By Melody Swearengin

West Virginia Conference Ministry Spouses had their yearly retreat at the John 23rd Center in Charleston, West Virginia Sept. 20-22. This year’s theme was “Open My Ears.” The 2018-19 President Karyn Bennet opened the retreat up on Friday evening to 39 ministry spouses in attendance.

Barry Ball, Janet Harmon, Shea James and Deborah Coble were guest speakers

Jeff Taylor came to speak about the Love Fund, which is a fund through the United Methodist Foundation sponsored by the Ministry Spouses that allows for any ministry spouse in the conference to receive up to $500 in an emergency. It can be requested through the District Superintendents. The Ministry Spouses raise money for the fund by collecting “L” dollars in each district and other fund raisers. An “L” dollar is a one dollar bill that has the letter “L” on the left hand side of the front of the bill. 

The service project this year was gathering supplies for health kits to be given to UMCOR and making fleece blankets for foster children.

Fun activities, food and games were enjoyed by all. Short business meetings were held on Saturday and Sunday to elect and install new members to the Executive board. Those members are as follows:

President: Breana Caltrider
1st VP: Melody Swearengin
2nd VP: Sarah Estep
Recording Secretary: Denise Kerr
Corresponding Secretary: Marsha Plybon
Treasurer: Wendy Lowe
Historian: Elaine Stonestreet
Parliamentarian: Judy Kenaston
Registrar: Kathy Helmick
Tech. Chair: Wendy Lowe
Nominations Chair: Lisa Godwin
Nominations committee: Lynn Frum and Jennifer Plyburn.

District Presidents are as follows:

Greenbriar: Amy Moll
Little Kanawha: Patty Blanchard
Midland South: Julia Conley
Northern: Emily Steele
Potomac Highlands: Sarah Estep
Southern: Ellen Krimmel
Western: Karen Bennet
Wesleyan: Dotty Phillips.

Emily Steele led the Sunday morning memorial service. Ellis Conley brought the message and served communion.

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