Presbytery of Wabash Valley
Office Hours: 8 - 4 Monday - Friday
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October 15, 2014
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Passage to Ponder... Luke 10:25-28
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."
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Ebola Is an Inequality Crisis
by Jim Wallis, Sojouners
In the past few months, the world has witnessed the worst outbreak of Ebola since the disease was first identified in 1976 - it has already claimed the lives of more than 3,400 people. But while the first cases in the U.S. and Spain have stirred fears over the past week, we don't need to fear an unstoppable epidemic in developed countries. As World Bank President Jim Yong Kim aptly put it in a piece for the Huffington Post:
The knowledge and infrastructure to treat the sick and contain the virus exists in high- and middle-income counties. However, over many years, we have failed to make these things accessible to low-income people in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. So now thousands of people in these countries are dying because, in the lottery of birth, they were born in the wrong place.
Dr. Kim makes the crucial point here - the current Ebola outbreak is much more than a public health crisis - it is an inequality crisis. People dying of Ebola in West Africa did not choose to be born in West Africa, any more than I chose to be born in the United States or my wife chose to be born in England. The scriptures remind us time and again of our obligation to care for the widow, the orphan, and the sick.
Accordingly, it is clearly our duty as Christians to do everything we can for the people suffering from this epidemic. Combating the current outbreak is important beyond saving lives in the short term; the World Bank estimates that the economic cost in terms of lost growth that Ebola could cause in West Africa could rise into the tens of billions of dollars. Such a scenario would make inequality between this region and the developed world even worse - making it that much more difficult for nations like Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone to experience the economic development that will be needed to reduce the likelihood and severity of future epidemics.
Continue Reading
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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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God of the lepers and outcasts, thank you for the example of Jesus who not only loved the sick but boldly crossed social divides in order to heal them. Give us the same strength to stand up to the stigma of AIDS, Ebola and other diseases. Help us to cast aside fears of those who are different from us and empower us to find ways to stop the deaths caused by these and other diseases.
Please lift those listed below in prayer:
- Rev. Jack Hess, Honorably Retired, as he recuperates from foot and eye surgery and a heart attack.
- Rev. Jordy Truman, in the passing of his brother Rusty Truman
- Rev. Patty Jones, Fowler First Presbyterian Church, as she supports her mother Nancy Jones who has entered hospice care.
- Rev. Maria Rutland, Minister Member at Large, healing prayers for a possible fractured ankle.
- For Ann Haworth - Smock Senior Ministry's Director Rev. Bill Haworth's wife as she deals with health issues.
- All of our mission co-workers
We pray for and with Sunnyside Presbyterian Church, South Bend who has faithfully served their community and followed you O' Lord since 1870.
Amen.
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Save the Dates
2014 COUNCIL Rescheduled to October 28 December 9
2014 ASSEMBLY November 18
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CONGREGATIONAL EVENTS & OFFERINGS
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Pianist Chara Sonntag will present a concert at 4 pm Sunday, October 19th Community Presbyterian Church 530 Jefferson Street, Rochester
****** Fall Concert Sunday, November 2nd 2:00 pm (CT) First PC, Hammond 6021 Hohman Ave Hammond, IN 46320 219-931-2174
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- October 16, 1981 - Rev. John Gilbert, Honorably Retired
- October 16, 1981 - Rev. Sally Gilbert, Minister Member at Large
- October 22, 1989 - Rev. William Emrich, 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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Worshipping in Advent: From Darkness to Light
A 90-minute webinar
Tuesday, October 21 at 2 pm ET (11 a.m. PT)
In this webinar we will look at the theological arc of the season and consider how the biblical texts for Advent shape worship. Special attention will be given to new hymns and songs in the new Presbyterian hymnal Glory to God.
Participants will come away with:
- An understanding of the theological arc of the Advent season;
- Knowledge of new hymns and songs for advent and ways of using them;
- Awareness of new liturgical resources;
- Ideas for visual and ritual engagement in worship.
The live broadcast will include a Q&A segment so you can ask your questions!
Click here to learn more, register for the live event or on-demand replay ($29.95), or pre-order a DVD ($43.95).
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Congregation and Community Partners Does your congregation's building have excess space? Would you like to generate some income from that space? Would you like to see admirable community groups choose your building as a home base?
Many congregations these days find themselves loaded with space they cannot use, but hate to see it wasted. They would love to see groups from the community use the space, perhaps for a reasonable fee. Such an arrangement benefits everyone: congregations build relationships with groups they believe in and generate some income at the same time. Community groups or individuals - like artists - utilize good space at below market rental fees. Everyone in the surrounding neighborhood delights in seeing a building alive with activity. But how does a congregation find a suitable group or individual to use their space? How does a community group or individual learn about available space in a sacred building? How does the congregation set up a user agreement or lease, negotiate expectations, and take precautions up front that will ensure a good relationship with tenants over time? Partners for Sacred Places, a non-profit organization devoted to the care and preservation of sacred buildings, has devised a solution to the space sharing challenge. They have created an online space sharing program called "iSPi," which will launch in November 2014. This website "will match sacred places and community partners so that they can share space, resources and volunteers. These matches will be based not only on a compatibility of space needs and square footage, but rooted in a marriage of mission and vision." Partners can help your congregational leaders learn more about space sharing and how to benefit from their new online hub. Their service is free. For more detailed information about iSPi see this link at the Partners for Sacred Places website: http://www.sacredplaces.org/why-share-space-in-a-sacred-place/#sthash.uYmOcAm6.dpbs. You can also call their Chicago office at: 866-796-0297. To learn more in person, you can attend the Center for Congregations luncheon workshop series Creative Funding Sources, featuring staff from the Chicago office of Partners for Sacred Places. The first topic will be an introduction to space sharing through the iSPi program. The second luncheon covers new ways to generate revenue for mission and building expenses. To learn more about these luncheon workshops, see http://centerforcongregations.org/workshop/creative-funding-sources-leverage-your-best-qualities-generate-revenue. Beloved buildings cry out for full use. A little creative matchmaking between congregations and community partners could go a long way.
Rev Katie Lindberg, Minister Member at Large
Northwest Director
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How to Survive a Church Building Project
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A Complementary 90-minute webinar presented by the Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program
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Rediscovering the Beloved Community:
Overcoming Isolation
sponsored by Presbytery Pastoral Care Network and Synod of the Sun
Worship | Workshops | Resources for clergy support
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Monday October 27, 2014 at 7:00 PM CDT -to- Thursday October 30, 2014 at 11:00 AM CDTFirst Presbyterian Church 1000 Penn Street Fort Worth, TX 76102Most clergy experience a feeling of isolation from time to time. Whether you are clergy serving in a pastorate, Presbytery or Synod Staff, serve on Commission on Ministry / Preparation for Ministry, or in the counseling profession, this conference is for you! Learn More
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Rev. Quincy Worthington
Installed at Munster, Westminster Presbyterian Church
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A special thank you to all who came out to celebrate my Installation, and to the many who had a part of planning this special day. It was a beautiful celebration! Thank you for the outpouring of love shown! It was truly moving and a blessing! Thank you again! To God Be The Glory! Rev. Quincy Worthington
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Photo provided by Munster, Westminster PC member Art Thompson
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Presbytery of Wabash Valley & Lima Presbyterian Church
Invites you to the Commissioning of
David Hughes
Sunday, October 19, 2014 at 9:30 am
Lima Presbyterian Church
608 4th St
Howe, IN 46746
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Where is your General Presbyter
Rev. Frank Vardeman
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October 16-17 - Vacation October 21 - Presbytery Office - Pastoral Visit October 23 - Presbytery Office - Transitional Pastors' Gathering
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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Wednesday, October 15
CANCELLED - Nominating Committee
Thursday, October 16 10 am - Commission on Ministry (Go-To-Meeting)
Friday, October 17 1 - 7:30 pm - Transforming Church Finances Workshop - Registration - Seymour First PC (map)
Sunday, October 19 9:30 am - Dave Hughes Commissioning - Lima Presbyterian Church, Howe (map)
Thursday, October 23 10 am - Transitional Pastors Gathering
Friday, October 24 Presbytery Office Closed
Saturday, October 25
CANCELLED - Church Financial Excellence Workshop - Westminster PC., Washington, IN
Tuesday, October 28 10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry 10 am - Council
Wednesday, October 29 NOON - Lafayette Pastors Gathering - Lafayette Brewing Company (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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