News from the Presbytery's Treasurer

• 2024 Open Enrollment for Board of Pensions
• Feds roll out new Form I-9
• 2024 Pastor Minimum Compensation
• 2024 Per Capita
• 2024 Shared Mission Pledge Request

• 2024 PWV Budget
• Board of Pensions: New Medicare Advantage plan
• 2023 Special Offerings

Festival of Faith workshop applications sought

The 2024 Festival of Faith will be Saturday, April 6. The Festival of Faith Planning Team is currently seeking workshop applications from presbytery committees and staff, as well as individuals within the presbytery. If you have a particular interest or topic that you would like to offer a workshop on, please complete the Workshop Application. The deadline for submitting applications is Nov. 17. Please be aware that workshop slots are limited.  

Could God be calling you to the next Authorized Lay Preacher/Commissioned Pastor Preparation Program?

Plans are underway to begin another cycle of our Authorized Lay Preacher/Commissioned Pastor Preparation Program in January 2024. The purpose of this 3-year program is to prepare ruling elders to be commissioned for pastoral leadership in our congregations. Authorized Lay Preacher provide much needed random pulpit supply preaching. The first year of this program is Presby Prep (see article below) in 2024. Levels 2 and 3, the second and third years, consist of 9 courses in Level 2 and 6 courses in Level 3 that will meet on a Friday night and all day Saturday once a month from January-June and September-November (Level 2 only). There are advance assignments for all courses. While this program takes a significant time commitment, many who have completed it have found it to be a valuable experience as they serve as pastors in some of our congregations or serve as pulpit supply as needed. Check out this video from those who have participated in prior programs.

Presby Prep 2024

Presby Prep is an opportunity to become more knowledgeable about what it means to be Presbyterian and part of the Reformed family of churches. It's also the first year of the presbytery’s Authorized Lay Preacher/Commissioned Pastor Preparation Program. Presby Prep consists of 8 courses, one a month from January – May and September – November, all on Zoom. Each course is 3 hours long and offered on Thursday evenings or Saturday mornings, so you can choose the most convenient time to attend each month. Each course also has an assignment to be completed in advance. The registration deadline to participate in all 8 courses is Nov. 30. Note that in order for Presby Prep to take place in 2024, there must be at least 8 people registered by Nov. 30; otherwise, it will take place in 2025. Questions? Contact Susan Sharp Campbell at 304-667-9428 or susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com.

Getting to know our newer pastors: Rev. Julie Olt

Rev. Julie Olt has served Old Stone Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg since June 18. She finds both the congregation and the community to be warm and welcoming. Both are fun places that are open to new ideas. The church staff is experienced and wonderful at their positions. These assets lead her to dream of a common vision and mission for the church and for the community as well.

George Pritchard

George Pritchard, the long-time Clerk of Session at Baxter Presbyterian Church in Dunmore, passed away on Oct. 13 at age 87. Click here for his obituary. A memorial service was held Oct. 21 at Baxter Presbyterian Church. Memorial gifts can be made to the Dunmore Cemetery Fund, c/o Greg Pritchard, 15249 Browns Creek Road, Dunmore, WV 24934.

Charles Ray "Charlie" Woolcock

Charles Ray Woolcock passed away on Nov. 3 at age 91. An active member of Highlawn Presbyterian Church in Huntington, Charlie was a member of the Presbytery’s Personnel Committee and its antecedents. Click here for his obituary. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 18 at Highlawn Presbyterian and streamed online at www.highlawnpc.org. Memorial gifts can be made to the Highlawn Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 2814 Collis Ave., Huntington, WV 25702 or the Hospice of Huntington, PO Box 464, Huntington, WV 25709.

The Spirit of God calls out to us…

… in our wandering and wondering

… in our weariness and wanting

… in our waiting and worry

The Spirit calls out to us…“Come, all who are thirsty.”

“Let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.” Revelation 22:17

Sometimes our lives and ministry leave us parched and thirsting for a deeper experience of the water of life. The APCE Annual Event will be a time of renewal and reflection as through keynote, worship, workshops, and more, leaders will address how God is able to renew us as we thirst for justice, thirst for life, thirst for kindness and joy. The event is designed for all in educational ministry – pastors, educators, volunteers, and others. It will take place in the newly renovated Union Station Hotel and Amusement Complex, and for those unable to be in St. Louis, there will also be an online option on Zoom. Complete information, including registration, can be found here. Early registration, which offers the lowest cost, ends Nov. 30. For more information, contact Susan Sharp Campbell at susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com or 304-667-9428.

Help erase medical debt of neighbors living in the Synod

Bower Hill Community Church in the Pittsburgh Presbytery is inviting other churches in the Synod of the Trinity to join in a crowd-funding campaign to eliminate medical debt for our neighbors living in the synod's geographic area (all of PA, southeastern Ohio and most of WV). It is estimated that one in five families in the US is struggling with medical debt, which is one of the major factors in bankruptcy in this country and bankruptcy is a factor in homelessness. Bower Hill is working with RIP Medical Debt, a four-star, 100-percent Charity Navigator nonprofit organization that buys portfolios of medical debt for a reduced price and works to eliminate them. The goal for Bower Hill's campaign is $500,000, which could abolish nearly $50 million of medical debt. If you or your church is interested in participating, you can share these flyers with more information (this one is for those who have internet access, this one is for those who don't). For more on the campaign, click here. Email miewaldmac@gmail.com with any questions.