Issue 183 | January 14, 2021
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What are your goals for this year? Here are mine. For the most part, they are measurable, although most of them don’t have a specific enough timeline, so they could be smarter. I’ve written them down on a half sheet of paper, which I keep next to my computer. Without goals, we end up drifting through life. Goals allow us to focus on what’s important and what will make the biggest difference in our work. Where do you want to be at the end of this year? What goals can you set to help you get there?
In December, Clerks of Session should have received a letter outlining year-end information, including about covenant renewal for Temporary Supply Pastors, Commissioned Pastors, and Lay Supply Pastors, as well as about completing the Statistical Report. All covenant renewals are due tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 15. The Statistical Report must be completed by Feb. 18. Additionally, updated Pastor’s Compensation and Necrology Report forms are due Jan. 29.
PWV staff-led worship videos to continue
Presbytery staff will continue to record one worship service per month for congregations to use for worship at least through the first seven months of 2021. These are intended as a way for pastors to have time off when worship is online and/or it is not easy to find pulpit supply, or whenever else a session wants to use them. With the exception of the Sunday after Easter, they are non-lectionary/church year-based. Videos and the accompanying worship bulletins will be sent to pastors and clerks of session on the following dates:
January 15 .... ........... February 1 ...... ......... March 1
March 26 (for the/a Sunday after Easter)
May 1 ........ ....... June 1 ........ ....... June 24
The 2021 Festival of Faith, a day of learning, worship, and fellowship, will be Saturday, March 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Zoom. Diana Butler Bass, an award-winning author and internationally-known public speaker and thought leader on issues of spirituality, religion, culture, and politics, will be our keynote presenter. In addition to her keynote, "Telling Stories of Jesus," and workshop, "Deeper Dive with Diana Butler Bass," there will be a number of other workshops offered. Registration information will be sent to those on the presbytery's newsletter mailing list next week. Cost is $20/person or $30/household.
The Festival of Faith Planning Team is excited to have Diana Butler Bass as the Keynote Presenter for Festival of Faith on Saturday, March 20, 2021, and leading up to that, will offer a month-long book discussion in February on Grounded: Finding God in the World - A Spiritual Revolution to introduce people to her work and provide an opportunity for community with others across the presbytery. Weekly discussions will be offered both at 10-11 a.m. Mondays and 4-5 p.m. Sundays on Zoom. Register by emailing susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com with your name and whether you plan to participate on Mondays or Sundays no later than Jan. 28.
SAVE THE DATE: Rescheduled Healthy Boundary Training
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10 on Zoom
All pastoral leaders – Ministers of Word and Sacrament (including those who are Honorably Retired ministers serving congregations), Certified Christian Educators, Commissioned Pastors, ministers of other denominations serving our congregations, lay pastors, and persons on the Pulpit Supply list – are required to complete a Healthy Boundary Training workshop every five years. The Presbytery will host an event led by Kanawha Pastoral Counseling Center Executive Director Sky Kershner on Wednesday, Feb.10 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. via Zoom. All pastoral leaders who have not completed a Healthy Boundary Training workshop in or after 2016 need to attend. There is no cost. Register by emailing Maureen Wright at statedclerk@wvpresbytery.org.
Rabbi Victor Ureki of B’nai Jacob Synagogue in Charleston will be the presenter for this retreat, which will be held on Zoom. Complete information on this event was sent in mid-December to those for whom it is planned. The registration deadline is Monday, Feb. 8.

In a world of disaster, hunger, and oppression, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People - all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope. Please join us in receiving this offering. If you haven't received a standing order of materials, you can order them now.
Edgewood debuts its Blessing Box
Edgewood Presbyterian now has a Blessing Box, located in the east parking lot of the church on Harper and Brush roads, north of Lewisburg. Sponsored by the Presbyterian Women, the box is stocked with non-perishable food items.
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It is in memory of Dorothy Napier and Betty Arbaugh. Dorothy was instrumental in the operation of Edgewood’s food pantry for many years, and Betty was a faithful volunteer with the Shepherd’s Center of Greenbrier Valley’s Gwen’s Meals program that prepares and delivers home-cooked lunches once a week to disabled and older adults. Upon Betty’s death, contributions were made in her memory to create the initial funding for the purchase of the food for the box. An official dedication of the box will be made at a later date.
  • New round of PPP loans
  • 2021 IRS Standard Mileage
  • 2021 Minister Housing Allowance
  • 202 Tax and Withholding reporting
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  • 2021 Per Capita
  • 2021 Shared Mission Pledge Request
  • Year-end tasks
  • Special Offerings calendar
Synod of the Trinity Communications Coordinator Mike Givler recently shared some helpful information on the Zoom video conferencing platform‘s latest update. As Zoom continues to make adjustments to its program, which many of us have been relying on to host meetings and worship during the pandemic, Mike noted a few things to be aware of.
Over the past few months, emails falsely claiming to be from General Presbyter Ed Thompson have increased in frequency. These emails, called spoofs, are a favorite trick of scammers since they appear to come from someone you know and trust. They will show some variation of Ed's name as the sender, but the attached email address is not his official wvpresbytery.org one. If you receive a suspicious email claiming to be from Ed (or, really, anyone from the Presbytery), do not respond. If you are concerned, you can forward it to the alleged sender, and they can reply to verify the request's authenticity.
Need a PWV directory before the 2021 version comes out?
As the Presbytery is preparing the 2021 directory, we still have approximately two dozen hard copies of the 2020 directory at the office. If you or your church would like a copy before the 2021 directory is printed this spring (perhaps you've lost your copy or you need fresher information than the directory you have on hand), contact Office Administrator Amy Robinson at office@wvpresbytery.org or 304-744-7634.
By John Yeager, Pastor, Enslow Park Presbyterian
With so much news surrounding the aftermath of the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, we won't hear about this profile in courage in the mainline news media. On that fateful day, Rear Admiral Margaret Grun Kibben, the first female Chaplain of the House of Representatives, was excited to witness the peaceful transfer of power as the U.S. Congress formally approved the election of Joe Biden. Rev. Kibben is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). It was her third day on the job.
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 JANUARY newsletter in color or grayscale.
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During 2021, resources specifically geared toward growth in relationship with God, each other, and self, as well as the ecclesial development of Presbyterian leaders, will be provided for those serving/preparing to serve PC(USA) congregations as ruling elders and deacons. Focused in large part around a new resource - Coming Alive in Christ: Training for Ruling Elders and Deacons Based on the Constitutional Questions - this leadership development will also include a webinar series, a formation focus within the existing Regarding Ruling Elders article series, and more. Sign up for emails or contact Martha Miller for information.
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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.