Cox to Serve as Director of Connectional Ministries

The Conference Connectional Network (CCN) has unanimously endorsed its former chairperson, the Rev. Gregory Cox, to serve as Director of Connectional Ministries. Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton said he will joyfully appoint Cox to the position, effective Oct. 1. Cox, 39, currently serves as pastor of College Hill UMC and will begin transition to his new post in mid-September. His selection on Aug. 26 came on the recommendation of the Personnel Committee after a search and lengthly discernment...

United Methodists Set Statewide Anti-Poverty Summit

  Jesus tells us in Luke 3:11, that “whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” In writing to Timothy, the apostle Paul tells him “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love.” (2 Timothy 1:7)   At least 1.6 million Pennsylvanians live in poverty. They are our neighbors, our friends, and our families.   What can you do? What can your congregation do? ...

70 in 7: Mission School Imagines No Malaria

The Rev. Pam Gardner, pastor of Slippery Rock UMC, set a goal for the Western PA Cooperative School of Christian Mission (CSCM) she coordinated last week at Grove City College in Grove City, PA: Raise funds for 70 mosquito nets in 7 days. But, the School’s weekday and weekend participants had other ideas.   Over the course of the week, United Methodist Women and other CSCM participants came together to raise $1,680 – enough for 168 nets, 336 rounds of treatment for...

July 2, 2010 The Journey Continues...

After 128 days at sea, the founders of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the New World, arrived at Cape Henry, Virginia, on April 26, 1607. When they disembarked, these grateful settlers raised a large wooden cross and thanked God for their safe arrival on the soil of their new home. It wasn’t all pleasant from that point forward. There were dark and dismal days for these new settlers.  Disease-filled swamps, skirmishes with Native Americans, and untold challenges...

Chabadza Key to Zimbabwe Partnership, Nhiwatiwa Says

  United Methodist Bishops Eben Nhiwatiwa of Zimbabwe and Thomas J. Bickerton of Western Pennsylvania signed a historic “chabadza” partnership agreement between their two areas at the 2010 Western PA Annual Conference in June. “It is not a partnership that will start on material things,” said Bishop Nhiwatiwa in a rousing sermon. “Chabadza is based on relationships -- relationships which are built on strong love and a strong foundation. Chabadza takes place...

Light of Life Rescue Mission: Changing Lives in Pittsburgh and Haiti

Walter Van Clief is working toward recovery at the Light of Life Rescue Mission on Pittsburgh’s North Side, but after a nine-day mission trip to Haiti, he’s also focused on helping Haitian earthquake survivors recover and rebuild their lives. Van Clief was one of three Light of Life clients and four staff members on the mission team organized by the Rev. Pam Armstrong, manager of Education and Employment at Light of Life. He and the other clients had to apply for the team, be...

Annual Conference 2010 Summary: Focus on Connection

 Western PA Annual Conference  June 10-13, 2010 Grove City College, Grove City, PA Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton told the 1,800 members that he sees signs of hope in the Western Pa. Conference, despite significant challenges facing the denomination. Among the hopeful signs he cited in a State of the Church address at the June annual conference session were: formation of a Laity Cabinet and a “reverse mentoring” program where superintendents and laity cabinet members each...

Bishops Sign WPA-Zimbabwe Partnership Pact

 United Methodist Bishops Eben Nhiwatiwa of Zimbabwe and Thomas J. Bickerton of Western PA signed a historic Chabadza Partnership Agreement between their two episcopal areas on Friday, June 11. In a rousing sermon during evening worship at the Western PA Annual Conference session, Bishop Nhiwatiwa described Chabadza as a Shona word that describes a community spirit of helping someone you know who is already at work.   The agreement has been under development since the...

Bishop Sees Hope in Western PA Church

Acknowledging challenges faced by congregations over the past year, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton nevertheless noted several signs of hope in his 2010 State of the Church address at the Western PA Annual Conference. The gathering brought about 1800 clergy and laity from 863 local churches to Grove City College from June 10-13 to worship, conduct official business and celebrate the ordination of new clergy.   “We have had to navigate our way through some very treacherous waters...

Annual Conference Considers $9.56 Million Budget

The Conference Council on Finance & Administration has proposed a $9.56 million Mission Share budget to fund ministry in Western PA for 2011. In response to church concerns about rising costs, it’s about $387,000 less than the 2010 plan. Mission share funds come from local churches to the Conference to support ministry in Western PA. A portion, in turn, is passed through to support the General Church ministries around the globe. The spending plan includes full funding of General...

Locals Do their Part to Change the World

United Methodists throughout Western PA are out to Change the World by “thinking globally and acting locally” to make a difference in their communities and raise awareness and funds to save lives in Africa, where children are dying from malaria, a preventable disease.  The last weekend in April was Change the World weekend and United Methodist all over the world participated in community outreach projects, as well as activities centered on the launch of our denomination’s...

Connectional Network Calls for Realignment Study

After discussing a plan to reduce the number of districts and realign staff of the Western PA Conference, the Conference Connectional Network (CCN) opted to endorse studying the proposal for a year rather than submitting it to 2010 Annual Conference for action.   The realignment proposal called for reducing the number of districts and superintendents from the current 10 to seven, while replacing some program staff at the Conference Center with six ministry “facilitators”...

Bishop Travels to Africa to Fight Malaria

 Western Pa. United Methodist Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, a South African superstar, government officials and other religious leaders have been helping to distribute 30,000 insecticide-treated bed nets in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where malaria is a leading cause of death.  The net distribution began with a public event April 16.   According to the World Health Organization, malaria infects an estimated 23.6 million people in the DRC each year, and causes...

Is God Calling You to Join Dismantling Systemic Racism Team?

Following a mandate of the 2008 Annual Conference, the Ethnic Local Church Concerns Committee is forming a Dismantling Systemic Racism Team to develop an intentional long-range plan for dismantling systemic racism within the Western PA Conference of The United Methodist Church. The team will work with Crossroads Ministry to develop the plan. Team members will be chosen during a Day of Discernment from among individuals who nominate themselves. All Western Pa United Methodists are encouraged to...

DCM Grant Returning to Pastoral Ministry

After nearly two years as Director of Connectional Ministries for the Conference, the Rev. Lisa Grant will return to local church ministry Sept.1. She’ll begin serving as pastor of Edinboro UMC when the current pastor, the Rev. Rand Edwards, retires. “This time as DCM has revealed to me how deeply my heart is really in the local church,” Grant said. “It’s in the local church and community, where people are caring for each other and finding new ways to serve in the...

Imagine No Malaria - Tip of the Week #5

  Solicit someone famous!   Many household names and few “lesser-knowns” have survived bouts with malaria. Hollywood gossip has been abuzz lately with Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Coles’ recent affliction with the disease, contracted while on vacation in Tanzania. Recognize a few of these other malaria survivors and victims?   ·           American Presidents: George Washington, James...

Bishop Speaks at Boy Scout Jamboree, Scouts Save Lives Through Nets

 BOWLING GREEN, Va. ––   Nearing the conclusion of the 10-day National Scout Jamboree At Fort A.P. Hill, some 5,500 Scouts attended an August 1 UM worship service where Bishop Thomas Bickerton spoke about the spirituality of persons in African nations and the Nothing But Nets program to eliminate malaria. “We need to go to Africa to see people who are materially poor but spiritually rich while we are materially rich and spiritually poor,” said the...

Imagine No Malaria - Tip of the Week #3

 Imagine No Malaria can be a great outreach tool for your congregation. Just ask the folks of Salem UMC in Wexford. They have been using community events to educate church members and non-members alike on the devastating effects of malaria.   At the same time, they are moving closer and closer to their goal of saving 1,000 lives while simultaneously building awareness of their church in the community.   Activities, planned and completed, include:   A...

Imagine No Malaria-Tip of the Week 2

  Allow youth to inspire your congregation!   Children and youth often inspire congregations to reach out in ministry. That’s happened in several Western PA congregations as support grows for the Imagine No Malaria campaign to save lives in Africa. Here are some examples:   Summer brings with it Vacation Bible School, which is not only fun for the children involved, but also offers opportunities for service for a congregation’s adults. Many VBS programs,...

Imagine No Malaria - Tip of the Week

A little bit of spare change can equal a big difference!   Small = mighty in the fight against malaria. The people of Muhleman Memorial UMC in Braddock, PA may be few in number, but they are mighty of spirit and in generosity!   Over the last six months, the 12 faithful attendees of Muhleman have been collecting their loose change in support of Imagine No Malaria. What they couldn’t imagine was that this simple act would eventually net $1,250! This...