Presbytery of Wabash Valley
PWV Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8 - 4
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October 28, 2015
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 God Calls
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Passage to Ponder... Revelation 10:8-10 (NRSV)
Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, "Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land." So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll; and he said to me, "Take it, and eat; it will be bitter to your stomach, but sweet as honey in your mouth." So I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it; it was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.
from the 2015 Monthly Bible Study of Presbytery of Wabash Valley
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Last Minute Suggestions for Fall Stewardship Campaigns
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General Principles. - Always communicate from the perspective of our spiritual need to give and not the financial needs of the budget
- Highlight the benefits of giving and the end result: how will my giving impact the lives of others?
- Create a narrative budget. Narrative budgets integrate mission money, and people in one portrait. There are several documents on the Presbytery website describing how to create one, especially "The Story behind the Numbers" (Under Information, Stewardship and Financial resources)
- Create a Session Stewardship Statement giving our theology of giving
- Offer multiple mediums of giving.
- Recruit lay witnesses/testimonials
- Don't forget to say thank you!
Suggestions for Stewardship letters, - Make paragraphs a maximum of five lines.
- Ask for the gift or the pledge three times in the letter copy.
- Keep the use of humor to a minimum.
- Use short words and simple sentences.
- Use underlining and "bold" print when needed but keep it to key elements of the letter. Overuse will not get the letter read.
- If you save the best for last the results will be less. You aren't writing a novel; don't make folks read the whole letter to find out why you are writing. Most will not read that much.
- Remember, no copy is too long but it can be very boring. Say what you need to say. If it takes two pages that is fine. Despite what a stewardship committee may think, longer is better if you really have something to say.
- If you have enclosures be certain to mention them in the letter.
- One person should write everything. A letter is personal. Don't share letter writing duties with others. A letter written by a committee always reads like a committee letter..
Please contact Moderator Alan Griffin if the Stewardship Ministry Team can be of help to your congregation..
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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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Lord, God we pray for the Church, that we may find healing when we fall short of acting as the body of Christ. We pray for true spiritual conversion in our hearts, that the Spirit of God may guide us to change our selfish ways and turn more fully toward God.
We hold in prayer...
- PWV Congregations as they serve each other, their communities and the world.
- Those suffering in silence.
- Presbytery leaders and all who volunteer their time serving the congregations throughout the presbytery.
We thank you Lord for Earl Park Presbyterian Church who has faithfully served their community since 1894.
Amen.
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Save the Dates
2015 COUNCIL
December 8
2015 ASSEMBLY
November 17
The Presbyterian Church of Wabash
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Ministry Quick Links
PRESBYTERY OF WABASH VALLEY
Join the Conversation
COGA issues open invitation to discuss identity, purpose of PC(USA) More Information 
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
******
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
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- October 30, 1969 - TE E Allen Campbell, Honorably Retired
- November 1, 1987 - TE Steve Quinlan, First Presbyterian Church Peru
- November 2, 2014 - TE Amy Cornell, Parish Associate The Presbyterian Church Wabash
- November 4, 2001 - TE Kevin Bowers, Bethany Presbyterian Church Lafayette
- November 4, 1973 - TE David Smook, Honorably Retired
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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Join the Conversation
Discuss the identity and purpose of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as part of a church-wide conversation initiated by the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly. "Please share your insights, wisdom, hopes and dreams for the PC(USA)," said Margaret Elliott, moderator of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly. "Through careful listening and honest sharing we can create a church for this time and place." Talk individually or in groups using a discussion guide downloadable at pcusa.org/discussionguide. Hear how to walk through using the guide on information calls:
Friday, October 30, 10-11 a.m. (EDT)
Wednesday, November 4, 3-4 p.m. (EST)
Monday, November 9, 8-9 p.m. (EST)
Use call in 800-231-0316, or (314) 696-0504 for international participants
Also share thoughts using an online form available until November 13 at pcusa.org/identity, and join Larissa Kwong Abazia, Vice Moderator of the 221st General Assembly (2014), in Twitter chats. She'll be @LarissaLKA using the hashtag #pcusaidentity on:
Thursday, November 12, 9-10 p.m. (EST)
GA Moderator issues companion call to the church
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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
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GA Nomination Application
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DEADLINE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015
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The deadline - Tuesday, December 1, 2015 - is fast approaching for new application for nomination forms for persons wishing to be considered by the GA Nominating Committee for nomination to one of almost thirty entities to which the GANC makes nominations. If you might be considering the possibility of elected service on one of the ongoing boards, commissions, or committees at the General Assembly levels, you will find more information including descriptions of the various entities, skills and expertise needed, as well as access to the online application form at pcusa.org/nominations; see the links on the left hand side of the webpage.
Remember, the GA nominations process is an application based process. Only persons who file an application form and have solicited three personal references may be considered by the GA Nominating Committee for nomination. The deadline for new application for nomination forms is Tuesday, December 1, 2015.
For questions or information about the services of the Nominating Committee, please contact: Valerie Kiriishi Small - (888) 728-7228, x5406 valerie.small@pcusa.org Manager for General Assembly Nominations Assistant Stated Clerk
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CONFIRMATION RETREAT
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A PRESBYTERY OF WABASH VALLEY EVENT
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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
Registration information will be provided in the near future.
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ORGANIST/PIANIST NEEDED
Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church of Frankfort is looking for a Sunday morning organist/pianist. Please call CRE Donna Enersen at 765-742-2090.
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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
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The jar of meal was not emptied, neither 
did the jug of oil fail. 1 Kings 17:16
The widow was about to cook the last of her food when Elijah asked her to prepare some for him. So, she shared everything she had. When I read the biblical stories of poor widows making such radical sacrifices, I am convicted; like the rich people described less favorably in the gospels, I give out of my abundance, while these women gave despite their poverty.
My spouse and I are middle-class Americans, which means that we are among the richest people in the world. It may not feel that way when we juggle bills, taxes, charitable giving, and retirement savings, but it is the truth. While we save for the future, others can imagine no future beyond their next meal.
Every four seconds, someone-most often a child-dies because they don't have enough to eat. Responsible saving is important, but how can we balance saving against giving in the face of such devastating loss? I struggle constantly with this question. But, by God's grace, I will grow in trust that sharing more of my bounty will not cause my jug of oil to fail.
Reprinted from Forward Day by Day
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Upcoming Events and Meetings
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Thursday, October 29
10 am - Transitional Pastors Gathering - First Presbyterian Church Rensselaer (map)9:30 am - AC workday at Granger Presbyterian Church (map) 
Sunday, November 1
Daylight Savings Time Ends don't forget to set your clocks back one hour Saturday night before you go to bed.
Tuesday, November 3
10 am - Geneva Center Ministry Team Conference Call
Wednesday, November 4
10 am - Geneva Center Transition Team
Thursday, November 5
10 am - Commission on Ministry
10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry
Tuesday, 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.
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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 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 vicki@ourpresbytery.org, due each Friday.
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Presbytery of Wabash Valley & Geneva Center Contact InformationFinancial Consultant ~Elder 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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