The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee’.”
– Matthew 21:9-11
As Jesus made this ride into Jerusalem, to experience what would be His death and resurrection, crowds of people cut palm branches and placed them on the path that Jesus was on. They laid their cloaks before Him as well. There was Reverence for the prophet of the Most High God. There was Hope that He would come to lead them. There was Anticipation in how He would care for them. Easter continues to bring these qualities today. Each year, we struggle through the season of lent as we anticipate great joy on Resurrection Morning! Easter brings hope for all of humanity to experience and know the Lord as their Savior. And still yet, we revere the name of the Lord! But let us not simply revere the Lord one day throughout the year. Let us revere the Son of God and lay our cares before Him, as the crowd laid their cloaks and palm branches before Him. Jesus reminds us in Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” The gift that has been shared with us at Easter remains the most precious gift anyone could ever receive. As people who desire to walk with Christ, let us lovingly share this gift with ALL in hopes that some may receive. May God Bless you!
In Christ,
Scott
SAME MISSION, NEW HOPE: Thoughts from Your Bishops
- Bishop Steiner Ball & Bishop Moore-KoiKoi will: lead us in Worship; share their portfolios and how the work of both Bishops will lead us in ministry and mission; share their vision for the UMC in West Virginia, Western PA and Susquehanna Conferences and how our Wesleyan distinctives will guide us to lead Christ’s mission in the UMC; and give us an update on the latest announcement regarding General Conference.
- Closest Locations & Dates:
o West Virginia – April 23rd (10:00 a.m.) @ Life UMC, Fairmont (3000 Technology Dr. Fairmont, WV)
o Western, PA – April 24th (3:00 p.m.) @ Grace UMC, Somerset (320 Felgar Rd. Somerset, PA)
o Susquehanna – April 25th (7:00 p.m.) @ Mt. Nittany UMC (1500 E Branch Rd. State College, PA)
Bishop’s Clergy Day Apart
- May 5th at LIFE, Fairmont. (10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
- ALL Elders, Deacons & Licensed Pastors are invited to come and be a part of this day!
- The main theme is on Renewal. Bishop Steiner Ball will stay an extra hour for a Q&A session to answer any questions one may have.
CHURCH CAMP (Sponsored by Spring Heights)
- Dates: Summer, 2022
- Location: Spring Heights (Spencer, WV)
- Who: Elementary through High School
- Registration: https://wvumc-reg.brtapp.com/2022springheightscamp
- ALL ARE INVITED!!!
- Questions: (304) 927-5865 or info@springheights.org
CHURCH CAMP (Sponsored by the Tucker Cooperative Parish)
- Dates: June 26th – July 1st
- Location: Camp Horseshoe
- Who: Rising 3rd graders to graduated Seniors
- Registration: You may contact Sandy Shaffer at shaffertca@gmail.com or the district office at potomachighdistrict@yahoo.com for registration forms.
- Volunteer opportunities are available!!!!
- ALL ARE INVITED!!!!
Annual Conference Registration
- 2022 Annual Conference | West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church (wvumc.org)
- June 9th – 12th, 2022 @ WV Wesleyan, Buckhannon
Generative Discernment Academy
- When – June 24th (1:00 – 7:00) through June 25th (9:00 – 3:00)
- Where – LIFE UMC, Fairmont
- Presenters – Rev. Rachel Gilmore and Rev. Matt Temple
- Cost – $25 per person or $10 per person who are with groups of 2 or more from the same church.
- Register at – Generative Discernment Academy (constantcontact.com)
Basic Coach Training
- If you have ever been interested in becoming a Coach within the WV Annual Conference, this is a GREAT opportunity you won’t want to miss.
- September 17th (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) @ Grace UMC, Keyser
- More information to come!
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: Preaching (Taught by Zoom)
o Dates – April 25th, May 2nd, May 9th & May 16th
o Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
o Instructor: Rev. Dr. Matthew Paugh
o Location: Zoom
o Registration: Contact Betty Rizer at (304) 788-3150 or btbrize@gmail.com
o Fee: No Fee
- Topic: Our United Methodist Heritage (Taught by Zoom & In-Person)
o Dates: May 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th
o Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
o Instructor: Rev. Mark Flynn
o Location: Zoom & Duffey Memorial Fellowship Hall (Limited # of 8)
o Curriculum: Materials will be provided
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. Dr. 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
- Topic: Basic (Taught by Zoom)
o Dates: May 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st
o Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
o Instructor: Rev. Barbara Rexroad
o Location: Zoom
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, Prayer
Special Sunday Offering
Congregational Vitality Grants
- Areas of availability include: Worship Technology, First-Time Guest Hospitality, Evangelism, Discipleship, Generative Ministry, Celebrate Recovery/Recovery Ministry, New Church Start.
- For more information – Congregational Vitality Grants | West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church (wvumc.org)
- Questions can be directed to Christina Ridgway at cridgway@wvumc.org or by calling (304) 344-8331 ext. 30.
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
(Total # of churches – 145)
| 2022 | Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
| Total # of churches on track to meet 100%. | 40 | 55 | 72 | |||||||||
| Total # of churches that have already met 100%. | 4 | 7 | 13 | |||||||||
| Total # of churches behind but have paid more than 0%. | 3 | 16 | 24 | |||||||||
| Total # of churches that have paid 0% | 102 | 73 | 48 | |||||||||
| Total % paid from Potomac Highlands. | 4% | 11% | 18% | |||||||||
| 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% | 33.3% | 48.5% | |||||||||
| Churches that have paid 100% of Fair Share – Mt. Hebron, Mt. Sarah, Nethken Hill, Wesley Chapel (Rowlesburg), Green Valley, North River Mills, Riverton, Burlington, Centenary, Etam, McHenry, St. Paul (Williamsport), Willow Chapel | ||||||||||||