Council of Churches to Gather for Assembly Oct. 16-17

You are cordially invited to the
West Virginia Council of Churches Annual Assembly

Opening Worship, Sunday, October 16, 7:00 p.m.
(Community Invited without Registration)

Monday, October 17, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Blessed John XXIII Pastoral Center, Charleston

Theme: Christian Unity in the 21st Century
Refocusing the Vision

Opening Worship Speaker
The Rev. David K. Shumate
District Executive for the Church of the Brethren Virlina District, Roanoke, Virginia

Prayer Breakfast Speaker
The Rev. Dr. William Wilson
Director of Connectional Ministries
West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church

To Register: Go to www.wvcc.org or contact the Regional Minister

 

Council of Churches Features Kathy Mattea at Unity Dinner

In celebration of the 130^th Anniversary of the WV Council of Churches, you are invited to join others for the first annual Unity Dinner:  Thurs., Sep. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Clay Center Grand Entrance Hall, Charleston.  WV Singer and Songwriter, Kathy Mattea, will be the featured entertainment for the evening.  Tickets online at www.WVCC.org.

 

Christian Unity Work Day features Dick Hamm

From the WV Council of Churches: 

   A Day on Church Leadership and Models for Christian Unity

With The Rev. Dr. Dick Hamm,  Executive Director of Christian Churches Together

 Wednesday, May 19, 2010

 St. George Orthodox Cathedral in Downtown Charleston

 1:00 PM  –  “Effective Church Leadership for the 21^st Century”  (This is an afternoon work session.)

5:00 Break for Dinner

6:30 PM –  “The CCTUSA model”

In addition to serving as executive director of Christian Churches Together, an organization that is reaching out to a broader spectrum of Christianity than traditional ecumenical churches, Dr. Hamm is one of the foremost presenters on the state of the church and the congregation today. He offers insights to the practice of ministry that are applicable for the local church, judicatory and the Council of Churches.   He is the former General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). 

 Register through the West Virginia Council of Churches by e-mailing dsparks@wvcc.org or calling 304-344-3141

 

WV Flood Relief – Volunteer Info Site

Ray Uhl, the region’s Disaster Response Coordinator, has asked that we publish this link for WV Volunteer Organizations Assisting in Disasters – as recommended by the WV Council of Churches – for those local church groups and individuals who want to do the most good possible with their volunteer efforts in the state.  Flood relief is a primary effort, and now is a great time for all of us assess what we can do.  We’re grateful for their work!

 

Martin Luther King Day Events

We have received word of two events planned for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Jan. 18:

Charleston:  Breakfast, 8:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1600 Kanawha Blvd. (reserve at 304-344-3141 by Jan. 15).  Cost $10.  Speaker:  Richard Thompson, WV Speaker of the House of Representatives.  Sponsored by the WV Council of Churches.

Morgantown:  It’s a Small World, sponsored by the Community Coalition for Social Justice, 12:30 p.m. at Morgantown High School Auditorium.  Free; no reservation.  Dr. Connie Park Rice, author of Our Monongalia: A History Of African Americans In Monongalia County, West Virginia, will speak about the black schools in the county, and Sandra Nelms, a counselor at Cheat Lake Elementary, will tell the story of Henry “Box” Brown, who fled enslavement by shipping himself to freedom in a box. The Morgantown High School Show Choir will perform, and art students from Cheat Lake Elementary School and St. Francis School will display their work.

 

Beeson Recognized at Council of Churches Assembly

The annual Assembly of the West Virginia Council of Churches was held on Monday, Oct. 19 at the Blessed John XXIII Pastoral Center in Charleston.  In addition to a productive and inspiring time of worship and networking, the Council recognized the ecumenical commitment and work of Betty Beeson, long-time regional leader and member of the United Disciples of Christ Church in Charleston.

Betty received the Mary Virginia DeRoo Ecumenical Award, a gesture of great respect and appreciation for her many years of dedication to the work of the Council and to the cause of Christian unity and interfaith efforts.

Rev. Thaddaeus B. Allen, Regional Minister, spoke of the powerful impact of her life upon the cause of Christian Unity, and the award was presented to her by her pastor, the Rev. Steven Smith.  Congratulations came from the Executive Director of the Council, Rev. Dennis Sparks, also a Disciples minister and member of the United congregation.  

The Disciples delegation was augmented by a number of Betty’s family and friends who attended the luncheon.  The Regional Church celebrates this honor with her.   See more photos on our Flick’r site.

 

Council of Churches Work Day

This was received from the Rev. Dennis Sparks, Executive Director of the West Virginia Council of Churches. 

The Council of Churches is in need of Volunteers to help with repairs and fall chores on our house/office building at 2207 Washington St. East, just east of the Capitol, on Friday, September 18 beginning at 9:00 a.m.-‘til.  Will you target a couple people from your church or organization (including you) who you know like doing such work – concrete step repair, exterior and interior painting, gutter repair, porch varnishing, window washing, yard work and landscaping?   Thanks for your assistance. 

Those interested  can contact the Council Office (304-344-3141) to volunteer, or call the Regional Office (304-428-1681)  for a Volunteer Workday form, which we can email.

 

Regional Minister Offers Prayer at Manchin Inaugural Mass

Rev. Thaddaeus B. Allen, Regional Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia, offered prayer at the Mass in celebration of the Inauguration of Gov. Joe Manchin at Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral, Charleston, last Sunday (Jan. 18).  The only protestant head-of-communion present in leadership, Rev. Allen was honored to share in this service along with Rev. Dennis Sparks, Executive Director of the WV Council of Churches, and Jewish and Muslim leaders.

Coverage of the service and photos are available at the Charleston Gazette website.

 

Council of Churches: Standing Up for Children

from Rev. Dennis Sparks in a letter to WV Council Member Churches:

As you and your congregation seek tools for understanding, equipping and reaching the children and youth in your community, you will want to have people attend the 2008 Annual Assembly of the West Virginia Council of Churches – Sunday and Monday, October 19 and 20 at Blessed John XXIII Center in Charleston. The assembly is for every church and congregation in West Virginia.

 

Within the theme: Standing Up For God’s Children, the Assembly will offer an essential toolbox equipped with insights and tools that are often outside of the normal children and youth ministry trainings:

 

·         Mentoring Training – Nationally acclaimed  authors, Drs. Harold and Ollie (Watts) Davis (West Virginia natives who now live in Champaign Illinois) will be preaching, singing and teaching the opportunities for mentoring children by coupling children and caring adults together.

 

·         Health Care a Biblical Mandate: Dr. Len Nichols, a leader on health care, who has advised several presidents, will be teaching his insights on health care and why it is a biblical mandate vital for the care of children. Dr. Nichols is with the New America Foundation in Washington, D.C.

 

·         A Comprehensive Youth Development Plan for the 21^st Century:

The Church’s Role: The Reverend Matthew Watts from Charleston will offer his prophetic voice on this vital subject. 

 

·         Stopping Addictive Behaviors in Children Before They Start: Presenter to be named.

 

·         Raising Healthy Kids in Healthy Families: The project director of the Council of Churches’ acclaimed Healthy Kids and Families Coalition, the Reverend Jeff Allen, will fill your toolbox with healthcare items that will help you reach struggling families in your community.

 

It is my prayer that this letter has captured your interest so that you will give serious attention to this opportunity by attending and encouraging your leadership to join you.

 

Enclosed are schedules and further enticements and information on the Assembly.  You may register by mailing the enclosed registration form and payment or on line by credit card at www.wvcc.org.  Note: registration for opening worship on Sunday, October 19, 7:00 p.m. is not required (where Dr. Harold Davis is preaching and Dr. Ollie Watts Davis is singing). We would appreciate letting us know your anticipated count for worship.

The Regional Church supports the work of the Council and encourages you to visit www.wvcc.org for more information, including promotional materials for the assembly.

 

Child Abuse Prevention Mini-Grants

From the office of the Executive Director of the WV Council of Churches, Rev. Dennis Sparks:

Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia
Announces Availability of Community Mini-Grants

More Info
– $1,000 Mini-Grants Available for Local Projects

Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia is pleased to announce the availability of mini-grants for innovative local child abuse and neglect prevention projects in the state.

The Good Beginnings Mini-Grant Program will provide up to 10 grants of up to $1,000 per year for community-based projects that use creative and effective strategies for preventing child abuse and neglect before it occurs.

Applications may be submitted by public or private institutions, schools and faith-based communities.

Grant guidelines are available on the Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia website at www.preventchildabusewv.org. The application deadline is October 17, 2008.

Good Beginnings Mini-Grants are funded with support from the West Virginia Children’s Trust Fund, the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, and the WV Department of Health and Human Resources.

More information about ongoing efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect in West Virginia is available at the WV Children’s Trust Fund website, www.wvctf.org and the Prevent Child Abuse WV website, www.preventchildabusewv.org.

For specific questions about the mini-grant program, please contact Genny Ferri, Community Partnerships Coordinator, at 1-866-4KidsWV (866-454-3798) or email genny@teamwv.org.