Docket for Presbytery Assembly Meeting

NOVEMBER 3, 2018 First Presbyterian Church, Fort Wayne

9:15-9:45 Orientation & Training - New Commissioners to Presbytery

9:00 Registration Opens

10:00 a.m. Convene and Call to Order

Opening Prayer

Welcome Rev. Annie Bain Epling, Head of Staff, First Presbyterian Church, Fort Wayne

ACTION: Seating of Corresponding Members Rev. Alan Thames

Establishment of Roll and Quorum

ACTION: Docket and Consent Agenda Approval

• COM Reported Actions

• Coordinating Council Reported Actions

• Finance Team Reports

• CPM Reported Actions

Introduction of New Ruling Elder Commissioners Rev. Alan Thames

Introduction of New & Transitioning Teaching Elders Rev. Daren Hofmann

Stated Clerk’s Report CRE Kristy Quinn

Report of the Committee on Representation Ruling Elder Martha McDonald

10:30 a.m. Order of the Day - Keynote on Vital Congregations PC(USA) Rev. Ray Jones

11:30 a.m. Order of The Day - Worship

12:30 p.m. Lunch

1:15 p.m. Theological Education Fund PC(USA) Rev. Lee Hinson-Hasty

1:20 p.m. Order of the Day - Examination for Ordination of Trent Holden

1:45 p.m. Coordinating Council Commission

• Approval 2019 Mission Operations/Mission Focus Budgets Rev. Shawn Coons

• Presentation of New Administrative Assistant Ruling Elder Mike Whitfield

• Update on Conversations with PYOCA Ruling Elder Jason Knapp

• Introduction of New Beginnings Participant Congregations Rev. Alan Thames

2:15 p.m. Commission on Ministry

• Presentation of Teaching Elders, Honorable Retirement Rev. Daren Hofmann

Rev. Jeff Jahn Rev. Stan Johnson

3:00 p.m. ACTION - Board of Directors -- Sale, First Presbyterian Church, Union City

Executive Presbyter’s Report Rev. Alan Thames

First Presbyterian Church is the oldest, continuing congregation in Fort Wayne. Founded in 1831 when Fort Wayne was still a frontier town, its history parallels the growth and development of Indiana’s second largest city and the larger social, cultural and religious landscape.

Always a city church, First Presbyterian has occupied five permanent quarters. In its first structure, 1837-1852, First Presbyterian surmounted the effects of the depression of 1837, clergy turnover (three ministers in its first decade), and the controversy between Old Side and New Side Presbyterians (it aligned with the Old Side). And even though growth warranted laying a cornerstone for the second church building in 1847, inadequate contributions, a recurring issue, delayed timely completion of this imposing addition to the Fort Wayne scene. The third church building, occupied in 1864, was an enlargement and extensive renovation of the second building. In a short period, Fort Wayne had grown to more than 9,000, and First Presbyterian’s growth justified doubling its capacity to 640. A devastating fire in 1882 left the congregation homeless until the education wing of its fourth church building was completed in 1885, and the sanctuary with space for 750 worshipers, in 1886. The fifth and current church building was completed in stages between 1954 and 1967. An extensive study that answered the question how to adapt ministry to the new opportunities and limitations imposed by a modern city became the basis for a complex that would be the center for a seven-day-a-week ministry to the parish, the neighborhood, and the Fort Wayne community. Membership increased from 1,100 in 1950 to about 3,600 in 1970. The revitalization and increased influence that First Presbyterian experienced lasted a generation and beyond.

From its beginnings, First Presbyterian attracted pastoral and lay leaders who believed that Christian witness extended beyond the fellowship of the membership to concern for the welfare of others and to advocacy of social reform. The founding pastor was a temperance advocate. Another early pastor was a courageous antislavery advocate. In the 1840s and 1850s, First Presbyterian founded elementary and high schools because the public system was underdeveloped. Later in the century it founded two new Presbyterian congregations. In 1871, the women organized the Missionary Society to support international missions. The congregation has never wavered in its community consciousness and world awareness. In recent decades, it has created programs as diverse as the West Central Ministry (an inner-city social service ministry), the Samaritan Counseling Center, a prison ministry, a Korean Language Ministry, a Stephen Ministry, a preschool and, subsequently, a Day School program, and Everyone a neighbor Day, a program that attracts unemployed and homeless persons.

Besides its widespread witness, First Presbyterian has a longstanding tradition of ministry via the arts. It is traceable to the appointment of a paid choir director in 1839, and the installation of a reed organ, a frontier novelty, in 1845. Music in worship continues to be a priority. As part of the mid-twentieth century plan for an expanded ministry to the community, First Presbyterian began a recital and concert series, initiated a national organ play contest, and constructed a 330-seat theater with lobby doubling as an art gallery. The gallery hosts a series of exhibits and the theater presents a season of plays. First Presbyterian believes that the arts are a window to the soul.

First Presbyterian is a smaller congregation today with membership under 900. It still draws its membership from the four corners of Allen County, delivers its ministries from its location in the center of Fort Wayne, responds with innovation to parish and community needs, and ministers to the world through its substantial commitment to missions of evangelism, justice, health, and education with and without Presbyterian auspices. Our mission is transforming lives through the love of Jesus Christ.

First Presbyterian Church of Fort Wayne - Founded in 1831

providing thoughtful worship for thinking people

300 W. Wayne Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802

(260) 426-7421 www.firstpresfortwayne.org

We are a “green church” and invite attendees to bring own hot and cold beverage containers with lids.

WIFI

CONNECT TO: fpcinet PW: thegathering

PARKING:

P1 – First Presbyterian Church lot – corner of Ewing/Wayne Street; entrance on Wayne Street

P2 – First Presbyterian Church lot – Berry Street entrance

P3 – First Presbyterian North lot – Berry Street entrance

P4 – Community Center - corner of Berry and Maiden Street; entrance on Maiden Street

Free metered street parking available weekdays after 5:00pm and on weekends.

1

First

Presbyterian

Church

P2

P3

P1

P4

FROM I-69 NORTH or SOUTH

• Take Exit 305A, merge onto Illinois Road, proceed east 2.7 miles (will “t” into W. Jefferson Blvd.)

• Turn left on W. Jefferson Blvd., proceed 3.1 miles to downtown Fort Wayne, remain in left lane

• (just past Arby’s 1 ½ blocks) Turn left on to Ewing Street

• Turn right on to W. Wayne Street, one-way going east, then immediate left into the church parking lot P1 on map

• To access P2 & P3 lots, once on W. Wayne Street keep going east until first street on left (Webster St.) o Turn left on to Webster Street o Turn left again on to Berry Street o There are several entrances on your left, or street parking

• To access P4 lot, keep going east on W. Wayne Street to the traffic light (Harrison Street) o Turn left on to Harrison Street o At light, turn left on to Berry Street, and stay in right lane until Maiden Street o Turn right on to Maiden Street, Community Center entrance and parking is on left

FROM 469 or Hwy 30 – Ohio direction

• Take Exit 19, merge onto 930/hwy 30, proceed west approx. 8.2 miles, road will split (E. Washington Blvd) continue into downtown Fort Wayne

• Turn right on to Ewing Street (just after the Public Library), go north 1 block

• Turn right on to W. Wayne Street, one-way going east, then immediate left into the church parking lot P1 on map

• To access P2 & P3 lots, once on W. Wayne Street, keep going east until first street on left o Turn left on to Webster Street o Turn left again on to Berry Street o There are several entrances on your left, or street parking

• To access P4 lot, keep going east on W. Wayne Street to the traffic light (Harrison Street) o Turn left on to Harrison Street o At light, turn left on to Berry Street, and stay in right lane until Maiden Street o Turn right on to Maiden Street, Community Center entrance and parking is on left

THE CROSS OF THE COVENANTS MODERATOR’S CROSS, THE PRESBYTERY OF WHITEWATER VALLEY

The cross worn by the Moderator of the Presbytery of Whitewater Valley was

originally given to the Wabash River Presbytery by the Session of the Westminster

United Presbyterian Church of Fort Wayne, at the January meeting in 1967. The

tradition of it being worn by the Moderator continued with the organization of the

Presbytery of Whitewater Valley.

This “Cross of the Covenants” was designed by the Rev. William Simmons,

who was a pastor of the Ligonier Presbyterian Church. He had designed it while he

was pastor of a church in Florida.

The New Covenant is symbolized by the Cross. The Old Covenant is

symbolized by the Star of David. Both symbols are united by the circle, which calls

to mind our Scottish Presbyterian heritage through the symbol of the God who has

no beginning and no end.

Mr. Simmons told the story of the Jewish jeweler who was asked to make the

cross. When he saw the design, he burst into tears. When asked why he was so

upset, he answered, “If Christians in Germany during the time of Hitler had felt this

way, perhaps my parents would still be alive.”

The scriptures contain two Covenants, the Old and the New Testament, and

each is incomplete without the other.

Mister/Madame Moderator, may you wear this Cross of the Covenants,

remembering always the beauty and significance of the Old and New Testaments,

our great Scottish Presbyterian heritage, and the influence of the Holy Spirit in your

life and in the mission and ministry of the congregations of this Presbytery. May God

bless you as you seek to discern how God would be leading us in the year ahead.