October 3, 2024

CALENDAR OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS

God Calls will be on vacation October 10th! Please make any submissions for the October 17th issue by October 14th.

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.

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Clerks of Session – This is a last call for records reviews this Saturday at Ligonier Presbyterian Church ~ 407 S Cavin St. ~ Ligonier at 10:00 a.m. eastern time.

Access the review checklist at this link: https://ourpresbytery.org/resources/clerks-of-session/. Scroll down to the Clerk of Session Helps and select Records Review Checklist. This is an opportunity to complete the Book of Order mandated review of session records for calendar year 2023.

The next review session will be Saturday October 19 at 10:00 central time/ 11:00 eastern time at Union Mills, Bethel.

Please register HERE for one of the October dates or contact the Presbytery office at 574-223-5678.

Hope to see you there.

Grace and Peace,

Marjorie

for October, November, December

Noon eastern and 11:00 am Central time

October 10:  Getting to Know Our Leaders: Our series continues with Tyler Orem interviewing Assembly Vice-Moderator Alan Griffin. Come learn more about this very interesting leader among us!

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."

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:  What are You reading/listening to/discussing?  Bring book titles, podcasts, blogs, and other food for thought to recommend and share with others. 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.

Webinar on new older adult ministry resource

October 10, 2 p.m. ET

Learn about POAMN’s new online resource for older adult ministry leaders launched earlier this year. “Expressions of Older Adult Ministry” covers guiding principles for serving with older adults, a reformed theology framework, and a multitude of practical ideas you can implement in your context. Take a glimpse at the instructional videos, interviews with ministry leaders, and written materials available now. Explore the resources, meet others who are in ministry with older adults, and ask questions. Miatta Wilson from the PCUSA Office of Christian Formation, POAMN's partner in creating the resource, will lead this conversation. 

Register at https://poamn.org/expressions-webinar/ .



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

Click here to register

Prayer provided by the Presbyterian Mission Agency

We pray

• today giving thanks for the ministry and service of the faithful at A Work-in-Progress Faith Community of Lafayette.
• for those who lost their lives, their homes, their livelihood from hurricane Helene.
• giving thanks to Monticello, First Presbyterian Church for their awesome hospitality and delicious lunch.
• 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