Presbytery of Wabash Valley

PWV Office Hours:  Monday - Friday 8 - 4 

December 9, 2015   
God
Calls

2016 PER CAPITA 

$39.38 total

General Assembly - $7.12 
Syond of Lincoln Trails - $3.81 
Presbytery of Wabash Valley - $28.45  
Passage to Ponder... Psalm 8:3-4 (CEB)

3 When I  look up at your skies, at what  your fingers made--the moon and the stars that you set firmly in place--4 what are human beings that you think about them; what are human beings that you pay attention to them?        
 from the  2015 Monthly Bible Study of Presbytery of Wabash Valley   

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Summary of Counsel & Assembly 
from RE Linda L. Long, Stated Clerk

Both Presbytery Council and the Presbytery Assembly met yesterday and made significant decisions about ministry using our mission statement as foundation:         
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.
  • Council launched Geneva Center, Inc. (GCI) as an independent entity to manage the operations of the camp and conference center. Council elected GCI's recommended board of directors: Mary Rasp (RE, Elkhart), Pam Camren (RE, Mishawaka), Jim Hubbard (RE, Valparaiso), Kim John Karlen (RE, Munster), John Ritchie (TE, Huntington), Dave Fincher (RE, Rochester), Kathleen O'Connell (TE, Whitewater Valley), and Carrie Munson (RE, Deer Creek). During the next few days, GCI will elect its officers and proceed with fundraising and other critical organizational tasks as it moves to operational and financial independence on January 1, 2016. Council has invited GCI to name a liaison to Council with voice.
  • Council named a four-person team to negotiate terms of a formal lease between PWV and GCI for property essential for camp and conference ministry. Much is yet to be defined, but one provision is that beginning January 1, 2016, GCI will make monthly payments to PWV in the amount of presbytery's monthly PILP loan payments plus $1/year. Use and shared costs of space for presbytery work groups will be negotiated, knowing that there will be some presbytery events hosted by GCI and others by congregations, and that there is no decision yet about possible relocation of the presbytery office. There is an informal agreement reviewed by Council and GCI in place for the first three months of 2016 as Council's "lease team" and GCI work to allocate insurance and liabilities, payment of mission support, technology, program development, and other details for a formal lease. Summer camp will be a program of GCI.
  • Expressed gratitude to Council members completing service TE John Ritchie, Huntington First PC and TE Ruby Kleymann, Rossville PC for their years of service to presbytery through Council and ministry teams.
  • Council named a team to propose revisions to bylaws and standing rules to eliminate the Geneva Center Ministry Team.
  • Council approved listing with a new broker two churches where congregations have closed, the sale of some church property no longer needed for ministry, and remediation of mold in one building, with thanks to RE Steve Eldridge, Elkhart First PC for serving as property committee moderator and coordinating this work.
  • Council celebrated the mission gift of $1500 from Synod in support of the presbytery's confirmation retreat.
  • Council approved hiring of RE Vicki Dreibelbis as Administrative Assistant with 10% increase in annual pay to $35,000 plus benefits, effective January 1, 2016, and extension of payment of severance package with benefits to Gladys Sargent to June 2016, at cost of $28,951.
  • After extended discussion about the intent of Wabash Valley to continue to move toward new ways of being that were articulated during the Joshua Journey process, Council agreed to a process for each congregation and its session to give its point of view on the current mission statement and name concretely what it means to that congregation-what ways can presbytery "awaken, enliven, and enhance" the congregation's growing edges, and how can each congregation "awaken, enliven and enhance" the growth and new fruit of one another through our presbytery connections? After stimulating those discussions in congregations, ideas will come back to Presbytery Assembly for conversation and action in mid 2016. By mid-year, Council intends to have sustainable presbytery structure and staffing built upon our shared sense of mission with and for our worshiping communities, i.e. for fiscal year 2016-17.
  • Council charged TE Alan Griffin, Goshen First PC with initiative to plan an educational event for 2016 focused on congregational leadership and ministry collaboration and training.
  • Finally, convened at 3 pm with approximately 40 present including several guests from Calvary and joined in prayer, Presbytery Assembly approved without dissent the recommendation of its Administrative Commission and Calvary Presbyterian Church that the congregation be dismissed to the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO), and that the settlement agreement be approved upon completion of its terms and implemented, most likely before the end of this year. Prayers of celebration and gratitude were spoken for the gifts of Calvary and its people and decades of presbytery relationships as we move forward united in Christ with separate ministries.

STAY CONNECTED

In This Issue
Save the Dates

2016 COUNCIL 
Tuesday, January 19 - Rossville PC
Tuesday, March 15 - 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



Ministry Quick Links


PRESBYTERY OF WABASH VALLEY
UPDATED

PDA     
Center for Congregations 
Helping Indiana Congregations find and use resources



Alban Weekly Logo
Facing Feelings in Faith Communities
A Q & A with William Kondrath


OUR MISSION
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.

PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
Lord, we do not always rush to do your will. Often we tiptoe our way into obedience, dragging old habits and mindsets with us. Help us to be open to your spirit to trust that your calling is always good news.                                                                                   - Adapted from Common Prayer
 
We hold in prayer...
  • Rev. Jack Hess, Honorably Retired, who is in need of prayers, as the treatment to help his vision has to be stopped, that his vision loss diminishes.
  • Rev. Ellis Gasser, Honorably Retired, as he continues his recovery at home and would welcome cards and letters at 912 Terrace Ln., Delphi, IN 46923.
  • CRE Jene McVay, Milligan Memorial Presbyterian Church Crawfordsville, for continued care and concern for his brother, Bruce, with his decision not to continue chemo and placing himself in God's hands.
We thank you Lord for Crown Point First Presbyterian Church who has faithfully served their community and you since 1844.

Amen. 
SEND US YOUR STORIES
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.

 

UPWORTHY
The families in this town have welcomed the mentally ill into their homes - for the last 700 years.

At first glance, Geel seems like any other quaint farming village in the Belgian countryside.

There's a cute market square with plazas and cafes that feels fresh out of 1627, and plenty of delightfully eccentric townsfolk strolling through the streets. Geel (pronounced like "Hyale," kind of) could be just about any town in the province of Antwerp - at least, on the surface.

But the casual visitor might not realize how many of these inhabitants are struggling with mental health.

That might sound like the start of a horror movie, but it's the reality that the residents of Geel live with every day - and there's absolutely nothing scary about it (nor should there be; we'll get to that).

In fact, these individuals are welcomed into the homes of any townsfolk who will have them. After undergoing a psychiatric evaluation at one of Geel's many mental health care facilities, those seeking help are integrated into the lives of host families in a system known as "family care."

That's the other thing: No one actually uses the phrase "mentally ill."

Continue Reading
EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
2016 Confirmation Retreat
Friday evening January 8 through Sunday noon January 10, 2016 at Geneva Center

Registration Deadline Monday, December 21st

 

 
The retreat can serve as an "all in one" confirmation event for your confirmands or as an anchor experience for a longer confirmation process.
 
- For more information, contact Rev. Dr. Justin Schlesinger Devlin at
  [email protected]
- Click here to check out the retreat schedule of events
- To register for the retreat, click here
- Confirmation Retreat scholarships are available. Please contact Justin.

February 29 - March 2, 2016
Stewardship Kaleidoscope



THE CHURCH NETWORK 

featuring Frank Summerville
December 10 at 2:30 p.m. EST

As hearts and minds turn to holiday parties, church leaders' thoughts will turn to year-end giving. Understanding the laws and reporting requirements for contributions are a critical task of church finance.
  • Learn about a new proposed regulation (REG-138344-13) regarding a new voluntary IRS form that churches may file to confirm contributions.
  • Verify your compliance with reporting requirements and appropriate timing.
  • Give the proper response to those postdated checks.
  • Learn how online giving is affected by timing.
  • Review non-cash contribution reporting.
  • Hear the latest on year-end stock and IRA gifts.
  • Consider whether BITCOIN might be in your contribution future.
  • Ask your specific questions about all things contributions.
Uncertainty about reporting requirements is enough to spoil a good punch bowl of eggnog... but clear understanding can bring added holiday joy.

Learn more and register

RESOURCES
Upcoming Events and Meetings
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. 
 
Wednesday, December 9
Noon - Northwest Church Professionals Gathering at First Presbyterian Church Crown Point (map)
3:30 pm - PWV Move Team (Go-To-Meeting)

Thursday, December 10
 
CANCELLED - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-To-Meeting)

Thursday, December 17
CANCELLED - Commission on Ministry (Go-To-Meeting)

Thursday, December 24 through Friday, January 1
Presbytery Office Closed for Christmas and New Year Holidays

Tuesday, January 5
10 am - Confirmation Retreat Planning Team (Conference Call)

Thursday, January 7
10 am - Commission on Ministry (Bethlehem Presbyterian Church Logansport) (map)

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.
                  

Presbytery of Wabash Valley Contact Information

Stated Clerk ~ RE Linda Long ~ 219-926-7098
Presbytery Moderator ~ TE David Smook ~ 574-343-0568
Presbytery Vice Moderator ~ TE Sarah Sanderson-Doughty ~ 574-264-3109
Council Moderator ~ RE Jill Kitowski ~ 219-325-0039
Office Manager ~ Gladys Sargent ~ 574-223-5678 ext 102
Financial Consultant ~RE Eric Herzog ~ 574-223-5678 ext 105
Church Relations Coordinator ~ RE Vicki Dreibelbis ~ 574-223-5678 ext 100

PCUSA Seal