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September 10, 2015 Issue #62
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Stewardship Matters
Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This is never more evident than when we are feel that we are facing scarcity. When our resources are limited, we are especially careful where and how they are used. The task given to the presbytery's Stewardship Committee is to determine how best to support faithfully and wisely the ministry and mission of the Presbytery of West Virginia in a season of diminishing membership and resources. Because many of our congregations are facing similar challenges, I thought that I would share some of the thoughts guiding our decisions.
There are two extreme reactions to the threat of scarcity. One extreme is to streamline, reducing all expenses to the lowest possible levels. The other extreme is to invest in the present moment to the point that reserves are exhausted...
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Book Club News
Does your church or community have a book club? Do you want to start one? Here are some book choices that might be just right for your group to read and discuss. We have these in your Resource Center plus many more for you to choose.
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Drug Use and Abuse:
What Do Theology & Anthropology
Have to Say to Church & Society?
Thursday September 17th 7:00-9:00 PM
First Presbyterian Church, Charleston
This free evening discussion is sponsored by the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s Task Force on Reforming Drug Policy, moderated by Judge James Rowe, and hosted by First Presbyterian Church. Professors Mercadante and Page, a Presbyterian minister and an elder, and Dr. Newman, have each studied the risks, meaning, and treatment of addiction
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222nd GA Commissioner Applications
The Nominating Committee is accepting applications for Teaching Elder and Ruling Elder Commissioners and YAADs starting immediately. The application deadline is Wednesday, September 30, 2015. Applications are available through the Presbytery website now or can be requested by calling the Presbytery office at (304) 744-7634. All applicants should submit their application to the Stated Clerk and receive an email confirmation of receipt.
Additional questions regarding the process and applications may be directed to Terry Cunningham, Nominating Committee Chair, at [email protected], (304) 344-8162 [home], or (304) 541-2615, or Maureen Wright, Stated Clerk, at [email protected] or (304) 720-2065.
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Growing in Faith Continuing Education Opportunity
Growing in Faith/Continuing Education Opportunity for all on Saturday, October 3.
John W. Vest, the Visiting Assistant Professor of Evangelism at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia will be in the Presbytery of WV to challenge us in "Telling Our God Stories" as followers of Jesus. This workshop is for pastors, educators, Commissioned Ruling Elders, Authorized Lay Preachers, and pew sitters. This will take place at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charleston, from 9:3- am-12:30 pm. The cost per person is $10 prior to September 28, and $15 after that date; walk ins are welcome. Following Dr. Vest's presentation, there will be an opportunity for a dutch-treat lunch with Union/PSCE Alum Association representatives.
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Parkersburg Cluster VBS Recap
The Parkersburg area cluster joined together this past July to offer a Vacation Bible School for the children in our church families and communities. Our theme "Gotta Move: Keeping Up with the Spirit" is an apt description, as I think of what took place for us together that week. In so many ways, I witnessed the people of God getting up and being willing to move together, to try even a somewhat new thing in ministry and mission, and it was exciting to see God work through the endeavors of Presbyterians from our different local churches. Together, we welcomed about 40 children to a week of Vacation Bible School...
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70th Anniversary of Historic Eleanor Presbyterian Church
Established in 1945, Eleanor Presbyterian Church will celebrate its 70th anniversary on September 27, 2015 from 12:30 to 3:00 pm with a community-wide open house. Like several of the other churches in Eleanor, the church had its humble beginnings meeting in the old George Washington School Building beginning in 1942. The church continues to serve the community providing: worship with child care, Sunday school, oversight of the weekend "snak-pak" program for 25 children, housing Cub Scout Pack 586 and Boy Scout Troop 164, volunteering for and supplying the Five Loaves and Two Fish Food Pantry, and hosting an annual Harvest Party...
Food and musical entertainment will be provided at no cost for the event. The church is located at 205 Eleanor Circle, Eleanor, West Virginia. For more information, contact Pastor John Yeager, CRE at (304) 360-1198.
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Visiting Artist Series Village Chapel
The Visiting Artist Series at Village Chapel is part of the Season of Sabbatical, September through December, 2015, during the sabbatical of Rev. Amy Parker, Educator/Pastoral Assistant. During this season the congregation will engage in its own renewal activities, particularly this Visiting Artist Series. Each Visiting Artist event will begin in worship where the artist will introduce the theme of the day, exploring how art empowers different aspects of our faith and the life of the church. Following worship and a luncheon, the artist will lead a hands-on, experiential workshop for all ages, further exploring the theme.Visiting Artist Events are free and all members and friends of Village Chapel are welcome. We do ask that you register for events for the sake of planning for materials and food. You can register by calling the church office (304-925-7265) or by email to [email protected]
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Let Us Be Our Selfies - Older Youth Retreat
Older Youth Retreat, November 13-15
Youth in grades 9-12, and their adult advisors, are encouraged to join together at the Older Youth Retreat at Bluestone Conference Center, November 13-15. Katherine Blankenship, Mission Immersion Director of Raleigh Youth Mission, will be our keynote presenter. Through keynote and small group discussion, in an age of selfies, we will explore how we accept ourselves and others, and relate to others as those who are created in the image of God, just as we are. Complete registration information was sent to church leaders earlier this week and should be in mailboxes soon.
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First Presbyterian Church, Ripley Shoe Drive
The First Presbyterian Church of Ripley has collected 200 shoes for local elementary school students. Look at the mighty work that God is doing through the people of this congregation, who recognized that while children may have more access to such things as school supplies, the need for shoes may not be being addressed.
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Small Church Conference Survey
The Planning Committee for the Small Church Conference would like to get your suggestions and comments to use in planning the 2016 Conference. Whether or not you have ever attended the conference and whether or not your church is small, we value your knowledge and opinions about holding a successful conference.
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Christian Educator Gatherings
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.
The next Educator Gatherings will be on Monday, September 14; Monday, October 19; Monday, November 16, all at 10 am. On Monday, December 7, we will have our Educators' Christmas Lunch at noon, at a site to be determined.
If you have any questions, or would like more information, please contact Susan Sharp Campbell at 304-645-4568 or [email protected].
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The Lay Academy of Religion Presents
Dr. Ilia Delio
Saturday, September 19, 2015
"God, Evolution and the Power of Love"
10:00 am Workshop 1: God and the New Cosmology
(A lunch will be included. Donations appreciated. Please make a reservation.)
1:30 pm Workshop 2: The Implication of Evolution for Christian Life
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UP Events
UP(upper elementary) Events, October 18, 2015
Hearts to Love, Hands to Serve: Exploring Hunger Issues
These events, designed to provide children in grades 3-5 an opportunity for fellowship and exploring hunger, will be held across the presbytery on Sunday, October 18, from 2:00-4:30 pm, at the following churches: Bridgeport; First, St. Albans; First, Williamstown; Highlawn, Huntington; and Old Stone, Lewisburg. Leadership will be provided by area Christian Educators and Pastors using the same material each place.
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Culture of Giving Seminar at First, Morgantown
The Culture of Giving
Leadership: Olanda Carr from the Presbyterian Foundation
Date: November 7, 2015
Time: 10:00am-4:00pm (will include lunch for $7).
Location: First Presbyterian Morgantown 456 Spruce St, Morgantown, WV 26505
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Three-Phase Writing Contest - PWG Path to General Assembly 2016
Inspired by the way Jesus' taught with parables, the Presbyterian Writers Guild has chosen to offer a three-phase writing contest building towards our luncheon at the 2016 General Assembly. We have chosen the fictional format as a parabolic way to inspire theological reflection on some of the issues that confront the church. Any genre-mystery, romance, fantasy, historical fiction, science fiction, etc.-is acceptable.
The contest is open to all members of the Presbyterian Writers Guild. There are three levels to this contest, and you may participate in any or all of these levels. By entering the contest, you agree to adhere to the timelines identified below and give permission for your work to be used in the manner described. ( Join PWG for $25 by going to http://presbyterianwritersguild.org. You may pay by check or through PayPal.)
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2016 Presbyterian Youth Triennium
While July 2016 seems a long way away, it is not too early for your church to plan (and budget) to send your youth currently in grades 8-12 to the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, July 19(mandatory overnight, July 18)- July 23, 2016, with the presbytery's delegation for this faith changing event with over 5000 youth and adults from the PCUSA and Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The cost per youth will be $425, which includes housing, transportation, program, t-shits and meals. Adult advisors over the age of 25 will also be needed, though the exact number won't be known until registrations are in; interested adults should be in touch with Susan Sharp Campbell as soon as possible. It is our intention to take all interested youth from the presbytery.
More information and registration will be sent to church in mid-late fall.
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YMCA & Kanawha Pastoral Counseling Center Free Workshops
A seven-week workshop series designed to foster greater individual and family wellness will be offered at Charleston Family YMCA on Thursdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 10. The workshops are open to the public at no cost.
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2016 APCE Annual Event
GOD'S NEW THING * SEE IT! * HEAR IT! *LIVE IT!
will be held January 27-30, 2016, in Chicago, IL. Leadership for this event includes: Leadership: Lilian Daniel, Otis Moss III, Claudio Carvalhaes, Rodger Nishioka, Nanette Sawyer, John Vest, Luke Hyder, and Shawna Bowman.
All who are involved in any facet of the church's educational ministry are encouraged to participate in this event. The Presbytery of West Virginia, through its Nurture Committee is an organizational member of APCE, whose purpose is to connect, enrich, empower and sustain all persons engaged in educational ministry in the Reformed family of churches. As part of our membership, two persons will be able to attend the Annual Event at the member rate without having to become an individual member. In addition, there are partial (up to 1/3 of the total cost) scholarships available from the Nurture Committee. If you are interested in more information about this possibility, contact Kari Preslar, Chair of the Nurture Committee, 304-541-7222 or [email protected].
For more information, go to http://www.apcenet.org/#!blank/codi. Complete information should be up in mid-late September. For more information about the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators of this event, contact Susan Sharp Campbell.
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Synod of the Trinity News
Did you know? In 1881, the Synod of the Trinity (then known as the Synod of Philadelphia) also included the missionary Presbytery of West Africa. A year later, the Synods of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Erie combined to form the Synod of Pennsylvania.
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2015 Wee Kirk Conference
October 12-14
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania
To inspire, equip, motivate and encourage small Presbyterian Churches and to provide rest and refreshment for the clergy and lay leaders of those churches.
Co-sponsored by Synod of the Trinity
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Fall Getaway
October 9th - 11th A very special weekend of reflection and song with Douglas and Dan Heidt! This retreat is for all ages; anyone and everyone!
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Help Create WV Healthy Faith Network
Churches are joining hands with community groups to help get our state off the top of the worst health lists ...community by community ... church by church. Come help it happen. October 3, 2015 West Virginia Wesleyan
Register and get more info at www.trythiswv.com/healthywvspirit.
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Prayer Concerns
Sam Burford, a member of the Vocations Committee, has suffered a stroke.
John Bolt, former Stated Clerk, current President of the Westminster Foundation and has served the presbytery in a number of other capacities, as he recovers from knee replacement surgery.
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