Bishop News

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi has launched a grant program to help small membership churches start innovative programs to involve people in camping and retreat ministries. Fifteen grants of $1,000 each will be awarded to congregations who submit the most creative ideas to involve church and community members in camping or retreat programs that address the Conference's five areas of focus.  Applications are due Feb. 15, and grants will be awarded in the Spring/Summer of 2018. "Because ... read more

The work of creating a community where diverse people can work together and live in harmony is difficult and messy, but God gave us the ability to do it, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi said during a Martin Luther King Day Unity breakfast at LaRoche College in Pittsburgh’s North Hills. The Genesis 11 story of the Tower of Babel, “teaches us that diversity is from God,” she said. “It also teaches us that diversity makes it hard to get things done!” In the scripture (Gen. 11: 1-9), God intervenes when... read more

In a video message to Western Pennsylvania United Methodists, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi said she is filled with gratitude and hope for the future of The United Methodist Church after discussions of an interim report from the Commission on the Way Forward at the recent Council of Bishops (COB) meeting at Lake Junaluska, NC. “As the result of the dialogue that the members of the Council of Bishops had at our meeting, I am more convinced than ever before in the hope-filled future of the United... read more

  After a year focusing on WPA Chic, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi told Conference United Methodist Women gathered for their annual meeting that it’s time to Dress for Hope! “Unfortunately the feeling of hope is scarce in our culture today,” she said. “We are in the midst of a despair epidemic. It’s an epidemic of pessimism...all the opposites of hope. The good news is that, I believe, women of faith have the antidote to hopelessness! “There’s something about the way that God made women to make us... read more

From Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi In times like these, our response must be grounded in prayer. I urge every United Methodist in Western Pennsylvania to commit to pray for the next 59 days for the families who were impacted by this violence.   I am still in a state of disbelief regarding the massacre in Las Vegas.   I have been vascillating between disbelief and feelings of anger, grief, and profound sadness.  I have tried to make sense of a senseless act and that has left me frustrated.  I ... read more

From Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:29-30)             The events in Charlottesville this past weekend were horrific.  As I heard the stories and saw video of the march, counter-march, fighting and other violence, I was ... read more

The Northeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops issued a statement and invitation to prayer about what they described as a disconnect between the biblical mandate to welcome foreigners and recent actions affecting refugees and immigrants. Here is their statement and prayer:   "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free . . .” These words, written by poet Emma Lazarus and posted on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty have, for decades, welcomed the foreigner to... read more

See SPARK Photo Album Nearly 550 youth and leaders from 56 churches throughout Western Pennsylvania participated in SPARK, an annual weekend gathering sponsored by the Conference Youth Ministry Team (YMT).  The 2017 event was held Jan. 20-22 at the Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh. "This retreat has strengthened my relationship with Christ. It also brought 39 students to commit their lives to Jesus for the first time, and 75 other students recommitted their life to Christ," said Mollie ... read more

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi was one honored at a downtown Pittsburgh luncheon on Friday, Jan. 6 as one of the New Pittsburgh Courier's 2017 Women of Excellence.  The honor recognizes African American women who are leaving lasting marks by making great strides in their professions and positively impacting their communities. The honorees, who were selected from nominations sent in by the newspaper’s readership, have made significant contributions and achievements. “We are very pleased to recognize... read more