The Presbytery of Whitewater Valley
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| The Presbytery of Whitewater Valley has moved from long-term mission funding to partnership grants to congregations. First Presbyterian Church of Richmond responded by leading a community effort to develop Hope House, a homeless shelter and addiction recovery facility. To make it possible, a presbytery contribution of $20,000 matched the commitment of Richmond-area churches to this ministry. Through this ministry, bread is shared with the hungry, the homeless find shelter, and light breaks forth like the dawn (Isa. 58:7–8).
Following a successful initial effort in 2004, the presbytery’s Hispanic Ministry Initiative developed a bilingual vacation Bible school in 2005 sponsored by John Knox Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis. More than fifty children and parents from the neighborhood and other Presbyterian congregations were welcomed to the bilingual program designed for use in the United States and with partner churches in the Presbytery of Northern Quintana Roo, Mexico. Several volunteers from Mexico joined to assist in this ministry. Almost like Pentecost, language and cultural barriers began to disappear. This effort to bridge cultures is at the heart of the presbytery’s commitment to finding new ways to minister in the twenty-first century. Reaching Out in Faith to the Heart of the City, a revitalized ministry on the near eastside of Indianapolis, offers a new vision for urban witness. Westminster Neighborhood Ministries is now a quasi-independent program governed by representatives of ten congregations from the metro area. In addition to its food pantry and soup kitchen that serve over eight thousand people, there is a free legal clinic staffed by more than twenty volunteer attorneys, a baby closet for infant and toddler needs, housing for the oldest continuous Alcoholics Anonymous group in Indianapolis, and an Unlimited Kids after-school tutoring and summer program for more than fifty at-risk youth. Its Christmas Benevolence served over 135 families with food for a week and new toys and clothing for their children. The Presbytery of Whitewater Valley has 23,793 members in 69 churches and 1 bilingual, multicultural worship hub. |
 Presbytery Staff Rev. Dr. W. Keith Geckeler, associate executive presbyter/stated clerk Rev. Amy Fowler, associate executive presbyter for congregational development Rev. Dr. Felipe Martinez, associate executive presbyter for mission Elder Fabio Socarraz, CLP, community worker, Hispanic ministries Rev. Ramon Celis, partnership coordinator, Presbytery of Northern Quintana Roo Elder Richard Swartwood, executive director, PYOCA Camp, Conference, and Retreat Center Kristy Quinn, executive administrator Ken Hall, controller Craig Shaw, administrative assistant and IT coordinator Ruth Ann MacPherson, receptionist and office assistant PC(USA) General Assembly Staff Lisa M. Rowe, MSS Felisa Rozier, BOP Hy Rudin, BOP |
 “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you” (Luke 8:39). |
 Ps. 97, 112, 135, 145 Hos. 11:12—12:1 Acts 26:1–23; Luke 8:26–39 |
