2022 Appointments

About J. R. Virgin

J.R. Virgin was born and raised in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.  He has also earned a Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary. 

J.R. has served in the Western PA Annual Conference for 15 years, including appointments to the Hyndman Larger Parish, Fishertown Charge, and what has become the Ebensburg Network. He has also served as the Chairperson of United Methodist Human Services and the Johnstown District Committee on Ministry.  He also serves on the Conference Board of Ministry.
 
J.R. and his wife, Allison have three children; Elijah, 10; Evelyn, 7; and Madison, 5.  They are all looking forward to what God has in store, as they faithfully move forward in ministry. 
 

About St. Paul’s Waccamaw United Methodist Church

St. Paul’s Waccamaw United Methodist Church (SPW) is located in Pawley's Island, South Carolina, a rapidly growing coastal area.  The congregation is dedicated to leading people to an encounter with God  through Jesus Christ by inviting all people into fellowship with God and the community of faith, nurturing and making them disciples of Jesus Christ, and equipping and sending them forth to share the love of God through witness and ministry.
 
SPW is deeply committed to missions, such as the Christian Haitian Orphan Development and Bakersfield Food Pantry. The church’s annual Peach Festival for almost 20 years has supported local ministries in the Pawley’s Island community, raising and distributing almost $125,000 to various local charities.

Worship at SPW includes two Sunday morning services, as well as a worship service at The Lakes at Litchfield retirement community. Service opportunities in worship include the choir, praise band, handbell choir. Dinner theaters, Joyful Gatherings, and support groups are also part of the experience at SPW.
 
Fellowship and fun, discipleship and service combine to create the community of St. Paul’s Waccamaw United Methodist Church.
 

About Kelly J. Smith

About Monroeville United Methodist Church

Monroeville United Methodist Church (MUM) strives to be a community of faith where all of God’s children are welcomed. They pray the peace of Christ will flow through them to make a loving difference in their lives, their community, and the world around us.

For more than 50 years MUM Preschool has provided the youngest members of Pittsburgh's eastern suburban families with exceptional opportunities for learning and social development.  The church also supports the Sunrise School, a local school for children with special needs.  MUM has been a long-term partner with East End Cooperative Ministries, including preparing meals to the men’s homeless shelter in East Liberty.  Regular support is also provided to the Garden City UMC Food Pantry.

Worship at MUM includes a variety of music ministries as well as a monthly Taize service.  Abundant opportunities for life-long learning include the Adult Seekers class (a Reconciling Ministry). The Holy Hands quilters group supplies lovingly made quilts to those in the community requiring long-term care. In these ministries, and in many others, MUM is committed to the full participation of all people.
 

About Ryan Washabaugh

Ryan Washabaugh was born and raised in Vanderbilt, PA where he graduated from Connellsville High School. He received a B.A in Arts with a Technical Theatre concentration and a M. Ed with an Elementary Concentration and PA state teaching certification. Ryan plans to attend Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in the Fall.  Ryan has worked in several professional settings. In his latest position, he has served as Vice-Principal and science, history, and Bible teacher at Armbrust Christian Academy.

Ryan has served as the Youth Leader at Cochran Memorial in Dawson and a Lay Speaker and adult Sunday school teacher at his home church, Mt. Salem UMC.  He is currently appointed as an associate pastor on the Fay-West Cooperative Parish and preaches at Belle Vernon First and Perryopolis United Methodist churches. Ryan has a passion for small group ministry and youth ministry. 

Ryan has been married since 2006 to Heather. They have three lively boys: Evan, who is 11; Eli,10, and Asher, 3. As a family they enjoy going to their cabin in the summer and having meals together. Ryan has a passion for wood crafting and making things from upcycled materials. He also has a passion for hospitality and is willing to roll his sleeves up and prepare a good meal in the kitchen. 

​Ryan is excited to fulfill his call into pastoral ministry and help others grow in their faith and knowledge of a loving and grace filled God. 
 

About South Fayette Cooperative Parish

The churches of this cooperative ministry – Brownfield; Uniontown: Calvary; Uniontown: Christ; Uniontown: Community; Franklin Memorial; Gans; Hopwood; Juniata; Masontown; Mount Pleasant-Dilliner; Point Marion; Smithfield; Trinity: Fairchance and Upper Middletown—serve communities in southern Fayette County. The congregations worked together in various configurations for many years before deciding to formalize the kindred spirit that already existed among them.

Brownfield United Methodist Church was organized as part of the Methodist Protestant Church shortly after revival meetings were held at the Hutchinson Schoolhouse in 1882.  The services were conducted by Rev. John McCarty of Fairchance and Rev. George McCollum of Uniontown.  The first building was taken over by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1889, but the church continued holding services there until 1897.  A new building with addition was built in 1926.  Since 1965 they have been on a circuit with the Hopwood Church.
 
Uniontown: Calvary United Methodist Church was organized on February 11, 1894 as a Methodist Protestant Church under the leadership of Rev. David E. Minerd.  The church was originally called Minerd Chapel.  An education wing was added in 1932 and second brick education wing was added in 1956.  The church loves to reach out to a variety of community groups and is a great supporter of Jumonville.
 
Uniontown: Christ United Methodist Church was launched in the fall of 1830 when the “reformer” portion of the Uniontown Methodist Episcopal Church (later Asbury) withdrew from that Church and organized a Class of the Methodist Protestant Church in the Fayette County Courthouse.  The first building was erected in 1841 and was known as the “Little Old Radical church.”  This was the first congregation served by Reverend John Calvin Broomfield when he came to America in 1896 and who later became one of the two original Bishops elected by the Methodist Protestant Church at the Uniting Conference. 
 
Uniontown: Community United Methodist Church  In the spring of 1938 Mrs. Ethel Steward asked three members of the staff of the McCrum Community House, a Pittsburgh Conference Board of Missions project, to start a Sunday School in Evans Manor.  They met in a school house on West Penn Boulevard. A charter was granted to the Evans Manor Methodist Church in 1948.  In 1998 Evans Manor and Hutchinson Churches merged to form Smock: Community.  It later became part of the Uniontown Larger Parish.
 
Franklin Memorial United Methodist Church:  About 1835 a Methodist Protestant Church was organized in Woodvale School District and a stone church building was erected on land donated by Joseph Paull.  Mr. Paull also donated the land for a burying ground, which is now the Franklin Cemetery.  A new church was erected in 1875 and a church school addition was built in the early 1900s.  The church has a very active Sunday School and youth program.
 
Gans United Methodist Church was founded in 1905 when a group of families in the area met in a store to organize a Methodist Protestant Class.  The Church was built in 1905 and the original structure is still in use.  An annex was added to the church in 1959.
 
Hopwood United Methodist Church was founded in 1828 by members who withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church to reform and join the Methodist Protestant Church. The church being too small, members began to work for the purpose of building a new church building that was dedicated in 1901. The basement was excavated in 1927 to construct a hall where the church often gathers for fellowship.
 
Juniata United Methodist Church was formed as a Methodist Protestant Church after services were started in the Juniata School on December 1, 1935.  The H.C. Frick Company gave the congregation permission to use one of the company houses as a Church and it was occupied in 1936.  Today Juniata is in a converted store with a fellowship hall upstairs.  The congregation loves to worship and fellowship together.
 
Masontown United Methodist Church was founded in 1819 by Andrew Long, Caleb Hanna and Alexander McDougle.  The first location was on West Church Street with a cemetery adjacent.  In 1820 this church was almost ruined by a violent storm.  The church was repaired and rebuilt.  It has survived a fire and stood as a testament to the resilient grace of God and the wonderful people of the community.
 
Mount Pleasant-Dilliner United Methodist Church was the northern most church in the Methodist Episcopal Church South and often referred to as the “Dixie Church.”  The church is very active in missions and supports over 20 different missions inside and outside the local area.  The church loves music and is especially known for its mission dinners.
 
Point Marion United Methodist Church was organized in 1843 through the efforts of Ambrose Dilliner with four members.  They had no regular place of worship, but met from place to place, such as the Polly Rose house, the Mill house, and the Ferry House.  The cornerstone for the current church was laid on September 11, 1921 and was dedicated on April 16, 1922.  The church houses a food pantry and Fijian worship community.
 
Smithfield United Methodist Church:  Reverend Dennis Battee and a Mr. Stevenson organized the Society in 1819 in the home of Dr. Sackett.  James Smith, a member, had applied to the preacher on the Redstone Circuit to organize a Church and having secured a sufficient number, the Society was organized.  In 1833 a Camp Meeting was held on General Alexander McClellan’s farm; the Sabbath meeting had over 3,000 in attendance.  The church grew and today is a special place of worship for the community.
 
Trinity United Methodist Church was known as The Independent Methodist Church of Fairchance and was organized sometime before 1903.   A church was built in 1923, but was later destroyed by fire.  A new church building was erected in 1924 with an addition made in 1965-1966. 
 
Upper Middletown United Methodist Church claims its origin in the Class that met in the John Jones home on Redstone Creek, which was a preaching appointment on the original Redstone Circuit of 1784-1787.  Reverend Robert Ayres preached there regularly in 1786-1787, and on his first visit on June 21, 1786, Bishop Francis Asbury accompanied him.  The record of the event, in the Ayers journal is as follows: “At friend Jones.  Heard Mr. Asbury preach from Genesis 18; 19 and Harry (Black Harry Rosier) from ‘If any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his.’ They both spoke very lively and close.  Lodged with Mr. Asbury and rested well.”  That same spirit is still a part of the Upper Middletown Church today.
 
 

About Sang Kong Choi

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi has announced that she will appoint the Rev. Dr. Sang Choi as Superintendent for the Kane District, effective July 1. 
 
Rev Choi will bring a number of gifts to the Kane District including effective leadership experience in rural and suburban churches and in starting a new congregation.  Rev. Choi earned a Doctor of Ministry in Church Servant Leadership from Wesley Theological Seminary and a Master’s level degree in Pastoral Care and Pastoral Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. He is a graduate of Seoul Methodist Theological University in South Korea and earned his Master of Divinity degree from Drew Theological School. University in New Jersey.  He has completed the United Methodist Foundation's Pastors Academy for Stewardship and completed Clinical Pastoral Education at Overlook Hospital in Chatham, New Jersey.
 
Rev.Choi has an evangelical spirit.  He first experienced a call to ministry during his childhood living in a parsonage, but after immigrating to the U.S., he was "struck by grace" during a retreat similar to the Walk to Emmaus. He experienced what John Wesley called  “enlightening of divine grace.”  He has a deep commitment to the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, and discernment. 
 
Rev. Choi is deeply relational.  He is clear about his personal convictions and has demonstrated an ability to work with people with many different perspectives and from many different cultures. He served a brief time in overseas mission experiences with indigenous tribes in Canada and Peru. 

In 2001, Rev. Choi was commissioned by the General Board of Global Ministries and appointed to the Pittsburgh District to launch new Korean congregation, which met at Mt. Lebanon UMC. He served there for five years before being appointed to serve Houston and Bentleyville UMCs.He then served at Erie First UMC from 2013-2015, when he began serving in his current appointment at Christ UMC in North Huntingdon. 
 
Before coming to Western Pennsylvania, Rev. Choi served churches in the New York and the Detroit conferences, so he will bring to Kane experience with cold weather and snow.  He will also bring with him a spirit of joy. One of his favorite Bible verses is 1 Thessalonians 5:16 which reads, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 
 
Rev. Sang Choi is joined in ministry by his wife Grace Choi.  They have two grown children. Jeannie is a graduate student atCarnegie Mellon University and Tiffany is a Laboratory Technologist at Allegheny General Hospital. 
 

About Kane District Superintendent

From the rolling farmlands of western Warren County, to the scenic beauty of the Allegheny National Forest, to the ancient wonder of the Appalachian foothills in Elk, Cameron, and Potter counties, the Kane District is a place where the glory of God’s Creation is on full display. The largest of our 10 districts by land area, the Kane District is comprised of all or part of seven Pennsylvania counties – Cameron, Clarion, Elk, Forest, McKean, Potter, and Warren.

The phrase “town and country ministry” is an excellent way to describe the ministry settings in the district. Many faithful and creative lay and clergy leaders are reaching out to their communities in rural areas, towns, and a few small cities.

This district supports the work of three historic United Methodist ministries that are located within its bounds – Wesley Woods Camp, Olmsted Manor Retreat Center, and the Ruth M. Smith Center. To equip and deploy its people for the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, the district has organized into cluster groups, expanding efforts in cooperative ministry and bringing the words of Ephesians 4:16 to life – “From Christ the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
 

About Samantha Penwell Corbin

Samantha S. (Penwell) Corbin grew up in Clarendon, PA, and is a graduate of Sheffield Area Middle High School. She holds a BA in Chemistry from Asbury University and an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary.  She served an interim appointment at Midway UMC in the Kentucky Annual Conference during her last year of seminary, then was appointed to the Fishertown Charge in Western PA. She currently serves as an associate pastor on the South Fayette Cooperative Parish, where she will become the lead pastor as of July 1, 2022. 

Samantha enjoyed five summers on staff at Wesley Woods and worked five years part-time at the Asbury University Challenge Course and currently serves on the WPAUMC Camping and Retreat Corporations Committee. She has been asked to join the Board of Directors at Wesley Woods. 

She has a passion for Wesleyan history and theology as well an interest in church renewal.

Samantha and Jeff met at seminary and married August 2018. Christopher, who was born in 2017, joined their family in July 2020.  ‘Lady Snookington’ the cat and two parakeets, Eyre and Articuno, currently round out their family. Sam and Jeff enjoy pick-up games of Ultimate frisbee and volleyball, playing a variety of tabletop games, and spending time with groups of friends. As a family of three, they enjoy being outdoors when the weather is good and building Lego Duplos inside when the weather is bad.
 

About South Fayette Cooperative Parish

The churches of this cooperative ministry – Brownfield; Uniontown: Calvary; Uniontown: Christ; Uniontown: Community; Franklin Memorial; Gans; Hopwood; Juniata; Masontown; Mount Pleasant-Dilliner; Point Marion; Smithfield; Trinity: Fairchance and Upper Middletown—serve communities in southern Fayette County. The congregations worked together in various configurations for many years before deciding to formalize the kindred spirit that already existed among them.

Brownfield United Methodist Church was organized as part of the Methodist Protestant Church shortly after revival meetings were held at the Hutchinson Schoolhouse in 1882.  The services were conducted by Rev. John McCarty of Fairchance and Rev. George McCollum of Uniontown.  The first building was taken over by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1889, but the church continued holding services there until 1897.  A new building with addition was built in 1926.  Since 1965 they have been on a circuit with the Hopwood Church.
 
Uniontown: Calvary United Methodist Church was organized on February 11, 1894 as a Methodist Protestant Church under the leadership of Rev. David E. Minerd.  The church was originally called Minerd Chapel.  An education wing was added in 1932 and second brick education wing was added in 1956.  The church loves to reach out to a variety of community groups and is a great supporter of Jumonville.
 
Uniontown: Christ United Methodist Church was launched in the fall of 1830 when the “reformer” portion of the Uniontown Methodist Episcopal Church (later Asbury) withdrew from that Church and organized a Class of the Methodist Protestant Church in the Fayette County Courthouse.  The first building was erected in 1841 and was known as the “Little Old Radical church.”  This was the first congregation served by Reverend John Calvin Broomfield when he came to America in 1896 and who later became one of the two original Bishops elected by the Methodist Protestant Church at the Uniting Conference. 
 
Uniontown: Community United Methodist Church  In the spring of 1938 Mrs. Ethel Steward asked three members of the staff of the McCrum Community House, a Pittsburgh Conference Board of Missions project, to start a Sunday School in Evans Manor.  They met in a school house on West Penn Boulevard. A charter was granted to the Evans Manor Methodist Church in 1948.  In 1998 Evans Manor and Hutchinson Churches merged to form Smock: Community.  It later became part of the Uniontown Larger Parish.
 
Franklin Memorial United Methodist Church:  About 1835 a Methodist Protestant Church was organized in Woodvale School District and a stone church building was erected on land donated by Joseph Paull.  Mr. Paull also donated the land for a burying ground, which is now the Franklin Cemetery.  A new church was erected in 1875 and a church school addition was built in the early 1900s.  The church has a very active Sunday School and youth program.
 
Gans United Methodist Church was founded in 1905 when a group of families in the area met in a store to organize a Methodist Protestant Class.  The Church was built in 1905 and the original structure is still in use.  An annex was added to the church in 1959.
 
Hopwood United Methodist Church was founded in 1828 by members who withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church to reform and join the Methodist Protestant Church. The church being too small, members began to work for the purpose of building a new church building that was dedicated in 1901. The basement was excavated in 1927 to construct a hall where the church often gathers for fellowship.
 
Juniata United Methodist Church was formed as a Methodist Protestant Church after services were started in the Juniata School on December 1, 1935.  The H.C. Frick Company gave the congregation permission to use one of the company houses as a Church and it was occupied in 1936.  Today Juniata is in a converted store with a fellowship hall upstairs.  The congregation loves to worship and fellowship together.
 
Masontown United Methodist Church was founded in 1819 by Andrew Long, Caleb Hanna and Alexander McDougle.  The first location was on West Church Street with a cemetery adjacent.  In 1820 this church was almost ruined by a violent storm.  The church was repaired and rebuilt.  It has survived a fire and stood as a testament to the resilient grace of God and the wonderful people of the community.
 
Mount Pleasant-Dilliner United Methodist Church was the northern most church in the Methodist Episcopal Church South and often referred to as the “Dixie Church.”  The church is very active in missions and supports over 20 different missions inside and outside the local area.  The church loves music and is especially known for its mission dinners.
 
Point Marion United Methodist Church was organized in 1843 through the efforts of Ambrose Dilliner with four members.  They had no regular place of worship, but met from place to place, such as the Polly Rose house, the Mill house, and the Ferry House.  The cornerstone for the current church was laid on September 11, 1921 and was dedicated on April 16, 1922.  The church houses a food pantry and Fijian worship community.
 
Smithfield United Methodist Church:  Reverend Dennis Battee and a Mr. Stevenson organized the Society in 1819 in the home of Dr. Sackett.  James Smith, a member, had applied to the preacher on the Redstone Circuit to organize a Church and having secured a sufficient number, the Society was organized.  In 1833 a Camp Meeting was held on General Alexander McClellan’s farm; the Sabbath meeting had over 3,000 in attendance.  The church grew and today is a special place of worship for the community.
 
Trinity United Methodist Church was known as The Independent Methodist Church of Fairchance and was organized sometime before 1903.   A church was built in 1923, but was later destroyed by fire.  A new church building was erected in 1924 with an addition made in 1965-1966. 
 
Upper Middletown United Methodist Church claims its origin in the Class that met in the John Jones home on Redstone Creek, which was a preaching appointment on the original Redstone Circuit of 1784-1787.  Reverend Robert Ayres preached there regularly in 1786-1787, and on his first visit on June 21, 1786, Bishop Francis Asbury accompanied him.  The record of the event, in the Ayers journal is as follows: “At friend Jones.  Heard Mr. Asbury preach from Genesis 18; 19 and Harry (Black Harry Rosier) from ‘If any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his.’ They both spoke very lively and close.  Lodged with Mr. Asbury and rested well.”  That same spirit is still a part of the Upper Middletown Church today.
 
 

About Kyle Eisenhuth

Kyle Eisenhuth was raised in Harrison City, PA, where he graduated from Penn-Trafford High School. He earned a BS in Business Administration from Liberty University and anticipates graduating this spring with an MDiv from Asbury Seminary.  During his time at Liberty, Kyle was active in the pro-life movement. He is proud of his advocacy for pregnant and parenting students on Liberty’s campus.

Kyle has served the United 4 Christ Charge since July. This charge consists of four churches in and near Pleasant Unity and Derry. Kyle’s gifts in ministry include preaching and casting a vision. He has a heart for discipleship and spiritual growth.

Kyle enjoys spending time with friends and family. He also enjoys walking his dog, Bridget.  Kyle is close with his family. His parents reside in Harrison City. He has two sisters: Lauren is a senior at James Madison University, and Sarah is a freshman at Westminster College. Kyle’s grandparents and extended family live in and near Knox and Clarion.
 

About Marion Center First United Methodist Church

Marion Center First United Methodist Church is located in northern Indiana County, close to the Marion Center School District, home of the Stingers. This small, family-oriented church prides itself in working alongside the community. For many years the church has partnered with the local Presbyterian and Lutheran congregations to host a community Vacation Bible School each July. They also open their doors twice a week for a free community clothing cupboard.

Each Memorial Day the church hosts an ice cream social to raise funds for youth camperships and missions. And for the past few years they have been hosting Red Cross Blood Drives twice a year. The church does it’s best to live up to its mission statement, “A church with the heart of Christ, working with the community.”
 

About Dianne Glave

The Rev. Dr. Dianne Glave was born and raised in Queens. Dr. Glave completed her M.Div. at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, her M.A. and Ph.D. at Stony Brook University, and B.A. at Binghamton University.

Professionally, she has been an insurance broker in New York City and a professor in Los Angeles and New Orleans. Her publications include Rooted in the Earth: Reclaiming the African American Environmental Heritage and To Love the Wind and the Rain: African American Environmental History, a co‐edited volume.

Dr. Glave has served as the associate pastor at Christ United Methodist Church in Bethel Park since May of 2020. For five years, she served as the Coordinator of Diversity Development for the Western Pennsylvania Conference, using her educational background in African American and environmental history and experience as a professor in African American Studies and Ethnic Studies as a foundation. Previously Rev. Glave served as a pastor at Crafton United Methodist Church and an associate at Ingomar Church, both in the Pittsburgh District.

Dr. Glave’s passions and gifts are preaching, strategic planning, prophecy, discernment, and relationship building.

Rev. Glave’s father recently moved in with her. Together, they care for Marley, a loving Havanese. Their dog is everyone's best friend. She continues spending time with family and friends, having traveled to Greece, Italy, the UK, France, Mexico, Chile, and Peru. She has also spent times in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, DC with her family. She has visited several national parks including Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Sequoia, and the Everglades.
 

About East Liberty Family Health Center

East Liberty Family Health Center provides care through doctors, dentists, social workers, a chaplain, and psychologists. Their mission is to witness to God’s love, known in Jesus Christ, by empowering our patients through community centered, whole-person quality health care for all, which includes those who are uninsured, underinsured, and underserved.
 
Their core values are:
 
Christ-centeredness
We believe in and are committed to Jesus Christ in all we do. We are dedicated to caring for others in the manner He cares for us, partnering with the Body of Christ.
 
Prayer
We access God’s presence through prayer and worship, celebrating out limitations and His greatness, sharing our thanks and our needs, and seeking His help and direction.
 
Responsibility
We take responsibility for the gifts we have been given and the ministry in which we serve, seeking to efficiently use resources entrusted to us while always searching for new ways to improve.
 
Family
We are a community in service together, united as members of God’s family; respecting, sharing with, and offering support to one another.
 
Service
We are called to compassionately serve others by providing whole-person health care, which includes listening to needs and responding with the necessary medical, emotional and spiritual support.
 
Wholeness
We acknowledge our limitations, place a priority on personal growth, and seek a sustainable balance in our lives.
 

About Dawn Krishart

Dawn Krishart is a life-long Methodist. After graduation from Dubois High School, Lycoming College and Penn State, she and her husband Tom joined the US Navy. Following an early discharge, she raised their two sons and, after moving back to Dubois, owned a drying cleaning business, following in her parents’ footsteps.

After answering a call to ministry, Dawn has served in the Indiana District since 2006. She served one appointment with her husband Tom, who was also called into ministry. She has been serving as the Associate Pastor of the Greater Blairsville Cooperative Parish since 2016.

Dawn’s passion for ministry is reaching new people for Christ. She continues to find ways to share the love of Christ through the ministry of the church. Outside of local church ministry, Dawn serves on DCOM, BOM, and the Parish and Community Development committee. Dawn has been a Rotarian for 17 years and continues to be involved in each community she serves.

Her family includes two married sons, two grandsons and one great-granddaughter. Sadly, Tom passed away on January 14, 2022. Dawn’s present goal is to become an associate member of the WPA Conference this year
 

About Greater Blairsville Cooperative Parish

The Greater Blairsville Cooperative Parish includes First UMC in Blairsville, Black Lick UMC and Hopewell UMC. “Connect Church,” a Sunday evening worship service held at First UMC, is also an important congregation of the Parish. The congregations of all the churches work well together bringing the love of Jesus Christ to the community and are gifted in hospitality and making people feel welcome.

About J. Timothy Hoover

“Pastor Tim” is a lifelong United Methodist.  He was born and raised in Clearfield, PA, where he attended West Side UMC.  He is a graduate of Clearfield High School and of Penn State University with a degree in Agricultural Education and General Science.  Prior to his call to ministry, he worked for Heath Consultants Inc., inspecting natural gas lines across the United States; the City of Harrisburg at its Advanced Wastewater Treatment facility and for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Public Water inspector until 2003.
 
While working for the state, Tim felt the nudge to ministry.  For many years he served as a Certified Lay Speaker, as the Holy Spirit continued to push him toward ordained ministry.

In 2001 he became the Associate Pastor for the Mahaffey Larger Parish that included New Washington, LaJose, Mahaffey, Glen Campbell, and Smithport Churches. From 2003-2007, he attended and graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.  Since then he has served in Mt Pleasant and since 2013 in Saint Marys.
 
He married Nancy in 1990 and they have two children, Ashley and Ian.  Ashley is the mother of their two grandchildren and Ian serves in the United States Army.  
 
Rev. Hoover strongly believe in the use of small groups to keep people connected to their church and congregation, but more importantly to hold them accountable to being in the Word, in prayer, caring for their soul and seeing God in new and wonderful places each day.  He has a strong interest in community ministry and in evangelism that meets people “where they are and gives them all the grace God has shown each of us.”
 
He enjoys the outdoors, hunting, fishing, geocaching, biking, kayaking, and occasionally golfing with friends.   
 
 

About South Harborcreek United Methodist Church

South Harborcreek is a vital and growing congregation of people who seek to know God more and to care for one another and their community as ambassadors of Christ. The congregation is committed to love and serve God; one another and the community. They believe they have been blessed by God to be a blessing to others in the church and community. 

While its origins date back to the 1830’s, SHUMC is a new church with much of its congregation ‘new’ to Methodism, to the call of Christ and the call to move toward Christian perfection – growing in the sanctification of heart and life. Their aspire to be a ‘light on the hill’, a fragrance of Christ to the community so the world may be a better place. The congregation has open doors to welcome all who are seeking GOD, and is committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  

Pastor Tim’s strong emphasis upon making disciples through small group ministry and in engaging persons outside the Church through community outreach will be important gifts to bring to the continued growth and  vitality of South Harborcreek United Methodist Church.
 

About Bill LaVelle

Bill LaVelle, a retired elder, will begin serving as a part-time associate at Grace United Methodist Ministry in New Castle on March 1, 2022.

Bill entered the candidacy process in 1981 and was ordained an elder in 1991. He served seven churches in six districts (Tucker, James Chapel, Acme, Clarion: First, Johnstown: Grove Avenue, McKnight, and Kane) until he retired in 2016. When he and Shyrl moved to New Castle, he soon began serving Wesley, and then also Epworth churches, part-time until 2020.  In those last two years he participated in forming the merger of four of New Castle’s United Methodist churches into the new Grace Ministry.  

Bill and Shyrl continue to relate to and support Grace Ministry with their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service, and their witness. Bill has also been serving at the Eastbrook Mission Barn as Treasurer.  

Bill has quipped to his Covenant Group, which has been together since 1989, that nowadays his continuing education has come from YouTube for his and Shyrl’s DIY projects around their home. However, he continues to read and pray. He has especially been interested in the “Fresh Expression” movement, hoping that it may bring new life and strength to God’s church.
 

About New Castle Grace United Methodist Ministry

Grace United Methodist Ministry of New Castle is a vibrant faith community offering Christ-centered ministry in the Lawrence County city of New Castle and beyond.

Resulting from the 2020 merger of four New Castle churches (King’s Chapel UMC, Croton UMC, Epworth UMC, and First UMC), Grace UMM now bears witness in unique fashion to the creativity and unifying power of the Gospel. In their two campuses (one on Decker Drive, the other on Croton Avenue), Grace UMM is a church in action that prioritizes engaging worship, interactive children’s ministry, strategic outreach, and holistic spiritual formation.
 

About J. Patrick Lenox

Patrick Lenox was born and raised in Crawford County, PA. in a Christ-centered home. He worked with his parents on their small farm and in their hardware store. Family was hugely important in his life.

Pat graduated from a small high school before going to Alliance College and Edinboro University of PA, earning Bachelor of Science degrees in mathematics and in secondary math education respectively. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Duke University. Pat is married to Grace and they have two adult daughters.

Pat received his call to pastoral ministry during college. He has a deep passion for helping people come to a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ and become increasingly faithful disciples. He has been privileged to serve in longer-term appointments serving at: Bradford First as associate pastor from 1989-93, as lead pastor at Russell/Akeley from1993-2002; at Glenwood from 2002-2014 and, since 2014 as the Kane District Superintendent. He has served as Dean of the Cabinet since July 2018.

In every appointment Pat seeks to encourage all believers to let the Holy Spirit use them to share with others the love and salvation they themselves have received from Jesus Christ. 
 

About Indiana: Trinity United Methodist Church

Trinity UMC is located in the heart of Indiana, Pennsylvania and has a heart for making disciples. Worship experiences have included an informal Saturday evening service, traditional Sunday morning worship, as well as  a Korean worship service hosted by the church on Sunday. The congregation is involved in the Family Promise Transitional Housing program. They support the Ramps of Hope ministry in the Indiana District, CROP Walk, a food cupboard and a food distribution site in the community, and a Back to School Bash.  On a global scale, they support many facets of ministry and outreach in Haiti. 
 

About Beverly K. Roscoe

Bev Roscoe was born and raised in Uniontown. She graduated from Laurel Highlands High School and Indiana Wesleyan University. Bev is a second career clergy, responding to God’s call after spending almost 30 years working in the private sector as a program supervisor and care/service coordinator for geriatric healthcare and adults with disabilities. She completed the UMC Course of Study at Duke Divinity School and Methodist Theological School of Ohio and was received as an Associate Member at the 2018 Annual Conference. Her passions for ministry include working with the marginalized, ecumenical ministry, and camping and retreat ministries.

Bev has been married for 26 years to John, and they have three adopted adult children: Jessica, Justin, and Maria; and two grandchildren, JR and Millie Jean. In their spare time, they hike, bicycle, motorcycle, camp and visit National Parks.

Bev’s motto is that "every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future."  She loves to hear peoples’ stories and walk beside them on the journey to discover who it is God is calling them to be. 

About Chicora/Karns City Charge

Chicora United Methodist Church and Karns City United Methodist Church form an active two-point charge in two different but geographically close Butler County communities. Both churches are known for their intentional hospitality, their commitment to mission and outreach, their Christian education and spiritual formation, and their joy-filled worship of God. Chicora UMC and Karns City UMC are the kinds of faith communities that feel like healthy families, and they are eager to move into a new season of ministry as they continue in the work of making disciples for Jesus and equipping people to live out their faith.
 

About Kelley M. Schanely

Kelley is a native of Eighty-Four, PA and a graduate of Ringgold High School. She graduated Penn State University in 1996 with double major in Journalism and Political Science. Her home church is Edwards Chapel UMC in the Washington District. She held various leadership roles in her home church such as Youth Sunday School teacher and Mission Committee Chairperson.

Prior to attending seminary, she worked in advertising and marketing.

Kelley attended seminary at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio and graduated with a M.Div. with a specialization in Church Leadership in 2009.  She was commissioned a Provisional Elder in 2009 and ordained in 2011.

She has served the Redstone Parish (Little Redstone, Newell and Star Junction UMCs) in the Connellsville District, Dubois: Mt. Zion in the Indiana District and is currently serving Washington: First UMC in the Washington District. She has served on various committees on the district and Conference levels and currently serves as Co-Chair for the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM). Kelley also serves on the Conference Zimbabwe Partnership committee. She participated in the Zimbabwe Immersion Program for six weeks in 2014, and in 2017 was blessed to return to Zimbabwe serving as an adult leader for ZIM Camp with amazing youth from around the Western PA  Conference.

Kelley’s guiding scripture is Micah 6:8 and she most identifies with the Parable of the Prodigal Son. She has a love and passion for small congregations and believes small congregations can do mighty things by the power of the Holy Spirit. While she has learned to not to take herself too seriously, she does take the church’s mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ very seriously.
 
Kelley is married to Mark and they will be celebrating their 19^th anniversary on June 14 this year.  They have two “furry ones”—a tuxedo cat named Pumpkin and a pitbull Izzi. Kelley and Mark’s interests include Star Wars, Doctor Who, and the opera. Kelley also enjoys traveling and is taking a kickboxing class where she is learning to appreciate the fine art of round kicks, wheel kicks and upper cuts. They are both very proud of their nephews Kevin (20) who lives in Nashville, TN and Jason (16).
 

About Sharon Area Cooperative Ministry

Sharon: First and Oakland Avenue United Methodist churches participate in community ministry, support the West Hills Partnership in the city of Sharon and play an active role in ecumenical ministries in the community. The churches are part of the Sharon Area Co-operative Ministry with the West Middlesex UMC and First UMC in Sharpsville. Cooperative ministries include a joint Bible Study, community worship experiences and supporting a community garden. The churches are also an active part of the Shenango Valley Cluster of United Methodist churches where they join together in worship and outreach activities.
 
 

About Erica B. Wellner

Erica Wellner grew up in the little town of Saxonburg in Butler County and was raised in the Cabot United Methodist Church. After high school she earned a degree in Elementary Education at Slippery Rock University. During four years of substitute teaching, she discerned and answered her call into ministry through mission trips to Louisiana and Paraguay.

Erica attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore Kentucky, where she earned her Master of Divinity degree along with a Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation. She began full-time pastoral ministry in January 2015 after graduating from Asbury Seminary.

Erica's passions and gifts for ministry are, in no particular order, missions, preaching and teaching, spiritual formation, Wesleyan small groups, and working with clergy and laity from other denominations. She has taught at and co-chair Lay Servant Ministry School and has served on the board for Wesley Woods for five years. Erica has  also helped to create a weekly podcast with two Lutheran pastors for several years. She loves to attend and support the children and youth of the church and local community at their different events, such as the local fair, band and choral concerts, and sporting events.

Erica is single and is the proud parent of a sweet terrier mix, Miss FeFe, whom she adopted shortly after beginning full-time ministry. Miss FeFe will be 12 this October, and while she’s a bit of a senior dog, she still acts like a puppy and loves to meet new people.
 

About Northeast Somerset Cooperative Ministry

This is a new cooperative ministry in Johnstown District which consists of four churches: Central City, Scalp Level Trinity, Shanksville, and Windber Calvary. This is an exciting time for the churches.
 
Central City UMC is deeply committed to meeting the needs of community members through a variety of soup meals and “Love Give Away” events that provide household essentials and clothing offered without price in a yard-sale format. The congregation is dedicated to supporting UM camping ministries.  In addition to supporting many local ministries such as the Central City Food Pantry, church members of all generations go all in to plan, host and participate in their yearly VBS program, attracting children from other local churches and offered each week during the Lenten season.  Most recently, the church became aware of their reputation as a church trusted to faithfully pray for the people of Central City.They plan to be even more intentional in those efforts.
 
Scalp Level Trinity UMC was established as an Evangelical congregation in 1866.  The current building is its fourth, the third building having been destroyed in the 1977 flood.  Upon the previous building’s loss, the church moved to a site of about 10 acres on a nearby hill and has become known as “Christ’s Lighthouse on the Hill.”  The church’s building and grounds are used for a variety of community activities including Scouts, soccer practice for the local high school, and as a location for supervised parental visitations for child services.  The church’s mission is based on Matthew 25:40 – that when we care for those in our community, we are encountering Jesus in everyone we serve.  The church’s annual coat drive has given away more than 2,000 coats to area residents in need. It's annual school supply drive has collected materials for many local school districts, and the annual Christmas food drive has provided necessary supplies for multiple area families. 
 
At Shanksville UMC, worship is a vital practice of this faithful community.  They became known more recently for being a vital resource in the response to the September 11 terrorist attacks and providing comfort to the families of the Flight 93 victims, as well as local emergency responders.  Currently, they financially support many vital, local and international ministries such as the Berlin Food Pantry, Operation Christmas Child, collections of toys and gifts for local families in need at Christmas and Heifer International.
 
Calvary UMC is a community-minded congregation located in the heart of the Windber area. It is known for its hospitality to many outside groups that operate and meet within its walls, including Cub and Girl Scout groups, Christian Counseling Associates, AA, Al-Anon, GED classes and, most prominently, the Windber Area Community Kitchen or WACK.  WACK serves hundreds of meals twice a month to anyone in the community who wishes to come and be nourished, body and soul.  In cooperation with local schools, this vital ministry also serves area school children by providing “WACKpack” meals for weekends and health essentials such as toothpaste and toiletry items. In addition, Calvary hosts a Tea Time fellowship and Prayer Shawl ministry that includes members from other area churches.  They continue to step up in mission efforts, recently partnering with other local UM churches for outreach events such as Trunk r Treat, Easter Egg Hunt and the Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box project. Internally, they support both local and international missionaries and both clergy and laity members are active in the Windber ministerial group.
 

About James R. Sands

Jim Sands is a life-long United Methodist from Carmichaels, PA and served his home church in various ways. He is a 1999 graduate of California University of Pennsylvania with an education major.

Jim worked as a substitute teacher and as general manager of Vocelli Pizza in Waynesburg until being called into ministry in 2011.

He was appointed to serve as pastor at Eldersville UMC in 2011 while attending Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Upon graduation, Jim was appointed to Scalp Level Trinity in 2015, and as lead pastor of the Northeast Somerset Cooperative in 2021.

Jim’s gifts in preaching were affirmed by his seminary as he received the Robert M. Ezzell Homiletical Prize for excellence in preaching. He was ordained an elder in 2017 and serves as the registrar of the Johnstown DCOM and as a member of the Lay Ministry Committee. He enjoys teaching and studying scripture with an emphasis on history and philosophy.
  
Jim is joined in life and ministry by his wife Kristen and their children, Ryan and Molly

About Aliquippa First/Monaca Charge

Aliquippa First United Methodist Church and Monaca United Methodist Church both have a long history of providing vital ministry in the southern portion of Beaver County. Located along the Ohio River in communities with rich industrial histories, both churches are committed to offering creative worship, Christian education and spiritual formation for all ages, and missional outreach to their surrounding neighborhoods. Having cultivated a bold vision for strategic ministry in this challenging season, this relatively new two-point charge is eager to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
 

About Edward Schoeneck

The Rev. Edward Schoeneck will be appointed to Edinboro UMC beginning July 1, 2022, following the retirement of the Rev. Lisa Grant.

Ed was born in raised in Syracuse, New York and felt a call towards ministry while in high school. He attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY and was blessed to have opportunity to study in Kenya, where he worked with the National Christian Council of Kenya in a mission outside Nairobi. After graduation, he worked in business for seven years, first with Gillette Safety Razor Co., which brought him to Pittsburgh in 1982.

Ed reclaimed the call he felt years earlier, enrolled at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1987, and began his first appointment at West Side UMC in McKeesport the following year.  

During those seminary years, Ed met his wife Kathleen, who was studying to be an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church USA. They were married after graduation and were an Interdenominational clergy couple for 17 years until Kathleen joined the United Methodist Church, WPA Conference in 2010. 

One of their greatest blessings came in 2003 when they traveled to China to welcome their daughter Elisha to the family.  Elisha has been very active with the Western PA Conference, serving on the Youth Ministry Team, attending Conference Camps and traveling to Zimbabwe for Zim Camp in 2019. She is now in her freshman year at Duquesne University studying for a career in Physical Therapy.  The Schoeneck’s recently added a new member to the family from Animal Rescue in Greensburg -- a little Australian Cattle Dog named Indigo. 

After his student appointment, Ed served:  St. John’s and Forestville UMC, Slippery Rock Area (1992-1997); College Hill UMC, Beaver Falls (1997-2006); Grove Ave UMC, Johnstown (2006-2014); and has been serving at Monroeville UMC since 2014.  Ed is a relational collaborative pastor who seeks to help churches hear, respond and grow in their discipleship together as the Body of Christ in their ministry contexts.   He just finished Transitional Ministry training at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary this past fall and hopes to help churches discover the new life God may bring through the adversity and change of our current times. 

Ed loves to play guitar and has played in several praise bands in the churches he’s served and at Coffee houses/open mics when gets a chance. He and Kathleen own a trailer and love to spend time camping and traveling on vacation. He also has a love for sailing.
 

About Edinboro United Methodist Church

The Edinboro United Methodist Church defines itself as a 3D Church - a dynamic community of doubters, dreamers, and disciples on a lifelong journey of faith and action with Christ.  By embracing grace, they seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ as they engage heads, hands, and hearts in the way of Christ to ignite a profound love of God. They are building a welcoming community that embraces all individuals as persons of sacred worth who are God’s beloved children.

The congregation is a vital presence in the Edinboro Community that engages its members in community outreach, global mission, and justice ministries.  With their proximity to the Edinboro University campus, they have established a long and respected ministry to the student community. They value engaging worship and biblical preaching that helps persons experience God’s radical grace.  Spiritual formation, biblical study and small group discipleship round out their holistic approach to making disciples for the transformation of the world.

Rev. Schoeneck’s passion for community engagement, his gifts in helping congregations develop new worship expressions, and his experience in leading congregations in community outreach will build on the excellent vision and discipleship plan already established in Edinboro UMC.
 

About J. Mark Heckman

Born in Brookville, PA, Mark graduated from the Punxsutawney Area School District. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Indiana University of PA, a Master of Education Degree in School Administration from California University of PA, a School Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility from Edinboro University of PA, and a Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH.  Currently, Mark is in the Doctor of Ministry program through Global Awakening Theological Seminary of Family of Faith Christian University. 

Mark spent 25 years in public education as a music teacher, elementary and secondary school principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent of schools in New York and Pennsylvania. Prior to accepting the call to pastoral ministry, he served the church for over 25 years in positions such as director of music and organist in churches in New York (Goshen) and Pennsylvania. 

Mark first entered the pastoral ministry with an appointment to the Punxsutawney First United Methodist Church where he served as the Associate Pastor and Director of Outreach and Youth Ministries.  He currently serves as the Senior Pastor for the Greater Blairsville Cooperative Parish on the Indiana District. Mark is a Provisional Elder in the WPAUMC, and upon completion of the Conference’s residency program, he will appear before the Board of Ministry this spring for examination and approval as a fully ordained Elder. 

God began to move powerfully in Mark’s life following an early-morning encounter with the Holy Spirit.  Mark’s spiritual gift of healing demonstrates God’s anointing on his life and the manifestation of God’s Spirit in the world today.  God’s love can be seen through the healing ministry that God is developing in Mark, all pointing to God’s glory.  Mark ministry passion and calling are based on Matthew 10:7-8.  Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!  Mark believes that all Christians are to share and demonstrate the gospel in every opportunity God puts before them and to freely help others find and employ their own spiritual gifts, so that through the Church, a hurting world can find a loving God. 

Mark serves the Church with Michele, his wife of 30 years.  They have two adult children: Elizabeth is a music specialist in the Curwensville Area School District, and Luke is a Computer Science and Engineering major at the Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
 

About Paradise United Methodist Church

Paradise United Methodist Church is located in the Greenlick Valley in Bullskin Township, in Fayette County. It was created in 1874 when a pastor drove his horse and buggy to lead a Sunday School. A church was built in 1876 and has been thriving, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ ever since.  

The ministries of Paradise include a monthly food pantry, bi-weekly backpack blessings, weekly bible studies, United Methodist Women, a men’s dart-ball team, plus Sunday School classes for all ages. The church offers two worship services each week, one traditional and one contemporary.  Even though the pandemic they continue making disciples for Jesus Christ and sharing Him through weekly worship and through their webpage.  
 

About Kathleen A. Schoeneck

The Rev. Kathleen A. Schoeneck will begin serving Lakewood United Methodist Church in Erie on July 1, 2022, following the June 30 retirement of the Rev. Robert Lewis.

Kathleen Schoeneck came to the United Methodist Church in 2010 from the Presbyterian Church USA. She was ordained to Word and Sacrament to Frankfort UP Church of Frankfort Springs in January of 1996. Over the next 10 years, she found herself understanding concepts of theology and scriptural interpretation in a more Wesleyan way. In 2006, she attended annual conference as a guest, and upon hearing the preaching of Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, she decided she was “all in” and petitioned to be considered as a licensed local pastor. She then pursued full Elders Orders in the UMC.  Her other pastoral experiences include serving as the Director of Pastoral Care at Friendship Ridge Rehab and Skilled Nursing and Spiritual Care Coordinator at Aseracare Hospice of Johnstown.
 
Kathleen has served the following United Methodist churches: Park Ave.& Christ UMC in Johnstown (2012-14); Grace of Natrona Heights, Janes of Creighton and Walter Chapel (2014-15); East McKeesport First, Center Ave. of Pitcairn, and Penn’s Woods of N. Huntington (2015-2017); McMasters of Turtle Creek and Center Ave. (2017-2020), and, since 2020, Oakmont UMC in the Greensburg District.

Part of a clergy couple, Kathleen and her husband Ed enjoy life with daughter Elisha. Elisha is a freshman at Duquesne University. Kathleen’s mission statement is to empower laity "so we can do mission together for the glory of God."

Kathleen's spiritual gifts include preaching, teaching, mercy, listening, and interpreting our faith heritage for current ministry and mission. She enjoys listening and talking with people and being a healing presence in the midst of difficult situations. One specific skill she identifies is: “helping congregations work past 'the past' and envision where they feel called to be, while reminding them that “we are who we are because of whose we are.” Kathleen is thrilled to be appointed to the Lakewood congregation and work together with new friends to continue their mission and ministry in the Erie/Meadville District.
 
 

About Lakewood United Methodist Church

The Lakewood United Methodist Church is situated in a beautiful residential neighborhood next to a community park. It is a vibrant congregation that cares deeply about its own people and the community in which it finds itself. It is active in local missions as well as national and international mission efforts. LUMC is about to embark on a renovation of the sanctuary, the capstone of a five-year capital improvement campaign. Covid-19 forced the congregation to adapt by learning how to livestream its service, and recent upgrades to the Wi-Fi system have enabled Wi-Fi access in all rooms of the church. Lakewood continues to seek ways to engage with the community around it - a local music outreach program, an annual party in the park. The congregation’s leadership is currently involved in long-range planning with the assistance of our Conference staff.  Lakewood has a proud history and is planning for a long and fruitful future.
 
Rev. Schoeneck’s gifts of pastoral care and of mission and ministry development will serve the Lakewood congregation well as they continue to seek new ways to develop their mission to make disciples for Jesus Christ. 
 

About Loren A. McQueen

Loren McQueen considers it a privilege to serve in the Western PA annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  He grew up in a pastor’s home, as his father Gail McQueen served many years in Western Pennsylvania.  "I am grateful for the influential ministry of the churches of my childhood and the impact they had upon my life.  God also worked in my life through the ministry of Cherry Run Camp Meeting, being challenged there to give my all to the Lord." he said.

Loren graduated from New Brighton High School, attended Asbury University, and Asbury Theological Seminary.  Between college and seminary, he worked as a farrier and his apprenticeship continued through his time in seminary.  He considers this as a blessing with many life lessons learned.  It was in that time that he answered the call into the ministry. 

Loren has served in the local church since 2009, first at Rockbridge UMC in the Kentucky Conference while in seminary.  Upon moving back to Pennsylvania, he served the West Liberty Charge and the Eastbrook Charge of the Butler District.  His passion for ministry is in preaching and teaching the word of God.  The driving force is in sharing the good news of the gospel which brings transformation to the hearts and lives of people. Loren also enjoys sharing life with other disciples in ways which help them grow into the full stature of Christ.  Making disciples and being an agent of renewal for churches has a strong pull on Loren's heart. 

Serving the body of Christ is also a passion of Loren's wife Sara.  They have three daughters: Caroline (5), Abigail (3), and Kathryn (10 months).  As a family they enjoy outdoor activities such as gardening, hiking, bicycle riding, swimming, and riding horses.  We also enjoy gardening, music, singing and reading together as a family.  Loren enjoys working with horses, woodworking, reading history, playing the piano, and playing the trumpet.  The McQueens are excited to continue being in ministry with the people called Methodists.   
 

About Brookville Evangelical United Methodist Church

Brookville Evangelical United Methodist Church is located in the county seat of Jefferson County in the southern area of the Pennsylvania Wilds.  The church has renovated after a devasting flood in 1996 and today has a very active children and youth program, with more than 60 children and youth participating in Sunday School and the after-school program.  The church has a strong history of local and global missions including trips to Paraguay, Red Bird Mission, and Wesley Woods.  At the heart of all they do is passion for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 

About Alan J. Morrison

Rev. Alan J. Morrison grew up in Waterford, PA.  He was ordained a Deacon in 1988 and an Elder in 1992. His education includes an Associate degree in Digital Electronics earned while serving in the US Air Force; a Bachelor’s degree in Management; an MDiv; and a MA in Liturgical Arts.

His pastoral appointments have been to Homestead First; Hays/West Homestead/Homestead First; Creighton Janes; Pitcairn Center Avenue; Extension Ministry with the General Council on Finance and Administration; Monongahela First, and Wattsburg/Phillipsville.

Alan is a trained coach whose coaching focuses on discipleship, ministry practice, life issues, leadership, and administration. While on the GCFA staff, he facilitated the certification of church business administrators for the denomination. 
 
He has been a part of Scouting for 54 years and will serve as the lead Chaplain for the 2023 National Scout Jamboree. 

Alan is married to the former Lois Carl Granlund. They have a son, Ron (married to Erin), and a granddaughter, Harper. Lois is an ordained UCC clergy, having served her pastoral career as a hospital chaplain. The family also includes two dogs: Maxey and Jo.
 

About Unionville United Methodist Church

Unionville United Methodist Church is a community of growing believers of all ages seeking to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ in the Wesleyan tradition. That tradition involves striving to lead a life that is Christ-like through devotion to the Word of God, to prayer, and to sharing God's grace with everyone we meet. Bible-based preaching, Sunday School for all ages, and a variety of Bible and book studies bring long-term members and newcomers together to grow in God's Word and grace.

The congregation always has a seat for visitors and an ear for new voices and ideas. They are an active congregation that welcomes strangers and creatively reaches out to care for those in need. Unionville is a church community that continually strives to strengthen its faith and deepen its discipleship to Jesus.
 

About Denton Lester

Denton Lester, an Associate Member who has served as pastor of Wesley Chapel in Rockwood since 2005, will continue serving as pastor in retirement. Denton was born in Johnstown, Pa and graduated from Forrest Hills High School in Sidman, Pa.  He spent three years in the United States Army, serving in Germany in the late 1960s and early 70s. Following his military service, he worked for Bethlehem Steel in Johnstown until the flood of 1977. 

In 1979, Denton attended Vale Technical Institute, graduating with an associate degree.  He was employed as an automobile mechanic until he entered active ministry in 1991.  He attended Mount Aloysius College and Wesley Theological Seminary, graduating in 1996. 

Denton has served the Mahaffey Charge, Ferndale UM Church and currently Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church.  He has served on the board at Camp Allegheny and on the DCOM for the Connellsville District.   Denton was ordained an Associate member and Deacon.  His passion is preaching.

Denton and Cathie Lester have been married for 53 years and have five children and 15 grandchildren.  They enjoy the ministry together and have been actively involved together since the beginning of the journey.  They enjoy traveling and seeing the country.  Denton is an avid hunter and likes to garden while Cathie is a crafter and seamstress. 
 

About Wesley Chapel UMC

Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Rockwood is located in the Laurel Highlands along the ridges of Somerset and Fayette counties.  Wesley Chapel is a country church with an active congregation involved in their community and with a mindset on mission. Many of the church's programs are ministry to the local community, including feeding programs and other local missions.

Wesley Chapel recently celebrated 150 years of ministry and are looking forward to another 150 years in faithful service to the Lord.  Wesley Chapel is a congregation of families, young and old, who are involved in the church.  Fathers attend, mothers attend, families attend and they are faithful on a weekly basis.  The congregation is conservative and very bible-based.  There are many Sunday school classes for all ages, including good youth participation.  A weekly bible study is well attended. Wesley Chapel is sound in doctrine and sound in faith.  We continue to grow.
 

About Peggy Senior

Peggy Senior was appointed as associate pastor of Lakeside UMC in DuBois, serving part-time, effective Feb. 1, 2022. 

Born and raised in the DuBois, PA area., she has worked in banking, real estate and insurance and has owned her own business, a commercial and residential cleaning service, for the past 17 years.  Peggy has two married daughters and four grandchildren, as well as a cat, three grand-cats and a grand-dog. Peggy says her interests vary based on the time she has available. Her business takes a great deal of her time. She enjoys watching her grandson play football and her granddaughter being a cheerleader.  The older grandchildren have varied interests and she is involved with them as often as possible.
 

About DuBois Lakeside Associate

Located in Clearfield County in the City of DuBois, Lakeside celebrated 125 years of ministry in the name of Jesus Christ in 2018. The church strives to help people become the people that God created them to be. They believe that life with Jesus is the best kind of life, and make it their mission to help all people know God, love God and others and serve the world. Lakeside offers a traditional worship service every Sunday at 8 a.m. and a more casual service at 10:30 a.m. that is also live-streamed. The church has active youth, evangelism, and outreach programs, an energetic children’s program and a Mother’s Day Out Preschool. 

Lakeside strives to “Share God’s Love Everyday with Everyone” through the power of the Holy Spirit. 
 

About Ross T. Pryor

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi has appointed the Rev. Ross Pryor to serve as Superintendent of the Washington District, effective Jan. 1, 2022.  Rev. Paul Ritchey, the current Washington DS, will move to the Greensburg District when Rev. Patricia Nelson returns to local church ministry as pastor of Holiday Park UMC after nearly eight years on the Cabinet. 

The Rev. Ross Pryor was born and raised in New Kensington, PA. After graduating from high school, he earned an A.S. in Business Management before heading into the work force. In 2003, while attending Vermont Baptist Church in Creighton, PA, Ross received his call into pastoral ministry. That summer, Ross moved to Johnstown, PA and began attending his home church, Oakland United Methodist Church. It was there that he began his journey toward pastoral ministry in the Wesleyan tradition.

In April of 2006, he received his first appointment, Trinity and Trinity Asbury UMCs in Johnstown. Ross served those congregations and the communities in Johnstown until 2008, when he received his B.A. in Sociology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In the fall of that year, he began seminary studies at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio and graduated with a M.Div. in 2011.

While attending seminary, he was appointed to Speers and Dunlevy UMC, a charge that eventually expanded to include Charleroi First UMC. In 2013, Ross became the pastor of West Washington and Jefferson Avenue United Methodist churches in the city of Washington, PA.  Since 2019, Ross has served as the pastor of Aliquippa First UMC and in 2020, Monaca UMC was added to the charge.  Ross is the proud father of one son, Lawrence, an Army Reservist and college student.
 
Ross has been blessed with the spiritual gifts of teaching and preaching and is also passionate about his role for many years as a youth advisor. Since 2005, Ross has worked with the Conference youth, teaching youth and youth leaders about their Christian journey and how to bring their witness back to their schools, churches and communities.  Regardless of the audience, Ross feels he is called to empower servant leaders and the church body to carry out God’s will through community outreach and discipleship.

He also has held numerous other leadership roles in the Conference, serving as a member of the Episcopacy Committee, the Board of Ordained Ministry, and co-chair of the task force that led the listening posts in preparation for the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference. 

 

About Washington District

The Washington District, in the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania, is a place of diversity. Its borders touch Ohio, West Virginia and four other districts and include many small towns, several small cities and a various rural areas. Congregations  are privileged to serve in several college settings, in ministry to homeless people, the elderly, those struggling with issues of poverty and other marginalized individuals. Congregations offer fellowship to all who desire a relationship with Jesus Christ. Mission/Outreach is the heart of the Washington District.

The 78 churches provide a variety of worship styles including contemporary, traditional and small group settings. Serving these congregations are elders, licensed local pastors, retired pastors, certified lay ministers, a deacon and a host of dedicated lay servants. The Holy Spirit is active and present in the Washington District. It is a wonderful place to serve the Lord.
 

About Paul E. Ritchey

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi has appointed Rev. Paul Ritchey, who currently serves as the Washington District Superintendent, to serve as the Greensburg District Superintendent. Greensburg DS Pat Nelson, who has served in the post since 2014, will begin serving as pastor of the Holiday Park UMC, effective Jan. 1, 2022. A new superintendent will be named for the Washington District. 

Paul Ritchey has a heart for disciple making and helping people to develop and prioritize the spiritual disciplines in their lives.  He advocates for missional involvement through the church and works with people to help them see beyond the walls of the church to take the gospel to the community.  He continues to assist congregations in overcoming the barriers between church and community, and has built a strong level of trust in the areas in which he has served with local leaders and other churches.

Paul grew up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and graduated from Westmont Hilltop High School.  He attended Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics and graduated with an Associate Degree in Specialized Technology, and two FAA Aircraft Maintenance licenses.  He later graduated from Geneva College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resource Management and entered seminary in 1999.  He graduated from Ashland Theological Seminary in 2002.

Paul married his wife Suzanne in the winter of 1984, before relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, where he worked for several years at the Lockheed Georgia Company.  In the Spring of 1987, the Ritcheys moved to Cincinnati, Ohio to work for General Electric.  After seven years with GE, including four serving as the night manager for the GE/F110 engine test facility at Edwards Air Force Base, they relocated back to Pennsylvania where Paul worked as a general manager for MTS Technologies in Johnstown.  He went on to become the Production Manager for Kuchera Industries Electronics Manufacturing in Windber, PA. 

Paul and Suzanne have two children, Kate Almasy, a math professor at CCAC in Pittsburgh, and Austin, a business analyst for PPG in Cranberry Township.

During seminary, Paul pastored the Paradise Hill United Methodist Church in Ashland Ohio.  After seminary he served in the Pittsburgh-East and Greensburg districts at the Wesley/Versailles Charge and was ordained in 2005.  In 2008, the family moved to Commodore, PA, where he pastored the Purchase Line United Methodist Church.  In 2013 they were appointed to the First United Methodist Church of Punxsutawney, where Paul has served as the senior pastor.

In 2020, Paul was honored to join the cabinet as the District Superintendent for the Washington District, and now continues to celebrate that privilege as the new Superintendent for the Greensburg District.
 
 

About Greensburg District

About Patricia M. Nelson

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi has appointed Rev. Pat Nelson to serve as senior pastor of the Holiday Park United Methodist Church, effective January 1, 2022.  Pat Nelson has been in ministry for more than 30 years, serving four local churches before being appointed in 2014 to serve with the people of the Greensburg District as their superintendent. In one of her appointments, she was on the pastoral team of a large church, with a specific emphasis on congregational care. In 2008, Pat obtained a GBHEM certification in Older Adult Ministry and has utilized that education in her pastoral ministry. She values the faith legacies that older adults bring to the church.

Pat has served in key leadership positions at both the Conference and District level and has a solid, practical appreciation for our connectional system in the United Methodist Church. Pat has a heart for congregational care, values partnering with laity, and enjoys preaching and administration. Her main focus in ministry is equipping and empowering people of all ages to grow and mature in their love and witness for Jesus.

Pat and her husband Paul operate as a team in their approach to ministry. For fun, they've been known to square dance and ride intense roller coasters. They have a soft place in their hearts for some dear friends in Zimbabwe. Their motto is: "Life is short. Try new things. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty."  
The Nelsons look forward to this next chapter in ministry with the folks at the Holiday Park UMC and trust God's continued direction in all of the aspects of their lives and ministry. 

 

About Holiday Park United Methodist Church

Holiday Park United Methodist Church was created in 1967 in Plum Borough, combining Sardis Methodist Church and Holiday Park Evangelical United Brethren Church. The church has many ministries to serve the local community and help to create disciples of Christ. The church has an active music ministry with very talented musicians and singers at each of its three weekly worship services. There is a Cherub Choir, a bell choir and a band on special occasions. Holiday Park also has a large well-respected preschool and Sunday School program, as well as an active youth group. Discipleship and small groups are the foundation of their life together, and a large percentage of the congregation is involved in intentional discipleship opportunities.

The church has an excellent media ministry which allows them to live stream services on YouTube and Facebook Live. They are also blessed to have services televised on Cornerstone Network.   
 
Holiday Park United Methodist Church has an active Outreach Ministry as well. Included in that is a Caring Ministry whose members visit individuals confined to their homes or health care facilities. The ABC Quilters  have made hundreds of quilts given to at-risk babies. The church has sent a mission team to Philippi, WV each year since 1988, except during the pandemic in 2020, to work on homes in the area. They also are currently involved in an effort to provide water to the West Harare District in Zimbabwe as part of a long relationship in which church members have traveled to witness the need first hand.  The Holiday Park church is honored to house the Plum Food Pantry and many in the congregation actively assist with this vital service to the community.
 
 

About Amanda Mitchell

Amanda Mitchell has been appointed as clergy to serve as Coordinator of Young People’s Ministry for the Western PA Conference. She has served in the role as a layperson since 2016.

Amanda has a degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University of PA and has volunteered in all types of ministry within the local church. She loves helping youth and young adults grab hold of their calling and wants them to be equipped to lead in whatever setting they find themselves. She believes that ministry is not only all the big things, but the “million little things” pastors do to care deeply for the people God puts before them. She will continue as the Director of Discipleship at Monroeville UMC as a lay staff member.
 
Amanda has just started her second year as a Master of Divinity student at United Theological Seminary. She completed Licensing School in the summer of 2021 and is a certified ministry coach. She also volunteers as the adult co-coordinator of the Northeast Jurisdiction Council on Youth Ministry.
 
Amanda enjoys going to see movies, reading, and spending time with her kids, Samuel and Olivia, and their dog Captain.
 

About WPAUMC Coordinator of Young People's Ministry

The WPAUMC Coordinator of Young People's Ministry provides resources, connection, and training for local church youth leaders and their young people; oversees the Conference Youth Ministry Team; assists with the Conference Young Adult Council, and hosts events that connect youth and leaders around the Conference. 

About Doug Dyson

Rev. Doug Dyson grew up one of four sons of a United Methodist pastor in New Jersey, spending most of his childhood in Princeton, NJ. After high school he married his high school sweetheart Linda and together they raised their two married biological daughters Casey (31) and Heather (30) along with six adopted children Shayne (23), Evan (22), Chris (22), Tyler (22), Samantha (21), and Daymon (20).

Rev. Dyson studied psychology at Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, NJ. He received his Masters of Divinity, with a focused specialization in Church Revitalization and Renewal, from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH.

Rev. Dyson began in ministry in the same conference in which his father served, starting as a student pastor in 1996. Through his ministry there he served in rural, suburban, and urban settings in both small and large churches, crossing denominational lines. Although he got his start in the United Methodist Church, in 2002 the family relocated to Punxsutawney, PA to run a youth center for the Salvation Army. For a time, he served as interim pastor for the Independent Reformed Church, St. John’s in Sprankle Mills, PA, before returning to the United Methodist church in 2007 as a local pastor serving in the Marchand Charge and began the process towards full ordination in the Western PA Annual Conference. He was ordained an Elder in 2017. He has been serving since 2016 at Sharon First UMC and currently is senior pastor of the Sharon Area Cooperative Ministry.

Pastor Doug’s passion is summed up in the quote, “A great commitment to the Great Commission lived out through the Great Commandment makes a great church.” He believes that Jesus calls us to love God with all that we are (an ever-deepening discipleship for every believer) and to love our neighbor with all that we have (This is a love that is ACTION above all). For Pastor Doug, this is the very heart of the Christian call.

In his new appointment, Doug will provide leadership in developing systems and implementing strategies for revitalizing existing congregations and new meeting places for new people. In addition, he will work closely with all congregations within the Synod as well as the Synod Council, the Bishop, and newly formed Cooperative Parish
 

About Northwest PA Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The Northwest PA Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is comprised of 74 congregations in the northwest corner of Pennsylvania. The territory covers all or part of 15 counties: Armstrong, Cameron, Crawford, Clarion, Elk, Erie, Forest, Indiana, Jefferson, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Venango, Warren, and Westmoreland. 

The United Methodist Church is in full communion relationship with the ELCA. 
 

About Kellie Wild

Rev. Kellie Wild is the new Director of Program Effectiveness for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
 
Born and raised in Cecil, Washington County, PA, Kellie graduated from Canon McMillan High School and attended Allegheny College, where she did a 3-2 program with Thomas Jefferson University, earning her BS in Biology from Allegheny and a BS in Physical Therapy from Thomas Jefferson. In 1994 Kellie graduated from Duquesne University School of Law and in 2011 graduated with her MDiv from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Kellie worked as a physical therapist in many different settings and, after attending law school, became Chief Operating Officer for a local healthcare company. At the start of her seminary training Kellie was the Executive Director of a small nonprofit and then a Program Director.

Kellie’s appointments, during seminary and after graduation and ordination as an elder in 2011, have been to extension ministries.  Her appointments included: Light of Life Rescue Mission, East End Cooperative Ministry, and, most recently, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. She is also actively involved in the Three Rivers Walk to Emmaus Community and has served as its Community Spiritual Director for the past three years. Kellie is part of the Pittsburgh District Missional Strategy Team and the Anti-racism Team. She also leads anti-racism seminars and supports Reconciling Ministries.

Kellie’s passions and gifts include ministering to those in the margins and calling the church to move beyond its walls and into the community. She is also passionate about achieving equity and full inclusion for all of God’s children.

Kellie married Michael in 1988 and they are the parents of Matthew, 25, and Douglas, 23. Kellie enjoys her dog Moose, hiking, yard work, and having fun with friends and family.
 

About Catholic Charities, Diocese of Pittsburgh

Catholic Charities is the primary social service arm of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh and serves all regardless of religious affiliation.

Its Mission:  “Inspired by Jesus’ teachings and focused on lasting solutions, we serve our communities’ critical needs with compassion, healing and hope.” The vision is “Relying on God’s providence and embracing the call of the gospel and the social teachings of the Church, Catholic Charities is dedicated to championing the dignity of the person, improving the quality of life, and advocating for the social good of the human family, so that the poor and vulnerable, always welcomed and loved, embrace opportunities necessary to realize their potential.”

As the Director of Program Effectiveness, Kellie will focus on programming which gives those in distress a fresh vision of worth and possibility as a child of God.  She will oversee the programs offered in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington counties. See the website www.ccpgh.org for a complete listing of services provided.
 

About Kimberly Greway

The Rev. Dr. Kimberly Greway was born and raised in Pittsburgh and graduated from North Hills High School.  She received a BA in French from Allegheny College, an MDiv from The Divinity School at Duke University,  and a DMin from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

 Prior to seminary, Kimberly served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zimbabwe, working in education, AIDS prevention, and small business development.

She has served in a variety of ministry settings, inlcuding the Poole and Swanage Circuit of the British Methodist Church in England, at Mt. Lebanon UMC in Pittsburgh; the Foundation of HOPE as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, and the Allegheny County Jail as Director of Chaplaincy.

Her greatest spiritual gift is apostleship which “compels people to reach out to new and unfamiliar groups and individuals to invite them into relationship with God and community. Apostles share the story of faith in other lands, cultures, and traditions, as well as welcoming the stranger in their own land. Apostles extend the hand of friendship to those of other generations, nations, and languages.” (www.umc.org)  She speaks three languages and has traveled to about 70 countries. 

Kimberly is married to Kenneth Hendrata and together they enjoy international travel, drinking tea from around the world, and singing in harmony, occasionally accompanied by their beagle Duke.
 

About St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church

Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is a 117-year-old congregation located in North Versailles, east of Pittsburgh. A Reconciling in Christ congregation, it seeks to serve the surrounding community in a number of ways, including major involvement in a community food pantry, MA’s Pantry. St. John’s regularly opens their doors for 12-step groups, community safety trainings, and as a public polling place. St. John’s hosts the east Pittsburgh site of the Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute.  The people of St. John’s love music and often use a sung Eucharistic liturgy.  The talents of the choir and bell choir add to the beauty of the liturgy. 
 
The purpose of St. John’s is to spread God’s love by providing a place at the table for every person.  The congregation embraces all people and believes that "we love alike, even if we think, live, and act differently. We strive to feed both our members and the community at large in faith and service." Guided by the Holy Spirit, St John’s exists to nurture an inclusive community of healing and love for all God’s children.  The people of St. John’s truly embrace their parish motto of: “A place for everyone.”


 

About Larry Miller

Born and raised in Meadville, Pa; Larry graduated from Meadville High School. He served in the United States Navy and then returned to the Saegertown area.  He was very active in the Saegertown United Methodist Church, teaching Junior & Senior High Sunday School for 30 years.  He also served as chair of the Mission Committee, as Lay Leader, and was on the SPRC Committee.  As a certified lay speaker, he has preached sermons at Saegertown and as a guest speaker in other United Methodists churches. He also taught Basic Lay Speaking and Advanced Preaching in the Erie-Meadville Lay Servant School.  A part of Larry’s ministry has always included music. He played in praise bands and other Christian musical groups.  He also enjoys puppet ministry and has a collection of colorful puppets who help him share the good news with children and adults. 

As a Certified Lay Minister candidate, Larry has been serving as a supply minister at Mumford Chapel and Faith Geneva UMC for the past 5 years. He and his wife Sharon have eight grandchildren and a puppy named Ezra. They love serving the Lord together
 

About Littles Corners/Hamlin Chapel

The Charge is a new alignment, returning to a two point charge after having been together with Bethany UMC in Meadville since the 1960’s.  The new alignment should allow the two rural churches to grow in their goals to reach their unique communities.

Little’s Corners is a community-oriented congregation in the Village of Little’s Corners.  The congregation is a vital presence in that community and works together with other community organizations to provide important services and ministries.  The church values biblical preaching and pastoral care as important aspects of their life together. Strong lay leadership is evidenced in all their ministry.

Hamlin Chapel is located one mile from Little’s Corners and has a unique and important ministry in its community.  The Church has cooperated with Littles Corners for children’s ministry and VBS for many years.  The two churches also have shared in Bible studies together.  The congregation values relational evangelism and Christian fellowship and understands itself to be “like a family.”  They have worked hard at being a welcoming and inviting congregation.  

Larry Miller’s experience in the church as a preacher, leader, and pastoral caregiver should aid this laity-driven charge in its quest to reach its community.