The pandemic has brought us a number of challenges. In the beginning, it was whether to suspend in-person worship. Then it quickly became about how we put our worship services online. That segued into how to do session meetings online. It was one thing after another. In some ways, it still is. Although we seem to have turned a corner in the last few weeks, there are still some unsolved quandaries. As churches resume in-person worship, which brings its own set of challenges, it seems one of the biggest questions facing us is how to present meaningful hybrid worship services. Or is that even possible? Many churches report that they have had more people watching their worship services online than they ever had present for in-person worship. When we resume in-person worship, do we just leave those people behind? (...) How can we make worship an opportunity for people to experience the presence of God whether they are in the sanctuary or watching us online?

One thing the pandemic has taught us is that as we re-enter our church buildings, we must do worship differently. This free workshop will share tips, tools, and techniques to help you up your livestreaming game, featuring a variety of resources that are available at little or no cost. Register now for the workshop, which begins at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Music Director (part-time), Elk Hills Presbyterian Church

Elk Hills, just north of Charleston, is seeking a part-time Music Director, who will provide music appropriate for Sunday morning worship services (organ a plus) as well as seasonal services and other church or worship events. For additional information, please contact Personnel Chair Jane Keeney at jkeeney4868@sbcglobal.net.

This is a full-time position with benefits for an initial six-month contract, and the Interim DCE will be permitted to be considered for the permanent position. If you are interested in this role, please email firstpresby@firstpresby.com ASAP. Interviews commence the first week of June, and they hope to hear from qualified candidates within the week.

Seeking energetic, creative music director for part-time salaried position in Lewisburg that entails working within a budget to serve as choir director, facilitate music associated with worship, and work with church youth. Formal music training and ability to play piano or organ preferred. Successful applicant will be required to pass a background check, in accordance with the church's Safe Sanctuary Policy. Email office@oldstonechurchwv.com or call 304-645-2676 to apply.

Edgewood Presbyterian Church has copies of the blue Presbyterian Hymnal free to any congregation in need. Those interested should call the church at 304-645-6536 and leave a message for Larry.

Return to Congregational Singing, 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Register.

Brian Hehn, Director of the Center for Congregational Song, and Karrie Rushing, Music Director of First Presbyterian Church, Greenville, NC and a Presbyterian Association of Musicians board member will lead this panel discussion that includes resources, ideas, and advice to help your congregation return to singing in a way that is safe and practical.

Copyright and the Church, 2 p.m. Wednesday. Register.

Both/And: Maximizing Hybrid Worship Experiences for Online and In-Person Audiences, 2 p.m. June 8. Register.

This 90-minute webinar will consider how churches can create worship for two audiences at the same time - those in the pews and those on their couches - that will keep everyone engaged so no one feels like just a spectator. Topics include creating interactive worship experiences for both groups, bringing the two groups together in real time, alternative opportunities for online audiences watching in-person livestreams, repurposing in-person worship for online audiences, and strategies for adapting practices for both/and audiences. Learn more here. The first 500 registrants who log in on June 8 will attend the live webinar; all others will receive a link to the recording that will be available for 30 days.

Crude roads turn a quick trip to Malawi, Africa’s remote prisons into a day’s journey. Desperate inmates yearn for the arrival of Chaplain Rev. Stanley Chimesya, who travels to eight prisons, taking the Gospel and lifesaving supplies to the forgotten children of God. Visits are few but Rev. Stanley, as he is affectionately called, continues to deliver the hope and light of Jesus, as well as soap, food, water, and essential support to the inmates and their families. The one common denominator for all of these activities is reliable transportation. Rev. Stanley’s former truck was totaled by bad roads in rural Malawi, so now his already very time-consuming travel time is extended by hiring vehicles to take supplies to the prisons, therefore making his visits rare. This mission project is to raise funds to purchase Rev. Stanley a Nissan X-Trail truck to assist in his ministry. PWV Presbyterian Women circles, please consider your monetary and prayer support for this ministry encouraged by the Synod of the Trinity's Presbyterian Women. Checks should be made to PW Synod of the Trinity and mailed to Connie Musgrave, Presbytery of WV PW Treasurer, 127 Wyngate Dr., Barboursville, WV 25504 by Dec. 1, 2021. Share a flyer with your PW circle.

In response to the PC(USA)'s Matthew 25 vision to actively engage in the world around us, the Mission Committee is hosting a free lunchtime speaker series on Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month. Next up, on June 24, Rev. Zac Morton of Morgantown First Presbyterian will speak about houselessness and ways we can act upon it in our own communities. The committee is also planning a Matthew 25 corner in the newsletter and asks churches to share their activities with Robin Ray (pastorrobin@bridgeportpresbyterian.com) or Barbara Chalfant (missions@wvpresbytery.org). 

Yakutat Presbyterian Church is in the isolated Yakutat community of around 600 people, located on the Gulf of Alaska, accessible primarily by plane and lesser so by ferry. The congregation, which continues to celebrate Tlingit heritage and promote the preservation of Tlingit culture, is small but faithful and caring. Without ongoing pastoral leadership, they have struggled to support and grow the congregation. Attempts to bring pastors to Yakutat for multiple weeks at a time to serve the congregation and the community are beginning to bear fruit. If you are a pastor who is interested and available to give two or more weeks to experience Yakutat’s beauty and participate in God’s mission there, please contact Rev. Steve Cort (HR) to learn more: stephencartercort@gmail.com or 724-991-3457.

The West Virginia Council of Churches Faith and Order Program Unit is conducting a survey of how congregations held worship during the pandemic. The goals are to understand the impact of the pandemic on worship in West Virginia, understand what was helpful during this time and what was not helpful, and to design training and resources that might be useful for the future. Click here to take the survey.

Enslow Park (1338 Enslow Blvd., Huntington, WV 25705) is now offering Faith Flow yoga on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. No prior yoga experience required. Joan St. Clair of Studio 8 will lead, as Pastor John Yeager recites verses that follow the teachings and life of Christ through a moving meditation of breathing and various poses. The service also includes the Lord's Supper. Space is limited. Attendees must bring their own mat and mask. Reservations required. Call 304-523-9920 or 304-360-1198 for info.

On April 19, the Center for Congregational Singing shared a link to the full 40-page scientific study update from the University of Colorado Boulder and University of Maryland on Covid risk through aerosol droplets during singing. In addition to that link, the page linked in our headline shares the most important study excerpts in terms of congregational singing, as well as recommendations from the center's director.