December 12, 2024

December 3, 3034 Assembly Summary

We were delighted to gather at Central Presbyterian Church in Lafayette and on Zoom on a very chilly Tuesday, December 3. We were welcomed by our moderator, Ruling Elder Karen Wellington, and host pastor, the Rev. Wil Reinowski. Beautiful acoustic guitar music was provided by one of Central’s musicians, Paul Foster.

We conducted some important business, including voting on the twelve proposed amendments to the Book of Order and an ecumenical agreement with The PC(USA) and The Episcopal Church on sharing of local ministries (all were approved.) We approved a change to our presbytery by-laws to include our new sexual misconduct investigating committee. We thanked outgoing members and moderators, elected new members to committees, commissions and teams, and installed the Rev. Alan Griffin, retired as assembly moderator, Ruling Elder Jose Soto, Michigan City First PC as assembly vice-moderator, and Ruling Elder Karen Wellington, Goshen First PC as moderator of presbytery’s Coordinating Council.

We heard an inspiring sermon by outgoing assembly moderator Karen Wellington and found ourselves steeped in all kinds of emotions as we honored Ruling Elder Vicki Dreibelbis for her sixteen years of service as our administrative director. We pray she will have a full and happy retirement, and will miss her very much. Personnel Ministry Team moderator, the Rev. John Van Nuys, helped the assembly honor Vicki with gifts and accolades, and introduced our new administrative director, Ruling Elder Anne Chenoweth-Ruble, Huntington First PC. We are indeed richly blessed.

Our next assembly meeting will be on Zoom on February 25, 2025.  We invite you to register and join us on that Zoom-only meeting as we greet a new year with many opportunities for learning, sharing and strengthening our ties to God’s work in the world.

Rev. Jennifer Burns Lewis

Meet Wabash Valley’s New

Administrative Director

By Personnel Ministry Team Moderator John Van Nuys

The Presbytery of Wabash Valley’s new Administrative Director is Anne Chenoweth-Ruble. She is currently on-boarding. With Vicki Dreibelbis’ retirement on December 31, Anne’s full duties will begin on January Here is a short bio:

Anne was born and raised in Huntington, Indiana. She has 2 daughters and was a military wife for 15 years living all over – including Germany for 3 years. Anne and her girls then moved back to Huntington where she worked as a legal secretary. After earning her associate’s degree, Anne became Huntington County’s first Victim Advocate and worked in the Prosecutor's office for 5 years. She then became a Court Reporter and worked in Superior Court for 12 years. After a move to Washington, D.C., Anne returned to Huntington and worked for Huntington County in the Clerk's Office, the Superior Court, and for Community Corrections where she has worked for the past two years with residents in the Work Release program.

In addition to her daughters, Anne has 2 amazing sons-in-law and 5 very busy grandsons. Anne enjoys traveling and making cards during her free time.

           A cradle Presbyterian, Anne was baptized at and grew up in First Presbyterian Church, Huntington where, as a high schooler, she was ordained as a Ruling Elder. Currently, Anne is serving on the Session at First. Growing up, she also attended Triennium, numerous Wabash Valley youth retreats, and multiple summer camps at Geneva Center – as did her daughters.

           The Personnel Ministry Team is grateful to God for Anne and the many gifts she brings to our fine presbytery staff. Anne was introduced to the Presbytery at the December 3 Assembly. We look forward to her ministry with us. Please give Anne a warm welcome.

We’ve had a fantastic response to our upcoming cohort, and only a few spots remain to join this exciting discussion.

If you’ve been considering signing up, now is the time! The deadline to register is December 20, 2024.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage, learn, and grow with a dynamic group of peers.

From the bottom and the top of my heart thank you! Thank you to the personnel ministry team for such a lovely sending. John your kind words will stay with me for a very long time if not forever. The beautiful cards with touching messages, the flowers and by the way those CHOCOLATES are DIVINE and the cake (hope you enjoyed a piece) and the lovely quilt entrenched in so many memories and yes, and the exceptionally generous monetary gift from so many of you, all was greatly appreciated.

We, Charlie and I are grateful for your love and your support.

We are looking forward to doing some traveling, camping, hiking, biking and spending time with our grandchildren and extended family and friends. And yes, some volunteering down the road.

It has been my honor to serve with all of you. 

May God Bless each and every one of you as you continue your ministry together, Vicki

Mark your Calendars for December

Noon Eastern and 11:00 am Central time

December 12: Getting to Know Our Leaders: Please come and join us for the latest installment of

“Getting to Know Your Leaders” on Thursday at noon eastern on Zoom.

Tyler Orem will interview our Coordinating Council Moderator, Ruling Elder Karen Wellington. Join us for a good 45 minutes of learning about how Karen sensed a call to leadership in her congregation and presbytery and her many other commitments to family and community as well. Karen is a multi-talented, many-faceted person, like so many of our PWV all-stars. You’re sure to enjoy this exchange and can ask your questions of her as well as we get better acquainted with one of our vibrant, funny, smart leaders!

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82483170305?pwd=Dbf0fs5IpClryFuatdaet9HZwUx1Wj.1

December 19: The third Week of Advent: The Presbytery Gathers for an Advent Moment with the writings of Kate Bowler

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

Be good stewards of those funds and support the work of the Church. Make a year-end gift through Special Offerings. What your gifts can do:

• Assist in disaster assistance.
• Help alleviate hunger worldwide.
• Work with local communities to catalyze efforts to fight injustice.
• Nurture the faith of youth and young adults.
• Educate a child.
• Foster peacemaking here and around the globe.
• Work toward reconciliation.
• Equip people of color through Presbyterian-related schools and colleges.
• Provide financial relief to pastors and church workers during times of crisis.

Your gifts make a difference.

OPEN SEARCHES FOR PASTORAL LEADERSHIP

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

We pray that you are filled with the Holy Spirit and are inspired to be fully open to express holy, life-giving virtues as God leads and guides you. Amen.

We pray

• today giving thanks for the ministry and service of the faithful at First Presbyterian Church of Highland.
• for those discerning a call to ministry.
• for those who are grieving.
• for those who contend with chronic illness.
• for PEACE!

Officer Training Resources

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Other Resources for Congregations

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