Conference News

Mapletown UMC Rises from Ashes: The Observer-Reporter published a story about Mapletown UMC breaking ground on their new church building after a devastating fire in 2020. Read more.  The Northeast Jurisdictional Conference: After the UMC Judicial Council ruled that Jurisdictional Conferences can elect new bishops this year, the Council of Bishops scheduled the elections for Nov. 2-5. Newly elected bishops take office on Jan. 1. The Baltimore-Washington Conference will host the NEJ Conference. ... read more

Summer Solstice Event at Calvary UMC: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published a story about the summer solstice event held at Calvary UMC that showcased the church’s iconic windows. Read the story.  Grant recipients The Foundation for Evangelism announced 31 recipients awarded grants in its inaugural Equipping the Local Church Grants 2022 cycle. Three Western Pennsylvania ministries were selected: Lakeside UMC, Girard UMC, and About Face Church Outreach Consultants. Read more. Youth Canoe Journey:... read more

Let Us Remember in Prayer all the high school and college graduates beginning a new phase of life, those beginning retirement, pastors moving to new appointments, and the churches experiencing a pastoral change.  Mission u 2022 will be held at Jumonville the weekend of Aug. 19-21, with programs for adults, youth and children. All will be focused on Building Community. The adult study will be led by Revs. Beth Nelson and Terry Shaffer, while Rev. Bev Roscoe will be dean for Youth Mission u and ... read more

2022 Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference June 2-4, Erie Bayfront Convention Center, Erie, PA By Liz Lennox, Conference Communicator Anchored in Christ, based on Hebrews 6:19, was the theme for the 2022 Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference. The annual conference met June 2-4 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, PA. The session included ordination, Bible studies and plenary sessions, concluding on Saturday with a memorial service. Masks were required at all times due to an upswing... read more

Peace with Justice Sunday is June 12!  Each year, on the first Sunday after Pentecost, United Methodists celebrate efforts across the connection that are building peace and receive a special offering to support them. Learn more and find resources. BSA Update: New relationship agreements, formerly known as charters, for churches sponsoring Boy Scout troops will be ready by the end of June, according to a letter being distributed to congregational Scouting leaders. To help orient these leaders to ... read more

In Times Like These: In a statement after the murder of 19 school children in Uvalde, Texas, Bishop Moore-Koikoi shared a prayer and words from a hymn by Ruth Caye Jones. Read her statement Take Action to Stop Mass Shootings: Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, president of the UMC Council of Bishops, today urged clergy and laity to “go on offense to stop mass shootings like the one that killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Texas.” Writing on behalf of the COB, he suggested ... read more

Need prayer? The Annual Conference Prayer Team will offer in-person opportunities on Thursday and Friday of the upcoming Annual Conference, June 2-3. On Thursday at 11 a.m., teams will form for orientation, then walk and pray over each room where legislation will be decided. An interactive prayer room with self-guided prayer stations and teams to pray with you upon request, will be open on Thursday, June 2 from 1 p.m.-11p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m. -11 p.m. It will be in room 130C. Private ... read more

U. S. Conferences Can’t Vote to Leave UMC: The United Methodist Church's Judicial Council ruled this week that current church law does not allow annual conferences in the U.S. to withdraw from the denomination. The ruling answers questions from the United Methodist bishops, who are dealing with the ramifications of a splintering denomination. Read UM News story See Council of Bishops press release: Council of Bishops welcomes decision WCA Remaining in UMC:  Although the Global Methodist Church ... read more

Mothers Day: As you prepare to observe Mother’s Day, consider inviting church members and friends to celebrate a mother, grandmother or mother figure by donating to your local church, posting about it on social media and encouraging others to do the same! They can share why the person they’re celebrating is special. Resources designed to appreciate mothers and their gifts are available here.  Give Mom a Chance to Get Away! Olmsted Manor’s Spring Women’s Retreat is May 20-22. Rev. Ginger Thomas ... read more

New Coordinator of Clergy/Lay Excellence Named: The Rev. Chenda Innis Lee, who currently serves on Conference staff as a Regional Coordinator for Spiritual Formation in the Pittsburgh/Butler area, will begin serving as the new Coordinator of Clergy and Lay Excellence on July 1.  Read news story Postings for other Conference staff positions, as well as some local church positions, were added to the Conference website this week at wpaumc.org/classifieds   Are You Registered for Annual Conference? ... read more

The Ruth M. Smith Center in Sheffield, PA is a National Mission Institution of the United Methodist Women (now United Women in Faith) and is operated by a Board of Directors that includes United Methodists and residents of the northwestern PA area from other denominations.  In 2022, its Centennial year, we're celebrating the mission and ministry of the Smith Center by sharing stories.  --By Mark Lindberg, Board Member, The Ruth M. Smith Center-- From time to time in our lives, we meet a person ... read more

The Rev. Chenda Innis Lee, a lifelong United Methodist and ordained elder in the Virginia Conference, has been selected by the WPA Conference Personnel Committee to serve as the new Coordinator of Clergy and Lay Excellence.  Rev. Lee has been serving as the Regional Coordinator of Spiritual Formation in the Pittsburgh/Butler area since December 1, 2021. She will begin her new position on the Conference Program Staff on July 1, 2022.   “Rev. Lee has a quiet confidence and a deep spiritual ... read more

Annual Conference 2022: The Pre-Conference Booklet is now available through a link on the Annual Conference webpage wpaumc.org/AC   Order of Elder Meeting: The Order of Elder will hold a reorganizational meeting, with election of officers, on Thursday, May 12, following the adjournment of the Clergy Session at Dutilh U.M. Church. All members of the order are encouraged to attend and are eligible to vote. Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi will convene the meeting and preside over the election of new ... read more

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is collaborating with a Texas-based humanitarian organization focused on Ukraine and Ohio Health to send 47,895 pounds of medical supplies and equipment worth $935,000.00 to two hospitals in Kyiv, Ukraine. AEC Parcel Services is handling transport of the supplies, which are being sent in three shipments.    The first shipment arrived at the State Ukrainian Health Ministry Heart Institute in Kyiv on Thursday, April 14, 2022. The second shipment was... read more

As we continue through Holy Week, we invite continued prayers for all those affected by the war in Ukraine and unrest elsewhere in our world, as well as for our Bishop and her family. Her mother, Joan Lee Simms Moore, was laid to rest today. See Mrs. Moore’s obituary SPARK Update: The youth had a great time at SPARK in Erie last weekend. In addition to worship, Gaga-ball and other activities, they put together Blessing Bags for those in need in the Erie area. See photos at facebook.com/wpaumc ... read more