Tag Archives: Terre Haute

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

Terre Haute, Central: Organist Wins Competition

The church organist at Central Presbyterian Church in Terre Haute, Jonathan Rudy, has received first place in the National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance (NYACOP).

First Place – $3,000, the Lilian Murtagh Memorial Prize, funded by Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc., plus career development assistance from Karen McFarlane Artists Inc. and a CD recording on the Pro Organo label.

Jonathan is a doctoral student at IU Jacobs School of Music. You can get more information and a link to the newspaper article at http://www.jonathandrudy.com/news.

Come Explore the Recent Changes to the Book of Order

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

Blessings to you all as the “hiatus” of summer passes and we move into a new program year for so many congregations.  This summer, as always, finds our congregations quite busy with seasonal concerns and programs.

As the focus moves, however, there are concerns and responses that need attention.  Some of these focus on issues which followed the adoption of the amendments to the constitution of our denomination which formally implemented changes on July 10.

Two items were among the important items which suggest special interest.

  • Amendment 10-A was passed.  There are both implementation concerns and implications for church life that are wrapped in this issue.
  • A new Form of Government was approved. There are significant implementation issues at every level of the church.  Some are pressing and some others may follow less demandingly.

We have arranged four area meetings to explore the implications of  these recent changes to the Book of Order, especially as they affect local congregations. We invite pastors, moderators and clerks of session, session members, and other interested members of congregations in our presbytery. The dates and locations of the gatherings are:

Tuesday, September 13: 6:30-9:00pm (Eastern Time)
Unity Presbyterian Church
1207 Springhill Drive, Terre Haute

Thursday, September 15: 6:30-9:00pm (Eastern Time)
St John Presbyterian Church
1307 E Elm Street, New Albany

Tuesday, September 27:  6:30-9:00pm (Central Time)
United Presbyterian Church
130 E State Street, Princeton

Thursday, September 29: 6:30-9:00pm (Eastern Time)
Fairlawn Presbyterian Church
2611 Fairlawn Drive, Columbus

Each gathering will begin at 6:30 pm local time, and will conclude officially no later than 9:00. We will provide a light meal at each meeting.  While reservations are not required, they will be helpful as we plan for the meal. Please email Rhonda Seymour, with the number of persons attending, as well as the location you plan to attend.

We hope to see you soon!

Grace and peace,
Susan McGhee, Presbyter for Common Life
Lawrence Jackman, Stated Clerk

Terre Haute Central Student Receives Scholarship

Congratulations to Central Presbyterian Church (Terre Haute) member, Katie Guell, who received a scholarship from the PCUSA Financial Aid for Studies (Wales-Fulkerson Educational Fund)!

Central’s Christian Educator, Cheryl Moles, saw the information about the available scholarships in the 09/15/10 POV E-news and sent it on to Katie.  She and her family quickly pulled the application together and received the good news at the end of September.

Katie is a sophomore chemistry major at Purdue University.