News from the Presbytery's Treasurer

• 2025 Per Capita
• 2025 Shared Mission Pledge Request
• Minister and staff appreciation/Christmas gifts
• 2025 Pastor Minimum Compensation
• Presbytery approves 2025 budget
• 226th General Assembly approves new churchwide Special Offerings menu

• Church Financial Literacy & Leadership Program
• Get QuickBooks Online from TechSoup
• Church treasurers and finance committees
• 2024 Special Offerings

October 2024 Synod Assembly: Rhythm of the Synod

The 2024 Synod of the Trinity’s annual Assembly in late October was a hybrid gathering held in-person in Bedford, PA, and through video conferencing platform Zoom. Click the title link for an article on some of the highlights of the meeting, including the Ministering in Appalachia panel, which featured several folks from the presbytery. Pictured above are (from left) Transitional General Presbyter Maureen Wright; panelists Susan Perry, Nellie Howard, and Derek Hudson; and the Presbytery's Synod Commissioners, Elizabeth Campbell-Maleke and Jim Wilson.

Presbyterian Youth Triennium

July 28-31, 2025 in Louisville, KY

This national gathering of thousands of Presbyterian youth will be held at the Kentucky International Convention Center with housing at nearby Triennium-designated hotels. The Presbytery is planning to take a delegation of youth and adults. Eligible youth must currently be in grades 8-12, and adults need to be at least 25 years old. At this point, we are in need of 1 female adult and 2 male adults. The cost for youth will be $375. Because this cost is heavily supplemented by McClintic funds of the Presbytery, there are no additional scholarships available through the Presbytery. Churches are encouraged to assist youth who may be interested with registration costs. The cost for the adults will be covered for the 3 listed above; if other adults are interested, it may be possible for them to attend at the full cost. Get information and a registration form here. Please contact Susan Sharp Campbell, Associate for Educational Ministry (304-667-9428 or susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com) for more information or with any questions.

Cohort opportunity for Commissioned Pastors

Commissioned Pastors are invited to apply to participate in a cohort group in 2025. The goals of cohorts are collegial support, sharing new ideas, and learning best practices in ministry. These cohorts, consisting of up to eight participants along with a facilitator, will meet on Zoom for two hours each month, January-December 2025. Topics for engagement by participants will include spiritual practices and disciplines, seasonal needs in the church’s program and life, and the sharing of the needs and concerns of each participant. Preparation for meetings may include short advance reading assignments. Participants will be offered a stipend of $500 for the year. This program is sponsored by Union Presbyterian Seminary’s PSCE program (Presbyterians Supporting Christian Education), which provides support for those in ministry in the PC(USA). For more information or to submit an application, click here. The application deadline is Nov. 30. For more information, contact Marilyn Johns at marilynjohns2@gmail.com. 

Sarah Elizabeth Spradling McGuire

July 24, 1948 - November 9, 2024

Sarah McGuire, the wife of Rick McGuire, an Honorably Retired minister member of the presbytery, passed away on Nov. 9 at CAMC Memorial Hospital in Charleston. Click here for her obituary. A memorial service will be held at 1 PM Friday at Snodgrass Funeral Home in South Charleston with Rev. Ravi Isaiah officiating; visitation begins at noon. The service will also be livestreamed; click the obituary link and select the "Live Stream Service" button underneath the obituary photo. Memorial donations can be made to Habitat for Humanity.

While visiting Sarah several days before her passing, Rick fell and broke his femur. He is recovering from corrective surgery.

Glenville Keith Pritt

September 16, 1935 - November 9, 2024

Keith Pritt, the father-in-law of Belle Presbyterian Church pastor Denny Dodson and an elder at the church, passed away on Nov. 9 after falling in his yard. Click here for his obituary. A memorial service will be held at 2 PM Nov. 23 at the church with Rev. Dodson presiding; visitation begins at noon. Memorial donations can be made to Kanawha Hospice Care, 1606 Kanawha Blvd. W., Charleston, WV 25387 or Belle Presbyterian Church, 407 E. 7th St., Belle, WV 25015.

News from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

By Forrest Palmer, PDA National Response Team

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, along with many other disaster response organizations, have been quite active and challenged with the destruction brought on by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Helene brought winds, rains, and flooding to many states, including two counties in southern West Virginia. Currently, the damage estimate is in the billions and the death toll stands at more than 230 people. Milton caused damage across Florida estimated to be about $50 million, with 17 fatalities caused by winds and tornadoes. PDA has sent out multiple response teams, as well as recovery grants to the presbyteries and communities impacted, thanks to the giving of people to the ministry of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. PDA’s ministry extends in many directions – national and international, as well as storytelling – and you can subscribe for free to the PDA newsletters to keep up. You can also stay updated on current responses at the PDA website. Thank you for your prayers and giving to those impacted by disasters.

Free pastoral robes available

The presbytery office has ben made aware of two pastoral robes available. One is a standard black robe with red piping; the other is a medium blue, handmade robe - flowing with large white sleeves - that has on the back clouds, an eagle, and "with wings as eagles Is. 40:31." Both are in good condition. If interested, please contact the office at 304-744-7634 or office@wvpresbytery.org, and we will reach out to the person who has them. 

Hope Village returns to Charleston First Presbyterian for holiday shopping season

Hope Village, a fair trade shopping boutique, is back at Charleston First Presbyterian Church this holiday season, starting Nov. 10. Featuring 21 vendors from around the world, it will include home decor, jewelry, African market baskets, fashion accessories, block printing quilts, stone carvings, batiked textiles, ornaments, and more. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 14-16, 21-23, and 29-30 and noon to 3 PM Nov. 17, 24 and Dec. 1. The church is located at 16 Leon Sullivan Way, and Hope Village will be in the Activities Building. This mission outreach features vendors who support subsistence farmers in Africa, rescue women and children from sex and human trafficking, support refugees, educate children, provide support to the only Christian college in Bethlehem, teach trades to otherwise unemployable folks, provide living wages to the artisans, and more.

Download Christmas Joy Offering resources for Advent

These resources include a new At-Home resource for families; a media toolkit with images for announcements, newsletters, and more; social media images that are ready made with Christmas Joy Offering information; and PowerPoint slides or a promotional video that you can insert into your worship service.