News

Conference Offers College Scholarships to Western PA United Methodists

The Conference provides scholarships for undergraduate education to members of local churches. Some scholarships are provided in the annual budget of the Conference, while others are supported by individuals. Criteria to win these scholarships are may include academic performance and potential, financial need, and past and future service to The United Methodist Church and the community. Full-time enrollment is required for all scholarships listed. The WPA Higher Education Scholarship...

Mission Gala Benefits Three Agencies

Nearly 100 United Methodists and guests gathered in Cranberry Township on Saturday, Nov. 21 for a Mission Gala to support and recognize the work of three United Methodist mission agencies who are making a difference in the lives of those in need in the Johnstown, Pittsburgh and Erie areas.  The three agencies are: Bethany House Academy, which provides early childhood education, mentoring and life skills training for youth and other support to residents...

Partnership Offers Advent Devotional in English, German

United Methodists in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Germany have published an Advent Devotional in English and German. The annual denotional is prepared each year by clergy and laity in both areas as part of a Partnership formed in 1988 before the fall of the Berlin Wall. To download the 2009 devotional, click the link at right.   Members of the partnership shared memories and greetings Nov. 9 to mark  the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Berlin Wall. The...

Get Moving for the Health of It!

Walking or other physical activity is good for our physical, spiritual and emotional health, says the Rev. Lisa Grant, director of connectional ministries for the Western PA Conference of the United Methodist Church.    “Research shows it stimulates creativity, makes us more mentally alert, helps our memory, helps us fend off depression and anxiety and makes us more open to the leading of the spirit,” she said. “It’s no accident that Christian spiritual...

Annual Conference 09 Ignites Passion for Ministry

Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton challenged the 1,800 members of the Western PA Annual Conference meeting June 11-14 at Grove City College to “take the church out on the open road, give it the gas and see what the old baby can do.”  The old mainline denominational church of today needs to be set on fire like the First- Century church, he said. The conference theme was to ignite and sustain a passionate spiritual connection with Christ among all people. It’s also the WPAUMC...

Advanced Training for Leaders Set: CLM and Licensing

  As part of efforts to develop principled Christian leaders for the church and the world, the Western PA Conference will offer Advanced Training for Church Leaders in 2010.     The courses include tracks for those pursuing Certified Lay Ministry, licensing as a local pastor, or ordained ministry. As of July 1, 2009, completion of the licensing school course for local pastors is mandatory for all newly certified candidates for ordained ministry.     “All...

Bishop Calls for Change at Appalachian Ministry Event

The Appalachian Ministry Network, like the United Methodist Church and other mainline denominations, has a narrowing window of opportunity to shed some baggage, make substantive changes, and grow into the future, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton told participants at the 2009 Appalachian Assembly in Bethany, WVA on Oct. 28. Developing new leaders and adapting to reach new people in changing culture are key, he said in the keynote address of the gathering at Bethany College.    “In my...

Nov. 4, 2009 The Journey Continues ...

One of my favorite sections of the Bible is the journey of God’s people from Egypt to the Promised Land. Inside each story is a consistent and crazy reality – the chosen people just don’t get it. They witness the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea only to grumble about not being fed well less than a chapter later. They lose patience with Moses’ absence and begin to melt down gold and construct idols. They exhibit a lack of trust in God’s direction and send spies...

Bishops Launch Rethink Church with Worker Outreach

On May 5, some 15 United Methodist bishops visited the ministry site, called Casa de Maryland, bearing support, fellowship and Holy Communion as part of the launch of a “Rethink Church” campaign taking United Methodist faith out into the world.   Ramirez and the bishops shared the same goal: to build a future where every person is treated with equality and dignity.   “This was a day of taking the good news out into the world. United Methodists, look...

Help Cover Sierra Leone with Nets

Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton is rallying Western PA United Methodists to take the lead in an effort to save lives by blanketing the nation of Sierra Leone with insecticide-treated bed nets through the Nothing But Nets campaign.   “The Red Cross and the UN Foundation have asked us to work with them to blanket the whole country of Sierra Leone,” said the Bishop, who leads the United Methodist Nothing but Nets initiative.   “Our denomination has raised $1.5 million...