“COMMUNITY”
MonValley District Newsletter
MonValley District Office
309 Cleveland Avenue, Suite 100, Fairmont, WV 26554
Phone: 304-366-6811 ~ Fax: 304-333-0224
District Family,
One of my favorite scripture passages is Romans 1:19-20: “For what can
be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever
since the creation of the world God’s eternal power and divine nature, invisible
though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made.
So they are without excuse.” Scripture, reflection and prayer is the primary way
to learn of God’s nature and who we are in relation to God through Christ. I
encourage us to spend lots of time reading God’s words, reflecting on God’s
words, and praying.
When we fail to do this, Paul says we are without excuse in
understanding who God is, because God’s very nature can be “understood and
seen through the things he has made.” In saying this, I believe Paul is saying we
need to be observant and to constantly look around at God’s creation. As we
spend time outside this summer, traveling, hiking, working in the yard, sitting on
the porch, at ball games, on vacation, let us be observant of God’s creation
around us which displays “God’s eternal power and divine nature.”
Several years ago while hiking in the backcountry of Canada, Carol and I
were blessed as we watched a bald eagle in flight. I had read about bald eagles
and seen them on television but to see one in the wild was exhilarating!
Unaware, Carol and I apparently hiked too close to its nest. The bald eagle
appeared out of nowhere, circled overhead twice to check us out, then
disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Quite a mystical experience as this
majestic bird appeared, soared overhead, and disappeared. Did you know this
white-headed (‘bald’ means white) eagle has a wing span of 7 ½ feet? It feasts
on fish, especially salmon. Its eyesight is so keen it can spot a fish one mile
away. It is very strong and powerful, and can travel in flight for great distances
without growing weary or becoming tired. The bald eagle can soar at a speed of
30 miles per hour and has a diving speed of 100 miles per hour.
AUGUST
2016
Inside this issue:
DS Article cont’d
DS Calendar
Prayer Concerns
Bishop’s Summit
2
Birthdays & Anniversaries
UM Women
UM Men
3
Conference Fair Share
District Fair Share
4
Looking/Planning Ahead
Ministry & Mission News
5
Charge Conf. Schedule
6
Parish Coordinator News
7
H & H Chapel GIANT Sale
Spiritual Formation Event
8
WELCOME BACK
BISHOP
SANDRA
STEINER
BALL !!!
But in order for the bald eagle to soar, there needs to be wind currents
known as thermals. As the thermals circulate, the bald eagle spreads its massive
wings and soars high in the sky up to several thousand feet. The bald eagle
relies on these wind currents. It instinctively trusts and waits for these wind
currents. This is why it can travel great distances without growing weary or
becoming tired.
The prophet Isaiah says (40:31), “Those who wait for the Lord shall
renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not
grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
...continued
District WebsiteMonvalleyumc.org
COMMUNITY
Page 2
When we instinctively trust and rely on the Lord, and wait for the Lord (as does the eagle trust, rely
and wait for the wind currents), we will soar like a bald eagle for great distances without growing weary or
becoming tired, spiritually. Our flight will be as majestic as that of a bald eagle. Because God is the wind
current beneath our wings, so to speak, God spiritually renews and strengths us, so we will not grow weary or
become tired in our spiritual journey.
Soar Like an Eagle,
Rick
MonValley District Superintendents’ Calendar
Richard H Sale
August, 2016
August
1
2-10
13
15
19
21-25
Cabinet Meeting, Charleston
Vacation
District Lead Team, District Office, Fairmont, 1:00 PM
United Methodist Foundation Meeting
DS and Administrative Assistant, St. Mark’s UMC, Charleston, 1:00 PM
DS/DCM Orientation, Lake Junaluska
Prayer Concerns Around the District
Brad (AM-Lumberport/Otterbein) and Debbie Blanchard
The DeQuasie Family—Rick’s father, Jack Branch, passed away 7/29/16
Gina Stewart (LP-Nestorville)
The Strahin and Hughes Families—Tom Strahin’s (PTLP-Tunnelton) father-in-law,
Dean Hughes, passed away 7/23/16. Dean was a Full Elder retired from the
Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Audria Thomason’s (PE-Woodland/Fairview) father, Benjamin Thomason, is in the
hospital
Bishop’s Summit on Diversity and Inclusion
Mark Your Calendar NOW to be sure to be a part of this important event!
FRIDAY 16, SEPTEMBER, 9:00 AM - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1:00 PM
Charleston Conference Center
Holiday Inn & Suites Charleston West
Wingate by Wyndham
400 & 402 Second Avenue
Charleston, WV 25303
Office: 304-414-0449
Register NOW at wvumc.org.
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COMMUNITY
Birthdays
Anniversaries
August
August
4
7
10
11
12
16
17
19
20
25
28
Nancy Merrifield
Kerry Lilly
David Freeman
Betty Matheny
Susan Peters
Jim Steele
Wanda Brosky
Bill Kinsey
Greg Lewis
Martha Holbert
Mary Belle Rowe
Janet Graddy
Rick Sale
Rose “Jo” McCartney
Barbara “Toni” Beecher
Grace Haught
Gilbert Hart, Jr.
Jim Kerr
1
5
7
10
11
13
15
16
17
18
19
21
29
30
31
Sarah Fuqua
Rotha “Ruth” Hall
John Brosky, Sr.
23
30
DD and Mary Meighen
Ron and Cathy Whitlatch
Andrew and Julie Tennant
Brian and Connie Long
Daryl and Sandy Shue
Martin and Sandra Berisford
Steve and Marcy Hile
Scott and Jenny Williams
John and Wanda Brosky
Randy and Janet Flanagan
Harry and Martha Holbert
David and Alicia Jones
Clarence and Joyce Thomas
Richard and Faith Bowyer
John and Delisa Riley
MonValley District United Methodist Women
Important Upcoming Events:
September 24
October 8
October 21-22
Day Apart, Gateway UMC, Fairmont
Fall District Meeting, Bruceton Mills UMC, Bruceton Mills
Conference UMW Annual Meeting, Bridgeport UMC, Bridgeport
For more information please contact the United Methodist Women President in your church or the district UMW
President, Mary Bane (304-692-0003, [email protected]).
MonValley District United Methodist Men
Upcoming events: The WV Conference UMM Retreat at Jackson’s Mill is scheduled for September 9, 10, and
11, 2016. In conjunction with the Retreat, the MonValley UMM will once again coordinate the Arnold Eddy
Memorial Golf Tournament (at Tygart Lake Golf Course-outside of Grafton) on September 9, 2016. If you need
me to forward any of that information to you, please let me know. The UMM and Scouting need your presence and
support!
Your fellow servant of the Lord, Paul Hanko, MonValley District UMM President
[email protected]; H. 304-292-3840, C. 304-826-0174
Ministers’ Wives/Mates Fellowship
West Virginia Annual Conference
United Methodist Ministers’ Wives/Mates
Fellowship 2016
September 23, 24 & 25
John XXIII Center, Charleston
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COMMUNITY
MonValley District Conference Apportionment Update
Through July 2016
Thank you for your faithfulness!
Churches that have paid 100%: Astor, Bailey Memorial, Ballah Chapel, Blackshere, Buckeye, Cassville,
Community, Corley, Downs, Eldora, Evansville, First (Shinnston), Flemington, Fort Martin, Hopewell
(Catawba), Janes Memorial, Joetown, Johnson Chapel, Jones Run, Kingmont, Mariah’s Chapel,
Mary’s Chapel, McCurdysville, Mt. Tabor, Mt. Zion (Catawba), Mt. Zion (Evansville), Oak Forest, Olive,
Peora, Pine Bluff, Pisgah (Bruceton Mills Ct.), Plum Run, Rymer, Sinclair, Sugar Creek, Valley Chapel
(Wadestown), Wadestown, Warren, Wesley Chapel (Rivesville Ct.), West Farmington, Winfield
Churches that are ahead: Arnettsville, Barrackville, Benton Ferry, Boothsville, Bruceton Mills,
Burns Chapel, Carolina, Central Chapel, Chestnut Ridge, Christ, Colfax, Cross Roads,
Farmington Main Street, Fellowsville, Granville, Harner Chapel, Highland Park, Hutchinson, Jerusalem,
Knottsville, Lamberts Run, Laurel Point, Levels, Logansport, Meadowdale H & H Chapel, Mt. Israel,
Mt. Moriah, Mt. Morris, Mt. Pleasant (Harner Chapel), Otterbein, Pisgah (Meadowdale), Pleasant Valley,
Rivesville, Stringtown, Talbott, Trinity (Grafton), Wallace, Wana, Wesley (Morgantown), Westover
Churches that are on target: Asbury (Belington), Bee Gum, Berea, Brookhaven, Catawba,
East High Street, Elk City, Hopewell (Bruceton Mills Ct.), Kanes Creek, Mansfield, Miracle Run,
Mt. Vernon (Kanes Creek), Mt. Vernon (Mansfield), Mt. View, New Hope Valley, Sabra, Spruce Street,
St. John’s, Valley Chapel (Fairmont)
MonValley District Office Apportionment (Promotional Fund) Update
The following churches have paid 100% of their 2016 District Apportionment:
Arnettsville, Asbury (Belington-Junior), Astor, Bailey Memorial, Ballah Chapel, Barrackville, Bee Gum,
Benton Ferry, Bethel (Belington-Junior), Bethlehem, Blackshere, Blacksville, Blueville, Boothsville,
Brookhaven, Bruceton Mills, Buckeye, Calvary, Camp Chapel, Carolina, Catawba, Central Chapel, Christ,
Colfax, Community, Concord, Corley, Crim Memorial, Denver, Eldora, Elk City, Esler Chapel, Evansville,
Farmington Main Street, Fetterman, First (Mannington), Flemington, Fort Martin, Gateway,
Good Shepherd, Grace Chapel, Green Hill, Gypsy, Harner Chapel, Highland Avenue, Highland Park,
Hopewell (Catawba), Hoult, Hutchinson, Janes Memorial, Johnson Chapel, Jones Run, Kanes Creek,
Kingmont, Lamberts Run, Laurel Point, LIFE, Logansport, Lynch Chapel, Mansfield, Mariah’s Chapel,
Mary’s Chapel, Meadowdale H&H Chapel, Miracle Run, Montana Mines, Monumental, Mt. Morris,
Mt. Pleasant (Harner Chapel), Mt. Pleasant (Knottsville), Mt. Tabor, Mt. Vernon (Kanes Creek),
Mt. Vernon (Mansfield), Mt. Zion (Catawba), Mt. Zion (Evansville), Nestorville, Oak Forest, Olive,
Otterbein, Peora, Pine Bluff, Pisgah (Meadowdale), Pleasant Valley (Monongalia), Pruntytown, Reedsville,
Riverside, Sabra, Spruce Street, Stringtown, Sugar Valley, Talbott, Thornton, Trinity (Grafton),
Tunnelton,Tyrone, Valley Chapel (Fairmont), Valley Chapel (Wadestown), Wadestown, Wallace, Warren,
Wesley (Morgantown), Wesley Chapel (Knottsville), West Farmington, Westover, Ziesing
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COMMUNITY
Looking/Planning Ahead for Your Local Church
AUGUST
1
Cabinet
2-10 DS Vacation
13
District Lead Team, District Office, Fairmont, 1:00 PM
15
United Methodist Foundation Meeting
19
DS and Administrative Assistant, St. Mark’s UMC, Charleston
21-25 DS Orientation, Lake Junaluska, NC
SEPTEMBER
5
Labor Day, District Office Closed
9-11 United Methodist Men’s Retreat & Circuit Rider Camp, Jackson’s Mill
16-17 Diversity Summit, Charleston
17
District Lead Team, Charleston, 1:00 PM
18-23 Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation Event, John XXIII, Charleston
21-23 Cabinet and Mission Day in Potomac Highlands District
30-10/1Candidacy Retreat, Jackson’s Mill
*Please see the Charge Conference Schedule for Charge Conference dates, times and places
OCTOBER
1
District Lay Servant Academy (more details and registration to follow)
2
World Communion Sunday
3-5
Cabinet
6-8
NEJ CONAM
7-9
Children’s Sabbath
10
Columbus Day
16
Laity Sunday
17
Cabinet
18-20 Pastors School, John XXIII, Charleston
27
Order of Elders, WVWC, Buckhannon
31
Reformation Day
*Please see the Charge Conference Schedule for Charge Conference dates, times and places
Mission and Ministry News
Heart and Hand House, Inc.: Our next Community Dinner fundraiser will be Monday, August 15, 6:30 p.m. at
The Market Place in Philippi. Tickets are $15 per person and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are available at
the Market Place (107 S Main Street, Philippi), our Belington thrift store (206 Bridge Street, Belington) and also
online through Eventbrite at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-dinner-tickets-26879029902. Please note that
when purchasing tickets online there is an additional processing fee ($1.42) added to the ticket price. Join us, if you
can, and please help us pass the word. Thank you!
- Brenda Hunt, Executive Director
Wesley Foundation at FSU and PC&TC: The Wesley Foundation at Fairmont State and Pierpont Community
and Technical College is planning The Cross and Flame 5K walk/run fundraiser September 24, 2016. The fundraiser
will go to support the ministries of the Wesley Foundation and also help us to work toward a mission trip. We would
appreciate your support in this endeavor. If a church or individual donates $100.00 they will get there name printed
on the t-shirt. At $250.00 a church will receive their logo plus a free runner registration. If you have any questions
please or would like to be a sponsor contact Maria at 304-657-0081 or by email at [email protected].
- Maria Wiblin, Campus Pastor
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COMMUNITY
Parish Coordinator News
Barbour County Cooperative Parish: The Barbour County Parish met on August 26 at Corley United
Methodist Church. There were 27 persons in attendance inclusive of 5 pastors, 4 district lead team members, elected
church representatives as well as some with interest in the parish. It was the consensus of the group to table the
election of lay officers until a later date. We did discuss possible related activities as were suggested and to bring
back ideas for our next parish meeting set for August 16th, 7 pm at Crim Memorial United Methodist Church in
Philippi. We also discussed concerns as related to the children and youth of Barbour County and ways we can reach
out to them. Having this dialogue was vital and the success of the parish rest solely on establishing some form of a
mission statement and the willingness of our parish representatives to put their best forward working together to
proclaim the name of Jesus Christ. Please pray for us!!
- Harold Langevin, Parish Coordinator
Morgantown East Cooperative Parish: On Sunday evening, July 24, the Morgantown East Parish held a gospel
sing at Harner Chapel. We praised God together and were encouraged by our fellowship. Glory sightings included 5
baptisms at Mt. Pleasant UMC. An offering was taken to help with WV flood relief. We will have a planning
meeting on Friday, August 5th at Big Bear Lake. We will discuss the book, "Get Their Name" and plan our
cooperative activities for the coming months. We are Better Together. God's peace,
- Brad Bennett, Parish Coordinator
Morgantown West Cooperative Parish: Morgantown West Cooperative Parish is having their picnic on
Sunday, August 28th at Olive UM Church. We will begin gathering at 3pm for fellowship, fun and games before
eating at 4pm or shortly after. You are invited to bring your favorite picnic food and join us. Bring a lawn chair if
you want to sit outside and visit with family and friends. We will have a meeting after the meal to discuss and plan
future parish activities.
- Jo McCartney, Parish Coordinator
Shinnston Cooperative Parish: Exciting things are happening in the Shinnston Cooperative Parish. We are
planning our summer picnic for cooler weather in September. We are very involved in the missions around our
communities as several of our churches were a part of mission teams from World Vision and World Servants that
came to complete work on houses in our area. We are gearing up for an outstanding fall. Our mission projects begin
with the Pepperoni Roll ministry with the first Lincoln High School home game in August. Stay tuned for more
exciting happenings in the Shinnston Cooperative Parish. Blessings to all of you!!!
- Cindy Boggs, Parish Coordinator
Taylor County Cooperative Parish: Greetings from the Taylor County Cooperative Parish. July has been a
busy month with many things on tap. Pastor Terry Osborne lead a group of volunteers to repair the roof and porch of
a local resident. God is good with his continued gifts to the Parish for such repairs. The Back to School Bash was
held at the Castle Creek pool in Grafton on Saturday July 30th. Swimming, fun and lots of food was shared by the
children, youth and adults of the Parish communities. We see God's blessings in the fruition of our scholarship
program which has reached its $5,000 mark (and climbing) and we will award our first two $500 scholarships to a
graduate of Taylor County at the end of the 2016/17 school year. We give thanks to all those churches and
individuals who have donated to the scholarship program.
- Judy Flynn, Parish Coordinator
Giant Indoor/Outdoor Church Yard Sale
H&H Chapel (Meadowdale United Methodist Church) is having a
“GIANT” indoor / outdoor yard sale, Saturday, August 13th from
9:00 - 3:00. Many tables full of various household items, clothes,
furniture etc. Baked goods and hot dogs will also be available.
Something for everyone…come and check it out!!
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COMMUNITY
For more information and registration, please visit:
WVUMC.org
Under Events click on Upcoming
MonValley District
The United Methodist Church
309 Cleveland Avenue, Suite 100
Fairmont WV 26554
Want more news from around the conference? Check out wvumc.org and communications
to subscribe to The Short Circuit, The Mountain Circuit and/or The Monthly Circuit
Phone: 304-366-6811
Hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm M-F
Fax: 304-333-0224
District Office Email: [email protected]
Rick Sale’s Email: [email protected]
District Office Website: monvalleyumc.org
Rev. Richard H. Sale
Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball
District Superintendent
Resident & Presiding Bishop
West Virginia Annual Conference
MONVALLEY DISTRICT NEWSLETTER
If you receive this newsletter from a printed source and would like to have it sent to you
electronically please send your email address to the district office at [email protected].