June 9, 2016        Issue #78
























When's the last time 
you checked out the 
Presbytery website?  www.wvpresbytery.org 
General
Presbyter
Sightings!

Catch the General Presbyter at the following churches and events:
  • General Assembly!  Watch your email for daily updates!
Presbytery Staff

Ed Thompson
General Presbyter
Maureen Wright
Stated Clerk

Rocky Poole
Financial Administration/Treasurer

Barbara Chalfant
Associate Presbyter for Mission

Susan Sharp Campbell
Associate for Educational Ministry

Nellie Howard
Resource Center Director

Mark Miller
Bluestone Camp Director

Mark Parsons-Justice
Office Administrator/Communications




Prayer List For Churches

Week 24 - June 12 
Mingo Presbyterian Church 
Old Stone Presbyterian Church, Lewisburg 
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Pinch
 
Church:  Gatitu 
Pronun: Gah-TEE'TOE 
Parish: Riamukurwe 
Spoken: RAY-eh-moh-KOH'ROHeh

Week 25 - June 19 
Ronceverte Presbyterian Church Trinity Presbyterian Church, Shady Spring 

Parish: Rware 
Spoken: Roh-ARE'ray

Week 26 - June 26 
First Presbyterian Church, Weston 
Baxter Presbyterian Church, Dunmore 
Big Spring Presbyterian Church, Slatyfork

Church: Kigwandi 
Pronun: Kay-GWAH'dee 
Parish: Riamukurwe 
Spoken: RAY-eh-moh-KOH'ROHeh

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by Ed Thompson, General Presbyter

The 222 nd General Assembly will be meeting in Portland, Oregon from June 18-25. Our
presbytery will be sending four commissioners and one Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD): Ruling Elder Mike Lykens (Whitesville), Ruling Elder Chet Parsons (Morgantown), Teaching Elder Barbara Accord (Davis Memorial, Gassaway), Teaching Elder Todd Wright (Village Chapel, Charleston) and YAAD Maddie DiGiulian (Beckley).

You can find more about the General Assembly by going to the GA page on the PC(U.S.A.) website: http://oga.pcusa.org/section/ga/222nd-general- assembly-2016/. There you'll find a 12 minute video, a link to the proposed docket, a link to a booklet with information about the candidates for moderator as well as stated clerk, and a link to PC-BIZ. BC-BIZ allows you "to see and follow the business of a General Assembly meeting. " There you will find the overtures and reports that are being considered by each committee at this GA as well as information about all the General Assembly meetings since 2006. Through PC-BIZ you'll be able to track how each committee votes as well as the votes taken on the floor of the assembly. It's a great resource and actually pretty easy to use. It basically gives you all the information that's available to GA commissioners.  Continue reading... 
If you are at a Presbytery event and snap a few pics, we'd love to see them.  If you are on Facebook or Twitter, use the hashtag #MyPWV.  If you don't use social media, send them via email to Mark Parsons-Justice in the Presbytery office (office@wvpresbytery.org).  
Got Good News?GoodNews
Does your church have good news to share? Let us all celebrate with you! Share it with us so the whole Presbytery can rejoice! In God's economy, no news is too small to celebrate!  Send your Good News tidbit (a sentence or two) to pwvgoodnews@gmail.com so we can include it in the newsletter.
  • We celebrate the ministry of Falls View Presbyterian Church! For the months of March, April and May 2016, the Falls View Presbyterian Church has made financial contributions to the North Fayette Food Pantry in the amount of $753.00.  Not bad for a membership of about 12.
  • We celebrate the ministry of Brush Creek Presbyterian Church, which was decommissioned at the Presbytery Meeting on May 19.  We offer prayers for their last remaining member, 
    Delores Cook, as she finds a new church family.
PWV PrayersPWVPrayers
  • We lift in prayer the churches and pastors of the Presbytery who are in transition.
  • We lift in prayer the family and friends of Rev. Tom Young who has most recently been part of the community at Church of the Covenant.  We pray for Tom's wife Zeta, his daughter Miriam who is married to Bill Gillispie, their sons: Noah, Eli & Micah.  Tom was ordained 6/15/1952 by Abingdon Presbytery, served as chaplain for the Air Force, serving in Pakistan, Spain, Montana & Colorado. He served a pastorate in Virginia. Here in WV, in addition to Elk Hills, he was interim pastor here at PCC and served at Milton Presbyterian Church as stated supply. In his later years, his ministry was here at PCC, singing in the choir and leading the Senior Saints, a weekly Bible study group for seniors.
  • We lift in prayer Mark Parsons-Justice as he recovers from a recent illness and continues to work with his Doctors.
  • It is with sympathy that the Presbytery of West Virginia shares the death of Jettie Iretta Forman-Eble, wife of the Rev. Charles Eble, former pastor of the Community Presbyterian Church in Arthurdale. Mrs. Forman-Eble was a deacon and Ruling Elder in the Community Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Forman-Eble's obituary may be found by clicking here.  Rev. Eble preceded her in death. Please keep the Forman and Eble families in your prayers.
Join General Assembly Worship!GenAssebly
Make plans now to join in opening worship of the 222nd General Assembly (2016) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  With the help of technology, you can take part!  


New Resources!resources

Think about it... Because you canbrain
by Nellie Howard, Resource Center Director

 
I realize that you know your brain is important, but did you also know that it
 is an important part of your ministry to do God's work in your community and throughout the world? Understanding how we use our brain and how others may use theirs can change the way we teach, learn, and how we lead worship.

Spotlight on... Mount Hope MountHope
This issue we are turning our spotlight on Mount Hope Presbyterian Church in Mount Hope, WV, WV established in 1898.  To learn more about the amazing ministry they engage in with their community please click here...  

Mission Co-workers to SpeakMissionspeakers

Mission Dinner
Sunday, July 31 
at 6:00 PM 
at First Presbyterian Church in Fairmont, WV.


Bob and Kristi Rice will speak about their work in the Democratic Republic of Congo where they have been serving there since 2010.  They work with the Presbyterian Community of Congo empowering the poor and demonstrating God's love.  They work in visioning and implementing new initiatives, in Christian education and evangelism, developing curriculum, equipping leaders, community development and on a microloan project.  The Congo has a history of conflict, rebellion and civil wars.  The Presbyterian Church has a large presence there and we are excited to hear about what they have to say to us about their ministry.  We welcome all to join us.  If you would like to join us, please let call or email Fairmont Presbyterian with reservations so they will have enough food for the event. 
Bluestone Summer Campbluestone
Complete camp information can be found online at www.bluestonecamp.com.   To register, download the Bluestone eBrochure 2016.
Preserve and Conserve! preserve 
Workshops available on Energy Efficiency, Water Resources, And Community Health
 
The Presbytery's Stewardship of Creation Ministry Team (SCMT) is continuing to provide workshops around the Presbytery on the importance to the faith community of preserving and conserving resources, especially water and energy.  They are providing these workshops free of charge and will tailor the event to the ages and size of the gathering. 
 
For more information and a Flyer click here...

Child Protection Policy Workshop! child

Saturday, September 10
10 am - 4 pm
Village Chapel 
Presbyterian Church
 
  • Has your session been struggling to adopt a Child Protection Policy as now required by our Constitution?
  • Are there questions about why members who have taught Sunday School for 30 years now need background check?
  • Do your session have a child protection policy but it might be time for a review of it?
  • Are some asking, "why do we need such a policy, abuse couldn't possible happen in our church?
  • What would you do if a convicted child molester came to worship?
 
Dr. Rebecca Davis, Associate Professor of Religion at Presbyterian College, and a life-long advocate for children, will be leading participants in exploring these and other issues related to a child protection policy in our congregations. This will be an opportunity to hear more about some of the issues that have led to the inclusion of the child protection policy in our Form of Government and what needs to be in such a policy.
 
For more information, click here. If you have questions, please contact Susan Sharp Campbell, susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com or 304 -645- 456

Mission Trip to South Asiaasia

World Mission Initiative is leading a mission trip to South East Asia.  The application deadline is June 30.  The $2,600 trip cost includes airfare, visa fees, food, housing and all in-country transportation. Participants are responsible for paying for their passport, immunizations, gifts and any personal expenses. If you are interested in more information about the trip please click here...
Yoga for Women of PresbyteryYoga
Join fellow student Stacey Angel for a FREE 90-minute exploration demystifying the art and science of meditation. The event will be Saturday, June 18, at 9 AM, at Kanawha United Presbyterian Church. Click here for the event flyer!
PWV Mission Trip to Hampdenmissiontrip
Join Presbyterians from across our presbytery for a mission trip to Hampden, WV, August 14-18, 2016.  Click here for the mission trip flyer!
computer_sky.jpg
The Relations Committee is seeking techies to assist local churches with website and technology needs on a volunteer, as-needed basis. Persons would be called on by churches if they need help setting up a webpage or if they have communications technology questions.  The committee particularly need persons who would be available to churches in the Parkersburg, Charleston, Lewisburg, and Morgantown areas.  For more information, please contact Patrick Ryan, Relations Committee ComTech Teach chair, at patseanryan@gmail.com.  
Centsabilty Offering Updatecents
We have great news!  We have already distributed all the funds our congregations have given as a part of the Centsability Offering that addresses Hunger needs in our area.  However, we have grants waiting to be filled.  Gardens to fill with vegetables, backpacks to fill with food, food banks to support in their important work....  So if your congregations have not yet had the opportunity to send in those funds, now would be a great time.  If your congregation is not yet joining us in the Centsability offering and would like to learn more, please give Barbara Chalfant a call at the Presbytery office, 304-744-7634. 
Updated Mission Webpagemissionweb
The Mission Committee in conjunction with the hard work of the Mark Parsons-Justice our Communications staff person we are working to expand the Mission portion of our Presbytery Website.  It is going to take us a few more weeks to get it up and running, but we hope it will be an effective enhanced resource for all of our congregations!
Grace & Gratitude Curriculumgrace

The PC(USA) has endorsed the Wendy's boycott launched this year by the farmworker-led Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) because of their refusal to join the Fair Food Program. The CIW is asking for our assistance in anticipation of Wendy's annual shareholder's meeting on May 26 in Dublin, Ohio.  For more information, click here!
Editor's Note:
In order to keep the PWV Newsletter fresh, articles sent for publication will generally run for two consecutive issues.  If you wish for a piece to continue to run, please resubmit. We encourage you to reword, add a photo (or different photo), or change the piece in some way so that the news stays fresh and interesting. 
Presbytery of West Virginia, 520 Second Avenue, South Charleston, WV 25303
Phone (304) 744-7634, Fax (304) 744-7649, 

Office Hours: Monday -Thursday  8:30AM-5:30PM