IN 46975 

Sunday, August 3rd   

4-5:30 pm.  

 The program is free but donations for the students will be accepted. 

 

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Children and Worship Training Event

Friday, August 15 - Sunday, August 17

 Click Here for more information  

First Presbyterian Church

333 W Colfax Ave

South Bend, IN 46601

 Registration Information 

Questions: Contact 

Rev. Sarah Bishop

 sbishop@fpcsouthbend.org  

574-234-4159  

 

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Crown Point First Presbyterian

Mission Emphasis Weekend

September 20 -  21, 2014

Guest Speakers will be Mission Co-Workers with Presbyterian Border Ministry,

Rev. Mark Adams and Miriam Maldonado Escobar

More Info Contact the church at 219-663-2255  

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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
  • August 1, 1993 - Rev. Richard Kim, Korean Presbyterian Church, West Lafayette    
  • August 1, 1999 - Rev. Jessica Young Brust, Parish Associate at St. John's United Church, Chesterton
  • August 4, 2001 - Rev. David Lawrence, First Presbyterian Church, Elkhart
  • August 4, 1991 - Rev. John Ritchie, First Presbyterian Church, Huntington 

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.   

 


PLEASE JOIN

Deer Creek Presbyterian Church with The Presbytery of Wabash Valley
for the
ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION
of
Harry A. Roselle Jr.

at  
3:00 pm Sunday, August 3, 2014

Deer Creek Presbyterian Church 
4450 North State Rd 29 
Deer Creek Indiana 
RSVP (574) 859-2624
(map) 

221 General Assembly In Brief

 

The 221st General Assembly (briefly) from the Communications Center

Assembly in Brief, the popular bulletin insert summary of the 221st General Assembly  is now available as a free download on the website of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The insert is full of information about the Assembly, complete with color photographs. Assembly in Brief is a partnership between Presbyterian News Service and the Office of the General Assembly. It relies heavily on the writing and photography staff of the General Assembly Communications Center. It can be found at "Brief."

 

If you would like to hear more about 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 Commissions.  

 

CLERKS' WORKSHOP and RECORDS REVIEW

To Clerks & Moderators, particularly in North East of Presbytery:

 

Many of you have pre-registered for the two September Clerks' Gatherings & Review-- thank you!  But there are only two presently indicating attendance for Saturday, August 23, in Ligonier.  As a matter of good stewardship, please register with Gladys@ourpresbytery.org if you plan to attend. Otherwise, the two will be asked to bring their materials and attend at Geneva Center on September 12th, Friday afternoon of our Assembly Retreat.  If the Gathering from 13 churches in the NW was any indication, we will have a lively discussion in fellowship about ministry in changing times that consider both small and large congregations, the leadership role of ruling elders, and sharing tips for more and more electronic record keeping, as well as the peer-review of congregational minutes.

 

Linda L. Long, Stated Clerk
Presbytery of Wabash Valley

(574) 653-1314

 
2014 North Central Wee Kirk Conference
Small Church Ministry

Monday, September 29 - Thursday, October 2

Potawatomi Inn

 

"Rediscovering the Beloved Community - Overcoming Isolation" 

   

Share with your colleagues from across the nation in exploring new resources for strengthening the health of clergy.   

 

October 27 - 30

Fort Worth, TX

 

Administrative Personnel Association
NATIONAL CONFERENCE - REGISTRATION OPEN!

Exciting plans are underway for the APA NATIONAL CONFERENCE scheduled to be held in ALBUQUERQUE, NM during OCT. 16-18, 2014!  CLICK HERE for your full-color FLYER!  CLICK HOTEL for accommodation and registration info!  CLICK CLASSES for the complete class selection!  Access the fillable Joyce Bauer SCHOLARSHIP application. Last, but not least, click BROCHURE to get the registration ball rolling!  DEADLINE: SEPT. 26!  Albuquerque in autumn will be gorgeous!  Looking forward to seeing you there!  Click  CHAPLAIN FLYER to get info on our spiritual leaders for this event.


See how starting new worshiping communities are revitalizing congregations.

Worshiping communities use God's gifts to transcend barriers in socially fractured neighborhoods, neighborhoods made up of different racial ethnic backgrounds, creating diverse, unconventional and conventional congregations worshiping as one.

 

Watch videos »

 

Frank Vardeman

Where is your General Presbyter

        Rev. Frank Vardeman
  

Sunday, August 3
- Harry Roselle Ordination/Installation Service, Deer Creek Presbyterian Church
Tuesday, August 6
- Presbytery Office
- Pastoral Visit
Thursday, August 7
- Presbytery Office
- Commission on Ministry

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.

 

Upcoming Events and Meetings

Thursday, July 31
10 am - GA Commissioners (Conference Call)

Sunday, August 3

3 pm - Ordination/Installation Service of Harry Roselle - Deer Creek Presbyterian Church (map)

Tuesday, August 5
CANCELLED - Geneva Center Ministry Team

Thursday, August 7
10 am - Commission on Ministry

Sunday, August 10
2 pm - 175th Celebration at Salem Center Presbyterian Church, Hudson (map)

Wednesday, August 13
1 pm - AC for Plymouth

Thursday, August 14
10 am - Joshua Journey II Team

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...


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.



Presbytery of Wabash Valley & Geneva Center Contact Information

Board of Pensions Liaison ~ Rev. John Ritchie ~ 260-356-8680
General Presbyter ~ Rev. Frank Vardeman ~ 574-223-5678 ext 101
Stated Clerk ~ Elder Linda Long ~ 219-926-7098
Office Manager ~ Gladys Sargent ~ 574-223-5678 ext 102
Financial Consultant ~ Eric Herzog ~ 574-223-5678 ext 105
Church Relations Coordinator ~ Elder Vicki Dreibelbis ~ 574-223-5678 ext 100
IT Consultant ~ Bonnie Kern ~ 574-223-5678 ext 109
Geneva Center Manager ~ Cathy Adley ~ 574-223-6915 ext 200
Geneva Center Maintenance Director ~ Jeff Winegardener ~ 574-223-6915 ext 204
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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