Erie-Meadville District News


Announcements

Upcoming Annual Forms    more info

  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

Resources

Anti-Racism Resources

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:

Assessment:

Reading:

And Many More!

(Additions from Rev. Ed Schoeneck.)

Reading:

Videos:


District Superintendent Sermons

"Transfiguration"
Sermon Only

"Clear Expectations"


The Post-Quarantine Church Discussion

COVID-19 Presentation

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?

Local Church Communications Guide    more info

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.


Pondering the Payroll Tax Deferral?

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.


UMC Resources

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


Conference News

Below you will find some conference news relevant to Erie-Meadville District. To see all conference news, go to the News section at the very top of this page.
Conference Announces New Supervisory Model (read more )

5/27/2023

The past few years have been difficult for us all, due in large part to the COVID pandemic and conversations around disaffiliation. Yet, despite this challenging season we have been witness to innovative ways of doing ministry that cares for both United Methodists and new people seeking a faith community. We celebrate the emerging relationships and opportunities as vital and unique ministries flourish, in spite of significant upheaval. While the full impact of disaffiliation is yet unknown, ... read more


Conference Launches Lighthouse Congregations (read more )

4/17/2023

This season of disaffiliation is painful for many, especially for those who wish to remain part of the United Methodist Church but are members of churches that have voted to leave the denomination. Conference leadership has heard from some of these individuals and the most pervasive question is, “Where do I go now?” As conversations evolved about how to best care for those who may be feeling adrift, leadership turned to the connection and researched how other conferences are caring for people ... read more


Seminar with Rev. Mike Slaughter Provides Encouragement, Challenges, and Passion for Local Churches (read more )

3/21/2023

Developing passionate churches of mission in action is a process that requires pushing beyond methodology to realize the theology that is the DNA of the church, explained Rev. Mike Slaughter at the “Leading in a Post-Pandemic Post-Denominational World” March 18 seminar hosted by Edinboro UMC. Edinboro UMC Pastor Ed Schoeneck and WPAUMC Director of Congregational Development and Revitalization Rob Wilson gave brief opening remarks. Erie-Meadville District Superintendent Rev. Dennis Swineford ... read more


Jesus Christ is Our Anchor (read more )

9/6/2022

We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf has entered, having become a high priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.  Hebrews 6:19-20 Siblings in Christ,   I pray that all our souls are anchored in Christ, who is our hope.    This past summer I had the opportunity to rest and relax with my husband and fur baby, be educated around leadership and my African American ... read more


Episcopacy Committee Thanks Bishop Moore-Koikoi (read more )

7/7/2022

The 2021-2022 Committee on Episcopacy today released a statement thanking Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi for her continued care and leadership of the Western Pennsylvania Conference, while she also served with Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball of West Virginia as Interim Bishops of the Harrisburg Area, which includes the Susquehanna Conference. The shared leadership model was announced shortly before Harrisburg Area Bishop Jeremiah Park retired in 2021. The 2021-2022 Committee on Episcopacy of The ... read more


Quick Links

Employment Opportunities and Internships

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

Local Ministries

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

POSTPONED: 2020 General Conference

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

Publication Subscriptions

Subscribe to Conference and/or District publications HERE.

Scholarships and Grants

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.)

October Birthdays

Terry Shaughnessy - October 6

Harry Zurasky - October 6

Nicole Crouch - October 21

Mary Stewart - October 27

October Anniversaries

Caleb Fugate and Jessie Fugate- October 1