Presbytery of Wabash Valley
PWV Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8 - 4
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November 18, 2015
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 God Calls
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Deer Creek Presbyterian Church
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Passage to Ponder... Ephesians 3:18-19 (NRSV)
I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
from the 2015 Monthly Bible Study of Presbytery of Wabash Valley
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Moderator Encourages Presbytery of Wabash Valley Members to Listen to the Breath of God in This Time of Transition...
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"John Calvin"
aka Rev. Dr. David Smook,
(Photo compliments of
Rev. Chuck Compton)
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"John Calvin" spoke to Presbytery Assembly at The Wabash Presbyterian Church this Tuesday, complete with academic robes and scholar's cap! 101 Presbyterians heard him expound upon "the theology of polity," naming both the heart of theology and the heart of polity as right relationships - first with God, and also God's instructions for how we relate with one another. As Presbyterians, we discern God speaking to his people, not through a king or the power of one person or democracy, but through theocracy - people who are spiritually in tune with God and come together in community in relationship with God. Calvin reminded us God is present in every relationship. In addition to a visit from John Calvin, the Assembly:
- Expressed gratitude to the many people of Wabash congregation and Pastor Jonathan Cornell who welcomed the Assembly with gracious hospitality throughout the day, an excellent luncheon, beautiful building dating from 1880, and a goody bag for the return trip home.
- Elected its commissioners to the 222nd General Assembly to be held in Portland, Oregon June 18-25, 2016.
- Ruling Elders Mike Munson, Deer Creek, and Sandy Carlson, First, Michigan City; and Teaching Elders Sarah Bishop, First, South Bend, and Sarah Sanderson-Doughty, First, Elkhart
- First Alternate: TE Kevin Bowers, Bethany, West Lafayette and Second Alternate RE Marylou Crowley, First, Hammond. There were no applications seeking election as Young Adult Advisory Delegate.
- Worshiped together led by outgoing Council Moderator Jeff Cover (TE, Central, Lafayette) with sermon by outgoing Presbytery Assembly Moderator Jill Kitowski (RE, La Porte). She related Ezekiel's scripture on "Dem Bones" and the message of restoration of life by the breath of God to the experiences of presbytery during the past year of major change as emerging leaders worked through issues of structure, staffing, finances, and Geneva Center. She acknowledged the reality of chaos and fear, but also the breath of God that makes us whole and restores hope as we remember. Reminding presbytery that presbytery budgets are built upon priorities that depend upon relationships with congregations, she reported that she visited 33 congregations beside her own and moderated commissions to ordain four teaching elders and to install six, plus to commission three ruling elders to pastoral leadership in congregations. Like the mule in the well, she urged each to shake off the obstacles and keep stepping up as we work with the here-and-now for the future.
- Examined and moved Tim Reyna (RE, First, Valparaiso and CRE,
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Candidate Tim Renya Photo Compliments of
Rev. Chuck Compton
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First, Portage) from Inquirer to Candidacy as he continues his preparation toward ministry as a teaching elder. - Received financial reports of mission and basic giving for presbytery and Geneva Center ministry, as well as serious deficits that continue to erode reserve accounts. Approved revised budget for fiscal year 2015-16 after discussion that Council will reconsider some line items.
- Approved dissolution of Granger Presbyterian Church at the request of its session and at recommendation of its administrative commission. AC will continue its work to close out legal and ecclesiastical details.
- Commissioned four ruling elders to limited, validated ministry for one year to preside at the Lord's Supper for those small congregations unable to find a teaching elder to serve: Carrie Munson, Deer Creek; David Abbott, Westminster, South Bend; Jill Kitowski, La Porte; and Michael Shurn, Pulaski, Winamac.
- Installed presbytery officers and elected several presbytery leaders for 2016:
- Officers are Presbytery Moderator David Smook (TE, HR a/k/a John Calvin); Presbytery Vice Moderator Sarah Sanderson-Doughty (TE, First, Elkhart); and Council Moderator Jill Kitowski (TE, La Porte). Linda Long continues as Stated Clerk until new Stated Clerk is installed.
- Nominating committee: Harry Roselle (TE, Deer Creek), Lyle Ewing (TE, Auburn), Paul Anderson (TE, Dyer & Merrillville), Patty Jones (covenant pastor, Fowler).
- Commission On Ministry Moderator Catherine Moran (TE, Schererville), COM Roger Hartzler (CRE, Kouts); New Ministry Development Team Moderator David Lawrence (TE, Trinity, W. Lebanon), NMDT Nelda Seger (covenant pastor, First, Winamac); Permanent Judicial Commission Ken Lukenbill (RE, Plymouth); Visioning Ministry Team Garth Coons (RE, Kendallville); Stewardship Ministry Team Linda Gillem (RE, Kokomo); Committee On Representation Martha Flora (CRE, Albion), Janet Hersey (RE, Ligonier); Council at-large Carrie Munson (RE, Deer Creek); Commission on Preparation for Ministry vice moderator Chuck Compton (TE, HR), CPM Mike Munson (RE, Deer Creek); and ordination exam readers Marsha Bender (RE, Royal Center), Quincy Worthington (TE, Westminster, Munster), Dedie Kelso (TE, First, South Bend), and Kathy Adler (RE, Wabash Avenue, Crawfordsville).
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Save the Dates
2015 COUNCIL
Tuesday, December 8 - Geneva Center
2016 COUNCIL Tuesday, January 19 - Rossville PC
Tuesday, March 25 - La Porte PC
Tuesday, April 19 - TBA
Tuesday, June 21 - TBA
Tuesday, July 19 - TBA
Tuesday, August 16 - TBA
Tuesday, October 18 - TBA
Tuesday, December 6 - TBA
2016 ASSEMBLY
Saturday, February 20 - Rossville PC
Tuesday, May 17 - TBA
Saturday, September 17 - TBA
Tuesday, November 15 - TBA
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Ministry Quick Links
PRESBYTERY OF WABASH VALLEY
UPDATED
Helping Indiana Congregations find and use resources
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CONGREGATIONAL EVENTS
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
Community Concert
The Maxinkuckee Singers
Community Presbyterian Church
530 Jefferson St., Rochester
Thursday, December 3rd
7:30 pm
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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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Lord, this is the day that you have made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it, even as we know it will bring more than we can imagine. We bring before You, O Lord, the troubles and perils of peoples and nations. We pray for all of our world but especially for those in Paris, Beirut, and Baghdad who were effected by the recent terrorist attacks. Lord God help us find peace. We hold in prayer...
- Rev. Paige Cantwell, Minister Member at Large, husband Dick recovering well from his 4th knee surgery.
- Rev. David Detamore, Honorably Retired, wife Lois recovering from bronchitis so she can have cataract surgery on Dec 1st.
- Rev. Michael Montgomery, Frankfort Geetingsville, healing for a knee injury that will require more surgery in the future and for his wife Rev. Tamika Montgomery, Frankfort Geetingsville, as she cares for Michael and takes on more responsibilities at the church while he heals.
- Rev. Ron Elly, Earl Park PC, who is being moved to a rehabilitation facility to recover from a recent illness.
- Rev. Bobbi Tobin, Honorably Retired, who is homebound and continuing treatment for neuropathy.
- Rev. Terri Thorn, Lebanon First, as she provides support to her father who had serious complications from a bladder cancer surgery.
- Rev. Gretchen Seidler Gibbs, Chesterton St. John's United Church in the loss of both of her parents in the last 3 months.
We thank you Lord for Deer Creek Presbyterian Church who has faithfully served their community and you since 1842.
It is in your name we pray, Amen.
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Call to Prayer After Terrorist Attacks
in Paris, Beirut, and Baghdad
God of mercy, whose presence sustains us in every circumstance,
in the midst of unfolding violence and the aftermath of terror and loss,
we seek the grounding power of your love and compassion . . .
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- November 19, 1991- CRE Anella McFee, Wolcott Meadow Lake Presbyterian Church
- November 23, 1986 - TE Rebecca Kuiken, Elkhart First Presbyterian Church
- November 23, 2014 - TE Will Roberts, Pierceton Presbyterian 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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February 29 - March 2, 2016
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Lilly Clergy Renewal Programs open for application
Grants available to strengthen Christian congregations through renewal and reflection 
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Lighting the Advent Wreath in the Tradition of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love
Many churches are used to lighting candles of hope, peace, joy, and love. This is written for that tradition, using scriptures for the day from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In places where the tradition is to use families to light the Advent wreath, it is advised that family be defined by Christ-as those groups seeking to follow the Lord-not just as biological family.
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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 or 574-205-2086.
Thursday, November 19
CANCELLED - Commission on Ministry (Go-To-Meeting)
10 am - Geneva Center Transition Team
3 pm - Presbytery Move Team (Go-To-Meeting)
Friday, November 20
1 pm - Wabash Valley Search Team
Thursday, November 26 & November 27th
THANKSGIVING - PRESBYTERY OFFICE CLOSED 
Tuesday, December 1
10 am - Geneva Center Ministry Team
Thursday, December 3
10 am - Commission on Ministry
CANCELLED - Commission on Preparation for 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.
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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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