July 26, 2018        Issue 127
Use the QUICK LINKS at the bottom of this column to be directed to additional news.

Email Presbytery staff using the directory below.

When's the last time
 
you checked out
the 
Presbytery website?   www.wvpresbytery.org
 


Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
stafflist
Presbytery Staff

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 Facilities Director

Sarah Specht
Bluestone Program Director

Amy Robinson
Office Administrator/Communications
Prayer List for Churches
Week 30 - July 29
First Presbyterian Church, St. Albans
Spencer Presbyterian Church

In Kenya:  Gitathiini (GAY-tah-THEE'nay)  Presbyterian Church

Week 31 - August 5
Tygarts Valley Presbyterian,Huttonsville
First United Presbyterian, Ravenswood
In Kenya: Gitero (Gay-TAY'rohPresbyterian Church
Nurturing Faith Ideas
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  here.

July 29
Read John 6: 1-21, the story of the loaves and fish - the miracle story repeated in each of the gospels. I participated in the annual leaf raking community service project of the Fellowship of Christian Students at our local high school. As an adult chaperone, I asked the coordinator if we needed to bring rakes, etc., and she said that she had told all the students to bring rakes, but there was no way to know how many would appear. We decided it would be a "loaves and fish" experience - because we would all bring what we had. We had plenty of rakes - even a few to spare. What about in your life? How have you seen this miraculous story unfold? Draw a picture of your experience. Write a poem about this experience. Tell your story with a friend, fellow church member, or neighbor. Whatever you do, thank God for the gift of "enough." By the way, you are enough, too! 

August 5
In Ephesians 4:1-16, we are reminded that we are called to unity in the one body of Christ. Unity, however, doesn't mean that we are all alike, for we have different gifts to share with others in the body so that we can all grow in faith and discipleship together. What gifts do you have to share with the church, the body of Christ, where you worship? Share with someone else.  
Quick Links
   










(Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster)



Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
On our Home page
You will find located on the Home page of the website (scroll down past the banner, introduction and grant buttons) direct links to recent newsletters, the Pray For church list and Nurturing Faith Ideas for the year and more. Please let us know how we can improve the website and whenever you encounter any problem with it. Thank you.

Click on an underlined title to go to the full article
Ed Thompson
I have too much stuff. Specifically, I have too many books. I'm not running out of space on my bookshelves. I'm looking at 24 boxes of books and papers, most stacked on the floor of my office with one sitting on the corner of my desk. 
Now's the time for churches to review, update, and submit their employer agreement with the Board of Pensions for 2019. In the link, you'll find out how to do this, as well as links to BOP resources for making your decision.
The Westminster Foundation of West Virginia invites churches in the presbytery to pray for young adults, colleges and universities and students starting college either on Sunday, August 12 (which PCUSA has designated as College & Young Adult Sunday) or any Sunday in August as students return to campus.
Community Presbyterian Church in Arthurdale was proud to host a quilt show on July 14 entitled "Wrapped in His Love." The event was planned in conjunction with Arthurdale Heritage's New Deal Festival. The church is grateful to Mike and Kathy George, who coordinated the event, and everyone else who helped with decorating, displaying and returning the quilts.
Mingo Run Church circa 1839 service
11:15 a.m. Sunday in Mingo
On Sunday, Mingo Presbyterian Church in Randolph County will host a special historical service at Mingo Run Church, which is the oldest church in Randolph County. Immediately following the service is a covered dish dinner at Mingo Presbyterian, which is located across the street. For more information, call Mingo Clerk of Session Becky Sharp at 304-339-4509.
Aug. 18-19 at the church, 201 Kanawha Terr.
First Presbyterian Church of St. Albans will mark its 150th anniversary with a fun-and-faith-filled family celebration the weekend of August 18-19. Activities include an open house, catered dinner and Presby Pickers concert, Sunday worship and a reception.
7 p.m. Aug. 28
This hour-long webinar, led by Jonathan LeMaster-Smith,  will give a basic overview of the nuances of rural ministry and several resources for innovative rural faith formation.  For more webinars, click here .

Sympathies
Marilyn Morton, the grandmother of First Presbyterian Church of Morgantown pastor Zac Morton, passed away July 19 in  Strabane, PA. A memorial service will be held Friday. Click here to read her obituary. Memorial donations can be made to Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, 112 W. Pike Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317. Please keep Zac and his family in your prayers. 
Aug. 25 at Summersville Presbyterian
Early Registration Deadline: August 9
Early Registration Cost: $25
Walk-ins welcome for $30. 
August 25 will be here before you know it! Register now! 
Creative worship, a theme party, networking, lunch and workshops on Pew Play, intergenerational activities and creative arts will be the order of the day.
Sept. 8 at Village Chapel, Charleston
Tracy Radosevic, an internationally-acclaimed biblical storyteller, educator, and retreat facilitator, will lead this Expanding Your Ministry Toolbox course. It is intended for  anyone  who shares the biblical story in preaching and teaching.
2018 Small Church Conference is coming!
Sept. 15 at Summersville Presbyterian Church
The Small Church Conference will be held Saturday, 
September 15 at Summersville Presbyterian ChurchThe planning team is developing four workshops, which will be relevant to all churches. Andy James (pictured), the Associate for Small Church Ministries and Technology at the Presbytery of New Hope in North Carolina, will be the keynote speaker.  Stay tuned for  more details and  registration  information  in future newsletters.  Flyers and other information will be sent to pastoral leaders and Clerks of Session to share.
Sept. 27 at Village Chapel, Charleston
Open to people of all denominations and faiths
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.
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.
Aug. 2-5 in Louisville
Celebrating 30 years of Presbyterian Women 
Cost: $425. The PWV Presbyterian Women coordinating team will reimburse the cost for PWV women who wish to attend.
9:30-11:30 Aug. 11
Sponsored by Bradley Presbyterian pastor Beth Stone's WV Living Stone Ministries. Held at the  Lewis Center, 469 Central Ave.
Cost: $20 or $15 each for groups of 10+ (must register together) by July 31; $25 after that
Gail Rymer, the lay pastor at Hughes River Presbyterian Church in Cairo, is one of the 2018 inductees into the Ohio Department of Aging's Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, which celebrates outstanding older Ohioans for their achievements and contributions to others; the roles they play in their communities, state and nation; and what they do to promote productive and enjoyable lives.  Rymer (at left in the photo) lives in Little Hocking, OH. 
 
A group of about 25 people gathered June 28 for a dedication ceremony for Spencer Presbyterian's recently installed solar panels.
Davis & Elkins College exceeded its 10-year Secure the Future campaign goal ringing in at $100,854,321 as of Saturday morning with additional gifts still being tabulated. 
The posts in the link above appear in reverse chronological order. Click on each post title to see that post individually, including the comments on it. In addition to Straight, who is the pastor at Old Stone Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg, other authors are Elise Neal, Greg Bolt, Bonnie Thurston and Janice Stamper.
Welcome Daniel John Maleke
Elizabeth Campbell-Maleke, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Williamstown and Waverly-Bethel Presbyterian Church, gave birth to her son, Daniel John Maleke, on June 21. Though he was born three weeks early, he is doing well, as is Mom. Daniel is pictured with his big brother, Caleb.

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.  Click for the July newsletter in the format of your choice: two-sided color, two-sided black-and-white, color booklet and black-and-white booklet.
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 update (with fresh content, new wording and/or a new or different photo) and resubmit,  so that 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