Monthly Archives: September 2015

What Happened at Assembly on September 12, 2015

The Presbytery assembled at the Bedford Church as we gathered our opening worship was led by Susan McGhee as our preacher for the day.

Rev. J.H. Vanlal Hruaia was introduced to the Assembly.  He is the pastor the new Princeton Presbyterian Parish.  The parish was formed by the Princeton First and Princeton United congregations.

Rev. Andrew Black was also introduced following his ordination and installation as pastor of Unity Church in Terre Haute.

Academy Committee  the committee offered two important reminders.

The Committee reminded the Assembly that POV Academy classes are for everyone in our churches and that many people participate in the Academy just for the joy of learning and/or to discover ways they might become better informed to serve their own churches more effectively.

The Assembly was reminded that anyone interested in enrolling in the Academy in order to explore a possible call as a Commissioned Ruling Elder must start classes by the March 2016 class on “Tools for Scriptural Interpretation.”  The deadline to register for this class is January 10, 2016.

1001 New Worshiping Communities

Ruling Elder Vera White from the General Assembly office made a major presentation on the 1001 initiative.  There are supports and opportunities

for starting a new worshipping community in our presbytery.  Learn more on this from the Evangelism and Congregational Witness Committee.

Committee on Ministry reported a change in the minimum standards of compensation as follows:

  1. That there be an increase in the required minimum continuing education allowance from $800 annually to $1200 annually.

(Note: We are not recommending a required change in the minimum compensation standards for salary and housing for 2016. Minimum compensation for teaching elders working full-time would continue to be $44,856 if there is no manse, or $34,505 if there is a manse. Minimum compensation for ruling elders commission to pastoral service working full-time would continue to be $33,643 if there is no manse, and $25,878 if there is a manse.)

(Note that there will be not be an increase in Board Of Pension dues for 2016. Required dues for Teaching Elders in a full time installed position is still 35%. We also encourage a church to pay the additional 11/2% dependant coverage, if the pastor needs it.)

Larry Jackman, Stated Clerk

Mosaic of Peace 2016

April 4 – 16, 2016

We are called to be witnesses to and for peace in the Holy Land.  In faithful and hope-filled response, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program’s Mosaic of Peace conference invites Presbyterians to experience this remarkable and troubled region, encounter its diverse people, explore its rich history and complex current situation, and engage with those who seek its peace.

As participants in the conference, individuals will be:

INSPIRED by the stories of Christian peacemakers in the Holy Land, walk in the footsteps of the Prince of Peace and encounter contemporary Palestinians and Israelis;

EQUIPPED by engagement with Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders, experience contextual theology and study peacemaking practices within the framework of PCUSA policy;

CONNECTED with global and local partners to take meaningful action for a just and lasting peace in the region.

Click here to go to the PC(USA) website for more information.

Reaching and Unleashing Baby Boomers and Beyond

This event is a Center for Congregations Workshop.

Baby Boomers are approaching the later years of life in a radically different way than previous generations.  Discover why this generation is essential to the ministry of your church and community and learn how to engage and unleash them to make a significant impact.

Author, speaker and consultant Amy Hanson leads this workshop, comprised of four sessions.

The workshop is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Eastern time) Tuesday, October 13, 2015 in Brownstown and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Central time) Wednesday, October 14, 2015 in Evansville. The cost is $30 per person (or $25 per person for congregational teams of three or more registered together). The fee includes lunch and a copy of Hanson’s bookBaby Boomers and Beyond. This workshop was presented earlier in 2015 in Chesterton (in Porter County) and in Indianapolis.

This workshop is limited to Indiana congregations.

For more information, and to register, visit the event page on the Center for Congregations website.

Journey to the Holy Land

An Ignatian Journey to the Holy Land

January 18-February 1, 2016

In this unique pilgrimage, you will experience the Holy Land through the powerful lens of Jesuit contemplation.

Your journey will be enriched throughout by the expertise of three professors whose specialties richly complement the goals and format of this trip: Patricia Tull, a professor of Hebrew Bible with 20 years of experience leading Middle East travel seminars; Anna Miller, a professor of New Testament and Early Christianity; and Gillian Ahlgren, a professor of Christian History and Spirituality.

Visiting locations throughout Galilee, Jerusalem, and the Judean desert, we will engage the Ignatian spiritual exercises to deepen our understanding of place, suffering, and the reality of new life. This contemplation will allow us to enter into productive dialogue with the scriptural tradition and the complex socio-historical relationship of the three Abrahamic faith traditions rooted in the Holy Land. Our visits to sites of biblical and historical interest will be complemented by experiences with living faith communities in the Jewish, Christian, and
Muslim traditions.

Download more information

D.I.A.P.E.R. Project in Charlestown, IN

D.I.A.P.E.R. Project
Community Presbyterian Church of Charlestown Indiana
1370 Monroe Street
Charlestown, IN 47111

Dear Rev. Jackman and members of the Presbytery Ohio Valley,

It is my privilege to share with you the story of our mission, D.I.A.P.E.R Project.

On March 18, 2015, we opened our doors to service the youngest members of our community. One out of every three families with small children struggles to provide diapers, wipes, and non-food essentials for their babies and toddlers. These items cannot be purchased through WIC or with food stamps. With over twelve percent of our county’s population living below the poverty line, and others struggling financially, even for working parents, money is often not available for essentials and nutritional food. It is our goal to ensure that all babies remain clean, dry, and healthy.

Currently, we service 45 children per month, and the number continues to grow every week.  We distribute diapers, wipes, wash, lotion, ointments, bottles, food items, and some first aid supplies. Each child is given approximately $20 – $40 dollars worth of essentials per month.  Our parents have expressed their gratitude for our assistance, and several have brought their children for us to meet. Some parents have jobs, but still need assistance.  Others have been laid off from work, are currently on leave, or have encountered other financial hardships.  One mother comes to us because her husband left the state with his girlfriend, leaving her with no income and two infants.  Another is struggling with a child who has a medical condition which does not allow him to digest solid food; she needs help providing Pedi sure.  A few of our parents have been so grateful for the assistance that they have brought in donations of things they cannot use.  Their ability to donate, even though they need it themselves, gives them satisfaction in knowing they are helping others.

We would like to thank the POV for providing us with a grant to help us open the doors and help our children.  It is because of your support that we are able to be a blessing and help to our community.  We are always open to receiving donations, and anyone who wishes to contribute may do so by contacting us at the above address.

Blessings,

Donna McCreary-Bowen