What kind of church do we want to be? Even pre-pandemic, we had to deal with that question. Did we want to be known for our music program, our choir, our youth group? Did we want people to think of us as being open, friendly, and welcoming? Or did we want to be known for being mission oriented, justice oriented, or community oriented? These are not necessarily mutually exclusive options. There’s no real reason your church couldn’t be known for more than one thing. You might also be known for your chili suppers, pancake breakfasts, or perhaps your Fall Festival or Christmas Bazaar. I think we have another choice facing us now as we begin to move beyond this pandemic. How will we incorporate the people who are joining us online into the ongoing life of our church?

Has your session looked recently at its personnel processes and policies? This PCUSA guide, designed for congregations of all sizes, explores hiring and oversight of staff, roles of various individuals and groups in the process, compliance with civil law, and more - with reflections on Presbyterian theological perspective and a commitment to equity/inclusion.

William P. Brown, the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary, will present the keynote, “Just Creation: Shalom for our Common Home,” and also lead a workshop on how God comforts Job within the wildness of creation. In addition, several other workshops will be offered. There will be fellowship, learning, and worship for all. Registration information will be sent to those on the newsletter mailing list next week. Early registration deadline is Thursday, March 17. Registration 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.

God’s timing is always right. Sharon Bell was working a secular job, living in Teays Valley, and looking for a call to a Presbyterian church in the area. She had been looking for quite some time and had just decided that with the Covid-19 pandemic going on, she would take her name off the list for a while. Before she did that, she decided to look at the online opportunity list one more time. That was when she saw the Ministry Information Form from Highlawn Church in Huntington. She was attracted to their open and affirming stance and to their love of mission, so she applied, and things went quickly from there. In July 2021, The Rev. Sharon Bell became the pastor of Highlawn Presbyterian Church in Huntington!

This one-day event at Bream Memorial in Charleston will run 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for youth in grades 6-8 and their adult advisors. With all the things that distract us from God, it’s easy to lose oneself in today’s world; this day will be a time to consider opportunities and find one’s spark again in community with others. Youth Council members will provide leadership. Masks will be required. Cost per person is $15, which is due with registration, as are lunch orders. Registration deadline is Thursday, March 3.

The Presbytery of West Virginia’s Youth Council is an integral part of our ministry with youth. It is composed of up to 14 youth and 8 adults, representing the different areas of our presbytery and as many churches as possible. Now is the time of year to consider again whether there are youth in your congregation who would make good members of the council and who might benefit from connecting with other high school youth across the presbytery (particularly if there aren't many/any other youth in your congregation). The Nurture Committee needs your help in identifying and encouraging youth to consider applying to become members of Youth Council. Application deadline is March 31.

Coming home again has been good for Mark Boyd and his family. Mark grew up in Barboursville in the Baptist Church. While in seminary, he discovered that he was not Baptist and had never really been Baptist. He found that he most closely aligned with the Reformed tradition and the Presbyterian Church. While in seminary at Palmer Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Mark served a Presbyterian church in Midia, PA, as director of youth and children’s programs. After ordination, he served as solo pastor of the Park Presbyterian Church in Beaver, PA.