Presbytery of Wabash Valley May 25, 2016
707 Main St. - PO Box 225 Rochester, IN 46975 Phone: 574-223-5678 Fax: 1-888-215-6219 Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8-12 & 1-5 Closed Friday
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God Calls...
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.
-The Mission Statement of the Presbytery of Wabash Valley
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People of Presbytery of Wabash Valley
continue the journey by choosing a new logo and a Visioning & Connecting Leader
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More than 200 people responded to the survey or voted at the May Assembly to choose the favored logo from four designs symbolizing our mission statement ...and the winner is above, provided by an anonymous artist.
Several options to rename this newsletter were considered... and the outcome of the survey and votes was to affirm God Calls - reminding us that our response to the Gospel is action.
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The Rev. Jennifer Burns Lewis
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Presbytery Assembly elected the Rev. Jennifer Burns Lewis to be our Visioning & Connecting Leader for the next three years. Jennifer is a teaching elder, ordained on June 5, 1983, the same year that we celebrated Presbyterian reunion, making it so easy for her to remember that moment in church history. She's a graduate of Boston College and Princeton Theological Seminary. She rowed for the women's crew team during her junior year of college at Manchester College Oxford, England, but has not been in an eight person shell since.
A native of New York State, Jennifer has served as a college chaplain and faculty member at a Presbyterian related college, as an associate pastor, the director of a non-profit, and as an interim pastor and co-pastor of a new church development and a congregation founded in 1827. For the past 13.5 years Jennifer has served as the pastor/head of staff in Western Springs, a suburb sixteen miles from the heart of Chicago. She's had experience living and serving in cities large and small, suburbs northern and southern and in a county seat farming community in southern Illinois. She's getting her coaching certification, having completed Auburn Seminary's Coach Training Program. She loves the ocean and Carolina BBQ, thanks to earlier sojourns in Massachusetts, New Jersey and North Carolina, but she feels especially at home in the Midwest.
Jennifer is married to the Reverend H. Daniel Lewis. They met in seminary and have served two congregations together as co-pastors, and for the past two decades, Dan has been majoring in stewardship and funds development, serving the PC(USA) and since 2009 as the greater Chicago Director of Estate and Gift Planning for the American Cancer Society. Dan and Jennifer have two young adult children, the best son-in-law ever, and a fine, aging golden retriever, Lucy.
Jennifer will be finishing up her time with Western Springs at the end of July. Between now and then, she's traveling to two family weddings in Louisville and the 222nd General Assembly where she will be a commissioner and moderator of Committee 14 (Theological Institutions and Issues). Between now and then, Jennifer and Dan are determined to find a place to live in northwest Indiana, because they are tired of saying, "We don't know..." when asked. Watch future communications closer to August 1 for her contact information.
Jennifer is very much looking forward to meeting you and getting to know the leaders and congregations of the Presbytery of Wabash Valley.
Thanks to the Search Team of Quincy Worthington (TE, Westminster, Munster), Sarah Sanderson-Doughty (TE, First, Elkhart), Sandy Carlson (RE, First Michigan City); Pam Camren (RE, First, Mishawaka); Lyle Ewing (TE, Auburn); and Monica Conrad (RE, First, Valparaiso) with support from Sara Dingman (TE, Synod Transitional Exec). Thanks to Kevin Bowers (TE, Bethany, Lafayette) for his much needed assistance on the MIF!
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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
Tuesday, July 19 -
Brookston, Federated
Tuesday, August 16 -
Rochester, Geneva Center
Thursday & Friday, October 6-7
Council Retreat - Geneva Center
Tuesday, December 6 - Rochester, Community PC
2016 ASSEMBLY
Saturday, September 17 -
Rochester, Geneva Center
Tuesday, November 15 -
North Manchester, 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
 Grants & InitiativesThrough the Center's innovative grants programs, they help provide congregations with the financial ability to tap into the resources they help them find.
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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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Loving God, you sent your son Jesus to lead us in faith to everlasting life. Give us new birth by water and the Spirit so that we may enter your eternal realm; through Jesus Christ our Savior, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. John 3:1-17
Please pray for....
- CRE Roger Hartzler serving First Presbyterian Church, Kouts, as he celebrates the life of his mother, and recovers from a medical procedure on his heart in Chicago today.
- Rev. Ruby Kleymann serving Rossville Presbyterian Church as she and her family grieve the death of her grandniece. We pray or the hit-and-run driver and for safe travels as her family gathers for the Service of Resurrection.
- Rev. Phil Smith, Honorably Retired, as he provides support to his sister Kathie Zaremba who has cancer in hospice care.
- RE Ron Miller, from Dayton Memorial who served on Presbytery teams for many years and has cancer.
- Rev. Ron Elly, Honorably Retired, who is recovering at The Springs at Lafayette, 2402 South Street, RM 203, Lafayette, IN 47904.
- Rev. Ellis Gasser, Honorably Retired, who struggles with on going medical concerns.
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Thank you for your ministry and your service... - May 25, 1986 - TE David Herron, Honorably Retired
- May 29, 1983 - TE Paul Anderson, Dyer Presbyterian Church and Merrillville First Presbyterian Church
- May 31, 1955 - Rev. Don Nead, Hornorably Retired
- June 1, 1959 - Rev. Bill Burd, 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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RETREATS, WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS
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The Presbytery of Wabash Valley
and
First Presbyterian Church of Mishawaka
Celebrate the Installation
of
The Rev. Travis Winckler
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About the fundraiser at First, Michigan City
in partnership with
The Concerned Citizens for Syrian Refugees
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A master baker who baked the "perfect" loaf of bread could not decide on how to share this bread, so he went to his place of worship and prayed to God with words of honor and thanksgiving and sought how best to use the bread. With that, he placed the loaf on the altar and left. Later, a poor man entered who had been unable to find work, and was desperate; as he had no food for his children. He prayed for God's mercy. After finishing his prayer, he looked up and saw the bread. With great joy he thanked God for answering his prayer so quickly and walked away with the baker's bread.
Opening with this story, Khalil Demir "set the table" for over 200 guests gathered at First Presbyterian Church, Michigan City, to share a common meal with one another and to share their own "loaves" with Syrian refugees in foreign places. These guests had responded to the invitation of the Concerned Citizens for Syrian Refugees who, in cooperation with the Zakat Foundation, will help the Syrian refugees receive the much needed food, shelter, and education.
The attending guests included a Greek Orthodox priest, a Catholic priest, Muslims, members of the Jewish faith, protestants, and others. It was a melting-pot mixture of people with a single purpose: to share with those in need. Each table setting was provided by an individual that included linens, china, silver ware, and a center piece. The Middle Eastern cuisine was donated by restauranteur Mohamed Mroueh. The First Presbyterian Church venue was provided at no cost. With no overhead for the event, all of the over $13,000 raised would go to help Syrian refugees.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the aura of love that filled the room. Having just celebrated Pentecost and on the eve of Trinity Sunday, the Spirit was with and among us. The hum of voices gently hung in the air as people savored the food and the community. There is indeed something special about giving a gift that meets the world's greatest need. CCSR Chairperson Jeanette Neagu, looking around the room at the people, said, "This is the America I love."
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Yacullo, Clerk of Session, First Presbyterian Church, Michigan City
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 Make plans now to join in opening worship of the 222nd General Assembly (2016) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) It will be streaming live at Saturday, June 18, 11 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time!
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What has Heath Rada, moderator of the 221st General Assembly, heard?
The Presbyterian Outlook is offering this webinar at no charge so that as many Presbyterians as possible may participate in this time of discernment in the life of the PC(USA).
Heath Rada will present for 45 minutes and then there will be 45 minutes for questions and answers. All are welcome. Commissioners and delegates to the 222nd GA are encouraged to attend.
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Regarding ruling elders: ruling elders and pastoral care
"... Pastoral care is not simply the domain of the pastor; it is our congregational commitment to one another." Continue Reading
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Upcoming Events and Meetings
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Monday, May 23 - Thursday, May 26
PWV Office will have limited coverage due to vacation. Please leave message so we can respond to your needs.
Monday, May 30
Presbytery Office Closed for Memorial Day
Thursday, June 2
10 am - Commission on Ministry - Logansport Bethlehem PC (map)
10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry - Logansport Bethlehem PC (map)
Thursday, June 9
10am - Stewardship Ministry Team (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.
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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 - Healthy Relations with Pastors and Congregations - Leadership Richard Blackburn at First Presbyterian Church Valparaiso with live streaming to Bethany, Lafayette; First Presbyterian Church, Elkhart; and one other location to be announced.
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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. And encourage your congregation's members to join our email list to keep up with news and events across our presbytery. Have you considering printing a few copies and leaving them on your church's resource table for people to pick up?
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Presbytery of Wabash Valley Officers, Consultant and Staff Contact Information
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