Presbytery of Wabash Valley
PWV Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8-4
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March 2, 2016
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 God
Calls
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First Presbyterian Church Michigan City
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As Clerk of Session for First Presbyterian Church in Michigan City, I am asked the same question every year on the Clerk's Questionnaire: Has your church recently invited a pastor of another ethnicity/color into your pulpit? Since it has been awhile that we have, I answered no.
On Thursday, Feb 18, 2016, our church burst a barrier that went beyond the pulpit; filling every pew and seat within the walls of a predominately white, Anglo-Saxon church with African-American brothers and sisters. People of color, adorned in their finest attire, streamed through our doors to honor God and their departed sister, Mattie Dunlap, a pillar in the African-American Community and who had reached the remarkable age of 105.
This came about when our pastor, Reverend Doctor Ericka Kilbourne, had been in a phone conversation with Mattie's daughter, Laverne Dunlap. She was telling Ericka that they were seeking a larger venue for her mother's funeral since the First Baptist Church of Kingsbury could not accommodate the expected 300 attendees. That is when Pastor Ericka extended an invitation for the use of our church as host for the funeral of this cherished matriarch of the African-American community, who had been instrumental in soliciting signatures for the creation of the local NAACP chapter in 1958. The celebration of which, was "upstaged" only by the speaking of Dr. Martin Luther King in South Bend in that year.
I am proud to say that those of us present that morning made every effort to extend the grace of hospitality in every way needed by our guests: whether it was parking our own cars across the alley or down the street to free up precious parking spaces; or to welcome and direct mourners to restrooms and worship space; or to adjust other activities within the building to respect and accommodate our guests' space needs.
The interaction among all people that day was a blessing beyond words; a uniting of the human family that expressed our common needs and understanding. Pastor Ericka later described the day as "a reconciliation;" of missed opportunities for reaching out in years gone by.
I think of the news stories in recent times that depict violence, hatred, and racial conflict. I have to wonder how many human expressions of compassion and hospitality happen across our land that go unrecorded for the world to see. May the God of us all see, and shine his face upon us.
In Christ's Service,
Alice Yacullo, Clerk of Session
First Presbyterian Church, Michigan City
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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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Even while we live in a world of hurt, you have made us alert to the abundance of your Love, O God. When we are most aware of painful plights, of refugees in flight, of the deathlike grip of tradition, you remind us of possibilities and potentials. Lord of creation, thank you for your loving perspective and our opportunities to share your grace. Use us to bless, to be balm in Gilead. We pray for your people in Auburn Presbyterian Church, that the Gospel may flood Auburn through your love in them and in their desire to praise our Lord.
- From TE Stanley Kessler, Honorably Retired
We hold in prayer....
- TE Bill Kleyman, Rochester Community Presbyterian Church, as he recovers from hip surgery and TE Ruby Kleymann, Rossville Presbyterian Church, as she provides care and support to Bill.
- TE Louis Sandos, Honorably Retired, as he faces a heart procedure on Monday.
- RE Jan Sandos, Nominating Committee Moderator, as she recovers from medical concerns.
- TE Sue Babovec, Chaplain at Peabody Retirement Community, as she recovers from hip surgery.
- CRE Donna Enersen, Frankfort, Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church as she recovers from complications of a recent hand surgery.
- Flora Presbyterian Church as they prepare to worship in the local Library while cleaning-up from a recent water line break in their church building.
In your name we pray. Amen.
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2016 PER CAPITA
$39.38 total
General Assembly - $7.12 Synod of Lincoln Trails - $3.81 Presbytery of Wabash Valley - $28.45
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Save the Dates
2016 COUNCIL Tuesday, March 15 - La Porte PC
Tuesday, April 19 - Peru, 1st PC
Tuesday, June 21 - Rochester, CPC
Tuesday, July 19 - Brookston, Federated
Tuesday, August 16 - Geneva Center
Tuesday, October 18 - Peabody
Tuesday, December 6 - TBA
2016 ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, May 17 - Peru, 1st PC
Saturday, September 17 - Geneva Center
Tuesday, November 15 - Peabody
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Ministry Quick Links
PRESBYTERY OF WABASH VALLEY
UPDATED
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Commissioned to Validated Ministry to
Serve Communion
Jill Kitowski (219) 325-0039 jill2536@comcast.net
David Abbott (574) 234-2414
Carrie Munson (574) 721-5225
Michael Shurn (574) 946-3851 judge66@pulaskicounty.in.gov
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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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ONE LAST REMINDER ABOUT STATISTICAL INFORMATION FOR 2015
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If you have essential corrections, or if you were unable to enter your data in time but have it available, please send to me at statedclerk@ourpresbytery.org. Last day I can correct or enter
data is Monday, March 7th.
Thanks to all those who recorded their information - it benefits all of us in Wabash Valley as we take stock of where we are, and get specific about plans for moving forward to
"awaken, enliven and enhance worshiping communities to courageously extend their branches and bear new fruit in the Spirit..."
- Linda L. Long, Stated Clerk
Presbytery of Wabash Valley
PO Box 225 Rochester, IN 46975
(219) 926-7098
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RETREATS, WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS
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 Board University -- the educational program of the Board of Pensions -- is excited to once again offer Benefits Plan Foundations, a self-paced, online course to help you better understand and use the Traditional Program benefits available to you through the Board of Pensions.
We hope you'll consider our invitation to learn more about
- concepts key to the design of the Benefits Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.);
- core and optional benefits for Traditional Program members; and
- programs and services available to you through the Board of Pensions.
Benefits Plan Foundations runs from March 15 until April 30, giving you plenty of time to review the course materials and complete the knowledge checks at your own pace.
Sign up today! Registration for this course is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis through March 10, 2016. Course registration and participation are on an individual basis (unfortunately, we cannot offer group registration). Online registration is the only registration option and requires a personal email address.
Take time to learn more about -- and make the most of -- YOUR benefits.
For more information, and a link to online registration, please visit pensions.org today!
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Theologian, Author, and Bethany Parish Associate, The Rev. Dr. Marcia Mount Shoop, will lead us in a weekend of regeneration, renewal, and reconnecting with ourselves, with each other, and with God.
Retreat Schedule:
Friday, April 1st.
* 4:00-5:00 p.m. Arrival and Registration
* 5:15 p.m. Dinner
* 7:00-9:00 p.m. Catching our Breath, Catching Ourselves
Saturday, April 2nd
* 7:45-8:45 a.m. Breakfast
* 9-11:30 a.m. Frayed Edges and Divine Connections
* Noon-12:45 Lunch
* 12:45-2 p.m. Choice Time (Space for art, writing, guided meditation, labyrinth walk, nature walk, and silent prayer)
* 2:00-5:00 p.m. A Tapestry Worth our Attention
* 5:00-5:30 p.m. Dinner
* 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Closing Worship
TO REGISTER: Print, complete and return this FORM (pdf) to Bethany Presbyterian Church 3305 Longlois Drive, Lafayette, IN 47904 or contact Jennie Bowers (email).
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Indiana's Taylor University is home to a project called Scripture Engagement. This method of studying scripture is meant to engage your whole self. Led by Taylor's Phil Collins, this interaction with Scripture appeals to your mind, but it also appeals to your heart and soul... Click here to read this blog by Center President Tim Shapiro.
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2016 Summer Camp
at
Geneva Center Inc.
COURAGE in COMMUNITY
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Making God's Community Livable For All
We invite you to watch this video and learn more about how the Compassion, Peace and Justice ministry works to reflect God's intention for a just, peaceful, and compassionate world through it's different programs and ministries.
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PRESBYTERY OF WABASH VALLEY CHURCH MEMBERS
SEND US YOUR STORIES
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Every week, we publish this eNewsletter to hundreds of Wabash Valley and PC(USA) members and also post online! The Administrative Assistant 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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Upcoming Events and Meetings
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Severe Weather Policy
Please contact the moderator of the team or committee you serve, check
http://www.ourpresbytery.org/calendar for the status of scheduled meetings
and please don't hesitate to call 574-223-5678 or 574-205-2086.
Thursday, March 3
10 am - Commission on Ministry at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church - 5588 N SR 25 - Logansport, IN 46947
10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church - 5588 N SR 25 - Logansport, IN 46947 (map)
Tuesday, March 8 10 am - Nominating Committee - Go-To-Meeting
Thursday, March 10 10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team - Go-To-Meeting 12 pm - Leadership Team at Presbytery Office 707 Main St. Rochester, IN 46975 (map) Tuesday, March 15 10 am - Council Meeting at The Presbyterian Church of La Porte 307 Kingsbury Ave., La Porte, IN 46350 (map)
All meetings & events posted on the PWV Calendar are eastern time (ET) unless noted otherwise. Please visit http://www.ourpresbytery.org/calendar for more information regarding meetings and events or call 574-223-5678.
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Presbytery Office Has Moved!
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Visit us at
707 Main St. Rochester
but our new mailing address is:
Presbytery of Wabash Valley
PO Box 225
Rochester, IN 46975
Don't forget to update your records with our new mailing address.
Not only do we have a new mailing address we also have a new toll free fax number:
1-888-215-6219
We are getting settled in but still have some work to do and would welcome your help.
- continue to put away supplies
- hang a big cabinet (could take two strong persons)
- hook-up the LCD screen in conference room
- hang a sign on the outside of the concrete block building
- misc. organizing, answering phones, etc.
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Presbytery of Wabash Valley Officers, Consultant and Staff Contact Information
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