Communion training for ruling elders

Aug. 11, 3-5 PM, on Zoom. Register by Aug. 2

As the presbytery seeks to fulfill a responsibility for “authorizing and training specific ruling elders to administer or preside at the Lord’s Supper when it deems it necessary to meet the needs for the administration of the Sacrament.” (G-3.0301b), it will offer this free training event. All sessions, particularly those whose churches do not have pastoral leadership, are invited to send ruling elders; participants don't have to currently be on the session but they must be approved by the session prior to the event. There is an advance assignment including reading sections of the 2023-2025 Book of Order, so participants must have a copy; the assignment will be sent on Aug. 2 to all registered. To register, submit your name and church to susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com. If you have any questions, contact Susan at this email address or 304-667-9428.

Small Church Conference coming up on Sept. 14

You are invited to attend the Small Church Conference on Sept. 14 at Fayetteville Presbyterian Church. The theme of the conference is God is Here: Worship in the Small Church featuring Pam Ferrell, 2013 Presbytery of West Virginia Moderator and accomplished small church musician, as the keynote presenter. Registration for the event begins at 9:15 AM, with worship beginning at 10 AM. Jim Musgrave who serves as the Commissioned Pastor at the Logan First Presbyterian and Gilbert Presbyterian Churches will preach. Three workshops will be offered with participants able to attend two. Workshop presenters are Sallie Daugherty (Authorized Lay Preacher), Pam Ferrell, and Bill Myers (Minister of Word and Sacrament, Charleston First Presbyterian Church).

Session Record Reviews

In December 2023, a new format for Session Record Reviews was announced. The 2024 reviews are being conducted quarterly in person and online. Clerks of Session (or a representative) will need to attend an event by October 2024. There are four review events remaining; please note the date changes for August events. The events are:

• August 4 – Old Stone Presbyterian Church, 3 PM
• August 5 – Zoom event, 7 PM
• October 13 – Zoom event, 3 PM
• October 20 – Huntington area in-person event, 3 PM

The checklists for the record review events are on the website. You can also click for the in-person checklist or the electronic checklist. Please use the correct form for the type of event you attend. If you have any questions, contact the Presbytery office or Stated Clerk Maureen Wright.

News from the Presbytery's Treasurer

• Feds raise minimum salary requirement for exempt status
• Church Financial Literacy & Leadership Program from the Presbyterian Foundation
• Decision-making resources for the Board of Pensions 2025 Benefits Plan
• Board of Pensions 2025 plan update

• Get QuickBooks Online from TechSoup
• How long should I keep income tax records?
• Church treasurers and finance committees
• 2024 Special Offerings

Music opportunity for small churches

At the February Presbytery Meeting, the Presbytery approved a recommendation from the Leadership Team to use the balance of the Small Church Grant from the Synod of the Trinity to fund the purchase of hymn accompaniment for 10 hymns for each of up to 75 small churches in the Presbytery of West Virginia through the Presbytery of the Plains and Peaks’ Public Domain Hymn Project. As part of A Season of Discernment, the need for assistance with music was identified by many of our small churches, and this project provides a solution.

The Public Domain Hymn Project is seeking to bring all the Public Domain hymns in our denominational hymnal, Glory to God, to congregations for a small donation. The hymns were recorded in MIDI format and then imported into editing software so that lyrics and backgrounds could be provided. Each hymn is available with white lyrics on a black background or white lyrics on a colored background.

Any small churches in the Presbytery who would like to take advantage of this opportunity may contact the Presbytery. Instruction on how to use the MIDI format is available. Please note that need when contacting the Presbytery. If you have any questions, please contact Maureen Wright (304-744-7634, ext. 1 or statedclerk@wvpresbytery.org) or Leadership Team member Jane Lothes (304-545-2026 or janelothes@hotmail.com).

Teays Valley Presbyterian seeks part-time treasurer

Teays Valley Presbyterian Church is looking for a part-time church treasurer. For more information, please contact Kyle Key at kylekey@teaysvalleypresby.com or 540-405-1042.

Riverlawn to host Ice Cream Social on Aug. 18

Riverlawn Presbyterian Church, 2008 Pennsylvania Ave., St. Albans, invites members of its sister churches in the presbytery to an ice cream social and evening of music beginning at 6 PM Sunday, Aug. 18. Music will be by the Bluegrass Harmony Band. Formed in 2002, the group consists of banjo player Terry Beach and mandolin player Darin White, both well-known local musicians, as well as guitarist Dr. Tom Griffith and bass fiddle player Jane Lothes, a long-time Riverlawn member. In addition to their instruments, all the members share vocal duties. Call the church at 304-727-8872 for more information.

Alderson Presbyterian Church holds final worship service

By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV

With a crowd of more than 140 people packed into every pew, the Alderson Presbyterian Church held its final worship on Sunday afternoon. The original church building was completed in the mid-1870s at a price tag of $600, according to church records. They began with six members all those years ago. Now, with only six members remaining, the church officers decided to close the doors. “The supreme architect of the universe has blessed our church for 147 years,” said Margaret Hambrick, an elder of the church. “Maybe with continued blessing, these six members can extend the mission of the church for another 100 years.” Click title link for a photo gallery.

Volunteers revitalize St. Albans estate to become aftercare facility

By Clint Thomas, Kanawha Metro

Ten work crews of volunteers from five states, all affiliated with the nonprofit West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy and Work Camps, contributed labor, materials, and appliances for renovations to a St. Albans home for use as an aftercare facility housing those in recovery, to be known as the Hezekiah House.