Issue 231 | February 9, 2023

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Don't forget to register here for next Thursday's Presbytery Meeting on Zoom. The registration deadline is Sunday, with the log-in information being sent to registrants on Monday.

A Word from our General Presbyter

We’re making progress. The Leadership Team report for the February 16 Stated Presbytery Meeting gives some of the details of what will be emerging over the next few months. It’s basically a two-track process. One track will be searching for a Transitional General Presbyter that will work with the presbytery to keep things going during a “Season of Discernment.” The other track involves working with a consultant to help the presbytery discern its priorities, its structure, and its staffing during this “Season of Discernment.”

Registration deadline is Friday!

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. Presented by Richard Boyce, Associate Professor Emeritus of Preaching and Pastoral Care (and former Academic Dean) at Union Presbyterian Seminary. The retreat runs lunchtime Monday to lunchtime Tuesday. The overnight rate is $120 per person; the commuter rate, which includes all meals, is $80. Contact Susan Sharp Campbell at 304-667-9428 or susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com.

2023 Presbytery Directory: deadline for churches to send their information, request a hard copy of the directory

Has your church sent in its 2023 directory information to the Presbytery office? If not, please do so by MONDAY, FEB. 20! You can fill out this form, then email it to office@wvpresbytery.org or mail it to Presbytery of WV, PO Box 11720, Charleston, WV 25339. It is important that we get this information, so we can keep the directory up-to-date.


Once we get the directory prepared, we will put together a hard copy version that will be mailed out by early April to any church or individual requesting one. If you would like to be on the request list, please email office@wvpresbytery.org or call Amy Robinson at 304-744-7634 by March 15. Remember, the directory is also on our website; if you need the password to access it there, contact Amy.

News from the Presbytery's Treasurer

  • 2023 Shared Mission Pledge Request
  • Sending Benevolence to the Presbytery
  • Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in Turkey
  • 2023 IRS standard mileage
  • 2023 Per Capita
  • 2023 Special Offerings
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Expanding Your Ministry Toolbox:

I Love to Tell the Story

9:30-4:30 Saturday, March 4 at Village Chapel, Charleston and on Zoom

This preaching course will focus on the power of stories to communicate the gospel. Donna Giver-Johnston, Director of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry Program, who has served as a pastor in small, medium, and large churches, will lead participants in telling their stories, listening to the stories of others, and finding impactful sermon illustrations. Cost is $40 per person. Register by Feb. 23.

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 has been sent by email and is available on the Presbytery's website.

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 are on the Presbytery's website. For more information, contact Susan Sharp Campbell at susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com or 304-667-9428. 

Teaching Social Justice in Comfortable Congregations

7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2 on Zoom

Let's be honest - teaching social justice in comfortable congregations often makes us quite uncomfortable. Yet, by equipping disciples to read our sacred texts and current contexts for understanding and discernment, space is made for the Spirit’s leading in considering Christ, culture, and faithful living. This free webinar will be led by Rev. Dr. Rebecca Davis, Associate Professor of Christian Education and the Director of the Center for Excellence in Christian Education at Union Presbyterian Seminary (Charlotte, NC). A former Christian Educator in Huntington, she is a Minister of Word and Sacrament and a Certified Christian Educator in the PCUSA. Before her call to full-time academic teaching at Presbyterian College and now UPSem, she served in congregations and on presbytery staff for over 25 years. She now teaches those preparing for leadership and advocacy in the church and the world. The webinar is sponsored by the East Region of the Association of Partners in Christian Education (APCE). Register here; after registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Elaine Johnson

Elaine Johnson, the mother of Honorably Retired minister member of the presbytery Rick Johnson, passed away Jan. 30 at age 102. Click here for an obituary. A memorial service was held Feb. 8. Memorial donations can be made to Marietta Alliance Church, 1787 East Piedmont Rd., Marietta, GA 30062.

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Getting to know our newer pastors: Jim Musgrave

In September 2022, Jim Musgrave officially became the new Commissioned Pastor to Gilbert and Logan First Presbyterian Churches. Jim is not, however, new to the Presbytery or those churches. Those of us who have been in this presbytery for awhile have been privileged to see his warmly smiling face for many years. Jim has been active on the Committee on Ministry, Nominating, Vocations, and, most recently, Relations committees.


Jim grew up in the First Presbyterian Church of Huntington. As a teenager, people in the church often said that Jim would be a pastor someday. It turns out they were right, but it took a little longer for Jim to get there.

Enslow Park conducts strategic discernment process

On Jan. 27-28, Enslow Park Presbyterian conducted a strategic discernment process to align the church's vision with God's vision. Approximately 20 members of the congregation participated, but all were encouraged to pray. Led by Jody Christian, a trained facilitator and strategic planner, the event was preceded by a four-part series of sermons by Pastor John Yeager, loosely based on the work of "Say Yes: How God-Sized Dreams Take Flight" author Britt Mooney. At the event, the group completed a detail evaluation using a SWOT analysis identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, which led to a definition of the church's purpose, followed by a definition of their priorities.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance kit delivery in April

Dr. Joseph Reed, a ruling elder of Buckhannon First Presbyterian Church, is traveling to Little Rock, Arkansas on Sunday, April 9, and is willing to deliver Presbyterian Disaster Assistance “Gift of the Heart” kits to Ferncliff Camp & Conference Center. If your church or group has any kits for delivery, please contact Dr. Reed at jbreed1@frontier.com or 304-472-2146 to make arrangements.

Learn more about FEMA Nonprofit Security Grants at upcoming free webinars

FEMA's Grant Programs Directorate invites nonprofit organizations to participate in upcoming webinars regarding the Fiscal Year 2023 Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which provides funding support for physical and cyber security resources to help prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, as well as integrate nonprofit preparedness activities with broader state and local preparedness efforts. For all attendees, it is strongly recommended to review the existing NSGP resources, particularly the How to Apply section, prior to your webinar.


The webinars, which begin at 2 p.m., will introduce the grant program and the application process. (Each webinar will present the same content, including key changes from 2022 to 2023.) Advance registration is required. Each of the following dates is a registration link; click on the date to register for the webinar of your choice - Feb. 16, March 3, March 8, March 30, April 4, April 25 or May 4. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Adobe Connect meeting. Check your junk/spam folder as some email filters may redirect the attendance confirmation email there. 

State of Appalachia Conference becomes Faith & Community in Appalachia Conference

March 24-25 at Chief Logan State Park

This gathering of Appalachians envisioning the future in ecumenical community provides a place for reflection on the issues facing Appalachia today, opportunities for networking, and a time to renew your spirit. It features workshops, group discussions, speakers, and more. Registration is $100, which includes meals but not lodging. Click here to register. For lodging, call Chief Logan State Park at 304-855-6100 by March 1 to receive the discounted rate using the group code GS1015 or the conference name.

PCUSA job opportunities

Nearly 20 jobs are available, primarily at the Presbyterian Mission Agency in Louisville. Interested? Click here.

Kanawha United's Braveheart Fellowship to host Valentine party for young adults with developmental disabilities

Braveheart Fellowship is Kanawha United's outreach to teens and young adults with developmental disabilities. Their mission is to offer opportunities for social interaction through fun, stress-free events that are cost-free and open to everyone. The church is located at 1009 Virginia St. E. in downtown Charleston. For more information, contact Susan Marrash-Minnerly at srkmminnerly@gmail.com or 304-549-5749.

Valley Hospice seeks chaplain for Wheeling facility

Valley Hospice, which operates Liza's Place Care Center South near Oglebay Park, is in search of a full-time chaplain for the Wheeling facility. Interested parties can check out the full job description and contact Natalie Bolock, VP of Human Resources & Administration, at nbolock@valleyhospice.org or 740-859-5650.

QUICK LINKS

Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network

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.
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