“community” april · saints; for ever since that first easter, christ has been in their midst....
TRANSCRIPT
Inside this issue:
DS Calendar
MonValley District Conf.
2
Birthdays & Anniversaries
C.O.M.E.
Radical Discipleship
3
Conference FS Update
District FS Update
Bishop’s Summit
4
Looking/Planning Ahead
Child Protection Training
District Lay Academy
MV District UM Women
MV District UM Men
Native American Ministries
SCD 2016
Mission & Ministry News
Parish Coordinator News
District Youth Camp Dates
Rally on the Mountain
Flood Buckets/Health Kits
C.O.M.E. 2016
COME Mission Needs
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
APRIL
2016
MonValley District Office
309 Cleveland Avenue, Suite 100, Fairmont, WV 26554
Phone: 304-366-6811 ~ Fax: 304-333-0224
“COMMUNITY”
MonValley District Newsletter
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
I greet you in the name of the Risen Christ. Christ the Lord is risen!
Praise God!!!
“Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul,
and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they
owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There
was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold
them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’
feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.” Acts 4:32-35
Ecology, the idea that we all live in interrelated, balanced systems.
Interfering with rain forests in Brazil affects our climate in the U.S.; and our
search for air-conditioned comfort is destroying a protective layer of
atmospheric ozone. We are learning to look for the balances.
The early Christians of Jerusalem seem to have found, in the fellowship
of the risen Lord, a way to balance their social system within the group. Indeed,
evidence suggests this was their best witness to the resurrection—that those who
knew Christ alive in them could also find the love to meet the needs of one
another.
This was their one heart and soul, that all belonged to God, that all that
they had was at Christ’s disposal, and that it was a joy to help out if they could.
It was in this community that the Easter message was shared. Christ is alive,
still catching the love of people today and changing them. But how? By the
fellowship community of the believers, by the church.
Our witness today may lack the power we have read about, but the
machinery is still in place. As we look for the balance of nature, we look, too,
for the fellowship of the believers; for it is there that the living, resurrected
Christ visits most often.
If we are to meet Jesus ourselves, we must seek out that gathering of the
saints; for ever since that first Easter, Christ has been in their midst.
Grace and peace, Rick
District Website-
Monvalleyumc.org
MonValley District Superintendents’ Calendar
Richard K DeQuasie April, 2016
April
2 Wesleyan District Lay Servant Academy, First UMC, Buckhannon
3 Special Church Conference, Logansport UMC, 2:00 PM
4-6 Cabinet, John XXIII
9 Delegation Meeting, St. Mark’s UMC, Charleston, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
12 District Clergy Meeting, Good Shepherd UMC, Grafton, 9:30 AM Fellowship, 10:00 AM Meeting
(Lunch will be provided)
16 District Lead Team Meeting, District Office, Fairmont, 1:00 PM
Circle of Grace, Suncrest UMC, Morgantown, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
18-20 Cabinet, Teays Valley
22-23 District Lay Servant Academy, Sugar Valley UMC, Bruceton Mills
23 Circle of Grace, St. Matthew’s UMC, Weston, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
24 Good Shepherd UMC 50th Celebration with Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball, Grafton
WV Annual Conference Day of Prayer for General Conference
26-27 Cabinet, John XXIII
30 District Celebration of Mission Event, East Fairmont High School, Fairmont, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Circle of Grace, Beckley Temple, Beckley, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
MONVALLEY DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2016
Sunday, May 1, 2016
First United Methodist Church
64 Rebecca Street, Shinnston, WV
3:00 PM
Who Should Attend? EVERYONE…
But definitely: All Clergy, Church/Charge Lay Delegates to District Conference (there should have
been two nominated at charge conference for each station church and charge),
Persons serving on the District Staff (please check your 2015 District Conference
book if you are not sure)
Remember: This is the district equivalent of annual conference. This is the time, as a district, that we come
together to worship and praise God and to conduct the business of the district (when changes are made, voted
on and approved). Many things happen throughout the district’s calendar year. We invite you to come and be
a part of this important and joyous time of fellowship and recognition. If you have questions or need more
information please contact the district office at 366-6811.
COMMUNITY Page 2
Birthdays Anniversaries
APRIL APRIL
1 Charles Daniels 9 David and Donna Freeman 3 Kim Craft 10 Rick and Susie DeQuasie 4 Bonnie McCabe 18 John and Judy Flynn 6 Ishmeal Graddy 24 Harold and Donna Langevin 8 Kelly Allen 25 Jim and Wanda Steele Maureen Blake 29 Pete and Ladoris Roberts Bonnie Mick Floyd and Francine Spatafore 9 Regina Spring 30 Michael and Christina Richards 12 Duane Bartrug 15 Shay Petitto Please contact the district office with 19 Richard Wright any corrections to the listed dates 21 Debbie Blanchard Madeline Roberts Thank you. 24 Lynda Masters Roberta Steele Karl Streyle 25 John Petrich 27 Stephanie Bennett Danny Blake 28 Gary Helms 29 Becky Lewis 30 Michael Adedokun Dean Hughes
Celebration of Mission Event
COME! COME! COME! We need people to attend the MonValley Celebration of Mission Event on
Saturday, April 30 at East Fairmont High School. Those of you who have received the information with
details of the C.O.M.E. event must share the information with your congregation, your family, and
friends. Many people do not receive the information and we still hear, "I didn't know anything about
it." Great results of all the work the leaders work on will not be realized if we shirk our responsibilities. A
live auction at 12:30 pm should bring those in our communities who love to bid. Now is the time to buy
flowers for your garden, bring your kids for the Kids Karnival, and enjoy homemade crafts, good food, and
buy some delicious baked goods. Learn about two of our conference mission projects and bring items for
them. Share all the good news about the event in every way you can and God will bless you.
Patti Connor, Publicity Chm. COME
Radical Discipleship Academy of Appalachia
The Radical Discipleship Academy of Appalachia is a twelve-month spiritual formation experience for
youth. After the initial summer week, participants are a part of a covenant group that meets monthly over
the next 11 months to continue learning and growing together, and to help participants begin leading in new
ways in their church and community. The program is currently accepting applications for the 2016-2017
program year. Early admission deadline is May 6, with a reduced cost of $350.00. Our final deadline for
applications is June 24, with a $400.00 tuition. The program launches with a week at Spring Heights, July
24-29, 2016. All rising 9th-11th graders are eligible to apply. For more information, visit
http://www.springheights.org/radical-discipleship.html.
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COMMUNITY
MonValley District Conference Apportionment Update
Through February 2016
Thank you for your faithfulness!
Churches that have paid 100%: Astor, Bailey Memorial, Blackshere, Buckeye, Community, Evansville,
Flemington, Hopewell (Catawba), Jones Run, Mariah’s Chapel, Mt. Zion (Evansville), Peora, Wadestown,
West Farmington, Winfield
Churches that are ahead: Arnettsville, Benton Ferry, Boothsville, Burns Chapel, Carolina,
Central Chapel, Colfax, Cross Roads, Downs, Eldora, Farmington Main Street, Fellowsville,
Harner Chapel, Highland Park, Janes Memorial, Jerusalem, Knottsville, Levels, McCurdysville,
Mt. Moriah, Mt. Pleasant (Harner Chapel), Olive, Otterbein, Pine Bluff, Pisgah (Meadowdale),
Pleasant Valley, Rymer, Talbott, Trinity (Grafton), Wana Wesley (Morgantown), Westover
Churches that are on target: Asbury (Belington), Bee Gum, Berea, Brookhaven, Bruceton Mills,
East High Street, Elk City, Hopewell (Bruceton Mills Circuit), Hutchinson, Kanes Creek, Kasson,
Logansport, Mansfield, Mt. Vernon (Kanes Creek), Mt. Vernon (Mansfield), New Hope Valley, Sabra,
Spruce Street, Sugar Valley, Valley Chapel (Fairmont), Wesley Chapel (Knottsville)
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, Barrackville, Bee Gum, Benton Ferry,
Bethel (Belington-Junior), Bethlehem, Blackshere, Blacksville, Blueville, Boothsville, Brookhaven,
Bruceton Mills, Buckeye, Camp Chapel, Catawba, Christ, Colfax, Community, Concord, Corley,
Crim Memorial, Denver, Eldora, Elk City, Esler Chapel, Evansville, Farmington Main Street, Fetterman,
Flemington, Gateway, Good Shepherd, Grace Chapel, Green Hill, Harner Chapel, Highland Avenue,
Highland Park, Hopewell (Catawba), Hoult, Hutchinson, Janes Memorial, Jones Run, Kanes Creek,
Laurel Point, Logansport, Lynch Chapel, Mansfield, Mariah’s Chapel, Meadowdale H&H Chapel,
Montana Mines, Monumental, Mt. Morris, Mt. Pleasant (Harner Chapel), Mt. Pleasant (Knottsville),
Mt. Vernon (Kanes Creek), Mt. Vernon (Mansfield), Mt. Zion (Catawba), Mt. Zion (Evansville),
Nestorville, Olive, Otterbein, Peora, Pine Bluff, Pisgah (Meadowdale), Pleasant Valley (Monongalia),
Reedsville, Sabra, Sugar Valley, Talbott, Thornton, Trinity (Grafton), Tunnelton, Valley Chapel (Fairmont),
Wadestown, Wesley (Morgantown), Wesley Chapel (Knottsville), Westover, Ziesing
Bishop’s Summit on Diversity and Inclusion
Mark Your Calendar NOW to be sure to be a part of this important event!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 09:00 AM - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 05:00 PM
MORE DETAILS TO COME
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Looking/Planning Ahead for Your Local Church
APRIL—Complete plans for Mother’s Day and the Celebration of Mission Event
4-6 Cabinet
10 Native American Ministries Sunday
12 District Clergy Meeting, Church of the Good Shepherd, Grafton, 9:30 am—12 Noon (lunch provided)
District Lead Team meeting, District Office, Fairmont, 1:00 pm
Circle of Grace, Suncrest UMC, Morgantown
18-20 Cabinet
22-23 District Lay Servant Academy, Sugar Valley UMC, Bruceton Mills (see registration for details)
23 Child Protection Coordinator Training with April Forkey, Sugar Valley UMC, Bruceton Mills,
8:30 am—11:30 am
Circle of Grace, St. Matthews UMC, Weston 10:00 am—3:00 pm
24 Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball, Good Shepherd UMC, Grafton, 50th Celebration
WV Conference’s Day of Prayer for the General Conference and Delegates
Festival of God’s Creation
25 World Malaria Day
26-27 Cabinet
30 Celebration of Mission Event, East Fairmont High School, Fairmont, 10:00 am—3:00 pm
Circle of Grace, Beckley Temple, Beckley
MAY—Honor High School & College Grads/Plan To Attend District Conference & C.O.M.E./Complete
Summer Planning for VBS, Camps, Mission Trips, Summer Special Events
1 District Conference, First UMC, Shinnston, 3:00 pm-5:00 pm
2-8 Christian Family Week
5 Right Start, Broad Street UMC, Weston, 10:00 am—3:00 pm
Ascension of the Lord
National Day of Prayer
6 May Friendship Day
8 Ascension Sunday
Festival of the Christian Home
Mother’s Day
10-20 General Conference, Portland, Oregon
14-15 Change the World Weekend
15 Day of Pentecost
21 District Lead Team meeting, place to be announced, 1:00 pm
22 Trinity Sunday
Peace with Justice Sunday
Heritage Sunday
23-25 Cabinet
24 Aldersgate Day
30 Memorial Day
District Office Closed
JUNE—Make Plans to Welcome Back Your Pastor/Say Goodbye to Your Current Pastor/Welcome a New
Pastor, Complete Registrations for SYC, District & Conference Summer Camps, School of Christian Mission
6-8 Cabinet
9-12 Annual Conference, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Buckhannon
19 Father’s Day
19-21 Cabinet
22 Move Out Day
23 Move In Day
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MonValley District United Methodist Women
Important Upcoming Events:
April 7-8 and 9-10 Spiritual Growth Retreat, Cedar Lakes, Ripley (see attached forms)
April 16 Spring District Meeting, Avery UMC, Morgantown
Guest Speaker: Crystal Welsh, WVAC UMW Social Action Coord.
Theme: Fresh Winds of Knowledge
April 29, 30-May 1 Mission Encounter, House of the Carpenter, Wheeling
April 30 Celebration of Mission Event, East Side HS, Fairmont
June 16-18 Quadrennial Meeting, Syracuse, NY
July 21-23 Mission U, WVWC, Buckhannon
September 24 Day Apart, Gateway UMC, Fairmont
October 8 Fall District Meeting, Bruceton Mills UMC, Bruceton Mills
October 21-22 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
April Update: He is Risen! Risen Indeed! Hallelujah! Blessings to all those who serve the Lord! I hope
all had a Happy Easter celebration.
We have been saddened by the passing of Jack Bish, a GREAT family man who was a great
servant of his Church, his community, and was a GREAT servant of the Lord.
REMINDER: Our next MonValley District UMM meeting will be on Tuesday May 10, 2016 (not May
12 as previously advertised), at Boothsville United Methodist Church (South of Fairmont on WV 73).
Gathering will begin at 6:00; dinner begins at 6:30. Rev. Harold Langevin, Conference UMM Prayer
Advocate, and Ken Shanes will give a presentation on their trip to the National UMM Presidents meeting.
Ken substituted for Don Davis, the President of the WV Conference UMM. Please plan to join us for a
good time of good food, fellowship, and education! I’m SURE the weather will be better than the January
meeting! Hope to see you there!
Your brother in Christ,
Paul Hanko, MonValley District UMM President
[email protected], 304-292-3840, cell-304-826-0174
Native American Ministries Sunday
April 10, 2016
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Mission and Ministry News
Heart and Hand House, Inc.: It’s official – spring is here! Our thrift stores have changed out their fall
and winter goods for spring and summer items, the garden market is gearing up for another busy season,
and plans for summer home repair and construction projects are under way. All the while we’re still busy
distributing food baskets, packing bags for the backpack feeding program, and helping folks in many other
ways. In years past, March and April were “Feinstein Challenge” months, when donations to our food pro-
grams enabled us to receive additional funds from the Feinstein Foundation. Although that program has
been suspended, the challenge of alleviating hunger for families in our area still exists. Your continued
gifts and prayers in support of our ministry are greatly appreciated by us and those we serve. Thank you for
blessing us so that we can be a blessing to others! Grace and Peace, - Brenda Hunt, Executive Director
Parish Coordinator News
North Marion Cooperative Parish: The North Marion Parish held Parish-wide Lenten services which had
exceptional attendance. Many of the churches are continuing to hold additional services on Sunday
evenings as well as occasional weekday events. We give thanks to our Father for the increased movement
of the Holy Spirit. - Danny Blake, Parish Coordinator
Shinnston Cooperative Parish: Christ is alive and amongst us in the Shinnston Cooperative Parish and
the communities we serve. We continue to meet monthly and share in all that God has called us to do. We
will be hosting our Annual Miles for Mission 5k in May of 2016 at First UMC, Shinnston. The entry form
will go out next week. Please watch for it. Modern Woodman is partnering with us for this event. Several
of the Shinnston Cooperative Parish Pastors will be participating in the National Day of Prayer service in
Shinnston on May 5, 2016 at 6pm. Look for more exciting happenings in the Shinnston Cooperative
Parish. Blessings to all of you!!! - Cindy Murphy, Parish Coordinator
MonValley District Youth Camp Dates
District Junior Camp July 24-27
District Senior Camp July 27-30
@ Camp Muffly
WATCH
FOR
REGISTRATION FORMS
COMING
SOON!!!
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COMMUNITY Page 11
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Celebration of Mission Event
C.O.M.E.—2016
The MonValley District Celebration of Mission Event is scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2016. It
will run from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The new location will be East Fairmont High School, 1993
Airport Road, Fairmont. Please make note of the date on your calendar and spread the word to your
congregations, family and friends.
The C.O.M.E. is an opportunity for all persons and churches to present the fruits of their faith,
labors, and commitment to the support of our West Virginia Annual Conference United Methodist Mission
Projects, Church and Community Ministries, and Volunteers in Mission. It is a day to reach out to help the
world’s needs through local fund-raising by making and selling crafts, quilts, food items, and by gathering
material goods for mission kits and /or other designated needs. It is a celebration of the empowerment of
the Holy Spirit to do good in this world as the Body of Christ. Join other congregations in supporting
missions with your presence on April 30.
The two missions that have been assigned to MonValley District for 2016 are the Ebenezer
Community Outreach Center and the Greater Clarksburg Cooperative Parish.
Rick and the Co-Chairs for the COME (Ginny Davidson, Barbara Metcalfe and Janice Watts) ask
that you begin planning and preparing now so that our upcoming COME will be awesome! We invite you
to send us your COME activity and/or plans for 2016. What will you be doing to raise funds for this event?
Please email us at [email protected] with your information. We will be sharing across
the district how you have been and continue to be “Mission-Minded” in the district newsletter each month.
Here are some money raising possibilities we want to share for the MonValley District Celebration
of Mission Event: Collect money in church the month of March, Put out a basket every Sunday and have
members donate their loose change, Bake sales, Hot Dog sale, Basement sale, Gospel sing, Have an auction
in each parish, Get the youth involved, Bakeless bake sale, Walk-a-thon, Fishing tournament, Craft sales.
Jesus said, “As you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it unto
me.” (Matthew 25:40) The district superintendent hopes that churches, individuals, and businesses will be
willing to make a difference in the lives of those in need.
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Ebenezer Community
Outreach Center
Needs
List
Greater Clarksburg Cooperative
Parish
Needs List
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 DeQuasie’s Email: [email protected]
District Office Website: monvalleyumc.org
Rev. Richard K. DeQuasie 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].