Dear Church Leader,

This has been and continues to be an unusual year, to say the least!  Our congregations have had to find new ways to conduct worship and to minister safely to those in our spiritual communities.  Many of the usual church activities have ceased temporarily, and we struggle to know what the future holds.

The Presbytery Leadership Team and the Presbytery staff are struggling with the same issues.  The Leadership Team, in particular, is looking at the future of the Presbytery and trying to discern how best to use the resources – financial, human, and material – that we expect to have in the coming years.  Church memberships are dwindling, churches are closing, and we are relying too heavily on financial reserves.  We need to adjust.

In order to make informed decisions about the future, we are asking for your church’s input.  Attached is a very brief survey, which we would like for you and others in your congregation to complete.  Take the questions to your Session.  Ask your teachers and committee chairs.  Ask your staff members.  Gather as much information as you are able so that the Leadership Team can make the best decisions.  Please take the month of August to complete this survey.

Beginning in September, a member of the Leadership Team will call Clerks of Session to gather the information from you.  If you wish, you can return the completed survey to the Presbytery office instead.  Mail to: Leadership Team Task Force, Presbytery of West Virginia, 520 Second Ave., South Charleston, WV 25303.  Or, send by email to office@wvpresbytery.org.  For those not received in the Presbytery office by August 31, 2020, a Leadership Team member will call you.

This is important!  The Leadership Team sincerely needs your input to make informed decisions about the future of the Presbytery organization and associated support roles.  The time spent gathering the information will be greatly appreciated.

Our prayers are with you as you continue to minister to those in your faith community during these uncertain times.

Together in Christ’s service,
Steve Hornbeck, Chair
Leadership Team