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Quickly go to the articles listed by clicking on the title below.
Use the QUICK LINKS at the bottom of this column to be easily directed to additional news.
Email Presbytery staff using the directory below.
When's the last time
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Ed Thompson
General Presbyter
Maureen Wright
Stated Clerk, Associate for Congregational Support
Rocky Poole
Financial Administration/Treasurer
Barbara Chalfant
Associate Presbyter for Mission
Susan Sharp Campbell
Associate for Educational Ministry
Nellie Howard
Resource Center Director
Mark Miller
Bluestone Camp Director
Amy Robinson
Office Administrator/Communications
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Save the Date: Small Church Conference
The fourth annual Small Church Conference will take place Saturday, September 23, 2017. This will be a
time of joyful reunions and learning ways that God empowers our ministries, as well as gaining a renewed and strengthening sense of what it means to be the people of God, growing stronger together as a presbytery ready for an exciting, meaningful and confident future in faith, hope and love. Save the date magnets are available at the Presbytery office and will also be distributed at the next Presbytery Meeting.
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Prayer List for Churches
Week 31 - July 30
Tygarts Valley Presbyterian, Huttonsville
First United Presbyterian, Ravenswood
In Kenya: Gitero (Gay-TAY'roh) Presbyterian Church
Week 32 - August 6
Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, Hurricane
Fayetteville Presbyterian Church
In Kenya: Gitumbi (GAY-TOE'bay) Presbyterian Church
Week 33 - August 13
Harman Presbyterian Church
Kesler Memorial Presbyterian Church, Hico
McKinnon Presbyterian Church, Charleston
In Kenya: King'ong'o (Kay-nAWE'nAWE') Presbyterian Church
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Nurturing Faith Ideas
July 30, Aug. 6 and 13
Nurturing Faith Ideas are weekly suggestions and activities from the Presbytery's Nurture Committee to link worship and home and to nurture faith development in the family. They are intended for all ages and family types. Add one to your bulletin each week or put them in your monthly newsletter. They could also be sent via email or added to a Facebook page.
Ideas for the entire year can be found near the end of the documents page of wvpresbytery.org.
Read Psalm 105:1-11. In the opening verses, the psalmist calls readers to give thanks to God for what God has done for God's people, and then lifts up some of the specifics of what God did in the past. God continues to do amazing and wonderful things. Identify five things that God has done for you and/or your church. Write them down, and share the list with someone else.
Aug. 6
Read Matthew 14:13-21. When the disciples told him the crowds before him needed food, Jesus told the disciples to give them something to eat. From the five loaves and two fish, Jesus fed over 5,000 people. There are still hungry people in our midst. This week, when your family goes to the grocery store, buy extra and share it with your community food pantry.
Aug. 13
Read Matthew 14:2-32. When the disciples saw Jesus walking on water, they were afraid because they didn't know who it was or what was going on. Peter got out of the boat and started walking toward Jesus until he became frightened by the strong wind around him, and he started to sink; Jesus caught him. When have you been scared? Share what has scared you with a friend of family member. Give thanks to God that Jesus is with us in scary times and situations.
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Order your 2017-2019 Book of Order
The Presbytery office will order the 2017-2019 Book of Order from PC(USA) for a reduced price of $8.50 each. Reserve copies for yourself and/or your church by emailing office@wvpresbytery.org or calling Amy Robinson at 304-744-7634 by Monday.
You may pay when you order, or we will bill you when they arrive. We plan to have them at the Aug. 19 Presbytery Meeting, so this price is for those who pick them up there or at the Presbytery office (by Aug. 31). If you are unable to pick them up, there will be an additional postage fee, so depending on the number you order, you may want to consider that extra cost vs. the cost of ordering directly from Presbyterian Distribution Service.
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Stewardship of Creation Ministry Team News
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Robin Blakeman with former Vice President Al Gore, whose Climate Reality Project co-sponsored Ministry in the Time of Climate Change.
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Robin Blakeman recently attended an amazing event, titled Ministry in the Time of Climate Change, at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. It was co-sponsored by the Center for Earth Ethics and Climate Reality Project.
Read about her experience at the links below. Robin will make herself available to speak about it and issues related to climate change; if you would like to schedule a presentation, call her at 304-840-4877.
In the Aug. 10 newsletter, see listings and information on current Creation Care-themed movies.
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Sympathies
The Rev. Dr. Friedrich "Fritz" Schilling Jr., who was the pastor at Beckley Presbyterian Church from 1974-1985, passed away July 20 in Knoxville, TN. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Aug. 2 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Knoxville,
where he was pastor for 19 years after leaving Beckley; memorials can be directed to the church.
Please keep his family in your prayers.
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Prayer Concern
The Honorably Retired Dexter Taylor of Lewisburg, who was the pastor at Old Stone Presbyterian Church from 1989-2014, was recently hospitalized at UVA for a stem cell transplant. Please keep him, his wife and their family in your prayers.
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Small Church Conference set for Sept. 23
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(From left) Pam Johnson, Larryetta Ellis and Kathy Barnes
at the 2016 Small Church Conference
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By Cherrie Sizemore
For those of you who have attended the Small Church Conference in the past, you know it's a wonderful experience. It is not just "another meeting" or "another seminar." It is a wonderful event sponsored by the Presbytery of WV to enable all of us "small church folk" an opportunity to network and learn from one another while at the same time worship, sing, praise and give glory to God for the blessings of our churches and how we fulfill our call in our communities.
As a participant and past committee member, I know I am looking forward to
September 23 and our next gathering in Summersville. Its theme is "Where Two or Three are Gathered: Rethinking Worship for Small Churches," and Mark Parsons is the keynote speaker.
Each year is a little different, as it needs to be as we respond to your evaluations. And this year, once again, we are offering you something you can take home and put to practical use in your congregations. Hope to see you there!
Small Church Conference
9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 23
Summersville Presbyterian Church
Free, but preregistration requested to help with food preparation and space planning.
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Nominating Committee still seeking General Assembly Young Adult Advisory Delegate Applications
The General Assembly will meet June 16-23, 2018 in St. Louis. The Nominating Committee is still looking for an older youth/young adult to represent the Presbytery of West Virginia as a Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD). The experience allows YAADs to get to know other young adults from all over the country, serve on a committee, interact with other commissioners and experience the breadth and depth of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Presbytery of West Virginia YAAD will work with the other commissioners to interpret and communicate the actions of the GA back to the Presbytery and should be prepared to present a brief report at the August 2018 meeting of presbytery in person or through electronic means.
If you have questions or need more information on serving presbytery as a YAAD, please contact General Presbyter Ed Thompson or Stated Clerk Maureen Wright at the presbytery office.
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Creative Worship for Advent workshop
Sept. 8-9. Register by Aug. 14.
 Advent is fast approaching! Come to the Creative Worship for Advent workshop Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9 to help with your Advent worship planning and preparation.
On Friday evening, Beverly Zink-Sawyer, retired preaching professor from Union Presbyterian Seminary, will lead participants in an overview of the Year B lectionary texts. Saturday will be a time to look more in depth at the texts as they inform our Advent preaching, music and visual arts. Workshop leaders will be Zink-Sawyer (preaching), Amy Parker (visual arts) and Mary Odin (music); participants will be able to attend two workshops of their choosing. Workshop leaders will provide advance assignments.
This event runs 7-9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Village Chapel Presbyterian Church in Charleston. The cost per person is $75, due at the time of registration.
Click here for more information and a registration form.
For those needing housing on Friday night, the WV Institute for Spirituality and John XXIII Pastoral Center offer very reasonably priced accommodations.
This course is open to all interested people, including pastors and preachers, educators, choir directors, church musicians and worship committee members.
Registration deadline is Aug. 14.
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Check out the July Older Adult Ministry Newsletter for the Presbytery of WV
We invite you to print and include this newsletter in your bulletins, give it to your congregation and distribute widely. We hope it is helpful for your congregation and community. If you would like to add your name to the free subscription list, please email office@wvpresbytery.org.
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Prayer box helps connect Bream Memorial to community
By Mike Givler, Synod of the Trinity
 Having the back doors to Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church in Charleston, WV, open on a Sunday morning was a staple of the congregation. It was an invitation to the community that anyone was welcome to come in off the street and enjoy a worship service. It also let people know that Bream Memorial was an active community of people.
In recent years with a change in pastors, those doors have remained shut on Sunday mornings, and some members of the congregation wondered if the community realized that Bream Memorial was still functioning. It was just one concern that was brought to the Rev. Christina Tutterow when she began her interim pastorate at Bream Memorial a year ago.
"What can we do for people outside the walls?" Christina said, recalling a conversation with member Dennis Hudson. "We have all of this need out in our community and we're not doing anything."
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Child Protection Policy Assistance
Every session, presbytery, synod and General Assembly is now required to have a Child and Youth Protection Policy that is separate from a Sexual Misconduct Policy. If your session isn't sure what to include, where to start, etc., h
elp is available from people in the presbytery who have been trained to assist sessions with developing policies. If you would like to have one of these trainers work with your session or others in your congregation who are developing a policy for your session/congregation, please contact Susan Sharp Campbell, Associate for Educational Ministry, at 304-667-9428 or
susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com
or Maureen Wright, Stated Clerk, at 304-744-7634 or
statedclerk@wvpresbytery.org
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Job opening!
Director of Communications
First Presbyterian, Charleston
The Director of Communications will design, develop and publish communication of church activities by and for First Presbyterian church staff and members, as well as promote the church in the greater Charleston area. The goal is to keep our membership informed, increase participation in church activities and reflect the relentless love of Christ into the community. Candidate should have excellent written and oral communication skills and be comfortable working in a collaborative team environment. Technical and creative skills in marketing, social media and media relations are required.
The position is full-time with benefits through the Board of Pensions. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Please send resumes to
nancy@firstpresby.com
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New curriculum for fall
By Nellie Howard, Resource Center Director
 Our denomination has sent the presbytery's Resource Center several samples of curriculum to choose for fall.
First, for our children from preschool through 10 years old, we have samples of Growing in Grace & Gratitude. This curriculum has been applauded by educators across the PC(USA). With stories, activities, crafts and even more online resources, Growing in Grace & Gratitude is easy to teach and makes it easy to learn. There are even downloadable FREE e-books for teachers and students alike. The curriculum is divided into ages: 3-5, 5-7, 8-10 and a multi-age choice for 5-10 year olds. Come view our samples and see if it is what you want to order for your fall children's program.
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Introducing New Resources
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ALP/CRE Prep Program to begin in Sept. 2018. Could God be calling you?
The Presbytery Vocations Committee is planning for another Authorized Lay Preacher/Commissioned Ruling Elder Preparation Program to begin in September 2018. Are there people in your congregation who have gifts and skills for commissioned pastoral ministry or pulpit supply, who might sense a call to serve churches in our presbytery as Commissioned Ruling Elders (CREs) or Authorized Lay Preachers (ALPs)? Do you sense a call to do so? Prayerfully consider how you might respond or how you might encourage someone(s) in your congregation to be a part of this preparation program.
More information will be forthcoming later this year. If you would like your name to be added to the list of interested people, please email Susan Sharp Campbell at susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com.
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Free one-hour webinars from
PRC
E-Giving Guide for Every Church
7 p.m. Aug. 8
Every church can use electronic tools to raise more money for mission and ministry. For those who are just beginning to think about electronic giving as well as those who desire to have a more robust plan to increase generosity, this webinar will provide greater understanding of the tools available. Participants will learn vital tips about their website, dealing with
objections, and right-sizing efforts based on the ministry context. Most importantly, church leaders will gain specific strategies as well as motivation to move beyond just thinking and start doing!
Led by Horizons Stewardship Senior Ministry Strategist Richard Rogers. Click here for more information and to register.
Youth Ministry: Fifteen Minutes at a Time
7 p.m. Sept. 7
This webinar will provide practical, engaging and developmentally-appropriate ideas for youth ministry. As youth continue to face increased pressure on their already busy schedules, youth ministers need to make every minute count. This will focus on creative yet simple faith-forming activities to nurture love of God and love of neighbor, which can be done in 15 minute
blocks.
Led by Christine V. Hides, the children's and youth ministries directory at Northbrook United Methodist Church in suburban Chicago. Click here for more information and to register.
Digital Activism 101
7 p.m. Sept. 12
During this webinar, you'll learn more about developing an online presence as an activist; balancing thoughts
and feelings; when to mute, block, unfollow or unfriend and more. Includes Q&A.
Led by sociologist/author/communications professional Meredith Gould. Click here for more information and to register.
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Missing Records
Last month, it was discovered that two bound volumes of Presbytery minutes are not in the office. The bound volumes of Presbytery minutes do not circulate; the past five years are available online and copies of 2002 to 2012 are available to be sent to you electronically. Anyone wishing to conduct research of 1987 to the present is able to work at the office by making arrangements with Stated Clerk Maureen Wright. If you removed the bound volumes of 2004 and/or 2010, please bring them to the office or call the Stated Clerk to make arrangements for their return.
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Sign up for The Beech Tree
The Beech Tree, the Friends of Bluestone newsletter, is now electronic. If you wish to receive it, go
here
to sign up.
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*Also on the webpage
You will find located on the Home page of the website (scroll down past the photo) direct links to recent newsletters, Equipping Disciples events, Ministry Toolbox events, the Pray-For church list and Nurturing Faith Ideas for 2017, e-news Archives and more. Please let us know how we can improve the website and whenever you encounter any problem with it. Thank you.
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Editor's Note:
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In order to keep the PWV Newsletter
fresh,
articles sent
for publication will generally run for two consecutive issues.
If you wish for a piece to continue to run, please resubmit.
We encourage you to reword, add a photo (or different photo),
or change the piece in some way so that the news stays
fresh and interesting.
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Presbytery of West Virginia,
520 Second Avenue,
South Charleston, WV 25303
Phone (304) 744-7634, Fax (304) 744-7649,
Office Hours: Monday -Thursday 8:30AM-5:30PM
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Young Adult Advisory Delegates must be endorsed by their Session.
