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Magnetic Church 2008

Nearly 100 persons gathered in Parkersburg on April 4-5 for The Magnetic Church, a "how to" evangelism workshop conducted by Andrew Weeks.

The participants, representing 31 congregations and including Bishop Mike, were taken through extensive coaching, role-playing, and illustrations of ways in which to make our churches more welcoming places.  Andy Weeks is a full-time lay evangelist, whose effectiveness is based in large part on his personal testimony. Comments from those present confirmed that Andy's message both reached and enriched them.

The event, Weeks' second appearance in the Diocese of West Virginia, was sponsored by the Evangelism Commission.  The Rev. Cynthia Walter, commission chair, introduced the event, and commission member Canon Donald Vinson led the brief worship as well as a final commissioning service to send participants on their way.  The host congregation, The Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd in Parkersburg, supported the event with hours of preparation and much work in preparing the place and cleaning up afterwards.

Weeks himself was impressed by the energy in the group, which clearly reflects a desire to continue to "build my church."