Healthy Boundary Training workshops this spring

The Committee on Ministry sponsors workshops on healthy boundaries in ministry including financial, social media, and relationship boundaries as well as sexual misconduct prevention and child and youth protection. These events strengthen and refresh skills for all presbytery leaders as well as comply with the policies of the Presbytery and the Book of Order. All leaders – ministers of Word and Sacrament; Certified Christian Educators; Certified Associate Christian Educators; Commissioned Pastors; candidates, inquirers, and supply preachers; officers and employees of the Presbytery; members of committees, councils, and commissions – are required to complete a Healthy Boundary Training workshop. The Book of Order requires that training be completed every 36 months. The Committee on Ministry and the Vocations Committee are tasked with implementing this updated requirement. Workshops throughout the Presbytery will be offered this spring. All presbytery leaders are encouraged to attend; those who completed training prior to April 2022 are required to attend. The workshops will be led by Susan Sharp Campbell and Maureen Wright. There is no cost, and lunch will be provided. Please make a reservation for the event of your choice by emailing or calling the Presbytery office.

The five Healthy Boundary Training workshops scheduled are below. Please note that the final event on June 18 is considered a "last call" event.

• Wednesday, April 30 – Bridgeport Presbyterian Church, 10 AM to 3 PM
• Saturday, May 17 – Beckley Presbyterian Church, 10 AM to 3 PM
• Thursday, May 22 – Huntington Area, 10 AM to 3 PM
• Saturday, May 31 – Charleston Area, 10 AM to 3 PM
• Wednesday, June 18 – Village Chapel Presbyterian Church, 10 AM to 3 PM

Spring Youth Retreat to focus on friendship

April 27 at Coonskin Park, Charleston

This retreat for those in grades 6-12 and adults who work/live with them will run 10 AM-5 PM at Coonskin's Columbia Shelter. (If the weather isn’t cooperative, it will be held at Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church.) Using stories from scripture and pop culture, members of the presbytery’s Youth Council will lead participants in exploring what it means to be a friend. The cost per person is $20, which includes lunch. The registration deadline is MONDAY. Questions? Please contact Susan Sharp Campbell, susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com or 304-667-0428. 

Grants & loans for post-secondary education

The presbytery, through its Nurture Committee, has $1,000 loans available for those seeking post-secondary education; there are also some grant monies available in amounts that vary each year. You will find the application form for these loans and grants here. Please share this information with those in your church, especially high school seniors and parents, although these are not limited to those graduating this year. The application deadline is April 30, including the return of reference letters. Those who have received loans/grants in the past and who wish to renew them should submit a written request, including a brief description of their past year, to susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com or Presbytery of WV, c/o Susan Sharp Campbell, 683 Dwyer Lane, Lewisburg, WV 24901. They do not have to submit the entire application. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Sharp Campbell at 304-667-9428 or the above email. 

Youth Council nominations/applications being accepted

In a time when there are fewer youth in our congregations, the presbytery’s Youth Council offers a place for youth to find support, develop leadership skills, and grow in their faith. Do you know youth who are currently in grades 8-11 who might enjoy participating and serving on the Youth Council? If so, please share the information linked above with them. There is also a need for adults who enjoy working with youth to serve in partnership with the youth. If that’s you, please consider applying. If that’s someone else you know in your congregation, please share the information with them. Each congregation/session is invited to nominate youth and/or adults to serve on youth council, realizing that we are committed to involving people from as many churches as possible. Apply by April 30.

LOOKING AHEAD

Commissioned Pastor/Authorized Lay Preacher Retreat

The 2025 Commissioned Pastor/Authorized Lay Preacher Retreat will be held at Jackson’s Mill near Weston on Friday, Aug. 1 and Saturday, Aug. 2. The theme this year is “Worship for Such a Time as This.” This event will begin with dinner on Friday evening and end with worship on Saturday afternoon. Workshops will focus on the PCUSA Confessional Standards of the 20th century, preaching, and liturgy for leading worship in times of turmoil, chaos, uncertainty, and disorder. Complete information and registration will be available in mid-May. 

SAVE THE DATES

Another Authorized Lay Preacher/Commissioned Pastor Preparation Program to begin in September with Presby Prep

Presby Prep is the first, required year of the ALP/CP Preparation Program, which prepares those who would become commissioned to pastoral service as Commissioned Pastors and those who serve as random pulpit supply as Authorized Lay Preachers. It is also an opportunity to become more knowledgeable about what it means to be Presbyterian and part of the Reformed family of churches. Presby Prep is open to anyone, whether or not you’re sensing a call to serve in pastoral leadership or pulpit supply. If you’d just like to grow in your faith, understanding, and knowledge of what it means to be Presbyterian, Presby Prep is the place for you. It will consist of 8 monthly courses (September-November 2025 and January-May 2026), which are 3 hours long and offered on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings. Each course also has an assignment to be completed in advance. The dates for these courses are Sept. 18 & 20, Oct. 23 & 25, Nov. 20 & 22, Jan, 15 & 17, Feb. 5 & 7, March 12 & 14, April 9 & 11, and May 7 & 9. A minimum of 8 participants is needed for this to happen; otherwise, it will begin in January 2026. Look for more information and a registration form later this spring. Questions? Please contact Susan Sharp Campbell at 304-667-9428 or susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com. 

Get a Bluestone Camp promotional toolkit here!

News from the Presbytery's Treasurer

• 2025 Per Capita
• 2025 IRS mileage
• 2025 Special Offerings Calendar
• Church treasurers and finance committees

Good Friday Tenebrae service to be held in St. Albans

All are invited to a special time of worship on Good Friday, April 18, at 7 PM at Riverlawn Presbyterian Church, 2008 Pennsylvania Ave., St. Albans. Dating back to before the 8th century, the service of Tenebrae progresses from light to dark. The word Tenebrae literally means “shadows.” As each candle is extinguished, it symbolizes the shadows that surrounded Jesus and the cross. Total darkness reminds us of Christ’s death and the tomb. The readers represent all of humanity sharing in responsibility for Jesus sacrifice for our sins. Please join and remember in such a powerful way the sacrifice of our Savior. This annual Tenebrae service is a joint offering of four churches: First, Highlawn, and Riverlawn Presbyterian Churches of St. Albans and First Presbyterian Church of Nitro. 

Presbyterian Youth Triennium seeks volunteers for Care Team and Hotel Team

The Care Team and Hotel Team will play a vital role in creating a safe and welcoming Triennium community and making PYT possible. The Care Team supports the well-being of all PYT participants at events in the Convention Center and as they move to and from their hotels. The Hotel Team helps to nurture a positive, hopeful, and safe environment in which youth and adult participants feel welcome and safe at each hotel. Serving on one of these teams is an awesome opportunity to support families, engage in youth ministry, invest in the next generation of Presbyterians, and be a part of Triennium in a different way. For more information and to apply, visit the PYT Community Life page. Questions? Contact the Community Life Coordinators at pytcommunitylife@gmail.com.

2025 Presbyterian Women synod regional gatherings

The Presbyterian Women of the Synod of the Trinity will hold their annual regional gatherings this summer. PWV is in the Southwest Region, which will hold its gathering on July 21-22 at the Best Western Plus in Bridgeport. For more information, including a registration form, use the link above.

Regarding Ruling Elders: A Monthly Series for Serving Faithfully

Rooted: The Foundations of Presbyterian Polity — The Rules that Make Play Possible

The Foundations of Presbyterian Polity section of the PC(USA) Book of Order explores the theology that undergirds the rest of the Book. It does so because polity is so important as a way of living out our affirmation of faith and because polity can easily go wrong.

2025 Bible & Church Music Conference at Massanetta Springs

Family camp meets continuing education at this conference for all ages of worship leaders. Whether you are ordained or a layperson, staff or volunteer or congregant, there are plenty of opportunities to learn, practice, and worship together. Scholarships are available, and first timers only pay for lodging and meals!