Conference News

Prayers of the People: Please join in prayer for the families and friends of the Rev. Roger Rulong and Cindy Raptosh, who passed away in the last week. Visit wpaumc.org/obituaries Maximizing Hybrid Worship: If you’re offering both online and in-person worship, or planning to, you won’t want to miss our May 15 webinar with Jason Moore of Midnight Oil Productions. Watch video intro with Rev. Doug Dyson and get details. How Much ___Do You Have? In a reflection posted on the Conference blog, Rev. ... read more

It's Time for SPARK! Pray for our youth and their leaders on Saturday, April 17, during SPARK, the Conference youth gathering. It will be held in-person at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center and live-streamed to churches around the Conference. Learn more and check out the Swag Store Eastertide Worship Service: Several churches will be using the Eastertide Worship Service prepared by Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and her Cabinet this coming Sunday. Links to download the service --or the Bishop's ... read more

As we continue through Holy Week, join in our daily Lenten video devotionals called Cross Sections.  Find them at wpaumc.org/lenten-video-series. Jumonville Easter Sunrise Service: The UM churches of Greater Uniontown invite you to join them at Jumonville for their annual Easter Sunrise Service. Take a chair (and warm coat, if needed) and meet on the lawn in front of the dining hall at 7 a.m. Offerings will go to the Kidz2Kamp scholarship fund.  Easter Blessing Over Pittsburgh: Bishop Cynthia ... read more

The Bishops of the Northeastern Jurisdiction have announced the voluntary retirements of two bishops and plans for coverage of their episcopal areas for the 16 months from the Sept.1, 2021 effective date through the end of 2022.  Bishops Peggy Johnson of the Philadelphia Area and Jeremiah Park of the Harrisburg Area have been granted voluntary retirement and will move to new roles starting Sept. 1 under paragraph 408.2 (b) of The Book of Discipline.  Pittsburgh Area Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi,... read more

Throughout the pandemic, United Methodist Human Services of Johnstown has continued its ministry and stepped up to help people navigate getting the services they need for housing and utility security, as well as offering direct financial assistance through their Bridges to Success and Emergency Financial Assistance programs. In 2020, meeting needs during the pandemic required a significant shift for UMHS.  In recent years, UMHS had scaled back its emergency financial assistance program, ... read more

Call to Prayer and Action: Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi issued a pastoral letter this week calling United Methodists to prayer and action to address gun violence and the increasing number of assaults on Asian Americans in the United States. Read her letter A day earlier, the Conference Anti-Racism Team issued a statement urging all Christians to speak up against hate. Learn more General Conference Update: The UM Council of Bishops on Monday canceled its call for a special virtual session of ... read more

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi issued a pastoral letter this morning calling United Methodists to prayer and action to address gun violence and the increasing number of assaults on Asian Americans in the United States. The text of her letter follows: Siblings in Christ,   We all continue to grieve and lament the gun violence in our society.     I pray for the community of Boulder, Colorado that has now lost 10 persons, including a police officer in a supermarket shooting. Ironically, a state judge... read more

The Western PA Conference Anti-Racism Team is urging United Methodists to speak out against hate, particularly racialized hate.  The Team issued the following statement addressing escalating violence against Asian Americans.  The news tells us a man buys a gun in Atlanta and uses it to kill eight people, six of them Asian American women. The news tells us that the law enforcement officer speaking to the press reported the man with the gun was “having a bad day”.  This comment prompts outrage ... read more

District Ministry Assistants Appointed: As part of the Shared Ministry Model being piloted in the Indiana District, the Rev. Howard Greenfield will be appointed as the District Ministry Assistant. He will work with DS Jodie Smith, who will serve as Superintendent of both the Franklin and Indiana Districts. She’ll be assisted by DS Bob Zilhaver of the Connellsville District, where the  Rev. Bob Ellson, pastor of Mt. Pleasant UMC, will serve as the District Ministry Assistant. Learn more and see ... read more

As a pastor and mom of two young children, Rev. Kelly Smith had a rare Sunday off in January and wanted to find a way to worship WITH her kids from home, but she found few options.  Rev. Kelly Smith “I know some churches are doing children's sermons during streaming/virtual worship, but it's just not the same,” she said. “Jeremiah (her 5-year-old) has done Zoom Sunday School since September, but that's not worship -- and I want my kids to learn how important worship is in our lives.”... read more

Hybrid Annual Conference Planned: Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi has announced that the 2021 Annual Conference will be held in hybrid form on June 18-19. Clergy session will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 3 via Zoom Webinar. The Bishop explained the reasons for the decision in an email to clergy and voting lay members. She also created a video message that can be shared. Read more and see video See Bishop’s email Virtual Prayer Room: Our Virtual Prayer Room will be open Thursday evening and ... read more

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, after consultation with Conference Sessions Chair Alan Morrison and other leaders, has announced that the 2021 Annual Conference will be held in hybrid form on June 18-19. Clergy session will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 3 via Zoom Webinar.  “Due to the limitations on the size of gatherings and concerns for the safety of all participants, we’ve made the decision to care for the celebrations of ministry with as many people as we can accommodate in person,” said ... read more

General Conference Updates: After an announcement last week that the postponed 2020 General Conference session cannot be held until August 29 – September 6, 2022, the Council of Bishops called for a Special Session to convene May 8, 2021 to act on 12 pieces of legislation. Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi explained what it all means in a video. See video and learn more. Read UMNS report on delegates’ reactions Remembering Rev. Junius Dotson: United Methodists across the denomination are mourning the... read more

Local church pastors are invited to join in a six-week online study of Saving Grace: A Guide to Financial Well-Being, a new personal money management curriculum that seeks to promote financial wellness for clergy and laity. The Zoom study, led by the Rev. Jeff Vanderhoff, will run Wednesday evenings from April 14-May 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The six-session curriculum is guided by Wesleyan values and speaks to key money management topics—such as saving, earning, giving, spending and debt. ... read more

UPDATED March 22, 2021 The United Methodist Council of Bishops has canceled its call for a special virtual General Conference on May 8.  The bishops made the decision to cancel during a March 22 online meeting that was closed to the public. The bishops also announced that they plan to use their regularly scheduled April meeting to discuss results of listening sessions and discern a possible new timeline. “Much has been learned over the past few weeks and the extended timeline will allow for ... read more