June 2024 Page 1

Community MonValley District

A Message from the District Superintendent In This Issue:

“Are you the church or should we wait for another?” 2 District Calendar
Special Days
The question rings in my ears still – almost as strong now as Birthdays/Anniversaries
the first time I heard a guest preacher ask the question. Prayer Concerns

People all around us, in our communities, in our 3 Annual Conference Link
neighborhoods, in our families ask – “Are you the church or
3-4 C.O.M. Events Report
should we wait for another?”
How do you answer the question? Is your church the church that your community
needs? When you look around, what needs do you see? 4-5 Cooperative Community
Ministry News
Do the people in your community worship with your church or any church? Do they
6 Farmer’s Market
seek spiritual guidance, physical assistance, compassion, and Christ’s love from your
congregation, or any congregation?
7 Coalfields Water Crisis

What difference does your church make in your community? Have your neighbors 8 Fall Workshop
heard the good news?
9 Conference and District
I first heard these as words of challenge - a challenge to think about the way that I Fair Share
represent Christ in the world and the needs of the world around me. Do I offer what I
think people need, or what I think they should have? Do I even understand what their
needs are?

Jesus showed an awareness of the people around them, touching their needs, even
when the religious leaders were content to ignore such a need until the Sabbath was
REMINDER:
over, for instance. Please notify the district
office if you have changes to
Is my community waiting for the next church, convinced of my unwillingness to change your church or charge
what is comfortable or familiar for me? officers during the year.
Some changes require a
Do they think that I don’t care what burdens them and that by association, Jesus charge conference.
doesn’t care either? If that’s the case, how can I change so that people will hear and
know the love of Christ?

This newsletter features stories and testimonies of district churches working diligently
MAILING ADDRESS FOR
to adapt and change. Churches are reaching new people in ways they never imagined
DISTRICT OFFICE:
before. I celebrate the reports of folks finding Christ and choosing to join the churches
they are finding. 3000 Technology Drive
Fairmont, WV 26554
Many things are challenging right now. During challenges, don’t lose sight of God's Email:
work. This is our day to be the church -- the church our neighbors are seeking! monvalleydistrict@wvumc.org
Rev. Amy Shanholtzer Fax Number: 304-333-0224
ashanholtzer@wvumc.org

3000 Technology Drive, Fairmont, WV 26554 | 304-366-6811 | www.monvalleyumc.org

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Community
MonValley District

MonValley District Office Looking Forward, Planning Ahead

Summer Hours june
Monday - Thursday
8:30 AM - NOON; 1 PM - 4:30 PM 2 Laity Zoom session for Annual Conference | 4 PM
Fridays - closing at NOON 6-9 Annual Conference | West Virginia Wesleyan College
District Office Closed for Annual Conference
Closed June 19 - Juneteenth Holiday 14 Conference/District Office Summer Hours Begin | Closing at 12:00 PM
Upcoming Special Days on Fridays
July 15 District Lead Team
14 Hunger and Poverty in 16 Father’s Day
WV. (Offering) Sunday 17-18 DS @ Cabinet
August 19 JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY | Conference & District Offices Closed
4 Campus Ministry Sunday 26 Move out day for pastors
(Offering)
27 Move in day for pastors

Birthdays
1 Trey Buckland July
6 Gideon Edin
6 Larry Shoup 1-4 DaySpring Day Camp @ LIFE UMC, Fairmont
8 Sandra Berisford 4 INDEPENDENCE DAY - Conference and District Offices closed
10 Shari Stilgenbauer 10-12 Jurisdictional Conference - Pittsburgh
11 Pam Shuman 15 Bishop’s Chalice Challenge
12 Carol Markstrom
13 Debbie Hurley august
14 Faith Bowyer 4 Campus Ministry Sunday
15 John Flynn
17 Rob Crise-Tritt
17 Nelson Hocking
19 Amy Morrow Let Us Pray...
20 Juanita Fortney
21 Lawrence Peters Family of Cindy Boggs
23 Ryan Richards Mary Bane
24 Debra Cale Josie Tenney
24 Harry (Butch) Roberts
Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball
26 James Weber
DS Amy Shanholtzer
30 Steven Lightner
Conference Staff
All Churches, Missions, and Ministries in the District and Conference
Anniversaries
3 Michael and Alexia Burge
4 Aslam and Esther Barkat
8 Larry and Christi Buckland
8 Tim and Reva Halloran
Celebrate:
12 Matthew and Julie Dotson
12 Wayland and Linda Taylor Way to go Pastor Steve Prince! Pastor
15 Danny and Tammy Blake
18 David and Shari Stilgenbauer Steve serves the Sabra/Highland
19 Matt and Beth Johnson Park/Jones charge! Congratulations on
19 Bill and Rebecca Calhoun
completing the Course of Study for Local
21 Lawrence and Susan Peters
22 James and Polly Norton Pastors.
25 Bert and Suzanne Coffman
25 Greg and Lisa Godwin

3000 Technology Drive, Fairmont, WV 26554 | 304-366-6811 | www.monvalleyumc.org

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Community
MonValley District

WV Annual Conference
was held June 6 - 9 at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

To view videos and stories from 2024 Annual Conference:

https://www.wvumc.org/2024-annual-conference-resources/

CELEBRATION OF MISSIONS EVENT REPORT

BASKET SILENT AUCTION 2024

Basket Silent Auction Committee members Linda Gandy, Barbara Morrison, Melanie
Thomas and Ginny Davidson and Barbara Metcalfe, Cochairs, are very pleased to
announce, that due to the generosity of those in attendance at the C.O.M.E. Choral Program
at Gateway UMC on May 19, the basket silent auction (10 baskets total) proceeds were
$1,030. We are grateful for the beautiful baskets filled with such wonderful things. We hope
that you’ll start planning for 2025 now.

In addition, $777 was collected received through the worship offering, so a total of $1,807
will be given to WV Missions from that day.

We thank the churches who contributed baskets and monetary donations and whose choirs
participated and provided a wonderful hour of inspiring musical selections.

We hope to see all who attended this year back to the Event in 2025. Bring your family,
friends, and neighbors.

Tyrand Summer Events:

Tyrand will be hosting their first Co-ed Softball Tournament on August 10.
The first Hunger Walk will be held on September 14.
We would love to see you all there!

3000 Technology Drive, Fairmont, WV 26554 | 304-366-6811 | www.monvalleyumc.org

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Community
MonValley District

Taylor County Scholarships Awarded

In 2015 thirteen United Methodist Churches in Taylor County began a mission project to
assist a Grafton High School student with money for college or tech school. Funds were
gathered from individual donors as well as the 13 churches.

With the grace of God and good investments from the United Methodist Foundation, the
first scholarships were awarded in 2017 with those first recipients finishing their
education in 2021. To date 48 scholarships have been awarded.

This year the mission continues to help graduating students of Grafton High School by
awarding eleven (11) scholarships.

Students were asked to submit an application for review by a committee. This year, we
were blessed with several young men and women that exemplify the talents, goals, and
endeavors of a Bearcat from Grafton High School.

The following students will receive a scholarship check in the mail from The United
Methodist Foundation of West Virginia:
Chloe Beckner, Daniel Mason Dunham, Kayla Greathouse
Emma Johnson, Jodi Keene, Dustin Keener, Isaac Lough
Madelynn Moats, River Sipes, Caroline Wellman, Abigail Wyer

Taylor County Cooperative Community

Upcoming Events: Ministries
Community VBS by Cornerstone is August 6-8 at Sunset Terrace with a Pool Party on August 9.

Back-to-School Bash is August 16 @ 5 p.m. @ the High School. Since we're not doing backpacks
this year, we will distribute a little bottle of water, a list of churches in Taylor County, and a "slap
bracelet" with a religious theme. Each charge is asked to donate 100 8 oz. water bottles.

Trinity would like to offer a VBS called Anchored Deepening Faith in God for any church that
wants it.

The next meeting will be held on June 25 @ 6:30 p.m. @ Simpson UMC in Flemington.
June 14 - Haymond
Foster Closet responsibilities for June - Knottsville Charge Pastor Judy Flynn
Coordinator

3000 Technology Drive, Fairmont, WV 26554 | 304-366-6811 | www.monvalleyumc.org

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MonValley District
Page 5

Hello New MonValley Pastors:

Sandy Bennett - Belington-Junior Charge

Tim Edin - FUMC, Elkins
Nici Masters - Gateway UMC
Amy Morrow – Knottsville Charge
Bonnie Starkey – Hodgesville Charge

We give thanks for these pastors

who are leaving the MonValley District:

Bert Coffman – Meadowdale UMC

Judy Flynn – Knottsville Charge
Rodney Heckert – Hodgesville
Grace Langenstein – Gateway UMC
Brian Seders - FUMC, Elkins
Lee Williams – Belington/Junior Charge

3000 Technology Drive, Fairmont, WV 26554 | 304-366-6811 | www.monvalleyumc.org

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MonValley District
Page 6

3000 Technology Drive, Fairmont, WV 26554 | 304-366-6811 | www.monvalleyumc.org

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Community
MonValley District

Coalfield Water Crisis

Where & When

February 2023, Wyoming County residents began experiencing water quality issues in the
Wolf Pen/Indian Creek area, which brought into focus the water crisis across the region
and moved people to action over the last year. From Below: Rising Together for Coalfield
Justice is focusing on McDowell County, specifically on the following communities: Gary
(city water system), Leckie (well water), and Anawalt (public water system). Each of these
water sources has been compromised due to various reasons.

Find out more at: From Below: Rising Together for Coalfield Justice

#1 Take Action Now!

Contact the WV Governor’s Office and your WV state representatives asking for the
Anawalt public service district (PSD) project to be funded and for the state to also provide
clean water to coalfield residents throughout the region by declaring a state of emergency
until the Anawalt project and others needed throughout the region are completed.

Email the WV Governor

Call the WV Governor: (304) 558-2000

Write a letter to the WV Governor:

Office of the Governor, State Capitol
1900 Kanawha Blvd. E.
Charleston, WV 25305

#2 Donations
Donations can be sent to the Hope for McDowell Fund at Hope in the Mountains to keep
this work going by supporting the work and presence of the Welch Charge of the United
Methodist Church.
Donate online at: https://hopeinthemountains.com/donate
(Be sure to select the Hope for McDowell fund)
Donate via check at Hope in the Mountains, Inc.
PO Box 1675, Sophia, WV 25921
(specify Hope for McDowell on the memo line)

3000 Technology Drive, Fairmont, WV 26554 | 304-366-6811 | www.monvalleyumc.org

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MonValley District

3000 Technology Drive, Fairmont, WV 26554 | 304-366-6811 | www.monvalleyumc.org

JUNE 2024 Community
MonValley District
Page 9

MonValley District Churches Conference Fair Share Update

Through May 2024

Churches that paid 100%:

Astor, Barrackville, Knottsville, Macedonia, Peora, Valley Chapel (Wadestown), Wadestown

Churches that are ahead:

Benton’s Ferry, Calvary, Carolina, Colfax, Corley, Eldora, Fairview (Morgantown), Good Shepherd,
Harner Chapel, Kanes Creek, Lamberts Run, Levels, Monumental, Mt. Pleasant (Thornton), Olive,
Phillips Chapel, Riverside, Rivesville, Stringtown, Suncrest, Trinity (Grafton), Westover

Churches that are on track (41.67%):

Asbury, Bee Gum, Boothsville, East High, Fetterman, First Elkins, Jerusalem, Meadowdale H & H
Chapel, Mt. Vernon (Barbour Co.), Otterbein (Shinnston), Spruce Street, St. Johns, Wayside,
Wesley Chapel (Taylor Co.)

MonValley District Fair Share (Promotional Fund) Update

We are so grateful for your gifts that assist us as we serve the churches of the MonValley District

Churches who have paid 100% of their

2024 District Fair Share:

Asbury, Astor, Bailey Memorial, Barrackville, Bee Gum, Benton’s Ferry, Bethel (Junior), Blacksville,
Boothsville, Calvary, Carolina, Colfax, Community, Corley, Crim, Downs, East High, Eldora, Fairview
(Morgantown), Fetterman, Flemington, Fort Martin, Gypsy, Harner Chapel, Heaston, Highland Park
(Morgantown), Janes Memorial, Joetown, Johnson Chapel, Kanes Creek, Knottsville, Lamberts Run, Laurel
Point, Levels, LIFE, Lumberport, Macedonia, Mansfield, Mariahs Chapel, McCurdysville, Meadowdale H &
H Chapel, Monumental, Mt. Pleasant (Taylor Co.), Mt. Tabor, Mt. Vernon (Barbour Co.), Oak Forest, Olive,
Otterbein (Elkins), Otterbein (Shinnston), Peora, Phillips Chapel, Pruntytown, Reger, Rivesville, Rymer,
Sabra, St. Johns, Stringtown, Teverbaugh, Trinity (Grafton), Valley Chapel, Wadestown, Wesley Chapel
(Taylor Co.), Wesley (Morgantown), Westover, Westside, West Farmington, Ziesing.

3000 Technology Drive, Fairmont, WV 26554 | 304-366-6811 | www.monvalleyumc.org