Collecting items for “Gifts of the Heart Kits." | |
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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:
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- 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,
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- 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.
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At the end of collections we ask that congregations take their donations to one of the following sites:
- Auburn Presbyterian Church – 111 W. 12th St., Auburn
- Huntington, First Presbyterian Church – 50 E. Tipton St., Huntington
- Rensselaer, First Presbyterian Church – 220 N. Cullen St., Rensselaer
- Rochester, Presbytery Office – 530 Jefferson St., Rochester (please call 574-223-5678 in advance of delivery)
- Schererville, Immanuel Presbyterian Church - 140 W US Highway 30, Schererville
- South Bend, Sunnyside Presbytery Church - 115 S Frances St., South Bend
- Valparaiso, First Presbyterian Church – 3401 N. Valparaiso St., Valparaiso
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@ourpresbytery.org.
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Five Themes LeaderWise Hears
And Why They Are the Death of the Church
by Rev. Cindy Halvorson, MDiv, DMin
Note: This article may or may not apply to your context. At the time of its writing, this commentary represents Christian mainline denominational churches in the USA. While each church is unique in its experiences, certain themes have been observed by LeaderWise consultants. We recently had a conversation about our observations. This article is a result of that conversation.
As I sat with yet another group of lay leaders, an older pillar-of-the-congregation persisted with his question. “What is the future of the church? Do you think we will ever get back to what we used to be?” He remembered the sanctuary being full on Sundays while the organ played, the choir sang, and young parents tried to keep their children from squirming in their seats. Yet, time had passed and the numbers had dwindled, both in attendance and finances. Difficult decisions faced this group of lay leaders and the gentleman wanted straight answers. Others on the committee stared at me as the question hung in the air. Their faces showed hopefulness; their eyes showed fear.
While none of knows what the future will bring, I think people do know that we cannot return to the past
Click to continue reading at LeaderWise.org
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How is your church doing financially?
Do you ever wonder how well your church is doing financially? Or how your church compares to other Presbyterian congregations your size?
The Presbyterian Foundation is bringing back its popular evaluation tool that will help your church measure your sustainability, evaluate participation and leadership, set priorities, and much more. This web-based tool, called the Church Financial Health Assessment, asks you a series of questions in a simple format, producing a report with recommendations and resources that your church can use.
And this tool is 100% free.
What makes the Church Financial Health Assessment especially helpful is that it takes data your church reported during the Session Annual Statistical Report (completed each year by most churches) and pairs it with the answers you provide as you take the survey. You can see how your church is doing financially compared to other congregations your size, as well as measure against all Presbyterian churches nationally. Your answers are confidential.
You can download a worksheet to gather the data you’ll need to complete the assessment here.
And when you’re ready, you can take the assessment by clicking on the button below.
Questions? Email us at serving@presbyterianfoundation.org or reach out to your Ministry Relations Officer. We’d love to hear from you!
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A variety of resources to use this Advent season to prepare for and participate in the Christmas Joy Offering.
Be sure to download your resources as early as possible, as the PC(USA) website will be changing soon.
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for October, November, December
Noon Eastern and 11:00 am Central time
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 five 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.
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The Presbytery of Wabash Valley taking applications for Administrative Director Position
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From: The Presbytery's Personnel Team | |
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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.
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
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OPEN SEARCHES FOR PASTORAL LEADERSHIP
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Prayers of the Presbytery and our world! | |
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Creator God, we pray for the continued strength of your servants, enabling them to bear fruit and grow in your knowledge. Help our people, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, run and not be weary, walk and not faint. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer from Presbyterian Yearbook
We pray
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today giving thanks for the ministry and service of the faithful at First Presbyterian Church of Kendallville.
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for Kathy, the wife of Corlin Stein, Portage, First Presbyterian Church, who continues to have health concerns.
- for those who face ongoing, life-changing, daily health concerns.
- for congregations and their members as they face challenging times.
- for those running for election.
- that our newly elected leaders will have the countries best interests as their priority.
- for those who continue to recover from hurricane Helene and Milton.
- for those who are the hands and feet of Christ helping wherever they are needed.
- for PEACE!
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