Conference News

Covid Update for Churches: The Conference Abundant Health Team has updated guidelines for churches to protect congregants and the community from the spread of COVID-19. It includes a link to recommendations from the CDC for upcoming holidays. See WPAUMC guidelines See CDC guidelines for holiday celebrations. COVID Report Prompts Olmsted Shutdown: The Fall Women’s Spirituality Retreat has been cancelled and Olmsted Manor Retreat Center has shut down at least until Nov. 1 to avoid potential ... read more

Annual Conference Wrap-Up: A story with links to videos is posted on the Conference website. See story  Strength for the Journey: Finding Balance in Challenging Times In our “new normal”, many people feel out of balance; this can eventually lead to loss of energy and joy. Laity and clergy are invited to join an interactive workshop presented by LifeSolutions Employee Assistance Program to discuss renewal, resilience and self-compassion (including yourself in the circle of care). The Zoom event ... read more

A one-day 2020 session of the Western PA Annual Conference was held virtually on Saturday, October 3. It was not possible to hold any part of the Annual Conference in person with the measures necessary to safeguard against spread of the coronavirus. Ordination and Commissioning services will take place in 2021. The Oct. 3 session, held via Zoom ,included worship with music by several local church groups, the Bishop's State of the Conference address, a financial update, and a question and answer... read more

“There are usually two reactions when someone suggests self care to me,” says the Rev. Debra Flint. “ First is ‘I simply don’t have time,’ and second is ‘Self Care isn’t the most important thing right now, given the needs that are in front of me.’”     But Debra's experience and training in trauma informed care has helped her reassess those thoughts and put them into perspective.    An ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church, a licensed clinical social worker with extensive training in ... read more

Annual Conference: An estimated 900 people zoomed in to attend the plenary sessions of the 2020 virtual Annual Conference session on Saturday. There was meaningful worship, with music recorded by various local church music teams. The Bishop’s State of the Church message was inspiring and highlighted some of the excellent ministry that has continued throughout the pandemic. Videos of the State of the Church address and the Five Areas of Focus reports are posted at wpaumc.org/AC. Watch and share ... read more

In this time, much prayer is needed. Western Pennsylvania United Methodists and friends have two opportunities to join with others in prayer. Annual Conference Virtual Prayer Room Beginning tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 2, the Annual Conference Prayer Team invites you to the Annual Conference 2020 Virtual Prayer Room. The Virtual Prayer Room will be open from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3.  Personal prayer sessions are available during those hours. These private prayer sessions ... read more

Annual Conference Update: Wondering how the Oct. 3rd virtual Annual Conference will work? Alan Morrison, chair of the Sessions Team, explains it in this video. Did You Register Yet? If you are clergy or a designated church or equalization lay member, please use the links you received in a Sept. 21 email from John Wilson to register. If you can't find the email, or you want to attend as a guest, simply register by clicking the green button at wpaumc.org/AC Communications Enhancement Grants: The ... read more

Annual Conference Update: Conference Secretary John Wilson emailed clergy and laity designated as voting members of the 2020 Annual Conference on Monday asking them to indicate if they will attend the October 3 virtual session and to register separately through Zoom for the plenary session. Because of Conference rules requiring in-person voting, no votes can be taken during the virtual Annual Conference. The webinar will be recorded and posted along with other videos and information on the ... read more

World Communion Sunday is October 4: In an email to pastors this week, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi noted that every United Methodist congregation is expected to celebrate World Communion Sunday and receive a special offering to support scholarships for General Board of Global Ministries work and for ethnic persons pursuing higher education and in-service training. She also addressed how to celebrate communion during a pandemic. Read her email Get worship and promotional resources in the Pastor ... read more

Annual Conference Going Virtual: In an email to clergy and voting members of the 2020 Annual Conference, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi announced late last week that the Annual Conference session on October 3 will be an online event. Get details and watch video Photo Request Reminder for Annual Conference! Churches throughout Western PA are asked to send a (high resolution) photo or two of ministries they have engaged in since our 2019 Annual Conference. These pictures will be used to highlight the... read more

The Rev. Debra Mason, who served as WPAUMC Coordinator of Diversity Development and Inclusion on an interim basis from June 1 - August 31, 2020 will continue in the position effective September 1, 2020. The conference personnel Committee selected her after receiving applications through July 7 and interviewing selected applicants via Zoom in August.   “I am thrilled that Debra will be joining the Conference Staff in a permanent position, said the Rev. Alyce Weaver Dunn, Director of Connectional ... read more

Share Your Photos for Annual Conference! The Worship Team for our 2020 Annual Conference is asking churches throughout Western PA to send a (high resolution) photo or two of ministries your church has engaged in since our 2019 Annual Conference. These pictures will be during the Annual Conference 2020 worship to highlight the incredible work of our Conference and connection. Please email your pictures to amy.wagner@wpaumc.org by September 15, 2020. Funeral Services will be held at Hill Memorial ... read more

A Call to UMC Laity! The executive team of the Association of Annual Conference Lay Leaders, which includes our WPAUMC Lay Leader Sharon Gregory, on Monday called on all laity to witness, care and act in the midst of the “dual pandemic” that grips our nation. “As laity we are 99.2% of the church and our voices matter. We cannot sit as observers to these events, they said. “We are vital to the unfolding of God’s hope for us, to be people who hold one another and the communities around us, in ... read more

Sign Up Now for Campership Bike-a-Thon! The annual bike ride to raise funds to send children and youth to one of our Conference camps is taking a different route this year. Rather than a Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. ride, it will be a “Tour de Camp” in Western PA, beginning Sept. 26. Ride the full route or join the group for a day. Learn more and register. Pandemic and Federal Policy: U. S. Sen. Bob Casey will hold a Zoom webinar for the faith-based community focused on pandemic-related ... read more

Struchen Remembrance: The Zoom recording of the August 5 memorial service for the Rev. Don Struchen wraps up with a video clip of Don’s acceptance speech at the 2019 Western PA Annual Conference when, at age 96, he received the Thoburn Cane as the oldest clergy member. There are also references during the service to a cookbook that contains, among other things, a recipe from Olmsted Manor. Watch at youtube.com/watch?v=SpNovxSXzgU.  Death: Pastor John Hickman, co-pastor with his wife Carol of the... read more