Presbytery of Wabash Valley
707 Main St.
PO Box 225
Rochester, IN 46975
Phone: 574-223-5678
Fax: 1-888-215-6219
PWV Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8-12 & 1-5
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April 6, 2016
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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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 God
Calls
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First Presbyterian Church Winamac
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Put on your creative thinking cap.
Your Logo idea for the Presbytery is longed for!
There is $100 prize for the logo that is chosen at the May 17 Assembly!
Submission Deadline Extended to
April 13th
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Our Thrift Shop Mission
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Fora Presbyterian Church, United Presbyterian Women
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by Laraine MacLauchlan, Flora Presbyterian Church,
Clerk of Session
The Community Thrift Shop was organized in 1963 by the pastors at the Flora Presbyterian Church and the Flora United Methodist Church. At that time, there were several migrant families here picking tomatoes and cucumbers. The idea was born that there should be a place where they could purchase low cost clothing, bedding and miscellaneous articles. All merchandise
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Flora Presbyterian Church
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would be donated from the community. Originally there were seven churches that participated: Bringhurst Methodist, Flora Methodist, Floa First Baptist, Flora Church of the Brethren, Flora First Brethren, Flora Presbyterian and Flora First Christian.
The location of the first Thrift Shop was on Walnut Street in a building owned by the Flora Poultry House. It has been in several locations since then. In 2015, two generous people from our church bought an old, historic building in town and did some renovations to it and then turned it over to the Thrift Shop. It acquired its 501(C)3 status and we haven't looked back since!
Donations are sorted and priced by the church ladies from our present six churches: Cutler Presbyterian, Cutler Ridge New Conference, Flora United Methodist, Flora Presbyterian, Living Faith Church of the Brethren and Valley View Baptist. They are then placed out for sale during the shop's business hours - Mondays from 10-Noon, Thursdays from 10-Noon and Saturdays from 10-2.
After operating costs are paid, the profit is divided equally and given to the participating churches. Each church spends their funds exclusively for Missions. Each church has a representative sit in the Executive Board and officers serve one year with a rotation schedule currently through 2018. There also is a weekly personnel rotation schedule that everyone adheres to. Cleaning of the building is done bi-weekly by the designated church for that month.
Some of the missions supported locally are: Habitat for Humanity, Helping Hand Fund, Christmas baskets for needy families, Carroll County Food Pantry, Carroll County Religious Education, Geneva Center Camp, Flora Fire Department, Kokomo Rescue Mission, Lafayette Urban Ministry, Presbyterian Women's Missions, Emmaeus Mission in Logansport. Nationally, churches support missions in Kentucky and clothing, toys and bedding have been donated for a burn unit of a hospital in Central America.
The Flora Presbyterian Church has served as President for the 2015-2016 year and we are proud to say this has been our best year yet. With the new location of the Community Thrift Shop, Inc., we have seen a significant increase in donations and sales and are prepared to help the next church in line for the presidency in our mission work.
So, the next time you need some children's or adult's clothing, kitchen items, shoes, toys, purses or decorative items, you might stop by during our operating hours to see what the Thrift Shop can offer you, and you can be sure that what your dollars spent will go for a good cause.
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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, 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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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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Ministry Quick Links
PRESBYTERY OF WABASH VALLEY
Missional Church Convocation
July 21-23, 2016
Chicago
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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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Gracious God, we thank you for the winds of Spring that blow away the chill of winter, that coax the flowers from their sleep, and fill us with the hope of good things to come! We bless you that your Spirit blows where it wills and wills to blow upon us with grace and love, reminding us that we are born again to show
forth the grace shown to us by your only begotten Son. Amen.
- From TE Louis Sandos, Honorably Retired
Please pray for....
- Rev. David Lawrence, Trinity Presbyterian Church, West Lebanon and family as they travel to Florida for their son's wedding.
- CRE Roger Hartzler, First Presbyterian Church, Kouts, as he recovers from a recent visit to the hospital
- Rev. Jonathan and Rev. Amy Cornell and family, The Wabash Presbyterian Church, who are healing the hurts and wounds from a very serious accident.
- First Presbyterian Church, Winamac as they continue to serve faithfully.
- All those who are traveling near and far.
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RETREATS, WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS
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Wabash Valley Presbytery
BOUNDARIES AND ETHICS TRAINING
Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 10 am - 4 pm (EDT)
Community Presbyterian Church, 530 Jefferson Street, Rochester
Registration Deadline is Friday, April 15
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Tuesday, September 13, 2016 from 10 am - 4 pm (EDT)
Central Presbyterian Church, 31 N Seventh Street, Lafayette
Registration Deadline is Friday, September 5
Ruling Elders, Deacons, Teaching Elders, Sunday School Teachers, Clerk of Session, and other members you are invited and encouraged to participate in one of the upcoming Boundary & Ethics Training events
sponsored by the Commission on Ministry.
We believe this training better prepares our leaders to understand why misconduct, especially sexual misconduct, occurs among church leadership. By presenting and discussing healthy, appropriate relationships and boundaries, we believe that it is possible to limit the pain, embarrassment and devastation resulting when leader's cross boundaries related to inappropriate conduct in the Church. Also, our training event will highlight the need to examine and define our boundaries in areas, such as: the use of internet and social media and our Presbytery's covenant of closure.
Training materials, snacks and lunch will be provided by the Presbytery. The event and lunch registration deadlines: April 15 for April 23 event and September 5 for September 13 event, by emailing vicki@ourpresbytery.org or calling the presbytery office - 574-223-5678.
Important: If you are required and unable to attend either of the two dates listed above, you may request a one-year deferral. (Please write a letter to COM with this request).
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Mission Emphasis at Crown Point First
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On Sunday, April 17, the First Presbyterian Church of Crown Point, IN will be celebrating its Fourth Annual Missions Emphasis Weekend.
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Presbyterian Missionary, Cathy Chang, will be speaking during a special 10:00 a.m. service followed by a free luncheon in our social hall where she will speak again and answer people's questions. Cathy and her husband Juan Lopez are stationed in Manila, Philippines where they are working with Asian churches and non-governmental organizations to help coordinate efforts related to the scourge of modern-day slavery. The UN's International Labor Organization estimates 21 million people are victims of coerced labor and/or forced sexual exploitation. While human trafficking is a worldwide problem, countries in Asia are increasingly vulnerable. Local, national, and international missions of our denomination will also be highlighted. Everyone is invited.
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Certification of Christian Educators benefits the entire Church
Read Paula Zavitz story on becoming a Certified Christian Educator and what it means to her and the church she serves. |
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If you are interested and would like to know more, or if you want to sign up right now, all of that can be handled by contacting one of the presbytery's registrars: Anna Parkinson David Lawrence 574-214-5972 269-240-8700 This is a great opportunity and it happens right here in our very own presbytery. Most kids only get one chance to go to this event that occurs every three years. Make sure you don't miss it!
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PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN SPRING GATHERING
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You're invited to the 44th Annual Spring Gathering
of Presbyterian Women of Wabash Valley
Saturday, April 16, 2016
at Geneva Center
5282 N. Old US Hwy 31, Rochester, IN 46975, phone: 574-223-6915) at Butler Lodge
(Once you turn into Geneva Center go to the fork in the road and veer right - go down the hill. Butler Lodge is on the left. You will see a parking lot and lake.)
Friendship time on Saturday April 16th is 9:30 a.m. and the program begins at 10:00 .am. EDT. The speaker is Carol Winkler, Moderator, Presbyterian Women in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), Inc.
The theme is Educate a Child. Registrations are due Tuesday, April 5, 2016. Registration (including lunch) is $10.00 and anyone who hasn't attended a Gathering, it is $5.00. Bring a friend!!
Please make your check payable to PW of Wabash Valley and send to Linda Gingrich, 210 W. Vine St, Delphi, IN 46923, phone: 765-564-2188, email: grandmag3@frontier.com or Kathie Dymek, phone: 574-753-4837 email: sjksdymek@rocketmail.com. Please come and say "Hi" to the highest position woman in the
Presbyterian Church(USA).
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'Bending without Breaking: Cultivating Resilience'
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We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;...struck down, but not destroyed....from 2 Cor. 4:8-9
 Resilience Women's Spring Retreat:
Led by The Rev Marge Braden
Sponsored by Elkhart FPC
Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m. EST- open ended Lunch included
$35, Scholarships available
Fernwood Nature Center, Buchanan, MI
Registration is needed by April 15.
Contact Mary Rasp for more information, details or to sign up.
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Reaching out in Shared Ministry Draws 24 Women to Renewal Retreat
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 24 women spent Friday and Saturday at Geneva Center for Connect 3: A Time for Women to Regenerate and Reconnect. It was a wonderful weekend of renewal, regeneration, and re-connection with ourselves, each other, and God. The retreat was led by Dr. Marcia Mount Shoop, Theologian, Author, and Bethany Presbyterian Parish Associate.
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| Women's Retreat Sponsored by Bethany Presbyterian Church Lafayette
(photo provided by Jennie Bowers) |
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2016-17 Presbyterian Planning Calendar
an invaluable resource
Orders are being taken from the Presbytery office - $9.00 each payable:
Presbytery of Wabash Valley PO Box 225 Rochester, IN 46975
Please call 574-223-5678, e-mail Vicki@ourpresbytery.org, or forward payment for the desired number of copies. Orders may be picked up at the May 17 assembly unless specified to be mailed with invoice to include shipping.
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Just a reminder to the Clerks of Session -
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You haven't missed the dates for our annual gathering of Clerks. We will schedule our records review and training session later this year, giving you and the incoming Stated Clerk opportunity to get acquainted. In the meantime, I always welcome questions or comments about your work. Your records tell the story of your congregation and its ministry - and that's important!
- Linda L. Long, Stated Clerk
Presbytery of Wabash Valley
PO Box 225 Rochester, IN 46975
(219) 926-7098
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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.htm for the status of scheduled meetings
and please don't hesitate to call 574-223-5678 or 574-205-2086.
Thursday, April 7
10 am - Commission on Ministry at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church - 5588 N SR 25 - Logansport, IN 46947 (map)
10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church - 5588 N SR 25 - Logansport, IN 46947 (map)
Tuesday, April 12
10 am - Nominating Committee - Presbytery Office 707 Main St. Rochester, IN 46975 (map)
Thursday, April 14
10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-to-Meeting)
Saturday, April 16
Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering at Geneva Center, INC (map)
Sunday, April 17
3 pm - Installation of Rev. Jeff Cover at First Presbyterian Church 220 N Cullen St., Rensselaer 47978 (map)
Tuesday, April 19
10 am - Council - First Presbyterian Church 102 W Main St., Peru 46970 (map)
Thursday, April 21
10 am - Commission on Ministry (Go-to-Meeting)
Saturday, April 23
10 - 4 - Boundaries and Ethics Training - Community Presbyterian Church 530 Jefferson St. Rochester, IN 46975 (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.
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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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Presbytery of Wabash Valley Officers, Consultant and Staff Contact Information
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