Pastoral Care with the Dying and Their Loved Ones

9 AM-noon March 1 on Zoom

Kathryn Willoughby Weed, a retired chaplain and minister member of the presbytery, will lead this “Expanding Your Ministry Toolbox” course with practical information on illness, dying, and death for pastors and other congregational leaders ministering to the dying and their loved ones. Kathy brings a wealth of experience to this topic from her years as a hospital chaplain. The cost per person is $20. The registration deadline is next Friday, Feb. 21. If you have questions, please contact Susan Sharp Campbell at 304-667-9428 or susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com. 

Festival of Faith 2025: Journeying with Our Creator

March 22 at Charleston First Presbyterian

Our keynote presenters this year are CeCe Armstrong and Tony Larson, Co-Moderators of the 226th General Assembly, who will share with us their reflections on the life of the PCUSA. In the past, we’ve had several opportunities to hear from a single Co-Moderator, but this will be our first time having both of them with us. They will also be leading a workshop on discerning purpose - one of the wide variety of workshops planned with some great leaders. Other choices include hiking the Camino, preaching justice, playing together, advance directives, campus ministry, planned giving, healthy congregations, and painting. Childcare will be offered for preschool and elementary-age children. Register by March 3 to ensure lunch and/or childcare. Registrations will be taken after that date, but lunch is not guaranteed. You may also register at the door and plan to bring your own lunch. Questions? Contact Susan Sharp Campbell, Associate for Educational Ministry, at susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com or Kari Preslar, Planning Team Chair, at kpreslar166@gmail.com. 

Please take the Christian Education Resources Survey

When the 226th General Assembly of the PCUSA met last summer, it directed the Office of Christian Formation and the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, in collaboration with Research Service, to study and develop a plan for the future development of Reformed, Christian educational resources for faith formation and nurture, especially for congregational use. In doing so, they realize that they need to determine current Christian education practices and resources needs so that they can respond to those needs. They have developed a survey to assist them in doing so and are asking one person from every congregation - someone who has knowledge of what is happening in their educational/ formation program, their needs, and likes - to respond. You will find the survey here or in the QR code linked here. This is an opportunity for our voices to be heard, particularly from our many small churches, and for us to have an impact on denominational curriculum development. Please ensure someone from your congregation makes your voice heard. 

Spring Youth Retreat to focus on friendship

April 27 at Coonskin Park, Charleston

This retreat for those in grades 6-12 and adults who work/live with them, will run 10 AM-5 PM at Coonskin's Columbia Shelter. (If the weather isn’t cooperative, it will be held at Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church.) Using stories from scripture and pop culture, members of the presbytery’s Youth Council will lead participants in exploring what it means to be a friend. The cost per person is $20 which includes lunch. The registration deadline is April 14. Questions? Please contact Susan Sharp Campbell, susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com or 304-667-0428. 

Bluestone Camp is a wild & wonderful playground

Get a camp promotional toolkit here

By Steve Cort

I remember the sliding board, monkey bars, swings, and the not-too safe seesaw at our local playground. In his book Sacred Playgrounds, Jacob Sorensen writes, “At the heart of our longing for a playground is the deep-seated desire to be in relationship.” He then goes on to describe the results of a six-year study on the benefits of Christian summer camps. His research shows the long-lasting impact of faith-based camping experiences. 

Presbyterian Youth Triennium

July 28-31, 2025 in Louisville, KY

July, and the 2025 Presbyterian Youth Triennium (PYT), will be here before we know it. PYT is an opportunity for those currently in grades 8-12 and young adults ages 19-23 to join with thousands of Presbyterian youth and their adult leaders from across the country for four days of worship, recreation, Bible study, outreach, and faith formation around the theme “As If We Were Dreaming.” This will be held at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville with housing in nearby hotels. The presbytery, under the leadership of Susan Sharp Campbell, is making plans to take a delegation to this event. A registration form and flyer with details can be found here. More complete information on event leadership, preachers, the event schedule, and theme grid can be found here. The cost per youth will be $375, which covers housing, meals (except for those on the road), t-shirts, program costs, and transportation. The registration deadline is March 31, when a deposit of $188 is also due. Forms and payment can be mailed to Presbytery of WV, Presbyterian Youth Triennium, P.O. Box 11720, Charleston, WV 25339.  

Communion training for ruling elders needed?

When requested, or there is a perceived need, the presbytery offers a course for training ruling elders to preside at communion in their churches of membership. There is currently no course offered as no interest has been indicated. However, if this is something your congregation needs, please contact Susan Sharp Campbell at 304-667-9428 or susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com. 

LOOKING AHEAD

Another Authorized Lay Preacher/Commissioned Pastor Preparation Program to begin in September with Presby Prep

Presby Prep is the first, required year of the ALP/CP Preparation Program, which prepares those who would become commissioned to pastoral service as Commissioned Pastors and those who serve as random pulpit supply as Authorized Lay Preachers. It is also an opportunity to become more knowledgeable about what it means to be Presbyterian and part of the Reformed family of churches. Presby Prep is open to anyone, whether or not you’re sensing a call to serve in pastoral leadership or pulpit supply. If you’d just like to grow in your faith, understanding, and knowledge of what it means to be Presbyterian, Presby Prep is the place for you. It will consist of 8 monthly courses (September-November 2025 and January-May 2026), which are 3 hours long and offered on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings. Each course also has an assignment to be completed in advance. The dates for these courses have not been set, but it’s not too early to begin thinking about being a part. We will need for there to be a minimum of 8 people registered for this to happen; otherwise, it will begin in January 2026. Look for more information, with dates and a registration form, this spring. If you have questions, please contact Susan Sharp Campbell at 304-667-9428 or susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com. 

2025 Presbytery Directory: deadline for churches to send their information, request a hard copy of the directory

If your church has not sent in its 2025 directory information to the Presbytery office, please do so ASAP! You can fill out this form then email it to office@wvpresbytery.org. Once we get the directory prepared, we will put together a hard copy version that will be mailed out by the end of March to any church or individual requesting one. If you would like to be on the request list, please email office@wvpresbytery.org or call Amy Robinson at 304-744-7634 by March 14. Remember, the directory is also on our website; if you need the password to access it there, contact Amy.

News from the Presbytery's Treasurer

• Pastor 2025 Medical Cost Grant
• 2025 Per Capita
• 2025 Shared Mission Pledge Request
• Year-end checklist

• 2025 IRS mileage
• 2025 Special Offerings Calendar
• Church treasurers and finance committees

Edgewood Presbyterian Church to host first annual ‘Penguin Plunge’ on March 1

Edgewood Presbyterian Church is hosting its 1st Annual Penguin Plunge, Saturday, March 1, at Ronceverte Island Park. The event starts at 1 PM, and plungers are asked to assemble at noon. Radio Greenbrier will be live on location on 103.1FM The Bear from 12-2 PM, with Big Al from Highway 64 and Buddy Bear. There will be contests with fun prizes for best costume and more, plus free hot chocolate and ham biscuits will be served to the first 100 plungers. All proceeds benefit Edgewood's Saturday of Service ministry of providing monthly free meals for those with food insecurity within the Greenbrier Valley or for anyone who needs it or wants it. Click the title link for more information.

Symposium on Reformed Christianity and Social Ethics

Feb. 24-25 at Davidson College in North Carolina

The symposium is a series of events engaging participants in conversation about the theological spirit and ethical commitments of the Reformed tradition and how they help to shape visions of education and our larger society. Speakers include Doug Ottati, Walter E. Fluker, and Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty. Register and get more information here.  

Glenville Presbyterian Church and Glenville State University offering Presbyterian Scholarship

The Presbyterian Scholarship is a $2,000 a semester, $4,000 an academic year scholarship good for up to 4 academic years. Students must be a member of the PC(USA) and a West Virginia resident, either already attending or preparing to attend Glenville State University as a full-time student. To apply, students must submit a GSU application as a degree-seeking candidate and supply proof of acceptance or current course schedule, a Glenville Presbyterian Church college scholarship application, and a personal letter of need, as well as provide two letters of recommendation and be willing to appear for an interview before the GPC College Scholarship Committee. For more information, email GlenvillePresbyterian@gmail.com.