Last night the rain fell in sheets at our place. Hailstones were bouncing in the yard, the lights were flickering, and there was excitement all around. This morning, our yard doesn't look at all like August. It's green as Ireland out there and I can tell I'll need to be mowing soon. Isn't it amazing how the rain God sends renews the face of the earth?

We have a Presbytery Assembly coming up, and it too, offers the opportunity for refreshment and renewal. What, you don't think of Presbytery meetings as refreshing or renewing? Well, our meeting in May in Crawfordsville was just that, as we enjoyed spirited worship, lively Bible study, and celebrated the ministry of Carol McDonald among us.

Our September Assembly promises to be a similar event. This is our overnight meeting, and we'll be off to an auspicious beginning on Friday night.  After 5 pm registration, we'll open things  

Dr. Atef Gendy

with a 6 pm meal during which we'll honor the 20 congregations and 15 coaches who have been involved in Transformational Ministry in the Presbytery of Wabash Valley some since 2009. After dinner, we're 

in for a special treat, as Dr. Atef Gendy, President of the Evangelical Seminary in Cairo will be our speaker. He will bring us greetings from the seminary and speak about its work and answer any questions we might have. A Mission Co-worker who is the International Relations Co-coordinator of the seminary will also be on hand to answer our questions. The Evangelical Seminary of Cairo is where our Mission Co-workers are located.

At this Assembly, we will also be examining two people for ordination and commissioning one Ruling Elder, exciting news for the churches who are considering calling them to serve in our midst. We will also be hearing an interim report from our Joshua Journey 2 task force. They have been hard at work praying and wrestling together about the future of our presbytery. We are interested to hear their thoughts and to offer them our guidance as they complete their work in the next few months. We will also hear from our commissioners to the General Assembly in Detroit, handle some business items, enjoy worship and study Scripture together.

It is my hope and prayer that your church will be represented as we gather in September. Watch for the registration information to land in your inbox later this week providing the details of overnight accommodations, meals, and cost.

                                                                                    With anticipation,

                                                                                    Jeff Cover, moderator

Properly implemented and resourced, the church financial and administrative ministry can operate efficiently in the background - providing accurate information that is both timely and transparent - in support of our mission today and into the future. In this interactive session we will share questions, experiences and practical solutions that seek to "demystify" this critical aspect of our work together.

This workshop explores spiritual components of stewardship development and offers 10 immediately do-able and transformative steps. The conversation will also include discussions of narrative budgets, year-round stewardship education, the roles of pastors and sessions in stewardship, the Biblical basis of healthy stewardship and the theology of abundance in a world focused on scarcity.

There are a myriad of changes and new requirements to healthcare coverage and related qualified reimbursable expenses. This workshop discusses the impact of 2015 changes in the (PCUSA) Board of Pensions plan and reviews tax-advantaged benefit plans that can allow both church employees and employers to save on the cost of healthcare.

Join the Carroll County Presbyterian Churches as they host a General Assembly Commissioners' Presentation & Conversation.  

This hour long program will provide an opportunity to learn more about what occurred at the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) this summer in Detroit, Michigan. There will be a brief presentation by the commissioners from the Presbytery of Wabash Valley followed by a question & answer conversation.

Here are the specifics:

What:    GA Commissioners' Presentation & Conversation

When:   Wednesday, 9/10/14 from 7:00-8:00pm EDT

Where:  Burrows Presbyterian Church; Burrows, Indiana (map) 

I hope you and members of your congregation can join us for this conversation. If you have any questions or need additional information please contact:  

Rev. William "Bill" McLean, II

Pastor

First Presbyterian Church

213 S. Indiana Street

Delphi, IN  46923

765-564-2371 (church)

pastor@delphipres.org