Tag Archives: Jeffersonville

What Happened at Assembly April 7, 2016

POV enjoyed the hospitality of First Presbyterian in Jeffersonville.  The windows in the sanctuary have been refurbished in a major project that has been completed since the last time that the Presbytery met there.

Ruling Elder Zack Ellision moderated his first meeting.

The Transitional Executive from the Synod of Lincoln Trails was present.  Sara Dingman brought the sermon to our worship.  Sara also made comments during the meeting to outline the work and contributions of the Synod to our common life.  Specifically she discussed:

  • The synod is encouraging exploration of Bi-Vocational Ministry.
  • The synod is intensely in discussions about per-capita and mission giving.
  • The synod is intensively encouraging care for pastors with peer groupings and other           interventions.
  • Transitional skills (applicable to all persons) is to be taught locally in the synod.

A Vote was held on concurrence with an Overture to GA.  Overtures start on a presbytery level.  They move to the General Assembly where they are approved, rejected, edited, changed or answered in some way.  Every overture must have referral from more than one presbytery to be considered by GA.  If the changes involve change to the constitution, they must go back to the presbyteries.

The overture we acted upon did not involve constitutional change.  It was to support ministry of GA efforts related to HIV/Aids persons.

The Presbytery Foundation’s ministry was presented by Lisa Longo.  The Foundation’s national office is located in our presbytery in New Albany. Lisa outlined for us several important supports for mission and stewardship that are available to our congregations.

The POV Academy Committee reported through Trudy Vanderbeck.  The Academy has broadened its mission to focus on leadership training for all people in the Presbytery.  There is little demand by Elders for training to be Commissioned Ruling Elders. However, the need for training and education is still a need.

Report of the Lilly Grant   Charlie Pye brought us an update on Lily Grant issues.  Charlie reported for the Lily Excellence in Ministry Program.  Both loans and grants are available through the program.  Charlie reported his own work and helps.  He also emphasized the “no interest” loans for debt resolution.

Larry Jackman
Stated Clerk

185th Anniversary at First Presbyterian Church of Jeffersonville, IN

Dr. Louis Weeks, retired President of Union Presbyterian Seminary and former Dean of Louisville Seminary, will be the guest preacher and teacher for First Presbyterian Church of Jeffersonville, Indiana’s 185th Anniversary Celebration, the weekend of May 23 & 24.

All are invited to a workshop at the church on Saturday morning, from 8:30 till noon, “A Sustainable Presbyterian Future,” in which Dr. Weeks will highlight the findings in his recent book by that title.

Dr. Weeks will also be teaching a class at 9:30 on Sunday morning, “From Then Till Now at 185 Years Per Hour,” focusing on the history of the congregation and of Presbyterianism in the “Kentuckiana” area and will preach at worship services on Saturday evening at 5:00 and Sunday morning at 10:45.

The congregation welcomes everyone to join the celebration.

Highlighting our Earth Care Congregations

I recently received the following email from Rebecca Barnes, Associate for Environmental Ministries with the Presbyterian Mission Agency, celebrating the re-certification of First Presbyterian Church, Jeffersonville, as an Earth Care Congregation. Unity Presbyterian Church, Terre Haute, is also certified as an earth care Congregation. If your congregation would like to consider joining this effort, please read below for more information. Thanks to the good people of First Prez and Unity for their commitment to our good earth!

Susan Mcghee
Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of Ohio Valley

Dear Susan:

I am writing to inform you, and to celebrate with you, that First Presbyterian Church of Jeffersonville was recertified as an Earth Care Congregation by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Environmental Ministries through February 2016.  This honor speaks to the great commitment that this congregation has to caring for God’s earth.

To become an Earth Care Congregation, this church originally affirmed the Earth Care Pledge to integrate environmental practices and thinking into all facets of their church life. It also completed projects and activities in the fields of worship, education, facilities, and outreach. It continues to grow and deepen its ministry.

The Earth Care Congregation certification is designed to recognize churches that have made the commitment to take seriously God’s charge to “till and keep” the garden.

The Earth Care Congregations program was started in 2010 by PC(USA) Environmental Ministries.  The goal of the program is to inspire churches to care for God’s earth in a holistic way, through integrating earth care into all of church life.  The Earth Care Congregation certification honors churches that made that commitment, and encourages others to follow their lead.

For more information on the Earth Care Congregations program go to presbyterianmission.org/ministries/environment/earth-care-congregations

Please join me in celebrating the wonderful ministry of this good congregation!

Peace and blessings,

Rebecca Barnes
Associate for Environmental Ministries

Jeffersonville First Offers Public Lecture on John Muir

Restless Fires: John Muir’s 1000-Mile Walk to the Gulf 1867-68

Restless FiresAuthor James B. Hunt will discuss his book about John Muir’s 1000-mile walk from Jeffersonville to Florida in 1867-68 on Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 222 Walnut Street, Jeffersonville.

Muir is best known as the co-founder of the Sierra Club and the most vocal citizen voice to make Yosemite a national park.  Before the Scottish-born American became a widely-published author and famous naturalist he suffered temporary blindness in an Indianapolis factory accident.

After recovering his eyesight, he devoted his life to the exploration and preservation of the natural world.  He took a train from Indianapolis to Jeffersonville.  After spending one night in our city he began his famous 1000-mile walk to Florida by ferrying from Jeff to Louisville, collecting and cataloguing hundreds of plant species from here to Florida.  Mr. Hunt will address how the walk helped to shape Muir’s spiritual life.

All Are Cordially invited.

Sponsored by Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light and the Green Team of the First Presbyterian Church of Jeffersonville, Indiana.

The EVENT for Jr. and Sr. High Students

The Great RomanceThe EVENT takes place on November 13th from 3:00pm to 10:00pm
at Corydon Presbyterian Church – 568 Hwy 62 West.

There will be food, friends, corn hole and karaoke – And…..
The Great Romance will be there in concert at 7:00pm!!!!!

This event is sponsored by the Presbytery of Ohio Valley, Corydon Presbyterian, 1st Presbyterian of Jeffersonville & St. John Presbyterian Churches.

Click Here to download a flyer!