E-news: Pray for miners, families

25 miners are dead in the wake of yesterday's mine explosion near Montcoal, W.Va. The explosion is the biggest mining disaster since 1984. Four miners are still unaccounted for, and officials say it could be two days before rescuers reach their location.

Please keep the people affected by this disaster in your thoughts and prayers. We've set up a special page on the conference website: wvumc.org/miners. You may also leave a prayer on our Facebook page.

What does Genesis Say?

A Continuing Education Event at WV Wesleyan on April 10 called "Beginnings: What Genesis Says (and doesn't say)" features Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Professor Dr. Steven Tuell.

Click here for more information and how to register.

Discussion on Stewardship of Environment Tonight

You are invited to join Bishop Lyght and Professor Robert Rupp at West Virginia Wesleyan College this evening for a discussion on God's Renewed Creation: A Call to Hope and Action. The event will take place in the Social Hall at WVWC from 7:30 until 9:00p.m.

The purpose of the event is to foster discussion on the letter's history and context in the West Virginia Conference.

Stewardship of the Land: A Christian Community Gathering

A weekend retreat is scheduled on May 21-23 at Bluestone Camp and Retreat near Hinton, WV to encourage individuals and organizations to grow in faith and their commitment to earth care through fellowship and learning.

The weekend will include workshops, discussions, outdoor activities, and worship that will inspire to act as stewards of the land. At the event we will also commission young adults in the Eco-Stewards Program, who will have just completed a week-long training on ecological stewardship principles and practices in West Virginia.

The keynote speaker for the event is Joel Salatin, of Polyface Farms, a sustainable farmer who was featured in The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan and the documentary Food Inc. Learn more and register.

UMW Spiritual Growth Retreat

The United Methodist Women's 51st Spiritual Growth Retreat is April 15-16 and April 17-18, at Cedar Lakes in Ripley. The theme is "Walking in Love," based on 2 John, Chapter 1, Verse 6. The retreat will be led by Rev. Amy Shanholtzer; Rhonda Adkins is the musician for the retreat. For more information and to register, visit wvumw.com or contact your UMW district officer.

Shape Note Singing
A retreat on April 30 to encourage and facilitate congregational singing that has been used for more than two centuries in a variety of sacred music traditions practiced primarily in the southern region of the United States. Click here for more information and how to register.

Global AIDS Goal

At Annual Conference 2008 we began taking donations toward meeting our goal of raising $100,000 for the United Methodist Church Global AIDS Fund. We are almost 80% of the way there! If every church in the conference contributed $25, we will reach the goal!

The AIDS Task Force challenges churches of the WV Conference to meet our goal during Eastertide - the 50 days between Easter and Pentecost Sunday. 25% of funds raised stay in WV Conference for AIDS education. Reaching our $100,000 goal insures local agencies will receive fully funded grants. Our contributions will also help the Global AIDS Fund help HIV/AIDS orphans in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Help provide hope to the helpless, please mark your donations: UMCOR Advance #982345. Thanks for your faithfulness!

New website launches
An interactive calendar and events page, more stories about ministry, and organized, more cohesive content debuted via the new wvumc.org last week. The goal of the new site is to serve the churches, agencies, and districts of the West Virginia Annual Conference more effectively.

Please update your church website links and Internet browser bookmarks to wvumc.org.

Foundation Sunday
UMFWV

Sunday, April 25, is United Methodist Foundation Sunday. The Annual Conference has designated it as a Special Day to celebrate the ministry of the Foundation, pointing to the valuable work it carries out on behalf of the Conference.

The Foundation is offering several free resources for your celebration of Foundation Sunday. Email info@umfwv.org or call 1-800-788-3746 ext 45 to request bookmarks for your church's hymnals, the Foundation's new brochure or the DVD, Consider the Possibilities. We encourage you to explore the Foundation's website, www.umfwv.org where you will find a page dedicated to Foundation Sunday, with downloadable resources, including information about the Foundation, bulletin inserts, a PowerPoint slide and newsletter articles.

Job Openings

Assistant Director wanted for Coal Branch Heights Community Center, part of Community Development Outreach Ministries (CDOM), a Mission Project of the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. This is a part time position, involving an after school program Monday - Friday for K - 12 grade, working 12 hours a week.

We believe children are precious and are blessings from God. Therefore, we seek to exemplify Christ in all aspects of working with these children in hopes they may come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. At all times we strive to personify the standards and beliefs of the United Methodist Church and live out our Social Principles.

We ask that interested parties be in prayer about this position and contact Executive Director, Rev. Luana Cook Scott at 304.342.0029.

The Marshall University Campus Christian Center has an opening for a United Methodist Pastor.

View the complete job description here. Applications are due April 10, 2010.

For questions, please e-mail Rev. Jim McCune. You can find more information on the MU Campus Christian Center by visiting their website.

Appointment Announcements

It is the intention of Bishop Ernest Lyght to appoint the following pastors to the churches below effective July 1, 2010.