2018 Appointments
Appointments effective July 1, except where noted.
Sorted by Announced Date
Brauer to serve Coolspring/Ramsaytown
Announced: 06-03-2018
About Donald R. Brauer
Donald R. Brauer was born and raised on Long Island, NY. After graduating from high school he enlisted in the Navy and served as a ship's electrician aboard a rescue/salvage ship operating along the coast of Vietnam during that war. After returning home, he worked as a laborer, factory mechanic, janitor, and graphic artist.
After receiving Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, Don attended Franciscan University and later Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Before retiring in 2017, he served the churches of the Juneau Charge/Indiana Dist., Johnstown: Calvary UMC/Johnstown Dist., and McMasters/Turtle Creek UMC/Greensburg Dist.
After receiving Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, Don attended Franciscan University and later Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Before retiring in 2017, he served the churches of the Juneau Charge/Indiana Dist., Johnstown: Calvary UMC/Johnstown Dist., and McMasters/Turtle Creek UMC/Greensburg Dist.
Don married his wife Debbie 30 years ago in the same month and year that he graduated from Franciscan University. They are the parents of two adult children, Abby and Paul.
About Coolspring/Ramseytown Charge
Beverly Spore to Serve in Leechburg
Announced: 03-18-2018
About Beverly A. Spore
Rev. Beverly A. Spore was born and raised in Somerset County, PA, and grew up in a small United Methodist church on a four-point charge. She married her high-school sweetheart and joined the Roman Catholic Church. Ten years and two children later, she got divorced and moved to Johnstown, PA. There she attended the University of Pittsburgh, earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in biology, and worked in environmental and occupational health and safety for a Department of Defense contractor. During this time, Rev. Spore returned to the United Methodist Church, grew in discipleship, heard and answered a call to ministry.
Rev. Spore graduated in 2008 with a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY, and was ordained as a full elder in 2012. She served the Hopeful Heart Trinity Charge in the Erie-Meadville District and Indian Creek (later Yough Parish) Charge in Connellsville District.
Beverly now is married to the Rev. Dr. Andrew P. Spore, also an ordained United Methodist elder. Between them, the couple has six children living in Johnstown, Erie, and Los Angeles, and one grandchild, who lives in Johnstown.
Rev. Spore is an artsy-craftsy type who also enjoys reading, puzzles, games, playing hostess, and watching Survivor. Her gifts for ministry include preaching, teaching, creativity, and organization. She has a passion for helping people grow in their faith in Jesus and maturing in their discipleship.
Together, the Spores enjoy traveling and have recently purchased property in New Mexico.
Together, the Spores enjoy traveling and have recently purchased property in New Mexico.
About Leechburg: First UMC
Leechburg First UMC is the most northern church in the Greensburg District. Its mission is “Growing, Loving and Serving in Christ’s Name.” The congregation lives out that mission through the various ministries of the church. They offer two services each Sunday morning and Sunday school for all ages. For adults there are small group studies.
The people of the church are blessed to have the Leechburg Area School District in their “back yard” and are finding ways to be in ministry to the children in the area. One of their ministries is the Bible Discovery program, an afterschool program each spring and fall for the elementary students. The congregation works with other churches in the community to provide Vacation Bible School each summer. There is also a feeding ministry to homeless people that the church participates in every month. LFUMC also hosts the ministerial food bank.
The people of the church are blessed to have the Leechburg Area School District in their “back yard” and are finding ways to be in ministry to the children in the area. One of their ministries is the Bible Discovery program, an afterschool program each spring and fall for the elementary students. The congregation works with other churches in the community to provide Vacation Bible School each summer. There is also a feeding ministry to homeless people that the church participates in every month. LFUMC also hosts the ministerial food bank.
Yurko to Serve Youngwood:Christ UMC
Announced: 03-11-2018
About Joseph Yurko
Joseph Yurko was born and raised in North Braddock PA, where he grew up in the Muhleman Memorial UMC. As a young person, he was active in local, district, and conference United Methodist youth programs.
A 1993 graduate of Thiel College in Greenville, he earned his M.Div. from The Methodist Theological School of Ohio in 1998. He has served in a variety of settings since his return to Western Pennsylvania, most recently as pastor of Sharpsville and Oakland Ave. UM churches in the Franklin District.
Joe has always been passionate about relationships, and sought ways to better those relationships, both with others and with God. His preaching and teaching style is conversational and he strives to meet people on a variety of levels.
Married in 2006, Joe and his wife Adaina (Dana) have two children, Tyler (20) and Zakery (15). Joe’s mother Rebecca also lives with the family. The family includes two boxer dogs, Owen and Leia. For fun, the family likes to go fishing, but also enjoys being together no matter where they are.
A 1993 graduate of Thiel College in Greenville, he earned his M.Div. from The Methodist Theological School of Ohio in 1998. He has served in a variety of settings since his return to Western Pennsylvania, most recently as pastor of Sharpsville and Oakland Ave. UM churches in the Franklin District.
Joe has always been passionate about relationships, and sought ways to better those relationships, both with others and with God. His preaching and teaching style is conversational and he strives to meet people on a variety of levels.
Married in 2006, Joe and his wife Adaina (Dana) have two children, Tyler (20) and Zakery (15). Joe’s mother Rebecca also lives with the family. The family includes two boxer dogs, Owen and Leia. For fun, the family likes to go fishing, but also enjoys being together no matter where they are.
About Youngwood: Christ UMC
Christ United Methodist Church is located two blocks off Rt 119, south of Greensburg in the community of Youngwood, where there are two United Methodist churches. Christ offered two weekly worship services, one traditional and one contemporary with a time of fellowship called Mission Café between them. The church has rebounding children (K-Force) and youth ministries (G-Force) that meet weekly.
The well-maintained, fully accessible facility is used by multiple community groups. It houses a Community Clothing Closet and Food Bank, hosts weekly NA and AA groups, and provides meeting space for civic and business groups. This last year it were the regional drop-off for Operation Christmas Child boxes.
The leadership has set their goals around the theme of HOPE:
The well-maintained, fully accessible facility is used by multiple community groups. It houses a Community Clothing Closet and Food Bank, hosts weekly NA and AA groups, and provides meeting space for civic and business groups. This last year it were the regional drop-off for Operation Christmas Child boxes.
The leadership has set their goals around the theme of HOPE:
- Hospitality - inviting, welcoming, receiving of new people;
- Offering Christ - offering opportunities to make a commitment to Christ;
- Participation-growing in faith by participating in the means of grace;
- Engaging the Community – Sharing God’s love by serving others in word and deed.
Check To Serve Greensburg Otterbein UMC
Announced: 03-04-2018
About Dawn Lynn Check
Dawn Lynn Check was born and raised in Braddock Hills, just outside of Pittsburgh. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, she began her career in broadcasting as the third generation of her family to work at WTAE. She moved on to be a talk show producer at KDKA Radio, where she met her husband Doran.
Dawn Lynn was executive director of United Campus Ministry, serving the campuses of Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh and Chatham University for 11 years. She went to seminary at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and was ordained a deacon in 2001.
After UCM closed, she served Swissvale UMC part-time and worked full time in public relations for the Plum Borough School District. She also served as pastor of Creighton: Janes UMC and began serving as director of communications for the Conference in 2011. Ordained an elder in 2014, she moved back into local ministry as pastor of McKeesport: West Side and Dravosburg UMCs in September of 2015 She has served at at Freeport UMC and Natrona Heights: Grace UMC, since July 1, 2016.
Dawn Lynn and her husband have three children—Jacob, 28; AJ, 23; and Regan, 19.
Dawn Lynn was executive director of United Campus Ministry, serving the campuses of Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh and Chatham University for 11 years. She went to seminary at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and was ordained a deacon in 2001.
After UCM closed, she served Swissvale UMC part-time and worked full time in public relations for the Plum Borough School District. She also served as pastor of Creighton: Janes UMC and began serving as director of communications for the Conference in 2011. Ordained an elder in 2014, she moved back into local ministry as pastor of McKeesport: West Side and Dravosburg UMCs in September of 2015 She has served at at Freeport UMC and Natrona Heights: Grace UMC, since July 1, 2016.
Dawn Lynn and her husband have three children—Jacob, 28; AJ, 23; and Regan, 19.
About Greensburg: Otterbein UMC
Otterbein United Methodist Church is located in the cultural district of the city of Greensburg. There are two services each Sunday and Sunday School for all ages. Otterbein is a very community-minded congregation and well known for many outreach ministries. The church hosts the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner and supports many agencies across Greensburg and Westmoreland County. Otterbein is also the home of Feeding the Spirit, a non-profit group dedicated to nourishing the bodies, minds and spirits of those in need in the Greensburg community.
In addition to outreach programs, Otterbein offers many children and youth programs such as Wacky Wednesday, VBS, and a youth group, as well as many family friendly activities all year long. Otterbein also is known for its many music ministries - choir, youth chime choir, hand bell choir as well as many individuals with musical talents.
The Otterbein congregation believes that Greensburg, the township, the county and the whole world are places where God calls us to serve! God is always calling us to new ways to serve!
In addition to outreach programs, Otterbein offers many children and youth programs such as Wacky Wednesday, VBS, and a youth group, as well as many family friendly activities all year long. Otterbein also is known for its many music ministries - choir, youth chime choir, hand bell choir as well as many individuals with musical talents.
The Otterbein congregation believes that Greensburg, the township, the county and the whole world are places where God calls us to serve! God is always calling us to new ways to serve!
Peterman Appointed to Harrison City
Announced: 02-18-2018
About Jerrad Peterman
Jerrad Peterman, who has served the Leechburg First UMC since 2012, will become the pastor of congregational care at Community United Methodist Church, Harrison City, effective July 1, 2018. Prior to being appointed in Leechburg, he served as pastor at Oak View UMC (Waynesburg), Sykesville Grace UMC, Pleasant Valley UMC, and Trinity UMC (DuBois). While in seminary he also was hired by his district superintendent to serve Port Barnett UMC and Mead Chapel UMC.
Jerrad graduated from Clarion University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and in 2003 earned a Master of Divinity degree from Methodist Theological School in Ohio. While at Clarion, he met Becky, whom he married in 1995. The couple has one daughter, Emma, who will graduate from Leechburg High School in May 2018. She has been accepted andcommitted to attend Allegheny College in the fall to study neuroscience and psychology. Her plan is to become a forensic pathologist.
Beyond the local church, Jerrad has been a member of the Washington District DCoM. Jerrad, Becky and Emma all serve on the Annual Conference Sessions housing team. He also is the Conference Sessions voucher agent.
Jerrad graduated from Clarion University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and in 2003 earned a Master of Divinity degree from Methodist Theological School in Ohio. While at Clarion, he met Becky, whom he married in 1995. The couple has one daughter, Emma, who will graduate from Leechburg High School in May 2018. She has been accepted andcommitted to attend Allegheny College in the fall to study neuroscience and psychology. Her plan is to become a forensic pathologist.
Beyond the local church, Jerrad has been a member of the Washington District DCoM. Jerrad, Becky and Emma all serve on the Annual Conference Sessions housing team. He also is the Conference Sessions voucher agent.
About Harrison City Community
Recognized for their weekend worship experiences, Community offers vibrant modern and meaningful traditional worship. Lifting up Jesus and the authority of God’s Word, the unchurched and de-churched are connecting with Jesus. With overflowing adult, student, and children’s ministries, Community is in the middle of a building project. The new worship space, café/gathering areas, and youth and kids’ wings will become places where people gather to follow Jesus and then launch into the world to lead others to Him. Community actively meets the needs of people locally, regionally, and globally. Building and supporting sister churches in Uganda and India, they believe the world really is within their reach. Their hope is to become a multi-site movement along with “mothering” challenged churches and planting new churches.
The pastor of community care (PCC) is tasked with the responsibility of leading and developing proactive care ministries. The PCC will provide strategy and oversight of the Pastoral Care Team, manage care ministries (Grief Share, Divorce Care), supervise Stephen Ministry, counsel and administer solutions for families in need, and lead and launch teams for other caregiving in the church and community.
The pastor of community care (PCC) is tasked with the responsibility of leading and developing proactive care ministries. The PCC will provide strategy and oversight of the Pastoral Care Team, manage care ministries (Grief Share, Divorce Care), supervise Stephen Ministry, counsel and administer solutions for families in need, and lead and launch teams for other caregiving in the church and community.
Chung to Serve as Johnstown DS
Announced: 02-05-2018
About Sung Shik Chung
Sung Chung, a native of Seoul, South Korea, has served for 17 years in the Western PA Conference, the past five years at Otterbein United Methodist Church in Greensburg District. During that time he has served beyond the local church at the District, Conference and Jurisdictional levels.
One of the Rev. Chung's strengths is his varied experience in local churches. He has served as an associate pastor, pastor of a multiple-point charge in a rural area, pastor in a small town, and pastor of an inner city church. All of them have been cross-racial/cross-cultural appointments.
Before being appointed to the Otterbein church, he served West Middlesex from 2008-2013, Clintonville Charge (Clintonville: Grace, Peters Chapel, and Rankin Chapel) from 2003-2008, and Mercer as an associate from 2001-2003. All are in the Franklin District.
He has served many years on the District Committee on Ministry, both in the Franklin and Greensburg districts. He also has served as a clergy mentor.
On the Conference level, he has been part of the Believe Again! Implementation Team, Directional Oversight Team, Conference Connectional Leadership Team, Ethnic Local Church Concerns, Conference Budget Team, Clergy Evaluation Task Force, and Board of Ministry.
Rev. Chung was elected as a delegate to the 2016 Jurisdictional Conference and is currently a member of the Rules Committee of Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference.
He earned his B.A. degree in theology from Hyupsung University in South Korea and his Master of Divinity degree from Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas and was ordained an Elder in 2006.
He and his wife Jihye have three children: Andrew,16; Leah, 12, and Daniel, 8 months. Andrew, an 11th grader, serves on the denomination's General Board of Global Ministries and on the Conference Youth Ministry Team.
Rev. Chung's passion for ministry is to share Christ’s love with all the people in daily ordinary life. He believes that every day is a blessing of God, every person is an image of God, in every place there is the presence of God, and every moment is an opportunity to witness the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
Rev. Chung said he is very humbled and honored to be the first Asian-American District Superintendent in the Western Pennsylvania Conference and looks forward to wonderful ministries with the faithful disciples in Johnstown District.
One of the Rev. Chung's strengths is his varied experience in local churches. He has served as an associate pastor, pastor of a multiple-point charge in a rural area, pastor in a small town, and pastor of an inner city church. All of them have been cross-racial/cross-cultural appointments.
Before being appointed to the Otterbein church, he served West Middlesex from 2008-2013, Clintonville Charge (Clintonville: Grace, Peters Chapel, and Rankin Chapel) from 2003-2008, and Mercer as an associate from 2001-2003. All are in the Franklin District.
He has served many years on the District Committee on Ministry, both in the Franklin and Greensburg districts. He also has served as a clergy mentor.
On the Conference level, he has been part of the Believe Again! Implementation Team, Directional Oversight Team, Conference Connectional Leadership Team, Ethnic Local Church Concerns, Conference Budget Team, Clergy Evaluation Task Force, and Board of Ministry.
Rev. Chung was elected as a delegate to the 2016 Jurisdictional Conference and is currently a member of the Rules Committee of Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference.
He earned his B.A. degree in theology from Hyupsung University in South Korea and his Master of Divinity degree from Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas and was ordained an Elder in 2006.
He and his wife Jihye have three children: Andrew,16; Leah, 12, and Daniel, 8 months. Andrew, an 11th grader, serves on the denomination's General Board of Global Ministries and on the Conference Youth Ministry Team.
Rev. Chung's passion for ministry is to share Christ’s love with all the people in daily ordinary life. He believes that every day is a blessing of God, every person is an image of God, in every place there is the presence of God, and every moment is an opportunity to witness the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
Rev. Chung said he is very humbled and honored to be the first Asian-American District Superintendent in the Western Pennsylvania Conference and looks forward to wonderful ministries with the faithful disciples in Johnstown District.
About Johnstown District
Centered in the breath-taking Laurel Highlands, the Johnstown District encompasses all of Cambria County, as well as portions of Somerset, Bedford, Clearfield, and Indiana counties. The Johnstown District is home to 84 United Methodist churches – some are small, others are large; some are single-point churches, while others share ministry on multi-point charges or in cooperative parishes; some are in the city, while others are in small towns and rural settings; some offer traditional expressions of worship, while others praise God through contemporary worship. No matter their differences, all of the churches of the Johnstown District have a passion for serving Jesus Christ! Across the District, United Methodist clergy and laity are striving to make disciples for Jesus and transform the world for the sake of our Savior!
Among the notable ministries on the District are United Methodist Human Services of Johnstown, a mission agency that has been offering tangible resources to persons in need since 1977; Arbutus Park, a retirement community rooted in the United Methodist tradition that offers multiple living options; and JUMP, a volunteer home repair ministry centered in the city of Johnstown that has recently expanded into offering transitional housing for men seeking a more stable life. In addition to these particular ministries, all of the churches are involved in implementing and supporting local, national and global missions and ministries.
Among the notable ministries on the District are United Methodist Human Services of Johnstown, a mission agency that has been offering tangible resources to persons in need since 1977; Arbutus Park, a retirement community rooted in the United Methodist tradition that offers multiple living options; and JUMP, a volunteer home repair ministry centered in the city of Johnstown that has recently expanded into offering transitional housing for men seeking a more stable life. In addition to these particular ministries, all of the churches are involved in implementing and supporting local, national and global missions and ministries.
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