Presbytery of Wabash Valley
Office Hours: 8 - 4 Monday - Friday
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March 4, 2015
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 God Calls
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| | Mishawaka, First Presbyterian Church |
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Passage to Ponder... Ruth 1:6-8 (NRSV)6 "Then Naomi started to return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had considered his people and given them food. 7 So she set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah. 8 But Naomi said to her daughters-in-law, 'Go back each of you to your mother's house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.
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by Rev. John Van Nuys, Wabash Ave. PC, Crawfordsville
The weekend of February 6-8, I was at Geneva Center helping lead the presbytery's confirmation retreat which ran from Friday night through Sunday noon. 15 confirmands from 5 churches gathered to learn about their faith, share fellowship, and have fun. In addition to three craft projects and two experiential learning exercises in prayer and meditation, the confirmands received 5+ hours of interactive instruction from and discussion about the denomination's Belonging to God Catechism on the following areas of belief: Scripture, Personhood in relation to God, Creation, The Fall/Sin, Covenant and Grace, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
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Photos from Rev. John Van Nuys
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Part of the retreat involved three Q&A sessions where the leaders answer questions which the kids anonymously post via Sticky Notes on the Q&A Board. The questions the kids asked are below with the original spelling and grammar. These questions are evidence that the youth who are growing up today in the churches of this presbytery are much more spiritually astute and mature than I was at their age. It is also evidence that there is a lot going on in their hearts and minds: - "If you go to heaven, and see others, will they look old or will they look like when they were young?"
- "If you go to hell, is there a way to 'redeem' yourself and go to heaven?"
- "Is gay okay?"
- "Did Hitler go to heaven?"
- "If God loves everyone, does everyone go to heaven?"
- "If you get into a bad situation and you need to lie, is it okay to do so?"
- "Do animals go to heaven?"
- "Is Satan in hell?"
- "If God was agenst human scrafic [sacrifice] and murder, why did he test a man['s] faith by making him almost kill his son?"
- "One of the Ten Commandments says to not murder one another, but what happens to the soldiers that go off to war?"
- "There are so many teen suicides. What happens to someone who commits suicide? How do I react [in ways that are] most helpful?"
- "Can you marry a Muslim, Hindu, Jew, or another religion if you are a Christian?"
- "If God loves everyone, does that mean that Muslims could go to our heaven?"
- "Is this [Christianity] the right religion?"
- "Who wrote the Bible?"
- "A baby dies before it can go to church. Will it go to heaven?"
- "Is God a man or a woman?"
- "I have a friend who has been cutting herself. She is atheist, but she is my best friend. I want to tell her about God, but not pressure her. I also want to know if it is okay for her to be my best friend even if she is an atheist. I pray for her and hope she will get over her depression because all her other friends left her."
It was quite a weekend, and I think all the confirmands learned a lot. I know I did. If you have kids of confirmation age, I hope you will encourage them to attend this annual retreat, which will be held next on January 8-10, 2016. For larger churches, this retreat can serve as the kick-off event for or as a complement to longer confirmation processes. For smaller churches, this retreat can serve as an "all-in-one" confirmation experience in which all major areas of belief are covered. As the pastor of a smaller congregation, I like this retreat model because it exposes kids to Geneva Center; it gives them a much richer experience than simply meeting with me; and it amps up the fun by doing confirmation with a large group of their peers.
Before this year's retreat ended, we asked the kids what they would say to another kid who was thinking about attending the 2016 Confirmation Retreat. Here are the 15 responses (with original spelling and grammar) from all 15 confirmands:
- "On this retreat, I did a lot. It was pretty fun. The food was great. I also met a lot of new people." (Girl, age 13)
- "This trip was very enlightening. I hadn't thought about a lot of things that were brought up on this trip and I am glad that I came." (Girl, age 14)
- "It's really fun, and you can meet lots of new people. It also helps you learn about God." (Boy, age 13).
- "I liked how there were good meals and open, nice people." (Boy, age 14)
- "The retreat was very informal. You got to learn a lot about each other." (Boy, age 13)
- "They had great food; actually, just the cinnamon rolls." (Boy, age 14)
- "This was really fun and the activities are fun and keeps you busy." (Boy, age 14)
- "It was super fun and the food was great." (Boy, age 11)
- "Fun. Exciting. You get to meet people and play games while getting confirmed." (Boy, age 14)
- "It was pretty fun. I would suggest it." (Girl, age 12)
- "I am usually anti-social, but I got to meet tons of cool people and learn a lot. P.S. Don't jump on the beds or you will hit your head on the ceiling. The food here is also good. The first night of sleep might be rough, but the second night is a lot better." (Girl, age 13)
- "It was really fun and I highly recomend it. (Boy)
- "I really enjoyed staying here. The coffee is great. The rooms are nice and the people are wonderful. Although some of the worships may be a bit long, they really get the point across. Thank you." (Boy, age 14)
- "You explore God's grace and his love for us. You get to do art and eat food. It's great." (Girl, age 12)
- "It was fun. You get to learn more about God's grace." (No gender or age listed)
I hope your congregation and children will be part of our 2016 Confirmation Retreat. (We have already had 2 kids who attended this year's retreat ask if they can attend again.) God be praised!
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Save the Dates
2015 COUNCIL
March 17
April 14
June 23
2015 ASSEMBLY
May 19
September 18-19
November 17
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Congregational Events
Sunday, March 15 @ 4 pm Community Presbyterian Church Rochester
welcomes
"Delta" Dave Snyder vocalist on guitar, dobro, mandolin performing with Randy Whiteman, who plays harmonica. We'll be hearing blues, country and some jazz.
Come enjoy with us!
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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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 Loving God, source and author of life, we come before you humbly to recall our limitations in face of your infinite love and mercy. Help us remember our dependence on you as we begin the journey towards the cross this Lenten season. May we follow your will as we recognize our own humanity. Please lift those listed below in prayer:
- CRE Jim Dougans, Rensselaer First Presbyterian Church as he seeks medical attention for a broken ankle.
- CRE Martha Flora, Albion First Presbyterian Church, as she has partial knee replacement surgery today.
- Rev. Frank Vardeman, General Presbyter and family as Frank continues physical therapy three days a week.
- All of our Mission co-workers
We pray for and with First Presbyterian Church, Mishawaka who has faithfully served their community and followed you Lord since 1834.
In your Holy name we pray. Amen.
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- March 10, 1985 - TE Jeffrey Carter, Hobart Presbyterian Church
- March 11, 2007 - TE Johanna Wagner, Culver Academy Chaplain
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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Celebrating Women's History Month
Read the March edition of Great Co-Mission, a monthly column by Marilyn Gamm, chair of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board, in which she encourages Presbyterian congregations to remember Ruth and Naomi and the bond between young and senior women as part of Celebrate the Gifts of Women Sunday on March 8, which is also International Women's Day. READ MORE
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Transitional Ministry Education (Interim Pastor Training)
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| Transitional Ministry Education (Interim Pastor Training)
The Synods of Lincoln Trails and Mid-America (MALT) have joined together to provide interim training every spring and fall to pastors nationwide. Transitional Ministry Education is intended for those presently engaged in interim ministry and those inquiring about this ministry. Committee on Ministry members and presbytery staff persons with responsibility for congregations in transition will also find the training helpful. The next interim pastor training will be April 20-24, 2015.
More information can be found on Synod of Lincoln Trails website.
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Save the date!
July 30-August 1 * Knoxville, TN
Experience that deep sense of community you'd 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.
► Get text alerts: text BIGTENT to 41411 LEARN MORE
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DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS 2 am SUNDAY, MARCH 8TH
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REMEMBER TO SET YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD
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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.
Thursday, March 5 (ONLY)
10 am - ? - Commission on Ministry Retreat
Tuesday, March 10
10 am - Nominating Committee
Wednesday, March 11
1 pm - Northwest Church Professionals Gathering - (Location TBA)
Tuesday, March 17
10 am - Council
Thursday, March 19
10 am - Commission on Ministry (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, 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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