The Presbytery of Ohio Valley
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| A living church is a church that is a sign now of a kingdom yet to come. . . .” “You can’t stop; the God toward whom you live is the God who is coming toward you, and that gives the future meaning and purpose and hope.” These words are from a sermon delivered by the Rev. William R. Laws, Jr., pastor from the Presbytery of Ohio Valley, following his election as moderator of the 182nd General Assembly (1970). Those attitudes continue to thrive in the Presbytery of Ohio Valley. First Presbyterian of Columbus hosts the Laws Peacemaking Lecture. A recent lecturer was Ronald J. Young, executive director of the U.S. Interreligious Committee for Peace in the Middle East. He emphasized the need for interfaith learning as a way to peace in the world. This annual event welcomes the presbytery as well as the entire community.
For thirty-seven years, children in need have attended preschool with fees paid through the Chironna Day Nursery School. The school was a vision of the Rev. John Chironna of Central Presbyterian of Terre Haute. Scottsburg offers hospitality as it works on substance abuse in the town. Charlestown Community, Evansville Olivet, and First Church of Martinsville have parish nurses. Charlestown Community hosts a free, eight-week summer day camp for children. The First Church of Montezuma serves lunch to children through the summer months. Lexington Presbyterian provides free sneakers to all children entering kindergarten. The past ten years have found New Covenant in Monroe City hosting a center for food and emergency needs. Nine additional churches support the work of The Lord’s Warehouse with money and volunteers. Commissioned lay pastor Jan Utt had the vision for this work and has been key to the church support that makes it possible. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance funds were vital in the wake of a tornado in Marengo. Madison Presbyterian carries a vacation Bible school to Montgomery, West Virginia. Bloomington and Martinsville youth travel to West Virginia to be helping hands in another location. Hanover supports a seminary in Brazil. First Presbyterian of Sullivan sends folks to serve with the Yakama Indians in Washington State. From Cambodia to Nicaragua, from Mexico to South Africa, from Israel to Guatemala people here and there minister to each other. Across the ages and across the miles, the members (9,018) of the churches (84) of the Presbytery of Ohio Valley initiate and participate in work that offers meaning, purpose, and hope to the present and the future. |
 Elder Ellen R. Rexing, member, GAC Presbytery Staff Lorna Kuyk, executive presbyter Robert Lorimer, treasurer Gayle Burns, administrative associate and resource center director PC(USA) General Assembly Staff Addy Rogers, PPC Eileen Rojas, OGA Jeanne K. Romer, WMD |
 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from [God] comes my salvation (Ps. 62:1). |
 Ps. 16, 62, 97, 147:12–20 Hos. 9:1–9 Acts 24:1–23; Luke 7:36–50 |
