Serving Christ, Enhancing Congregations, Connecting Communities
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Assembly Summary
Bethlehem Presbyterian Church Logansport
April 6, 2017
Presbytery Assembly gathered for a called meeting on April 6 hosted by Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Logansport to examine Brad Rito for ordination and elect Kevin Bowers to complete the 2017 term as Presbytery Moderator. Jan Edmiston from Chicago Presbytery was unexpectedly unable to attend.
- Brad Rito
is Candidate for ordination to a call with Garrett Presbyterian Church to serve as a solo pastor. He chose Exodus 3:1-15 as his text for preaching about "Answering the Call." After reading his statement of faith, he was examined by the Assembly concerning the purpose of the Church, who is the Church, mission of the Church, the relationship between personal experience and theology, and meaning of being Presbyterian. After extensive questions, answers and discussion including an executive session, the Assembly with a divided vote,
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Candidate Brad Rito
(Photo provided by Rev. Stan Kessler)
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approved Brad for ordination by Presbytery of Detroit upon condition that COM work with CPM to develop an accountable mentoring program to work with Brad and the Garrett congregation. Moderator pro tem TE David Smook, Honorably Retired, led all gathered in prayer as friends, family and Garrett members stood with Brad. Brad is scheduled to be ordained by his home presbytery in April and begin his call with Garrett on May 1.
Brad was born and raised in Grosse Ile, Michigan and experienced many mission trips, retreats and youth group events. He graduated from Central Michigan University with concentration in Creative Writing, and graduated from Pittsburgh Theological seminary in 2015. His Clinical Pastoral Education was with Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak Michigan; he also spent a year in New Orleans as a Young Adult Volunteer and chaplain intern at Touro Infirmary.
- Kevin Bowers (pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church, Lafayette) was unanimously elected to complete the 2017 term of Presbytery Moderator and will be installed at the May 23rd Assembly by outgoing Moderator Sarah Sanderson-Doughty. Sarah is leaving Wabash Valley mid-term to accept a call in Portland, Oregon.
Assembly was adjourned at 10:45 am EDT with reminders that the next regularly scheduled Assembly is May 23rd at Geneva Center in Rochester. Jan Edmiston, Co-Moderator of the 222nd General Assembly, will preach as well as share with the Assembly her observations about the emerging Church based upon her travels around the world.
- Linda Long, Stated Clerk
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Presbytery Mission Team
"BETTER TOGETHER"
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"In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16
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"Better Together" was tossed around the table as the newly formed Presbytery Mission team met this past week to discuss how we will serve Wabash Valley churches. Unanimously, we agreed to create some guidelines and set goals for our committee. One was to hear from you, our churches, ways in which we can partner in mission. This past "God Calls" had wonderful news of collaborative happenings between Bethel AME and First Presbyterian Church in Michigan City assembling health packs for needy women. What a shining story!
As you serve, another church or individual might want to participate with you or begin the project in their community. There are local, national and international mission projects happening among us. We feel we're "better together" as we serve as Christ's disciples in the world. One of the functions of the Mission team will be to share what's happening around the Presbytery. Your project just might spark the interest of someone in another church. You might even need extra hands or a specialized talent to make the dream come to fruition. We're here to help!
What are your mission projects? Pass our request to mission chairpersons and people active in mission. We hope to begin a blog on the website in the next few weeks. Pictures tell stories of hard work and success, so include photos with your stories if you have them. Please write about your mission happenings, provide contact information and send them via email to vicki@ourpresbytery.org. Communication is unifying and helps us serve together better.
POWV Mission Team members: Ralph "Chip" Goldsberry, Elizabeth Monroe, Rev. Steve Quinlan, Sally Van Bokkelen and Jennifer Burns-Lewis, staff.
If you'd like to join our team, please contact jennifer@ourpresbytery.org.
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
April 18, 2010 - The Reverend Terri Thorn, First Presbyterian Church Lebanon
If we have inadvertently omitted your ordination please accept my apology. Help to update our records by sending your current information to vicki@ourpresbytery.org |
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PRAYERS OF THE PRESBYTERY
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Ageless and eternal Savior and Lord, with you we are caught in the maelstrom of Life. With you we walk through this week which begins with exaltation and adulation and ends in agony and execution. Yet we recognize, now, what seemed to have been devolution was only an alternative fact to this world. In truth, you revealed that the world had got it wrong. God is the Ruler yet. Your sacrifice lighted the Way of Salvation. In this Passion, remove our fear of death so we too may live with your heaven in our eyes, our hearts, our actions, and so exhibit the Kingdom of Heaven for the world. In life and in death, we belong to the one who sets us free to live as your disciples in all times, all places. All glory belongs to you, whom we seek to serve. Amen.
April prayers submitted by Reverend Stanley Kessler, Honorably Retired
Please pray for...
- The Rev. Jack Hess, Honorably Retired, as he continues to have health concerns.
- congregations who are seeking leadership and are in transition
- those who suffer in silence...
- Hammond First Presbyterian Church in their continued ministry
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.
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RESOURCES & OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
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Atef Gendy, President of ETSC
An Easter greeting from Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo, Egypt.
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SHARED MINISTRY AT TWO PWV CONGREGATIONS OFFERS MANY HOLY WEEK WORSHIP OPTIONS
4/13 Maundy Thursday Service with Holy Communion 7pm at Lafayette Elston
4/14 Good Friday Service 7pm (at Bethany) 4/16 Easter Services: Easter Breakfast 9am, Easter Egg Hunt for the children 10am, Resurrection of our Lord Service 10:45am Bethany Presbyterian Church Elston Presbyterian Church 3305 Longlois Dr, Lafayette 375 Elston Rd, Lafayette bethanypcusa.net |
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Read more about the PC(USA) six agency effort to share "Facing Racism" resources with denomination.
The FacingRacism.org website will serve as a starting point for the dissemination of resources and offers a link to subscribe to receive regular updates on newly available materials and calls to action.
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SPECIAL DAYS AND EMPHASES ON THE CHRISTIAN YEAR
The festivals and seasons of the Christian year (or liturgical calendar) offer a way to order the annual life of the church according to the life of Christ and the events of salvation history. The Revised Common Lectionary provides a set of Scripture readings from the Old and New Testaments that is both organized around the Christian year and attentive to the broad themes and narratives of the biblical story.
Learn More
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Events, Opportunities, Webinars & Workshops
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Big Tent 2017 to focus on 'Race, Reconciliation and Reformation'
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Tuesday, April 18
10 am - Nominating Committee - "Note Change" - GO-TO-MEETING
Saturday, April 22
10 am - Permanent Judicial Committee Training - Indiana Interchurch Center Corp. ~ 1100 W 42nd St #110, Indianapolis (map)
Monday, April 24
10 am - Committee on Representation - PWV Office 707 Main St. Rochester (map)
Tuesday, April 25
10 am - Council - First Presbyterian Church ~ 77 E 50 N ~ Winamac, IN 46996 (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.htmfor more information regarding meetings and events.
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Commissioned to Validated Ministry Available to Serve Communion
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Contact Information for Wabash Valley Officers, Staff and Consultant
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