December 22, 2016        Issue #90
Quickly go to the articles listed by clicking on the title below.

Use the QUICK LINKS at the bottom of this column to be easily directed to additional news.

Email Presbytery staff using the directory below.

 


   

 










When's the last time 
you checked 
out the 
Presbytery website?   www.wvpresbytery.org
 
stafflist
Presbytery Staff

Ed Thompson
General Presbyter
Maureen Wright
Stated Clerk, Associate for Congregational Support

Rocky Poole
Financial Administration/Treasurer

Barbara Chalfant
Associate Presbyter for Mission

Susan Sharp Campbell
Associate for Educational Ministry

Nellie Howard
Resource Center Director

Mark Miller
Bluestone Camp Director

Office Administrator/Communications

pray4churchesPrayer List For Churches

Week 1 - January 1
Alderson Presbyterian Church
Waverly Bethel Presbyterian Church
In Kenya:  Kangaita Church and Youth Polytech   (KAH-gah-EETAH)

Week 2 - January 8
DuPont City Presbyterian Church, Belle
Frankford Presbyterian Church
Hughes River Presbyterian Church, Cairo
In Kenya: Gichira (GAY she-RAH) Presbyterian Church

Week 3 - January 15
Marsh Fork Presbyterian Church, Dry Creek
Village Chapel Presbyterian Church, Charleston
Valley Bend Presbyterian Church, Beverly
In Kenya: Kabiru (KahBEEroo) Presbyterian Church

Week - 4 - January 22
Pineville Presbyterian Church
Rock Forge Presbyterian Church, Morgantown
In Kenya: Gaaki (GAH-key) Parish 

Included in this enews is the list of churches to pray for during 2017.
Quick Links
 

Bluestone
a
a



Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
edthompsonA Word from our General Presbyter
Ed Thompson
I have to say that most of the time I love my job. Occasionally someone will say, "I can't imagine doing what you do." I think, "Why not? This is a hoot." I love visiting churches. I love listening to their stories and learning about their history. I love talking to pastors, finding out what they've been doing and what they plan to do. I love going to meetings, whether it's a session meeting, a Pastor Nominating Committee meeting, or a presbytery committee meeting. It's fun helping people solve problems. It's fun offering people new perspectives and new ideas. It's fun finding a way forward and seeing hope emerge.  
One thing I miss though . . . click here to read more. 

statedclerk
A Note from the Stated Clerk
All Clerks of Session and pastoral leaders will be receiving a year end mailing.  The mailing contains the relevant information for the annual Statistical Report, the Clerk's Questionnaire, Pastor Compensation Report, Necrology Report, the dates of the Session Record Reviews and details of the January Equipping Disciples events that focus on the Revised Directory for Worship which will be voted on at the February 25, 2017 presbytery meeting.  Please use the forms found in this mailing.  The documents on the website will be updated in as soon as there is a new Director of Communications/Office Administrator in place.  The deadline for year-end reports is January 31, 2017.  The Statistical Report deadline is February 16, 2017.  Additional copies of this mailing are available in the presbytery office.

treasurer
From the Presbytery's Treasurer
As the year comes to an end, I want to encourage our churches to remit any amount remaining in Shared Mission pledge, Per Capita, OR other benevolence payments for 2016.  
The General Assembly is allowing us a little extra time to submit payments for this fiscal year. Please forward all remaining 2016 contributions to the Presbytery office by Tuesday, January 19, and those contributions will be included in 2016 records.

Some of our churches have already made pledges for the 2017 Shared Mission benevolence.  I would urge all our churches to return their pledge card to this office and to please do so at your earliest convenience, no matter what the response. 
If you have any questions about mission pledge, Per Capita, or other benevolences, please let us know  (call 304-744-7644, or email:  treasurer@wvpresbytery.org). 
Thank you.   Rocky Pool
prayerconcernsPrayer Concerns
Nancy Frame is the Clerk of Session at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charleston. Pray for her recovery following open heart surgery at Duke Medical Center.

Nancy Martin, the CRE at the Oak Hill Presbyterian Church had a heart attack on November 29. She is now doing well and back home.
_________________________________
sympathiesSympathies
Sympathy to the family of Donald Steele who died October 2, 2016. Rev. Steele was ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Hinton, served Spencer and Ruffner churches, and, among other things, was on the staff of the Greenbrier Presbytery.

Sympathy to Reverend Christina Tutterow and family on the death of her father, George Baisley, who passed away on December 15 in Virginia. Please keep Christina (interim at Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church in Charleston) and her mother, Sally, in your prayers.

Sympathy to the Reverend Margaret (Mickey) Rogers dePrater and family on the death of her husband, the Reverend Doctor William Arthur dePrater, III, who passed away December 17 in North Carolina.  Most recently Rev. dePrater was interim at Beckley Presbyterian Church and a member of the committee on ministry. 

Sympathy to the family and friends of the Reverend Doctor Edward Bowen who passed away December 19. Rev. Bowen was the Parish Associate at First Presbyterian Church in Huntington, and former pastor of Bates Memorial Presbyterian Church in Huntington.

__________________________________
specialvisitorsSpecial Visitors
Patrick and Katherine Nderitu from Nyeri, Kenya,will be visiting Jim and Ginger Carrano on  December 14, 2016, through January 14, 2017 . Please send cards of warm wishes in care of Jim Carrano - 210 11th Street, Parkersburg, WV 26101 or contact Jim Carrano at  (304) 615.3211 i f you are going to be in Parkersburg and would like to visit with Patrick and Katherine.
susannewsNews from the Associate for Educational Ministry 
Susan Sharp-Campbell

Youth in Service - Mission Possible*
will take place at three sites around the Presbytery 
WHO: Youth in grades 6-12 and their Adult Advisors  
DATES:   February 4, 2017: 10 am - 4 pm. 
             Registration Deadline: January 19.
Projects will vary and will focus on helping those in need. 
"Equipping Disciples" is back!*
The proposed Revised Directory for Worship will be the focus of these events taking place at several sites . . . 
High School Youth Invited to Montreat*
July 15-22 is the week for WV youth at Montreat in North Carolina.  
Educators Gatherings 
are designed for those actively serving as professionals or volunteers in the educational ministry of their congregations.  Please participate as you are able. The gatherings will be at the presbytery office in South Charleston from 10 am - 1:30 pm on these Mondays: January 9, February 6, March 13, April 17 (tentative), and May 15. For more information, or to be added to the educators email list, please contact Susan Sharp Campbell.

Educator, Clergy,and CRE Retreat
FEBRUARY 27-28, 2017, AT HAWKS NEST STATE PARK. 
While details for this event are being finalized, Carl Horton, from the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, will be the presenter for this event.  Complete information will be  emailed to Christian educators, Teaching Elders and Commissioned Ruling Elders later in December.

Looking Ahead:  The Younger Youth Retreat 
for those in grades 6-8 and their adult advisors, will be held Friday, March 3 - Saturday, March 5, at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley. Retreat information and registration forms will be sent to church leaders in early January.

Mark your calendars for the FESTIVAL OF FAITH, APRIL 1, 2017 
Jessica Tate, Director of NEXT Church ( www.nextchurch.net ), will be our keynote presenter for Festival of Faith, April 1, at First Presbyterian Church, Charleston. In addition to the keynote presentation focusing on how there has been a shift in Amer ican religious life in the midst of cultural trends affecting church life, and signs of new life in the church, Jessica will also lead a workshop looking at patterns and practices that creative and courageous congregations are using to navigate the cultural changes in religious and community life. PLUS worship, workshops, fellowship and fun for all ages.  Info packets will be sent to churches in early January and posted on the presbytery's website.
decnews
December News from the Stewardship of Creation Ministry Team

    10 Tips for a Simpler More Meaningful Christmas

      Environmental Shopper

        Labyrinth in Marion County

          Solar Power

             and more! (Click right here!)

organist
Part-Time Church Organist Wanted
First Presbyterian Church - Saint Albans, WV
Part-time 10-15 Hrs/week
Responsibilities include planning, leading, and playing for sanctuary worship service on Sunday mornings as well as any additional special services and events. Salary will be based on expertise and experience.  Send cover letter, resume, three references, and salary requirements to:  First Presbyterian Church C/O Staffing - 201 Kanawha Terrace Saint Albans WV 25177.  Direct telephone inquiries to  (681) 235-2232 .  Please, no in-person or telephone inquiries to church.
job
Part Time Discipleship Ministry Coordinator Wanted
First Presbyterian Church in Fairmont WV is currently seeking a
part-time Discipleship Ministry Coordinator to lead and to grow our educational ministries. This position requires . . . Click here to continue reading.

wvsu
WV State University Campus Ministry
In 2015 the Westminster Foundation requested area churches in the Kanawha Valley consider campus ministry at WVSU in Institute . . .
praylist
"Pray For" List of Churches for 2017*
Ready for you to include in local newsletters and weekly bulletins, the "Pray For" list includes the churches of the Presbytery of WV and our partner churches in Kenya. Click Here.
synodtrin
Read the Synod News by clicking HERE. 
schlar
Unique Scholarship Opportunity
Davis & Elkins College is seeking students who are interested in applying for a unique scholarship opportunity that focuses on faith, ethics, public policy, sustainability and service. This is a competitive scholarship for highly qualified and motivated individuals. Please share this information with potential students and encourage them to contact the Admission office for more information. Click HERE for the information flyer.
*Also on the webpage
You will find located on the Home page of the website (scroll down past the photo) direct links to recent newsletters, Equipping Disciples events, Ministry Toolbox events, the Pray-For church list for 2017, Youth in Service, Youth at Montreat, and Enews Archives. Please let us know how we can improve the website and whenever you encounter any problem with it. Thank you.
Editor's Note:
In order to keep the  PWV Newsletter  fresh,  articles sent 
for publication will generally run for two consecutive issues.  
If you wish for a piece to continue to run, please resubmit. 
We encourage you to reword, add a photo (or different photo), 
or change the piece in some way so that the news stays 
fresh and interesting. 
Presbytery of West Virginia, 520 Second Avenue,  South Charleston, WV 25303
Phone (304) 744-7634, Fax (304) 744-7649, 

Office Hours: Monday -Thursday  8:30AM-5:30PM