Issue 163 | February 20, 2020
Click on an underlined title to go to the full article
Let me tell you a cautionary tale. Some time ago, I got a call from a pastor who used to serve one of the churches in this presbytery. They wanted to know if we had copies of the changes in their terms of call from the church where they had served. We had some but not all of them. I said we’d be glad to send them copies of what we had. Turns out the pastor was thinking about retiring, and when they looked into their retirement account, they didn’t see that the church had paid what they thought they had agreed to pay as part of the terms of call.
9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. March 28 at First Presbyterian Church, Charleston
This year’s Festival of Faith will feature Presbyterian Outlook Editor Jill Duffield (pictured) as the Keynote Speaker, focusing her presentation on what people beyond our walls are saying about us, members of the Presbyterian Church (USA). She will also lead one of the many workshops we will offer; plus, there will be fellowship, learning, and worship for all. Regarding workshops, please note when you register that B and C are the two one-hour afternoon workshops and D is the two-hour afternoon one; you cannot attend all three. However, if you'd like to select a D workshop as your first choice, then a B and C workshop as your second choice, you may do that. The advance registration deadline, which will save you money, is Thursday, March 12. 
March 6-8 at Cedar Lakes Conference Center
Registration deadline is Monday! This retreat for those in grades 6-8 will use themes from some of the Avengers movies to explore our identity as children of God, where we belong, and how we are accepted and called to accept others. Information, including a registration form, is in the above link, on the Presbytery website and has been sent by email to pastors, session clerks, youth leaders and Christian educators. Please contact Susan Sharp Campbell at 304-645-4568 or susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com with any questions. 
Click image for full-size PDF.
  • Remitting church benevolence

  • Board of Pensions tax resources

  • Festival of Faith workshops

  • 2020 Per Capita

  • 2020 Shared Mission Pledge Request

  • 2020 Special Offering Calendar
Starting Something New: Discerning God’s Call in the Places God’s Sent Us is the next Expanding Your Ministry Toolbox course. Taught by Michael Gehrling of PC(USA)'s 1001 New Worshiping Communities, it will look at ways of engaging in our particular contexts and neighbors as a way toward new forms of witness and mission. You can participate in person at the Presbytery office or by Zoom from the comfort of your own location. Cost is $50, regardless of the option chosen. Register by Thursday, Feb. 27. We hope to offer a recording of this event in the future as well.
Intergenerational Day of Service, Part II
On Saturday, Feb. 1, 28 participants of all ages gathered in Charleston, Clarksburg and Huntington for the Presbytery's first Intergenerational Day of Service. Among the service locations in Charleston was the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association, where several volunteers from Riverlawn Presbyterian were among the workers. ( Click here to see full-size versions of the photos, then here to see photos of all the Huntington participants and here to see the fruits of thClarksburg participants' labor.)
Top left: The group pauses for a photo during their work day; Top right: Sherry Marcum stuffs Kongs for the dogs at the shelter; Bottom: Riverlawn volunteers with some of the dogs they walked.

  • Encourage the West Virginia Legislature to support Power Purchase Agreements

  • Presbyterians for Earth Care’s Lent devotional is now online

  • Kairos for Creation eco-theology and climate justice publication
April 24-27 in Washington, D.C.
This Compassion, Peace & Justice Advocacy weekend includes plenaries, workshops, lectures and more activities to address movements for social change. It will explore the various ways we are addressing climate change, ecological destruction and environmental racism. Partial to full registration fee scholarships are available for students and young adults (age 18-35), but the deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Saturday. Click here for the application.
SURVEYS - Please respond by Feb. 28!
Did you attend the Presbytery meeting at Riverlawn last Saturday? If so, please click above to take our quick survey about the flyer packet. It is just four questions and will only take a few minutes.
Robert Yandow, a retired police officer and co-chair of Charleston First's safety/security committee, is conducting this survey in an attempt to gauge the state of readiness of Presbyterian churches in West Virginia. Your answers will provide valuable insight.
Submit your church information for the 2020 PWV directory by March 2!
If your church hasn't sent in its directory information , please fill out the directory contact form ASAP and return to Amy Robinson. If there isn't a contact person for a particular position or your church's information hasn't changed since 2019, please let us know. 
From East-Central Africa to Fayetteville
Leisa Wagstaff, a Presbyterian Mission worker in South Sudan, will visit Fayetteville Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 1. All are invited to a free 5 p.m. pizza dinner, at which she'll share her story. For anyone interested, she will also be at the church's worship service that morning. For more on Leisa, click here; for more on the event, call Pastor Bob Wood at 304-881-9610. 
FEMA hosting a half dozen webinars on its Nonprofit Security Grant Program
Your congregation may qualify for FEMA's Nonprofit Security Grant Program, whose main purpose is to support physical security enhancements like surveillance systems, physical access control equipment, impact resistant doors and gates, intrusion detection sensors and alarms, exterior lighting, physical perimeter security, and screening and inspection equipment. Interested in learning more? Connect to one of these one-hour webinars, all of which begin at 2:30 p.m. Registration is required to participate.
  • Feb. 26: 1-877-446-3914, code 289309#
  • March 5: 1-866-454-4207, 368026#
  • March 12: 1-866-454-4207, 368026#
  • March 19: 1-866-454-4207, 368026#
  • March 26: 1-877-446-3914, 289309#
Need choir robes?
First Presbyterian, Nitro has 34 maroon choir robes with white stoles in good condition that they would like to donate to a church or ministry in need. Email the church office or call 304-755-3242 from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Thursday. 

Throughout the school year, Christian educators across the presbytery gather at the Presbytery office for a time of sharing ideas, resources, concerns and support. And next month, those who attended the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators' Annual Event will share all that they learned, so don't miss that! Anyone involved in the leadership of their church’s educational ministry is invited to attend these inspiring gatherings.
Our own Associate for Educational Ministry, Susan Sharp Campbell (right), is installed as the President-Elect for the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators at the 2020 APCE Annual Event, held recently in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Job openings
Keyboard accompanist
Teays Valley Presbyterian
Seeking a gifted musician who loves Jesus and wants to use their musical gifts in worship! Responsibilities include playing hymns, accompanying the choir and playing with Praise Team. Other occasional responsibilities may include playing for special services and events. Ability to play organ is preferred but not required. Salary based on experience. Contact Kyle Key at 304-757-6071 or kylekey@teaysvalleypresby.com.
Director of Music
First Presbyterian, Bluefield
This salaried employee will work with the pastor to lead the church’s music programs to the glory of God. All applicants should send a resume with references to pastorfpcblfd@gmail.com or First Presbyterian Church, Attn: Personnel Committee, 208 Tazewell Ave., Bluefield, WV 24701. Call 304-327-9727 with questions.

BOTH JOBS ARE PART-
TIME POSITIONS
By Fred Pace, The Herald Dispatch
After more than 70 years, the Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church at 469 Norway Ave., in Huntington conducted a closing celebration service Sunday. Cinda Harkless, the current pastor, said the church was faced with the hard questions about their sustainability and made the decision to permanently close.
Casting Crowns "Only Jesus" tour
with special guest Matthew West
7 p.m. Tuesday March 10
Big Sandy Arena, Huntington
Tickets begin at $26, with group discounts available. Call 304-696-5990 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

The 2020 Montreat Youth Conference, July 11-18, will provide opportunities for youth in our churches to connect with hundreds of high school youth from across the country to engage in faith conversations exploring who God is and who we are. Youth currently in grades 8-12 are invited to participate. Space is limited as the Presbytery only has room for 14 people, including adults.
QUICK LINKS
Editor's Note: In order to keep PWV News fresh, articles will generally run for two consecutive issues. If you would like a piece to run longer, please update (with refreshed content, new wording and/or a different photo) and resubmit.