Presbytery of Wabash Valley
Office Hours: 8 - 4 Monday - Friday 

January 28, 2015   

God  
Calls 
Peru First PC
First Presbyterian Church Peru
Passage to Ponder... Ezekiel 22: 30 (NRSV)

30 I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.

(from the Presbytery of Wabash Valley  2015 Monthly Bible Study  Reading and Reflection)

OUR EMMAUS ROAD
by Patrick Heery 
Editor of Presbyterians Today

 

Amid uncertainty about the future of the PC(USA), we walk, eyes opened by Christ, to see the dying-and living-things in our midst.

 

 

On a one-way street in Indiana, Pennsylvania, sit two Presbyterian churches side by side, a sign of splits old and new. Every Sunday morning for the last 200 years, Presbyterians have followed the same sidewalk to worship the same God in two different churches. Once--and now again--denominationally divided, Graystone Presbyterian Church (which voted to leave for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church last year) and Calvary Presbyterian Church are part of a shifting landscape that has raised questions about the unity and future of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as well as most other denominations.   

 

"The death of the church is nothing to fear. Death was conquered once, and it will be conquered again."

In recent years, more than 200 congregations have left the PC(USA), many of them the largest (and wealthiest) in the denomination. As they have left, more than 270 new worshiping communities have cropped up. Generally small, and certainly not wealthy, they are an odd, Spirit-infused, racially diverse group of young adults, new immigrants, church exiles, evangelicals, and justice activists. In the meantime, debates have raged over theology, worship style, sexuality, women's rights, foreign policy, church governance, and finances.

 

The result has been, in many quarters, a good deal of confusion, pain, and uncertainty. Some Presbyterians, feeling betrayed either by parts of their own congregation or by the denomination, are quite angry. Elsewhere, pockets of Presbyterians, unsaddled by disputes old or new, feel excited, as if on the verge of a new kind of Christianity, and can't fathom why we're still debating.

 

We as a church-including our leaders and publications like this one-have not always, however, been honest about this division. We have not told the stories of those leaving. We have skirted controversial issues. We have invited silence in place of expressions of both joy and pain.

 

We have polished when we should have demolished, promoted when we should have prophesied, repackaged when we should have created.

 

I think we genuinely believed that if we just concentrated enough on the positives, we could return this church to its 1950s (supposed) glory. The problem is that what this church needs is not a rebuilt temple but an empty tomb-a void that sends us out onto an Emmaus road where we encounter an unrecognizable Christ who leads us along unfamiliar paths.

 

That path led the approximate 150 members of Graystone who voted against its withdrawal from the PC(USA) into the arms of neighboring Calvary, where, member Rudy Steffish says, "there has been a rebirth of mission." From veterans' ministry to antipoverty work to mission in Rwanda, Calvary's new family has stumbled upon a deep hope for the future. "With all the new members, a new excitement has taken over," Steffish says. "It truly is a church that is involved in our denomination and in our community. A renewed sense of pride has been mixed up between the original members of Calvary and all the new blood. People leave Calvary with smiles, singing hymns, and, still, by the end of the week, are talking about what joy we feel."

 

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STAY CONNECTED


In This Issue
Save the Dates

2015 COUNCIL
March 17
April 14
June 23

2015 ASSEMBLY
February 24
May 19
September 18-19
November 17


Ministry Quick Links


PRESBYTERY OF WABASH VALLEY

Pulpit Supply List

  

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2015 Federal Standard Mileage Rates Announced

 

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Stewardship Kaleidoscope

INVEST IN FAITH

March 9-11, 2015

Kansas City, MO

Learn More 

 

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    Synod Of Lincoln Trails
Continues Funding Opportunities for 2015
Mission Initiative Grants

Ministerial Excellence Fund: Sustaining The Call
 

 

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PDA

    

Center for Congregations 

Helping Indiana Congregations find and use resources

Six Practices to Thriving
Thriving Communities

 Reaching and Unleashing Baby Boomers and Beyond

Wednesday, February 11

Chesterton United Methodist Church, 434 S. Second St.,

   

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Make Room for Young People

by Michael O'Loughlin 

 

 

PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
Dear Lord, we pray for those whom the world calls wise. Give them a sense of humility, and grant them perspective to accompany their vision. May they not mistake power for justice or order for well-being. When they are called upon to make decisions, hold them particularly close to you and make them instruments of your peace and love.

Please lift those listed below in prayer:
  • Rev. Patty Jones, Fowler First Presbyterian Church, in the loss of mother.
  • Bruce McVay brother of CRE Jene McVay, Crawfordsville, Milligan Memorial Presbyterian Church, who has been diagnosed with brain & kidney cancer. He is having surgery today to remove the brain tumor.
  • Rev. Jack Hess, Honorably Retired, as he continues medical care for multiple health concerns.
  • Rev. Frank Vardeman, General Presbyter and family as Frank recovers from recent surgery and ongoing medical concerns.
  • CRE Rick Ryan, Lafayette, Elston PC, and family on the January 25th arrival of grandson Gavin Ryan.
  • All of our Mission co-workers
We pray for and with Peru First Presbyterian Church who has faithfully served their community and followed you Lord since November 26, 1835.

In your name we pray. Amen.
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Thank you for your ministry and your service... 
  • January 30, 2005 - Rev. Amy Mildenberg, Minister Member at Large
  • January 31, 1970 - Rev. Michael Dunkelberger, Honorably Retired
  • February 1, 2009 - Rev. Jean Sparks, Minister Member at Large

If you have been omitted or your information is incorrect please accept my apology. Help to update our records by sending your current information to [email protected].    

 

 
Rev. Gretchen Seidler Gibbs
January 25th last Sunday at Valparaiso First Presbyterian Church

 

(Photo: Provided by Aj Mildenberg) 

Why would Rev. Aj Mildenberg, a Presbyterian pastor take a significant pay cut to accept a job as a children's pastor at a local Methodist church?


One reason: the children

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THANK YOU FROM FRANK & HEIDI VARDEMAN

Joe & Frank
Frank and Heidi are thankful for all the prayers, cards and best wishes that have flowed their way.  Continued prayers are welcomed as Frank had a long road to recovery.

Well wishes may be sent to:
1613 Indianapolis Ave.
Long Beach, IN 46360

or you can follow and support the Vardemans through the Caring Bridge at www.caringbridge.org/visit/frankvardeman. 

Presbytery-Wide Conversations
"What It Means to be Presbyterian"
&
Discussions around the Proposed Amendments
 from the 221st General Assembly
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
10:00 am to 2:30 pm (EST)
at Geneva Center
Registration Deadline
Friday, January 30th
PLEASE JOIN US!


Report Time - Terms of Call

One of the marks of Presbyterianism is our connectionalism. When connected, we become caring and invested in each other. No Presbyterians are more connected and accountable than Sessions and Teaching Elders across our presbytery. NOW is the time to remember, and use, our "Annual Terms of Call Report Form."
The form may be found online at  www.ourpresbytery.org under "Information"  
and "Forms and Documents," in the section labeled "Commission on Ministry." Each Session and each Teaching Elder should be familiar with this form which is to be utilized every year. By staying connected in this way, please know that COM is keeping our eyes and our hearts on your well being. Please help us fulfill our responsibility to you. 

Reminder to Clerks of Sessions

Please don't forget to answer the Clerk's Questionnaire about your ministry and update the 2014 statistics for your congregation at :

Main landing page: http://oga.pcusa.org/section/churchwide-ministries/stats/ 

 

Clerk's Questionnaire is generated by Research Services to advise on resources to support congregations. http://caq2014.pcusa.org/ 

   

Instructions are on the landing page, as well as the link to directly enter your data. Remember-- the sooner the better because the computer system slows down as more folks try to enter data nearer the deadline.  

  • The last day you will be able to enter statistics is Thursday, February 19, 2015
  • If you miss that date, the last day Gladys will be able to enter statistics for you is Thursday, March 2, 2015 
Church Network Teleweb:
Capital Reserve Planning
Join Tim Cool and Glenn Wood for a webinar that will address questions like: why are capital reserves important, how much money needs to allocated annually, what areas need to be accounted for, and what exactly is the life cycle of a facility.
January 29th at 2:30 p.m. (Eastern)
 
Center for Congregations
YOUTH MINISTRY GRANT INITIATIVE
A program of the Center for Congregations

YMGI is for congregations wanting to develop new and sustainable youth programming opportunities for 6th through 12th graders in their own congregations that:

  • reflect the congregation's highest claims and commitments;
  • and provide significant experiences for youth.
This program includes financial support, as well as a thorough educational component. Congregations throughout Indiana may apply.

Click here for details and on-line registration for the information sessions.  Or you can go to the Center website at  
http://centerforcongregations.org/workshop/youth-ministry-grant-initiative-2015
 
 

Experience that deep sense of community one would expect at a national gathering of Presbyterians-a great big family reunion! Join us for a wide variety of workshops, all under one Big Tent, a conference that will inspire and equip Presbyterians to live missionally.  Click here for more information.


Upcoming Events and Meetings

Severe Weather Policy

The PWV office follows the Rochester Community School Corporation's weather delay and/or cancellation decision. Voice mail at the office will include the status of meetings scheduled. To confirm meeting status don't hesitate to call 574-223-5678.

 

Thursday, January 29
10 am - Transitional Pastors Gathering

Tuesday, February 3
10 am - Geneva Center Ministry Team

Thursday, February 5
10 am - Commission on Ministry
10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry

Friday, February 6 - Sunday, February 8
6:30 pm - Confirmation Retreat

Tuesday, February 10
10 am - Presbytery Wide Conversation

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.
                  
 
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,  mission trips and other special ministries that are occurring in your congregation and community. Please forward your stories and photos to [email protected], due each Friday.

 


Presbytery of Wabash Valley & Geneva Center Contact Information

Board of Pensions Liaison ~ Rev. John Ritchie ~ 260-356-8680
General Presbyter ~ Rev. Frank Vardeman ~ 574-223-5678 ext 101
Stated Clerk ~ Elder Linda Long ~ 219-926-7098
Office Manager ~ Gladys Sargent ~ 574-223-5678 ext 102
Financial Consultant ~ Eric Herzog ~ 574-223-5678 ext 105
Church Relations Coordinator ~ Elder Vicki Dreibelbis ~ 574-223-5678 ext 100
IT Consultant ~ Bonnie Kern ~ 574-223-5678 ext 109
Geneva Center Manager ~ Cathy Adley ~ 574-223-6915 ext 200
Geneva Center Maintenance Director ~ Jeff Winegardener ~ 574-223-6915 ext 204
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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