July 23, 2026

Get Ready!

It’s time to register for Creating a Culture of Renewal!

Spaces are filling up quickly and we only have room for twelve pastoral leaders in this cohort.

Pastors: Please consider attending this important opportunity for learning and growth.

Click HERE for more information.

*Contact Anne if you would like the first year important dates.

*Contact Jennifer to receive scholarship and any other information.

We would love you to register for CCR by July 30 at the latest.

Here are registration links (your choice) for CCR

(note the 80% discount for Presbytery of Wabash Valley pastoral leaders!):

- 36 payments of $55.56/ month (Register HERE)

- $2,000 one-time, single pay (Register HERE)

Upcoming Boundary Training

Sponsored by the Synod of Lincoln Trails for all 8 presbyteries and provided at no cost. You have several options to fulfill the requirement for updated boundary training. Please choose one and register today!

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1. The Presbytery of Chicago will provide Boundary Training on

Wednesday, August 12, 2026, from 9am-3pm (CT) - (in-person)

at Hope Presbyterian Church, 1771 S Wiesbrook Road, Wheaton, IL. (*Lunch will be provided.)

Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 9am-3pm (CT) - (in-person)

at Winnetka Presbyterian Church, 1255 Willow Road, Winnetka, IL

(*Lunch will be provided.)

2. The Presbytery of Wabash Valley will provide Boundary Training on

Thursday, September 17, from 10am-3pm (ET) - (in person)

at Bethany Presbyterian Church, 3305 Longlois Dr, Lafayette, IN 47904

*Lunch will be provided

Saturday, September 26, from 10am-3pm (ET) - (on ZOOM)

Must be preregistered by 9/19

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3. The Presbytery of Ohio Valley will sponsor Boundary Training on

Monday, October 26, 2026, from 10am-3pm (ET) - link coming soon!

at First Presbyterian Church, 221 E. 6th Street, Bloomington IN 47408

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4. Anytime:

Safe Gatherings: https://safegatherings.com/learn-more/clergy-ethics/ (For those renewing their training and at your own expense.)

These workshops satisfy

the denominational boundary training requirements in G-3.0106.

(GLAPCE)- Great Lakes Association of Partners in Christian Education

When: Tues-Thurs, 10/20-10/22

Where: Lindenwood Retreat & Conference Center, 9601 N Union Rd, Plymouth, IN 46563

GLAPCE 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

Apply for a Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grant

Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants from the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship are designed for worshiping communities. These grants allow a wide range of Christian worshiping communities to focus on projects that connect public worship with Christian discipleship and faith formation. Funding awards range from $8,000 to $25,000.

The grants support year-long projects that show promise in fostering renewed or strengthened worship practices within worshiping communities in the United States or Canada. Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants for teacher-scholars are also available. Applications for the October 15 deadline will open on July 15, 2026. Learn more HERE

Other Grant Sources!

Presbytery of Wabash Valley Local Mission Grants:

https://www.ourpresbytery.org/mission-grant-app

Smock Foundation - capital improvements for churches, on-going assistance to older adults, senior adult programming, deacons’ funds): https://www.smockfoundation.com/

The David E. & Helen C. Culley Memorial Fund for continuing education:

contact info@ourpresbytery.org for more information.

Coming Soon: PWV Transformation Grants!

World Communion Offering Grant Information

GRANT UPDATE

If you are a council of the church (session, presbytery, or synod) doing reconciliation ministry around racial justice, gender justice, peacemaking, global witness or eccumenical/innerfaith relations, you may apply for a grant, whether or not your congregation or presbytery receives the World Communion Offering.

Grant Timeline

Applications open: September 7, 2026

Application close: January 15, 2027

Award notification: March 2027

Grant Applications

Applications will use the PC(USA) grant management system and should take about 15 minutes to complete if you have the required documentation. Read the list of required documentation in the FAQs on our website.

You will need to create a username and password to access the PC(USA)’s grant management system to apply. More information about the application process will follow.

Grant Awards

Grant recipients will be eligible to receive $500-$1000 and will be notified in March 2027. All grant funds, once received, are expected to be used within the next 12 months.

Where to learn more about the World Communion Offering Grants

Make sure you update your preferences and check the box labeled World Communion Offering grants to receive the most up-to-date information and resources regarding the grants.

Visit our website for more information about the World Communion Offering and to download resources.

We are the Church. Together.

World Communion Offering Resources

Get started planning and preparing for the first-ever World Communion Offering with the resources below. Start with the Leader's Guide and other helpful resources from the curated list below.

Leader’s Guide

Everything you need to know about the World Communion Offering is found in the pages of the Leader’s Guide. Ideas for World Communion Sunday, how to involve all ages in your congregation, a checklist for receiving the offering, how gifts from this offering are used, and even minute for mission scripts you can use to share with your congregation are included in this Leader’s Guide.

Download the Leader’s Guide

Social Media Images

Premade social media images you can schedule on whatever platforms your congregation uses to help share information about the World Communion Offering.

Download Social Media Images

PowerPoint Slides

Great for displaying at gatherings of any size such as committee or session meetings; but also use this customizable PowerPoint presentation as announcements prior to worship if your congregation has the technology.

Download PowerPoint Slides

Media Tool Kit

Design your own World Communion Offering announcements and images in any size or configuration you need with the Media Tool Kit. Drop the logos, backgrounds and other images in this kit into your favorite design software such as Canva and create your own media.

Download Media Tool Kit

World Communion Sunday Liturgy

Plan World Communion Sunday Worship using our prepared liturgy. This entire worship service was curated for you by the Presbyterian Association of Musicians (PAM) Board Member Jonathan Hehn who also is the term assistant professor of sacred music at the University of Notre Dame.

Download World Communion Sunday Worship Liturgy

What Does It Truly Mean to Love Humanity?

Join Us for the 2026 Thomas H. Lake Lecture

This event is free and open to the public. The in-person lecture will take place at Hine Hall Auditorium, 875 W North St, Indianapolis, IN 46202. The lecture will begin at 4:30 pm Eastern and will be available on livestream, too. Questions? Contact lfi@iu.edu. Register HERE

Real Tools for Real Ministry

Register HERE

*In‑Person (to 7/31): $375*

After 7/31: $425

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First Call Pastor or Seminary Student In‑Person: $200

Virtual Attendee: $150

September 21-23, 2026

Where: Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, @ 202 E Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland.

Room Rate: $214 per night

Ask about group discounts!

PC(USA) Church Growth Network Conference 2026

Cincinnati, OH

Finding Courage, Leading Growth

Practicing Faithful Change That Leads to Faithful Growth

When: Monday, October 5 to Wednesday, October 7

Conference Host: Presbytery of Cincinnati

Location: 3400 Michigan Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45208

Cost: $200 per person

The cost of the 2026 PCGN Conference has been generously underwritten by Lilly Endowment Grant funding as part of the Living Churches Initiative of the Presbytery of Cincinnati.

In a season marked by complexity and uncertainty, the 2026 PCGN Conference focuses on how courageous change is sustained not only by a few leaders but by whole communities. PCGN conference participants will be better equipped to lead change that renews mission impact, strengthens vitality, and supports faithful and sustainable growth. Every conference attendee will leave inspired and ready to take the next steps to help their church “be strengthened in faith and increase in numbers” (Acts 16:5).

Questions?

Please contact the PCGN directly at pcgn.contact@gmail.com with questions about the conference programming.

Please contact the Presbytery of Cincinnati with questions about registration & logistics via e-mail to Lisa Allgood, Executive Presbyter, E-mail: lisa@cpresby.org or by phone: (513) 221-4850.

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

7/25/2021 - The Rev. William Rogers, Covenant Pastor, Union Mills - Bethel and Portage, First
7/25/1993 - The Rev. Linda Skaggs, Transitional Pastor
7/29/1960 - The Rev. Henry (Hank) Blunk, Retired
7/30/2017 - The Rev. Joel Moody, Pastor, South Bend, Sunnyside

OPEN SEARCHES FOR PASTORAL LEADERSHIP

Deer Creek Presbyterian Church, Camden - MDP for Installed Pastor
Deer Creek Presbyterian Church, Camden - MDP for Commissioned Pastor
First Presbyterian Church, Elkhart - MDP for Installed Pastor
First Presbyterian Church, South Bend - Part-Time Covenant Pastor
Wabash Presbyterian Church, Wabash - MDP for Installed Pastor
Wabash Presbyterian Church, Wabash - MDP for Commissioned Pastor

Prayers of the Presbytery

Please keep Lyle Ewing in your prayers. He continues to deal with health concerns.

*Gratitude for the ministry and service of Geetingsville Presbyterian Church, Frankfort.

Dear Lord,

God of grace, equip us with perseverance. Use our brief lives for your glory. Empower us as your disciples, that even when the land is parched, we may know your presence with us, transforming what seems barren into life overflowing. Amen.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Calendar for the Week-

July 17 - 26 = Anne is on vacation. The Rochester office will be closed, however, Marjorie Reinsch, Eric Herzog, Jeff Whitney, and Jennifer Burns Lewis may be reached by email or phone.

7/20 @ 9 (ET) = Staff Meeting