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

April 29, 2015   
God Calls
The Presbyterian Church of La Porte
Passage to Ponder... Philippians 4:9 (NRSV)

Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

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

 
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance responds to earthquake disaster in Nepal

The death toll from the massive earthquake in Nepal continues to rise. Nearly 4,000 are known dead and more than 6,000 were injured when the 7.8 quake struck just west of the capital of Kathmandu on April 25. The quake, the worst in more than 80 years, along with many serious aftershocks has also caused damage in parts of India and Bangladesh.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is providing emergency relief and short-term recovery in the impacted areas with our partner, ACT Alliance and its members who are already on the ground. Immediate response will help provide needed food, water, supplies and medicine to the impacted towns and villages. As long term recovery plans are developed, PDA will accompany and further financially support our partners in the area to insure that a comprehensive recovery is sustained.
 





The needs for the response will be great. God's
people are once again called on to stand in the
"GAP" - Give. Act. Pray.

Give: Financial support for relief efforts can be designated to DR999999 with reference to Nepal. Gifts can be made online, by phone (800) 872-3283 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (EST), or checks can be mailed to Presbytery of Wabash Valley, 5288 N Old US 31, Rochester, IN 46975 or Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburg, PA 15264-3700.
 
Act: Learn how your congregation can help families who have lost everything in the devastation. Stay informed and like us on Facebook, download resources and share updates with your congregation.
 
Pray: Pray for those who suffered loss of family or those who are working tirelessly to provide rescue, humanitarian aid, and spiritual and psychological support.

For more information, visit www.pcusa.org/pda.

"And after the earthquake....the sound of sheer silence,
      and a Voice said: 'what are you doing here?'"         (1 Kings 19:12-13)

 Be the presence of God with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for the people of Nepal.
 

STAY CONNECTED


In This Issue
Save the Dates

2015 COUNCIL
Reschedule for June 9
July 21
August 18
October 20
December 8

2015 ASSEMBLY
May 19
Special Called June 23
September 18-19
November 17


Ministry Quick Links


PRESBYTERY OF WABASH VALLEY

 Pulpit Supply List 

  

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Wee Kirk Conference  

October 6-8, 2015

Pokegon State Park

Angola, IN  

More Info 

 

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 PDA

    

Center for Congregations 

Helping Indiana Congregations find and use resources

 

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Our greatest challenge: trying to be multi-generational
by tom Ehrich

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How Two Congregations Became One 

A Faith & Leadership interview

with Eugene Cho

 

 

PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY

God, we thank you for all the gifts of creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on Earth. We gather our minds together as one and send our words and thanks to you, the creator. Be with those who are suffering and need our help. Thank you for your healing power.  


Please lift those listed below in your prayers:
  • CRE Jeff Brown, Faith Presbyterian Church, Kokomo, in the unexpected loss of his mother Sue Brown, on Monday, April 27.
  • Rev. Hank Blunk, Honorably Retired, as he recovers, at home, from hip replacement surgery.
  • Rev. Louis Sandos, Honorably Retired, who is recovering from emergency eye surgery this past weekend.
  • Rev. Ron Elly, Earl Park Presbyterian Church, and family as Ron continues chemotherapy.
  • Rev. Sally Gilbert, Minister Member at Large, and family as Sally recovers from serious medical concerns.
  • Rev. Wayne Rhodes, Honorably Retired, is thankful for your prayers and gives praise to God for his recovery.
  • Rev. Frank Vardeman, Minister Member at Large, as he continues recovery.
We pray for and with The Presbyterian Church, La Porte who has faithfully served their community and followed you Lord since 1832.

In your gracious name we pray. Amen.
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
  • May 1, 1973 - TE George Frey, Honorably Retired
  • May 5, 1991 - TE David Gibbs, 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].

FRIDAY, MAY 1st DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR
General Assembly Mission Restricted Funds


Session applications must be forwarded to the presbytery office by May 1, 2015, to be forwarded to the synod with endorsement, if appropriate, by the presbytery by June 1, 2015.  

 

Click here for the PC (USA) Mission Budget and Financial website. The site includes application instructions, guidelines, and list of unassigned funds.

 

Office of Theology and Worship
introduces Directory for Worship study guide

'FROM THE SANCTUARY TO THE STREET' DESIGNED TO HELP PRESBYTERIANS ENGAGE PROPOSED REVISION TO PC(USA) CONSTITUTION

From Presbyterian Mission Agency-Presbyterian News Service 

 

As the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) engages in a yearlong, churchwide season of study on the proposed revisions to the Directory for Worship, the Presbyterian Mission Agency's office of Theology and Worship has provided a resource to encourage reflection and comment on this document.

 Full story
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The Mission-Focused Board

A Church Network Webinar with Dan Hotchkiss
May 5 at 2:30 p.m. EDT


True partnership begins with clear role boundaries, effective delegation and a constructive system of accountability. Alban author and consultant Dan Hotchkiss offers fresh perspective and practical steps to help a church to move beyond frustrating and ineffective management of boards, clergy and staff.

The webinar will help participants to:

  • Keep the church's mission at the center of its ministry.
  • Clearly define roles and authority.
  • Make space for spiritual discernment and holy conversations.
  • Give up micromanaging!

  Learn more and register


 
 


Be inspired...Become equipped...Get connected!
Join us at Big Tent; a conference that will inspire and equip Presbyterians to live missionally. Experience that deep sense of community one would expect at a national gathering of Presbyterians-a great big family reunion! Join us for worship, bible study, displays of the PC(USA) agencies, and a wide variety of workshops and other activities.

All are welcome!

Discover a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that is more exciting, more diverse, and more faithful than you ever imagined. Big Tent will inspire you and make you proud to be Presbyterian.

Each week leading up to the Big Tent, we will feature in God Calls what workshop offerings are available.

Pre-and Post-Big Tent Conferences and Meetings

National Filipino Presbyterian Council Pre-Conference

Theme: Seeking God's Will in the Bible and Making Decisions for the Church
Begins Tuesday, 5:00 p.m., ends at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

We believe the Bible contains the word of God, necessary for our salvation and authoritative for the church's mission. How then do we understand, interpret, and appropriate the scriptures accurately to make right decisions for our faith and life as individuals and as a church? When there is a major controversy or crisis, how do we seek and find God's will through the scriptures to guide us? In this study, we will discuss three challenging issues and reflect on the proper use of the Bible for the decision-making of the church, a task particularly important for leaders of the church in crisis.

Rev. Dr. John Yieh is the keynote speaker. All members of the NFPC, NAPC, and others are welcome to join the study. For more information, contact Emmanuel Orendain at [email protected].        
CLERK'S ANNUAL GATHERINGS & RECORDS REVIEW

One of the sure signs of Spring is the annual call for Session Clerks to gather for mutual support and training, and to bring their church's minutes and rolls for review. Clerks from thirty-seven churches, and sometimes pastors too, attended the meetings in Hebron, Rossville and Goshen. Each shared stories of local

Clerk Review at Goshen First Presbyterian Church

ministry, enriched with some fellowship and refreshments, and took home lots of resources including gift from COM of Ministry Resource Guide, and other materials including PDA, Project Regeneration (Presbyterian Foundation's program to assist small churches with aging buildings), Big Tent Gathering this summer in Knoxville, new digitization services from Presbyterian Historical Society, and of course, guidance for being clerks.

 

Those 46 churches who missed the first three opportunities are encouraged to bring their books to the Presbytery Assembly on May 19th. After the Assembly adjourns in the afternoon, clerks with books to review will gather and review one another's records. Please do two things:

  • Let us know you are coming by emailing Gladys@ourpresbyteryorg so we can prepare appropriate space.
  • Download the peer review form to complete in advance to make it easier for your reviewer. You will find it, along with other documents, at http://www.ourpresbytery.org/resourceCS.htm 

                                                       - Looking forward to seeing you! Linda 


Upcoming Events and Meetings

 

 

Thursday, April 30
10 am - Transitional Pastors Gathering
7 pm - Carroll County Churches Gathering -  Burrows Presbyterian Church (map)

Tuesday, May 5
10 am - Geneva Center Ministry Team

Thursday, May 7
Postponed - Commission on Ministry 
10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry

Friday, May 8
10 am - Geneva Center Transition Team

Tuesday, May 12
9 (CT) / 10 am (ET) - Geneva Center Transitional Leader Search Team - First Presbyterian Church Rensselaer (map)

Wednesday, May 13
1 pm - Northwest Church Professionals Gathering - Michigan City First Presbyterian Church (map)
1 pm - Gracious Dismissal Task Force
2 pm - New Ministry Development Team

Thursday, May 14
10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-To-Meeting)
10 am - Commission on Ministry

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

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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