Presbytery of Wabash Valley
Office Hours: 8 - 4 Monday - Friday
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February 18, 2015
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Passage to Ponder... Luke 15:22 (NRSV)But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe-the best one-and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
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 Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. You may be asking questions like: Why do Presbyterians participate in Ash Wednesday? Isn't it a Roman Catholic rite? What is the purpose of Lent in the Reformed tradition? Are we supposed to give up something for Lent?
Reclaimed by Reformed churches in the last few decades, Ash Wednesday is the entry point for Lenten preparation. It is a service rich in ritual and symbolism. Palms waved at the previous year's Palm Sunday service are saved and burned to create ashes for the next Ash Wednesday. Participants on Ash Wednesday come forward for a minister or elder to mark their foreheads with the sign of the cross in ashes, saying the words, "You are dust, and to dust you shall return," from Genesis 3:19. With these words, disciples are reminded of their mortality and, when combined with the sign of the cross, they are also reminded of the hope of the resurrection. Christians do not receive the sign of the cross to attract attention or to be noticed by others; they receive the sign of the cross to focus on who they are as human beings, bound in death and life to Christ. Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent provide time to explore the mystery at the heart of the gospel that being a Christian means a new life through Christ. Scripture: Isaiah 58:5-7 Borrowed from the Lenten Devotional compiled by the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church, Rochester.
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Regarding ruling elders: Ministry Without Installed Pastoral Leadership
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Office of the General Assembly
Kerry Rice
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A few years ago the session and members of the church I attend in Louisville, Kentucky, found itself without installed pastoral leadership. And the dissolution of the terms of call occurred under difficult circumstances. The church continues to provide an important witness to the community, but not just because we were blessed by the presence of several teaching elders who worshiped and worked within the congregation on a regular basis. Were it not for the vital commitment of ruling elders-- in the roles of Sunday school teachers, treasurer and financial assistant, committee chairs and members, clerk of session, worship leaders, and the myriad of other roles ruling elders can play--the ministry of the church world have been extremely curtailed if not lost indefinitely.
Our experience may or may not be unique, but my guess is that there are more churches that go through pastoral transitions without the pastoral resources available to them like we had. But even though we were greatly blessed, there may be some similar issues to think through: What is it like to have the session moderated by someone who is not the installed pastor of the church?While there is very little technical difference between having an installed pastor moderate or having the presbytery appoint a moderator, there is a greater "cultural" difference: The session is made up of installed ruling elders and installed teaching elders of that congregation and all members have voice and vote. When a moderator is appointed who is not installed at that congregation, that are not a voting member of the session (Book of Order, G-3.0201). Each moderator has their own style of working with a session. No style is wrong--every style take some time to which to adjust. The clerk and moderator have to negotiate roles regarding agenda, reports, etc. More time must be spent exploring history and context surrounding each item of business.
What are some of the implications of having a "vacant pulpit"?Many churches have a vacant pulpit for at least a short time during a pastoral transition. However, if the vacant pulpit is declared and there is no definite plan for filling the pulpit in the near future, it can lead to a time of uncertainty-questions about the ministry, the viability of the congregation, the mission and witness in the community, and many more. The psychological effects of being a vulnerable congregation-or even an at-risk congregation-can weigh heavy. This may also be an opportunity for great gifts to emerge: Support from presbytery leadership and the committee on ministry (or your presbytery's similar ministry); Opportunity to reexamine the congregational mission and witness; Coming to understand congregational identity in a new way.
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Save the Dates
2015 COUNCIL
March 17
April 14
June 23
2015 ASSEMBLY
February 24
Registration Information
May 19
September 18-19
November 17
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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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 God of all ages, on this Ash Wednesday we remember we were created out of dust and we know to dust we will return. We thank you that in our baptism we are made new and that makes all the difference. Through Jesus our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Please lift those listed below in prayer:
- CRE Barbara Wirt, Sunnyside Presbyterian Church, South Bend, as she mourns the loss of sister Phyllis Woolbright.
- 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 ongoing medical concerns.
- All of our Mission co-workers
We pray for and with Westminster Presbyterian Church, Munster who has faithfully served their community and followed you Lord since 1962.
In your name we pray. Amen.
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- February 22, 2003 - CRE John Beehler, Bethel Presbyterian Church, Union Mills
- February 22, 2003 - CRE Donna Enersen, Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church, Frankfort
- February 23, 2010 - CRE Martha Flora, First Presbyterian Church, Albion
- February 25, 2014 - CRE Charles Fortney, Lake Village Presbyterian Church
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 vicki@ourpresbytery.org.
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Tomorrow - Thursday, February 19th Last Day to Enter Statistical Report Data
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Please don't forget to update the 2014 statistics for your congregation at :
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 to get your information to Gladys@ourpresbytery.org is Monday, March 2, 2015
If you have submitted the annual statistical report for your congregation, I hope you will take time to answer the 2014 Clerks' Questionnaire found at
http://www.pcusa.org/resource/2014-the-clerks-annual-questionnaire/ and email to Presbyterywv@gmail.com before you submit as directed at the bottom of the page. This information enables presbytery colleagues to know about and celebrate your ministry, and to identify shared concerns. Thanks for this narrative about your church!
Linda L. Long, Stated Clerk
Presbytery of Wabash Valley
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CLERK'S ANNUAL GATHERINGS AND RECORDS REVIEW
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Dates and places for 2015 Clerks' Conversations and review of 2014 records:
- April 11, 9:00-11:30 Central time at Range Line Community Presbyterian Church Hebron (10 am EDT). (map)
- April 18, 9:00-11:30 Eastern time at Rossville Presbyterian Church (8 am CDT) (map)
- April 25, 9:00-11:30 Eastern time at Goshen First Presbyterian Church (8 am CDT) (map)
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The best birthday gift ever
Special to Presbyterian News Service
HARRY PICKENS
I asked 'what gift would be of greatest service?'
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NEXT Church
Building Connections at the Online Church Leaders' Roundtable
By marrandamajor on Feb 17, 2015
Each month, we post a series of blogs around a common topic. For January and February, MaryAnn McKibben Dana is curating a month of reflections on technology, faith, and church. Join the conversation here or on Facebook. By Kyle Hite Mark Twain said, "There is no such thing as a new idea." Why, then, do we spend so much [...]
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2015 Educator of the Year, Kathy Dawson,
Unveils New Initiative
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Kathy Dawson, associate professor of Christian Education was honored February 5, 2015 as the 2015 recipient of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) Educator of the year award.
Dawson used her acceptance speech as a time of encouragement while also unveiling a web-based, multi-platform Christian Education resource.
"Hope4ce.net is meant to be a place where innovative ideas and lesson plans can be shared for Christian education," she said, adding that the idea was birth from discussions and questions presented her by students and other Christian educators.
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Upcoming Events and Meetings
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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.
Wednesday, February 1810 am - Nominating Committee Conference Call Thursday, February 19CANCELLED - Commission on Ministry (Go-To-Meeting)
Tuesday, February 2410 am - Presbytery Assembly (click here to register)Thursday, February 2610 am - Geneva Center Transition Team - Merrillville First (map)Sunday, March 13 pm - Permanent Judicial Commission - The PC La Porte (map)Tuesday, March 310 am - Geneva Center Ministry Team Thursday & Friday, March 5 & 610 am - Commission on Ministry Retreat
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, mission trips and other special ministries that are occurring in your congregation and community. Please forward your stories and photos to vicki@ourpresbytery.org, 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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