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Connellsville E-newsJune
A Word of Encouragement
One of the things I love about reading Paul’s letters is the way he encourages the churches. “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in everyone one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.” (Philippians 1:3-5).
William Barclay writes in The Letters to the Hebrews, “One of the highest of human duties is the duty of encouragement. . . It is easy to laugh at men’s ideals; it is easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers. We have a Christian duty to encourage one another. Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet. Blessed is the man who speaks such a word.”
I was reading and reflecting on the Function of the Local Church in our Book of Discipline to imagine better ways I could help the local churches of the Connellsville District. The Function of the Local Church is outlined in ¶202 and says in part, “The function of the local church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is to help people to accept and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and to live their daily lives in light of their relationship with God.”
I want to encourage you to live your daily life in light of your relationship with God. I want to encourage you to remember that you are never alone and you are always surrounded by the Holy Spirit who gives you guidance. Allow your life to be an encouragement for others. Let the light of your life shine in your communities and wherever you go.
In truth your faithfulness and joy are a great encouragement to me. Like Paul, I thank my God every time I remember you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.
God Bless,
Pastor Bob
District SuperintendentPastor Robert Zilhaver
View the Calendar
PRAYER CONCERNS AND JOYS IMPORTANT DATES
SAVE THE DATES
2019 WPA UM Annual Conference: Thursday, June 6-Saturday, June 8, 2019. Register: https://www.wpaumc.org/AC
2019 District Picnic: Kennywood ParkFriday, June 28th
2019 Pre- Charge Conference:Monday, July 1 st . Scottdale Trinity (10am-12pm)Somerset Calvary (6:30pm-8:30pm)Tuesday, July 2 nd . Somerset Grace (10:00am-12:00pm)Asbury (6:30pm-8:30pm)
July 18-21 Mission U at CaliforniaAugust 3 Mission Trip to the House of the Carpenter at Wheeling Island, WVSeptember 28 District Annual Meeting at Central HighlandsConference UMW Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 26 at 9:30 am at Christ Church, 44 Highland Road, Bethel Park, PA. (Pittsburgh District)
PRAYERS, THANKSGIVING AND JOY’S
MINISTRY: Annual ConferenceThe Mission Trip to Fiji- August 2019Missionaries New appointments
JOYS: Kane Ministry in the News: The Warren Times Observer ran a good feature article about the Kane District Ramp Ministry last weekend. Read it.
HEALTH: Those fighting depression.
THANKS: Pastor Thomas St. Clair would like to thank everyone for their prayers and concern.
NATION: Our Dads and families.
If you have a joy or concern, please contact me at 724.628.3453 or e-mail [email protected]
Happy Father’s Day!
Here are some other ideas for fundraising.
FIJI. . . OUR NEWEST MISSION PARTNER
We currently have a team of 16. . .
On Friday, July 29, Asbury UMC, 20 Dunbar Street in Uniontown is hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for children under 10. We (the South Fayette Cooperative Parish) have been asked to provide dessert and for each church to set a goal of selling 20 tickets. Would you come alongside us in this mission?
The lay ministry school that we are working at trains 200 individuals per year who serve on circuits with lead pastors to make the church sustainable in rural areas. They need assistance in redoing the kitchen, where they sell goods from to provide tuition. We will be working on the kitchen, and boy’s dorms, which we recently learned may not be usable by next year.
We currently have a team of 16, with 4 possible openings for persons interested in construction, cooking, sewing, or evangelism and lay speaking. Deadline is June 5.
Regarding the dinner, I have the tickets at Calvary: please prayerfully consider selling 20 at each of your churches, and I will get them to you immediately!
I understand some churches may sell 50 and some 10, but it all equals out! Also, let me know how many cakes you can gather up from your churches! Some churches may do 10 and some only 1, but every single one helps.
If you would like to host a fundraiser, please let me know...we need all funds by the end of June, but are planning on fundraising into July. The extra funds will assist in purchasing items that will be used there.
Many blessings, Bev [email protected]
Some other Idea’s
Everyone’s InvitedWe're getting together for coffee after church and
enjoying fresh baked goodies!
AND maybe grab some fresh vegetables or even a container of homemade soup!
We are encouraging all members to bring any of the above.
What a fun way to grab some social time together, bake and share something, get rid of some extra vegetables or soup and help support Christianity
in another country at the same time!
Proceeds benefit Fiji ministry!
Spaghetti dinnerAsbury UMC Uniontown
Friday, June 21, 2019
4:30PM-7:30PM
To raise funds for the Connellsville Mission Trip in August to Fiji, Asbury United Methodist Church is hosting a fundraiser.
Hartzek Catering will be providing the Spaghetti.
Everyone welcome!
$8.00 Adults
$5.00 Children under 10
Why Fiji?
Newest Global Mission Partner
BY-NC-ND
A Jar that Chimes. . .
For Dimes!I took a 2-liter bottle for the Children's message. After I explained how people in other countries don't have what we have, I then showed the bottle, told about the dimes and took a roll of dimes and poured it into the bottle. After that, I gave each child a plastic cup and asked if they
would go and see if anyone else would donate (of course I had about 3 people prepared with dimes). The congregation responded and my
husband said the kids really looked like they had fun. We are going to present the bottle each week. What's good about this is it gets the little
one’s mission minded.
We raised $218.50
Wanda Ross
Presence right here on our district
Attend Mission U and other UMW programs
Mutual ministry with lay ministry
BENEFITS
THE METHODIST LAY TRAINING CENTER IN FIJI
────
TAKE A BREAK FROM COOKING AND LET US PREPARE AND SERVE YOUR DINNER!
────
GREAT HOMEMADE DESSERTS AVAILABLE TOO!
────
BRING A FRIEND
────
TAKEOUT AVAILABLE. Asbury United Methodist Church 20 Dunbar Street Uniontown PA 15401 724-437-7525
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
JUNE
David Walchock– Spouse 7
Ethel Stevanus-Pastor 8
Joseph Caola-Pastor 14
Art Gotjen—Pastor 10
Mark Sholtis—Pastor 22
Beverly Lamb—Spouse 22
Tabitha Penrod—Spouse 22
Chelsea Nagy—Child 23
Christine Doren—Pastor 27
Doug Burns—Pastor 30
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
JUNE
Chuck & Cheryl Hildbold 7
David & Patty McCall 7
Art & Marlene Gotjen 8
Roger & Lois Howard 10
Brenda & Tom Shaffer 11
Eric & Kim Raygor 11
Del & Pearl Wasser 17
Tom & Sharon Brown 17
Elmer & Peggy Reamer 19
If I overlooked your special occasion, please contact me. At [email protected].
724.550.4058
Mt. Hope United Methodist Church258 Mt. Hope RoadSouth Fork, PA 15956
Locust Grove Church of the Brethren1421 Clapboard Run Road Johnstown, PA 15904
Dear Superintendent
The congregation of Mt. Hope UM Church in conjunction with Locust Grove Church of the Brethren, are urgently seeking your help to prevent legalization of recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania. Your support is extremely important to the success of this effort. Time is running out and we must take action immediately.
We are trying to contact every United Methodist Church in PA with a copy of this petition. Please send a copy of this petition to each of the churches in your district. We are asking that each church send a cover letter, fact sheets, and signature sheets to your local representatives and senators as soon as possible. We have included an example of a cover letter that the churches can use as a guide for their own mailing. The churches may also write their own cover letter if they so desire. Send the cover letter, fact sheets and signature sheets to the appropriate government representatives in your area.
Sincerely yours,
Member of Mt. Hope UM CongregationExample of Letter to Accompany Petition
Date
Church NameAddress
Dear Name of Senator or Representative,
The congregation of Mt. Hope UM Church in conjunction with Locust Grove Church of the Brethren wishes to express our strong opposition to the proposed legalization of recreational marijuana in the state. We feel that this legalization is in direct
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
JUNE
David Walchock– Spouse 7
Ethel Stevanus-Pastor 8
Joseph Caola-Pastor 14
Art Gotjen—Pastor 10
Mark Sholtis—Pastor 22
Beverly Lamb—Spouse 22
Tabitha Penrod—Spouse 22
Chelsea Nagy—Child 23
Christine Doren—Pastor 27
Doug Burns—Pastor 30
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
JUNE
Chuck & Cheryl Hildbold 7
David & Patty McCall 7
Art & Marlene Gotjen 8
Roger & Lois Howard 10
Brenda & Tom Shaffer 11
Eric & Kim Raygor 11
Del & Pearl Wasser 17
Tom & Sharon Brown 17
Elmer & Peggy Reamer 19
LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENT’S Summer Office Hours
June 3rd- August 30th 2019Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9:00am- 5:00pmSeeking your help to prevent legalization of recreational marijuana in
Pennsylvania. Your support is extremely important to the success of this effort. Time is running out and we must take action immediately!
opposition to the fight to reduce the opioid epidemic gripping the state and the nation. The use of marijuana is only the stepping stone to the use of stronger drugs and opioids.
Safety on our highways is a great concern and will only become worse with the passage of this legislation. People requiring medical marijuana should be required to forfeit their driver's license prior to receiving authorization to use medical marijuana. They are too sick to drive safely. The use of these types of drugs is wrong and the facts accompanying this petition prove that beyond a doubt.
If you are truly concerned about the people of this state, you must vote NO to the legalization of marijuana. The people attending the individual county meetings on legalization are not a true representation of the majority. They are only a small group of drug users and others wanting to profit from the sale of these drugs. Where are the Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the first responders, the churches, school districts, and the silent majority?
Get the advertisements for drugs off the television where they brainwash our children and grandchildren into thinking that there is a pill to fix everything. Drugs are wrong. Let's get it right.
Sincerely yours,
MARIJUANA
Not like it was in the 6œs and 70's since THC levels (the active chemical in marijuana) has risen from 3, 4, 5% to as high as 30% and as high as 95% in concentrates.
THC can linger in the body for days or weeks the more often you use it. If you smoke one joint per week for the rest of your life you'd be continuously stoned until the moment you died. The more often you use it the more it builds up. When the high is gone the pot is not.
Marijuana impairs short-time memory, thinking, concentration, attention span, physical coordination, slows muscle response, raises heart rate as much as 50% alters the mind — slowing it down and affecting sound, sight and balance, you lose interest in anything but getting high.
Being put lollipops gummies, brownies, chocolates, cookies, cappuccinos, fruit punch and sodas. When the wrappers are off can't tell the difference.
One joint irritates the lungs as much as one pack of cigarettes. Smoke is held in the lungs longer than cigarette smoke and causes lung cancer even more than cigarettes.
Smoke a joint on Tuesday —a week later 50% of the drug would still be in your system. Many people (according to David Wilkerson who's worked with drug addicts for years) are being misled to believe that marijuana is safer than cigarettes.
Bob Cook — National Narcotics Officer — said marijuana absolutely is a gateway drug — he interviewed hundreds of suspects and didn't find hardly any who didn't start out with marijuana.
David Wilkerson likewise said in his many years of working with addicts 90% started with marijuana.
When you make something more available, socially acceptable and lower the perception of risk, you're going to have more people using.
What we're seeing is industrialization, taking a drug that has all kinds of adverse effects on society and treating it as a revenue stream.
It's sad to see that we've come to value money over the destruction of people, lives and familiesResourtes: Citizen Magazine; smartcolorado.org; What every teenager should know — David Wilkerson
Colorado and MarijuanaAs of January Colorado had 424 retail Marijuana stores compared to 322 Starbucks and 202 McDonalds. There are a total of 2,849 state licensed marijuana businesses including manufacturing and cultivation facilities.
There has been a soar in crime — two states and several law enforcement agencies are suing Colorado for the spillover crimes committed in their neighborhoods.
Traffic deaths increased 88%, ER visits and hospitalizations up 72%, citations for driving under the influence increased — all due to marijuana.
Employees coming to work high — one company moved to South Carolina because to many of its 47 employees came to work high.
Kids under 21 purchasing and consuming at stunning levels.
Highly potent edibles have been tied to a spike in hospitalization (including many children) and deaths.
Promises of windfalls from marijuana taxes to schools only a drop in the public education bucket. So far the only thing brought to the schools is marijuana.
Colorado ranks first in the nation this past month for use of marijuana in kids 12-17.
Dabbing has become very popular.
They are targeting our young people. Sources: Citizen Magazine and smartcolorado.org
I oppose the legalization of recreational marijuana in the state of PennsylvaniaNAME TOWN COUNTY
CHURCH HAPPENINGS AROUND YOU:
PRODUCE FOR THE PEOPLE
The second Thursday of each month produce is free for Fayette County residence. Location is Fayette County Fairgrounds. Anyone needing produce must have a copy of their electric bill. For more details, contact: Ray Hoffman: 724.929.5587
The following items will be donated and shared from the Wesley Dunbar Church:
Studio II Electric Organ, Hymnals, Metal folding chairs, Folding tables, Candlesticks, Baptismal bowl, Old Bibles, Collection Plate and Cross. Please contact: Mary Porterfield @ 724.880.6450
Connellsville District Picnic Is Here!
KEEP THE DATE: Kennywood Day, FRIDAY June 28, 2019.
CONFERENCE:
ANNUAL CONFERENCEAnnual Conference: About 1300 people are registered to attend the WPAUMC Annual Conference at Grove City College from June 5-8. If you are a voting member and haven’t yet registered, do it now using the link at wpaumc.org/AC.
Annual Conference 2019 is next week, with the official start on Thursday, June 5 and optional Day of Preparation prayer walk, healing service and learning opportunities on Wednesday, June 4. For logistical details, read the Pre-Conference Journal opening pages. Use the link at wpaumc.org/AC.
Delegate Elections: One order of business at Annual Conference will be 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 the General Conference operates. Seethem
Have Old Hearing Aids? The Nyadire Connection’s team supporting the Hearing Impaired program at the Nyadire UM Mission in Zimbabwe will collect used hearing aids at TNC’s display table during Annual Conference. They’ll be refurbished and given to those who need them.
Other Collections: Also at annual conference, used eyeglasses will be collected at the Mission Barn display. UMCOR cleaning buckets and hygiene kits will be collected in the parking lot behind the plenary building, and All God’s Children Ministries will collect used shoes in their truck in the parking area.
Mission Collections: When you come to Annual Conference, support mission by bringing donations of used eyeglasses, readers or sunglasses for Through God’s Eyes ministry, a group that partners with mission teams heading to global locations to provide glasses to those who need them. A collection box will be at the Mission Barn table in the display area. In the back parking lot, Mission Barn volunteers will accept UMCOR hygiene kits and cleaning buckets and All God’s Children will collect bags of used shoes.
Reporting on AC2019: Lay members and pastors are expected to provide an annual conference report for their church members, but “reading secondhand reports from a business session of annual conference may be the ideal sleep aid,” writes Jeremy Steele. He has some tips on how to present your report so people will notice. Learn more
Annual Conference News: Registration for the 2019 Western PA annual conference session will be live next week on the Conference website. You’ll also find an online form to request space in the display area and forms to download to request special meals or rooms for special meetings. Visit wpaumc.org/AC
For a variety of very good reasons, I decided to not offer the Orientation to Ministry sessions the day prior to Annual Conference this year. I have, however, scheduled it for Saturday, August 24 from 9:30-noon at the conference center. That registration link is now on the website. Janet Lord
Connellsville District Picnic Is Here!
KEEP THE DATE: Kennywood Day, FRIDAY June 28, 2019.
PAYMENTS CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR THE WPA UMC CONFERENCE CENTER The Conference now offers a greatly expanded online payment capability! This service will allow churches and individuals to submit payments electronically, instead of mailing checks to the Conference Center. Separate webpages with online payment instructions have been set-up for Camping & Retreat Ministries, At the Lake Ministries, Pension & Healthcare, and Local Church Remittance. More information can be found at the conference website at http://www.wpaumc.org/onlinepayments
Clergy Health Insurance Rate: Thanks to the efforts by the Conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits, the 2019 rate local churches will be billed for full-time appointed clergy health insurance will be $151 a month less than the amount anticipated earlier in the fall. The 2019 blended rate will be $1385.00 a month for health, vision and dental. Learn more
GC2019 OUTCOMES AND CLERGY PENSIONS: Wespath recently updated its FAQs and other website resources related to General Conference 2019 and clergy pensions. See Wespath webpage.
Your Credit Union Can Help! If you have church members struggling financially in situations like the recent federal government shutdown, the Keystone UM Federal Credit Union to wants you to know that they are willing and able to help. Get contact info at keystoneumfcu.org/
Communicator Connection: We have created a closed group for WPAUMC Church Communicators on Facebook to shareresources, inspiration, and advice. It’s for people who manage social media or websites, create newsletters or handleother communications in a local church professionally or as a volunteer. To join, click the "join" button on our main pageor find the group by clicking "groups" in the menu on the left. Go to Facebook.com/wpaumc
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT INFORMATION VIP: We are required to: Have a copy of the deed to your church/charge filed in The Connellsville District Office.
Please send a copy of all your church’s/charge’s property deeds to the District office by May 1, 2019 (including deeds for your church’s campus/campuses, parsonage, and all other properties).VIP: We are required to: Clearances: Update your clearances every 5 years. If you're a pastor and haven’t already done so, send copies of your current 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 your District Office asap. Details on clearances are at wpaumc.org/safesanctuaries.
PAST DUE - ALL CLERGY MUST SUBMIT ALL THREE CLEARANCES TO THE DISTRICT OFFICEClearances were by November 30, 2018. Previously, we did not require you to send us a copy, but the requirements have changed. Also, if you have moved into our District from another District, you will need to get an updated FBI Clearance Report and provide it to us. Your old report will not be accepted Here are the three links:
State Police: https://epatch.state.pa.us/Home.jsp
Child Abuse: https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home
FBI Fingerprint Identity Check: https://uenroll.identogo.com/ - For FBI Fingerprints, look at the top of the page where it says "Enter your Service Code to get started."Enter this Service Code: 1KG756
Help Us Connect with Your Church! If the church email listed on your church dashboard belongs to a pastor or other church leader, please create a separate church email, then update the dashboard to reflect the change. Free email is available through Google
ANNUAL CONFERENCEAnnual Conference: About 1300 people are registered to attend the WPAUMC Annual Conference at Grove City College from June 5-8. If you are a voting member and haven’t yet registered, do it now using the link at wpaumc.org/AC.
Annual Conference 2019 is next week, with the official start on Thursday, June 5 and optional Day of Preparation prayer walk, healing service and learning opportunities on Wednesday, June 4. For logistical details, read the Pre-Conference Journal opening pages. Use the link at wpaumc.org/AC.
Delegate Elections: One order of business at Annual Conference will be 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 the General Conference operates. Seethem
Have Old Hearing Aids? The Nyadire Connection’s team supporting the Hearing Impaired program at the Nyadire UM Mission in Zimbabwe will collect used hearing aids at TNC’s display table during Annual Conference. They’ll be refurbished and given to those who need them.
Other Collections: Also at annual conference, used eyeglasses will be collected at the Mission Barn display. UMCOR cleaning buckets and hygiene kits will be collected in the parking lot behind the plenary building, and All God’s Children Ministries will collect used shoes in their truck in the parking area.
Mission Collections: When you come to Annual Conference, support mission by bringing donations of used eyeglasses, readers or sunglasses for Through God’s Eyes ministry, a group that partners with mission teams heading to global locations to provide glasses to those who need them. A collection box will be at the Mission Barn table in the display area. In the back parking lot, Mission Barn volunteers will accept UMCOR hygiene kits and cleaning buckets and All God’s Children will collect bags of used shoes.
Reporting on AC2019: Lay members and pastors are expected to provide an annual conference report for their church members, but “reading secondhand reports from a business session of annual conference may be the ideal sleep aid,” writes Jeremy Steele. He has some tips on how to present your report so people will notice. Learn more
Annual Conference News: Registration for the 2019 Western PA annual conference session will be live next week on the Conference website. You’ll also find an online form to request space in the display area and forms to download to request special meals or rooms for special meetings. Visit wpaumc.org/AC
For a variety of very good reasons, I decided to not offer the Orientation to Ministry sessions the day prior to Annual Conference this year. I have, however, scheduled it for Saturday, August 24 from 9:30-noon at the conference center. That registration link is now on the website. Janet Lord
(gmail) and other providers. A separate email address will make communication easier especially if there are pastoral or leadership changes. To see what email is listed for your church, put your church name in the search box at wpaumc.org/churches Leadership Connections:
WPAUMC Disability Concerns: How accessible is your church? Find out using the Accessibility Audit for the local church under the Forms and Resources heading at wpaumc.org/disabilityconcerns.
CAMP AND RETREAT MINISTRIES
JUMONVILLE SUMMER CAMPhttps://jumonville.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2019_Jville.jsc_.brochure-1.pdf
THE VALUE OF CAMP Here are the results of our camper survey from the last several year’s summer camp events: 100% of our campers had an awesome time at camp. 98% of our campers felt like they learned more about God. 95%
of our campers tried something new. 98% of them made a new friend. 97% of our campers feel good about themselves. 95% of our campers enjoyed worship time. 98% of our campers were comfortable with their cabin group
and counselors.
Clergy Spouse Retreat from Friday, September 27 to Saturday, September 28, 2019 at Jumonville 887 Jumonville Rd, Hopwood, PA 15445. Phone: 814-969-5630. Contact person: Grace Lenox
Kidz2Kamp Gift Cards: Summer Camps and retreats can spark faith, help discover new friendships, and make memories that can last a lifetime. Gift cards can be for any amount and you will receive a credit card sized gift card with the amount you have chosen printed on the card. Call the Jumonville office at 724-439-4912.
Nathan W. SaccolProgram Directorwww.campallegheny.org814-754-5122
Double your donation!
$10K CAMP CENTER
CHALLENGE GRANTAn anonymous donor has offered a $10,000 challenge to Camp Allegheny donors. The donor will match every dollar donated toward
2019 Summer Residential Licensing School Sunday, July 28, 2019 at 5:00 PM to Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at 3:00 PM at Olmsted Manor Retreat Center, 17 East St, Ludlow, PA. Phone 814-945-6512
Email: www.olmstedmanor.orgJun 23 – 27 Church Music Workshop “Come Sing to the Lord”
Jul 21 – 23 Church Professionals’ Retreat w/ Donna DouttAug 9 – 23 Discover Olmsted Days w/ Olmsted Staff
Aug 25-27 Writing Workshop w/ Rev. Bill KempSept 29-Oct 1 Fall Women’s Retreat w/ Michele Huey
Oct 4 – 6 Beginner Fly-Fishing School w/ Gary KellNov 10 – 12 Rest & Renewal Retreat w/ Rev. Kim Barker-Brugman
Nov 15 – 17 Youth Ministry Training w/ Perkins School of TheologyDec 1 & 8 Christmas Open House: “Olmsted Fashioned Christmas”
Come join us as we celebrate50 years of OLMSTED RETREATS!
Space is available throughout the year for personal or group retreats, meetings, and events.
Nathan W. SaccolProgram Directorwww.campallegheny.org814-754-5122
Double your donation!
$10K CAMP CENTER
CHALLENGE GRANTAn anonymous donor has offered a $10,000 challenge to Camp Allegheny donors. The donor will match every dollar donated toward
http://www.wesleywoods.com/Welcome to Wesley Woods! To make visitors feel more welcome and at home, Wesley Woods wants to replace all of its signs with some that easier to read, accurate and more exciting. You can help by making a financial donation or sharing your ideas, resources or talents.
Register HERE FOR SUMMER CAMP! http://www.wesleywoods.com/hp_wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/booklet-2019-summer-
Olmsted Manor Retreat Center - 17 East Main St. - PO Box 8 - Ludlow, PA 16333
814-945-6512 - [email protected] - facebook.com/olmstedretreats
Campership Bike-a-thon:The second annual Campership Bike-a-Thon, a 315-mile ride over six days from Pittsburgh toWashington D.C along the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Trail, is scheduled from Sept. 30 - Oct. 6. It benefits campership.https://www.wpaumc.org/eventdetail/12758342?month=9&year=2019&day=1&display=m
GENERAL/JURIDICTIONAL CONFERENCE
Resources for Pastors, Church Leaders: The new ResourceUMC.org website offers a host of resources, ideas and information to support ministry in the local church. It’s updated regularly. You can keep track of what’s new or timely by subscribing to The Source, a twice-monthly e-newsletter. Check out www.ResourceUMC.org.Subscribe to the source using the link at the bottom of the home page.
Letting Go of This Pastor and Preparing for the Next Church consultant Susan Beaumont shares four leadership practices that can help a congregation prepare when their pastor is getting ready to leave. Approaching the situation honestly and communicating openly can help a church understand that times of loss, experienced openly and fully, lead into times of promise. Read more now.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Course of Study
Duke Divinity School148 Langford Bldg Duke Box #90968
Durham, NC 27708919-613-5326
[email protected]://divinity.duke.edu/events/advanced-course-study
DISCIPLESHIP LEADER TO TEACH IN WESTERN PA
Online Lay Servant Ministries advanced courses offered by BeADisciple.com —Schedule of classes See full list of upcoming webinars at gbod.org/webinars Leadership Development: Keep up with news in clergy continuing education. Learn more.
https://www.wpaumc.org/LeadershipDevelopment
GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS Apply Now for 2019-2020 Scholarships: Scholarships are available through the UM Higher Education Foundation for
United Methodist students who need help with tuition expenses at UM-related colleges and seminaries. A variety of scholarships are offered to UM students who meet specific designations, such as state or conference of residence, area of study, or career goal, etc. See available scholarships
SCHOLARSHIPSThere are a variety of scholarships at www.umc.org/resources/scholarships and at www.wpaumc.org/scholarshipforms.
Campership Bike-a-thon:The second annual Campership Bike-a-Thon, a 315-mile ride over six days from Pittsburgh toWashington D.C along the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Trail, is scheduled from Sept. 30 - Oct. 6. It benefits campership.https://www.wpaumc.org/eventdetail/12758342?month=9&year=2019&day=1&display=m
YSF Grants are available! Local UM youth groups can apply for Youth Service Fund grants from our Conference. Thegrants must be used for a youth-led event or ministry. You can find the application here: https://www.wpaumc.org/Youth
CLERGY CORNER
.UPCOMING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: Download the new flyer of continuing education opportunities, open to laity and clergy, here.
Continuing Ed Opportunities: Check out a complete list of Leadership Development opportunities at wpaumc.org/LeadershipDevelopment
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENTBoth lay 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].
MISSION NEWS/OPPORTUNITIES
Mission Trip to Fiji: A few spaces remain on a team that will travel to Suva, Fiji from August 8-22. Particularly needed are mission volunteers with construction, teaching, music, sewing/cooking skills or experience with solar energy. The team will attend the annual conference of the Methodist Church of Fiji and assist with needed repairs on its lay training facility.The cost, including transportation, materials and meals, is $3,000. Questions? Contact
.
WESTERN PA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH DISASTER RESPONSE MINISTRIES (ALERT -
BULLETIN)
Good Afternoon, This is in response to the recent storms of May 27th and 28th and continuing into May 29th and the remainder of the week. As I am sure we are all aware there has been a significant amount of rain fail, thunderstorms with high winds, and reported tornadoes in many parts of Western PA. At present we are compiling information and attempting to be in contact with our partners through the regional Western PA VOAD. At present this is what I am aware of: It has been shared by the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief that there are several homes in the Harmony Zelienople area that have received water in their basement. We will be in contact with the SBDR to ascertain an appropriate response. I have also been in advised of high winds and wind damage in many areas. I am personally aware of some damage in the Kane area. It is highly recommended that all reports should be shared with your District Superintendent, District Disaster Response Coordinator, and to be in communication with local Emergency Response Teams. Local Authorities have full responsibility to direct response and we will respond at invitation of local authorities or local church Pastors, or District Supt. to a specific area. In regards to the Harmony Zelienople event I have had discussion with Rev. Eric Park and Katie Peterson at the East Brook Mission Barn. If there is need for Cleaning Buckets or Health/Hygiene Kits these request must be funneled through me as they are allocated to specific areas through the UMCOR network. Just because we are in western PA it does not mean that buckets will come from the East Brook Mission Barn. There are a network of other satellites that buckets will come from the closest area to an effected area. This will all be coordinated through UMCOR and Katie Peterson. I would also recommend that all church properties should make sure that gutters and downspouts are cleaned. Most basement flooding is a result of runoff and poor drainage in the event of large amounts of rain. Be proactive in maintenance. OUR COURSE OF ACTION for the next couple days will be: To continue to gather information and direct response as necessary. Please make sure all reports are substantiated and not hear say! Please remember that regardless of how bad we think we have it and anxious our communities are, there is widespread disaster response taking place through out the nation and world at the direction of UMCOR and other partners. This is the time for the church to be the church. We will pray - we will be in prayer for the people affected by disaster in our communities and world. Continue to be in conversations with DRC for Districts, District Superintendents, Churches, our VOAD partners and others so that we might act justly without doing further harm. If you are receiving this email please share with others so the word may be shared that we are creating this response to this situation. At this time be reminded of our protocol to not respond until invited, however it is a good time to check on our friends and neighbors especially in communities where flooding exist. If I can be of any assistance please call or text my cell phone 814-442-5899 or email me at [email protected] In Christian Love & Service, Pastor Calvin Cook Western PA Conference Disaster Response Coordinator
WESTERN PA UNITED METHODIST CONFERENCE DISASTER RESPONSE MINISTRIES CALVIN J. COOK 112 GREEVES ST., KANE PA 16735 PHONE OFFICE 814-837-7120 CELL 814-442-5899 EMAIL - [email protected]
UMCOR Kits Cleaning buckets, health kit, and bedding kit ingredients can be gathered by local communities and congregations. UMCOR kits can be received at Eastbrook Mission Barn, at the Conference Center or at one of the official Mission Barn sub-depots. Eastbrook Mission Barn is on call to deploy their kits through the UMCOR Relief Supply Network through their national system. Kits collected in UMCOR's name are UMCOR property and unverified kits cannot be given out in UMCOR's name by local groups.
Mission VIMpossible? What’s that? Watch videoFind out how to apply for a team and see new teams as they are announced at wpaumc.org/opportunities . Costs include travel, housing, most meals and VIM insurance.
Contact Rev. Stephanie Gottschalk for more information, [email protected] ext. 241
Helpful links
Western PA UM Conference - www.wpaumc.org Connellsville District - http://www.wpaumc.org/connellsville In Focus Publication - http://www.wpaumc.org/infocus Joyful Noise - http://www.wpaumc.org/joyfulnoise Subscribe to Publications - http://www.wpaumc.org/subscribe Conference Resources - http://www.wpaumc.org/resources R eflections! wpaumc.org/blogs. Keep up with United Methodist news from around the connection with a free subscription to the News Service
Daily Digest. Subscribe at umc.org/news-and-media/umns-subscription-form Discipleship Ministries has officially become the new name of the general agency of The United Methodist Church
known for years as The General Board of Discipleship, or GBOD umcdiscipleship.org. People are looking for a church to visit. Help them find you! update-your-find-a-church Pastors and Churches, there is a lot of information here to enhance your advertising and
evangelistic efforts. For more information on all of umcom grants and resources, please visit their website: www.umcom.org/rethinkchurch.
New accounts available at the UM Foundation may be of interest to churches in your area.The UM Foundation of Western PA has added two new funds management accounts for their Account Holders. An Aggressive Account and an Income & Growth Account have been introduced to augment the previously available Core Balanced Account. Benefits for your church as an Account Holder would be added flexibility in meeting your investment objectives and managing the distribution of funds. If you are interested in learning more about any of these three accounts, see the “For Churches and Agencies” section of www.umfoundation.org or call the Foundation at 1- 800-743-2128.
The United Methodist Church invites you to check out our new biweekly e-newsletter specially created for all church members. United Methodist Now will highlight examples of Christian living, share inspirational messages and focus on what it means to be part of our connection. Subscribe for free.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE WESTERN PA CONFERENCE
CLASSIFIEDS ; wpaumc.org/classifieds.
Mission Trip to Fiji: A few spaces remain on a team that will travel to Suva, Fiji from August 8-22. Particularly needed are mission volunteers with construction, teaching, music, sewing/cooking skills or experience with solar energy. The team will attend the annual conference of the Methodist Church of Fiji and assist with needed repairs on its lay training facility.The cost, including transportation, materials and meals, is $3,000. Questions? Contact
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WESTERN PA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH DISASTER RESPONSE MINISTRIES (ALERT -
BULLETIN)
Good Afternoon, This is in response to the recent storms of May 27th and 28th and continuing into May 29th and the remainder of the week. As I am sure we are all aware there has been a significant amount of rain fail, thunderstorms with high winds, and reported tornadoes in many parts of Western PA. At present we are compiling information and attempting to be in contact with our partners through the regional Western PA VOAD. At present this is what I am aware of: It has been shared by the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief that there are several homes in the Harmony Zelienople area that have received water in their basement. We will be in contact with the SBDR to ascertain an appropriate response. I have also been in advised of high winds and wind damage in many areas. I am personally aware of some damage in the Kane area. It is highly recommended that all reports should be shared with your District Superintendent, District Disaster Response Coordinator, and to be in communication with local Emergency Response Teams. Local Authorities have full responsibility to direct response and we will respond at invitation of local authorities or local church Pastors, or District Supt. to a specific area. In regards to the Harmony Zelienople event I have had discussion with Rev. Eric Park and Katie Peterson at the East Brook Mission Barn. If there is need for Cleaning Buckets or Health/Hygiene Kits these request must be funneled through me as they are allocated to specific areas through the UMCOR network. Just because we are in western PA it does not mean that buckets will come from the East Brook Mission Barn. There are a network of other satellites that buckets will come from the closest area to an effected area. This will all be coordinated through UMCOR and Katie Peterson. I would also recommend that all church properties should make sure that gutters and downspouts are cleaned. Most basement flooding is a result of runoff and poor drainage in the event of large amounts of rain. Be proactive in maintenance. OUR COURSE OF ACTION for the next couple days will be: To continue to gather information and direct response as necessary. Please make sure all reports are substantiated and not hear say! Please remember that regardless of how bad we think we have it and anxious our communities are, there is widespread disaster response taking place through out the nation and world at the direction of UMCOR and other partners. This is the time for the church to be the church. We will pray - we will be in prayer for the people affected by disaster in our communities and world. Continue to be in conversations with DRC for Districts, District Superintendents, Churches, our VOAD partners and others so that we might act justly without doing further harm. If you are receiving this email please share with others so the word may be shared that we are creating this response to this situation. At this time be reminded of our protocol to not respond until invited, however it is a good time to check on our friends and neighbors especially in communities where flooding exist. If I can be of any assistance please call or text my cell phone 814-442-5899 or email me at [email protected] In Christian Love & Service, Pastor Calvin Cook Western PA Conference Disaster Response Coordinator
WESTERN PA UNITED METHODIST CONFERENCE DISASTER RESPONSE MINISTRIES CALVIN J. COOK 112 GREEVES ST., KANE PA 16735 PHONE OFFICE 814-837-7120 CELL 814-442-5899 EMAIL - [email protected]
DISTRICT CONTACT INFORMATION
Connellsville District Important LinksDistrict Calendar
Required Annual Forms
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Churches in this district
Connellsville District Office30 East Main Street Uniontown, PA 15401724.550.4058
Email: [email protected] (Rev. Robert Zilhaver)
[email protected] (Marianne Skvarla)
