february 2019 newsletter · mi g h t b e , t h i s l i n e t h e h ymn w i l l ru n t h ro u g h my...

CommunityMonValley District

FEBRUARY 2019

Music touches hearts like nothing else. Sometimes when singing hymns

on Sunday, a whole story comes to mind. At least that’s the way it is for

me.

One hymn that opens memories in my life is on page 364 in the

1989 United Methodist hymnal, Because He Lives. It’s been a congre-

gational favorite in almost every church I’ve served. Our administrative

assistant beamed with delight on Sunday when she had typed it in the

bulletin during the week. It was her favorite hymn. When I sing it now,

I always think of her.

I also think back to the only Gaither concert I’ve ever attended. Gloria Gaither told the story

behind the song. I’ve never forgotten it. It’s a story about her and the birth of her son. The

song was written in 1971. She described world events at that time as unsettling, probably an

understatement, to a new mother.

That year truly grabbed the headlines. There were Vietnam War protests. The Supreme Court

upheld a lower court ruling for busing students as a way of integrating schools. The Pentagon

Papers were being published. Unemployment was 6.1%. If a new mom thought about that

news too long, it would certainly give her concern for the little one she was holding.

Gloria Gaither describes just this experience. As she held her newborn baby she wondered

what the world would be like when he grew up. She wrote the second verse of this hymn to

describe just that experience. Holding a new little boy, feeling the joy and pride of that moment,

and standing securely in the knowledge that the child can face uncertain days because Christ

lives.

Sometimes the news gets to be too much, or I wonder about what the next chapter in my life

might be, this line the hymn will run through my mind – like a whisper from the Holy Spirit.

There will always be uncertain days ahead – in life, in the nation, and in the church. Life has

twists and turns and detours that are unexpected. Our assurance comes from the one who lives,

the one who holds the future. I hope that you’ll be humming this hymn with me in the days

ahead.

Blessings,

In This Issue:A Message from the District Superintendent

Amy

2 District Calendar Birthdays Anniversaries Prayer Concerns

3 Special General Conference Information Seeds of Hope Lenten Resource STRIDE Training 4 Safe Sanctuaries and

Other Trainings

Bishop's Day with Laity 5 Lay Servant Academy (Registration Form at end of newlsetter) 6 Parish Coordinator Reports 7 Conference Fair Share District Fair Share

309 Cleveland Avenue, Suite 100, Fairmont, WV 26554 | 304-366-6811 | www.monvalleyumc.org

You can now text the District Office at: 681-443-5748(standard messaging and data

rates apply)

The district website has a new look and lots of useful information like:

A real-time calendar with a form for you to submit your church's

events

Resources for clergy and laity alike

Easy-to-access digital documents

And more!

Check it out atwww.monvalleyumc.org.

Want more news from around the

conference? Check outwww.wvumc.org.

There's still time to register for the STRIDE Training on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at LIFE UMC. See page 3 for details.


FEBRUARY 2019

Looking Forward, Planning Ahead

District Office HoursMonday - Friday

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Check out the website for the full calendar including these events, charge conference, clergy interviews, and more!

February Birthdays 2 Janice Smith Timothy Wotring 3 Ladoris "Tee" Roberts 6 Sarah Estep 8 Penny Turley 9 Bobby Boggs 10 Christi Buckland 11 Rick Bloom 12 Kyleigh Johnson 13 Brenda Hunt 14 Reba Thurmond Owen Lamp 15 Mary Frances Zinn Gannon Lamp 16 Richard Bowyer 21 Alma Jean Beard 23 Jack Flint 24 David Jones 25 Audria Thomason 26 Nancy Kinty 27 Becky Bartrug Clyde Beard 29 Jennie Williams

February Anniversaries 1 Alice and Nelson Keener-Hocking 11 Tammy and Bob Phillips 13 Jennifer and Doug Sayers 16 Sam and Grace Haught 17 Gary and Connie Helms 22 Steve and Linda Rhodes 24 Rick and Shauna Bloom


Have an upcoming event? Go to www.monvalleyumc.org/calendar to submit it to the district calendar.

2 Follow the Leader Training @ LIFE UMC 4-6 DS @ Cabinet 11 Boundaries Training for Clergy @ LIFE UMC | 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM 16 District Committee on Ministry Meeting 19-21 DS @ Cabinet 23-27 Special General Conference | Please be in prayer for our delegation 1 Lay Servant Academy Registration due 2 Stride Training with Ken Willard @ LIFE UMC | 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM -Those who attend for the duration of the event will receive 6 Contact Hours. Advanced Lay Servant credit available. 2 Early Disaster Response Training @ St. Paul's UMC | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 3-5 DS @ Cabinet 7 Clergy Meeting @ Phillipi UMC | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Parish Coordinators' Meeting to follow 15 Lay Servant Academy Homework due 16 Bishop's Day with Laity (Special General Conference Follow-up @ LIFE UMC | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 20-22 DS @ Cabinet 30 Spring Lay Servant Academy @ LIFE UMC | 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM 30 Safe Sanctuaries Child Protection Training @ LIFE UMC | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 2-4 DS @ Cabinet 6 District UMW Meeting @ Suncrest UMC | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM 10 Clergy Meeting @ LOCATION TBA | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Parish Coordinators' Meeting to follow 15-16 DS @ Cabinet 27 Celebration of Misson Event

february

Jo Ann Edin

Ron Gamble

Sarah Allen and parents

Mark Harris

Drew Tate,brother of Karen

Jim Finnegan, husband

of D.S. Mary Ellen

Let Us Pray...

march

april

DS Amy Shanholtzer

All Churches, Missions, andMinistries within the District

Bishop Sandra Steiner Balland the Conference Staff

All Churches, Missions, and

Ministries within the Conference

Special General Conference


FEBRUARY 2019


This month, United Methodists will be gathering at a special General Conference in St. Louis, MO. Delegates from around

the world, who have been elected by their conferences, will be discerning a way forward for the way in which the church

might be structured and work together amid the disagreement on the inclusion of homosexual persons in the life of the

church.

Please be in prayer every day leading up to the special General Conference from 2:23 pm - 2:26 pm. Pray for strength and

wisdom for the delegates who will be going from WV. There will be updates from the WV delegation each evening, as well

as a response from Bishop Steiner Ball on February 27 posted through the conference website - wvumc.org - and the

West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church Facebook page.

Please remember to choose reputable sources to understand all that is before us. Please read the 93-page document

prepared by the Commission on the Way Forward. Many resources for understanding this time in our church are located

on this page of the conference website: https://www.wvumc.org/bishop-sandra-steiner-ball/a-way-forward/

If you have questions along the way, please contact your pastor or our District Superintendent, Amy Shanholtzer. There

are several meetings scheduled in March that you can attend to learn more about any legislative decisions and impact on

the local church. Watch our website and this newsletter for information on those.

Special General Conference

This year, during the season of Lent, you’re invited on a journey to explore the ways disciples of Jesus grow in fruitfulness by growing in faithfulness. As part of the WV Conference’s ongoing “Seeds of Hope” series, this study will help you examine biblical, theological and practical ways to deepen the faithfulness of your walk with Jesus and increase the fruitfulness of your discipleship. Our prayer is that this resource will be a blessings to you during the Lenten season. Written by Rev. Jonathan Dierdorff with weekly reflections from

Director of Discipleship, Leadership and Congregational Vitality Ken Willard, Seeds of Hope Where Faithfulness Grows is asix-week journey through scripture, story and commentary that can be used by congregations, small groups, Bible studies, leadership teams, families and individuals. This resource will be available conference wide in early February in print, as well as a downloadable resource. We will have copies in the District Office and will post the link for download in our communications.

Join us on March 2, 2019, at LIFE UMC for training on building a disciple-ship

system for your church based on Ken Willard's book STRIDE. We're delighted

that Ken, our Conference Director of Discipleship, Leadership and

Congregational Vitality can join us again to share his insightful teaching with us.

Cost for the training is $20, which includes the STRIDE Leader's book and

lunch. Registration forms are available at the end of this newsletter and on the

district website. Advanced Lay Servant credit is available for those who register,

read the book and submit written answers from the syllabus. Certificates for

clergy contact hours are also available.

Registration deadlines:

Advanced Lay Servant Credit: February 21, 2019

All other registrations: February 25, 2019

g y


FEBRUARY 2019


Early Disaster Response Training will be held Saturday, March 2, 2019 at St. Paul's UMC, Oakland, MD. Registration at 8:30 am, Training from 9 am - 5 pm. Leading the class will be Revs. Dan and Sue Lowther, Conference Disaster Relief Coordinators. Training overview: Who? What? When? Why? Covenant Agreement Equiping a team Team Safety Safe Sanctuaries Policies What exactly does an ERT do?Instructions for tasks Team building activitiesForms Test your knowledge... For more information and registration forms, visit the district website. You can also contact Dan or Sue at: [email protected] [email protected] 304-642-0897 304-642-0896

Join Shea James, Director of Young Disciples & Outdoor

Ministries, for Safe Sanctuaries Training on Saturday,

March 30, 2019 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, LIFE UMC.

This training helps church Child Protection Coordinators

understand the basics of Safe Sanctuaries and helps them

develop their own church policy.

We will cover the supervision requirements, screening

requirements (including background checks!), cyber safety,

and how/when to report incidents.

The training is free. You may stay for lunch if you wish for

$10. If your church has a Safe Sanctuaries policy, please

bring it with you.

Registration forms and additional information are available

at the end of this newsletter and on the district website.

Registration deadline: March 15, 2019

On Saturday, March 16 at 10:00 am, the Bishop will meet with

all who are interested in the MonValley District at LIFE United

Methodist Church, following the special General Conference.

She will debrief the General Conference meeting with those who

attend. She will also discuss the ways in which the decisions will

or will not impact our conference. She will also discuss how we

will move forward with mission and ministry in our Conference.

LIFE UMC

is located at:

3000 Technology Drive,

Fairmont

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FEBRUARY 2019


WE NEED YOUR HELP TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THIS EXCITING ACADEMY! Basic – Teacher - Rev. Cindy BoggsLeading Worship – Teacher – Rev. Judy FlynnLeading Prayer – Teacher – Rev. Mike EstepDiscovering Spiritual Gifts – Teacher – Rev. David HallPreaching – Teacher – Rev. John BroskyUnited Methodist Heritage – Teacher – Rev. Sarah AllenUnited Methodist Polity – Teacher – Rev. Ken Krimmel Please spread the word and announce for the next several weeks to help build anticipation for attending this very special academy. This is a time to ask all your spiritual leaders to attend. There is something for everyone! The teachers have been chosen with prayerful consideration. They look forward to teaching and sharing their knowledge in how to renew us in our own spiritual discipleship. The course book and homework will be mailed quickly after you register. Costs for class is minimal ($20.) If you have someone interested and they need assistance, a scholarship system has been developed to help defray the cost. The experience and growth of your leaders will be worth the investment. The Lay Servant Ministry Committee is comprised of our District Superintendent, Amy Shanholtzer, Rev. Cindy Boggs, Rev. Dr. Michael Richards, Rev. Steve Prince along with your District Lay Leader, Ken Shanes, CLM coordinator, Pam Todd, and me as coordinator. We are pleased to work with each person considering a pathway of deepened spiritual discipleship. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to reach out to any of us. Registration forms are at the end of this newsletter. Homework assignments must be turned in by the deadline date. If you took Basic in the Fall and are looking to become certified you will need to take Preaching during this academy. Respectfully submitted – Mary C. Bane, [email protected], 304-692-0003.

Saturday, March 30, 2019Life United Methodist Church in Fairmont.8 am to 5 pm.

Hear Ye – Hear Ye – Pastors and Laity!

The Wesley House cultivates the experience, empowerment,

and nourishment of God’s love.

Race will begin and end at the Wesley House, 1224 Locust

Avenue, Fairmont, WV. See the district website or contact:

[email protected] for more information.

WEST VIRGINIA CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

THEME: Remembering the Past"SPEAKER: M. Garlinda Burton

MUSIC: Morris Memorial Praise Band

See the district website for additional information. Contact your district team for registration forms.


FEBRUARY 2019


SHINNSTON COOPERATIVE PARISHWe bring you greetings from The Shinnston Cooperative Parish!! We are celebrating the completion of another year of working together to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ into our communities. We are looking forward to continuing our current ministries and seek more opportunities to serve in areas in the New Year. We will be having our first meeting of the year on Thursday January 17, 2019 to start talking about the missions for the new year in the Parish. So, keep your eyes peeled for more exciting happenings from the Shinnston Cooperative Parish. Blessings to you all!!!

Cindy Boggs | Parish Coordinator

MORGANTOWN EAST PARISHMembers of Morgantown East Cooperative Parish met Sunday, January 13th at Shoney's Restaurant in Sabraton from 1 to 2 p.m.The following events were planned:a) A training event to implement security measures in our churches: "Safety in Our Sanctuaries" - Sunday, March 3rd, 2019 - Harner Chapel U.M.C. - 2:30-3:30 p.m. presented by Capt. Mark Ralston, Monongalia County Sheriff's Department. This event is free and open to all interested parties. Due to the sensitive nature of this event, training is open to adults only. b) Salvation Army, located at 1224 University Ave., is in urgent need of personal hygiene items: bath soap, shampoo, tooth paste & brushes, deodorant, razors, combs, brushes. The ten churches of our parish will collect these items through March. Items can be delivered directly to the Salvation Army or be brought to our first Lenten Services and Lynda Masters will deliver them. c) Parish-wide Lenten services were scheduled on Monday evenings at 6 p.m. as follows: March 11 - Johnson's Chapel U.M.C. March 18 - Mt. Pleasant U.M.C. March 25 - Brookhaven Charge (church to be announced) April 1 - Harner Chapel U.M.C. April 8 - Eden U.M.C.Respectfully, Lynda Masters | Parish Coordinator

BARBOUR COUNTY PARISHThe Barbour County Parish met on January 15th, 6:30 pm, at Corley United Methodist Church. Harold Langevin opened the meeting with scripture from Matthew 25: 14-30, better known as the parable of the talents. After a few brief comments about how we use our talents (gifts), a prayer was offered. Under old business, efforts continue for a volunteer chaplain program coordinated through Davis Medical Center at Broaddus Hospital and Mansfield Place staffed by local clergy. The Advent Sing was cancelled due to lack of interest and conflicts with other events. New business discussed was a Booth Festival for the COME event. There will be two Come Walk Events, one in Philippi coordinated by Sam Haught and one in Belington set for April 6th at 10 am at Belington Elementary School Complex and coordinated by Harold Langevin. The third annual Pulpit Exchange is set for May 19th. Efforts are being considered for a Mother's Day Celebration of which the date will be set on availability to tour the Anna Jarvis Museum in Webster and the Mother's Day Shrine in Grafton. Information was provided to pastors in attendance regarding the Emergency Response Training to be held March 2nd at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Oakland, Md. Registration and fee is required. Gilbert Hart closed the meeting with prayer. The next parish meeting will be held at the same time and place on March 19th.Respectfully submitted,

Harold A. Langevin, Jr. | Parish Coordinator

The United Methodist Men of the West Virginia Annual Conference is in the process of raising financial support for the Upper Room Living Prayer Center located in Nashville, TN. During March 7-10, WV UMM Conference President George Hohman, Northeast Jurisdictional President Wayne Custer, Northeast Jurisdictional Treasurer Don Davis, and WV UMM Conference Prayer Advocate Harold Langevin will attend this national annual meeting. Rev.Langevin is coordinating this fund drive to help keep the Upper Room Living Prayer Center a viable ministry that continues to expand worldwide. Volunteers staff the phones 24/7 as does our United Methodist Men at their fall retreat at Jackson's Mill. If any churches, organizations or individuals would like to support this effort, checks can be made to WV UMM and sent to Harold Langevin, 380 Talbott Road, Belington, WV 26250 or Don Davis, 1910 Lazzelle Union Road, Maidsville, wv 26541. Note in the memo section of your check the initials "URLPC." Your support is greatly appreciated. Rev. Harold A. Langevin, Jr. WV UMM Conference Prayer Advocate

UNITED METHODIST MEN


Astor, Buckeye, Hopewell (Catawba), Knottsville, Wadestown

Churches that have paid 100%:


MonValley District Churches Conference Fair Share UpdateThrough January 2019

Thank you for your faithfulness!

Asbury, Astor, Bee Gum, Bethel (Fairview), Birds Creek, Bruceton Mills, Buckeye, Corley, Downs, Eden, Esler Chapel, Harner Chapel, Hopewell (Catawba), Hutchinson, Janes Memorial, Knottsville, Levels, Monumental, Mt. Pleasant (Harner Chapel), Mt. Pleasant (Knottsville), Mt. View, Pine Bluff, Pleasant Valley, Reedsville, Sabra, Sinclair, St. Johns (Fairview), Teverbaugh, Trinity (Grafton), Wadestown, Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel (Rivesville), Wesley (Morgantown)

Churches who have paid 100% of their 2019 District Fair Share:

MonValley District Fair Share (Promotional Fund) Update

SCOTT'S RUN SETTLEMENT HOUSEGreetings from Scott's Run Settlement House! We are gearing up for our Easter program and we are looking for sponsors. Easter meal and treat baskets are needed. Please call 304-599-5020 or email Courtney LaFollette at [email protected] for more information! Thank you for your support!

Shay Petitto | Executive Director

The Taylor County Cooperative Parish met on Jan. 22 at 7p at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Grafton. Matt Dotson gave the devotions. It was decided for all 15 churches in the county to do 3 blessing bags each with the following items in them: toothbrush; toothpaste; deodorant; soap; comb; chapstick; lotion; multi-purpose wipes; tube socks (1 pr); hand warmer; bandaids; and washcloth. All items will be packed in a 1 gallon zip lock bag. They will be distributed to the Blessing Box on Main Street in Grafton; the Grafton Library; the Bread of Life Mission and either the Flemington Elementary school or the food pantry at the Flemington Baptist Church. They are to be returned to Blueville UMC by Feb. 14. The places for the Parish meetings were set for the year as well as the churches who will serve at the Bread of Life Mission on 2nd Friday of each month. The schedule for the Lenten services was also set: 3/10 - The Church of the Good Shepherd; 3/17 - Bailey; 3/24 - Mt. Pleasant; 3/31 - Haymond; 4/7 - Pruntytown; and 4/14 - Warren. Each service will begin at 6p and a Lay Servant will deliver the message. Refreshments will be served after the services. Our Bean Dinner was set for April 6 from 11a-4p at Blueville UMC. This is a fundraiser for C.O.M.E. Election of new officers - Donna Freeman was elected as Vice chair. The next meeting will be February 26 @ Fetterman at 7p. Respectfully submitted,

| Parish CoordinatorJudy Flynn

FEBRUARY 2019

Churches that are ahead:Mt. Pleasant, Carolina, Corley, Mt. View, Shays Chapel, Pine Bluff, Pleasant Valley, Harner Chapel, Wesley (Morgantown), Boothsville, Olive, Sabra, Trinity (Grafton), Colfax, Kanes Creek, Hutchinson, Bruceton Mills, Wana, Westside

Churches that are on target (8.33%):

LIFE, Berea, Mt. Pleasant (Thornton), Rivesville, Valley Chapel (Fairmont), Asbury, Bee Gum, Eldora, Janes Memorial, Levels, Otterbein, Reedsville, Spruce Street, Meadowdale H & H Chapel, Mansfield, Hopewell (Bruceton), Mt Vernon, Elk City, St. Johns (Fairview), Kasson, Wesley Chapel, New Hope Valley, Benton Ferry

TAYLOR COUNTY COOPERATIVE PARISH

PLEASE NOTE: We request that all churches/pastors in the district begin to report professions of faith on a monthly basis. You can do this by emailing the details (name, date, church) to [email protected].

Please Report Professions of Faith to the District Office

february 2019 newsletter · mi g h t b e , t h i s l i n e t h e h ymn w i l l ru n t h ro u g h my...

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