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The Presbytery of West Virginia
The presbytery’s own “missionaries” make much needed repairs to a house damaged by the intense winds of Katrina.
Through financial support, personal visits, and correspondence between churches, the Presbytery of West Virginia encourages the ministry of churches in the Presbytery of Nyeri, Kenya. Since 2000, this partnership has been a source of enrichment for both presbyteries in exploring answers to the question, What does the Lord require?
In a country that has seen recent political unrest, the need to do justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with God is especially relevant.
The churches of the Presbytery of West Virginia have supported five specific projects in Kenya — a school, a children’s home, and three new church development projects — all of which are important to churches in Kenya as they seek to fulfill their calling in Christ.
Fourteen Presbyterians from the presbytery participated in a week’s mission trip to New Orleans for Katrina recovery through the St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church’s (SCAPC) Restoring Hope in New Orleans (RHINO) program. The group members worked on five Habitat for Humanity houses. The benefits derived from their experience included fellowship and work with Presbyterians from Idaho; hospitality from SCAPC and Rivermont Presbyterian Church in Tennessee; satisfaction from contributing to the well-being of others; and heightened awareness of their blessings and of God’s grace at work.
On the local level, the presbytery, with 145 churches and 12,770 members, supports a variety of organizations that seek to show the love of God through promoting justice. The presbytery is home to Davis and Elkins College in Elkins and Bluestone Conference Center.
Presbytery Staff
Gay Mothershed, executive presbyter
John Bolt, stated clerk
Lois Coffey, financial administrator
Margaret Bolt, office coordinator
Erica Panaro, administrative assistant
Sherri Walker, information services director
Carolyn Arbuckle, hunger action enabler
Susan Sharp Campbell, educational ministry
Terry Cunningham, older adult ministry
Mary Jane Knapp, Quadrant Ministries
Mark Miller, Bluestone Conference Center
Karen Robinson, resource center director
Peter Vial, congregational development
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Justin Bessinger, FDN
Barbara Betts, GAC
Herb Beverly, OGA
Almighty God, you make your presence known in earthquake, wind, and storm, as well as in a still, small voice. We are humbled by our inability to predict or control these natural forces. For those who find themselves in the path of destructive forces, may your mercy and peace follow. Call us forth to acts of compassion as we minister in the name of the one who calmed the storm, Jesus the Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Ps. 15, 147:1–11 Ps. 48, 4
Isa. 44:24–45:7
Eph. 5:1–14; Mark 4:1–20
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