Happening Around the Presbytery

Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery

907 National Road

Wheeling, WV  26003

304-232-3490

www.uovpresby.org

Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

In an emergency after office hours: Call 740-359-1813

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PLEASE CONTINUE TO KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS:

Mike Lenno Gene Toot Susan McMannis Linda Turner Vickie Whinnery Homer Harden Donna Todd

Karen Edwards Susan Lehosky Philip Keevil David Schoolcraft Gary Nylund Debbie Hale Dave Roberts

Matt Camlin R. H. “Mac” McCuen Sharon Willits Cherilyn Bown Joe Hendricks Mike O’Neil Judy Walton

David Brocklehurst Dr. Lew & Ruth Stevens Dakota Partnership Melanie Blount Domasi Partnership All Service men & women

Pray for those sick with the corona virus, first responders, nurses, doctors, and the families who lost loved ones.
Pray for our presbyters, family members, and friends hospitalized or in nursing homes.
Pray for peace and an end to violence and hatred.
Please keep us informed of any prayer concerns you may have.

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PRAYER FOR UOVP PASTORS. Select one of these pastors and remember him/her in your prayers this week: Mike O’Neil, Connie Quinn, Dave Roberts, Ed Rudiger, Carol Schoolcraft.

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PLEASE KEEP OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMISSIONERS in your prayers: Ruling Elder Bob Milner and the Rev. Dr. Ruth Ellen Bates. The Assembly will take place online over three days: Friday, June 19; Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27.

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DEAR FRIENDS, It will soon be time to say goodbye. Tuesday, June 30^th, will be my last day working here at the Presbytery Office as I am retiring. Before I go, I want to let you know that it has been a pleasure knowing and working with each and every one of you. I thank you for your assistance, support, and friendship through the years. Christine O’Neil, our new Office Administrator, will take good care of you. My love to you all, Patty – Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

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MALAWI WELL WISHERS MISSION. This is a video about the Malawi prison ministry with the Rev. Stanley Chimesya. Click this link for the video presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq4uIOOg4EQ. For more info, contact Karen Byrne at karenbyrne60@yahoo.com.

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PEACEMAKING. During the March 14, 2020, stated meeting of Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery, an action was taken to encourage Presbyterians to write letters of encouragement to detainees in camps on our southern border, letters of faith, accompaniment, and support. There are still some detainees who have not had contact with the outside world in long periods of time. These letters have proven to be a lifeline. They can be written in English. In this period of pandemic, this need continues and increases. Please take this as a mission project now in your “sheltering at home time.” Place letters in a blank envelope and then another envelope and address and send to St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church, ℅ CMDVP, 3809 East Third St., Tuscon, AZ 85716. If you have questions, please call Jackie Hutyera at 740/491-7251.

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IS GOD CALLING YOU TO FURTHER LEADERSHIP? If you are a Ruling Elder, God might be calling you to preach or become more involved in pastoral service. Our Presbytery, along with three neighboring presbyteries, will be continuing the training program for the preparation of possible “Commissioned Ruling Elders" for the future. New students may begin in the fall of 2020. The program includes both classroom and hands-on experiences, and you will receive training and mentorship that will help you grow as a leader in Christ's Church. If interested, please contact Dee Kovach, deekovach@att.net, for descriptions and details.

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BEAVER CREEK CHURCH CAMP, It is with great regret that we announce that we will not hold our regular camps this summer. But, there are possibilities for limited weekend camping, if you are interested. There will be special conditions to meet and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Ronnie or Scott or see our website for further details. We are also planning some online fun for those of you who have kids or grandkids at home this summer – stay tuned for announcements on that in the near future – and we are hopeful that we may be able to have a family camp weekend sometime in August. Stay tuned.

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Happy Birthday: June 19 ~ Bob Meyer, kandb411@aol.com

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PCUSA STORE ~ ANTI-RACISM RESOURCES. We at PC(USA) Store stand in solidarity with the protesters who are crying out for justice—for George Floyd, for Breonna Taylor, for Ahmaud Arbery, and for all the victims of the insidious racism that has infected our society for far too long. To all those risking your safety by lifting your voices, we say be strong, and be safe. Additionally, we believe that in order to fully support people of color, white individuals must educate themselves, have conversations with each other, and figure out how they can work to create a more just society. Here are resources intended to begin anti-racism work either individually or with your church community. Free Downloadable Resources.

"White Privilege." This one-session adult study is part of the "Racism Study Pack" from The Thoughtful Christian. They are offering this downloadable resource for free at the links below. We encourage you to form a study group or email to members as a starting point. Consider purchasing the study pack from The Thoughtful Christian to continue your study as well. Download: Participant Handout | Leader's Guide Purchase the "Racism Study Pack"

"Responding to Racism." This one-session youth study from The Thoughtful Christian helps leaders guide preteens and teens through the complicated subject of racism. We encourage you to either lead your youth through this study (in-person or virtually depending on your situation) or email to parents to encourage a family study. Download: Participant Handout | Leader's Guide.

For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World. This discussion and activity guide includes suggestions on how parents and teachers can talk with children about race and violence, ideas on how to create a safe space for meaningful dialogue, and more. It was written by the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, KY, a multicultural center and museum committed to promoting respect, hope, and understanding⁠. The guide is inspired by For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World, an upcoming picture book by Michael W. Waters that will be available this September. It tells the story of a boy named Jeremiah and his family who discover hopeful forms of activism and advocacy in response to racism and gun violence in their community. Download the Discussion and Activity Guide, Preorder For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World.

Anti-Racism Books & Resources

Below you will find a few featured resources. Additional resources can be found here.

Good White Racist? Confronting Your Role in Racial Injustice. Kerry Connelly exposes the ways white people participate in, benefit from, and unknowingly perpetuate racism—despite their best “good person” intentions. Readers will learn that even though it may not be our fault or choice to participate in a racist system, we all do, and it’s our responsibility to do something about it. Download: Excerpt from the Book | Discussion Guide Purchase Now.

Ten Essential Strategies for Becoming a Multiracial Congregation. This book is a collection of wisdom and best practices to help congregations build immunity from racial and ethnic tensions that threaten to divide rather than unite. Use the workbook with your planning team, board members, lay leaders, and staff. Download an Excerpt, Purchase Now.

Brian the Brave. This picture book provides a creative way to talk about bias based on race and language with very young children. It is not only ideal for households, but also during children's time at church. Download an Excerpt, Purchase Now.

Recovering from Un-Natural Disasters. This is a necessary handbook for congregations across the United States. It provides pastors and leaders with resources for guiding their congregation through human-caused disasters such as gun violence. Example worship resources, including prayers, music suggestions, and sermons that are appropriate to use during periods of trauma and recovery, are included. Download an Excerpt, Purchase Now.

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HAPPENINGS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE UNDER ITEMS OF INTEREST. Each issue will be posted for three weeks.

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