The 221st General Assembly will begin on Saturday, June 14 and continue through Saturday, June 21 in Detroit, Michigan.  This biennial meeting of the Presbyterian Church (USA) "constitutes the bond of union, community, and mission among all its congregations and councils, to the end that the whole church becomes a community of faith, hope, and love."  (Book of Order, G-3.0501)  The General Assembly seeks to discern the will of God for the church through its elected commissioners. 

All Presbyterians from the Presbytery of West Virginia are invited to follow the work of the Assembly through the Office of the General Assembly's live stream beginning with opening worship by  clicking here (live stream). The proposed docket is posted online and can be found by clicking here (docket). Finally those who are interested may follow the work of the assembly on  PC Biz by clicking here.

It is helpful to note that changes in policy and position, including changes to the Book of Order will be sent to presbyteries for vote before becoming permanent policy.  The Presbytery of West Virginia will deal with these amendments at the second Stated Meeting of 2015.  (The dates for the 2015 meetings will be recommended to the August 19, 2014 meeting of Presbytery.) 

Additional sources of assembly news are available from many sources, including the secular press.  Members of the Presbytery of West Virginia are reminded to use discernment in evaluating sources including the bias, both political and economic, beyond the Office of the General Assembly.

We ask you to be in prayer for our commissioners: Jim Musgrave, Amy Wallace Parker, Robin Ray, Jim Rowe and our Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD), Elly Maddy. 

Hi! I'm Nellie Howard and I'm your new Resource Center Director... I would especially like to meet all of you so let me begin by introducing myself.  I live in Waverly, West Virginia from where I will commute... When I'm not at the Presbytery Office or traveling around for the Resource Center you will very likely find me in my flower garden, spreading mulch, weeding, pruning or mowing the paths.  You might also find me at First Presbyterian Church of Williamstown where my husband, Jeff, and I are members...

Now it's your turn!  What are you interested in? What do you like to read? Do you have a favorite author?  Stop by the Resource Center to visit, see what we have to offer and perhaps check out a book or two.  The Resource Center is open Monday through Thursday until 5:00 pm and I am in there most every Monday and Tuesday.  I can't wait to meet you!

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 Across the miles and across many waters, our baptism unites us and calls us into service.  Thank you so much for the response to WVMAW's request for supplies for families in Panther, WV.  Karen Robinson and I took 21 boxes of contractor garbage bags and 10 gallons of bleach, as well as a donated floor cleaner and a commercial mop bucket.  Loaves and fishes that help to make a difference!  These items will be used next week by a WVMAW team from Hickory, NC who will be helping to clean up yards, debris, and insulation.

Today was assessment day.  Flooding leaves such a mess.  In Panther many homes had water that washed up underneath, dislodging insulation and duct work.  It will take several months to dry out, and much work will be required to prevent mold from easing inside, and floors from warping...

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Edgewood Presbyterian Church has a digital piano to donate to a church in our presbytery. 

The instrument, a Yamaha Clavinova,  is almost good as new and well cared for.

If your church is interested please contact Larryetta Ellis, pastor of Edgewood Presbyterian Church, at [email protected] or (304) 645-6536.

 "It has been the best church conference I ever attended!!"  "It was uplifting to realize that there are many other small churches and we can do mighty things and make a difference."  "I enjoyed the insight of the opening speaker - Marcia Myers - wonderful communion - saxophone was great with hymns.  Always improvise!"

These are just three of the comments from the evaluation forms for the First Annual Presbytery of West Virginia Small Church Conference.  It was held May 19 at Fayetteville Presbyterian Church.  There were approximately 65 people in attendance.  The folks from Fayetteville were very gracious hosts, proud to help the conference out with a great introduction.  They have invited us back in 2015...

Across the world every June 15th, elder abuse is recognized as the silent epidemic that affects thousands of seniors. This year, WV Governor Earl Tomblin has declared June 15th as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in West Virginia.

Please join the WV Department of Health and Human Resources and the WV Bureau of Senior Services on June 17, 2014 in promoting elder abuse awareness.

This year's event will take place at the Cultural Center in Charleston. Speakers will include Booth Goodwin, US Attorney for the Southern District of WV; Dr. Pam Teaster who has written over 80 articles on elder abuse and a play written by Dan Kehde will be presented that brings awareness to the different issues of elder abuse.

Click here for more information

PLAYOLOGY

Experiencing God Through the Art of Play

Saturday, August 23, 9 am - 4:30 pm

Fayetteville Presbyterian Church

Are you looking for new and creative ideas for Bible study, art and games in your ministry, whether you are a pastor, educator, youth minister, Sunday school teacher, playful volunteer or high-schooler in a leadership position, or just interested in having fun?  Workshop options will be Creative Bible Study, Creart (creative art activities) and Around the Table games. 

Join with others from around the presbytery for this day of creative worship, a theme party, two workshops, networking and lunch for PLAYOLOGY in August.  Deb Guess and Lisa Dietrick, of the Annual Recreation Workshop will provide leadership for this event. 

For more information or to register, click here. 

If you have questions, please contact Susan Sharp Campbell, [email protected] or 303-645-4568.

The new Relations Committee of Presbytery of West Virginia under the leadership of Nancy Tissue, Ruling Elder, Fayetteville Presbyterian, has started its work with several meetings.  A new Cluster Description has been developed as well as a position description for Cluster Shepherds.  There is also a ComTech group.  That group was initially designated "The Geek Squad."  Not wanting Best Buy to sue the presbytery, the committee opted for a new name.  The ComTech committee is being shaped to help congregations small or large address electronic communications.

The Relations Committee is currently seeking to find Shephers for each cluster.  We have shepherds in place in five of the clusters with acting shepherds working in two others.  We are looking for teaching or ruling elders to serve as shepherds in the Beckley Cluster and the Greenbrier Valley Cluster.  We are anticipating gathering the shepherds in September to discuss the work of the shepherds, compare notes, and share plans and possibilities.

The members of the Relations Committee are: Nancy Tissue, chairperson; Geenie Koerner; Bill McCoy; Greg Testerman; Craig Ray; Tim Glaser; Barbara Hopta; Frank Cunningham; Mike Seely; John Bolt.

In November 2013, approximately 3,000 School Kits were shipped for distribution in Syria during the refugee crisis. Gift of the Heart School Kits include some of the basic necessities for learning, including notebooks, pencils and crayons. These kits help children return to normalcy faster, helping them avoid the long-term effects of trauma. Gift of the Heart School Kits give children in impoverished schools, refugee camps, or other difficult settings some of the basic tools for learning. With the latest shipment of Church World Service (CWS) Gift of the Heart School Kits to our partner IOCC in response to the Syrian the number of School Kits is down, so it is vitally important that we replenish our supplies as quickly as possible.

Learn how to assemble Gift of the Heart School Kits.

For more information or to find out how your church can participate click here.

The Rhythm of the Synod, faith notes from the May 2014 Stated Meeting of the Synod of the Trinity Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is now available and can be downloaded below.

Click here to view

Rev. Shirley Hutchins - We have recently learned that Shirley has a tumor that has returned. Regrettably, the chemo treatments have been ineffective and the medical community is left with limited options to help her. Shirley is a former PWV Moderator, a former pastor of Montgomery Presbyterian Church and a former stated supply for Falls View Presbyterian Church. Shirley is currently serving as Associate Pastor at Sycamore Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, OH. Because Shirley does not have the energy to receive visitors, friends may send Shirley a message via the Caring Bridge website. Please click here for the link for Caring Bridge.