This quarter's Session Record Reviews coming up in April

This year, the Session Record Reviews are being offered twice per quarter (one in person and one online) instead of all at once. The reviews for the second quarter of the year are going to be 3 PM April 14 on Zoom and 3 PM April 21 at a Bridgeport/Clarksburg area church. Remaining events are Aug. 18 in Lewisburg, Aug. 19 on Zoom, Oct. 13 on Zoom, and Oct. 20 in Huntington. Clerks of Session (or a ruling elder representative of the session) need to attend one of the events by October 2024.

Spring Youth Retreat cancelled

The retreat, "Crossing Paths," has been cancelled due to a low number of registrations.

Festival of Faith is right around the corner!

April 6 at Charleston First Presbyterian Church

While the early registration deadline and opportunity to order lunch have passed, walk-ins are welcome. Registration will begin at 9 AM, with welcome and worship at 9:30 AM. Festival of Faith promises to be a day for learning, fellowship, and worship on a variety of topics for members and leaders of our congregations. Keynote presenter Shannon Craigo-Snell, Professor of Theology at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary who grew up in the Teays Valley Presbyterian Church, will focus on "Understanding the Roots of Racism.” She will explore how we can live out our Christian commitments to love and justice in the current context of racial tensions and how we might create space for new ways forward. She will also lead a workshop on “Christian Understandings of Evil.” A variety of other workshops will be offered as well; you can find a description of them in the title link.

Communion Training for Ruling Elders

3-5 PM April 28 on Zoom

All sessions, particularly those whose churches do not have pastoral leadership, are invited to send ruling elders (they don’t have to be on the session currently) to this event. Participants must be approved by the session of their church of membership to be authorized. Note that there is an advance assignment that includes reading sections of the 2023-2025 Book of Order. There is no cost to participate. The registration deadline is Monday, April 15. Register by submitting your name, church, email, phone number, and date of session approval to attend this training to susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com. If you have any questions, you may contact Susan at this email address or 304-667-9428.

Youth summer mission opportunity with WVMAW

July 14-20 in Colcord

Do you know youth in your congregation who might enjoy a week of serving others this summer? Are you or do you know an adult who enjoys working with youth and helping them serve others who would like to participate in this service opportunity? If so, the Presbytery’s Nurture Committee is offering an opportunity for those currently in grades 8-12 to work with a Project Manager from West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy and Workcamps this summer. The work to be done will be based on the skills of the group, but could include building ramps, repairing porches, flooring, and roofing, as we seek to assist with the needs in the community. The cost per youth is $300, all of which will go directly to WVMAW. Presbytery will cover the costs for adults, food, and transportation. Participants will be housed in the manse at Colcord First Presbyterian Church. There is a limit of 20 people. The registration deadline is Monday, April 22. Complete information has been sent to church leaders; please post the flyer where youth and adults can see it and share the information page and registration forms with youth, parents, and any adults that might be interested.

Grants & loans for post-secondary education

The Presbytery, through its Nurture Committee, has $1,000 loans available for those seeking post-secondary education; there are also some grant monies in amounts that vary each year available. Click here for information and application forms. Please share this information with those in your church, especially high school seniors and parents, although these are not limited to those graduating this year. The application deadline, including the return of reference letters, is April 30. Those who have received loans/grants in the past and wish to renew them should submit a written request, including a brief description of their past year, to susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com or Presbytery of WV, Attn: Nurture Committee, P.O. Box 11720, Charleston, WV 25339. They do not have to resubmit the entire application. Questions? Please contact Susan Sharp Campbell at 304-667-9428 or the above email. 

Youth Council applications now being accepted

In a time when there are fewer youth in our congregations, the presbytery’s Youth Council offers a place for youth to find support, develop leadership skills, and grow in their faith. Do you know youth who are currently in grades 8-11 who might enjoy participating and serving on the Youth Council? If so, please share this information with them. There is also a need for adults who enjoy working with youth to serve in partnership with the youth. If that’s you or someone you know, please consider applying or sharing the information with them. Each session is invited to nominate youth and/or adults to serve on youth council, realizing that we are committed to involving people from as many churches as possible. The deadline to apply is May 1.

Expanding Your Ministry Toolbox: Being Vital Today

9:30-4:30 May 4 on Zoom

We live in a new post-Christendom world in which the church is no longer the center of our society. This new world is unlike any world the church has ever existed in before. Thus, we need to be ready to answer a new set of questions; we cannot assume our new world understands what we do anymore. This course, for which you will find an introductory video at the title link, will explore the “7 Marks of Vital Congregations” that the Office of Vital Congregations of the Presbyterian Mission Agency has identified to help us live more fully as disciples of Christ and to identify talking points to share with those who are seeking to believe. It will be taught by Brian Coulter, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth, TX, and a consultant with the Presbyterian Mission Agency Office of Theology, Formation, and Evangelism. Cost is $40. Register by April 29. Contact Susan Sharp Campbell for more information.

News from the Presbytery's Treasurer

• Board of Pensions news: Directors approve redesigned Benefits Plan
• Church treasurers and finance committees
• Board of Pensions: Register for the new Benefits Connect

• 2024 IRS Standard Mileage
• New Form I-9
• 2024 Per Capita
• 2024 Special Offerings

Laura Ellen Booth

Laura E. Burchett Maxey Booth, 94, of Chesapeake, Ohio, passed away on Friday, March 15, 2024, at her residence. A member of Rome Presbyterian Church in Proctorville, Ohio, for 60 years, she was a longtime elder and Clerk of Session. Click here for her obituary. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Music Director sought at Nitro First Presbyterian

Nitro First Presbyterian Church is in need of a music director to conduct choir practice once a week (with additional practices for special occasions), direct the choir for Sunday morning worship and special services, direct the handbell choir in rehearsals and performances, coordinate music selection with the pastor and worship committee, care for and organize choir robes, equipment and any other choir-related items as well as handbell equipment, coordinate and direct the choir in special performances such as weddings and funerals conducted within the church when possible (additional compensation as agreed upon in advance), and provide replacements for services or rehearsals when absent or when key musical persons must be absent. Contact the church at 304-755-3242 or nitrofirstpres@yahoo.com if interested or with questions.

D&E professor, concert choir to participate in worship at Bream Memorial in Charleston on May 5

Davis & Elkins College Associate Professor for Religion and Philosophy and Co-Director of the Morrison-Novakovic Center for Faith and Public Policy Dr. C. Brantley Craig, the Davis & Elkins College Concert Choir, and Coordinator of Foundation and Church Relations Tina Vial will participate in worship at the 11 a.m. May 5 service at Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church in Charleston. The choir will perform several selections, Vial will serve as liturgist, and Craig will deliver the sermon. 

The Charleston community will be hosting a Guns to Gardens event on May 4 from 1-3 PM, partnering with RAWtools South, who have assisted with dozens of Guns to Gardens events and will bring their experience with these events. RAWtools will also bring chop saws, safety equipment and will teach anyone who wants to learn how to dismantle a gun on the morning of the event. Area churches are welcome with the hope to help them organize their own Guns to Gardens events in the future. For more information or questions, see the

Guns to Gardens West Virginia Facebook page.