Whitewater Valley Presbytery

Focus on Mission is a series of events planned to connect churches around their passion for and interest in mission. Here are a few mission ideas that are surfacing in these gatherings:

Resources for use by churches: First Presbyterian Church in Anderson is sharing two documents which your church's mission committee might find useful. The first document Mission Trip Procedure outlines things to keep in mind prior to going on a mission trip and a registration / release form for participants. The second document, Giving Criteria, helps a session or its appropriate committee make decisions about giving mission dollars to organizations seeking funding from the church.

Help Cure Hunger:First Presbyterian Church in Muncie partners with Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana ( www.curehunger.org ) to help meet needs of local residents. Second Harvest serves Blackford, Delaware, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison, Randolph, and Wabash Counties. For more information, contact CLP Carrie Jo Miller.

Start at Home:At the First Presbyterian Church in Anderson, their commitment to mission has them focus near and far. When their church youth group is getting ready to travel to go on a mission trip, part of their preparation includes doing a local mission project.

The Cross of Discipleship: Bluffton First Presbyterian has a talented blacksmith who is making a cross for the sanctuary. This cross will have a smaller, removable cross that will be entrusted to church groups when they are commissioned for a mission trip. Upon their return, the group will share their stories of their mission and place the traveling cross back on the sanctuary cross. For more information, contact Rev. Bob Madsen.

Adopt a Heifer Animal for the Staff: Fort Wayne First Presbyterian youth raised money to buy and donate animals through Heifer Project. Their efforts gained special momentum because they chose particular animals to donate on behalf of their church's pastoral staff: a sheep for this pastor, bees for another, rabbits for another. For more information, contact Rev. John Stephen Park.

Family Mission Trips: Decatur First Presbyterian is looking for mission opportunities for families. Their answer is to have two-day overnight mission trips for families. What a great opportunity for service and fellowship! For more information, contact Rev. Laura Sherwood.