Serving Christ, Enhancing Congregations, Connecting Communities
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Lewis Center
for Church Leadership
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7 Key Characteristics of Diversity-Oriented Churches
by Brian Leander Recent trends suggest that a significant number of churches are overcoming the limiting effects of racial conflict, prejudice, and ethnocentrism despite church traditions and systems that promote homogeneity as a practical alternative to the inevitable conflicts between different people groups. Diversity-oriented churches, despite the challenges they face, are some of the fastest growing churches in the United States.
What is a diversity-oriented church?
At the group level, the term diversity is used to refer to heterogeneity within a group on characteristics such as informational (professional background, education, skills), visible (race, age, ethnicity) or value-based (ethic, motivation) differences. Diversity-oriented churches are missional multicultural organizations which are intentional about deconstructing socially divisive constructs in the church, denominations, and their communities with the message of the Gospel.
"If the mission of the Church is the formation of one body out of many people who were previously divided socially, then it is reasonable to expect that local churches would be suitable examples of reconciliation, conflict resolution, and intercultural mission effectiveness."
Motivated by biblical mandates for reconciliation, justice, and evangelism, these churches express value for diversity in their vision, ministry practices, worship style, human resources practices, leadership practices, polity, and community engagement. In these organizations, members and leaders promote value and respect for perceived and actual differences between a wide variety of individuals. |
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CONGREGATIONAL NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS
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This Saturday, June 17 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm (EDT)
Enjoy Good Free Country Music
from
Grand Rapids, Michigan
at
Bethlehem Presbyterian Church
5588 N State Road 25 Logansport
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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THE MINISTRY FORMATION PROGRAM:
A GROWTH OPPORTUNITY FOR CHURCH MEMBERS
THIS SATURDAY
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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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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Thank you to those who have offered to volunteer.
We have a great start.
Can we add you to the list?
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. We are compiling a roster of those that we can call on when the need arises.
Volunteer in your jammies:
- Do you enjoy using your creative abilities and have some computer skills? Would you like to learn more about the Presbytery of Wabash Valley Congregations, Synod of Lincoln Trails and the PC(USA)? - a great way to learn more about your Presbytery is to volunteer. We are seeking someone who would be willing to compile God Calls each week.
- 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/proofer reviews for typo's and offers suggestions
- You would have support just a phone call, text or email away
- If you would like to help in the office be assured there is plenty to do.
- Filing, sorting mail, processing confidential documents
- Cover the office for a day while staff meets off site or for a week while on vacation
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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Lombard Mennonite Peace Center
Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders
Monday-Friday, August 7-11, 2017
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
393 N. Main Street
Glen Ellyn, IL
This five-day training is intended to equip church leaders with the skills necessary to deal effectively with interpersonal conflict, congregational conflict, and other forms of group conflict. It includes lectures, discussion, and guided practice in role plays, and is designed to be active and practical in focus. The sessions emphasize hands-on skills training and role-plays based on the types of conflict faced by participants. This training is useful for pastors, lay leaders, and others who serve with church-related ministries. |
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RESOURCES & OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
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Colaborate
Presbyterian Confirmation
Inspiring, Resilient Faith
A brand new Presbyterian confirmation curriculum from Sparkhouse
Students explore what it means to be Presbyterian and how to live out their confirmation promises.
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Offering of Pastor Vestments, Stoles and Communion Ware
52" Black Robe, Sleeves with cuffs are about 25" shoulder width is 20" fit man of 5'9". Two reversible stoles in the liturgical colors..white, red, green and purple. Boxed communion set.. to serve 4 ... comes with anointing oil.
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PRESBYTERIANS AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Presbyterian Historical Society New In-House Exhibit
The Presbyterian Historical Society is pleased to announce the opening of "Presbyterians and the American Revolution," an in-house exhibit at 425 Lombard Street in Philadelphia.
The new exhibit features sixty items from the Revolutionary War, its build-up, and aftermath. Original manuscripts, rare publications, digitized images, and evocative artifacts fill the PHS lobby. A related hallway display remembers Presbyterian celebrations of the centennial and bicentennial. Read More
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Photos needed!
We are excited to be developing a new website and we are seeking photos of your congregation, church, members, events. Please 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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Commissioned to Validated Ministry Available to Serve Communion
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Thank you for your ministry and your service...
- June 16, 1959 - The Rev. Richard Craig, Honorably Retired
- June 20, 1971 - The Rev. Howard Compton, Honorably Retired
- June 21, 1981 - The Rev. Nancy Becker, Parish Associate Valparaiso First, Pastor Emeritus Ogden Dunes Community & 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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Gracious God, we pray this day in the example of Jesus Christ. We pray for the congregations of this presbytery. Protect them by the power of Jesus' name. Keep them from harm. Consecrate them by the truth. Bless them as they seek to follow the way you have shown through the life of Jesus Christ. Guide them to bring comfort to those who suffer and hope to those in trouble. Teach them to pray for others. Show them how to be the church that Jesus builds. In the name of Christ, Amen.
June prayers submitted by CRE Donna Enersen, Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church of Frankfort.
Please pray for...
- Dyer Park Presbyterian Church as they continually and faithfully serve Christ Jesus.
- The Rev. Dr. Maria Rutland as she battles an infection, supports her family and the Hudson Salem Center Congregation
- congregations in transition
- pastoral leadership
- those who suffer in silence.
AMEN
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Saturday, June 17
- 10 am - Noon - Ministry Formation Inquiry Day - Community Presbyterian Church ~ 530 Jefferson St., Rochester (map)
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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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Contact Information for Wabash Valley Officers, Staff and Consultant
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