| |
|
|
|
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
|
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
|
|
Prayer List For Churches
Week 15 - April 9
First Presbyterian Church, South Charleston
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charleston
In Kenya:
Gathaith (
Gah-thah-EE'thee) Presbyterian Church
Week 16 - April 16
Community Presbyterian Church, Arthurdale
Beverly Presbyterian Church
Buffalo Presbyterian Church
In Kenya: Gititu (GAY'tee-toe)
Presbyterian Church
Week 17 - April 23
Clifton Presbyterian Church, Maxwelton
Elk Hills Presbyterian Church, Charleston
Glenville Presbyterian Church
In Kenya: Thageini (Thah-GAYée-nay) Presbyterian Church
|
|
Nurturing Faith Ideas
April 9, 16 and 23
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.
Proclaiming "Jesus is Lord!" feels right and good, especially on Sunday when we worship together. "You are our King; we are your servants." But weekdays are harder. The quest for good grades or getting ahead can cause us to do things we know we should not. Friends can influence us to do or say things that are unloving or wrong. Pray using the following or your own prayer: Forgive us, Lord. Help us to remember that you are King of all our lives every day and wherever we go. Help us to be guided by you today.
April 16
Celebrate! Christ is risen! We know for certain that God loves us enough to KEEP loving us.
Read or sing the words to "Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna!"(Hymn 248 in
Glory to God
)
or another Easter hymn of your choosing. Share with a friend or family member what words from it are most meaningful to you.
April 23
Challenge yourself in a new way as you consider the Apostles' Creed. Try adding the words "I believe" to each statement. Say it aloud, either alone or with a group. See what it will mean for you as you say "I believe" before EACH statement.
|
|
|
 |
A Word from our General Presbyter
Ed Thompson
I am grateful for everyone who has reached out to me since the death of my mother-in-law. Your expressions of care have touched my heart. I can't say I was surprised, but I also have to say I didn't expect it. Perhaps you just assume that you are a part of a community, but until something like this happens, you don't always appreciate or know how much it means. It means a lot.
I spent a good deal of time this past week thinking about my mother-in-law and reflecting on her life as I prepared to lead her funeral service. I probably appreciate her more now than I did when she was with us. I don't think I took her for granted, but there are certain aspects of her life that seem more apparent in retrospect. Click here to read more
|
Attention Clerks of Session and Church Treasurers
Clerks of Session are annually invited to participate in one of the Session Record Reviews in order to fulfill the Book of Order requirement as outlined in G-3.0108a. The review sessions are a time to meet other Clerks of Session and share best practices, ideas and questions, as well as enjoy fellowship. Stated Clerk Maureen Wright is available to answer questions and work with Clerks to best serve their church.
This year, church treasurers are also invited to attend! Presbytery Financial Administrator and Treasurer Rocky Poole will join church treasurers for Treasurer Talks. These talks will be a time to share best practices, discuss educational and informational resources available to church treasurers and work through issues with which treasurers may be dealing.
Churches are strongly encouraged to send their Clerk of Session (or another member of Session) and their treasurer in a "two for one deal." The dates and locations of the remaining two events are below.
* April 23 at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Buckhannon
* April 30 at 3 p.m. at Salem Presbyterian Church, Ronceverte
|
|
Sympathy to Rev. Rebecca Mihm of Fleming Memorial Presbyterian Church in Fairmont on the death of her father, Dr. Timothy Walsh, in Massachusetts April 6. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.
__________________________________________________
Rev. Christina Tutterow, the interim pastor at Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church in Charleston, fell in the church's parking lot following the Sunday service on March 26 and fractured her pelvic bone. Please keep her, her husband and the church in your prayers.
|
News from the Associate for Educational Ministry
Susan Sharp Campbell
Montreat Youth Conference
Spaces still available
Montreat is a special place for youth (those entering 9th grade through graduated seniors) to explore their faith with 1,000 other youth from all over the country. This summer, the presbytery is providing a trip to Montreat Youth Conference IV,
July 15-22.
This is a great way to connect with other youth in the presbytery, particularly if you're in a church that doesn't have many youth; it might also provide an opportunity for children or grandchildren to grow in their faith, even though they may not be overly involved in the church. We will spend time as we travel and arrive to get to know one another.
The cost per person is $350, which includes registration, housing, meals and transportation. The registration deadline is
April 15. Registration information can be found
here. You can find an overview of the conference
here.
Question? Contact Susan Sharp Campbell at 304-667-9428 (cell), 304-645-4568 (work/home)
or [email protected].
|
Mission Ideas
At the recent Mission Fair, participants had the opportunity to share what their congregations were doing and who to contact for more information. Below are those ideas. Please feel free to contact the people listed for more information about how your congregation can do some exciting new things in your community.
* We are doing a Food Backpack for weekends for an elementary school in Mount Hope, WV. We serve 18 children. Call Suzette Wingrove at 304-575-6897.
* We are doing a 30-hour Famine at Old Stone Presbyterian Church.
* United Christian Food Pantry: Contact Barbara Accord, 304-765-3107
* First Presbyterian, Bluefield was a relay center for processing 2,600+ Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes and then sent a 13-person team to Charlotte to pack at the processing center.
* The youth of Riverlawn, St Albans are beginning a six-week study called "True Story: What God Wants Us to Do about Poverty" preparing them for local efforts and our Colombia trip this June.
[email protected]
* We serve lunch to college students in need at Fairmont State University. Call First Presbyterian of Fairmont.
* Take Out Church, using pizza boxes filled with a variety of items for children to do over the summer...we deliver ours to the mission. Call Bridgeport Presbyterian.
* Working with a recovery house as a partner in ministry. David Richards, 2nd Church, Huntington, 304-412-3689
* Suicide awareness ministry, Valleyoftheshadow.org - Beth Stone, Bradley
|
Good Friday Tenebrae Service
A Tenebrae Service will be held at 7 p.m. Good Friday (April 14) at Riverlawn Presbyterian Church, 2008 Pennsylvania Ave., St. Albans. Tenebrae services are distinctive for their gradual extinguishing of candles while a series of readings and psalms are chanted or recited.
This service is sponsored by Riverlawn, Highlawn and First Presbyterian churches in St. Albans and First Presbyterian Church, Nitro. If you are near the area and are not having a Good Friday service at your church, you are invited to join them for this service.
|
Davis & Elkins College Inauguration Week
|
|
 |
Rev. Chris Wood was inaugurated as Davis & Elkins College's 15th president on March 30.
|
|
Davis & Elkins College was alive with activity March 26-30 in honor of Rev. Chris Wood's inauguration as the school's 15th president. Every day celebrated a different aspect of the College's ministry and mission. The theme for the week built on a wise word from President Wood's father that "the journey continues" throughout our lives.
Activities included a Rise Against Hunger event on Sunday; a talk by D&E graduate and member of its 1970 NAIA championship soccer team
Hank Steinbrecher on Monday; a musical, theatrical and artistic showcase on Tuesday; a reading by West Virginia poet laureate Marc Harshman on Wednesday and a lecture by D&E graduate David Morrison and the inauguration on Thursday.
Read President Wood's inaugural address, which calls for collaboration in D&E's journey to the future, here
. S
ee the week in video here. Click here to read more
LEFT: President Wood and D&E students help at the Rise Against Hunger event.
RIGHT: Presbytery Stated Clerk Maureen Wright speaks at the inauguration.
LEFT: Rev. Sue Wonderland of the Synod of the Trinity preaches at Sunday's worship service.
RIGHT: The dedication of the
Morrison-Novakovic Center for Faith and Public Policy was held Thursday.
|
New Marshall UKirk Pastor
The Westminster Foundation met Monday, March 27 and approved the recommendation of the Pastor Nominating Committee to call Mr. Christopher M. Bailey as campus pastor at Marshall University's UKirk ministry. Mr. Bailey was unanimously approved for ordination at a called meeting of presbytery on March 28. The presbytery celebrates with Westminster Foundation, as well as the Marshall University and Huntington communities as Marshall UKirk begins a new chapter in its ministry.
Click here to read the Marshall Parthenon article on Bailey
|
Introducing New Resources
|
Rock Lake Community Life Center Coordinator Wanted
The Rock Lake Presbyterian Church's Community Life Center is seeking someone to help them meet the needs of the local community. The RLCLC exists to provide resource, care, space and opportunities to come together in various ways. They are looking for a Christian who will be able to work with people of all backgrounds, interests, needs, strengths and weaknesses.
Candidates should be caring, praying, empathetic leaders, who are computer and Internet literate, detail oriented, a competent manager, outgoing, friendly, thoughtful and able to communicate well. The position is 35 hours a week. Job duties include acting as the primary contact for programs, overseeing the day-to-day activities, handling communications and fundraising duties, maintaining the facility
and recruiting, training and coordinating volunteers. Click here for full job description
|
Baptismal Font Seeking New Home
The baptismal font from the now-defunct Montgomery Presbyterian Church needs a new home. Made of beautiful blond wood, the font is available now. Please contact Maureen Wright or Rocky Poole at the Presbytery office.
|
Old Pews Available
Unity of Kanawha Valley, located in the former South Hills Presbyterian Church, is looking to replace the old South Hills pews with stackable seating. The beautiful, wooden pews seat about 70. Additionally, Unity is looking for used stackable seating and/or recommendations from churches who recently purchased cost-effective seating with which they're happy. To either inquire about the pews or offer chairs/seating recommendations, contact Unity's president, Sharon Mullins, at [email protected].
|
New Resources Equip Ruling Elders to be Spiritual Leaders
 Helping ruling elders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) function as spiritual leaders in their congregations is the focus of a series of monthly articles set to premiere in mid-April. Titled "Regarding Ruling Elders: A Monthly Series for Spiritual Leaders," the series is free and will be available online in three languages: English, Spanish, and Korean.
Click here to read more
|
A Move to Part-Time Clergy Sparks Innovation in Congregations
Although church leaders often worry that switching from full-time to part-time clergy will lead to decline, congregations across the country are finding new vitality by reimagining the roles of clergy and laypeople. (Click the above link to read the article.)
|
Workshop in Weirton
|
Clergy Consultation on Substance Use Disorder
Thursday, May 25, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
West Virginia Wesleyan College, Buckhannon
This is the program our General Presbyter wrote of in the March 9 newsletter. It will include remarks from Sen. Joe Manchin, as well as regional small groups to discuss what churches can do to address this issue in their area and 12 Practical Steps, which will help participants know what they can do if someone come to them wanting help battling an addiction.
|
Upcoming National Events
Church Growth Leadership Summit
April 24-25 in Lincoln, NE
The Growth Project of the Quad Presbytery Consortium is hosting the 2017 Church Growth Leadership Summit at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, NE as a way for participants to discover practical strategies to grow their churches. Featured speakers are Dr. Susan Forshey, Ross Thompson, Patrice McMahon and Richard Brown. The cost is $90 until April 16, then increases to $110. Learn more and register
here.
Generosity NOW
April 25-27 in Washington, D.C.
This stewardship conference (
formerly the North American Conference on Christian Philanthropy
)
helps participants
increase their knowledge about spiritual principles and best practices relating to faithful stewardship and generous giving through plenary sessions, workshops and worship.
The cost is $299. Learn more and register here
by April 18.
Big Tent 2017
July 6-8 in St. Louis
Big Tent is a biennial gathering for Presbyterians from across the country. The 2017 event will take place at Washington University in St. Louis and have a theme of Race, Reconciliation and Reformation, which will emphasize the hope of the gospel and its power to transform society in our current cultural context marked by anxiety, racial division, political animosity and economic inequality. The cost is $395 (includes accommodations). Read more about Big Tent 2017 and register for it
here.
Stewardship Kaleidoscope
Sept. 25-27 in St. Pete Beach, FL
This stewardship conference at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort on the beach
includes four plenary sessions and your choice of four workshops from a series of more than 30. Keynote speakers are Cynthia Rigby from the Austin Seminary and Adam Copeland from the Luther Seminary, with Shannon Kershner from Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, as the worship leader.
The cost is $250 by Aug. 1 and $275 after. Learn more and register here.
In addition to the conference, there is a free webinar on June 13 with Karl Travis, the pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth and a 2016 Stewardship Kaleidoscope keynote speaker. It runs 1-2:30 p.m. Central. Watch it here.
|
Montreat's Assembly Inn Dedicates Room for Dean and Rebecca Thompson
Members of First Presbyterian Church in Charleston and friends recently honored Dean and Rebecca Thompson by dedicating a guest room in their honor at the historic Assembly Inn, Montreat Conference Center's iconic hotel located in Montreat, NC.
Dean and Rebecca were much loved in Charleston, where they served at First Presbyterian Church from 1996 until 2004.
Friends of Dean and Rebecca, in recognition of their lifelong service to First Presbyterian in Charleston and the church at large, decided to raise the $25,000 to dedicate a room in Montreat Conference Center's recently renovated Assembly Inn. Dean and Rebecca moved to the Montreat area in 2010, where they continued to serve the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in a variety of capacities. Click here to read more
|
Elementary students raise food for Eleanor Presbyterian weekend snak-pak program
Putnam County kids in need of supplemental weekend food are benefiting from the efforts of a local church and their own classmates. On Friday, March 24, between 12:30-2:30 p.m., a two-week food drive at George Washington Elementary School culminated with a food weigh-in to determine which classroom brought in the most food. Nutritionist Katherine Clark will oversee the weigh-in.
Back in 2011, Eleanor Presbyterian Church started a weekend "snak-pak" program, which now serves 40 children in need at GWE. Seeing the efforts of the church inspired the children, who came up with the idea to start a food drive to supplement the church's program. Click here to read more
|
Resource Center News 
Most of us don't have VCRs anymore, and if you are under 30, you might not even know what a VCR is. Here in the Resource Center, I am phasing out our VHS collection. In some cases, the publisher has upgraded to the DVD format. When that happens with a popular video, I am replacing the VHS with a DVD.
|
Synod of the Trinity Anniversary Grants
In honor of the Synod of the Trinity's 300th anniversary celebration, two grants have been created that are available to those serving in the region. The first is the Freedom Grant, which is in response to the General Assembly's priority around the plight of the African American male and assists seed projects that relate to this concern. The second is Sowing the Future: Gifts of Abundance Grants, which offer every presbytery in the region the opportunity for a matching grant of $3,000 towards a world mission project or partnership of their choice, as well as an additional $1,000 grant for presbyteries that partner together for world mission projects or undertake a new partnership. Application deadlines are June 30 for the Freedom Grant and Dec. 1 for Sowing the Future. Click
here for more information.
|
Stewardship of Creation News
The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is significantly expanding its commitment to environmentally responsible investing by retaining Impax Asset Management Group, a London-based investment manager that specializes in resource efficiency markets.
The Investment Committee of the Board of Directors of the Board of Pensions voted March 10 to commit $100 million to the Impax Leaders Strategy. The Leaders Strategy is a fossil fuel-free portfolio that invests worldwide in resource efficiency and environmental markets.
Click here to read more
|
Bluestone Summer Camp Scholarships
Scholarships 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.
|
Small church folks from throughout the presbytery are invited to
celebrate the goodness of God as small churches full of big-hearted Presbyterian Christians, eager to "blossom 'n bless 'em" in the Lord. 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 May meeting of Presbytery.
|
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!
|
|
*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.
|
|
Editor's Note:
|
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.
|
|
| |
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
| |
|
