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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
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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
Amy Robinson
Office Administrator/Communications
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Prayer List For Churches
Week 11 - March 12
Anderson Memorial Presbyterian Church, Welch
Beulah Humble Presbyterian Church, Elizabeth
First Presbyterian Church, Buckhannon
In Kenya: Kariguini (Kah-REE'goh-ee-nay) Presbyterian Church
Week 12 - March 19
Clear Creek Presbyterian Church
Eleanor Presbyterian Church
Gilbert Presbyterian Church
In Kenya: Kihora (Kay-HOR'Rah)
Presbyterian Church
Week 13 - March 26
Second Presbyterian Church, Huntington
Liberty Presbyterian Church, Green Bank
Mill Creek Presbyterian Church
In Kenya: Wamagana (wha-MAH'gahNAH) Presbyterian Church and Nursery School
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Nurturing Faith Ideas
March 12, 19 and 26
Nurturing Faith Ideas are weekly suggestions and activities from the Presbytery's Nurture Committee to link worship and home and to nurture faith development in the family. They are intended for all ages and family types. Add one to your bulletin each week or put them in your monthly newsletter. They could also be sent via email or added to a Facebook page.
Ideas for the entire year can be found near the end of the documents page of wvpresbytery.org.
In John 3, we meet Nicodemus, who comes to Jesus under cover of darkness, hiding from the other Pharisees. This week consider what you try to hide in the darkness, hoping no one will know. Pray that God will help you bring what you try to hide to the light of Jesus and Jesus' love.
March 19
John 4 begins with the story of a Samaritan woman's meeting with Jesus. She listens and learns from Jesus, despite Samaritans and Jews despising each other. This week see what you can learn by reading and listening to the Word. Discover the light Jesus brings to all believers, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex or any other division, and then do the same to someone who seems lost or left out.
March 26
John 11 presents the story of a blind man who can see what Jesus brings and the Pharisees who, although they have sight, are blind to the man in front of them. As you go your way through this week, open your eyes and ears to what is happening around you and see as the blind man saw. Where do you see God's activity in the world around you?
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A Word from our General Presbyter
Ed Thompson
Although I've spent a significant amount of time in both states - almost nine years in Kansas and 13 in West Virginia - I try not to compare them. Each state has its own strengths and challenges.
One thing West Virginia has that Kansas doesn't, though, is a strong Council of Churches. When I first moved to Kansas, they did have a group called Kansas Ecumenical Ministries, which was the equivalent of a council of churches. I faithfully attended their meetings and watched as their executive director retired and was replaced by a student at the University of Kansas. The kid looked like Doogie Howser and made me feel old. For about a year, he did a great job, traveling the state and bringing people together. Then, all of the sudden, he disappeared, and the group fell apart.
Here in West Virginia, we have a strong Council of Churches, and they're doing some good things. Last year, they held a series of listening sessions around the state dealing with drug problems. Aaron Gooden put together a summary video on these events called "Substance Use Disorder Initiative Listening Event" that is really well done.
Click here to read more
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Attention Clerks of Session and Church Treasurers
Clerks of Session are annually invited to participate in one of the Session Record Reviews in order to fulfill the Book of Order requirement as outlined in G-3.0108a. The review sessions are a time to meet other Clerks of Session and share best practices, ideas and questions, as well as enjoy fellowship. Stated Clerk Maureen Wright is available to answer questions and work with Clerks to best serve their church.
This year, church treasurers are also invited to attend! Presbytery Financial Administrator and Treasurer Rocky Poole will join church treasurers for Treasurer Talks. These talks will be a time to share best practices, discuss educational and informational resources available to church treasurers and work through issues with which treasurers may be dealing.
Churches are strongly encouraged to send their Clerk of Session (or another member of Session) and their treasurer in a "two for one deal." The dates and locations of the five events are listed below. (Note: The Festival of Faith review and treasurer offerings are outlined in the registration materials for that event.)
* March 19 at 3 p.m. at Highlawn Presbyterian Church, Huntington
* March 26 at 3 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Vienna
* April 1 at Festival of Faith, First Presbyterian Church, Charleston
* April 23 at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Buckhannon
* April 30 at 3 p.m. at Salem Presbyterian Church, Ronceverte
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Small church folks from throughout the presbytery are invited to
celebrate the goodness of God as small churches full of big-hearted Presbyterian Christians, eager to "blossom 'n bless 'em" in the Lord. The fourth annual Small Church Conference will take place Saturday, September 23, 2017. This will be a time of joyful reunions and learning ways that God empowers our ministries, as well as gaining a renewed and strengthening sense of what it means to be the people of God, growing stronger together as a presbytery ready for an exciting, meaningful and confident future in faith, hope and love. Save the date magnets are available at the Presbytery office and will also be distributed at the May meeting of Presbytery.
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Sympathy to the family of the Honorably Retired Rev. Stewart McMurray, who passed away March 5. Over the years, McMurray served at
McElhenney, Keller, Alderson, First Presbyterian Hinton, Forrest Memorial and Carmel Presbyterian churches, as well as The Synod of the Virginias, where he was the Director of Spiritual Development, and Davis Stuart. He was preceded in death by his wife, Harriet. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
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News from the Associate for Educational Ministry
Susan Sharp Campbell
St. John's Bible Workshop
Friday, March 31: 6:30-8:30 p.m. at First
Presbyterian, Charleston
Written in English, using the NRSV translation, The St John's Bible took an international team of six artists and six calligraphers fifteen years to complete. With 1,150 pages of handwritten calligraphy plus 160 major illustrations, it is the only full-scale, illuminated, fine art edition of the Bible. Click here to read more
Festival of Faith
April 1 at First Presbyterian Church, Charleston
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Marshall University holds Ashes to Go event on Ash Wednesday
Marshall UKirk joined with the Catholic Newman Center and the United
Methodist Campus ministry to dispense ashes on March 1. The
ecumenical event, which was featured on a WCHS news program at 9 a.m. March 5, was well received and had many students and faculty
participate. PICTURED: Rev. Benjamin E. Wells from UMC gives ashes to
a graduate student from Nigeria. (Photo courtesy of John Yeager, a UKirk leader)
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Spotlight on: Fayetteville Presbyterian
Beginning this week, the Relations Committee will highlight one of our presbytery's churches each newsletter.
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Dr. Roy Hamelin Johnson (right) with his award presenter, Dr. Joseph Dangerfield, Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition in the School of Music at the University of Florida and fellow Fayetteville native.
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Fayetteville Presbyterian was delighted to host a ceremony and reception for Dr. Roy Hamelin Johnson on May 12, 2016. On that day, Johnson and his wife, Jan, who are both active in the congregation, introduced fellow parishioners to more of his musical accomplishments.
Although most people knew Johnson had grown up in Fayetteville, attended the church, was an accomplished pianist and had retired as a Professor of Piano from the University of Maryland, they had no idea he was and is revered in music as ''America's foremost living composer of carillon music." However, others in the community did, and on that day, Johnson was induction into the Fayette County Wall of Honor. Wall of Honor recipients must be Fayette County natives and are chosen because they have been nationally and/or internationally recognized for contributions to their chosen field. Click here to read more
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Upcoming Conferences
State of Appalachia Conference
March 31-April 1 at Pipestem State Park
The West Virginia Council of Churches is co-sponsoring the State of Appalachia Conference, March 31-April 1 at Pipestem State Park. The conference will focus on the health, economy, ecology and spirituality of Appalachia; it will include plenaries, workshops, state caucuses and a Projects Fair. For more information or to register, visit
here. Limited scholarships available.
Generosity NOW
April 25-27 in Washington, D.C.
This stewardship conference (
formerly the North American Conference on Christian Philanthropy
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helps participants
increase their knowledge about spiritual principles and best practices relating to faithful stewardship and generous giving through plenary sessions, workshops and worship.
The cost is $299. Learn more and register here
by April 18.
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Blue Star Sunday
In March,
Mountains of Hope, West Virginia's Comprehensive Cancer Coalition, encourages congregations to go blue for National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. This toolkit contains information about how the faith community can help increase awareness of colon cancer and ways your congregation can participate in Blue Star Sunday, as well as information about Mountains of Hope, colon cancer and screenings and testing for it.
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Faith Questions: Simple Sundays
Simple Sundays? Really? If you are a Sunday school teacher, a church educator or a church pastor then Sundays are seldom "simple" for you. Congregational
Ministries Publishing, a Ministry of the General Assembly Mission Council, PC(USA), has published lesson material that can make Sundays much simpler for teachers of our youth. These lessons can even be used for some adult classes. In the Resource Center, there are four new lessons in the Simple Sundays series.
Click here to read more
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Introducing New Resources
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PCUSA Presbyterian Mission Agency Monthly Live Chats on Facebook
Monthly live chats spearheaded by
PCUSA Presbyterian Mission Agency's Office of Interfaith Relations are now available on the PC(USA) Facebook page. The first chat took place Feb. 16; see it here. The next is scheduled for Thursday, March 16. Read the Christian Post article on the program here.
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Lay Academy of Religion
Sundays at First Presbyterian Church, Charleston
The Lay Academy of Religion is hosting a series on "The Addictive Brain" at First Presbyterian Church, Charleston, Sundays through May 21 (skipping Easter Sunday). Classes run 4-5:30 p.m. in the dining room of the church's Activities Building; each one begins with a DVD lecture, followed by a panel discussion.
Lectures are by Dr. Thad Polk, who teaches about the opiod epidemic through neuroscience. He uses three case studies to demonstrate how ordinary people can become involved in dangerous addictions and explains the difference between use, abuse, dependency and craving. Session topics include genetics, alcohol, marijuana, stimulants and gambling.
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Part-time Music Director Sought
Beckley Presbyterian Church
Approximately 24 hours/week
Beckley Presbyterian Church is seeking a Part-Time Director of Music, who would be responsible for an Adult Choir, Youth Ensemble and Handbell Choir, which would include weekly rehearsals, one Sunday service and typical holiday and holy day responsibilities. Submit your resume and/or request for a job description to
[email protected]
. No phone calls, please.
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Copier for sale
Village Chapel Presbyterian Church - Charleston
If you are interested in purchasing a business-class color copier, Village Chapel has a SHARP MX-7001 Color Document System, which copies, prints and scans, for $4,000. Please contact Mary Howard, the church's administrative assistant, at 304-925-7265 or [email protected].
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Bluestone Summer Camp News
Summer camp scholarships available
Scholarships are available for Bluestone summer campers, thanks to support from the Molly Grant Scholarship Fund. Candidates must apply through their local church; find applications
here. Funds will be distributed at the discretion of the Presbytery's Bluestone Committee.
Volunteer at the camp
Weeks available: 6/11-17, 6/18-24, 6/25-7/1, 7/2-8
Bluestone volunteer opportunities include camp nurse (1 per week), key leaders (3 per week, to lead curriculum studies), craft leaders (3 per week) and general support staff (drivers, kitchen help, grounds and maintenance help, photo/media techs and extra counselor support). If interested, contact Mark Miller at 304-466-0660 or [email protected].
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Sign up for The Beech Tree
The Beech Tree, the Friends of Bluestone newsletter, is now electronic. If you wish to receive it, go
here
to sign up!
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*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 and Nurturing Faith Ideas for 2017, e-news Archives and more. Please let us know how we can improve the website and whenever you encounter any problem with it. Thank you.
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Editor's Note:
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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.
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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
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