"A More Loving World" spring youth retreat

April 14-16 at Jackson's Mill, Weston

Final registration deadline: MONDAY. No late registrations accepted.

While all middle and high school youth are invited to this retreat, the focus is on having a retreat that will be closer to our youth in churches in the northern part of the presbytery. The retreat will be led by members of the presbytery's Youth Council. Get full information and register here. Questions? Contact Susan Sharp Campbell at [email protected] or 304-667-9428. 

"Still Seeking to be Faithful: Creative Conflict Transformation in a Divided Age"

9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 20 at Village Chapel, Charleston

Will also be offered on Zoom, if requested

As the Leadership Development Coordinating Team of the Nurture Committee considered what might be timely topics for Expanding Your Ministry Toolbox courses, members realized that one of the realities we are facing in our churches, our communities, and our state is relating with others with whom we don’t agree. In a time of heightened partisanship and pronounced divisions, it is harder than ever to maintain the unity of our communities. After over 3 years of Covid distancing us and elections dividing us, the pandemic and politics have taken their toll on our wellbeing. Starting with “Seeking to Be Faithful Together: Guidelines for Presbyterians During Times of Disagreement,” published by the PCUSA Peacemaking Program several years ago, but still relevant, this event will explore best practices, theological and biblical guidelines, new models, and creative strategies to not only hold the church together but also to strengthen the ties that bind us together in these disruptive and disagreeable times. It will be led by Carl Horton, the coordinator for the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and Interim Coordinator for the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP). You may register online at www.wvpresbytery.org and pay with a credit card, or download the form and send it, with a check, to Presbytery of WV, P.O. Box 11720, Charleston, WV 25339. The cost for this course is $40. The registration deadline is Thursday, April 13. If you wish to participate by Zoom, please email [email protected] with that information or note it on your registration.

WALK-INS WELCOME

Festival of Faith 2023

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 1 at Charleston First Presbyterian Church

Teri McDowell Ott, Editor of The Presbyterian Outlook, will be the keynote presenter for this year's Festival of Faith, which will have the theme "Necessary Risks." Her keynote will focus on "Embracing a Love Ethic," which can guide us in these divisive, polarized days of "purple" churches, where listening well, embracing humility, and encouraging vulnerability in our conversations with people of diverse perspectives are important. Additionally, she will lead two workshops. The first will be on "Living a Love Ethic," which will build on the keynote's "whys" of embracing a love ethic and focus on the "hows" of living a love ethic in everyday life, including practices and strategies to engage with others across lines of difference. The second will focus on the work and vision of The Presbyterian Outlook. Plus, there will be several other workshops, a time of worship, and fellowship throughout the day. Get full information and register here! Please note that lunch ordering and early registration fees have expired; the cost now to attend is $30 per person.

News from the Presbytery's Treasurer

• New West Virginia tax tables available now
• Tax guides & housing allowance letter
• PDA assisting with Cyclone Freddy
• 2023 Shared Mission Pledge Request
• Employee or Independent Contractor

• Sending Benevolence to the Presbytery
• 2023 IRS mileage
• 2023 Per Capita
• 2023 Special Offerings

Eastern APCE Conference to focus on creativity, innovation, and risk in faith formation

April 24-26 in Chambersburg, PA

Rev. Dr. Rebecca L. Davis, Associate Professor of Christian Education at Union Presbyterian Seminary, will be the keynote presenter for the Spring Event of the East Region of the Association of Partners in Christian Education. The event description reads, "As we emerge from the strangest two years of ministry in recent memory, we find ourselves yearning for what was and acknowledging the futility of turning back to a way of ‘being the church’ that is long gone. (...) The prophet Isaiah proclaims on God’s behalf, ‘I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?’" Questions of can we perceive God’s new thing and how we perceive it call us "to consider the formation of faith in a church that lives between what was and what will be.” During this event, Becky will lead us in exploring how answers can be “found and discovered in the interplay of Curiosity, Creativity, Innovation and Risk.” Additionally, Rev. Dr. Amy Wallace Parker, Minister of Education and the Arts at Village Chapel Presbyterian Church in Charleston, will be the Worship Leader for this event. The cost per person is $415 for a double room or $480 for a single room; scholarships are available by emailing [email protected]. Register here by April 3. Note that payment needs to be made by check whether registering online or by snail mail. For more information, contact Susan Sharp Campbell at [email protected] or 304-667-9428.

Request a copy of the 2023 Presbytery Directory

Once we get the directory prepared, we will put together a hard copy version that will be mailed out by early April to any church or individual requesting one. If you would like to be on the request list, please email [email protected] or call Amy Robinson at 304-744-7634 by March 15. Remember, the directory is also on our website; if you need the password to access it there, contact Amy.

Roy Holstein memorial service to be held Friday

Roy, a Ruling Elder and Session member at Elk Hills Presbyterian Church in Charleston, passed away on March 8 at age 87. His obituary and service details were not yet available when his death notice was published in the last newsletter, but they are now. Click here for his obituary. A memorial service will be held at Charleston First Presbyterian Church, 16 Leon Sullivan Way, at 11 a.m. Friday, with visitation an hour prior. Memorial donations may be made to Elk Hills Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 911, Pinch, WV 25156.

Beckley Presbyterian to host All Women of Faith Gathering

The event, We Are One in the Spirit, based on Ephesians 4: 4-6, will run 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22 at the church. It will focus on God in our lives through worship, song, and fellowship. The registration deadline is April 15. All are invited.

Getting to know our newer pastors: John Nelson

How do you know when you have been called by God to be a pastor? John Nelson struggled with this question and finally concluded that he needed to make himself available to God, to put himself out there and find out.

John grew up in Fayette County in the little coal town of Beards Fork. His parents did not attend church, but John and his siblings would occasionally go to one of the United Methodist Churches in the area. When he was 19, John was encouraged to answer an altar call and give his life to Christ. He wasn’t really sure what that was about at the time or what he was doing. About a month later, he was moved to make a serious commitment to Christ. He became active in the Page Church of God in Page, WV, and remained active for about 10 years.

Summer employment at Chautauqua

The Presbyterian House at Chautauqua in southwestern New York is seeking summer employees. They are open to hiring young adults, couples, and older adults. They are asking for a 10-week commitment, though they understand some workers may need to leave early for school or other reasons, and they will be flexible and entertain half-summer commitments as well. The variety of positions they offer include salary plus tips, room and board, a gate pass, and a parking pass. For more information, contact Jo Wolfe at [email protected] or Kathy Taylor at [email protected].

Learn more about FEMA Nonprofit Security Grants at upcoming free webinars

FEMA invites nonprofit organizations to participate in upcoming webinars regarding the Fiscal Year 2023 Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The webinars, which begin at 2 p.m., will introduce the grant program and the application process. (Each webinar will present the same content.) Advance registration is required. Each of the following dates is a registration link; click on the date to register for the webinar of your choice - March 30, April 4, April 25 or May 4. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Adobe Connect meeting. Check your junk/spam folder as some email filters may redirect the attendance confirmation email there.