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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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Saturday, September 17th is Assembly and we hope if you haven't registered yet you will do so today. There are still 10 meals available so take a minute and reserve yours now. We want to provide our hosts, Geneva Center and their staff with a good count so they can provide the best hospitality ever. Please Register Now
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Is Your Congregation "Maintenance-Minded or Missional-Minded"?
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from Rev. David Wood, First Presbyterian Church Crown Point
On Saturday, August 27, at the Geneva Center 34 presbyter's attended the workshop 'From Maintenance to Mission' led by author Rev. Dennis Bickers on moving one's church from a "maintenance-minded" congregation, that is, a church that is focused above all on survival, to a "missional-minded" congregation, that is centered on outreach and living for others. The former is primarily concerned with self-maintenance and self-preservation. Churches that adopt this posture are defensive in nature and live with constant fear- to the extent that their ministry is eventually paralyzed. The hardest thing to get people to understand is that the church is one of the few bodies or organizations in the world that exists, not for itself, but for others. Hence, the Missional Church is one that sees the community around it as its primary mission field; that does not regard missions as merely one program of the church but the very reason for its existence; that is relevant to its culture; and is on a mission with God, seeking to perform God's will.
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From Maintenance to Mission Workshop
(Photo Provided by Rev David Lawrence)
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Rev. Bickers related how in contrast to the wide-spread belief that each church needs its own mission statement, the church IS its own mission statement and it has already been spelled in scripture with Jesus's Great Commission (Matt. 28:18020) and his Great Commandment (Matt. 22:36-40). In addition, the mission of the church is the same for every church. What is different is how every church has its own unique vision of how it is to live out being that faithful witness. We're not called to duplicate what others are doing but to find out what people in the church enjoy doing and then doing it with excellence.
Rev. Bickers spoke of the difficulty of introducing change in the church. He said that 47% of Americans are highly resistant to change, 17% just want to get along; and 64% of the people will automatically be opposed to any kind of change the first time they hear it. It becomes important for pastors to create a sense of urgency in the congregation and to expect conflict. I found his discussion about the "controllers" in the church especially enlightening. He said that 20% of members tend to be controllers who want to dominate and have the church run their own way. He described them as a great cancer that inhibits the church's mission. Controllers believe the church exists to meet their personal and family needs; they work hard to control the finances, the decisions, and the ministries of the church; they will oppose anything that threatens their own power position; and change will not happen until the church decides how they are going to address the controllers in their midst.
The conference, subsidized with a grant from the SYNOD of Lincoln Trails and other presbytery funds, was well worth attending. My special thanks to David Lawrence and the others who worked to bring Rev. Bickers here.
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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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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
Thursday & Friday, October 6-7
Council Retreat - Geneva Center
Tuesday, December 6 - Rochester, Community PC
2016 ASSEMBLY
Saturday, September 17 -
Rochester, Geneva Center
Registration - 12 Meals still available for Assembly
Tuesday, November 15 -
Elkhart, First Presbyterian Church
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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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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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 When You began our Genesis, O God, your brought order out of cosmic chaos. So we are trying to follow you, to proceed with our living in ways both decent and in order. Today we ask your Grace to surround the next Assembly of our Presbytery that the decency of the Gospel may order the glimpses of your kingdom in our business. Gratefully we receive the labors of councils and officers for this gathering. We pray that their good work reflects your promises for, and your presence among, our community of faith. Grant us strength of Christian faith to follow the bidding of your Spirit to accomplish the great ends of your Church. Because we trust the One whose promises are sure, this we pray. Amen.
prayer from Rev. Stanley Kessler, Honorably Retired
Please pray for.... - Pierceton Presbyterian Church
- Rev. Jamie Miller, Sunnyside Presbyterian Church South Bend, who is having knee surgery tomorrow.
- RE John and Ann Bingaman, who have served the presbytery in many roles over the years, prayers for John of healing and Ann for strength as she supports John.
- The Rev. Jack Hess, Honorably Retired, as he continues to struggle with health concerns and other major life changes.
- RE Judy Friend, Commission on Ministry member of First PC Peru, and family as they mourn the loss of son-in-law Jeremy Spencer.
AMEN!
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Thank you for your ministry and your service... - September 15, 2013 - The Rev. Sarah Bishop, First Presbyterian Church South Bend
- September 15, 1996 - The Rev. Mark Mueller, First Presbyterian Church Valparaiso
- September 15, 1979 - The Rev. Marcia Smith-Wood, Spiritual Director
- September 16, 1979 - The Rev. Jeff Cover, First Presbyterian Church Rensselaer
- September 16, 1990 - The Rev. Lyle Ewing, First Presbyterian Church Monticello
- September 16, 1979 - The Rev. Mark Killmer, Faculty
- September 18, 2010 - CRE Rick Ryan, Elston 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 vicki@ourpresbytery.org.
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Congregational Happenings
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Come, welcome Rev. Dr. Mark Mueller as he is installed
Sunday, September 18, 2016!
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The Presbytery of Wabash Valley and
the congregation of First Presbyterian Church, Valparaiso
cordially invite you to attend a service of installation
of
Reverend Dr. Mark Mueller
on Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. (CT) / 3 p.m. (ET)
at
First Presbyterian Church
3401 N Valparaiso Street - Valparaiso, IN 46383
All are welcome to join a reception immediately following the ceremony.
Ministers are invited to vest and wear red stoles.
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Jennifer Burns Lewis, our Visioning and Connecting Leader, is out and about, getting to know congregations and their leaders in our presbytery. Her work is with you, connecting with you, learning from you about your context, and helping you dream about a "future with hope" (thanks, Jeremiah 29:11). In fact last week while in Crawfordsville nine folks from the area dropped in to meet Jennifer.
Coffee office hours are just one way to connect the Presbytery of Wabash Valley's parts, in addition to some more familiar venues like Session meetings and commission and presbytery team meetings.
You don't need an appointment for a coffee office hour visit. You can just drop in. She'll even pay for your coffee or tea. If these locations or dates aren't convenient, rest assured that she'll be in other locations on other days in the coming months.
And know that you can always set another time to get together. Feel free to contact Jennifer at Jennifer@ourpresbytery.org or 574-653-1003.
Here's the September schedule: Note that she is in Goshen TODAY!
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. Laporte St, Plymouth
Thursday, September 29: 10 am-2 pm- Spill the Beans, 7992 Broadway, Merrillville
I know she hopes to meet each and everyone of you as she travels around the presbytery hearing about your dreams and visions for the church of today.
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RETREATS
WORKSHOPS
WEBINARS
AND EVENTS
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1001 New Worshiping Communities announces webinar schedule
Tammy Warren | Presbyterian News Service
Topics include grantwriting, Hispanic ministry and community evangelism
Learn More
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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The Art of Transitional Ministry
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Are your teaching and ruling elders asking about interim training?
MALT Weeks 1 and 2 ("The Art of Transitional Ministry") will be held October 31 - November 4, 2016.
- Registration is now electronic and through eventbrite.
- We now accept credit cards (as well as checks) for payments.
- A signature is no longer required by COM moderators or EPs
- The event brochure is attached
- You can also find more details here
MALT has an outstanding faculty. This fall, facilitators will include SanDawna Ashley, Mitch Coggin, James Gale, Felicia Scott, Laura Sherwood, Beth Wagner and Mary Wright.
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Coordinator of Ministries to Children and Youth
The Presbyterian Church of La Porte is seeking a full time Coordinator of Ministries to Children and Youth. The Presbyterian Church of La Porte is passionate about sharing God's love in Jesus Christ with young people and is looking for a leader who can work with a dedicated team to reach its vision. This person should have a sincere love for young people and a desire to partner with the church family to create a place where children and youth can belong, be heard, be needed and be God's. Interested candidates should be familiar with or be willing to learn about the Presbyterian (PCUSA) tradition. A college degree in theology or Education is preferred. Resumes can be sent to cymsearch@yourhomechurch.org.
The Presbyterian Church of La Porte is a progressive family church of 250 members, committed to calling people to a deep relationship with Jesus Christ and expressing Christ's compassion in the world. La Porte is a small city, located in Northwest Indiana, 50 miles southeast of Chicago.
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First Presbyterian Church of Lebanon no longer uses glass communion cups. We have around 300, mix  of short and tall, we would like to give to any church that could use them, they have been in storage for some time and we are clearing out. If interested, please contact Nancy Turner in the church office 765-482-5959 or fpclebanon@att.net
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Upcoming Events and Meetings
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Wednesday, September 14
- 10 am - 2 pm - Coffee Office Hours with Jennifer - The Electric Brew 118 E Washington St., Goshen (map)
Thursday, September 15
- 7 pm - Carroll County Churches - First Presbyterian Church - 213 S Indiana St., Delphi (map)
Saturday, September 17
- 10 am - Presbytery Assembly - Registration at 9:30 am - Geneva Center 5282 N Old US Hwy 31 Rochester Click to Register TODAY! (map)
Sunday, September 18
- 2 pm (CT) / 3 pm (ET) - Installation Service of Rev. Dr. Mark Mueller, Valparaiso First Presbyterian Church (map)
Thursday, September 22
- 10 am - Coffee Office Hours with Jennifer - The French Press 110 W Laporte St., Plymouth (map)
- 10 am - CRE Training Team - Presbytery Office 707 Main St., Rochester (map)
Friday, September 23
- 10 am - Leadership Team Meeting - Presbytery Office 707 Main St., Rochester (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.
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Wabash Valley Officers, Staff and Consultant Contact Information
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