2. Bluestone Coffee Mug Drive

Bluestone's mix 'n match coffee mug inventory is getting low, so here's your opportunity to gain some extra cabinet space for your kitchen!  Please drop off your old coffee mugs at the Presbytery office or give them to anyone you know who is headed for Bluestone this month.  Thanks very much!

3. Start-up Baptist Church in the Montgomery, WV area looking

 for the following:

20 pews   8-10 feet in length.

Contact:  David McClung 

304-779-2164  (H)

304-419-5046  (C)

Jim Dempsey, Clerk of Session, Smithers Pres. Church


 

Unfortunately, disasters happen - whether it is weather-related, a fire, loss of life or property...  What can we do to prepare, both as a church and personally?

West Virginia VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) is the state chapter of the National VOAD. WV VOAD consists of organizations active in disaster response throughout the state of West Virginia. WV VOAD's role is to bring organizations together and enable them to understand each other and work together during times of disaster preparedness, response, relief and recovery. WV VOAD adheres to the principles established by the National VOAD.  The principles are referred to as the 4C's: Cooperation... Communication... Coordination... Collaboration

1. Disaster Preparation for Small Churches

2. Disaster Preparation for Medium-sized Churches

3. http://pda.pcusa.org/pda/resources/

4. http://www.ready.gov/september

READ MORE

As followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we claim the biblical vision of the day when swords are beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks. Our faith in Christ compels us to work for a world filled with justice and peace.

If peace is to be a reality in our life time it requires confronting those things which separate families, races, sexes, congregations, communities and nations. Our world is changing personally, communally, and globally.

The Presbytery of West Virginia Mission Committee is requesting that you please fill out the accompanying survey to let us know how your congregation is involved in outreach or justice issues that involve peace and reconciliation in your community.  

Please click here for the survey!

Here are ideas from the Nurture Committee on ways to assist your congregation's members to continue to grow in their faith.   Some are based on the church season, some on lectionary passages for each week, some on seasons in the secular year; all are intended for all ages and family types.   In each newsletter, the ideas for the next three weeks will be shared in hopes that they might be included in church bulletins and newsletters.  The complete list for 2014 can be found by clicking here!

September 14:  What is something good or great that God has done in your life?  Find a way to show God your thanks.

September 21:  Have you ever received a gift or a word of encouragement for no apparent reason?  Offer a gift or a word of encouragement to someone who might not expect it.

September 28:  God wants us to keep our promises.  Promise God to do something to show God's love to someone.  Keep that promise.

A Season of Peace (Sept.7th - Oct. 5th) is a four-week pilgrimage designed to deepen the pursuit of peace for congregations, small groups, families, and individuals. Through daily peace reflections, family activities, Bible studies, youth activities, an exciting inter-generational Peace Fair, and other online resources, you will be invited to enhance and expand your focus on your calling as a peacemaker. Expect encouragement, challenge, inspiration, and education. READ MORE

   - Peace Fair 

For more info, please click here.

Older Youth Retreat, November 14-16

Youth in grades 9-12, and their adult advisors, are encouraged to join together at the Older Youth Retreat at Bluestone Conference Center, November 14-16.  Patrick Hartley, a third year student at Columbia Theological Seminary, who has worked with high school youth in Alabama, Ireland and North Carolina, will be our keynote presenter.  Through keynote and small group discussion, we will explore how we grow in our faith journey, individually and as part of a faith community, and how difficult times shape our faith.   

Conversation with Jack Haberer on the Really Big Issues Facing the Church a 90-minute webinar on Tuesday, September 23 at 2:00 pm hosted at the Presbytery of WV office. To RSVP please call the office (304)744-7634 or email office@wvpresbytery.org.  Following the webinar, Pam Ferrell (PWV Leadership Team Chair) will be moderating a discussion on the topics featured.

At the end of September, Jack Haberer will leave his post as the editor of the Presbyterian Outlook to become the pastor of Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida. Join Jack as he considers the state of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) today and its prospects for the future. This webinar will: 

• Name some of the greatest, but seldom noticed, problems confronting us;
• Unpack the problems of denominationalism and "sectionalism";
• Outline the little noticed but vital assets the PC(USA) offers U.S. and global Christianity;
• Suggest paths ahead to reboot and revitalize this branch of Protestantism.

The Faith Song: Experience God in Heart, Art & Nature Fall Getaway  -  October 10-12, 2014

This retreat is for all ages; for anyone and everyone. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Registration deadline is Wednesday, October 8!

Cost: Adults (12 and up) $75   

Children (4 thru 11) $40

Children (3 and under) No charge

Early Registration Discount! Register by September 25 and save $5 per person!

Registration forms are available at www.bluestonecamp.com or by clicking here.

The fall 2014 series of study/learning continues the topic of Religion and Science. Some upcoming events are below. For the full schedule and bibliography, please click here.

September 14: 2:00pm (All-Church picnic at 4:00pm, Coonskin Park). Dr. Collins speaks about his life-story, beginning with Science and working through his acceptance/practice of Christian Faith...

September 21: 4:00pm.  Examination of Dr. Collins' "Biologos" understanding of how to include both Science and Christian Faith in a single, harmonious, and Truthful Worldview.

Tuesday October 7th Richard Boyce, Dean of Union Presbyterian Seminary's Charlotte Campus, will be in the Presbytery of WV to share on the theme, "Public Work:  Reclaiming God's Glory in the World," challenging us  (pastors, educators, Commissioned Ruling Elders, Authorized Lay Preachers, and pew sitters) to dream big dreams and live transformational lives as God's people.

This will take place at Village Chapel Presbyterian Church, Charleston, from 10 am-12:30 pm.  The cost per person is $10 prior to October 1, and $15 after that date; walkins welcome.   Some of our pastors, educators and Commissioned Ruling Elders, may remember that Richard was here several years ago at the Educator Clergy CLP Retreat, where he spoke about Jeremiah as the prophet of the heart.  Following Dr. Boyce's presentation, there will be an opportunity for a dutch-treat lunch with Union/PSCE Alum Association representatives.   For more information and a registration form, click here. 

One Monday, most months, Christian Educators in the presbytery gather for a time of sharing ideas, resources, concerns and support at the presbytery office.  Any involved in leadership in the educational ministry of their churches are invited to take part in these.  The Gatherings begin at 10 am, include a "pot-luck salad" lunch and conclude approximately 1:30 pm.  Following the gathering, those who are interested join in a Book Discussion on a particular book that most will have read, at least in part, in advance; this concludes close to 2:30 pm.  Participants are welcome to come for either the Gathering or the Book Discussion, or both, as their schedules allow.

The next Educator Gathering and Book Discussion will be on Monday, October 20, at 10 am at the presbytery office.  We will be discussing the book, What Christians Can Learn from Other Religions by J. Philip Wogaman. 

If you have any questions, or would like more information, please contact Susan Sharp Campbell at susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com or (304) 645-4568

On September 1, 2014, Harvey P. Barton, Jr., entered the church triumphant after a courageous battle with cancer.  He was a life-long Presbyterian.  Growing up, he attended Sattes Presbyterian Church in Nitro.  After moving to Huntington, he became a member of the Bates Memorial Presbyterian Church.  There he served as an elder and worked on various committees.  Those who knew him saw his faith grow as he battled cancer during the last two years of his life. At a time when he could have been down, his faith served as an inspiration to lift everyone around him up...

Harvey's brother, Jeff Barton, serves the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Shady Spring as a Commissioned Ruling Elder.