707 Main St. - PO Box 225 - Rochester, IN 46975 Phone: 574-223-5678 www.ourpresbytery.org Fax: 888-215-6219
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8-12 & 1-5 Closed Friday
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Many Fruits Generated During 2016 Council Retreat...
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by RE Linda L. Long, PWV Stated Clerk
Presbytery Council met at Geneva Center Thursday evening and Friday last week to welcome incoming members, thank outgoing presbyters, build closer working relationships with one another, envision effective, communicative
partnerships with congregations and worshipping
communities, sharing meals and worship including the Lord's Supper, and identifying the infrastructure required to implement visionary commitments. Highlights of the fruits generated by the 23 gathered:
- Pastor Henry Mesina and Educator Franklin Gwengwe told of Presbyterian ministry in Malawi and Council celebrated the five-year covenanted partnership of their congregation with First Presbyterian Church of Peru. Henry and Franklin observed Council at its work, shared meals and participated in its worship.
- Jennifer Lewis, Visioning & Connecting Leader, covered a large sheet (The Big Parking Lot of Ideas) with Post-Its naming ideas recorded during her weekly coffee-office hours scheduled across the presbytery during her first 66 days. Six to fifteen folks show up to catch up with one another or get to know one another and talks emerge around "who we are" and "where we want to be," i.e. the vision. Council participants teamed as partners to pick two ideas that sparkled to them, and consider whether their choice was focused on congregations or infrastructure.
- Based upon the span of ideas highlighted, Council was challenged to create a "word logo" of three words or so to capture the essence of presbytery mission statement. Ten competing phrases will be considered again at next Council meeting, keeping the visioning part of Council responsibility for mission and infrastructure front and center.
- Key resonating ideas: people and resources are essential; networking, swapping and sharing pastors, ministry, staff, treasures well-done are effective to grow
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Jennifer Burns Lewis
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ministry; just have shared training via multiple models; infrastructure must be nimble and responsive; stewardship of time and transparent communication are signs of health; our unity in Christ amidst wide diversity requires both civility and passion; and more... These are only highlights that energized Council conversations. - Set two more commitments: agreed new website is priority for communication, training and other resources and named planning team; promised to work with COM to nurture advocate/direct link between each congregation and presbytery for two-way communication at least twice a year.
- Sarah Sanderson-Doughty reminded Council of presbytery progress during the past year with her Prezi visual; Jill Kitowski and David Smook invited personal testimony around the table to name what lifted him or her up during the past year, and what aspirations did each harbor for 2017 - a rich celebration of specific gratitudes to carry forward energetic action for what's discerned to be next.
Council actions on behalf of 'Wabash Valley:
- Affirmed and recorded its previous email votes concerning sale of church property in Columbia City and Granger.
- Approved changes in 2017 meeting dates and places for Council and Assembly as noted in God Calls and on presbytery calendar.
- Approved proposed budget distributed to September Assembly as amended in support of annual confirmation retreat at request of planning task force and to supplement original request for leader travel reimbursement.
- Approved team to communicate narrative budget to Assembly, linking dollars directly to specific aspects of presbytery mission.
- Appointed a task force moderated by Jill Kitowski to proposed updated bylaws and standing rules to reflect ongoing changes in staffing and structure of presbytery work.
- Nominated 2017 moderator for Nominating Committee to be elected by Assembly.
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Save the Dates
2016 COUNCIL
Tuesday, December 6 - Rochester, Community PC
2016 ASSEMBLY
Tuesday, November 15 -
Elkhart, First Presbyterian Church
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Ministry Quick Links
PC(USA) RESOURCES
PC(USA) Responding to Hurricane Matthew
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Mending Relationships: Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Hope
Presbyterians Today
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Presbyterian Women 
(PW) is the national women's organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). With more than 300,000 members and 25 years as an organization, PW is organized at all levels of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Learn more about PW and consider joining your local group.
Continue Reading
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Presbytery of Wabash Valley Pulpit Supply List
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Presbytery of Wabash Valley 2016 Monthly Bible Study
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Good Intentions Aren't Enough
How Congregations Can Most Helpfully Respond to Natural Disaster
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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 |
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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Lewis Center for Church Leadership
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Worship attendance is vital to the mission of the church. Our free "50 Ways" tip sheet provides practical strategies to help you improve the attendance of current members; invite new people to attend worship; make your church visible and attractive; welcome worship guests warmly; and make worship accessible to newcomers. Read "50 Ways to Increase Worship Attendance" now.
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 Regarding ruling elders:
faith and work
There are times when it is difficult to remember our common calling, to remember that we are sisters and brothers in Christ. During the more difficult times I remind myself that God is in charge, and we are not, and I give thanks for that. Read More
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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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 Gracious Lord, We pray for your church in its many forms throughout our Presbytery and throughout the world. May the church always be a healing station in the midst of the world - - a place where everyone who comes may feel at home in your presence - - where one need not be anything other than your child and your servant - - the person you created. Help us to model for the world, the kingdom of God, in our care for one another. Amen
- Prayer from Rev. Nancy Becker, Honorably Retired
Please pray for.... - Westminster Presbyterian Church Munster
- The Rev. Jack Hess, Honorably Retired, as he continues to struggle with health concerns and other major life changes.
- CRE Barbara Wirt, Sunnyside Presbyterian Church, as she recovers from surgery.
- Those suffering in silence...
AMEN!
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Nourished by the living waters of Jesus Christ, we awaken, enliven and enhance worshipping 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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Thank you for your ministry and your service... - October 15, 2012 - The Rev. Neal Arner, Notre Dame Faculty
- October 15, 2000 - The Rev. Christina Starace Williams, Member at Large
- October 16, 1981 - The Rev. John Gilbert, Honorably Retired
- October 16, 1981 - The Rev. Sally Gilbert, 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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Congregational Highlights
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To help Rebuild Kokomo Community lets meet at FAITH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1608 KIRK ROW
KOKOMO, IN 46902
on
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2016
10:00 AM
Please forward a completed Skills Assessment Form to jbpastor.jeff@gmail.com by Sunday, October 23rd so they are able to plan the work according to skills and number of volunteers.
Continental breakfast and sack lunch will be provided by Faith PC.
If you aren't able to help out on November 5th but would like to assist in some way please give generously.
Questions, please contact Jeff Brown at jbpastor.jeff@gmail.com or 765-438-7224.
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RETREATS
WORKSHOPS
WEBINARS
AND EVENTS
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Upcoming Events and Meetings
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Thursday, October 13CANCELLED - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-To-Meeting)
7 pm - Carroll County Churches Gathering at Flora Presbyterian Church 211 S Center St. Flora, IN 46929 (map)Tuesday, October 18 (Note the change in day)10 am - 2 pm - Coffee Office Hours with Jennifer - Sacred Grounds, 724 Wabash Ave., Lafayette (map)Tuesday, October 2510 am - 2 pm - Coffee Office Hours with Jennifer - Sip Coffee House & Artisan Cafe 11 N Court St., Crown Point, IN 46307 (map)Thursday, October 272 pm - Commissioned Ruling Elder Gathering - Bob Evans 1631 Pilgrim Lane, Plymouth, IN 46563 (map) All meetings & events posted on the PWV Calendar are eastern time (EDT) 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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2017 Confirmation Retreat
A great way to support, supplement or complement your church's own confirmation program!
Friday evening February 3 - Sunday noon February 5
at Geneva Center
This weekend is filled with interactive discussions and hands-on workshops that engage youth as they learn foundational Reformed theological beliefs of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and experience what it means to be a member of a connectional church, helping each other to listen to Christ's loving, life-changing call in our lives even today in this world. Time is also set aside for ice breaker games, time for fellowship, and other fun activities. The weekend is designed as an "all in one" confirmation experience or, for congregations with a longer confirmation process, the retreat can serve as a kick-off or capstone anchoring event. Please mark your calendars and plan on attending this annual event made possible with the assistance of Wabash Valley Presbytery. If you would like to participate in planning or leading the retreat, please contact John Van Nuys: 765-362-5812, jcvchurch@att.net
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Upcoming Workshops:
- Getting to Know Your Community - Tuesday, Oct 18
- Developing and Effective Community Ministry - Thursday, Oct 20
- Supporting and Encouraging Creativity in Congregations, Wednesday, Oct 26
- Advance Look: What is The Art of the Flourishing Congregation?, Thursday, Nov 3
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The Art of Transitional Ministry
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Are you a teaching or ruling elder interested in transitional ministry education? 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. |
 Register Today For 2016 Events at Geneva Center Inc.
- October 28-30, 2016 - Knitting/Crochet UFO Retreat - Gather your supplies and join other knitters and crocheters as we work on those UnFinished Objects and gifts for the upcoming holidays. Learn from other enthusiasts, enjoy the freedom from distractions and pick up a few new skills. More information is located on our website. Please register online by October 14th.
- Oct. 30, 2016 4-7 pm- Fall Harvest Celebration - For all ages. Youth Groups welcome.$5.00 per person. Join us for a hayride, pumpkin bowling, hotdogs, s'mores, games and more! Please sign up online or call our main office to let us know how many people you will be bringing by October 23rd.
If you have any questions please call our main office at 574-223-6915 or |
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Coffee Office Hours with Jennifer...
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Stop by and connect with Jennifer at convenient coffee shops all over the presbytery
Coffee office hours for October:
- Tuesday, October 18: 10 am-2;00 p.m (eastern) - Sacred Grounds 724 Wabash Avenue, Lafayette
- Tuesday, October 25: 10am- 2:00 p.m. (central) - Sip Coffee House 11 N. Court St., Crown Point
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.
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Wabash Valley Officers, Staff and Consultant Contact Information
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