D. Frederick Wertz, the fi rst United Methodist Bishop of the West Virginia Conference, died Oc-tober 16 in Carlisle, PA two weeks aft er turning 97. He was the longest-serving surviving bishop in the connection, elected to the episcopacy in 1968. Bishop Wertz served the West Virginia Confer-

ence during a time of great change for the Method-ist movement in the United States. Th e Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) and Th e Methodist Church voted to become Th e United Methodist Church during the “unifying conference” of 1968 in Dallas, Texas. Wertz was elected bishop and appointed to a conference where the EUB West Virginia Confer-ence had voted “no” to the merger.We extend our love and sympathy to Bishop

Wertz’s family and hope the stories we share in the NovCircuit help us all remember what he contrib-uted to the life of the West Virginia Conference.

PUBLISHED BY THE WEST VIRGINIA CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Bishop D. Frederick Wertz gavels in a session of the West Virginia Conference. Bishop Wertz served the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church from 1968 - 1980. FILE PHOTO

Residency Retreat Jackson’s MillOrder of Elders Meeting West Virginia Wesleyan CollegeCandidacy Retreat Jackson’s MillCourse of Study springheights.orgThe Race to Reach Out (Morgantown)wvumc.org/evangelismThe Race to Reach Out (Cross Lanes) wvumc.org/evangelismYouth Fall Workshop wvumc.org/youth

Statistical forms mailed to pastorsPension payments due to Conference Treasurer’s office

Final date for 2013 remittances and disbursementsFinal date for 2013 statistical forms

CALENDAR14-15

15

15-1615-17

18

19

22-24

1620

3

31

Conference Center Closed November 27-28, December 23-27, January 1

November

For more information and the full calendar visit wvumc.org/calendar. Email submissions to wvumc@wvumc.org.

United Methodist Center Holiday Schedule

Melvin D. Erenrich, 88, passed away October 3. Condolences may be sent to Rev. David and Janice Erenrich, 21601 O’Toole Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21742.

Phyllis Wickline, wife of the Rev. BillyReed Wickline, passed away September 18. BillyReed served Fayetteville-Doggett from 1968 until he retired in 1995. Phyllis was also the daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Carden Hillman and Talma Hillman. Cards and

letters of sympathy may be sent to the Rev. BillyReed Wickline at Regancy Place, 5 Rolling Mead-ows Dr., Scott Depot, WV 25560.

Rev. Warren Friend (R-AM) passed away October 2. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to either McHenry United Methodist Church, McHenry, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church (Rt. 40), Frostburg, or Trinity Episcopal Church, Wilmington.

WE REMEMBER

December

January

The West Virginia Conference raises awareness and funds for causes that show our faith in action through 20 special Sundays each year.

Special Sundays

31024

1926

Day of Remembrance*Organ and Tissue Donor AwarenessUnited Methodist Student Day umcgiving.org

Human Relations Day Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

* Contact Karen Thaxton at kthaxton@wvumc.org or 800-788-3746 for giving envelopes for Day of Remembrance. For more information on all Special Sundays, visit bit.ly/SpecialSundays.

November

January

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November 2013

On October 16, The United Methodist Church said goodbye to Bishop D. Frederick Wertz. I never knew him, but as we worked in communications to share his story, the word “unity” stuck in my head. Bishop Wertz came to the West Virginia Con-ference during a time of great change. Our Evangelical United Brethren presence was strong, and there was great hesitation in coming together with Meth-odists in the area to form The United Methodist Church. The bishop’s task - to create unity while respecting the differenc-es of his flock - could not have been easy. We have seen the dysfunction

of our nation’s public life reach new heights in recent weeks. Some say The United Methodist

Church mirrors that dysfunction by focusing on one or two “hot-button” social issues. Honest, respectful conversation seems to be something our society has forgotten. Perhaps Bishop Wertz would remind us of John Wes-ley’s words:“Though we cannot think alike,

may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, not-withstanding these smaller differ-ences.” May we all seek the unity of children of God.

Blessings,

Laura

FRoM ThE EDiToR, LAuRA h. ALLEN

November 2013

Bishop Wertz dances during Annual Conference at West Virginia Wesleyan (undated). We think this photo is from a hoe-down that Rev. Ellis Conley referenced in his Facebook post about Bishop Wertz. FILE PHOTO

I first met Bishop Wertz in Janu-ary of 1979. Dr. Sidney Davis in-vited me to a district clergy meet-ing at First UMC, Elkins. While enjoying coffee and doughnuts, I struck up a conversation with an interesting fellow, and when we were called to move into the meeting room, he asked me my name. I told him my name, and he told me he was Fred Wertz. I responded, “it was nice to meet you, Fred.” As he started down the hall, I said, rather loudly, “Oh, you’re the bishop.” He turned around and said, “Thank you Ken, for humbling me.” Lat-er that June he appointed me to the Ellamore Charge in Upshur County. I have had many laughs through the years, remembering and re-telling how I met Bishop Wertz. — Ken Krimmel

I never had the opportunity to meet Bishop Wertz, but I know one of his lega-cies is working to establish the United Methodist Foundation of West Virginia, Inc., of which he was instrumental in creating in 1974 while serving as area bishop. He was a founding member of The Foundation, then known as United Methodist Charities of West Virginia, Inc. We celebrate the vision and leader-ship of Bishop Wertz and others as The Foundation prepares to celebrate 40 years of ministry. — Jeff Taylor

Bishop Wertz was my ordaining Bishop, but when he did he called me “Gary” which was my father’s name. I recall him being gracious and kind but also clear about his vision for the West Virginia An-nual Conference. He conducted the busi-ness meetings at Annual Conference with a twinkle in his eye and a hand on the gav-el. One year at Annual Conference, he de-cided we would have a square dance in the Green Room of the Rockefeller Gym. Pas-tors who had never danced before joined in at his invitation!— Ellis Conley

Two memories: My father was conference treasurer, I was in high school and Bishop Wertz remembered my name every time we met. Following this, I went on to college, seminary, and then returned to the conference as a youth director and Christian Education director. The next time I met with Bishop Wertz, I was facing one of the biggest challenges in my ministry. Deeply distressed, I said to Bishop Wertz, I am not sure I can carry this burden and be in ministry in the church. Bish-op Wertz responded, almost tenderly, well, if the church can’t share in carrying your burden, who can? That reply was enough to carry me forward. — J. F. Lacaria

The thing I remember most about Bishop Wertz is that what-ever you were doing you had better have all the “homework” done and all the “I”s dotted and “t”s crossed or there would be his chastisement wherever you were. The funniest moments at Annual Conference with Bishop Wertz were when Rev. L.E. Crowson and Bishop Wertz would have a disagreement. L.E. once called Bishop Wertz a “silver haired fox” on the floor of the Conference. Everyone there held their breath for a second or two… but they continued the debate as always. Both of them were brilliant men. — Margo Friend

Bishop Wertz was elected and consecrated at the Northeast Ju-risdictional Conference in 1968 at West Virginia Wesleyan Col-lege. I was a delegate for the first time and participated in his elec-tion. Also elected at that confer-ence was Roy C. Nichols, the first African-American to be elected by a regional jurisdiction after the elimination of the Central [ra-cial] Jurisidction at the General Conference just 3 months earlier. Bishop Wertz was assigned to the West Virginia Area where he was my predecessor. Bishop Nichols was assigned to the Pittsburgh Area where he became my Bish-op. — Bishop William Boyd Grove

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November 2013

This is the last issue of the new conference newsletter that is being mailed to former recipients of the West Virginia United Methodist. As of Jan.1, only pastors and local church lay leaders will receive print newsletters. Print subscriptions will be available to others for $30/year. Digital subscriptions are free.

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The Mon Valley District United Methodist Men have distributed 6,900 pounds of potatoes to their communities. The food pantries at Scott’s Run Settlement House and Masontown United Methodist Church have received potatoes, as well as the Morgantown Salvation Army kitchen and the Fairmont “Soup Opera.” Several families near Westover UMC have also been given potatoes. A local farmer is donating the “seconds” of his entire crop.

WhAT DoEs ThE BiBLE sAy ABouT FEEDiNg ThE huNgRy?“When you harvest your land, don’t harvest right up to the edges of your field or gather the gleanings from the harvest. Don’t strip your vineyard bare or go back and pick up the fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. i am god, your god.”— Leviticus 22: 9-10 (The Message)