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


July 6, 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 


The Art of Transitional Ministry
by Jan Nolting Carter

My kids' school has a wonderful art teacher. In a time where art in so many schools has been diminished or cut out entirely, Cindi invites the kids to try new things and to believe they are each artists. One of my favorite projects my son Seth did was a mosaic. A couple of years ago, he surprised me with it as a birthday present. This month's NEXT Church blog theme is "The Art of Transitional Ministry." Ten colleagues and I will offer you a mosaic of perspectives about what it means to be in transition, each a snapshot or a facet of a much greater, God-given mosaic of change, and each written by someone who is an artist - an artist who works with people and systems in the midst of change. Together, we are a mosaic of people and ideas.

Many of us are engaged in intentional transitional ministry, formerly understood as interim ministry, although some of us are not. My friend Stuart Malina offers us words from the art world as the music director of the Harrisburg Symphony and principal guest conductor of the Florida Symphony. Bill Carter offers us the metaphor of jazz for transitional ministry. Helen Blier offers us thoughts on holy listening from her perspective as director of continuing education at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Some of us teach the art of transitional ministry across the country in connection with the Transitional Ministry Consortium (TMEC): Bill Lawser, Libby Rollins, Paul Rhebergen and me. Others are engaged in artful transitional ministry of that invites us to think of different kinds of transition: bi-vocational churches, post-split churches and even personal transition - Beth Scribienski, Cathi King and Robin Curras.

We invite you to join us this month as together we think about the mosaic of The Art of Transitional Ministry.


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Jan Nolting Carter serves St. James Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsburg, PA as its Interim Pastor. She has served six transitional positions in the Carlisle Presbytery in varied contexts. In 2016, she joined the Transitional Ministry Education Consortium Faculty on the team teaching at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. For fun, Jan loves sharing hospitality, photography, nature and spending time with her family. 

 
Complexity is the silent killer of organizations. Bottlenecks and logjams can be avoided when we loosen up and unleash creative impulses. Simplicity works.
 
Robert Schnase
 
Assembly in Brief - 222nd General Assembly (2016)

Assembly in Brief, the popular bulletin insert-size summary of the 222nd General Assembly (2016) is now available as a free download. The insert is chock-full of information about the Assembly, complete with color photographs. Assembly in Brief is a partnership between PNS and the Office of the General Assembly. It relies heavily on the writing and photography staff of the General Assembly Communications Center.

Contents:
  • "The Hope in Our Calling"
  • History2: Two women elected Co-Moderators
  • Belhar added to Book of Confessions
  • 'A new Directory for Worship
  • Commission created to deal with PC(USA) structural issues
  • Move to divest from fossil fuel companies defeated
  • Two-state solution for Israel-Palestine reaffirmed
  • With an apology, assembly vows to keep children safe
  • 'Regret' expressed for harm to LGBTQ/Q members
  • "Teaching Elder" out, "Minister of Word and Sacrament" back in
  • Decision to reduce number of synods reversed
  • Commitment to peacemaking reaffirmed
  • Gradye Parsons honored
The bulletin insert may be downloaded:
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 

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

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 Pulpit Supply List

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Presbytery of Wabash Valley 2016 Monthly Bible Study


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Alban Weekly Logo
Leadership Lessons at the Intersection of Faith & Justice in Ferguson

by Leah Gunning Francis
Vice president & dean, Christian Theological Seminary

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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 during business hours.

PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
Read II Kings 6:1-7

Just as the prophet Elisha performed miracles in Your name of old, so have you provided the miracle of the forgiveness of our sin in Christ Jesus. Remind us daily of that gift, and lead us daily to offer that same grace to others, through Jesus Christ.

submitted by Louis A. Sandos, Honorably Retired 
   
Please pray for....
  • TE Ralph Smith, Honorably Retired, who is recovering from having his pacemaker replaced.
  • TE Ellis Gasser, Honorably Retired, who has moved into St Elizabeth Nursing Home in Delphi.
  • South Bend First Presbyterian Church
  • Those who suffer in silence
  • Traveling mercies during this busy travel season...
                                                                          AMEN! 
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
  • July 6, 1986 - The Rev. Thomas Albaum, Honorably Retired
  • July 8, 1984 - The Rev. Steven Mullin, Honorably Retired
  • July 11, 1965 - The Rev. Ellis Gasser, Honorably Retired
  • July 12, 1959 - The Rev. Ralph Smith, Honorably Retired
  • July 13, 2003 - The Rev. Laura Penney Bade, Parish Associate at Bethany Presbyterian Church Lafayette
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].

Community Worship at Fort Ouiatenon August 7 

Fort Ouiatenon

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 in 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!

 
Teaching children to tithe is an important part of their faith education that we often overlook. Giving to God is a core value of our faith that should be taught early and reinforced often. By using "money jars," children can learn firsthand about giving. Read "Teaching Children to Tithe"
from  To the Point tip sheets series. 
 
RETREATS, WORKSHOPS, WEBINARS  AND EVENTS
2016 Ministry Development Conference

August 27, 2016
10 am to 3 pm
at
Geneva Center, INC
 Presenter:
Rev. Dennis Bickers

  

 


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.

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.

   

Watch for event details and registration information coming soon! 

 Clerk's Gathering for Records Review and Learning 
Thanks to those 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 - 407 S Cavin St., Ligonier, IN 46767     (map) 
  • Sunday, July 17, 2:00 - 4:00 pm CDT at First Presbyterian Church, 7898 Taft St., Merrillville, IN 46410 (map) 
  • Saturday, July 23, 9:30 - 11:30 am EDT at Elston Presbyterian Church, 375 Elston Rd., Lafayette, IN 47909 (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
Upcoming Events and Meetings

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 9
  • 9:30 am - 11:30 am - Clerks Gathering for Records Review - Ligonier Presbyterian Church - 407 S Cavin St. - Ligonier, IN. 46767  Registration Information                (map)
Thursday, July 14
  • CANCELLED - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-To-Meeting)
Sunday, July 17
  • 3 pm (EDT)/ 2 pm (CST) - Clerks Gathering for Records Review - First Presbyterian Church - 7898 Taft St. - Merrillville, IN. 46410  Registration Information    (map)
Tuesday, July 19
  • 10 am  - Council at Community Presbyterian Church - 530 Jefferson St. - Rochester, IN. 46975 (map)
Saturday, July 23
  • 9:30 am - 11:30 am - Clerks Gathering for Records Review - Elston Presbyterian Church - 375 Elston Rd. - Lafayette, IN 47909   Registration Information                 (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.
 
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.  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?

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

PCUSA Seal