PASTOR TRANSITIONS SEMINAR -...
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PRAYER REQUESTS Howard Roxberry, a member of Saegertown UMC, who is recovering from back surgery. Terry Brown (New Ireland/Lake Pleasant) and family. His grandson was in the hospital. Sandylee Rose, wife of Ed Rose (Elgin/McCray/Wayne Valley), who was diagnosed with leukemia. Jerome Alsdorf (Diamond Evangelical), who has some health concerns. Chris Swanson, Kane District Administrative Assistant, and family. Her husband passed away on Tuesday, May 28 th . BIRTHDAYS Friday, May 31 st – Jerri Blair Saturday, June 1 st – Becky Pomeroy Sunday, June 2 nd – Joy Switala
Transcript of PASTOR TRANSITIONS SEMINAR -...
PRAYER REQUESTSHoward Roxberry, a member of Saegertown UMC, who is recovering from back surgery.
Terry Brown (New Ireland/Lake Pleasant) and family. His grandson was in the hospital.
Sandylee Rose, wife of Ed Rose (Elgin/McCray/Wayne Valley), who was diagnosed with leukemia.
Jerome Alsdorf (Diamond Evangelical), who has some health concerns.
Chris Swanson, Kane District Administrative Assistant, and family. Her husband passed away on Tuesday, May 28th.
BIRTHDAYSFriday, May 31st – Jerri Blair
Saturday, June 1st – Becky Pomeroy
Sunday, June 2nd – Joy Switala
THIS WEEK(Check sections for more information.)
Friday, May 31st – Annual Review Deadline (District Notables)
Saturday, June 1st – Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community (Bulletin Board – EUMA), Pastoral Transitions Seminar (Conference Website Links & Conference Events)
Wednesday, June 5th – Leadership Workshops (Conference Website Links)
Wednesday, June 5th to Saturday, June 8th – Annual Conference (Conference Website Links)
ANNIVERSARIESSunday, June 2nd – Frank & Betty Weingard
Monday, June 3rd – Matt & Allison Judd
Wednesday, June 5th – Dennis & Donna Jean Miller
“They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.” Luke 24:35
Like the two from Emmaus, in my travels this past Sunday I saw Jesus alive and well. Deborah and I had the great joy of sharing in the McKean United Methodist Church’s 200th anniversary celebration. Pastor Barb English and her team put together a powerful service of worship honoring that amazing legacy. This significant history of the church was shared by Jim Mercier, a longstanding member. Rev. Dr. Renee Mikell, our Bishop’s assistant, preached a powerful sermon on “The Right Stuff.” Beautiful music was shared by Keith Goss. Holy Communion was celebrated. A delicious fellowship meal was served by the ladies of Union City First United Methodist Church so that all the people of McKean could relax and enjoy the day. It was memorable, well planned, and well executed!
And yet for me, the most powerful part of the day was unplanned. During the children’s sermon, Tim Foor, a lay speaker from McKean, asked the children if they knew what a 200th anniversary meant. One little girl exclaimed, “It means our church has been alive for 200 years!” I love that! Indeed, it is true. Our Church has been alive for a long time and it continues to be alive. We are all about life freely given in the name of Jesus. In my first year as your district superintendent, I have rejoiced in the many ways I have witnessed the life of the resurrected Jesus in your midst. In the midst of days that seem uncertain, I believe we have a blessed assurance that the Church will live on because our Lord lives.
Grace and peace,
Dennis
ANNUAL REVIEW LINKS SENTPastors, the links for annual reviews (previously annual evaluations) were recently sent to pastors via email. Senior pastors should have received three separate links (Pastoral Performance Annual Review, Congregational Ministry Annual Review, and SPRC Annual Self-Review) while associate pastors should have received only one link (Pastoral Performance Annual Review). Please take the time to complete and submit these by Friday, May 31st. If you have any questions or require copies of last year’s evaluations, please contact Andrea at the District Office.
PRE-CHURCH CONFERENCE BRIEFINGSDates and times for this year’s pre-church conference briefings have been scheduled: Wednesday, July 10th at 10am and Wednesday, July 24th at 7pm. Locations will be determined at a later date. Pastors must attend one of the briefings.
SAVE-THE-DATE: EVANGELISM LEADERS TRAININGSave-the-date for an upcoming evangelism leaders training with John Zimmerman on Saturday, October 26th from 9am to 2pm (location TBD).
ANNUAL CORPORATION MEETINGSChurches, Amy Bentz, our Conference Chancellor, recently reminded the Cabinet that it is important for incorporated churches to hold an annual corporation meeting. If you need help with this, please contact the District Office. To determine if your church is incorporated, visit the State Treasurer’s Office website and submit your church’s Employer Identification Number (EIN). SEE SAMPLE MEETING MINUTES
ATTENTION CHURCHES ! Please complete the following overdue tasks as soon as possible.
Church Email: If the church email that is listed on the dashboard is that of a pastor or another church leader, please create a separate church email and then update the dashboard to reflect this change. The easiest way to accomplish this would be to create a free email address, such as a Gmail account. The hope is that a separate email will make communication with churches easier despite future pastoral changes.
Church Leadership: If any of the church leadership has changed, please update the dashboard to reflect the change(s). Please include contact information for the leaders, especially email addresses.
2018 Fund Balance Report: Please send a copy of the 2018 Fund Balance Report to the District Office. Church Property Deeds: Please send copies of your property deeds, including those for the church(es), campus(es), parsonage, and other
properties to the District Office.
ATTENTION PASTORS ! Please complete the following overdue tasks as soon as possible.
Clergy Clearances: Please send current copies of your clearances (PA Criminal History Report from the PA State Police, Certification from the PA Department of Human Services, and Federal Criminal History Report from the FBI) to the District Office.
THIRD THURSDAY CLERGY SPOUSE GATHERINGSClergy spouses, mark your calendars for the third Thursday of each month at 10am to gather with Deborah Swineford and other clergy spouses at the District Parsonage (3700 Kinter Hill Road, Edinboro, PA 16412).
SECOND SATURDAY CLERGY SPOUSE GATHERINGSClergy spouses, in addition to Third Thursday gatherings, there will now be Second Saturday gatherings. While Third Thursdays will continue to meet at the District Parsonage, Second Saturdays will move around the district. There will not be a Second Saturday in June due to Annual Conference.
OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY AND REFORMATION HERITAGE TOURCome enjoy ten days (Tuesday, August 4, 2020 to Thursday, August 13, 2020) in Germany and Austria with your District Superintendent, Dennis, and his wife, Deborah. You will explore Innsbruck, see the Oberammergau Passion Play, and tour famous sites of the Reformation, including Wittenberg, Wartburg Castle, and Worms. Since 1634, the most famous passion play in the world has taken place is Oberammergau. Every ten years, almost without interruption, the tradition of putting on the play about the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ has been maintained and experienced. The tradition continues in 2020 with its 42nd performance. Contact Dennis and Deborah at 814-273-4082 or [email protected] for registration forms and additional information.
ANNUAL STEAK AND EGG BREAKFASTSaturday, June 15th, 7am, Gibson ParkOn behalf of Harmonsburg UMC, we would like to officially invite all men of your church – grandfathers, fathers, sons and sons-in-law, uncles, nephews, and friends – to this annual event. We are honored to welcome Howard Roxberry as our special guest speaker. He has provided services at local churches for many years, most recently at North Richmond UMC. Join us in celebrating good food and fellowship. To make a reservation or to obtain additional details, please contact Mark Evans at 814-382-0612 or [email protected] by Monday, June 10th.
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PLANNING FOR HOUSES OF WORSHIPWednesday, July 10th, 1pm to 4pm and 5pm to 8pm, Elevate Church (975 Millcreek Mall, Erie, PA 16565)This training event, which is geared toward religious leadership, is being coordinated by the Millcreek Township Police Department and Emergency Management. The main presenter will be Mr. Bob Winters of Homeland Security. All faiths and religious organizations are invited. This event will help religious leaders, such as pastors, laity, board members, and ushers, understand the threats that face the church today. Leadership will gain an understanding of the planning process and how to effectively implement a safety plan. Participants will have an opportunity to hear from the Department of Homeland Security, Millcreek Township Police Department, and Emergency Management professionals. Online registration for this no cost training event is available at:
1pm to 4pm: https://secure.rec1.com/PA/millcreek-township-pa/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTg0MzM3Ng 5pm to 8pm: https://secure.rec1.com/PA/millcreek-township-pa/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTg0MzQwNg
LITURGY LINES AND SERMON SEEDS: A NOTE FROM REV. JOHN SCOTT, ERIEA Sermon Seed for Father’s Day: Been searching the Scriptures for a basis for a Father’s Day sermon? There are all kinds of passages regarding the Fatherhood of God, but human fathers? The purpose of this day has one specific historical person in mind: Dad. Check out this guy: Matthew 9:9-11; 18-26. “While Jesus was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, ‘My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her and she will live.” Jesus, a controversial political figure, was addressing a very mixed crowd and this man, a leader of the synagogue, comes in and kneels before him. What was so important that he would risk his career, including influence on a budget, political power? The two-word answer: his daughter. This man is a father; all else is down the list. Your thesis sentence: fatherhood is a feeling. Tell the backstory of this man. This guy will probably be sitting in your sanctuary or the memory of him. There are parallels in the politics of today. A core word here is “risk.” He risked everything. Remind you of anyone?
Clergy: Moving This Year? Here is a scripture basis for almost any time, but could be well-used when saying goodbye to a present parish or hello to a new parish. Check Ephesians 3:14-21. “For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven is known…” Take a moment to read the entire passage and see if this is a “word” for any time of transition, perhaps printed as well as spoken.
BISHOP CALLS FOR ONGOING CONVERSATIONAt the end of an email letter summarizing recent decisions by the UMC Judicial Council, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi invited laity and clergy to form groups for continuing discussion seeking ways to continue in ministry together in Western PA in light of differing views. SEE EMAIL
BISHOP SHARES COMMON WORDIn an email to clergy and church leaders, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi shared a “pastoral and prophetic word” from the Council of Bishops related to the actions of the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference and Judicial Council decisions. She also repeated her invitation to participate in small group conversations. SEE EMAIL
APPOINTMENTSA few 2019 appointments have been announced. See them at www.wpaumc.org/appointments.
2019 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
REGISTRATION IS OPENLinks to the registration form, the form for requesting space in the display room, the pre-Conference Journal, and other relevant materials are all available at www.wpaumc.org/AC.
SENDING A YOUTH AS LAY MEMBER TO ANNUAL CONFERENCE?If your church is sending a youth (under 18) as your Lay Member to Annual Conference, please let Amanda Gilligan, Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, know by emailing her ([email protected]) or calling her (724-776-2300). It will help youth caucus leaders in planning for supervision and meals.
MISSION COLLECTIONSWhen you come to Annual Conference, support mission by bringing donations. Through God’s Eyes ministry, a group that partners with mission teams heading to global locations to provide glasses to those who need them, will be collecting used eyeglasses, readers, and sunglasses at the Mission Barn display table. The Nyadire Connection’s team supporting the Hearing Impaired program at the Nyadire UM Mission in Zimbabwe will be collecting used hearing aids at TNC’s display table. In the back parking lot, Mission Barn volunteers will accept UMCOR hygiene kits and cleaning buckets and All God’s Children Ministries will collect bags of used shoes.
BIO METRIC SCREENINGSWe always encourage our members to complete the bio metric screenings and want to do everything we can to see them complete these activities. However, we must also make good use of resources available to us. Last year, 29 people who signed up for screening at Annual Conference did not show up. We are billed $51 per person who cancels. Please be aware of the cost incurred due to no shows.
LEADERSHIP EVENTSThe Rev. Olu Brown, one of the speakers for WPAUMC’s pre-Annual Conference Leadership Day (Wednesday, June 5th) for laity and clergy, takes a critical and inspirational look at four aspects of 21st-century ministry and church vitality in his new book 4-D Impact: Smash Barriers Like a Smart Church. His congregation is one of the fastest growing UM congregations in the U.S. The other keynote speaker is Kay Kotan, an author and coach currently serving as Director of Equipping Vital Congregations for the Susquehanna Conference. Both she and Olu Brown will speak during the 1:30pm to 5pm session for laity and clergy. An additional evening session for clergy will offer a choice of a workshop with either Brown or Kotan. The registration form is within the main AC registration.
MEMORIAL SERVICEEach year during the memorial service at Annual Conference, we seek to honor the pastors and their spouses who have died in the past year, as well as the dedicated laity who have served the Conference in some official capacity. If you know of a layperson who died in the past year and should be honored, contact the Conference Memoirs Coordinator, Dale Reese, at [email protected].
DELEGATE ELECTIONSOne order of business at Annual Conference will be the election of delegates for the 2020 General Conference. The Commission on Religion and Race offers two slide presentations explaining how delegates are elected and how General Conference operates. SEE SLIDES
GENERAL CONFERENCE NEEDS PAGES, MARSHALSApplications are now open for United Methodists to serve as marshals and pages during the 2020 General Conference. The denomination’s top legislative assembly will meet Tuesday, May 5, 2020 to Friday, May 15, 2020 in Minneapolis. READ PRESS RELEASE
APPLY TO BE GC2020 YOUNG PEOPLE’S SPEAKERUnited Methodists age 12 to 35 are being sought to deliver their messages to the church at General Conference 2020 in Minneapolis. Learn how to apply to give the Young People’s Address on the Young People’s Ministries website: www.umcyoungpeople.org/the-latest/the-young-peoples-address-at-general-conference-2020.
CHURCH COMMUNICATORS FACEBOOK GROUPLiz Lennox, WPAUMC Social Media Coordinator, recently created a closed group for church communicators (social media managers, newsletter writers, administrators, media directors, etc.) on the WPAUMC Facebook page. The purpose of the group is share resources, inspiration, and advice. If you would like to join the group, use the following link: www.facebook.com/groups/wpacommunicators.
EVANGELIST AVAILABLE TO SPEAKConference Evangelist and Christian author Ken Wilson is available to speak, teach, or lead a seminar at your church. Ken is lay leader at Harmony-Zelienople UMC and was named as a WPAUMC Evangelist at the 2018 Annual Conference. DOWNLOAD FLYER
2019 ERIE-MEADVILLE DISTRICT UMW DATES Thursday, July 18th to Sunday, July 21st: Mission u at California University
o Information will be in the Erie-Meadville District UMW’s spring newsletter, “Contact” Saturday, September 28th: Day Apart at Wesley Woods, 9am to 2pm
o Information will be in the Erie-Meadville District’s UMW’s fall newsletter, “Contact” Sunday, October 20th: Annual District UMW Meeting at Fairview UMC (4601 Avonia Road, Fairview, PA 16415), 2pm to 4:30pm
FREE MANUAL ORGANPlease announce to your congregations that a Yamaha Electrotone two-manual organ is available for free at Spartansburg UMC. If interested, contact Rev. Cindy Gray (814-665-1855) or Cindy Hickernell (814-654-7381). Anyone who will pick it up can have it! Pictures are available.
MOVED RECENTLY?If you have changed your address and work or volunteer in a job that requires clearances, including pastors, church staff, and volunteers who have contact with children, you must get new clearances using your new address. Learn more about clearances at www.wpaumc.org/safesanctuaries.
EMPLOYMENT/VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
COCHRANTON UMC CHOIR DIRECTORCochranton UMC is seeking a choir director to lead an adult choir for the 11am traditional worship service. The choir director’s responsibilities include directing a mid-week evening rehearsal, working with the church organist to recruit musicians/singers for summer services when the choir does not sing, and directing the choir for special services such as Christmas Eve worship. To apply, send a letter detailing qualifications/experience to [email protected].
BE A GLOBAL MISSION FELLOWIf you’re a young adult who wants to make a difference, consider serving as a Global Mission Fellow. The two-year program is open to adults age 20 to 30 and the application period for the 2019 cohort just opened. LEARN MORE
CLASSIFIEDS SECTION OF WPAUMC WEBSITEGO HERE
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENTLaity and clergy will find information about events, ongoing programs, and continuing education opportunities, as well as scholarship applications, on our newly updated WEBPAGE. If you have an event that you’d like to see listed, contact Rev. Susan Moudry at [email protected].
GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
YOUTH SERVICE FUND GRANTSLocal UM youth groups can apply for Youth Service Fund grants from our Conference. The grants must be used for a youth-led event or ministry. You can find the application here: www.wpaumc.org/youth.
POVERTY TEAM GRANTSThe Conference Poverty Team has a new form for local churches and agencies to apply for funding for projects and ministries with the poor. Get more information at www.wpaumc.org/povertyteam. SEE APPLICATION FORM
SCHOLARSHIPSThere are a variety of scholarships at www.umc.org/resources/scholarships, www.umhef.org/scholarship-search, and at www.wpaumc.org/scholarshipforms.
SEMINARY FINANCIAL AIDApplications are available at www.wpaumc.org/BOOM.
AT THE LAKE MINISTRIESAt the Lake Ministries is accepting reservations for its first full season providing fishing and boating opportunities for individuals with special needs and their families. DETAILS
www.euma-erie.org
HIGHMARK WALK FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY: THIS SATURDAY!Join EUMA this Saturday (June 1st) for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community 5K Walk! All donations raised by EUMA walkers will benefit Our Neighbors’ Place, a vital community effort ensuring everyone has a warm, safe place to sleep during Erie’s winter season. The online event registration/donation page (http://hcf.convio.net/euma) will be open through Friday at noon or register at the event! Registration starts at 7:45am with the walk starting at 9am at Presque Isle State Park, Beach 11. If you have questions, please contact the EUMA office at 814-456-8073, ext. 105.
7 TH ANNUAL SHOE DRIVE The 7th annual Shoe Drive is well underway! Donate your unwanted new and gently-used shoes and EUMA and AGCM will receive funds for our missions. Last year, our supporters helped to raise over $11,000! Watch and share this video to learn more about how the shoe drive works: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7gwqst9vbgtlnei/AGCM EUMA Shoe Drive.mp4?dl=0 . (Attached please fine reproducible flyers and bulletin inserts.)
TEE UP TO HELP HOMELESS FAMILIESAttention, golfers! The 23rd annual Refuge Golf Tournament is Monday, June 17th at 1pm at the Riverside Golf Course in Cambridge Springs. You’ll enjoy a great afternoon of golf, all-you-can-eat Smith’s hot dogs, a putting competition, and a shot at winning a car from Bonnell’s Auto Sales with our hole-in-one contest. Information and registration are available online at https://euma-erie.org/news-events/events/23rd-annual-refuge-golf-tournament/. (See attached flyer and event brochure for more information.)
http://allgodschildrenministries.org
RAMPS OF HOPEhttp://allgodschildrenministries.org/programs/ramps-hope
CAN YOU HELP?Cooks are being sought to help us provide meals for construction teams around the district. We are building one to two ramps each week and are looking for those who are willing and able to take food out to our worksites to feed our teams and provide the opportunity for fellowship with those we serve by building residential ramps for our neighbors in need.
Respite Care http://allgodschildrenministries.org/programs/respitecare \
Check out their websites for more information on upcoming events! Some camp/retreat center events can be found in the Conference Website Links and/or Conference Events sections.
http://www.olmstedmanor.org/
2019 CALENDAR OF EVENTSClick HERE.
OLMSTED NAMES NEW DIRECTORThe Rev. Al Hammer, an ordained deacon in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, will begin serving as the new executive director of Olmsted Manor Retreat Center on Monday, July 1st. Jody Larson, the current director, informed the board last year that he hoped to retire in the summer of 2019 after serving 41 years at Olmsted. LEARN MORE
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https://www.campallegheny.org/
WOMEN’S RETREATThis weekend getaway, scheduled for August 23rd to August 25th, is set at the beautiful camping and retreat center of Camp Allegheny and is designed to let women refresh and renew their walk with the Lord. Come enjoy fun and fellowship on the mountaintop with fellow sisters in Christ and open your heart to a weekend of encouragement, faith building, and God’s love. Cost for the full weekend is $105 per person, which includes five meals, two nights in a lodge, speaker sessions, praise and worship, and free time to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. For more information or the registration form, visit www.campallegheny.org/womens-retreat.
http://www.wesleywoods.com
CHER R Y RUN CAMP
http://cherryruncamp.org/youth/
UPCOMINGEVENTS
PASTOR TRANSITIONS SEMINARJune 1st
Ingomar UMC
LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPJune 5th
Grove City College
ANNUAL CONFERENCEJune 5th to 8th
Grove City College
ADDICTION RESPONSE SEMINARJune 22nd
Butler First UMC
View the Calendar
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CALL TO MINISTRY
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CLASSIFIEDS
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MISSION NEWS
ENEWS ARCHIVE
PASTORAL TRANSITIONS SEMINARSaturday, June 1st, 9am to 3pm, Ingomar UMC (1501 West Ingomar Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237)This seminar is for all pastors experiencing a change in ministry setting this year. Registration will begin at 8:30am. Lunch will be provided. For more information, contact Susan Moudry at [email protected].
VIM TEAM LEADER TRAININGSaturday, June 15th, 10am to 4pm, Hickman Room (UM Conference Center, 1204 Freedom Road, Cranberry Township, PA 16066)Contact Sandra Matoushaya at [email protected].
PEACE WITH JUSTICE SUNDAYThe first Sunday after Pentecost (Sunday, June 16th) supports Peace with Justice Ministries.
CHURCH BUSINESS ACADEMYThe Academy of Church Business Administration (ACBA), which offers education and certification for church business administrators, will be held in Nashville, TN from Monday, June 17th to Thursday, June 27th. It’s hosted by the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA). DETAILS
ADDICTION EPIDEMIC RESPONSELaity, clergy, friends, and family are invited to a Saturday, June 22nd Addiction Response Seminar designed to help individuals and church teams learn practical ways to support those in addiction or recovery and their families. Sponsored by the Conference, it will be at Butler First UMC. DETAILS
CANADIAN WILDERNESS CANOE TRIPSOur camping ministry is sponsoring two Canadian wilderness canoe trips this summer. The first is Sunday, July 14th to Tuesday, July 23rd led by Revs. Scott Hamley, Doug Burns, and Craig Lindahl. The second is Monday, July 29th to Wednesday, August 7th led by Rev. Drew and Lindsey Myers. These are wilderness trips with primitive camping and are physically challenging, but the reward is to enjoy beautiful scenery, wildlife, and the chance to grow as disciples in God’s creation. Cost is $475 for adults and $445 for teenagers, which includes transportation, meals, and equipment. Participants 19 or older must have a passport. These trips are based out of Erie. For questions, contact Scott Hamley at 724-859-6745 or [email protected]. REGISTER
COLLEGIATE MINISTRYThe General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) invites those involved in campus/collegiate ministry to the Tuesday, July 16th to Friday, July 19th Summer Institute, a UM Campus Ministry Association (UMCMA) conference, cosponsored and hosted by Iliff School of Theology in Denver. DETAILS AND REGISTER
YOUTH MISSION URegistration is open for Mission u at California University of PA (Tuesday, July 16th to Sunday, July 21st). Get a brochure with details and register at www.wpaumc.org/youthmissionu.
CLERGY HEALTH INSTITUTEOffered by Pfeiffer University, the Clergy Health Institute is a year-long program, which begins with a seven-day retreat (Wednesday, July 17th to Tuesday, July 23rd) and is designed to address the health and wellness needs of United Methodist clergy. The program includes follow-up sessions in October, January, April, and July. Registration deadline is Saturday, June 1st. Program cost is $2,500 with scholarship assistance available for qualified participants. DETAILS
RADICAL DISCIPLESHIPButler DS Eric Park will lead the spiritual growth study The Gospel of Mark and Radical Discipleship at this summer’s Mission u at California University of PA (Thursday, July 18th to Sunday, July 21st). DETAILS
YOUTH4MISSIONRegistration is open for Youth4Mission, a five-day youth group work camp for grades 6 through 12 based at Jumonville with work projects in the Uniontown area. It’s scheduled for Monday, July 29th to Friday, August 2nd. Get details and the registration link at www.wpaumc.org/youthevents.
RECLAIM!Western PA native Katy Wrona, who serves as Director of Communities of Transformation in the Alabama-West Florida Conference, will lead a workshop on holistic ministry and what it means to walk with families in transition during the Reclaim! Embracing Wesley’s Radical Missional Spirit event from Friday, August 9th to Saturday, August 10th in Bridgeport, WV. Katy, who grew up at Bethel UMC in Lower Burrell and is the daughter of Rev. Sara Wrona, served as a GBGM Global Mission Fellow in Alabama for two years. SEE BROCHURE
NAVIGATERegistration is now open for Navigate, a Thursday, August 22nd to Saturday, August 24th event in Harrisburg to help current and future leaders impact their congregations and communities for Jesus Christ. There will be powerful speakers and workshops geared to revitalization, the small church, lay pastors, new places for new people, young leaders and conference leaders. Navigate was planned by Northeastern Jurisdiction leaders after the 2019 School of Congregational Development was cancelled. DETAILS AND REGISTER
CLERGY SPOUSE RETREATFriday, September 27th to Saturday, September 28th, Jumonville (887 Jumonville Road, Hopwood, PA 15445)Contact Grace Lenox at 814-969-5630.
2019 BIKE-A-THON DATESIf you’re not busy from Monday, September 30th to Sunday, October 6th, save the dates to ride in the 2nd Annual Bike-A-Thon from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. It raises money to send children and youth to camp! This year’s itinerary includes worship in a multi-ethnic church in Georgetown and the African American Heritage Museum. SEE VIDEO DETAILS AND REGISTER
CHRISTIAN UNITY GATHERINGThe Nation Council of Churches’ Christian Unity Gathering, scheduled for Sunday, October 13th to Wednesday, October 16th in Virginia, will mark the 400th year since the first enslaved Africans reached the U.S. in Jamestown, VA. Participants at the Gathering will join in a public witness at Point Comfort, Virginia against the legacy of suffering that continues today through systemic racism in our churches, communities, and lives. DETAILS
Don’t forget! You can now check a running list of WPA VIM trip opportunities online anytime at www.wpaumc.org/opportunities. Also, opportunities to give/help can be found at UMCOR.
CLEANING BUCKETSCleaning buckets are needed to help those affected by flooding throughout the Midwest. Completed buckets, ingredients, or monetary donations are welcomed at the Mission Barn, one of its satellites, or the Conference Center. Links to relief kit/bucket instructions, as well as other information, are available at www.wpaumc.org/missionbarn.
HELP THE SMITH CENTERThe Ruth M. Smith Center in Sheffield appreciates your donations of items from paper towels to double wide strollers. When you donate them, money in the center’s budget can be redirected to other needs. SEE WISH LIST
WPAUMC VOLUNTEERS IN MISSIONUnited Methodists voluntarily serving people outside the church – local, regionally, nationally, or internationally.
What teams can I join? www.wpaumc.org/opportunitiesHow do I learn about leading a team? www.wpaumc.org/VIMtrainingOnce we have a team planned, what do we do?
Register your team at www.wpaumc.org/registerVIMteamsGet VIM insurance at www.umvimnej.org
Once our team returns, what do I do? www.wpaumc.org/missionreportWhere can I find local church resources?
www.wpaumc.org/localchurchmissionsHow do I get involved in Disaster Response?
Take UMCOR training at www.wpaumc.org/disasterresponseMake sure your local church has a local disaster planVolunteer at Eastbrook Mission Barn or one of its satellites
What if there is a disaster in my church’s community?Local pastor reports damage to the church and with their community to their District SuperintendentLocal pastor reports damage to the church and with their community to Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Rev. Calvin Cook at 814-442-5899
MISSIONSHIELD VIM INSURANCE OFFEREDAs healthcare laws change and deductibles grow, it is important to have coverage for volunteer teams serving in the U.S. as well as abroad. This Northeastern Jurisdiction UMVIM board has worked with Seven Corners to make policies available for all VIM teams. Get forms and details at www.umvimnej.org/mission-insurance.
CHECK OUT THESE WAYS TO SERVE IN WESTERN PA
UM A.R.M.Y – www.ne.umarmy.orgYour church can be a youth work camp as youth and chaperones partner with UM A.R.M.Y to love your neighbors.
EASTBROOK MISSION BARN – www.wpaumc.org/missionbarn
UPDATESSee what’s happening at the Eastbrook Mission Barn in their BLOG.
