Corrected: Read the latest news from the West Virginia Annual Conference

Boston Area Bishop calls for prayer after bombings

*note: yesterday's headline for this story referred to Monday's events in Boston as shootings. We regret the error and continue to pray for the people of Boston.

BOSTON (UMNS) - Boston Area Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar has written a letter to the New England Annual (regional) Conference, calling for prayer in response to Monday's bombings in Boston. Read the bishop's statement.

Rob Lee, an undergraduate student at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC writes that Frederick Buechner's words ring true after the events of this week: "Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid." His column appeared yesterday on the Huff Post Religion Blog.

"Above all this noise we followers of Christ need to sound new, stronger, insistent notes of hope," wrote Bishop Steiner Ball in a Facebook post yesterday. "We must be dreamers, Holy dreamers, God dreamers."

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Around the Conference

Online registration for Annual Conference is now open! If you have questions about conference registration, please contact Judi Kenaston, Conference Secretary. On-Campus housing is handled by Local Arrangements Coordinator, Debbie Leigh. Contact her at 304-473-8007 with any questions. You can also check out the workbook online at the registration site.

Appointment Announcements

It is the intention of Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball to appoint the following clergy, effective July 1, 2013:

Russell Furr - Bethel (Greenbrier)

Tim Edin - Mason (Western)

Raymond Stonestreet - Kee Street (Southern)

Additionally, the Rev. Maria Wiblin will begin as the new campus pastor at Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community College July 1. Maria is a deacon currently serving in the Iowa Conference.

Click here for the full list of appointment announcements.

Click here for a list of the latest announcements from around the conference.

We Remember

Mary Susan High, 62, of Charleston, WV passed away, Wednesday, April 10th at Hubbard Hospice House.

O. Kenneth Simms passed away Sunday at his home in Dunbar. His viewing will be from 2:00 - 4:00 at Keller Funeral Home in Dunbar on Thursday April 18 and the service will begin at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Wilda Tenney Chenoweth, wife of the Rev. Jim Chenoweth (FE-R), passed away April 11. Condolences may be sent to Jim at Wyngate Senior Living Community, Room 146, 750 Peyton St, Barboursville, WV 25504.