707 Main St. - PO Box 225 - Rochester, IN 46975
Phone: 574-223-5678 Fax: 888-215-6219 www.ourpresbytery.org
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8-12 & 1-5 Closed Friday
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Presbytery Office will be closed for the Holiday's from
Thursday, December 22 through Friday, December 30th.
Email and voicemail will be checked daily.
There will be no God Calls on December 28th.
Regular office hours will resume at 8:00 am Monday, January 2, 2017.
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Toward a new vision
Way Forward Commission forms subgroups, discerns next steps
The Way Forward Commission has begun to discern next steps for its work - including considering some issues it may be able to act on quickly, and starting to figure out how to organize its longer-term work.
Part of the conversation is structural: for example, deciding what kind of subgroups to establish to work from now until the board's next meeting (via conference call) on Feb. 7.
But the structural nuts and bolts all link back to deeper concerns about how the denomination functions - such as when commission member Eileen Lindner, a teaching elder from New Jersey, said the intent of considering a potential polity change would be to "take a look at access to the places that allow people to lead and participate fully in the life of the church."
In several instances, while discussing what needs to change, commission members raised questions of how seriously the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is taking its work with people of color.
"The fact that Latinos and Hispanics are the largest minority and we have no funding to hire anybody ... this just doesn't make sense," said Adan Mairena, a new church development pastor from Philadelphia.
Eliana Maxim, a mid council executive from Seattle, questioned the terminology of "racial ethnic ministries" in the PC(USA) structure. "It's this - pardon the language - little ghettoized area where they put all the black people and all the brown people and throw in a couple of people of color to lead them, and say 'we're doing good work.' "
The commission has a broad mandate, and a big job.
The 2016 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) created the 12-member Way Forward Commission to "study and identify a vision for the structure and function of the General Assembly entities of the PC(USA)."
By creating a commission - rather than a committee or task force - the assembly gave the Way Forward the authority to act. And the commission's first meeting, held Dec. 12-13 at Auburn Seminary in New York, gave the sense the commission is perfectly willing to do that, when the time and the issues seem right.
SUBGROUPS
For now, the commission decided to set up four subgroups to work between now and Feb. 7.
One-topic issues. One subgroup will initiate exploratory conversations involving focused issues - the terms "isolated" and "one-topic" were used - that the commission wants to investigate. To start with, those conversations would be:
- With leaders of the Board of Pensions, to discuss possible ways the board could support emerging ministries and leadership - for example, with immigrant fellowships or new worshipping communities.
- With leaders of the Presbyterian Foundation, to discuss ways that restricted contributions (money that donors gave years ago for particular purposes) might be used to support current missional priorities.
- With leaders of the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program (known as PILP) and the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, to discuss what issues might be worth exploring on behalf of the broader church.
Part of the intent, said Mark Hostetter, a teaching elder from New York who is the commission's moderator, is to put those agencies "on notice" that the commission will be considering the work of all six PC(USA) agencies, not just the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA) and the Office of the General Assembly (OGA). By having those conversations, "there should be no surprises for anybody," said Samuel Bonner, a ruling elder from the Presbytery of New Brunswick. Quick fixes. A second subgroup will work on issues that already have been identified as potential "quick fixes," or things the commission could address quickly. Between now and the next meeting, the subgroup intends to have conversations with church leaders to take a look at what might be done, or is already being done, regarding concerns in these areas: - The size of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board.
- The culture and responsiveness of PMA.
- Making sure that the denomination's support services don't drive decisions about mission work.
- Getting a chaplain for the PMA staff.
- Finding funding for Latino/Hispanic congregational support.
- Determining how shared services such as accounting, finance, legal services and human resources work - or could work better - among the six PC(USA) agencies.
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PRESBYTERIAN BLUE HYMNALS - 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.
May our music fill the air!
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 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 jamie@sunnysidechurch.org or call 574-287-1524.
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2017 PER CAPITA
$39.76 total
General Assembly - $7.50
Synod of Lincoln Trails - $3.81
Presbytery of Wabash Valley - $28.45
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Save the Dates
2017 COUNCIL
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Valparaiso First PC
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
TBA
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Winamac First PC
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Angola, Chapel of the Lakes PC
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
TBA
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Peabody Retirement Community
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Lafayette Bethany PC
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
TBA
If your congregation would like to host any one of the dates listed above TBA please contact vicki@ourpresbytery.org or call the PWV Office at 574-223-5678.
2017 ASSEMBLY
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Valparaiso First PC
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Geneva Center
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Peabody Retirement Community
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Lafayette Bethany PC
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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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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- December 21, 2003 ~ The Reverend Dr. Ericka Parkinson-Kilbourne, Michigan City First PC
- December 27, 1987 ~ The Reverend Dr. Paul Myhre, Associate Director Crawfordsville Wabash Center
- January 1, 1965 ~ The Reverend Kenneth Ewing, 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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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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PRAYERS of the PRESBYTERY
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"Awake! Awake, and greet the new morn,
for angels herald its dawning.
Sing out your joy, for soon he is born,
behold! the Child of our longing.
Come as a baby weak and poor,
to bring all hearts together,
He opens wide the heavenly door
and lives now inside us forever.
"Rejoice, rejoice, take heart in the night.
Though dark the winter and cheerless,
the rising sun shall crown you with light;
be strong and loving and fearless.
Love be our song and love our prayer
and love our endless story;
May God fill every day we share
and bring us at least into glory."
(#107, stanzas 1 and 4, Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal)
The night approaches, O God - the night of shining star and angel song and shepherd journey. Open our hearts to receive, once again, the mysterious miracle of Jesus' birth. Fill our hearts with a song of love and a prayer of adoration. And may our lives reflect the endless story of your grace and mercy and glory! Amen.
December prayers provided by Rev. Carol McDonald, Honorably Retired
Please pray for....
- Lake Village Presbyterian Church
- RE Jill Kitowski, past PWV Moderator & member of La Porte PC, who broke her leg this week.
- Jan Sandos, Nominating Committee Chair & member of Rossville PC as she slowly recovers from surgery.
- the people of Aleppo, Syria as people are struggling and dying there.
- all who are grieving, lonely and lost.
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 50 Ways to Take Church to the Community
Churches can no longer open their doors and expect that people will come in. Effective congregations go into the world to encounter those in need of the gospel. The 50 Ways provide tips on reaching beyond the walls of your church with worship, community events, ministries, and service. Learn More |
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2017 Standard Mileage Rates for Business, Medical and Moving
WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2017 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2017, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
- 53.5 cents per mile for business miles driven, down from 54 cents for 2016
- 17 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, down from 19 cents for 2016
- 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations
The business mileage rate decreased half a cent per mile and the medical and moving expense rates each dropped 2 cents per mile from 2016. The charitable rate is set by statute and remains unchanged. The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs.
Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.
Peace,
Eric
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Mission Team forming in PWV
Presbytery's Council is looking for a few good folks to serve on the newly forming/reforming Mission Team for the Presbytery of Wabash Valley, in answer to a request from the Session of one of our congregations. What can we do better together as we seek to reach out in the name of Jesus Christ to local, national and global neighbors? Where might mission take us? Do you know a teaching elder or a ruling elder with a heart for mission who would be willing to spend some time in shaping the goals and vision for a presbytery mission team? Please contact PWV Council moderator David Smook at davidsmook@rtcol.com for more information or to volunteer or nominate someone!
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Upcoming Meetings, Events, Workshops and Webinars
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Thursday, December 22 - Friday December 30 PRESBYTERY OFFICE CLOSED - MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR Monday, January 2 PRESBYTERY OFFICE RE-OPENS Tuesday, January 3 10 am - 2 pm (CT) /11 am - 3 pm (ET) am - Coffee Office hours - Grindhouse Café ~ 146 N Broad St., Griffith ( map) Wednesday, January 410 am (CT) / 11 am (ET) - Faith Formation/Christian Education Conversation - Temple News Agency ~ 816 Jefferson Ave. ~ La Porte ( map) Thursday, January 5 10 am - Commission on Ministry - Bethlehem PC ~ 5588 N State Rd 25 ~ Logansport ( map) 10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry - Bethlehem PC ~ 5588 N State Rd 25 ~ Logansport ( map) Friday, January 6 10 am - PWV Search Team - Valparaiso First PC ~ 3401 Valparaiso St., ~ Valparaiso ( 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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Do you see new possibilities for faith formation for individuals and families?
Is change challenging?
Would you like to talk with some friends and colleagues about the shift from Christian Education to faith formation in your setting?
You're invited to a conversation about change and resilience, to support one another as we do hard things, with God's help.
Wednesday, January 4,2017
10 am (central time) 11 am (eastern)
Temple News Agency 816 Jefferson Ave. ~ La Porte ( map)
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Coffee office hours: 
- Tuesday, January 3: Grindhouse Cafe 146 N Broad St, Griffith 10-2 (central) (map)
- Thursday, January 12: Sip 2815 Jewitt St., Highland 10-2 (central) (map)
- Thursday, January 19: 2 and 7 Coffee Bar 9261 109th Street, Winfield 10-2 (central) (map)
- Wednesday, January 25: Fluid Coffee Bar 159 Lincolnway, Valparaiso 10-2 (central) (map)
All coffee hours are 10 am-2 pm in the time zone in which the coffee house/restaurant is located.
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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.
Tuesday, January 31 ~ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Central Time)
What factors lead to thriving congregations with young adults? How can you utilize this information to make a difference in your congregation and your community? This luncheon workshop reveals the most important and relevant findings around what elements lead to thriving congregations.
Community and Digital Ministry in the 21st Century
Thursday, March 23 ~ 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Central Time)
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.
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Contact Information for Wabash Valley Officers, Staff and Consultant
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Help Connect Your Members to PWV
Encourage members of your congregation to connect with their Presbytery
by signing up for the weekly enews God Calls.
It is easy to sign-up!
enter email address in
"Join Our eNewsletter List" box
follow the instructions and your done.
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