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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COUNCIL SUMMARY AND ACTIONS
by Stated Clerk, Linda L. Long
Fourteen members of Council (with the other two excused) and one ex-officio opened its meeting this week at Community Presbyterian Church in Rochester with study of the July Ephesians 2 passage and extended discussion of F-1.0304 The Great Ends of the Church. What began as lament that its broad generalities "proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind; the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God; the maintenance of divine worship; the preservation of the truth; the promotion of social righteousness; and the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world" often have little meaning for daily living as Presbyterians, discussion moved into an action item by Council to initiate clusters of congregations to gather in conversation about being church "outside the four walls." Face-to-face conversations are intended to open discussion about core questions like what is the scope of "salvation of mankind," who are "children of God," what is "truth," what does "social righteousness" mean today, or how do we "exhibit the Kingdom of Heaven" by being "real."
Emerging out of the Bible study conversation, Council approved motion to systematize an editorial structure for God Calls with regional associate editors to elicit stories of interests and actions from clusters of congregations. Through sharing conversations and stories, the intent is that proposals will emerge from congregations to propose actions to Presbytery Assembly that initiate specific actions to live out the Great Ends of the Church. God Calls editor Vicki Dreibelbis and Paul Myhre will take the lead to implement the project.
Other Council actions:
- Voted final approval to position description for Visioning & Connecting Leader that informed the Search Team and to the employment agreement and covenant with teaching elder Jennifer Burns Lewis affirmed as that Leader by Presbytery Assembly, effective August 1, 2016.
- Approved recommendation of Stewardship Ministry Team to award matching mission grant of $2,838 to First Presbyterian Church, Peru in support of its mission partnership with Mthandiza Presbyterian Church in Malawi Africa. Some of the Malawian Presbyterians will meet with Council during its October retreat.
- Approved Commission On Ministry and New Ministry Development to request partnership grant from Synod of Lincoln Trails to support the two workshops for congregations scheduled (From Maintenance to Mission) in August and (Healthy Relationships) in September. (Look for registration information below)
- Reviewed financial reports and informational materials for congregations prepared by Stewardship Ministry Team (SMT) and received report of satisfactory financial review for fiscal year 2015. Received financial forecast presented to May Assembly as Council budget for 2016-17 fiscal year after noting reduction in congregational membership and need for further development of new model for budgeting during this time of transformation and intentional transition.
- Received reports on property, Geneva Center, Inc., Commission On Ministry, Commission on Preparation for Ministry, Nominating Committee, Winona Lake AC, and Presbytery Moderator.
- Expressed gratitude for SMT moderator TE Alan Griffin, Goshen First PC and Personnel Ministry Team moderator RE Sandy Carlson, Michigan City First PC for exceptional work during the past couple of years.
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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, 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 Happenings
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You are Invited and Encouraged to Welcome and Celebrate with
Two Congregations and Two new members of PWV
as they are Ordained and Installed
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Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NRSV)
What a joy we share when we ordain and install new pastors to their calls. It is an opportunity for those of us who are members of the Presbytery of Wabash Valley to join in the celebration between a church, a newly called member of the Presbytery and the presence of Almighty God in worship. I urge the members of the Presbytery to affirm our connectedness as Presbyterians, and the call of Jesus to encourage one another by attending the ordination and/or installations of our brothers and sisters in faith.
Upcoming ordination/installation:
- August 7, 3:30 PM - Michael Lyle called to the Rossville Presbyterian Church, 5434 W SR 26,Rossville,IN
Installation:
- August 14, 3:30 PM - The Rev. Theda McBryde called to Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, 5588 N SR 25 Logansport, IN 46947
For more information call the Presbytery Office at 574-223-5678
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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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Read John 6:41-51
I thank you Lord, for Your word, a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Through Your word, I am reassured that You are drawing me to Yourself, that I am renewed by the bread of Life, and made whole in Christ my Savior!
submitted by Louis A. Sandos, Honorably Retired
Please pray for....
- Marita Banta Long, daughter of Stated Clerk Linda Long, who is recovering from wisdom teeth extraction surgery.
- Our angry, hurting world
- Schererville, Immanuel Presbyterian Church
- Those who suffer in silence
- Those who are traveling during this busy & tumultuous travel season...
AMEN!
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Thank you for your ministry and your service... - July 20, 1986 - The Rev. Thomas Smith - Chapel-of-the-Lakes Presbyterian Church of Angola
- July 21, 1985 - The Rev. Terry McBride - Michiana Youth Ministry
- July 21, 1963 - The Rev. Dick Rogers - Honorably Retired
- July 22, 1984 - The Rev. Katie Lindberg - Center for Congregations Staff
- July 25, 1993 - The Rev. Linda Skaggs - Highland, First Presbyterian Church
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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Do you have a passion for writing and telling stories?
Would you or someone you know like to partner with the Presbytery as a Regional Associate Editor for God Calls to elicit stories of interest and actions from clusters of congregations in your area? We envision five clusters consisting of approximately 16 congregations in each cluster. You will encourage the sharing of their ministry stories and then forward to Vicki at the presbytery office to include in God Calls and propose actions to Presbytery Assembly that initiate specific actions to live out the Great Ends of the Church. If you are interested or know someone who is, please forward contact information by August 15th to Vicki@ourpresbytery.org and don't hesitate to call 574-223-5678 with any questions you may have.
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RETREATS...
WORKSHOPS...
WEBINARS AND EVENTS | | |
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Clerk's Gathering for Records Review and Learning
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Thanks to those Clerks who have already attended the previous reviews and to those who have registered to attend the last offering of Records Review on Saturday, July23. This is our time to review one another's minutes and rolls, and to share experiences as Clerk.
For our last official offering we will meet:
- Saturday, July 23, 9:30 - 11:30 am EDT at Elston Presbyterian Church, 375 Elston Rd., Lafayette, IN 47909 (map)
Please let us know you are coming so our host church can plan accordingly by calling 574-223-5678 or you can click Register Here
If you can't make this last date, please also record your "Sorry I can't make it," and we will arrange another time and place.
- Linda Long, Stated Clerk
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2016 Ministry Development Conference
August 27, 2016
10 am to 3 pm
at
Geneva Center, INC
Presenter: Rev. Dennis Bickers
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 September 10, 2016 - Healthy Pastor - Congregation Relations Workshop
Join us for this workshop on nurturing Healthy Pastor-Congregation Relations. A powerful day-long workshop that teaches skillful practices for building sound pastor-congregation relationships. Richard Blackburn, executive director of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center will lead the event. He is an ordained minister in the Mennonite Church, and served ten years as chairperson of the Peace and Justice Committee of the Mennonite Church. Richard has led hundreds of workshops on conflict transformation and mediation skills. What are the benefits?- Using family systems theory, you will learn how congregations, lay leaders and pastors can better function together - and how to troubleshoot problems quickly.
- Drawing on case studies, you will learn to identify problematic behaviors and think strategically on building solutions.
Who will benefit?- Congregations with pastors
- Congregations in a search for pastoral leadership
- Congregations without pastoral leaders who may find new opportunities for working together in healthy ways to share pastoral leadership
- Anyone who wishes to practice healthy ways to handle differences that can lead to unhealthy conflict
- Sponsored by the Commission on Ministry of Presbytery of Wabash Valley and the Synod of Lincoln Trails. Richard Blackburn live at First Presbyterian Church Valparaiso which will be live streamed at Bethany Presbyterian Church, Lafayette; First Presbyterian Church, Elkhart; and First Presbyterian Church, Peru. Choose the location that fits your needs. Register a group before September 1st for the best value.
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Well-Being Retreat
August 15-17, 2016,
at Montreat Conference Center
Well-Being Retreat 2016, held at Montreat Conference Center in North Carolina, offers active Benefits Plan members and covered partners a unique opportunity to explore wholeness through the spiritual, health, financial, and vocational aspects of their lives. Participants will be able to customize their retreat experience by selecting the educational workshops and guided activities that best support their journey to well-being. Don't miss out!
- How To Register: Registration for Well-Being Retreat 2016 has been extended to July 22, subject to availability. If you haven't reserved your spot, now is the time to do so! Registrations will only be accepted online.
- Who Can Attend: Participation is open to active Benefits Plan members and covered partners.
- Fees: There is no registration fee to attend Well-Being Retreat 2016. However, there is a $20 per person Montreat Conference Center meal fee. The Board of Pensions and the Presbyterian Foundation are subsidizing meal service costs for the event.
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Upcoming Events and Meetings
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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)
Thursday, August 4
- 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)
Sunday, August 7
- 3:30 pm - Ordination/Installation of Michael Lyle at Rossville Presbyterian Church, 5434 W State Rd 26, Rossville, IN 46065 (map)
Tuesday, August 9
- 10 am - Nominating Committee - Presbytery Office 707 Main St. Rochester, IN 46975 (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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