The Presbytery of Ohio Valley
Assembly:
May 21, 2019

Pyoca Camp and Retreat Center
Brownstown, IN

Rev. Catherine Knott, Moderator
Rev. David Crittenden, Stated Clerk

[Due to ebook structure requirements, some of the following reports (containing tables) are formatted differently than in the PDF version of the packet.]

The Presbytery of Ohio Valley Docket for Assembly:
May 21, 2019

Pyoca Camp and Retreat Center
Brownstown, Indiana
Rev. Catherine Knott, Moderator
Rev. David Crittenden, Stated Clerk

Call to Order

Opening Worship and Proclamation of the Word

Preacher: The Rev. Jihyun Oh, Manager, Call Process Support and Assistant Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Introductory Business

• Welcome
• Greetings from Pyoca
• Introductions of New Members, Guests
• Seating of Corresponding Members
• Consent Agenda
– Clerk' Report, Minutes of Assembly March 2, 2019, Docket, Treasurer's Report

Report of the Committee on Ministry

• Examination of Molly DeWitt for the ordered ministry of minister of the Word and Sacrament
• Proposed Amendment to Policy for Involuntary Dissolution of Pastoral Relationships

Report of the Congregational Mission and Vitality Committee

Recommendation concerning our Bethlehem partnership

Report of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry

Presentation of new Inquirer: Jerusha Van Camp.

Report of the Nominating Committee

Rev. Vanlal Hruaia to the Permanent Judicial Commission (unexpired term, class of 2022)

Order of the Day for 11:45am: Bidding Good-bye and Godspeed to Elders Mike and Jean Beaver

Lunch

Report of the Presbytery Council

Pyoca Covenant and Agreement

Update on the Lilly Economic Challenge Grant

Speak Out Session

Report of the Executive Presbyter

Installation of Joe Kimmel as Stated Clerk

Recognition of David Crittenden's service as Stated Clerk

New Business

Necrology Report

Prayers of the Presbytery

Offering

Sacrament of the Lord's Supper

Adjournment with Closing Litany

Presbytery of Ohio Valley
Driving Directions

PYOCA Camp and Retreat Center
886 East County Road 100 S
Brownstown, IN 47220

(866) 251-2267 or (812) 358-3413

For a map image of the location, use a web browser to navigate to the POV Churches page and click on the map image, then choose Pyoca from the list.

As a courtesy, the Presbytery attempts to provide driving directions and parking information (when known) to all the members attending the Assembly.

Due to the size of the presbytery, we are unable to include all possible routes to the meeting. The directions we provide begin with major routes into the city/town where the assembly will be held, and include more detailed directions regarding the streets closer to the meeting site. Please use an online source or printed map to find the way from your starting point to the place where these directions begin. The POV website has all church locations marked on Google Maps to assist you.

Occasionally, there may be construction or detours that we are unaware of. To be prepared for this possibility, it is wise to have a map, Google map printout, or GPS navigation available, just in case.

Pyoca is located in Brownstown, Indiana, approximately 15 miles west of Seymour, Indiana.

For those traveling on I-65:

• Take US 50 exit west at Seymour.
• Travel west approximately 15 miles on US 50 to Brownstown and turn left (south) on 250.
• Go one mile, and then turn left at the Pyoca sign, immediately past the Jackson County Fairgrounds.
• Continue to follow the drive until you come to the main lodge.

For those traveling east on U.S. 50:

• Upon entering Brownstown, go straight at the red light (where U.S. 50 turns left) You will now be on 250.
• Continue for one mile, and then turn left at the Pyoca sign, immediately past the Jackson County Fairgrounds.
• Continue to follow the drive until you come to the main lodge.

Clerk's Report

The Rev. David Crittenden

1. Transfers of Membership

a. The following former members of the Newburgh Presbyterian Church have been transferred to Eastminster Presbyterian Church –Evansville:

Bendetti, Ben
Matzen, Mary Lou
Miller, Brenda
Miller, Mark
Moran, Barbara
Moran, David
Zeiher, Janet
Zeiher, Rick

b. Peter Davies was transferred to the Hanover Presbyterian Church.

2. Session Minutes Reading

Arrangements have been made to review 2018 Session minutes and any other minutes that have not been approved at face-to-face meetings on the following dates:

May 18, 2019 at Indiana Presbyterian Church - Vincennes

June 1, 2019 at Mitchell Presbyterian Church – Mitchell

The results of these reviews will be shared at the next Stated Meeting of the Presbytery.

Treasurer's Report
Assembly
May 21, 2019

Elder Jean Brown
Presbytery of Ohio Valley, Inc.

Condensed Statement
of Revenues and Expenses
(Actual vs Budget)

January 1 through March 31, 2019

Revenue

Per Capita
Actual: $116,048
Budget: $225,880

Shared Giving (Unified Mission)
Actual: $18,505
Budget: $100,000

Contributions
Actual: $1,078
Budget: $7,000

Unrestricted Invest Inc & Trans
Actual: $7,000
Budget: $28,000

Restricted Invest Inc & Trans
Actual: $12,960
Budget: $51,839

Total Revenue
Actual: $155,591
Budget: $412,719

January 1 through March 31, 2019

Expense

Staff Expense
Actual: $53,893
Budget: $242,954

Ecclesiastical Expense
Actual: $18,914
Budget: $80,631

Meeting Expense
Actual: $2,810
Budget: $10,800

Administration & Office Expense
Actual: $9,825
Budget: $38,000

Program Expense
Actual: $8,818
Budget: $40,500

Total Expense
Actual: $94,261
Budget: $412,885

Net Surplus/(Deficit)
Actual: $ 61,330
Budget: $ (166)

Fund Balances
As of March 31, 2019

Church Legacy Funds $619,992
Monroe City Fund $262,392
Brown Trust $132,443
Restricted Funds (Specific Use) $32,423
Undesignated Net Assets $713,345

Total Funds $1,760,595

If you would like a detailed statement or any other additional information, please contact Jean Brown at (866) 344-7853 or at jean@presbyteryov.org

2019 Per Capita
$40.00

Bedford, First
Members: 97
2019 PerCapita: $ 3,880.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 1,500.00
Percent Paid: 38.7%

Bloomfield, First
Members: 69
2019 PerCapita: $ 2,760.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 2,760.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Bloomington, First
Members: 389
2019 PerCapita: $ 15,560.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Bloomington, United
Members: 61
2019 PerCapita: $ 2,440.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Boonville, Hemenway Memorial
Members: 93
2019 PerCapita: $ 3,720.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Brazil, First
Members: 285
2019 PerCapita: $ 11,400.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 2,850.00
Percent Paid: 25.0%

Brownstown, Brownstown
Members: 39
2019 PerCapita: $ 1,560.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 1,560.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Canaan, Jefferson
Members: 12
2019 PerCapita: $ 480.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0.00
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Cayuga, Cayuga
Members: 26
2019 PerCapita: $ 1,040.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Central, Valley City
Members: 25
2019 PerCapita: $ 1,000.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Charlestown, Community
Members: 24
2019 PerCapita: $ 960.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 960.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Clarksville, Grace
Members: 6
2019 PerCapita: $ 240.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 240.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Clinton, United
Members: 34
2019 PerCapita: $ 1,360.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 1,360.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Columbus, Fairlawn
Members: 91
2019 PerCapita: $ 3,640.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 910.00
Percent Paid: 25.0%

Columbus, First
Members: 407
2019 PerCapita: $ 16,280.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 16,800.00
Percent Paid: 103.2%

Corydon, Corydon
Members: 73
2019 PerCapita: $ 2,920.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 1,460.00
Percent Paid: 50.0%

Dale, Dale
Members: 51
2019 PerCapita: $ 2,040.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Elizabeth, Church of the Covenant
Members: 38
2019 PerCapita: $ 1,520.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 1,520.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Evansville, Eastminster
Members: 327
2019 PerCapita: $ 13,080.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 2,400.00
Percent Paid: 18.3%

Evansville, First
Members: 291
2019 PerCapita: $ 11,640.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 2,910.00
Percent Paid: 25.0%

Evansville, First Avenue
Members: 32
2019 PerCapita: $ 1,280.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Evansville, Immanuel
Members: 33
2019 PerCapita: $ 1,320.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 300.00
Percent Paid: 22.7%

Evansville, Parke Memorial
Members: 26
2019 PerCapita: $ 1,040.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Farmersburg, First
Members: 20
2019 PerCapita: $ 800.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 800.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Fort Branch, First
Members: 68
2019 PerCapita: $ 2,720.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Grammer, Grammer
Members: 12
2019 PerCapita: $ 480.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 480.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Greencastle, Greencastle
Members: 108
2019 PerCapita: $ 4,320.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Hanover, Hanover
Members: 61
2019 PerCapita: $ 2,440.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 2,440.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Henryville, Community
Members: 42
2019 PerCapita: $ 1,680.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 1,680.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Henryville, Mount Lebanon
Members: 19
2019 PerCapita: $ 760.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 760.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Jeffersonville, First
Members: 208
2019 PerCapita: $ 8,320.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 2,080.00
Percent Paid: 25.0%

Laconia, Rehoboth
Members: 60
2019 PerCapita: $ 2,400.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 2,400.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Laconia, United
Members: 14
2019 PerCapita: $ 560.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 560.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Leavenworth, Community
Members: 45
2019 PerCapita: $ 1,800.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Lexington, Lexington
Members: 50
2019 PerCapita: $ 2,000.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 2,000.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Livonia, United
Members: 51
2019 PerCapita: $ 2,040.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 2,040.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Madison, Madison
Members: 120
2019 PerCapita: $ 4,800.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 4,800.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Madison, Smyrna-Monroe
Members: 8
2019 PerCapita: $ 320.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 240.00
Percent Paid: 75.0%

Martinsville, First
Members: 63
2019 PerCapita: $ 2,520.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 2,520.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Mitchell, Mitchell
Members: 64
2019 PerCapita: $ 2,560.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 1,160.00
Percent Paid: 45.3%

Montezuma, First
Members: 21
2019 PerCapita: $ 840.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Mount Vernon, First
Members: 64
2019 PerCapita: $ 2,560.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 2,560.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Nabb, Nabb
Members: 12
2019 PerCapita: $ 480.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 480.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Nashville, Brn County Fellowship
Members: 36
2019 PerCapita: $ 1,440.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 1,440.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

New Albany, Mount Tabor
Members: 92
2019 PerCapita: $ 3,680.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 3,348.00
Percent Paid: 91.0%

New Albany, St. John United
Members: 168
2019 PerCapita: $ 6,720.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

New Washington, Trinity United
Members: 30
2019 PerCapita: $ 1,200.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Newburgh, Newburgh
Members: 106
2019 PerCapita: $ 4,240.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 4,240.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

North Vernon, Graham
Members: 14
2019 PerCapita: $ 560.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 560.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Paoli, First
Members: 36
2019 PerCapita: $ 1,440.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Patoka, Patoka
Members: 7
2019 PerCapita: $ 280.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 280.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Patoka, Union Bethel
Members: 12
2019 PerCapita: $ 480.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 480.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Petersburg, Main Street
Members: 61
2019 PerCapita: $ 2,440.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 2,440.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Princeton, Fairview
Members: 53
2019 PerCapita: $ 2,120.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 2,120.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Princeton, First
Members: 65
2019 PerCapita: $ 2,600.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 2,600.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Princeton, United
Members: 43
2019 PerCapita: $ 1,720.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 1,720.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Roachdale, Roachdale
Members: 38
2019 PerCapita: $ 1,520.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Rockville, Memorial
Members: 42
2019 PerCapita: $ 1,680.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 1,680.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Salem, Salem
Members: 77
2019 PerCapita: $ 3,080.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 3,080.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Scipio, United
Members: 57
2019 PerCapita: $ 2,280.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 1,560.00
Percent Paid: 68.4%

Scottsburg, First
Members: 50
2019 PerCapita: $ 2,000.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 2,000.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Seymour, First
Members: 137
2019 PerCapita: $ 5,480.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 5,480.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Spencer, Bethany
Members: 20
2019 PerCapita: $ 800.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 600.00
Percent Paid: 75.0%

Spencer, Spencer
Members: 79
2019 PerCapita: $ 3,160.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Sullivan, First
Members: 115
2019 PerCapita: $ 4,600.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Terre Haute, Central
Members: 261
2019 PerCapita: $ 10,440.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 10,440.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Terre Haute, Unity
Members: 82
2019 PerCapita: $ 3,280.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 3,280.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Vernon, Vernon
Members: 14
2019 PerCapita: $ 560.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 560.00
Percent Paid: 100.0%

Vevay, Caledonia
Members: 4
2019 PerCapita: $ 160.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0.00
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Vincennes, Bethany
Members: 13
2019 PerCapita: $ 520.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 480.00
Percent Paid: 92.3%

Vincennes, Indiana
Members: 105
2019 PerCapita: $ 4,200.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 2,100.00
Percent Paid: 50.0%

Vincennes, Royal Oak
Members: 9
2019 PerCapita: $ 360.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Vincennes, Southside
Members: 9
2019 PerCapita: $ 360.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 0
Percent Paid: 0.0%

Vincennes, Upper Indiana
Members: 90
2019 PerCapita: $ 3,600.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 1,800.00
Percent Paid: 50.0%

Washington, Westminster
Members: 61
2019 PerCapita: $ 2,440.00
Received as of
4/30/19: $ 610.00
Percent Paid: 25.0%

Total Members: 5625

Total 2019 Per Capita: $224,904.00
Total 2019 Received
as of 4/30/19: $ 117,428.00

Total Percent Paid: 52.2%

POV Shared Mission 2019

Bedford, First
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Bloomfield, First
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 210
Synod: 70
POV: 420
Total: 700

Bloomington, First
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV: 2,000
Total: 2,000

Bloomington, Korean
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Bloomington, United
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Boonville, Hemenway Memorial
Pledged: 30
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Brazil, First
Pledged: 1,500
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 113
Synod: 38
POV: 225
Total: 375

Brownstown, Brownstown
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Canaan, Jefferson
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Cayuga, Cayuga
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Central, Valley City
Pledged: 100
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Charlestown, Community
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Clarksville, Grace
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Clinton, United
Pledged: 750
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Columbus, Fairlawn
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 236
Synod: 79
POV: 473
Total: 788

Columbus, First
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 3,749
Synod: 1,250
POV: 7,499
Total: 12,498

Corydon, Corydon
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 150
Synod: 50
POV: 300
Total: 500

Dale, Dale
Pledged: 100
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV: 100
Total: 100

Elizabeth, Church of the Covenant
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Evansville, Eastminster
Pledged: 15,000
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 533
Synod: 178
POV: 1,065
Total: 1,775

Evansville, First
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 1,500
Synod: 500
POV: 3,000
Total: 5,000

Evansville, First Avenue
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Evansville, Immanuel
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Evansville, Parke Memorial
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Farmersburg, First
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Fort Branch, First
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 175
Synod: 150
POV: 175
Total: 500

Grammer, Grammer
Pledged: 500
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 38
Synod: 13
POV: 75
Total: 125

Greencastle, Greencastle
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Hanover, Hanover
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 900
Synod: 300
POV: 1,800
Total: 3,000

Henryville, Community
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Henryville, Mount Lebanon
Pledged: 150
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV: 150
Total: 150

Jeffersonville, First
Pledged: 6,000
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 450
Synod: 150
POV: 900
Total: 1,500

Laconia, Rehoboth
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 150
Synod: 50
POV: 300
Total: 500

Laconia, United
Pledged: 150
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Leavenworth, Community
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Lexington, Lexington
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Livonia, United
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Madison, Madison
Pledged: 1,050
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Madison, Smyrna-Monroe
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Martinsville, First
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Mitchell, Mitchell
Pledged: 50
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Montezuma, First
Pledged: 500
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Mount Vernon, First
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Nabb, Nabb
Pledged: 100
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Nashville, Brn County Fellowship
Pledged: 500
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

New Albany, Mount Tabor
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

New Albany, St. John United
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

New Washington, Trinity United
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Newburgh, Newburgh
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

North Vernon, Graham
Pledged: 50
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Paoli, First
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Patoka, Patoka
Pledged: 209
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 63
Synod: 21
POV: 125
Total: 209

Patoka, Union Bethel
Pledged: 100
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Petersburg, Main Street
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 1,200
Synod: 400
POV: 2,400
Total: 4,000

Princeton, Fairview
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Princeton, Princeton
Pledged: 1,500
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Roachdale, Roachdale
Pledged: 100
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV: 100
Total: 100

Rockville, Memorial
Pledged: 100
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Salem, Salem
Pledged: 100
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 30
Synod: 10
POV: 60
Total: 100

Scipio, United
Pledged: 1,196
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Scottsburg, First
Pledged: 2,300
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 100
Synod: 50
POV: 1,000
Total: 1,150

Seymour, First
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Spencer, Bethany
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Spencer, Spencer
Pledged: 100
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 30
Synod: 10
POV: 60
Total: 100

Sullivan, First
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Terre Haute, Central
Pledged: 20,000
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 2,600
Synod: 733
POV: 3,333
Total: 6,667

Terre Haute, Unity
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Vernon, Vernon
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Vevay, Caledonia
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 8
Synod: 3
POV: 15
Total: 25

Vincennes, Bethany
Pledged: 75
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Vincennes, Indiana
Pledged: 550
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Vincennes, Royal Oak
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Vincennes, Southside
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Vincennes, Upper Indiana
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA:
Synod:
POV:
Total: 0

Washington, Westminster
Pledged:
Received as of 4/30/19
GA: 720
Synod: 240
POV: 1,440
Total: 2,400

Total Pledged: 52,860

As of 4/30/19
Total GA: 12,953
Total Synod: 4,293
Total POV: 27,015
Total Received: 44,261

Committee on Ministry

The Rev. Alan Finnan, Moderator

Actions of the Committee on Ministry
Presbytery of Ohio Valley

Summary of COM Actions, January 8, 2019 through April 30, 2019

FOR INFORMATION

At the April 30, 2019 meeting, the Committee on Ministry took the following actions:

1. Contracts approved electronically since the last meeting:

a. Livonia United Presbyterian Church of Livonia and the Rev. Donald Stokes serving as Transitional Pastor.

Period 01/01/19 to 12/31/19
Hrs./wk 20 hrs/wk
Salary $23,958
Housing N/A
Auto Mi. Vch.IRS rate—$7,047 est.
Study L 2 Weeks incl. 2 Sundays
Pd.Vac 1 month incl. 4 Sundays
Cont.Ed. N/A
Pension No

b. Bethany Presbyterian Church of Spencer and Elder Richard Poff serving as Ruling Elder Commissioned to a Particular Service.

Period 01/01/19 to 12/31/19
Hrs./wk 10 hrs/wk
Salary $9,376.65
Housing N/A
Auto Mi. Vch.IRS rate
Study L N/A
Pd.Vac N/A
Cont.Ed. N/A
Pension No

c. Scipio United Church of Christ of Salem and the Rev. Hana Elliott serving as Stated Supply.

Period 01/06/19 to 06/30/19
Hrs./wk 8 hrs/wk
Salary N/A
Housing $6,782
Auto Mi. Vch.IRS rate
Study L 1 Week incl. 1 Sunday
Pd.Vac 2 weeks incl. 2 Sundays
Cont.Ed. $240
Pension No

d. Grammer Presbyterian Church of Grammer and the Rev. Hana Elliott serving as Stated Supply.

Period 01/01/19 to 06/30/19
Hrs./wk 8 hrs/wk
Salary N/A
Housing $2,000
Auto Mi. Vch.IRS rate
Study L 1 Week incl. 1 Sunday
Pd.Vac 2 weeks incl. 2 Sundays
Cont.Ed. $240
Pension No

e. First Presbyterian Church of Jeffersonville and the Rev. William Owens serving as Transitional Pastor.

Period 04/16/19 to 04/15/20
Hrs./wk 40 hrs/wk
Salary $55,000
Housing $28,800
Auto Mi. Vch.IRS rate—est. $1,800
Study L 2 Weeks incl. 2 Sundays
Pd.Vac 1 month incl. 4 Sundays
Cont.Ed. $1,500
Pension Yes

f. First Presbyterian Church of Seymour and the Rev. Daniel Watson serving as Transitional Pastor.

Period 05/01/19 to 04/30/20
Hrs./wk 40 hrs/wk
Salary $56,100
Housing N/A
Auto Mi. Vch.IRS rate—est. $1,000
Study L 2 Weeks incl. 2 Sundays
Pd.Vac 1 month incl. 4 Sundays
Cont.Ed. $1,200
Pension Yes
Moving expenses: up to $5,000

2. Actions taken regarding Molly DeWitt (candidate for ministry) as Program Director for Pyoca Camp and Retreat Center:

a. Approved the position meets the requirements for an ordainable call

b. Approved presenting her to the May 21 Assembly for examination for ordination as Minister of the Word and Sacrament

3. Approved the contract between the Community Presbyterian Church of Leavenworth and Elder Mick Finch serving as Ruling Elder Commissioned to a Particular Service.

Period 06/01/19 to 05/31/20
Hrs./wk 20 hrs/wk
Salary N/A
Housing $18,000
Auto Mi. Vch.IRS rate
Study L 2 Weeks incl. 2 Sundays
Pd.Vac 1 month incl. 4 Sundays
Cont.Ed. $1,200
Pension No
Funeral services: $125 + mileage

FOR ACTION BY THE PRESBYTERY

1. The Committee presents Molly DeWitt to Presbytery for examination for ordination to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament. Molly's statement of faith and faith journey are attached.

2. The Committee on Ministry brings to the Presbytery a proposed amendment to the COM's “Policy on the Involuntary Dissolution of Installed Pastoral Relationships” in the section on negotiating the number of months that salary continuation be offered to state: “ordinarily, this shall be one month per year of service, with a minimum of six months.” The entire policy is attached to this report, with the proposed amendment appearing on page 3 of the policy, section b.ii, in red and italicized.

Statement of Faith
Molly DeWitt

In life and in death all of creation belongs to God.1 We come to know our God in triune communion as Creator, Redeemer, and Spirit. Our sovereign, infinite, and mysterious Creator continuously seeks to be in relationship with all of Creation. From Eden to Gethsemane, and even to Mt. Baldy today,2 God has walked and continues to walk with us so that we may better understand and serve our Creator.

In all things we place our trust in God. Yet, in the midst of God seeking to build relationship, humankind has lapsed over and over again by falling into sin and brokenness. Despite our brokenness, God remains faithful: rebuilding the relationship after each misstep. It was out of love for Creation that God sent a vulnerable child into the world as an act of grace to redeem humanity. Through the saving grace of Jesus Christ the world was liberated and reconciled to God.

It is in Jesus Christ that we are brought into deeper relationship with our Creator. In Jesus' humanity we find the reflection of God and goodness in ourselves in the midst of our brokenness, and in his divinity we are claimed as God's people seeking to come closer to our Creator each day. Through his life we were called to love and serve. Through his ministry we are called to proclaim the good news that the realm of God is at hand. Through his death on the cross we were given grace that we can never earn, and in his ascension we are given eternal hope that God is with us in Jesus today, tomorrow, and every day to come as we await the coming realm.

All of Creation is empowered by the Holy Spirit, which enlightens our path to God. We meet the Spirit in Scripture and in our shared communal life as the Church. These three: Creator, Redeemer, and Spirit, work independently and simultaneously as one. Through them, the church is called to minister to the world.

The mission of the church is to glorify God while living in righteous community. In order to live accordingly, the church is called to love, seek justice while denouncing injustice, proclaim the good news of the gospel, and work for peace as we await the coming realm of God.

The church ministers to the world and proclaims its identity through the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper, bringing together those who seek to learn and work together as members of an imperfect body, renewed by the nourishment of Jesus' holy meal. These seals of faith mark us as God's people and bind us together in community.

Our faith calls us to never stop working to become closer to our Creator through the love and teaching of Jesus Christ.

1A Brief Statement of Faith

2Also known as Pinnacle Peak; located in the Jackson-Washington State Forest adjacent to Pyoca.

Faith Journey
Molly DeWitt

In the summer of 2014 I distinctly remember sitting in a cafe with my YAV Program site coordinator Kurt in Daejeon, South Korea about two months before I would head home. He asked me if I had discerned where God may be calling me upon my return. I told him that after a year of learning about justice and reconciliation, I felt that God was calling me to engage in reconciliation work through camp and retreat ministry.

This call was solidified when I returned to the United States and began working as a YAV at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center. Barely a few months into my service there, my home church in Logansport left PC(USA). It was quite the blow for me. As I was still serving in a PC(USA) program, I felt like I had been left behind and discarded. I recognized that my beliefs and values still aligned with PC(USA), and at the same time I began to discern that God was calling me to seminary to follow my call into camp ministry.

When I think back to my childhood, I am forever grateful for the faith foundation that my church in Logansport bestowed upon me. From Sunday School, to VBS, to sending me to camp for nine summers, that church invested a great deal of love and faith in me. I also recognize that I grew up in a relatively tense and cynical period within the church. Churches were leaving quickly from PC(USA) over the issue of LGBT marriage and ordination. Much of my youth and early young adulthood was spent hearing people in the church complain about the church dying, losing money, and turning away from God.

I must admit that I was pretty annoyed and frustrated with the adults around me making major decisions in the church. The church was fracturing and the place that shaped my faith the most, Geneva Center, was falling by the wayside and lacked serious, committed leadership. In an effort to put resources into keeping churches from leaving, camp ministry didn't seem as important.

My YAV years were quite the turning point in my life of faith. Before my years of service I worked at Geneva Center as a counselor and it almost made me leave the church. Not because I didn't love camp, it was the place where I felt most connected to God and most deeply ingrained in Christian community, but because I saw the place that I loved quickly begin to fall apart over bickering, money, and theological feuding.

While I lived in Little Rock, Arkansas during my second YAV year, I joined Second Presbyterian Church to find a new faith community. At the time I was heartbroken, feeling as if I had lost the community that had raised me, yet Second welcomed me with open arms. I began discerning if seminary was the right place for me as I pursued a call to camp ministry. I spoke with the Senior Pastor, Steve Hancock, about my frustration with the state of the Church. He responded to me that many people who go into ministry have a love/hate relationship with the Church. We have been transformed and shaped by it, but it does not always give us what we need at the right time. The church is led by each of us, who are broken, and we will not always get it right, yet we keep trying to pursue Christ's mission for what the Church is meant to be.

I knew after this conversation that I wanted to be a part of transforming and shaping the Church. I could leave and complain about it, which would be easy, or I could let God use me to lift up and transform it.

It's taken a long road for me not to be as frustrated or upset with the circumstances of my home church. I was overjoyed that a significant aspect of them parting ways with PC(USA) was staying connected with Geneva Center. It has long been recognized as a place of healing, connection, and deep transformative experiences in peoples' faith journeys. When I learned of their decision, I realized that camp has the ability to bring people together that may not otherwise choose to do so.

As I began working as the seminary intern at Pyoca, I noticed similar fractures between churches who did not agree with LGBT inclusion and inevitably chose to leave PC(USA), yet they wanted to be a part of camp because it is a thin space. Camp somehow brings us closer to the divine and one another in true communion. Through our ministry we are given the time and space to learn intimately and vulnerably from one another in ways that ordinary life does not allow.

During seminary I chose to complete my congregational internship with a rural, conservative church who completely redefined my understanding of inclusivity and what it means to be the body of Christ. My beliefs may differ drastically from those that I serve, yet when I say that God welcomes all to the body and Christ welcomes all to the table, I now know that those are no longer just words. Those words are not just for people that believe exactly like me. They're for everyone.

I believe that our ministry at camp allows us to be bridge builders. We offer space for people to come together who otherwise would never do so. We seek not only to build up future leaders in the church, but to reconnect, reconcile, and heal those who are members of this large and diverse body. After feeling hopeless for a number of years about the church and GC, I now find renewed hope in the work that I do.

We can never fully be one until Christ brings us into full union in the coming realm, yet I believe that God is working within us toward that place of unity and completion, and I hope that I am faithfully responding to God's work through me. I am forever grateful that I am able to serve and glorify God in this ministry as we seek wholeness in Christ.

Presbytery of Ohio Valley
Committee on Ministry

Policy on the Involuntary Dissolution of Installed Pastoral Relationships

INTRODUCTION

Ordinarily and ideally the dissolution of an installed relationship between the pastor* and the congregation is accomplished amicably, with expressions of great appreciation and a measure of grief as the pastor transitions to a new place of ministry or to retirement. At times, however, dissolution is a difficult and painful decision, often made in times of conflict or crisis. For such occasions, the Committee on Ministry provides this policy to ensure due process, as well as some degree of care for both pastor and congregation. This policy is intended to supplement the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and shall not supersede the constitutional and parliamentary rights and responsibilities of the presbytery, pastor, session, or congregation.

*Throughout this document, the term “pastor” refers to any installed pastor, co-pastor, or associate pastor.

GOVERNING PRINCIPLES FROM THE BOOK OF ORDER

The relevant governing provisions from the Book of Order are:

G-2.0901 Congregational Meeting: An installed pastoral relationship may be dissolved only by the presbytery. Whether the teaching elder, the congregation, or the presbytery initiates proceedings for dissolution of the relationship, there shall always be a meeting of the congregation to consider the matter and to consent, or decline to consent, to dissolution.

G-2.0902 Pastor, Co-Pastor or Associate Pastor Requests: A pastor, co-pastor, or associate pastor may request the presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relationship. The teaching elder must also state her or his intention to the session. The session shall call a congregational meeting to act upon the request and to make recommendations to the presbytery. If the congregation does not concur, the presbytery shall hear from the congregation, through its elected commissioners, the reasons why the presbytery should not dissolve the pastoral relationship. If the congregation fails to appear, or if its reasons for retaining the relationship are judged insufficient, the request may be granted and the pastoral relationship dissolved.

G-2.0903 Congregation Requests: If any congregation desires the pastoral relationship to be dissolved, a procedure similar to G-2.0902, above, shall be followed. When a congregation requests the session to call a congregational meeting to dissolve its relationship with its pastor, the session shall call the meeting and request the presbytery to appoint a moderator for the meeting. If the pastor does not concur with the request to dissolve the relationship, the presbytery shall hear from him or her the reasons why the presbytery should not dissolve the relationship. If the pastor fails to appear, or if the reasons for maintaining the relationship are judged insufficient, the relationship may be dissolved.

G-2.0904 Presbytery Action: The presbytery may inquire into reported difficulties in a congregation and may dissolve the pastoral relationship if, after consultation with the teaching elder, the session, and the congregation, it finds the church's mission under the Word imperatively demands it.

G-2.0905 Officiate by Invitation Only: After the dissolution of the pastoral relationship, former pastors and associate pastors shall not provide their pastoral services to members of their former congregations without the invitation of the moderator of session.

ADDITIONAL GOVERNING PRINCIPLES

Several principles of our polity also provide background to understanding and implementing this policy:

1. Every call in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is an agreement that includes the presbytery, the pastor and the congregation. All three parties are involved in every decision regarding the establishment of a pastoral relationship and the dissolution of a pastoral relationship.

2. When the congregation and the pastor are in agreement, the Committee on Ministry is commissioned to act on behalf of the presbytery to dissolve the relationship. If the parties are not in agreement, the matter goes to the floor of the presbytery, in a stated or called meeting, as specified in the Book of Order.

3. All conditions for dissolution shall be compatible with the provisions of the Book of Order.

4. The dissolution process shall be complete only after the congregation and the presbytery act on the dissolution of the call and any terms of dissolution.

DETAILS OF THE PROCESS

1. Communication from Session and Session Responsibilities

a. A Session desiring that the pastoral relationship be dissolved shall contact the Committee on Ministry in writing, stating its request and providing a brief overview of the reasons.

b. The Clerk of Session shall provide the Committee on Ministry the full minutes of the session meeting in which the action was taken.

c. The Clerk of Session shall also send to the Presbytery Office, by registered mail, a current membership roll of the congregation within five days of its request to the Committee on Ministry. The COM strongly advises that the session not receive any new persons to membership in the congregation, or make any other adjustments (such as reinstating former members or removing current members from the roll), once it has made the decision to request that the pastoral relationship be dissolved. Any changes that are made to the membership roll against COM advice shall be reported to the COM immediately.

2. Response of the Presbytery

a. Once notified, the Committee on Ministry Moderator and Executive Presbyter will appoint a visitation team to meet with the pastor and the session to hear concerns and explain the process. This meeting shall take place as soon as possible, ordinarily within thirty days of the receipt of the written request.

b. Following this meeting, the visitation team shall confer with the Committee on Ministry Moderator and Executive Presbyter. If the matter is not referred for further consideration or action, arrangements shall be made to begin the process of negotiating proposed terms of dissolution for congregational decision and presbytery action as outlined below.

3. Negotiating Proposed Terms of Dissolution

a. A task force of nine persons shall meet to negotiate proposed terms of dissolution. The task force shall be composed of three teams:

i. Three members of session, appointed by the session;

ii. The pastor and two persons of the pastor's choosing, who may be members of the congregation and/or ruling or teaching elders within the presbytery;

iii. A team of three ruling or teaching elders within the presbytery, appointed by the Committee on Ministry Moderator and Executive Presbyter. One of these people will be assigned to moderate the negotiation, one will be assigned to provide guidance to the session's team, and one will be assigned to provide guidance to the pastor's team.

b. The terms of dissolution shall include:

i. The number of days that the pastor shall continue service following the final action to dissolve the pastoral relationship (ordinarily, this shall be no fewer than thirty days);

ii. The number of months following the last day of service that salary, housing allowance, and benefits shall be paid at 100%, (ordinarily, this shall be one month per year of service, with a minimum of six months) and a statement indicating at what interval these payments shall be made;

iii. The number of months, if any, following the last day of service that salary, housing allowance, and benefits shall be paid at a lower percentage, and a statement indicating at what interval these payments shall be made;

iv. The number of unused vacation days the pastor has accrued, and a statement indicating that the pastor will be paid for these days on the final day of service;

v. In the event the pastor lives in church-owned housing, the amount of time following the last day of service that the pastor may continue to reside there, as well as any other arrangement concerning the manse (such as the payment of utilities and inspection of the property);

vi. A statement indicating whether continuation of salary and benefits shall cease if the pastor begins comparable employment during that time;

vii. A statement indicating that, following the dissolution of the pastoral relationship, the former pastor shall not provide pastoral services to members of the congregation without the invitation of the moderator of session [G-2.0905];

viii. Other provisions, as needed or appropriate, such as additional coverage for medical insurance at the conclusion of the salary continuation period.

ix. The current terms of call for the pastor shall be included as an appendix.

c. The process for the negotiation meeting(s) shall be as follows:

i. The session and pastor shall make available to the task force, prior to the meeting, the following documents: current terms of call for the pastor, the most recent annual report to the congregation, recent financial statements that have been presented to the session, and any other documents that the session and pastor determine to be relevant. These documents shall also be made available to the task force in paper form at the time of the meeting.

ii. The moderator of the task force shall open the meeting with prayer, allow for introductions of those present, and review the process for the meeting.

iii. The task force shall begin to negotiate the terms of dissolution as outlined in 2(b).

iv. During the meeting, either the pastor's team or the session's team may ask for time to caucus. In that event, the member of the presbytery team assigned to each shall meet with the caucusing teams. Should the presbytery team need to confer, the other teams shall remain at the table together.

v. While it is the hope that proposed terms of dissolution acceptable to the entire task force will be negotiated, a majority vote of each of the three teams shall be sufficient to carry a proposal forward. In the event that proposed terms of dissolution cannot be agreed upon after two meetings, the matter shall be referred to the Committee on Ministry.

vi. All members of the task force agree to keep the proposed terms of dissolution confidential until a congregational meeting is called.

d. If the task force agrees on proposed terms, the session team shall present the proposed terms to the session for approval. The session meeting shall be scheduled in consultation with the Committee on Ministry, so that a representative of the presbytery can be present to provide support and guidance.

i. If the session approves the proposed terms, it shall communicate its action to the Committee on Ministry and coordinate with the COM for scheduling the congregational meeting so as to give ample notice to the congregation and allow for the presbytery to provide a moderator.

ii. If the session does not approve the proposed terms, the matter shall be referred to the Committee on Ministry.

4. Calling the Congregational Meeting

If the proposed terms of dissolution are approved, the session shall call a meeting of the congregation for the purpose of requesting that the Presbytery of Ohio Valley dissolve the pastoral relationship. Copies of the terms of dissolution shall be made available to the congregation at least one Sunday before the date of the congregational meeting.

5. Process for the Congregational Meeting

a. The following general principles shall apply to the meeting:

i. A moderator appointed by the Presbytery of Ohio Valley shall preside.

ii. The presbytery shall provide at least one other person to assist with the meeting.

iii. The clerk of session shall bring a copy of the current membership roll

iv. The pastor shall have the privilege of voice.

v. Members of the pastor's family who are also members of the congregation shall not be denied their right of voice and vote.

vi. Ordinarily, no other business shall be considered at this meeting.

vii. The meeting shall be conducted in a spirit of mutual respect.

b. The meeting shall be conducted in the following way:

i. The moderator shall call the meeting to order, open with prayer and state the purpose of the meeting.

ii. The moderator shall ask the clerk of session to ascertain whether there is a quorum. (If there is not a quorum, the meeting shall not proceed, and the matter shall be referred to the Committee on Ministry).

iii. A written copy of the terms of dissolution shall be distributed.

iv. A representative of the session shall bring the motion: That the Congregation of ______ Presbyterian Church request that the Presbytery of Ohio Valley dissolve the pastoral relationship with the Rev. _______ with the following terms [as distributed to the congregation]. Please note that the question of dissolution and the terms of dissolution shall be brought as a single motion.

v. The moderator will open the floor for questions and discussion. All comments and questions shall be directed to the moderator, who will call upon persons as needed and appropriate to respond.

vi. When the moderator perceives that the body is ready to vote, tellers will be asked to distribute paper ballots to members of the congregation.

vii. While the pastor has the right to remain in the meeting room during the vote, he or she may choose to wait elsewhere.

viii. A representative of the presbytery shall be in the room where the votes are being counted. The presbytery representative shall deliver the vote count in writing to the pastor, and one of the tellers shall deliver the vote count in writing to the moderator. The moderator shall announce the vote count to the congregation.

1. If the vote is in the affirmative, the moderator will remind the body that the provisions of G-2.0903 shall be followed. The pastor may choose to concur at this time, not concur at this time, or ask for a brief period of time in order to decide (ordinarily no longer than twenty-four hours).

2. If the vote is not in the affirmative, the moderator will inform the body that the matter shall be referred to the Committee on Ministry.

ix. The moderator will determine if other comments need to be made following the announcement. If not, the moderator will ask for a motion to adjourn.

x. The moderator shall adjourn the meeting with prayer.

6. Concluding the Process

a. The formal process shall be concluded by the presbytery according to the provisions of the Book of Order.

b. Both the treasurer of the congregation and the pastor should notify the Board of Pensions promptly following the final action to dissolve the relationship to obtain and complete the necessary forms.

c. The presbytery will provide guidance on any other documents that may need to be executed.

d. The pastor and session shall honor the terms of dissolution, and address any concerns that may arise to the Committee on Ministry.

e. The Committee on Ministry will provide guidance and assistance to the session, congregation and pastor as needed and appropriate.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

The Committee on Ministry acknowledges the deep pain and frustration that so often accompany an involuntary dissolution of the pastoral relationship. Members of the committee covenant to hold both pastor and congregation in prayer, in the firm conviction that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words, and trusting that God is at work in even the most difficult circumstances.

Report of the Congregational Mission and Vitality Committee

The Rev. Andy Kort, Moderator

Motion from the committee:

The Congregational Mission and Vitality Committee recommends that the Presbytery of Ohio Valley acknowledge the completion of our partnership with the International Center of Bethlehem giving thanks for its ministry, the years of the partnership, and the work of the Holy Spirit throughout.

History and Rationale:

In 2006, the Mission and Social Justice Committee of the Presbytery proposed a partnership with the International Center of Bethlehem (ICB). The work, to be directed by the committee, was to include links to the ICB and ways to grow the partnership. See accompanying material for details.

The Mission and Social Justice Committee no longer exists, but is now the Congregational Mission and Vitality Committee. We have continued this work and partnership. However, as a committee, we have been talking and discerning for about a year to either:

Push the partnership with more time, energy, and money
OR
To acknowledge the partnership’s completion, because where we have been does not honor the partnership.

The committee feels we are at a place where we can recognize the good work of the partnership, but also formally end it from a Presbytery level and acknowledge its completion.

Some of the reasoning behind this includes:

• The struggle to get people to attend and go on the trips. Most recently the minimum number of travelers for the trip was not met, eventually costing us more money for people to attend.

• We feel that we have not been able to honor the intentions of the partnership, for various reasons.

• Most recently, the relationship has been more with Bright Stars of Bethlehem than with the ICB.

• With the shift in committee name and structure, there is now more of an emphasis on encouraging our local congregations in local mission. The feeling is that we are now less about a signature mission partnership or event, and more about mission in our local churches and communities.

• Of course, we still commend ICB to the congregations of the Presbytery to keep up any connections as they feel called and discern.

Excerpt from
August 26, 2006,
Assembly minutes,
pp. 4969-4970

Committee Moderator Jo Lucas presented the Mission & Social Justice Committee Report. The Committee selected Beth Burcham of Bloomfield for the Light in Darkness Award. She is Coordinator of the Greene County Literacy Commission, which now serves 25 learners; she has also has developed a Literacy Road Show; Rev. Scott Hill (Corydon) then introduced the committee's proposal for a partnership with the International Center of Bethlehem and reviewed and moved the proposal:

R-1 That the Presbytery of Ohio Valley form a partnership with the International Center of Bethlehem and Mission/Social Justice direct the work to include:

1. Linking with the work of the International Center of Bethlehem

A. Presbytery of Ohio Valley provides student scholarship(s) for Dar-Al Kalima K-12 Model School in Bethlehem. Congregations, individuals, and funds available for education could provide the funds.

B. Presbytery of Ohio Valley will explore ways to be a resource in services to the elderly. We do that work well in POV and the work is new to the ICB.

C. Pen pals (electronic or otherwise) are established between Sunday Schools and classrooms of Dar-al Kalima School (serving 250 K-12 children in Bethlehem)

D. Presbytery congregations provide new or used digital hearing aids for the audiology work of the ICB. Medical resource/teaching group's travel to Bethlehem in the fall and the units can be sent each year.

2. Grow the Partnership

A. Mission/Social Justice Committee members who traveled to the ICB will seek opportunities to speak to congregations to interpret the work of the ICB and the possibilities for partnering.

B. Support and encourage each other to travel to Bethlehem and host International Center of Bethlehem travelers here.

C. Dr. Patricia Tull is currently organizing a trip to the area for early 2007; she can be reached at Louisville Seminary.

D. L. Michael Spath, D.Min., Ph.D. of Indiana University-Fort Wayne leads groups to the area. He can be reached at IU Fort Wayne

3. Pray for the Presbytery of Ohio Valley and the International Center of Bethlehem as we partner with Palestinian Christians in a suffering part of the world.

Commissioners asked a variety of questions about the ICB. In response, it was pointed out that the ICB is affiliated with the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, which was founded in 1874. It is now affiliated with the Lutheran World Federation and the ELCA. Rev. Wendy McCormick (Evansville First) said she looked forward to the development of e-mail pen pals. Rev. Martha Friz-Langer wondered aloud if any political agendas were involved, as she noticed no connections with the Jews in Israel. Rev. Jerry Kuyk (Petersburg Main Street) said he had made the trip to visit the ICB and declared it was a wonderful experience. Mitri Raheb, the pastor, is an amazing individual, he declared. Elder Vern Yorck asked about the identity of students enrolled at the K-12 school, and was informed that a balance was maintained between Muslims and Christians. Susan Ryan (PDA) said that One Great Hour of Sharing has aided the Augusta Victoriana Hospital in East Jerusalem, another Lutheran ministry which the group visited. By voice vote, the proposal was APPROVED

End of excerpt

Report of the Presbytery Council

The Rev. Susan McGhee, Moderator

For Presbytery's Information

The Council met May 2, 2109, and took the following actions:

* denotes the Council acting as a Commission of Presbytery

1. Received reports of Presbytery officers, staff, committee, and commission leadership.

2. Received a gift from the Newburgh Presbyterian Church for $19,782.46 to make grants to churches for Christian education ministries and to support young people to attend the Presbyterian Youth Triennium.

3. Received and endorsed the attached “Covenant and Agreement with the Presbytery of Whitewater Valley, the Presbytery of Ohio Valley, and Pyoca Camp and Retreat Center” for presbytery action (see below).

4. Established an electronic vote policy for the Council:

When the Presbytery Council needs to act between meetings, it may do so by electronic vote (e-vote), within the following guidelines:

• A call for e-vote shall be issued by the Moderator of Council, or by the Clerk of Council (Stated Clerk) in the Moderator's absence.

• The email shall state the question, and give a window for voting, ordinarily within 48 hours of the call for the vote.

• If any member of the Council believes that conversation/deliberation is necessary, that person shall notify the Moderator and Clerk of Council within 24 hours of the call for the vote. At that time the Moderator and Clerk shall arrange for a teleconference or videoconference.

• Any action taken by e-vote shall be reported by the Clerk to the next Council meeting, and shall be entered into the minutes of that meeting

5. Received and endorsed a proposal that the Congregational Mission and Vitality Committee will bring to the full assembly May 21, 2019: “that the Presbytery of Ohio Valley acknowledge the completion of our partnership with the International Center of Bethlehem giving thanks for its ministry, the years of the partnership, and the work of the Holy Spirit throughout.”

For Presbytery Action

1. That the Presbytery of Ohio Valley adopt the attached “Covenant and Agreement with the Presbytery of Whitewater Valley, the Presbytery of Ohio Valley, and Pyoca Camp and Retreat Center”

A Covenant and Agreement
with the Presbytery of Whitewater Valley,
the Presbytery of Ohio Valley,
and Pyoca Camp and Retreat Center

I. Parties

The Presbyteries of Whitewater Valley and Ohio Valley are non-profit Indiana religious corporations (i.e., qualified as tax exempt entities under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3), operating under the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Advisory Council of Pyoca Camp and Retreat Center (Pyoca) (which is currently owned by The Presbytery of Whitewater Valley) is considering establishment of Pyoca as a non-profit Indiana religious corporation with the encouragement and support of both Presbyteries. It is contemplated that the Advisory Council will transition to function as a Board of Directors, if and when a new entity is established, so when “Pyoca Advisory Council” or “Advisory Council” appears in this Covenant, it is understood to also include the successor Board of Directors.

II. Covenant

The Presbyteries of Whitewater Valley and Ohio Valley and the Pyoca Advisory Council covenant together to affirm our present and historic partnership in which there is a mutuality of purpose and to outline the promises of all parties to each other as the Pyoca Advisory Council pursues establishment as a non-profit camp and retreat center. Recognizing that this is a time of significant transition for Pyoca and our partner Presbyteries, it is anticipated that this Covenant will be revised as circumstances evolve; this is provided for in Section VII.

III. The Promises of the Presbyteries of Whitewater Valley and Ohio Valley to Pyoca

A. The Presbyteries provide Pyoca an affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and recognize Pyoca as an institution related to both Presbyteries through this covenant. The Presbyteries recognize Pyoca as a Presbyterian-related institution where programs with multiple denominations and/or interfaith endeavors may take place.

B. The Presbyteries will encourage their pastors and congregations to consider Pyoca for summer camping programs, retreats, and/or other conferences hosted by Pyoca. They will publicize Pyoca camps, retreats, and other programs on their web sites and in emails, newsletters, etc., and will provide links on their web sites to the Pyoca home page.

C. The Presbyteries will collaborate with Pyoca in planning and sponsoring events each year designed to meet the needs of the Church: these may include, but are not limited to Presbytery assemblies, youth conferences or pastor retreats.

D. The staff and leaders of both Presbyteries will remain informed about the programs and policies of Pyoca, and will support and interpret its mission.

E. Each Presbytery will provide Pyoca access to its Council, and will offer Pyoca the opportunity to report at its regular assemblies.

F. Each Presbytery will name two members to the Pyoca Advisory Council each year through its normal nomination and election process.

G. The Presbyteries will encourage support of Pyoca through inclusion of financial support in their annual budgets, and will encourage congregations to participate in the financial support and fundraising objectives of Pyoca, in consultation and collaboration between Pyoca and the Presbytery Councils.

IV. An Additional Promise of the Presbytery of Whitewater Valley to Pyoca

The Presbytery, working through the Board of Directors and the Coordinating Council, will at the appropriate time transfer the current Pyoca real property, fixtures, equipment and tangible assets to the new independent Pyoca Camp and Retreat Center for reasonable consideration.

V. The Promises of the Pyoca Advisory Council to the Presbyteries of Whitewater Valley and Ohio Valley

A. The Advisory Council covenants to offer staff leadership and physical facilities for appropriate training events, programs, seminars, and related activities, including events specifically designed to meet the needs of the Presbyteries, their member congregations, and their other organizations and institutions.

B. Pyoca will provide complimentary weekday lodging for renewal and study leave to clergy and youth staff of congregations from both Presbyteries, and will communicate this amenity to the Presbyteries each year.

C. Pyoca will offer a lodging discount to congregations from both Presbyteries for youth, adult, and family retreats, and will communicate this discount to the Presbyteries each year.

D. The Pyoca Advisory Council will operate Pyoca according to its Bylaws. Pyoca will provide both Presbyteries an annual financial report along with periodic updates as necessary at the request of the leadership of either Presbytery.

E. Pyoca, through its Advisory Council and staff, will strive to provide programming and leadership to uphold the historic and present focus of the Reformed tradition.

F. Pyoca will cooperate and collaborate with both Presbyteries, seeking ways to support them, their member congregations, and their other organizations and institutions.

VI. Additional Promises of the Pyoca Advisory Council to the Presbytery of Whitewater Valley

A. The Advisory Council and the Pyoca staff will maintain the real property, fixtures, equipment and tangible assets of Pyoca in good working order and repair, and will make improvements as finances allow and needs require.

B. During the transition of Pyoca to an independent camp and retreat center, the Advisory Council will not create or permit any mortgage, lien, encumbrance, or conditional sale of property without written approval from the Presbytery of Whitewater Valley, or its successor, prior to taking such action. It is anticipated that the bylaws created for the new Pyoca non-profit corporation will include provisions placing limits acceptable to the Presbytery on the amount of any indebtedness which Pyoca may incur and that these bylaws will be reviewed with and approved by the Presbytery.

C. The Advisory Council will not sell any land and buildings upon the land transferred to it from the Presbytery of Whitewater Valley without approval from the Presbytery’s Board of Directors. If at any time in the future Pyoca is formally dissolved, declares bankruptcy, or has a receiver appointed, its real and personal assets remaining after provision for payment of valid debts and liabilities shall be distributed to the Presbytery or its successor.

VII. Review and Renewal of the Covenant

Recognizing that this is a time of significant transition for Pyoca and our partner Presbyteries, the partners agree to review and renew this Covenant at least every three years, or at the request of any of the parties as circumstances require.

Celebration of the Saints

Minister and Elder Necrology Report

January 1st - December 31st 2018

Bedford, First

Jesse Day
Elder Ordination 4/30/1978
Date of Death 7/23/2018

Bloomfield, First

Kenny Nocus
Elder Ordination 1957
Date of Death 4/14/2018

Jeni Wampler
Elder Ordination 1/7/1990
Date of Death 6/9/2018

Bloomington, First

Barbara Burkhead
Date of Death 11/21/2018

Brownstown, First

Mary Ann Montgomery
Elder Ordination 1/13/1974
Date of Death 8/7/2018

Columbus, First

Nancy Fleetwood
Elder Ordination 1/9/1995
Date of Death 4/16/2018

Herschel O'Shaughnessey
Elder Ordination 1961
Date of Death 5/31/2018

Evansville, First

William Asbury
Date of Ordination 1/22/2012
Date of Death 10/3/2018

Jean Brubeck
Date of Ordination 1/31/1999
Date of Death 7/18/2018

Evansville, First Avenue

Joyce G. Marlin
Date of Ordination 12/7/1969
Date of Death 9/4/2018

Hanover, Hanover

Dick Conklin
Elder Ordination 1/12/1964
Date of Death 3/7/2018

James Shaffstall
Elder Ordination 12/23/2012
Date of Death 6/14/2018

Henryville, Community

Curtis D. Waggoner
Elder Ordination 1/17/1965
Date of Death 12/1/2018

Martinsville, First

James Wells
Elder Ordination 1966
Date of Death 11/5/2018

New Albany, Mt. Tabor

Sylvan G. Payne
Elder Ordination 9/1964
Date of Death 3/5/2018

Perry R. “Junie” Rusk Jr.
Elder Ordination 1/24/1960
Date of Death 2/2/2018

Patoka, Union Bethel

Bobbie Scott Harvey
Date of Death 9/20/2018

Judy Kolb
Date of Death 12/30/2018

Elizabeth Ann Loveless
Date of Death 9/30/2016

Petersburg, Main Street

Mary Lou Kinman
Elder Ordination 12/27/1982
Date of Death 2/19/2018

Lois E. Wilson
Elder Ordination 1/1992
Date of Death 7/26/2018

Cynthia L. Burns Graves
Elder Ordination 1/18/1987
Date of Death 10/4/2018

Princeton, United

Sandra Silkey
Elder Ordination 1/23/2000
Date of Death 2/1/2018

Joe Silkey
Elder Ordination 12/26/1976
Date of Death 3/31/2018

Martha Helen Brokaw
Elder Ordination 1/13/2002
Date of Death 4/21/2018

Joseph Carithers
Elder Ordination 10/22/1950
Date of Death 4/26/2018

Salem, Salem

Donna LaFollette
Date of Death 5/11/2018

Scottsburg, First

Michael H. King
Elder Ordination 1/8/1995
Date of Death 1/12/2018

Terre Haute, Central

Robert Horneker
Elder Ordination 1/18/1976
Date of Death 11/5/2018

Carolyn Payne
Elder Ordination 2/10/1991
Date of Death 7/11/2018

Washington, Westminster

Daniel Land
Date of Death 2/18/2018

Teaching Elders

The Rev. Lawrence E. Jackman, Jr.
Ordination Date 6/8/1966
Date of Death 1/28/2018

The Rev. David M. Brookman
Ordination Date 9/7/1980
Date of Death 2/20/2018

The Rev. Sarah J. Cochran
Ordination Date 8/16/2009
Date of Death 3/17/2018

The Rev. Benjamin G. Lenhart
Ordination Date 6/15/1969
Date of Death 8/11/2018

Let not your heart be troubled. You are trusting God, now trust in me.

There are many homes up there where my father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming.

When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am.

John 14: 1-3

2019 PRESBYTERY PRAYER PARTNERS

By the tenth of the month preceding the month for your church (i.e., by January 10 for churches listed for February), please send a paragraph or two telling a little about your church or organization — size and activities, location and neighborhood, special programs, history, and anything else that would help others in the presbytery get a better sense of who and where you are.

Also send us any joys you'd like to share or prayer requests for your church activities or programs. Email your information to bbsnyder22@gmail.com or mail to Barbara Snyder at 1820 Wheeler Road, Vincennes, IN 47591. Please call 812-886-0272 for more information. The Presbytery of Ohio Valley encourages all our congregations to pray for each other throughout the year. Sharing prayers with each other works!

May 26 – Fairview, Princeton

Jun 2 – Roachdale
Jun 9 – Retired Ministers living in POV
Jun 16 – Salem
Jun 23 – Churches Searching for Pastoral Leadership
Jun 30 – Synod of Lincoln Trails

Jul 7 – United, Scipio
Jul 14 – First, Scottsburg
Jul 21 – First, Seymour
Jul 28 – Bethany, Spencer

Aug 4 – First, Spencer
Aug 11 – First, Sullivan
Aug 18 – Central, Terre Haute
Aug 25 – Unity, Terre Haute

Sept 1 – Vernon
Sept 8 – Caledonia, Vevay
Sept 15 – United, Clinton
Sept 22 – First, Montezuma
Sept 29 – Memorial, Rockville

Oct 6 – POV Staff
Oct 13 – Bethany, Vincennes
Oct 20 – Indiana, Vincennes
Oct 27 – Royal Oak, Vincennes

Nov 3 – South Side, Vincennes
Nov 10 – Upper Indiana, Vincennes
Nov 17 – Westminster, Washington
Nov 24 – POV Assembly Commissioners

Dec 1 – Agencies of the PC(USA)
Dec 8 – POV Chaplains and others in Specialized Ministries
Dec 15 – Bethlehem International Center
Dec 22 – Peace on Earth
Dec 29 – POV Candidates and Inquirers