Due to the holidays and staff vacations, the presbytery office will be closed from 12/24/13 through 12/29/13.
- The POV office will be open on Monday, 12/30/13 from 10:00am-Noon
- Closed 12/31/13-1/1/2014
- Open for normal hours on January 2, 2014
Category Archives: Presbytery
December Assembly Report
What Happened at Assembly
December 3, 2013
Hospitality of Mitchell Church—As is the December tradition, we met at Mitchel Church for an afternoon meeting.
Opening Worship and Proclamation of the Word—Outgoing Moderator Scott Hill preached in the opening worship.
Greetings from the Board of Pensions—POV has a new Representative from the Board of Pensions. He is Rev. Edward Thompson. Rev. Thompson spoke to the Assembly about changes and challenges before the Board. He also assured the body of the very sound nature of the pensions.
Olivet Administrative Commission—Rev. Lant Davis reported on the progress of recent conversations between the parties. The Attorneys from both sides are working toward an eventual solution of this issue. The Assembly voted down a motion to direct the Commission to achieve a resolution with specific elements included.
Recognition of the Honorable Retirement of the Rev. Jill Hudson—Jill’s service to the life of the total church was acknowledged as the Presbytery conferred the status of Honorable Retirement.
Commissioning of Ruling Elders to Pastoral Service
Elder Barbara Snyder was commissioned to service within several congregations where she serves as Moderator of session.
Elder Sharon Kutz-Mellem was commissioned to service in Laconia and Valley City congregations.
Elder Andy Traister was commissioned to service in Mount Tabor Church.
Elections—the Nominating Committee presented a slate for offices and committees for 2014 those persons were elected.
Installation of Incoming Moderator—Elder Judy Holy from Bloomington First Church was elected Moderator for 2014.
11/17/13 Midwest Storms
Dear Friends,
We have seen and heard the news of the tornadoes and straight line winds that caused significant damage in the Midwest yesterday afternoon and evening. We hold our Illinois sisters and brothers in prayer. The facebook page of the Presbytery of Great Rivers, with offices in Peoria (near the cities of Washington and Pekin, Illinois), shows a sobering photograph:
Our own Washington, Indiana, has also sustained significant damage, according to Governor Mike Pence. I have been in touch with the Rev. Cheryl Thorne (pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Washington) several times today. She reports that several homes on the west side of Washington have been flattened. She spent most of the day trying to account for all the families in her congregation, which she has been able to do. The Rev. Alan Finnan, pastor of Upper Indiana Church in Vincennes, reports that the tornado damage in south Knox County affected farmland, destroyed a barn and caused major damage to a home. At this point, the Presbytery will coordinate its resources through the sessions of congregations in the affected communities. We will be back in touch as these sessions and pastors ask us to.
This afternoon I joined a conference call with Indiana VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). Officials are still assessing the damage, and disaster relief organizations are getting in place. As is usually the case in the early days following a disaster, is is important that those who are not residents of the affected communities stay away. Volunteer sites will be set up when outside help is needed. Donations of clothing and other supplies are not needed, and often impinge on recovery efforts.
Those wishing to make financial contributions may give to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, or to the disaster relief fund of the Presbytery of Ohio Valley.
And prayers are always appreciated! Please do not underestimate the difference made by your heartfelt prayers and loving thoughts. And as we do so, we remember and affirm that in life and in death, and in all the circumstances of life, we belong to God. And we belong to each other. Thanks be to God for these blessed connections.
Peace and all good,
The Rev’d. Susan C. McGhee
Executive Presbyter
The Presbytery of Ohio Valley
Philippines Typhoon Haiyan
PDA is responding to the Philippines in collaboration with our mission partner the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and fellow members of the ACT (Action by Churches Together) Alliance. An initial grant of $50,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing funds will help provide emergency food, water and other basic humanitarian needs to families affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan that struck the country on November 8.
- Give online to DR000012 to support disaster response in the Philippines.
- Visit the Philippines response index for reports and resources (including a downloadable bulletin insert).
- Like us on Facebook (PDACARES) and share updates.
- Use the Call to Prayer for the Philippines, by Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) leaders
How Can YOU Share in the Ministry of Care?
ALL members of POV churches, especially Deacons but also others, are invited to learn more about assisting with caring for those in your congregation.
The POV Academy’s January 17-18 class, “Sharing the Ministry of Care,” will help you:
- Gain comfort and competence with home, hospital/nursing home visits
- Practice ministry of Presence listening skills
- Reflect on boundaries, confidentiality, and legal responsibilities
- And much more!
Registration for this class, to be held at Camp Pyoca, closes on November 17.
Posters and registration forms are on the POV Academy webpage.
Contact Barbara Snyder for more information.
Ordination: Martha Anne Lasher
The Presbytery of Ohio Valley invites you
to attend the ordination of
Martha Anne Lasher
to the ministry of Teaching Elder
in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
First Presbyterian Church,
417 N. Elm Street, Brownstown, IN 47220
on Sunday, October 20th at 4:00 p.m. (ET)
812-358-4198
Reception immediately following.
All ministers are invited to vest and wear red stoles.
October Gathering of the North Central Region
Join us for fellowship, food, worship, and program on Monday, October 14th from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. The gathering will be held at First Presbyterian Church (221 E. 6th St., Bloomington). The church is located a short distance east of the downtown square.
To assist with a count for the meal, please RSVP to Sadie in the church office at (812) 332-1514 by Friday, October 11th. The cost of the meal will be $6-8.
The program will be a presentation by Nora Kort, a Palestinian Christian from Jerusalem. She is one of the authors of the Kairos Document and is one of the International Peacemakers of the Presbyterian Church.
Worship will be led by the Rev. Deborah McKune, and there will be a “speak-out” session for
announcements.
See you on October 14th!