Presbytery of Wabash Valley
Office Hours: 8 - 4 Monday - Friday
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November 19, 2014
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 | Center Presbyterian Church,
Royal Center |
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Passage to Ponder... Matthew 28:18-20 (NRSV)"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
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Thank you
to the 120 members and guests of
Presbytery of Wabash Valley
who gave of their time to attend the
November 18 Assembly
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On Tuesday, Nov. 18th, more than 120 people gathered at Geneva Center an hour earlier than usual to worship and study scripture, share a meal, elect and install presbytery leadership, learn, and make some major decisions to further our work together. Highlights and headlines of Presbytery Assembly:
- Approved Geneva Center be spun-off into its own not-for-profit corporation and that Council form a Geneva Center Transition Team to be named by January 1, 2015, to form its own non-profit organization and corporate structure to govern and administer all operational aspects of the ministry and mission of Geneva Center.
- Led by outgoing Council Moderator Kevin Bowers, Bethany, Lafayette) installed Ruling Elder Jill Kitowski (La Porte) as Assembly Moderator, Teaching Elder Jeff Cover (Central, Lafayette) as Council Moderator, and elected and installed Teaching Elder David Smook (Honorably Retired) as Vice Moderator.
- Examined and approved Candidate Will Roberts for ordination to be called and installed pastor of the Pierceton congregation.
 | | Jill Kitowski & Beverly Harkey |
- Commissioned ruling elder Beverly Harkey (Kendallville) to serve as co-pastor with CRE Martha Flora with Albion congregation.
- Approved policy for COM's appointment of trained ruling elders as temporary moderators of session.
- Approved the closing of the Thorntown Presbyterian Church of year-end, with appropriate celebrations of its ministry and gave authority of AC to negotiate sale of the property for ongoing community service and ministry, subject to Council approval.
- Elected nominees to 28 leadership positions for presbytery work.
- Voted by paper ballot (58 yes, 34 no, 2 abstain) to refer Joshua Journey Team 2 recommendations of structure, Transitional Presbyter, and an implementation team to a new Team of Five to be named by Presbytery Moderator, Council Moderator and Vice Moderator, to report its recommendations to the February 24, 2015 Assembly. Discussion and presbytery financial reports showing ongoing deficit made clear that reorganizing presbytery work is essential, but current proposal was problematic.
- Dissolved the administrative commission charged to walk with the Plymouth congregation, and thanked the AC for its work.
- Celebrated the liturgy and Sacrament of Holy Communion
 led by Teaching Elder Sue Babovec (Peabody chaplain) and sermon by Jeff Cover on Numbers 13: "There be giants out there!" - Welcomed Synod Transitional Executive Sara Dingman and recognized Doug Hoffman as a certified Christian Educator.
- Contributed $665 for the PC(USA) Christmas Joy offering for financial assistance to current and former church workers and their families and students attending Presbyterian-related racial ethnic colleges and schools.
- Approved continued allocation of costs for presbytery work at $27.95 per active member. Therefore total per capita for 2015: Synod $3.81; PWV 27.95; OGA $7.07 = $38.83 per active congregational member.
- Shared joys, concerns and prayers before adjourning at 3:10 pm.
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Save the Dates
2014 COUNCIL
December 9
2015 ASSEMBLY
February 24
May 15
September 18-19
November 17
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Ministry Quick Links
Helping Indiana Congregations find and use resources
Upcoming Workshops
Congregations & Community Engagement
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014 Indianapolis
&
Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014
Crown Point
****** 
by Lynne Baab
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CONGREGATIONAL
EVENTS & OFFERINGS
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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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 Eternal God, your Son points us to the unfolding of your kingdom in our midst. May we become living signs of the kingdom through the love we show those around us. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
From Daily Prayer
Please lift those listed below in prayer: - Rev. Lyle Ewing, Auburn Presbyterian Church, and family as they mourn the loss of Rev. Ewing's mother Mike Ewing who passes away Tuesday, November 18th.
- Rev. Steve Braden, Mishawaka First, and family as they celebrate the life of his mother Beth Braden who passed away on Monday, November 17th.
- Please hold those in prayer of spoken and unspoken need.
We pray for and with Royal Center, Center Presbyterian Church who has faithfully served their community and followed you O' Lord since 1854. Amen.
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- November 26, 1978 - Rev. Ronald Green, 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 vicki@ourpresbytery.org.
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The Presbytery of Wabash Valley
and
Pierceton Presbyterian Church
Invites You to the
Ordination & Installation Service
of
William Roberts
Sunday, November 23, 2014 at 4:00 pm
at
Pierceton Presbyterian Church
309 S 1st ST., Pierceton 46562
(map)
Reception Immediately Following Service
Please RSVP to piercetonprespastor@gmail.com
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The Presbytery of Wabash Valley
and
Brookston Federated Church
Invites You to the
Installation Service
of
Reverend Sarah Gengler
Sunday, November 23, 2014 at 4:00 pm
at
Brookston Federated Church
202 Wood St., Brookston 47923
(map)
Dinner Reception Immediately Following Service in the Fellowship Hall
RSVP Appreciated by not necessary to 765-563-6323
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Dear Friends,
Western Theological Seminary requires each MDiv. student's participation in an Intercultural Immersion Trip. My cohort is slated to participate in January, 2015. Our choices were: Israel/Palestine; Cambodia; Tuscon, AZ-Nogales, MX; or Oman. A committee of students gathered our ranked choices and assigned each participant to a trip. Everyone ended up with either their first or second choice.
I got my first choice, and will be traveling to Israel/Palestine in January! We will be a group of 20: 9 In-Residence students and 10 of my fellow Distance Learners, along with our Hebrew professor. We will be staying in 2 different convents, visiting and walking the places and paths we've all read so much about, and meeting with people on both sides of the conflict. Not  your typical tourist itinerary...
I have wanted to visit Israel since I was 15 years old and am grateful beyond words for this opportunity. I am also very aware that this is not a safe region of the world. My immediate family supports my going. (My extended family questions my sanity!) As you continue to pray for peace in this region of the world, please include in your prayers the participants on this trip and our families.
Blessings,
Diane Shircliff
Music Director, Student Intern
First Presbyterian Church
Lebanon, Indiana
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Congregations and Community Engagement
Congregations can do amazing things when leaders and members put their minds to engaging with their communities. Because the stakes are high, it is important for congregations to be strategic in making choices so that their efforts are thoughtful, sustainable and make a real difference to the neighbors they serve. Author, consultant and national speaker Joy Skjegstad leads this workshop.
9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Eastern time)
Wednesday, December 3, 2014 in Indianapolis
9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Central time)
Thursday, December 4, 2014 in Crown Point
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Association of Presbyterian Church Educators
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Thank you and an invitation
from Presbyterian World Mission
As we near the holiday season, we want to say thanks again for your previous gifts to Presbyterian World Mission. Watch a thank you message from Hunter Farrell, director of Presbyterian World Mission, and grateful mission co-workers from around the world.
Presbyterian mission co-workers continue to need your prayers and financial gifts. A group of committed donors will match all gifts given to mission personnel support between now and December 31, 2014, up to $75,000.
Double your gift's impact by giving now.
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One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?" John 6:8-9.
Tabgha sits on the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee. Tradition recognizes it as the site of the feeding of the five thousand with five loaves and two fish, which a boy in the crowd happened to bring along with him, perhaps to sell.
 The church at Tabgha is home to a restored ancient mosaic just in front of its altar. It shows a basket of four loaves of bread flanked by two fish. That's right. There are only four loaves of bread in the basket. Where is the fifth? It is the one on the altar.
The signs of God, in both the healings Jesus did in Galilee and the feeding of the five thousand, are not matters of Jesus acting alone. Each and every sign can only point to God if human beings participate. They are made real in the lives of real people.
That is true of the healings. One often has to participate in order to be made well. It is also true of the feeding. The miracle hinges as much on a boy who happened to come prepared as it does on Jesus who takes what the boy has to offer and multiplies it to the benefit of many.
What are you doing with the blessings you have? Are you hoarding them or sharing them generously? Reprinted from Forward Day by Day
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Miscellaneous Choir Robes and Other Items Free to Good Home
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These items are being offered to any congregation who could use them. Please call 574-223-5678 or email vicki@ourpresbytery.org with your interest. First come first serve.
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6 - Yellow Robes 5 with Collars
| 3 - Ivory Robes
| 28 - Gray Robes
| 21 Burgundy Robes with Green Collars
| 26 Burgundy Robes
| 1 Ivory and gold collar
| 2 - handmade banners
| 3 - Hunter green & gold brocade pulpit scarves
| 1 - Hunter green table runner & bookmark
| 2 - Ivory pulpit scarves
| 2 - Ivory bookmarks
| 2 - Purple pulpit scarves
| 2 - Purple bookmarks
| 1 - Purple table runners
| Misc fabrics - Green, purple, black, white, yellow polka-dot & yellow floral
| 1 - Lace table runner
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Where is your General Presbyter
Rev. Frank Vardeman
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Dear Fellow Presbyters,
I am taking this opportunity to thank you for your good thoughts, notes and prayers for healing following my recent surgery. I am now rehabilitating my knee and am back to work. Again, many, many thanks!
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Upcoming Events and Meetings
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Thursday, November 20
CANCELLED - Commission on Ministry (Go-To-Meeting)
Sunday, November 23
4 pm - Sarah Gengler, Installation at Brookston Federated Church (map)
4 pm - Will Roberts, Ordination & Installation Service at Pierceton Presbyterian Church (map)
Wednesday, November 26
NOON - Lafayette Pastors Gathering - Lafayette Brewing Company (map)
 Thursday & Friday, November 27 & 28
Presbytery Office Closed - Happy Thanksgiving
Tuesday, December 2
10 am - Geneva Center Ministry Team
10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry
Thursday, December 4
10 am - Commission on Ministry
Sunday, December 7
4 pm - Sarah Sanderson-Doughty & Rebecca Kuiken Installation at Elkhart First Presbyterian Church (map)
Tuesday, December 9
10 am - Council
Thursday, December 11
10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-to-Meeting)
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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Every week, we publish this eNewsletter to hundreds of Wabash Valley and PC(USA) members and also post 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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