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Serving Christ, Enhancing Congregations, Connecting Communities
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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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It was a bright, sunny, warm day that welcomed the Presbytery of Wabash Valley Assembly with an equally warm welcome from host, Bethany Presbyterian Church in Lafayette, Indiana. It was a day of celebration for "Transitions and New Beginnings", a day to do worshipful work. It was a day of gratitude to those outgoing leaders of PWV, for their service during the past year, a day of excitement for those new leaders and for those beginning a new chapter in their lives in and for Christ's church. All were reminded of God's faithfulness in doing a new thing and our call to recognize and follow God, opening ourselves up to discipleship through service to Christ and his kingdom.
The November Bible study, written by Ruling Elder, Linda Long, centered on Transitions and scripture came from the Song of Solomon. Attendees broke into groups discussing the scripture text and accompanying questions. Group discussions included topics of censure and restoration, a commentary on today's willingness to stay quiet rather than bring a topic out into the open for open debate, the choices we are offered in our culture, the necessity of living life in new and different relationships, marriage is a moment of transition. Also, were stories that proclaimed God becoming the center of someone's life. There was sharing of the need to address the transition of divorce.
Celebrations for the day included:
- The commissioning of ruling elders David Abbott South Bend First, Jill Kitowski La Porte PC, Carrie Munson Deer Creek, Michael Shurn Winamac, Kathy Staddon Rensselaer First, Barbara Vinson Michigan City First.
- Word for the day was based on Matthew 22:1-14. How sometimes something insignificant is seen while something of great significance is missed. How sometimes it is difficult for us to see God doing a new thing. The church is in a period of transition and old ways will not work anymore. God has chosen us, even though, we are undeserving, we can choose how we respond back to God. Are we embracing fully the call God has on our lives or do we fear being perceived as fanatics?
- With Assembly members generosity $700 was received for the Christmas Joy Offering.
- A presentation from the Mission Team rolling out the new Mission Grant application available online through the Presbytery of Wabash Valley website. Encouraging congregations to seek new and creative ways to do mission within each congregation, Mission Team Moderator, Chip Goldsberry, Lafayette Central asked Kevin Bowers to share the work of Bethany Presbyterian Church. Rev. Bowers related the work of Bethany's Neighboring Ministry Team and their community outreach programs and their efforts in looking for ways to do mission within the community.
- Highlighted were Breakfast with Santa, a community event where Santa and Jesus are shared with neighborhood children,
- spring Garden Party,
- back to School Barbecue and Blessing, street carnival and giveaway of school supplies and backpacks,
- Three B program,
- student mentoring program,
- partnerships with other organizations,
- community sharing garden,
- church owned houses provide space for two groups and housing of the backpack program,
- operation of an affordable and safe child care preschool within the church building,
- Crinkle Sunday partners with other churches for a Jubilee Christmas providing gifts for families in need,
- hundreds of pounds of food go out to neighborhood schools weekly, to provide food for children who otherwise might not have anything to eat through the weekend.
- Rev. Ken Green from Board of Pensions spoke of just compensation. The Board of Pensions agency provides for wholeness and well-being for workers of the church and stands as a witness to the world.
- Committee on Representation shared their development of a "toolbox" of resources for congregations to assist in addressing diversity beyond that of ethnicity. Diversity is not always about the color of one's skin, Assembly attendees who often feel treated as different were invited to come forward and share their own diversity. Sometimes diversity is anyone different and can mean being an immigrant, having emotional or physical disabilities, both visible and invisible, shedding new light on some of the differing types of diversity.
- Installation of new Moderator, Jan Sandos, Rossville PC, Council Moderator, Kevin Bowers, Lafayette Bethany and Vice Moderator, Quincy Worthington, Munster Westminster.
- The examination and approval for Ordination of Diane Shircliff, Lebanon First.
- Election of Commissioners to the 223 General Assembly. Those commissioners being: Ruling Elders Chip Goldsberry, Lafayette Central and Linda Long, Valparaiso First; Ministers of Word and Sacrament, Quincy Worthington, Munster Westminster and Stan Kessler, Honorably Retired. Alternate is Commissioned Ruling Elder Jeff Brown, Kokomo Faith and YAAD Samantha Brown, Kokomo Faith.
- The election of new leadership with in the various commissions and committees.
- Expressions of gratitude for those serving throughout the past year. Special thanks to outgoing Moderator, Kevin Bowers and outgoing Council Moderator, David Smook.
- Received a report on the formation of the Overtures Task Force consisting of Alan Griffin, Goshen First, Dedie Kelso, South Bend First Jill Kitowski, La Porte The PC and Linda Long, Valparaiso First. The group will be reviewing overtures to the General Assembly, making recommendations to the Presbytery and perhaps may even write an overture.
- The sharing of the last worship service for the Pulaski Presbyterian Church on the 127th anniversary of the church. It was a service filled with love and memories. Assembly members were reminded of our responsibility to be the letters of Christ as proclaimed in 2 Corinthians 3:1
- The charge for the day was to run with the name of Christ and make God's will happen and move forward in to the dawn of this difficult life. Christ ignites, enlivens and raises us up. We share the light within each of us.
Marjorie Reinsch,
Stated Clerk
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Toward a Compelling Theology of Lay Ministry
By Ann A. Michel in
Leading Ideas
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
The number of lay persons with serious involvements in ministry, both professional and volunteer, has grown dramatically in recent decades. The lay empowerment movement, the growth of multi-staffed mega-churches, and the demand for specialized programmatic ministries are part of this trend. In smaller congregations, particularly those that cannot support full-time clergy, laity assume many vital ministry functions. And in some denominations, most notably the Roman Catholic Church in America, a clergy shortage has resulted in a growing percentage of lay persons in the ecclesial workforce.
While the theology of pastoral identity is well established, the identity of lay persons in ministry is often less clearly understood. Many find themselves running afoul of deeply engrained cultural expectations - that ministry is the work of the clergy while laity are objects of ministry; that clergy attend to sacred matters while laity concern themselves with the secular world; that clergy are the experts while laity are amateurs.
This dualistic paradigm still lingers in the collective consciousness of church and society. It limits the practice of ministry at a time when the service of God requires
more ministry, not less; and it can divide clergy and laity at a time when greater collaboration is needed. Given the ways the Spirit is moving the church toward a more inclusive approach to ministry, there is a need to counter the vestiges of this division by articulating a robust and compelling theology of lay ministry.
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2018 National Gathering ends today THURSDAY!
Register by Thursday, November 30th
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First Presbyterian Church of Mishawaka
invites you
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Grant Money Available
"The Mission Ministry Team is very pleased to announce that the Grant Application Form is now available on the Presbytery web site or by contacting the Presbytery Office for a hard copy. The Application Grant may be accessed at the Presbytery Website.
The Mission Ministry Team looks forward to hearing from your congregation.
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2018 Confirmation Retreat
The weekend, led by a background checked team, is filled with interactive discussions and hands-on workshops that engage youth as they learn the foundational, Reformed theological beliefs of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and experience what it means to be a member of a connectional church.
Time is also set aside for ice breaker games, fellowship, crafts, and other fun activities. The weekend as a designed as an "all in one" confirmation experience or, for congregations with a longer confirmation process, the retreat can serve as a kick-off or capstone event.
For information on the February 2-4, 2018 retreat (curriculum, schedule, plus photos from the 2017 retreat), check out the following Dropbox link:
The same curriculum (adapted for a retreat setting from a PC (USA) confirmation curriculum) and roughly the same the schedule (with a few tweaks) will be used at the 2018 retreat.
Each year we have kids asking if they can attend the retreat again, which indicates that this event is reaching their hearts - and minds, too. If you have a large confirmation class or just one or two confirmands, we hope you will be with us for this annual retreat, which is made possible with assistance from Wabash Valley Presbytery.
The cost for the retreat remains unchanged from last year: $125 per person, which includes lodging (in the main lodge; we will NOT be camping outdoors), all meals (prepared fresh and served hot by Geneva Center staff), and snacks. Watch for online registration at www.ourpresbytery.org or click here for printable Registration form to mail to Presbytery of Wabash Valley - PO Box 225 - Rochester, IN 46975. Please print and bring with you the completed and signed Release Form.
The registration deadline is January 19.
If you would like more information, please contact Rev. John Van Nuys: 765-362-5812, jcvchurch@att.net
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RESOURCES & OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
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At Duke University
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November Issue:
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Commissioned to Validated Ministry
Available to Serve Communion
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PRAYERS OF THE PRESBYTERY
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Let us come together in prayer this week.
Lord, we are nearly at the Christmas Season, the Advent Season, the Holiday Season and all that those names mean. Hopefully it means to each to each of us a true time of preparation for the celebration of and receiving again the greatest gift that out of your love and grace you give to us: your Son, our Savior, Guide, and Protector, Jesus Christ. Lord, we need to renew Jesus birth in our lives so that we can be a part of Jesus rebirth in our society. May this be the Christmas that Christ is the real true reason for the season. And Lord, let it begin in me. Amen
Prayer was submitted by Rev. John E. "Jack" Hess, Honorably Retired
Please pray
- For those who were installed into leadership roles on Tuesday as Moderator, Vice Moderator, and Moderator of Council (see Assembly Summary)
- For safe travels for our Visioning and Connecting Leader, Rev. Jennifer Burns Lewis, as she attends CREDO
- For Rev. Ann and Bob Williams as they journey through Bob's health issues
- For RE Steve Eldridge, Property Committee Moderator, as he recovers from a painful infection
- For the family of Rev. Mike Lyle, Rossville PC as they mourn the death of his beloved aunt.
- For the work of the faithful of Trinity Presbyterian Church, West Lebanon
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Monday, December 4
11:00 AM - Mission Ministry Team (Go to Meeting)
Tuesday, December 5
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Confirmation Team Retreat Planning (Conference Call)
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Officers and Leaders Meeting PWV office
Wednesday, December 6
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Overture Task Force (Go to Meeting)
Thursday, December 7
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Commission on Ministry
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Commission on Preparation for Ministry
Both at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, 5588 N State Road 25 Logansport
(map)
Monday, December 11
10:00 AM - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go to Meeting)
Wednesday, December 13
9:30 AM - 12 Noon - Staff Team Building, PWV Office
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Staff Meeting, PWV Office
All meetings & events posted on the PWV Calendar are eastern time (EDT) unless noted otherwise. Please call 574.223.5678 or visit
https://ourpresbytery.org/news-events/
for more information regarding meetings and events.
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Contact Information for Wabash Valley Officers, Staff, Consultant & Volunteer
Presbytery of Wabash Valley Office - 574.223.5678
PWV Fax - 888.215.6219
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