News
Annual Conference 2011 Summary Report
6/16/2011
Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton told 1600 members of the Western PA Annual Conference gathered at Grove City College from June 9-12 that churches can no longer afford to conduct business as usual. It’s time, he said, to focus on “what we need to do to equip ourselves for making new disciples, providing renewed opportunities for strengthening existing disciples and discovering once again what God’s REAL call is for our church in ministry and mission to the communities where we are...Delegates Elected for General, Jurisdictional Conference
6/11/2011
Members of the Western PA Annual Conference are electing seven laity and seven clergy to serve as delegates to the United Methodist Church’s 2012 General Conference. An additional seven laity and seven clergy, as well as alternates, will be elected to join the delegation for the Northeast Jurisdictional Conference.
Elected as laity delegates to General Conference during the June 9-12 annual session were: Conference Treasurer Pat Morris; missionary Tina Whitehead; Volunteers in...Church Future Depends on Change, Bishop Says
6/9/2011
Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton called on clergy and leaders of Western Pennsylvania churches to place a moratorium on church meetings and instead focus on “what we need to do to equip ourselves for making new disciples and strengthening existing disciples.”
The challenge came in his State of the Church address during the opening of the Western PA Annual Conference session ,June 9 at Grove City College. About 1600 clergy and laity representing about 860 local churches and...Bishop Names New District Superintendents
3/1/2011
Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton has selected the Rev. Bill Blair and the Rev. Joseph Patterson to serve on his appointive Cabinet as district superintendents, effective July 1.
The Bishop also announced that the Rev. Sharon Schwab, who is serving her 6th year as Indiana District Superintendent and the Rev. Dean Zeigler, completing six years as Butler DS will have their terms extended an additional year.
Patterson, who currently serves as pastor of Salem UMC in Wexford, will lead the...Cox to Serve as Director of Connectional Ministries
8/30/2010
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...July 2, 2010 The Journey Continues...
7/2/2010
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
6/27/2010
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...Cordle: Listening to God, Sharing Faith Key to Discipleship
6/25/2010
Leading Bible Study during the 2010 Western PA Annual Conference, the Rev. Steve Cordle, founding pastor of the multi-campus Crossroads United Methodist Church in the Pittsburgh area, stressed the importance of obedience-based discipleship.
“Listen to what Jesus says and just do it,” he said, adding that spending time with God and God’s word is essential.
“You are holding explosive material right now,” he added, holding his own Bible aloft. Augustine...Bishop Sees Hope in Western PA Church
6/11/2010
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...Evangelism Award Winner Blair Installed as District Superintendent
8/2/2011
The Rev. William (Bill) Blair, a second-career clergyman who was a dairy farmer in the Somerset area when he heard God's call to ministry, was installed as superintendent of the United Methodist Church's Connellsville District on July 31. The service was held at Otterbein United Methodist Church in Connellsville.
Blair is a second-career clergyman. ”I was a dairy farmer. At age 29, I started college and sold the farm to go to (Asbury) seminary,” he said.
The...Patterson Brings Experience to Role as Superintendent
7/11/2011
The Rev. Joseph W. Patterson III was installed on July 10 as the new superintendent of the Erie-Meadville District. The late afternoon service was held at ASbury UMC in Erie.
Patterson served most recently as pastor of Salem UMC in Wexford and when he was asked to serve as a DS, he said he was pleasantly surprised and felt the timing was right for him.
“I am really ready to listen to other people preach,” he said. “I have listened to myself for 33...Laity Academy Cements WPA-Zimbabwe Connection
7/6/2011
A delegation of laity from Western PA traveled to Africa University in Zimbabwe in mid-June to partner with laity from the Zimbabwe East and West annual conferences in leading session at a Laity Academy. The Western PA laity included Robert Penrose of Trinity UMC in Indiana, who serves as director of lay speaking ministries; Conference Connectional Network Chair Louise Patterson of Central Highlands UMC in Elizabeth Twp.; CCN Secretary Roberta Plohr of Christ Community UMC in Butler;...Shute Awarded Harkness Scholarship
6/25/2011
Nancy K. Shute of Brookville, PA., currently serving in Gastonville, PA. in the Washington District, was one of 11 women chosen to receive the 2011-2012 Georgia Harkness Scholarship. Shute is preparing for ordination as an elder in The United Methodist Church and the scholarship will assist her in her studies at The Methodist Theological School in Ohio.
Shute and the other 10 Georgia Harkness scholars will attend the UMC Continuing Educators Annual Meeting in Miami, Florida.
The...Display Area Popular at Annual Conference
6/10/2011
The display area at annual conference is a busy place full of interesting tables and caring people. Where else can you talk about insurance, buy jewelry, and learn about mission trips all while eating popcorn and candy?
Some workers at the tables are selling things, many to benefit their ministry, but all are educating people about their work and mission. They all share a strong faith and a desire to help others.
One of the most popular spaces is The Olive Branch, a mission...Youth Pages Keep Conference Running Smoothly
6/10/2011
It is easy to find the pages of the WPAUMC annual conference –and NOT just because of their matching shirts. They are the young adults who are constantly working.
Pages put in long hours, sometimes working into the middle of the night, to ensure that the conference runs smoothly. Throughout the Grove City College campus, the pages run around, offering their assistance.
Austin Young, 13, a first-time page, worked with others to prepare for Thursday morning’s session by...Celebrate King James Bible 400th at Calvary UMC in Pittsburgh
5/2/2011
Pittsburgh joins the international celebration of the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible with IN THE BEGINNING: The King James Bible at 400, a concert of readings and solo, choral, and organ music from across four centuries on Wednesday, May 11 at 7:30 at the historic Calvary United Methodist Church in Allegheny West. The free concert kicks-off a series of events at the restored landmark.
Favorites form the text that changed the English language and the...Moving Toward Sunday to Save Lives: Week 1
4/27/2011
While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, ‘The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour.’ Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will live.’ So he and all his household believed. --John 4:51-53
This Sunday marks the first of four weeks of Imagine No Malaria activity...Mission is for Everyone
3/23/2011
Tonight, Heritage UMC in Ligonier will culminate a seven-week Christian afterschool program with a presentation for children and adults alike. Their participants (kindergarten through 5th Grade) have been raising funds for Imagine No Malaria – and doing a great job! Over $200 has been raised from 20 youngsters.
I will have the pleasure of watching their graduation ceremony and a “shirting.” Every child will be receiving an Imagine No Malaria t-shirt, and the...January UMVIM Mission Trips to Haiti Canceled
12/15/2010
NEW YORK – United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) announced today
that twelve teams scheduled to travel to Haiti as part of the Haiti Response Plan
in January 2011, have been cancelled. The decision was made in light of recent
experience in Haiti surrounding the response to the presidential election.
“Team safety and welfare is our first priority,” remarked Rev. Tom Vencuss,
Volunteer Management Coordinator, “and...Imagine No Malaria - Tip of the Week #5
8/18/2010
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...