| |
|
Happy Fourth of July!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Note: We will be closed on Monday, July 6th,
in observance of the holiday.
Staff will be available on Tuesday, July 7th. Thank you!
| | | | |
|
Learn More About Creating a Culture of Renewal!
One of the centerpieces of PWV’s “Supporting Hoosier Congregations” Lilly Grant is part of the “Dare to Dream” Initiative and includes a robust program called “Creating a Culture of Renewal®”
Centered on transformation in congregational settings, CCR equips pastoral leaders and members of congregations with new tools that create significant and measurable improvement in worship attendance, financial giving, and volunteer involvement.
Come join us for a watch party to learn more.
Wednesday, July 8 at 7:00 p.m. eastern.
Click HERE for the Zoom link to join
Rebekah Simon-Peter, the founder of the program, will join us as well.
We look forward to seeing you!
| | | | |
|
227th GA Delegation
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Left to right:
- Richard Fair, Commissioner, Sunnyside, South Bend
- Heather Casiano, Commissioner, Highland, First
- Rev. Tyler Orem, Commissioner, Highland, First
- Bruce Ward, YAAD, Lafayette, Central
| | | |
News in Brief of the 227th General Assembly (2026)
June 27th, 2026 - click HERE to read more
June 28th, 2026 - click HERE to read more
June 29th, 2026 - click HERE to read more
June 30th, 2026 - click HERE to read more
July 1st, 2026 - click HERE to read more
| | | | | |
|
Deer Creek Presbyterian Church
Community Breakfast
When: Saturday, July 4th
Time: 7:00-10:00 am
Where: 4450 North State Road 29, Deer Creek, IN
Come HUNGRY!!
Menu: Biscuits & gravy, Waffles (Choice of chocolate chip, blueberry, pecan, or plain)
Sausage & Bacon, Eggs, Hash Browns, Coffee cake & rolls, Fruit, Coffee, milk, & juice
12th Annual Cruise-In
Free Admission, music, & fun for all ages!
When: Saturday, July 11th
Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Where: 4450 North State Road 29, Deer Creek, IN
GREAT food! Apple or strawberry rhubarb dumplings, burgers, hot dogs
| | | | |
|
Part-Time Financial Secretary
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Munster, Indiana
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Munster, Indiana, is looking for a Part-time Financial Secretary. The Financial Secretary serves a key role in the financial life and stewardship of the church by accurately recording, maintaining, and reporting all contributions. Working in collaboration with the Treasurer, Finance Committee, and Session, this position ensures the integrity, confidentiality, and transparency of financial records in support of the church’s mission. The position is approximately 10 hours per week, per average.
Schedule: In-office on Tuesday. Additional hours may vary from week to week, depending on WPC activities. Some remote hours are possible, at the discretion of the Sr. Pastor. This position is essential to WPC’s goals and mission. It requires a high degree of accuracy, discretion, and integrity, along with a commitment to supporting the ministry and mission of the church through responsible financial practices. For more information or to submit a resume reach out to westminsterhr@wpcmunster.org
| | | | |
|
Well-Being Retreat 2026
Registration Deadline: July 16, 2026
When: Monday, Aug. 24- Wednesday, Aug 26, 2026
Where: Montreat Conference Center, 401 Assembly Drive, North Carolina, 28757
About This Event: Well-Being Retreat 2026 is centered on fully embracing life by caring for our whole selves as an expression of God’s hope for shalom – the flourishing of life. Through honoring our personal stories (the good, the hard, and the unfinished), engaging in meaningful conversations, and indulging in play and creativity, we will reflect on what abundance personally means for us and the ways we are invited into deeper purpose.
During three days of education sessions, worship, and fellowship, Well-Being Retreat 2026 will offer pathways toward living a full life that supports our sense of wholeness and well-being.
Who Should Attend? Well-Being Retreat 2026 is for all active and retired members of the Benefits Plan — including ministers, employees, spouses, surviving spouses, and their guest.
REGISTER here NOW
| | | | |
| |  | |
When: Tues, 10/20-Thurs, 10/22
Where: Lindenwood Retreat & Conference Center, 9601 N Union Rd, Plymouth, IN 46563
Early Bird Pricing available through August 15!
Join us for this fabulous retreat - featuring guest speakers Rev. Tom Brown and Rev. Jennifer Burns Lewis. Use the QR code or visit the event page at https://www.glapce.org/2026-fall-event.html
| | | | | |
|
Upcoming Boundary Training
Sponsored by the Synod of Lincoln Trails for all 8 presbyteries
and provided at no cost. Register Early!
The Presbytery of Chicago will provide in-person Boundary Training on
- Wednesday, August 12, 2026, from 9am-3pm (CT), In-Person
@ Hope Presbyterian Church, 1771 S Wiesbrook Rd, Wheaton, IL
- Lunch will be provided
- Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 9am-3pm (CT), In-Person
@ Winnetka Presbyterian Church, 1255 Willow Road, Winnetka, IL
Explore pastoral ministry and boundaries within communities of practice.
Discover essential approaches to healthy ministry.
Register for either date HERE
This workshop satisfies the denominational boundary training requirements in G-3.0106.
MORE Boundaries and Ethics workshop dates for this fall.
September 17, 2026, 10:00 am-3:00pm (ET) at Lafayette, Bethany
(Registration opening soon.)
September 26, on Zoom - Time to be determined.
October 5, 2026 - Location and time to be determined.
| | | | |
| |
|
WELCOME!
Rev. Tommy Grimm and the First Presbyterian Church in Bloomington, Indiana, which is just 2 blocks from Indiana University, welcome students attending IU this fall.
Click HERE to share the student's name, contact information and any other relevant information. FPC-Bloomington is honored to join you in surrounding this child of your church with the love of Christ by offering them a beloved community. Questions? Email FPC-Bloomington at office@fpcbloomington.org
| | | | |
|
FEMA Announces $1.5 Billion to Empower Communities to Prevent Terrorism and Protect American Infrastructure
- FEMA published the FY 2026 Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding opportunity, making $300 million available to houses of worship, community centers and other nonprofit organizations. Recipients can use this funding to harden their defenses against acts of terrorism and targeted violence. This program helps ensure Americans can safely practice their faith and gather in community with one another.
- The application period for these funding opportunities opens June 24. 2026, and closes at 5 p.m. ET on July 24, 2026. States and other eligible applicants should carefully review each funding notice to learn more about the eligibility requirements and evaluation criteria. Notices of Funding Opportunity and upporting documents are available on Grants.gov.
| | | | |
- The PC(USA)’s advocacy director joins other faith leaders for a Moral Mondays rally in front of the White House
The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins takes on access to healthcare during his three minutes behind a ‘public pulpit’. Read more HERE
- PC(USA) responds to powerful earthquake in the Philippines
Partners providing humanitarian assistance in Indonesia. Read more HERE.
| | | | |
Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel | | | Monday, September 21, 2026 - Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | | | |
Stewardship Kaleidoscope 2026!
WHERE: Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland
WHEN: September 21-23, 2026, with an online, virtual registration option. Virtual attendees will be able to join us for live-streamed and recorded plenaries and worship, and will also have access to 8 workshops
Registration rates are as follows:
- Early Bird In-Person Registration (through June 30): $375*
- First Call Pastor or Seminary Student In-Person Registration: $200
- Virtual Attendee Registration: $150
-
(*After June 30, regular In-Person Registration increases to $425)
Grants available through the Presbyterian Foundation to assist pastors and New Worshiping Community leaders at : https://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/resources/church-financial-literacy-and-leadership-program/grant/.
Scholarships also available to limited number of in-person attendees who are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), reducing the cost to $200. Please email tim.brown@elca.org for more information about this scholarship PRIOR to registering for the conference.
Room reservations for the rate of $214/night, must be made by Aug. 28.
We look forward to seeing you in “Charm City!" Register HERE
| | | | |
|
Do you need song books for Christian Educators, Youth Leaders or Pastors?
First Presbyterian Church, South Bend, wants to donate
their hymnals to you!
| | |
The Hymnal (blue) - from 1990
| | Songs for Praise & Worship (white) - from 1992 | | Sing a new creation! (green) - from 2001 | | Contact: Wendy Henry, Executive Assistant, First Presbyterian Church of South Bend at (574)-234-4159, for more information. | | | | |
|
The Rev. Donald L. Neely
~~~~~~~~~~~
Retired - celebrating his 65th Ordination Anniversary
(6/30/1961).
~~~~~~~~~~~
Rev. Neely, and his wife Elaine, were spotted at Sunnyside Presbyterian Church, South Bend, celebrating a beautiful day and life on Sunday, 6/28th.
| | | | |
- 6/30/2024 - Commissioned Pastor, Matt Price, Columbia City - Troy
- 7/08/1984 - The Rev. Steven M. Mullin, Retired
| | | | |
|
OPEN SEARCHES FOR PASTORAL LEADERSHIP
| | | | |
Prayers of the Presbytery
Prayers for Ryan Shelley (candidate, PWV) and Rev. Wil Reinowski (Pastor, Lafayette, Central) as they await further news concerning Ryan’s recent medical tests.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let us pray:
Make us worthy, Lord, to serve our fellow human beings throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands this day their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give peace and joy. Amen.
Prayer from the Mission Yearbook, PC(USA)
We are thankful for the ministry and service of First Presbyterian Church, Goshen.
Lord, hear our prayers,
~ for the people of Venezuela, as they search for survivors after earthquakes
~ for the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, as the Ebola disease spreads
~ for the people of Nigeria, India, North Korea, and Israel, during the ongoing violence
May God use us to bring compassion in the world.
Help us to know that whether we are wearing clergy robes, t-shirts, or sequins when we pray; whether we're 8 or 80, you love us just the way we are. Amen.
| | | | |
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Calendar for the Week-
No July meeting = Commission on Ministry - by Zoom
No July meeting = Commission on Preparation for Ministry
7/02 at 2 (ET) = Committee on Representation - by Zoom
7/04 = Independence Day
7/06 = Rochester Office is closed & officers are off, in observance of 7/4
7/08 @ 7pm (ET) = Creating Culture of Renewal watch party- by Zoom
7/09 @ 1 (ET) = Nominating Committee - by Zoom
Coming Up-
7/13 @ 9 (ET) = Staff Meeting
7/13 @ 10 (ET) = Stewardship Ministry Team - by Zoom
7/13 @ 4 (ET) = Ministry & Outreach Team - by Zoom
July 17 - 26 = Anne is on vacation. The Rochester office will be closed, however, Marjorie Reinsch, Eric Herzog, and Jennifer Burns Lewis may be reached by email or phone.
7/20 @ 9 (ET) = Staff Meeting
7/27 @ 9 (ET) = Staff Meeting
7/28 @ 10 (ET) = Coordinating Council - by Zoom
7/28 @ 12 (ET) = Leadership Team - by Zoom
7/29 @ 12 (ET) = Communications & Visioning - by Zoom
| | | | | | |
| |
|
The Office in Rochester is open on WEDNESDAY.
Reach us by Phone / Monday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & Tuesday - Thursday 9 am - 4 pm (Eastern)
OFFICE CLOSED ON FRIDAY
Office: 1.574.223.5678
Email: info@ourpresbytery.org ~ Website ~ https://ourpresbytery.org
| | | | |
