Thirty-two members of the Assembly gathered amidst prayer and Scripture this week in a called meeting hosted by Community Presbyterian Church, Rochester. The Assembly authorized a commission to work with the Pulaski congregation at its request, and commissioned Marcia Smith-Wood (TE, validated ministry), Steve Mullin (TE, HR), Roger Hartzler (CRE, Kouts), Lyle Ewing (TE, Monticello) and Brian Laffoon (RE, Lake Village) to serve. Moderator Sarah Sanderson-Doughty (TE, Elkhart) also led the discussion of the authority of the team commissioned to work with First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth and Assembly approved the sequence of its work on behalf of presbytery and its scope of authority. Finally, the Assembly received a report from COM moderator Catherine Moran (TE, member at large) reviewing the joint six-month plan of COM and CPM for continuing preparation for ministry and care for candidate Grace Hammer and temporary pastoral leadership for the Flora congregation.
Following the Assembly, Moderator David Smook, (TE, HR) opened the regular December meeting of Presbytery Council at 10:30 am EST with lighting of Christ candle, invitation to contribute to the Joy Jar and prayer, and conducted the following business as a presbytery commission and board of directors:
After consideration of letter from Session of First Presbyterian Church, Valparaiso, and proposal from its pastors, approved naming a mission team as a committee of Council. Council consensus is to encourage interested members of congregations to serve on the mission committee. The committee appointed is to propose in January a process for the scope of its work, including setting mission priorities (defined as mission outreach beyond the needs of the presbytery and its congregations); and to propose mission cause(s) around which congregations of the presbytery might accomplish more together than any one church, large or small, can do alone. One such possibility is creative support for the Evangelical Theological Seminary (SET) in Matanzas, Cuba, visited by a team from Valpo.
After hearing presentation by Rev. Ken Weaver, (LaGrange PC) of The Farm Project that will benefit disadvantaged children in the LaGrange region, Council enthusiastically approved Memo of Understanding of Ministry with the LaGrange Presbyterian Church session concerning its first steps in establishing and administering this ministry including its incorporation, inclusion as a PC(USA) ministry, and its initial coordination of LaGrange community funding for The Farm Project.
At the request of the Search Team, approved revision of the position description for search for the next Stated Clerk by removing administrative leadership duties and reducing from three-quarter time to half-time. Stewardship Ministry Team will recommend salary range to Search Team and benefits consistent with personnel policy for contracted staff compensation will be negotiated with candidates.
Discussed and contemplated bumper-sticker-sized "vision statement" options for Presbytery gathered by Visioning & Connecting Leader Jennifer Burns Lewis and agreed to continue refining action-words of purpose.
Reviewed financial report for first four months of FY 2017, noting both income and expenses for presbytery work are under budget and below forecasted deficit. Non-budgeted Corporation Fund received funds from sale of property of former Columbia City church, with net unrestricted "reserves" of $448,351.
Conducted first reading of revisions to personnel policies adopted in 2004.
Approved access to presbytery congregations' contact information for one-time, appropriate use.
Received near year-end report from Jim Hubbard, (RE, Valparaiso) president of Geneva Center, Inc. as it carries forward its hospitality focus, and approved its request to negotiate contract for appropriate commercial billboard on presbytery property along US Highway 31 as source of revenue in support of GCI. Of 95 events hosted by Geneva Center, 29 were from Presbyterian groups; of those, fifteen were from Presbytery of Wabash Valley, four from Synod, and ten from two other presbyteries.
Approved October minutes after corrections; corporate resolution of authority for 2017; reimbursements as requested for assessments and online leadership workshop in support of leadership training as a presbytery priority; bid for security system for presbytery office; and update from Stated Clerk.
Received 2017 Bible Study tied to review of proposed revised Directory for Worship; report from Synod Commissioner Ann Bingaman and agreed that Council members will read Waking Up White for discussion at its March meeting; and approved receiving bids from three providers to create new, user-friendly, comprehensive presbytery website to be funded with proceeds from anticipated sale of Granger lot.
- Linda Long, Stated Clerk
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
Help Your Members Stay Informed
Encourage members of your congregation to become more knowledgeable and engage in their Presbytery by signing up for the weekly enews God Calls.
December 8, 1991 ~ The Reverend John Lersch, Ligonier 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 [email protected].
PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
"While we are waiting, come;
With power and glory, come;
Come, Savior, quickly come;
Jesus, our Lord, Emmanuel,
While we are waiting, come."
(#92, Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal)
Come, Lord Jesus! Come into this season of Advent waiting. May we feel your power and see your glory! Never has our world needed you more! Amen.
December prayers provided by Rev. Carol McDonald, Honorably Retired
Please pray for....
Lebanon First Presbyterian Church
Rev. Louis Sandos, Honorably Retired, as he recovers from an injured knee and for Jan as she prepares for surgery, and for the extended family as they suffer loss at far to young an age.
LaGrange, First Presbyterian Church and "The Farm Project" ministry
the Flora congregation as they work in partnership with COM, CPM and Grace Hammer
Plymouth, First as they seek God's will for their congregation
the Winamac Pulaski congregation seeking God's guidance for their ministry
The Rev. Jack Hess, Honorably Retired, as he continues to struggle with health concerns.
AMEN!
CHOIR ROBES NEEDED
MICHIRU CCAP (Church of Central Africa Presbyterian )
in the city of Blantyre ( Blantyre Synod) MALAWI, Africa
The MICHIRU CCAP (Church of Central Africa Presbyterian ) in the city of Blantyre ( Blantyre Synod) MALAWI, Africa are seeking second hand choir robes. If you have robes you are no longer using and are willing to donate please contact Rev. Jamie Miller, Sunnyside Presbyterian Church at[email protected]or call 574-287-1524.
FREE TO LOVING HOME
150ish nearly new Presbyterian Hymnals at Mishawaka FPC, would like a new home since we have been replaced by "Glory to God" hymnals. Will anyone take us in?....no charge....just for the asking. If you have a place for us, call Pam Camren at 574-303-9343 to arrange transportation for us.
The 'Millennials and Church' thing has been written about to death in recent years. Theories about what millennials want in church range from the newest, flashiest, most technologically advanced thing, to the oldest, most artisanal traditions. Continue Reading
Congregations with historic houses of worship can be daunted by their building's maintenance, repair and renovation requirements. A building conditions survey offers an assessment that results in a plan for effective action. In this article, preservation specialist Wesley Haynes explains a building conditions survey. He describes how to define the scope of the project and how to identify and engage a consultant. And he discusses the value of effectively communicating the results to the congregation. Click here to read more.
RETREATS
WORKSHOPS
WEBINARS
AND EVENTS
Upcoming Events and Meetings
Thursday, December 8 10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team - Go-to-meeting 10 am - 2 pm - Coffee office hours - Dan Patch Cafe ~ 308 N Michigan St ~ Oxford (map)
Tuesday, December 13 10 am - Confirmation Retreat Planning Team - Go-to-Meeting 10 am - 2 pm - Coffee office hours - The Electric Brew ~ 113 Lexington Ave ~ Elkhart (map) POSTPONED - Nominating Committee Meeting
Thursday, December 15 10 am - PWV Search Team - Valparaiso First ~ 3401 Valparaiso St ~ Valparaiso (map)
Wednesday, December 21 10 am - 2 pm (CT) / 11 am - 3 pm (ET) - Coffee Office hours - Cafe 339 ~ 339 Main St ~ Hobart (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.
December coffee office hours:
Thursday, December 8 - Dan Patch Caf� 308 N. Michigan St., Oxford (map)
Tuesday, December 13 - The Electric Brew 113 E Lexington Ave, Elkhart (map)
Wednesday, December 21 - Caf� 339 339 Main Street, Hobart (map)
All coffee hours are 10 am-2 pm in the time zone in which the coffee house/restaurant is located.
Community and Digital Ministry in the 21st Century
Join Pastor and author Keith Anderson facilitates this workshop to lead you through a look at our changing religious and cultural landscape, particularly in regards to rising religious un-affiliation among young adults and advances in digital social media.
How Indiana Congregations are Engaging Young Adults
Live Online ~ January 18, 2017
This interactive live online workshop shares learnings from the Center for Congregations recent investigation of successful young adult ministries in Indiana congregations across the geographical and theological spectrum. In this event, you will explore the common characteristics of those congregations as well as themes that emerged from these different ministries.
Center staffer Wendy McCormick led the investigation and presents the findings. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to consider how these characteristics and themes apply to your congregation and to strategize for next steps to better engage young adults.
PWV presents a Combined assembly meeting/Healthy Pastor-Congregations workshop with Dr. Richard Blackburn
Four convenient sites: Live at First Presbyterian Church of Valparaiso Streaming at three additional sites: First Presbyterian Church of Elkhart First Presbyterian Church of Peru Bethany Presbyterian Church of Lafayette
Contact Information for Wabash Valley Officers, Staff and Consultant