Presbytery of Wabash Valley
Office Hours: 8 - 4 Monday - Friday
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May 6, 2015
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 God Calls
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Rev. Robert Shaw thank you for your service at Christ Presbyterian Church, Winfield and the Presbytery of Wabash Valley. Blessings in your continued ministry.
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Passage to Ponder... Ezekiel 37:1-3 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. 2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 And he said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord GOD, you know."
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For Such a Time as This.... The cycle of our assembly meeting dates has brought us to the time to gather together as God's people on May 19, 2015, at Geneva Center at 10:00 AM. Click here for registration and documents information. The focus of our time together for worship, fellowship, and education will be on
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ITEMS FOR ASSEMBLY CONSIDERATION IS THURSDAY, MAY 14 AT
12 NOON.
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a brief study of The Belhar Confession and then the subsequent vote of the presbyters on approval to incorporate the confession into the Book of Confessions, a part of the Constitution of the PC(USA.) While the number of presbyteries to approve incorporation has already been met, we do need to familiarize and educate ourselves on the confession. Our GA Commissioners will present briefly and then we will again utilize the Table Talk discussion groups. Please take the time to have read the confession prior to our gathering. Click for the link to information about Belhar, including the actual confession and other useful links are included in the letter from the SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE CONFESSION OF BELHAR. This confession is timely for inclusion as it comes to us out of the South African period of apartheid, written in 1986. The problems of racism in contemporary culture demonstrates the need for inclusive language in our denomination's work to lessen the divisiveness we have experienced with regard to economic, racial, and gender inequality. As we watch the nightly news or the 24/7 news cycles, we are no longer surprised but yet remain appalled by the responses of both protestors, agitators, and police to events. God's Peaceable Kingdom seems to be anything but that. As we lift up in prayer those injured and those suffering business losses, we are reminded that our roles are to carry out the work of God whether on the streets of Ferguson, Boston, or Baltimore or on the streets of our hometowns. Our worship will be led by Rev. Bill McLean, who will also be delivering the sermon. Bill, as part of his program at Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program recently visited South Africa and can perhaps enlighten us about the impact of Belhar on contemporary South African racial relationships. Safe journeys to all as we gather on May 19th. RE Jill Kitowski, Presbytery Moderator The Presbyterian Church of La Porte |
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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous, to serve you as you deserve: to give without counting the cost, to seek understanding and have faith, to do your work and not seek reward, save the reward of knowing we are doing your work and your will.
Please lift those listed below in your prayers:
- Rev. Susan Birch, Honorably Retired, as she and Channing Rash are married on Saturday, May 9th.
- Bonnie Kern as she begins a new chapter in her life with Rochester Telephone Company.
- Juli Miller, daughter of Rev. Jamie Millier, Sunnyside Presbyterian Church, South Bend, as she recovers from outpatient surgery last week.
- Lois Detamore, wife of Rev. David Detamore, Honorably Retired, who is recovering from a heart attack.
- Rev. David Detamore, Honorably Retired, who will be having a series of tests to pin down a medical problem.
- Rev. Richard Craig, Honorably Retired, in the loss of his wife Ruth.
- RE Vicki Dreibelbis, PWV Church Relations Coordinator, & family, in the loss of her father-in-law.
- Rev. Hank Blunk, Honorably Retired, as he recovers, at home, from hip replacement surgery.
- Rev. Ron Elly, Earl Park Presbyterian Church, and family as Ron continues health.
- Rev. Sally Gilbert, Minister Member at Large, and family as Sally recovers from serious medical concerns.
- Rev. Frank Vardeman, Minister Member at Large, as he had some set-backs in his continued recovery.
We pray for and with Lake Village Presbyterian Church who has faithfully served their community and followed you Lord since 1916.
All in your name and for your glory. Amen.
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- May 9, 1954 - TE James Campbell, Honorably Retired
- May 9, 2008 - CRE Barbara Wirt, South Bend, Sunnyside Presbyterian Church
- May 13, 2006 - CRE Roger Hartzler, Lake Station Community 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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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
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 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!
Each week leading up to the Big Tent, you will find in God Calls a featured workshop and this link to registration information.
Intercultural Pre-conference
Sponsored by the Office of Intercultural Ministries (RE&WM, PMA) and the Presbyterian Intercultural Network for up to 40 participants.
Begins Wednesday, July 29, 9:00 a.m., ends with lunch on Thursday.
In sharing our stories of race, culture, and identity, we will enter God's story of a beloved, intercultural community. Shared stories can increase understanding, enrich us all, ignite missional living, empower us for greater advocacy, and equip us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God and one another.
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Lombard Mennonite Peace Center
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 There are occasions when counting to ten isn't enough for facing conflict and anxiety. Before you get to eleven, check out these training opportunities coming to Chicagoland: Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders August 3-7, 2015 Glen Ellyn, IL . Clergy Clinic in Family Emotional Process 2015-2016 Lombard, IL More Information |
GROWING TOGETHER IN CHRIST
A Workshop for Small Church Congregations
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Rev. Dennis Bickers, presenter
SAVE THE DATE
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Date: Saturday, August 8, 2015
Time: 10:00 am-4:00 p.m.
Place: Geneva Center, 5282 N Old US Hwy 31 Rochester
Cost: $10 individual, $25 church
(lunch provided)
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The vast majority of churches in our presbytery are small. The problems they face are not unique, but the context in which they face those challenges is. Recognizing the challenge of the small church, the New Ministry Development Team coupled with the Transformation Team has scheduled a workshop on August 8 to speak to the small church.
Rev. Dennis Bickers will present a 6 hour workshop for pastors and laity based on his book The Healthy Small Church. This workshop, which has been presented through the United States and parts of Canada, will consider issues like finance, change, conflict and mission from the perspective of the small church. Dennis brings a wealth of knowledge after working with small churches for over 20 years both as a pastor and a denominational consultant.
The cost to participants for this workshop will be $10 for an individual and $20 for a church. Lunch will be provided and the book, The Healthy Small Church will be available for $5. Additionally, Mr. Bickers will have his other books available for purchase.
WATCH FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Moderator, Rev. David Lawrence
New Ministry Development Team
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CLERK'S ANNUAL GATHERINGS & RECORDS REVIEW
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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 ministry, enriched with some fellowship and refreshments, and took home lots of resources
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Photo compliments of Rev. Stanley Kessler
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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:
- Looking forward to seeing you! Linda Long, Stated Clerk
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Upcoming Events and Meetings
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Thursday, May 7Postponed - Commission on Ministry 10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry Friday, May 810 am - Geneva Center Transition Team Tuesday, May 129 (CT) / 10 am (ET) - Geneva Center Transitional Leader Search Team - First Presbyterian Church Rensselaer (map)Wednesday, May 131 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 1410 am - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-To-Meeting) 10 am - Commission on Ministry Tuesday, May 1910 am - Presbytery Assembly ( Registration/Documents) Following Assembly - Clerk's Gathering Thursday, May 2110 am - Commission on Ministry (Go-To-Meeting) 10 am - Geneva Center Transition Team Monday, May 25PRESBYTERY OFFICE CLOSED - MEMORIAL DAY
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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