Christian Education Sunday Helps to Form Disciples

In September,Western PA United Methodist churches celebrate Christian Education Sunday. In the midst of launching new Sunday School classes, begin new ministries, planning for Volunteers in Mission trips, starting new mid-week studies, and  invite and welcoming visitors, we give thanks for all of those who pass on the faith through Christian education and celebrate the ministries that help to form disciples. This year, Sept. 13 is the day set by our annual conference members as...

Conference Young Adult Heads to Mongolia

The question of “what’s next?” is a frequent one for college students facing graduation. As a young adult who became a college graduate this past May, my answer to the” what’s next?” question has changed and shifted over the course of my final two semesters of college, finding its flexible and current home in the words, “I’m moving to Mongolia in mid-October .” Mongolia? Yes, Mongolia. Prayer, reflection, conversations with friends and...

Holy Land Missionaries Visit WPA

While “there is no moral defense for detonating a bomb in a crowded area, or any other act of violence perpetrated against civilians,” a United Methodist missionary serving in the Middle East told Western Pennsylvanians that there is a double standard that demonizes any Palestinian use of violence while legitimizing that employed by Israel.   The Rev. Alex Awad and his wife Brenda visited churches in Erie and the Pittsburgh area Sept. 17-18 to tell the stories of the...

Sept. 4, 2009 The Journey Continues ...

As is typical this time of the year, another wildfire is burning its way across California. Containing such fires requires a 24-hour effort by dedicated professional firefighting crews. One lesson they've learned is that fire creates its own wind, and that wind can cause the fire to spread more quickly than anyone expects. This week I read an opinion piece sent across the church by a prominent leader in our denomination. He devoted significant space to justifying his position on certain issues...