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
Closed Friday
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April 20, 2016
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 God
Calls
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Trinity Presbyterian Church
West Lebanon
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What is God Calling us to do?
| | April 19, 2016 Council Summary | |
Council met this week at First Presbyterian Church in Peru to move forward the "worshipful work" of the presbytery after a resounding conversation considering the Marks of the Church from the Foundations section F-1.0302 of the Book of Order and Ephesians 4:1-16. Council took the following actions:
- Approved the sale and closing documents for the Granger and Columbia City properties and delegated investment of those amounts to the Stewardship Ministry Team.
- Approved plans for a Missional Team for the South Bend region to convene conversations and plan essential actions for strategy for mission in St. Joseph County.
- Set date for "Healthy Relations for Pastors and Congregations" worship for September 10 at First, Valparaiso and satellite sites; and for the Dennis Bickers' Small Churches workshop for August 27 at Geneva Center.
- Approved principle that benefits for presbytery staff will not be reduced due to Board of Pensions plan revisions, and that COM will consider benefits in
determining minimum terms of call for pastors; and Personnel Committee will propose revisions for polices most recently approved in 2004.
- Spent nearly two hours debating and refining emerging ideas for budgeting and meeting needs of presbytery in process of transformation- celebrating progress with Geneva Center independence, new technology in support of reduced office space and staff - and anticipating a new kind of leadership model to continue to facilitate and coordinate transformation of presbytery model for its mission to strengthen relationships between congregations, volunteers and staff doing presbytery work.
- Approved Shared Mission grant for Flora Presbyterian Church to bring its mid-week youth program, Oasis, for an outing to Geneva Center, with provisional approval to help sponsor camper scholarships in the following year.
- Nominated RE Marilou Limbach, Lafayette Bethany PC, for election to Nominating Committee.
- Set October 6 evening and day of October 7, 2016 at Geneva Center for Council retreat to set goals, provide orientation for new leaders, and encourage next steps in transformation.
- Reviewed contesting designs for presbytery logo and renaming e-newsletter that will be presented for votes by people across presbytery.
- Canceled scheduled Council meeting for June during General Assembly and agreed to hold email and electronic meetings as necessary.
- Linda Long, Stated Clerk
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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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Lord, like a shepherd, lead us, and teach us to be good shepherds, who lead others to you. We pray for the troubled waters that flow within our Society, within our neighbors, or within our congregations, to be stilled by your presence. Give us your oil of healing and plenty that we may fill the cup of others with that which they lack, until the cup runs over, both ours and theirs. Amen.
- From TE Louis Sandos, Honorably Retired
Please pray for....
- RE Jill Kitowski, The La Porte Presbyterian Church and Council Moderator, as she supports both her step-father Gene who recently suffered a stroke and step-mother Marilynn.
- CRE Roger Hartzler, Kouts Presbyterian Church, who continues medical care for heart issues.
- Rev. Ron Elly, Honorably Retired, who is in the hospital receiving ongoing medical care.
- Rev. Ellis Gasser, Honorably Retired, who struggles with on going medical concerns
- Rev. Ruby Kleymann, Rossville Presbyterian Church, in the loss of step-sister, Debbie Iverson and Rev. Bill Kleymann, Community Presbyterian Church, as he and Ruby travel to Oklahoma
- Rev. Sarah Sanderson-Doughty, Elkhart First Presbyterian Church, who has been dealing with loss of voice for several weeks.
- Trinity Presbyterian Church, West Lebanon as they continue to serve faithfully.
- For those who suffer in silence.
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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
CANCELLED-Tuesday, June 21 - Rochester, CPC
Tuesday, July 19 -
Brookston, Federated
Tuesday, August 16 -
Geneva Center
Tuesday, October 18 - Peabody
Tuesday, December 6 - Rochester, CPC
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 Available 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
 The Challenges & Opportunities Facing Indiana Congregations A Live online event:
May 4, 6:30 -8 pm (ET)
May 6, 12-1:30 pm (ET)
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- April 24, 1981 - Rev. Rudolph Gourdine, 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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The Presbytery of Wabash Valley
and
First Presbyterian Church
333 W Colfax Ave
South Bend, IN 46601
invite you to attend
the Ordination Service
of
Marvin Dandurand
on Sunday, April 24 at 3:00 p.m. (ET)
All ministers are invited to vest and wear red stoles.
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Human Trafficking
Estimated 21 Million Victims-$32 Billion Industry
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 Dear friends, this past weekend we celebrated our fourth annual "Missions Emphasis Weekend" here at First Pres. Crown Point with Cathy Chang coming all the way from the Philippines to serve as our special speaker. From their home base in Manila, Philippines, Cathy Chang and her husband Juan Lopez help global partners address issues of migration and human trafficking. This includes persons who are forced into become a source for cheap labor; those sold into prostitution; those used for the harvesting of their tissue, cells and organs; and those conscripted as child soldiers. The UN's International Labor Organization estimates 21 million people are victims of such coercion and that they rake in for their exploiters a total of over $32 billion. Cathy did a splendid job of reminding us in her sermon during our one service of worship and then again during the dinner that followed how we're all on a journey together with Jesus Christ and that to be faithful also means that we are called to point out the abuses we see and then help redress them. She has been spending the rest of the week with Rose and me, using our home as a base while sharing her ministry with other churches in the Presbytery. She leaves us on Friday.
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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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RETREATS, WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS
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TONIGHT a SECOND OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR
CATHY CHANG SHARE ABOUT HER WORK IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Please join
Faith Presbyterian Church
1608 Kirk Row
Kokomo, IN 46902
on Wednesday, April 20th welcome Cathy.
Dinner will be served at 6pm with her presentation at 7 pm.
Please call 765-453-3164 with reservation.
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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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MAY DAY!
Open House at Geneva Center
Sunday, May 1st
2-4 p.m.
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For those new to Geneva Center or an old friend:
Renew your spirit. Come enjoy a relaxing afternoon exploring our site.
Hike our trails, walk our Labyrinth, enjoy snacks, check out the Lake and Woodland cabins. Go canoeing! You'll have a chance to meet some of the staff and chat with GCI Board members about plans for our future.
Find out how Geneva Center can be a resource for you, as well as your church or organization. See you there! Just north of Rochester, IN on Old 31.
Check out our web site. "Like us" or let us know you will join us on Facebook. Remember, 10% discount for all Summer Camp registrations paid by May 1!
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| Clickable Link
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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SAVE THE DATE
WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION
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- August 27, 2016 - "From Maintenance to Mission" - Leadership Rev. Dennis Bickers
- September 10, 2016 - Health Relations with Pastors and Congregations - Richard Blackburn
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HELP WANTED
Hobart Presbyterian Church
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Hobart Presbyterian Church is looking for a church secretary with some secretarial experience, comfortable with computers (especially Word and Quicken) and with good people skills. It is a part time position, four days a week, four hours each day at $8.00 an hour. Anyone who is interested can call us at 219-942-5502.
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Member Services Team Reorganizes To Better Serve Members, Employers
What will be different for members?
The most important difference, according to Kelly Riley, Vice President, Plan Operations, is that members and employers should get immediate access to resources they need to administer and participate in the Benefits Plan. "The reorganization, coupled with the recently revised prompts for the telephone system that supports 800-PRESPLAN, provides direct access to targeted resources for members and employers," Ms. Riley explains.
In addition to Member Services and Employer Services, the new organization houses the Plan Operations and Integration team, responsible for the strategic direction, design, and implementation of processes necessary to operate, measure, and continuously improve day-to-day service delivery.
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Upcoming Events and Meetings
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Thursday, April 21
CANCELLED - 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)
Sunday, April 24 3 pm - Ordination Service of Marvin Dandurand at the First Presbyterian Church 333 W Colfax Ave., South Bend, IN 46601 (map) Thursday, May 5 10 am - Commission on Ministry - Bethlehem Presbyterian Church 5588 N SR 25 Logansport, IN 46947 (map) 10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry - Bethlehem Presbyterian Church 5588 N SR 25 Logansport, IN 46947 (map) Tuesday, May 10 10 am - Nominating Committee - Go-To-Meeting Thursday, May 12 10 am - Stewardship Ministry 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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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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