|
Northeast Jurisdiction to meet in Charleston July 16 - 20
Delegates from 12 states and the District of Columbia will gather next week to elect 3 new bishops in the northeast jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. The West Virginia Conference will also learn who its next bishop will be by the end of next week.
 Bishop Grove provides this explanation of NEJ and its history in West Virginia, and Rich Peck writes about the purpose of the denomination's jurisdictional conferences in this piece from United Methodist News Service (UMNS). Retired Bishop Ernest S. Lyght also offers advice to the new bishops who will be elected next week in this UMNS story. |
|
Spring Heights powers through storm damage
The June 28 storm that knocked power out to about 680,000 West Virginians left its mark on Spring Heights as well, forcing the camp to close for a week.
Thanks to the hard work of the camp staff, led by director Heather Withrow, and dozens of volunteers, Spring Heights re-opened for camp this week! So, BRING ON THE SUMMER! Check out the video below of the fun kids have at camp. You can also see pics of kids in action in this photo slideshow. 
 | | A Day at Spring Heights |
|
|
Churches, ministries, step up in storm's aftermath
Several churches in the conference became way stations for people in their communities after the Derecho struck the state. Aldersgate UMC was open for 190 hours straight, offering meals, shelter, showers, and WiFi for the Sissonville area. The Lewis Center, a ministry of Oak Hill UMC in Fayette County also served hundreds of people in the days following the storm.
 | | A derecho cloud in Minnesota |
Food banks throughout the state were depleted as shelters, churches and food pantries around West Virginia used what they had on hand to feed people. This would be a great time for your church to host a food drive for the Conference Mission Project in your district; please contact the project first to see what they need. There may be other food banks who need your help as well.
 | | Water and ice distribution at the Lewis Center last week. The center is a ministry of Oak Hill UMC in Fayette County. |
Disaster offering
Any offerings or donations for disaster response received in churches may be sent to the Conference Treasurer, marked WV Emergency/Disaster Fund.
|
|
Summer Laity Events
Join the United Methodist Women and United Methodist Men for their annual summer events!
The West Virginia United Methodist Women host a School of Christian Mission July 26-28 at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Sessions are available for adults and young people, and teach attendees how to fulfill our Christian mission to the world.
The United Methodist Men host an annual retreat September 7-9 at Jackson's Mill. The weekend starts with a Friday morning golf scramble to raise money for Scouting ministries. The event continues through the weekend with prayer, praise and worship, and fellowship. At the same time as the retreat, Scouting units from around the state meet for their annual camporee. This year features several activities including geocaching, dutch oven cooking and laser shooting.
Although these are lay ministry events, clergy are encouraged to participate.
|
We Remember
Lawrence Greenwood, Jr., who died July 3, 2012. He retired in 1995 from Beverly Hills UMC and he and his wife Alpha Jane Greenwood lived in Fallston North Carolina following his retirement. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Alpha Jane at P O Box 609, Fallston NC 28042.
|
|
Announcements
Click here for a list of announcements from churches and ministries around the Conference. New this week is a job posting for Kenova UMC, and information for clergy who are interested in change of status for the 2013 Annual Conference year.
|
