“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
– 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
How many times have we been part of a conference and as the presenter is wrapping up, you hear them speak the words “Oh, and by the way…”, which translates to “We’re going to be here a while longer!” When that happens, after my initial moans and groans, I attempt to look at it in a more positive light and think “There must be something important coming that I need to know.” When Paul writes the words above, I see it as his “Oh, and by the way…” He has already shared with the Thessalonian church, but there are still important nuggets of information that the church needs to know. Of all the information he continues to share, the above referenced passage is the one that sticks out to me. It is God’s will for us to rejoice, pray and give thanks!!! But this isn’t something that we do only when we feel like it. It isn’t a once-a-week kind of thing. It isn’t on a checklist to acknowledge a task we’ve completed and can move on to something else. This passage reminds us to rejoice ALWAYS, pray CONTINUALLY and to give thanks in ALL circumstances. This is a way of living…it’s a mindset…it affects the way we love God and treat other people!!! It affects the way we think and how we choose to go about our day. This passage can change the way we work and how we interact with others. It allows us to see God in a loving manner that desires the best for ALL people. I hope that this passage affects how we approach each day. So, if I could leave you with one thing as I wrap this up, “and by the way…rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” May God Bless you!
In Christ,
Scott
Many Thanks
- To Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball for leading us in Worship and sharing important information related to moving forward in ministry.
- To St. Paul’s, Oakland for hosting our evening with the Bishop and for providing space on their Facebook page to livestream this event.
- To the churches that are up-to-date on their 2022 Apportionment Payout.
- To the churches that have collected funds for the Burlington Auxiliary.
- To those who have taken PORTICO and Lay Academy classes.
PORTICO
- Let me encourage you to check out the Conference Learning Management System. You can take courses that will qualify for Continuing Education hours!!!
- Portico | West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church (wvumc.org)
Lay Academy
- Topic: Our United Methodist Heritage
o Dates: TBD
o Time: TBD
o Instructor: Rev. Mark Flynn
o Location: TBD
o Curriculum: Materials will be provided
o Registration: Contact Betty Rizer at (304) 788-3150 or btbrize@gmail.com
o Fee: No Fee
- Topic: Prayer (Taught by Zoom)
o Dates: February 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th
o Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
o Instructor: Rev. Dr. Bill Wilson
o Location: Zoom
o Curriculum: “Shaping the Prayers of the People: The Art of Intercession” by Samuel Wells and Abigail Kocher.
o Registration: Contact Betty Rizer at (304) 788-3150 or btbrize@gmail.com
o Fee: No Fee
- Topic: Evangelism (Taught in person)
o Dates: May 6th & 7th
o Time: May 6th (6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) & May 7th (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
o Instructor: Rev. Stephon Reed & Rev. Shirley Reed
o Location: Rees Chapel
o Registration: Contact Betty Rizer at (304) 788-3150 or btbrize@gmail.com
o Fee: No Fee
- Classes already taught in 2021/2022: Basic (twice), Polity, Small Groups, Preaching, Heritage & Spiritual Gifts
COVID-19 Information:
- Link to Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball’s December 31st letter – https://www.wvumc.org/2021/12/covid-19-update-from-bishop-heading-into-2022/
Potomac Highlands Apportioned Churches – 2022
| 2022 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Total # of churches on track to meet 100% | 40 | |||||||||||
| Total # of churches that have already met 100% | 4 | |||||||||||
| Total # of churches behind but have paid more than 0% | 3 | |||||||||||
| Total # of churches that have paid 0% | 102 | |||||||||||
| Total % paid from Potomac Highlands | 4% | |||||||||||
| What % should we be at? | 8% | 17% | 25% | 33% | 42% | 50% | 58% | 67% | 75% | 83% | 92% | 100% |
| Total % paid for District Fair Share | 24.3% | |||||||||||
| Churches that have paid 100% Fair Share – Mt. Hebron, Mt. Sarah, Nethken Hill, Wesley Chapel (Rowlesburg) | ||||||||||||
Potomac Highlands Apportioned Churches – 2021
| 2021 FINAL | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Total # of churches on track to meet 100% | 39 | 63 | 74 | 79 | 77 | 90 | 71 | 77 | 92 | 93 | 98 | 113 |
| Total # of churches that have already met 100% | 4 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 22 | 29 | 37 | 51 | 70 | 113 |
| Total # of churches behind but have paid more than 0% | 4 | 20 | 17 | 34 | 40 | 33 | 58 | 52 | 39 | 40 | 38 | 28 |
| Total # of churches that have paid 0% | 99 | 62 | 41 | 33 | 29 | 22 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 4 |
| Total % paid from Potomac Highlands | 5% | 12% | 21% | 26% | 33% | 41%
|
47%
|
53% | 59% | 66% | 73% | 80% |
| What % should we be at? | 8% | 17% | 25% | 33% | 42% | 50% | 58% | 67% | 75% | 83% | 92% | 100% |
| Total % paid for District Fair Share | 24.5% | 38.3% | 45.9% | 48.1% | 57.8% | 62% | 65.4% | 73.6% | 76% | 78.2% | 83% | 88% |
WVUMC Vision
To be a Christ led, spiritual breath of fresh air that changes the world.
WVUMC Mission
To discover, develop and deploy passionate spiritual leaders who make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.