WESLEYAN DISTRICT WITNESS Rev. Mary Ellen Finegan, District Superintendent

Jo Criss, Administrative Assistant; Sherrie Walsh, Hospitality & Care

Phone for D.S.: 304-472-1095 (O); 304-472-4018 (H), 304-439-5576 (C) FAX 304-472-0951 P.O. Box 230, Buckhannon, WV 26201 21 Latham St., Buckhannon, WV 26201

Email: joc@wvumc.org (office); New for D.S., mfinegan@wvumc.org

Website: www. wesleyandistrictumc.org

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT

We will soon be preparing for Thanksgiving. I hope we will “prepare” for Thanksgiving. We should be thankful

every day for all the gifts God has given us: our families, our homes, the jobs we have, the food we eat, the churches

of which we are members, the fellowship of our Christian brothers and sisters, and so much more! Yet, we have to

confess that often we “forget” to thank God for all he has given us throughout our lives.

Deuteronomy 6:9 says: “Then it shall come about when the Lord your God brings you into the land which he

swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you great and splendid cities which you did not build, and

houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive

trees which you did not plant, and you eat and are satisfied, then watch yourself, that you do not forget the Lord who

brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”

We are a blessed people! God has provided us all we have! God has called us to be who we are in this world.

Yet, we often do not “watch ourselves” and so “forget the Lord….” We get busy doing “our own thing,” and soon

time passes and we realize that we have not put God first in our lives, but instead, we have put ourselves first! We

even began to think that all we have is because of the work of our own hands, and we begin to think that all we are is

the result of our hard work and study. No, it is all a gift from God. So, even we who believe in God and his Son,

Jesus, have to “return” to the Lord in repentance.

The bad news is that we often forget God, but the good news is that God does not forget us!

Isaiah 49:15-16 says, “Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb?

Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. ‘Behold I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls

are continually before me.”

As we “get ready” for Thanksgiving: preparing the meats, casseroles, vegetables, salads, desserts and gathering the

family together to sit at table with one another, let us truly not just “get ready” for Thanksgiving, but to “prepare” for

Thanksgiving, by preparing our hearts to be a thankful people.

And as we are thankful for all God has given us, let us continue to be mindful of those who will have no family

gathering, not enough food, if any, to eat, and for those struggling without a roof over their heads and no place to call

“home.” Let’s prepare for this, too! May our thankfulness to God and his son, Jesus, move us to share out of the

abundance God has given us.

Give from the heart gifts of money and food so that those less fortunate will be blessed. In this way, God is working

through you to be a blessing to another. What better way to NOT forget God!? It really does all come down to this:

“Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

And thank all of you and your churches who are working to complete the paying of your Fair Share 100%.

Because in this, we are proving that we love God and we love neighbor. In this, the hungry are fed, the thirsty are

given water, the naked are clothed, those who are sick and in prison are visited, and the Great Commission is

fulfilled: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the

Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all I have commanded you. And I will be with you until the end

of the world!” (Matthew 28:19-20)

The Peace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ be with you al1!

Rev. Mary Ellen Finegan, DS

Birthdays and Anniversaries for November

1 Leota Dickens B 19 Edward Hardman B

2 Brynda & Charlie Fleming A 20 Jeff Godwin B

3 Rupert Evans B 22 John Wildman B

4 Mike Ludle B John & MaDora Wildman A

Charlie Fleming B Lenora West B

Ralph Miller B 23 Mary Ellen Biller B

8 Helen Oates B Ralph & Betty Miller A

9 Lovern Bragg B 24 Bonnie Woodson B

Carla Engle B Jane Thompson B

Rose Turner O’Brian B 27 Jane Ellen Nickell B

10 Jerry Lee Boyce B 28 Anna Belle Baer B

11 Bill Warner B Brian Seders B

14 Nancy Killingsworth B Cynthia Gooden B

Paulette Heckert B Mary Ellen & Jim Finegan A

15 Oren & Thelma Lloyd A Patty Anderson B

17 Karen Frazier B

Destry & Kathleen Daniels A

Birthdays and Anniversaries for December

1 Darrel Gooden B 20 Doug & Kim Smailes A

Robert Anderson B 23 Joyce Fleming B

2 Helen McCauley B Elizabeth Clem Jarrett B

5 Belinda Toms B 27 Calvin & Sandra McCutcheon A

6 Beverly Kendall B Harold & Sylvia Elmore A

8 Greg Godwin B 28 Effie Simmers B

Oren Lloyd B Eva Perrine B

9 Dale Waters B 29 Judy Knorr B

Jeffrey Winter B

Angie Cole B

10 Peter Dietze B

11 Tim Conrad B

14 Edsil & Lovern Bragg A

16 Alvin Angle, Jr. B

Rupert & Suzette Evans A ENJOY YOUR SPECIAL DAY!!

19 Mikala Cordwell (Ch) Jim Short B

Morgan Cordwell (Ch) Jim Short B

Upcoming Dates in District

Nov 7 Burnsville Charge Conf at Burnsville at 6 p.m. Nov 7 Jane Lew Charge Conf at Jane Lew at 7:30 p.m. Nov 8 Quiet Dell Charge Conf at Quiet Dell at 7:30 p.m. Nov 9 Waldeck Charge Conf at Waldeck at 6:30 p.m. Nov 10 Midland South, Greenbrier, and Southern Dist Listening Events Nov 11 Christ (Sutton) & South Sutton Charge Conf at 12 noon Nov 11 Gassaway-Morrison Charge Conf at Gassaway at 3 p.m. Nov 11 Broad Street Charge Conf at 5 p.m. Nov 11 St. Matthew Charge Conf at 7 p.m. Nov 12 Tallmansville Blended Charge Conf at Reed Chapel at 6 p.m. Nov 13 Lewis Charge Conf at Berlin at 6 p.m. Nov 13 Stone Coal-Horner Charge Conf at Stone Coal at 7:30 p.m. Nov 14 Good Hope Charge Conf at New Bethel at 6 p.m. Nov 14 West Milford Charge Conf at West Milford at 7:30 p.m. Nov 15 Bristol Charge Conf at Bristol at 3 p.m. Nov 15 8:30 a.m. dCOM gathers for interviews at First (Buckhannon) till Noon Nov 16-18 Run the Race for Youth at Cedar Lakes Reg. online at Conference Nov 17 Volga & Heaston (Hodgesville) Charge Conf at Heaston at 10 a.m. Nov 17 Hodgesville Charge Conf at Macedonia at 12 p.m. Nov 17 West Buckhannon Charge Conf at West Buckhannon at 2 p.m. Nov 18 10:45 D.S. Preach First (Clarksburg) Charge Conf at noon Nov 18 Smith Chapel-Trinity Charge Conf at Smith Chapel at 3 p.m. Nov 18 Jarvisville Charge Conf at Big Isaac at 5 p.m. Nov 18 Salem-Christ (Clarksburg) Charge Conf at Salem at 7 p.m. Nov 19 Registration for Christmas Luncheon due to Dottie Phillips Nov 21 Vacation for Jo Criss Nov 22-25 District Office closed for Thanksgiving Break Nov 27 Glenville Charge Conf at Otterbein at 6 p.m.

Nov 27 Glenville UM Ministries Charge Conf at Trinity at 7:30 p.m. Nov 28 Freemansburg Charge Conf at Freemansburg at 6 p.m. Nov 28 Troy Charge Conf at Mt. Earnest at 7:30 Nov 29 Upshur Parish Charge Conf with 5 p.m. dinner/6 p.m. charge conference Nov 29 CLM’s written work due District Office for dCOM interviews Dec 1 District Christmas Luncheon, Broad Street UMC, Weston. Reg. by Nov 19 Dec 2 Lost Creek Charge Conf at Lost Creek at 3 p.m. Dec 3 Vincent Mem.-Broad Oaks Charge Conf at Vincent Memorial at 6:30 Dec 4 First (Buckhannon) Charge Conference at 6:00 p.m. Dec 4 Chapel Hill Charge Conf at 7:30 p.m. Dec 5-7 Cabinet at Charleston Dec 12 DCOM meet all day with CLM’s at First Buckhannon in Ed. Bldg. Dec 15 Deadline for Move Requests to be in District Office Dec 24-Jan 2 Dist. Office closed for Christmas/New Year’s Holiday. Jan 4, 2019 Close out of all Receipts at Conference Center

Remember these from our district in prayer: Sam and Nancy Cale III; Mitch and Mary Ann Griffin; Mary Ann is struggling with blood tests that go up and down. David Thompson and Jane Thompson. Jerry Boyce who has continuing problems and kidneys were not operating as they should.. Josie Tenney and Rex Tenney as he recovers; George Hamrick having continuing health problems; Jimmie Joe Johnson with Cancer; Curtis and Virginia Saville, Don Coleman; Alvie Loyd at Big Otter Nursing Home; Dorcas Conrad,. Remember Doris Baker (widow) who has some spots on lung which are being diagnosed. Prayers for Karen Mitchell, wife of Randy Mitchell. Don and Glenna Fitzwater. Jeff Zickefoose, Kevin Bender, Nancy and Don Killingsworth, Dave & Vicki Bowen, Ralph Miller still recovering from surgery, and Bonnie Starkey’ Wilda Godwin as she adjusts to her new setting at Serenity Care in Buckhannon. Gary Phillips who had surgery. Pray for Judy Knorr as she adjusts to life without Jim. Billee Scott Mick broke his ankle and had surgery and a plate put in place. He is now in Room 217 at St. Joseph’s here in Buckhannon for therapy and recovery. His son said he would like visitors. You may also send him cards. Ron McCauley, retired in Ohio. Fell and broke a hip, but no surgery needed, just rehab. Remember Ron as he recovers from this fall. Remember all others who have needs that we have not listed. Pray for our churches and also for our country and all our officials. We also remember our foreign countries as they deal with terrorism in so many places. Pray for peace in our world. Pray for the Council of Bishops as they meet and make plans for the February 2019 General Conference in St. Louis. Pray for an amicable solution to our differences within the UMC.

ANNOUNCEMENTS! WESLEYAN DISTRICT’S NEW WEBSITE!!

Please visit us at: www.wesleyandistrictumc.org

Educational Funds for 2018 Our District goal for the 2018 Educational Fund is $11,751. Please try to meet our goal for 2018, which has been assessed by the Conference. There has been a change. The Memo on the check should say “Educational Funds” and be made to Wesleyan District. Please mail to us at: P.O. Box 230, Buckhannon, WV 26201. We appreciate your stewardship in meeting these goals for the District and the Conference. Since our goal is higher than last year, we ask that smaller churches pay no less than $50 even though they have received a smaller amount on the Fair Share sheet. Thanks so much for your help. PLEASE GIVE THIS TO TREASURERS! The conference has said that if you wish to receive credit for your individual churches, you may mail the check to them made out to the Conference Treasurer. The money may also be added to your Fair Share checks that you send.

PROMO FUND 2018

Appreciate your help with keeping your church/charge up to date on their funds. Our payout was 92.10% during 2017. Checks are to be sent to the Wesleyan District Office, P.O. Box 230, Buckhannon, WV 26201, made out to Wesleyan District. Thanks for your good work in supporting our District. We have already had 8-10 churches send promotional fund monies for 2018 to the Conference Treasurer. If you wish to have credit on your individual churches you may send the money on your Fair Share slip made out to the Conference Treasurer. I have spoken with the Treasurer’s office and they will accept the money either way. We receive a check for your funds paid to the Conference Treasurer once a month. Please consider paying your Promo funds now instead of at the end of the year when churches are doing other mission work.

FAIR SHARE 2018 Our year of 2017 was finished and our District paid out at over 91.10% which was a little less than the 92.74% in 2016. Let’s strive to meet a goal of 100% payout in 2018. Each year our churches should strive to pay as much as possible towards 100%. We thank those of you who met the 100% goal this year and many years in the past. We give thanks for those of you who raised your efforts from the previous year towards that goal.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS!!

MESSAGE FROM CONFERENCE TREASURER

The new rate for travel allowance is: 54.5 cents per mile. Please give this message to your treasurers.

MANDATORY CLERGY MEETING

A Mandatory clergy meeting is being held for ALL persons serving actively, with Bishop Steiner Ball at Quiet Dell

UMC from 10 a.m. – Noon with Lunch being served, on November 29, 2018. This meeting will be on “A Way

Forward.” Please plan on attending.

CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

District Christmas Luncheon will be held on Saturday, December 1, 2018, at Broad Street UMC in Weston.

Gathering starts at 11:30 a.m. with lunch at noon. Entertainment will be by Broad Street Youth Choir. As usual

Active Pastors and families pay $10 each and Widows, Retirees and spouses.is paid for by the District. There is a

registration form with this newsletter and also at our Website online: wesleyandistrictumc.org. Put Christmas

luncheon in the search box to go to the registration. They are to be mailed to Dottie Phillips by Nov. 19th. Trust

you will plan on joining us there this year.

SAFE SANCTUARIES POLICY

A Safe Sanctuaries Policy is to be written and accepted by the church and turned into the District Office by

December 6, 2018. Copies of the Conference standards were sent to each pastor by hard mail for them to use as

a sample for their churches if they have not already written a policy. If you already have a Policy in place, please

review against the Conference guidelines and revise if necessary. You will still need to mail the District Office a

copy of your policy. Thanks so much for doing this in a timely manner.

DCOM MEETINGS

Here are meetings which have been set for dCOM. All will be held at First (Buckhannon) on the 2nd floor of the

Educational Building in the Conference Room. Gathering for all meetings is at 8:30/Interviews start 9 p.m.

November 15 Interview persons going to BOOM. 3 persons starting at 8:30 gathering and finished by

Noon

December 12 Interview persons as Certified Lay Ministers. Approx. 16 persons. All day.

January 7 Interview persons for PMLS and Certified Candidacy. So far 4 persons till 1 p.m.

January 15 Interview active Local Pastors for yearly recertification. All day.

January 25 Interview active Local Pastors for yearly recertification. All day.

These meetings are important for our pastors and candidates. Please place these dates on your calendar and

plan on attending. Thanks so much.

MANDATORY MEETING FOR ALL PASTORS

Professional Boundries for Pastors

This meeting is for Full Time, Part Time, Extensnion Ministries, Working Retirees, Assigned Supplies, Assigned

Certified Lay Ministers, Youth Pastors, and Youth Directors. Titled, “Professional Boundaries for Pastors” and has

to be taken every 4 years. This is a joint meeting for MonValley and Wesleyan Districts. It will be held on

Monday, February 11, 2019, at Life UMC, Fairmont. Time is 9:30 a.m. till 3:30 p.m. There is a registration form

online at wvumc.org the Conference Website. Place this date on your calendar NOW so you will have the date,

time, and place.

You must be registered to attend and if you cannot attend on this date, the make-up date is Saturday, August 24,

2019, in Charleston (place to be determined later). You may also attend in one of the other districts when they

have their meeting. After you have registered, please e-mail or call the office and let us know you are registered

and where you will be attending, especially if not in this District.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2019

Annual Conference will be held Thursday June 13 through Sunday June 16, 2019, at WVWC. Please advise your

churches and Delegates to Annual Conference of that date so they can place it on their calendars and plan on

their attendance.

PARSONAGE GUIDELINES

Is your Parsonage handicapped accessible? Please work towards this goal. Let Mary Ellen know if your Parsonage

is meeting these goals.

ANNUAL AUDIT

ALL local churches must have an Audit performed each year. If you are on a multi-church charge you may

exchange books and statements with another church on your charge and ask them to perform the audit. Having

an audit protects the treasurer. Recently a Local Church Audit Guide was sent to the Pastors and we will try to

send a copy of this to the Local Church treasurers also. We also have downloaded a copy of the Treasurer’s

guidebook. The office will try to get these in the mail before Thanksgiving.

Apportionment Payout for 2018

The following churches have paid 100% thus far this year: Alton; Big Isaac UMC; Bridgeport UMC; Bristol UMC; Coplin UMC, Crawford UMC; Elijahs Chapel UMC; Fairview UMC (Braxton); Fairview UMC (Lewis); Fall Run UMC; Frist UMC (Clarksburg); Hacker Valley UMC; Highland Park; Ireland UMC; Israel UMC; Jerry’s Run UMC; Jerusalem UMC; Johnstown UMC; Kesling UMC; Mace UMC; Macedonia UMC; Meadow Valley UMC; Mercy UMC; Morrison UMC; Mt. Carmel UMC; Mt. Morris UMC; Mt. Nebo UMC (North Sutton); Mt. Union UMC; Mt. Zion UMC (Newlon); Nay Chapel UMC; Orlena UMC; Pine Grove UMC; Rowan Memorial UMC; Spruce Lick UMC; Tanner UMC; Trinity UMC (Smith Chapel-Trinity); Valley Bend UMC; Valley Chapel UMC (Mill Creek); Waldeck UMC; West Buckhannon UMC. The following churches are on track or have paid more thus far this year: Bealls Mill UMC; Bendale UMC; Berry Chapel UMC; Broad Street UMC; Center Chapel UMC; Coffman Chapel UMC; Corley UMC; Doyle Chapel UMC; Duff Street UMC; First UMC (Elkins); First UMC (Jane Lew); French Creek UMC; Frenchton UMC; Hampton UMC; Heaston UMC (Hodgesville); Heaters UMC; Horner UMC; Hurst UMC; Kanawha Run UMC; Kynette UMC; Laurel Fork UMC; Lost Creek UMC; McWhorter UMC; Miles Chapel UMC; Mount Olive UMC (Jarvisville); Mt. Clare UMC; Mt. Harmony UMC; Mt. Hebron UMC (No. Sutton); Mt. Hermon UMC; Mt. Hope UMC; Mt. Olive UMC (So. Buckhannon); Mt. Rupert UMC; New Bethel UMC; Pleasant Hill (Good Hope); Quiet Dell UMC; Reger Chapel UMC; Rock Cave UMC; Rockford UMC; Rocky Ford UMC; St. Matthew UMC; Stone Coal UMC; Stone Run UMC; Straight Fork UMC; Temple UMC; Ten Mile UMC; Tennerton UMC; Tichenal

UMC; Trinity (Glenville); Trinity (Smith Chapel-Trinity); Troy UMC; Valley Chapel UMC (Waldeck); Valley Head UMC; Waterloo UMC; West Milford UMC.

The following churches have paid less than 83.33% thus far this year: Berlin UMC; Beverly UMC; Blackburn UMC; Boulder UMC; Broad Oaks UMC; Burnsville UMC; Calvary UMC; Chapel Hill UMC; Christ (Clarksburg); Christ (Sutton); Churchville UMC; Clover Fork UMC; Coxs Mill UMC; Cutlipsville UMC; East View UMC; First UMC (Buckhannon); Flatwoods UMC; Freemansburg UMC; Gassaway UMC; Gee Lick UMC; Harmony UMC; Liberty UMC; Lorentz UMC; Lyda Chapel UMC; Mill Creek UMC; Mt. Earnest UMC; Mt. Hebron (Jane Lew); Monroe Chapel UMC; Mt. Earnest UMC: Mt. Hebron (Jane Lew); Mt. Lebanon UMC; North View UMC; Oak Grove UMC; Oil Creek UMC; Orlando UMC; Otterbein UMC (Elkins); Phillips Chapel; Pleasant Hill (Braxton); Pleasant Valley UMC (Hodgesville); Queens Chapel (Volga); Queens UMC; Reed Chapel UMC; Reger UMC; (Hodgesville); Rowan Memorial UMC; Salem (Salem); Salem (Wilsontown); Smith Chapel UMC; South Chestnut UMC; Stealey UMC; Sycamore UMC; Upper Ellis UMC; Vincent Memorial UMC; Wayside UMC; Wilson Chapel UMC; Woodford Memorial UMC. If you have already paid the entire amount for 2018, thanks so much for doing this year. We appreciate the efforts of every church in our District toward meeting their goal of 100% in 2018.

Update on Insurance Rates for January 1, 2019

Annual Conference voted to change the proposed insurance amendment presented to the Conference.

The section on prescription drug coverage was presented as: “30% or $35 whatever is greater” was accepted as

“will have a cap of $100 on the 30%” which has resulted in an increase in rates for both church and pastor starting

on January 1, 2019. There is also a change in the Medicare Supplement from $135 to $162 per month. Our

insurance plan has not had any changes in 9 years and this is a tremendous record for no increases when private

insurances have been increase quite steadily each year. Please look at this and plan for the increase with your

financial committees. The deductibles have changed for 2019 also. $2000 for individuals and $4,000 for families.

Churches, if you have employees who do not work 30 hours per week, they cannot be on Conference Insurance

Plan. The other change was: If your spouse can purchase insurance from their employer, they cannot be on our

Conference Insurance Plan. All of these changes will save the conference a lot of money on the insurance program.

It was necessary to make these changes.

If the Pastor is on their spouse’s insurance plan and the church agrees to pay a portion of the premium, this amount

goes on Line 10 and is counted as salary and will be taxed. The District Office needs to know if this is the case and

the amount being paid.

Your good name

Back in 2005 one of our WVUMC churches launched a website. Things were going well. However, over time the

website became out dated and volunteers stopped making the necessary updates, so when the time rolled around to

pay for the website name (domain name) it just didn't get done.

A new pastor brought to the church a new focus on communicating to the larger community and formed a team to

re-brand and re-launch their website, but there was a problem. Because the registration for the domain name had

been left un-paid for, another company swept in and launched a website with their name but with XXX-rated

content. This was a horrifying realization by the local church and unfortunately there really isn't anything that

they can do at this point.

A website domain name is as valuable as any other church property.

This hard lesson learned reminds us all to do a monthly tune up of our church websites.

- First, check out your domain name registration information, make sure that the contact information is

correct so that someone from the church receives the registration reminder emails.

(MOST CHURCHES HAVE .ORG AS THEIR DOMAIN NAME. GO AHEAD AND PURCHASE .COM AS

WELL, THIS WILL HELP PREVENT CONFUSION AND ENSURE THAT NO ONE CAN MIMIC YOUR

CHURCH OR USE YOUR GOOD NAME FOR BAD THINGS. WHILE YOU'RE AT IT- PAY FOR A FEW

YEARS IN ADVANCE, THAT WAY YOU'RE GOOD TO GO FOR A WHILE.)

- Second, do visit your website weekly (even daily) - and keep the content fresh. Make sure that posts reflect

what is happening NOW in your community, not what happened 3 months ago. Also, be sure to take a look at

Find-A-Church to make sure that the right info for your church is presented!

(MOST PEOPLE SEARCHING FOR A CHURCH HOME WILL FIRST VISIT YOUR WEBSITE. A GOOD WEBSITE IS AN IMPORTANT EVANGELISM TOOL IN THE 21ST CENTURY.)

- Third, maintaining content on a website can sometimes seem daunting. This is a great time for a team to be

formed to focus on communications for the entire church. Websites, lively social media pages and even

livestreaming of worship services is being done by churches of all sizes in our conference!

(THE WVUMC COMMUNICATIONS TEAM HAS A TEAM TO WALK ALONGSIDE YOUR

CHURCH TO LAUNCH A NEW WEBSITE, WITH FREE TRAINING AND A FREE TEMPLATE

THAT REFLECTS THE VALUES OF THE WEST VIRGINIA CONFERENCE! CONTACT YOUR

DISTRICT OFFICE FOR MORE DETAILS)

We have been called to develop, discover and deploy passionate spiritual leaders who make disciples of Jesus Christ

for the transformation of the world! Using the tools at hand we can share our stories with our broken and hurting

communities and make a real difference in the world!

If you have any questions or concerns about your website or social media platforms send us an emaiI: wvumc

@wvu mc.org

From the District Superintendent Local Pastors are not licensed beyond their local church. You must have permission from the Bishop to perform a marriage ceremony in another church under another pastor. Full Elders must get credentialed through the state they will officiate in if they are asked to do a marriage ceremony in another state. WV is through the Secretary of State office. Every Trustee must be bonded to $25,000. Every Treasurer must be bonded to $25,000. Please send insurance proof to the District. A 1099 MUST BE GIVEN FOR MOVING EXPENSES PAID BY THE CHURCH FOR THE PASTOR. Every person in the local churches (including Pastors) working with children must go to a Sexual Ethics Training every 4 years. This is a NEW POLICY. Local Church Trustees are responsible if a church does not carry adequate insurance and liability. Churches need to pay Worker’s Compensation on all their employees. This will cover your workers in case of a fall or injury at the church/property. Every church/charge MUST HAVE A PARSONAGE INSPECTION ANNUALLY, AT THE LEAST! The Pastor cannot fill out the charge conference parsonage inspection form by him/herself. Must have the parsonage trustee chair, PPRC chair, pastor, at the least. Charge Conference material must be in the district office ONE week ahead of time with ALL SIGNATURES! On Salary Sheets, the PPRC and Pastor must meet and fill out the right hand column of the compensation worksheet (salary sheet). Then call the district office and notify us of all changes. We have a macro to fill out the salary among all churches on your charge. If percentages change, please let us know. The completed salary sheet will be sent to you for signatures and for use at charge conference. Please make 3 copies of all papers, one for Pastor, one for D.S., and one for Charge Conference Secretary, who will be attending the meeting. Insurance rates have risen for 2019 and are included in the charge conference materials. ALL Treasurers should receive copies of Salary Sheet and Fair Share sheet which has your apportionment for each church and their Promotional Fund Amount, and amount of Educational Fund assessment, based on your membership at that church. Please make sure that your apportionment payments are being sent in. Some of you are behind. Please speak with your finance chair and find ways to have fundraisers or to speak to the people about giving to catch up. Conference Apportionments are to be sent to the Conference Treasurer. The District Promotion Fund and the Education Fund are to be made out and sent to the Wesleyan District Office: P.O. Box 230, Buckhannon, WV 26201. Ministry and mission cannot be done without the faithful generous giving to these 3 areas.

Professional Boundaries for Clergy and Those Serving in Ministerial Roles February 11, 2019 @ 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Event Navigation

This training is required for all active clergy and lay people who are assigned to pastoral charges in the West Virginia Annual Conference, including certified lay ministers. Others serving in ministerial leadership roles in local congregations are encouraged to attend, and should consult their district superintendent.

You may choose to attend any of the six training events below. You must register to attend. Online registration will be available through the conference website.

Training will be facilitated by Rev. Dr. Sky Kershner, Executive Director of the KPCC Counseling Center.

Follow this link to register for any of the remaining training events.

Training dates:

Monday February 11, 2019–Fairmont (Life UMC)

Tuesday February 12, 2019—Wheeling (Christ UMC)

Tuesday May 7, 2019—Grove Street UMC, Petersburg

Saturday, 2019, late Summer/Fall—Central WV (location TBA)

Training day schedule

9:30am—3:30pm

Lunch & all materials provided at no cost to participants

6 Contact hours Continuing Education will be awarded.

Victoria Manor

The District Office received information from Victoria Manor at 22 Elizabeth St, Buckhannon, Phone 304-473-0913. Owner Carolyn S. Riffle, RN. Please call for more information. They are striving to provide Assisted Living Facilities as an alternative to Institutional Assisted Living. Also, if you are a Caregiver and need a respite, for a day, a week, a month, or more, they can provide temporary caregiving. Adult day care services are a welcome respite opportunity for individuals who work or who need stretches of time away from their loved one to complete tasks, socialize, or just to refresh yourself. Your loved one can stay at our Adult Day Care. We encourage and welcome you to visit our Home and then bring your loved one for a visit. We have rates by the hour, day, or week. Make reservations now, as openings are limited. They can also give hospice, end of life care, and convalescent care in their facility.

Recovery Pathways LLC 4326 Northern Pike, Suite 202

Monroeville, PA 15146

Recovery Pathways is a medication-based recovery clinic headquartered in Pennsylvania. The group is physician owned, We are looking to collaborate with local ministries in the area to serve as a referral outlet for your church members seeking assistance with recovery from dependence. Medications have been shown in numerous clinical studies to assist patients who have become dependent on opioids. Our physicians at Recovery Pathways are trained in the use of these medications. Opioid abuse has reached epidemic levels across our nation and the need for increased availability of appropriate medical based interventions has reached an all-time high. This, as you may be aware, is especially true in WV where opioid overdoses are up almost 350 percent

in the past five years according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. As West Virginia ranks first in the nation in drug use and addiction, we would love the opportunity to partner with your church and support your members. If this is a need you have seen in your church community, we welcome the opportunity to come and speak with you in greater detail. 412-501-5124. E-mail: ben@recoverypathways.net

Benjamin J. Busbey, Director, Recovery Pathway

Wesleyan District Communications Update

Hello everyone!

From: Jim Minutelli

In today’s day and age of advanced technology and social media, the United Methodist Church brings a high level of support and advancements to help churches, and the entire connection, to transform the world with the good news of Jesus Christ.

Our WV Conference Communications team is in the forefront of some of these advancements and work closely with United Methodist Communications in Nashville, TN, to bring high-tech to the Mountain State and is dedicated to engage people, empower disciples, with one shared story.

To this end, we are dedicated to celebrate our WV Conference ministries via a variety of media. We are also dedicated to providing training and encouragement to local churches so that they may share their own stories of faithfulness.

Our team, led by Communications Director Deborah Coble, along with members from each District around the state, brings a huge variety of experience and knowledge to what they do. From writers to videographers, photographers to computer experts, the team is here to empower and equip local churches of our beautiful state as you share the stories of your faith communities.

One such endeavor is the Communications Empower Teams which are being implemented across the state to “walk alongside disciples to build effective websites to share the good news of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

Eighteen months ago, we gathered in Weston to start training on how to effectively enable churches and Districts to create websites through a new, cost effective collaboration with UM Communications. As we progressed through the past year and a half, the Team began looking at the level of technical obstacles churches needed to overcome to have these sites and to maintain them. We realized that, for many churches, it wasn’t overly easy to share the good news via a website.

This led to our most recent training on August 24th & 25th – a Train-the-Trainer event held at St. Matthews UMC in Weston to educate volunteers to walk alongside these churches in developing a website using templates that are easy to setup and maintain.

The District is looking for churches interested in developing, and feel led to share their stories via, a website AND looking for folks to help walk alongside these churches to encourage and offer support!

If you are interested in becoming part of our team of support staff or your church is interested in seeing how a website can help you

better connect with your community, give me a call or email. UM Communications also has a large repository of information,

downloads, videos, and hints to better help churches with their online and print presence.

I am happy to take your call or answer your email with any question you may have.

We are also always looking for glory sightings and stories of how your ministry or local church is a “Christ-led, spiritual breath of fresh air that changes the world!”

Our District website in www.wesleyandistrictumc.org

Our WV Conference site is www.wvumc.org

Our Facebook page is Wesleyan District UMC WV

Thanks again, and God bless you in your ministry! In Christ, I am

Jim Minutelli, CLM District Communications Contact WV Conference Communications Team 304-629-9398 minutellij@gmail.com

Attributes of Effective Ministry

Abilities, Personal Characteristics, Knowledge and Skills that contribute to effective clergy performance.

Adaptability

Concentration

Creativity

Innovation

Intelligence

Memory

Oral and Written Comprehension

Trust in God

Vision-Casting

Authenticity

Balance

Conscientiousness

Cooperation

Empathy

Integrity

lntercultural Disposition

Learning Orientation

Passion and Drive

Patience

Resilience

Risk-Taking

Self-

Direction

Self-Regulation

Social Orientation

Tolerance for

Ambiguity Willingness

to Seek Help

Business and Financial Principles

Individual and Group Dynamics

Ministry Context

Teaching and Training

Theology and Scripture

UM History, Doctrine, and

Polity

Agile Learning

Communication

Conflict Management

and Negotiation

Decision-Making

Exegetical

lntercultural Competence

Multitasking

Presentation Skills

Problem Solving

Setting and Meeting Goals

Social Skills

Spiritual Disciplines

Teamwork

CALLING TO MINISTRY

Dimensions of Effective Ministry

All participants respond to questions related to a pastor's performance in each of the 12

Dimensions of Effective Ministry. These dimensions account for the variety of activities needed in

performing the work of pastoral ministry.

The 12 Dimensions of Effective Ministry identified by EM360 are:

1. Agile Leadership

2. Preaching and Worship Leadership

3. Strategic Planning and Implementation

4. Self-Development

5. Care-Giving

6. Team Leadership

7. Training and Development of Ministry Partners

8. Evangelism and Outreach

9. Mission and Service

10. Developing and Maintaining Relationships

11. Administration and Organization

12. Connectional Service

** Definitions for the Dimensions of Effective Ministry are listed in the appendices of the user

guide.

Additional Future Upcoming Events in the District Jan 7, 2019 DCOM 1 hour interviews with candidates for PMLS in Spring Jan 8-10 Mary Ellen at Cabinet Jan 13 3-5 p.m. at Quiet Dell. Wesleyan & MonValley Districts Laity Listening Session With Bishop Steiner Ball. Jan 15 DCOM 30 minute interviews with Local Pastors, AS, working Retirees Jan 19 9 – 2:30; gather 8:30 for registration. Broad Street, Leadership Training CORR 10-11:30; lunch; groups 12:30 – 2:30 or 3 p.m. Administrative Council chairs;

Finance and Treasurers; PPRC; Trustees. Pastors and Laity welcome at CORR with Felica Wooten Williams

Jan 21-23 Mary Ellen at Cabinet Jan 24 Program Committee at WVWC from 10 – 12:30 p.m. Jan 25 All Day DCOM Pastor Interviews with Local Pastors, AS, working Retirees. Jan 28-30 Mary Ellen in Baltimore for Commission on Episcopy. Jan 28-30 Candidates meet with BOOM Feb 4-6 Mary Ellen at Cabinet Feb 11 Mandatory “Professional Boundaries for Pastors” at Life UMC, Fairmont. All persons serving

churches must attend this meeting or one at another district. Must be renewed every 4 years. 9:30 – 3:30. Must be registered to attend. Go online to www.wvumc.org and find the event on the calendar and register.

Feb 22-27 Mary Ellen in St. Louis for Special General Conference of the UMC

Joy to the World the Lord has come

Not Just Another Story

It is time for the Wesleyan District Annual Christmas Luncheon!

December 1, 2018 (Saturday) Broad Street UMC (Weston)

Please join your brothers and sisters in ministry for fellowship and sharing. As always,

retired ministers and their spouses are guests of the district.

ENTERTAINMENT WILL BE PROVIDED –BROAD STREET YOUTH CHOIR

Gathering starts at 11:30 a.m. with lunch at Noon.

Trust we will see you there!

Cut Here .........

********************************************

NAME - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Phone- - - - - - -

Active Clergy & Spouse# @ $10.00 each$ Children (to 12 years of age) # (please list

children by name and age)

1. 3.

2. 4.

Retired Minister & Spouse # No Charge

Widow/Widower of Minister# No Charge

MEALS: Baked Steak Chicken (How many of each)

Ministers' Wives/Mates Dues $10.00 (Retired $5.00) $----

Gift for Mary Ellen and James Finegan $ _

Total Amount Enclosed...... ... ..... ....... . .. . .. ...... ... ... .. ... $----

Please make checks payable to Dotty Phillips

Mail by November 19, 2018 to: Dotty Phillips

P.O. Box 186 Beverly, WV 26253 Telephone: 304-636-5089

sissydot@suddenlink.net