|
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
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
Soon it will be time for us to gather for our September presbytery assembly. I look forward to being with those of you I've met in my visits and appointments over the past month and to meet even more Presbyterians when we gather at Geneva Center on Saturday, September 17th, beginning with check-in at 9:00 am meeting to convene at 10 am (Eastern time).
We will have stories to tell, business to conduct, worship to celebrate, and a meal to share. We will have new friends to welcome, and old friends with whom to re-connect. We'll have joys to lift up and prayers of healing and reconciliation to offer. We will have reports to receive and respond to and promises to make and to keep. We'll ask questions and offer resources. I hope you'll register today to attend.
It wouldn't be the same without you.
Traveling mercies,
Jennifer
Jennifer Burns Lewis, PWV Visioning Connecting Leader
|
|
|
|
|
|
"We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams." -Arthur O'Shaunessy (and quoted by Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)
We're a little bit in mourning at our house. We're saddened to learn of the passing of actor Gene Wilder, a fixture of our younger years. Young Frankenstein! Blazing Saddles! Willy Wonka! We're saddened to learn that he and his family co-existed with Alzheimer's, such a robber.
It was Gene Wilder who introduced so many of us to the quote above, taken from an ode by poet O'Shaunessy. As I've been driving around this week (Hello, Merrillville, South Bend, Lafayette and La Porte!) I've been thinking about that quote a lot. My husband Dan and I have two young adult children and a son-in-law who are all musicians. Our daughter, Claire, is a high school choral teacher and a
 |
| |
Photo of a print by Chatty Nora
|
church choir director, as of this week. I remember helping hang a poster of the O'Shaunessy quote in her first
first classroom.
The congregations of the Presbytery of Wabash Valley could adopt this quote. Or, if you'd prefer a biblical reference, "Sing to the Lord a new song!" (Psalm 96:1) or any number of dreams and visions in either testament. I believe it's who we are called to be-music makers, crafters of worship that delights the heart of God, and dreamers and co-creators with God of a new heaven and a new earth.
I see signs of the music and the dreaming everywhere I go: in congregations where the number of worshippers on a Sunday morning is greater than the numbers on their membership roll; in congregations that take on significant, ongoing, life changing mission projects that are making a deep impact on their neighbors; in worship that is vibrant and thoughtful and deep; in imagining a new configuration of possibilities in communities and regions of our part of God's world here in northern and central Indiana.
I am loving meeting you and getting better acquainted. Here's an invitation: why don't you come and have a cup of coffee or tea with me at one of my regional "coffee/office hours"? I'll be in your neck of the woods--drop by---no appointment needed. If you're not there, maybe someone else will be, and if I'm flying solo, I'll still get to see where you reside and worship and get some other work done. The coffee will be my treat.
Thursday, September 8: 10 am- 2 p.m.-The Joshua Cup 111 E. Main, Crawfordsville
Wednesday, September 14: 10 am- 2 pm- Electric Brew 118 E. Washington St., Goshen
Thursday, September 22: 10 am- 2 pm- The French Press Coffee Co., 110 W. La Porte St, Plymouth
Thursday, September 29: 10 am-2 pm- Spill the Beans, 7992 Broadway, Merrillville
Traveling mercies,
Jennifer
Jennifer Burns Lewis, PWV Visioning Connecting Leader
|
|
|
2016 PER CAPITA
$39.38 total
General Assembly - $7.12
Synod of Lincoln Trails - $3.81
Presbytery of Wabash Valley - $28.45
|
|
Save the Dates
2016 COUNCIL
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 -
Elkhart, First Presbyterian Church
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
| | |
 Lord this coming week-end is usually a time of heavy travel. We pray for safety for all who will be travelling. We thank you for those who labor long hours to keep others safe on our highways and in the air. We pray for the many persons who have to work all week-end, in order to meet the needs of vacationers and travelers. Remind us, when we travel, to be gentle and kind to ourselves and with others. Amen.
Please pray for.... - Portage, First Presbyterian Church
- Rev. Sue Babovec, Chaplain at Peabody Retirement Community North Manchester, is thankful for all of your support and prayers in the passing of her mother. Please pray for Sue as she travel back to Indiana today and tomorrow from Nebraska on this exceptionally busy travel week.
- RE Judy Friend's, Peru First PC & Commission on Ministry member, grandson Robby who fell from a balcony and suffered severe head trauma and has had further complications
- Young Adult Volunteer Julia Thorn as she works with the homeless in Los Angeles, CA.
- Those who suffer in silence
AMEN!
|
Thank you for your ministry and your service... - September 1, 1968 - The Rev. Stanley Kessler - Honorably Retired
- September 1, 1968 - The Rev. Wayne Meyer - Kentland, Covenant Federated 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.
|
|
Congregational Happenings
| | |
Faith Presbyterian Church Kokomo Jumps In To Help Those In Need After EF-3 Tornado's Leave Many Homeless
by CRE Jeff Brown, Kokomo Faith Presbyterian Church
The church was open the daylight hours of August 25 and 26 for those needing to rest, needing to eat, or in need of temporary childcare.
We had Ice Cream Social with a bluegrass band on Saturday, August 27 that had been planned for some time. We tried to get the word out to the community, thinking it would help those recovering from the tornado take their minds off their troubles. Unfortunately, with all that was going on, word did not spread as we hoped. We have lots of ice cream and toppings left so are considering doing it again strictly for those recovering from the storms and those volunteering.
Faith Presbyterian Church is sponsoring laundry vouchers for those in need with funds secured from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). Vouchers are distributed through United Way of Howard County.
|
| | |
Kokomo Tornado Aftermath
| |
CRE Jeff and Terri Brown went to the Tornado Recovery Warehouse to see what was needed and then went shopping. We told them that we would check in every couple days to see what they need and then we will go shopping again.
Red Cross is still considering using Faith Presbyterian Church for a remote intake site during the long-term recovery.
If people would like to give to the tornado recovery; they can send donations to Faith Presbyterian Church, 1608 Kirk Row, Kokomo, IN 46902 with Tornado Relief in the memo and they will get it where it needs to go. You can also visit www.unitedwayhoco.org and click the "Kokomo Strong" button to give.
|
|
RETREATS
WORKSHOPS
AND EVENTS
| | |
|
Women's Re-wine-d Slumber Party
September 23-24, 2016
Friday 4:00 p.m.-Saturday 3:00 p.m. (EDT)
Geneva Center
5282 N. Old US Hwy 31
Rochester IN 46975
574-223-6915
Renew your Spirit - Relax with friends
Prices are: double occupancy $85.00, single
occupancy $110.00, day rate $20.00
Included in the price is "Wine and Canvas"
(8x10 canvas) -except day rate.
This is our treat to you -no discount
if you don't wish to paint.
Please make your check payable to PW of
Wabash Valley and send your name, contact
information, and home church to:
Linda Gingrich
210 W. Vine St., Delphi IN 46923
765-564-2188
by Wednesday, September 7.
|
|
Wabash Valley Presbytery
BOUNDARIES AND ETHICS TRAINING
Tuesday, September 13, 2016 from 10 am - 4 pm (EDT)
Central Presbyterian Church, 31 N Seventh Street, Lafayette
Registration Deadline is Friday, September 5
Ruling Elders, Deacons, Teaching Elders, Sunday School Teachers, Clerk of Session, and other members are invited and encouraged to participate in the upcoming Boundary & Ethics Training events
sponsored by the Commission on Ministry.
We believe this training better prepares our leaders to understand why misconduct, especially sexual misconduct, occurs among church leadership. By presenting and discussing healthy, appropriate relationships and boundaries, we believe that it is possible to limit the pain, embarrassment and devastation resulting when leader's cross boundaries related to inappropriate conduct in the Church. Also, our training event will highlight the need to examine and define our boundaries in areas, such as: the use of internet and social media and our Presbytery's covenant of closure.
Training materials, snacks and lunch will be provided by the Presbytery. The event and lunch registration deadline is Tuesday, September 6 for September 13 event, by emailing vicki@ourpresbytery.org or calling the presbytery office - 574-223-5678.
Important: If you are required and unable to attend this training you may request a one-year deferral. (Please write a letter to COM with your request).
|
Shaping Youth as Servant Leaders
Youth need skills that will help them engage beyond themselves. Servant Leader skills teach youth how to use their capacities to build a better world. These skills include listening, empathy, self-awareness, and contributing to the growth of others. "Servant Leader" is a secular term drawn from the work of businessman, Robert. K. Greenleaf. Servant Leaders use their power to bring out the good in others rather than dominate others. They are committed to service above all.
This workshop, led by staff from uLEAD www.uLEADinc.org, trains adult youth workers how to teach Servant Leader skills to their kids. The workshop will help youth leaders customize their skill training to the youth's developmental stage. It will be an interactive workshop. Adult youth leaders will walk out with a set of tools they have practiced and can use. Date: Thursday, September 15th
Time: 9 am EDT - 4 pm EDT
Place: Temple Beth-El 305 W. Madison St. South Bend
$30 per person ($25 per person for three or more from the same congregation)
|
|
100 THINGS EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW BEFORE CONFIRMATION
NORTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Calvin Hall
1660 Kessler Blvd., East Drive, Indianapolis 46220
is hosting a
SPECIAL EDUCATION EVENT!
Saturday, September 24, 2016 - 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 10:00 a.m.
Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick, author of
100 Things Every Child Should Know Before Confirmation:
A Guide for Parents and Youth Leaders -- Westminster/John Knox Press, 2015
|
|
CO-OPERATIVE MISSION TRIP WEEKEND
When: Friday evening October 14 through Sunday noon October 16
Where: Geneva Center, INC. Rochester, IN
What: Undertake outdoor work projects to help Geneva Center and
indoor mission projects to help social agencies in Rochester.
Why: - To further God's work in our world through our hands and help;
- To teach and model for our youth Christian commitment in
action;
- To fellowship and enjoy Geneva Center's wooded campus.
Who: Anyone who wants to participate. Children, youth and adults are
welcome!
How much: $125 per person for 2 nights, 4 hot meals at Geneva Center
|
AN INVITATION TO ALL WOMEN TO JOIN
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ELKHART FOR...
| | |
|
TIME: FRIEND? or FOE?
Women's Day Retreat, Saturday, October 15
at Geneva Center's Lakeview Cabin 5282 N Old US Hwy 31 Rochester, IN. 9:30 a.m. register and settle in, 10-4 program, with The Rev. Carol McDonald. Lunch is included in the Geneva Center Dining room. All facilities are wheelchair accessible. $35 per person, registration needed in advance by September 30. Space is limited.
Questions? Contact Mary Rasp Elkhart First Presbyterian Church 574.361.8459 (MSR cell/text)
|
Register Today For 2016 Events at Geneva Center Inc.
- September 25th, 2016 - 2 - 4 pm - Fall Open House
- October 11-14, 2016 - Stained Glass Workshop
|
|
Upcoming Events and Meetings
|
Thursday, September 1
- 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)
Monday, September 5
PRESBYTERY OFFICE CLOSED TO OBSERVE LABOR DAY
Thursday, September 8
- 10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-To-Meeting)
Saturday, September 10
- POSTPONED - Healthy Pastor - Congregation Relation Workshop
Tuesday, September 13
- 9 am - Boundaries & Ethics Training - Lafayette Central Presbyterian Church (map)
Saturday, September 17
- 10 am - Presbytery Assembly - Registration at 9:30 am - Geneva Center 5282 N Old US Hwy 31 Rochester, IN 46975 (map)
All meetings & events posted on the PWV Calendar are eastern time (ET) unless noted otherwise. Please call 574-223-5678 or visit http://www.ourpresbytery.org/calendar.htm for more information regarding meetings and events.
|
|
Wabash Valley Officers, Staff and Consultant Contact Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
