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PRAYER REQUESTSThe Samalenge family, whose Cambridge Springs parsonage was destroyed by a fire on Saturday, December 1st.
Sandylee Rose, wife of Ed Rose, who has been hospitalized in Pittsburgh with leukemia.
Russ Hines, who is at Wesbury after having a tumor removed from his spine at Hamot on Sunday, August 26th.
Jerome Alsdorf, who has some health concerns.
The family of Rev. Mearl Henley, who passed away on Sunday, December 16th.
The family of Rev. Fred Vanderhoff, who passed away on Saturday, December 8th.
BIRTHDAYSThursday, January 17th – Andrew Geisler
Friday, January 18th – Bianca Tickle
Wednesday, January 23rd – Eun-Young Han
IMPORTANT DATES(Check sections for more information.)
Friday, January 18th to Friday, January 25th – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Conference Events)
Saturday, January 19th – Ride with the King (Conference Events)
Sunday, January 20th – Martin Luther King Service (Conference Events)
Monday, January 21st – District Office Closed (District Notables), MLK Day Gathering in Johnstown (Conference Events)
Tuesday, January 22nd – Conference Prayer Ministry Event (Conference Events)
Wednesday, January 23rd – Conference Prayer Ministry Event (Conference Events), We Have to Talk (Conference Events)
ANNIVERSARIESFriday, January 18th – Janet & Lynn Sill
A new letter is coming soon!
Dennis
DISTRICT OFFICE CLOSEDThe District Office will be closed on Monday, January 21st in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
STATISTICAL REPORTS (EZRA)This is a brief reminder that year-end statistical reports are due by the end of January. John Wilson, Conference Secretary, sent a detailed email to senior pastors in December. If you have any questions, please contact him at [email protected].
SUPPORTING THE SAMALENGESThose interested in supporting the Samalenges can send monetary donations to the District Office (P.O. Box 488, Saegertown, PA 16433). Please make checks payable to “Erie-Meadville District” with the name “Samalenge” in the memo section. If you have any questions, please contact the District Office at 814-783-0105 or [email protected].
ATTENTION CHURCHES!Please complete the following 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 with the New Year, please update the dashboard to reflect the change(s). Please include contact information for the leaders, especially email addresses.
Church Conference Minutes: Please send a copy of the Church Conference minutes to the District Office. 2019 Church Budget: Please send a copy of the 2019 Church Budget to the District Office.
ATTENTION PASTORS!Please complete the following 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.
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.
CORNHOLE TOURNAMENTSaturday, January 26th, 11am, Erie Summit (1510 Townhall Road, Erie, PA 16509)Cost is $25 per team, which includes lunch. Registration and payment are due by Wednesday, January 23rd. A $7 lunch will be available for spectators. Check-in is at 10:30am. For more information or to register, contact Mandy Barney at 814-460-6955 or Sue Martin at 814-860-0812. Proceeds benefit the Won by One to Jamaica mission team.
THE HISTORY OF LOVE AND MARRIAGEFriday, February 8th, 5:45pm to 8pm, Erie First UMC (707 Sassafras Street, Erie, PA 16501)Come and celebrate Valentine’s Day with us! This storytelling-dinner program by Rev. John M. Scott tells how Love became the reason to get married. Hors d’oeuvres start at 5:45pm in the Fellowship Hall followed by a sit-down roast beef dinner at 6:15pm. A one-hour story program will follow dinner at approximately 7pm. Cost is $12 per person or $20 per couple, $6 per youth with parents, $3 per kid (age 4 to 12) with parents, and FREE for kids age 3 and under. During the program, childcare will be provided for kids through age 5. Proceeds will support Wesley Woods’ camperships for City-of-Erie Youth and Rev. John M. Scott. Reservations are needed (no at-the-door tickets). Please call the church office at 814-452-3300 by Thursday, January 31st to RSVP with your name and number attending. A note from Rev. Scott: “I did this program at a Wesley Woods dinner and it was very well received. I will present the story of how love became a reason for marriage and then a Troubadour will offer a tale of love and marriage. Please join me in a journey of love and laughter.”
SPECIAL SUNDAYSThe dates for 2019 Conference and church-wide Special Sundays (weekends) with offerings have been updated on the Conference website. Find them at www.wpaumc.org/SpecialSundays.
IN FOCUS IN 2019The January 2019 issue of In Focus, a monthly 12-page magazine with news, feature stories, and information on upcoming events related to the Five Areas of Focus, has been mailed to WPAUMC clergy and church leaders. Most stories and photos are submitted by volunteer reporters working with their District Superintendents and the Conference communications office. Please share your copies with others in your congregation. GET JANUARY ISSUE IN PDF FORMAT
A WAY FORWARDThe final report of the Commission on a Way Forward was officially released in all four official languages of the General Conference: English, French, Portuguese, and Swahili. The report will be presented to the 2019 special General Conference. PRESS RELEASE ENGLISH REPORT LETTER
WAY FORWARD FEEDBACKThe last of 20 listening posts led by members of the WPA Way Forward Task Force was held on Sunday, December 2nd. Many attended the events to learn about legislation submitted for the 2019 special session of General Conference in February and to give feedback. Those who did not attend a listening post, but would like to offer feedback may do so using a link on the Way Forward page of the website: www.wpaumc.org/A-Way-Forward.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL RULINGThe United Methodist Judicial Council has ruled that the One Church Plan is largely constitutional, while the Traditional Plan had more problems that must be addressed to pass a constitutional test. Because the Connectional Conference Plan would require constitutional changes, the Judicial Council said it lacked authority to review it. LEARN MORE
GC2019 DCA NOW ONLINEThe Advance Edition of the Daily Christian Advocate (ADCA), the official journal of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church, will be available in a bound and printed format by Monday, November 26th, but a PDF of the 2019 ADCA is accessible online now. CLICK HERE
2019 ERIE-MEADVILLE DISTRICT UMW DATES Saturday, April 6th: UMW Spring Mission Study at Wattsburg UMC (9904 Jamestown Road, Wattsburg, PA 16442)
o Theme: Missionary Conferences of the Methodist Church; presenter: Rev. Pam Gardnero Registration begins at 8:30am; plan to bring a bag lunch
Thursday, July 18th to Sunday, July 21st: Mission u at California Universityo Information will be in the Erie-Meadville District UMW’s spring newsletter, “Contact”
Saturday, September 28th: Day Apart at Wesley Woods, 9am to 2pmo Information is 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. Contact Rev. Cindy Gray (814-665-1855), Joe Wood (814-654-7273), 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
INTERNSHIPSThe Western PA Conference offers summer internships for seminarians and students who may be discerning a call to ministry. Apply by Thursday, January 31st. DETAILS
ERIE KINGSLEY UMC OFFICE COORDINATORErie Kingsley UMC is seeking an office coordinator. The position requires a minimum of 15 hours per week with a working knowledge of Word, Publisher, and PowerPoint. Please send resume and references to Pastor Harold Blair at 1405 East 41st Street, Erie, PA 16502 or [email protected].
ERIE TRINITY UMC MUSIC/WORSHIP LEADERErie Trinity UMC is seeking a music/worship leader for the 10am service (see the job description attached to this email). Interested candidates can send their cover letter and resume to Trinity UMC, Attn. Secretary, 3952 Pine Avenue, Erie, PA 16504 or [email protected].
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].
ERIE ASBURY UMC CHILDREN’S GROUP LEADERErie Asbury UMC is hiring a children’s group leader to work with children in grades pre-K to 5. The part-time position requires recruiting children, interacting with families, and planning/coordinating activities. If interested, please send resume and cover letter to [email protected].
OLMSTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTORJody Larson has announced that he will retire as executive director of Olmsted Manor this summer after 40 years of service to the retreat center. Jody informed the board of his decision last year and a search for his successor is underway. DETAILS
JUMONVILLE SEEKS CEOOur camp and retreat facility in Fayette County seeks a president/CEO. The position is year-round, full-time and includes salary, on-site family housing, meals for the family while the dining hall is open, family hospitalization coverage, and pension after one full year of service. Get details at www.jumonville.org/president.
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 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].
RESERVED PARKING COULD COST YOUR CHURCH MONEYProvisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 require non-profit organizations to treat “transportation fringe benefit expenses” as unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) for 2018. The IRS issued guidance on the issue on Monday, December 10th and the UMC General Council on Finance Administration (GCFA) followed up with a white paper that includes answers to frequently asked questions and instructions for churches to assess their own situations. Learn more at www.wpaumc.org/FinanceAnnouncements. SEE DOCUMENTS
GROVE CITY COLLEGE LAUNCHING PROJECT TO SUPPORT RURAL PASTORSGrove City College received a nearly $1 million grant to help establish the Project on Rural Ministry. It’s an outreach to support pastors in rural areas as they serve their congregations and communities. LEARN MORE
GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
UMC 2019 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONThe online application for fall scholarships through the UMC General Board of Higher Education and Ministry is now available. DETAILS
2019-2020 SCHOLARSHIPSScholarships 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 HERE.
LAY SCHOLARSHIP GRANTSA new form is available on the Conference website for lay people to apply for grants for educational events. SEE FORM
YSF GRANTS ARE AVAILABLELocal 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.
COMMUNICATIONS GRANTSUnited Methodist Communications offers grants to local churches to assist in marketing. One offers assistance for websites and another is for customized marketing-related services for new churches (less than two years old). LEARN MORE
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. APPLICATION FORM
SCHOLARSHIPSThere are a variety of scholarships at www.umc.org/resources/scholarships and at www.wpaumc.org/scholarshipforms.
SEMINARY FINANCIAL AIDApplications are available at www.wpaumc.org/BOOM.
KEYSTONE FEDERAL CREDIT UNIONChurches, be sure to check out your packet from Keystone Federal Credit Union and make sure you have updated your Corporate Resolution and Account Authorization Forms. Members, all United Methodist members can join and take advantage of these great services: fee-free checking, savings, picture deposit, mobile and online banking, REWARDS Visa credit card, back-to-school loans, and much more. Forms and information are available at www.keystoneumfcu.org. To raise awareness in your congregations, please use THIS. To become a member, please complete this FORM. If your church did not receive the packet, please contact Keystone Federal Credit Union at 724-252-3200 or [email protected].
www.euma-erie.org
EUMA’S OUR WAY HOME GALAPlease join us for EUMA’s annual Our Way Home Gala on Friday, March 1st at 6pm at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center (7794 Peach Street). At your EUMA, we work each day to be instruments of God’s peace as we end homelessness. We will highlight EUMA’s staff and volunteers and, of course, introduce you to those we serve. You and our United Methodist churches are changing lives and ending homelessness through your partnership with EUMA – come celebrate with us! For more information and to make your reservation online, visit www.euma-erie.org/news-events/events/our-way-home-gala/. Churches, please share the attached bulletin insert.
SEEKING GOLF COMMITTEE MEMBERSWe’re looking FORE new committee members to join the Refuge Golf Committee! Beginning in January, this group of dedicated volunteers will start meeting monthly to plan the 23rd Annual Refuge Golf Tournament, slated for Monday, June 17th. If you’re interested in joining and helping to plan this tournament benefiting EUMA’s The Refuge, emergency homeless shelter, please contact Kate at [email protected] or 814-456-8073, ext. 105.
MINISTRY NEEDSThe following is a list of current EUMA program needs. If you can help, donations can be dropped off directly to the program locations. Thank you!
All-ministry needs include white kitchen garbage bags, dishwasher pods, and liquid laundry detergent. These items can be dropped off at The Refuge (1027 East 26th Street).
Rainbow Connection Thrift Store (1516 Buffalo Road) needs winter gloves for the voucher assistance program.
http://allgodschildrenministries.org
UPDATED – SPRING MISSION TRIPHave you ever felt called to serve God in a place far from home? Have you ever really wondered what life is like in a developing nation? If so, you may be one of the people we are looking for. All God’s Children Ministries is planning a mission trip to Guatemala from Friday, March 8th to Friday, March 15th. We will be building a house; working in an orphanage; distributing wheelchairs, clothing, and food to some of the most desperately poor in our hemisphere. You will have an opportunity to visit and form relationship as we share the love of Christ in the beautiful mountains of Guatemala. For more information or to sign up, please email [email protected] or call 440-812-4624. The trip is registered with the WPA Conference and information is also available online at the WPAUMC website under Volunteers in Mission (VIM).
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/
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https://www.campallegheny.org/
http://www.wesleywoods.com
CHER R Y RUN CAMP
http://cherryruncamp.org/youth/
UPCOMINGEVENTS
View the Calendar
NEWS
BLOGS
CLASSIFIEDS
ENEWS
INFOCUS PUBLICATION
JOYFUL NOISE PUBLICATION
OBITUARIES
PHOTO GALLERIES
REWIND
SUBSCRIBE TO PUBLICATIONS
HELPFUL LINKS
APPOINTMENTS
CALL TO MINISTRY
CAMPING
CLASSIFIEDS
CLERGY RESOURCES
LEADER DEVELOPMENT
OBITUARIES
ONLINE PAYMENTS
HISTORICAL RECORDS
MISSION NEWS
ENEWS ARCHIVE
SAVE THE DATE: 2019 ANNUAL CONFERENCE WILL BE THURSDAY, JUNE 6 TH TO SATURDAY, JUNE 8 TH !
GC2019 REGISTRATIONGuests and observers to the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference may now pre-register online. General Conference will meet in St. Louis, Missouri at the America’s Center from Saturday, February 23rd to Tuesday, February 26th. LEARN MORE
CONFERENCE PRAYER MINISTRYThis year, WPAUMC is beginning two different prayer initiatives. The first is a 40-Days of Prayer initiative for the special General Conference occurring in February. More information about this will be released soon. The second initiative is called the Conference Prayer Ministry. Each month from January to May, there will be five prayer gatherings at or near the “centers” of our Annual Conference. The centers, which are St. Marys, Oakdale, Punxsutawney, Saegertown, and Somerset, are all areas that people in our AC can reach within an hour to an hour and a half of driving. The schedules for January and February are as follows:
Monday, January 7th, Saegertown Wednesday, January 9th, St. Marys Tuesday, January 15th, Crossroads Main Tuesday, January 22nd, Somerset Grace Wednesday, January 23rd, Punxsutawney First Tuesday, February 5th, Warren Grace Monday, February 11th, Meyersdale Tuesday, February 12th, McMurry Trinity Tuesday, February 19th, Marion Center Tuesday, February 26th, Edinboro
The schedules for March through May will be announced in February. Each night begins at 6:30pm and will run about an hour and a half until 8pm. If you have any questions, please contact Chris Kindle at 724-630-3965 or Adam Stump at 412-855-6920.
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITYThe Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is Friday, January 18th to Friday, January 25th. This year’s theme, “Justice, Only Justice, You Shall Pursue,” was selected by representatives in Indonesia from Deut. 16:20. Information and resources are available HERE.
RIDE WITH THE KINGOpen Doors Pittsburgh will co-sponsor Ride with the King: A Black History Tour on Saturday, January 19th from 9am to 2:30pm. Tour locations include three historic black churches in the city and the August Wilson Center. DETAILS
MARTIN LUTHER KING SERVICESunday, January 20th, 4pm, McKeesport First UMC (1406 Cornell Street, McKeesport, PA 15132)Pastor Raphael Koikoi will be the keynote speaker at the annual Pittsburgh-Greensburg District service celebrating the life and ministry of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
MLK DAY GATHERING IN JOHNSTOWNMonday, January 21st, 4pm, Grove Avenue UMC (501 Grove Avenue, Johnstown, PA 15902)Grove Avenue UMC will host the 34th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration of Peace and Unity in the Community sponsored by the NAACP Johnstown Branch. The keynote speaker will be Chris Moore of KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh. All are welcome. DETAILS
WE HAVE TO TALK!Wednesday, January 23rd, 4pm to 6pm, East End Cooperative Ministries (6140 Station Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206)Soon after the shootings at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, 150 clergy and faith community leaders representing six world religions, four Jewish and 22 Christian denominations gathered at the Jewish Community Center of Pittsburgh to talk. Now, inspired by ideas that arose in that gathering, Christian Associates of SWPA and the JCC offer another opportunity for clergy to come together and move toward actions to bring healing and wholeness to their communities. RSVP HERE
SPIRITUAL FORMATION RETREATSunday, January 27th to Tuesday, January 29th, Olmsted Manor (17 East Main Street, Ludlow, PA 16333)The Rev. Howard Greenfield will lead a Spiritual Formation Retreat focusing on unavoidable losses experienced in life and ministry. Participants will discuss Dr. M. Craig Barnes’ book When God Interrupts – Finding New Life through Unwanted Change, clarify personal support systems, and see how to navigate unwanted changes while caring for others in ministry. DETAILS AND REGISTER
TO LOVE AND TO CHERISHFriday, February 8th to Sunday, February 10th, Olmsted Manor (17 East Main Street, Ludlow, PA 16333)Rev. Paul and Sue Fields will lead a marriage retreat for couples looking for some time away and a chance to focus on their relationship. DETAILS
WESLEY WOODS WINTER YOUTH RETREATFriday, February 8th to Sunday, February 10th, Wesley Woods (1001 Fiddlersgreen Road, Grand Valley, PA 16420)Registration is open for this winter youth retreat led by Jay Trainer of Infuzion. Cost is $95 per person. DETAILS AND REGISTER
CLERGY TAXES WEBINARClergy face some unique challenges when it comes to things like social security payments, estimated tax payments, housing allowances or exclusions, and reimbursed expenses. Your tax preparer may not understand the unique situation of clergy and finding one who does can save you substantially in money and aggravation. Join us on Monday, February 11th at 10am CST as Rev. Don Joiner, a certified financial planner, helps us navigate the preparation of taxes under the new tax laws as well as plan for a sound financial future. REGISTER
CLERGY TAX SEMINARSIf the prospect of filing your Federal Income Tax return fills you with dread – or you simply want to get the latest info – attend the UM Foundation of Western PA’s Clergy Tax Seminar in February. The seminar will be offered in two locations – at the downtown Holiday Inn in Johnstown on Friday, February 22nd and at the UM Center in Cranberry Township on Wednesday, February 27th. Details are available at www.umfoundation.org/seminars.
EXPONENTIAL 2019Monday, March 4th to Thursday, March 7th, Orlando First Baptist Church (3000 South John Young Parkway, Orlando, FL 32805)Discipleship Ministries’ Path 1 has 100 tickets available at the discounted price of $99 for Exponential, an event for church planters. The theme is “Made for More: Mobilizing God’s People, God’s Way.” The $99 price will be available until Saturday, December 15th, but the 100 Path 1 tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis. LEARN MORE
CONFIRMATION TOURS 2019Dates and locations have been set for Commit 2019 (aka the confirmation tours). Registration opened at 9am on Tuesday, January 15th for church leaders who want to bring their confirmation classes to one of the events. DETAILS
Friday, March 8th, Wesley Woods Friday, March 15th, Jumonville Friday, March 22nd, Camp Allegheny Friday, March 29th and Saturday, March 30th, Conference Center
FAITH NIGHT AT PNC PARKSaturday, June 22nd, 4:05pm, PNC Park (115 Federal Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212)This is the 7th annual Faith Night! It will be a 4:05pm game versus the San Diego Padres. With it being an earlier presentation and on a Saturday, we are expecting the largest turnout ever. Group reservations of ten or more will begin soon. It is highly recommended that you make your group reservations as soon as possible due to the popularity of this event. You do not need to know the number of tickets right now, but you will have to make a deposit towards a block of seats (ten or more seats). You will then have until Friday, May 17th to let them know your final number, at which point you will also pay the balance. For group reservations, contact Chad Glover at 412-325-4756.
YOUTH 2019Discounted early-bird registration is underway for YOUTH 2019, the national gathering for United Methodist youth and their leaders in Kansas City, MO that promises four days of discipleship, worship, Bible study, service opportunities, and life-changing fun. Dates are Wednesday, July 10th to Sunday, July 14th. DETAILS AND REGISTER
YOUTH MISSION URegistration is open for the Tuesday, July 16th to Sunday, July 21st session of Mission u at California U of PA. Get a brochure with details and register at www.wpaumc.org/youthmissionu.
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.
UMCOR KIT INGREDIENTS CHANGESome of the ingredients in UMCOR kits have changed. In hygiene kits, the number of band-aids has increased to ten. In cleaning buckets, instead of including sponges, donors are asked to put in $1.50 for the purchase of foam sponges. NEW RECIPES
DONATE TO UMCORDonations to the United Methodist Committee on Relief are often the best way to help those affected by flooding and other natural disasters. One hundred percent of your donations go to those in need. Contribute through your local church or at www.UMCOR.org.
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.
2019 CONFERENCE VIM TEAMSCHECK 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.
