God Calls will be on vacation next week! Please make any submissions for the October 3rd issue by September 30. | |
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Greetings,
As summer winds down and the seasons transition, we at the Board are looking ahead to the transition to the 2025 Benefits Plan, effective Jan. 1, 2025. We’re committed to walking with you on this journey and are here to serve you through this change.
I'm writing to remind you of important dates and key updates as we make this transition.
Making changes to benefits offerings during Employer Agreement
From Aug. 29 through Oct. 4, each congregation’s designated employer representative will log in to Benefits Connect to review their Employer Agreement.
To ensure that everyone has continuity of coverage and to help with the transition, ministers enrolled in Pastor’s Participation as of Dec. 31, 2024, will automatically be enrolled in Transitional Pastor’s Participation for 2025. If you would like to be enrolled in the Congregational Pastors Package, please ask your employer representative to call the Board at 800-PRESPLAN (800-773-7752) (TTY: 711) to make that change.
Learn more about Employer Agreement here.
From Oct. 21 through Nov. 8, you will enroll in benefits for 2025 by completing your Annual Enrollment in Benefits Connect.
Upcoming benefits enhancements and partner updates
Here are some updates and enhancements to the benefits we offer:
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Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, Spring Health will replace Cigna as the service provider of the Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), offering mental health care navigation in addition to the EAP services you know.
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Medical Plan members will receive new medical ID cards for 2025 from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. They can continue to use their current Express Scripts prescription drug ID cards. (In 2025, new members will access their prescription drug ID cards virtually).
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The online care navigation platform from Quantum Health will relaunch October 2024. Medical Plan members will receive communications from Quantum Health about how to re-register for service through the new platform.
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If your congregation offers flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or health savings accounts (HSAs) through Further, they should look for information about a change in administration to HealthEquity, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Further was acquired by HealthEquity, and they will need to set up a new agreement. Members who participate in these accounts will receive information from HealthEquity about the change beginning in October.
We would like to reassure you that the Medical Plan is unchanged for 2025:
- Members in the PPO, EPO, and HDHP will continue to access care through the Blue Cross Blue Shield national network.
- Deductibles and copays will remain the same for 2025.
- Ministers who transition from Pastor’s Participation to Transitional Pastor’s Participation will have the same family medical coverage for 2025 that they have now.
Additionally, we wish to reiterate our comprehensive and absolute commitment to women’s health through this transition. We are, and always have been, committed to all aspects of women’s healthcare, including access to care and necessary drugs like Mifepristone as well as advanced reproductive services like IVF treatment.
Walking with you on this journey
To better understand the 2025 Benefits Plan, you may refer to our e-learning modules about the transition: The Faithful Decision-Making series and the 2025 Serving More, Serving Better series.
I am also available to help you understand the options available to you through the Benefits Plan of the PC(USA) and guide faithful decision-making.
Please email me or call me at 215-587-7384 with any questions you may have about this transition. You may also call the Board at 800-PRESPLAN (800-773-7752) (TTY: 711) if you need assistance. We are here to serve you.
In peace,
Rev. Dr. Ken Green
Church Consultant
215-587-7384
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September 19 (noon eastern/11 am central): Meet your Leaders
Jennifer Burns Lewis kicks off this new, once-a-month series of Q&A with our presbytery leaders, starting with the Rev. Tyler Orem.
Tyler is our current Coordinating Council moderator, when he is not living out other parts of his call as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Highland, and as a psychotherapist affiliated with an agency on the south side of Chicago
Come for open conversation as we seek to build connections with you and our other Presbytery of Wabash Valley kin!
September 26: (same time) Safety in Church Buildings
Meet with Elder Bruce Carter from First Presbyterian Church of Elkhart, who has recently established an emergency safety plan for the Elkhart congregation, and helped to host a workshop last spring with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Come and learn about how your staff and volunteers can be prepared to help offset a possible crisis. This Lunch and Learn will be recorded.
For more information on Lunch and Learn or to receive a zoom invitation, please contact the presbytery office at info@ourpresbytery.org.
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Click to be directed to PayPal. Once there click on the drop down arrow and select Peace and Global Witness Offering | |  |
Scan to be directed to PayPal. Once there click on the drop down arrow and select Peace and Global Witness Offering. | | |
Or you can send a check to the Presbytery of Wabash Valley ~ PO Box 225 ~ Rochester, IN 46975 noting in the memo Peace and Global Witness or an offering will be taken at Assembly. | |
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Dear Clerks of Session and Session Moderators,
It is time for the 2024 Record Reviews!
- The first review session is scheduled for September 24, 2024, at approximately 1:00 p.m. at Monticello, First Presbyterian Church, following the stated Presbytery Assembly meeting scheduled for that morning. Everyone is invited to attend the Presbytery Assembly and lunch will be served by our hosts at Monticello at a cost of $15.00 per person. Registration is required by Monday, September 16 regardless of plans to attend the Assembly or lunch. Click Here to Register
The Records Review Checklist can be found on the presbytery’s website at https://ourpresbytery.org/resources/clerks-of-session/ and select the Records’ Review Checklist.
- Future dates for Records Review are:
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October 5, 2024, at 10 am (ET)/9 am (CT) at Ligonier First Presbyterian Church, Ligonier, IN
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October 19, 2024, at 10 am (CT)/11 am (ET) at Bethel Presbyterian Church, Union Mills, IN
- Please register HERE for one of the October dates or contact the Presbytery office at 574-223-5678.
Please select a record review session that works best for your time and register as soon as possible. There is a chance that an additional review session will be considered later but will be dependent upon the participation at the first three review sessions.
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An online learning platform that inspires, equips, and partners with people and organizations through training, programs, webinars, and courses using Be the Bridge content and resources from reputable thought leaders and institutions.
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Christian Nationalism in the US Then and Now
Unlock a deeper understanding of America's complex history and its current political landscape. This course provides insightful analysis of the intertwined evolution of race and religion, revealing how historical events shape today's critical issues. By enrolling, you'll gain valuable perspective on the impact of Christian Nationalism on education, civil rights, and global policies, equipping you with the knowledge to navigate and engage with contemporary societal issues.
This online course will meet live on October 10th, 17th, and 24th from 6-7:30 ET.
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"As If We Were Dreaming..."
The Office of Presbyterian Youth and Triennium is very excited to announce the theme for the 2025 Triennium is “As If We Were Dreaming…” (Psalm 126). Together, next summer — July 28 – 31 — thousands of Presbyterian young people will meet in Louisville, Kentucky, for four incredible days of worship, recreation, group study, and fellowship. Participants will be reminded that they are born to dream, will share in collective dreaming, learn about facing the nightmares, and be called to wake up and dream as they carry their experiences home with them.
The participant fee for next summer’s event is $199. This fee includes all programming, event meals, an official Triennium T-shirt, and more. Travel and housing are additional costs. (Housing will be booked by each delegation at Triennium-designated hotels via Louisville Housing when registration opens in early 2025. The average hotel cost is $169 per room/per night plus tax.)
Stay tuned! More information rolling out very soon.
Questions please contact registrar Rev. Ericka Kilbourne at Erickapk@fpcmicity.org or call (219) 380-6566
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Join Our Team
Make a Difference with the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship (PPF)
Are you passionate about peace, justice, and nonviolence? Join us at PPF, where we work together to build a more peaceful world through activism, advocacy, and accompaniment. We invite dedicated individuals to help us continue our mission of over 80 years, standing up against violence and militarism while promoting community-led peacebuilding.
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PPF Residency
Be part of a virtual worship community and help lead innovative services. Perfect for college students or seminarians!
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Accompaniment Strategist
Expand our 20-year ministry by working with global partners and supporting volunteers. This part-time role involves international and national travel.
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OPEN SEARCHES FOR PASTORAL LEADERSHIP
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Prayers of the Presbytery | |
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Holy God, thank you for the privilege of planting and watering the ministries that you give to us. We marvel at the growth you provide. Give us a hunger to live in the fields and to bend down low to gather the fruits of the Spirit you provide as we move in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer from the Mission Yearbook
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We pray today giving thanks for the ministry and service of the faithful at Bethany Presbyterian Church of Lafayette.
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Please pray for the family of Rev. Jack Hess, retired, long time Wabash Valley member, who passed away on Sunday, September 15.
- We pray for all those traveling on September 24 to the Assembly and give thanks to our hosts at Monticello, First Presbyterian Church.
- We pray for all those who are grieving.
- We pray for peace!
In the name of Jesus the Christ, Amen.
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