Erie-Meadville District News

1. Clergy and Church Profiles
   • ​​This year, it is mandatory to completely update your profile and the profile(s) of your church/churches prior to your meeting. If they are not updated ONE WEEK before your selected date/time, your meeting will be cancelled and rescheduled for a later date/time.
   • Updates should also include your contact information and the contact information of your church/churches (found under "Church Information" on the church dashboard) and current leadership (found under "Leaders" on the church dashboard).
2. 2022 Charge Conference Summary Form
   • ​​Make sure to use the updated version now available on the Conference website.
   • A physical or electronic copy is due to the District Office TWO WEEKS before your scheduled Charge Conference.

Self-Care Covenant Form

Resources for Anti-Racism Self-Discovery and Growth

(Adapted from www.wpaumc.org/DiversityResources. See also www.wpaumc.org/RespondingtoRacism for many more ideas.)

Conference Contact: Debra Mason, Diversity Development and Inclusion Coordinator

• 724-776-2300, ext. 2340
• Debra.Mason@wpaumc.org

General Resources:

• Timeline: Methodism in Black and White
• General Commission on Race and Religion: As a result of GCORR's work, the Church at all levels, all around the world, reflects and values the diversity of God's people.
• Asian-American Discipleship Ministries: Here you will find ministry ideas, news, and resources for the Asian-American communities.
• TED Talks on Race: Talks to help you understand racism in America.

Assessment:

• Project Implicit (Includes Testing): Investigate thoughts and feelings that exist outside of conscious awareness.

Reading:

• Amazon Anti-Racism Book List
• Waking Up White by Debby Irving: A study guide by Debby Irving is available online.
• Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
• Birth of a White Nation by Jacqueline Battalora
• I Bring the Voices of My People: A Womanist Vision for Racial Reconciliation by Chanequa Walker-Barnes
• I Am Not Your Negro by James Baldwin: A movie is available on Netflix, Amazon Prime.
• "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" by Peggy McIntosh
• Blogs on Diversity: The blog posts were one of many responses to a late 2015 Witnessing Whiteness Workshop with author and educator Shelly Tochluk.

And Many More!

(Additions from Rev. Ed Schoeneck.)

Reading:

• White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Dr. Robin DiAngelo: This book is very helpful in understanding the backlash from white communities and my own resistance to exploring the issue of racism. The video (below) begins to cover several of the main points of this book.
• How to Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi: This is a very challenging book. It helped me to see from a new and much deeper perspective.
• The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James H. Cone: Again, this is a very challenging book. In my view, it is a "must read" for any Christian who seeks to grow in their anti-racism work.
• Let's Talk! Dialogues on Race Initiative (The National Museum of African American History and Culture): This is an excellent resource that includes comprehensive material to complete at your own pace.

Videos:

• The Origin of Race in the USA (PBS Origins) 
• Finding Myself in the Story of Race | Debby Irving | TEDx Fenway
• Dr. Jacqueline Battalora - Birth of a White Nation
• Deconstructing White Privilege with Dr. Robin DiAngelo (GCORR)
• Kyle "Guante" Tran Myhre - How to Explain White Supremacy to a White Supremacist

"Transfiguration"
Sermon Only

"Clear Expectations"

The Post-Quarantine Church Discussion PowerPoint

Attached is the COVID-19 presentation from Tuesday, May 12th featuring Dr. Carol F. Encarnacion, MD, MPH, FACP, and Tammy Peters, BSN, RN, CIC, both of Meadville Medical Center.

COVID-19 Presentation Slides PDF

Could It Be Your Neighbor? Presentation

United Methodist Communications can help you communicate all the good you can. Use the new guide to find training courses, outreach tools, marketing support, giving resources, web ministry tips, grant opportunities, information sources, inspirational ideas, and more.

For those churches or individuals considering the deferral of payroll taxes (withholdings and/or payments) beginning September 1st, as authorized in an August 8th Presidential Executive Order, the Conference Treasurer's Office recommends against such action. Because the tax law cannot be changed through an executive order, any payroll taxes deferred will have to be paid at a later date. Should you have any questions, contact the Conference Treasurer at Roger.White@wpaumc.org.

New source for leadership products, resources, and more: www.umcgiving.outreach.com

For employment opportunities throughout the Conference, visit www.wpaumc.org/classifieds.
For internship opportunities, visit www.wpaumc.org/internships.

Stay up to date on the events and needs of our local ministries.

• All God's Children Ministries: www.allgodschildrenministries.org
• At The Lake Ministries: www.atthelakeministries.org
• Erie United Methodist Alliance (EUMA): www.euma-erie.org

Read the latest news about the May 2020 session of General Conference HERE.

Subscribe to Conference and/or District publications HERE.

There are a variety of scholarships available at www.umc.org/resources/scholarships and at www.wpaumc.org/scholarshipforms.
 

Local church grants available for outreach: The Foundation for Evangelism has opened the 2023 Equipping the Local Church grant cycle. A total of $350,000 is available for grants of $5,000 or $10,000 to small and medium-size congregations, or clusters of churches working together, in a Wesleyan-tradition denomination. A grant application webinar is set for 2-3 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Jan. 26. Learn more.

Scholarship for lay women available: The deadline to apply for the United Women in Faith National Scholarship for lay women is April 18. The scholarships are designed to be used for undergraduate or graduate study or student internships in religion or a related field such as social work. Preference will be given to people affiliated with The United Methodist Church and women involved with UWF. The average scholarship is $1,000, and the maximum is $5,000. Read press release.

Scholarships Available for United Methodist Students! Applications are now open for scholarships from the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. Every year, UMHEF awards $2+ million to students planning to attend one of the 100+ UM-related colleges, universities, and seminaries across the country. Don’t let finances get in the way of achieving your dreams of a quality education! Apply by March 1. (Scholarships from UMHEF are separate from those offered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.)