Serving Christ, Enhancing Congregations, Connecting Communities
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CONGREGATIONAL NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS
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HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT for LOAN PROGRAM
The availability of hospital equipment for use in one's home can become a huge problem. Three years ago Bethany Presbyterian Church in Lafayette initiated an effort to locate and provide equipment to church members. Quickly we found that much equipment would be donated by non-church members who were interested in seeing that equipment being put to use. Once equipment owned by someone or used by a family member, and no longer needed was a storage burden with no resale value. The challenge was finding the person who needed the piece of equipment and getting it to them. The program is a hands-on challenge for someone dedicated to finding those in need and getting the piece of equipment to them quickly. When someone needs a piece of equipment it's not in 2 weeks, it's in 2 hours.The program must be publicized and promoted. The inventory of equipment in the Bethany program now exceeds 70 pieces. Walkers, both collapsible and rigid with brakes, shower chairs, and wheel chairs are in great demand. We have power hospital beds, power lift chairs, and various portable bathroom items. Approximately 1/3 of the equipment is in use all the time. Probably half of the pieces are used by people under 65 who have lost their job and their health insurance or are not able to afford insurance. I will have 3 to 6 calls for pickups/deliveries per week. The key to the success of any equipment for loan program is to have someone to "run" the program, not just it's available and a good idea. It is necessary for the equipment to be stored away from the church and the one who manages the program to have the only key. We started our program with the equipment stored at a storage area on the church property and items had a way of evaporating. Many items are owned by church members and are kept at their home until they are needed. I pick them up and deliver them and when finished pick them up and return them. It is mandatory for the equipment inventory and location to be confidential, because well-meaning people will be picking up equipment from someone they know, and location and return might not happen. I will be happy to assist any church that is interested in starting an equipment loan program. It is not a difficult program to operate, but someone needs to keep the records on what you have, and where each piece is located whether in use or in storage. I felt that there was a need in our congregation, but the need and the use of the program has far exceeded our expectations.
Sam Washburn, Chairman
Senior Ministries Committee
Bethany Presbyterian Church, Lafayette
765-427-3724 |
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Country Music
from
Grand Rapids, Michigan
at
Bethlehem Presbyterian Church 5588 N State Road 25 Logansport
Saturday June 17, 3:30-5:00
Enjoy good music - free
Take home some
Nelson's Port a Pit Chicken $6.50
Proceeds to support Caston Back-Pack Program
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Events, Opportunities, Webinars & Workshops
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Presbytery has a list of tasks that need to be done and most can be done from the comfort of your home. Some are a one time project, others are ongoing.
Volunteer in your jammies:
- Of a confidential nature:
- From a scripted list - File sorting, purging, documenting and shipping to Presbyterian Historical Society
- Delivered to your home
- Are you creative and computer savvy, would you like to learn more about the Presbytery of Wabash Valley Congregations and the PC(USA)? - we are looking for someone who would be willing to take on God Calls.
- Constant Contact training available
- Content would be sent to you each week via email
- You design and put it in a format to send out each Wednesday
- Editor reviews for typo's and offers suggestions
- You would have a support team just a phone call, text or email away
If you would like to help in the office be assured there is plenty to do. If you would like to just cover the office for a day staff meets off site or for a week while on vacation contact Vicki at 574-223-5678 or vicki@ourpresbytery.org. WE COULD USE A FEW GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS |
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Register now for Big Tent 2017
Join Presbyterians from around the country at Big Tent! This year's theme emphasizes the hope of the Gospel and its power to transform society in our cultural context, marked by anxiety, racial division, political animosity and economic inequality. Let's come together and engage the Church in its mission of justice-making and peace.
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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 seekers' 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.
On June 15, we will provide an update on the number of search committees and church professionals registered for F2F. Please use this information to assist you in your travel plans. To register for Face to Face go to http://pcusa.org/sections/mid-council-ministries/clc/facetoface/ Please complete and return the appropriate registration forms to clcstaff@pcusa.org. **We recommend you save the form to your computer and fill it out using the free Adobe Reader. To contact CLC by phone call 888-728-7228 Ext. 8550.
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THE MINISTRY FORMATION PROGRAM:
A GROWTH OPPORTUNITY FOR CHURCH MEMBERS
INQUIRY DAY
JUNE 17, 2017
10:00 - NOON (ET)
at
COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
530 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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RESOURCES & OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
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We need your photos!
We are excited to be developing a new website and we are seeking photos of your congregation, church, members, events. Please only send those photos of people who allow their photo to be shared.
Each congregation will have a page on PWV site. We want to include your correct contact information, address, phone, email address, website link, facebook page, twitter, staff and officers. By clicking the following link
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Hands and Feet Flood Recovery Update
Volunteers are needed to help repair damages and rebuild the homes of those devastated during the winter 2015 floods throughout the St. Louis area and surrounding counties. Over 100 disaster survivors are still in need of construction repairs. That list is growing due to the recent flood activity over the last month impacting many of the same areas that were previously damaged in 2015 as well as new areas around the state.
Recruiting teams with skilled volunteers is a top priority due to the large amount of construction needs throughout the flooded area. They have several teams assisting throughout June and July, but would love to recruit more to assist in August and beyond.
If your church doesn't have the ability to send a whole team I encourage you to share this call for volunteers with any members of your community that might possess construction experience.
Information about this call for volunteers is available on the Hands and Feet website. Please click here for more information. |
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Facing Racism Resources: The Confession of Belhar
As part of Facing Racism, the church's ongoing antiracism campaign, the PC(USA) offers free resources based on the Confession of Belhar, the newest addition to the Book of Confessions. Resources include workshop materials introducing Belhar to the church, a video explaining what Belhar is and why it is important in the Reformed tradition, and study guides on the Confession of Belhar. The PC(USA) store also carries study guides for participants and leaders. Learning more about the Confession of Belhar can help engage people in conversation about its applicability to contemporary racism in the U.S. and the role of the church. Read More
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- June 7, 1977 - The Rev. Jeffrey Deardorff, Honorably Retired
- June 7, 1964 - The Rev. D. Bruce Fry, Honorably Retired
- June 7, 1970 - The Rev. Frank Gready, Honorably Retired
- June 7, 1956 - The Rev. C. Richard Stults, Honorably Retired
- June 13, 1987 - The Rev. Lloyd Sewdin, Ogden Dunes Community Presbyterian Church
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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Holy God, we are not sure what it would be like if the Holy Spirit blew through our churches again as on the day of Pentecost. But we invite such a holy and wonderful disruption! So we pray, "Come, Holy Spirit! Come!" Pour out your fire of love upon us to be the body of Christ in the world. We want to bring the great good news to all. We pray for health and wholeness, for growth and unity, for a bright future and for loving care pouring out. We pray for all to drink from the fountain of living waters and never thirst again. Draw us together in love for you and one another, that your will finds life in us as we serve in your name and for your glory. Amen.
June prayers submitted by the CRE Donna Enersen, Frankfort Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church
Please pray for...
- Kristi and Frank Slaby, Frank has been diagnosed with cancer and they would covet the prayers of the Presbytery. Kristi is a RE from Rensselaer and on the PWV Nominating Committee.
- Earl Park Presbyterian Church as they faithfully serve Christ Jesus in the midst of transition and change.
- for those who suffer in silence.
AMEN
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Monday, June 12
10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-to-meeting)
Tuesday, June 13
10 am - Nominating Committee (Go-to-meeting)
Wednesday, June 14
11 am - Leadership Team (Go-to-meeting)
Saturday, June 17
10 am - Noon - Ministry Formation Inquiry Day - Community Presbyterian Church ~ 530 Jefferson St., Rochester (map)
3 pm - Grace Hammer Ordination & Installation Service at Flora Presbyterian Church 211 Center St. Flora (map)
Monday, June 19
10 am - PWV Mission Team - (Go-to-meeting)
Tuesday, June 20
10 am - Council - Chapel of the Lakes Presbyterian Church ~ 2955 W. Orland Rd., Angola (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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