MonValley District Superintendents Calendar Richard K DeQuasie April, 2016 MONVALLEY DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2016

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1 MonValley District Newsletter APRIL 2016 MonValley District Office 309 Cleveland Avenue, Suite 100, Fairmont, WV Phone: ~ Fax: Inside this issue: 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. DS Calendar MonValley District Conf. Birthdays & Anniversaries C.O.M.E. Radical Discipleship Conference FS Update District FS Update Bishop s Summit 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 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. C.O.M.E COME Mission Needs District Website- Monvalleyumc.org Grace and peace, Rick

2 Page 2 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 Cabinet, Teays Valley 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 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

3 Page 3 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 program year. Early admission deadline is May 6, with a reduced cost of $ Our final deadline for applications is June 24, with a $ tuition. The program launches with a week at Spring Heights, July 24-29, All rising 9th-11th graders are eligible to apply. For more information, visit

4 Page 4 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

5 Page 5 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 Cabinet 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 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 General Conference, Portland, Oregon 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 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 Cabinet 22 Move Out Day 23 Move In Day

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8 Page 8 MonValley District United Methodist Women Important Upcoming Events: April 7-8 and 9-10 April 16 April 29, 30-May 1 April 30 June July September 24 October 8 October Spiritual Growth Retreat, Cedar Lakes, Ripley (see attached forms) Spring District Meeting, Avery UMC, Morgantown Guest Speaker: Crystal Welsh, WVAC UMW Social Action Coord. Theme: Fresh Winds of Knowledge Mission Encounter, House of the Carpenter, Wheeling Celebration of Mission Event, East Side HS, Fairmont Quadrennial Meeting, Syracuse, NY Mission U, WVWC, Buckhannon 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 ( , mrbane@hsc.wvu.edu). 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 Hanko@Comcast.net, , cell Native American Ministries Sunday April 10, 2016

9 Page 9 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 programs 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 WATCH FOR REGISTRATION FORMS COMING SOON!!! MonValley District Youth Camp Dates District Junior Camp July District Senior Camp July Camp Muffly

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12 Page 12 Celebration of Mission Event C.O.M.E The MonValley District Celebration of Mission Event is scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 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 What will you be doing to raise funds for this event? Please us at monvalleydistrictumc@outlook.com 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.

13 Page 13 Ebenezer Community Outreach Center Needs List Greater Clarksburg Cooperative Parish Needs List

14 MonValley District The United Methodist Church 309 Cleveland Avenue, Suite 100 Fairmont WV 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: Hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm M-F Fax: District Office Rick DeQuasie s rdequasie1968@gmail.com District Office Website: monvalleyumc.org Rev. Richard K. DeQuasie District Superintendent Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball 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 address to the district office at monvalleydistrictumc@outlook.com.