Presbytery of Wabash Valley
Office Hours: 8 - 4 Monday - Friday
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September 24, 2014
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Passage to Ponder... Proverbs 22:6
Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray.
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How to Really Bless your Child
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By Dr. John C. Van Nuys, Wabash Ave. Presbyterian Church, Crawfordsville
In her bestselling book All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenting, Jennifer Senior surveys the emotional landscape of parenthood in the twenty-first century. Her findings? Families are stressed out. Parents are confused and anxious. Moms and Dads worry that they are not doing "it" right, which Senior finds curious.
For millennia, our species has birthed and raised countless generations of children, who, in turn, become parents and repeat the cycle. So, why so much anxiety now? Senior notes that that is because our notion of childhood is really quite new.
Until the progressive era, children spent their childhood working: on farms and in factories. Reforms brought needed child labor laws, mandatory education, and created a new type of childhood that made children in the words of one dispassionate sociologist: "economically worthless but emotionally priceless." Happiness for our children instead of work from our children became the new standard. Basically, the roles reversed: Children used to work for parents to make them money. Now, parents work for children to make them happy.
So, childhood as we know it today is a fairly recent phenomenon. Add to that changing norms for gender roles in parenting, plus today's economic uncertainty, plus the rate at which our world is changing and you get a perfect storm in which parents frantically work to equip their children for an increasingly unknowable future. So, parents rush children to soccer games, music lessons, theater rehearsals, scout meetings, team gatherings, and dance recitals with the hope that in so doing their children are having a happy childhood in which they are being prepared to thrive. But, Senior notes, all this frenzied parenting comes at a high cost. As one haggard mother confessed to her: "Homework is the new dinner." That is, homework is the new meeting ground where quality family time happens. Which makes me wonder: Has it all really come to this?
Senior comments that the current frenzy and anxiety to create happy, super-prepared children may payoff. But she suggests that previous generations of parents were in many ways wiser. Instead of assuming that we can manufacture happiness for our children, Senior says that a more reasonable and attainable parenting goal -- one which countless, previous generations embraced -- is first and foremost to help our children grow in virtue.
Happiness comes and goes, but virtue; those deeply held values that inform the way one interacts with the world -- that lasts a lifetime. Not only is it more durable, but it is certainly less crazy-making than trying to create the super-child who is on the honor roll, runs cross country, is an eagle scout, has the lead in the school play, is being tutored in Spanish, and can play Mozart concertos from memory. Maybe the herculean, white-knuckled efforts of parents to help their children become Renaissance men and women could instead be scaled back and refocused on simply raising children to be decent, humane, and compassionate. Focusing on doing that could take a lot of the stress out of parenting - perhaps restoring some sanity and creating time for even a little fun.
Continue Reading....
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Save the Dates
2014 COUNCIL October 21 December 9
2014 ASSEMBLY November 18
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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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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God, may your healing power wash over us. We give thanks that through you we are redeemed and reconciled to one another.
Please lift those listed below in prayer for God's healing power and for God's guidance:
- CRE Martha Flora, Albion First Presbyterian Church, as she and the entire family provided support to Martha's daughter Jennifer Wood, who has been diagnosed with cancer.
- CRE Ray Fulbright, South Bend Memorial Presbyterian Church, for continued recovery.
- All of our mission co-workers
We pray for and with Bethel Presbyterian Church of Union Mills who has faithfully served their community and followed you O' Lord since 1850.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- September 27, 1992 - Rev. Dr. Michael Landon, Specialized Ministry
- September 28, 1986 - Rev. Steve Braden, First Presbyterian Church Mishawaka
- September 29, 1986 - Rev. Susan Guyer Birch, Honorably Retired
- September 29, 1996 - Rev. Stanley Wilson, Honorably Retired
- September 30, 2007 - Rev. Bill McLean, First Presbyterian Church Delphi
- September 30, 2007 - Rev. Anna Parkinson, Minister Member at Large
- October 1, 1976 - Rev. DuWayne Hintz, 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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BOUNDARIES & ETHICS TRAINING
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Thursday, October 2, 2014
Saturday, October 4, 2014
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Geneva Center
Tomorrow, the 25th is the last day to register if you have not participated in a Boundaries and Ethics Training or are one that attended the sessions offered in 2011. If you do not know whether you need to attend one of these training events, please be in contact with Gladys to clarify date you previously participated. The training will be held at Geneva Center Camp and Conference Center, 5282 N Old US Hwy 31, Rochester. Training materials, snacks and lunch will be provided by the Presbytery. You may register by emailing [email protected] or calling the presbytery office - 574-223-5678. |
EXPRESSION IN GLASS WORKSHOP
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Explore the Nearly Lost Art of Stained Glass Making with
Instructor Braxton Eikenberry
call 574-223-6915 for all the information.
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TIME TO REGISTER for GLAPCE FALL CONFERENCE
(Great Lakes Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators)
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This is a wonderful time to meet other educators, share ideas and glean some best practices for ministry with children, youth and adults. Details on the annual event are below. Hope to see you there!
Our regional event is right around the corner and early registration discount ends TODAY!
GOD IN A DIGITAL AGE
GLAPCE/GLAUCE Fall Event
October 14-16, 2014
Techny Towers, Techny, IL
Our keynote speaker this year is the wonderful Bruce Reyes-Chow, author of The Definitive-ish Guide for Using Social Media in the Church, and But I Don't See You As Asian: Curating Conversations About Race. If you are not familiar with Bruce, you can learn more about him on his website. We are offering eight engaging workshops, and six forums, too.
It is time to register! You wouldn't want to miss this year's conference, and, if you register by Wednesday, September 24, you will save $25! Here is a link to our website from which you can access the registration form.
EVENT REGISTRATION
Questions? Call Martha McDonald, registrar at 317-357-5123.
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2014 Presbyterian Giving Opportunities
Your gift makes a difference.
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Presbyterian Youth Workers' Assoc. Membership
Adults working with youth help shape the lives of our future church leaders. Membership in the Presbyterian Youth Workers' Association provides fellowship, inspiration, and motivation-helping members continue their invaluable mentorship and is just one of may opportunities to give.
Click here to find out how you can give. |
Taco tradition a boon for church
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From Post-Tribune at Chicago SunTimes.com Publication
Highland Custard Shop devotees and Highland First Presbyterian Church members alike got a taste of nostalgia Saturday night.
Tom Porter, a culinary expert who developed the Highland Custard pork tacos into the legendary treat they became from 1982 to 1996, came out of retirement and brought 170 pounds to the church for a fundraiser. The church had food for 300 people plus taco meat in pints and quarts for those who needed the delicacy on the run.
Not that there was much of a chance of them running out of food for anyone who wanted some.
"I'm pretty sure there's enough beans here for Lake and half of Porter counties," member Cheryl Steen said as she stirred the blob of refried goodness cooking in the oven.
Porter, who took over the town's custard racket from Arnie's Doghouse owner Garner Arnold in 1982, comes out of taco retirement every other year or so, when organizations are looking to raise funds.
The recipe, he said, has barely changed.
Continue Reading...
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Experiencing 'the church in action'
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Peggy Rada, spouse and traveling partner of Moderator Heath Rada, finds her niche
| Peggy Rada -PNS file photo |
The fall travel schedule looks packed for Heath Rada, moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s 221st General Assembly. His itinerary includes visits to Denver, Reno, Zephyr Point Conference Center on Lake Tahoe, the Texas/Mexico border, South America, and other places.
Rada's wife, Peggy, a ruling elder and retired middle-school teacher, looks forward to accompanying him on all of these trips. But she won't just be along for the ride.
Continue Reading...
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Where is your General Presbyter
Rev. Frank Vardeman
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Wednesday, September 24
- Lafayette Pastors' Gathering Thursday & Friday, September 25-26 - Vacation Sunday, September 28 - First Presbyterian Church Huntington Tuesday, September 30 - Presbytery Office - Staff Meeting
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, September 25 10 am - Personnel Ministry Team (Conference Call)
Saturday, September 27
Tuesday, September 30
10 am - Staff Meeting
Thursday, October 2 10 am - Commission on Ministry 10 am - Boundaries and Ethics Training
Friday, October 3
1 pm - 7:30 pm Transforming Church Finances Workshop - Registration - Fort Wayne First PC (map)
Saturday, October 4 10 am - Boundaries and Ethics Training
Tuesday, October 7 10 am - Geneva Center Ministry Team
Thursday, October 9 10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-To-Meeting)
Saturday, October 11 10 am - 4:30 pm - Transforming Church Finances Workshop - Registration - Indianapolis Faith PC (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 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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