About Jason E. Schweinberg
Rev. Jason E. Schweinberg, an ordained elder in the Western Pennsylvania Conference, has been serving as a pastor since 2006. He also served for three years in the North Carolina Conference. In addition to doing pastoral work in two different conferences, he had the opportunity to serve as a hospice chaplain/medical social worker for over three years in the Greensburg, PA area.
Jason earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master of Science from the School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, and a Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. His home church, where he received his call into ministry, is Homestead Park United Methodist Church in the Pittsburgh district. Jason identifies preaching, building relationships and visitation as some of his gifts for ministry.
About United 4 Christ Charge
The churches of: Derry: First, Hillside, Lycippus: Calvary, and Pleasant Unity will become a new charge in 2021. They unanimously agreed to call themselves: “United 4 Christ” and intend to work together living into that new identity. Both the pastors and the churches are looking forward to a new chapter in ministry together.
Derry First United Methodist Church
It was 1867 when this congregation met in an old log schoolhouse. Their current church building was built in 1876 with the addition of an educational wing in 1977. In 2014, a new parsonage was built and they became a two-point charge with Hillside Methodist Church. Times have changed for the Derry community and the church. With the decline of the railroad and the closing of the Westinghouse plant, the population of Derry declined, as did church membership. Although the community of Derry has many families and school-aged children, the average age in our congregation is 50 years and older, with very few children. Their hope is to bring families with children back to church with a vital children’s ministry. The church is known for community involvement (Derry Railroad Days, Derry Great Garage Sale, Souper Bowl of Caring, etc.), VBS, and delicious fundraising dinners. It also houses the Derry Food Bank. The church and congregation have been and remain a stronghold for the Derry community.
Hillside United Methodist Church is a small rural church located in Hillside PA (between Derry and Blairsville). Founded June 10, 1854, the church has a traditional worship service. They became a sister church with Derry First UMC in 2014. The church the local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, collects “G” Bills to be used towards UMW and UMCOR Hygiene kits. They participate in the community yard sale, fill shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse, collect hats and gloves for local school children and non-perishable food for the local food bank. They also contribute for Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets for families in need.
The Lycippus Calvary United Methodist Church is a small congregation that attempts to make a big impact on the world around them. They search for ways to reach out and help others. They love to come together as a community with regular dinners and events to gather as a church. Through these and regular worship services they are constantly deepening their relationships with each other, in addition to their relationship with their Lord and Savior.
The Pleasant Unity United Methodist Church is a family-oriented congregation, consisting of generations of faithful people coming together to lift up each other and their community in service to our Lord. Missions have always been an area of great focus for this church, highlighted through the education of their youngest members on the importance of giving. This is done financially through collections taken by the children and given to organizations which support not just local, but regional and national missions. It is also done through the hosting and supporting of the local food bank. While the church respects its foundations and traditions, it has shown a great strength in the face of changes in the past year and continually adapts to its environment, encouraging connection in the time of isolation though different forms of communication, including online services, monthly newsletters, and regular mailings