Click on an underlined title to go to the full article or link | | |
A Word from our Transitional General Presbyter
Do you remember your baptism? I do not. Like many Presbyterians, I was baptized as an infant, so the memories of my baptism are shared memories. The only physical reminder of my baptism is my baptismal certificate, which is tucked inside my baby book in the bottom of a box in our basement. Some of you were baptized at the time you professed your faith, often referred to as believer’s baptism. You remember the people present, answering the questions, professing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the water on your head. Whether your memories of your baptism are shared memories or not, there was surely “a visible and generous use of water” (Book of Order, W-3.0407). Whether you were sprinkled or immersed, there is a good chance that the words of Matthew 28:19 were used, “I baptize you in the name of the Faither and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
| | |
PWV seeks part-time Communications Coordinator
The Presbytery is searching for a part-time communications coordinator, a key position as the presbytery undertakes a new strategic plan. The communications coordinator will assist in developing a communications plan, with a goal of building and strengthening relationships among and between the presbytery’s 114 churches and key leaders and staff across the presbytery. The coordinator will manage the presbytery's website, newsletter, and social media in order to support churches in the telling of their stories. Requires an associate or higher degree in communications or a related field or equivalent experience. A full position description is available at the title link. The person will work remotely; salary is commensurate with experience. To apply, send resume and cover letter to John Bolt at jboltwv@gmail.com.
| | |
Presbyterian Planning Calendar deadline is June 9
Next month, the Presbytery will order 2025-2026 Presbyterian Planning Calendars. Our cost is $12, which will save you $6 off the retail cost through the PC(USA) Store. As of now, we have approximately 150 less calendars ordered by our churches for this year than what we had ordered for last year, meaning a number of churches have not yet ordered for this year. If you want to order calendars and you have not yet ordered, please do so ASAP. We do not order a lot of extras, so if you miss out on ordering now, you will have to order through the PC(USA) Store. The price above is for pickup at the August 16 Presbytery meeting at Fleming Memorial Presbyterian Church in Fairmont; if we mail them to you, there will be an additional postage fee, calculated according to order size. An invoice for your total cost will be included with your order; it will contain information on how to pay online by credit card or through the mail or in person by cash or check.
| | |
Two Healthy Boundary Training events remain
All leaders – ministers of Word and Sacrament; Certified Christian Educators; Certified Associate Christian Educators; Commissioned Pastors; candidates, inquirers, and supply preachers; officers and employees of the Presbytery; members of committees, councils, and commissions – are required to complete a Healthy Boundary Training workshop every 36 months. Presbytery leaders who completed training prior to April 2022 are required to attend. The workshops will be led by Susan Sharp Campbell and Maureen Wright. There is no cost, and lunch will be provided. Please make a reservation for the event of your choice by emailing or calling the Presbytery office. The remaining Healthy Boundary Training workshops are below.
-
Saturday, May 31 – South Charleston First Presbyterian Church, 10 AM to 3 PM
-
Wednesday, June 18 – Village Chapel Presbyterian Church, 10 AM to 3 PM
| | |
Worship for Such a Time as This: Commissioned Pastor/ Authorized Lay Preacher Retreat
Aug. 1-2 at Jackson's Mill near Weston
This retreat includes three workshops, focusing on the PCUSA Confessional Standards of the 20th century with Shannon Craigo-Snell, preaching with Donna Giver-Johnson, and liturgy for leading worship in times of turmoil, chaos, uncertainty, and disorder with Eric Myers. This event will begin with dinner on Friday evening and end with worship on Saturday afternoon. Spouses are invited to attend. The cost will be the room cost of $80/room, which can be shared. Register by July 14.
| | |
SAVE THE DATES
Presby Prep to start in September
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 are Sept. 18 & 20, Oct. 23 & 25, Nov. 20 & 22, Jan, 15 & 17, Feb. 5 & 7, March 12 & 14, April 9 & 11, and May 7 & 9. A minimum of 8 participants is needed for this to happen; otherwise, it will begin in January 2026. You can register online or with a mailed-in registration form, both of which are available at the title link. Questions? Please contact Susan Sharp Campbell at 304-667-9428 or susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com.
| | News from our Congregations & Partners | | |
Highlawn, St. Albans to host 75th anniversary celebration
The Highlawn Presbyterian Church of St. Albans will host its 75th anniversary celebration the weekend of June 6-8. Friday will feature an evening of Bluestone-style games from 6-9 PM. On Saturday, there will be a barbecue picnic and games on the church lawn from noon to 2 PM. Sunday includes an old-fashioned hymn sing at 10 AM, worship at 11 AM, and an anniversary luncheon at noon. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/people/HPC-75th-Anniversary-1950-2025/61571819577952.
| | |
Joanne Glaser memorial service in WV to be held in June
A West Virginia memorial service for Rev. Joanne Dempsey Glaser will be at the Rosewood Cemetery Columbarium in Lewisburg at 11:30 AM on June 21. A reception will follow at Old Stone Presbyterian Church in the Activity Room, with refreshments provided by the Presbyterian Women. Glaser, an active member in the Presbytery of WV until she was called to the Sweetwater Presbyterian Church in Hickory, NC, in 2015, passed away on Jan. 4 in Winston-Salem, NC, following a brief illness. Click here for her obituary.
| | |
Presbyterian churches in Charleston collaborate for Guns to Gardens event
By Sarah Gottlieb, Village Chapel
The second community Guns to Gardens event was held May 3 at St Mark's United Methodist Church in Charleston. This event was a collaborative effort by First Presbyterian Church of Charleston, Village Chapel Presbyterian Church, and St Mark's United Methodist Church with support from First Presbyterian Church of Dunbar and Temple Israel. RAWtools South, a non-profit blacksmith group, brought all the equipment needed for the event and trained lay people (including Village Chapel pastor Todd Wright, pictured) on safe chop saw use when "dismantling" a firearm. RAWtools has helped with dozens of Guns to Gardens events; they re-form gun parts into garden tools, jewelry, and art at their forge in Asheville, NC.
| | |
Presbyterian Youth Triennium seeks volunteers for Care Team and Hotel Team
The Care Team and Hotel Team will play a vital role in creating a safe and welcoming Triennium community and making PYT possible. The Care Team supports the well-being of all PYT participants at events in the Convention Center and as they move to and from their hotels. The Hotel Team helps to nurture a positive, hopeful, and safe environment in which youth and adult participants feel welcome and safe at each hotel. Serving on one of these teams is an awesome opportunity to support families, engage in youth ministry, invest in the next generation of Presbyterians, and be a part of Triennium in a different way. For more information and to apply, visit the PYT Community Life page. Questions? Contact the Community Life Coordinators at pytcommunitylife@gmail.com.
| | | | |
