Associate for Vital Congregations

203.873.7885 (call/text)

bryce@eastminsterpresbytery.org

Presbytery Calendar At-A-Glance

• Mar 14, Options for Small Churches presentation, Firestone Park, 6:00 p.m.
• Mar 18, CPM, Zoom, 6:30 p.m.
• Mar 21, COM, Zoom, 5:30 p.m.

Just by Chance

In the last few months, I’ve had people from four different churches contact me with concerns about a registered sex offender who was or who might be coming to worship. Cases like these put our belief in grace, our commitment to justice, and our obligation to protect the vulnerable in tension with one another. I lived in that tension in my first call where I was the pastor to 25 adults with intellectual disabilities AND I was called upon to visit a man who was in prison for abusing someone like them. I was pastor to all of them, but I realized that when he was paroled, I would have a problem—how can I minster to both in the same small church? How can the session turn away someone who is expressing a desire to turn his life over to Jesus Christ while also protecting the vulnerable people who already called our congregation home? In the end, I was called to serve a new congregation before he was paroled so that question was left for others to discern. However, I carried that question with me to my new congregation as we began to write a child and youth protection policy that sought to keep everyone safe while we held weekly classes for children and youth, Vacation Bible School, a drama camp, and a trip

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Pastors Retreat

April 17 (Wednesday) - April 18 (Thursday)

Villa Maria Spirituality Conference Center

2067 Evergreen Rd, Villa Maria, PA 16155

The Rev. Jeff Eddings, Spiritual Formation and Coaching Associate for 1001 New Worshipping Communities of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, will be the facilitator for the retreat. 

Boundaries Training

As a reminder, all Teaching Elders, Commissioned Ruling Elders, Inquirers/Candidates Under Care, Ruling Elders Enrolled as Members of the Presbytery, Presbytery Staff, and individuals on the pulpit supply list are required to complete boundaries training at least every 36 months and submit a certificate of completion to the Stated Clerk in order to be in good standing. This training is one way to do that, but the Committee on Ministry will accept training done elsewhere so long as it covers the topics of sexual misconduct and youth/child protection. Please find dates and workshop information below in the Synod of the Covenant section.

Book of Order

The presbytery is placing another bulk order for the 2023-2025 Book of Order. If wanting to place an order, send an order form and payment to Eastminster Presbytery / PO Box 14439 / Poland, OH 44514. The form can be found by clicking HERE or visiting our website's Resource Page (scroll down to the FORMS section). Deadline: Friday, March 29, 2024.

Shared Staff Position Available

A unique opportunity is available for the right candidate. Poland Presbyterian Church and Heritage Presbyterian Church (Poland) are offering a shared administrative position.

The Poland Church is seeking a part-time (10-15 hours/week) financial secretary AND the Heritage Church is seeking a part-time (8-10 hours/week) administrative secretary.

Interested in learning more?

Please email Rev. Paul Anderson (panderson@polandpresbyterian.org) or Rev. Annie Parker (heritagechurch.pastorannie@gmail.com)

*If interested in only one of the job positions (financial secretary / administrative secretary), you are encouraged to still submit an email of inquiry.  

Presbytery Staff & Officers:

• Rev. Barry Chance / General Presbyter and Stated Clerk / barry@eastminsterpresbytery.org
• RE Diane Eliser / Associate for Administration / diane@eastminsterpresbytery.org
• Bryce Wiebe, MDiv. / Associate for Vital Congregations / bryce@eastminsterpresbytery.org
• RE John Pogue / Acting Presbytery Treasurer / johnpogue730@gmail.com
• Rev. Paul Anderson / Council Moderator / panderson@polandpresbyterian.org
• RE John Graves / Presbytery Moderator / john.h.graves@outlook.com
• Rev. Annie Parker / Presbytery Vice-Moderator / heritagechurch.pastorannie@gmail.com