Two years ago, there was a flood in Mingo County. For 14 families on Elmer Brown Drive in Delbarton, it was a day that changed everything. The flood waters cut into the hill under the bridge they relied on, and the side of the state road caved in, causing the structure of the bridge to fall 3 feet, twisting the metal and making the bridge unpassable.

     The families were cut off from direct access to schools, medical help and easy access to supplies. As the water receded, they found paths to get in and out. But hauling groceries down a railroad track, across a stream, up a bank and a mile down a gravel road by wheelbarrow is a bit more labor intensive than driving home in a car.  None of the 14 families, though, had the resources to rebuild the bridge, and it was not a state-owned bridge.

First Presbyterian, Logan celebrates many blessings on Pentecost

	Rev. Jim Musgrave preaches at First Presbyterian in Logan on Pentecost. (Photo by Lisa Haddox-Heston)

     On Sunday, June 4, the congregation and friends of First Presbyterian Church of Logan celebrated! While a Pentecost celebration is not unusual in Presbyterian congregations, the number of things celebrated in addition to Pentecost was noteworthy.

     As a group, the congregation removed the older blue hymnals from the pews and replaced them with the beautiful, purple Glory to God hymnals that were provided with a generous gift from the late Liz Spurlock, a member of the congregation and choir.  At the same time, they dedicated and celebrated recent renovations to their sanctuary and received a new member into their flock. 

     Finally, in a time filled with very mixed emotions, they released Jim Musgrave from his covenant for interim service with the congregation. Jim has been a true friend to everyone there during the last 2.5 years of their search process. They rejoice that they had this time with Jim and will miss his Ministry of Soup, but they look forward to their new friendship that is set to begin in mid-July with their newly-called minister, Rev. Kevin Geurink.  

Eleanor Presbyterian Church opens the town's first Little Free Library

     Little Free Libraries are a global phenomenon. The small, front yard book exchanges number 36,000 in 70 countries around the world. Now, there is one at Eleanor Presbyterian Church! Located in front of the church at 205 Eleanor Circle, the town's first Little Free Library will allow people to take a book, share it and give books of their own.

     The Little Free Library was dedicated at noon on Sunday, June 18, following the church's worship service. Debbie Yeager thought of the library as a way for her church to give back to the community. Pastor John Yeager built the library as a replica of the church - even down to the red front door. The books are free for everyone to share and pass on. People may also bring their own books to leave in the library. Books will be for all ages and cover a variety of subjects.

     Each year, nearly 10 million books are shared in Little Free Libraries. Debbie said, "We at Eleanor Presbyterian Church are glad to do this as Disciples of Christ with love."  

Check out the June Older Adult Ministry Newsletter for the Presbytery of WV

First Presby Poetry Nights

Rock Lake Arts Camp

Faith & Family Night at WV Power Park

Davis-Stuart Executive Director

     Since the recent resignation of its former Executive Director, the Davis-Stuart, Inc. Board of Directors has appointed a search committee that has reviewed and updated the position description for the Executive Director. Applications will be accepted through Aug. 15.

     The successful candidate will possess an advanced level degree in an area of human services or a behavioral health field from an accredited graduate school. Experience in management in a congregate or group care setting is preferred. Prior experience in the financial aspects of nonprofit work is a plus.  It is desired but not required for the Executive Director to be a licensed behavioral health provider or capable of licensure. Because this agency is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a commitment to work with the denomination and the presbytery and to operate the agency within that covenant relationship is required. The Executive Director shall fulfill all requirements related to employment within a residential child care facility that would apply to staff primarily working directly with residents, including background checks and a drug screening. A valid driver's license is required.

     The mission of this agency involves providing residential therapeutic treatment to adolescents. While this is an administrative position, it is expected that the Executive Director shall interact on a regular basis with staff, residents, legislators, licensure officials, donors, potential donors, residents' family members, judges and court personnel. The ability to interact in a positive and meaningful way is essential to this position. Good written and verbal communication skills are important. 

     To apply for this position, please send a letter of interest and resume to Susan Perry, P.O. Box 112, Logan, WV 25601 or email those documents to her at [email protected].  

Upcoming events from The Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary

News from the Associate for Educational Ministry Susan Sharp Campbell 

	Glenville Presbyterian recognized as an Earth Care Congregation at the May 18 Presbytery Meeting.

     In 2016, Glenville Presbyterian Church began pursuing the goal of becoming a certified Earth Care Congregation.  The certification was completed with the assistance and many helpful ideas of child volunteers and members of the church. Together, they thought of concepts and key points to fulfill each of the four required elements and began to see their church property in an entirely new way.  

     Through the leadership of Pastor Karen Kinney, the church enveloped a more environmentally-aware worship and promoted environmental education through enrichment, stewardship and outreach, thus impacting the maintenance and upkeep of their facility. A more efficient heating and cooling system was installed, native gardens were planned and installed and future plans were developed for their official Wildlife Habitat and worship space.  They even highlighted their grounds as a habitat that met the needs of the once-native Carolina Mantid in an ongoing conservation effort by a professor at the local college, who used the habitat as a drop point to reintroduce the mantids into the wild.

     Glenville Presbyterian Church is dedicated to being stewards of God's earth. They write, "We look forward to what we can do as a church together to promote the importance of environmental preservation and conservation. We have the privilege of seeing and understanding. We have the responsibility of caring. We have the joy of celebrating. We are full of the grace of creation. We are graceful. We are grateful. We rejoice in all life."

First Presbyterian, Charleston

     The director will  develop and promote the mission of outreach to visitors and be able to articulate the Gospel clearly to those new to the faith, plus work with the Leadership Staff and congregation to gather new people into the life and work of the church and engage existing members to encourage more involvement in our ministries.

     The successful candidate will extend Christian hospitality to all, work toward developing a culture for evangelism within the church, have excellent written and oral communication skills and be comfortable working in a collaborative team environment.

     Full-time position with benefits. Salary commensurate with education and experience. Send resume to [email protected].

Must be able to perform on a Rieger Kloss organ. Responsibilities include organizing the Choral Scholarship Program and working with the adult and children's choir and outside music organizations. Applicants should be imaginative and willing to help rebuild our music ministry. Salary: $35,000 to $50,000. See more information at www.kanawha-church.org . Deadline to submit resumes is July 14 .

Introducing New Resources