November 2013 Circuit

PUBLISHED BY THE WEST VIRGINIA CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Bishop D. Frederick Wertz gavels in a session of the West Virginia Conference. Bishop Wertz served the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church from 1968 - 1980. FILE PHOTO

D. Frederick Wertz, the first United Methodist Bishop of the West Virginia Conference, died October 16 in Carlisle, PA two weeks after turning 97.

He was the longest-serving surviving bishop in the connection, elected to the episcopacy in 1968.

Bishop Wertz served the West Virginia Conference during a time of great change for the Methodist movement in the United States. The Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) and The Methodist Church voted to become The United Methodist Church during the “unifying conference” of 1968 in Dallas, Texas. Wertz was elected bishop and appointed to a conference where the EUB West Virginia Conference had voted “no” to the merger.

We extend our love and sympathy to Bishop Wertz’s family and hope the stories we share in the NovCircuit help us all remember what he contributed to the life of the West Virginia Conference.

November 2013

CALENDAR November

14-15 Residency Retreat Jackson’s Mill 15 Order of Elders Meeting

West Virginia Wesleyan College

15-16 Candidacy Retreat Jackson’s Mill 15-17 Course of Study springheights.org 18 The Race to Reach Out (Morgantown)

wvumc.org/evangelism

19 The Race to Reach Out (Cross Lanes)

wvumc.org/evangelism

22-24 Youth Fall Workshop wvumc.org/youth

December 16 Statistical forms mailed to pastors 20 Pension payments due to Conference

Treasurer’s office

January 3 Final date for 2013 remittances

and disbursements 31 Final date for 2013 statistical forms For more information and the full calendar visit wvumc.org/calendar.

Email submissions to wvumc@wvumc.org.

United Methodist Center Holiday Schedule Conference Center Closed November 27-28, December 23-27, January 1

Special Sundays

The West Virginia Conference raises awareness and funds for causes that show our faith in action through 20 special Sundays each year.

November 3 Day of Remembrance* 10 Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness 24 United Methodist Student Day umcgiving.org January 19 Human Relations Day 26 Sanctity of Human Life Sunday * Contact Karen Thaxton at kthaxton@wvumc.org or 800788-3746 for giving envelopes for Day of Remembrance.

For more information on all Special Sundays, visit bit.ly/ SpecialSundays.

WE REMEMBER Melvin D. Erenrich, 88, passed away October 3. Condolences may be sent to Rev. David and Janice Erenrich, 21601 O’Toole Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21742.

Phyllis Wickline, wife of the Rev. BillyReed Wickline, passed away September 18. BillyReed served Fayetteville-Doggett from 1968 until he retired in 1995.

Phyllis was also the daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Carden Hillman and Talma Hillman. Cards and

letters of sympathy may be sent to the Rev. BillyReed Wickline at Regancy Place, 5 Rolling Meadows Dr., Scott Depot, WV 25560.

Rev. Warren Friend (R-AM) passed away October 2. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to either McHenry United Methodist Church, McHenry, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church (Rt. 40), Frostburg, or Trinity Episcopal Church, Wilmington.

From The Editor, Laura H. Allen

On October 16, The United Methodist Church said goodbye to Bishop D. Frederick Wertz.

I never knew him, but as we worked in communications to share his story, the word “unity” stuck in my head. Bishop Wertz came to the West Virginia Conference during a time of great change. Our Evangelical United Brethren presence was strong, and there was great hesitation in coming together with Methodists in the area to form The United Methodist Church. The bishop’s task - to create unity while respecting the differences of his flock - could not have been easy.

We have seen the dysfunction of our nation’s public life reach new heights in recent weeks.

Some say The United Methodist

KEEP UP WITH US:

Facebook: facebook.com/ wvumc Twitter: @wvumc

Church mirrors that dysfunction by focusing on one or two “hotbutton” social issues. Honest, respectful conversation seems to be something our society has forgotten. Perhaps Bishop Wertz would remind us of John Wesley’s words: “Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences.” May we all seek the unity of children of God. Blessings,

Laura

Photographs: flickr.com/ wvumc e-news: wvumc.org/enews

NOvember 2013

Posted on facebook

I first met Bishop Wertz in January of 1979. Dr. Sidney Davis invited me to a district clergy meeting at First UMC, Elkins. While enjoying coffee and doughnuts, I struck up a conversation with an interesting fellow, and when we were called to move into the meeting room, he asked me my name. I told him my name, and he told me he was Fred Wertz. I responded, “it was nice to meet you, Fred.” As he started down the hall, I said, rather loudly, “Oh, you’re the bishop.” He turned around and said, “Thank you Ken, for humbling me.” Later that June he appointed me to the Ellamore Charge in Upshur County. I have had many laughs through the years, remembering and re-telling how I met Bishop Wertz. — Ken Krimmel

Bishop Wertz dances during Annual Conference at West Virginia Wesleyan (undated). We think this photo is from a hoe-down that Rev. Ellis Conley referenced in his Facebook post about Bishop Wertz. FILE PHOTO

Bishop Wertz was elected and consecrated at the Northeast Jurisdictional Conference in 1968 at West Virginia Wesleyan College. I was a delegate for the first time and participated in his election. Also elected at that conference was Roy C. Nichols, the first African-American to be elected by a regional jurisdiction after the elimination of the Central [racial] Jurisidction at the General Conference just 3 months earlier.

Bishop Wertz was assigned to the West Virginia Area where he was my predecessor. Bishop Nichols was assigned to the Pittsburgh Area where he became my Bishop. — Bishop William Boyd Grove

I never had the opportunity to meet Bishop Wertz, but I know one of his legacies is working to establish the United Methodist Foundation of West Virginia, Inc., of which he was instrumental in creating in 1974 while serving as area bishop. He was a founding member of The Foundation, then known as United Methodist Charities of West Virginia, Inc. We celebrate the vision and leadership of Bishop Wertz and others as The Foundation prepares to celebrate 40 years of ministry. — Jeff Taylor Two memories: My father was conference treasurer, I was in high school and Bishop Wertz remembered my name every time we met. Following this, I went on to college, seminary, and then returned to the conference as a youth director and Christian Education director. The next time I met with Bishop Wertz, I was facing one of the biggest challenges in my ministry. Deeply distressed, I said to Bishop Wertz, I am not sure I can carry this burden and be in ministry in the church. Bishop Wertz responded, almost tenderly, well, if the church can’t share in carrying your burden, who can? That reply was enough to carry me forward. — J. F. Lacaria

Bishop Wertz was my ordaining Bishop, but when he did he called me “Gary” which was my father’s name. I recall him being gracious and kind but also clear about his vision for the West Virginia Annual Conference. He conducted the business meetings at Annual Conference with a twinkle in his eye and a hand on the gavel. One year at Annual Conference, he decided we would have a square dance in the Green Room of the Rockefeller Gym. Pastors who had never danced before joined in at his invitation!— Ellis Conley

The thing I remember most about Bishop Wertz is that whatever you were doing you had better have all the “homework” done and all the “I”s dotted and “t”s crossed or there would be his chastisement wherever you were. The funniest moments at Annual Conference with Bishop Wertz were when Rev. L.E. Crowson and Bishop Wertz would have a disagreement. L.E. once called Bishop Wertz a “silver haired fox” on the floor of the Conference. Everyone there held their breath for a second or two… but they continued the debate as always. Both of them were brilliant men. — Margo Friend

november 2013

This is the last issue of the new conference newsletter that is being mailed to former recipients of the West Virginia United Methodist.

As of Jan.1, only pastors and local church lay leaders will receive print newsletters. Print subscriptions will be available to others for $30/year.

Digital subscriptions are free.

If you have not already told us, please let us know what publications you would like to receive digitally by completing the form to the right and mailing it to us. You can also complete the form online at http://bit.ly/ MountainCircuit

E-mail subscription form

If you’d like to receive our publications by email rather than via the USPS, please signup online at http://bit.ly/MountainCircuit. You can also use the signup form below. Please mail it back to us at: Attn: Editor, The Mountain Circuit, PO Box 2313, Charleston, WV 25328.

Name (first, last):

Email me this news: Short Circuit eNewsletter (Bimonthly)

District:

The Mountain Circuit Magazine

Greenbrier Little Kanawha Midland South Mon Valley Northern Potomac Highlands Southern Wesleyan Western N/A

Are you?

Clergy

(Quarterly)

Email these announcements: Monthly Newsletter (10 times/year) We Remember (Clergy family death and funeral arrangements, as received)

Comments:

Laity

N/A

The Mon Valley District United Methodist Men have distributed 6,900 pounds of potatoes to their communities. The food pantries at Scott’s Run Settlement House and Masontown United Methodist Church have received potatoes, as well as the Morgantown Salvation Army kitchen and the Fairmont “Soup Opera.” Several families near Westover UMC have also been given potatoes. A local farmer is donating the “seconds” of his entire crop.

What does the bible say about feeding the hungry?

“When you harvest your land, don’t harvest right up to the edges of your field or gather the gleanings from the harvest. Don’t strip your vineyard bare or go back and pick up the fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am God, your God.” — Leviticus 22: 9-10 (The Message)