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 
 
April 27, 2016
God
Calls

Ordination of Rev. Marvin Dandurand 
&
 Rev. Dr. David Smook
Watch new FULLER studio exclusive with 
Bono and Eugene Peterson on the Psalms



Fuller Seminary announces the launch of FULLER studio--an online site of formation resources for the Christian church and all who seek deeply informed and embodied spiritual lives. FULLER studio offers fresh videos, podcasts, reflections, stories, and other materials drawn from our world-class faculty and extended global community.

We are honored to host the world premiere of a short film with Bono (U2), Eugene Peterson (The Message), and theologian W. David O. Taylor reflecting together on the Psalms, produced by Brehm Texas and Fourth Line Films.

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.

Faith &
Leadership
Duke Divinity Leadership Education

In the midst of change, help people remember the reason for it

Some people will romanticize the past and grieve what they perceive as real losses when things change. Leaders should talk about the good coming from the change to maintain alignment, momentum and focus.  


PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
Read John 15:1-8

O Lord, as we prepare ourselves for communion this Sunday, guide us to reflect on Jesus'  words: "I  am the vine, you are the branches. Anyone who abides in me, and I in that one, that person bears much fruit; for cut off from me, you can do nothing." Help us to make something happen this week  in your name! Amen. 

- From TE Louis Sandos, Honorably Retired
 
Please pray for....
  • TE Maria Rutland, Hudson Salem Center Presbyterian Church, as she cares for her aging parents from a distance
  • 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. Sarah Sanderson-Doughty, Elkhart First Presbyterian Church, who has been dealing with loss of voice for several weeks.
  • Korean Presbyterian Church, West Lafayette as they continue to serve faithfully.
STAY CONNECTED

2016 PER CAPITA 

$39.38 total

General Assembly - $7.12 
Synod of Lincoln Trails - $3.81 
Presbytery of Wabash Valley - $28.45 

In This Issue
Save the Dates

2016 COUNCIL 

CANCELLED
-Tuesday, June 21

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


Commissioned to Validated Ministry Available to
Serve Communion

Jill Kitowski (219) 325-0039  [email protected]

David Abbott (574) 234-2414  
Carrie Munson (574) 721-5225  

 

Michael Shurn (574) 946-3851  [email protected]  

 

 


Ministry Quick Links


PRESBYTERY OF WABASH VALLEY



Center for Congregations

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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PDA     

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Where Innovation Begins
Chasing Problems is Key to Social Innovation 
 
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
  • May 5, 1991 - Rev. David Gibbs, Minister Member at Large.
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 [email protected].

RETREATS, WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS
MAY DAY!
Open House at Geneva Center
 Sunday, May 1st
 2-4 p.m. 
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!
 


Transitional Ministry Education Options
Synod of Lincoln Trails Continues to Provide Transitional Ministry Education with MALT Program for 2016
 
Scheduled Transitional Ministry Training (Interim Pastor Training) for 2016:
  
October 31 - November 4, 2016 in Saint Louis, MO
 
Click Here for more information on the program or contact 800-566-5996   
or
 
Synods of the Pacific and Southern California & Hawaii
Zephyr Point Conference Center, Zephyr Cove, NV

July 17-22, 2016          Weeks 1 and 2 and Spouse Track

Contact: Bedford Holmes: 775-588-6759 Ext. 112, [email protected]

Center for Congregations
 
May 5th
Christian Church, 4900 Stellhorn Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46815

This luncheon workshop will help you become more aware of the visitor experience in your congregation. From unspoken rituals, to maze-like facilities, worship can be very intimidating for guests....                             Learn More

*******

Welcoming the Stranger: 
Ideas and Resources for Immigrant Ministry in Your Congregation
May 10th
Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal M.I. Emmanuel, 3802 Elm St., 
East Chicago, IN 46312

If your congregation is seeking direction and resources to better serve immigrants in northwest Indiana, you'll want to take a look at this upcoming evening workshop. In this workshop, you will...                                           Learn More

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!


Did You Know?
                 
J. Herbert Nelson named nominee for PC(USA) Stated Clerk

Rev. Dr. Herbert Nelson 
(Photo by Byron Buck)
The Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson is the nominee to become the next Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the committee charged with bringing a candidate to the 222nd General Assembly (2016) announced Tuesday, April 19th.

"We, the committee, believe J. Herbert Nelson will be both priest and prophet to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and to our ecumenical and interreligious sisters and brothers," said the Reverend Carol McDonald, moderator of the Stated Clerk Nomination Committee (SCNC).



                 
The Synod of Lincoln Trails and The Presbyterian Foundation  Ministerial Excellence Fund: Sustaining The Call
 
The Synod opened a mission exchange account with the Presbyterian Foundation as an important part of continuing the work of the Ministerial Excellence Fund Program in the State of Indiana. Four years ago The Lilly Endowment gave grants to 16 denominations to address economic issues facing Indiana pastors. The presbyteries of Ohio Valley, Wabash Valley, and Whitewater Valley all received grant money. The directors of the Ministerial Excellence Fund of the presbyteries understood the need to conduct fund-raising campaigns to help fulfill the following: to meet the obligation of matching funds as required by The Lilly Endowment; and, to create the means to continue the fund activities beyond the initial grant timeline.
 
Click here to read more about the initiative as well as interviews conducted with pastors who have benefited from the Ministerial Excellence Fund Program.
 
Check back often as the website will continually be updated and will include a "Give Now" button for immediate giving to the program. Giving can be done in two ways: online at www.presbyterianmissionexchange.org and search for Ministerial Excellence Fund or by mailing a check to the Ministerial Excellence Fund, Synod of Lincoln Trails, 1100 W. 42nd Street, Suite 210, Indianapolis, IN 46208
 


                 
BoP Board Connections
Member Services Team Reorganizes To Better Serve Members, Employers

The next time you reach out to the Board of Pensions for member or employer assistance, you'll notice some important changes. As explained in the article 800-PRESPLAN: Same Great Service for Members; Dedicated Resources for Employers, on pensions.org, the Member Services team is now called Plan Operations -- with separate, dedicated teams for Member Services and Employer Services.
 
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.

SAVE THE DATE
WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION
  • August 27, 2016 - "From Maintenance to Mission" - Leadership Rev. Dennis Bickers
  • September 10, 2016 - Healthy Relations with Pastors and Congregations -  Leadership Richard Blackburn at First Presbyterian Church Valparaiso and other locations to be announced.   
 
Upcoming Events and Meetings
 
 
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 

Tuesday, May 17
10 am - Assembly - First Presbyterian Church 102 W Main St.,  Peru, IN 46970 (map) 

Thursday, May 19
10 am - Commission on Ministry (Go-To-Meeting)
 
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 CHURCH MEMBERS
SEND US YOUR STORIES

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 [email protected], due each Friday.

 


Presbytery of Wabash Valley Officers, Consultant and Staff 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
Financial Consultant ~RE Eric Herzog ~ 317-361-2632
Administrative Assistant ~ RE Vicki Dreibelbis ~ 574-223-5678

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