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February 9, 2017 Issue 93
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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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Prayer List For Churches
Week 7. - Feb. 12
First Presbyterian Church, Huntington
Cabwaylingo Chapel
In Kenya: Giakanja (Gie-uh-KAH'juh) Parish
Week 8 - Feb. 19
Lakeview Presbyterian Church, Lakebottom
Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, Hillsboro
In Kenya: Giaichamwenge (GAY-shah-MWEN'gay) Presbyterian Church
Week 9 - February 26
Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian Church, Ripley
Richwood Presbyterian Church
In Kenya: Githunguri (Gay-thoh-GOH'REE) New Church Development
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Nurturing Faith Ideas
Feb. 12, 19 and 26
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.
In the text from 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, we are told that we are all God's servants working together. What are ways that you can work with God's servants? Gather a group of people and volunteer at a food pantry or visit a nursing home together or help someone with their chores.
February 19
Among the instructions that Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:38-48 is that we are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. This is a very hard thing to do. It is difficult to love people who hurt us. Who in your community or our our world do we need to pray for Pray for them each day this week.
February 26
In Matthew 17:1-9 we hear the story of Jesus' transfiguration, or transformation, as Peter, James and John watched. Then they heard a voice from heaven say, "This is my beloved Son." They had a "mountaintop experience." How do you think the disciples felt when they heard the voice? How might we hear God's voice today? What might God say to you?
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A Word from our General Presbyter
Ed Thompson
With Valentine's Day approaching, love is in the air. Love can certainly mean different things. Some people love their husband or their wife. Others love their children or grandchildren. We don't limit love to people, though. Some people love chocolate, for example. Some people love their dogs. Others love cats. Some love cheesecake or cheese steak. Others love apple pie or, perhaps, ice cream. I have even heard people say, "I love my church."
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The Presbytery of West Virginia will gather at First Presbyterian Church, Charleston on Saturday, Feb. 25 for a Stated Meeting. The proposed amendments to the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) sent to the presbyteries by the 222nd General Assembly will be presented for consideration, debate and voting. In past years, a printed booklet of amendments was available to all commissioners; however, the Office of the General Assembly has chosen to be good stewards of available resources and per capita dollars, so printed booklets are not available. The booklet has been prepared and posted electronically to
pcusa.org/amend/
. Click here to register for the meeting.
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Prayer Concerns
Sympathies
Sympathy to the family of Charlene Boggs, a member of First Presbyterian Church in Huntington who was serving on the Presbytery's Ministry Committee. She passed away Jan. 30, and a funeral service was held Feb. 7. Donations may be made in her memory to the YMCA Foundation of Huntington or The Salvation Army of Huntington.
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News from the Associate for Educational Ministry
Susan Sharp-Campbell
St. John's Bible Workshop
Friday, March 31: 6:30-8:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian, Charleston
The St John's Bible (SJB) is the first handwritten illuminated Bible of its scale in more than 500 years. Written in English, using the NRSV translation, The SJB took an international team of six artists and six calligraphers fifteen years to complete (1995-2011). With 1,150 pages of handwritten calligraphy plus 160 major illustrations, the SJB is the only full-scale, illuminated, fine art edition of the Bible. Click here to read more
Educator, Clergy, CRE Retreat
Feb. 27-28, Chief Logan State Park
Due to the heat being out in much of Hawks Nest, this retreat has been moved to Chief Logan State Park near Logan. Also, the registration deadline has been extended to Monday, Feb. 13.
Click here to read more
Montreat Youth Conference IV
July 15-22. Please note: early registration ends Thursday, Feb. 16.
A Montreat Youth Conference is a special place for nurturing faith through worship, keynotes, fellowship, small groups and recreation. In July 2017, the Presbytery will be taking up to 16 youth, rising 9
th
graders in fall 2017 - those in the class of 2017, and 4 adults to Youth Conference IV. For more information, please contact Susan Sharp Campbell.
Younger Youth Retreat
March 3-5. Register by Feb. 20.
The Presbytery's Younger Youth Retreat,
"Super"Heroes: Ordinary People who do Extraordinary Things
, will be held Friday, March 3-Sunday, March 5 at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley. This Youth Council-led retreat is for those in grades 6-8 and their adult advisors. Information can be found with church leaders or on the
presbytery website. The registration deadline is Monday, February 20. For more information, contact Susan Sharp Campbell.
Self-Care Workshop
Part 2 of Expanding Your Ministry Toolbox
March 17-18
In addition to the stress of providing comfort and spiritual guidance in response to the recent natural disaster, church professionals are intimately involved with the normal emotional roller coaster of people in their community. How can we be intentional about addressing our own health needs so that we both model and guide people in loving self and neighbor?
Click here to read more
Festival of Faith
April 1 at First Presbyterian Church, Charleston
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Flooding Update from WV VOAD
(Voluntary Organizations Assisting in Disaster)
Good news:
We have come a long way since June 23. As of Thanksgiving, we had moved the last person we knew of out of tents and into more secure housing. As of Christmas, everyone had some source of heat. Our Long-Term Recovery Committees are working hard to manage resources, address cases and be good stewards of the gifts so many have given to the people in WV in need.
Click here to read more
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MISSION FAIR
Don't miss "Mission Fair: Passport to Ministry" from 9:30
a
.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 at First Presbyterian Church, 16 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston! This information fair regarding the ministries supported by the Presbytery and its congregat
ions, is part of the Presbytery Meeting. Call Barbara Chalfant at the Presbytery office, 304-744-7634, with questions.
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PC(USA) Welcomes Refugees
When we welcome refugees, we welcome the refugee Jesus. Warn ed in a dream, Joseph and Mary took the infant Jesus to Egypt to keep him safe from Herod. At that moment, he and his parents became refugees.
Click here to read more
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Eleanor Presbyterian Rededication Service
Eleanor Presbyterian Church in Putnam County will celebrate a Rededication Service on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 1:30 p.m. The celebration will include a bagpiper, the church choir, The Putnam County Ringers and the River Magic Chorus of Sweet Adelines. Light refreshments will be available after the program in Fellowship Hall. Bluegrass Harmony will provide entertainment during this time.
Click here to read more
This service celebrates the new building and spirit of the church following a devastating flood in April 2016. For more on that, see Revealing Hope: Eleanor Presbyterian further down in the newsletter.
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Wayne Meisel to Speak at First Presbyterian, Hinton
The First Presbyterian Church in Hinton invites the community and area churches to a special worship service at 11 a.m. Feb. 19 featuring Reverend Wayne Meisel,
the Director of the Center for Faith and Service at Chicago's McCormick Theological Seminary. Additionally, Meisel will speak at a Community Forum at the church at 6 p.m. Feb. 20; it will
focus on how to organize, access funds and volunteers, and work collaboratively to improve the quality of life for county residents. Click here to read more
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Interim Minister Sought
Beckley Presbyterian Church
Beckley Presbyterian Church is seeking a full-time Interim Minister. To learn more, visit
www.beckleypresby.org. The church's Ministry Information Form (MIF) can be found at
clc.pcusa.org. Interested persons should direct their Pastor Information Form to the contact listed on the church's MIF.
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Part-time Church Accompanist Sought
First Presbyterian Church - St. Albans
10-15 hrs/week
Responsibilities include planning, leading and playing for sanctuary worship service on Sunday mornings as well as any additional special services and events. Salary based on expertise and experience.
Send cover letter, resume, three references and salary requirements to:
First Presbyterian Church C/O Staffing, 201 Kanawha Terrace, St. Albans WV 25177.
Direct telephone inquiries to 681-235-2232. Please, no in-person or telephone inquiries to church.
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Bluestone Summer Camp News
Summer camp scholarships available
Scholarships (registration fee assistance grants) are available for Bluestone summer campers, thanks to support from the Molly Grant Scholarship Fund. Candidates must apply through their local church; find applications
here. Funds will be distributed at the discretion of the Presbytery's Bluestone Committee.
Volunteer at the camp
Weeks available: 6/11-17, 6/18-24, 6/25-7/1, 7/2-8
Bluestone is seeking individuals who would like to help out for a week of camp. Volunteer opportunities include camp nurse (1 per week), key leaders (3 per week, to lead curriculum studies), craft leaders (3 per week) and general support staff (drivers, kitchen help, grounds and maintenance help, photo/media techs and extra counselor support). If interested, contact Mark Miller at 304-466-0660 or mark@bluestonecamp.com.
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José Luis Casal named new director
of
Presbyterian World Mission
The Presbyterian Mission Agency announced today it has called the Rev. José Luis Casal as the new director of Presbyterian World Mission. He begins his duties in Louisville in April.
Click here to read more
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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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Revealing Hope: Eleanor Presbyterian
The Synod of the Trinity released a Revealing Hope video on Eleanor Presbyterian earlier this week.
Click here to see it
Eleanor Presbyterian, celebrating 80 years this year, has been rejuvenated following a renovation project after a water-pipe break flooded the building. In addition to the new building, the renovation has given the church a new energy, positive outlook and strength that it didn't have previously, Pastor John Yeager says.
Revealing Hope" is a series the Synod is sharing this year as part of its 300th anniversary. It is seeking stories of hope about people maintaining faith while overcoming obstacles. If your church has a story, whether from the whole church, a member or someone your church helps through social services and/or ministry, contact the Synod at office@syntrinity.org or 1-800-242-0534.
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Lent: A New Study and Devotion
Our two newest resources for Lent are Walter Brueggemann's "Devotions for Lent: A Way Other Than Our Own" and Rowan Williams' "The Sign and the Sacrifice: the Meaning of the Cros
s and Resurrection."
Click here to read more
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Ministry and Coaching
If you've been in ministry for at least six months, I'm guessing you've either bumped gently against or, perhaps, smacked full speed into an obstacle you never noticed. You know - like suggesting getting rid of that old piano in the basement only to find out that it was donated by a saint of the church and is considered a holy relic. Or showing frustration in a committee or session meeting - a completely understandable human response... just not for "the pastor!"
If you're lucky, it's a kind of an "oops" moment and you're able - after a brief awkward time - to move on, to laugh at/with yourself. If, on the other hand...
Click here to read more
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Can your church uses these items?
Old Stone Presbyterian Church has 100+ red hymnals and RSV Bibles it does not want to store. If any church is interested in them, please contact Pastor Anna Pinckney Straight at apstraight@oldstonechurchwv.
The offer might even include delivery if the receiving church is not too far away from Lewisburg. You may also call the church at 304-645-2676 to find out more information.
The Ordinary Times green paraments with an embroidered Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) symbol from Montgomery Presbyterian Church are available to begin a new life in a new church. If you would like to provide that home, please call Maureen Wright at the presbytery office (304-744-7634).
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PCUSA Seeks Feedback from Presbyterians on Future of Shrinking Denomination
Presbyterian Church (USA) has launched an online form for members of the mainline denomination to provide comments on the future of the PCUSA.
The comments will be directed to the General Assembly Way Forward Commission, which was created to discern what changes need to be made to church structure. The online form comes at a time when the PCUSA's membership has been in continuous decline for the past three decades.
Click here to read more
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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 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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