Mission

Team Aids in Susquehanna Flood Recovery

Western PA United Methodists traveled to Central PA in the fall to help with flood recovery. Help will be needed in 2012. It's estimated that recovery will take two years.

GBGM Commissions Michael Airgood as Missionary

Michael Airgood, 24, of Kane, PA was commissioned as a General Board of Global Ministries missionary on Oct. 11 in New York. He will serve in Ukraine.

Joplin Volunteers in Mission

Dave Sevick and the Rev. Larry Homitsky of Calvary United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh led a mission team of 16 to Joplin, Missouri to help in tornado recovery work. Here are pictures by team members, courtesy of Dave Sevick.

2011 Youth School of Mission

Youth participants in the 2011 School of Mission completed several hands-on projects, building a ramp for handicap accessibility, working at a food pantry, helping with a children's program and laying a sidewalk at a mission agency.

2011 School of Mission

Photos of the Cooperative School of Christian Mission, held in mid-July at Grove City College. Photos by Bill Jacka, George Powers, Rev. Rick Nelson and Mary Agnew.

Nicaragua Volunteers in Mission

2010-2011 Mission of Peace to China

High School Seniors Molly Winters of Blackhawk and Kimberlyn Bloise of Gateway represent Western PA United Methodist Youth on a Mission of Peace to China. They left Pittsburgh airport Dec. 28 with two representatives of the West Virginia Conference.

Haiti Volunteers in Mission Trip - December 2010

Photos from the December 2010 Western PA Conference-sponsored Volunteers in Mission trip to Petit Goave and Fond Doux, Haiti.

Haiti Mission Study Trip-Nelson

Photos from the Rev. Rick Nelson's Mission Study Trip to Haiti in November, 2010, with the General Board of Global Ministries.

Thanksgiving

Western PA United Methodists are reaching out in a variety of ways to see that all in their communities have a good meal for Thanksgiving.

2010 WPA-East German Mission Trip to Dominican Republic

A joint mission team from the East German and Western PA conferences traveled to the Dominican Republic in October to minister to Haitians living there through the Least of These Ministries.

2010 Mission Gala

The 2010 Mission Gala to benefit United Methodist charities was held Oct. 23 at the Pittsburgh Marriott North. Pittsburgh Pirate Broadcaster Steve Blass was master of ceremonies and Peter Speaks, special advisor to two Pennsylvania governors, was guest speaker. The event was to benefit Bethany House Academy, Pittsburgh Ministries and Connellsville Area Community Ministries. Speaks grew up in Northview Heights, the area served by Bethany House, and was a member of The Church of Our Savior, a United Methodist church that is the only church in the public housing community.

2010 School of Mission -- Youth at Work

Mission Discovery, the youth component of the Western PA School of Mission, includes worship, learning and hands-on opportunities to make a difference in the world. Youth worked at the Mission Barn at Eastbrook, a supply depot for the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Photos by George Powers.

2010 School of Mission

Photos from the 2010 Western PA Cooperative School of Christian Mission, with sessions July 11-16 and July 16-18 at Grove City College. The theme was Faith, Hope, Love in Action. Photos by George Powers and Jackie Campbell.

Light of Life Mission Trip to Haiti-June 2010

The Rev. Pam Armstrong, other staff members and clients of the Light of Life Rescue Mission on Pittsburgh's North Side were in Haiti in late May-early June to help with earthquake recovery. The Rev. Rick Nelson, pastor of White Chapel UMC and a veteran Disaster Response worker accompanied the group. Photos are by Light of Life intern Meg Weyrha.

Nothing But Nets Buzz Tour to Fight Malaria

The Nothing But Nets Buzz Tour stopped at the United Methodist Center in Cranberry Township on May 13. Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton and the Western PA Conference staff welcomed Mozzie the Mosquito and crew, who are visiting major league soccer stadiums leading up to the FIFA World Cup to raise money for mosquito nets to fight malaria. The UN Foundation sponsors the tour and partners with The United Methodist Church, major league soccer and other organizations to eliminate deaths from malaria by 2015. In three years, NBN raised $30 million to buy 3 million nets. To makea donation or learn more, visit www.nomoremalaria.org.

Change the World 2010

The last weekend in April (24-25) was Change the World weekend 2010 and United Methodist all over the world participated in community outreach projects, as well as activities centered on the launch of our denomination’s Imagine No Malaria campaign, headed by our Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton. Images from a variety of sources.

2010 United Methodist Women Assembly--Western PA participants

Western PA UMW members pictured here were among the 6,500 at the 2010 Assembly in St. Louis from April 30 - May 2. High School students Karen and Jaime Luccarelli of First Bethel UMC were plenary speakers and Sally Ernst participated in opening worship as a past national president. Photos by George Powers, except where noted.

Change the World - Erie United Methodist Alliance

Making a difference in their region on Change the World weekend, April 24, 2010, some 46 people from eight local churches worked at facilities of the Erie United Methodist Alliance which provides shelter and cares for the homeless. The volunteers included individuals of all ages, from youth to senior citizens.

Change the World resources

April 24-25 is Change the World when United Methodists around the world will raise awareness of the United Methodist Church's efforts. World Malaria Day is April 25, 2010. Logos for the campaign and other United Methodist initiatives can be used by local United Methodist congregations and individuals acting on behalf of the Church.