Presbytery of Wabash Valley

PWV Office Hours:  Monday - Friday 8 - 4 

October 21, 2015   
God Calls

Passage to Ponder... Psalm 119:103 (NRSV)

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 
   
 from the  2015 Monthly Bible Study of Presbytery of Wabash Valley    
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Council Moves Forward to Implement Joshua Journey Process

Council met all day on October 20th to move forward with implementing the changes set with Joshua Journey process and the September Assembly. After introductions and conversations about the "Taste and See!" scripture readings for October, Moderator Jeff Cover (TE, Central, Lafayette) led prayers and Council through these actions:
  • Engaged in extended conversation with Geneva Center Transition Team members Steve Mullin (TE, HR) and Jim Hubbard (RE, First, Valparaiso) concerning the proposed partnership agreement between presbytery and Geneva Center and options for handling various unknowns. Ads have been placed seeking GC executive director; request to potential donors is pending. Council voted to advance its mission commitments for 2015 through June 2017 to a presumed Geneva Center, Inc. (GCI) in early 2016 to assist with initial cash flow needs (approximately $83,000 remaining). Council will hold a specially called meeting to consider GCI budget and decision by PILP (Presbyterian Loan & Investment Program) whether to transfer its pending loan ($315,000 outstanding) for Geneva Center improvements to GCI before finalizing terms of our partnership agreement. GC Transition Team is expected to proceed with forming corporation, bylaws, and nominations for its board of directors to be brought to November Assembly, then filing for IRS 501c3 status.
  • Approved requests in support of national searches for presbytery visioning/connecting leader and Stated Clerk/admin leader with approved compensation ranges, search and moving expenses, draft Ministry Information Form and narratives, and revisions to 2015-16 fiscal year budget assuming hiring dates in Spring 2016 ($16,500 in "effective salary" for each position through June 2016 and total of $30,000 for search and moving expenses). Search Team is encouraging presbytery members to prayerfully consider and take initiative to refer those who might serve in this pivotal leadership partnership.
  • Approved recommendation from Personnel Ministry Team for severance payments developed after consultation with attorney on our policy for reduction in staff. Search process for revised administrative staffing is underway by Personnel Ministry Team.
  • Revised budget will be developed by Stewardship Ministry Team with Eric Herzog, (RE, PWV Financial Consultant) to include these items as well as costs of presbytery office space reductions ($10,000 estimate). Revised budget will be brought to November Assembly to show these items in context of three year budget projections as we move through these transitions in ministry, staffing and structure. SMT will also plan process for handling presbytery funds restricted for presbytery's Geneva Center ministry including an unused Smock grant for $33,000.
  • Council also:
    • Approved Moderator Jeff Cover in consultation with the leadership team to appoint a Bills and Overtures Committee to receive, review and recommend presbytery actions prior to the 222nd General Assembly. If you are interested in doing that work please contact [email protected]
    • Received report from Steve Eldridge, Property Committee moderator, concerning new listings for Columbia City church and Granger vacant lot properties and updates on two other church buildings.
    • Named Anna Parkinson (TE, at large) and David Lawrence (TE, Trinity, West Lebanon) as Youth Triennium Co-registrars.
    • Approved process for Nominating Committee to consult with three people nominated by Council to serve on that committee and named in Council report to Assembly for July 21 until Assembly elects them. Through oversight they were not presented for election in September.
    • Nominated an additional candidate for Nominating Committee to Assembly in November.
    • Approved increase from $1000 to $1500 in funding for Confirmation Retreat scheduled at Geneva Center in January, with advice to apply to Synod for youth program money to fund this program.
    • Changed date of February Assembly to Saturday, February 20, 2016, with both the February and May Assemblies to be hosted by congregations at their invitation. Places for September and November are not yet set and all locations will be posted as soon as they are confirmed with Sessions. If your Session wishes to host an Assembly, please email  [email protected] 
    • As directed by current bylaws and standing rules, Council meetings in 2016 will be hosted by congregations in those months which Presbytery Assembly does not meet. Council will review guidelines for congregations to outline space, equipment and meal needs to accommodate Assembly attendance averaging 110 and Council meetings with 15-20 present. If your congregation would like to volunteer to host, please email [email protected]
- Linda Long, Stated Clerk

STAY CONNECTED

Per Capita
 
2016
Total $39.38
GA - $7.12
SYNOD - $3.81
PRESBYTERY $28.46

2015
TOTAL $38.83
GA - $7.07
SYNOD - $3.81
PRESBYTERY - $ 27.95

In This Issue
Save the Dates

2015 COUNCIL

December 8

2015 ASSEMBLY

November 17
The Presbyterian Church of Wabash


Ministry Quick Links


PRESBYTERY OF WABASH VALLEY

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Join the Conversation
COGA issues open invitation to discuss identity, purpose of PC(USA)
More Information

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PDA     
Center for Congregations 
Helping Indiana Congregations find and use resources
 
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CONGREGATIONAL EVENTS

175 YEAR CELEBRATION
Sunday, November 8, 2015
2:00 pm  CONCERT
at
First Presbyterian Church
128 E Main St.,  Lebanon, IN

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First Presbyterian Church
200 E Beardsley Ave., Elkhart, IN
175 YEAR CELEBRATION
Sunday, November 22
10:30 am Concert
11:00 am Worship
Meal following worship by reservation.
More Information


 
PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
May God's Spirit guide us to open our hearts wide to the grace of God surrounding us in the midst of our daily lives. We pray for all of those who suffer and are ill. We give thanks for all that you have shared with us loving God.

Please hold those listed below in prayer...
  • RE Dot Smook, wife of Rev. David Smook, Honorably Retired, who had thyroid surgery yesterday and is recovering at home.
  • Suffering with cancer
  • Experiencing all kinds of grief
  • Living through major change in their lives
We thank you Lord for First Presbyterian Church, Elkhart who has faithfully
served their community for 175 years.

Amen. 
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
  • October 22, 1989 - TE William Emrich, Honorably Retired
  • October 26, 2014 - TE Sarah Gengler, Brookston Federated Church
  • October 28, 1990 - TE Richard DeMaris, Faculty at Valparaiso University
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].

 
The Five Wishes   
Saturday, November 7, 2015 
8:30a.m. - 12:30p.m.
 
at
Faith Presbyterian Church  1608 Kirk Row, Kokomo, IN
   Located 100 yards south of Lincoln Road on Albright Road  
 
This year we have pulled out all the stops to bring you a very special program, the Five Wishes.  Five Wishes is America's most popular living will as it is written in everyday language and helps people express their wishes in areas that matter most - the personal and spiritual in addition to the medical and legal. It also helps you describe what good care means to you, whether you are seriously ill or not. It allows your caregiver to know exactly what you want. Companies as diverse as 3M, MTV, and the U.S. State Department have offered Five Wishes as an employee benefit.  Five Wishes has been featured on the Today Show, NBC, CBS, and ABC-TV evening news programs, NPR, Time Magazine, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post and USA Today.

Join us for a continental breakfast at 8:30a.m. followed by the program which will conclude at 12:30p.m.  The Five Wishes is an outreach of the Aging with Dignity non-profit agency founded by Jim Towey.  Based on Mr. Towey's experience working with Mother Teresa, it has now been translated into 21 languages and implemented by more than 15,000 organizations.  It helps you get THE CARE YOU WANT WHEN YOU NEED IT THE MOST.  Most importantly, it recognizes our spiritual being and provides a format to share your desires with those who care about you.
 
This is a free program but we do require registration so we have a head count for refreshments.  Please RSVP to Marilyn McMullen at 765-452-2991.  We look forward to sharing this experience with you.

Sponsored by:   
First Christian Church of Frankfort, IN  
and Faith Presbyterian Church of Kokomo, IN
 

CONFIRMATION RETREAT
A PRESBYTERY OF WABASH VALLEY EVENT
  Friday January 8 beginning at 6:45 pm thru 1:00 pm Sunday, January 10, 2016
Geneva Center  5282 N Old US Hwy 31  Rochester, IN

For information about the the retreat, please contact Rev. Dr. Justin Schlesinger-Devlin, at (765) 296-3199 or email [email protected] or call Rev. Dave Comstock at (219) 838-3131 or email [email protected].
 
Watch your email box for registration information coming soon!


MOSAIC OF PEACE 2016
WITNESSING FOR  PEACE AND WHOLENESS IN A LAND CALLED 'HOLY'
A Presbyterian Peacemaking Conference in Israel/Palestine
DoveApril 4 - 16, 2016

Co-directors of 2016 Mosaic of Peace conference reflect on previous Israel/Palestine trip

Applications due this month, but will be accepted as long as space remains available.

Registration is open for Mosaic of Peace 2016, which is made possible by gifts to the  Peace and Global Witness Offering. For more information, including a proposed schedule and application, visit www.presbyterianmission.org/mosaicofpeace or call the conference registrar at 502-569-8820. Applications will be accepted after the October deadline as space is available.

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL
advent-wreath-banner.jpg Advent will be upon us soon, so it's not too early to get your Advent devotional resources lined up for worship. This year the Peacemaking Program offers a special Advent devotional book which focuses on the Belhar Confession, whose themes include unity, reconciliation and justice.

ORGANIST/PIANIST NEEDED
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Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church of Frankfort is looking for a Sunday morning organist/pianist. Please call CRE Donna Enersen at 765-742-2090.

RURAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SEEKING PART-TIME PASTOR
Bethlehem/Logansport is seeking a Part-time Pastor. If interested or for more information, please contact Patricia Reef at 574-889-2156 or send PIF to:
Bethlehem Presbyterian Church
Attn: Patricia Reef
5588 N SR 25
Logansport, IN 46947-9154

Upcoming Events and Meetings

Thursday, October 29 
10 am - Transitional Pastors Gathering - First Presbyterian Church Rensselaer (map) 

Tuesday, November 3 
10 am - Geneva Center Ministry Team 

Wednesday, November 4 
10 am - Geneva Center Transition Team
     
Thursday, November 5 
10 am - Commission on Ministry 
10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry 

Monday, November 9 
10 am - Nominating Committee (Go-To-Meeting)

Thursday, November 12 
10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-To-Meeting) 
12 pm - Wabash Valley Search Team

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 always actively seeking new and original content sharing how your congregation is engaged in ministry. We would especially like to share photos 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 ~Elder Eric Herzog ~ 574-223-5678 ext 105
Church Relations Coordinator ~ Elder Vicki Dreibelbis ~ 574-223-5678 ext 100
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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