Issue 210 | March 10, 2022
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I don’t think I ever heard about the season of Lent when I was growing up. Holy Week, sure, we celebrated that. Palm Sunday was a big deal as was Maundy Thursday, which was one of the four times during the year that we had communion. Good Friday – well, we knew about it but didn’t really make a big deal about it. Easter was a big day, though, with a packed sanctuary and new clothes plus an Easter basket full of chocolate. I only really remember going to one Easter Sunrise Service when I was little. Whether my church didn’t have them or my parents didn’t want to get up that early, I’m not sure. It was while I was at college that I remember learning about Lent.
Last chance to register for the Younger Youth Retreat
March 19 at Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church, Charleston
Find your S.O.U.L. (Spark, Opportunities, Ur-self, Living in community) at this year's Younger Youth Retreat, which runs 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. next Saturday. While the deadline for this event has passed, we are still allowing registrations through the end of the day tomorrow, Friday, March 11. Find information, including registration, here. Contact Susan Sharp Campbell (susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com) with questions.
9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Saturday, April 2 at Charleston First Presbyterian Church
Are you a session member, pastor, educator, pew sitter, choir member or someone who just likes to sing? You’ll find a variety of workshops for a variety of people at Festival of Faith, plus the keynote “Just Creation: Shalom for our Common Home,” by Columbia Theological Seminary William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament William P. Brown (who will also lead a workshop on God comforting Job within the wildness of creation). The early registration deadline is next Thursday, March 17. Registration. either online or by mail, must be received in the office by that date to order lunch. The cost by March 17 is $20 per person or $30 per family, with lunch an additional $13 per person. Contact Susan Sharp Campbell (susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com or 304-667-9428) with questions or for more information.
Mr. Rogers Day is next Sunday, March 20
For many years, Fred Rogers, a minister of Word and Sacrament in the PCUSA, invited viewers into his neighborhood every afternoon. Wearing his sneakers and cardigan, he addressed tough topics for children, including change, fears and feelings, and more. Over the years, the PCUSA has drawn upon his work with special resources, including new resources to help celebrate Mr. Rogers Day on his birthday, March 20. Find out more about the day and see all the PCUSA resources to help you celebrate.
In a time when there are fewer youth in our congregations, the presbytery’s Youth Council offers a place for youth to find support, develop leadership skills, and grow in their faith. Are their youth currently in grades 9-11 in your congregation that might be interested in serving on the Youth Council? If so, please share the information linked above with them. There is also a need for adults who enjoy working with youth to serve in partnership with the youth. If that’s you, please consider applying; if that’s someone you know in your congregation, please share the information with them. Application deadline is March 31.
9:30-4:30 Saturday, April 30 on Zoom
As we are continuing to move forward out of the pandemic of the past two years, things have changed in our lives, our communities, and our churches, and we are still, and may be for a time, trying to figure out what’s next. Rev. Victoria Curtiss, author of “Guidelines for Communal Discernment,” will teach a discernment process and prayerful approach for congregational leaders to assist their churches in discovering who God calls them to be and do in the present and into the future. Registration deadline is April 25.
The Presbytery, through its Nurture Committee, has $1,000 loans available for those seeking post-secondary education; there are also some grant monies in amounts that vary each year available. You will find an informational flyer and the application form on the Youth Ministries & Events page of the Presbytery website. Please share this information with those in your church, especially high school seniors and parents, although these are not limited to those graduating this year. The deadline is April 30; this is both for new applications (including the return of reference letters) and renewal requests.
Hear PCUSA Stated Clerk J. Herbert Nelson
On Saturday, March 19, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), will speak at a free Synod of the Trinity event, "Conversations on Love in Action," in State College, PA that will also be broadcast on Zoom. He will speak about how the broader church is seeking to make God's love and justice known in the world. The event, which also includes facilitated conversation groups about embodied social justice issues facing our world today, begins at 9 a.m. Register here.
7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 30 on Zoom
“Investing in Ruling Elders and Deacons: Good Stewards of God’s Grace,” sponsored by the PCUSA Office of the General Assembly, will focus on the spiritual leadership of ruling elders and deacons in a variety of worship settings. Deepen your understanding of the Service for the Lord’s Day; services of ordination, installation, and commissioning; the extended service of communion; and other ministries of compassion and care with those who are sick, homebound, or hospitalized. The webinar leader is David Gambrell, Associate for Worship in the PCUSA Office of Theology and Worship. Funded by per capita dollars, there is no cost to participate, but registration is required by March 23.
Stand with the Synod for Ukraine
The Synod of the Trinity will match up to $24,000 from any congregation or presbytery in its bounds that donates to the PCUSA's humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine through the Synod's Presbyterian Mission Exchange giving platform. Click here for more, including a link to send funds to match.
Click the image for news on the Synod's regional gathering and more from PWV's
Handle with Care Mandated Reporter online course
In West Virginia, anyone who works with children in any context has “the ethical responsibility and the legal obligation to act when they suspect a child is being abused or neglected” (http://www.handlewithcarewv.org/mandated-reporter-course.php). The West Virginia Center for Children’s Justice is offering a free online course, which can be found at the link above, on Mandated Reporting that explores how to recognize and respond appropriately and legally when one encounters suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. Topics covered include: why report; who must report; know the signs of abuse or neglect; the reporting process; and what happens after a report is made. The course can be completed in a few hours at one time or spread out. Once completed you will receive a certificate of completion. Those who are ruling elders, deacons, ministers of Word and Sacrament, and Certified Christian Educators are mandated reports according to our Book of Order (G-4.0302), but all adults, whether working directly with children or not, could benefit from this training as we seek to protect all the children.
EAPCE Spring Event, April 25-27
The East Region of the Association of Partners in Christian Education (EAPCE) will hold this event at the Rhodes Grove Conference Center in Chambersburg, PA. The Rev. Dr. Karen-Marie Yust will be the keynote presenter on the topic of children’s spirituality. In addition, there will be workshops, worship, fellowship, a spirituality center, a book exchange, and the recognition of the EAPCE Educator of the Year (retired PWV Resource Center Director Nellie Howard) and Retired Saints. Register by April 1. Scholarship are available. Masks and proof of COVID vaccination required. For more information, contact Susan Sharp Campbell (susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com or 304-667-9428). 
West Virginia was not even on The Rev. Dr. William C. Myers’ radar when he started looking for a new call, but then, he was computer matched with First Charleston by the Louisville office. (Sometimes God works through computers.) When he took a look at their Ministry Information Form, he was immediately drawn to the church by the gracious love of the people and their vision for the future. Bill believes that ministry is about helping people find hope and worth, and that is in the tagline for First Charleston: “Bringing hope to the heart of Charleston and beyond.”
If you know a Presbyterian high school student thinking about college, consider suggesting Davis & Elkins, which is a private Presbyterian-related liberal arts institution with small classes that's dedicated to academic success. The school has two Presbyterian scholarships available, including the Presbyterian Scholars Program, which is an annual $5,000 scholarship based solely on active membership in a PCUSA congregation.
We invite you to print and include this newsletter in your bulletin or church newsletter, share it with members, and/or distribute it in your community. Click for the March newsletter in color or grayscale.
  • Board of Pensions tax resources
  • Employment Guidance for Sessions and Session Personnel Committees
  • 2022 IRS Standard Mileage
  • 2022 Per Capita
  • Board of Pensions news
  • 2022 Special Offerings
By Rev. Robin Blakeman
So, after hearing Rev. Ellie Johns-Kelley’s presentation during the November Presbytery meeting, you want to save money on energy usage in your church? I am here to provide you with some information to get started. Many of you know me from my work with the Stewardship of Creation Ministry Team; I am also now the Director of Energy Efficient WV and a steering committee member of WV Interfaith Power and Light. Both organizations have informational resources to share regarding energy efficiency, renewable energy, and land/property stewardship. (Image via vecteezy.com.)
Bream Memorial seeks a musician
Musical requirements are strong piano skills (organ a plus, but not required), sight-reading proficiency, and the ability to accompany congregational singing. Position requirements are the available to play on Sunday mornings, 10:45 AM-12 noon; music selected in consultation with pastor each week, includes 3 hymns plus 2-3 instrumental selections; $100 per diem payment; and the option to play for additional services as needed. Position location is 317 Washington St. W. on Charleston's West Side. For more information or to apply, please contact Pastor Dawn Adamy at 304-410-6391 or breamspastor@gmail.com.
Edgewood Presbyterian holds a Saturday of Service
Recently, Edgewood Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg warmed up a cold, snowy Saturday with SOS, or Saturday of Service, wherein they prepared a free hot meal and served it through drive-thru. Nearly 400 meals were served to community members in a three-hour span. Additionally, they collected nonperishables for their community food pantry as part of the annual Souper Bowl of Caring.
UPCOMING WEBINARS -- Click each image for more information
Nonprofit Security Grant Program
Day of Learning on planned giving
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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.