Presbytery of Wabash Valley
Summer Office Hours: 8 - 4 Monday - Thursday 8 - 12 Friday
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August 13, 2014
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God Calls
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First PC's Highland & Valparaiso Youth Serving in Dominican Republic
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Passage to Ponder... 1 Kings 17:10-11
So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink." As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand."
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Youth of Valparaiso & Highland First Travel to Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic | | |
by Rev. Gretchen Seidler Gibb, First Presbyterian Church, Valparaiso
In the wee hours of the morning of Saturday, July 12, twelve youth and adults representing First Presbyterian Churches of Highland and Valparaiso were at O'Hare airport headed to Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic to work with Kids Alive International. After a night of no sleep and a solid day of travel, the weary went right to bed upon arrival to rest up for an amazing week of service and fun.
The first order of the new day was worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. It was rather interesting to worship in a language that you do not understand. The good news was that they used screens for the words to songs, so we were able to stumble our way through the singing. Fortunately, a couple of the melodies were familiar, so we truly were able to add our praise. We were also delighted when the pastor had a translator for the sermon. He spoke a powerful message that started our week off right.
After the first of many incredible meals from our cook, we headed to one of the beautiful water falls in the Dominican for an afternoon of relaxation and adjustment. That evening, we went to a Columbian
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Photo Courtesy of Abby Gibbs
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restaurant (there is a large population of Colombians in the Dominican) for dinner and had the most delicious juice. After our evening devotions, we attempted to sleep in the extreme heat and in anticipation of our week of work and building relationships.
Each morning, we would pack our lunches and then head out to Palo Blanco school. Our work there involved a lot of painting. The school had served as more of an
enrichment center. Previously, public school in the DR was in session for just half a day, so the children were at the center either before or after their public school session for more reading, writing and Bible. This year, the schools were switching over to all day. Palo Blanco decided that they would become an all-day school. The school was very busy the entire time we were there, as parents were signing their children up for classes. Our job was to paint the bathrooms and classrooms to help them get a good start on this new phase of ministry. We also relocated their library to a smaller space, so the larger room can be used as a classroom. Some of our crew built a portable office for the English teacher, as she was to lose her classroom. Overall, the staff was pleased with the work that we could accomplish, so they could focus on other issues.
The afternoons were spent in an entirely different manner! After eating lunch with the kids, we would play basketball, baseball, soccer and other games with them during recess, before they had their devotions. After that, we helped the program staff lead obstacle courses for different age groups. Most days ended in a water fight. And, on our last day there, we helped host a Fun Fair. This was a truly amazing event; the kids came in their best clothes and enjoyed the highlight of the fair - throwing pies in the "Americanos" faces!
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Photo Courtesy of Abby Gibbs, Valparaiso First PC
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Besides enjoying the fruits, foods and sites of this beautiful country, we all walked away with the love of the beautiful people that we met. Kids Alive has an incredible sponsorship program that helps place the highest risk children in one of their residential facilities and/or into one of their schools. The Highland youth group started sponsoring a child, Moises, last year. We were able to go to The Ark where Moises lives with his brother, Aaron, in a family setting with other children and their Dominican "parents". It was an indescribable experience to meet these little boys that we had only known as a picture with a few words of background. It was a joy to be able to take them out mid-week for ice cream and watch them play a video game on one of our phones! It was an experience to treasure for years to come.
We also had the joy of seeing some of the same children every day at Palo Blanco; they filled a place in our hearts. Two brothers, Garry and Dolby, especially were the topic of conversation each and every day. They are originally from Haiti and there is strong prejudice against Haitians in the DR. Garry and Dolby, were usually at the school before we arrived and went home shortly before we did. The school is a safe place for them to play and be. Dolby is very intelligent and helpful, while Garry is very active and quite the "helper"! We looked forward to our time with them each day. On our last day in the DR, two from our group took on sponsorship of Garry and Dolby. We look forward to a continuing relationship with these amazing, little boys.
The day of travel back home, gave us time to reflect on all that we had seen, done and experienced. There were many sobering facts to take in (kids only go to school through the 8th grade, people live on the equivalent of $2.00 a day, girls can be married off as young as 12, running water and electricity are not to be counted on, and so many children are left to fend for themselves), but the undeniable fact is that we spent a week with some of the most joy filled people we have ever met. They may have nothing, but they have so very much. We are grateful for this lesson and for the people that we met and will remember.
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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
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Ministry Quick Links
PRESBYTERY OF WABASH VALLEY Pulpit Supply List ****** 2014 Peacemaking Advent Devotional now available Devotions written by participants of Israel/Palestine tour Click Here ****** Education Resources Offering a sample of earth care programs, curriculum, and experiences for Christian education as well as best practices and helpful hints to "try this at (your) home (church)!" Learn More****** New officer-training resources will inspire transformational leaders for your churchFrom the popular Being Reformed: Faith Seeking Understanding series Click Here ****** Synod Of Lincoln Trails****** Engage: Mission Third part of Engage curriculum study helps people see their neighborhood as a mission field.******
Helping Indiana Congregations find and use resources
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CONGREGATIONAL EVENTS
The Presbyterian Church of La Porte
Carillon Recital
Sunday, August 24
4:00 pm (CDT)
Dennis Curry
www.laportepresbyterianfinearts.org
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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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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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In a world broken by selfishness, violence and indifference, we admit feeling powerless to make a change. However, you have promised that all things are possible through your spirit. We praise you, God, for the diversity we see all around us. We rejoice in the complex beauty of your creation. Help us to celebrate the wonderful blend of cultures and peoples in this world by actively seeking harmony with one another. Fill us with hope, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable injustice.
We especially lift up Joanne Gasser, wife of Honorably Retired Rev. Ellis Gasser, with our healing prayers.
We ask special prayers for all those returning to school, teachers and students, cafeteria workers and teachers aides, bus drivers and maintenance workers and parents and guardians.
Please continue to hold our mission co-works in prayer.
We pray for and with Trinity Presbyterian Church, West Lebanon who has faithfully served the community and followed you O' Lord since 1829.
In your Holy name we pray, Amen!
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- August 15, 1993 - Rev. Paige Cantwell, Minister Member at Large
- August 16, 1985 - Rev. H. Ann Williams, Honorably Retired
- August 17, 1975 - Rev. Phillip Smith, 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 [email protected].
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Thanks and praise - and disappointment
Moderator shares what he's heard from PC(USA) during summer
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Special to Presbyterian News Service
Paul Seebeck
Communications strategist
The annual Evangelism and Church Growth Conference kicked off here Monday night with a welcome and opening prayer from Heath Rada, moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s 221st General Assembly. "In my many travels this summer, this is the only place I asked to come," Rada told some 500 Presbyterians gathered for Go. Disciple. Live. - this year's conference theme. "I wanted to be a part of this conference I've heard so much about to participate in the extraordinary work these folks do," Rada said. Rada said he's heard one consistent message in his travels so far: thank you. This message has come from people at the White House, from Jewish rabbis and friends and from a well-known Palestinian author and journalist. "They all said, 'Thank you for your church's concern for justice,' even those who were disappointed - hurt - by the General Assembly's (2014) decision on divestment." Continue Reading... |
CLERKS' WORKSHOP and RECORDS REVIEW August 23rd is a go...
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To Clerks & Moderators, particularly in North East of Presbytery:
For those of you who have preregistered for the August Clerks' Gatherings & Review-- thank you! We are looking forward to seeing you Saturday, August 23, in Ligonier at 9:00 am (ET). If you haven't registered but plan on attending please register with [email protected].
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
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2014 North Central Wee Kirk Conference
Small Church Ministry
On Eagle's Wings: Being Sustained by God Monday, September 29 - Thursday, October 2
Potawatomi Inn
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God in a Digital World
with Bruce Reyes-Chow
October 14-16, 2014
Great Lakes Association of United Church Educators (GLAUCE) and
Great Lakes Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (GLAPCE) 2014 Fall Event
Techny Towers, Techny, Illinois
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Administrative Personnel Association
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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.
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Where is your General Presbyter
Rev. Frank Vardeman
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Wednesday, August 13 - First Presbyterian Church, Delphi - Calvary Presbyterian Church, Logansport Thursday, August 14 - Presbytery Office - Joshua Journey II Team Saturday, August 16 - Geneva Center Tuesday, August 19 - Presbytery Office - Council Wednesday, August 20 - Pastoral Visit
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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Thursday, August 1410 am - Joshua Journey II Team Tuesday, August 1910 am - Council Thursday, August 2110 am - Commission on Ministry (Go-To-Meeting) Saturday, August 239 am - Clerks' Workshop & Records Review Ligonier Presbyterian Church (map)
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.
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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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