PWV NEWSLETTER

November 12, 2015         Issue #66















ANNOUNCEMENTS






Upcoming Events

Next Educators' Gathering, Monday, November 16, 10 am 
at the presbytery office.
All persons, professional and volunteer, involved in leadership in the educational ministry of their congregations are invited to join in this time of sharing ideas, resources, concerns and support.  


Presbytery Meeting
Thursday December 3rd
Enslow Park Presbyterian Church
 in Huntington




Nurturing Faith Ideas
 
November 15:  Look through magazines or newspapers for pictures of people.  Try to imagine what you might do or say to them to share God's love...even just a word or expression.
 
November 22:  "Count your many blessings; count them one by one...see what God has done."  List or draw pictures of your blessings, look at albums, take a walk.  Share your blessings and give thanks!

November 29:  List all the ways you celebrate Christmas.  What is the meaning of each?  Which things are most important to you?  Think of whose birthday it is.  How do our celebrations relate to the birth of the Christ child?  Is there something you want to do differently this year?




Prayer List For Churches


Week 46  November 15

Presbytery of WV
Bream Memorial Pres. Church
Church of the Covenant, Grafton
First Presbyterian Church, Dunbar
Nyeri Presbytery
Church:  Githakwa
Pronun:  Git-AH'kwah
 
Week 47 - November 22
Presbytery of WV
First Presbyterian Church, Hinton
Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church
Nyeri Presbytery
Church:  Kagio-ini
Pronun:  Kahg-ee-oh-EE'nay
 

Week 48 - November 29
Presbytery of WV
Marlinton Presbyterian Church*
Buckeye Chapel, Buckeye**
Nyeri Presbytery
Church:  Kigogoini
Pronun:  Kay-go-go-EE'nay



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PRESBYTERY STAFF

Forrest Palmer
Interim Executive Presbyter

Craig Butler
Transitional Associate for Congregational Support

Maureen Wright
Stated Clerk

Rocky Poole
Financial Admin./Treasurer

Barbara Chalfant
Associate for Mission

Susan Sharp Campbell
Associate for Educational Min.

Nellie Howard
Resource Center Director

Leslie Curtis
Office Administrator

Mark Miller
Bluestone Camp Director

 
Pre-Register Now for December 3rd Presbytery Meeting PWVMeeting
Presbytery Meeting to be held on Thursday December 3, 2015 at Enslow Park Presbyterian Church in Huntington, WV!

Items to come before the Presbytery in addition to regular committee business:

    -  Celebrate the retirement of both Forrest Palmer and Craig Butler and their time of ministry to the presbytery

    -  Approve the budget for 2016

    -  Hear a report of the General Presbyter Nominating Committee and vote on its recommendation(s)

 

The deadline for advanced registration is NOVEMBER 24th.  If you miss this deadline, you can register the day of the meeting.  Please be aware a printed name tag and lunch may not be available without advanced registration. You may also contact the presbytery office directly to register or request an excuse. Childcare will only be available with advanced registration! The meeting packet will be emailed to you and be available online 10 days prior to the meeting.

Seeking a Music Director FayettevilleChoir
Fayetteville Presbyterian Church is seeking a dependable, self-motivated Music Director. The director should have training in church music and how it can enhance the worship service. For more information, please contact the church at 304-574-0446 or fayettevillpresbyterianchurch@hotmail.com. 
New Board of Pensions Regional Representative BOP
The Presbytery has a new regional representative for the Board of Pensions; The Reverend Dr. Douglas Portz.  Dr. Portz joined the Board of Pensions in July 2015. Previously, he served in a pastoral and administrative role with the Pittsburgh Presbytery for more than eight years, and built a vast knowledge of congregations in that region.  Before joining the staff of Pittsburgh Presbytery, Doug served as pastor to four congregations in three presbyteries over the course of 23 years. He has served multiple assignments with presbytery-level committees and commissions.

At a recent meeting at the Presbytery office, Dr. Portz reviewed changes to the Medical Plan the Board of Pensions is proposing for 2017.  While not changing the basic mission of the Medical Plan, the proposed changes would allow more flexibility in choices of coverage and dues paid.  Dr. Portz encouraged both participants and administrators to review the information outlining the proposal available on the Board of Pensions website.   Rocky Poole, the Presbytery Treasurer/Financial Administrator, has information sheets available upon request. Treasurer@wvpresbytery.org 304-744-7644.

Board of Pensions Website - CLICK HERE
Hope Village Shop Opens HopeVillage
FAIR TRADE GIFT SHOP OPENS
First Presbyterian Church of Charleston is excited to announce the days and hours for Hope Village, a fair trade shop. Hope Village brings to Charleston a beautiful store filled with unique fair trade items from partners around the world. In time for the holiday shopping season, Hope Village offers unique items including soy candles, beautiful jewelry, scarves, clothing, carved olive wood from Bethlehem, African baskets, olive oil, home and children's items, and much more! By making a purchase from Hope village, you are directly and profoundly impacting the lives of each artisan and their family. Every purchase helps the artisans to support their family with food, clothing, shelter and education, enabling them to live a more just and sustainable life. Hope Village is located on the first floor of First Presbyterian Church, corner of Virginia Street and Leon Sullivan Way, in Charleston. November 11 through December 19, the shop will be open 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. For more information call: 304-343-8961.
Discipleship Ministry Coordinator Position Open DiscipleshipMinistry
First Presbyterian Church in Fairmont WV is currently seeking a part-time Discipleship Ministry Coordinator to lead and to grow our educational ministries. This position requires working with staff and members of the congregation to provide a variety of learning and engaging ministries opportunities to help us grow in our understanding of faith and discipleship. We are looking for someone who has a love for God and Jesus Christ as well as the ability to love another just as Jesus called us to do.  Candidates should be self motivated and have a passion to work with children, youth, and adults in all areas of ministry. The candidate will demonstrate organizational and administrative skills including use of computers and social media. The candidate should also possess strong interpersonal and team building skills. Most importantly, qualified candidates must feel that God has called them to this type of work so that they can share their gifts and talents with the body of Christ. Hours are flexible. Submit resume to First Presbyterian Church, 301 Jackson St, Fairmont WV 26554 or via email to office@fairmontfirst.net
Centsability Offering Centsability
Have you sent in your offering?  We are excited to report what we are doing with the funds you have collected and are thrilled by the work we have been accomplishing together.  But we can do so much more!  We have grant requests in hand that can make a difference to so many.  We would like to fulfill those requests.  But we can only do it with your help.  Send your check to the presbytery office before the end of December and help feed those who hunger in our state.

Click here for the Centsability Flyer seen above.
WVMAW Fall Newsletter WVMAWnewsletter
Inside scoop:

-- Churches bring Vacation Bible School to three locations! 

-- Roofing Projects make a difference

-- Ecumenical Fellowship brings us together

-- Transformation, Sacraments and Chili Dogs


WV Ministry of Advocacy and Workcamps hosted 63 teams of volunteers who came here from Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Tennessee, Michigan, Massachusetts, Ohio and even West Virginia. We welcomed back students from Cabrini College, the College of Wooster, Notre Dame University, George Washington University, and Penn State University who came to WV for alternative spring break. And we welcomed Holy Ghost Prep School from Philadelphia, Loyola School from Manhattan, St John Prep from Boston, and St. Peter's Prep from Jersey City, NJ. People came here from big cities and small towns. They got a chance to share West Virginia hospitality, and give a hand up to families in need. Most of all they got a chance to put their faith into action, take a few risks, learn about families and their struggles, and share time listening to stories...
Resource Center Features - New Resources for Check-Out ResourceCenter
"Mother Teresa"  film by MTP Ltd. With Bluestar Movies  -  Here is a movie for all ages, Olivia Hussey portrays Mother Teresa of Calcutta and her congregation, The Missionary sisters of Charity.  It starts with the beginning of her work caring for the poor of Calcutta, India and hits the highlights of her work to her death.
 
Advent in Narnia: Reflections for the Season by Heidi Haverkamp (WJK Press) This is a four-week Advent devotional with daily readings. Each reading is followed by two questions for reflection. It features scripture passages and excerpts from C.S. Lewis' the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe with themes of light and darkness, temptation and sin, forgiveness and hope.
 
The Lord's Supper in the Reformed Tradition John W. Riggs presents us with some heavy reading on communion following two distinct Eucharistic trajectories. Riggs pulls ideas and texts from prominent theologians of the Reformation as well as few theologians from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.Tradition: an Essay on the Mystical True Presence. By John W. Riggs (WJK Press)
Travel to Scotland Scotland
Travel to Scotland focusing on Church Heritage, Partnership and Spiritual Retreat.  

Peter and Tina Vial are leading a trip May 24 - June 6, 2016 to explore our rich Scottish heritage, the Coolest Small Country on the Planet, and a time of spiritual retreat. There are only 2 spots left!  For more information please contact Rev. Vial at minister@dmpc.org
WV Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster Update WVVOAD 
Wondering about just how we are recovering from the floods that occurred earlier this year?  We are moving forward and with great partnerships we are beginning a ground breaking project that hopes to address the significant need for bridge repair and replacement for some of those who lost access to their homes during the flooding.  

Please click here to see what WVVOAD has planned and about how you can be a part of the story. If you watch the video and notice some people in royal blue shirts...  They are us!  Presbyterian Disaster Assistance on the move! 
Background Checks and NEW Consent FormBackgroundCheck
The Presbytery of WV works with a 
company that runs background checks for religious and faith-based groups at discounted rates. Churches can request these background checks be run when hiring staff or working with any volunteers and to conform with best practices for child protection. There are a variety of checks that can be run and prices vary. Please contact the presbytery office if you have questions and for more information. (304) 744-7634

Click here to download the NEW and UPDATED background check consent form! The consent form is also available under the "Documents" tab on the Presbytery of WV website.
2016 Presbyterian Youth Triennium Triennium
Now's the time to identify youth in grades 8-12 in your congregation who might be interested in attending the 2016 Presbyterian Youth Triennium held on the campus of Purdue University, July 18-23, 2016.    The presbytery will be taking a delegation of youth and adult advisors to this faith/life changing event with other Presbyterians across the nation and the world.  The cost per youth will be $425, which includes housing, transportation, program, t-shirts 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.
Presbytery of West Virginia                   520 Second Avenue                   South Charleston, WV 25303
Phone (304) 744-7634                           Fax (304) 744-7649                              www.wvpresbytery.org
Office Hours: Monday -Thursday  8:30AM-5:30PM