New Appointments posted at wpaumc.org/appointments.
Friday, June 18 – Saturday, June 19 - Hybrid Annual Conference Planned
Annual Conference Update: Clergy session was held via Zoom with members confirming the Board of Ordained Ministry’s approval of 2020 and 2021candidates for ministry. The 2020 class includes five Elders and three Deacons approved for full membership and two Provisional Deacons. The 2021 class includes 14 Elders and two Deacons approved for full membership, four Provisional Elders, and three Provisional Deacons. Ordination and commissioning services will be held on Friday evening, June 18th, at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center with a limited number of guests for each approved candidate. The service will be live-streamed. See candidate videos.
CLERGY
June
6 Earl Dykes
13 Michael Coats
13 Nancy Mussehl
26 David Wilson
CLERGY SPOUSE
May
31 Bob (Kathy) Mikesell
June
9 Jan (Dan) Owen
19 Laurie (Bruce) Gascoine
Ken (Darlene) Ryniec
22 Karen (Kenn) Jacobs
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June
2 Thom & Sheiiegh Bonomo
3 Bob & Kathy Mikesell
10 Wayne & Patricia Schar
12 Glenn & Janet Kohlhepp
20 Rob & Denise Wilson
25 Joe & LuAnn Patterson
22 Kenn & Karen Jacobs
28 Jim & Kathy Young
Friday, JUNE 18 – Saturday, JUNE 19 - Hybrid Annual Conference Planned
4/8/2021
Safe Sanctuaries and Online Youth Groups: WPAUMC’s Youth and Young Adult Ministry Coordinator Amanda Gilligan offers things for you to consider, as well as resources to help, as you adapt your church’s Safe Sanctuaries policy to include online gatherings. Read her blog post.
Upcoming Youth Events: Mark your calendars for these Conference youth events:
At The Lake Ministries 2021 Charter Dates: At The Lake Ministries provides boating and fishing charters for those with special needs of all ages in Erie, Pennsylvania. Our goal is to share Lake Erie with those who otherwise wouldn't be able to enjoy the water via boat. We are wheelchair and therapy pet friendly! The cost is $40 per person that comes aboard for a charter experience. Contact us for more information regarding scholarships. (If you would like to reserve a date or schedule a private charter on a separate day, contact us at atthelakeministries@gmail.com.)
Deeply Rooted, Upward Reaching Campaign: I want to invite churches that haven't yet participated to help ensure that our ministries continue by launching a six-Sunday appeal program in your church this May/June. Dean D. Ziegler, Coordinator dean.ziegler@wpaumc.org or 724-504-7355(mobile)
Camp Allegheny Summer 2021: We are ready to provide a safe week of Fun, Faith and Friends for children and youth. We are preparing for another exciting summer of ministry. Contact Erika at 814-754-5122 or at Erika@campallegheny.org.
Summer Outdoor Services at the Cherry Run Camp Pavilion. The Rimersburg/Lawsonham Charge will be hosting outdoor services on the last Sunday of the month in June, July, and August. Sunday School Devotional begins at 10:00 am with refreshments and the Worship Service begins at 10:45 am. Bring a lawn chair!
Camp Allegheny Women’s Retreat from August 27-29, 2021: The theme is “Becoming a Vessel for God’s Use” with Cookie White. 2 Corinthians 4:7. This weekend getaway is set at the beautiful camping and retreat center of Camp Allegheny and is designed to let women refresh and renew their walk with the Lord. It is filled with praise, worship, speaker sessions, great meals, and free-time activities. Come enjoy fun and fellowship on the mountaintop with fellow sisters in Christ. Open your heart to a weekend of encouragement, faith building, and God’s love. Full weekend costs $110.00.
Email cawomensretreat@yahoo.com for more information. You may also visit www.campallegheny.org to download the Registration form. (Menu on right - Programs/women’s retreat/registration form).Please mail form and deposit to the registrar’s address listed on form
OLMSTED MANOR RETREAT CENTER- Stay in our modern hotel-style lodge or the historic Tudor-style manor house as you enjoy the peace and beauty of the Allegheny National Forest. Learn more. Call us today at (814) 945-6512. Calendar of Events:
New- Clergy Summer Getaway at Olmsted: 50% OFF lodging for WPAUMC pastors in July & August
Olmsted is inviting WPAUMC clergy and their families to get away during July and August for some respite, renewal, and time to grow. Details
Upcoming Olmsted Events
Special Needs Events that we will be offering this summer. Our special needs events are staffed with plenty of well-trained volunteers. Activities are adapted based upon the individual campers' needs. More information on each event can be found at www.jumonville.org/schedule
2021 Summer Camp Deans Needed! Jumonville is seeking several volunteers to serve as Deans. Openings are available for: elementary sports, elementary adventure, dance, and family events. For more information on a dean's responsibilities and the dates of the events, contact Rebekah by email at rebekah@jumonville.org
Jumonville Sports Camps will be offered this summer. Sports campers will enjoy basic instruction, game time, and healthy competition in a variety of sports. Fun drills and skill development are based on age appropriate abilities that allow for both basic instruction and plenty of time to play! Thanks to generous donors, financial aid and scholarships are available. More information on each event Register online
The following weeks are available for Chaplains: June 13-18, June 20-25, July 18-23, and August 8-11. The Chaplain’s role includes speaking at all-camp Tuesday night worship, being present at the Sunday opening campfire and closing ceremony Friday evening, leading a brief morning watch Monday-Friday, and being available to help lead Bible studies and answer questions when requested. For more information, email rebekah@jumonville.org
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!
2021 Jumonville Summer Camp Registration: We will be utilizing the same system as last year. If you created an account last year, use the same account and login for this year. You can register online by clicking here. Remember a parent/guardian will create a single-family account and register the campers for the events that are available. All required forms can also be completed here. If you need assistance, contact the office. The brochure will be mailed when it is ready. If you need extra copies of the brochure for either your family or your friends, you can call the Jumonville office (724) 439-4912 and we will mail them to you. We can also send them directly to your friends if you give us their contact information.
Feel free to check out the 2021 summer camp schedule on the Jumonville website.
We've got some great new events planned for this summer!
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
Sunday, April 18, 2021
National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry Training 2021 is happening September 18. This is conference level training for ALL your volunteers at one low price! More information Click here for registration
Tuesday, June 1, 2021 to August 13
PAUMCS 2021 Online Course for Church Administrators will run from June 1 - August 13. Registration will open April 1. Take this time to get to know the Professional Administrators of the United Methodist Connectional Structure and get certified today! What is PAUMCS?
Tuesday, June 8, 2021 to August 24
This new series of six stand-alone webinars explore issues of peace and justice from various perspectives relating to peace with God, peace with creation, and peace with others. The available dates are June 8, June 29, July 13, July 28, August 10, and August 24. For titles and brief descriptions of every individual session, please consult this SHALOM Flyer. Register for one session, register for several, or take all six and pay for just five (a savings of $30). Each webinar will run from 10:30 am to 12 noon Central Time. The sessions will be conducted remotely via Zoom. Registrants will receive their Zoom link approximately 24 hours before the webinar begins. These webinars are non-sequential, so feel free to register for whichever session is of particular interest to you, Learn more or register
Saturday, June 12, 2021
Two events: June 12, 2021 - Live and June 19, 2021 – Virtual. ManUp helps maximize your impact in your home, neighborhood, and city. Keynote speakers, local pastors, and sports personalities will challenge you to be the best godly leader you can be and raise awareness of the devastating impact of fatherlessness among youth today. Breakouts and meals are included with the live event. Recommended for ages 15+! REGISTER HERE!
Monday, June 14, 2021 to June 21
Teryl Cartwright, a writer, teacher and discipleship coach from the Susquehanna Conference who cruised the bay with At the Lake Ministries recently, is offering two free one-hour spiritual practice webinars in June.
Sunday, June 20, 2021
Monday, June 21, 2021
Registration is open for the June 21 Ultimate Relaunch Playbook with church consultant and author Kay Kotan. It’s from 6:30-8 p.m. via Zoom. Learn more and register
Monday, June 21, 2021 to June 25
Conflict is normal and inevitable; unfortunately, the church is not immune! Participants in MSTI acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to deal effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. This workshop will also be presented on August 2-6, October 11-15, and November 15-19
Monday, July 26, 2021 to August 4
Join us for a week of wilderness canoeing and camping in the north woods of Ontario. (The trip will be relocated to the Adirondacks if the Canadian border does not reopen in time). For seven days and nights, travel through a rugged and beautiful land of lakes, rivers, and forests. Look for wildlife and camp on the lakeshore. Around the campfire, we learn about God, the wonders of his creation, and what it means to follow Jesus in community. This trip is physically demanding and involves primitive camping. Previous canoeing and camping experience is helpful, but not necessary. The cost includes canoeing and camping equipment, transportation and most meals. Open to adults and teens at least 15 years old (14 with approval of trip leaders). If you are 19 or older, you must have a passport. Cost: $475 for adults 18+, $445 for under 18. If registered and paid in full by June 1 there is a $25 discount. Trip will be led by Revs. Scott Hamley, Doug Burns, Craig Lindahl and Paige Townley. For more information, contact: Rev. Scott Hamley, enonvalleyinc@hotmail.com
Tuesday, July 27, 2021 to August 7
Learn and prepare to Witness and Serve responsibly. Keynote presentation: Mission in a Post-pandemic World by Roland Fernandes, General Secretary of Global Ministries. Multiple presenters and sessions. All sessions begin at 6:30 pm EDT. Details TBA
Monday, August 2, 2021 to August 13
The course follows the required text, Let the Whole Church Say Amen! by Laurence Hull Stookey (Abingdon Press, 2001). Each participant will need a copy of this workbook and should obtain it well before class begins. The book is not included in the course fee. You will be expected to access the online workshop daily and stay current with the assignments. Obtain, read, and complete the workbook prior to the start of the course for better time management when the course begins. You will also need access to a United Methodist hymnal during the course. Price: $75.
This class has been approved by Discipleship Ministries as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries. It is the “prayer” class required for Lay Speaker certification. One (1) CEU for clergy and staff is also available.
12/6/2032
Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi today addressed the postponement of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church and what it means for the denomination. The Bishop's remarks came after the Council of Bishops (COB), in response to the Commission on the General Conference's announcement that the postponed 2020 General Conference could not be held until 2022, called a Special Session of the General Conference to be convened online on May 8, 2021. According to the call letter signed by COB ... read more
4/1/2021
Please take note of the next episode dates and share with others. #StillinMission Episode 30, April 29, 2021 @12pm EDT Register #StillinMission Episode 31, May 27, 2021 @12pm EDT Register #StillinMission Episode 32, June 24, 2021 @7pm EDT Register Registration is required. To hear recordings of previous meetings visit the Vimeo Channel. read more
6/5/2020
Conference Announcements Updated Dec. 11, 2020. Our Bishop and District Superintendents urge church leaders to follow current state and local health mandates and guidelines to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and to consider the risk to the most vulnerable in our churches and communities in determining whether to hold in-person worship services. On Dec. 11, 2020, after Gov. Tom Wolf issued a temporary executive order reducing the number of people permitted to gather both indoors and ... 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
Benefits of Conducting an HR Assessment for Your Ministry: Improving the basic functions of your ministry will help you improve the effectiveness of your work. Performing a Human Resources assessment will help your ministry identify areas of improvement and growth. Benefit #1 is....
Youth Leader Retreat from Friday, September 10, 2021 to Sunday, September 12, 2021 at Olmsted Manor, Ludlow, PA 16333. Duffy Robbins will be the keynote speaker. Contact person: Amanda Gilligan
Connecting Faith and Justice: A new curriculum to help junior and senior high students actively engage the intersection of faith and justice and explore why our faith compels us toward justice. It is available to download today for free. Learn more and download
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.
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
6/3/2021
Methodist Response to Tulsa Massacre: Bishop Jimmy Nunn, whose area includes the Oklahoma and Oklahoma Indian Missionary conferences, has released a pastoral letter about the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre. It includes the good and bad of local Methodist response to the horrific event. The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference offers a Facebook video suggesting ways to observe the anniversary. Read the letter here https://www.okumc.org/blogdetail/pastoral-letter-regarding-the-tulsa-race-massacre-15262185
Watch Facebook video here https://www.facebook.com/OIMCUMC/posts/10159838112682845
May 20, 2021
Understanding Other Cultures: The Commission on Religion and Race has designed two new infographics for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to help churches provide information about these cultures. “Ten Things to Know About Asian Americans” and “Ten Honorable Traits of Pacific Islander Culture” are available for download on the GCORR resource library. Download resources here https://www.r2hub.org/library?mkt_tok=MDc4LUpYUS02NDMAAAF9Gxo3JHKJmfRvtlw1VTXRbMgf4zXr9A7oGx51N1_fcSe-8jVgaeEIfWEgsLik_IH-0Vr4BcyQE40lLdC_ZYFNB27zaylH9vyXHlrk1LgN-PGsZA
Latin@s, Hispanics, Latinx: ¡Si! To All of it! Latino/Latinx people in the United States are diverse in many ways, including theologically, writes the Rev. Lydia E. Muñoz. She gives an overview of the rich diversity and cautions against assuming that all Latino/Latinx United Methodists would go in the same direction if the denomination were to split. Read commentary here https://marchaumc.org/voices-latins-hispanics-latinx-si-to-all-of-it/?mkt_tok=MDc4LUpYUS02NDMAAAF9IFvaTaLivyvH4wZ6GoMQxx0ruumVfB0Q4FcBT1ukjZRalYqCmzhOs3DmXxnNlF6g2452bgCuxreCzc_FBsqcGIqPA5idFsZCRThF0eMKW8NqMA
Healthy Village Learning Institute (HVLI) in McKeesport continually adapted through the pandemic to support the community and connect youth and families with needed services. HVLI played a big role in providing PPE equipment and encouraging social responsibility and healthy practices. To highlight the effort, Keith Murphy, HVLI executive director, is featured in the Spring edition of The Pittsburgh Foundation’s quarterly magazine Forum. He’s one of 11 community and non-profit leaders and activists who helped the Foundation develop a grant-making program for racial justice. Read Keith Murphy’s HVLI story here https://pittsburghfoundation.org/keith-murphy
Diversity Linked to Church Growth: A recent study of the United Methodist Church by Baylor University found that racial diversity is linked to church growth. In a UM News story, Dr. Mark DeYmaz and Rev. Chip Freed, leaders of the Mosaix House of Studies at United Seminary, shared why they are committed to growing the multi-ethnic church movement. Read UMNews story
Learn more about Mosaix House of Studies at United
Film Looks at Lives of Korean Americans: United Methodists Julian Kim and Peter Lee didn't see their lives represented in Hollywood films, so they did it themselves. Their film "Happy Cleaners" takes a look at the lives and struggles of working-class Korean Americans. Read UM News feature
Diversity Linked to Church Growth: A recent study of the United Methodist Church by Baylor University found that racial diversity is linked to church growth. In a UM News story, Dr. Mark DeYmaz and Rev. Chip Freed, leaders of the Mosaix House of Studies at United Seminary, shared why they are committed to growing the multi-ethnic church movement. Read UMNews stor here https://www.umnews.org/en/news/racial-diversity-linked-to-church-growth
Learn more about Mosaix House of Studies at United here http://united.edu/mosaix-house-of-studies/
Film Looks at Lives of Korean Americans: United Methodists Julian Kim and Peter Lee didn't see their lives represented in Hollywood films, so they did it themselves. Their film "Happy Cleaners" takes a look at the lives and struggles of working-class Korean Americans. Read UM News feature here https://www.umnews.org/en/news/film-puts-korean-americans-center-stage
Advocate to End Hunger! Learn more about the connections between racial inequity, policy, and wealth at this year’s Bread for the World Hunger Advocacy Workshop on Saturday, May 15 from 9:30 to noon via Zoom. It offers an opportunity to participate in an online version of Bread’s Racial Wealth Gap Simulation. It’s a tool that helps participants understand how federal policies created structural inequalities and how those policies have differently impacted black and while communities in the U.S. The session will also offer details of Bread’s 2021 Offering of Letters, an opportunity for churches to advocate to end hunger by reaching out to elected officials. Learn more and register. here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bread-for-the-world-hunger-advocacy-workshop-racial-wealth-gap-simulation-tickets-149220872647
4/8/2021
Making Room for the Other: A three-part blog series with entries by staff from Perkins Theological Seminary and UM Young People’s Ministries, explores the theological and practical importance of making space for the new, for strangers, for what some might call the “other.” Become familiar with discipleship strategies and processes that can help turn strangers into friends and unfamiliar outsiders into cared-for peers. See posts
Racism in Church Ranks? Anonymous letters criticizing the appearance of an African associate pastor have led to self-reflection for a Virginia congregation and a "Do Not Harm" campaign seeking changes in The United Methodist Church. The hairstyle, clothing and accessories of the Rev. Chenda Innis Lee became an issue at Fairlington UMC. Read story
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.