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Note from Erin
Friends, it is now about a month since General Assembly in Salt Lake City, Utah. I have had the chance to share my reflections on this gathering with the Board of Directors, Commission on Preparation for Ministry, and the Commission on Ministry, but I wanted to share it with everyone else.
The thing that I am most proud of as a Presbyterian is that General Assembly we modeled to the world how to be respectful even when we disagree. We live in a culture that has gotten pretty good at advocating for a particular viewpoint and often, putting down the opposite viewpoint. At General Assemblies of the past, when you agreed with someone, you might cheer or clap. But this year, our moderators, CeCe Armstrong and Tony Larson directed us to not express our opinions with cheers or claps. The rationale was that there were people in the room who held opinions on both sides of every issue. Cheering was not just agreeing; it was putting down another. So, we were asked to refrain from any reactions to those expressing a point a view.
It reminded me of the song by Drew Holcomb "Dance with Everybody." One of the verses says:
Let's put aside our differences, lace up our shoes
Let's narrow the distance between me and you
Meet me in the middle, let's quit keeping score
I wanna dance with everybody who came through that door
I think all 1370+ people in that large hall at the Salt Lake City Convention Center did just that. We tried to meet each other in the middle and quit keeping score. No one was asked to be silent. No one was asked to disregard their own opinion. Everyone was asked to be respectful and we were. What an example we were to our greater world. We can disagree respectfully.
And that gives me hope!
Where is Erin on Sundays?
August 11 - Installation of Rev. Kelley Jepsen
August 18 - CrossRoads Church at Westfield
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MISSION DRIVEN SURVEY TIME 😊!
As we mentioned last month, it is an enormous source of hope that each of our Presbyterian Congregations are so very Mission Driven…seeking continuing and new, innovative ways to be God’s hands, feet, and love for those who are most in need, in our communities, our state, our country, and our world! Likewise, Whitewater Valley Presbytery is passionate about our opportunities to further those mission initiatives, and create new ministries! The Mission & Partnership Team of our Presbytery is privileged to have grant funds for which you, as our member congregations are eligible to apply; but, as your dynamic grant applications come to us, we have begun to realize how much more we would love to know about all that our individual congregations are doing to spread God’s promises of hope and love through mission projects!
So, the Whitewater Valley Coordinating Council approved our dissemination of a brief survey, attached, that we are asking each Clerk of Session to complete and return by THURSDAY, AUGUST 15th. This will help us ALL have a more complete picture of the COLLECTIVE IMPACT that we are making, as Brothers and Sisters in Christ! This will be particularly valuable, as we determine how each of you, our congregations, are engaged, not only with longstanding Presbytery initiatives like Camp Pyoca, Westminster Neighborhood Services, Congo Helping Hands and Hispanic Ministries, but also broader community ministries like Habitat for Humanity, Food Pantries and Food Security initiatives, or the Interfaith Hospitality Network.
We can’t wait to share with you all that we are doing, as a collective Community of Faith, to brighten the Light of Christ and His promise of Hope! Please complete the attached survey; and we will look forward to enlightening each of you with what we know will be the powerful results!
What a privilege we all have to serve our Lord and Savior through our shared passion for being MISSION DRIVEN, inside and outside our walls 😊!
In Him, Sharon Pierce, Mission & Partnership Team Moderator
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It’s time for the Synod of Lincoln Oasis Grant flash round! SOLT Oasis grants are to be used for something that will restore your soul and regenerate your spirit. SOLT wants to be a place of nourishment for pastors. Oasis grants offer an opportunity for respite in the midst of the wilderness. What would spark joy in your life this season? The deadline for this FINAL flash round is August 15 and is open to pastors, chaplains, commissioned pastors, and those in validated ministries who are active in full-time or part-time ministry. Learn more and apply here: https://lincolntrails.org/oasis-a-stop-in-the-wilderness/ | |
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August Scheduled Meetings of the Presbytery
- CPM August 12th at 9:30am Room 120
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Assembly Planning Meeting: August 15th @ 10:30 am, via Zoom
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Council Finance Committee: August 15th @ 2:30 pm, via Zoom
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Personnel Committee: August 21st @ 10:00 am, Interchurch Center
- Coordinating Commission August 21st @ 5:30pm via Zoom
- Commission on Ministry (COM): August 28th @ 10am at Second Presbyterian Church
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Everyone Loves Ice Cream!!!
Connersville Presbyterian Church
Ice Cream Social
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Prayers of the Presbytery
Gentle God: we have traveled through many waters to reach this place, but share one baptism; we arrive from different backgrounds and traditions, yet share one faith; we are, each of us, unique and precious to God, And are members of one Body; we have different dreams and doubts, yet our hearts beat with one hope; we are graced with different gifts, so we may offer them in service to one Lord.
from Lectionary Liturgies
Please Hold in Prayer:
Jim Crismore who has been diagnosed with brain cancer. He is currently at rehab hospital on the west side. Lisa has set up a Caring Bridge account to provide updates. Decisions on treatment will be made shortly. Crismore address :5817 Jamestown Square Lane, Indianapolis IN 46234
Our Whitewater Valley Presbytery churches in pastoral search or transition:
- Grace, Fort Wayne
- Kingston and Springhill, Greensburg
- Korean, Indianapolis
- Orchard Park, Indianapolis
- Tabernacle, Indianapolis
- First, New Castle
- First, Rushville
- First, Shelbyville
- CrossRoads, Westfield
Hear our prayers, O Lord!
AMEN!
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Church Financial Leadership
Grants Available Now
If you are a pastor, commissioned ruling elder (CRE), a leader of a 1001 New Worshiping Community or a member of a stewardship team we have Church Financial Leadership Grants available for you. The grants will enable you to institute best practices for church financial leadership, introduce you to new models of giving and stewardship, and offer you new ways to talk about money and form generous disciples within your church.
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Whitewater Valley Presbytery www.whitewatervalley.org
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