Serving Christ, Enhancing Congregations, Connecting Communities
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A DAY OF CELEBRATION AND RENEWAL
"Celebrating renewal!" That was the worshipful work this week when more than 100 presbyters gathered in Assembly at Geneva Center to greet one another, sing again and again, ponder, pray and otherwise take action to further our collective ministry in Christ as presbytery:
- Listened to Moderator Sarah Sanderson-Doughty as she preached on the 2 Cor. 5 text, "if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone and the new is here!" and the imperative, "Be reconciled to God." She recounted some times of grief, sighting new buds on the Tree of Life described in our vision statement, and indeed, celebrated new things:
- Directly investing in the ministry of congregations by committing tithe of budgeted revenue to mission partnerships for the coming fiscal year.
- Presuming the best of every church to contribute $40 per member to our shared ministry as Presbyterians.
- Being reconciled to God by being reconciled to one another.
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| | GA Co-Moderator Jan Edmiston & Presbytery out going Moderator Sarah Sanderson Doughty |
- Welcomed 222nd General Assembly Co-Moderator Jan Edmiston who energetically shared stories and photos to illustrate signs of renewal and New Life she is experiencing in her travels around the country and the world as one of the faces of PC(USA):
- Visits with UKirk in Knoxville, supporting social justice for tomato pickers in Florida, Youth Triennium in Lafayette, talking with college students at Montreat, sharing conversations and experiences about race and privilege and encouraging all to read and discuss the book Waking Up White with church community.
- Highlights of the Synod of Syria & Lebanon addressing massive needs of churches and refugees, both Christian and Muslim, in their war-torn communities. She showed both tragic destruction and new life, whether in remodeled garages or new buildings to meet needs for food, shelter, medical care, or education of refugee children.
- Challenge to churches to go outside the walls of their building to ask and see "what breaks God's heart" in their neighborhood, to instigate new ministry and signs of New Life.
- Installed Kevin Bowers, TE Lafayette Bethany, as Assembly Moderator for the remainder of the 2017 term and expressed gratitude to Sarah with a clay vessel filled with personal notes as she leaves Wabash Valley this week to accept a call to a congregation in Presbytery of the Cascades in Portland, Oregon.
- Examined and approved candidate Grace Hammer for ordination and installation
as teaching elder in PC(USA) and pastor of Flora Presbyterian Church.
- Elected more presbytery members into leadership positions, including"
- Marjorie Reinsch as incoming Stated Clerk, to be installed at the September Assembly.
- Jan Sandos, RE Rossville, as vice moderator of presbytery.
- Alan Griffin, TE Goshen First, to remainder of 2017 term on Council
- Anna Parkinson, TE at large, as Synod Commissioner
- Martha Flora, CRE Albion, as co-moderator of Committee on Representation
- Quincy Worthington, TE Munster Westminster, to Visioning Ministry Team
- Joe Moss, RE Flora, to Stewardship Ministry Team
- Theda McBryde, TE Logansport Bethlehem and Jim Nixon, RE Auburn, to Nominating Committee
- Celebrated approval and shared funding for Ministry Formation Program as a two-year growth opportunity for church members and those ruling elders seeking training to be commissioned for pastoral work. Introductory session is June 17th at Rochester Community Church.
- Voted to affirm the presbytery budget for 2017-18 and its focus on "awakening, enlivening and empowering congregations" and "enlisting, encouraging and enriching leaders." The approved budget relies on commitment to presbytery of $40 for each active congregational member, and allocates 10% of the budgeted revenues to mission partnerships with congregations, in addition to funds already set aside for mission.
- Approved proposed revisions to Directory for Worship, studied scripture and section of Directory concerning baptism, responded with Assembly members renewing their baptism, and closed with prayers of the people and benediction sung by Sarah.
Next Stated Assembly meeting is September 19, 2017, 10 am EDT at Peabody Retirement Community in North Manchester.
- Linda Long, Stated Clerk
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PRESBYTERY ELECTS NEW STATED CLERK
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At its May 23 assembly, the Presbytery of Wabash Valley unanimously elected
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| | Marjorie Reinsch |
Ruling Elder Marjorie Reinsch to a three-year term as Stated Clerk.
Both the Presbytery Search Team and Presbytery's Council honored our candidate's desire to keep her name and background confidential until yesterday in order to allow the candidate to inform her current employer after the assembly's vote was official. For that reason, we did not publicize in advance, but are pleased to share with Presbytery now:
Ruling Elder Marjorie Reinsch
(pronounced Rye-nsch)
Education
Trine University (formerly Tri-State University) Angola, Indiana
2005 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, graduated with honors
2003 Associate in Business Administration, graduated with honors
Maumee Valley Presbytery, Findlay, Ohio
2010 Commissioned Lay Pastor Program for Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), (CRE)
Professional Experience
2002 - Present Trine University Angola, Indiana
2013 - Present: Academic Services Administrator, College of Graduate
and Professional Studies
2010 - 2012 Program/Assessment Coordinator
2007 - 2010 Administrative Assistant to the Dean, School of Professional
Studies
2006 - 2007 Admissions Counselor/Administrative Assistant
2003 - 2006 Administrative Assistant - Angola Evening Program
2002 - 2003 Admissions
1991 - 2000 Potawatomi Inn Resort and Conference Center Angola, Indiana
1998 - 2000 Front Desk Manager
1996 - 1998 Administrative Assistant to General Manager
1995 - 1996 Sales Manager
1991 - 1995 Reservations
Additional Training
- 2016 - Child Protection Seminar
- 2014 - Spanish Language Refresher course
- 2014 - Communication Skills for Women
- 2011 - Boundary and Ethics Training
- 2000 - Conflict Management Training
- 1999 - "Going the Extra Mile" Front Desk Service Skills training
- 1998 - Lay Preacher training
- 1998 - Organizational Skills Workshop for Administrative Support Personnel
- 1997 - Wages, Hours, Vacation and FMLA Payroll training
Honors, Awards and Volunteer and Activities
- 2016 Elected to serve as Ruling Elder for Auburn Presbyterian Church
- 2003 - Present Serve on Board of Directors for the Therapeutic Riding Center for Steuben
- County, Inc. holding several elected offices
- 2007 Elected to Lagrange Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors representing Tri-State University
- 2005 Omicron Psi National Honor Society for Non-Traditional Students
- 2004 Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society In Business
- 1998 Potawatomi Inn - "Associate of the Second Quarter" and "Associate of the Year",
- 1999 Received statewide recognition from the Indiana Hotel & Motel Association for accomplishments at Potawatomi Inn
- 1974 Ordained Ruling Elder, West Eagle Creek Presbyterian Church, Montpelier, Ohio
Elder Reinsch dwells in beauty on one of the many lakes in northeast Indiana, and is a member of the Auburn Presbyterian Church, where she is leading a Bible study, and has served as a ruling elder and a commissioner to presbytery, and an occasional supply preacher. While a member of the West Eagle Presbyterian Church in Maumee Valley, Marjorie served on the Committee on Preparation for Ministry and the Committee on Ministry, as well as the Commissioned Ruling Elder Committee before taking the training herself from 2007-2011.
The Search Team unanimously recommended Elder Reinsch to the assembly, impressed by her background and many skills and attributes directly related to and transferable to being a stated clerk, along with her denominational and life experience, warmth and humility. To quote her PIF and her responses to interview questions: "I'm a rule follower without being regulatory." "I feel I'm supposed to be a voice of hope, to call others not to despair but to courage" and "I see myself as a mentor-coach who helps bring about a transformation."
Stated Clerk-elect Reinsch will begin serving on August 1 and will work collaboratively with Stated Clerk Linda Long through the September assembly, when Elder Reinsch will be installed and Elder Long's more than ten years of service to the Presbytery of Wabash Valley will be celebrated with deep appreciation and gratitude to her and to God.
The Search Team of Pam Camren (moderator), Sandy Carlson, Monica Conrad, Lyle Ewing, Sarah Sanderson-Doughty, and Quincy Worthington (past moderator) has completed nearly two years of work and was dismissed with thanks.
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- May 25, 1986 - The Rev. David Herron, Honorably Retired
- May 29, 1983 - The Rev. Paul Anderson, Dyer Presbyterian Church & First Presbyterian Church Merrillville
- May 30, 1955 - The Rev. Don Nead, Honorably Retired
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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God of Revelation, give us the discipline to be good listeners. We need to hear from You, O God, about all the needs of the world. Teach us to inspire, comfort and minister to others. Speak to us about how to share our faith and how to live with mystery when there are not explanations for suffering. Speak to us about serving You by serving others. Train our ears to hear even Your slightest whisper. We love You, Lord. Amen.
May prayers submitted by the Reverend's John & Sally Gilbert, Honorably Retired
Please pray for...
- The Sanderson Doughty family as they travel across country to begin a new journey.
- Salem Center Presbyterian Church of Hudson as they navigate the aftermath of serious flooding.
- Milligan Memorial Presbyterian Church of Crawfordsville as they seek the means to repair a major leak in the church.
- Flora Presbyterian Church as they faithfully serve Christ Jesus always.
- for those who suffer in silence.
AMEN
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many thanks to many of you!
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"It Takes a Village"
You have heard it said often in the last several years but how true it really is!
As many of you are aware, the presbytery office downsized and moved after being in the same location for 25 years. We had accumulated a lot of stuff!
Moving a lot of stuff takes a lot of people. And thankfully we have had numerous volunteers to help move, sort and re-purpose most everything.
Yesterday at the Assembly many of you took the time to go through the items that were left and find a good home for them. Thanks to Alan Griffin, two of our smaller congregations will benefit from desktop computers that he had been cleaned and reformatted. Office supplies and many binders were carried out by members who will put them to good use in the work of their congregation. Crosses, communion ware, bookcases, files cabinets have all found homes. Thanks for your commitment to being good stewards!
Thank you to David Smook and Charlie Dreibelbis for hauling all that stuff to the Big Room and to Mark Mueller for taking time to haul the remains away.
It really does take a village and we are grateful that we get to be part of your village.
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CONGREGATION NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS
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Help Save Milligan Memorial Presbyterian Church of Crawfordsville
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| | Milligan Memorial Presbyterian Church Crawfordsville |
One Sunday morning earlier this month Elder Ron Addler arrived to find several members scrambling to clean up the mess. With water still pouring in to the building, the church called several contractors to get a price. When it was clear it would be far too expensive to plug the leak professionally, Addler and pastor Jene McVay explained the gravity of the situation.
The church needs volunteers and donations to fix the roof and make other repairs, in hopes of saving the Crawfordsville east-end landmark.
GET INVOLVED
Checks can be mailed to Milligan Memorial Presbyterian Church, 802 Mill Street, Crawfordsville, IN 47933. Put "Bell Tower Fund" in the memo line.
The church hopes to begin the project in the next month.
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Events, Opportunities, Webinars & Workshops
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The Church Leadership Connection (CLC) a ministry of the Office of the General Assembly will host a Face to Face Event this year at Big Tent held at Washington University in St. Louis, MO from July 6 - 8, 2017. We hope you will consider participating in the event. Face to Face will include PNC (Pastor Nominating Committee) training, call seeker's training, networking opportunities, one-on-one PIF reviews, and other educational opportunities for call seeker's and calling organizations. All call seekers (teaching elders, candidates, ruling elders, and other lay professionals) with an active Personal Information Form may participate. All search committees for installed and temporary positions with an active MIF or approved job description are encouraged to attend. Registration runs from April 17 thru June 30, 2017.
To contact CLC by phone call 888-728-7228 Ext. 8550.
We hope to you see at the event.
Rev. Dr. SanDawna Gaulman Ashley
Assistant Stated Clerk
Manager, Call Process Support and Teaching Elders Ministry
Office of the General Assembly, Mid Council Ministries
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Reaching Out to the Latino Community
Outreach to the Latino community has been on the minds of many Indiana congregations. In some parts of the state, the Latino community wasn't very visible until recent population growth. But elsewhere, Latinos have been Hoosiers for generations. Workshop leader and pastor Felipe Martinez will help you as a congregational leader consider your options for starting, expanding or refocusing ministry efforts with the Latino community. The workshop, which is June 1 in Hobart, will be presented in English and Spanish.
Exceptional Program Planning
How can your congregation move with greater confidence from creative ideas to initiating great programs? This learning experience, led by Center President Tim Shapiro, will help you improve program planning so that your board, staff, team or committee can successfully address your congregation's challenges and opportunities. This live online workshop is June 7 and June 13.
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THE MINISTRY FORMATION PROGRAM:
A GROWTH OPPORTUNITY FOR CHURCH MEMBERS
INQUIRY DAY
JUNE 17, 2017
10:00 - NOON
AT
ROCHESTER COMMUNITY CHURCH
503 Jefferson St. Rochester, IN
(map)
There is wonderful news to share!
A new program for ministry formation in the Presbytery of Wabash Valley is beginning! This program offers opportunities for church members who are discerning a call to increase their participation in ministry, to strengthen their leadership in their churches, and to serve Christ's church in new ways.
Come to find out how you can be part of this exciting new program!
To register for Inquiry Day:
Email your
Name, home church, phone number, and email
To:
Rev. Chuck Compton
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A week of learning, laughter and worship presented by members and churches of the PCUSA Synod of the Covenant and Synod of Lincoln Trails
Together with Courage and Strength
July 16, 4 pm-July 21, 11 am
Geneva Retreat and Conference Center
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RESOURCES & OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
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Church financial leadership grants
Grants are available through the Presbyterian Foundation to assist pastors to attend continuing education opportunities to help them in leading their congregations toward financial and missional vitality.
Check it out! |
2017-2018 Presbyterian Planning Calendar
Haven't placed your order yet? We have 38 left.
Order calendars from the Presbytery Office at $9.00 each (shipping to you or your church is an extra fee) by contacting Vicki at vicki@ourpresbytery.org or 574-223-5678. |
Thursday, May 25
2 pm - Committee on Representation - PWV Office 707 Main St. Rochester, IN 46975 (map)
Monday, May 29
PRESBYTERY OFFICE CLOSED TO OBSERVE MEMORIAL DAY
Thursday, June 1
10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry - Bethlehem PC 5588 N SR 25 Logansport (map)
10 am - Commission on Ministry - Bethlehem PC 5588 N SR 25 Logansport (map)
Monday, June 12
10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-to-meeting)
Tuesday, June 13
10 am - Nominating Committee (Go-to-meeting)
Saturday, June 17
10 am - Noon - Ministry Formation Inquiry Day - Community Presbyterian Church 530 Jefferson St., Rochester (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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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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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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