Note from Charlotte Lohrenz

Moderator of Whitewater Valley Presbytery

The Presbytery of Whitewater Valley convened on Saturday, September 7, for its quarterly stated assembly. First Presbyterian Church, Bluffton, greeted us with warmth and organization. The grounds and facility were in tip-top shape, ready to celebrate the congregation's 180th anniversary the very next day. Thank you to Stated Clerk Terry Epling, pastor of First, Bluffton, and all the good folks who welcomed us, ran audio, provided music, prepared communion elements, and served us lunch (with homemade ice cream!)

This assembly was the first centered on four themes selected by Transitional Lead Presbyter Erin McGee to guide our presbytery through the next phase of vision and planning: expansive as God's kingdom, collaborative as the priesthood of all believers, creative as the Spirit, and innovative as God's dreams. The meeting was called to worship with a liturgy inviting us to live into each identity. It will be used at each WVP assembly as we explore each theme.

·      Erin's Transitional Lead Presbyter's Report highlighted the connectional nature of our presbytery. She provided a graphic impact report for the first three quarters. Click Here.

·      The order of the day was to hear from the three WVP commissioners to the General Assembly. Each was asked: What Committee did they serve on, and what work was conducted? What was a highlight of their service as a commissioner? What was your highlight or defining moment at this year’s General Assembly? What made you hopeful in this experience? You can also read the GA Brief here Click Here. Thank you to our commissioners: Ruling Elder Carolyn Kendall and Teaching Elders Deb Mitchell and Winterbourne Harrison Jones.

·      The Commission on Ministry presented Tim McNinch to be examined for ordination to the validated ministry of professor at Christian Theological Seminary. The first question for Tim was " Would you please read Romans 15:1-7 and respond to the question: How do you see God’s Kingdom as “expansive”? Tim was approved for ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. Our prayers go with Tim as he prepares for his ordination.

·      The Anti-Racism Policy Working Team presented Policy Statement on Dismantling Racism and Its Structural Legacies for Whitewater Valley Presbytery. Click Here. The Policy will be voted on at the assembly's next meeting.

·      The Committee on Representation led the Assembly through an interactive process of thinking of different qualities, life experiences and interests of ruling elders in their congregations and writing the names of those individuals on cards. COR received those names and will follow up with congregations as they seek to recruit new leadership in the presbytery. Additional Names may be submitted by clicking here.

·      The 2025 budget was presented for its first reading. Click Here. A correction was made: The 2025 per capita is $45.05 total, divided into OGA $10.84, SOLT $3.81; WVP $30.40. The Operations Budget is revenue neutral and remains unchanged by this correction.

·      The assembly approved the 2025 Minimum Compensation recommended by COM. It includes a 4% increase in minimum salary and housing, the Transitional Package from the Board of Pensions for benefits, and a new $2000 HRA requirement for each pastor. Click Here.

·      Patty McKinnon and Sam Frost were commissioned to the Presbytery as Commissioned Ruling Elders. This commissioning sends them out to preach, administer the sacraments, or moderate a Session (as appointed by the current Session moderator) to any congregation in Whitewater Valley Presbytery. This is a new and expansive way of utilizing the gifts and skills of trained CREs. Blessings on Patty and Sam.

·      Commission on Preparation for Ministry also brought Mary Mitchell to be a candidate for Minister of Word and Sacrament. Mary is a member of White Lick Presbyterian Church in Avon and a student at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Mary joined by Zoom to affirm the intentions, hear the support of the presbytery, and receive our prayers.

·      The Synod of Lincoln Trails invited Teaching Elder Dave Crittenden to engage with each Presbytery in conversations regarding the changes in the Board of Pensions. Dave spoke about the importance of having forthright conversations about money and the theology of abundance. You can find the schedule for those WVP conversations here. Click Here..

·      The assembly came to the Lord's Table led by Teaching Elders Carrie Winebrenner and YeIn Park, bracketed by singing Let Us Build a House.

·      The clerk's report noted Shannon Burford has renounced jurisdiction of the church, commended those who have participated in mandated boundaries training, and encouraged participation in a day of prayer and fasting on Sunday, September 22. The day will be to pray for our nation’s leaders and citizens who will be voting in upcoming elections, to pray for an end to division and a new birth of freedom and peace in our nation and world. Click Here for details.



·      Erin introduced the first Mission and Ministry in Whitewater Valley video. This video featured Irvington Presbyterian, Indianapolis. The purpose of these videos is to connect with each other and celebrate the good ministries each congregation is doing, as well as to connect churches doing similar missions or wanting to start similar ministries in a different location. Technology Coordinator Craig Shaw would happily create a video about your congregation.

Click Here for Video.

This was a very full meeting agenda. We appreciate everyone's efforts to be prepared and participate. Until we meet again, we will continue to pray: Lord, lead us to be your expansive, collaborative, creative, and innovative people together as Whitewater Valley Presbytery. Amen.