A Word from our General Presbyter

Ed Thompson

"We change in order to preserve what we value."  In some ways, that quote probably applies to the church. It helps explain why we get new hymnbooks that feature more modern hymns as well as hymns from other countries. It helps explain why we use new translations of the Bible that take into account older manuscripts as well as our changing language.

Ugandan Kids Choir to perform and raise awareness for children in poverty

7 p.m. Sunday at Summersville Presbyterian

The Ugandan Kids Choir, a group of 10 talented Ugandan children, will present an evening of traditional African song and dance on Sunday at 7 p.m. at Summersville Presbyterian Church, 427 Water St.

Registration deadline is Monday!

Biblical stories & storytelling workshop

Sept. 8 at Village Chapel, Charleston

Human beings are hard-wired for storytelling; it's often how we communicate, and it's definitely how we understand the world. Most importantly, it's an extremely effective way to preach and teach, as stories are what's easiest for most people to remember. Join  Tracy Radosevic, an internationally-acclaimed biblical storyteller, educator, and retreat facilitator, for this Expanding Your Ministry Toolbox course. 

2018 Small Church Conference
Sept. 15 at Summersville Presbyterian Church

The 2018  Small Church Conference  will be held Saturday, 

September 15 at Summersville Presbyterian Church. There will be four workshops, including ones on reaching younger members and sharing pastoral care when a full-time pastor is not an option.  Andy James, the Associate for Small Church Ministries and Technology at the Presbytery of New Hope in North Carolina, will be the keynote speaker. Information has been mailed to pastoral leaders and clerks of session. Click here for a brochure.

Additionally, singers, please join the Small Church Choir that will lead worship . Choir members will rehearse at  9 a.m., before the service at 10 a.m.  To join, contact Mark Parsons Justice by phone or text at 304-532-3628 or by email at  [email protected] . In addition to rehearsal, you will receive an email with rehearsal tools prior to the conference.  

Communion training for Ruling Elders

This fall, the Presbytery will offer to all churches (particularly those who do not have pastoral leadership)  Ruling Elder training for presiding at the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The four-hour event will be held in Bridgeport, Elkins and Scott Depot on Sept. 23; Lewisburg and Oak Hill on Oct. 7, and  Parkersburg and Gilbert on Oct. 14. Registration is one week in advance of each event.

International Peacemaker visit

Rev. Alex Awad, an International Peacemaker from Palestine, will be visiting West Virginia Sept. 22-27. He will participate in events in Elkins, the Kanawha Valley, Huntington, Morgantown and Bridgeport; all are free and most are open to the public. Click here for a two-sided half-sheet insert for your bulletin.

Critical!  PDA Disaster Response Training

Sept. 27 at Village Chapel, Charleston

Please send one or more members of your congregation to this one-day training

This  Presbyterian Disaster Assistance disaster response training, which focuses on natural disasters and public violence, is sponsored by the Synod of the Trinity and the presbytery. Register by Sept. 17.

Bluestone Fall Getaway

Friends of Bluestone Golf Outing

Presbyterian Women raise $15K for Lily's Place in yearlong fundraiser

By the Huntington Herald-Dispatch

Presbyterian Women of the Synod of the Trinity presented Lily's Place in Huntington a $15,000 donation toward the center's mission of treating infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Presbyterian Men's Network breakfast

9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sept. 29 in Beaver Falls, PA

All ministers and men in the Presbytery are invited to this event focused on how the Presbyterian Men's Network is connecting to the Synod's Men's Mission Network. Cost is $10, payable at the door. Contact Larry Ott at [email protected] or 724-630-5770 to RSVP (by Sept. 15) or with questions. 

Older Adult Ministries Regional Conference

Oct. 12 in Worthington, OH

"The Best of Times: God's Call in the Third Thirty of Life" is the theme of this one-day event at the Worthington Presbyterian Church. Sponsored by several presbyteries and the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network, it will feature a keynote, worship, inspiring and thought-provoking workshops, fellowship and food.

Healthy Leadership Series 

September-May online or in person in Ohio

This continuing education opportunity centered on Bowen Family Systems Theory is composed of eight one-day seminars (once a month except December) that are either full day in person at Methodist Theological School in central Ohio or half day online. Cost is $1,050, with $100 due at enrollment and the balance due by the September ($450) and January ($500) seminars.

Prayer Concern

John Goodman, a former Stated Clerk and Associate Executive of the Presbytery, is scheduled to have rotator cuff surgery at the end of the month. Please keep him in your prayers.

LOOKING AHEAD:  Here's My Heart - Presbyterian Youth Triennium 2019

The next  Presbyterian Youth Triennium  will be July 16-20, 2019 on the campus of Purdue University. This life-changing, faith-forming event is for those who will be in grades 8-12 during the 2018-2019 school year.

Support the Westminster Foundation 

By Elise Neal

As the outgoing president of the Westminster Foundation, I want to say how grateful I am to the Presbytery of West Virginia for their support of campus ministry across the state. This is a vital ministry that helps transform so many young people's lives.

Mission trip planning

If you are interested in being a part of planning or attending a mission trip in the next year led by the Presbytery of WV, please call Barbara Chalfant at the Presbytery office (304-744-7634). We are currently investigating the possibility of one international and one or two national trips. 

Old Stone to celebrate 235 years

10 a.m. Sept. 9 in Lewisburg

On Sunday, Sept. 9, Old Stone Presbyterian Church will celebrate its 235th anniversary. The morning begins with a brief service at the original church site (Triple T Ranch on Sydenstricker Road) at 10 a.m.; guests are asked to please bring their own chair if they need one. That is followed by worship at 11 a.m. and then lunch, both at the Valley View Barn, 29554 Midland Trail East. The Rev. Dr. Ed Thompson will preach. Please RSVP by Sept. 2 to 304-645-2676 or [email protected]. 

Rev. Zac Morton installed as pastor at Morgantown First

On Sunday, August 5, Rev. Zac Morton was installed as Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Morgantown. Pictured here is the laying on of hands following the prayer of installation. Photo by Wayne Yost, Stated Clerk of the Synod of the Trinity

Kingwood First receives grant

Susan Hardesty and Christie Warnick show off the $16,250 check First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood recently received from the WV Division of Culture and History. This is the second matching grant the church has been awarded. The first was used for a new roof, and this one will help address exterior water issues.

Meet Ryan Mullennex

The 2018 Davis & Elkins graduate accepted the call to serve as a PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) in Tucson, AZ for the 2018-19 year. While there, he will have a full-time job with the Abundant Harvest Cooperative, whose mission is to contribute to local food security and food justice by helping operate a farmer's market, providing educational assistance, and coordinating events to raise community awareness of healthy sustainable food options. As part of his service, he is keeping a  blog , where you can stay updated on his experience. 

Don't be a weirdo!!

None of us really wants our neighbors to think we are "weird." Interesting, unique, maybe even eccentric, but not weird. So how do we follow the commandment to "love our neighbors" without being bothersome, obnoxious, pushy or just plain weird?  To read more, click the headline link.

GA Opening Worship offering raises more than $50,000

Job opening!

Job opening!

Editor's Note: