Congregational News Updates

The following news is updated from congregational newsletters, to keep you aware of items between publications of the West Virginia News.  More news is offered on many congregational websites.  See the list at our home page (click “Congregations” tab at left):  www.wvdisciples.org

Beckley:  First Christian Church.  YMCA nights held monthly by the youth.  Youth sponsored a Valentine Tea on Feb. 15.  Annual Day of Pancakes is Mar. 22, with the Disciples Men assisted by the youth.  Lenten Listening to God series offered again this year, and church membership classes will also be offered.

Bethany: Memorial Church of Christ.  Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday observances are scheduled.  Annual Easter Sunrise Service will be held.  Game Nights are offered monthly.  Alan Dicken will present the sermon and report on his recent trip to Chile on Mar. 1.  Statements of the church’s Mission, Vision and Values has been published. 

Cameron: Big Run Christian Church & Fork Ridge Christian Church.  Community Ash Wednesday service is announced.    Disciples Men meet with Cameron First Christian Church on Feb. 21 for breakfast.  Disciples Women will gather Feb. 26 for covered dish dinner.

Charleston: United Disciples of Christ Church.  A new Spiritual Gifts class and a Disciples History class are offered.  Loving Relationships dinner held Feb. 15.  Progress is being made on the property aquisition.

Fairmont: Central Christian Church.  Seeds of Faith gatherings on Wednesdays explore church history.  Winter bi-weekly Bible study is Telling the Gospel. Congregational dinner is Feb. 22.  A new welcome video is being prepared for the church website. Ash Wednesday observance is announced.

Logan: First Christian Church.  Men’s and Women’s fellowships continue to meet.  Men offered a hot dog sale on Feb. 15.  Arabel Hatfield is the new youth leader. 

Mannington: First Christian Church.  Monthly dinners continue.  Plans are being made for needed building repairs.

Matoaka: Matoaka Christian Church.  Annual Sweetheart Dinner was being planned.  Congregation continues to reach out to those confined to residence during these harsh winter months.

Princeton:  First Christian Church.  The men of Princeton, Beckley, Parkersburg, and beyond, will be continuing their work in hurricane recovery at the Westside Mission New Orleans, with Bro. Vance Moore.  They are raising a mile of pennies (84,480) to help cover the cost of travel.  Kings Kids will see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Feb. 19.  Kids and youth groups continue to grow. 

Weirton: First Christian Church.  Annual Sweetheart Pasta Dinner was enjoyed on Feb. 15.  Congregation continues to sponsor 4 children in Haiti through Global Ministries.  Ash Wednesday service is announced.

Wheeling:  First Christian Church.  Group meetings will be forming to explore spiritual gifts, following the model developed in conversation with Judy Turner in January.  Interfaith Prayer Group continues to meet.  Ash Wednesday observance and a Maundy Thursday Seder are being planned.  St. Baldrick’s extravaganza is set for March 15. 

Is your church included above?  Please make sure we’re on your congregation’s mailing list, and/or send highlights of your church news to dchafin@wvdisciples.org.  We’ll try to include as much as possible online, and some items will make it into the next publication of  The News.

 

Local Church News

Because we are publishing the News less frequently on paper, we thought it might be good to send you a few tidbits of what has been happening in our congregations of late.  If you have local church news to share, please forward it soon.  We will try to update these entries online occasionally.

Beckley, First  (Donald R. Snyder, Pastor) A Tent of Hope was placed by the church at the rally in Washington, D.C.  Seminary Intern will be hosted in 2009. Worship now broadcast on WQAZ weekly.  Youth led the hanging of the greens and Advent worship. Choir presented cantata decked in new choir robes. Snyders hosted parsonage open house on the 21st. New paraments and a funeral pall were created by Worship Dept.

Bethany, Memorial Church (David Chafin, Visiting Pastor)  Rev. Bob Cueni was thanked for his leadership in Nov.-Dec., and Rev. Chafin was welcomed to serve as visiting pastor as the new year began. Many from BMC participated in the Relay for Life, raising over $1000 for cancer research.  Ourtreach-Palooza brought many together for numerous outreach projects for the community in Dec.  www.BMCDisciples.org 

 

 

 

Bluefield, First (Aaron Watkins, Pastor) Youth presented a Christmas play, and a Christmas Dinner was enjoyed in Dec., along with the 2nd Annual Pastor’s Open House.

Cameron, Big Run & Fork Ridge (Andrea Brownlee, Pastor) Children’s Christmas party was celebrated, and a play was presented by them in worship at Big Run prior to the annual Christmas dinner.  Men’s and Women’s groups continue to meet monthly.  Fork Ridge offered Christmas lunch, and held a cookie exchange during Advent.

Charleston, United Disciples of Christ (Steven Smith, Pastor) Christmas caroling and a cantata were key holiday experiences.  Dennis and Rebecca Sparks offered presentation on Bethlehem. Spiritual Gifts, Five Love Languages, and Disciples History classes now offered.  Children are rehearsing handchimes. Loving Relationships Dinners continue.  Visit www.uniteddisciples.org.

Clarksburg, Central (Earl Klein, Interim Pastor) Many improvements are beginning and others are wrapping up in this new year.  Music program continues to grow.

Cumberland, MD, First (Rae Browning, Pastor) Bible Study focuses on Luke’s gospel and the poor. Disciples Mission Fund presented congregation with membership in Centennial Giving Society for their 2007 contributions.  Congregation made “Cram Exam” packages for Frostburg U. students during exam week.  Visit www.CumberlandDisciples.org.    

Fairmont, Central (Joshua Patty, Pastor)  Youth Christmas program, and an evening of Christmas music from film was presented by Rev. Patty in preparation for the Christmas celebration. Visit www.centralchristianfairmont.org.

Huntington, Central (Dr. Gary Patton, Interim Pastor) New hearing assistance devices installed.  Pastor conducted an Advent study during Sunday School. Christmas drama presented at the all-church Christmas dinner. Congregation went caroling to shut-in members.   www.HuntingtonCentral.org

Huntington, Madison Avenue (Russell Smith, Interim Pastor)  Funds are being collected for new choir robes. Youth participated in city Christmas Parade, and hosted a Parents Day Out. Choir offered cantata and a white Gifts and Children’s program presented Dec. 14.

Huntington, Vinson (Pablo Gonzales, Interim Pastor) Men’s and Women’s fellowships continue to meet.  A Christmas Cantata was followed by lunch with Santa. 

Logan, First (Charles Wood, Pastor)  Living Nativity and Advent Luncheons highlighted the season. A community dinner, Tea with Santa, and a teen Christmas play were also in Dec.  Elders and Deacons retreat scheduled in January.  Men’s and Women’s groups remain active.  Visit www.orgsites.com/wv/fccoflogan.

Mannington, First (Lynn White, Pastor)  Christmas fellowship dinner and Christmas Eve worship capped the Advent season.  Christmas Shoebox ministry was supported. A new awning has been added to the fellowship hall entry. 

Matoaka (Craig Hammond, Pastor)  Cards and food were collected for the area mission.  Sunday School class members exchanged gifts at Christmas.  Many enjoyed caroling residents at the senior home.   Congregation will be sending cards regularly to Mother of Christ Jolinoel Nursing Home.

McMechen (Rod Hubbs, Pastor)  Church active in advocacy for children, veterans, and domestic violence victims in the past fall.  Hosted ecumenical Thanksgiving service, and a Christmas fellowship dinner.

Morgantown, First (Richard Howard, Pastor)  A Christmas Cookie Baking Day brought members together for fellowship. Musical and luncheon were enjoyed on Dec. 14.  Scouting and chess club continue to meet at the church. Newsletter now to be offered via internet/email. Visit www.morgantownwvdisciples.org

Moundsville, First (Walter McNutt, Interim Pastor)  All-church Christmas Dinner and Play: “The Grouch that Saved Christmas” were enjoyed in Dec.  New windows project is complete. Teen Service Ministry Class continues to serve the church.   

New Martinsville, First (Robert D. Brooks, Pastor) Congregation participated in “Warm Up America” campaign, as well as collected jars of coins for Christmas.

Parkersburg, First (Sanford Downs,   Pastor)   A Christmas Cantata was presented Dec. 7, followed by Christmas Dinner. Silent auction benefited the women’s mission commitment with over $400 raised.  Visit www.movpdoc.org.

Princeton, First (Gary F. Lyons, Pastor)  Hosted open house for 148 children and numerous adults in Oct. Youth especially supported funding for Operation Christmas Child in Nov. Christmas meals, a shopping trip, cantata and children’s program prepared all for the big celebration.   www.princetondisciples.org.   

St. Albans, First (Bill Pollack, Pastor)  New church newsletter and many updates can be seen at www.saintalbansdisciples.org.

Weirton, First (Kevin Bowers, Pastor) Elders call for church-wide prayer emphasis during the stewardship emphasis and Advent.  Church Christmas dinner and program celebrated on the 14th.  Congregation is sponsoring a Haitian child through Global Ministries program. New website:  www.WeirtonDisciples.org.

Wheeling, First (Magdalyn M.  Sebastian, Pastor)  Weekday morning Bible studies began in Dec. “Longest Night” service was held Dec. 21. Youth raised $200 for youth ministries at their Christmas sale. Church is hosting Interfaith Prayer Group. Several Bible studies are being offered, including one on John’s Epistles by Rev. Bill Flewelling.   www.BigRoundWindow.com.

 

Send your church news to info@wvdisciples.org!

 

 

 

 

Big Run Church Offers Christmas Wreaths

As the Big Run Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) near Cameron plans the completion of a fund drive for their roof, they are offering fresh, handmade Scotch Pine Christmas wreaths (with red ribbon and pine cones) for sale.  They are designed for use on doors or cemetery markers.

12″ WREATH:  $30

14″ WREATH:  $35

32″ CROSS WREATH:  $30  

Orders must be received by Nov. 7.   Contact Judy McFadden  for more information.

Does your congregation have a special project that we can help you promote?  If so, please send it to David Chafin in the Regional Office.  We will pass on as much information as possible.