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Weekly Email News
EMAIL ADDRESSES:To reach Alyce – [email protected]
To reach Stacey – [email protected] Office Phone Number: 814.361.2464
District Office Fax Number: 814.361.2465
Wednesday January 24, 2018
510 Locust StreetJohnstown, PA 15901
Johnstown District ofthe United Methodist Church
EZRA Statistical Reports Webpage is NOW OPEN
http://ezra.gcfa.org/ Please complete by Jan.31st
ID – Your Church NUMBER (Remember the leading zero)
Password – umchurch
NOTE: Some questions have been changed. You will not be able to use previously saved blank tables. Print out a new set of tables for committees to complete. If you need any help with ID numbers call/e-mail me.
Drug Awareness in the ChurchThe next meeting for the group working on drug awareness in the religious mode will meet on February 14, 2018 at 2 pm at 422 Main Street, Johnstown, Pa. Enter in the United Way entrance. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact David Rose at [email protected].
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner — Bethany of JohnstownJoin us at Bethany UMC of Johnstown, 112 Leventry Road on Tuesday, February 13th 4:30 - 6:30pm for an all you can eat pancake dinner. Dinner is offered for a love offering and includes all you can eat pancakes, sausage, applesauce, drinks.
LAY SPEAKING CLASSES BEING OFFEREDReminder…The Basic Class will be held at Nanty Glo UMC starting Thursday, Feb 1, from 6-8, led by Pastor John Snyder. It’s not too late to register! Pastor J R Virgin will be offering 2 Lay Servant Classes at Ebensburg UMC…Basic Lay Speaking - February 18 to March 18 from 1-3 pmPolity - April 8 to April 29 from 1-3:30 pm The cost of the classes is $30. Please register either by phone or email with Nancy Demi, (814) [email protected] There are additional classes being planned. More info to follow. Classes are also available online at www.beadisciple.com
ELIMINATING POVERTY WORKSHOP OFFERED IN JOHNSTOWNWhat: Eliminating Poverty Workshop — Sharing of thoughts about how we might be able to identify and address poverty in our communities. Margaret Madison of the General Board of Global Ministries will share what she is doing as a Church and Community Worker assigned to Community Development for All People (CD4AP) as a Housing Specialist in Columbus, Ohio. Joy Baker will share what United Methodist Human Services is doing through their Bridges to Success program, Project Shoes, and the Franklin Street Food Pantry. Goodwill Industries will be present to share what services they provide to those in need in our area as well as the members of the Poverty Team of our Annual Conference led by Glenna Wilson.
The cost of the event is $10 per person to cover lunch and materials. Online payment is preferred but checks can be made payable to Johnstown District and cash can be paid the day of the event.
Where: Grove Avenue United Methodist Church — 501 Grove Avenue — Johnstown, PA 15902
When: Saturday, February 13th — registration begins at 9 am — workshop to begin at 9:30 am - 3:00pm with lunch provided
Who: Margaret Madison of General Board of Global Ministries; Joy Baker of United Methodist Human Services of Johnstown, Goodwill Industries, and WPA Poverty Team
Margaret Madison is a Missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries. She works as a Church and Community Worker assigned to Community Development for All People (CD4AP) as a Housing Specialist.
Community Development for All People is a United Methodist faith-based, non-profit community development organization dedicated to creating a community that welcomes and cares for all people. Located in Columbus Ohio, CD4AP works to improve the economic, social and spiritual quality of life for residents of the South side. In addition to their sister organization, The United Methodist Church for All People, CD4AP has a Free Store, has the Mt Carmel Health Clinic in their facility, has a fresh food market, a Training Center, provides 600 meals a week, has a daily after school program and Freedom School at Lincoln Park Ele., provides Sr. transportation, has the Harmony on the Southside music program and is a developer of affordable housing. To date, they have done more than 60 million in housing.
Margaret works with city, state and others to secure funds for rehabbing homes. She also works with the persons who will eventually become the new homeowners. She often goes with them to meet with mortgage companies, sets them up to go to home ownership classes and walks with them through the process. Persons who have rented (often substandard, poorly-insulated high cost housing) have, for the first time, the dream and hope of owning their own home. She’s helped people like Jana and Michael, a couple who had lost their home in Florida and came to Columbus. They got a new start when they became homeowners. Tony and Fay, who lost their home of 7 years when their landlord was foreclosed on, also became new homeowners.
Margaret lives in the community she serves and works closely with neighborhood groups to improve community relationships and the community itself. She also coordinates and works with volunteers and VIM teams who come to CD4AP. Besides teams from the West Ohio area, she has had a team from Russia, and US teams from as far away as Kansas.
Margaret has two grown children and two grandchildren, one 18 and one 2.
Register online by going to https://www.wpaumc.org/eventdetail/10864071
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AIDMental Health First Aid is an 8-hour course that teaches you how to help someone who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. The training helps you identify, understand and respond to signs of addictions and mental illnesses. Find a Mental Health First Aid course near you using the search tool below.
Here is some information and FAQ’s about the program: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/faq/ Here is a way to find out about trainings and trainers near us: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course/find-a-course/
Volunteers Needed!
RISE - a light dinner followed by a contemporary Praise and Worship Service every 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month at the Garfield Street UMC at 6pm. We will also meet on the 5th Thursday on the occasion of there being 5 Thursdays in the month. RISE is a shared ministry of the United for God Cooperative and the Ebensburg UMC.
You are invited to be a part of this ministry! Help is needed in cooking, serving, clean up, and welcoming. We are also welcoming individual singers, and those who play a musical instrument to join in with the band. We are also welcoming different groups from other churches such as a worship band or choir! You are also invited to just be in worship. Please let Pastor Carol know if you are willing to help on the food side and let Pastor Matthew Scott know if you would like to bring your worship band or choir to RISE for a night. You do not have to commit to any particular number of times, just as your schedule allows. Join us as we celebrate how the Spirit is rising in Johnstown!
Franklin Street Food Pantry is in need of volunteers to carry bags to the street level for food pantry clients. Carriers must be able to navigate stairs and lift/carry 30-40 lbs. The food pantry is open Tuesday mornings from 930AM-1130AM. If you can help, please contact United Methodist Human Services at (814) 539-2633.
2018 TRIP TO ISRAELJoin Retired Pastor, Jon Gulnac, on his last time hosting a trip to Israel, on April 16 – 26, 2018. If you are interested in a brochure and information regarding the trip, please feel free to contact Jon at 814-495-8096. The cost is $3,348.00 per person.
CAN YOUR CHURCH HELP OUT?
Salix Bethel U.M. Church would love some bells, chimes, or plate bells for our children to play. Does anyone have some that you would like to sell? Please call Sandra Mader at 814-509-6188 if you have something available.
LAY MINISTRY CLASS BEING OFFEREDRev John Snyder will be offering a Basic Lay Ministry Class at Nanty Glo UMC beginning on Thursday, February 1 from 6-8pm. There will be 10 hours of instruction. The early start date will provide the ability to reschedule class due to weather if need be.
If you are interested in this class please email or call Nancy Demi to register [email protected] 814-215-7909
DISTRICT CLERGY VALENTINE SWEETHEART DINNERSave the date….Our Annual Clergy Valentine Dinner will be on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at the Italian Oven restaurant at the Galleria Mall in Johnstown. Please call Darlene Bain at 814-266-2174 to make your reservation for the dinner. We will order off of the menu and each person will pay for his/her own meal.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED!JUMP is looking for retired men and women who are seeking a rewarding experience.
PAY: NONE
BENEFITS: Investment in your community; serve God by doing ministry to help the less fortunate
Current JUMP leaders are aging and dealing with health limitations. They will help with permits, design, materials transport, and paperwork.
Priority for jobs goes to handicap needs, followed by home repairs addressing safety issues. Teams are generally 3 to 5 people and most jobs are completed in 2 to 3 days. We need team leaders and team workers, hopefully with some fix-it experience, but we will train any interested individual.This is a part-time volunteer effort. JUMP has tools but bringing your own is encouraged. Access to a small truck or van is also helpful but not necessary. For more information, call Franklin Street UMC at 535-8288.
Mission OpportunityI am leading a VIM team from Western Pennsylvania to the St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay area to help with recovery rebuild work from February 5th through the 9th. This message is being sent to all the Western PA District Superintendents, and asking you to please add the information to your District Newsletter. The trip is open to everyone, and I have already reached out to the District Disaster Response Coordinators to send it to their ERTs. I am asking you to please help me get the word out to each of your churches and everyone that reads your district newsletter. The information is posted on the Conference website, but as of now I only have two people that have answered the call. Most of you know me and I have helped with Disaster Response work in your Districts, I am now asking you to please help get this word out to more people so that we as the Western PA Conference can make a strong showing to help the survivors of Hurricane Irma in Florida. We are a faithful and giving group of people and it would be a shame to not let everyone know that we are going south next month to share the love our Lord and be in his service.
At this time my plan is to leave here on Saturday the 3rd and drive down to about Columbia, South Carolina and then drive on to St. Petersburg on Sunday the 4th. If anyone would rather fly, please let me know and we can talk through that on a person to person basis. We will be staying in a Church in that area, so you will need your air mattress, bed linens as well as towels for the shower. They are requesting that we bring certain basic tools, hammer, tape measure, safety glasses, masks, gloves, personal water bottle and your own PPE. The work that they have told me needs to be done includes the following:
Taping, mudding and texturing sheetrockInstalling trim, doors, etc.Installing flooring – laminate or similarRepairing roofs or shinglesReplacing kitchen cabinets
Replacing bathroom cabinets and fixturesTearing out damaged materialsOther repair work as needed
I know that there is less than a month before this trip and I apologize for that, but we just heard about this between the holidays. Please prayerfully consider joining me for this week of service to our Lord and the people of Florida that suffered so much last year from Hurricane Irma.
Blessings and PrayersDavid Kissinger, Johnstown District Disaster Response Coordinator814-243-3254
DOES ANYONE HAVE EMPTY FLOOD BUCKETS?Can you let us know if you have any empty flood buckets that aren’t being used around your church? We do have some churches wanting to fill them but do not have the buckets. Thanks!
District Prayer Chain
- Carrie Baker, Mother of Pastor Tai Courtemanche- Lynn Berkebile-Mary Lou Miller- Daniel Mark Bobrowicz, son of Rev. Arlene Bobrowicz- Connie Knipple, wife of Pastor Terry Knipple - Brandy Hillberry- Gene Mickolick- Dottie Walker- Cheryl Adams- Our Country and our Leaders- All Pastors and Laity in the Johnstown District
Alyce’s Schedule: Jan 29 – Alyce in office – am & Travel to Cranberry - pm Jan 30 – Alyce in office - amJan 31 – Alyce in office – am & Arbutus Board Meeting - pmFeb 01 – Alyce in officeFeb 02 – Feb 03 – Feb 04 – Alyce preaching at Elton: Zion UMC
Join Westmont UMC on an exciting bus trip to Washington DC to experience the brand new Museum of the Bible! The Museum Collections include artifacts and objects from a range of cultures and time periods, from the Ancient Near East to the modern period. The permanent collection focuses on biblical items, manuscripts, printed Bibles and books, and art. These
collections allow the Museum of the Bible to convey the global impact and compelling history of the Bible in a unique and powerful way. The Museum is literally steps away from the
National Mall, Capitol Building, and the Smithsonian Museum, along with many other sights and attractions.
The bus will leave Westmont UMC at 6am and arrive in Washington at the Museum at approximately 9am and depart for Johnstown at 5pm. The day is yours to explore the museum,
experience other nearby sites and enjoy lunch on your own!Saturday, February 24, 2018
Departs Westmont UMC at 6am Departs DC 5pmCost is $60 per person including transportation and admission to the
Museum. Call 814-255-2428 to reserve your seat today!
ROXBURY ST. PAUL UMC HOSTING ADULT MOVIE NIGHT
Please join us as we gather together to watch a movie “The Shack” on Friday, Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Roxbury St. Paul UMC, 160 Derby Street, Johnstown, PA 15905.
Conference News and Events
2018 Spring Commuter LICENSING SCHOOL TRAININGand CERTIFIED LAY MINISTRY TRAINING
at Manorville United Methodist Church 800 Water Street, Manorville, PA 16238
APPLICATION/REGISTRATIONRegistration and $100 (non-refundable) deposit for this
Commuter Licensing School must be received before February 14, 2018.
COST: $300 for the entire Spring Commuter School (This cost includes
lunch on Saturdays and evening meals when we are in session all day.) Financial aid requests may be directed to your DS or your local church.You must include a TWO page, typed statement describing why you want to live out your call to pastoral ministry in the United Methodist Church in the Wesleyan tradition. In a separate TWO page paper, please give a brief explanation of your understanding of the sacraments of Baptism and Communion in the UM tradition. This must accompany your registration and deposit.
Dates for the WPA/UMC 2017 Spring Commuter School are: First Retreat: February 22 (1 - 9 pm), February 23 (9 am – 9 pm), February 24+++ (9 am – 5 pm)Saturdays: March 3, 10, 17, 24 and April 7, 14, 21 (9 am – 5 pm)Ending Retreat: April 26 (9 am - 9 pm), April 27 (9 am – 9 pm), April 28 (9 am - 5 pm)
Attendance is required at all classes. The Holiday Inn Express and Quality Inn are both in W. Kittanning just a few miles from Manorville. The evening meals on Thursday, February 22nd, Friday, February 23rd, Thursday, April 26th, and Friday, April 27th, will be provided by the school. All other meals and accommodations for overnight retreats will be the responsibility of the students.Mr/Mrs/Ms ____________________________________________________________________________
Preferred Phone:________________________ E-Mail Address___________________________________ Postal Address _________________________________________________________________________
Date of Birth _____/_____/_____ Conference (if not WPA): ___________________________
Special Medical, Physical, Learning or Dietary Needs (attach additional sheet if necessary):_____________________________________________________________________________________
Home Church ________________________________ District ___________________________
Present Pastor __________________________________________
Education: High School/GED: _______________________________ Grad. Year: ________
College: __________________________________________ Grad. Year: _________ Seminary: ________________________________________ Grad. Year: _________
Present Employment __________________________________________ Years: _________Identify track of ministry you plan to pursue: ______ Licensed Local Pastor ______ Deacon ______ Elder
Pre-requisites for Licensing School:1.) Attend an Orientation to Ministry event sponsored by the Board of Ordained Ministry.2.) Been endorsed by your home church at a Charge Conference3.) Complete the group mentoring process.4.) Meet with your District Committee on Ministry at least one time.
Licensed Local Pastor – steps for candidacy can be found on gbhem.org.
Are you presently serving in a local church? ______ For how long? ____________Church Name: ___________________________________ District: ___________________________Address: ________________________________________ Position: ___________________________Current District: __________________________________
Current DCOM Chair: (name and address) ____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
It is very important that all information be completed in its entirety to assure the proper notifications are sent in a timely manner to expedite the issuing of the pastoral license.
Date of Charge Conference Endorsement: ____________________________________
*Signature of One of your group process mentors (this is to certify that you have completed the group mentoring process):
_____________________________________________________________
*Signature of District Superintendent: _________________________________________________________
(Print name and contact information): _________________________________________________________
Local Pastor Registrar (for non-WPA candidates)
__________________________________ Phone #: ______________ Email:_______________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________________
FOR CERTIFIED CANDIDATES: Date of Certification as Candidate: __________________
Disclaimer: The Local Pastor License is issued by the Bishop, and only in conjunction with the completion of Candidacy requirements, attendance at Licensing School, approval from the District committee on Ordained Ministry, and upon the student’s appointment within the United Methodist Church. Required Texts: Please purchase the following books before the first weekend of licensing school. The ministry modules will be sent to you via email to be used during the instruction periods taught by Rev. Sharon Schwab.
Pastoral Care in the Small Membership Church – James L. Killen, Jr.(ISBN 9780687343263)Worshipping with United Methodists (Revised Edition) – Hoyt Hickman(ISBN 9780687335268)Administration in the Small Membership Church – John Tyson(ISBN 9780687646432)Christian Education in the Small Membership Church – Karen Tye (ISBN 9781426722226)Speaking Well, Essential Skills for Speakers, Leaders, and Preachers – Adam Hamilton(ISBN 9781501809934)Biblical Exegesis, A Beginner’s Handbook (Third Edition) – John H. Hayes & Carl R. Holladay (ISBN 978-0-664-22775-3)Go! How to Become a Great Commission Church – Mark R. Teasdale (ISBN 9780938162285)Introduction to Theology for Ministry – Elaine A. Robinson(ISBN 978-0-938162-40-7)
Additional texts that you are required to bring with you 2016 Book of Discipline NRSV Study Bible UM Hymnal UM Book of Worship
Checks are to be made payable to the WPAUMC. Send Licensing School registration form and fees and essays to: Rev. Sara Wrona, 134 Custer Avenue, Vandergrift, PA 15690General Questions may be directed to Sara Wrona: [email protected] or 724-882-9627. Please indicate if you play a musical instrument and what instrument that is if you are willing to accompany singing for worship services, devotional times, etc. _________________________________________________________
+++The class will participate in the Clergy Ethics Training that will be held at Trinity UMC in Indiana, PA from 9 am – 4 pm. This is MANDATORY! You must register and pay for this date separately. Please follow the link to register for this event: https://www.wpaumc.org/eventdetail/9787007?month=2&year=2018&day=1&display=m*Registration will not be accepted without your District Superintendent’s signature.
NUTS AND BOLTS OF BOOMER AND OLDER ADULT MINISTRIESSunday - April 15 from 2:30 - 9 p.m.Monday - April 16 from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.Cost: $60/person
RSVP Deadline: April 2, 2018
This practical time will be led by Rev. Dr. Will Randolph. Formerly of WPA, Rev. Will Randolph is the Director of Aging and Older Adult Ministries for the United Methodist Church. To register online, please click here to be directred to the district website. The registration link can be found under Announcments, located along the left side of the page. To download a brochure and print out a registration form, click here (or see attachement at bottom of this email newsletter)(More information is in the "green folder" that has been distributed to the SPRC committees prior to church conferences.)
UPCOMING OLDER ADULT MINISTRY WEBINARS
Click here for a list of upcoming webinars related to older adult ministers. Take advantage of these informative and practical resources to enhance your ministry to and with older adults. To learn more information, download materials or to sign up for the webinars, click here.
MISSION SUPPORT OPPORTUNITY IN GUATEMALAThis mission support item was submitted by Savannah Sullivan, a senior at UPJ. Savanna is active in Campus Ministry and volunteers with the Youth Ministry at Beulah UM Church and with Prison Outreach Ministry’s Spanish program at SCI Somerset. She has also spent all possible vacation time doing mission work in Guatemala. She writes:
“There is a growing organization in Guatemala called Pro Chapina, that strives to empower indigenous women in rural areas who would not, otherwise, have the opportunity to further their education. This organization gives full and partial scholarships for a college education.”
Savannah would especially like to help Maricela, a young mother from the community of El Hato. Maricela hopes to gain a degree that would qualify her to offer professional services to young girls facing abuse. She also hopes to provide an example to other young women and her son, that it is possible to strive for higher education and achievement.
Prices for the scholarship program with Pro Chapina vary, but are reliably around $5,000 to complete the college education. If any church, group, or individual would like to consider sponsoring a scholarship on any level, please contact Savannah at [email protected] Thank you.
50 Career in Ministry Scholarships: CM CARES, the Church Mutual Insurance Company Foundation, has announced that it is now accepting applications for its second annual Religious Scholarship Program, offering up to $250,000 in scholarships to graduate and doctoral students who
are committed to a career in ministry. Scholars who wish to apply must be enrolled full-time in an advanced degree program in theology, ministry, or other field of religious study at an accredited theological seminary, college, or university during the 2018-19 academic year. Complete details Deadline: April 14, 2018
MISSION OF PEACECalling all youth! Mission of Peace applications are available now. Mission of Peace is a yearly trip sponsored by the Northeast Jurisdiction of the UMC. It is on or about Dec. 28, 2018-Jan. 15, 2019 to the Philippines. Up to 4 youth can be accepted from each conference. On this trip, youth will get an immersion experience in another culture. Youth will meet other youth in churches and other civic organizations as well as worship with others in that country. Applications are due March 1 to the conference coordinator of young people’s ministry, Amanda Gilligan. For the application and more info, check out: www.wpaumc.org/mop
Online PaymentsThe 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 have been set-up as indicated by the sections below.
LOVE & RESPECT MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT RETREAT AT JUMONVILLEEmily and I want to invite you and your spouse to join with us for the 2018 Love & Respect Marriage Enrichment Retreat here at Jumonville. It will happen the weekend before Valentines Day. What better way to declare your love for your spouse than spending a weekend away here at Jumonville. We will gather on Friday, 2/9 at 7pm for our first session together and the retreat will end on Sunday, 2/11 at 11am. This event is open to all husbands and wives of any Christian faith. The cost of the event is $375 per couple. This includes a two night stay in either the Inn or Washington Lodge, four meals, snacks, time in the adventure center, and your workbook for our sessions. We will be using the study by Dr. Emerson and Sarah Eggerichs from their Love & Respect Marriage Conference. You can register for this event by clicking here or by calling the Jumonville office at 724-439-4912. We would love to have you and your spouse join us for this amazing weekend.
Dear Colleagues, I am excited about the future of The United Methodist Church, believing that God is always doing far more than we ever ask or imagine. Part of my energy comes from encountering amazing young people who already lead our church in a variety of ways. This year we have an opportunity to encourage some of these young people who may be considering a call to ministry. We are offering paid summer internships for college and seminary students. Specifics of the internships may be found here: https://www.wpaumc.org/internships. I’ve also attached brochures about these two internships to this email in hopes that you will print a copy to personally hand to a young person. You see, I believe you know students who would benefit from this opportunity better than I do. Please partner with us, personally inviting one college or seminary student to apply. Pray and ponder this first, but don’t delay. Deadline for a student to complete their online application is January 31st. Join me in encouraging those God may be calling to spend their summer serving the church. You never know how you, or they, may be changed through the experience. Yours in Christ,Rev. Susan MoudryCoordinator of Clergy Excellence
Files: collegeinternshipbrochure.pdf seminaryinternshipbrochure.pdf
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United Methodist Center
1204 Freedom Road
PO BOX 5002
Cranberry Twp PA 16066-0002
724-776-2300
Camping & Retreat Ministries – Bishop’s Initiative
As witnessed at the 2017 Annual Conference, Bishop Moore-Koikoi’s initiative to raise $5 million, over the next 4 years, for conference camping and retreat ministries was received with overwhelming acceptance and generosity. This site has been established as one avenue to financially support this strategic undertaking.
Individuals and organizations external to WPAUMC can make an online contribution using their bank account or credit card by clicking the brown button below; Individuals affiliated with WPAUMC should give through their local church. Churches can also contribute online; however, they should continue to use the Local Church Remittances page.
Conference Special Appeal – At the Lake Ministries
At the Lake Ministries is faithfully dedicated to offering our brothers and sisters in Christ who live with a disability a space in which to foster relationships and build community through faith-based, specialized fishing experiences on Lake Erie. This site has been established to financially support the development of this new fishing ministry and refurbish our vessel, JoAnn M. We can’t do this without the support of the WPAUMC Congregations.
Individuals and organizations external to WPAUMC can make an online contribution using their bank account or credit card by clicking the purple button below; Individuals affiliated with WPAUMC are encouraged to give through their local church. Churches can also contribute online; however, they should continue to use the Local Church Remittances page.
Katie Peterson, Deaconess, Church & Community Worker. Katie coordinates the donations and distribution of UMCOR relief supply kits. She assists New Castle UM Churches to enhance ministries in poverty alleviation. This includes building handicap ramps. How to support Katie:
1. Pray – Our prayers are welcome and strengthen her ministry2. Stay in contact – Ask to receive her newsletter and follow her website and Facebook Page3. Seek to participate in the ministry Katie serves. Ask about ways to help with missionary
support.4. Donate to Katies Advance #98242 – 100% of your gifts are used to support missionaries and
they powerfully contribute to the continued health and vitality of United Methodist missionary outreach.
Contribute through your local church, online at www.umcmission.org or by calling 888-252-6174.
Follow the Western Pennsylvania Conference on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wpaumcCONFERENCE MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
You can now check our running list of WPA VIM Trip Opportunities online anytime at www.wpaumc.org/opportunities
DIVERSITY/Dismantling Racism
Undoing racism: What white clergy can do to help The Rev. Clayton Childers of Church and Society interviewed the Rev. David Billings: a United Methodist clergyperson who has spent his career working to undo racism. He is also the author of “Deep Denial: The Persistence of White Supremacy in United States History and Life.” Read more
Toolkit to Address Hate, Violence: After “Unite the Right” rallies in Charlottesville and other cities, white supremacy, nationalism, violent extremism, and hate in America have been laid bare. Church leaders have spoken out against it and the General Commission on Religion and Race has compiled a toolkit of resources that may be useful for individuals, a small group, or congregation on the themes of white supremacy, hate, and violence post-Charlottesville.gcorr.org/toolkit-for-ministry-post-charlottesville/
WPAUMC Anti-Racism Resources: In response to a request from Bishop Moore-Koikoi, the Conference Anti-Racism Team (ART) compiled a list of suggestions for Western PA churches to address racism. It can be downloaded from the Conference website Discussing Racism page.
Living Together Well in Diverse World: How United Methodists can lead in living together well in an increasingly diverse world. Five leaders offer some way to do it. Read more.
RACISM RESPONSE: EMBRACE LOVE – THEY ARE PRECIOUS IN HIS SIGHT. United Methodists seek racial justice: We recognize racism as a sin and seek to eliminate it.
As followers of Christ, we embrace love and affirm all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God and therefore work toward societies in which each person’s value is recognized, maintained, and strengthened.Click here to find stories, resources and tools to learn more about the issue of racism and the ways you can advocate for the fair treatment of all people. Topics include:
Ways United Methodists can take a stand against racism Five tips to help address racism with children At Sunday worship, pastors decry racism Rights of Racial and Ethnic Groups White Privilege in the United States Global Racism and Xenophobia
Anti-Racism Grants: The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) is eager to provide grants to engage UMC teams with strong, diverse community partners who together will change racist and xenophobic systems, policies or practices in their communities. The application for 2018-2020 grants is online now. Learn more. ______________________________________________________________________
Keep Up With Upcoming Events - WPAUMC ConferenceThe website for upcoming events is: http://www.wpaumc.org/events. The Conference Calendar can now be found on the website under “Calendar” instead of “Events”, to save any confusion.
Individual Volunteers in Mission: Change your life by becoming an individual volunteer. Learn more at umcmission.org/Get-Involved
WPAUMC Volunteers in Mission – United Methodists voluntarily serving people outside the church – locally, regionally, nationally or internationally.
1. What teams can I join? www.wpaumc.org/opportunities
2. How do I learn about leading a team? www.wpaumc.org/VIMtraining
3. Once we have a team planned, what do we do?a. Register your team at www.wpaumc.org/RegisterVIMteamsb. Get VIM Insurance at www.umvimnej.org
4. Once our team returns, what do I do? www.wpaumc.org/MissionReport
5. Where can I find local church resources?
a. www.wpaumc.org/localchurchmissions b. Contact Stephanie Gottschalk at [email protected] or 724-776-2300, ext.
241
6. How do I get involved in Disaster Response?
a. Take UMCOR training at www.wpaumc.org/DisasterResponseb. Make sure your local church has a local disaster planc. Volunteer at Eastbrook Mission Barn or one of its satellites
7. What if there is a disaster in my church’s community?
a. Local pastor reports damage to church and with their community to their District Superintendent
b. Local pastor reports damage to church and with their community to Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Rev. Calvin Cook at 814-442-5899
Mission Barn Needs a Vehicle! Director Katie Peterson reports that the Mission Barn’s Pathfinder is no longer dependable for transporting UMCOR kits or ramps. They need a 4-wheel-drive pickup, or Expedition or Yukon-style vehicle with at least 6000 lbs. towing capabilities. They'd prefer a vehicle with less than 50,000 miles on it. If you have leads or ideas, email Katie at [email protected] or call 724-856-9241.
CHURCH SAFETYStaying Safe at Church: Safety is becoming more and more of a concern at places of worship. What can church members do to help keep your church safe, yet still welcoming? See some recommendations. Watch video
Church Mutual Insurance Company offers several valuable online resources for safety and emergency response. Look under “Trending Topics” at churchmutual.com.
2018 Love & Respect Marriage Enrichment Retreat at Jumonville February 9-11, 2018. It starts on Friday at 7pm and ends on Sunday at 11am. It is open to all husbands and wives of any Christian
faith. The cost is $375 per couple. This includes a two-night stay in either the Inn or Washington Lodge, four meals, snacks, time in the adventure center, and your workbook. We will be using the study by Dr. Emerson and Sarah Eggerichs from their Love & Respect Marriage Conference. Jumonville office: 724-439-4912. Register
E-NEWSLETTER FOR ALL CHURCH MEMBERSThe 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.
6TH ANNUAL FAITH NIGHT AT PNC PARKThe 6th Annual Faith Night will be held on Friday, July 27, 2018 following the Pirates-Mets game at 7:05 p.m. Enjoy discounted tickets for the Pirates-Mets game and stay after the game to hear Manager Clint Hurdle and your favorite Pirate players and coaches share their personal experiences with how their faith has impacted both their lives and their careers in baseball specifically.
Being that Faith Night is being held on a Friday for the first time, we expect the event to be even more popular than ever! Therefore, it is highly recommended securing seats with a deposit. Groups of 15 or more can secure a block of seats with a deposit, then will have until June 11 to give your final ticket count and pay the balance. Contact Chad Glover at [email protected] or 412-325-4756.
Youth Worker Collective is a new initiative to offer free resources from a community of professionals to help both paid and unpaid United Methodist youth workers get what they need to make teenage disciples for the transformation of the world. Check out youthworkercollective.com/
YOUTH 2019 The next national gathering of United Methodist youth will be July 10-14, 2019, in Kansas City, Missouri. Young People’s Ministries is announcing details of the event to give churches time to plan for their youth to attend. The national gathering for United Methodist youth takes place every four years.
CONFERENCE YOUTHThe YOUTH 2019 Media Kit is here! We are less than two years away from YOUTH 2019 and there is no better time to start getting your youth excited for all the fun we are going to have in Kansas City. And what better way to do that than with our YOUTH 2019 Media Kit!
The next national gathering of UM Youth will be July 10-14, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. Plan now for your youth to attend. The national gathering for UM Youth takes place every four years.
CLERGY DEVELOPMENTVital ministry requires a plan. Let this be a tool to create your continuing education plan. Opportunities are listed here by areas of focus to allow you to target an area where you need to grow. Our Conference focus for 2016 is Leadership. There are some great leadership development events coming up! Which ones could help strengthen your ministry?Spark 2018 – January 19-21, 2018 at Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh. A retreat for youth grades 6-12 and their leaders.
Keystone United Methodist Federal Credit Union – We are your credit union. People helping people! Many services offered. www.keystoneumfcu.org or phone 888-972-0797
CONFERENCE WIDE LAY SERVANT MINISTRY SCHOOLS AVAILABLE TO YOUNew-Mark your calendar now! For the Washington District Spring Lay Servant Ministry School begins on Sunday, February 18th and runs through Sunday, March 18th. Classes will be held at First Washington UMC. Classes will be: Basic, go Preach, Youth Focus, Prayer, Social Justice and The Spirit and Art of Conflict. Details to be announced.
New- Mark your calendar now! For the BUTLER District Spring Lay Servant Ministry School on February 18, 25, March 4, 11 & 18, 2018. Classes: Basic Lay Servant, Preaching and Leading Worship, Discovering Spiritual Gifts, Evangelism and Pastoral Care. Details to be announced.
New- Mark your calendar now! For the FRANKLIN District Spring Lay Servant Ministry School on April 8, 15, 22 May 6 & 20, 2018. Details to be announced.
Continuing Education Opportunity
SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP IN MINISTRYAPPLYING BOWEN SYSTEMS THEORY TO PASTORAL WORK
Directed byThe Rev. Robert C. Spilman, Retired CPE Supervisor
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP IN MINISTRYWESTERN PENNSYLVANIAFEBRUARY TO JUNE 2018
Systems Leadership in Ministry is a pastoral seminar that utilizes Bowen Family Systems Theory and theology to strengthen leadership and self-awareness in any ministry setting with a primary focus on work in the church. The seminar is an outgrowth of the program of Congregation-Based Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) that Rev. Spilman directed in Western NY and PA until his retirement in 2017.
Pastors and lay ministers strengthen their pastoral and leadership skills, address conflict in the church, and work on their personal growth in ministry. The program focuses on
systemic change and leadership development in the church.Seminar in Western PA – Location to Be Determined –
Two Days a MonthLate February to Late June – 2018
Tuition cost: $700 ($550 for CPE program alumni)
Systems Leadership in Ministry includes these creative components: Emphasis on pastoral and leadership issues and use of self in ministry. Family of origin work, consultation on ministry, and theological reflection. Application of Bowen Theory to ministry in the church and world.
Participants explore family and church relational patterns using the systems theory developed by Murray Bowen and applied to church life by Edwin Friedman and Roberta Gilbert. They reflect on their family of origin and its impact on their use of self in ministry. They work to manage anxiety and grow in “defining a self.” A primary text will be Roberta Gilbert’s book: Extraordinary Leadership. For further information and application, contact Rev. Spilman.
The Rev. Robert C. Spilman363 Darwin Drive, Amherst, NY 14226Tel: 716-479-7933 (cell); 716-839-4316
E-mail: [email protected]
WE WANT YOU!!
CHAPLAINS IN THE PARKS
SUMMER PROGRAM
Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend 2018Good Pay – Interesting Work – Training – Fellowship
EXERCISE ALL YOUR GIFTS AND SKILLS: Planning creative and meaningful worship services.
Preaching engaging sermons in an ecumenical setting.
Visit and share Christ’s love with people from different religious traditions and life experiences
Create programming for all ages.
Provide a listening ear to those in need in the campground.
Manage your own time and work as a member of a team.
Full-time and half-time positions for service between Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekends are available. Salary, travel reimbursement, housing and training provided. If you have an automobile, have good health and are available to serve between May 27 and September 2, 2018 contact:
The Pennsylvania Council of Churches900 S. Arlington Avenue, Suite 211AHarrisburg, PA 17109-5089
Phone: 717.545.4761 Fax: 717.545.4765 E-mail [email protected]
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Internet: www.pachurches.org
2018 Washington District Lay Servant School
February 18, 25, and March 4,11,18, 20182PM - 4:30PMFirst UMC of Washington located at 29 North College St, Washington, PA 15301
Classes offered:
Basic Course "God calls you to a life of servanthood as a disciple of Jesus Christ. … Lay Servant Ministries is the first step for many laypersons toward their faith journey as they strive for a closer relationship with the Lord”, the authors write in the introduction. The Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course is a foundational course designed to equip new church leaders and renew current leaders in The United Methodist Church. It explores: personal spiritual gifts servant leadership each leader's role in developing future leaders the importance of consistent spiritual practices the core ministries of Leading, Caring, and Communicating and much more. Instructors: Julie Kolacz and Bob Stark
The Spirit and Art of ConflictEvery church deals with conflict, both healthy and unhealthy, and lay servants can be equipped and empowered to help lead through those times of conflict as a time of transformation. Instructors: Brad Lauster & Valerie Wilson
PrayerOur prayer life says a great deal about our relationship with God and reflects our hearts. This class seeks to relieve the anxiety of inexperienced leaders of public prayer and the discomfort of those with and for whom they pray in this practical guide to the art of praying in public. Instructors: Louise Patterson and Patty McDaid
Youth FocusThis class will focus on ways of getting the youth involved in our church services and have fun doing it. Reading scripture allowed, praying, music and lay speaking, there will be something for everyone. This class is for youth 14-18Instructors: Ross Pryor and Anita Dulaney
Go PreachThis class offers practical tips for persons who are called on to preach occasionally but are not formally trained as pastors. Gilbert includes just enough theory to support the practice. A bibliography provides specific suggestions for readers wishing to explore preaching in more detail. Instructors: Richard Roberts and Kim Provance
Social JusticeGod calls us to stand and help those who are hurting, abused and rejected by the world. This class is designed to help individuals and small groups study The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church. The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church the product of ninety-eight years of legislative decisions made by lay and clergy members of The United Methodist Church and its predecessor denominations. The Social Principles prayerful and thoughtful efforts on the part of many General Conferences to speak to complex and controversial issues in the global community.Instructors: Deb Rogosky and “to be determined”
Rev. Patricia Brown the author of "PATHS TO PRAYER Finding Your Own Way to the Presence of God" will be our speaker at the closing service.
Registration form is below. If you have any questions, please call the District office at 724-225-6632 or email at [email protected].
Complete and return the registration below with your check for $15 made payable to “Washington District” with “Lay School” on the memo line. Mail these to Washington District Office, 29 North College St, Washington, PA 15301. Deadline to register is January 21st!
NameAddressPhoneEmailChurch Affiliation
Class Choice:
_____Basic Course_____The Spirit and the Art of Conflict_____Prayer_____Youth Focus_____Go Preach_____Social Action
PRISON OUTREACH PROGRAMHere is a link to the Winter Newsletter for 2018 Western Pennsylvania Prison Outreach Ministry:
http://www.wpapom.org/images/newsletter.pdf
We are a mission sponsored and supported as an Advanced Special of the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church.
We want to get the word out about our good ministry in the prisons of Western Pennsylvania and pray that people reading this newsletter will help us expand our ministry into more institutions.
Thank you for your kind consideration.
David Bunnell, Chairperson WPA Prison Outreach Ministry
