October 17, 2024

CALENDAR OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS

The Ministry and Outreach Team of the Presbytery of Wabash Valley would like to invite you to join us in collecting items for “Gifts of the Heart Kits.” This program is being sponsored by Presbyterian Disaster Relief and Church World Service. Due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, we now have a shortage of several items. The items listed below will fill one 5-gallon bucket. Monetary donations are also welcome. Donations will be collected through October.

Donation Items for one bucket:

• 5-gallon bucket,
• 4-8oz. spray air freshener,
• 5 scouring pads,
• 7 sponges,
• 1 scrub brush,
• 18 reusable dry-cleaning towels,
• 32-64oz. liquid laundry detergent,
• 16-34oz. liquid dish soap,

• 12-40oz. liquid concentrate household cleaner,
• 36-50 clothespins,
• 50-100 ft. clotheslines,
• 5 dust masks,
• 2 pairs heavy-duty dishwashing gloves,
• 1 pair of work gloves,
• 20-28 heavy duty contractor trash bags,
• 6-9oz. of non-aerosol insect repellant.

At the end of collections we ask that congregations take their donations to one of the following sites:

• First Presbyterian Valparaiso – 3401 N. Valparaiso St., Valparaiso
• First Presbyterian Rensselaer – 220 N. Cullen St., Rensselaer
• First Presbyterian Huntington – 50 E. Tipton St., Huntington
• Auburn Presbyterian – 111 W. 12^th St., Auburn
• Presbytery Office – 530 Jefferson St., Rochester
• Immanuel Presbyterian Church - 140 W US Highway 30, Schererville

So many people will be helped by your donations. The Ministry and Outreach Team and Coordinating Council would like to thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity in helping with this campaign.

If you have questions, please contact the presbytery office at info@ourpresbytry.org. 

Executive summary:  PWV’s COM invites all congregations to read the statement below and take careful note of the following: 

1. We recommend that sessions and congregations continue to support their pastoral leaders with benefits at the same amount or more than in 2024.
2. We recommend that congregations under contract with a commissioned ruling elder serving at least 20 hours per week offer benefits through the Board of Pensions.
3. Congregations requiring resources to continue to support their pastoral leaders may contact the Visioning and Connecting Leader for potential grants and other assistance.

A Statement of Values and Practice regarding Board of Pensions Participation

from COM, Presbytery of Wabash Valley

For more than a year the Board of Pensions has indicated that the benefit package that shaped so many of our ministries would no longer be sustainable. Given the increases in healthcare costs, this was not a surprise. After discernment and many conversations around the nation, their new benefit plan has been released. The release of that plan has also released and unleashed concern and anxiety about the impact of those changes on our pastors and congregations. Some of the anxiety is warranted while some of it is based on fear of the new and unknown.

Continue Reading

The Committee on Representation has selected a few churches, with the help of Rev. Jennifer Burns Lewis, to interview and find out what works for them as far as inclusion is concerned. My report is based on the Auburn Presbyterian Church. This information is a combination of a wonderful time of conversation with Pastor David Lawrence and Veronique Poudrier coupled with their web page.

Continue Reading more from Committee on Representation

for October, November, December

Noon Eastern and 11:00 am Central time

October 17:  How can Presbyterians connect with Ukrainians in their struggle?  

Come hear representatives from This Child Here, a PCUSA ministry with Ukraine. Rev. Dr. Robert Gamble, Director and Olya, Manager with Families, will be with us. They describe their ministry this way: “The best way to say it is, we have created "a community" of mothers and children displaced by the war in Ukraine. Trauma is the suffering they endure. It is their road to character on the path to hope. "You didn't just give us what we need," one mother remarked, "You made us family."

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83925491645?pwd=QrgusyB6ujClzecb7XoKh2rdOgYcdW.1

October 24:  Growing Generous Givers:  Our presbytery’s Ministry Relations Officer, Sherri Finke, will present the work of the Presbyterian Foundation and how it can and does support your congregation.

October 31:  Potawatomi Trail of Death: with Shirley Willard, who has built and continues to build relationships with Potawatomi leaders and conducts exhaustive research "to bring light to one of Indiana’s darkest moments" according to the National DAR magazine, "American Spirit".  She helped to establish the Trail of Courage Living History Festival, oversaw the construction of the current Fulton County Museum, and founded Loyal, a living history village. She co-founded and is a board member of the Potawatomi Trail of Death Association dedicated to preserving the history of the Potawatomi people who were removed and raising awareness regarding the historic 1838 Trail of Death. She played a central role in conjunction with Indiana’s bicentennial, in restoring the history of the Potawatomi removal by working with publishers to include it in four Indiana history textbooks. Dr. Shirley is the recipient of the Indiana Historical Society 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award and the author of four history books. More information about the Potawatomi Trail of Death Association can be found at www.potawatomi-tda.org.This will be loads of fun!

November 14: General Assembly Amendments: Come and participate in a conversation about proposed amendments to the PC(USA) constitution. We promise, it will be very interesting!

November 21: Getting to Know Our Leaders: Karen Wellington interviews Administrative Director Vicki Dreibelbis. You’re sure to learn a lot!

December 12: Getting to Know Our Leaders: Tyler interviews Assembly moderator Karen Wellington.

December 19: The third Week of Advent: Come away and rest for a moment as we consider how our hearts are preparing him room. 

For more information on Lunch and Learn or to receive a zoom invitation, please contact the presbytery office at info@ourpresbytery.org.

2025 Per Capita

‘Tis the season for approving and adopting church budgets. Congregations will want to be aware of the 2025 per capita amount, composed of the General Assembly, Synod of Lincoln Trails and Presbytery of Wabash Valley’s approved apportionments.

The total per capita amount for 2025 is $44.66.

The breakdown is as follows:  Synod of Lincoln Trails:  $3.81

                                                       General Assembly:        $10.84

                                                       Wabash Valley:              $30.01

                                                                                Total:     $44.66

We thank you in advance for your attention to per capita, and the reminder that your gifts to per capita and basic mission support fund the ministry and mission of our presbytery and the wider Church. PWV pays 100% of the per capita amount allocated based on your congregation’s reported OGA Statistical membership numbers. Your gifts to per capita avail much and allow us to serve your needs and provide resources to all congregations.  From our grateful hearts: THANK YOU!

Rev. Jennifer Burns Lewis

Visioning and Connecting Leader

Presbytery of Wabash Valley

Synod of Lincoln Trails PC(USA)

Hi everyone! My name is Jeffrey Whitney, and I am part of the PWV Staff as the Creative Technology Specialist. I also serve at First Presbyterian Church of Valparaiso as the Director of Worship and Worship Technology. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many of you, but I thought I’d take a minute to introduce myself and let you know how I serve the presbytery and how I can serve you.

My work for the presbytery consists of overseeing the tech for our Assembly meetings, which means I make sure everything sounds and looks good. I create the slideshow presentation for the meetings as well as edit any video that is required. I also oversee the process of making the meeting hybrid when applicable, which is a little tricky because every church is different but is a fun challenge to say the least. I also participate in various presbytery projects and committees as is needed.

What I’m really jazzed about is how I can serve the congregations of the presbytery. If you ever have a question regarding anything pertaining to your worship tech, i.e. sound, video, lighting and/or streaming, please feel free to reach out to me! Whether it’s an issue your church is having with some tech or if you want some suggestions for which microphones or software you should invest in, I would love to be of assistance. Feel free to email me to setup a phone call, text chat or in-person visit. 

Thanks for taking a few minutes to read through this, and please let me know if I can be of service to your congregation.

Jeffrey Whitney

Creative Technology Specialist

jeff@ourpresbytery.org

Dear Friends,

Our Presbytery's Administrative Director, the amazing Vicki Dreibelbis, will retire from her ministry among us effective December 31, 2024. Vicki has been a continuing stabilizing presence in our midst for almost two decades and she will be missed for so many reasons.

It is important that we move expeditiously in seeking a new Administrative Director - to begin on or before December 9, 2024 - to provide some overlap time before Vicki retires.

Here you will find both an announcement for and a description of the position of Administrative Director. PLEASE share these documents with any members of your congregation and/or community you believe would be a good fit for this position – those whose love for and commitment to the church would shine in this ministry opportunity.



•   Announcing the Position Opening for Wabash Valley Administrative Director
•   Administrative Director Position Description

We are grateful for your assistance in helping us identify the most appropriate person to be our Presbytery's next Administrative Director. 

With our gratitude,

The Personnel Team of the Presbytery of Wabash Valley

John Van Nuys, Moderator

Dennis Brannon

Carol McDonald

Julia Nixon

Ryan Shelley, Vice Moderator

OPEN SEARCHES FOR PASTORAL LEADERSHIP

• First Presbyterian Church, Huntington - MDP for Commissioned Pastor - More Information
• First Presbyterian Church, Huntington - MDP for Installed Pastor - More Information
• Wabash Presbyterian Church, Wabash - MDP for Installed Pastor - More Information
• Wabash Presbyterian Church, Wabash - MDP for Commissioned Pastor - More Information

We pray

• today giving thanks for the ministry and service of the faithful at Faith Presbyterian Church of Kokomo.
• for the members of Albion First Presbyterian Church as they regroup after the retirement of Commissioned Pastor Beverly Harkey;
• for Rev. Kim Adams and Rev. Joaquin Anabe Lopez as they return from the Wabash Pastoral Leaders’ Cohort trip to Ghana;
• for those who lost their lives, their homes, their livelihood from hurricane Helene and now Milton.
• for the people and countries being torn apart by war.

Amen.

Officer Training Resources

&

Other Resources for Congregations

Request Pulpit Supply List Here

The list is continually being updated please let the office know if you need a copy.

Committee on Representation Toolbox

What is mediation?

Per Capita

Other Resources of

Funding for Mission

Free Online Stewardship Tool