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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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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Reflections on The 222nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) from one of your Wabash Valley Teaching Elder Delegates
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It's real now. I've experienced such movement of the Spirit within and throughout the church now. To be in the room making history, the Confession of Belhar was added to our Book of Confessions at 8:41pm on Wednesday, June 22nd in Portland Oregon, followed by singing and praise for a good and powerful God at this historical moment was nothing short of God visible in the Presbyterian Church (USA). It was deeply moving for me as a commissioner sitting and voting to confirm the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s deep commitment to be a church hearing the voice of God in the experience of the church in South Africa during apartheid. Praise Be to God.
The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is comprised of two volumes: The Book of Confessions' official texts are volume one. While volume two is the Constitution, and the Book of Order. And to have those moments of history when the church is responding to and acknowledging of points where the claims of Gospel truth are at risk is the Confession of Belhar. The last time the Presbyterian Church (USA) acknowledged such a time in history was 1983. A Brief Statement of Faith was added to our Book of Confessions when the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the Presbyterian Church in the United States reunited, also auspiciously in Portland, OR.
The Confession of Belhar has its roots in the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa's uniting with the United Reformed Church in Southern Africa. Deep in the pain, ugliness, and brutality of South Africa's state sponsored and church supported apartheid government, the Afrikaans struggled with the theological judgment upon the system of apartheid. The Confession of Belhar is rooted in confession as a Church to be truthful of the past, repent, and reconcile so that together the Church can again live into the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The 222nd General Assembly was addressed by Allan Boesak, Moderator in 1986 of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa reflecting on his work with Vernon Broyle, then PC (USA) Stated Clerk when Belhar was adopted by the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa and later, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. What deep faith the Dutch Reformed Church and its Moderator, to declare within Belhar, 'a cry from the heart, as something we are obliged to do for the sake of the gospel in view of the times in which we stand."
Then to have the Moderator of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa today address us as brothers and sisters in Christ, we have been recipients of a great gift. The Spirit in-broke and we affirmed a historical moment of truth nearly 30 years ago as truth that is also to be taken into the DNA of the Presbyterian Church (USA). I was there (in the front row, stage right). You were there. Christ was there.
There are some excellent resources from our denomination regarding the Confession of Belhar for individual and group study. Be sure to check out the PC (USA) Store. ( http://www.pcusastore.com)
Rev. Sarah Bishop, Associate Pastor of Spiritual Formation and Education, First Presbyterian Church South Bend and Presbytery of Wabash Valley Teaching Elder Delegate to the 222nd GA of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
World Church Leaders Hail J. Herbert Nelson's Election as Stated Clerk of the PC(USA).
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Gail Porter Nelson & J. Herbert Nelson Photo: Danny Bolin
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Read General Assembly News
More information regarding this year's GA can be found at:
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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, July 19 -
Meeting location changed to
ROCHESTER, COMMUNITY
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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Congregational Offerings
Blue Hymnals Available Central Presbyterian Church in Lafayette has a number of blue hymnals in good condition available. Free delivery (within Indiana) or free (reasonable) shipping is negotiable. Please contact Operations Manager Laurie Kuhn at (765) 742-8481 after 5th of July during business hours.
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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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God of the ages...we acknowledge our place in the never ending parade of saints. We join those who have gone before; delight in those who are presently with us; and anticipate those yet to come. We say "Joy" and "Home" as this prayer is offered.
submitted by Lucille (Lucy) K. Rupe, Honorably Retired
Please pray for....
- TE Ralph Smith, Honorably Retired, who will have his pacemaker replaced today, Wednesday, June 29th.
- Brookston Federated Church & Community as they cleanup from storm damage.
- The Family of The Reverend Ron Elly, who passes away Monday morning after a lengthy illness. Share Condolences & Memories.
- TE Ellis Gasser, Honorably Retired, who has moved into St Elizabeth Nursing Home in Delphi.
- South Bend Memorial Presbyterian Church
- Those who suffer in silence...
Give thanks to...
- GA Delagate TE Sarah Bishop, First Presbyterian Church South Bend, for serving at the 222nd General Assembly.
- GA Delegate RE Sandy Carlson, First Presbyterian Church Michigan City, for serving at the 222nd General Assembly.
- GA Delegate RE Mike Munson, Deer Creek Presbyterian Church, for serving at the 222nd General Assembly.
- GA Delegate TE Sarah Sanderson-Doughty, First Presbyterian Church Elkhart, for serving at the 222nd General Assembly.
AMEN!
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Thank you for your ministry and your service... - June 29, 1975 - The Rev. John Everett, Honorably Retired
- June 30, 1961 - The Rev. Don Neely, Honorably Retired
- July 6, 1986 - The Rev. Thomas Albaum, 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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First Presbyterian Church of Crown Point, IN welcomed six new members into its church family on Sunday, June 26th.
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Photo Provided by Rose Wood: George Woodward, Mack Elwood, Sudan Dreier, Richard Ryan, Ken VanderLugt, & Ed McCullum.
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Community Worship at Fort Ouiatenon August 7
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Bethany, Dayton and Elston Presbyterian Churches in the Lafayette area will worship together by the river at Fort Ouiatenon on Sunday, August 7, 10:00 A.M. The community is invited to join this time of worship and fellowship. Those attending are asked to bring a lawn chair, table service and a dish to share for the picnic that will immediately follow worship. You are invited to join us!
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The Mission Development Resources Committee (MDRC) members have completed a successful third year of New Worshiping Community & Presbytery-Level Transformation Grants.
Available grants through the Mission office -
- New Worshiping Communities Seed Grant
- Investment Grant
- Growth Grant &
- Health Insurance Grants
- the Sam & Helen R. Walton Awards.
Dates are also included for the three remaining Grant Proposal Review dates of 2016.
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RETREATS, WORKSHOPS, WEBINARS AND EVENTS
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This free, live online workshop is open to all Indiana congregations and provides an overview of useful key learnings from our recent work with congregations concerning youth ministry. You can access this July 28 and 29 workshop from any computer or mobile device connected to the internet. The Center for Congregations worked with more than 100 congregations in 2016 related to youth ministry issues. Through the years, we have worked with many congregations seeking to strengthen their youth ministry leadership, curriculum, volunteer development, mission trips and much more. Center President Tim Shapiro will share what the Center has learned about effective youth ministry from Indiana congregations and the resources used by their leaders. Click here to watch a video of Tim talking about what you'll learn in this workshop.
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New Wilmington Mission Conference
July 23-30
Don't delay, register today! The New Wilmington Mission Conference has offered a week long gathering of inter-generational worship, teaching and fellowship for more than a century. Bring the whole family to conference and be refreshed! There's a program for everyone, babes in arms through older adults.
LEARN MORE
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- September 10, 2016 - Healthy Relations with Pastors and Congregations - Leadership Richard Blackburn at First Presbyterian Church Valparaiso with live streaming to Bethany Presbyterian Church, Lafayette; First Presbyterian Church, Elkhart; and First Presbyterian Church, Peru.
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Clerk's Gathering for Records Review and Learning
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Thanks to those 16 Clerks of Session who have already registered their plan to attend the Records Review session in July. This is our time to review one another's minutes and rolls, and to share experiences as Clerk. We will meet:
- Saturday, July 9, 9:30 - 11:30 am EDT at Ligonier Presbyterian Church (map)
- Sunday, July 17, 2:00 - 4:00 pm CDT at First Presbyterian Church, Merrillville (map)
- Saturday, July 23, 9:30 - 11:30 am EDT at Elston Presbyterian Church in Lafayette (map)
If you can't make one of those dates, please also record your "Sorry I can't make it," and we will arrange another time and place.
Register Here
- Linda Long, Stated Clerk
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Upcoming Events and Meetings
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Thursday, June 30
10 am - Leadership Team Meeting - Presbytery Office - 707 Main St., Rochester, IN 46975
Monday, July 4
Presbytery Office Closed
Thursday, July 7
10 am - Commission on Ministry - Bethlehem Presbyterian Church - 5588 Indiana 25 - Logansport, IN 46947 (map)
10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry - Bethlehem Presbyterian Church - 5588 Indiana 25 - Logansport, IN 46947 (map)
Saturday, July 99:30 am - 11:30 am - Clerks Gathering for Records Review - Ligonier Presbyterian Church - 407 S Cavin St., Ligonier, IN 46767 (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. 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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Wabash Valley Officers, Consultant and Staff Contact Information
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