Expanding Your Ministry Toolbox: How to Be a Hybrid Church

9:30-4:30 Jan. 19 on Zoom

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: TODAY

Today, churches are faced with a new challenge as they consider how to minister both in person and online. Churches are beginning to build the bridge between what they did, what they’re doing now, and what they will do in the future. Discover why becoming a hybrid church is about more than the addition or maintenance of a virtual worship service. Learn how to honor both parts of your congregation equally and to engage those who worship primarily online. The cost per person for this course is $40. Registrants will receive the Zoom link on Jan. 17. Questions? Email susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com.

2022 year-end benevolence processing

PWV Treasurer Rocky Poole wants to encourage churches to remit any amount remaining in your Shared Mission pledge, Per Capita, or other benevolence payments for 2022. The General Assembly is allowing us a little extra time to submit payments for this fiscal year, so please, forward all remaining 2022 contributions to the Presbytery office by FRIDAY, and they will be included in the 2022 records.

Officer Training 101 to be repeated

2:30-5:30 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 5 and 12 on Zoom

Some congregation may have held their elections of ruling elders and deacons too late to participate in Zoom Officer Training in November, so there is another chance coming up. The two-session course, built around the questions asked of ruling elders and deacons at the time of their ordination/installation, is connected, so participants should plan to attend both days. Participants will need a copy of the PCUSA Book of Order, which can be ordered here or downloaded here. Register by Monday, Jan. 30. People may register as individuals or register a group. To register, send an email with your name, church, email address, and phone number to susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com. If registering more than one person, please include email addresses for everyone. NOTE: this is a repeat course from November 2022 but a different design from previous years.

2023 Educator, Clergy, CP, and ALP Retreat

Feb. 20-21 at St. John XXIII Pastoral Center in Charleston

"Gift vs. Grasp" is the focus of this retreat for educators, clergy, Commissioned Pastors, and Authorized Lay Preachers. It will explore shifts in power throughout the church and society using stories from the Succession Narratives in the Hebrew scriptures as we think about getting and letting go of power and influence, and the ways these decisions reflect our experience and understanding of God. Richard Boyce, Associate Professor Emeritus of Preaching and Pastoral Care (and former Academic Dean) at Union Presbyterian Seminary, will be the presenter. The retreat will run from lunchtime Monday to lunchtime Tuesday. The overnight rate is $120 per person, with a reduced rate for a second person from the same church; the commuter rate, which includes all meals, is $80. Register by Friday, Feb. 10. If you have questions, please contact Susan Sharp Campbell at 304-667-9428 or susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com.

SAVE THE DATE!

Festival of Faith 2023

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 1 at Charleston First Presbyterian Church

Teri McDowell Ott, Editor of The Presbyterian Outlook, will be the keynote presenter for this year's Festival of Faith, which will have the theme "Necessary Risks." Her keynote will focus on "Embracing a Love Ethic," which can guide us in these divisive, polarized days of "purple" churches, where listening well, embracing humility, and encouraging vulnerability in our conversations with people of diverse perspectives are important. Additionally, she will lead two workshops. The first will be on "Living a Love Ethic," which will build on the keynote's "whys" of embracing a love ethic and focus on the "hows" of living a love ethic in everyday life, including practices and strategies to engage with others across lines of difference. The second will focus on the work and vision of The Presbyterian Outlook, the PC(USA)'s only independent publication. Plus, there will be several other workshops, a time of worship, and fellowship throughout the day. Complete information and registration forms will be sent by email to the presbytery's mailing list in early February.

Spring youth retreat planned for April at Jackson's Mill

Following the successful Fall Youth Retreat for grades 6-12 that was held at Bluestone in November, there will be a Spring Youth Retreat at Jackson's Mill April 14-16. While all middle and high school youth are invited, the focus is on having a retreat that will be closer to our youth in churches in the northern part of the presbytery. The retreat will be led by members of the presbytery's Youth Council around the theme of "A More Loving World." Complete details, including registration forms, will be sent by email and through the newsletter in late February/early March. For more information, contact Susan Sharp Campbell at susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com or 304-667-9428. 

Ryan Dunfee

Ryan Dunfee, son of Westminster Presbyterian Church pastor Bill Dunfee, passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 2, 2023 at age 39. A former three-sport athlete and musical talent, he was a middle school social studies teacher. Click here for an obituary. Contributions can be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 708 54th St., Vienna, WV 26105, in memory of Ryan.

Getting to know our newer pastors: Rev. Dr. Boyd Purcell

Boyd Purcell has been a member of this presbytery for more than 30 years and is well known to many of you. He has served a number of small churches throughout the presbytery and served as pulpit supply in several others. Now, he finds himself serving the First Presbyterian Church of Ripley. He became acquainted with the Ripley church by being asked to preach there as pulpit supply while they were without a pastor. In a very short time, the church asked Boyd if he would sign a covenant with them and become their Stated Supply Pastor. Boyd was happy to do this.

Pianist sought at Winfield Presbyterian

Winfield is seeking a pianist to accompany hymns and responses for its Sunday morning services. No choir or organist duties are required. The position would require the pianist to coordinate with the pastor to plan the hymns, prelude, offertory, and postlude music prior to the weekly 11 a.m. service, which is also livestreamed on Facebook. The pianist will be using a full-sized Yamaha Clavinova keyboard, and the church uses the 1990 blue Presbyterian Hymnal. Salary is $50 per week. Contact Rev. David Bush at 304-562-3365 or winfieldssprchr@yahoo.com or David Gladkosky at 304-550-1598 or dgladkosky@gmail.com.