Conference News

DS Nelson to Serve Holiday Park: The Rev. Pat Nelson has been appointed to serve as pastor of Holiday Park United Methodist Church, effective Jan. 1, 2022. She is currently the Greensburg District Superintendent. Rev. Tony Fallisi, who served as pastor of Holiday Park since 2013, recently moved to New Hampshire with his wife to be near family. Rev. Augie Twigg is serving as interim pastor.  Read Rev. Nelson’s appointment announcement. Pittsburgh DS Installation: The Rev. Deborah Ackley-Killian ... read more

Organ music was first heard by Clarion Methodists in 1871, and the first pipe organ was installed in the building of what is now First United Methodist Church in 1894. The church's current Austin organ has been the source of majestic music for 100 years. Given by Mrs. Anna Brenoel Keatley in memory of her husband and his brothers, in 1921, the organ was completely rebuilt and expanded in 1971.  An instrument to be appreciated and celebrated, the church will celebrate that gift in a concert ... read more

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi will lead an Educational Opportunities Alpine Odyssey Tour, including a visit to the Oberammergau Passion Play, from Sept. 19-27, 2022.  Since 1634, the most famous Passion Play in the world has been taking place in Oberammergau.  All of the members of the 2000 person cast must have either been born in or lived in this village at the edge of the Bavarian Alps for at least 20 years.   Through a partnership with Olmsted Manor Retreat Center, Western PA Conference ... read more

WPAUMC Staff Changes: The Rev. Dr. Susan Moudry will leave her Conference staff position this month and move to Ft. Worth, TX, to serve as Director of Lay and Continuing Education at Brite Divinity School. Read more Amanda Mitchell, who has served since 2016 as WPAUMC's Coordinator of Young People’s Ministries as a lay employee, has completed Licensing School and been appointed to the position as clergy. See appointment announcement Update on Boy Scouts of America Situation: Bishop Cynthia ... read more

The Rev. Dr. Susan Moudry, who has coordinated leadership development efforts as a member of the Western PA Conference staff for the past five years, has been appointed to serve as Director of Lay and Continuing Education at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas.  Brite Divinity School educates and inspires people to serve God’s diverse world as leaders in churches, the academy and public life. The school is related to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), while embodying an ... read more

Smith Installed as Indiana DS: In a clear and powerful message during her installation service last  Sunday,  Rev. Jodie Smith acknowledged the deep divisions in our churches and in our nation. But she said it's time to stop focusing on what divides us and start acting like Jesus. Read more and see photos New Meet in the Middle Episode! Rev. Renee Mikell interviews Conference Lay Leader Sharon Gregory in a new episode of the Conference’s Meet in the Middle podcast. The two then talk with Joyce ... read more

The Rev. Jodie Barron Smith was installed as superintendent of the Indiana District during a service on Sunday, Sept. 26 at Indiana Grace United Methodist Church. Rev. Smith also serves as superintendent of the Franklin District. In the Indiana District, she is assisted by the Rev. Howard Greenfield, a retired elder now serving as ministry assistant, and, as needed, by the Rev. Robert Zilhaver, who also serves as Connellsville District Superintendent. The Shared District Leadership model is a ... read more

Indiana DS Installation: Rev. Jodie B. Smith will officially be installed as the Superintendent of the Indiana District during a 3 p.m. worship service on Sunday, Sept. 26 at Indiana Grace United Methodist Church. Rev. Smith also serves as the Superintendent of the Franklin District.  Learn more about Shared District Leadership SPARK = 2 for 2022! The annual youth gathering will be offered on two weekends in two places -- Jan. 8-9 in Pittsburgh and April 9-10 in Erie--in 2022. Registration is ... read more

In 2016, the General Conference of The United Methodist Church approved a resolution that affirms the sacredness of American Indian people, their languages, cultures, and gifts to the church and the world. The Boarding School Healing Project, a national coalition of organizations working with Native communities, raises awareness of and advocates for Native American children who had been forced into boarding schools, where native children were taught to disown their cultures and languages. ... read more

Join in Active Waiting: Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi suggests that United Methodists spend the time leading up to the next General Conference engaging in the spiritual exercise of active waiting. Rather than a time of anxiety and stagnation, active waiting for believers is a time to cooperate with what God is doing among us while preparing for new manifestations of God’s promises. Read her blog post Facilities Use Agreement for Scouting: In a Sept. 3 email, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi advised ... read more

Prayers for the 9/11 Anniversary: Discipleship Ministries offers a prayer and resources for the 20th anniversary of 9/11. See the prayer Visitation and a Memorial Service for Gail Donaldson, wife of the Rev. Gary Donaldson, will be held Saturday morning, Sept. 11 at Asbury UMC in Waterford. She passed away August 31. See obituary Faith in Action How Faith Communities Support Migrants in PA: In a Facebook Live discussion, Joyce Davis, Coordinator for United Methodist Advocacy in PA, talked with ... read more

On July 12, 2021, Erie-Meadville District Superintendent Dennis Swineford presented the Thoburn Cane to Rev. Reed Hurst, 92, in a ceremony held at the Conference Center in Cranberry Township. The Thoburn Cane, named for Bishop James Thoburn, is presented to the oldest clergy member of the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the UMC with the most years of service. During the ceremony, Rev. Hurst listened as gathered family and friends described his ministry and influence. As they thanked him for ... read more

Mission Barn Needs Flood Buckets, Hygiene Kits: With flooding in Western PA and the Louisiana Conference and other areas hard-hit by Hurricane Ida, our Eastbrook Mission Barn needs cleaning buckets and hygiene kits. These items can be brought to the Mission Barn or one of its satellites.  Get kit assembly instructions Hurricane Ida Recovery: Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey and the Rev. Bob Deich, disaster response coordinator, have done video updates on how the Louisiana Conference has been ... read more

By Rev. Debra Rogosky, pastor Wesley United Methodist Church, Erie, PA When life takes a turn and accessibility becomes necessary who do you call? If you are part of the Erie-Meadville District, you call Ramps of Hope, part of All God’s Children’s Ministries. I know, I called them.  When my spouse, Ed, was rendered a paraplegic this June, I had many difficult decisions to make and there were many things I had to learn.  As a United Methodist pastor, I asked the church I serve, Wesley in Erie, ... read more

Back to School Anxiety and COVID: To help parents and students better understand the issues and the risks involved in returning to the classroom, PennLive and the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg will co-host a “Back to School” webinar at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, featuring educators as well as parents and experts in mental and emotional wellness. Nicole Kirksey, MSW, Associate Lay Leader in the Susquehanna Conference, will be one of the panelists. Joyce Davis, coordinator of UM Advocacy in ... read more