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The 2021 session of the Annual Conference will be held at the Bayfront Convention Center.
Thursday, June 17 - Saturday, June 19, 2021
Dates set for General Conference: August 29 - September 7, 2021, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Learn more.
General Conference to move to 2021 Read the news release
Happy Birthday
November
Active Clergy
| Tim | Goodman | 11/11 |
| Keith | McIlwain | 11/16 |
| Mark | Ongley | 11/22 |
| Jim | Lewis | 11/29 |
| Floyd | Barnhart | 11/29 |
| Lauri Ongley | 11/24 |
| Patricia Schar | 11/10 |
| Christine Spencer | 11/3 |
| Martha Ann Sterling | 11/24 |
| Rachel Laura Whipple | 11/1 |
| Denise Wilson | 11/13 |
Retired Clergy
| Bob | Fennell | 11/11 |
| Dan | Stinson | 11/2 |
| John | Magargee | 11/21 |
| Dave | Vaughn | 11/27 |
| Dean | Ziegler | 11/28 |
| Kathy | Mikesell | 11/8 |
Spouse
| Janet | Kohlhepp | 11/19 |
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Prayer Focus This Week
WPA Conference, and beyond as we deal with the effects of the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Connecting with Young Adults: In this week’s Leading Ideas, Discipleship Ministries’ Chris Wilterdink says a critical strategy for engaging young adults is to create discipleship opportunities and build relationships in the online communities where they are active. Within these spaces, the church can provide young adults an opportunity to explore identity, belonging, and purpose. Read more.
50 Ways to Strengthen Your Ministry with Youth: This resource sheet from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership is available to read or download in PDF.
UMC Ministry with Children: Discipleship Ministries has re-launched the Ministry with Children Facebook group. This private group allows space for UMC "connected" children's leaders to provide voice to programming resources, relationships, and support one another amid the challenges and celebrations in ministry. Connect with group.
SPARK 2021 has been rescheduled for April 17 at the Bayfront convention Center in Erie. Plans include options to attend in person or virtually. Details TBA.
Join the Youth Ministry Team: Let your youth know that there’s still time to apply to be part of the 2020-2021 Conference Youth Ministry Team. Watch video. Fill out the online YMT application
Online Devotions for and by Youth Workers: You need a recharge after a week of working with teens! Premieres August 6! Join us for a weekly time to be encouraged by a leading youth ministry trainer and spend a couple minutes focusing on how it is with your own soul around people who know what it's like to minister to teens! Join us every Thursday at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific to recharge!
YOUTH INFORMATION: on the web at https://www.wpaumc.org/youthevents
As followers of Jesus and as leaders in the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference, we lament that systemic racism, white privilege and prejudice continue to harm Black people in our country. We grieve the recent deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd - and many others, named and unnamed, who have been victims of violence fed by racial injustice.
Many leaders have called in recent days for movement beyond words, including Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi in her Statement on Racism and the Cycle of Violence and the WPA Conference Anti-Racism Team in an article to be published in the Summer 2020 edition of the In Focus. The time is now to answer this call, move past words, and ACT.
Our faith compels us to act TOGETHER as faithful people of ALL RACES. Yet, many of us do not know where to start or how to learn new anti-racism skills on our own. Thus, we are pledging to learn and to act side by side to practice skills that disrupt white privilege, racial injustice, and systemic racism in our hearts, our churches, and our communities.
We invite you to take action by signing our pledge and committing yourself for one year to complete monthly education and action tasks focused on dismantling racism.
The executive team of the Association of Annual Conference Lay Leaders, which includes our WPAUMC Lay Leader Sharon Gregory, called on all laity to witness, care and act in the midst of the “dual pandemic” that grips our nation. “As laity we are 99.2% of the church and our voices matter. We cannot sit as observers to these events, they said. “We are vital to the unfolding of God’s hope for us, to be people who hold one another and the communities around us, in love. Our acts of witnessing are not those of a spectator or to record history, but to take action and cause change.” Read more and download statement.
WPA Camps and Olmsted Retreat Center
Jumonville 2021 Tentative Schedule
2021 Jumonville Summer Staff Application is now open! Working at a summer camp will help you gain knowledge and skills that future employers will love to have! Check out the many positions we have to offer and complete the online application by visiting applyatjville.com Come have one of the best summers of your life!
Jumonville Grounds & Cross Information
The walk up to the Cross and our grounds and are now OPEN to the public! All buildings will remain closed, including restrooms. Also, when you leave, take all trash with you. Follow all COVID guidelines & social distancing while on the grounds. Thank you!
Upcoming Events at Olmsted:
Winter 2020 online CEU courses for UMC Clergy: Fee: $25. Classes are one hour. Register before January 8 at clergyeducation.com, for a 20 % discount using code: UMC20. CEU certificates following the session. Clergy who can’t attend a webinar at the scheduled time can receive a video of the session by registering for the class. A recorded video is sent to registrants. Questions? kevin@marketsquarebooks.com
Where: Online
Monday, August 31, 2020 to May 6
Foundations for Ministry online course August 31, 2020 – May 16, 2021: This course helps Certified Lay Ministers, first-time pastors, and District Superintendent assigned persons to develop best practices for serving the local church in sermon writing, developing relationships with their congregation, building mission and vision. The course focuses on a different aspect of ministry each month with all work and discussion forums taking place online, including monthly meetings. www.larcm.org
Monday, October 5, 2020 to November 20
Mediation Skills Training: Registration is now open for sessions of Mediation Skills Training Institute scheduled for October 5-9 and November 16-20, 2020. The institute is designed for clergy and church leaders to learn skills that will help them deal more effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. Registrants will attend remotely and will need a device with both a camera and microphone in order to participate fully. Download brochure
Saturday, October 10, 2020 to December 16
Agreeing and Disagreeing In Love, a 90-minute webinar if you intentionally avoid conversations during holiday gatherings with relatives whom you find unreasonable. Are certain "hot potatoes" off the table at Thanksgiving? Is the "good news" of Advent overshadowed by arguments over "fake news"? Three sessions available: October 10, December 2, or December 16 from 10:30am to Noon (Central Time). Contact us at 630-627-0507 or Admin@LMPeaceCenter.org, or register online at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/720852. Information & Registration
Thursday, October 22, 2020 to April 15
: Pittsburgh Theological Seminary offers a monthly Community and Conversations Series with women who have found ways to anchor and sustain themselves spiritually in the midst of these times. Presenters include Barbara Brown Taylor, Lerita Coleman Brown and Carrie Newcomer. Sessions are monthly Oct. 22, 2020-April 15, 2021. Get details and register.
Monday, November 9, 2020 to November 10
Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and Connellsville District Superintendent Robert Zilhaver will be among the speakers during the Associates in Advocacy online seminar scheduled for Monday, November 9. Associates in Advocacy, which started in the civil rights era when clergy were often accused of violations of church law in order to stop their civil rights work, includes clergy and laity working to assist those caught in unfamiliar disciplinary processes. Learn more
Tuesday, November 10, 2020 to November 13
"MOVEMENT" Series from United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM). The series offers teams and church leader’s tools to begin conversations about missions, theology, and effectiveness. Join in on some Virtual Missions, get your feet wet and get a feel of what being on a mission journey is like.
Wednesday, November 11, 2020 to November 12
Where: Zoom
Thursday, November 12, 2020 1:00 PM
Each week, three to four missionaries from around the world are sharing their stories. Katie Peterson will be sharing how the Joy of Missions has and continues to be with her through Eastbrook Mission Barn - UMCOR relief Supply Network and ramp ministries. Her assigned day and time is November 12 at 1 pm by Zoom. Connection information will be sent the week before and should be shared with your local UMW units, small groups and congregation
Where: 1240 Portersville Rd, Ellwood City PA 16117
Saturday, November 14, 2020 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
First of all....Our sincere apologies to those who did not get soup last month. We will be cooking MUCH, MUCH more this month!!!
The November Soup "Quarts To-Go" at Wurtemburg United Methodist Church will be Saturday, 11/14/20.
The serving hours: 4 - 6pm (or until sold out.)
Once again, we will be using the Drive-Thur Method; to ensure the safety of our customers and volunteers.
Price will remain $6.00 per Quart.
November Soups are: Broccoli Cheese and Veggie Beef.
Process: 1. Order & Pay at the Front of the church from your vehicle. (also, return empty jars.)
2. Then, drive to the back of the church to Pickup your order.
3. Enjoy our home-made soups in the comfort of your home.
To keep our costs down, we ask that you return your jars, lids & rings for use another month.
Pre-orders can be emailed to Clara no later than Wednesday, the 11th. cmccabe27@yahoo.com
Also, bring your Thanksgiving non-perishable food donations for City Rescue Mission; and we will give you a $1 off your soup order as a Thank You!
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to serving you!!
Sunday, November 29, 2020
Churches are encouraged to use this day to raise awareness of scholarships and loans available to help young people of faith further their education and make a difference in the world. Offerings received on UM Student Sunday fund loans and scholarships for United Methodist college, university, and graduate students. Use the link to get videos, bulletin inserts, Facebook graphics, a PowerPoint presentation and other resources to promote student day at umcgiving.org.
Sunday, November 29, 2020
First Day of Advent: Sunday, November 29th
Extend Advent Invitations: People will be yearning to connect with a loving community this Christmas. Extend warm invitations to online and/or in-person worship services with the help of customizable outreach resources, such as banners, postcards, invitation cards and more. A wide variety of designs, messages and languages is available.
Save $300 off your order by using code UMCA20.
Order resources.
Sunday, November 29, 2020 to September 30
Sunday, November 29, 2020. Churches are encouraged to use this day to raise awareness of scholarships and loans available to help young people of faith further their education and make a difference in the world. Offerings received on UM Student Sunday fund loans and scholarships for United Methodist college, university, and graduate students. Use the link to get videos, bulletin inserts, Facebook graphics, a PowerPoint presentation and other resources to promote student day at umcgiving.org.
Where: Zoom
Monday, November 30, 2020 to December 3
Returning to school in the COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for students, teachers, and parents. These challenges have been compounded by the disproportionate availability and access to resources, highlighting the inequities of our education system. This four-day series of seminars will feature discussions with experts on what an equitable education system for all can truly look like. Registration is free and open to all. Advance registration is required for all events. Closed captions and ASL interpretation will be available for all webinars. Available upon request for December 2 and 3 events. Participants will also have an option to hold virtual meetings with their Congressional offices on December 3. To participate in this and the team building session on December 2, please register by November 11.
Where: Zoom
Thursday, December 3, 2020 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Participants will look at the challenges presented by the rising levels of anxiety experienced in churches today, as well as the role that self-differentiated leadership plays in calming such anxiety. Works of fine art are integrated at various points to facilitate theological reflection. The deadline to receive a discount of up to $50 per person is November 20. https://lmpeacecenter.org/brochures/
Saturday, April 17, 2021
Plans are being made to hold SPARK, the annual WPAUMC Youth gathering, in the Spring of 2021. The event is usually held at a Pittsburgh hotel in January. Details to be announced.
6/5/2020
Conference Announcements Updated June 12, 2020. Read Bishop's Update on Reopening Churches See What's Next for Churches video with Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and Dr. Jessica Price. Download our Guidelines for Church Reopening Download Green Phase Guidelines Get take-aways and other info from our twice weekly Covid-19 Clergy Conversations. See our Coronavirus Stimulus and Relief Package information for churches. Check our Covid-19 Church Planning Resources page on Facebook. Due to ... read more
5/6/2020
To assist clergy as they strive to meet the on-going challenges of ministry in the age of the novel coronavirus, the Western PA Conference is offering Coaching on Demand. Trained coaches in the Conference are offering their skills at no charge as a ministry to their colleagues. "Right now, we are each navigating personal and professional challenges, new realities, and unexpected ministry opportunities," said the Rev. Amy Wagner, who took a lead role in organizing the Coaching on Demand ... read more
The Conference Anti-Racism Team (ART) compiled a list of suggestions for Western PA churches to address racism. Download it from the Conference's Discussing Racism page.
Pandemic of Hatred: An article in the Patheos Evangelical newsletter points out the need for Christians to stand up to what it calls the “pandemic of anti-Asian hatred” that has been seen across the U.S. in an increasing number of incidents since March 14. Read more
Call to Action vs COVID-19: United Methodist black church leaders issued a call to action in the fight against COVID-19 in light of recent findings that African Americans are dying from the disease at disproportionate rates in the U.S. Learn more
Stay at Home Opportunity: Many of us are taking time these days to watch movies or read books. Why not take this opportunity to learn about other cultures and increase your intercultural competence? GCORR has compiled links to lists of movies and books that will help you do that. See the lists
Online Attendance Metric Myths: Churches often make worship attendance a primary measure of effectiveness, but counting is very different in a digital world, writes Rev. Ben Gosden. The counting process is much more complicated. Read more
Overinvest in Young People? “Working harder at what we have always done will not engage vast groups of unaffiliated millennials,” says Bishop Janice Huie. The Sunday School to youth group to campus ministry to principled Christian leader pipeline only works in larger healthy churches with a critical mass of younger people and resources for all aspects of ministry. For others, she calls for redirecting some church resources to reach unaffiliated young people in communities, a plan she admits may not be popular in many churches. Read more from Leading Ideas
Did Your Church Charter a Boy Scout Troup? Because of the Boy Scouts of America (“BSA”) bankruptcy litigation, if your church is or ever was a chartering organization, file a proof of claim request. You do that by following the links in the notice on the Finance Announcements page of the Conference website.
Dismantling Racism: As we work to educate and dismantle racist systems, an FBI analyst speaking at a symposium on domestic terrorism last week said it’s important to be aware that the Pittsburgh area has become a hub for white supremacy and extremists. Read Post-Gazette story.
Racism and Faith: Three theologians from across the U.S. wrestled with how Christianity can overcome racism at a time when polls show that many white Christians don’t see racial injustice as a problem. Heather Hahn reports on the most recent online panel in the UMC series on dismantling racism. Read story
New Online Course for Christians on Race & Racism: You Are Here: First Steps for White Christians on Race and Racism is an online course for Christians who want to acquire a fundamental understanding of race and racism from a biblical perspective. This four-part self-directed course offers videos featuring Robin DiAngelo and Rev. Dr. Anderson Hooker, reflections, and activities to help people of faith to recognize racism and begin to challenge it in their lives. Enroll here.
Seminary Dean Discusses Racial Justice: Leah Gunning Francis, author and dean of the faculty at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, bases her anti-racism work on the concept of imago dei — that all beings are created in the image of God. In the latest episode of the "Get Your Spirit in Shape" podcast, she and the Rev. Joe Iovino discuss where The United Methodist Church is already at work in the area of racial justice and what more needs to be done. Listen to episode.
Wake Up Call for White Christian America: By confronting their faith’s legacy of racism, white Christians can build a better future for themselves, and their fellow Americans, writes Robert F. Jones, author of White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity. Read more.
The Conference Anti-Racism Team (ART) compiled a list of suggestions for Western PA churches to address racism. Download it from the Conference's Responding to Racism page.
Listen First! As congregations work toward equality for all, it may be helpful to hear from some local church experts on how to improve communication with people from different racial and ethnic groups. Here are some tips about listening, language choices and more. Read story
Talking About Race: No matter where you are on your journey of understanding, the resources on the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture can help. Explore Talking About Race
Be Part of the Change! How can the church reach out with sensitivity about race and injustice? To effectively communicate beyond your congregation and culture, try to forge a true, interpersonal connection with those you want to reach. It would help to also do some homework, says John Coleman, Communications Director in the Eastern PA Conference. Read more.
United Methodists stand against racism: A new campaign is uniting the denomination against racism. Church leaders can turn to ResourceUMC.org to find the latest diversity and inclusiveness information and tools, including downloadable campaign graphics. Resources to engage members as they listen, act, speak and pray are available at UMC.org/EndRacism.
Learn how United Methodists are taking a stand against racism at UMC.org/EndRacism.
Race and Protest: Two relevant resources regarding race and protest for young people: How to Acknowledge Hurt in Youth Ministry and Tools for Processing Protests with Teens
Racial Justice Conversations: GCORR offers excellent resources to help churches discuss and learn more about racial justice. See Racial Justice Conversations Guide.
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Re-examine Your Goals! “God has specific goals for your church and your ministry and you need a plan for how you will meet those goals,” writes Amanda Gilligan, coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Her post on the Conference blog looks at why and how to do it. Read it
Responding to God’s Generosity: In the second part of our video series on Generosity in the Local Church, Rev. Tom Parkinson, talks about the ultimate motivation for generosity. Take a look.
Seeking Jesus: The Advent of Justice and Peace is a 5-week Advent study package for 2020 from the
UMC Ministry with Children: Discipleship Ministries has re-launched the Ministry with Children Facebook group. This private group allows space for UMC "connected" children's leaders to provide voice to programming resources, relationships, and support one another amid the challenges and celebrations in ministry. Connect with group.
WPA Missions Advent Calendar. This year, WPA missions has decided to come up with something different to spread the joy of Christmas. We are launching a Missions Advent Calendar! This is an exciting opportunity for us to learn about something mission related, pray for a ministry, and donate. Share it with your ministries and group, friends and family. How powerful is it when we can all get together and pray for the same cause? That is POWERFUL! Let's spread the light and Joy of Jesus Christ this Advent.
Reimagine Christmas: As church leaders face the prospect of preparing for an Advent and Christmas that will look very different in 2020, the Conference staff offers something to help ease the stress a bit. It’s a bundle of tools, ideas and resources to help you Reimagine Christmas.
Partnership Advent Devotional: United Methodists in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Germany have completed their 2020 Advent Devotional in English and German. Read more. Download devotional.
WPAUMC Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pg/wpaumc/notes/
The Eastbrook Mission Barn is one of six UMCOR Relief Supply Network depots across the United States.
Mission Barn & UMCOR Supplies- Due to Annual Conference in June being cancelled and therefore the UMCOR collection, Mission Barn Director Katie Peterson is looking for a church willing to be the collection point for their district for UMCOR supplies, cleaning buckets, and hygiene kits on a one or two time basis this summer. Preferably they can keep track of what church brought the donations and then store the kits and supplies in a secure location. People can bring the kits and supplies from the collection directly to the barn or the conference center, or she can arrange to send a truck or trailer to pick them up. Contact: Katie Peterson
There are a variety of scholarships available at www.umc.org/resources/scholarships and at www.wpaumc.org/scholarshipforms.